Content that Matters

Fil-Dutch youth form SK Holland

2011-06-13T19:26:00.001+02:00

Posted at 06/06/2011 3:02 PM | Updated as of 06/07/2011 12:55 AM
First published

In an effort to unite the youth of the Filipino-Dutch community, 5 young Fil-Dutch established the Sangguniang Kabataan Holland, named after the youth federations in the Philippines.

SK Holland aims to reach out to the young Fil-Dutch crowd and encourage them to be active in the community. They are guided by the Kalayaan Fiesta Foundation Netherlands (KFFN), which also organizes the Independence Day celebrations ni Holland.

The organization was originally formed 2 years ago as a think-thank committee to help KFFN organize activities for the youth.

“Our main goal is to attract young people to be more involved,” says Rodenor Estimada, SK Holland coordinator.

KFFN-SK Holland’s main project is to involve the Fil-Dutch youth in the celebration of the Philippine Independence Day and to inculcate in them the history and significance of the celebration.

“We noticed that there are a lot of young Filipinos walking around here, maybe a lot of them don’t even know the true story of Independence Day,” Estimada said.

“We also try to inform them about the Philippine history via our website that. (We also) ecncourage the young Filipino to come and celebrate not only here as visitors but also as part of the organizations,” he continued.

This year, KFFN-SK Holland led an interactive talent show competition for the youth until 35 years old. Participants were encouraged to make a video of their performances and upload it to their website through YouTube, where families and friends can vote.

The 5 entries with the most votes will perform at the Independence Day celebration on June 11 in Amsterdam, where the winner will be judged.

“It all started with us thinking how we an involve the youth with Independence Day,” said Bryan Mendean, KFFN-SK Holland member. He added that until that point, Independence Day had been celebrated only by the older generation.

“What Filipino people got in common all over the world is that they like to peform, they like to sing, they like to dance... and they also like to put themselves on the Internet. So we thought, OK, let’s do something with that,” he added.

Both young men hope that through this competition, Fil-Dutch youth will interact and get to know each other and help preserve the Filipino culture in Netherlands.

The organization is also planning to hold a basketball tournament this summer.

They also hope that more young people will join SK Holland.

“We’re trying to expand as much as possible so we can have a community of younger Filipinos. We thought that it’s a good idea to have the younger generation gathered together, give them a source for connecting with each other,” Estimada said.

For more information about SK Holland and its projects, visit www.kffn-sk.com.

Dutchman honored to be part of Brillante Mendoza's 'Prey'

2011-03-02T09:41:00.001+01:00

photo by Mell T. Navarro

By Dheza Marie Aguilar, ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau
Posted at 02/26/2011 12:47 PM | Updated as of 03/01/2011 10:47 AM

NETHERLANDS – Pieter van Overbeeke initially thought that Palme d'Or Best Director Brillante Mendoza was talking in jest when he said that he needed a white guy to play in his upcoming movie.

But two months after they met at the showing of his films in Amsterdam, Overbeeke, popularly known as “Pedro” in the Filipino community in Holland, flew to Manila to shoot for "Prey".

"Prey" is a French/Filipino produced film based on the life of Gracia Burnham, one of the survivors in the Dos Palmas kidnapping in 2001, and the kidnapping situation in Mindanao.

Overbeeke found it a challenge to work with such a large group of actors especially because it was his first movie stint. He was cast as one of the foreigners beheaded during the kidnapping. Since most of the scenes were shot in the jungle, Overbeeke also had his share of encounters with Mother Nature.

"The challenging part for me was that I was afraid that I will speak Tagalog and that I will mix up Tagalog and English. The challenging part actually is the whole thing, working with all those people, running while being shot at and (running) through the mud. My legs are full of scars but having all those great actors around you really helps,” he said.

He was also introduced to Mendoza’s directing style, where actors only get their lines a few minutes before the actual take. Actors were also advised to try to stay in character even if the camera was off. But according to him, internalizing his character has helped him a lot in portraying the victim.

“I think it’s very difficult but somehow it went smoothly. That’s just memorizing who I am and with the help of colleague actors who are in the same situation, we just somehow managed to do it,” he explained.

He also admired how Mendoza handled the whole shooting.

“He is so natural. He wants you to be natural. He doesn’t want you to be maarte if you don’t need to. The funny thing is, his movies, the takes are almost [done] chronologically so you're feeling the adventure and the story day by day but you don’t know what will happen the next day, nobody knows. And that’s really amazing.”

Two-time Cannes Best Actress Isabelle Huppert played the role of a hostage tourist. Huppert and Mendoza met during the 2010 Cannes Film Festival where her admiration for his film "Kinatay" made her agree to do the film.

“She is so great and cool and so professional. She was treated as a VIP but she was so down to earth,” Overbeeke said.

Career in the Philippines

The Tagalog-speaking Overbeeke said that he welcomes opportunities to enter the Philippine showbiz industry as a character actor.

“If ever I will have the chance, I would love to do it again, do more of it. In Tagalog, kahit mestiso, kahit bading, pwede na 'yan,” said Overbeeke.

His acting potentials were recognized by his co-actors especially by actress Maria Isabel Lopez, who played a journalist captured together with the 31 other victims.

“One thing about Director Brillante is that he has a way of making his actors act in a normal way, in a natural way. Si Pedro is very promising kasi not to mention the good looks, he speaks the language. I think this movie will open new doors and will be a vehicle for him as a character actor in the country,” said Lopez.

Lopez added that among the foreign actors in the film, Overbeeke was the one closest to the Filipino actors because there was no language barrier and the Dutchman is very much Pinoy at heart.

Meanwhile, Overbeeke does not think that "Prey" will be shown in the main theaters in the Philippines because of the nudity and violent contents of the film. But he hopes it will make it to the next Cannes Film Festival. He also hopes that the church and the state will be more objective about the ratings that they give to films.

“I think, with due respect to these people, the strength of the church is a bit too much, the influence on the daily life. Here in Holland, being the most liberated country in Europe at least, whenever there’s a nude scene in the movie, it should be there. It's part of life. We all originated from nude people, that’s why we're born right, so whatever needs to be there is there. So sana it's going to change na lang in the future.”

Currently, "Prey" is being edited in France and expected to be released worldwide starting this year. For Filipinos who will not be able to catch it on the big screen, Overbeeke is inviting them to buy the DVD copy.

Young Pinoys learn diplomacy at Model United Nations

2011-03-02T09:36:00.001+01:00

By Dheza Marie Aguilar, ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau
Posted at 02/03/2011 2:22 PM | Updated as of 02/03/2011 2:22 PM

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THE NETHERLANDS - Eighteen students from the International School of Manila, majority of them Filipinos, joined this year’s The Hague International Model United Nations (THIMUN) in Netherlands.

The annual gathering of high school students from all over the world is being organized by the The Hague International Model United Nations Foundation to instill in the young minds of the students the core values of the United Nations Organization.

Unique in its concept, the students were assigned to represent another country to be able to develop a more global approach to solving economic and social problems.

The Filipino delegation represented Albania this year. In the five-day conference, students are tasked to discuss, pass resolutions, negotiate, debate and understand deeper various global issues like human rights violations, youth and refugees, environmental problems, economic development, war and peace, among others.

This year has been extra special for the Filipino delegation because they have the most number of students from non-Dutch school selected for chairmanship and officer positions.

Among the delegates are Michelle Ferreol, Economic and Social Council Deputy President, Ayesha Dayaram International Court of Justice President, Kimberly Rodriguez, Advisory Panel President, Anthony Gokianluy who became MUNITY Newspaper Editor, and Leandro Leviste, son of Senator Loren Legarda, who chaired the controversial Human Rights Commission.

“We really need to listen to representatives from different countries about what they can say on the issues that are great importance to the youth. In that, you get to realize how much energy the young people have nowadays, how committed they are on making a difference especially in this commission, we have in human rights. It was inspiring to find out how opinionated young people can be on issues of great importance,” said Leviste of his experience.

Influenced by her mother to be concerned, especially with issues of human rights, Leviste said that one of the most widespread human rights violations happening in every part of the world has to do with children.

“I think what really stands was the rights of children both in post-disaster areas in terms of child labor even sometimes child soldiers. In the Philippines where we have such a large population, I think that’s what the youth can take great interest in and hopefully we can have some advances in the welfare of children there. Their welfare is always ignored so it would be great if we can have more attention paid to the most vulnerable members of our society,” he added.

Meanwhile for Blanca Villanueva, being in the environment commission made her appreciate more the biodiversity and natural resources of the Philippines as well as learn about other problems the world is facing.

“There was a wide range of topic we can talk about and all of them were definitely interesting. We were a large delegation so we have topics ranging from environment, disarmament and human rights. It was a very good experience especially the debates,” said Villanueva.

Aside from serious daily discussions, the students were also encouraged to interact and make friends with fellow participants.

“It’s great to see everyone, all the countries and different issues that we are debating today. This is one of the best experiences in my life” said Daniel Viray.

Other delegates include Isabel Agudo, Shloka Sharan, Alonzo Virata, Daniel Tan, Patrick Younes, Mahek Tulsiani, Chris Ong, Akshar Bonu, Myung-in Sohn, Mariella Salazar, Esther Park and Gaea Morales.

According to Leviste, they are trying to promote Model United Nations in the Philippines by organizing conferences for different schools in the country with the help of private organizations like the Rotary Club of Makati. Currently Model United Nations conferences are being held only in The Hague and Singapore.

Philippine consulate opens in Rotterdam

2011-03-02T09:32:00.002+01:00

By Dheza Marie Aguilar, ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau

Posted at 01/25/2011 1:35 PM | Updated as of 01/25/2011 1:35 PM

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ROTTERDAM - In order to attract more investments and tourism from Rotterdam and its neighboring cities, the Philippine embassy in the Netherlands opened its consular office in Rotterdam.

Primarily opened to assist Filipino and Dutch nationals, the consular office in Rotterdam will accept visa processing, authentication of documents by the Honorary Consul General and will also serve as an information center for Dutch nationals who want to do business or simply visit the Philippines.

“Having a consular office operational already in Rotterdam, hopefully we will see more Dutch tourists go to the country. And those businessmen in Rotterdam and neighboring cities don’t have to go to Den Hague or Amsterdam in order to get their visa,” said Minister Frank Cimafranca, Charge d' Affaire of the Philippine embassy in Den Hague.

Another main function that the consular in Rotterdam will focus on is assistance to Filipino seafarers who are in transit in Rotterdam. Hundreds of Filipino seafarers dock everyday in Rotterdam, the largest port in Europe.

“If there will be problems encountered by our seafarers while they are here in Rotterdam, then the Philippine consulate here will able to respond to their needs,” added Cimafranca.

The new Philippine consulate is located in the STC-Group building in Lloydstraat in Rotterdam. It started receiving applications since January 14.

New Honorary Consul General

Simultaneous with the opening of the Philippine consulate in Rotterdam is the first day of office of Aart Korteland the new Honorary Consul General to Rotterdam.

Korteland has been an important figure both in the Netherlands’ and the Philippines’ maritime industry. He was the founder and long-time chairman of the Royal Association of Netherlands’s Shipowners (KNVR), a member of the Nationale Havenraad (Advisory Council of the Minister of Transport), and former chairman of the Seafarer’s Pension Fund.

In the Philippines, he started the Palompon project in Leyte or what is better known as the Netherlands Maritime Academy. In this institution, hundreds of young Filipinos are trained to become seafarers with sure jobs awaiting them in Dutch ships. This project made the Philippines the top choice for the Netherlands’ shipping companies when it comes to crewing.

“We choose Mr. Korteland because of his long experience in the maritime industry and it is in our interest to have somebody to promote the interest of the Philippines and its maritime industry. As we know the Philippines supply almost 1/3 of ship's crew all over the world,” said Trade Attaché Alma Argayoso.

Upgrading maritime education

Korteland believes that the Philippines’ booming population is a great source of knowledge workers for different fields in the Netherlands and the whole Europe.

“Filipinos are extremely friendly people and they master English as their second language. Filipinos are very hard-working and their brains are excellent and they are very flexible so they can be part of international operations in any field of business,” said Korteland.

However, he encouraged the government to focus more on educating its people and making sure that the educational system, particularly in the maritime industry, is at par with international standards.

“The Philippines can improve in the total educational system. One of the biggest challenges that the Philippines has to take care of the fact that when international regulations are being changed by IMO and ILO, they have to be implemented as quickly as possible because, as you know, they are the largest crew supplier in the world,” he added.

He also said that the government must do something with the bureaucracy in the Philippines.

“Sometimes the bureaucracy in the Philippines is a bit overwhelming. As a service-minded country, they will have to take any step they can to improve that phase of development and also education.”

Korteland replaces Mr. H. Meijboom who retired in July 2010.

Student protesters in Holland clash with policemen

2011-03-02T09:29:00.003+01:00

By Dheza Marie Aguilar, ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau
Posted at 01/29/2011 5:27 PM | Updated as of 01/29/2011 5:27 PM

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THE NETHERLANDS - In what was said to be the biggest student demonstration in the Netherlands since 1988, an estimated 15,000 students gathered in The Hague on Friday afternoon to protest against the planned budget cut for higher education.

Earlier in the day, hundreds of professors from different universities in the Netherlands also walked around the parliament dressed in their togas to support the budget cut protest.

But what started as a peaceful demonstration in Malieveld Park ended in a scuffle against the demolition police when about 500 students marched in front of the Ministry of Education where they were met with trucks and policemen on horseback. Volunteers also formed a barricade outside the building to prevent the protesters from storming in.

The situation worsened when protesters began hurling beer cans, bicycles, eggs and fireworks at the policemen. The police retaliated by chasing the rioters and hitting some with batons.

Twenty-five protesters were arrested, some of which, the police claimed, were part of radical groups. Before the Friday rally, the police announced that anti-fascist and radical groups are planning to distort the demonstration prompting them to increase security deployment.

A fine of 3000 euros and more

The biggest issue confronting the academic sector in the planned budget cut is the 3000-euro fine that a student must pay if he or she studied a year longer than the allowed time in finishing his or her degree.

Aside from the students, universities are also mandated to pay the same amount for every student who will study longer than necessary.

Argued the protesters, many students fully developed themselves in activities outside the mandatory curriculum like in management of student’s association, internship abroad or organization of student’s congress. They said that these are also important for companies when assessing them for future jobs.

Meanwhile according to universities, the budget will result in a loss of 7,000 jobs in their sector and a lower quality of education.

“Working class youth already don't have the money to go to a university and that won't change with the upcoming laws. That's why I want a free education of good quality for everyone. Also we are only being given information just by reading books, instead of showing the 'real life' practical experiences. I think that's because our society is too much based on the profit maximization,” said Thomas van Beersum of Hermann Wesselink College in Amstelveen.

He added that a lot of young people will not be motivated to get higher education because of the high expenses that it entails.

Aside from the fines, the government is also planning to scrap student grant and those who are planning to take their second masteral degree have to pay for it themselves. This means an expense of 15,000 euros every year for students planning on having their second masteral degree.

In addition to these major changes, the free use of public transport for students will be discontinued.

It is estimated that 20% of the total budget cut that the parliament is planning will fall on the academe.

“A free education should be an investment that will be given back later when people have a steady job and a good income,” van Beersum added.

In the current system every student who gets a bachelor’s degree receives a financial grant from the government. Outside those six years, if a student wants to pursue a masteral degree, he or she can get a study loan from the government. This is payable after he or she gets a job and income that will enable him or her to pay the government. But some students take 11 years to finish school.

If implemented as planned, overstaying students will immediately be fined this coming September.

Support for the academe

To show support and solidarity with the Dutch academe, some Filipino students joined the Friday rally.

Hiyasmin Saturay, daughter of a refugee who wants to enter a Dutch university next year, said the government should focus instead on helping students get a better quality of education. In recent years, the Dutch ranking in the list of the world’s top quality education continues to slide.

“Nandito ako ngayon para makiisa sa mga estudyante para tutulan ang pinaplano ng gobyerno na pinapagbayad ang estudyante ng lumalagpas sa study nila. Ang lumalabas, sila 'yung nagbabayad sa mga kakulangan ng gobyerno sa quality ng education, sa mali sa economy. Maghihirap ang mga estudyante. Ano na ang mangyayari sa kinabukasan nila?” said Saturay.

Meanwhile Kim Gargar, a Filipino scholar studying in Groningen, joined the protest to heed the call of the academe to oppose the budget cut.

“Pumunta ako dito para makiisa sa Dutch academic community. Isyu naman talaga nila ito although sa atin talaga mas malaki ang problema ng academe kaya kailangan ng international solidarity na din sa mga kapwa natin academecian dito sa Netherlands,” said Gargar.

No abrupt change

The rally showed most protesters waving “Op-Rutte” banners to criticize the policies of the new government led by Prime Minister Mark Rutte.

In his speech during the evening of the demonstration, Rutte said there will be no abrupt changes in the new education policies that they are pushing. He said the budget cut is necessary in order to bring the government’s finances in order.

The prime minister also appealed to the universities to use their reserve funds to alleviate the effect of the budget cut.

Filipino-Belgian dancer makes waves in Europe

2010-12-17T15:37:00.001+01:00

By Dheza Marie Aguilar, ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau

Posted at 12/15/2010 8:29 PM | Updated as of 12/16/2010 7:14 PM

Lin

THE NETHERLANDS – A Filipino-Belgian dancer is making waves in the Netherlands for pioneering and taking contemporary urban street culture to a higher level through dance and theater performances.

Marco Gerris is popularly known as one of the members of the jury of the hit dance show “So You Think You Can Dance”. But he is also the founder and artistic director of “ISH”, a dance company which aims to train young people interested in underground disciplines like hip hop, break dancing, skating, martial arts and beat box. He adopts these disciplines and transforms them into dance and theater shows for the general public.

Gerris, who grew up in Belgium, is proud of being 100% Filipino. He was adopted by his Belgian parents from an orphanage in Cebu when he was only 3 years old.

Bringing street culture to the stage

Originally wanting to be an actor, Gerris got into dancing when he was kicked out of Antwerp’s Terleick School of Drama. Since moving to Amsterdam when he was 23 years old, he discovered street dancing and started his own company “ISH”.

“I felt that there’s too less hip hop and breakdance on stage and if you found it, it was always too little. And I said, I want to make a crew, a dance company, with all these underground skills like skating, martial arts, beatbox, hip hop, breakdance, what comes from the street and make a show with it. 10 years later we are still doing it and we are still developing and inspiring a lot of youngsters,” said Gerris in an interview with Balitang Europe.

“ISH” quickly jumped to popularity after its first show in 2000, and has since then gathered several recognitions. Their shows were a hit, not only in the Netherlands but also in the United States and Canada, as well as other parts of Europe.

Gerrris' life also inspired the award-winning documentary “Wheels of Fortune,” and he has played in several dance movies.

With an initial crew of 7 young people, Gerris strived to develop his company, and in 2005 achieved his dream of playing in Broadway at the New Victory Theater in New York together with his crew.

Helping youth through dance

From the US, Europe, India and Africa, ISH has been touring their dance workshop all over the world to develop kids with the same interest and teach them the value of standing up for themselves.

“The concept with these workshops with kids is we ask the kids, what are you thinking, what do you think is wrong with this world and how do you think you can change that? And together with the teachers and the dancers, we create a performance about these with them.”

Gerris is proud of his former students from the slums of Bangalore in India, who started a dance company with the same concept as theirs. These achievements continue to inspire him to bring his work all around the world.

“The youngsters always get our philosophy about believing in yourself, stand up for yourself, you have a voice try doing something with that,” said Gerris.

Both in the studio and in his circle, Gerris is considered a friend and a mentor.

“Not only that he recognizes your talent but he also gives you the space and freedom to develop something in your own style. And of course he will lead you and give you his advice and he will guide you through the process,” said Abdelhadi Baaddi who has been training with Gerris for 5 years now.

Meanwhile, another friend and colleague also have the same compliment for the Pinoy dancer.

“He is a really great guy, he is a really good choreographer. You can really see the difference between him choreographing in ISH and him being a friend. Outside, he is really a cool guy, levels with everybody--colleagues, friends--but in the work space, when he is working something, then he is really a choreographer.”

Acknowledging his roots

When he was 25 years old, Gerris visited the Philippines for the first time. He said that a whole new world opened up to him, something that is very different from what he was used to. And although he was not able to find his biological parents, Gerris was happy to have visited.

“My biggest goal was to see where I grew up, that was the nicest thing for me. I want to go back one day again. I think every 5 years I want to go there.”

It was also during this visit that Gerris discovered where some of his talents came from.

Bringing his tools with him, Gerris played with some street kids. From there, he noticed how talented the Filipinos are.

“Filipinos are so creative, so talented. When I was there, I was playing with them and they pick it up in split seconds. Oh, so, there’s my talent from, I recognized it,” he said.

Gerris is also enthusiastic of bringing ISH’s dance workshops in the Philippines if there is an opportunity to collaborate with local companies.

“I think if we will ever have the opportunity to come to the Philippines with my concept, with ISH, I think we will blow them away. I think they will be very enthusiastic and will keep on doing it.”

Pinoy docu film wins in Amsterdam

2010-11-28T10:19:00.002+01:00

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NETHERLANDS – It was a story that made headlines in 2002 when an American Vietnam war hero was convicted of two counts of rape--a story that Director Monster Jimenez had followed in five years and released into a documentary film.

On its first worldwide in screening in the International Documentary Film Festival in Amsterdam, “Kano: An American and His Harem” won IDFA’s top award for first screening. The IDFA jury tagged Kano: An American and His Harem as a “debut film of disturbing power and an exceptional achievement by a new voice in the documentary, Monster Jimenez.”

“With an extraordinary lack of moral judgementalness, Monster Jimenez takes us inside the mind of a man who sees himself as the Hugh Hefner of the Philippines but whom the courts see as a pedophile and rapist. But Ms. Jimenez not only creates a complex portrait of a troubled man that challenges stereotypes of the sex offender, she also lets us hear the voices of the women, and some of the wives, who came to depend on and even love Victor Pearson, the “Amerikano” who gave them a sense of financial and emotional security even as he also patronized and abused them.”

Jimenez said that the story of Victor Pearson is an unpublished article that she started writing in 2005 but she eventually made into a film. When asked about her goal in making this film, she said she only wanted to tell the story.

“It is a compelling story. For journalists, when we hear of a good story, it’s the only thing you think about. A lot of people are asking me about the message, about the advocacy. The truth is, I wasn’t after a message, I was after a story,” said Jimenez in an interview with Balitang Europe during the film’s first screening in Tuschinski Cinema in Amsterdam.

As a debut film for the woman who also produced Big Time, an indie comedy film in 2005, KANO has made a lasting experience on its viewers, all of them confronted with the real meaning of right and wrong.

Jimenez revealed that during the screening for a selected group of audience in the Philippines, the film has already been questioned about gender politics and not being sensitive about the women.

However, American citizen Katina Tenner said that he knows men like Victor Pearson and Jimenez did a great job in portraying his character.

“I thought it was a very complicated story and I think Monster did a very good job in peeling back all the layers of the story and really giving a full picture of who he was,” said Tenner.

She also thinks that the women who chose to defend and continuously support Pearson were left with no choice as their financial situation depend on him.

Fritz Kohler, a media production lecturer at Breda University of Applied Sciences also praised the young director.

“I think it was an excellent film about the Philippine culture . Monster is great, she did a great job cutting this together and I thought it was really good,” said Kohle.

Meanwhile for Jimenez, it is her top priority to be able to show the film in the Philippines despite its controversial and delicate nature.

In her acceptance message, Jimenez echoed this desire to the audience.

"It's the first of everything especially for the Philippines to be in competition. And I hope when I get home with this, they will give more attention for the documentary format in the Philippines.”

Kano: An American and His Harem is the first Filipino documentary film that has ever made it to the IDFA’s competition. It was chosen among 3,200 entries and bagged €5000 in cash prize. Even before its first screening, tickets to KANO were already sold out.

The International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam is considered the largest and most prestigious documentary film festival in the world. It has been showing creative films from all over the world since 1983 and gathers at least 120 thousands spectators every year to Amsterdam.

Protecting Pinoy seafarers in Somalia: What can RP do?

2010-11-24T00:44:00.001+01:00

By Dheza Marie Aguilar, ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau
Posted at 11/23/2010 5:16 PM | Updated as of 11/23/2010 5:16 PM

NETHERLANDS – Hundreds of Filipinos have already been kidnapped in the Gulf of Aden and around the Horn of Africa. Most of them are still in the hands of their captors. But hundreds of thousands more are still in dangerous waters around the Horn of Africa and risking their lives in the hope of a better life for their families.

Amidst the fear of their families back home and the call of maritime organizations to ban Pinoy seafarers from going to the Gulf of Aden, a Dutch ship owner urged the Philippine government to send ships to the Gulf of Aden to help in protecting Filipino seafarers.

“Do the same as the Koreans, Chinese and Japanese. They have at least one or two navy ships there and they are organizing escort convoys. In my opinion that is the best way to help them on the spot,” said Erik Berendsen, captain and director of KVB Moerman, one of the many Dutch shipping companies which are hiring Filipino crew.

Another Dutch shipping company hiring mostly Filipino crew, who does not want to be named due to their more delicate operations in the Gulf of Aden, also supports Barendsen’s recommendation.

Military Aid

In addition to the best management practice developed by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) that includes installing razor blade wires, fire equipment and water spray and lines around the ship, there are three ways to pass safely through the corridor of the Gulf of Aden, the notorious “pirate alley.”

A mandatory reporting of the vessels that are going to the Gulf of Aden is required by Maritime Security Centre – Horn of Africa or MSC-HOA. They coordinate all activities with the European Union Naval Force Somalia or Operations Atlanta, a group of 23 Navy vessels spread through the Gulf of Aden, monitoring the ships passing through the corridor.

“They promise us that within 20 minutes after pushing the button that something is wrong or about to go wrong, they will come,” explained Barendsen.

There is also the combined force 151, a group of countries which are not members of the EU, like Korea, India, Japan, China and Russia. They are organizing naval ships convoy for their ships which are passing through the corridor.

Meanwhile, other ship owners choose to hire private security firms to ensure safe passage of their ships through the Gulf of Aden.

Limited capacity

Balitang Europe tried to contact the Philippine embassy in The Hague about the efforts that the Philippines is undertaking in the Gulf of Aden but they refused to grant us an interview because it is not their jurisdiction. However, the embassy said that there is one military officer assigned in Somalia for monitoring.

Meanwhile, a retired captain and commander of the Royal Navy of the Netherlands said that providing naval support in the Gulf of Aden and other risk areas of piracy would be very difficult for the Philippines.

Because the Philippine Navy is mainly trained for coastal and land protection, and there are limited naval ships that meet the requirements of combat in the high seas, Captain Jouke Schotel said that the Philippines has a limited capacity to help.

“There seems to be very little that that the Philippine government can do at the moment. The major problem is that protecting ships in such a large area is you need ships that can sustain in high seas for a long period. Frigate-size ships need to be able to stay at sea for a very long period. They have to have facilities like helicopters on board, communicate with other ships and aircrafts. It is quite a complex situation that they have to operate,” explained Schotel.

The only option, according to him, is for the Philippines to participate in the efforts of the United Nations to lend support in the Gulf of Aden.

“The only thing that you can do, through the United Nations, is provide officers and interpreters to help out when ships with Filipinos crew are being captured by the pirates. I think that is the utmost that can be done,” he continued.

Schotel also explained that the responsibilities of protecting the seafarers lie mainly on the owners of the ships and the flag that they are carrying.

Ships sailing under the flags of European, American and countries with strong naval forces who can lend military support, benefit more from their government’s protection because of economic drive. Majority of Filipino seafarers are crew members of ships sailing under other countries’ flags.

“You want to protect your people. That is the humanitarian part of it. Nowadays, such has been the interest of many nations to protect shipping but mainly for economic reasons not for humanitarian reasons, because if national trade should be hampered, this is in everybody’s disadvantage. Nobody really cares who is on-board. It is an economic drive that brings them to do a humanitarian act. International politics has always been a part of it,” said Schotel.

There are at least 200 movements in the Gulf of Aden everyday. As part of the Suez canal, it is a vital route for ships trading in the Mediterranean and Indian Ocean.

Willing to risk their lives

Despite the apparent danger, Filipino seafarers are still willing to risk their lives and sail through the Gulf of Aden.

“Siyempre kabado ka na pagdumaan ka sa Somalia, kabado kasi one day approaching ka pala may balita na ng mga barkong sinampahan. Lalo na loaded barko tapos wala kang perang maibigay. Wala naman problema ang mga crew kasi suportado naman ng goberyno natin, mga principal saka mga manning agency. Trabaho mo naman yan, kasama sa kontrata yan, at least din sa pamilya mo yun trabaho mo wala ka namang magawa din,” said Saturnino Tokong, a Pinoy crew of a Norwegian shipping company.

Meanwhile, for Rodel Maribay, a crew member of the same ship, he counts on the security measures of their company to stay safe if crossing the Gulf of Aden

“Lagi naman natin na pag may dumadaan dun ay delikado din pero sa tulong ng mga officers and crew, napaghahandaan ang safety at security,” he said.

There are still 97 Filipinos held captive by Somalian pirates. The Philippine government however has intensified its efforts to help the situation and was recently admitted as a member of the Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia.

DepEd's K+12 plan: Learning from the Netherlands

2010-11-17T10:33:00.001+01:00

By Dheza Marie Aguilar, ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau
Posted at 11/17/2010 3:05 PM | Updated as of 11/17/2010 3:05 PM

NETHERLANDS - Time and money. These are the two main issues why a lot of Filipinos, lawmakers, parents and students alike, are questioning the feasibility of the K+12 proposal of the Department of Education (DepEd).

Many believe that adding 2 more years to basic education will be more expensive, both for government and the parents, and will take additional years away from students, which they can otherwise use in looking for a job.

While Oscar Sañez, member of the Presidential Task Force on Education and President of Business Outsourcing Association of the Philippines, admits that it is a Herculean task to pass and implement the K+12 proposal, it actually targets to solve, in the long run, these problems. Parents will have to spend less money in sending their children to school, and graduates will easily get a job in a shorter period of time.

The K+12 proposal will involve a complete overhaul of the educational system in the country, from adding two years to the basic education, re-training of the teachers, increasing the number of classrooms, acquiring new software and knowledge from other countries and involving companies into providing the right kind of jobs for new graduates.

“The prospective is that we need an education reform. If we don’t do this, in the long term, many of our graduates will continue to fail relative to the other students in other countries competing with the Philippines for the same talent. This is a good step in improving the competitiveness of the Philippines in the area of skills and workforce development,” said Sañez in an exclusive interview with Balitang Europe in the Netherlands.

Targeting skills’ gaps

According to Sañez, there are three main things that are missing from our graduates. These are communication skills, not only in English but in effectively communicating ideas across in a professional and persuasive way, critical thinking in solving complex issues and the level of maturity of students towards the appreciation and love for their country.

To achieve these, Sañez said the government should be committed not only in terms of budget allocation but in carrying out the implementation of the reform. This means bringing in new technology and knowledge from other countries, and changing the methodology of teaching in the country which has been very structural or lecture-type from the beginning.

The K+12 educational reform proposal has a budget requirement of approximately P200 billion, which will be implemented throughout a 4-year period.

“You don’t have to spend the additional P200 billion in one year. If you can get a grant plus regular government budget, mga 50 or less billion pesos a year you will be able to implement,” said Sañez.

The reform, he added, will also be gradually implemented in 4 years to avoid colleges and universities from closing down due to lack of enrollments.

More years in high school

Cora Dee, former professor and lecturer at the Ateneo de Davao University and Erasmus University in the Netherlands, supports the proposal of increasing years in the basic education in the Philippines. According to her, adhering to the international standard of education is the only way that the Filipinos can compete even more in the global work field. She also agrees that a lengthened educational system will be more economical for parents.

“Whether we like it or not, the world has become so small that wherever you are, there are Filipinos all over the world. Kung mag-improve and educational system natin, all the more na magiging competitive tayo hindi lamang sa ibang bansa ngunit pwede din natin itong gamitin sa ating bansa,” said Dee.

But as opposed to the one year additional in elementary and one year in high school, Dee thinks that it is better to increase the years in high school all together. She said that the Philippines can be inspired by the Dutch, 9th in the rank of best educational system in the world by the Program for International Student Assessment.

In the Netherlands high school education is divided into 4, 5 or 6 years based on the skills and abilities of the students, from vocational study, applied or technical courses and research or scientific field, respectively. The type of high school that a student will go to is determined by their performances in the elementary level.

According to Dee, focusing and developing the specific skills of students in high school will make them perform better in the tertiary level. This will also help students and parents on deciding whether to pursue a degree which will take a longer period of time or finishing a study that will give them jobs at the soonest possible time like vocational and technical education.

Mixed reactions

Filipino students in the Netherlands have mixed reactions to the proposed educational reform.

Mylene Abarquez, a student from Mindoro who migrated to Canada, experienced first-hand the disadvantage of the 10-year basic education system that the Philippines currently has.

When she was applying for a course in the university, she had to take two additional years of high school in order to qualify for university. This is why she supports the K+12 proposal.

“I think it is a very good proposal. But in my experience, dapat two years na lang iyong high school. Sa atin kasi, all the subjects are given na ng teacher. When I was in Vancouver, dahil gusto kong maging nurse, I have to choose more sciences na classes so its up to me kung alin ang kukuhanin kong pre-requisites sa college,” said Abarquez.

But more than the reform, Abarquez thinks that the government should focus more on giving the teachers a bigger salary and more incentives. She said that if the teachers are more motivated to educate, a better quality of education will follow.

Another student from The Hague University, Queenly Tolentino, believes that educational reforms will put the Philippines at par with global standards.

“Ang labanan kasi ngayon intense na eh. Since ang Pilipinas 10-year pa rin ang education, left behind na tayo. Kailangan dagdagan nila para internationally competitive tayo,” she said.

Tolentino also opposes the current lecture-type of teaching in the country. She said that this does not really enhance the talents and skills of the students.

Meanwhile for Mick dela Rosa, another Pinoy student in the Netherlands taking up International Business and Management Studies, the money that will be spent on educational reform should instead be put to improving teaching conditions like more classrooms and books.

“Sa tingin ko hindi na. Yong curriculum na meron tayo, ok na eh. Sa implementation ang nagiging problema. Kahit napa-ideal ng curriculum once ilagay mo na sa sistema, wala kang enough na facility hindi din magagamit,” said dela Rosa.

Despite differences in opinions, these students believe that the Aquino government should focus on improving the educational system in the country, whether through educational reform or improved facilities and benefits for teachers.

Brillante Mendoza impresses the Dutch

2010-11-16T16:25:00.001+01:00

By Dheza Marie Aguilar, ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau

Posted at 11/16/2010 12:29 PM | Updated as of 11/16/2010 12:29 PM

Link

THE NETHERLANDS - Sound applause, standing ovation, admiration and a whole new respect for the Philippine cinema. These marked the premiere showing of “Lola,” one of the 9 films of Brillante Mendoza which will be shown until December 2010 in the Eye Institute in the Netherlands.

Attended by writers, philosophers, film critics and very discerning Dutch film-goers, "Lola" gathered very positive feedback from the audience.

Rene Wolf, Head of Acquisition of the Eye Institute, expected this reception when he decided to buy “Lola” and “Kinatay” 2 years ago to be shown in the Netherlands.

“We always look for new directors who have something important to say but also that it is very important that they give their own touch to the way they use film in telling the stories. I think for Brillante Mendoza this is the case. Both in what he has to say and the way he does it are very unusual. I would say both image and sound because I think sound is very important in his movies. That was what interested us very much,” Wolf told Balitang Europe.

Wolf felt that Mendoza is still quite unknown in the Netherlands, and there is a need to invest in a program to make him well known in the country so they decided to show all his 9 films in the Eye Institute in Amsterdam.

Although, there is yet no similar interest for other filmmakers and films from the Philippines, Wolf said that through Mendoza, they will pay more attention to the Philippine cinema. He also expressed an interest in old Filipino movies, especially those made by another award-winning director, Lino Brocka.

Poverty Porn

In the panel discussion that followed the premiere of Lola, Mendoza bravely answered the poverty porn issue confronting
mainstream and indie films, especially from the third world.

Gertjan Zuilhofv, Programmer for the International Film Festival Rotterdam, said he first heard of the term during his last visit to the Philippines.

“Poverty porn” is a term used for films which are exploiting the image of poverty in poor countries. This is usually to attract audience from first world countries who find these films exotic and interesting.

In response, Mendoza said that his films strive only to tell the truthfulness of the situation in his stories. According to the 2009 Cannes’ Best Director, his main concern when making a film is for the audience to understand the poverty in the Philippines.

“I am the filmmaker who shows the truth in my country and I don’t make money out of what I am doing. For me, truthfulness should come first, that’s what you see in my films,” he said.

“Nagkukwento ako ng kahirapan, Hindi lamang iyong kahirapan kung 'di kwento ng mga tao na nasa ganitong sitwasyon. Hindi lamang kwento ng kahirapan kung 'di ng pagmamahal, unconditional love, passion, understanding lalo na ang pagmamahal sa ating mga lola,” he later told BEU.

He also said that his goal is for at least one person to change for the better after watching his films.

Touching hearts

The message of love and understanding was well communicated to the audience especially to Marco Kunst, a Dutch writer and philosopher. According to Kunst, Mendoza’s films have a post-apocalyptic effect. He compared Lola to the Hollywood movie The Book of Eli.

“What happened to me first of all was like being bombarded by a strange city I didn’t know, people I didn’t know. And then we see these old women in the streets of this city and the expression on their faces and all their challenges, I was really being sucked into the movie and really could feel what they felt. What had happened to them is not something from a trailer of an exciting movie but it’s like the tragedy came straight into my heart,” he said.

Kunst added that the film Lola made him think of his mother.

“Those two old women, the Lola’s they really reminded me of my mother not by how they look but I was reminded by the stories by their youth. She has also been through a war as a child. It was as if I understood her more because of seeing this film.”

For these praises, Mendoza was very grateful.

“Napakasarap ng pakiramdam na nakikita nila ang mga pelikula natin, ang mga pelikula ko at nakikita nila ang bansa natin dito sa pelikula ko. Naiintidihan at nalalaman nila ang sitwasyon sa Pilipinas, hindi lang kahirapan, kung 'di mga pagmamahal ng mga lola sa kanilang pamilya lalo na sa kanilang mga apo,” said Mendoza.

More films

Mendoza’s films will also be screened in other countries like Slovenia, Croatia, Belgium, Austria and other countries in Europe.

He is also set to do a film next year with French actress Isabelle Huppert about the lives of the victims of the 2001 Dos Palmas kidnapping.

Pinays share secrets to business success

2010-09-09T11:42:00.001+02:00

By Dheza Marie Aguilar, ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau

Posted at 09/08/2010 11:03 AM | Updated as of 09/08/2010 5:40 PM

NETHERLANDS – Determination and hard work are what define the Filipino migrant workers.

With a burning desire to provide for a family back home, Pinoys always strive to be the best in their jobs abroad and eventually achieve the dream of having a better life for them and their loved ones.

But for those who dare to dream bigger, courage is an additional component to success. And this is what Pinoy businesswomen in the Netherlands shared in the second series of a business seminar conducted by the Philippine Trade and Investment Center.

Taking risks

Despite the fear of loosing her job, Rosario Ong was decisive on starting on her business and not being an employee for the rest of her life.

“Karamihan sa atin pag may trabaho tayo dito, feeling safe. Gusto natin safe, dahil kailangan ng pamilya natin sa Pilipinas ng tulong. So ang pagkakaroon ng business, it’s about a risk. That is the most difficult part. You have to make a choice. I-ririsk mo yun trabaho and you’re gonna try to have your own business or pagsasabayin mo yun business and trabaho mo,” said the enterprising mother.

She found an opportunity in the money changing business, and worked hard in convincing a Dutch businessman to partner with her venture. Today, her money exchange business called Sunro has grown into a money-remittance center, the most trusted among Filipinos in the Netherlands. She now employs 14 Filipinos, and the preferred remittance center with the biggest network with Philippine banks.

Ong shares 3 important tips for other Filipinos who also want to succeed as businessmen in other countries.
“Do not be afraid to ask questions. You have to do research. You have to know what you are going into. Kailangan alam mo kung ano yong market, ano yong kliyente, ano un gusto nila alam mo yun competitor mo, ano ang ini-ooffer nila. Kailangan assertive ka,” she said.
She also said that integrating a country’s language and culture will help a lot in achieving business goals because it will lessen the fear of starting on your own.

Following your passion
Meanwhile, 26-year-old Mervylle Formilleza had to use hers and her boyfriend’s savings to start an organic soap manufacturing.
A chemist who was granted a scholarship in Erasmus University, Formilleza suffered persistent eczema.

Together with a classmate from the university, they decided to experiment with organic products to find a solution for her skin dilemma. The outcome is “Pink Baskets”, a company which produces soaps and bath products made only from natural ingredients.

“It is really my passion. Nagsimula pa ito sa Pilipinas kasi ang pamilya ko, nagsisimula ng mga projects para sa mga non-government organizations. Ang paggawa ng sabon ang tinuturo namin sa mga tao para makapagsimula ng negosyo,” shares Formilleza.

Like Ong, Formilleza believes that asking the right questions and having the right information is the best way to start a business where you have a passion for. Her company, despite being small, now sells to most parts of Europe including Belgium, Germany, Italy and Spain.

For small businesses like hers who do not have enough money for advertising and big marketing, Formilleza’s tip is to have a professionally-made website to reach out to clients.

“The presence of a website itself will give an impression to the people kung ano yong business mo. The more you make it professional, people will trust you somehow.”

Ong and Formilleza were 2 of the speakers in the Magnegosyo Tayo Seminar held in Rotterdam to encourage Filipinos migrant workers to invest their hard-earned money into business ventures. The seminar gave an insight and step-by-step guide to potential business owners about the risks and benefits of having your own business both abroad and in the Philippines.

Aquino urged to lift au pairs ban in Netherlands

2010-08-05T15:36:00.000+02:00

By Dheza Marie Aguilar, ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau
Posted at 08/05/2010 7:25 PM | Updated as of 08/05/2010 7:25 PM

THE NETHERLANDS - Their stories might be a lingering stigma to the plight of Filipino migrant workers in the Netherlands but their collective woe has been a resounding call to the Philippine government.

With the election of Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino in Malacañang, au pairs (nannies) in the Netherlands hope that, this time, they will be heard.

In 1998, the Philippine government imposed a ban on Filipinas leaving the country as au pairs because of the reported cases of abuse of Filipina au pairs in Sweden. But this did not stop young Pinays from going to European countries under the au pair program.

In fact, the number has actually surged in recent years especially in countries like Denmark and Norway where 75% of au pairs are Filipinos.

Ideally, the au pair system is aimed at cultural exposure for young women in European countries. But the European Commission also allowed girls from other countries to join the program.

Under the au pair system, participants should only perform light household work. They are entitled to travel and weekend allowances and study of the host family’s language.

In the Netherlands, au pair hiring is allowed for girls between 18 and 25 years old. They are granted a maximum of one year stay.

Unfortunately, for a big number of Filipina au pairs, the system is not working to their advantage.

Cultural exchange or source of abuse?

In principle, the European au pair system is an ideal opportunity for young Filipinas to experience life abroad and learn about other countries’ culture.

But this also opens the possibilities of abuse.

“Amy” (not her real name) came to the Netherlands in 2007 as an au pair. A seasoned overseas Filipino worker who also worked in Taiwan, Amy took her chances in the Netherlands despite being aware of the ban.

The agreement, which she signed, says she must only work 6 hours a day, 4 days a week. When she arrived, her host family made her work for 12 hours a day.

“Ang nasa training namin, light houselad lang ang nakalagay. Pagdating ko dito, 13 hours ang duty, more than pa. Nakalagay sa au pair agreement, 4 days a week, 6 hours a day. Hindi nasunod yon. Mula Monday to Saturday nagtatrabaho ako tapos pag day off pinagtatrabaho ako sa bahay ng kapatid nya, sa office nya,” Amy said.

According to her, most of her batch mates from the same agency were either sent back to the Philippines or escaped their employers because they cannot stand the long working hours.

She said that even the embassy cannot help them because there is no existing agreement between the Philippines and Netherlands for the au pair program.

In the Netherlands, babysitters alone get between 4.5 to 10 euros per hour depending on the experience. An au pair, however, only gets a maximum of 340 euros allowance per month plus pocket money for a holiday.

But while Amy had unfortunate experiences, other girls like Maeve Maquiling found a family that she is happy with. Together with other Filipina au pairs in Smiling Faces au pair agency, Maquiling encourages young Pinays to become an au pair in the Netherlands.

“It is really a great opportunity to come here in the Netherlands to know the culture, the language. It’s a privilege for me so I really grabbed it. I am very thankful to my host family because they are so nice to me, everything goes so smooth here in Holland,” said Maquiling, while happily playing with the children of her host family.

The au pair agency Smiling Faces, where Maquiling was recruited, said that they never got a case like Amy’s.

Evageline Lauren, the Filipino partner for Smiling Faces, said they monitor the schedules of their au pairs all year round to make sure that the agreement in the contracts are being followed and treated fairly.

“If there is any case of abuse, if the au pair will complain to the agency, we have to call the family to straighten things out--that as an au pair, 30 hours of work is only 30 hours,” said Lauren.

Lauren also insisted that an au pair is a cultural exchange program and not a domestic job. Thus, a work permit is not required from the Department of Foreign Affairs or Philippine Overseas Employment Administration.

“Au pair is a cultural exchange while the domestic helper is like you are doing all the household work. In the au pair program, you only have to do light household work like taking care of their children and cooking for them,” said Lauren

Au pair ban

The au pair ban was implemented with the goal of protecting Filipinas, who go to the Europe as au pair, from abuse. But instead, this became a barrier for them to fully benefit from the au pair program. It also became a source of corruption.

“Doon sa training center, tinuturo kung paano ka makakalabas (ng bansa). So pag hindi mo sinunod yon, maho-hold ka so mag-aantay ka uli ng ilang araw bago ka makalipad. Ang tanong, anong gagawin mo sa Netherlands, sasabihin mo tourist. Pagdating mo sa Netherlands au pair. Sunsundin mo talaga yong sasabihin ng agency,” said Amy.

“Amy” related how she had to pay P15,000 to immigration at the airport so she will be allowed to exit the country. This is in addition to almost P100,000 that she had to pay the agency for training and cash bond. This is the very reason why Amy decided to stay with her host family despite the working ordeal, and she eventually became an illegal alien after her contract.

“Pag umuwi ako ng Pilipinas, hindi ko makukuha ang cash bond na inutang ko sa 5/6. Natapos ko na yung contract ko ng isang taon, hindi pa bayad iyon. Talagang napakahirap, pagdating dito pagsasamantalahan ka, aabusin ka,” said Amy.

Amy’s ordeals were confirmed by Grace Punongbayan, Migrante’s coordinator for au pair problems in the Netherlands.

“The au pair system was used as a placement for domestic helpers which it is not supposed to be because the au pair agreement is a cultural exchange program intended for young people. And the au pair agreement for a Filipina should be not be different. There should not be any discrimination,” said Punongbayan.

Punongbayan said that since 1999, Migrante has been campaigning for the lifting of the ban. But 3 administrations and 2 presidents have gone, and they have not heard any response.

“This ban should be lifted because it is not in the interest of our Filipina girls who want to be able to experience and increase their knowledge of the world, of other people’s cultures. It is not fair to continue this discrimination and penalize our young women. Bakit ka magba-ban eh patuloy pa din naman ang labas ng mga Pilipina?” said Punongbayan.

An appeal to P-noy

“Amy” is a graduate of 2 degrees but she did not have any luck with work. She worked in several institutions, hospitals, banks, marketing agencies. But the farthest she got was a 6-month contract.

“Alam mo, wala naman naghangad na pumunta sa abroad para magpakatulong ka. Nag-aral ako, pinag-aral ako ng nanay ko, pinag-aral ko ang sarili. Pero sa sobrang liit ng sahod, kahit anong gawin ko, kahit magdalawa ako ng trabaho kulang pa rin,” she said.

Since she left in 2007, Amy has not gone home. And if she does, the chances of her ever going back to Europe again will be very small. Because of this, she is appealing to President Aquino to lift the ban and protect au pairs like her, and provide local employment.

“Sana sa bagong pangulo natin, sana mabigyan ng pansin na magkaroon ng trabaho ang mga bagong graduates natin. At yong mga au pair na lumalabas sa bansa natin, i-lift nila yong ban sa au pair. Bigyan nila ng proteksyon yong mga au pair kasi napagsasamantalahan ng mga taga-rito. Pag nagsumbong sa agency, walang pakialam. Walang tumutulong sa kanila,” she said.

Last June 2010, the au pair ban in Norway was lifted. This gave hope to Migrante to talk with the Philippine embassy and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to once again appeal for the lifting in the Netherlands.

They are hoping that the voices of young Filipina au pairs in the rest of Europe will be heard this time.

The City of RotterdamThe City of Rotterdam: Gateway to European Commerce

2010-08-01T16:50:00.001+02:00

published in www.nidesk.net

Rotterdam is the second largest city in the Netherlands and a melting pot of culture and business. Sitting strategically in the banks of rivers Maas and Rhine, the city owns the biggest port in Europe and with two international airports, Schipol and Rotterdam Airport, in close proximity, Rotterdam has established its vital role in Europe’s trade and commerce. It is home to some of the biggest companies in Netherlands including Unilever and Mittal Steel Company N.V., subsidiary of the largest steel company in the world. Among these corporate giants, other businesses and multinationals especially from the banking sector like ABN AMRO and ING are holding offices in Rotterdam.

The key to its continuously booming business activities is the easily accessible modes transportation. Reliable railway systems and road services, in addition to its ports and airports, makes it convenient to transport consumer goods in and out of the country through Rotterdam. It is connected to 31 sister and partner ports around the world, including international business hubs like United States, Japan and China.

Rotterdam’s mix of international residents, almost 50% of its population comprised of foreigners, is a testament to the city’s dedication to its worldwide connection. The city is vibrant with a fusion of different cultures and ideas, reflected in its cultural events and economic activities. Furthermore, on-going development efforts like the construction of the new central station and extension of the main port, make Rotterdam’s position in international trade goes further up the ladder.

The city presents itself to a wide array of business opportunities that promises to widen or jumpstart their European and international reach. The biggest of its industries lies in petrochemical, cargo handling and transshipment. In itself alone, these industries open to a greater number of opportunities in the export/import and logistics field. Rotterdam adheres to world-class standards and strict quality assurance that are vital requirements in order to have strong and lasting business standing. Being an old timer in trading industry, Rotterdam has the capacity of breaking barriers in terms of knowledge and language skills when it comes to trading and commerce in Europe, an advantage that is very important to overseas investors.

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is also a booming industry in Rotterdam. As an upshot of its strong financial market, businesses in the field of IT and ICT are flourishing in the city and greater demands for professionals who ensure smooth financial transactions are increasing rapidly.

In addition to this, Rotterdam is also becoming known in the field of animation and development of computer games. Educational institutions related in this field are setting their homes in the city, specifically in Schiecentrale where audio-visual, ICT and film companies like Neon, FunX, RA.NJ, Llink, RTV Rijnmond are located, providing big opportunities for those who are interested in enhancing their skills or starting a business with this industry, whether they come locally or overseas.

The Dutch health care industry also opens up a lot of business opportunities. Erasmus Medical Centre, the third largest medical research institute next to Harvard and John Hopkins, is located in Rotterdam while Bayer; the third largest pharmaceutical company in the world has its headquarters in the neighboring country Germany. Opportunities in the medical sector with these two institutions adjacent to each other are plenty and steady.

Architecture is the next strongest point of Rotterdam next to shipping. In 2007, Rotterdam was named City of Architecture because of its contemporary style in buildings and bridges. Not only it is home to some of the finest modern architectural designs in the Netherlands, it is also where the architects are made. Located in the city are Berlage Institute and Netherlands Architecture Institute, two of the most revered schools in the world.
Aside from its lively economic life, Rotterdam also promises a great deal lifestyle activities with arts and entertainment. The Rotterdam Film Festival is attended by a quarter of a million film enthusiasts yearly, while museums like Volkenkundig Museum caters to local and international visitors.

Living in Rotterdam is also convenient for foreign investors because of its easy access to different historical cities all around Europe, either by bus, trains or planes. Shopping centers and daily/weekly markets and international stores are teeming around the city and one would not have a hard time looking for products when they crave for a taste of home.

These maybe just a fraction of the many business opportunities awaiting investors in the City of Rotterdam and there is a lot more industries to be discovered. But knowing that your business sits in one of the most competitive and stable city in Europe, in terms of politics and finances, you are assured that your valuable investments are well on the way of growing.

Beurs-WTC: The Ideal Business Hub

2010-08-01T16:48:00.001+02:00

Published in www.nidesk.net

Standing proudly at the heart of Rotterdam with its 23-story edifice, the Beurs-World Trade Center has been the hub and venue of choice for both local and international business events in Rotterdam.

Beurs-WTC Rotterdam was built in 1987 with a total floor space of 76,000 square meters devoted to office spaces, retail stores, congress and event spaces, distributed over high-rise and low-rise buildings. It also offers other services including catering, business center, a dentist, tailor and dry cleaner. A proof that it only offers the highest quality of service is the Certified Congress Company or Het Erkend Congressbedrijf, who gave it a 5 hammer award, the highest rating being given to a congress center.
“The Beurs-World Trade Center in Rotterdam can offer office spaces with a wide range of high quality services and accommodates 240 tenants. Because the building is a WTC, tenants have all sorts of advantages, like using the services of the 300 WTC is worldwide”, Jolande Huijers, managing director of Beurs-WTC.

Beurs-WTC Rotterdam is one of the largest in the world, being one of the founding members of World Trade Center’s Association. To protect its good reputation, the management is continuously working on improvements to better serve its clients.

Becoming a tenant of Beurs-WTC Rotterdam also entails a lot of benefits aside from its strategic location in Rotterdam business center.

“Beurs-World Trade Center also has a World Trade Center Club with over 400 members which offers companies a great opportunity to network.

As an extra Beurs-World Trade Center organizes a trade mission each year to another WTC in the world in cooperation with Rotterdam Chief Marketing Office,the Chamber of Commerce Rotterdam, and the Rotterdam Development Corporation (skip ‘WTC Almere and WTC Leeuwarden) “, added Ms. Huijers.
For more information on Beurs-WTC visit their website www.wtcro.nl.

Report to Motherhood - TV5 host Cheri Mercado

2010-07-25T14:24:00.000+02:00

by Dheza Marie Aguilar
September 24, 2008

Just how life changing is motherhood? Like any first time mom, Cheri Mercado knows.

The former news anchor of ABS-CBN was used to working habits from sun up to sundown. She started her day by waking up at 3 in the morning to host Magandang Umaga Bayan which airs at 5:30. The she rushed to the field to gather news, from 9am to 4pm. At one point she also anchored the late night newscast the Global News and a lifestyle show called Coffee Talk in the ANC Channel. Young and full of vigor, Cheri was at the height of her career in the Kapamily network.

But things started changing for the woman who was so used to the rat race when she learned that there is a “life growing inside her”. She started changing her priorities.
“The life growing inside of me was all that mattered then. All of a sudden the rat race didn’t make much sense and I couldn’t take care of my health with the kind of demands and schedule I had,” recalled the (age ) mother.

Cheri knows she has to give up her busy life and concentrate on her baby but she didn’t think twice. Fortunately, TV5 (former ABC 5) offered her an opportunity to focus on her child as well as continue to deliver the news. She was even given a four-month break after giving birth.

“God works in amazing ways that doors opened just at the right moment. It was totally a wish come true.”

Although reporting is her passion, Cheri’s first priority is still motherhood. A firm believer of breastfeeding, Cheri breastfeed baby Christina for a year. Apart from spending regular time everyday to bond with Christina at home, Cheri also brings her daughter to the malls every once in a while together with stock broker husband Mike Santos.

Home Schooling

Like any mother, Cheri wanted to get involved with the education of her child. As much as possible, she wants at each and every moment of her daughter’s learning so she’s seriously considering home schooling – teaching her 4-yo daughter Christiana at home.

“It’s a big step. A serious step and I totally admire those who do it and those who have done it. I am totally intimidated by the thought. But my heart is screaming for me to do it, so I’m half-a-step close to arriving at that decision.”

Her advice to mothers?

“Even if we have our careers at peak, we have to make sure to give proper and sufficient amount of time to our children because there is really nothing that can be compared to being a mom.”

Dream Figure in Six Hours

2010-07-25T14:13:00.002+02:00

by Dheza Marie Aguilar

August 5, 2008

Everybody craves and dreams for a supermodel figure, voluptuous behind, firm and proud front, a six-pack abs for men and a flat stomach for us girls. This degree of vanity makes gyms and fitness centres flourish, enhancement products to sell and derma and surgery clinics to maintain a good business despite the economic decline. One colleague noted that even if people are dealing with hard financial times, businesses that cater to being beautiful will remain strong. Blame it to magazines, Hollywood, television shows, the huge billboards around the Metro, to Filipinos’ innate narcissism, even to articles like this one; we will always make a way to have the dream body and the look that qualifies for the standard of beauty and sexiness.

But reality bites and no matter how hard we try or how long we starve ourselves, it is very difficult to achieve a perfectly sculpted body. It demands time, patience and a lot of discipline and of course money. But while most people cannot pledge 100% to the first three requirements, but have big bucks to burn, a new clinical surgery promises to be the answer to your six-pack abs desires.

6-Pack Abs in 6 Hours

That is the guarantee that Roura Dermsurgery Clinic promises to their clients, a perfect 6-pack abs for men and two-pack abs for women using a technology called VASER high-definition liposculpture VADHL, developed by Colombian plastic surgeon Dr. Alfredo Hoyos. VAHDL is said to be the latest craze in body enhancement in Europe and the United States and is within Southeast Asia, is only available in the Philippines and Singapore. Vaser Liposystem is the technology that is used in the procedure, manufactured by Sound Surgical Technologies LLC.

Dr. Claudine Roura introduced VAHDL in the country as Liposelection by VASER. It uses a 3D approach to define the contours of the body, targeting superficial fats that block the details of the underlying muscles from the chest and abdomen, to the side of the body, the lower back and buttocks areas.

“Liposuction only makes you smaller by trimming away excessive fats in your body while Liposelection by VASER sculpts the body in such a way never before achieved by conventional liposuction,” said Dr. Roura.

The procedure coined as 6-pack in 6 hours, can actually be done in lesser time, explained Dr. Roura. The procedure however is not available for everybody. According to Roura, candidates with excessive fats and loose skin are not recommended to undergo Liposelection. According to her, 95% of people who goes through liposculpture work out regularly. Since Liposelection is a very delicate procedure, Roura said that patients will first have to pass the medical assessment and thorough medical check-up. She also said that only certified surgeons are allowed to do it.

Before the procedure, the surgeon marks the body, creating a path to be enhanced and then the patient is sedated. With women, serratus(down the armpit area), obliques (side abdominals), gluteus muscles (buttocks) and perispinal muscles in the lumbosacral curve.

For men, these primary areas as well as the transverse tendinous intersections within the rectus abdominous muscles (abdominal) and pectoralis (chest) muscles are enhanced for that washboard abs look.

“The patient experience lesser pain and less bruising compared to liposuction, but it’s also relative on the patient’s level of tolerance with pain,” said Dr. Roura.

After the procedure, patients cannot go back to their exercise routine nor do strenuous activities for one month but they can perform normal tasks like going to the office. In the first two months, patients will experience swelling, discomfort with movement and constant aching pain, but the toned muscles are already visible and the full result comes out after four months.

Robbie Pangilinan, sports columnist and marketing consultant is the first of the few who tried Liposelection by Vaser. Despite his own initial apprehension, Pangilinan was convinced to undergo surgery after his diet, exercise routine and sports proved futile to achieve the figure that he wanted. According to the 31-year old multi-tasking yuppy, VAHDL made him feel like 20-year old again.

“Put together all the membership fees and monthly dues you spend in the gym, the time and effort exercising and the agony of going on a diet, these wouldn’t amount to how much you will spend in this procedure,” attest Robbie. As a total convert to Liposelection, he recommended the procedure to friends and fellow fitness buffs.

“Like regular liposuction, patients should also maintain the shape with regular exercise, work out and healthy diet,” she advises. Roura recommend Liposelection to models, fitness buffs, celebrities, executives and anybody who wants to have a perfect abs and who will qualify for the procedure.

Only licensed and well trained practioners are allowed to do the procedure and in the country, VAHDL is exclusive to Roura DermSurgery. Dr. Roura is a graduate of the University of Sto Tomas. Aside from her fellowship in dermatological societies around the world, Dr. Roura trained under two prominent cosmetic surgery figures, Dr. Pierre Fournier who is considered as the Father of Liposuction Surgery and Dr. Alfred Hoyos. She is the only Filipina certified to do VAHDL.

Indeed, with the technologies which are continuously developed to meet the demand of beauty, achieving a desired body is just a swipe of a credit or debit card away. And while physical beauty is only skin deep, the confidence that it brings surely changes a person’s life.

For more information on Liposelection by Vaser, visit www.rouradermsurgery.com or call 4898526/09174230556.

Dutch water knowledge can help prevent Philippine flooding

2010-07-02T21:42:00.001+02:00

By Dheza Marie Aguilar, ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau

Posted at 07/03/2010 12:24 AM | Updated as of 07/03/2010 12:24 AM

NETHERLANDS - While the Philippines has yet to fully recover from the devastation brought by Tropical Storm Ondoy and the successive typhoons in October last year, the country’s weather agency has recently announced the possibility of the occurrence of the La Niña phenomenon.

The rainy spells that come with it can trigger yet another “Ondoy” tragedy which the country cannot afford to have in just a year.

Rick Heikoop, water and sanitation specialists and professor of water management at Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences, understands this problem very well. For most part, Heikoop thinks that the flooding problem in the country, especially in the urban areas, has a major connection to urban planning.

Infrastructure and Pollution

Heikoop, who spent 4 years studying urban planning in the University of the Philippines, has also worked with non-government organization Forge helping urban poor communities in the country.

He cites the two biggest problems that cause flooding in urban communities are the continuous abuse of the rivers and lack of proper water storage facilities during rainy seasons.

“I think the biggest issue in mega cities like Manila and Cebu is the pollution of the river channels. People dump their garbage in the river so the capacity of the river will be diminished and in times of rainfall, the drainage capacity will not be enough to get rid of the water,” said Heikoop.

Studies say that 60% of the water pollution in Pasig River is caused by garbage thrown by residents of nearby areas and other materials thrown in the river. Heikoop said that people should be aware that when they throw garbage in the river, they will be the ones to suffer the flooding caused by this.

Heikoop also pointed out the lack of proper drainage in the Philippines. According to him, proper drainage systems are very important to address rainfall during rainy season because Manila is a concrete city and is not capable of absorbing much water.

Dutch technologies

The Netherlands is a low-lying country with some of its cities located 7 meters below sea level. In terms of water and flood management, the country is considered the best in the world. Some of the technologies being implemented by the Netherlands are simple and innovative. Heikoop thinks it can also be applied in the Philippines.

“Manila is basically one big concrete area so there is not enough space to store the water in times of rainy season. I think in their urban planning they should create areas in the city where they can temporary store water. For example what we are doing in Rotterdam, we have underground parking places so half of the parking place is use for water storage. During heavy rainfall we can pump the water to this underground parking places and that is one of the means to create additional water storage in your urban area,” Heikoop said.

Aside from converting dedicated parts of underground parking areas as temporary water storage during heavy rainfall, he also suggested building “water squares”.

“Another thing that the city of Rotterdam did was what we call water squares. During periods of heavy rainfall there is not enough capacity to store water in the urban areas because everything is concrete. What they did is create water squares for basketball fields to temporary become water storage. I think that is also one of the solutions that will be feasible to Philippine context,” he said.

According to Heikoop, climate change also plays a big part in flooding problems. Like the rest the world, Netherlands is also faced with risks like increased rainfall and drought brought about by climate change. In a crowded city like Rotterdam where there can only be limited space to plant trees, green roofs are the next solution for absorbing rainfall.

“We have the Rotterdam climate proof program and what they did in Rotterdam is to construct green roofs. For periods of excessive rainfall and water will be temporary stored on the rooftops so probably that's also a solution that will be feasible in the Philippines,” he added.

Forging cooperation

This year, Heikoop started an internship program in the Philippines in cooperation with different universities in the Philippines, particularly in Visayas and Mindanao. Through his efforts, Rotterdam University signed two agreements of cooperation between San Carlos University in Cebu and Ateneo de Davao University. He also sought the assistance of NGO Forge in Cebu for the project. They are also in talks with the Navotas City Planning office for the said project.

“My idea about the internship is that we do comparative studies, two students in Davao and two in Cebu with San Carlos University. They are going to analyze urban areas to come up with low cost measure to address climate change for example flooding. I think all the knowledge that they got from the course water management, there are a lot of opportunities to apply the knowledge in the Philippine context. I did a lot of project in urban poor communities and I think there are a lot of projects that we can do. I think we can give a lot of help to the people,” he said.

Ingrid Stolk, Chaja Tikai, Hans van Worden and Eduard Scooren are the four water management students who will go to Davao and Cebu to complete a four-month internship program and come up with recommendations that Heikoop hopes will be presented to local governments.

“My main goal is to really, really do something that can help the people. So to use the knowledge we have gathered in the course to really help other people and see that it has effects. It is to feel better that I’ve contribute to ease the problem and also to gain knowledge of different cultures and working methods,” said Tikai.

Schooeren and Van Worden are already toying with the idea of applying similar projects done in Indonesia in Davao, where they are using small boats from a Dutch company for small scale dredging in river channels.
Heikoop hopes that these cooperation will expand to other areas in the Philippines especially in Metro Manila where flooding is a problem year after year.

“In my different jobs I was hoping to have links with the Philippines so finally I have an opportunity to enhance the contact with the Philippines and establish contact between the two countries,” said the Dutch professor who is also a Filipino by heart.

Filipino home gallery opens in Netherlands

2010-06-26T17:25:00.001+02:00

By Dheza Marie Aguilar, ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau

Posted at 06/25/2010 11:22 AM | Updated as of 06/25/2010 6:17 PM

THE NETHERLANDS - Sitting on her dining table, Rhoda Piedra lovingly admires a series of abstract paintings hanging on her wall.

These are her father’s works and she says having them displayed in her house gives her a sense of closeness to her deceased dad. Piedra becomes emotional while recalling memories of his dad working on his art projects at school.

Raul Piedra has been dubbed Master Texture Builder of the Philippines. His abstract paintings are famous for the intensity of colors and praised for its unique textures.

“Waking up in the morning and seeing my father’s works around me makes me feel that he still with me, still with us,” said the 27-year old accountant.

But as an art enthusiast, Piedra wants to do more than just stare at her father’s paintings every day. She wants to share them to the world and encourage others to appreciate Filipino artworks like she does, starting in the Netherlands, where she works as a financial controller of Nomura Europe Finance. This enthusiasm inspired her to turn her home into a gallery.

“We love art but unfortunately, we don’t know how to make art, we don’t how to paint and make sculptures. And this is our way of sharing our passion to everyone. Our first goal is to be known as a home gallery that gives you a comfortable feeling, a home gallery that will make you think how the art will fit into your apartment,” she said.

With the help of partner Danny Do, Piera opened ARTstoneWorks Gallery in Almere, the first Filipino home gallery in the Netherlands.

ARTstoneWorks Gallery features the works of Piedra’s father Raul and other Filipino artists like Demosthenes Campos, Joselito Jandayan and Rey Piedra.

Piedra decided not only to focus on traditional arts but to showcase modern and mixed art like photographs and digital arts as well, dubbing their selections as “contemporary arts that lasts forever”.
Peidra believes that Filipino artworks can also be known worldwide like the pieces of the old masters.

“Our future plan is basically to get more Filipino artworks because I think Filipino artworks are nice, they are beautiful and different. I mean, if you have the works of the old masters going from one museum to the other, why not my Dad’s why not Filipino artworks by distinct Filipino artists?” she said.

Also displayed in ARTstoneWorks Gallery are works of artists of different nationalities including Paulo Ferreira from Brazil, Rene van der Meulen, GabyGaby and Barend Houtsmuller from the Netherlands and Vladimir Hristov from Macedonia.

“Our focus is on Filipino artworks but we would also like to feature other artists on the side who we think are good and different. The goal of this gallery is produce quality art,” she added.

ARTstoneWorks is located in Koperslagerhof 31, Almere, The Netherlands.

Filipina wins ING business award

2010-06-15T21:18:00.000+02:00

By Dheza Marie Aguilar, ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau
Posted at 06/15/2010 7:48 PM
Article link

THE NETHERLANDS – Marianne Olano’s biggest dream is to become a well-known journalist. Before venturing into business, she worked as a writer for ABS-CBN Naga City and various publications in the country.

But after chasing her dream for several years, she realized she needed to find a more financially-rewarding career.

Unlike others, however, who sought better jobs in big cities, Olano went back to her hometown in Naga City and explored the possibility of starting her own business. Her father strongly disagreed with her plans, citing her lack of knowledge and capital. But she was determined to succeed.

She started with handcrafted items like wind chimes and Christmas decors but was barely making money out of it--until she attended a trade fair where she noticed the number of people gathering in one booth.

“They were selling stuff that I couldn’t see because there were so many people milling around it. When I saw what they were selling, I discovered those were costume jewelry from Cebu. I thought, these stuffs are something that will sell to anybody, it has no age limit, young people were buying, old people were buying, and even guys are buying for their loved ones. This is the product that I am looking for,” said Olano.

From that idea, Olano created Baycrafts, her own business, producing fashionable and affordable jewelry made from indigenous and synthetic materials like pearls, glass, fiber, wood, crystals and seed. She even utilized some recycled materials like used clothes.

She sells to wholesalers in Baguio City, Cebu, Manila and through the Internet. Her goal is to go on retail and reach a nationwide clientele.

Efforts recognized

Yearly, the BID Network organization gathers selected small and medium business owners from all over to the world to meet with investors, top banks and financial institutions in the Netherlands and vie for several business grants.

This year, 60 small and medium enterprises from Asia, Latin America Africa and Europe were selected to exhibit their business in the Fokker Terminal, Den Hague.

In 2008, Rajo Laurel’s Rags2Riches was the big winner of 20,000 euros for the main award in the BID Network competition.

In 2007, Baycrafts was chosen as one of the finalists for the BID Network business awards.

This year, however, Olano bagged more than half a million pesos of business retail grant from Dutch bank, ING.

“I felt really overwhelmed and I am very proud to represent the Philippines in this competition,” said Olano before the announcement of her win.

With the money that she won, she plans to create a different brand that will cater to the higher end domestic market.

“For this year, we have plans of branding Baycrafts and create a separate line that will also cater to the domestic market in the Philippines and promote via direct selling network. I want to be able to augment the income of young women professionals by providing them with a product that will really [earn] fast,” she said.

Aside from her enterprise which now employs 10 women, Olano also has a training center where she helps local residents learn how to make similar crafts.

Innovative Ideas

Aside from Olano, 3 other Filipinos--Ronald Villanueva of Kawayan Tech Bamboo Bikes, Maria Lourdes Molina of EcoBloks and 22-year-old Ma. Charmagne Cruz of Jacinto and Lirio Enterprises--were selected for the BID Network. All were chosen as finalists for 2 categories: Women in Business and BID Network Award.

Among the 3, Villanueva’s Bamboo Bikes gathered the most interest from Dutch visitors, the country being known as the biking capital of the world.

“Nandito tayo sa isang bansa na nakakaintindi ng pagbibisekleta saka environmentally conscious sila so malaki ang business potential dito,” said Villanueva of the attention he is getting from Dutch buyers.

Along with 5 other UP mountaineers, Villanueva saw the potential of bamboo to be used as the main frame of a bicycle. According to him, bamboo is not only as strong as iron but it is also more comfortable and better during long rides. And because of its abundance in the Philippines, bamboo is a good material for a profitable business.

“Ang kawayan kasi ay isang magandang materyales mula sa kalikasan. Ito ay para sa reforestation, para sa carbon capture at saka mabilis tumubo. Isang magandang business para sa mga Pilipino,” he said further.

Since its establishment in 2009, Kawayan Tech Bamboo Bikes is now selling to distributors in the United States and Italy and got a lot of inquiries for the Netherlands.

Molina’s Ecobloks are building blocks for kids made of scrap mahogany and pine trees from wood-working companies. A mother of a 3-year old kid, Molina buys these scraps, packs them in her attic and sells to toys and online stores across the country. In a little more than a year, Ecobloks is now being distributed to 10 retail stores and 8 online stores.

“I plan to launch more products that will satisfy certain criteria like analytical and artistic development of a child and for role playing,” said Molina of her future plans.

Meanwhile, Cruz, a new graduate from the Ateneo de Manila University and her classmates, make bags and boxes from water hyacinth, a plant that is also abundant in the Philippines. They coined this material “plant leather” which they developed from drying and processing water hyacinth.

Because the product is very new, Cruz hopes that by joining the BID Network, they will meet investors who will finance more research on the process of converting water hyacinth into plant leather.

“As long as you address unemployment and environmental issues, then there is certainly a niche for your business,” said Villanueva to young entrepreneurs.

RP Post in Netherlands focuses on seafarers for OAV

2010-03-13T11:20:00.001+01:00

ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau | 03/12/2010 7:05 PM
Article Link

THE NETHERLANDS - The Philippine embassy in The Netherlands is exerting extra effort to encourage Filipino seafarers to vote.

One month before the start of the overseas voting, the embassy is busy preparing the list of manning agencies and shipping companies employing Filipino seamen. To ensure that the ballots have been received and the votes mailed, the embassy plans to call each and every one of them.

The mobile nature of jobs in shipping demands additional work for the embassy. According to Consul General Frank Cimafrance, they need to investigate first whether those seamen who were registered in the Overseas Absentee Voting (OAV) still have existing contracts before they can send the ballots.

“If the contracts are still subsisting, they are still serving aboard the vessel, and they are in the Netherlands, we will make an effort to tell the principal and the manning agent to make sure that the concerned seafarer will be able to fill in those ballots, and we will also ask them to mail those ballots to the embassy before May 10, the closing of the voting period”, said Cimafranca.

According to the official list of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), 21,097 seafarers registered for absentee voting. In the Netherlands alone, it is estimated that there are around 500 Pinoy seamen who dock here at any given day. Sadly, only 200 have registered here for the OAV since 2004.

Despite the announcement of the COMELEC that there will be specially designated voting precincts in 10 major ports around the world, Cimafranca is expecting the majority of votes to be cast by post. And because seafarers usually let their agencies organize their communications, the consul general said that they are ready to personally collect the ballots from the offices of these agencies.

“If they require us to get it back, to retrieve those ballots that are already accomplished, then we will do so just to make sure that our seafarers are not disenfranchised”, he added.

Eager to vote

Ruben Dusong, a seafarer of 10 years, is staying in the port of Rotterdam for a couple of weeks. He hopes that during the election period from April 10 to May 10, he will have the chance to cast his vote.

“If there is a chance to vote and we are at shore, I will definitely vote. I don’t want my vote to go to waste because this is the chance in 6 years. We should vote, this is our right so we can see the new administration and which one is better,” he said in Tagalog.

Another veteran seaman Cristobal Magbanua thinks that their ship might be in Norway during the election period. He also looks forward to docking so he can exercise his right to suffrage.

“If we don’t have an operation, we will vote”, said Magbanua.

Meanwhile, those who were not able to register for the absentee voting feel strong regrets.

“I feel really bad because no matter who I choose, I can’t vote for him because I wasn’t able to register. I really want to vote but I cannot do anything”, said Rasmel Bernaldes, a seaman of 3 years who works with Magbanua in the same company.

Better protection for seamen

Both Magbanua and Dusong are rooting for presidential bet and Senator Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III. But they also said that whoever wins, they wish he or she would give better protection and assistance to Filipino seafarers.

Magbanua called on the government to loosen the rules for seamen who are going overseas.

“I hope they will make a way not to press us especially the young officers. They should follow the system here in Holland, there are no exams anymore. They can help our system that way,” said Magbanua.

For his part, Dusong appeals to the incoming government to extend assistance to them when they are not on board.

“Whoever the people vote [for], I only want protection for all the OFWs, especially us, seamen. When we go home, in 6 months we don’t have any income. The government doesn’t give protection in terms of that. I hope they will give attention to this,” he said.

Go out and vote

The embassy in The Netherlands has yet to receive new ballot boxes from COMELEC. But Cimafranca said that they are prepared to retrieve and use the old ballot boxes if the new ones will not be delivered on time. To preserve the sanctity of the ballots, he said that they will ensure the ballot boxes can be properly sealed.

Six hundred Filipinos registered for the absentee voting in the Netherlands; 306 of them are new registrants. Cimafranca called on them to go out and cast their ballots in the coming two months.

“This is our chance especially that this is a presidential election. We can only vote for president, vice president, senators and party-list so use your right to vote and use it wisely,” he said.

Start Your Own Business-PTIC Advises OFW

2010-02-19T21:35:00.000+01:00

Becoming a businessman is a culture that Filipinos were not born with. In most situations, especially for those who were raised in the provinces, the primary means of income that most parents would want their children to have is from bachelor degrees that are attained from universities most commonly in the field of education, seafaring, accountancy, engineering, IT and medical care. Incidentally, these were also the fields where most Filipinos are very much in demand abroad and consists the majority of Filipino Migrant Workers. Once a daughter or a son gets a job overseas, the family already considered that the financial situation has already been taken care of.

Overseas Jobs are not forever

Working abroad is a sure way of having a stable income for Filipino families but it can also be a problem on a long-term basis. Once a Filipino Migrant Worker looses his job or something untoward happens, the means of financial sustainability of the whole family collapses, leading from one problem to another.

Alma Argayoso, Commercial Attaché of the Philippine Embassy and head of the Philippine Trade and Investment Center based in the World Trade Center Rotterdam confirmed this during the Mag-Negosyo Tayo event in Schiedam.

“We have heard a lot of stories where the income of Filipinos who are earning a lot abroad usually goes to waste,” says Argayoso on an interview with this writer.

According to her, while it is obligatory for a Filipino to send financial help to their families in the Philippines, OFW’s are also risking a higher chance that their family becomes entirely dependent on them.

Whereas, Argayoso advises, when OFWs start their own business, there are more opportunities for growing their money and having a long-term means of income.

Investing your money

To encourage OFW’s to invest their money and start their own business, the office of PTIC and the Philippine Embassy organized the Mag-Negosyo Tayo Seminar, a one-day event that was attended by Filipinos and Dutch who are interested in starting their own business. The event was held in Sporthal West in Spaanseweg in Rotterdam.

The speakers were Dr. Corazon Dee, Chairperson of the ERCMOVE, an organization which aims to develop sustainable development in the Philippines with the help of migrant workers, Dr. Peter Payoyo of PLAIN Solutions, a company which offers legal advises and services to migrant workers. The said speakers discussed respectively about the issues and challenges on doing business or investing in the Netherlands linked with the Philippines and the Legal requirements for setting up a business in the Philippines.
Dr Peter Payoyo Discussing the Legal Requirements for Setting up a Business in the Philippines

Argayoso herself talked about the basics of doing business in the Philippines, business ideas, guidelines and procedures for setting up a business.

“There are many benefits of investing in a business. For one, the income of Filipino migrants working abroad has a definite place to go. You also have an opportunity to have higher income and you have the freedom to be your own boss and work on your own time,” continued Argayoso.

She also said that since businessmen are movers of the economy, OFW’s who start their own business could also help the country by providing jobs to their countrymen.

Know Your Passion

One of the first advises of Argayoso is starting a business which you have a passion for because it is very important for a businessman not to get tired of the things that s/he is doing.

It is also necessary to have a clear and definite goal of the direction of your business, the amount of money that you can invest on it and the effort and time that you can give to your business. A good written business plan will help a great deal in setting up the prospective of your desired business.

The speakers also recommend seeking the help or advise of an agency that has an expertise in the industry of your choice or visiting government agencies like the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Technological Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

Hottest Trends in Business

Argayoso added that your business doesn’t necessarily have to be something new. It can be an old trend that you can start in a different location like in the case of franchising. With franchising, you already have a model and a proven business formula that you can follow so there is lesser business planning to do.

Apart from franchising, dealing with the basics and essentials will prove to be profitable like food, health oriented businesses like herbal products, health and wellness institutions and health care services for aging population.

Service agencies are also among the viable business ventures especially for those who are thinking of starting their business outside the Philippines.

“For those interested in starting their business, you can visit our trade office in Rotterdam and we will connect you with the appropriate agencies that can further help you in starting your business,” ends Argayoso.

PTIC Netherlands is located at Beurs-WTC, Beursplein 31, room 337A, Rotterdam. You can also call them at +31 10 2051950 or email at trade@pticnetherlands.nl.

Munting Nayon Netherlands
July 31, 2009

Netherlands bullish over India's booming market

2010-02-19T19:16:00.000+01:00

As India emerges as an economic force to be reckoned with, the Netherlands is moving in to capture a slice of the action with both governmental and private ventures.

India is rapidly emerging from its reputation as a mere outsourcing destination for Western companies seekinglower costs. With a market proportion, huge work force and economic growth that can rival that of China, India is swiftly establishing its position alongside economic superpowers.

In the first half 2009, India's economy posted a growth of 6.1%, while the AsianDeve'lopment Bank (ADB) projects growth of 7% for 2010.

Wout Biegstraaten, Business Development Manager for the Internationaal Ondernemen en Samenwerken (Agency for International Business and Cooperation) believes now is a good opportunity for "Dutch businesses to position themselves quickly and powerfully on a rapidly growing, very competitive market with distinctive knowledge, products and services."

Furthermore, Biegstraaten says India's economic potential was the reason the Asian nation was designated as one of 15 priority countries for which bilateral economic relations must be focused by the Ministry of Economic Affairs.

In February, Minister for Foreign Trade, Frank Heemskerk (PvdA) led a team of business
delegates to India, returning with six agreement memorandums between Dutch and Indian design houses.

While in the sub-continent, Heemskerk, together with his Indian counterpart, announced
a 10 million euro incentive package for companies investing in India. Recently, this program was increased to 2.5 million euros, and now includes industries such as agriculture,biotechnology, construction, ICT, infrastructure (including energy and water), logistics and the medical sector.

The Netherlands' efforts to capture a slice of the Indian market on both governmental and private levels is hugely ambitious.

Driven by several factors including the economic recession, increasing demand for expansion, collaboration with new dynamic forces and the need to explore a bigger consumer market, the Netherlands is moving at full pacetowards the Land of the Hindus.

Dutch opportunities

Elbert Waller, Head of the High GrowthMarket Practices of KPMG in the Netherlands,
also recognises the strength of Indian companies and their impact on more established corporations within continental Europe.

"It is totally a different ball game these days," he explains. "Emerging Indian companies are companies that we really have to be aware of, these are now competitors of our own multinationals."

Waller summarizes the Dutch advantage on investing in India in two points: knowledge exchange and the consumer market.

"Given the growth rate in India,there is a real room for Dutch companies and institutions to sell our knowledge.If we bring our knowledge to India, we can really produce high quality products and deliver them to large worldwide markets."

Waller also says the Indian consumer market wiII soon be of equal importance for the
Netherlands. "If you consider how fast the middle class is growing in India, I am convinced that many companies who are active in the field of retail and consumer goods can have a good future there."

Furthermore, he suggests' the Netherlands should focus on industries where their expertise has already been proven.Industries such as food processing, logistics as well as water management and purification are areas where the Dutch can effectively apply their knowledge.

"The Netherlands should really play theircards smartly and invest their money in these sectors with regards to India."

Sunil Malhotra, founder of IdeaFarms of India, supports this observation.

"India's vast geography is a great playing field for Dutch scientists, engineers and industry
experts, especially the rural sector. Also in areas such as life sciences, design, transportation, agriculture, water management. These are the very fields where India can learn the 'Dutch' way," he explains

India's Reception

Indian Ambassador to the Netherlands, His Excellency Manbir Singh sees the developing
business relationships between the two countries as a sign that India and the Netherlands
are beginning to mutually understand the viable collaborative opportunities between
the two countries.

"We are happy to see the enthusiasm being shown by the Dutch business sector because it gives us an indication that businessmen on both sides are finding each other," says Singh.

"We have high expectations that the trade and investments between both countries will expand further in the coming years. Continuing efforts from both sides will bring in the desired growth and intensification of bilateral trade a economic relations."

The increase in mergers, acquisitions and trade missions in 2009 between Netherlands and India are positive indications that the efforts are paying off. In May 2009, Apollo Tyres India acquired Dutch tyre company Vredestein Banden B.V., Tata Power has signed a memorandum in June to set up a power plant in the Netherlands while Infotech Enterprises has partnered with Dutch Volker Wessels Telecom for telecommunications engineering and services worldwide.

Meanwhile, the number of big scale and medium enterprises looking at possibilities of merger, acquisitions and new investments in the Netherlands have also significantly increase this year

The next five years will be a crucial period, not only to determine if target results will be achieved on the Dutch side, but also whether India will continue to race with the same pace to becoming the third largest economy by 2028.

The Holland Times
November, 2009

Bisperas ng Pasko

2010-02-19T19:13:00.000+01:00

An announcement blared from the invisible speakers just as I reached the station from work. It looks like I am going to stay out in the cold for another 20 minutes, waiting for the train going to the province of my in-laws. Together with my boyfriend, they are the only family I will be celebrating the Christmas with. It is zero degrees and the wind is blowing. I just lost my gloves few hours ago and my coat is only good for autumn. I still haven’t learn how to dress for the cold. This is my first winter.
The gifts are lying near my feet; two paper bags and a book beautifully packed in gold wrapper with intricate laces. Few compared to the number of presents I would be preparing had I been at home. But these cost almost the same as I have allotted for the presents for at least 20 relatives in the Philippines.

I wanted to buy that leather boot they have on sale in the boutique near my office. The pair is a gorgeous reddish-brown, knee-high and very warm. It is the perfect winter boots, my feet would not be wet and cold again from walking in ankle-deep snow. But the price would cover the month’s rent, electricity, water and noche buena. I decided to be a good daughter and send most of my money to the Philippines. Family comes before personal necessities, especially during occasions like Christmas. The balikabayan box must be filled and no one should be forgotten. This is a responsibility that a Filipino migrant can never escape, that I happily obliged to.

The train station is quiet as always, the Dutch are patiently waiting for the trains. There are no long lines for tickets, no bulky traveling bags nor SM plastic bags, no conductors screaming the time of departure and most of all, no vendors selling mani, nilagang itlog, Dunkin Doughnuts, apples, oranges, overpriced mineral water or C2. Standing amidst these people, their faces showing no indication of the Holiday joy, it is very hard to tell that this is the day before Christmas.
One hardly hears Christmas songs, unless it is played from the radio in your car. There are no Christmas-themed shows in the television. The streets are not drowning with Christmas lights and there are no posters or banners saying “Maligayang Pasko at Manigong Bagong Taon mula kay Mayor, Konsehal, Senator, Barangay Captain Juan dela Cruz”, complete with the picture and website of the greeter. And there are no hordes of street kids raiding my apartment every night, shrilling Christmas carols and swearing at me when I don’t give them money.
There are no midnight sales and the stores still closes at 6 p.m.. No Divisoria or Greenhills to run to for last minute Christmas shopping. And there is definitely no shopping rush but the traffic is a bit heavy. No stranger greets wish you a merry Christmas on the street.
When the train finally came, I heaved a sigh of relief. My hands are very cold and I couldn’t feel my ears anymore. Two minutes after, it crawls through the rails, passed the tunnels of Rotterdam and out of the city. We passed acres of fields covered with pristine white snow, bald trees, pine trees and rows of windmills. It is four in the afternoon and already dark. They turned on the streetlights, giving a soft distant glow to the steep roofs that typifies Dutch houses. You can see glimpses of snowmen and kids throwing snowballs at each other. It is a scenery straight from a Hallmark card, the fantasy of a White Christmas. I should be thrilled by the landscape. After all, how many middle class Filipinos are given the chance to spend Christmas like this? Ironically, my heart is crying out for my motherland.
There is a Christmas tree in my in-law's house, the only indication of Christmas here. In my own flat, we have a real pine tree, giving off fresh and unfamiliar scent to the whole house. It is decorated with white and red Christmas balls, fancy lights and other trinkets. It is a beauty, very far from the coffee tree branches that my sister and me used gather from the backyard and decorate with cotton balls and twisted colored papers to resemble a Christmas tree. I never had a real Christmas tree but I am longing for the ones we used to have.
We are having take-out Chinese food for dinner. This was announced two weeks ago when I offered to cook the Christmas dinner and they declined. Of course, it cost a lot of time to marinate the pork for adobo, whip eggs and mix it with milk for leche flan, prepare and slice the ham, cook the sauce for the sweet and spicy Spaghetti and grill chicken. Apparently, the concept of Noche Buena doesn’t exist in this household.
After dinner and a couple glasses of wine, I excused myself and went to my room. I relieved the conversation earlier with my mother, who cheerfully told me that they are enjoying a simple Noche Buena with my relatives and that everyone has been given a gift like I instructed. My mother has a new cellphone and her first call was overseas to me. “Merry Christmas anak. Ingat kayo palagi.”. That’s her standard message, this time with a Christmas wish. I never realized, until now, how a simple message can make me cry.
Tonight for the first time, my phone is silent from the successive forwarded Christmas greetings.
While looking outside, the snow and the street lamp making a tranquil picturesque image outside my window, very different memories of home running through my head. The noise that the carolers, the mouth-watering and fattening Noche Buena my mother would prepare, my dad and his drinking buddies coming on Christmas day, my inaanaks lining in the door for their annual presents, the midnight masses that I attend if only for the festive atmosphere in the church and the laughter of family and friends. I am actually missing the chaos and traffic of Manila, the deafening firecrackers, the impatience of waiting in the pier of Lucena for the ship going to Marinduque and the drunken scary tambay’s outside my gate. Without them, Filipino Christmas would never the same.
I put the heater on a warmer setting, crawled under the blanket and closed my eyes. I will be asleep after a while. And my dreams will take me back to my home celebrating the Christmas, with the warmth and love of my friends and my family.
Philippine Star, December 28, 2009 08:24 AM

Luxury Shopping in the East

2009-08-02T21:45:00.000+02:00

Manila Standard
13 January 2009

The New Year welcomes another addition to the list of luxury shopping in the Metro with the opening of Eastwood Mall, the latest venture of real state heavyweight Megaworld Corp., dubbed as the “conclusion to the whole Eastwood City’s success story.”

Increasing the number of retail stores and dining areas in Eastwood City to 350 in total, Eastwood Mall houses almost 200 upscale shops and fine dining restaurants, meant for shoppers and diners with discerning tastes.

A destination on its own

Eastwood City is teeming with commercial, financial and residential buildings, all part of the Grand Eastwood City plan to be a destination on its own. It is home to some of the biggest BPO companies in Metro Manila, high-end condominiums and a favorite place for hang out and concerts among urban yuppies.

“This is really part of the plan to have a full-scale mall in Eastwood City,” said Kevin Tan, commercial division head of Megaworld Corp., referring to Eastwood Mall. “We always knew that what we offered in City Walk 1 and 2 was just only a start of it all. It is our final phase of development in terms of retail.”

Veering away from conventional architectural landscape, Eastwood Mall follows a design that gives shoppers a vast space for leisure and relaxation. The four-story building, strategically built at the center of Eastwood City, is connected to Citywalk 1 and 2, its al fresco dining counterpart, through a bridge over a small man-made lagoon. The interior is modern yet classy, elegantly designed, boosting of thick glass walls and wide retail shops, an air of luxury in every floor.

Overlooking from the second floor where the restaurants are located is the garden and the lagoon, which creates a relaxing, natural ambience in the high-rise environment of Eastwood City. The hallways are equally spacious, with the absence of kiosks in the mall, there are benches and lounge areas for those on a shopping break, as well as open-air verandas where one can smoke or simply breathe fresh air.

Few steps away from the mall is the wellness center, a one-stop shop for fitness enthusiasts and health buffs around the area as well as for the regular mall goers.

“We’ve put together a spa, yoga, dance studio, salon. It’s really all for pampering and relaxation. We wanted to put it all in one area for convenience. So it becomes more of a destination. This is really meant to complete the shopping and dining and the leisure experience,” adds Tan.

Luxury shopping, fine dining

One of Eastwood Mall prime offerings is its roster of first-class brands, both local and international, some of which are exclusive in this mall.

“There will be a lot of luxury brands that you won’t find anywhere else, such as Steve Madden and Franco Sarto. The Bench group is also bringing in a new brand that will open in the Eastwood Mall for the first time. In addition to this, the mall will host the largest Apple store in the country,” he adds.

Most of the chic stores are located at the first floor, among them are Armani Exchange, Dunhill, Nine West and Lacoste while the second floor houses some of the local brands like Folded & Hung, Bayo and Celine. The third floor called Mommy and Me is dedicated to the needs of babies and kids with a toy store, DIY shop and kitchen and home shop. In the fourth floor are electronic and gadget shops Samsung, Sony and Automatic Center, and perhaps one of the biggest Timezone in a mall. A differently designed McDonald’s is also located in the fourth floor with Starbucks and Fully Booked.

There is a specific area allotted to fine dining area which is adjacent to the mall, with its own entrance, connected but not exclusive to the main mall. This is to accommodate late-night diners who might want to extend their meals until early mornings. They are targeting the more “mature and chic clientele” so a number of posh restaurants will be opening in the said floor.

“The mall will feature some serious cuisine and fine dining venues, such as Crisostomo, with chef Florabelle Co and Momo, by the group that has brought us the M Café,” Tan continues.

Despite the perennial problem of Eastwood City which is the constant changing of the U-turn lanes in this area, Tan doesn’t consider it to be a disadvantage for Eastwood Mall. In fact, he revealed that they are already finding solutions for this problem by coordinating with the proper authorities.

“We are working on it with the MMDA [Metro Manila Development Authority]. And they are quite supportive of our request. I’m glad to report that they are going to open more U-turn slots very soon. It was supposed to open before the mall opening, but there are just some issues we need to iron out first.”

Tan also promises a grand opening of Eastwood Mall coming this January. “We are preparing something big, a very big production for the general public.”

The good pasta

2009-08-02T21:40:00.000+02:00

Manila Standard Today
Food
August 1, 2007

Pasta has always been a staple in every Filipino occasion. No celebration is complete without a serving of our re-invented spaghetti laden with ground pork, hotdog, sweet and spicy sauce and other ingredients to suit the distinct Filipino taste. The Philippines is the biggest consumer of pasta in Asia, amounting to four plates for every Filipino a year.

Recently new variety of pasta was introduced in the Philippines straight from Spain. Gallo, the 100-year old food company in Spain offers a whole line of healthy pasta varieties called Pasta Gallo.

Café Ysabel, the venue for the launch teamed with distinguished personalities from the Spanish Embassy, food and catering business, food experts and the media who were invited to witness the event. Premier Philippine chef Gene Gonzales treated the guests to a new line of Rene Barbier wines during the event.

The business of pasta

Gallo, established in 1946, was originally a flour factory in Barcelona started by Señor Jose Espona, also the first person who used durum wheat in producing what we call as Semolina flour.

Business of pasta

Through out the years, Señor Espona discovered the potential of the pasta business, thus created Pasta Gallo. Because they also owned the wheat field, Gallo was involved in the whole production of pasta, allowing them to bring not only high-quality but also affordable pasta dishes to tables all over the world. Utilizing this advantage, Gallo is now the leading pasta company in Spain and among the five biggest producer of pasta in Europe. They are also supplying to some of the biggest companies worldwide including America and Africa. According to Antonio Salinas, regional sales director of Gallo, Pasta Gallo is still a family owned company up to this day.

Fiber and veggies

First in the line of healthy produced pasta offered by Gallo is the Fiber Up range. According to Felicidad Velandrino, vice president of the Nutritionists and Dieticians Association of the Philippines, its better to load up on carbohydrates and fiber enriched pasta. Made from real oat containing three times more fiber than the usual pasta, the Fiber Up variety contains no cholesterol, no calories and fat, making it best for people who are on a strict diet. Available in spaghetti and macaroni, it also regulates weight and helps decrease cholesterol level, so the not-so-young ones would not have to worry about heart problems while savouring their macaroni.

Pasta Gallo also thought of incorporating veggies in spaghetti. Gallos V200 line is made of 40 percent all-natural vegetables and is an excellent source of vitamins A, B, and C, iron and magnesium. Adding to V200 Spaghetti and Penne range, Gallo also came out with Gallo Y Sus Amigos, (Gallo and Friends) especially made for kids. It gives the same 40 percent of daily recommended intake of vegetables in fun and delicious taste which children and parents alike would enjoy eating.

Meanwhile for a more classic taste, Gallo has the Classic Durum Wheat variants which come in spaghetti, linguine and penne. It is made from 100 percent Semolina flour and contains vitamin B complex, iron and folic acid. It is also low in fat, sodium, calories and sugar and is a good source of complex carbohydrates.

Stress test

Before Aaron Palileo, marketing manager of ADP Industries Corp. decided to venture in the distribution of Pasta Gallo, he, together with Chef Gene put the pasta under a three-day stress test. After stuffing cooked Pasta Gallo in the freezer for three days, chef Gene re-sautéed the pasta and surprisingly it still came out good. This, according to chef Gene, is because of the high content of durum wheat in the pasta.

Durum wheat also makes make Gallo Pasta easier and faster to cook and with less breakage. It has a superior mouth feel and texture that holds on the sauce flavors, making it ideal for any pasta recipe. Gallo also made their pasta available in 250-gram packs for those who prefer smaller servings.

Pasta Gallo will be available to Filipino pasta lovers very soon.

Fitflops Your Way to Sexier Legs

2009-07-29T08:53:00.000+02:00

Manila Bulletin

Well Being

Admit it; you are one of the girls who want to have well-toned legs and perfect bums that can land to Billabong shorts endorsement deal. Going to the gym is the best way to achieve it.

But with all the demands women has to accomplished in the daily grind of life, its almost impossible to keep up with a regular exercise routine. The easiest way then is to practice regular walking, the daily recommended is 30 minutes brisk walk a day, five times a week.

Why Should We Walk?

Generally, working is the most natural form of exercise that doesn't entail so much physical exertion but comes with numerous health benefits. Walking is proven to help in weight control and management. A 30-minute brisk walk can make you 150 calories sexier and if you do it in a faster pace, you'll burn more calories.

Walking control blood pressure and decrease the rate of heart attach for 30% because it boosts the production of high-density lipoprotein [HDL] cholesterol while helping you avoid stroke, diabetes and breast cancer at the same time.

Walking away from depression takes on a literal meaning after a study of 156 patients with major depressive disorder conducted at Duke University revealed that regular walking is as effective and sometimes better than taking medication.

Moreover, it protects our bones from osteoporosis and fractures and helps alleviate the burden of arthritis.

Stride in Style

If that's not enough reason for you to "start walking", then FitFlops, the latest craze in footwear that promises the comfort of wearing slippers while acting as a regular athletic shoes will probably entice you more.

Marcia Kilgore, cosmetic and skin care mogul, developed FitFlops for women "who wanted to have shapely legs while attending to a multitude of tasks" including going to the office, taking care of the family and doing household chores.

The founder of Bliss Spa, a wellness center that produces its own line of beauty products in uptown New York, set our to make initial research with UK-based universities, podiatrists, reflexologists and footwear manufacturer in an attempt to find the most logical approach to firming up through the feet.

"Marcia knows what she wants but doesn't know how to do it," says David Goulding, FitFlops' vice president for international sales.

She sought the help of Dr. David Cook of the Academy of Sport and Well-being at the London Southbank University and Scott Thomson of shoe design and manufacturing company PDFootwear/Law Trading to engineer a type of footwear that will enhance the effect of walking by working out the muscles even more. They experiments on the impact of multi-layered and multi-density sole to the leg muscles.

The collaboration resulted in a hybrid shoes based on a micro-wobbled board technology that extends that amount of time that the slow twitched muscles are engages during a step by approximately 10-12%. Slow twitch muscles produce energy by converting fats into energy aerobically.

"FitFlops are incredibly soft do it destabilizes your foot a bit, making you feel slightly unstable," explained Goulding.

According to Goulding, wearing FitFlops gives a feeling of "walking barefoot in the sand" because of its multi-density mid-sole that slows the eversion rate and requires the wearer 15% more energy while walking.

FitFlops absorbs 36% more shock that normal footwear while the firmer toe areas promotes faster toe push-off to maintain speed walking. This means that while walking on it, you also get a sort of a workout for the gluteal, hamstring and calf muscles which tones your legs and make your bums firmer.

Wearers also reported that Fitflops helps ease their back pain and prevents swelling and aching legs after standing and walking all day. It also promises to improve posture.

Kilgore's company began manufacturing FitFlops in January 2007 and in less than two years, worked its way to become the number one footwear choice in the United States and United Kingdom.

Hollywood is raving about it with no less than talk show queen Oprah Winfrey, along with film luminaries Jessica Alba, Hilary Swank, Heidi Klum, Jennifer Garner, Julianne Moore and Jessica Biel strutting on FitFlops.

Jade Johnson, the Olympic long jumper who suffers from a painful foot condition was also spotted wearing them and said that she gained the same benefit from wearing them as exercises recommended by her physiotherapist.

According to Kilgore, FitFlops were orginally intended as vanity shoes, designed for shaping the legs but the overall impact on the body suggested that it significantly improves chronic back pain.

"If you look at how we stand in terms of our product, it's a category which mixed well being and footwear, the two biggest industries where women spend their money. We are not a fashion brand but we are very fashionable and very affordable if you consider it's well being effects," Goulding further adds on.

Fitflops comes in a variety of colors and style including gladiator shoes and winter boots. Sadly, either those are only available for celebrities or is not being sold in the Philippines. Because of the tropical climate, Filipinos can only avail of the regular design.

Wearing Fitflops takes getting used to. My feet had small bruises from the first time of walking on it because of the nylon strap but overall it is way more comfortable than walking in a regular shoes or slippers. Also surprisingly, I didn't get muscle sores after a full day of walking and even running with it.

FitFlop is available in Res|Toe|Run (Trinoma, Ayala Cebu, Gateway and Robinson's Galleria), Shoe Salon, The Spa, ROX and selected Bratpack stores.

The new fizz in town

2009-07-29T08:47:00.000+02:00

Manila Standard Today
Food
January 7, 2009

If you have a choice between the regular cola drink with all its familiar tastes and ingredients (and the additional pounds that come with it) and an herbal drink disguised as a cola but with organic elements, which would you prefer?

With the current clamor for anything organic, healthy or natural, manufacturers are starting to come out with alternative products that carry these requirements but with a certain degree of similarity to the rather unhealthy choices.

Joining the bandwagon is the newest health drink called Mojo Organic Fizz, said to be a nutraceutical drink that has a fun taste but is good for your body. Compared to other health drinks in the market, Mojo Organic Fizz is specifically good for the respiratory system because of four main herbs infused in it.

“What we like the consumer to think is that they are drinking something beneficial to their respiratory system and at the same time they like the flavor, something that is good for the body but it’s still fun to drink,” said Todi Sales, national sales manager of Renovati Pharma Inc., the official distributor of Mojo in the Philippines.

Bursting with the components of asparagus, dwarf lilytubers, honeysuckle flower and Chinese licorice, Mojo Organic Fizz will be the first-of- its-kind beverage drink that will offer healthy benefits while deceiving your taste buds of the herbal taste which is usually unappealing.

Asparagus acts as a cooling agent, moisturizer for the lungs and cleanser for the kidney while dwarf lilytubers helps produce body fluids to clear the throat. Honeysuckle flower helps remove heat and toxic substances that cause sore throat and Chinese licorice reinforces the function of the spleen, eliminates heats and counteracts toxicity, dispels phlegm and relives cough to alleviate spasmodic pain. These key ingredients provide an overall cleansing function from the throat down.

“The nice thing about Mojo is everything you like about other beverages is in Mojo and everything that you don’t like is not on it.”

The drink is inspired by mojo, an African magic charm usually worn under clothing, a mojo is believed to have the power to dispel misfortune or bad luck. In this modern age, mojo is used to refer to a person’s life force or energy, that often elusive quality that sets a person apart from everyone else.

People who are wary about their figures, moms who don’t want to give their kids unhealthy drinks and even diabetics who are restricted to a sugar-free diet will consider Mojo because of its one-calorie, zero caffeine and zero sugar offering. According to Sales, Mojo Organic Fizz uses sucralose, a non-caloric sugar alternative, so it’s safe for everybody and would not have any side effects no matter how much you drink every day.

Packaged in a pep bottle but cola tin can top, Mojo Organic Fizz will give you an illusion that you are actually snagging cola bottles in the supermarket because of its similarity in packaging and color. At the first taste, you would not know the difference between the two products although Mojo Organic Fizz leaves a distinct aftertaste comparable to the medicine-like taste of Sarsi cola.

“It’s the herbs and it’s a very mild drink which doesn’t hurt your throat when you take it,” explained Sales, who revealed that there will be two upcoming new flavors of Mojo Organic Fizz. Lime and orange flavors will be launched early next year. Despite being a China-made product, Sales quickly dispels possible worries among consumers.

“The production of Mojo adheres to very strict pharmaceutical standard so it’s really very safe for the consumers,” he adds. Mojo is manufactured by Baiyunshan Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. in Hong Kong.

A Home by the Lake

2009-07-28T22:20:00.000+02:00

Manila Standard Today
Travel
February 28, 2008

Now that the Holy Week and summer is just around the corner, Club Balai Isabel in Talisay, Batangas is getting more and more reservations. In fact, a pharmaceutical company has already blocked out one of their villas for a 90-day booking and they expect their 60-80% occupancy rate will increase in the next couple of months. But Club Balai Isabel would not stop building more villas and cottages to accommodate every one who wants a piece of nature as a sanctuary from workplace pressures and hurried city life that is just an hour drive from the big city.

Owner Nelson Terrible, who is a native of Talisay, saw the potential of the area for tourism because of its strategic location, overlooking the enchanting Taal Volcano, and bought the 10-hectare property in 2005 together with his partners. They built the condotels in 2007 and opened the same year. As a property developer in his first venture in resort industry, Terrible made Club Balai Isabel into a residential resort. Their company sells the villas mostly to immigrants who only go back to the Philippines for vacation, usually from November to February. During the times that the villas and houses are vacant, they lease it from the owners and use the rooms for accommodations in the resort.

Among the resorts accommodation facilities, in addition to residential houses, are two boutique style clusters Sampaguita Manor and Ylang-Ylang Villa. Sampaguita Manor has 6 hotel-type rooms nestled on a garden of different trees and ornamental plants. Staying on the balcony is relaxing enough with its view of green, wooden chairs and dimly lighted with Spanish style lamps. The rooms are neat and complete with facilities, including mini-refs and hot and cold shower. Meanwhile, Ylang-ylang Villa also offers six studio units furnished with kitchenette ideal for the whole family. The units also have a second floor with a single bed where you can tuck in the children after a full day’s play and recreation.

The Club House with its magnificent view of the lake and the Taal Volcano especially during good weather has two function rooms, Kasay-kasay and Kasili Halls. The ground floor serves as lobby for clients, which also has a restaurant and gift shop. Here the guests can spend the day swimming in the pool; readings books or just enjoy the beautiful view of the lake. For the more adventurous and sports minded, Club Balai Isabel also has the Balikatan Course which facilitates 5 different obstacles mostly used for company team buildings. Apart from swimming, the resort also has tennis, badminton and basketball courts, while for a more muscle challenging activity; guests can rent a kayak to go around the lake. Meanwhile, for those who opt for less physical acitivities, Club Balai Isabel also has packages for lake tours. Their 32 accredited bangkas which can accommodate 7 persons each are equipped with good quality life vests to ensure full safety of their guests.

Since the 400-meter shoreline is not recommended for swimming because of the murky and deep water, Club Balai Isabel put in the Mobideep, an inflatable swimming pool with separate pools of different depth. Its deepest pool which measures 21 feet is even used for scuba diving trainings.

But more is in store for Club Balai Isabel’s guest for 2008, as evident with the on-going construction works inside the resort. According to Terrible, they are building a 98-room condotel called Lakeshore Suites Cluster 1, 2 and 3 and targeting March 2008 to finish the first 66 rooms. These condominium units will be available for individual and corporate buyers and they are given options to lease out the units for hotel operations. The smallest unit measures 3,659 m2 while biggest is 5459 m2 and ranges from 2.5 to 11 million pesos.

Club Balai Isabel is also adding more facilities to the resort, including a recreation center equipped with videoke machine,a movie room, billiard tables, Wii and Play Station 3 rooms, internet Shop, Tea Lounge and a library for the use of their guests. Wi-fi will also be available in the public areas. Water sports will also be promoted in the area with the resort building facilities for skim and wake boarding.

Aside from the wellness center which will offer medical spa and traditional medical facility for tourists and guests, they will also open non-invasive therapies and executive check ups. Terrible is particularly excited about the opening of the Spa Suites, which guests can avail for P8,500 a night. Each of the eight huts have a queen-sized bed, private bathroom and a private Jacuzzi in a lush garden setting. The room can accommodate 2-8 persons. To add to the luxurious packages, Club Balai Isabel will soon offer the Taal Lake Cruise with their 20-passenger Cancun equipped with washroom and mini-bar which will go around the lake. The full completion of the project is expected in 2009.

“But our primary concern is the environment,” said Terrible at the end of the interview since nobody remembered to ask about their community projects. Since water shortage is among the biggest environmental problem that the country has to be faced in the coming years, Terrible cited that the water being used in the swimming pool as well as in Mobideep is all filtered lake water ideal for irrigation and safe for swimming. They also make sure that they are using low energy-consumption equipment in the resort.

Meanwhile, to encourage the same effort in environment protection and conservation from the community, the resort started a Solid Waste Management project. Residents of Talisay Batangas can avail of support from the resort, which can be load or financial backings in community projects if they are able to turn in a certain amount of recyclable materials to the resort. According to Terrible, this concerted effort will make people realize that nature and the lake should be protected to be able to retain their livelihood, especially fishing and tourism.

The versatile multi dress

2009-07-28T20:31:00.000+02:00

Malaya
June 17, 2009

The key to remain stylish nowadays is not only having an updated wardrobe but also by being a smart shopper. Women are re-inventing their clothes to suit their fashion needs and avoid additional expenses.

Gone are the days when the little black dress was limited only to evening events, it can also be an office wear when paired with a blazer. It is with this philosophy that Get Laud came up with the multi dress, an updated version of the versatile dress that can be worn not only in two or three styles but in 20 different ways.

"This is our way of helping our clients with their budgets. What could be more practical than a single dress that can be converted into 20 different looks? This is for women who are both stylish and practical. Who are looking for more value in a brand and a dress," says Gigi Laudencia, owner of Get Laud.

Here are some ways to wear the multi dress:

• Wrap over. Wear it as a wrap-over dress for the office. This dress is suited for curvy and big-busted women as it flatters their figures and hides the stomach.

• One-shoulder toga dress. If you are attending a wedding, debut and other formal parties, styling like a long, one shoulder toga gives the wearer an instant Greco-Roman look.

• Strapless dress. Whether you are attending a party or meeting friends for a sit-down dinner, convert the multi dress to a strapless one by removing the ribbon and upper part.

• Sleeveless dress with v-neck line. From sexy to sizzling, create a sleeveless dress with a v-line in a jiffy. This makes you ready for the next party.

• Grecian halter dress. Another formal way to wear the multi dress for your evening events.

• Skirt. The multi dress can be rolled down to be worn as a skirt and be paired with a nice body-hugging top for a casual get-up.

• Spaghetti strap dress with a sexy back. The classic way of wearing the little black dress.

• Criss-cross halter dress. Make a bold statement by wearing the multi dress with a criss-cross halter. This highlights the natural curve making the tummy look smaller.

• Cap-sleeve dress with straight neckline. This covers the wearer’s shoulders while exposing enough skin in the bosom area that exudes elegant sexiness.

• Cap-sleeve dress with deep v-neck. Add more spice and allure with this sexy look.

The multi dress comes in black, red, white, brown, violet and other earthly tones. For store locations, log on to www.getlaud.com.ph.

Create 20 styles with one dress

2009-07-28T20:30:00.000+02:00

Philippine Star
June 17, 2009

Dress me pretty: Get Laud’s Multi Dress can be worn in different ways: criss-cross halter dress, one-shoulder toga frock, sexy back dress, halter or cap-sleeved dress.

MANILA, Philippines - Women are now re-inventing their clothes to suit their fashion needs and budget.

Get Laud, the preferred store of smart dressers, introduces the Multi Dress, an updated version of the versatile dress, which can be worn in 20 different ways.

“It’s stylish and practical,” says Gigi Laudencia, owner of Get Laud.

Here are some ways to make the most out of your Multi Dress.

• Wrap-over. It’s perfect for curvy women as it flatters the figure.

• One-shoulder toga dress. This Grecian-inspired frock is perfect for formal events.

• Strapless dress. Convert the Multi Dress into a strapless frock by simply removing the upper part of the dress and ribbon.

• V-neck sleeveless dress. The Multi Dress can be converted to a sleeveless v-neck frock.

• Grecian halter dress. This halter dress is perfect for cocktails.

• Wear it as a skirt. Just roll the Multi Dress down and pair it with a body-hugging top.

• Spaghetti-strap dress. This dress never goes out of style.

• Criss-cross halter dress. The Multi Dress has never been this sexy.

• Cap-sleeve dress with straight neckline. This dress covers the shoulders while exposing enough skin in the bosom.

• Cap-sleeve dress with deep V-neck line. You can also wear the cap-sleeve dress with a deep V-neck line.

The Multi Dress is available at Get Laud branches in Festival Supermall, Market Market!, Alabang Town Center, Robinsons Metro East, NCCC Mall of Davao, and Sta. Lucia East. For other store locations, visit www.getlaud.com.ph.

TV ads linked to increased drinking

2009-07-28T19:29:00.000+02:00

Manila Bulletin
Well Being
June 2, 2009

A recent study conducted at the University of Radboud, Nijmegen Netherlands directly linked television advertisement to the increase of alcohol consumption. The experiment participated in by 80 young Dutch people from ages 18 to 29 years old concluded that watching television with heavy alcohol portrayal actually increases drinking by twice as much compared to those who do not have. Published at the Alcohol and Alcoholism Journal at Oxford University aimed to find out whether television advertisements have a causal effect on alcohol consumption.

Participants composed of young male friends were split into four groups; each was made to watch a film for an hour in a comfortable living room setting at two in the afternoon. Soft alcoholic beverages like beer and wine were available in the refrigerator for free with chips and nuts to go with it while participants are also allowed to smoke.

The first group watched American Pie, a movie heavily laden with alcoholic drinking instances, and put alcohol advertisements in between scenes while the second group watched the same movie but without the advertisements.

The third group was made to watch 40 days and 40 nights, a film with lesser alcohol drinking but more references, with the same alcohol commercials and with the fourth group the commercials were removed.

The experiment yielded a very significant result especially for countries like the Philippines were alcohol commercials is not strictly monitored and drinking is an accepted form of social interaction especially among men and teen-agers.

ALARMING RESULTS

According to the result, the first group who watched American Pie with alcohol commercials consumed almost three bottles of alcohol compared to the consumption of the fourth group, who watched 40 Days and 40 Nights without the commercials.

“Our study showed that the portrayal of alcohol and drinking characters in movies directly leads to more alcohol consumption in young adult male viewers when alcohol is available within the situation,” researchers said.

“All in all, it can be concluded that, for young adult males, the portrayal of alcohol on a television screen might lead to incre ased alcohol consumption.”

However, the researchers composed of Rutger Engels, Roel Hermans, Rick van Baaren, Tom Hollenstein and Sander Bot, point out that the results might vary with circumstances like culture, limitations on drinking locations and brand consciousness.

This study maybe well related to another research by Synovate, commissioned by the Department of Health, which revealed that Filipinos, especially the richer ones, are the heaviest drinkers in Southeast Asia consuming 37 percent more alcohol compared to countries like Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore and Indonesia. The figure says that 11 percent of Filipinos 15 to 74 years old regularly drink alcoholic beverages at the minimum of four times a week while 20 percent of age group 15 to 19 years old is already current drinkers. This fact is both alarming and scary since it involves the youth who are even below the allowable drinking age and merits immediate attention from parents, lawmakers and the society.

Other countries like in the European Union that applies stringent rules on alcoholic commercials where the alcohol cannot be promoted using children, as an aid to social, sexual success or therapeutic aid, Philippine television has a significantly high content of alcohol commercials.

The presence of famous celebrity endorsers, depicting drinking as a way to interest the opposite sex, have fun with friends, impress superiors or achieve success in alcohol commercials in our country also plays a considerable influence on drinking.

“When in real life, anticipation on others’ reactions may be among the causes of imitation. Since viewers are aware that characters from a TV screen will not evaluate them, this imitation will take place independent from this anticipation. This adds to the evidence for the assumption that humans are wired to imitate,” the Dutch research further stated.

Celebrating 50 years of health and beauty

2009-07-28T19:03:00.000+02:00

Manila Standard Today
Money
May 14, 2009

The Year of the Ox signifies more than the usual celebrations for Amway Corp., perhaps the most successful multi-level marketing company in the world, as 2009 marks half a century of product distribution through direct selling. What started out as a basement business selling health supplements in 1959 is now a multi-billion dollar company, employing three million people in 80 countries/region around the globe. It carries five major product areas under its wings including personal and home care, food supplement, cosmetics and cooking wares and has captured a big market interest even in the most traditional countries like China.

On a recent tour of Guangzhou where Amway houses its biggest factory outside of the US and Shanghai, the center of Amway’s research and development, the company opens its door for select Filipino and Taiwanese journalists to share some secrets of its success in the land of emerging superpower China. Amway, after all, has its history connected to this country because this is where Charles Rehnborg, developer of Nutrilite Dietary Supplements, Amway’s first product, started the idea and first conducted his research for this nutritional pills.

Capturing the Chinese market

China is Amway’s biggest market so far, beating Europe and America for a total of 30-percent share of the global sales while on the local direct selling front, Amway has 50 percent of the total industry.

Gan Chee Eng, regional president and chief marketing officer of Amway China, attributes this success in their strategy of adapting to the Chinese market and communicating with the local culture. As a result, Amway China has 90-percent favorability in terms of brand awareness and is raking more than $4 billion in annual sales. This impressive performance allows the company to further develop its resources and continuously update its state-of-the-art research and development facilities.

“We are always looking for products, what the consumer needs. We are open to intellectual property sharing with the Philippines. Our focus worldwide is on environment-friendly child, health and beauty products. Our cookware requires less energy to cook; our homecare products are recyclable and biodegradable. Amway China employees and distributors are active in Greenway, an environment Web site in China,” Gan adds.

Built from 1992-1994, the 141,000-square-meter Guangzhou factory complex and logistics centers carries up to 25 truckloads of products every day for distribution in Southeast Asian countries like Taiwan, Indonesia, Hong Kong and Korea. The Guangzhou factory, which cost around 500 million renminbi in construction, is kept at 22 degrees temperature all year round to maintain the highest quality of its products and adhere to global standards. These strict compliances earned Amway China’s facilities ISO 9002, Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points and Good Manufacturing Practices certifications. They also have ISO14001 for Environmental Management Standard, and OHSAS 18001 Occupational Health and Safety.

“Our products are melamine-free. We do our own lab tests on materials before using them. We have that capability. Presently, we are not exporting any products abroad. We have earned the trust of the public and we have gained the confidence of the market,” the well versed, newly appointed regional president assured the writers.

Meanwhile it’s Shanghai office, which also houses its Research and Development center in One Corporate Avenue, 222 Hu Bin Road, which costs a monthly rental $2 million, is another testament of the company’s strong foothold in the direct-selling industry. According to Amway’s officials, the sales from its 13 shops in Shanghai alone are more than enough to cover rental fees.

In terms of taking care of its people, Amway China has stepped up to further the benefits that its distributors get from the company. Last year, Amway has posted an annual sale of $8.2 billion and a big chunk of it went to its distributors as commissions and bonuses.

“We have increased our bonus packages for our sales representatives, as well as increased our budget for the construction of new buildings and for investments in research and development. We therefore have the confidence and trust of our numerous sales representatives. We have brand building in place for 2009,” ends Gan.

Success in technology mining

Speaking briefly on Amway’s R&D undertakings, director Jia Chen emphasized on the company’s commitment on technology mining and innovation as its main vehicles in producing their top-selling products especially in beauty and health category like Nutralite and Artistry. Their team consists of professionals who have attained master’s degree from prestigious universities all over the world and a scientific board who regularly monitors the results of each and every experiment and study undertaken by the R&D team.

“It all depend on technology mining but tech mining can’t be built in one day. It takes a long way to research and collaborate with other organizations. Our R&D is focused on the Chinese market. In Amway China, we have a lot of ideas but we have to innovate, we eliminate bad ideas as well.”

Amway is concentrating on the direction of optimal health and healthy aging rather than the temporary solutions offered by other products in the same category. They are ahead on using organic components harvested mainly from four organic farms that Amway maintains in different parts of the world, California and Washington, Central Brazil and Jalisto in Central Mexico. These farms use seawater for the soil to integrate minerals that are more useful in the end products.

Chen cites Artistry’s Crème L/X, which is endorsed by no other than top Hollywood celebrity Sandra Bullock who swears on endorsing products that she only trusts. Crème L/X active formula primarily targets the mitochondria, considered as the engine of the cell, to restore or increase cell energy, which results in visibly younger-looking skin.

“We focus on health and beauty, we do both product lines. Skincare is the first part of it but we have other products [to go with it] that we encourage people to take as well so in the end they will have optimal health,” says Chen.

Strong in the Philippines

In the Philippines, Amway’s biggest selling brand is Nutrilite, which puts in 45 percent of its business last year while 15 percent is contributed to its skincare and cosmetic line, Artistry. Aside from these main lines, they also offer a wide variety of home care and personal care products.

In Makati, Amway has its own Brand Experience Center where people can have a firsthand experience of its products while in Visayas and Mindanao, they offer organically complex agricultural products which also help the farmers to increase their harvest.

Amway Philippines is one of the first in the direct-selling business locally, started in 1997 with a vision to enable Filipinos to live better lives. Today, it has over 40,000 independent business owners who are continuously promoting entrepreneurship among Filipinos while benefiting financially from their endeavors.

They also participated in Amway’s social responsibility efforts and lend a helping hand to those who are in need. In 2004, Amway Philippines launched the One for One Campaign for Children which is aimed at children’s right and literacy. Among their projects are regular story telling sessions inside the library of F. Benitez Elementary School in Makati and renovation of the library in South City Central School in Cagayan de Oro where they also donated story books. This year, the plan to partner with the Department of Education in expanding their campaign in Cebu City is also pushing through.

An unconventional guide to Amsterdam

2009-07-18T15:16:00.000+02:00

MST Travel

March 19, 2009
Article Link

If you suddenly find yourself in Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands and perhaps one of the most liberated cities in the world, rejoice because you are in heaven. But if you have only limited time to go around and enjoy the city, don’t be confused by all the things that can be done because there are hundreds, from shopping, sight seeing and dining out. The best time to go is in the morning when there aren't so many people crowding its streets. During the afternoon, at around 3 p.m., there is an outpouring of people and you’ll never guess where they come from—Asian, Westerners and Europeans alike.

Here are some unconventional guides on what to do and not to miss in Netherlands.

1. Party, party, party—The Dutch DJs are the best in the world. Think of Tiesto, Armin van Burren, etc. The bars in Amsterdam are some of the most lively and exciting compared to others around the world. Not even New York City would rival the kind of party that the bars and clubs in Amsterdam offer. So make sure you have enough moolah because the entrance fees are certainly not cheap.

2. Eat a herring—If you can swallow it. Herrings are one of the Netherlands’ local street foods that must be eaten raw, headfirst with lots of garlic on it. I haven’t had the heart to go for a second serving because the smell of onions alone makes me dizzy but eating a herring is one thing you should not miss in Amsterdam or any part of the Netherlands for that matter.

3. Smoke some marijuana—Yes, you read it right, score some pot! It’s your chance to try something naughty and get away with it. In the Netherlands, the selling of soft drugs like marijuana is allowed and thousands of foreigners flock here just to get this stuff. All over Amsterdam, you can find different coffee shops (where they sell marijuana in the form of rolled in like cigarettes, hashes, space cake etc.) that sells it for 3 euros apiece or more depending on the kind you want to have. But never take it out of the country because you will get arrested.

4. Hire a prostitute from the window—This will only work if you are a guy or a lesbian and you have money to burn, because in the Netherlands, prostitution is legal. Ever heard of the Red Light District? Amsterdam has the best, with prostitutes displayed on windows, literally, dressed in their kinkiest clothes (if you can ever call it that) urging customers to come in. Now, if you are not a man or a butch and you don’t have money for these hookers, then just go walk on these streets, feast your eyes and satisfy your inner voyeur with these women, of all sizes and ages. There are also gays in the lewdest of attire. And mind you, these ladies/lads have health insurance, medical certificates and working permits. One word of advice though, don’t attempt to take pictures of them otherwise you’ll just see your camera floating in the canals.

5. Shopping—Like in other capital cities, shopping for goodies in Amsterdam can be real fun especially during sale season like February and March when shops lower their prices up to 70 percent. Boots can be had for 10 euros in shops or a stylish coat for only 30 euros. There are even shops that sell all items for five to 15 euros and you are assured that they are of best quality

6. Rent a bike and drive around— Another cheap way to get around Amsterdam is by bicycle and there are a lot of bike rental shops in the city costing around eight euros for a day’s use. Biking is safe with numerous lanes allotted for bikers. The Dutch are famous for their bikes, as they say, there are more bikes in the Netherlands than people.

7. Take a boat tour around the city—The Netherlands is famous for its canals and dikes which were built for defense, water management (to keep the water off the lands because the Netherlands is below sea level) and commerce. Boat tours around the city cost around 8 to 10 euros depending on the package and is the most economical and convenient way to see the beautiful buildings and landscape.

8. Shop at the sex shops—Yes, the windows are always near sex shops and you won’t have a hard time choosing the device of your choice and size to sizzle your sex life. They have funny-looking condoms, S&M accessories like chains, whips, ropes etc., all sizes, designs and colors of vibrators, strapped vibrators even for the lesbians wanting to satisfy their lady loves, fake vaginas and butt holes, kinky underwear, role playing customs (they have from the conservative nuns and priests to the school girl and hookers), lubricants, DVDs of soft and hard porn, and everything about sex which I haven’t even encountered.

9. Have a museum tour. Start with the Sex Museum—First, it’s the cheapest for 3 euros per person, second it’s so informative, and third it’s more fun than all the museums in the Netherlands combined. Not even Madame Tussaud which puts 21 euros tab for entrance and the Van Gogh Museum which demands 22 euros entrance fee would make you laugh and enjoy museums like the Sex Museum does. It provides vast information on the evolution of sex, from the pre-Catholic era to the modern-day porn with its three floors full of articles, photographs, paintings etc. Don’t forget to have your picture taken with the Two Giant Penises, the Fat Nudist and the Horrible Nude Monster. Maybe you would also like to check out the Bag Museum for its collection of unique and beautiful purses and of course the Ann Frank Museum to torture with the same kind that did this poor Dutch Jew girl during the Nazi time.

10. Try the Magic Mushroom but don’t jump off a building—Magic mushrooms are another kind of soft drugs being sold in Amsterdam but since early this year they put a ban on selling these in the coffee shops. There are still some shops that sell them or their alternative all around Amsterdam. Again, beware, this stuff is lethal if you took more than what is tolerable by your body. The effect is not immediate so don’t rush and make sure that you have someone sober by your side. Do not fly off of a building like some French teenagers did some years ago.

Preserving Taal’s mystic

2009-05-15T14:13:00.000+02:00

Manila Standard
12/4/2007

Best viewed at the top of the Tagaytay Mountains, the serenity and mystical repose beckons the weary of soul and body. Its sleepy façade and laidback atmosphere conceals its hidden fury that wiped the towns around it for 33 times within the history, the last of which happens on Oct. 3, 1977. Located in the Pacific Ring of Fire and being one of the deadliest of the active volcanoes in the country, the island of Taal has been declared as a permanent danger zone by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology. The volcanic eruptions have gifted the island with fertile soil ideal for farming. The “volcano within a lake and a lake within a volcano” is also the source of livelihood, fishing and tourism of the three municipalities within the island—Talisay, Balete and San Nicolas—and the 11 towns and cities that surround it—Malvar, Laurel, Agoncillo, Sta. Teresita, Cuenca, Alitagtag, Mataas na Kahoy, Taal, Lemery, Lipa and Tanauan.

In the recent months, Taal has been clouded by controversies due to some plans to build tourism facilities near the crater of the volcano which threatens to destroy its natural wonders and may effect some volcanic movements and even eruption. Despite the project being shelved because of rising protests, there are still some man-made problems around Taal Volcano that are not as controversial but as threatening and is left behind public scrutiny. Among these are unregulated number of fish pens that crowd the lake and pollution due to sand quarrying, erosion and sewage discharge. These problems lead to the decrease in the number of fishes endemic to the lake most important of which is a kind of sardine called tawilis, which can only be found in Taal.

“It’s the people who will be greatly affected by the neglect of God’s gifts,” said Lipa Bishop Ramon Arguelles, pertaining to the activities that endanger the natural habitat of the tawilis. “It is our duty to protect it, and we should not forget our Godly responsibilities.”

To push for the protection of the Taal Lake and preservation of the volcano, Arguelles, along with Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Lito Atienza, Batangas Vice Gov. Mark Leviste, members of Taal Volcano Protected Landscape Area Management Board, employees of the DENR and the provincial government of Batangas, hiked through Taal Volcano to lead the tree-planting activity of appropriate tree species in the area. More than 200 participants braved the chilly morning, rugged trail and the long hike up to show their support of the program. One of the priority areas of the tree planting was the part near the crater which was turned into a rough road by the Korean firm who was supposed to build spa facilities in Taal.

Meanwhile, Secretary Atienza was overwhelmed by the concerted efforts of the local government units, the Church and the people of Batangas in the initiative to protect Taal. He also remained firm in his stand against the illegal fish pens which count to almost 4,000 around the town of Talisay. “We must have zero fish pens and fish cages in all lakes and rivers throughout the country. Taal Lake is a declared protected landscape and therefore, we must protect it by all means from human activities that would cause its degradation.” Apart from the ill effects of the fish cages, Atienza also said that the lake should be available for everyone to fish, not just for limited group who were able to put up their fish pens.

Present in the press conference is Batangas Gov. Vilma Santos-Recto who appealed to her constituents for proper garbage management. Sharing the same sentiment with her is Vice Gov. Leviste who reminds everyone that the best way to curb the garbage problem in Taal is through discipline. Leviste credited a big part of Batangas’ progress to Taal Volcano, it being the heart of the province. He also revealed plans and programs of the local government to create unified rules and regulations for the operation of the fish pens in Taal.

“We will not allow irresponsible people to take away the beauty of Taal Lake. We will talk to stakeholders and to the concerned groups for the most effective way to protect the lake and the volcano,” added Leviste.

Formerly called the Taal Volcano Natural Park but was later declared Taal Volcano Protected Landscape through Presidential Proclamation 906, TPVL measures 65,292,1369 hectares and considered as the biggest protected area in Calabarzon. The Taal Lake used to be of salt water while it was still connected to the Balayan Bay, but through constant weathering and rains turned into fresh water and linked to the sea only through the Pansipit River.

The essence of fulfillment

2009-05-15T14:11:00.000+02:00

MST, May 14, 2008, travel

How would you like to live in a country where you have to schedule one month ahead to have dinner or coffee with a friend, where you couldn’t build your dream house without first being approved by the government’s architect, employees are charged up to 52-percent income tax, almost all stores closes at 6 p.m. and on Sundays and everything is expensive save for the bread and milk? Not the best place to live in right and not inviting at all! Ironically, The Netherlands, where I am currently residing, is the third happiest place to live in the world.

According to the latest survey conducted by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development based in Paris, Northern European countries like Belgium (10th), Norway (9th), Switzerland (7th), Ireland (5th), Sweden (4th), Finland (2nd), Denmark (1st), along with countries like New Zealand (8th) and Canada (6th), are top places where residents find fulfillment in their every day life. The survey quantified the overall satisfaction of citizens 15 years old and above from 140 countries in terms of six different forms of positive or negative feelings within a day. Included are questions that relate to earning respect, feeling of accomplishment and productivity and enjoyment of every day activities on a scale of 1-100. The median was 62.4. The organization concluded that economic health, as these countries score higher Gross Domestic Product and less unemployment rate than the rest, plays a key role in the happiness of the people but that’s not all to it.

The Dutch hardly look like they are the most satisfied people nor are they happy folk. In fact, they are often typecast as a close, cold, and stingy race. They are perennially complaining about the weather, the government and its rules and taxes and how prices are so expensive. But generally, they, as well as other Europeans, live in a balanced work-life attitude. Work is treated not just as a moneymaking venture but with utmost respect and genuine concern for the growth of the company hence the high productivity of Dutch/European workers. It’s unlikely that you would find them answering messages or calls which are not work-related. In return, companies do their best to make sure workers are happy, giving as many benefits as they can afford.

The 40-hour work week is strictly dedicated to performing their jobs. The rest of the time is devoted to rest, having an early dinner, watching the 6 p.m. news, and retiring to reading or drinking a glass of wine afterwards. Weekends are devoted to gardening or attending family or friend’s affairs. Travel is part of the yearly itinerary, at least twice a year, in summer break and winter for the average citizens—more often for the moneyed. They don’t worry about getting sick because health insurance covers everything or being jobless, sick or invalid because the government gives enough subsidies. The environment and security are top priorities of the government, employing enough personnel to keep The Netherlands a safe and healthy country to live.

But is satisfaction measured by such a boring routine or well-structured system? Don’t we always need to have friends around, reachable anytime of the day? What about the liberty to build a pink or orange house, have access to the malls, cinemas, and coffee shops 24 hours a day or at least till bedtime?

Probably not but those were some of the things I had to learn to live without in order to survive the Dutch way of life. Coming from a very democratic country, it was quite depressing at first to have so many rules to live with and not having as many fun activities as I was used to. Coping with the system (rules included) taught me how to value more essential things in life rather than settling for most of the time senseless things that only offer temporary happiness.

In The Netherlands, schedules are strictly observed because people want to have their own privacy to do the things that they love to do alone or with loved ones, like spending a quiet night drinking wine and talking about how the day went, a sunny (rare thing) afternoon sipping tea or coffee in the garden, enough time to enrich the mind with books or the daily walk or jog in the park to keep body and mind fit. These are the things that Filipinos generally enjoy in the company of friends but as I’ve found out, more enjoyable doing alone or with the closest person in your life (husbands, wives or children) as it gives more opportunity for family bonding. The Dutch value their immediate family, giving as much time as they can because these are the people that will truly stick with them through thick and thin.

It’s hard to make friends with the Dutch as it is with the French, if you don’t talk their language, and with the English, if you don’t get their droll wit, because they don’t forge superficial friendships. It takes long years and lots of trust to have one true Dutch friend, but he or she is also the one who will protect you at your lowest point.

In terms of money, the Dutch are very frugal to the point of being stingy. And it’s not only practiced by the people but by the monarchy themselves. Having an apartment with the basic amenities, money to travel and buy the basic needs, and a car to ferry oneself or family to office or school is usually enough to be considered a comfortable living. They don’t aspire for luxury cars, branded clothes, shoes or bags, the latest gadgets or expensive pieces of jewelry (in fact, they seldom wear one) as a means of happiness. But they put very high regard on education, as many of them pursue a double master or doctoral degree while working. I’ve learned to prioritize what I actually need over what I desire and persevere to learn as much as I can about the culture and the language.

Rules are a big part of the society. Although they are liberal in most matters like with sex, soft drugs, and religion, rules make sure that everything is kept in moderation. I have been questioned many times about my age when buying cigarettes because 16 years old and below are strictly not allowed nicotine or alcohol. You can’t buy them anywhere unlike in the Philippines and smoking in restaurants is prohibited to protect the lungs of non-smokers. The rules on garbage, cars, houses, and buildings makes the Dutch landscape organized and avoid unnecessary chaos including congestion and pollution.

While they complain about the taxes, they diligently and honestly pay it nonetheless because as a country operating in a socialist system, they know that taxes benefit the country and themselves in the long run. They have strong opinions about other religions (like Islam and Purists) and immigrants flocking to the country but keep it among themselves so as not to offend anyone. Most of the Dutch have either one or two international organizations they regularly help like World Wide Fund, Amnesty International or Children’s of War as their way of giving back to their otherwise comfortable life.

In conclusion, living in a wealthy country really does its part in keeping someone satisfied but generally, respecting other people, living a productive life and following the rules, is the key to finding satisfaction, in a well to do society.

Understanding Psoriasis

2009-05-01T11:10:00.000+02:00

Manila Bulletin, November 23, 2008

Psoriasis is a chronic skin disorder that is characterized by thick, red, and scaly patches on the skin, inflammation, and excessive skin production with a silvery white appearance. Depending on its severity, psoriasis can cover the whole body or just a particular area, frequently the skin of elbows and knees, scalp, and even the genitals.

The condition is non-contagious but recurring, and it can also affect the fingernails and toenails (psoriatic nail dystrophy) and the joints (psoriatic arthritis). Psoriatic arthritis can be disabling, deforming, and devastating to the patient, especially when the effect becomes permanent.
Although considered as one of the longest known skin illnesses, the cause of psoriasis is unknown, though it is significantly linked -- but not exclusively -- to genetics. Other factors that can aggravate psoriasis are stress, excessive alcohol consumption, and smoking.

Psoriasis can affect any age group, but it commonly manifests between the ages of 15 and 25. Treatments for the disease are expensive and only offer control. While ointments and other products can help relieve itchiness and pain, and reduce dryness and redness, these treatments cannot end psoriasis.

"It is poorly understood how [psoriasis] came about, so treatment is also [elusive]," explains Dr. Lorna Frez, dermatologist and convenor of the Psoriasis Support Group of St. Luke’s Medical Center. "And because the skin is an external organ and...society judges [us] by external appearance, that is the biggest problem of a patient with psoriasis. They go [into] self pity; they confine themselves at home; they isolate themselves; and they don’t socialize. Some people don’t marry, not only because they might (pass it on) to their [offspring] but also...they don’t have (the) confidence to be with a partner."

Edmund Carino, 29, discovered his condition in 2005. He had himself checked after he developed rashes on his body that didn’t disappear after treatment with anti-fungal. After a biopsy and thorough examination, he learned he had psoriasis. He used to work in a water company, but because of his condition, he was forced to quit his job. After several months, it developed into psoriatic arthritis, and he could not even stand anymore. He was bedridden and confused about his illness.

"At first, when I (encountered) people who (didn’t) know me and my illness and they (looked) at (me) from head to foot, I really got pissed off. But after a while, I got used to it. My friends and family already know about my condition, so it doesn’t matter anymore," he shares.

Today, Edmund needs expensive medication which costs P18,000 per week. It has allowed him to walk again and ease the itchiness and pain of his psoriatic arthritis. His deformed fingernails and toenails are slowly going back to normal. He says he has already accepted his condition and chooses to be happy in life despite it.

Psoriasis affects millions of people worldwide. In the Philippines, an estimated 170,000 Filipinos have reported cases of psoriasis, while there are more who don’t seek medical care.
Most patients lose their jobs and become bed-ridden when afflicted with severe psoriasis, and their quality of life is significantly reduced.

This prompted a group of dermatologists at the St. Luke’s Medical Center to organize a support group for psoriasis patients. Their aim is to improve patients’ lives by conducting patients-to-patients interaction for support and sharing experiences, nutrition and exercise information, sessions with psychologists, and spirituals guidance.

"We want more people to understand and care about psoriasis because this should not stop patients from living normal lives, becoming gainfully employed, and becoming useful in the society," explains Dr. Frez.

"We already have existing patients who managed (to) overcome their situations (through the) proper and thorough information given by their doctors. Now, they are the ones inspiring other patients with the same condition to do the same. They are also very instrumental in (informing) the public what psoriasis is all about," ends Dr. Frez.

Born To CLimb

2009-05-01T11:07:00.000+02:00

Manila Bulletin, November 23, 2008

If some people were born with a silver spoon in their mouth, Chris Lindner, renowned rock climber, was born with a harness tied around his waist and ropes in his hands.

As early as two months old, baby Chris bundled in a crib would be taken to rock climbing areas by his parents, and by the time he turned three, he was practicing his leg work on rocks instead of on matted floors. At four years old, he was on the cover of a rock climbing catalogue. He got his first sponsor at six, and at nineteen, he quit his full-time job as a software developer to pursue rock climbing.

Chris did part of his schooling on breaks from climbing, travelling the world as a rock climbing ambassador, and spending half of his life living in a sleeping bag under the stars. He has climbed in different parts of the United States, as well as in Canada, Mexico, Argentina, England, Germany, Greece, and Korea. He counts Spain, France, and Vietnam as his favorites.

Every climb, a challenge

But in his 21 years of climbing the world’s boulders, Chris says he still finds every new climb a challenge.

"Every rock (climb) is different, so every single time you go (rock climbing), it is a challenge. One of the challenges is to look for rocks that nobody has done before and set up a new route," narrates the very fit 24-year-old climber. According to him, setting up a route sometimes takes him one year, starting from finding locations, hiking there with his heavy gear to clean the boulders, which sometimes takes a couple of days, and trying out the route.

"Every new rock climb is very challenging, but it is very rewarding especially when you put up a nice route. They are there forever, and the future rock climbers will remember that Chris Lindner put it together. People around the world will talk about that route that you put (up) forever," he said. He recalled a rock that he found on the beach of California which had a nice overhang. He put up a route on that particular location, but it is only during particular hours a climb can be made there, depending on the tides.

Lindner recently visited Manila and Cebu as Sanuk’s brand ambassador and shared his experiences and expertise with Filipino rock climbing enthusiasts. He conducted clinics at ROX at the Fort and flew to Toledo, Cebu, to test the local rock climbing sports there as part of the Department of Tourism’s "Adventure Philippines" campaign. Chris also counts Palawan as one of his favorite rock climbing spots.

Considered as an extreme sport where mishaps can happen anytime, Chris said that he has never broken a single bone in a lifetime of climbing. He attributes this to several factors, like having the best-quality gear, learning the techniques very well, and keeping a well-maintained body.

Unique technique

The young climber, who bagged the 2006 Western US Bouldering Championship, avoids fastfood, soda, and smoking, drinks moderately, and takes multivitamins. According to him, he tries to eat smart, but he is not a ‘freak’ about what he eats.

"Rock climbing is a very challenging sport; it’s not like swimming where once you learn, (the only thing that will matter is) how far you can go. Everything in rock climbing is different; you have to be mentally smart and apply all your techniques at the right time. It takes years and years to master (rock climbing), but it’s a very safe and calculated sport," he advises people who want to take up rock climbing as a sport.

Chris recently discovered a climbing technique called "deep water soloing." The term soloing refers to climbing without using a rope, and the possibility of death is very high. In deep water soloing, climbers take a maximum 20-meter-high climb on a cliff above water without a rope so when they fall, the water will catch them. Apart from this, Chris still wants to increase his maximum climb and put up more rock climbing routes.

According to him, to start with the sport, one must get a good pair of climbing shoes which fit well, aren’t snug, and don’t roll up on your feet. Bouldering or climbing without ropes in gyms is the first step, where you can practice your foot and leg work and your waist. He said that rock climbing is all about the strength of your lower body rather than of your upper body.

"The idea in rock climbing is to climb from beginning to end without falling; it’s called red pointing a route. You climb to the maximum of your ability and try the same climb over and over again to learn your route, (the) easier ways to do the moves, make it efficient, and perfect it to finish the route," he shares.

"Once you are on top of a cliff, the feeling never gets old. If you want to be active, go outside, and enjoy the great outdoors, rock climbing is the way to do it."

Discover Barely Visible Peeling

2009-05-01T11:04:00.000+02:00

Manila Bulletin, August 28, 2008

OTC vs Chemical Peels So what’s the difference between peeling products found in beauty stores and chemical peels like PCA?

According to Dr. Oblepias, OTC or home peels are designed to be milder than the ones performed by dermatologists. It also uses either retinol or salicylic acidor alpha hydroxyl acids which have the ability to exfoliate the skin superficially to give a "peeling" look.

"Chemical peels done as office procedures not only make use of the ingredients mentioned above but they usually either have it in greater concentrations--for example, with glycolic peels, take home concentrations will range from 5%-15% but peels will range from 20% to 70%--or [they] make use of trichloroacetic peel, pyruvate, or other ingredients [mixed] together to produce a more potent peel," explained Dr. Oblepias.

Meanwhile Marcelo advises clients to seek only licensed dermatologists to perform chemical peels. "Filipino skin is very prone to hyperpigmentation because of the melanin in our skin. It is not good to experiment [with] chemical peels. If we are thinking of doing one, it is best to go consult a certified dermatologist. Don’t have it done in parlors where you don’t know the ingredients of the peel they will use," said Dr. Oblepias.

"The strength of the peeling solution should also be compatible [with] the patient’s skin type to avoid irritation," she said.

PCA Professional Products and PCA Skin Clinical Care Products are the first of its kind as a non-prescription and clinically researched professional and home care products, available only through a dermatologist. PCA peels are exclusively administered by professionals who complete PCA Skin Training. It has no color additives, synthetic fragrances, harsh alcohols, comodegenic oils, and other known sensitizers, so it’s safe and mild for the skin. Specific PCA products are designed to effectively treat skin conditions like acne, psoriasis, hyperpigmentation, rosacea, and fine lines and wrinkles, while at the same time rejuvenating and nourishing the skin.

She also suggested that PCA peels be repeated every after two weeks to achieve the desired look, while for hyperpigmentation, peeling can be done after 3 weeks and maintenance should be every month. For body peels, there is a limit as to the number of areas you peel at a time because it can cause toxicity in the body

"For beauty regimens, it is always best to seek the advice of an expert and not use it because your celebrity idol is endorsing it, because what can be good for her may not be good for you," advises Dr. Oblepias ends.

Dancing to a slender figure

2009-05-01T11:01:00.000+02:00

Manila Bulletin

August 6, 2008

Dancing has been proven to be an effective, fun exercise and weight loss strategy for people on the go, especially those who don’t have time at all for regular visits to fitness centers. Different genres of dance have inspired exercise videos which became bestsellers around the world including Hip Hop Abs, Strip Dance, and Belly Dancing.

The makers of Slenda weight loss supplement recently joined the craze for dance exercises by coming up with a 30-minute work-out DVD called Slendance, featuring endorser Valerie Concepcion. The instructional DVD uses three major dance genres – Hip Hop, Latina, and Club – for a combined aerobic exercise, coordination, endurance, and mental workout.

"I love it. Dancing has always been (a) part of my life, so I see to it that I dance everyday, and if I have time, I also do it at home," says the TV host.

Concepcion was launched this year as the official endorser of Slenda, an all-natural herbal dietary supplement made from resveratrol, ECGC, banana, and turmeric. Resveratrol has been proven to help reduce fats by blocking the accumulation of fats in the tissue. It can be found in the skin of grapes and is a component of red wine. From 116 pounds, the 20-year-old mom is now down to 108 and close to achieving her dream figure of a 24-inch waistline. She religiously takes Slenda, twice daily, before each meal.

According to her, the video is especially meant for busy people who can’t devote so much time to go out for exercise. Since people can watch the video in the convenience of their own homes, spending on gym outfits, membership fees, and transportation will also be avoided. Complicated, hard-to-follow steps were simplified so as not to bore people who want to become slender.

Hip Hop Slendance is designed for a full body workout, while Latin Slendance works to tone the waist area. Club Slendance combines the steps of the first two dances and aims at honing dancing skills for social gatherings and club visits. At the end of each exercise, Concepcion is shown strutting the full work-out, dressed in a hiphop outfit, a sizzling sexy dress, and a glittering black dress, following the motif of each dance.

"I did [the video] for the people drinking Slenda who want to be even slimmer," explains Concepcion. "We decided to make the video easier and fun so people won’t (notice the) time or become bored."

Makers of Slendance were quick to add that to optimize the effect of the pill, a lifestyle component is necessary. Good diet, a healthy lifestyle, and regular exercise or Slendance will definitely yield desired results.

Slendance DVD is available at any record bar and the ABS-CBN online store for only P 200. Log on to www.gonatural.com for more information on how to get the free Slendance DVD.

Designer Furniture Up to 60% Off

2009-04-30T18:37:00.001+02:00

Investing in the Philippine Energy Sector

2009-04-30T18:32:00.001+02:00

Roxanne shares fashion tips

2009-04-29T18:12:00.000+02:00

Get Laud Ladies Apparel

For every role that a Filipina takes, she needs a fashion style that will suit her personality and brings out the best in her as a mother, a wife or a career woman. To achieve this, a Filipina demands for a brand that will cater to her needs – something that is affordable but doesn’t sacrifice style and quality.

Husband and wife, Darren and Gigi Laudencia understand the Filipina woman and had her in mind when they created Get Laud, a fashion line that is specific for Filipina’s distinctive taste. In 2003, Get Laud was born in a kiosk at the Alabang Town Center. The clothes are made of spandex material, a synthetic fabric that is known for its durability and elasticity which complements every figure.

"Each product is an ode to femininity and to the woman’s God-given gifts. It includes one-of-a-kind fashion pieces that further accentuate a woman’s curves. Each piece is dedicated to women who are proud of who they are, where they came from and where they’re going," shares Gigi.

Gigi herself does most of the designs, getting inspiration from top labels and indie brands and giving special attention for rich colours, texture and diversity like in their 2008 Fall Collection. Such is the impact of Get Laud in the fashion preference of Filipinas that its growth accelerated to 30 stores in the span of less than five years.

But the company’s goal to give women a choice of affordable but quality and classy products doesn’t stop from putting up branches nationwide.

They got young actress Roxanne Guinoo to be the epitome of Get Laud’s fashion philosophy.

Roxanne rose from being a timid finalist in the "Star Magic Quest" in 2005 to a talented dramatic performer she is today, top billing the noontime hit "Ligaw na Bulaklak" and one of the most anticipated member of the sexy sitcom "Banana Split" on ABS-CBN. Like a true Filipina, Roxanne maintained her wholesome image despite some sexy commercials that she did.

According to Roxanne, her style is actually simple and very basic, leaning more on jeans and white shirts rather than dresses and pumps. Get Laud products that match her preferences for jeans with tops that makes her get-up stylish and not totally plain or boring. During occasions that require her to glam up like her former noontime hosting in "Wowwowee," Roxanne prefers Get Laud’s long dresses because it gives her look an illusion of height.

"I became more confident with myself and it also reflects in how I carry myself especially in public. I think that’s the most important thing in choosing what you wear, you have to feel good with it to look good on it" says Guinoo.

Practicality is also one of her values when it comes to buying clothes. She doesn’t spend on expensive pieces especially when it is not a necessity for her. She invests in clothes that are reasonably priced but can be compared to its more expensive counterparts and allows her the freedom to change style frequently and then without robbing her bank account.

She also advises women like her who goes for simple style to experiment with accessories, mix and match with shoes and bags to avoid having a boring look.

"We strongly believe that fashion is not a luxury but a lifestyle and that every woman deserves to look good without having to rob a bank to achieve it," says Gigi.

The couple’s dedication is also represented in their numerous awards of excellence including the National Product Quality Excellence Award’s Seal of Product Quality for Best Spandex Retail for 2006 and the Most Promising Retailer for 2007 for Market Market Award at the Ayala Malls Marketing Excellence 2007 Awards.

Get Laud carries clothing line from formal, semi-formal, casual to business and basic pieces. They have also included shorts and shirts in their collection as well as accessories that will fully give an edge to the fashion sense of the Pinays.

Get Laud stores are in Alabang Town Center, SM Malls, Market!Market!, Festival Mall, Metropoint Mall, Farmer’s Plaza, Sta. Lucia East Grand Mall, Robinsons Metro East.

A Background: The Netherlands-India Trade Relations

2009-04-29T18:10:00.000+02:00

www.nidesk.net

Netherlands and India has a long history of trade relations that dates back to the 16th century. Based on the latest reports, the two-trade between the two countries has dramatically increased in the period of 2003-2007 with a growth of 112% especially in the export/import sector.

Textile fabrics and textile good, machines, electronic goods, mineral products and non-precious metal products are among the top exports of India. Meanwhile Netherlands exports local products that falls into the categories of machines, electronic goods and electrical machinery are the biggest imports of India. Both countries are actively collaborating with each other in sectors like finance, food and chemical processing, petroleum and industrial manufacture. The Dutch are in India’s top 10 investor’s list and currently sitting on the fourth position, hoping to retain it or go higher.

Of the later years, there has been significant and regular state visits of leaders by both countries. In 2004, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh visited Netherlands while D4tch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende came to India where the EU Strategic Partnership was launched. Also during this visit, Prime Minister Balkenende declared that India is a priority country for the Dutch Foreign Policy.

In 2007, the Queen of Netherlands herself, Queen Beatrix and her son Prince Willem and Princess Maxima, paid another visit to India, this time with Minister of Foreign Affairs Maxime Verhagenhigh ranking CEOs from Dutch companies. This visit yielded vital business perspectives for the Indo-Dutch and made way for signing of mutual agreements and holding of key events in Netherlands the following year.

In terms of bilateral agreements, India and the Netherlands still has few policies. In July 1988, the two countries signed an agreement on the Avoidance of Double Taxation which provide tax credit for taxes withheld or paid in India that correspond to Indian income tax. The tax credit is limited to the lower of the tax paid abroad and the Indian tax on the foreign company..

Another trade policy is the Bilateral Investment Protection Agreement in November 1995, which was done to provide predictable investment climate to foreign investment in India as well as to protect Indian investments abroad. This agreement provides a certain assurance that there will be fair treatment with regards to business of contracting parties in each territory as well as smooth financial transactions between them.

Earlier in 1982, the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry and the Dutch Employer’s Association (VNO-NCW) signed an agreement to promote bilateral trade and economic relationships. This was later duplicated in January 2000 between the Confederation of Indian Industry and VNO-CNW.

In 2008 more significant Memorandum of Understandings were signed. In February 2008, The Minister of Shipping, Road Transport and Highways, T.R. Baalu, and The Netherlands Minister of Transport, Public Works and Water Management, Camiel Eurlings signed an MOU that explores the shipping and port sectors. The said agreement is expected to boost close trade and technical cooperation between the two countries in the maritime sector.

Another MOU was inked in 2008, this time with concerns to the Science and Technology field. This aims to develop joint projects in areas of agriculture and medical biotechnology with specific concerns in molecular biology, plant breeding, food processing technology, food nutrition, bioorganic chemistry, microbiology, life-sciences developments, intellectual property rights, bio-safety and others.

Flowers and plants are also included in the shared interests of Netherlands and India. According to a report in www.onderzoekinformatie.nl, knowledge cooperation projects in Horticulture will be started between Netherlands and India with an aim to collaborate on conducting research and development for the Horticulture sector and hopes to eventually come up with an MOU.

In the first month of 2009, trade relations between the Netherlands and India have reached a higher level with the opening of Netherlands-India Desk. The private company which officially launched into business in January is strongly backed-up by the City of Rotterdam. It aims to establish business contacts between enterprises of the two countries especially in terms of market research and public relations.

The City of Rotterdam:Gateway to European Commerce

2009-04-29T17:55:00.000+02:00

www.nidesk.net

Rotterdam is the second largest city in the Netherlands and a melting pot of culture and business. Sitting strategically in the banks of rivers Maas and Rhine, the city owns the biggest port in Europe and with two international airports, Schipol and Rotterdam Airport, in close proximity, Rotterdam has established its vital role in Europe’s trade and commerce. It is home to some of the biggest companies in Netherlands including Unilever and Mittal Steel Company N.V., subsidiary of the largest steel company in the world. Among these corporate giants, other businesses and multinationals especially from the banking sector like ABN AMRO and ING are holding offices in Rotterdam.

The key to its continuously booming business activities is the easily accessible modes transportation. Reliable railway systems and road services, in addition to its ports and airports, makes it convenient to transport consumer goods in and out of the country through Rotterdam. It is connected to 31 sister and partner ports around the world, including international business hubs like United States, Japan and China.

Rotterdam’s mix of international residents, almost 50% of its population comprised of foreigners, is a testament to the city’s dedication to its worldwide connection. The city is vibrant with a fusion of different cultures and ideas, reflected in its cultural events and economic activities. Furthermore, on-going development efforts like the construction of the new central station and extension of the main port, make Rotterdam’s position in international trade goes further up the ladder.

The city presents itself to a wide array of business opportunities that promises to widen or jumpstart their European and international reach. The biggest of its industries lies in petrochemical, cargo handling and transshipment. In itself alone, these industries open to a greater number of opportunities in the export/import and logistics field. Rotterdam adheres to world-class standards and strict quality assurance that are vital requirements in order to have strong and lasting business standing. Being an old timer in trading industry, Rotterdam has the capacity of breaking barriers in terms of knowledge and language skills when it comes to trading and commerce in Europe, an advantage that is very important to overseas investors.

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is also a booming industry in Rotterdam. As an upshot of its strong financial market, businesses in the field of IT and ICT are flourishing in the city and greater demands for professionals who ensure smooth financial transactions are increasing rapidly.

In addition to this, Rotterdam is also becoming known in the field of animation and development of computer games. Educational institutions related in this field are setting their homes in the city, specifically in Schiecentrale where audio-visual, ICT and film companies like Neon, FunX, RA.NJ, Llink, RTV Rijnmond are located, providing big opportunities for those who are interested in enhancing their skills or starting a business with this industry, whether they come locally or overseas.

The Dutch health care industry also opens up a lot of business opportunities. Erasmus Medical Centre, the third largest medical research institute next to Harvard and John Hopkins, is located in Rotterdam while Bayer; the third largest pharmaceutical company in the world has its headquarters in the neighboring country Germany. Opportunities in the medical sector with these two institutions adjacent to each other are plenty and steady.

Architecture is the next strongest point of Rotterdam next to shipping. In 2007, Rotterdam was named City of Architecture because of its contemporary style in buildings and bridges. Not only it is home to some of the finest modern architectural designs in the Netherlands, it is also where the architects are made. Located in the city are Berlage Institute and Netherlands Architecture Institute, two of the most revered schools in the world.

Aside from its lively economic life, Rotterdam also promises a great deal lifestyle activities with arts and entertainment. The Rotterdam Film Festival is attended by a quarter of a million film enthusiasts yearly, while museums like Volkenkundig Museum caters to local and international visitors.

Living in Rotterdam is also convenient for foreign investors because of its easy access to different historical cities all around Europe, either by bus, trains or planes. Shopping centers and daily/weekly markets and international stores are teeming around the city and one would not have a hard time looking for products when they crave for a taste of home.

These maybe just a fraction of the many business opportunities awaiting investors in the City of Rotterdam and there is a lot more industries to be discovered. But knowing that your business sits in one of the most competitive and stable city in Europe, in terms of politics and finances, you are assured that your valuable investments are well on the way of growing.

De-stressing in Camiguin

2009-04-29T17:29:00.000+02:00

Manila Standard Today
November 22, 2007

For someone who has been traveling for 22 years, all roads looks the same.

All sea voyages are the same, as well—the port with its busy people hurrying to go home, porters getting their luggage’s for some coins and vehicles lining up to get into a good spot in the ship. When I got the assignment to go to Camiguin, I was expecting the same kind of trip I always have whenever I go home to my island province of Marinduque.

As it turned out, the trip unveiled not a few surprises.

Anticipating Camiguin

Our first stop was at The Gardens of Malasag eco-tourism village where the owner treated us to a generous lunch of shrimp sinigang and the best humba I ever tasted, Visayan style with the right blend of sweetness.

There was also stuffed squid and kilawing maya-maya. The two ethnic tribes in the village, the Higaonon and the Subanon, offered up a tribal dance—complete with colorful costume and headdress—as part of the welcoming rites.

After lunch, we started the one-and-a-half hour road trip to Balingoan Port, some 88 kilometers away from the airport of Cagayan de Oro for another one hour of sea travel. A stop-over at the Mantangale Alibuag Dive Resort, where we were treated to buko juice, revived our energies.

We docked at Benoni Wharf in Mahinog, Camiguin just when the sun was about to go down. After about half an hour we finally arrived at Hotel Villa Paraiso, our home for the next three days. On the evening of our first day, a natural warm bath relieved my sore muscles at the Esperanza Ardent Hot Spring, an ideal place for a natural spa with the 40 degrees Celsius of hot spring in the middle of a rainforest.

If you are taking a dip during the evening, the sound of crickets, wild birds and the humming of the leaves of old tress and the cool breeze will send you right to sleep.

Morning walk and afternoon bath

The little island, which measures only 64 km. in circumference, reminds me of my own province, green and solitary when you look at it from the sea.

Camiguin is often called the Island Borne of Fire because of the devastating volcanic eruption of Mt. Vulcan Daan in 1871 that rained lava and volcanic rocks on the town of Bonbon just when the sun is setting down at six in the afternoon. All that remains of the town is the church’s thick upper walls now a major attraction in Bonbon, the Old Catarman Church Ruins and the more popular Sunken Cemetery which is marked by a large white cross and can be reached through a boat ride from Bonbon. During low tide, you can still see the graves which sank during the eruption with the rest of the town.

On the second day, we started the day with a breakfast of grilled fresh fish at White Island, an inhabited strip of white sand, 2 km. away from the towns of Agoho and Yumbing.

A 10-minute boat ride will take you to the island which is a favorite spot for snorkeling, diving and swimming. A fantastic view of Camiguin Island with the towering Mt. Hibok-Hibok and the old volcano as the background is an ideal location to shoot good photographs perfect for post cards with its pristine white sand and shallow blue green waters. From afar, the volcano looks like a pregnant woman in her peaceful slumber.

The local tourism office built 15 Stations of the Cross along the trail leading up to the peak of the mountain. During the Panaad Festival, celebrated during the Lenten Season, the old folks of Camiguin would hike up the Old Volcano trails barefoot to commemorate the sufferings of Jesus Christ.

On the top of the mountain is a breathtaking view of the island with its tall coconut trees and white beaches that clearly defined the pear-shaped island. It also offered a distant view of the Sunken Cemetery.

After the exhausting hike, we took a dip in the first and only soda pool in the Philippines, the Bura Soda Water Swimming Pool, in Catarman.

After the refreshing soda splash, we traveled on to Sto. Niño Cold Spring, a 25 meters by 40 meters pool of freezing water. Its temperature can be compared to that of water that has been in the fridge for three days. Camiguin also boasts of some beautiful falls in the country, the Katibawasan and Tuasan respectively located in the towns of Mambajao and Catarman. Both cascade are amidst unspoiled forest land and plunges into deep clear waters. Repelling down the falls is another activity one should not miss.

Of old houses and festivities

The Lanzones Festival is the most popular activity in the island. Started by the local tourism office 25 years ago, the festival is a showcase of colorful costumes, street dancing, drum beatings and local and foreign tourists.

According to legend, a black diwata (goddess) once roamed the forests of the island, handing out poisonous fruits to young boys. Those who succumb to the love of the goddess will inherit the bad spirit from the black goddess and will die. A White Goddess allegedly came later on and pinched the fruit, expelling the poison from the fruit, leaving it sweet-tasting.

Since then, the town has been paying tribute to their White Goddess with songs and dances not just for saving them but also for the good harvest of lanzones. Lanzones is one of the major exports of Camiguin.

Going around the town of Camiguin, one will notice a lot of old Spanish houses. The houses were able to preserve their original look, with big windows made of capiz shells, large and airy azoteas or living rooms and stairways adorned with religious relics and old four-poster beds of the upper classes during the Spanish time.

In the afternoon of our last day, we took another hike, this time to the Philvocs observatory station in Payahan Hills in Mambajao. The station serves not only to monitor Mt. Hibok-Hibok, but also as a showcase for the memorabilia collected during the 1871 eruption.

In the evening, everyone bought their boxes of pastel, a famous delicacy of Camiguin, a coffee bun which has rich and creamy yema filling inside soft milky bread which is perfect with coffee to bring back home.

We also took home tableas, the local chocolate tablets made from cacao beans which when melted in low heat is great with champorado or a morning drink mixed with milk.

Getting there

If you are planning to visit Camiguin, reserve your whole week for exploring the island. Coming from Manila, Philippine Airlines or Cebu Pacific has a daily flights to Cagayan de Oro airport. You can also take the ferry trips of WG&A, Negros Navigation and Sulpicio Lines.

From the Cagayan de Oro airport, you can go to the Agora Market where the terminal of buses going to Balingoan is located. At the Balingoan Port, it takes another hour to reach the Benoni Wharf of Mahinog. From there, it takes less than an hour ride to reach Mambajao.

Another route would be a three-hour ferry ride from Cagayan de Oro terminal to the port of Guinsiliba.

Morong: A sanctuary for turtles

2009-04-29T17:26:00.000+02:00

Manila Standard Today
12/13/2007

Lying at the south western part of Central Luzon is one of the country’s prime historical destinations, Bataan.

During World War II, Bataan was the last standing territory of American and Filipino soldiers before the country succumbed to the Japanese forces.

The monuments and markers conceal yet another paradise; the town of Morong, farthest among the 12 municipalities of Bataan is a sanctuary not only for humans but also for turtles.

For many years now, the sleepy town of Morong has been the breeding ground for two kinds of marine turtles, the Olive Ridley and the Hawksbill.

What started as a humble effort of some fishermen and farmers along with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement and the Bantay Kalikasan, to save endangered marine turtles in 1999, is now a huge yearly celebration attracting both foreign and local tourists.

The Pawikan Festival is marked with the ceremonial release of baby turtles into the sea, led by public officials of the province of Bataan.

Caring for the pawikans

Several years before, the marine conversation group Bantay Kalikasan came to Morong. Fishermen and farmers of the coastal community of Nagbalayong have been harvesting pawikan’s eggs for income and for food. The eggs were gathered from its shallow sand dug out in the coastal area and sold at P10 a piece.

Meanwhile, the adult pawikans, chanced upon by fishermen, were also caught and sold, believing sea turtles meat is an aphrodisiac.

In 1999, during a meeting with the environment department, PRRM and Bantay Kalikasan, the issue of egg poaching and pawikan killings was unexpectedly raised.

Struck by the realization of losing this endangered species for good, Bantay Kalikasan and the concerned fishermen and farmers collaborated to protect the pawikan, which led to the formation of Bantay Pawikan Inc., a people’s organization composed of volunteers and the people who used to poach and catch the marine turtles. Struggling in their early years, because of limited resources, the efforts of Bantay Pawikan didn’t remain unrecognized.

In 2001, the United Nations Development Program allotted funding for the organization. Shortly, the Pawikan Conservation Center was established in Nagbalayong, strengthening their advocacy to save the marine turtles from extinction.

The sacrifice of the fisher folks, in giving up one of their major sources of income was rewarded in 2005 when the Japanese Embassy under Ambassador Ryuichiro Yamazaki awarded US$52,311 to Bantay Pawikan Inc.

The money was used to buy rescue boat and assorted fishing equipment for Lambaklad fishing as well as the construction of a storage facility. A year after, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, crown prince of the United Arab Emirates, took an interest in the struggle of the Bantay Pawikan Inc., when he saw it over an international television. Also the head of the Emirates Heritage Club, a project that protects and conserves national treasures, culture and heritage of UAE, the sheikh sent over some of his staff to the Philippines to propose a partnership between the two organizations.

Through the said partnership, members of the Bantay Pawikan Inc. take turns in going to UAE, in the areas occupied by Zackum Development Co., one of the biggest oil companies in UAE, to initiate the same program being implemented in Nagbalayong, since it has the same coastal features as UAE and is also a nesting ground for marine turtles. These job opportunities earned them more than what they used to get while trading pawikan eggs.

Sanctuary for the Magbikin

Up in the mountains of Morong, about a 15-to 25-minute trek to Sitio Kanawan in Barangay Binaritan, is another Philippine indigenous that is nearing extinction, the Magbikin Tribe, who were of Aeta descent. To reach the village of the Magbikins, one has to cross a wooden hanging bridge with a scenic view of a river and a valley which offers a cool diversion from the city’s concrete jungle and traffic jam. Life has been cruel for this tribe of 400 families.

During the conversion of some 25,400 hectares of the Morong forest in 1945 into Bataan Natural Park, this tribe was displaced of the home they freely roam for hundreds of years. While resettled in Sitio Lemon, the Vietnam War broke out and the place was converted into the Philippine Refugee Processing Center and the Magbikin Tribe yet again transferred locations. But finally, their current settlement in Sitio Kanawan was declared a Negrito reservation area assured them of a permanent forest to call home.

“We are free in the mountains. If the forest is lost, we will be gone, too,” said Belinda Ristom, one of the tribe’s elders. True enough, the mountain is their main source of livelihood. When not hunting for games or fruits, some of them serve as tourist guide for the locals and foreigners who want to take a swim in the nearby Kairukan and Tambangan Falls.

The lucky tribe members who were able to get sufficient education are working in the environment department or in Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority. They also plant crops including kamote and palay in the fertile mountains of Morong. Despite the daily struggle, most of them don’t want to leave Sitio Kanawan.

As Josefina Alejo, tribal captain puts it, “We are ok here.” True to their symbolic tribal clothes, in red which symbolized war and courage, and white for the purity of their souls, the Magbikin Tribe would remain unfazed with the constant and rather harsh change in their lifestyle.

A welcome change

Meanwhile in the adjacent Bataan Technology Park Inc., about 10 minutes ride away from Sitio Kanawan, welcomes developmental changes in its technopark.

According to retired Armed Forces Commo. Amado Sanglay, administrator of BTPI, they are leasing parts of what used to be a refugee camp, to some Korean investors willing to invest some $400 million for a world-class 36-hole golf course in the area. “We saw the potential of tourism rather than the agri-aqua culture for the BTPI so we are shifting our priorities to tourism,” said Sanglay. Part of their plan is to develop the BTPI as retiree’s destination, with construction of more club houses, villa and hotels as well as extreme adventure facilities, set at a three- to five-year plan.

They also collaborated with SBMA to include BTPI in their tourism package. BTPI used to be home for almost 400,00 refugees from Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia. Going around BTPI, you could still see some monuments erected during the time that refuges are taking turns in seeking asylum in the island of Bataan.

Among these are a miniature Angkor Wat, two Buddhist temples, That Luang, Bayone, Khmer and Vietnamese Monuments. Even the original boat used by the Vietnamese refugees in their escape is preserved in the museum along with some photographs, and momentums of Philippines’ assistant to the refugees before their resettlement to Australia, United States and Europe.

As drizzles marks the approaching evening, our bed in one of the rooms in Bataan White Corals Beach Resort and Hotel has been an inviting refuge for our tired bodies. But our souls and our dreams will always lead us back into the sedating surroundings of Morong, Bataan, where nature and its preservation is most important to each and every citizen.

From room renters to millionaires

2009-04-29T17:25:00.001+02:00

Manila Standard Today
18 of November 2008

It was a stroke of luck when couple Percival and Venus Lazo discovered Nu Skin after they volunteered themselves to substitute a friend invited for a Nu Skin business opportunity seminar in September 2001. Both, being natives of the South and living less privileged lives, saw a glimmer of opportunity to brighten their future.

Percival was a farmer and Venus, a plain homemaker. Both grew up leading simple lives, lacking even toys that kids nowadays take for granted. As a young couple, Percival and Venus lived in a simple shack in Quezon province, where they were residing before migrating to Manila to start their Nu Skin venture. These encounters with poverty made the couple more determined and focused to dream of a better life.

“Our main motivation was really our dreams and ambition. We were very poor that is why we dreamt of living an extravagant life. We dreamt of a comfortable and decent life for our children,” narrates Venus.

Percival fondly recalls his simple life as a farmer before and how it turned into something he did not expect.

“I was just a simple farmer, working in a farm with the animals and the plants. And my dreams before were also simple, to eat and sleep. But my father who was also a farmer told me that if I wanted to become a millionaire, I should not be like him,” said Percival.

Before joining Nu Skin Percival had been buying and selling clothes in Quezon. After attending the business seminar of Nu Skin, his instinct, and his limited knowledge in marketing instantly told him that the business was going to work for them.

“I was looking for a company that has a strong foundation especially in innovation. I found out that Nu Skin products have competitive advantage. The products are 10 years ahead of their competitors,” he says.

Lack of capital

However, financial constraint became their biggest problem. They did not have any capital to start with, not even relocation money to migrate to Manila where they saw a bigger potential for growing the business.

“I assessed the people whom I knew but I found no one that could help me because they, if ever, would have had to sell their carabaos just to become a partner. In addition, when I counted the number of friends I had at that time, it did not even reach 100. The business requires thousands of people for you to get rich. So, I had to look for people,” narrates Percival.

During those times, Percival was also having acne problems. He has sensitive skin.

“It’s hard to sell beauty products if you have a face that itself needs skin care,” he quipped. Percival then decided to buy their first set of Nu Skin products to test them first on himself.

When Percival’s acne problems slowly disappeared, he became all the more convinced that Nu Skin is it.

Betting on Nu Skin and their dreams, Percival and Venus decided to borrow money from a 5-6 agent and moved to Manila. They rented a small room in San Andres Bukid which, according to Percival, became bedroom, living room, and dining area all rolled into one.

To be able to come up with the required number of partners, Percival looked outside his circle and fixed his eyes on where there are a lot of people, the street!

Percival walked the streets of Manila, approaching people and telling them of the great business opportunity they can get from Nu Skin. He talked to everyone, from the people who sit beside him in the bus or in the jeepney to mall goers and everyone that are willing to listen to him.

“I was never ashamed or scared because I knew what I was offering and sharing them was an opportunity that could make them rich. I knew I had to do it if I want to someday lead a comfortable life. The product was only secondary but, of course, it helped a lot that I was selling very high quality products,” he continues.

Their first customer came when a 50-year-old mother recommended her daughter to become a business partner for Percival and bought his products while the second one literally dropped into her when Venus stepped into her calling card.

It took the couple five months of hard work of seeking partners and convincing people before they received their first biggest commission, P70,000. On their sixth month, they were able to move out of their cramped room to a three-bedroom apartment in Las Piñas.

On his seventh month, the couple was able to acquire their first car, a Ford Lynx and on the ninth month, Percival already tasted his first P1 million commission. When his friends and family saw the couple’s transformation, they realized that there was indeed a potential for financial freedom in what Percival was offering. They also became the couple’s partners, and the business grew even bigger.

Seven years later, the couple’s earnings have reached into the seven-figure a month territory. They have also received the Blue Diamond Award, one of the highest given by Nu Skin to dealers/distributors. Percival and Venus altogether have built a 5,000-customer base, 60 percent of whom have repeat orders.

From toiling the rice fields in Quezon, the couple are now living in a plush condominium in Makati and have acquired two more vehicles. They have also ventured into real estate business while continuing to work on growing their Nu Skin network.

Most of all, according to Percival, they are now able to help other people. Now, they are sending three scholars to school, while three have already graduated.

A matter of quality

Although Nu Skin is priced for the A and B markets, it is not difficult to sell it, according to Percival.

“It is not an issue of price; it’s an issue of whether a person needs the product,” he explains. “The price only assures the quality of our products; otherwise, the high-end buyers can sue us if Nu Skin does not live up to their standards.”

According to Percival, his training in Nu Skin provided him personal growth through financial literacy and leadership, aside from giving him time and financial freedom. Unlike other dads who usually missed their children’s momentous events, he and his wife can take the children to and from the school every day without worrying about office schedules and workloads. It also gave them the means to help other people by giving them an opportunity for growth through their company, and by giving out to the church and charities.

Today they are concentrating on expanding the business and reaching people locally and globally. The young couple plans to retire in five years and are now concentrating on passing the business to the next generation of distributors, even to their children.

As parting words, Percival advises that if people want to make their dreams come true, they only need to make it happen.

“Skills and educational background are just secondary. The biggest challenge is setting a clear goal and pursuing it,” he says.

Dancing to a slender figure

2009-04-29T17:23:00.001+02:00

Manila Bulletin
August 6, 2008

Dancing has been proven to be an effective, fun exercise and weight loss strategy for people on the go, especially those who don’t have time at all for regular visits to fitness centers. Different genres of dance have inspired exercise videos which became bestsellers around the world including Hip Hop Abs, Strip Dance, and Belly Dancing.

The makers of Slenda weight loss supplement recently joined the craze for dance exercises by coming up with a 30-minute work-out DVD called Slendance, featuring endorser Valerie Concepcion. The instructional DVD uses three major dance genres – Hip Hop, Latina, and Club – for a combined aerobic exercise, coordination, endurance, and mental workout.

"I love it. Dancing has always been (a) part of my life, so I see to it that I dance everyday, and if I have time, I also do it at home," says the TV host.

Concepcion was launched this year as the official endorser of Slenda, an all-natural herbal dietary supplement made from resveratrol, ECGC, banana, and turmeric. Resveratrol has been proven to help reduce fats by blocking the accumulation of fats in the tissue. It can be found in the skin of grapes and is a component of red wine. From 116 pounds, the 20-year-old mom is now down to 108 and close to achieving her dream figure of a 24-inch waistline. She religiously takes Slenda, twice daily, before each meal.

According to her, the video is especially meant for busy people who can’t devote so much time to go out for exercise. Since people can watch the video in the convenience of their own homes, spending on gym outfits, membership fees, and transportation will also be avoided. Complicated, hard-to-follow steps were simplified so as not to bore people who want to become slender.

Hip Hop Slendance is designed for a full body workout, while Latin Slendance works to tone the waist area. Club Slendance combines the steps of the first two dances and aims at honing dancing skills for social gatherings and club visits. At the end of each exercise, Concepcion is shown strutting the full work-out, dressed in a hiphop outfit, a sizzling sexy dress, and a glittering black dress, following the motif of each dance.

"I did [the video] for the people drinking Slenda who want to be even slimmer," explains Concepcion. "We decided to make the video easier and fun so people won’t (notice the) time or become bored."

Makers of Slendance were quick to add that to optimize the effect of the pill, a lifestyle component is necessary. Good diet, a healthy lifestyle, and regular exercise or Slendance will definitely yield desired results.

Slendance DVD is available at any record bar and the ABS-CBN online store for only P 200. Log on to www.gonatural.com for more information on how to get the free Slendance DVD.

Cora Jacob goes back to Europe

2009-04-29T17:21:00.000+02:00

Manila Standard Today
April 13, 2009

She was the reigning Filipino bag designer in the ’70s and ’80s, introducing Filipino craftsmanship to exclusive fashion houses like Dior, Givenchy and Yves Saint Laurent in Paris. Her designs also grace the shelves of New York’s Saks Fifth Avenue and Bloomingdale’s as well as other chic boutiques in Hong Kong and Singapore.

Lawyer-turned bag designer Cora Jacob was at the zenith of her achievements when stress and diabetes forced her to take an indefinite hiatus.

Recently, Jacob was invited by no less than the director and curator of the world’s biggest museum of bags. Made of indigenous Philippine materials, Jacob’s bags stand alongside those dating from the late 16th century to present day at the Tussenmuseum Hendrikje or Museum of Bags and Purses in Amsterdam, Netherlands.

Back to Amsterdam

“The Dutch were one of my first customers way back 1978,” said Cora during the launch of her exhibit. “So I started again here [but] more of an artist, just to show my art.”

Dubbed as Woven Chic Spring-Summer Collection 2009, the show featured eight different lines of bags made of shells, crystal beads, sequins, pearls and other materials woven onto buntal fabric.

Sigrid Ivo, daughter of museum founder Hendrikje Ivo, was impressed by the colorful collection inspired by tropical themes like the sea, lush forests, tropical fruits and the sun.

“Even in Netherlands, there are craftsmanship that are already lost that is why I am very happy to see old craftsmanship in modern designs. The materials are very elegant and unusual that we don’t even know here in Europe that is why they are very interesting.” adds Sigrid.

The collection impressed even Madame Martine Louise Amélie van Loon née Labouchere, the Mistress of the Robes to Queen Beatrix (closest confidante of the queen), who graced the ribbon cutting.

Woven Chic, Cora Jacob Summer-Spring Collection 2009, will be displayed at the Museum of Bags and Purses until May 3. Meanwhile, Cora also flew to Paris, France to conduct a similar exhibition.

Rediscover Metro Manila

2009-04-29T17:20:00.000+02:00

Manila Standard Today
November 20, 2008

Metro Manila has always been the jump-off point to the 1,107 islands in the Philippines, being the country’s capital in governance and trade and industry. It houses the best and most modern in terms of facilities, products and services, not to mention the biggest international airport. But despite being the capital city, Metro Manila is barely seen as a tourist attraction or a tourist destination.

The Department of Tourism National Capital Region wants to change this impression with Rediscovering the Best of Metropolitan Manila, People, Places, Products and Practices, a product and photo exhibit first presented in the Music Hall of the SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City on a three-day exhibit held recently. It aimed to promote awareness, especially among the youth, the NCR region’s heritage and enhance pride on what Metro Manila has to offer to local and foreign visitors.

The exhibit was participated by the 17 cities and municipalities that make up Metropolitan Manila including Manila, Quezon City, Makati, Caloocan, Pasay, Taguig, Parañaque, Las Piñas, Muntinlupa, Valenzuela, Malabon, Novaliches, Pateros, Marikina, San Juan, Mandaluyong and Pasig. Photos of different spots in Metro Manila were displayed as well as some products especially shoes from Marikina City. Graced by environmental beauties, Miss Earth 2007 Jessica Trisko and Miss Earth Philippines 2008 Karla Henry, the opening night was made lively by the amazingly lovely performers of the Amazing Philippines of the Cultural Center of the Philippines in Pasay City.

‘‘Pasay has been the quiet, sober and stagnant area before but not now. It has evolved into a modern city fully equipped with modern services and we have pleasant and wholesome attractions here now. We hope in the coming years, we will surpass if not all our colleagues in Metro Manila,’’ says Edith Vergel de Dios, chairman of the Pasay City Committee on Tourism who represented her city along with other tourism officers of the 17 cities and municipalities. Like de Dios, his colleagues also aimed for greater recognition of Metro Manila as a place worth seeing and exploring.

The traveling photo and product exhibit will be touring Metro Manila’s 17 local government units in a period of six months. It will also be showcased in other parts of the country through the support of the Super Ferry, one of its major sponsors. Moreover, a one month display will also be held in Rizal Park from Dec. 1, 2008 to Jan. 6, 2009 to give more of Manila’s residents a longer time to visit, especially during the Holidays.

Meanwhile, the Miss Earth beauties pledged on keeping their sacred duty of protecting and caring Mother Earth especially in Metro Manila where pollution is a bigger problem than anywhere else. Apart from the clean-up drives that they regularly hold, they also visit elementary schools to educate the children on recycling, waste segregation and other environmentally sustainable practices.

Surf, sun and weekend fun

2009-04-29T17:17:00.001+02:00

Manila Standard
11/29/2007

Weekends are for families and friends. It’s the only time of the week where one does not need to wake up early in the morning, brave the metropolitan traffic and hurry to catch the 9:00 a.m. time in or their 7 a.m. classes. For some, spending the weekend at home watching DVD’s, catching the latest on TV or hitting the mall for some shopping, coffee or movie maybe. But the more adventurous fun seekers would troop to the nearest beach or mountains to maximize their two-day vacation.

For surfers and for everyone

Launched last year, the La Union Surfing Break is the local version of the spring break held annually in the United States. The organizers targeted the young crowd, mostly students and yuppies from Manila, Baguio and other nearby areas to expand the surfing market of San Juan. Tents spaces, food stalls and activity areas were made available at the beach to provide affordable accommodation to everyone especially backpackers from Manila and other provinces. According to Martin Valero, regional director of DoT Region, visitors need not worry about security because of added security personnel they assigned to the area. To prevent security lapses that happened the year before, they also deployed Navy forces complete with rescue equipment, uniformed and civilian policemen and air patrol in the beach so everyone will only think of having fun and set aside security worries.

Valero added that unlike other surfing spots like Siargao and Camsur, they want to make San Juan a surfing area for fun rather than for competition. So they included a line of other sports including wall climbing, Frisbee and volleyball in addition to regular surfing clinics.

“We like to have other beach events, fun events that will be enjoyable not just for the surfers but also for the kids and the families which will visit San Juan for the surfing break,” said Valero.

The tripartite initiative of the PGLU, DoT, the local government along with private organizations to promote La Union as a surfing haven with the 2nd Surfing Break took five months of planning and conceptualizing.

San Juan boasts of an 800-meter stretch of beach and is gifted with good waves almost all year round. The best waves occur from September to February. The beaches of Urbiztondo are very ideal for both local and foreign surfers especially for surfing beginners because of its sandy bottoms. Moreover, San Juan offers a safer venue for starters to try surfing.

Surfing in La Union was first introduced during the 1980’s by some Japanese and German surfers. 37-year-old Clemente Villanueva was lucky enough to be taught by these visitors. After only three days of learning to stand on the board, Clemente, popularly called Enteng by the locals, impressed them with his quick grasp of the surfing tricks. According to Enteng, he was very glad when they gave him his first surfing board, that he also urged the other men, who are mostly fishermen and construction workers to try to ride the “white wave.” Try they did, and for the next two years, 12 people were taking turns in using the gift the foreigners left Enteng. When the lone surf board broke, they were lucky enough that another foreigner gave them a new one, which they also shared while perfecting their balances and riding the barrels. Today almost 98 percent of the surfers who comes to Urbiztondo are locals, outnumbering the foreigners and expats. Enteng, and his three kids, also champions in surfing regularly compete in other sports like Lanuza in Surigao and in Daet, Camarines Sur. Presidential daughter Luli Arroyo, also a surfer and a regular visitor of Urbiztondo provides them with financial back-up in every competition.

Ride, ready, stand

It’s not everyday that someone is given a chance to try surfing. So with two of my colleagues, I lined up for the fourth batch of the surfing clinic. The local surfers, who, according to Valero, are mostly out-of-school youth who learned surfing from the expats in the area, facilitate the clinic, with 15 people on each batch. At P300 per person, participants are automatically given surfing lessons, use of surfing board, and personal instructor, in addition to Frisbee try-outs and wall climbing registration. It also comes with a free event shirt, very much affordable package for the students and those in a tight budget.

My instructor Badz, a surfer for four years, won third place in the surfing showdown of the locals overcoming a 13 feet barrel wave during the last day of the event, has been very helpful in my first attempt at surfing. Like a good tutor, he taught me to ride the board facing down with my feet firmly flattened at the end of the board, my body on the center and my hands on a paddling position. Patiently, he guided me toward the waves I was so terrified to brave least I get drown then turned my board towards the shore in preparation for my first ride.

The waves in Urbiztondo ranges from six to 10 ft. high, but could go up to 13 ft. according to the first local surfer in the area, Clemente Villanueva. When my instructor yelled stand, I struggled to my feet to get up just like the way it was demonstrated in the beach, with the knees bended and the arms parallel to it. Giving it all the concentration I could muster, I got up, bended my knees, let my arms fly and fell flat to my face, with the water and the sand taking over my whole body.

After several failed attempts, I finally made one successful ride, which my instructor called a perfect one. Sadly, that’s really the only one I was able to do right. But to be able to ride the waves up to the shore with that one perfect ride, feeling weightless flying on the water and reaching the sand still standing, was worthy of several failures.

Even if I got bruises and scratches and swollen shoulders, I would have tried surfing again and again if I had more time to spare. Pinoy Big Brother celebrities Uma Khouny, Kian Kazemi, JB Magsaysay got in the next batch along with Vice President Noli de Castro’s daughter, Kat-kat. The event endorser Paolo Bediones was also present, playing Frisbee first before trying out surfing.

Next activity I dared not pass was wall climbing which is also my first time. Although a bit nervous especially while looking up the towering yellow wall, I’ve managed to reach the last rock with knees slightly shaking. Only when I got down did I realized that wall climbing is an easier way to lose weight with all the sweating you will get plus it’s definitely exciting up there. It would have been a perfect and fast climb for me, had I not been stuck at the top for some two minutes because I didn’t know that the only way down is to let go of the ropes. The more experienced climbers on the other hand joined the La Union Speed Climbing Championships where one can register for a team of five with a fee of P150.

Clinics and competitions for Frisbee and volleyball were also held, with instructors coming from different clubs in Manila.

Beers, bands and bonfires

The day activities is just one part of the La Union Surfing Break II, the other part is the night life which proved to be as enjoyable. After a tiring day of trying every activity one’s body can take, the after sun down is the next relaxing thing to do in San Juan.

By 7 p.m., dead tree branches and coconut leaves were gathered on sand dug outs and lit to serve as bonfires. Children gathered around the bonfires playing while the young at heart sits at the monobloc chairs set up every evening, drinking cold beers and waiting for local and techno bands invited to provide entertainment for the night. Barbeque stalls are everywhere, where once can get fresh grilled fish or pork to go with their beers. The playing field suddenly becomes a party place to meet new acquaintances and drink and dance to your heart’s content.

Aside from local talents, the ska band Coffee Break Island and Dutch DJ Martijn van Baggem were also invited to play at the beach party held every night for the three-day duration of the event.

“San Juan is a very accessible place for the Manileños because of its nearness to the city. A five-hour ride is all you need to take to be able to experience surfing here, unlike in Siargao where you have to travel very far and spend a big amount on airfare alone,” added Valero.

Indeed, an out of town trip to San Juan over the weekend, spend with a lot of fun and exciting activities is all we need to relieve the stresses of the whole week. For more information on budget-friendly packages to San Juan, contact the Department of Tourism Region I at (072) 888-2098, the La Union local government at 0921-804-8338, La Union Surf Club at 0919-765-0702 or the La Union Convention and Visitor’s Bureau at 0918-404-0368.

Christmas art to make wishes come true

2009-04-29T17:15:00.000+02:00

Manila Standard Today
December 11, 2007

From afar, it looks like some fancy Christmas decorations made from imported materials, masterly designed with distinct attention to details. When you look closely though, you will realize that the hanging Christmas decors are handcrafts made of old newspapers and metals, creatively cut and painted with sheer precision to give it a uniform look and incorporated with other light but inexpensive materials to complete the whole impression of a classy Christmas decoration…. pure art. These collection of hanging sceptres, made by prominent paper artist and product designer Tes Pasola, now adorn the lobby and hallways of Hyatt hotel and Casino,

The exhibit, dubbed as Christmas Impressions at Hyatt, is not just another profitable social display. The event was held in time for the holiday season, to celebrate the spirit of giving and making wishes come true, especially for indigent children.

Kythe Foundation, a non-profit organization which dedicated in helping pediatric cancer patients, and Make-A-Wish Foundation, who helps children with life-threatening medical conditions, are the beneficiaries of the proceeds generated from the exhibit.

Pasola, a member of the prestigious Movement 8, a group of home accessories and furniture designers, globally recognized for their modern pieces, was commissioned by Hyatt hotel to make the decorations. On her part, Pasola believes in the spirit of sharing, and was much more inspired by Hyatt’s dedication in helping charity organizations. She immediately had the yearning to make similar socio-civic initiatives but with more focus on the environment.

“I was inspired by the success of Hyatt’s corporate social responsibility programs. I felt the decision to use paper, specifically newspaper [because] it was in line with the rationale of conversation, expressed through the practice of recycling. “said Pasola, who also owns Mind Masters, Inc. a company that exports paper-based products.

Former first lady, and a known advocate of beauty, Imelda Marcos was immediately awed by the brilliance and exquisite design of Pasola’s recycled Christmas decors. She applauds the 35-year-old paper designer in the project that turns waste into something beautiful.

“I really feel that if you see God everywhere, you will see beauty even in junk,” said the former governor of Manila, who is still very regal with her “recycled gowns”. Marcos also made use of her recycled old accessories and clothing to create a jewelry collection selling at very affordable prices. “I think the message here is that, if we recycle all the junk that humanity has produced, we can make a beautiful world together,” added the former dictator’s wife.

Through this project, the hotel hopes to encourage the spirit of kindness, sharing and hope by volunteering time and resources to both charities. Aside from its charitable cause, Hyatt also wants to convey the message of nature’s preservation to people.

“We seek to play our part in creating awareness in the community of the fragile state of the environment. That is why we joined forces with Tes Pasola, who focuses on how products and materials can be reused and recycled into world-class work of arts,” says Gottfried Bogensperger, Hyatt’s general manager.

During the launching, a candle lighting also took place, led by Mrs. Marcos, Pasola and Bogensperger. A dinner followed at the Lili Restaurant, where diners would be greeted by a giant leafless Christmas tree made of paper sceptres.

“The display is in the public place, where a wide variety of people can view it, making it more interesting and inspirational. The intention and purpose of this project is therefore shared, and made accessible to a broader audience which makes it more meaningful and fulfilling,” added Pasola. The Christmas Impression collection paper sceptres ranges from P250 to P750 depending on the sizes while the Votive Genie Holder with Tea Light Candle costs P300.

The Christmas Impression will be on display at Hyatt Hotel and Casino throughout the whole holiday season, located at 1588 Pedro Gil cor. M.H. Del Pilar, Malate, Manila with tel. no. 245-1243.

Spirit of giving

2009-04-29T17:13:00.000+02:00

Manila Standard Today
December 11, 2007

Christmas has always been a season for giving. For some, though, giving and sharing do not only come at Christmas time. Instead, they make it an everyday advocacy to help other people.

It was a drizzling morning when I arrived at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Pasig City and I am greeted by a long line of children. A woman approached me and introduced herself as Teresa Raymundo, founder of the Pasig Soup Kitchen. She had me seated at the table at the far end of the room where it was not as noisy, where I was able to watch the children and the elderly enjoy their free meal of Tinolang Manok and rice.

“God Provides,” this is what she told me when I asked whether it was difficult for them to generate funds for their projects.

The Soup Kitchen of Pasig is not patterned after soup kitchens in the United States.

Started in 2000 at the recommendation of Msgr. Manuel Gabriel, the Soup Kitchen has since provided assistance to the indigent parishioners of the Immaculate Conception Cathedral. According to Raymundo, the soup kitchen adopts a holisitic approach to helping the poor—not only taking care of the physical needs of the neighborhood, but other needs as well, such as cultural, educational and livelihood needs.

They conduct regular seminars on different livelihood opportunities, with financial backing coming from private individuals, mostly other Pasig residents.

In fact, Raymundo may very well be speaking the truth when she invokes Divine Intervention when referring to the fact that they are able to feed 700 persons every week and still have enough budget for their other projects despite the lack of a permanent sponsor.

“The soup kitchen has really made a lot of changes in my life. I realized that you cannot say to the poor that they are just poor people, you have to give them dignity and you can do it by helping them even in little ways like this,” added Raymundo.

None of the volunteers of the soup kitchen have received any financial compensation for their work.

True believer

One of the main believers of their advocacy is Rep. Roman Romulo, the grandson of former Senator Carlos Romulo and son of current Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo. Even before he was elected representative of the lone district of Pasig this year, Romulo has been an active participant at the soup kitchen.

Apart from giving financial support, Romulo is also involved in creating ideas to further assist the poor children under the care of the soup kitchen.

The Soup Kitchen in Pasig, was introduced to the young Romulo years ago by a family friend. According to Romulo, he finds this project really beneficial, especially to the children.

“They teach these kids proper values through the catechism that they conduct before each session. I think this is very good since you imbibe the right values in their innocent mind. What they see is what they believe, and through this catechism you help them develop their conscience. When you are able to show them that there are people who care for their welfare, they would tend to do the same thing with others,” said the Romulo.

Apart from supporting the feeding program, Romulo also donates educational materials to the kids being supported by the soup kitchen. He believes that these children, given the right opportunity and proper support, may be able to improve their status as well as that of their parents and communities.

“My door is always open to help other people, especially the children, not just for Christmas but the whole year, and as long I can,” is his simple answer when I asked him his plans for his charity. But to make the Holiday Season more special, Romulo has already started packing gifts to be given out to these children.

“I want everyone to be happy this Christmas because this is basically what the celebration is all about.”