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    Stocks Investments, Anyone?

    Monday, November 17th, 2008
    Where do we normally put our savings or extra income? Most people normally placed their savings in a bank. Others buy real estate properties. Many put up businesses. While some invest in stocks or mutual funds.

    A share of stock is defined as basically a tiny piece of a corporation, that ordinary people like you and me can buy. We then become shareholders (investing for the company’s growth and profits) - for as long as we own the shares. When a business makes a profit, it can share that money with its stockholders or shareholders by issuing a dividend. As stockholders we have the option to keep our stocks, buy some more, or sell them all.

    Individual buyers normally buy stocks through stock trading houses and stocks brokers (people who are licensed to trade stocks through an exchange). These days however, the market has become more accessible, so that anyone who has a computer and enough money to open an account,and who has the ability to invest in the market can buy and sell stocks online. This is online trading. In online trading we use an online broker instead of a human broker, and we get to personally decide which stocks to buy or sell rather than having a trader do it for us (which is the usual process). We even do the request for the trades ourselves and conduct the business from our homes via the internet

    Stocks investments do not really translate to easy and fast money. But like in all other investments, there are a lot of pitfalls too, and we need to do our homework and stock on some knowledge to be able to withstand the ever changing market.

    Images Credits: Cartoon Stocks

    Because We Do Not Stay Young Forever…

    Sunday, November 16th, 2008

    We do not stay young forever - that is why it is important for us to stay fit and healthy through our growing years so that we can have more productive years ahead of us. Health experts say that a combination of a balanced nutrition, plus moderate exercise, and a commitment to a healthy lifestyle will boost life longevity.

    There are researches which show that one way to slow the aging process is to combat decline in muscle mass because decline in muscle mass is linked to health problems. According to studies a way to increase muscle mass is to get a big boost from high quality whey protein supplements because as we get older, our bodies are less efficient in absorbing protein. Protein is very critical to muscles and whey protein is the most easily absorbed protein available. It is believed to reverse the aging process and helps rebuild the immune system. Protein shakes are one of the best ways for our bodies to get its essential amino acids.

    Nowadays there are health programs which provide quality nutrition supplements and health education which outlines a complete lifestyle approach to focus not just on losing weight, but on attaining optimal health and wellness for life. These types of programs will teach us how to set effective, measurable, and achievable goals; important foods to take as well as foods to avoid; and most of all - a layman’s overview on how our bodies work. To make learning easier, Joe Dillon came up with audio tapes of this type of program.


    Although we do not need to embrace every available health programs blindly, at least we have the options to draw the best from each of these lifestyle approaches and decide for ourselves what will best work for us and our needs.

    Lola Gracing’s Birthday Bash

    Wednesday, November 12th, 2008
    Lola Gracing turned 84, and her children decided to throw a small party for her. But there were a few more well-wishers who came (more than what was expected), and we thought the food wouldn’t be enough. But it was just right after all.


    Just to remind you folks who are already based outside the Philippines, here are some of the food you might have missed - on the foreground are Balbacua (to the left) and Pasayan (to the right). Behind is Kaldereta (sorry, forgot to take a closer shot), at the center is - I forgot the name but it is Breaded chicken fillet with some stuffing. Behind the Pasayan is Sweet and Sour Lapulapu which is mostly covered by the carrots and its sauce. There was Bam-i, Dinuguan and fruits such as Mango, Watermelon, and a Baked Lasagna (not a Pinoy dish but among the favorite fare).

    The crowning glory is of course - the Inasal! It was filled and cooked with lemon grass and dahong sibuyas which made it quite aromatic. The skin was crunchy and the meat was tender and juicy…

    And the celebrant was asked to blow her cake amidst happy well wishers!

    Unwanted Calls…

    Wednesday, November 12th, 2008

    Unwanted calls, prank calls, and telemarketer calls are forms of harassments which gives us undue emotional stress. Our privacy is very important to us and when these harassing calls intrude into the comfort of our homes and we felt threatened or disturbed, we have all the right in the world to protect it.

    There are means of stopping unwanted calls. The most basic is to screen our calls by means of a Caller ID or perhaps via voice mails. In the U.S., irritated victims can enter the phone number into a reverse phone number lookup that includes cell phone numbers, so they can check for available information regarding the unknown number. They can use this information to file a Harassing Caller Report to proper authorities or avail of the option to report or list down those irritant callers on internet sites where they are blatantly listed for the whole world to see.

    But when the pressure becomes too much to take, and we feel that there is already a threat to our security, I think the best move is to file a detailed report to the police so we get some form of protection. We need also to seek the assistance of our telephone service provider so we can have the reported number blocked or perhaps we can even go to extreme measures like changing our phone numbers.

    Unwanted Calls…

    Wednesday, November 12th, 2008

    Unwanted calls, prank calls, and telemarketer calls are forms of harassment which gives us undue emotional stress. Our privacy is very important to us and when these harassing calls intrude into the comfort of our homes and we felt threatened or disturbed, we have all the right in the world to protect it.

    There are means of stopping unwanted calls. The most basic is to screen our calls by means of a Caller ID or perhaps via voice mails. In the U.S., irritated victims can enter the phone number into a reverse phone number lookup that includes cell phone numbers, so they can check for available information regarding the unknown number. They can also use this information to file a Harassing Caller Report to proper authorities. They have also the option to report or list down those irritant callers on internet sites where they are blatantly listed for the whole world to see.

    But when the pressure becomes too much to take, and we feel that there is already a threat to our security, I think the best move is to file a detailed report to the police so we get some form of protection. We need also to seek the assistance of our telephone service provider so we can have the reported number blocked or perhaps we can even go to extreme measures like changing our phone numbers.

    A Shopping Tool…

    Monday, November 10th, 2008

    Although I still find browsing through glossy magazines (for fashion updates and other women stuff) enjoyable, however I now turn to the internet for more information. No, it’s not that I would totally give up magazines, but the problem with them is that, I find them rather expensive and I could only afford a few pieces. The internet is, as we all know, like a gold mine for information. There is however a downside, since there are thousands of sites offering the information I want, it is difficult to keep track of the sites I am interested in, have visited, or would like to visit from time to time. It is much too time consuming! So instead I turned to a good shopping search engine.

    I found one site that is not only a search engine but a shopping guide as well. It is designed simply but easy to navigate. This shopping guide provides a comprehensive database and links to relevant shopping topics and lists of stores where the desired products are available. And if that is not enough, this site is also able to provide a platform for the community of shoppers to help each other by sharing feedback on price, quality and other relevant information. Because of this interactive feature, the site is a continuous work in progress.

    In Order To Survive…

    Saturday, November 8th, 2008
    She used to knock at our gates at around 7 - 8 a.m. everyday, one pail full of fresh fishes on each hand. One time I asked her how she could carry those weight, being petite and all, she just smiled and said “no choice…”.

    I found out that she is just 26, but she already had 3 kids in close succession. Like most stories we hear, she comes from a poor family, and had to stop schooling (after 2 years in high school) because her parents could no longer afford to send her to school. It was not surprising when she decided to get married early. She tried working at first in a factory but her income could not sustain her family’s needs. That was why she then decided to try selling fish. Instead of getting a spot in the market, she chose to carry her stuff and knock on doors. The strategy paid off because she was able to get regular buyers. That was how I came to know her…

    Actually I was not too keen on buying from her at first because there is a slight difference between her prices and those from the wet market near our neighborhood. But what’s a few pesos difference if I could help her find some means of earning. Beside I have to admit that I like the state of her fishes.

    Lately however, she has not visited us. In fact I found out that she has not made her usual rounds in our neighborhood. Why? Nobody seems to know… I just hope that whatever her reasons are (for her absence), is something for the better. Like all other moms who want a good future for her and her family, I admire her for her grit to stand the heat and burden in order to survive.

    Going for Satellite TV’s

    Thursday, November 6th, 2008

    When my cousin and her family moved to a newly developed uppity subdivision outside the city, their application for a TV cable service was denied simply because according to the preliminary evaluation reports - they were way far off from the service provider’s cable post. Their only other alternative was a satellite TV.

    What is the difference?

    Cable TV systems require a cable to be installed from the network to your house. If your street has no cable you may need to wait a while before it is available in your area. On the other hand satellite television is delivered by means of communications satellites, as compared to conventional and cable television which is broadcast by ground cables. Since Satellite TV requires only a satellite dish, a receiver and a cable from the dish to your TV, it is indeed much easier to install compared to cable TV.

    What’s more:

    Because Satellite TV is digital it can offer a much better reception quality than cable TV, eliminating fuzzy or snowy pictures - only exceptional weather changes can affect streaming on rare occasions. Another important advantage is, Satellite TV also gives more channels and programming options than cable TV and is more advanced in HDTV (High Definition Television) services.

    While cable TV is still very popular here, I think that in due time, given the advantages satellite TV is offering, people will consider changing to satellites. I myself have been convinced. I surf the internet and read that Direct TV, a leading provider of satellite TV services in the U.S, has scored high marks in customer satisfaction. Subscribers of DirectTV enjoy superior technologies that include advanced DVR and HD-DVR services and the most state-of-the-art interactive sports packages available anywhere. It is I guess the healthy competition between service providers (vying for customers loyalty) that prod them to outdo each other in offering good products and services. I wish for the same thing to happen here – more service providers, some healthy competition, good services, and happy customers!

    References: Satellite TV; Wikipedia

    Pay Attention to Our Heart!

    Thursday, November 6th, 2008

    “The Eraserheads reunion concert on Saturday night at the Bonifacio Global City Open Field was cut short after lead singer Ely Buendia suffered chest pain. Ely was rushed to the hospital …”

    Ely is a popular Filipino songwriter/singer of a favorite local band with a huge following. He was only 35 when he had his first heart attack…

    It is not uncommon anymore to hear of news about young men having heart attacks, which is why it is not surprising to see a growing awareness about fitness and health consciousness.

    A simple explanation about heart attack:
    When one or more of the coronary arteries becomes partially or totally blocked, the heart does not get enough blood. This is called ischemic heart disease or coronary artery disease (CAD). The earliest symptoms of ischemic heart disease include chest pain (angina) and shortness of breath. Sometimes there are no symptoms, other times there is mild, intermittent chest pain or more pronounced and steady pain.

    Symptoms:

    The symptoms that usually bring a person to a doctor are feelings of - heaviness, tightness, pain, burning, pressure, or squeezing. This maybe felt behind the breastbone, but sometimes it is also in the arms, neck, or jaw. However some people may not feel any symptoms at all.


    Common risk factors for heart attack:

    Treatments:

    May vary from one person to another - but Heart bypass surgery is one of them. Heart bypass surgery is performed to route blood flow around clogged arteries supplying the heart to re store the blood supply to the heart muscle. The surgery is commonly called Coronary Artery Bypass Graft, or CABG (pronounced “cabbage”). Coronary bypass surgery can now be performed with the aid of a robot, called robotic heart surgery.

    Education and early detection (through better screening) can translate into fewer deaths from heart disease. The internet is a good source of valuable reference materials. However it is still important to refer to a good doctor for proper knowledge. Ultimately, preventing heart disease comes down to making healthy lifestyle choices, and more important - a commitment to keep a healthy lifestyle.

    In For Satellite TVs?

    Wednesday, November 5th, 2008

    When my cousin and her family moved to a newly developed uppity subdivision outside the city, their application for a TV cable service was denied simply because according to the preliminary evaluation reports - they were way far off from the service provider’s cable post. Their only other alternative was a satellite TV.

    What is the difference?

    Cable TV systems require a cable to be installed from the network to your house. If your street has no cable you may need to wait a while before it is available in your area. On the other hand satellite television is delivered by the means of communications satellites, as compared to conventional and cable television which is broadcast by ground cables. Since Satellite TV requires only a satellite dish, a receiver and a cable from the dish to your TV, it is indeed much easier to install compared to cable TV.

    What’s more:

    Because Satellite TV is digital it can offer a much better reception quality than cable TV, eliminating fuzzy or snowy pictures - only exceptional weather changes can affect streaming rarely. Satellite TV also gives more channels and programming options than cable TV and is more advanced in HDTV (High Definition Television) services.

    While cable TV is still very popular here, I think that in due time, given the advantages satellite TV is offering, people will consider changing to satellites. I myself have been convinced. I surf the internet and read that DirectTV, a leading provider of satellite TV services in the U.S, has received a lot of good feedback. It is probably because the healthy competition between service providers in the U.S. market resulted in good products and customer services. I wish for the same thing to happen here – more service providers, some healthy competition, good services, and happy customers!

    References: Satellite TV Issue; Wikipedia

    Photo Credits: Google Images

    Cebu Bloggers Society

    Tuesday, October 28th, 2008
    Finally Cebu-based, young and dynamic bloggers have banded together! Thus Cebu Bloggers Society was realized. Just about time…

    I remember, the first Pinoy bloggers’ community I joined was I think Pinoy Blogosphere. However they have gone through a number of updates and in the process I got lost. I think the only active link I have with them is the Link Exchange portion. My feed is no longer included in their aggregate site…

    There were probably a number of other groups I joined in, then came Bisaya Bloggers! What I like about this community is that they also have an aggregate site for our feeds and our latest write-ups are immediately posted or updated in their site. Membership is not limited to Bisdaks who are physically based in the Visayas or Mindanao regions. A lot of members are coming from all over the country and in fact a lot are based outside the Philippines.

    The sentiment of having one’s own local community is probably shared by a number of Cebu bloggers, because I am now a proud member of Cebu Bloggers Society (even if I have not attended a single meeting yet. Sorry..) I hope the community will flourish and will have meaningful and fruitful projects in the future - so that we can truly say with pride: Blogger ko Bai!

    Trivia: Bai - is what most Bisaya males affectionately call their friends. It is equivalent to Igan, Dude, Friend…

    Bo’s Coffee

    Sunday, October 19th, 2008

    I was probably missing, out of town, or just plain sleeping when coffee shops evolved and became popular. Suddenly they sprouted all over the city and became popular hangouts, meeting places, or the place to be seen. Right now, Bo’s Coffee Club is probably the most popular coffee shop in Cebu. It is the Philippine version of Starbuck’s, one of the only places you’ll find good espressos. It is a popular hangout among both the young and old, local residents or foreign visitors alike. There are already a number of branches spread all over, you just have to find the one most convenient to your place of work or residence.

    Bo’s Coffee Club in Ayala Center Cebu


    Yummy Cakes and other Treats to go with your coffee

    The fact that the coffee here and its yummy treats do not come cheap, show that Cebuanos have indeed accepted the new lifestyle changes.

    Having My Own Customized Design

    Thursday, October 16th, 2008

    I love to surf around and snoop on other people’s blogs and websites. I enjoy doing this because websites or especially blogs often reflect the personalities and quirks of the owner. There are funny websites, serious ones, a few are weird, others are informative, while some… are just plain boring. (Lol!) I hate to be classified with the last type, but if somebody will find mine to be boring for her or his own taste, I could not do anything about it. (Sigh!) Sorry…

    I consider myself basically a new blogger still. But even at this point, I dream of having my own customized website. There are things I wanted to do with my sites, unfortunately I have to accept the fact that I would need the help of a professional web designer. That is my weakness. I do not know much about web design. The little I knew about html and a little tweaking here and there, I learned the hard way. But I know that even this little acquired knowledge is not enough to shape my site according to my fancy.


    But the good news is – there are online shops which provide web design services. I happen to look into one site, the Heritage Web Solutions, which specializes in designing and hosting affordable websites for small and medium size businesses. Now, that is one good package being offered. It means that I don’t need to move heaven and earth in order to find a solution for my web design problems, since the solutions are just actually within the reach of my fingertips.

    However, there are many things to consider before making a choice among the many service providers out there. One thing for sure, I know I would be looking most especially for an active and dependable customer service support because I might encounter some problems later, and I would definitely need somebody to refer these problems to. But of course this is something that a few additional researches and asking around could not solve.


    Sio Montera - August Exhibition 2008

    Wednesday, October 15th, 2008
    The artist is currently an assistant professor in the Fine Arts Program of U.P. Cebu College Campus. Sio balances his time as an active member in the national and local art community where he regularly mounts an annual solo show and group exhibitions featuring his major works.

    Professor Dennis “Sio” Montera; together with 15 other Philippine Abstract practitioners (includes some of the most recognized names in Philippine Modern Art) presents the exhibition: Flash! Fifteen Filipino Abstractionists, from October 18 to November 8, 2008.

    The Day I Run Out Of Cooking Gas

    Wednesday, October 15th, 2008
    One day, I ran out of gas and cash! So I tried to cook the old fashioned way - using charcoal and unused wood cuttings. I must admit that the exercise turned out to be quite a humbling experience.

    For some time I have been guilty of being used to convenient and fast cooking methods - like gas ranges, electric stoves, microwave ovens, and other electrical conveniences which require little physical exertion simply because all that is needed is plug them in or switch them on.

    The cooking activity turned out to be taxing and took more than twice the time it normally does when cooking on gas or electric stoves. I had to run in and out of the kitchen because the make -shift cooking stove was set-up outside. I felt I spent the whole morning waiting for the rice to cook (Okay, an exaggeration). Now if you are wondering why there is no mention of an electric rice cooker, it is because I have none. I ditched it so I can save on electricity bill.

    Cooking the sud-an was worse. It took a lot of fanning and some puffing to create enough heat. And it seemed like - I am again waiting forever for the whole thing to boil and cook. And because I was not adept in making a good fire, I was constantly enveloped by smoke. I thought it was a miracle I survived suffocation.

    Now don’t get me wrong. I have nothing against the whole process. In fact I wanted to experience this method of cooking. Why? because my lolas on both sides survived a lifetime of cooking by wood, yet there was never any complaint - of too much smoke, or of dirt by soot. In truth, a lot of households in our area, those who can not afford the expensive LPG gas or electricity, still continue to cook this way. Their little children would patiently gather tree cuttings, unused wood, or even wood shavings. Maybe because it has always been this way for them, they never complain. I realized if we need to survive hard times we must learn how to adjust and be patient…

    And so my day ended… hands covered with soot, red eyed and all - but still able to survive gracefully. What did I accomplished? A delicious, slow-cooked, aromatic, smoky-flavored meal!

    Air Those Views…

    Wednesday, October 15th, 2008

    If you are a great fan or the worst critic of a certain site, you will be happy to note that there is a new venue where you can vent your feelings out. Actually Website Reviews are the “hot” items nowadays. Products or websites reviews provide the perfect forum for internet users all over the world to be heard!

    What I like about this new site - TalkReviews.com, is that it lists all popular blogs and provides an easy link to their homepages. Now isn’t that convenient? You can also easily search a site because they are sorted according to their classifications, and even provides thumbnails for easy verification. What’s more, TalkReviews.com also provides traffic statistics, page/alexa ranks, link stats, and much more. But these are merely guides to the websites popularity. The most important information are the opinions given by the readers.

    Look Pretty and Feel Good

    Tuesday, October 14th, 2008

    <!– /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:”"; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:”Times New Roman”; mso-fareast-font-family:”Times New Roman”;} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} Since I was a little girl I guess I was already in love with make-up. I used to watch my mother and my aunts prettify themselves before the mirror, and I always get fascinated. They would always come out more beautiful and sweet smelling afterwards. I could not even wait to get older so I could also sit on the vanity table and prettify myself.


    Most women (perhaps not all) love putting on make-up. I don’t think it is merely for the reason of attracting the opposite sex, but far from it. Women want to put on make-up simply because it makes them feel good.

    Make-up is not static, and like fashion, is subject to the cycle of change. One has to be, if possible, regularly updated with the current trend or look, or else end up getting stuck in a certain time period. Imagine how funny we would look if we insist on keeping the old punk make-up of the 80’s. We can also play with make-up to achieve a certain look, depending on one’s mood. We can be mysterious, or vampy, or sweet.

    These days, the science and art of make-up is no longer a well kept secret. In fact I found an online shop which has a complete cosmetics & beauty tools buying guide. What I like about it, is that it has trends & techniques on putting make-up, and a comprehensive brand directory for cosmetic brands. Online shopping is thus made easier and faster this way. Quite a helpful tool indeed!

    My Brother’s Air Bed

    Monday, October 13th, 2008

    My brother who has spent some years working overseas brought home an air bed. It came very useful that time, because we lack a bed to accommodate him as we were doing some repairs in his old room. He seldom used it before, so it came as a surprise when after two weeks of daily use, the airbed begin to slowly deflate. It became soggy and soft instead of firm, and retained only two-thirds of its original height when morning comes. There were probably leaks causing it to deflate. We were of course disappointed with it and made a hasty (though erroneous) conclusion that perhaps all air beds are made of the same mold.

    We realized later that we were just not very properly informed. We soon found out that there are indeed air mattresses that are really meant and designed for longer and lasting use (such as bed mattress for example), while others are designed for outdoor use (like camping), or perhaps as an extra or temporary beds for guests or visitors at home. Despite our bad experience with our first air bed, we are still willing to buy another one if needed, because we have to admit that they are very practical to use. Most especially for out of town trips since they can be easily carried and stored. But the next time around, we will make sure to know beforehand what type is most suitable for our needs (perhaps something like choosing for example between an automatic or a manual inflation). There are sites in the internet which provide useful information regarding air beds and general advice on what to choose from among the many types available in the market. Others may even include price comparisons.

    Fiesta of Our Lady of Fatima Parish

    Monday, October 13th, 2008
    Fatima Parish in Basak Mandaue City, Cebu is once again celebrating its annual fiesta in honor of Our Lady of Fatima. There were series of activities which lasted for a week and culminated in a mass celebrated by no less than our beloved Cardinal Vidal. Take a glimpse of the fiesta…

    People were seen arriving at the church for the fiesta mass celebration. Candle and balloon vendors can be seen hawking their wares. Of course, balloons are a fixtures even during ordinary Sundays…

    People slowly filled up the church and it was starting to overflow…

    Inside - the church was already full as people waited for the mass to begin…

    While outside - the altar boys were seen preparing to line up and patiently waited for the Cardinal to start the mass…

    The Cardinal is about to make the entrance to the church to start the mass…

    Offertory part - people brought flowers and other offerings…

    After the mass - people patiently lined up to pay homage to the Lady of Fatima…

    While others lighted candles outside the church and offered some personal prayers.

    This is how it was in the years that passed. How it will probably be for years to come, unless probably if the people’s faith will change…

    See you again next fiesta!

    Really? A New Car (Wow)…

    Friday, October 10th, 2008

    My friend who has moved to work in the U.S. said that she was quite surprised that she was able to buy a brand new car (in the latest model) after only a year of working there. It was something that could have taken her and her husband a good number of years to achieve, if they have stayed here in the Philippines. She further related that she did not even expect that on the day that she and her husband went to visit their car dealer, they would be leaving on the same day with a brand new car in tow. Yeah, that fast. Unbelievable? What’s more - the monthly amortization she said, were also just right with their budget. Really? Was our only reaction! We could only salivate in envy. Because here, shiny brand new cars are domains only of the rich professionals, expats, business owners, overseas workers earning big bucks, and showbiz stars!

    My friend said that she initially looked at various online car dealers prior to making a choice because these sites provide helpful information like price comparisons, technical information, and customer feedback. It turned out to be quite a help because it saved her time and energy. See this big baby here below - I’d probably get one (if I was probably there).

    Chrysler Aspen from Gary Barbera


    Phone Woes…

    Friday, October 10th, 2008

    Gone are the days when we welcome the phone ringing. In the past we use the telephone primarily as a form of communication. Remember how good it feels when we hear the familiar voice of a love one (whom we missed so much) at the other end of the line? We used to shout at suddenly hearing from friends whom we have not heard for a long time. It is part of our lives to reach out towards the phones to share with close friends our problems and happy news, and laugh and cry with them as if they are just beside us.

    But these days however, unwanted calls have slowly come to invade our lives. Pesky telemarketers, prank callers, bill collectors are beginning to harass us via our landlines, mobile phones, and even faxes. Thankfully, nowadays our new phones are designed to identify callers. A caller ID or a Caller Identifier is a good way to initially filter incoming calls.