When Disasters Strikes (Earthquakes, Floods, Fire and others)

Photo credits

It’s been a few months since we have seen and experience number of natural disasters, man-made catastrophes and armed conflict from the second half of 2013. From Typhoons like Santi, Labuyo, Maring, Zamboanga Rebellion, 7.2 magnitude earthquake of Bohol and Cebu Islands and lastly the Super typhoon of Yolanda (International Name: Haiyan). These incidents have made a great impact and consciousness in the minds of many to prepare for any disasters in the near future or unforeseen circumstances. In one statement of Dr. Marqueza Reyes of Earthquake and Mega-cities Initiative during an interview at ANC (ABS-CBN News Channel) that the "Typhoon Yolanda will be benchmark for disaster preparedness in the years to come" if there will any more Category 5 storms coming in the archipelago. 

Pinoymoneyvantage is now on FORMSPRING.ME

Dear Readers and Followers of this blog:

Due to public demand and questions from readers. We have finally added this unique application in our blog.

According to Wikipedia, Formspring is an interest-based social Q&A website, launched in November 2009, and created to allow users to relate their ideas and opinions on any topic. Formspring is easy to use and has features that you can use including sharing your Question and Answer segments in your personal Facebook or Twitter.

i.e. Interface of an actual Formspring Q & A

Membership and registration on this site is free. Come and visit our Money Matters Question and Answer on money, personal finance, investments and others and I'll try to answer them ASAP.

Visit my Money Matters Question and Answer page by clicking this link.

Copyright 2008 - 2013. PinoyMoneyVantage| Personal Finance Help Philippines

My first run for 2012: 3rd Animo Clark LaSalle Run

Photo from Life123.com

 I got excited to wake up early one Sunday morning and smell the dew on the pitch at Clark Freeport - CDC offices where the beginning of the 3rd Clark Animo Run organized by De La Salle Alumni Association of Pampanga last 11th of March 2012. This will be my first time again to run for more than 3 years of being busy with work and other activities related to career building.

 Running became a part of my training regimen when we were younger. We were required to run from post to post during soccer / football days or run indoor on basketball court in barefoot during my Taekwondo years or just warm up with the rest of the guys during a one day recreational basketball game with friends and sometime do short distance sprints on table tennis practice. It increases your endurance and agility to the maximum level keeping your fitness level high. 

Lost sense of being in top shape after not qualifying for a possible varsity spot with the school I was enrolled in back in college plus being in constant danger of loosing my academics during college with other priorities from studying and other extra-curricular activities.

Back then in my teen years:

To tell you, I was a former athlete in my younger years. Sports became a part of my life since early years of my education. I got into tremendous competitive edge type of activities that my dad and mom sometimes are irritated when I got back from home smelling like being burned from the sun's harmful ultraviolet rays making me darker complexion even today after a football match with some old colleagues from my high school days.

Unhealthy Lifestyle and getting sick:

Back in 2009, I was always tremendously getting sick with some lifestyle disease that got me afflicted since I was 19 years old. It is hyperuricemia (High blood uric acid). I got to drink some pills then and have to watch my diet and also exercised a lot in order to lose weight and at the same lessen the intake of food with high purine content but after battling this out I was diagnosed with another disease, Gastroesophageal Acid Reflux (GERD) or Acid Reflux for short came about it June 2010 when I was doing my speaking engagement in Caloocan City with RFP Philippines.

It was a painful experience of being in constant pain in your stomach and the same time in your throat and esophagus area coughing like there is no tomorrow. It had served as a wake up call for me to find a solution on this health problems I have encountered recently.

At present and today:
 
I spend my time wasting my body with physical activities such as sports in order to sweat it out and joined running competitions as well in 2.5 to 3 kilometer runs as a baby step of not jeopardizing my untrained body for the this event feeling the self-fulfillment of finishing the race even if you are not on top runners list but it was a worthwhile experience in participating in such event as this for a cause. I finished the course in 38 minutes which good for me anyways. Looking forward in making it to a 5 kilometer soon.

Copyright 2011 - 2012. PinoyMoneyVantage| Personal Finance Help Philippines

The Global Debt Crisis is spreading again.

America in Crisis. I just a glimpse of one of my friends in Facebook explaining this short video on how the United States is doing to avert the problem but in my opinion it is coming from bad to worse.

This video is a very educational for people who don't understand much of economics. This is very short, concise but true on what's happening on the largest economy with AAA credit rating downgraded to AA+ a few days ago.

So the saying is true "When America sneezes, the world catches the flu".


What about the Philippines? I do not know yet for the time being on the status of our country if we will be affected with the onset of this new illness springing up. But anyways, I will keep you posted for further post on this as a continuation.


Copyright 2009 - 2010. PinoyMoneyVantage| Personal Finance Help Philippines

15% VAT may lead to 'tax revolt' | The Philippine Star News Business

I am against the proposed called 15% Value Added Tax increase.  Secretary of Finance Margarito Teves and some other lawmakers are batting out this proposal since January 2010. For me as a businessman and end-user or consumers of commercial products and services it is a bane for us that we will shoulder this again  3% tax after 12% VAT was approved back in 2005 by Senator Ralph Recto.Would this be beneficial to the governement? As a matter of fact Yes, wherein the government may collect as much as P73.92 billion in fresh revenues by 2015 if the government increases the value-added tax (VAT) rate to 15 percent by 2013, according to estimates made by the Department of Finance  (DOF). I never see the point of taxing too much on the middle and the masses. Why not make the tax collection efficient  and build new strategies as what President -apparent Senator Benigno Simeon Aquino III aka Noynoy Aquino mentioned in the past weeks on media and at the same the government's coffers should be spent wisely on boosting  our country's economy by tapping the local and non-tradtional markets which is stable and recovering despite the current global financial crisis which had affected Europe Union countries at present and the United States two years ago.

How I wish that Value Added Taxes should be lowered at around 6%  to 8% only. All we need is to removed graft and corruption, keep the good governance principle  intact and  work on a transparent government that all  Filipinos would appreciate and at the same build useful yet efficient economic developments to be benefited by the Filipinos.

15% VAT may lead to 'tax revolt' | The Philippine Star News Business
Raising VAT from 12% to 15%

Copyright 2009-2010. Pampanga Real Estate Guide, Trend and Review TV. All Rights Reserved.

Hacking Democracy: An HBO Documentary

I got to see the Philippine Star a couple of days ago when one of the candidates have DVD about the Automated Election failures. It is a possibility that this happened in some areas in the Philippines during the recent May 10, 2010 National Elections. I hope it doesn't end up like if there are inquiries and investigation by the Commission on Elections and Congress. I have embedded here on this post for your perusal.

Could the election be rigged? I don't know?

Copyright 2009 - 2010. PinoyMoneyVantage| Personal Finance Help Philippines

The May 10, 2010 Presidential Election - Exercise your Vote to choose your leader

I was able to exercise my right to vote and I am partially happy and discontented on what had happened last Monday. I have jot down some notes on my experiences and what I have seen from other media or heard from my friends and co-workers from other places who have experience the same as what I say where somethings that the Commission on Election should take considerations.

1.) There are only Three Board of Examiners for every precints or clusters. There should and are capable of handling 3 clusters in one precints not 5 per one precints.

2.) PCOS machine should be randomly tested a week prior to the main event.

3.) People lost their names on the polling area. Well it should be the responsibilities of the voters that they should have check their names first a week or a few days before the election. This is a very old issue which understandably require common sense.

4.) Elderly and people with special needs (person with disabilities) should have a separate rooms in order to vote.

5.) COMELEC, PAG-ASA, DOH and other agencies should make weather advisory and advise people to bring fan, food and water in case of a long queue due to intense heat in order to prevent heat related illnesses.

I salute the COMELEC, Media and other government agencies who have cooperated in the functions of educating the public and securing the future of the Philippines with the ballots we cast.  Somehow, this turned out to be a milestone for most of Filipinos who have experienced first hand the need for changes from the old way of casting the vote to a new method through fast and somehow efficient automation process. At least we taste the automation fever and have selected the rightful leader in the hopes of moving forward to a progressive Philippines, free of corruption in the next six years.

I would like to share also the PCOS machine's thought on the previous election. It made fun of itself on twitter. You can catch it here at this link:
PCOSmachine@Twitter.

Copyright 2009 - 2010. PinoyMoneyVantage| Personal Finance Help Philippines

Tears for Fears Live in Manila - May 2, 2010.

Taking a break for the summer. Can't hardly wait to see these guys again perform on the big stage here in the Philippines at Araneta Coliseum. It will be my first time to see them live in the Philippines. I am a fan of 80's new wave music even if I was still a young kid living in the suburbs on those years I lived through. My consciousness to their music was in 1988 or 1989 when I saw their music videos played on TV or their music playing on the air waves. From Everybody Wants to Rule the World to Shout and others which have become chart hit toppers on those days. Music those days have sense of feeling and more emotions plus the quality of how the artists puts itself in the music makes it special for listeners like me to enjoy.

Copyright 2009 - 2010. PinoyMoneyVantage| Personal Finance Help Philippines

Fruit Juice Gimmick...Creating Voter awareness on the upcoming May 10, 2010 National Election.

Recently, I have seen this short segment from this ABS-CBN's TV Patrol a month ago.. I got to see this fruit juice gimmick and was fascinated how people react with the available colored cups. The cup where colored according to the official color designations of candidates for example, Yellow for Noynoy Aquino, Orange for Manny Villar, Green for Gibo Teodoro and so on. The concept of the color coded cups have become a basis or learning the hearts and minds of ordinary people about what they feel and their outlook in the near future.Even at nearby 711 store are also using this cups and putting the daily winners on the presidential category.

It seems that it is a good way to get attention and raise awareness of being socially responsible as citizens of this country. It made a huge impact not only getting the pulse and surveys of the populace in which the individual would like to vote in our upcoming elections this May 10, 2010. Choosing the new leader will fall on to us as voters. The zero hour of choosing our new leaders from the national to local political scene and at the same time practicing our electoral obligations and rights that would be a good way of exercising the democracy we have gained after the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution is coming close and only a few weeks or days ahead. I hope that you have already made your choice in thinking of right leader who will lead this country in the next six years and I am hoping that we can achieve economic growth and social development in the next six years.

Remember my vote counts so are yours!

Copyright 2010 by PINOYMONEYVANTAGE | Personal Finance Help Philippines

Saving Mother Earth...Join Earth Hour 2010!

I am a proud participant of Earth Hour 2009, me and my family supported this occassion in voting for the world legislation to come up in saving this planet we lived called Earth. Our planet is slowly dying brought about by the destruction of man on mother nature through climate change, pollution and other abnormal phenomenon that will affect us and the next generation of humans.

Let's join and participate this wonderful event, Let's make a stand for Mother Earth. Save energy for just one hour. It would make a difference. Mark this on your calendar, March 27, 2010 (Saturday) at 8:30pm.

For more information visit www.earthhour.org.

Copyright 2009 - 2010. PinoyMoneyVantage| Personal Finance Help Philippines

Looming Sugar Crisis... What now?

This is bad news for the people with sweet tooth. I guess?

The world is suffering from acute sugar production with recent droughts brought about by the El NiÑo phenomenon plus the high demand during the past holiday season as a main ingredient for most food manufacturing companies and at the same time for renewable energy in which ethanol comes from.

Brazil is a major player in sugar production, cultivation and agriculture with its far reaching domination of this industry compared to our country's sugar production which had lagged down since the 1970s based on one study done in the 20th century. The Philippines was major exporter of sugar in the past to United States and Europe however the prices of this commodities went down in the late 1980s in which it became a junk market for this product. Brazil has become the top 1 producers of ethanol and ethanol-based fuel for their power generating facilities in their country during dry months wherein ethanol is a by product of sugar canes. There are at least 100 sugar producing countries all over the world. The top producers include Brazil, India, Pakistan, USA and others.

In the laws of supply and demand as I remember my introduction to economics class pertains that once the supply is low and demand is large, the prices are high. Anyways, even if we have the bad news of acute sugar production for now we can certainly lessen our consumption of sugar and this would be also good for the health and lifestyle with the prevention of diabetes, obesity, tooth decay and other illnesses which are related to overconsumption of sweets.

Sugar Futures Open Trading is a bit tricky in many and it involves substantial risk and is not recommended for all investors with faint hearts and shallow pockets.

Tapping in Global Market is one thing we can learn soon.

Copyright 2009 - 2010. PinoyMoneyVantage| Personal Finance Help Philippines

Triple Up: Celebrating the 2010 Chinese Lunar New Year, the feast of St. Valentine and the Victorious Pinoy Boxers.

We got three reasons to celebrate this wonderful Sunday, February 14, 2010 which is not really an ordinary one. I was much glued in watching the Pinoy Power III Vs. Latin Fury boxing match today versus Latino boxers, texted some friends a Happy Valentine's day on Facebook and greeted some of my Filipino-Chinese friends "Kung Hei Fat Choy" in celebrating the entry of year of the Metal Tiger this 2010.

Happy Chinese New Year 2010!

The start of the new lunar calendar for 2010 has began. We welcome now the arrival of the Metal Tiger. Lunar calendar has been in use for the past 4000 years first by Arab scholars and later on by other ancient civilizations.

Love is in the Air on St. Valentine's Day

A friend of mine told is Feb. 14 a holiday, I told her and why would the government and the Roman Catholic Church declare it a religious even if it is the feast day of St. Valentine of Rome. I found some interesting facts on Valentine's Day concepts see Wikipedia). Sorry for her though.

Latin Fury Vs. Pinoy Power 3

I was watching it on TV and went ballistic on our compatriots victory of 3 wins, 2 losses against the latinos in this fight brought to us by ABS-CBN and Top Rank Boxing Promotions. Donaire's feat proves that he is a wise fighter and thinker in getting his strategy of beating the odds against an unknown fighter, Manuel "Chango" Vargas of Mexico. Can't wait to see Pacquiao Vs. Clottey by next month. Another accolades given to us by our fellow Pinoy fighters.

Copyright 2009 - 2010. PinoyMoneyVantage| Personal Finance Help Philippines

Efren PeÑaflorida..Another Filipino Gentleman on the World Spotlight!

I never thought in such a simple ways of helping young kids and teen get educated with this tedious young man from Cavite pushing a cart full books, toys and educational materials providing free education to the streets children and helping these young underprivileged kids by giving them the values formation as well in helping them to become a nurturing and good people amidst the poverty. Such an act of kindness in dedicating his energy through education with the help of his volunteers have led them to be part of nation building in giving the youth a free education.

Congratulations for winning and achieving the CNN Heroes of the Year Award 2009 and that the Dynamic Teen Co. would flourish more in shaping and forming the youth of today. Another Pinoy triumphant again. Kudos.



Copyright 2009 - PinoyMoneyVantage| Personal Finance Help Philippines

A Tribute to Tita Cory

Our beloved icon of Philippine democracy which has inspired other countries around the world in the 1980s said her last farewell. I never assumed that her passing would be a bit emotional for most of us who were born and seen her as our adoring mother of our nation after the disintegration of Marcos regime in February 1986 - EDSA People Power Revolution which was flocked by more than 2,000,000 Filipinos who were up against the dictator that tore down this country.

I was only a child then as I remembered flashing the Laban sign and wearing a yellow shirt with the Ninoy's face silkscreened on it. The martial law years was a very dark and terrible year under the Marcos' regime. If we rethink and study the past most of the known governments in Southeast Asia such as Indonesia during Suharto's regime, Myanmar and others have resorted to due to the rising communist threat of the Soviet bloc nations and China.

I feel very reluctant that we were given a strong leader such as her. I underestimated her strength as a woman wherein leading the country is one of the most stressful appointment or position.

Looking back in the past, United States and its allies have devised plans to halt and intervene the spread of communism by indirectly supporting mujaheedeen fighters in Afghanistan, sending combat troops in the fourteen year old Vietnam War which has spread to nearby countries such as Laos and Cambodia which were once part of the colonies of the old French Indochina after World War 2.

Thank you Tita Cory for the wonderful years of helping restore democracy to the Philippines again.





Visit her website at www.coryaquino.ph.

Copyright 2008-2009 - PinoyMoneyVantage

Long Absence - Erratic Schedule

Sorry being away for that long extended time. I am so busy with work and recent activities involving extra-curricular activities, work and organizational meets. Right now it is summer time and we will have lots of activities on my planned outdoor activities this April and May 2009. For my viewers, Thank you for waiting patiently for me.

I still have upcoming blogs to catch with especially in regards to financial, economic and environmental and even a bit of the showbiz limelight for you folks to see. Also, I will be changing my templates with a much newer one. I still love that old template with planet earth on it because I am a staunch supporter of Earth Hour at 60 minutes.

Have a happy summer, folks!

Copyright 2008-2009 - PinoyMoneyVantage

Usapang Pera (Money Talk): Biblical Principles of Financial Management

Usapang Pera (Money Talk): Biblical Principles of Financial Management

What does money have to do with God? Because every financial decision is a spiritual one

"If therefore you have not been faithful in the use of worldly wealth, who will entrust the true riches to you" Luke 16:11

When: 10 & 17 January 2009, Saturday, 1:00-5:00 p.m.

Where: UCM Library

Resource Person: Mark Aranal, Creative Director of Crown Ministries

Registration Fee: P100 for 2 Sessions

For more information, please contact:

Rhon O. Bautista (Head Librarian),

E-mail: library@unionchurch.ph, Tel No.: 812-6062

Website: http://www.ucmlibrary.ws

Please sign-up at the library table in the Fellowship Hall on Sunday or at the Library during library hours

Copyright 2008-2009 - PinoyMoneyVantage

MONEYVANTAGE: Rent is up for Property Rental Sector

Yesterday, I was alerted with the TV report from ABS-CBN regarding that the rent control law has finally lapsed last 31st December 2008 (see Republic Act 9341: Rent Control Act of 2005). I thought it was no big deal after all and finally realized that we do have rental residential/commercial properties in hand somewhere in Quezon City. I felt a bit ecstatic but somehow felt sorry for the people who we are leasing our properties. However we are adamant NOT to increase rent in order to compensate with the sudden slump in food business in which our tenant are involved with.

The demand for rental property is still high among urbanized cities particularly in Metro Manila. Still with the rapid urbanization and the immigration from people to these major cities the need for space and housing is still needed as major locators are not moving yet to closer provinces plus the business process outsourcing (call center) is still ongoing even with the slump in America and shifting to other countries not or less affected with the global financial crisis. Companies are still in need of housing for their personnel. Location of rental property, environment and neighborhood is also a key factor why people are looking for. As mentioned before, it should be close proximity, accessible to transport services and convenient for the tenant to get to where he/she works or intends to go. The closer the rental property to these factors the higher the rent is.

Somehow the RENT CONTROL LAW is beneficial for the poor and low-income families but the distributional effects are minimal since non-poor families have equal access to rent-controlled units. Philippines Rent Control Act of 2005 Provides rent control for properties with monthly rent not exceeding PHP10,000 in cities and PHP7,500 in other areas. Rent control maybe necessary to prevent economic eviction and abuses on payment of key monies.

Some lawmakers are encouraging people to avail the PAG-IBIG Housing loans in which they their rates are at 11.5% interest p.a. compared to their previous offer of 18% interest per annum a few years ago in order to acquire their dream house and residential condominiums.

Copyright 2008-2009 - PinoyMoneyVantage

The Homefront

We are almost plunging into a new global recession if the problems plaguing the U.S. economy from the financial crisis griping the movement of this once economic power of the world is not averted even with the rescue package given by the federal government a few weeks ago. The U.S. economy is losing ground the other time with Dow Jones and NASDAQ losing points on trading day. Investors are pulling away their investments in stocks, banks and other financial instruments after the public have lost their confidence with these companies. Greed became the main ingredient of this chaotic times with majority of companies profit raking effort have turned against them which started at first with the subprime crisis on real estate on which the credit crunch.

Germany and Japan had already put on the "We are now on recession banner" and have stepped plans to curb the lay-offs where most of those affected are the manufacturing industry especially the automobile makers from Daimler Benz, Opel, Nissan, Mitsubishi and others. Iceland on the hand is the first nation to file bankruptcy with it government piling up debts even if they are the most ecologically friendly nation in using renewable energy like geothermal plants and others.

A few weeks ago, I was reading this article published in the Philippine Stock Exchange website. "RP Stocks among least affected in Asia". It was a good news indeed that we survive a bit from being banged up a few weeks ago. But I still feel at lost with the trading of stocks I have in my investment account. My shares of investments lost ground. Mutual funds are not doing that well

Financial and banking institutions in the Philippines have learned their lessons on 1997 Asian Financial crisis. I was much happy with Jaime Zobel de Ayala's comment that the Philippines can weather the global financial crisis by tapping our local or domestic markets in opening credits for the local folks to borrow. It was a positive news to see that Filipinos are interested in putting up their own businesses amidsts the global turmoil on one segment of TV Patrol last night. I am happy that these people are resilient enough to be in the road less travelled.

I am hopeful that the Eye of the storm will pass away.

Copyright 2008-2009 - PinoyMoneyVantage

Ayala Land wins Euromoney’s Real Estate tilt

Ayala Land has once again proved its mettle among the best property developers in the country as it bagged the “Best Overall Developer in the Philippines” award, among other category awards from the esteemed 2008 Liquid Real Estate Awards powered by Euromoney. The latter is a trusted resource on global financial markets and the award is the outcome of a survey conducted among financial institutions and real estate investors by its niche publication Liquid Real Estate.

Liquid Real Estate, known as the “voice of the real estate industry” around the world, capitalized on their access to various property markets in order to sieve the best and brightest among industry players.

This year, Ayala Land was vested with the following recognition:

Best Residential Developer in the Philippines

Best Retail/Shopping Developer in the Philippines

Best Office/Business Developer in the Philippines

Best Industrial/Warehouse Developer in the Philippines

Best Leisure/Hotel Developer in the Philippines

Best Mixed-Use Developer in the Philippines

Best Property Manager in the Philippines

In an email to Ayala Land, Euromoney’s head of Middle East and Asia, William Powell, expressed his congratulations to the company for winning the award, revealing that, “competition is extremely tough for these awards and therefore poll winners richly deserve the accolade.”

A global awards dinner was set in London last October 2, 2008.

Copyright 2008-2009 - PinoyMoneyVantage

The American Financial Meltdown, What's next? Part 2

Finally, the financial crisis is not yet over even if the U.S. Senate and Congress passed the bill and sign by President George W. Bush and released the needed US$700 billion dollars in rehabilitating the economy and bailing out these companies.

In Europe, it seem they are taking the beating from the ripple effect of the U.S. financial crisis had spread worldwide affecting all of us and it is beating the hell out of Europe. Germany and France are taking it serious effort in controlling the effect of the financial crisis. France's BNP Paribas and Germany's Hypo Real Estate are hit hard and being bought by other major companies which were not stricken and have more capital to acquire ailing companies. European Union is preparing itself for anything worst possible scenario by setting a bail-out fund as well to its ailing banks.

Who's next? Asia? The questions are, Are we prepared to fend for ourselves without the need of intervention from America who is also helpless and would take years to recover. Asia just got off from the claws of the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis wherein it took us 3 to 5 years to recover. As some of economists say, Asian countries won't be affected because the credit is not yet fully developed plus before borrowing money you still need collaterals just in case you cannot pay as what our Philippine banks are doing. Yesterday, President Gloria Arroyo disclosed that the country needs to brace itself for the uncertainties up ahead. Our local exporting companies have already incurred losses since 2007 during the subprime crisis due to the slowdown of demand of imported products from their country with expected 1% percent (250,000 people) jobs loss from our country as what one of the economic adviser of President Arroyo disclosed.

Without credit, the economy won't grow. It cannot obtain the growing needs of small and larger business to expand. There will be job losses and downsizing from most of the companies in the U.S. American Companies with international bases abroad would likewise relocate or outsource their existing companies in our country to the rapidly growing economies such as mainland China and India.


Meanwhile Philam Group of Companies, an AIG company is being likely to be sold to other companies who are interested in acquiring this great company which has been included as a forerunner in insurances banking and other financial and investment services in the Philippines. Yuchengco Group of Companies is very vocal about the issue while Ayala Corporation, San Miguel Corporation, SM Group of Companies, First Pacific Corporation are still mum but are interested in expanding their business into into insurance and other financial services and investments. AIG is still struggling to sell of its international assets in order to raise funds to pay of the loans from the U.S. government.

Will the Philippine government step up to the threat and have countermeasures on this issue. As the government would say, Yes. "we have plans for countermeasures on the effects of the financial crisis in America" but still the support of the majority of public would be needed and appreciated in facing this growing crisis.



Copyright 2008-2009 - PinoyMoneyVantage