My Everyday Affair

PNP - HPG MOTOR VEHICLE CLEARANCE OFFICE - NEW LOCATION

2011-08-01T18:27:00.000-07:00

PNP - HPG MOTOR VEHICLE CLEARANCE OFFICE - NEW LOCATION

for your information MVCO in camp crame is now located near the HPG impounding area, HPG headquarter and camp crame central gasoline station.

the clearance fee is Php 300 which you will pay in Landbank located in FED office building, releasing time of the certificate is 3 days. the HPG vehicle clearance certificate issued at Camp Crame can be use in any LTO district office throught out the philippines, but the one you will secure from HPG provincial or regional office can ONLY be use in that particular area of jurisdiction.

since i will have one of my scoot to have change of ownership and change of color at the same time, i ask the police officer if my scoot has three (3) color what will be the color i will declare in the affidavit, his answer just to make sure you can declare it MULTI color. so in my affidavit i stated multi color (blue-red-orange)

the fee for change of color is Php 100, so if you will secure the HPG clearance both for change of ownership and change of color it will be total of Php 400.

for change of ownership the validity period is seven (7) working days, for change of color it is fifteen (15) working days from the date of issuance.

REQUIREMENTS:

for change of ownership

original and xerox copy of C.R.
original and xerox copy of O.R.
xerox copy of the deed of sale
xerox copy of seller I.D.'s
xerox copy of vendor and vendee community tax certificate (if available only as supporting document)
FEE: Php300

for change of color

original and xerox copy of C.R.
original and xerox copy of O.R.
xerox copy of Affidavit of Change color
xerox copy of owner community tax certificate (supporting only)
FEE: Php 100

the motor vehicle will be subject to MACRO ETCHING.

after 3 days the motor vehicle clearance certificate and macro etching certificate will be release. also to show gratitude you can give "pang merienda" whatever amount you wish to give for those who perform the stenciling job....

How makeup can make one look young

2010-07-22T17:43:00.000-07:00

THE WEATHERMEN may warn of rain but our forecast for July is flawless, with a little help, of course. For rainy day makeup essentials, I put together a panel of three makeup artists from Manila’s favorite brands to teach us how to brighten up during this gloomy month.

“For July, flawless and warm skin is in. Choose lightweight foundation that will even out your skin tone such as Brightening Powder Compact Foundation SPF25 to minimize the appearance of uneven skin tone and reflect light for a flattering glow. Use a bronzing powder or Shimmer Brick in Bronze to get that sun-kissed look all year round.

“This season’s looks created by Bobbi Brown are timeless. Always start with clean, moisturized skin. For the Oscar de la Renta Bridal 2011 show, Bobbi Brown created a natural soft matte finish for the foundation. This can be achieved by using Natural Finish Long-Lasting Foundation SPF15. Add color to the cheeks by using a warmer tone of blush such as Desert Rose or Tawny. Use Pink Buff Creamy Lip Color. Use soft-color eye shadow with high shimmer like Champagne Quartz Metallic Eye Shadow. For the lash line, use Sepia Ink Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner for a softer look versus Black Ink and brush on two coats of volumizing mascara such as Extreme Party Mascara.

—Bea Marcelo, senior artist for Bobbi Brown

“Matte foundation finish is very much in vogue, and this particularly suits the Filipina beauty as it makes her look always fresh in consistently warm and humid weather.

Bright bold colors for the lips like hot pink and coral orange still dominate the print ads and runways. Maybelline New York has a new lipstick collection called Color Sensational that includes a range of bright and bold colors like Angel Rose, Bon Bon Pink and Soft Azalea. For flimsy lashes, use Volume Express Magnum that promises nine times volume for a false-lash effect. For dramatic eyes, try Maybelline New York’s Eye Studio Lasting Drama Gel Liner or Impact Express Felt-Tip Liner.”

—Archibald Tolentino, chief makeup artist of Maybelline New York and president and founding chairman, The Make-Up Forum

“After getting that beautiful tan, skin is the ultimate accessory. It should be pale palette with moonlight glow—a new skin texture that’s not overly matte.

“MAC’s Prep+Prime products and Lightful skin-care range will altogether make the skin bright and radiant. Its primary ingredient—Vitamin C— helps prevent skin discoloration. Makeup will look best on skin prepped with Fortified Skin Enhancer SPF35/PA+++. It gives texture, adjusts skin tone and protects skin from harmful sunrays. Create the “no makeup” look with the Prep+Prime Transparent Finishing Powder. This will set your makeup without making it look too powdery and cakey.

—Owen Sarmiento, makeup artist for MAC

Knowing how to put makeup on helps hide one’s age. But to permanently shave off years from your face, good hygiene and healthy lifestyle should be a routine.

Tips

If you want to look at least 10 years younger, keep your teeth clean and in good shape. Gray or yellow teeth can age one’s face as much as wrinkles do.

Drinking coffee and smoking not only stain your teeth, but also have adverse effects on one’s youthful appearance. Smoking creates wrinkles, especially around the mouth. It also depletes the body of vitamins and minerals it needs to function properly. Coffee is said to contribute to weight gain
.

Stained teeth, wrinkles, polluted body and weight gain can make you look older. So, kick these bad habits.

You can also look younger by dressing in the newest fashion. Keep a modern haircut and abreast of what’s happening in the world. Looking younger is not only physical, but it’s mental, too.

Try: Changing your diet. It will help a lot. You don’t need to change your entire diet, just add a daily dose of greens. Better yet, just drink it. RAWlicious’ at the Legaspi Sunday market in Makati serves super green smoothies. These are health drinks that use organic green leafy vegetables and natural fruit. Their drinks are a brilliant mix of nutrition and flavor that have no artificial sweeteners and preservatives.

Try their Hella Green Smoothie, Joe’s Green Mind and Green Monster Xavier.

E-mail rawliciousplanet@ yahoo.com; visit www.rawlicious planet.com; social networks— Multiply and Facebook.

How to Become a Money Magnet

2010-07-08T22:20:00.000-07:00

John Calub’s “How to become a Money Magnet Comprehensive Seminar” has been highly recommended by my friends, which is why I am also inviting all of you out there to grab this opportunity to attend.

My friend attended the same seminar last June 19, 2010 and was all praises for it. One thing he mentioned about this seminar is it can really help raise one’s “Wealth Thermostat”. If you are one of those who find it hard to believe that you are capable of becoming wealthy, then your “Wealth Thermostat” might be set to “low”. This seminar aims to change that.

More details about the seminar and how to register can be seen in the e-mail invitation below.

———- Forwarded message ———-
From: John Calub
Date: Thu, Jul 8, 2010 at 2:12 PM
Subject: LAST FEW SEATS! July 10 at the SMX Convention Center

how to become a money magnet by john calub

You, your family and friends are invited to attend:
How to Become a Money Magnet Comprehensive Seminar
WHAT YOU’LL DISCOVER:

* The ultimate secret to wealth creation
* How to have a multi-millionaire mindset
* How to manage and grow your money

DATE: July 10, 2010 (Saturday)

TIME: 8 AM TO 6 PM

VENUE: SMX Convention Center, MALL OF ASIA

TICKET PRICE: was P8,000 now FREE
Only P250.00* only to cover workshop materials and processing. Payments accepted via GCASH, BPI 24/7 Banking, BDO or via TicketNet.

*Inclusive of workbook, pen and certificate of completion
*Meals not included

TO REGISTER: 1. Call 748-7646 / 382-9997 / 744-2925 (Look for Charm or Belle) 2. Text 0905-2245908 If our lines our busy, call again.
Download the Registration Form here.
http://www.moneymagnetseminar.com

Forward this to your loved ones, family and friends or anyone you think may benefit from this program.

I’ve seen John give seminars and I can’t help but say he reminds me of T. Harv Eker, not that I have already attended any of Harv’s seminars, I was once able to listen to an audio recording of Harv’s “Millionaire Mind Intensive Program“.

John’s seminar promises to be a great way to “Sharpen the saw”, which is something we all need right?!

My wife and I have already registered, along with most of my teammates from the RYP team. As I write this post, about 20 slots are still available. If you want to attend, better act fast and register now, before the last few remaining seats are gone!

I hope to see you there!

To our financial Success,

Cecille Dignadice

Sleep Better For More Energy

2010-07-07T20:18:00.000-07:00

By David Zinczenko with Matt Goulding, Men's Health
Thu, Apr 22, 2010

Forget what your mom told you: A glass of warm milk before bed might actually keep you up, rather than lull you to sleep. See, the protein in the milk will boost alertness — and unless it's skim, the fat will slow your digestion, making your rest more fitful. Not exactly the best shut-eye remedy. (Sorry, Mom.)

Nothing makes it harder to fall asleep than knowing how important it is to fall asleep. So when the pressure's on, try chowing down on one of these snacks before bedtime to ensure some serious shut-eye; they're all hand-picked and approved by the Eat This, Not That! nutrition team. These eight sleep-better foods and drinks have been shown to induce feel-good relaxation chemicals, calming your nerves and slowing your racing brain. You can thank us... tomorrow morning-after a long, restful night.

A good night's rest will make you feel and look younger. For more ways to make your body leaner, stronger, and fitter for life, try this best body plan.

Nonfat Popcorn
Pop a bag half an hour before bedtime: The carbs will induce your body to create serotonin, a neurochemical that makes you feel relaxed. Skip the butterfat so you don't slow the process of boosting those feel-good chemicals or, as mentioned above, digestion in general.

Oatmeal with Sliced Banana
Sleep is inspired by the hormone melatonin, but stress or excitement can disrupt melatonin's release. Bring your brain back down to earth by whipping up a bowl of instant oatmeal and topping it with a sliced banana, which is rich in melatonin.

1 Cup of Plain Yogurt with 2 Tablespoons of Mixed Nuts
Scientists in Slovakia gave people either 3 grams each of two amino acids (lysine and arginine) or a placebo and asked them to deliver a speech. Blood measurements of stress hormones revealed that the amino acid-fortified speakers were half as anxious during and after the speech as those who took the placebo. Yogurt is one of the best food sources of lysine; nuts pack tons of arginine. Because both contain alertness-inducing protein, you're better off eating this combo a few hours before bed (or even at midday, before a big, stressful presentation at work). It'll reduce the residual stress you feel later in the evening, meaning you won't replay your day over and over again in your head as you try to fall asleep.

A Pile of Sesame Seeds
Sesame seeds are one of the best natural sources of tryptophan, the sleep-inducing amino acid responsible for all of those post-Thanksgiving turkey comas. Hold off on the turkey sammies, though — the protein in the turkey might offset the tryptophan's benefit. Bust more sleep myths and learn expert advice on how to sleep restfully every night.

A Handful of Pretzels
Pretzels are a source of carbohydrates, which make you feel sleepy, but since they're also low in calories and fat, they won't pack on the pounds or give you belly-aching indigestion.

A 4-ounce Glass of Unsweetened Cherry Juice
Cherry juice has serotonin-inducing carbohydrates, which will help relax you. Down the cherry juice an hour before bedtime in case you feel a small jolt of energy from the sugar. There's not enough to keep you up all night or to destabilize your blood-sugar levels.

Red Bell Peppers
Researchers at the University of Alabama fed rats 200 milligrams of vitamin C twice a day and found that it nearly stopped the secretion of cortisol, a hormone released in your body when you're stressed. Calorie for calorie, red bell peppers give you more vitamin C than any other vegetable or fruit. You can protect your heart and prevent diseases, from cancer to Alzheimer's, by eating certain foods. Check out these 15 stealth health foods that work to keep you slim and healthy for life.

A Step By Step Guide To Starting A Business

2010-07-02T19:44:00.000-07:00

Are you planning to start a business? These step by step guide could guide you.
Step 1:
Are You Ready To Be An Entrepreneur?
What’s the first thing you need to have before starting a business?
Is it the money to invest? Or is it a profitable business idea? A great product perhaps?
The short answer is NO.
If it is not the capital nor a sound business plan nor a useful invention, then what is it that you need to have first if you want to start your own business? The answer is an entrepreneurial spirit.
Preparing yourself mentally for this new chapter in your life is one of the most crucial tasks that you need to accomplish. Many business starters fail at their endeavors not because they failed to properly seize opportunities, but simply because they failed to shift their philosophies and beliefs and still carried the mindset of an employee.
If you think you’re ready to become an entrepreneur, then check yourself against the following questions and see if you are truly ready to be rich:
• Am I ready to take calculated risks, experiment, make mistakes and learn new things?
• Do I accept full accountability for everything that has happened and will happen in my life?
• Am I ready to work hard and finish everything that I set out to do?
• Do I keep my promises and value my word?
• Am I systematic and try to keep things in proper order?
• Do I believe that great wealth takes time to build and does not come instantly?
• Am I optimistic about life and always seek out the best in people?
• Do I have the skills to find a problem and turn it into opportunities?
• Am I willing to stop complaining about the problems of the world and start to become an active part of the solution?
• Do I know the true value of financial freedom in my life?
Entrepreneurs are made, never born. They are creative, innovative, systematic and efficient problem solvers. Money naturally follow them because they do not actively seek it; they would rather focus their time in finding solutions and opportunities to share with others. They value discipline, perseverance and hard work while keeping a healthy perspective on life. Lastly, they understand that wealth creation is a steadfast progression of learning and giving service to the world.

Step 2:
Come Up With Your Business Idea
What’s a good business to put up today?
I’ve been asked this question so many times and I have always answered the same way, “It all depends on what you are passionate about and what you believe you can do.”
After that, I would often see disappointed faces who were expecting a more concrete answer from me.
I couldn’t blame them, their entrepreneurial spirit is still young. It needs nurturing so that it can grow to its full potential.
“Are you really sure you want to put up a business? We can talk more and I’ll help you discover the right business for you,” I’d immediately follow and their disappointment soon turns into excitement.
If you are hoping to start your own business, then be sure that you are prepared to start and see the venture through the end. Building a business is not a leisure walk in the park. Yes, it is exciting and inspiring but it will require discipline and commitment to succeed. So before starting anything, make time for some reflection and think things through.
Are you ready to be an entrepreneur? If your answer is yes, then your next step is to look for that winning business idea.
Introspect
Do you have any special talents? What are your hobbies? What are you passionate about? Sometimes, we don’t have to look far to discover the right business for us. Evaluate your skills and interests and see if there’s a way to make money from it.
Many successful restaurants, such as Cafe Ysabel, were started by chefs or by people who simply loved cooking. Do you like meeting people and attending parties? Then start a PR firm or an events management company. I know someone who put up a coffee shop because he likes having good conversations over a cup of cappuccino. He now enjoys doing that with his regular customers.
Furthermore, you can also consider the technical skills and trainings which you have learned from your job as inspiration. Are you a customer service representative? Then start an employment recruitment agency and be a headhunter for call center agencies. A local gym in my area is owned by someone who used to work for an international fitness company as a personal trainer.
Think of what you love to do and start from there. Entering a business which you are passionate about ensures that you will have the enthusiasm and determination to make it work.
Investigate
Setting ourselves to an idea hunt will make us more susceptible to concepts with strong earning potential. Take on an investigative mind and identify current market trends and fads which you can adopt into a business.
Read the newspaper and buy a few magazines about entrepreneurship to get an update on profitable industries to invest in. Try to learn what’s currently in demand in other cities or other countries and see if you can bring that business to your local market. I advise that you investigate in your own niche and industry first so that you can likewise set up for possible innovations.
Stylish underwear was not something that Filipinos seriously thought about in the early 1990′s. Although back then, Calvin Klein is already making it’s mark as the leading brand for men’s undergarment fashion. This trend slowly caught up in the Philippines but only the upper class could afford such expensive brands.
Local clothing company, Bench saw this opportunity and created their own underwear line and marketed it to the middle class. Young urban professionals took the product and this became another landmark in the business success of that company.
Imitate
Joining a business bandwagon is not a bad idea either. Study the market and look for products and services experiencing sudden but sustained increase in demand. Pinoys witnessed the rapid popularity of Zagu and Siomai House during the turn of the recent century. Not long after, numerous pearl shake stores came out left and right and tried to earn profits from the consumers’ unquenchable thirst for this beverage trend.
If you decide to venture into this type of business opportunity, be sure to act fast so as to maximize your income. More importantly, draft the future action plans of your business so that you won’t be left with losses when the fad runs out of fuel.
Aside from trends, you could also invest in established niches and industries with a track record of profitability. The food business is one of the best examples because it caters to a basic human need. This is the reason why lechon manok or roasted chicken stores continually flourish in the country. It’s general appeal has been inculcated in the Filipino food culture and remains as one of the most appetizing cuisines at the dinner table.
Venturing into this type of business can be difficult because you will be competing with more established companies with an ingrained customer loyalty. One way to solve this problem is to consider acquiring a franchise of these businesses and laying your foundation in an area not yet reached or fully penetrated by the brand.
Innovate
I was inclined to say Invent as the last way to find a good business idea but I changed my mind and settled with Innovate. While it is true that pioneering minds led to the formation of many great companies such as Ford, GE and IBM, I believe that we have surpassed the period of invention and is now living in an era of innovation.
Most, if not all, of the products and services that come out nowadays are improvements of the original version or an integration of several old concepts. Fostering an innovative mind starts with opening your eyes to what’s around us and allowing ourselves to think different.
Look in your periphery and search for things that you can remodel or reinvent. Start by being critical to the products and services which you frequently avail and ask yourself, “If given a chance to innovate, what would I do to improve and add more value to this?”
My favorite example to this technique is Ice Monster. Their slogan claims that it’s a new way of eating ice – and if you look at their products, the concept is really nothing new. The Snow Cone was invented in 1920 and it became a big hit. Ice Monster just innovated on the idea and instead of the brightly colored sugary syrup, they used real fruits to top their finely shaved ice.
So what’s a good business to put up today?
The best answer lies in integrating the basic principles discussed in this article.
Introspect or find your passion, then investigate and look around for ideas and opportunities that goes in line with your interests. Consider the needs of the people; an entrepreneur is a problem solver. Create a business that will fulfill a desire.
Once you have decided on your niche, study and learn from similar businesses and see if you can imitate their success. Lastly, remember to offer something new to your target market by innovating, offering fresh ideas and giving value-added experiences to your consumers.
Step 3:
Evaluate The Profitability of Your Business Idea
You finally have that winning business idea. You feel excited and anxious to start your business.
But don’t be in such a hurry, that great business idea you think that you have may not be so great after all.
So how do you know if you’re holding a goldmine or a land mine that will just blow your money away?
Here’s five steps to ensure that you’re not leading yourself to a trap:
Is the business compatible with you?
Seriously evaluate your business idea if it’s something worth pursuing on your part. Get past the excitement and begin to objectively enumerate the reasons why you think that this idea will work for you. More important than the feasibility of the idea is your compatibility with the business. Consider your industry experience, your interests, your lifestyle and your resources – do these complement your intended field of business?
Put yourself in the shoes of the consumer
A business must genuinely give value to its consumers so it will continue to grow and profit. Pretend that you’re one of the potential customers of the business. Do you imagine yourself buying your own product or availing your own services? Belief to one’s own claim and offer is a basic requirement for all entrepreneurs. If you don’t believe in your own product, what makes you think others will?
Find a mentor and share your thoughts
Whether it’s your first time to put up a business or not, I always advise to find someone with a good entrepreneurial track record and ask for advise. Talk with people you trust and respect. Relate to them your business idea and explain your objectives and your plans. Sharing your thoughts will give you more perspective on your business idea and lead you to some points that you might have failed to consider.
Talk to your potential customers
Share your idea to some potential customers and ask for their opinion. Ask for an honest evaluation if the business idea will work or not. If not, what can they suggest to improve the product or the service to make the idea profitable. Remember to consider these constructive criticisms when you decide to pursue this endeavor. But don’t be afraid to junk your idea if there’s really a resounding disagreement from your target market.
Write your business plan
After doing everything and you still really believe that you have a winning business idea in your hand, then it’s time to write your business plan. Having one enables you to see the whole picture – the business set-up requirements, the capital you need, the product specifications, market competitions, operations and management teams and financial projections. In short, you’re now ready to get your hands dirty and do some hard work to start your own business.
Step 4:
Do Market Research
If you’re planning to put up, expand or improve your business, then you need a good market analysis to guide your actions and decisions. Conducting market research allows you to learn about the feasibility of your business and the marketability of your product or service. It will give you a comprehensive understanding of your target market which in return, can help you position your business in the correct niche.
As previously discussed in Market Research 101, there are mainly two types of data: quantitative and qualitative. Furthermore, we have identified three areas of primary consideration when doing research, these are customers, competition and environment. As you prepare your tools to gather and consolidate your findings, you must also qualify them according to their sources — primary and secondary.
Primary information are data which you gathered directly from the three areas mentioned. An example would be findings from customer surveys and focus group discussions or feedback from mystery shoppers which you hired to check the competition. Secondary information, however, are data which came from research done by other institutions or marketing firms. Although primary information gives you a more accurate view of your market, secondary information are usually readily available and can easily be gathered at no or low cost.
So how do you conduct your own market research for your business?
The first step is always to define your objectives why you want to conduct a market study. Once you know your research objectives, then you can easily design and layout your plan of action. Below are just a few of the things you can do to be able to conduct your own market research and find out if the business you’re planning to put up will be feasible or not.
How To Get Primary Information
1. Design a brief questionnaire that asks the most essential information for your study and survey suppliers and potential customers. Brave enough? Get a local telephone directory and call random households. Make sure that you’re courteous and don’t take it personally if they react negatively to your requests.
2. Organize a focus group discussion of your target market and encourage them to give their thoughts and expectations from your business. It’s usually best to start with the people you know and eventually encourage them to refer others that have the time to participate in the next FGD schedule.
3. Employ mystery shoppers and ask them to check out your competition. Feel free to do this yourself if you’re on a tight budget. I remember Mr. Tony Tan Caktiong, founder of Jollibee Foods Corp., sharing at a speech that they used to count the garbage bags of competitors to estimate their sales and found that it was pretty accurate.
4. Give out samples of your products to your target market and ask for honest feedback. If you can, conduct product sampling in a commercial establishment, just be sure to ask permission from the mall administrator before you set up your booth.
5. Observe the foot traffic and the demographics of planned business locations. This will give you a good estimate on how much walk-in clients your establishment can potentially have. Try to study on different days and times to make your data more comprehensive.
Where To Get Secondary Information
1. The internet is a vast source of information you can use to learn about business trends. You could start looking in community forums and perhaps join in the discussions. For Pinoys, you can check out the business boards of PinoyMoneyTalk, Entrepreneur and PinoyExchange.
2. Syndicated reports are available from research firm websites such as ACNielsen. Sometimes available for a fee, these information will provide you with comprehensive industry performance reports and market volumes.
3. Government agencies have public libraries which you can visit to do background research on businesses and industries. Their websites can likewise provide valuable information on overviews and statistics for various economic sectors. In the Philippines, you can visit the office of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to get leads or perhaps visit the Philippine government portal at www.gov.ph to get data from the National Statistics Office (NSO), National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) and many others.
4. Academic papers done by undergraduate and graduate students are usually available in college and university libraries. Check your alma mater if you can acquire special privileges to access them.
5. Publicly listed companies release annual reports and financial statements which you can use to study industry perfomance and operations. In the Philippines, these reports are available at the office of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
6. Lastly, you can read books, magazines and other publications to get information. Look for special industry reports and articles as well as current business trends.

Step 5:
Design Your Business Model
A Simple Guide To Choosing The Right Business Model
An integral part of starting a business or launching a new product to the market is determining the business model best suited for your enterprise. This will make up your basic framework on how you will create and provide value to your consumers and consequently, generate revenue. Numerous companies have found success and profits by simply developing unique and creative business models.
Currently, there are many existing business models that one can study and adapt. Each industry would usually have its own prevailing business model. By simply scanning your environment, doing research on your target market and studying your internal resources, one can easily find the best business infrastructure that would ensure optimum cashflow.
Before we discuss how to come up with the right business model, let us first look at the most basic and probably the oldest business model, the shop keeper. This is the framework commonly utilized by small businesses such as the sari-sari store or your neighborhood barber shop. Under this framework, one simply needs to find a suitable location, put up the store, display the products and wait for customers to come. Transactions and payments are made directly and immediately without the necessity to provide additional support after the sale is made.
If all businesses were run like this, then you could imagine how hard it would be to market big products and more complicated services. This is the reason why over the years, business models have been created to provide more sophisticated means to generate revenue for the company. There is no definitive list of business models that one can choose from although there are those which have been proven both efficient and profitable. Some of these are the subscription model, the bait and hook, the auction business model, multi-level marketing and the premium service business model.
What is a business model and how do we create one for our business?
Basically, a business model is a simplified description of how a company will run with respect to maximizing revenue. It can pertain to the core operation of the business or just a part of the enterprise such as specific product or service offerings. In general, conceptualization of a business model is done by synthesizing nine different aspects of the business and analyzing these data to come up with best framework that will provide optimum profits. By seriously considering these building blocks and focusing to enhance one or two aspects, a business can come up with an effective infrastructure to find success.
The Nine Building Blocks of Creating A Business Model
1. Value Proposition – what are you offering to your customers?
2. Customer Segment – to whom specifically are you offering your product or service?
3. Distribution Channel – how are you planning to reach your customers?
4. Customer Relationship – how does your target market perceive your company or product?
5. Core Capacities – how well can you execute various business models?
6. Value Configuration – is the business model beneficial to both the business and the customers?
7. Partner Network – how can your business alliances contribute to the framework?
8. Revenue Streams – how will the business model create profit?
9. Cost Structure – how much will it cost for you to execute the business model?
Success Stories In Business Modeling and Innovation
Designing an effective framework often leads to various innovations that propels businesses to excel in their fields. Moreover, coming up with such systems help provide effective strategies to reach your target consumers. Below are examples of how business modeling and innovation worked for some companies:
• Cebu Pacific Air’s low-cost airline fares whose value configuration was designed to target non-travelers in the country
• Gillette innovated on the bait and hook business model by selling their razors for an extremely low price in order to generate income from repeat sales of their blades
• Forever Living products found success in using multi-level marketing as a distribution channel
• Intel thrived on partnerships within its business network to market their processing platform
• Google tapped an innovative revenue stream by linking highly specific search results and content with text and image advertisements
Personal Case Study: Water Refilling Station
Let us try to see what we’ve learned by studying one of the most common businesses we see locally, the water refilling station. Over the years, this enterprise had increased in numbers around the metro, causing competition levels to soar. If you’re planning to put up your own, it may help to consider various business models that can give you an edge in the market. Traditionally, the revenue model of this business has been the shop keeper model.
I was fortunate to talk to one of the water refilling station owners in our village and asked him how his business was able to survive through the years amidst growing competition and market saturation. Here are some of the things I’ve learned and how these strategies relate to the nine building blocks of business modeling:
• He targeted not just the local residents but also tapped nearby food establishments, proposing consignment orders and bulk discount rates (Customer Segment and Partner Network)
• He gave away free water dispensers to households in exchange for one year weekly water delivery subscription. (Customer Relationship and Value Configuration)
• He also sells cheap ice cold water as retail to tricycle drivers (Distribution Channel and Revenue Streams)
If you have an existing business or planning to start one soon, then I suggest that you seriously consider innovating on various business models. Doing so can really help you make your venture a success.
Step 6:
Define The Mission, Vision and Values of Your Business
Mission, Vision and Values: Defining The Purpose Of Your Business
You’d probably notice that in most corporate offices, mission and vision statements along with the company’s list of core values are beautifully framed and displayed on the walls. Why do you think so? Well, the reason for this is not only to inspire but more importantly, to guide and remind the organization of its purpose, direction and philosophy.
If you’re thinking of starting your own business, even if it’s just a small one, creating and defining your mission, vision and values is important. On a personal level, it will motivate you to succeed. Your employees, upon realizing that they are part of a noble cause, will be more inspired to work. And investors, specially if they see merit in your corporate mission, will be willing to help you achieve your aspirations.
MISSION STATEMENT
This gives the reason why you’re putting up the business. When setting your mission statement, give your business its sense of purpose. More than making money, it must define a noble cause such as providing quality service and making lives better. Take it even further by writing down how you plan to deliver this purpose. A mission statement moves the mind into action.
VISION STATEMENT
This is the goal of your business. When creating a vision statement, don’t censor your thoughts and allow yourself to dream big. This is what you desire for your business. This is what you want it to become in the future. A vision statement excites the imagination and gives you a surge of energy to work and make it a reality.
VALUES STATEMENT
These are the guiding principles of your business. When defining your core values, try to imagine how you would want others to describe the company and its people – passionate, committed and honest are examples that you can choose. A values statement summarizes the virtues that the organization must inculcate to carry out its mission.
To give you an example of how these are done, I’d like to share to you the mission, vision and values of one of the most successful companies in the world, The Coca Cola Company.
Everything we do is inspired by our enduring Mission:
• To Refresh the World… in body, mind, and spirit.
• To Inspire Moments of Optimism… through our brands and our actions.
• To Create Value and Make a Difference… everywhere we engage.
To achieve sustainable growth, we have established a Vision with clear goals:
• People: Being a great place to work where people are inspired to be the best they can be.
• Planet: Being a responsible global citizen that makes a difference.
• Portfolio: Bringing to the world a portfolio of beverage brands that anticipate and satisfy peoples’ desires and needs.
• Partners: Nurturing a winning network of partners and building mutual loyalty.
• Profit: Maximizing return to shareowners while being mindful of our overall responsibilities.
We are guided by shared Values that we will live by as a company and as individuals:
• Leadership: “The courage to shape a better future”
• Passion: “Committed in heart and mind”
• Integrity: “Be real”
• Accountability: “If it is to be, it’s up to me”
• Collaboration: “Leverage collective genius”
• Innovation: “Seek, imagine, create, delight”
• Quality: “What we do, we do well”
Source: The Coca Cola Company website
Lastly, writing a mission, vision and values statement is not limited to organizations and businesses. It can also be applied to our own selves. What do you believe is your purpose in life? How do you see yourself in the future? And how do you want other people to see you as a person? I believe that by answering these questions, you’ll be able to find ways to enjoy life and make it better.

Step 7:
Choose The Right Business Structure
A Guide To Choosing The Right Business Structure
When you’re starting a business, one of the things you need to decide on is its business structure.
Choosing the right type of business entity is important because it directly affects your tax payments, administrative tasks, business risks and development.
In general, you should go for a business structure that gives you the most protection and the least obligations as possible.
This means ample protection of your rights as the owner of the business, as well security of your personal assets, but without drowning in too much paperwork and legal requirements.
So how do you choose the right business structure?
First, you have to know the different types of business ownership that one can organize. Under the Philippine law, they are:
Single or Sole Proprietorship (S)
A business structure owned by an individual. He or she has full control and authority over all assets of the business. That individual will enjoy all the profits but would also personally owe and must pay all liabilities that the business will incur. A sole proprietorship must apply for a business name and be registered with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
Partnership (P)
A business structure owned by two or more individuals. The owners are called partners and under the Civil Code of the Philippines, this partnership is treated as a juridicial person which has a separate legal personality from that of its members.
Furthermore, this can either be a general partnership (GP) or a limited partnership (LP). A general partnership is where all the partners have unlimited liability for the debts and obligations of the partnership while in a limited partnership, there exists at least one person with unlimited liability while the others have liabilities of only up to the amount of their capital contributions.
In the country, a partnership with more than three thousand pesos (P3,000.00) capital must register with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Corporation (C)
A business structure owned by at least five (5) individuals, usually more. The owners are called shareholders and they all have liabilities limited to the amount of their share capital. Like partnerships, a corporation is treated legally as a personality separate and distinct from that of its shareholders.
A corporation can either be stock or non-stock. A stock corporation has a capital divided into shares which are distributed to the investors, who in turn, receives dividends and allotments of the surplus profits according to the number of shares they hold.
On the other hand, a non-stock corporation is an entity organized for public purposes such as charitable, educational, cultural or similar purposes. It does not issue shares of stock to its members.
Here in the Philippines, corporations are regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Its minimum paid up capital must be five thousand pesos (P5,000.00).
What are the factors you should consider when choosing a business structure? In general, these are:
1. The degree of control you want to have over the business.
o S – full control
o P & C – control is shared with partners and shareholders
2. The degree of formal organization you need.
o S – very simple, least formal
o P – moderately complex, can be quite formal
o C – most complex, very formal
3. The need to protect against liability for business actions.
o S – full liability, there is risk to lose personal assets
o GP – liability is shared with partners, there is risk to lose personal assets
o LP – liability is shared with partners, no risk to personal assets
o C – liability is shared with shareholders, no risk to personal assets
4. The ability to attract investors.
o S – quite hard to attract investors
o P – moderately easy to attact investors
o C – easy to attract and incorporate new investors
5. Legal and tax requirements.
o S – simple and usually straightforward, but pays the most taxes among the three
o P – quite complex, reasonable tax dues
o C – most complex and can be quite tedious, but relatively pays the least amount of taxes
I suggest that you give yourself enough time to study these business structures, specially the legal and tax requirements, before deciding on what to apply for.
However, based from experience, a sole proprietorship offers the best business structure for start-ups. Simply because it is the easiest to process and accomplish, which in return, gives you (and your partners) more time to focus on developing and establishing the business.
If you’re doing this strategy, do make sure that you have an internal agreement that explicitly obliges the assigned proprietor an obligation to share the profits to the partners and shareholders. But more importantly, when the business becomes stable and starts to steadily grow, be sure to migrate to a partnership or a corporation to make everyone a legal owner of the business.
In general, always consider starting with the most simple business structure that is appropriate for your venture. And then adopt more complicated structures only when there is a necessity, such as to answer concerns with authority, control and liabilities or when there is a specific legal or tax advantage.

Step 8:
Write A Business Plan
How To Write A Business Plan: The Essential Parts and A Free Sample Template
To be an entrepreneur, one of the basic things you have to learn is how to write a business plan. This is a very important task which you need to do specially if you’re thinking of putting up a new business.
In a simple sense, a business plan serves as your road map that will guide your business to success.
The Philippine Department of Trade and Industry defines a business plan as a written outline that evaluates all aspects of the economic viability of your business, including a description and analysis of your prospects. Thus, writing a business plan is really an essential step for any prudent entrepreneur to take, regardless of the size of the business.
Having a business plan lowers your financial risk. It happened several times in my life already when I had to forego or delay a particular venture because the business plan showed that my current resources were not enough to make it successful. In a way, I was able to save money, time and energy by being diligent in writing a business plan.
“The most intelligent man (or woman) living cannot succeed in accumulating money–nor in any other undertaking–without plans which are practical and workable” – Napoleon Hill, Think and Grow Rich, page 83
Business plans come in many forms, mostly depending on where it will be used. It can just be a two-page pitch for a venture capitalist or a 20-page feasibility study for yourself and your potential investors. However, regardless of the intended purpose, a business plan usually has these common and essential elements:
Mission, Vision and Values Statements
These define the philosophy and purpose of your business. It states your ultimate goals and describes how you want your business to be regarded by your target market. For guidance regarding this matter, you may refer to my previous article entitled, Mission, Vision and Values: Defining The Purpose Of Your Business.
The Executive Summary
This is a concise summary of the plan’s important points. This section gives a synopsis of your entire business plan and is often intended to give readers a clear idea of what the business is all about. Although placed at the beginning of the document, it is actually written last, after the entire business plan is completed.
Business Description
This section will explain in greater detail what the business is all about. It will also state the rationale behind the business – it’s importance, target market and profitability. This part also describes the business processes involved in running the venture as well as the business model that will be used. It shall also enumerate the equipments that will be utilized, the space requirements and other operating necessities.
The Business Organization
This portion lists the key positions in the business organization, including the different departments, the required number of personnel and the duties and responsibilities of each person involved. You can also provide a profile description of the management team. Write down the necessary leadership skills, personal resources and required background experience of the people that will run the business.
Products and Marketing Plan
This part will discuss the products and services of the business. What are you offering? Who is your target market? How big is your audience? What is the current situation of the industry? Along with your demographics and market analysis, provide the strategies that will be used to influence sales. This means defining your edge and showing how you plan to compete against existing brands.
Financial Strategies
If you’re pitching your business plan to potential investors, then you must make this part as comprehensive as you can. This section describes how the money will flow in and out of your business. Include a breakdown of capitalization expenses, a detailed budget for operating costs, sales and profit projections, a breakeven analysis, the expected duration for return of investment (ROI) and other performance statistics. Your financial strategy must show investors that your business will be profitable; but more importantly, it should provide you with a realistic view of how the business is expected to perform.
The internet is full of resources and useful information on how to write an effective business plan. Some of them will provide you with a more detailed guide on each section and teach you how to design a business plan for specific needs. Nevertheless, I would like to share with you a business plan sample template which you can use. Just click the free tool to download this Microsoft Word file.
FREE TOOL: Business Plan Sample Template

Step 9:
Plan Your Production System

Planning A Business Production System
Production is an integral part of a business, specially for retail ventures. Even if you have a great product, if you cannot meet the demands of your market, then your business will not enjoy optimal profits.
This is why having an efficient business production system is important. It ensures that you’re producing quality goods that can serve your customers’ needs.
Let’s say that you have a dim sum cart food stall inside a mall. At present, you’re just buying ready-to-cook siomai in the grocery. With this setup, your profit margin may be low despite a good volume in sales.
To increase your profits, you decided that you’ll just make your own siomai at home. Hopefully by doing so, you’ll have lower product expenses and have a chance to further increase your profits by venturing into distribution of your home made siomai to other client markets (such as other dimsum food cart sellers).
However, making this transition from “buying and selling” products to “producing your own” products is not as simple as setting up a production system at home. You need to carefully plan and make sure that the production processes you decide upon will meet the demands of the business, as well as your customers.
Here are the things you should consider when planning your business production system:
Human Resource
It may be ideal to just do everything yourself but it’s never good to always do so. Plan the manpower you’ll need. Determine the tasks needed to produce your goods and learn to delegate them into specific roles.
In the case of my example, some of the manpower needed may be – the one who’ll buy the raw ingredients in the market, the one who’ll make the siomai, the one who’ll do the storage and inventory of the products and the one assigned for store deliveries. You may be able to do all these at first. But what happens when the demand goes up or worse, you get sick?
Raw Materials
Since you’re now producing your own goods, there is now a need to find suppliers for your raw materials. You may want to read my previous article on where to find suppliers for your business to help you on this.
So from the supermarket grocery, you’ll now go to direct suppliers of meat and vegetables for your siomai production. At this point, you’ll have to list down all the ingredients of your siomai and determine primary and secondary suppliers for each one. In addition, you may have to also consider plastic suppliers for your packaging, among other things.
Equipment and Machinery
An essential part of any production system is the equipment and machinery. It may be easy to do it manually or with existing equipment at the start, but when the demand significantly increases, you’ll need the help of additional or better machinery to meet the production requirements.
Back to your siomai production, let’s say your current steamer at home allows you to produce 500 pieces a day, which is just enough to supply your food cart business.
Then one day, an office canteen concessionaire decides to get you as a supplier for raw dim sum, requesting that you deliver 1000 pieces every week. Before you celebrate and make a deal, determine first how this will affect your production. You may need to buy a larger or additional steamers (among other equipment) to meet the incoming production demand.
Human resource, raw materials, equipment and machinery – these are just the first few things you need to consider when planning the production system of your business.
So far, we’ve discussed human resource, raw materials, and equipment and machinery. These are our primary considerations when planning for a business production system.
In this second part, we’ll talk about the integration of these “basic ingredients” and learn what makes up an efficient production system.
The last four things we need to consider if we want to produce our own goods are cash flow, time, processes and management. Let’s examine these further:
Cash Flow
Cash is king. Every decision you make for your business must consider how it will affect cash flow. Setting up a production system requires financial investment not only on equipment and machinery but also in space and manpower. Larger ventures should also consider the cost of permits for setting up a production plant. Make sure you can cover everything.
Remember our siomai production? If your kitchen at home is small, then you might need to do some renovations or transform your dining area to accommodate your production. You should also consider the salary of the additional personnel you’ll be hiring.
Time
Time means doing a balancing act between supply and demand. Study the production volume capacity of your setup and determine if it will meet your requirements. Also be careful not to overproduce, specially if your goods are perishable. Moreover, remember that having too much inventory could also affect cash flow.

How many dimsum can you make in a day? Can this meet your daily requirements? Up to how much demand can your planned production setup handle? Where will you store the excess goods? How much inventory can you afford to keep and for how long?
Processes
A production system is made up of processes, from acquiring your raw materials until the delivery of your goods. Make sure that each step is well-documented and carried out without any deviation nor modification. Quality standards should also be in place to make sure that your products remain consistent.
For your siomai production, this means having quality control over your ingredients, a detailed recipe with proper preparation and cooking procedure, instructions for correct handling, packaging and delivery of your finished goods. Likewise, there is a need for a clear definition of the duties and responsibilities of each staff position.
Management
Management is the glue that holds everything together. Most business owners would handle this responsibility but hiring managers should be considered specially for large production systems. In the simple terms, management checks and rechecks everything and ensures that your production is working like a well-oiled machine.
So again, that’s human resource, raw materials, equipment and machinery, cashflow, time, processes and management – the essential factors that make up an efficient business production system.
Looks like a lot of work, right? Yes it is but in most cases, the most difficult part is just setting it up. Once you’re able to make everything run smoothly, there will be less worries and more profits and opportunities for your business.

Step 10:
Determine How Much Startup Capital You Need
How Much Business Startup Capital Do You Really Need?
When you’re planning to start a business, these questions are probably the first things that cross your mind.
How much startup capital do I need? Do I have enough money? Can I afford to put up this business?
If you want to calculate the amount of startup capital needed for your business, you simply have to focus on two areas. The first one is the pre-operation expenses and second, the monthly operational expenses.
Having a reasonable assumption of these financial costs will give you a good estimate on how much startup capital you really need to turn your business idea into a reality.
Let’s now look into these in greater detail:
Pre-Operational Expenses
These are the typical considerations for your pre-operational expenses. It’s important to note that writing a business plan will really help you in coming up with a more accurate estimate of these figures:
• Rent. Most lessors in the Philippines ask for 2 months advance and 2 months deposit.
• Equipment. The cost of the machinery you need for the business such as manufacturing equipment and vehicles.
• Appliances. Office equipment such as computers, fax machines, printers and photocopiers.
• Furnishings. These are the tables, cabinets, chairs and other office furnitures.
• Leasehold Improvements. Remodeling costs for your desired location such as carpentry and plumbing costs.
• Licenses, Permits and Insurance. The fees you need to pay to legalize or register your business. This includes the software licenses for computer applications and insurance fees.
• Subscription fees. Application and installation costs of your telephone line, internet connection and other utility bills.
• Supplies. Initial inventory of consumable items such as paper, pens, cleaning supplies, etc.
• Product Inventory. The cost of buying or manufacturing your initial stock.
• Employee Training. Expenses for the skills acquisition of your staff such as seminars they have to attend or cost of employee manuals.
• Advertising. Expenses you’ll incur in promoting the business such as signages, media coverage and other marketing costs.
• Opening expenses. Costs during the official launching or ribbon cutting ceremony, just in case you plan to hold one.
• Miscellaneous. Always have a little extra for unexpected expenses.
Monthly Operational Expenses
You should not expect to break even on your first month of operation. Businesses take time before they start to earn enough to cover overhead costs. Always include these expenses in your startup capital:
• Lease payments
• Business loan payments
• Costs for replenishment of supplies and other inventory materials
• Advertising and marketing expenses
• Staff salary, including government fees such as taxes and social security payments
• Utility bills
• Depreciation costs and expense budget for repair and maintenance
• Income taxes
• Royalty fees
• Other miscellaneous operating costs relevant to your business
The typical formula is to calculate your pre-operational expenses and add three months worth of your estimated monthly expenses to get your required startup capital. Take note however that depending on the nature of your business, the number of months of operational costs you need to consider could be more than just three. Other businesses may require six months to a year’s worth of monthly expenses as part of their startup costs.
Moreover, avoid starting a business without enough capital and hoping you’ll get more funding as you go along or when the business officially launch. During startup, it’s important to avoid such unnecessary financial stress and focus more on building your business concept and ensuring that it will comply to your vision.
Once you have a pretty good idea of your needed startup capital, you can now put together a plan to acquire the money you need. You may already have the savings to start or you can begin drafting the business proposal you’ll pitch to an investor.
On the other hand, if your estimates show that you’re unlikely to be able to afford such a business, then you can try to down size the concept or simply find another business opportunity that will suit your budget.

Step 11:
Raise The Needed Startup Capital

10 Ways To Raise Capital For Your Business
How do you raise the start-up capital for your business?
This question is probably the biggest problem faced by those who want to become an entrepreneur.
Personally, I’ve heard friends say that if only they had enough capital, they would really quit their jobs and put up their own businesses. Admittedly, I was also burdened by this obstacle years ago when I was still working as an employee.
Through the years and some businesses later, I’ve found out that there are actually many ways to do this. Some are easy and some are not. Some are quite obvious while some takes a little creativity and a bit of due diligence to make it work.
So if you’ve always wished that you had enough funds to start your own business venture, then I hope that these ten ways can help you raise the capital you need to become an entrepreneur.
1. Your Own Savings
The most obvious way to get your start-up capital is to save money. Be frugal, live below your means and pay yourself first. The advantage of this method is that if your business fails, then you owe nothing to anybody and you have no financial burdens to worry about.
However, although this may seem ideal to some, it could take a long time before you finally have enough money saved to start. Recommended for those who are not in a hurry to start a business and those with very low risk tolerance. If you plan to do it this way, then please check out some of the money saving tips I’ve written.
2. Liquidate Assets
Aside from digging into your savings account, you can also sell some of your assets. My father’s friend sold their old family car to put up a small photocopying center. Depending on the amount of capital you need, you could simply look around the house and sell whatever you have such as those tech gadgets, your jewelries and even some of your furniture or appliances.
If you have portfolio investments, you can ask your broker if you can liquidate some of your paper assets or withdraw from your mutual fund or time deposits.
3. Work For Extra Income
We often look for ways to earn extra income only when we are in financial need. What many people don’t realize is that, finding a second job or working on a sideline is a great way to raise capital for your dream business. Assuming that your current employment can cover all your financial requirements, then the profits from your extra ventures can all go straight to your start-up funds.
Going this route can be time consuming and exhausting but it’s relatively faster than just doing the two previous methods. Do check out the different income opportunities.
4. Take Out A Personal Loan
A personal loan is something you can leverage on especially if you are employed. Depending on your credit history and employment status, some banks and almost all credit card companies are willing to offer these types of loan without much hassle and without collateral. Additionally, these salary loans are available in the Philippines through the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) and Social Security System (SSS).
Microfinance institutions can also provide non-collateral personal loans to those who can present to them a sound business plan. You can inquire from Philippine government agencies such as the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Small Business Corp (SBC) and the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) about these micro-financiers.
5. Apply For A Bank Loan
Bank loans are also a viable option to raise capital for your business. Although the interests are much higher than personal loans, the financial strength of banking institutions allows them to provide you with a larger loan amount for your medium scale business ventures. Be ready to give them a good business plan and a collateral for the loan.
Ask your bank if they offer business loans. A brief research shows that some of the SME-friendly banks in the Philippines are Planters Development Bank, Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI), Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) and Land Bank of the Philippines.
There are many ways to raise capital for your business. So far, five methods have been discussed.
The first three were by using your own money in your savings account, by selling some of the things you own or liquidating your assets and the third was by working for extra income. The last two suggestions that was mentioned were through loans, specifically personal loans and business loans.
Here now are five more ways you can raise startup funds for your business.
6. Use Credit Cards
Credit cards can easily be used to gain some business capital. Avail a cash advance or make the necessary purchases for your startup venture. If you always pay your credit card bills in full every month, your credit limit could go as high as P250,000 in a couple of years – which is usually high enough to leverage on and start a business with.
A few reminders if you plan to do this method. First is to remember your cut-off date and do your purchases right after so you’ll have more time to save up. Second is to remember your due date. When you become so busy and engaged with your business, you might forget to pay your bills. And lastly, since you’ll be paying around 3.5% interest per month on your credit balance, it’s essential that your business generates enough income to cover for the payments and these charges. Again, having a thorough business plan plays an important role in this situation.
7. Check Rediscounting
Lenders that offer check rediscounting are not difficult to find. This method requires you to issue post-dated checks in exchange for its amount in cash less the interest. For example, at 5% interest, you’ll receive P19,000 if you issue a check worth P20,000. Rates and length of payment dates vary for different lenders.
Although less advantageous than using credit cards, it is still a good option for short-term business cashflow needs and small business capital requirements. Again, make sure that you’ll be able to generate enough money to clear the check on time. It’s also good practice to have backup plans just in case you don’t earn enough money to cover the check amount. You can prepare frozen assets for selling or ask friends if they could help just in case the worst happens.
8. Borrow Money From Family and Friends
Another good option to raise capital for your business is to borrow money from family and friends. One great advantage of doing this is that most of them are usually willing to lend you money without or very little interest. You can also enjoy more flexibility on your payment terms. Remember though that if you go for this method, you are putting your reputation on the line. So do your best to pay on time and if your business earned more income than expected, give back a little extra as gratitude for their trust.
When talking to them, be straightforward and honest with your intentions. Do it professionally and present to them a business plan. Furthermore, produce a contract stating the agreed terms between you and your friend. Lastly, be clear that you’re merely borrowing money from them and they will not legally own part of the business. Some people might think that just because they lent you money for the startup, they instantly become investors and can actively participate in the business. Occasional help and a few suggestions can be entertained but draw the line and state that executive decisions will solely come from you.
9. Form A Joint Venture
Instead of borrowing money from family and friends, you can also consider making them a real part of the business. It’s very common nowadays for friends to pool their money and resources to put up a business. There are actually ventures that succeed faster through partnerships. Make a team whose strengths and expertise complement each other. For example, one partner can have good accounting skills, while another is proficient in sales and marketing and one is a legal expert.
Unfortunately, many friendships have also been strained when things go wrong or become difficult. It’s important that from the very start, each one understands the amount of work that needs to be done and is willing to go the extra mile to make the business successful. Also, be sure to clearly define the responsibilities, boundaries and jurisdiction of each partner in the business. Lastly, write everything on paper including the options and terms if ever one partner chooses to leave the business.
10. Seek A Venture Capitalist
Venture capitalists are also called angel investors. These are people or companies who are willing to pay for your startup in exchange for part ownership or royalty fees from your business. Guy Kawasaki is an example of such people. One major advantage of doing this is that you could further tap the VC’s extensive network of partners to help enhance your business. However, do remember that most likely, you’ll lose free rein over running your business because certain decisions will need to be consulted to the VC before they can be implemented.
Looking for a venture capitalist can be quite difficult in the Philippines but they do exist. Always have an elevator pitch ready just in case you bump into one. You can also seek them out in online forums and websites such as the Brain Gain Network (BGN) or Philippines Venture Capital Investment Group(PVCIG), where Filipino VC’s and technopreneurs are some of the active members.
That’s it! I hope I was able to help and give you an idea on how you can raise capital for your business. If you know any other method, do share them below as a comment.
Lastly, remember that whichever way you choose among these ten, having a good business plan is always an essential tool. It will help you ensure that your business will be able to pay your creditors on time and more importantly, convince investors to join your venture.
Step 12:
Find The Right Location For Your Business
8 Tips To Finding The Right Location For Your Business
It’s often said that the three most important things to consider when buying a home is location, location, location.
I believe it’s the same when you’re looking for a place to put up your business. Specially for retail stores, restaurants and many other enterprises, finding the right location is a crucial step to ensure immediate profits and initial success.
So how do you find that most suitable place to put up your business? Do you simply look for a commercial area with a lot of people? What role does competition play when choosing your business location?
Here are eight tips that can help you check if that space available for lease that you’re considering is the right one for your business.
1. Study the demographics of the area
There are two things to bear in mind when studying the demographics of a potential location. First is your target market and second is your manpower requirements. Your location should be able to provide you not only with customers but also employees as well.
The second factor is not as important as the first, but employing people from the area will greatly help in your marketing efforts. Do some due diligence and study the communities within and around your prospective location.
2. Determine the sources of foot traffic
Foot traffic or the number of people who pass by the area is important if your business will mostly rely on walk-in customers. You can do a physical count during different times and days to come up with an estimate of the foot traffic.
But in addition, you should also consider the sources and quality of this traffic. Where are they coming from and where are they going to? This will help you determine the mindset of the crowd and check if your business can catch their attention or if they’ll just ignore and pass you by.
3. Evaluate the security and accessibility of the location
There are three groups you should think about when studying the security and accessibility of an area – your employees, your customers and your suppliers.
Some of the questions you should ask yourself are: Is it safe to do your planned business in the area? Is it accessible to you and your employees? Will it be easy for your customers to find you? Is there ample parking for customers who have cars? Are there accessible suppliers in the area?
4. Analyze the competition
Who will be and where are your competitors? How is their business doing? If these establishments are already having a hard time keeping themselves afloat, then putting up a similar business in the locality is close to suicide.
However, if you believe that the business is indeed profitable and you want to penetrate the existing market, then the best place to put your business is as close to your competition as possible. Why? Because by doing so, you are likewise making yourself closer and more available to your target market.
5. Get to know your neighbors
Always consider what businesses are operating near your planned location. These can affect the image of your business and may give wrong impressions to your potential customers.
For example, a laundry shop will probably not do well if it’s located beside a vulcanizing shop because these establishments give conflicting images of cleanliness. However, a coffee shop may be able to drive customers in if it’s located near a video rental shop because both businesses usually have the same target market.

6. Check it against your space, facility and utility requirements
Will the area be enough for your business? It may be tempting to lease out an area because it’s in a good location or because the rent is cheap, but always make sure that it can also satisfy your space requirements and has all the facilities you need.
Additionally, check your utility service providers if the place is within their coverage area. A friend of mine almost rented a place to put up an internet cafe but he canceled his plans when he found out that there is no broadband internet service available for the area.
7. Be aware of the local ordinances and zoning policies
Don’t jeopardize your business by operating illegally. Make sure that your business location will not break any city ordinance or zoning policy. For example, adult entertainment establishments are normally banned from operating within a certain distance from schools.
Furthermore, you should also be aware of other local regulations that could affect your business operations. For example, most homeowners’ associations ask for monthly fees to operate a business inside their subdivision. You should become aware of this and include it in your initial capitalization and list of overhead costs.
8. Consider possible plans for expansion
This may not be an immediate concern, but optimistically thinking about business expansion helps in determining the potential of your desired location. Moving your business to another location is not an easy task. That’s why you have to consider the options available if ever your business would grow and require more space.
If it’s not possible to rent out the adjacent lots or do a reconstruction of the place, then at least go around the area to see if there are bigger and better spaces you can move into when the time comes.
Step 13:
Register Your Business
How To Register Your Business In The Philippines
What are the Philippine government agencies that you need to register with when starting a business?
Remember that it is important to register your business to avoid any legal problems once business operations start. Furthermore, it’s common practice for competitors to check on you if you have all the necessary registrations completed because if not, this will be an opportunity for them to disrupt and delay your operations by notifying the proper authorities.
Below are the government agencies that you have to contact in order to give your business a legal personality.
Depending on the structure of your business, your first step is to get a certificate of registration for your business name in one of these agencies:
• Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) – for single proprietorship
• Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) – for partnerships or corporations
• Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) – for cooperatives
After getting your certificate of registration, you will need to visit the following offices:
• Homeowners Association – for businesses inside villages and subdivisions, you need to get a homeowner’s clearance
• Barangay Hall – secure a barangay clearance to operate your business
• Local Government Unit (LGU) – visit the municipality or city hall office and process your business permit
• Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) – apply for a business taxpayer identification number (TIN), register your books of accounts, point-of-sales (POS) machines and receipts
At this point, you may now legally start your business operations, but you’ll need to then register your employees (which may include yourself) to the following agencies:
• Social Security System (SSS) – secure an SSS number for yourself and your employees
• Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) – for businesses with five workers or more, register your business with DOLE
• Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF) – as required by RA 7742, SSS members earning at least P4,000 a month must be registered with HDMF. This agency administers the Pag-Ibig Fund.
• Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) – all employers of are required to register their employees to this agency as stated in the New National Health Insurance Act (RA 7875 / RA 9241). PhilHealth manages and administers the government health care system.
Furthermore, there are certain businesses that are required to secure a special clearance, permit or license from selected government agencies. Check if your business falls under any of the categories below and note the document that you need to secure and where to get it.
• Animals, animal products, animal facilities, veterinary drugs: registration certificate from the Bureau of Animal Industry
• Aquatic animals, importation, fishpond lease agreement: permit from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR)
• Fertilizer products, pesticide products: registration certificate from the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (DA-FPA)
• Fiber, fiber products processing and trading: registration certificate and commodity clearance from the Fiber Development Authority (DA-FIDA)
• Film and television production and distribution: registration certificate from the Movie & Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB)
• Firearms, ammunition and explosives: permit from the Firearms and Explosives Division of the Philippine National Police (FED-PNP)
• Food, chemicals, health related business: registration certificate from the Bureau of Food and Drugs, Department of Health (DoH-BFAD)
• Flour, corn and grains related business: operations and license from the National Food Authority (DA-NFA)
• Pawnshop, lending and finance related businesses: registration certificate from the Central Bank of the Philippines, Department of Finance (DoF-BSP)
• Plants and plant products: nursery accreditation, registration, seed and phytosanitary certificates from the Bureau of Plant Industry (DA-BPI)
• Recruitment or placement agency for foreign employment: registration certificate from the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, Department of Labor (DOLE-POEA)
• Recruitment or placement agency for local employment: registration certificate from the Bureau of Local Employment (DOLE-BLE)
• Schools, technical-vocational and other educational institutions: registration, accreditation and permits from the Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) or from the Technical Education Skills Development Authority (DOLE-TESDA)
• Security agency business: permit from the Philippine National Police, Department of Interior & Local Government (DILG-PNP)
• Meat plant and slaughterhouse operations: accreditation and registration certificate from the National Meat Inspection Commission (DA-NMIC)
• Mining, quarrying, logging, waste management and related businesses: permit from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)
• Motor vehicles, automotive & heavy equipment, engineering, electronics, electrical, office & data equipments, medical & industrial equipment, appliances & devices: accreditation license from the Bureau of Trade Regulation and Consumer Protection (DTI-BTRCP)
• Real estate projects: register with the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLRUB)
• Sugar, muscovado, sugar-based products and related businesses: registration certificate from the Sugar Regulatory Administration (DA-SRA)
• Telecom business: license from the National Telecommunication Commission, Department of Transportation & Communication (DOTC-NTC)
• Tourism-related projects: registration and accreditation certificate from the Department of Tourism (DOT)
• Transportation: permits from the Land Transport Franchise & Regulatory Board (DOTC-LTFRB) or Maritime Industry Authority (DOTC-MARINA)
• Video production, sales and rental: accreditation from the Optical Media Board, Office of the President (OPOMB)
• There may be other special registrations needed for other businesses that were not mentioned above. It’s best to ask the Department of Trade and Industry for any specific inquiries regarding this matter.
Registering your business legally in the Philippines is not a difficult task. It may seem confusing at first but there are always help desks and assistance available in these agencies in case you get lost in the process.
Step 14:
Launch Your Business
How To Plan An Effective Business Grand Opening
After months of research, preparation and hard work, it’s finally here – the grand opening for your business.
It’s the day when you formally open your doors to customers and start making money.
But what else do you need to do on this day aside from cutting that ribbon with those over-sized scissors?
The grand opening for your business is more than just a day for celebration. It is also a chance for you to make the best impression to the community, to get people talking about your business, and to drive customers into your new store.
In short, it is your first marketing plan.
So how do you effectively hold a business grand opening? Here are some things you should keep in mind when planning for your business debut.
Soft-Opening
Some entrepreneurs like doing a soft-opening to ensure that all systems in the business are running smoothly before going on full operation. If you plan to do this, then hold a simple soft opening party and invite your family, friends and close business contacts. This will build anticipation in them for the grand opening and create initial buzz among your social circle.
Announcements
Announce the exact date of your grand opening a week or two before. Display visually interesting signs and banners that catch attention. This will gain the interest of the public and hopefully, some local press. Print out flyers and distribute them to the community. If you have the budget, advertise in your local newspaper or lease a billboard in your area.
Invitations
Send out invitations not only to friends, but more importantly to your business contacts, specially suppliers and potential clients. This is great in establishing a good professional relationship with them and encouraging initial transactions and sales.
Media
Send out a press release. Invite local newspapers and magazines to do a feature article on your new business. The same goes if you have local radio and television channels. Give them a reason why your grand opening is newsworthy and why your business is a good feature topic. However, if budget is a constraint, you can always opt for social media and invite bloggers to attend your launch.
Grand Opening Activities
If you’ve done your homework, then you can expect a lot of people coming to your business groundbreaking. Now it’s time to make sure that they’ll enjoy their time during the event. Aside from food and entertainment, make a short program that will introduce your business to the guests, tell the inspiration of the business, it’s mission and vision, and relate to them why they should support your products and services.
Souvenirs
It’s optional but highly recommended that you provide your guests something to take home with them. These can be press kits, business profile and product lists and some free goodies which can be gift certificates or discount coupons. The objective here is not only to make the event more memorable but also to encourage them to return to your business no longer as a guest, but as a customer.
It doesn’t matter if your business is an office inside a corporate building or a retail shop at the mall, a grand opening is an important part of starting a business. And it doesn’t have to be as grand as it says nor as elaborate as it sounds.
It can just be a simple gathering if you really want it that way – for in the end, a business launch is really more than just a marketing strategy – it’s actually your first symbolic pat on the back, for a job well done.

IMPROVING THE IMAGE OF YOUR BUSINESS

2010-07-02T08:55:00.000-07:00

BAn important aspect of a successful business is creating an image that attracts customers and clients. These articles help you do the most basic to the more challenging strategies to enhance the way people see your business.

How To Come Up With Good Business Name

Choosing an effective name is one of the first and most vital steps in putting up a business… it is the first thing that people will see and the impression they get from your name will influence how they will initially react towards your business. A good business name will establish marketing recall and build early equity.

Charity Makes Business Sense

According to research, 57% of consumers said that they are more loyal to socially responsible companies and 52% are more likely to talk to friends and family about those corporations, products and services. Aside from the favorable publicity and tax deductions, supporting a cause adds another dimension to your brand and business and more importantly, provide a sense of meaning and fulfillment to you and your employees.

How To Come Up With A Good Business Logo

A visual impression can sometimes be more powerful than your business name… consumers may not always remember your business name after seeing it the first time but the colors and the design of your logo should give them a more vivid memory of your business. These are just a few reasons why you should invest on a good, effective and memorable design for your business logo.

Spellcheck Your Business

There is a simple lesson to be learned here. Always check the spelling (and grammar) of your business signs. Proofread them before you submit the design to your printer and ensure that it’s still correct when you receive it. Doing so will save you time, money and dignity.
Using Color Psychology For Effective Business Marketing
Through the years, market researchers, brand managers and product designers have used this information to effectively solicit favorable business perceptions and influence initial product engagement. Just look around and you’ll definitely see evidence of this marketing strategy – fastfood restaurants are usually red and orange, banks and financial institutions are often blue, while luxury products are typically packaged in black.

How To Design Your Own Business Cards

A business card is an essential tool for any professional and entrepreneur. Aside from providing contact information, it can also serve as a mini portfolio to showcase your work and products. Moreover, business cards also function as a marketing tool that helps create brand awareness.
Simple Tips For Business Newtwroking Success
Business networking is one of the most effective way to market yourself and your business. By attending such events, you’ll have the chance to meet like-minded individuals from whom you can share and possibly discover and learn new things.
Business Flyer Design Tips and Marketing Strategies
Marketing is an integral part of any business and more importantly, a business should be persistent and consistent with their marketing plan. Thus, it follows that distributing flyers should be done on a regular basis and not just when the business needs a sales boost.

Give Free Offers and Generate Revenue For Your Business

Everyone loves free offers. And most people will not hesitate accepting something that’s being given away for free, right? That’s why giving free offers is something that businesses can leverage on to generate revenue.

Where to Buy Camera in the Philippines

2010-06-24T22:57:00.000-07:00

Here are some stores where you can purchase that latest digicam, parts, accessories and other such items.

You'll find practically everything here. Among the more interesting things:

* Darkroom chemicals and supplies, papers, tanks, trays, and (few)enlargers;
* Enlargers and lenses, albeit few and far between these days;
* Second hand curiosities like Dual Lens Reflex Bronicas, Nikon Fs, the occasional Leica, old Mamiyas and Yashicas? lots of neat stuff, in various states of wear or disrepair;
* Camera repair shops who will clean lenses and fix mechanical;
* All manner of films from the plain (Kodak Gold) to the slightly esoteric (Ilford 3200's), and even a few that defy categorization (lucky, colpan, etc);
* Rechargeable batteries and their accompanying rechargers;
* Bits and pieces–lens caps, body caps, cables, filters;
* Tripods galore, Manfrotto and Slik among others;
* Studio lighting, strobes and bulbs, diffusers, umbrellas, softboxes;
* Camera bags and lots of other accessories;
* Film and digital cameras (and accessories) across all major brands, and, of course;
* Everything Nikon and Canon.

While the selection may be far from complete, it sure beats any mall-based store you can find. And everything is within walking distance.

Avenue Photo Supply
712 R.Hidalgo St., Quiapo, Manila
Phone: 733-2761, 733-5474, 734-3307

Fotohaus
713 R.Hidalgo St., Quiapo, Manila
Phone: 734-4471, 734-3304 to 05, 733-4565, 733-5531

Henry’s Photo Supply
310 P. Gomez St., Quiapo, Manila
Phone: 733-7723, 734-6198

Mayer Photo
111, 113, 115 C. Palanca St., Quiapo, Manila
Phone: 733-7598, 733-7722

Watson Photo Shop
312 P. Gomez St., Quiapo, Manila
Phone: 733-7697

7 Things to Stop Doing Now on Facebook

2010-05-14T17:03:00.000-07:00

Using a Weak Password

Avoid simple names or words you can find in a dictionary, even with numbers tacked on the end. Instead, mix upper- and lower-case letters, numbers, and symbols. A password should have at least eight characters. One good technique is to insert numbers or symbols in the middle of a word, such as this variant on the word "houses": hO27usEs!

Leaving Your Full Birth Date in Your Profile

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• Millions of Users Exposing Personal Information

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• Electronics Reviews

It's an ideal target for identity thieves, who could use it to obtain more information about you and potentially gain access to your bank or credit card account. If you've already entered a birth date, go to your profile page and click on the Info tab, then on Edit Information. Under the Basic Information section, choose to show only the month and day or no birthday at all.

Overlooking Useful Privacy Controls

For almost everything in your Facebook profile, you can limit access to only your friends, friends of friends, or yourself. Restrict access to photos, birth date, religious views, and family information, among other things. You can give only certain people or groups access to items such as photos, or block particular people from seeing them. Consider leaving out contact info, such as phone number and address, since you probably don't want anyone to have access to that information anyway.

Posting Your Child's Name in a Caption

Don't use a child's name in photo tags or captions. If someone else does, delete it by clicking on Remove Tag. If your child isn't on Facebook and someone includes his or her name in a caption, ask that person to remove the name.

Mentioning That You'll Be Away From Home

That's like putting a "no one's home" sign on your door. Wait until you get home to tell everyone how awesome your vacation was and be vague about the date of any trip.

Letting Search Engines Find You

To help prevent strangers from accessing your page, go to the Search section of Facebook's privacy controls and select Only Friends for Facebook search results. Be sure the box for public search results isn't checked.

Permitting Youngsters to Use Facebook Unsupervised

Facebook limits its members to ages 13 and over, but children younger than that do use it. If you have a young child or teenager on Facebook, the best way to provide oversight is to become one of their online friends. Use your e-mail address as the contact for their account so that you receive their notifications and monitor their activities. "What they think is nothing can actually be pretty serious," says Charles Pavelites, a supervisory special agent at the Internet Crime Complaint Center. For example, a child who posts the comment "Mom will be home soon, I need to do the dishes" every day at the same time is revealing too much about the parents' regular comings and goings.

Facebook

10 Places You're Guaranteed to Meet Men

2010-05-08T05:32:00.000-07:00

Striking out? Up your date night chances with these tips by dating expert Carly Spindel.

Top 10 Dating Mistakes Women Make

Meeting the opposite sex isn't the easiest feat – especially when you work in femme-heavy fashion – but here's a compilation of some handy and perhaps unexpected tips to cross paths with Mr. Right.

1. Eat Out
Busy, single men don’t have time to cook. This is why they need a girlfriend! Just kidding. However, when they are tired and hungry after work, they dine out at restaurants. So if you want to meet a new man, try a new restaurant at least once a week.

2. Join a Gym
Gyms are places where all body conscious men go to let off some steam. If you meet a man at the gym you can see what he really looks like when he’s all sweaty. If he looks good in gym clothes, he’ll look great in real clothes. People who work out are also much happier (translation: a better partner to be with).

3. Pay Attention To Your Pet
The sun is out and love is in the air. People are outside enjoying the weather. Take the opportunity to give your dog some extra attention and go to the park. If you don’t have a dog, borrow one. Many men think of dogs as soul mates (who else better understands their zest for the simple things in life?) and will often frequent dog runs. If a man sees a woman walking a cute dog, he will most likely start talking to her.

A Guy Dishes: Dating Tips He Learned from His Sisters

4. Fix Things
To me, Home Depot is the worst place in the world. I would rather sit in an icebox and freeze than go to an oversized tool shed. But, guys consider it their inner handyman Mecca. Men love fixing and building things, so Home Depot (or Lowes) stores are always filled with an array of manly men.

5. Start To Love Toys
Men love toys. The bigger the boat and the faster the engine, the more powerful the guy will be. The same way women love fashion shows, guys love toy shows. Car and boat shows are places where single men are like a flock to a shepherd. If you attend a car or boat show, pick up on the finer things in life (um, Ferraris anyone?), while meeting a man to drive it.

6. Wash Your Car
Speaking of cars, most men love their four-wheelers and they like them to appear brand new. It could be a rut (pun intended), but I’ve always dated men who are car freaks and I’ve been taken to car washes much too often. But while I'm there (bored to death), I’ve noticed that they were usually filled with men, and pretty hot ones sometimes. Head to a car wash and remember, your car can never be too shiny.

7. Be Tech-Friendly
True or false? Men are into electronics. All the men I’ve dated (or known for that matter) have proved this statement to be true. Men love technology and are always looking for new phones. If you want to meet a tech-friendly type of guy, frequent a Verizon, Sprint, or AT&T store.

8. Pick Up a Sport
Do you like tennis or golf? Well, start to love them both! Being active will boost your confidence and help you stay fit. Golf courses and tennis clubs are places that men go to with their friends. If you join one, you can better your game and meet new people.

The Best Date Moments in Cinematic History

9. Start Reading
Reading is a great way to escape your day-to-day troubles. Go to a bookstore and kill two birds with one stone – find a book and a brand new man. Some men love to learn and are always looking for reading material. If you’re browsing the same aisle, then you know you have something in common.

10. Get Cultured
Experience a typical New York moment by going to a museum. There are new exhibits opening all the time. If you meet a man at a museum, chances are he is interesting and cultured. You can also brush up on some art history while looking for that prospective boyfriend or husband.

What do you think of the advice above? Any other places our dating expert missed? Let us know in a comment

Meet Men

Oprah decides to end show ‘after much prayer’ Tearful talk-show host thanks viewers for inviting her into their homes

2009-11-21T05:58:00.000-08:00

CHICAGO - Holding back tears, Oprah Winfrey told her studio audience Friday that she would end her show in 2011 after a quarter-century on the air, saying prayer and careful thought led her to her decision.

Winfrey told the audience that she loved “The Oprah Winfrey Show,” that it had been her life and that she knew when it was time to say goodbye. “Twenty-five years feels right in my bones and feels right in my spirit,” she said.

Winfrey talked about being nervous when the program began in 1986 and thanked audiences who had invited her into their homes and lives over the past two decades.

“I certainly never could have imagined the yellow brick road of blessings that have led me to this moment,” she said.

The powerhouse show became the foundation for her multibillion-dollar media empire, but in the last year, has seen its ratings slip 7 percent. Winfrey, 55, is widely expected to start up a new talk show on OWN: The Oprah Winfrey Network, a much-delayed 50-50 joint venture with Discovery Communications Inc. that is projected to debut in January 2011. OWN is to replace the Discovery Health Channel and will debut in some 80 million homes.

Winfrey offered no specifics about her plans for the future, except to say that she intended to produce the best possible shows during her last 18 months on the air.

“Over this holiday break, my team and I will be brainstorming new ways that we can entertain you and inform you and uplift you when we return here in January,” she said. “And then, season 25 — we are going to knock your socks off.”

From film star to media mogul, Oprah Winfrey has built an empire and secured a legion of devoted fans.

CBS Television Distribution, which distributes the show to more than 200 U.S. markets, held out hope it could continue doing business with Winfrey, perhaps producing a new show out of its studios in Los Angeles.

“We know that anything she turns her hand to will be a great success,” the CBS Corp. unit said in a statement. “We look forward to working with her for the next several years, and hopefully afterwards as well.”

Many fans heading into Harpo Studios on Friday morning seemed to support Winfrey’s decision.

“It’s time to elevate to something new,” said Sandra Donaldson, 59, of Indianapolis. “Whatever she does is going to be a blessing. It’s going to be rewarding and eye-opening. Her name alone opens doors.”

Once a local Chicago morning program, the production evolved into television’s top-rated talk show for more than two decades, airing in 145 countries worldwide and watched by an estimated 42 million viewers a week in the U.S. alone.

Audience members described the atmosphere inside the studio Friday as tense and emotional, with some reaching for tissues as Winfrey announced her decision. But amid the sadness, there also was understanding among the crowd, Donaldson said afterward.

“When I looked around, there was a peace there, because I like to think everybody was happy for her decision to move on,” she said.

Fans expressed hope that Winfrey would soon announce another project.

“Oprah, she impacts everybody, her life, the way she gives,” said Shawana Fletcher, 29, of Chicago. “I hope she’s not totally done. That’s what we’re praying.”

Winfrey’s 24th season opened this year with a bang, as she drew more than 20,000 fans to Chicago’s Magnificent Mile for a block party with the Black Eyed Peas. She followed with a series of blockbuster interviews — Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield, Whitney Houston and ESPN’s Erin Andrews, and just this week, former Alaska governor and GOP vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin.

Oprah Winfrey

What we learned: Pacquiao-Cotto

2009-11-16T19:25:00.000-08:00

1. Manny Pacquiao cemented his legacy as one of history's greatest fighters.

With the 50th and perhaps most difficult victory of his career, Emmanuel Dapidran Pacquiao has chiseled his name alongside all-time pound-for-pound greats like Willie Pep, Henry Armstrong and Sugar Ray Robinson. With Saturday's 12th-round TKO of Miguel Cotto, Pacquiao captured the WBO welterweight title and became the first fighter to collect world championships in seven different weight classes between 112 to 147 pounds -- an incredible and unprecedented feat for a one-time flyweight who turned pro at a wraith-like 106 pounds.

2. The record books will read TKO 12, but Pacquiao ended this one back in the fourth.

Cotto was game early, controlling distance with the left jab and keeping Pacquiao from getting inside. It was clear the Filipino respected Cotto's punching power. Pacquiao looked more comfortable in the second round, circling the ring and penetrating Cotto's defense with straight lefts and rights. Midway through the second, Cotto lost the plot and starting trading. Pacquiao dropped Cotto in the third with a left to the body and a right hook upstairs -- and again in the fourth with a right hook and a vicious left to the jaw. Cotto was never the same again. He spent the next seven-and-a-half rounds just trying to get to the finish line -- ostensibly trying to counter-punch and box but, in reality, hovering like a fly waiting for the windshield on the freeway.

3. Pacquiao can absorb the punch of a true welterweight.

The stage for Saturday's history-making showdown was set over the past year-and-a-half with Pacquiao's three-pack of victories over David Diaz, Oscar De La Hoya and Ricky Hatton. Each fight taught us something about the Filipino southpaw. The ninth-round knockout of Diaz revealed that Pacquiao could pick apart a larger fighter of limited ability. The ninth-round stoppage of De La Hoya taught us Pacquiao could dismantle a fighter at 147 pounds, albeit one way past his prime. The second-round starching of Hatton demonstrated what Pacquiao could do against opponents of anything but the highest caliber. Saturday's stoppage of Cotto provided an emphatic answer to the biggest question looming over Pacquiao's camp in the months leading up to it: could the Filipino stand in and exchange against a true welterweight. He could. Pacquiao took more punches than we'd seen him take against Diaz, De La Hoya or Hatton -- but was never hurt. Once self-doubt crept in and Cotto got tentative, moving backwards and releasing the pressure from Pacquiao, it was over. The Filipino's ring generalship never wavered. He was too fast, too sharp, too busy for Cotto and the result was deserved.

4. No one can doubt Cotto's courage.

You've got to give Cotto credit. A modern-day Boricua folk hero in the mold of Carlos Ortiz, Wilfred Benitez and Felix Trinidad, Cotto would sooner leave the ring on his shield than quit. His face resembled tomato pie for the second half of the fight, with blood flowing from his nose and wounds, yet he persevered. Cotto's corner man Joe Santiago, a 30-year-old greenhorn, never considered stopping it; you wonder if a more experienced trainer might have thrown in the towel several rounds earlier, once it became obvious Cotto had no chance to win. When referee Kenny Bayless stopped the action 55 seconds into the final round, it was clear this was a career-defining fight for both men. Many wondered if Antonio Margarito took something from Cotto in that dubious July 2008 stoppage that Cotto would never be able to get back. That question may have been answered Saturday in Las Vegas.

5. The countdown for Pacquiao-Mayweather is under way.

Now Pacquiao can turn his attention to his personal Everest: Floyd Mayweather Jr. The specter of a megafight between Pacquiao and Mayweather hung over the Cotto fight from the day it was announced. The millions who followed live blogs and watched on pirated Internet streams, unwilling to drop $54.95 on Saturday's fight in a recession, would happily pay that sum to see the sport's finest two pound-for-pound fighters meet in a superfight that would set the bar high for the decade soon to be known as the 2010s. Yes, they'll squabble over the money split and Pacquiao was non-committal in the post-fight interview -- but trainer Freddie Roach considers it an inevitability. "I honestly think it has to happen because boxing needs that fight," Roach told SI.com. "The best need to fight the best."
Pacquiao-Cotto Fight, Boxing

PACQUIAO-COTTO: MOST EXCITING FIGHT IN 40 YEARS

2009-11-14T16:58:00.000-08:00

After announcing their fight at an international public press conference in Yankee Stadium in New York today, Pacquiao and Cotto will proceed on the remainder of the five-city coast-to-coast, two-ocean media tour which will take them to Caguas, Puerto Rico, AT&T Park in San Francisco, Beverly Hills, California, and PETCO Park in San Diego.

"I will train harder than I have ever trained before because Miguel Cotto will be my toughest test as a professional fighter," said Pacquiao. "I know Miguel Cotto is an excellent fighter and a great world champion.

"He is strong and smart and that is a dangerous combination for anyone who challenges him. But like every fight, I will not enter the ring alone. My countrymen don't just give me their support. They also give me their strength, their pride and their love. That is why I must give my all. I fight to win and to give honor to the Philippines."

"He has fought a lot of tough fighters but never one like me," said Cotto. "The world will know who the best is when we meet in the ring"

"This fight will be the most exciting and memorable event that Top Rank has promoted in 40 years. I am certain it will take its place as an exciting and action-packed classic such as Hagler vs. Hearns and Ali vs. Frazier III. On November 14, Pacquiao vs. Cotto will join that list of boxing classics."

"This is a superior matchup between two of the best fighters in the world," said Ross Greenburg, President, HBO Sports. "Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto are two unique personalities, and because of that, we are looking forward to presenting another installment of our popular '24/7' series."

Pacquiao (49-3-2, 37 KOs), of General Santos City, Philippines, has won six world titles in as many different weight divisions ranging from 112 to 140 pounds. His performance in 2008 was described as "Henry Armstrongesque," winning world titles at 130 and 135 pounds with victories over Juan Manuel Marquez and David Diaz, respectively, and knocking out and retiring Oscar De La Hoya at 147 pounds to finish the trifecta. This year, he picked up where he left off last year – winning another world title in a new weight division -- dealing defending junior welterweight champion Ricky Hatton a one-punch second-round knockout on May 2.

Cotto (34-1, 27 KOs), from Caguas, Puerto Rico, has sold more tickets to Madison Square Garden in this millennium than any other fighter. He has held a world title every year since 2004. Puerto Rico's most exciting fighter, Cotto held the WBO junior welterweight crown from 2004-2006, successfully defending it six times before vacating it to capture the World Boxing Association (WBA) welterweight title at the end of 2006, a title he held for nearly as long. He won his second welterweight title in February this year, knocking out Michael Jennings in the fifth round at Madison Square Garden to become the WBO welterweight champion. Notable scalps on Cotto's belt include Sugar Shane Mosley, Zab Judah, Joshua Clottey, Paulie Malignaggi, and Demarcus Corley.

The Pacquiao vs. Cotto pay-per-view telecast, beginning at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT, has a suggested retail price of $54.95, will be produced and distributed by HBO Pay-Per-View® and will be available to more than 71 million pay-per-view homes. The telecast will be available in HD-TV for those viewers who can receive HD. HBO Pay-Per-View®, a division of Home Box Office, Inc., is the leading supplier of event programming to the pay-per-view industry. For Pacquiao vs. Cotto fight week updates, log on to www.hbo.com or www.toprank.com.

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Boxing's No. 1 pound-for-pound king and the reigning Fighter of the Year, MANNY "PacMan" PACQUIAO, and the pride of Puerto Rico and three-time world champion, MIGUEL COTTO, will be loaded for bear when they rumble in the mega-event of the year – FIRE POWER: PACQUIAO vs. COTTO – for Cotto's World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight title and the first-ever World Boxing Council (WBC) Diamond Belt. Promoted by Top Rank, in association with MGM Grand and Tecate, FIRE POWER: PACQUIAO vs. COTTO will take place Saturday, November 14 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nev., and will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View, beginning at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT.

Pacquiao and Cotto boast nine world titles in seven different weight divisions between them and a combined professional record of 83-4-2 (64 KOs) – a winning percentage of 93% and a victory by knockout ratio of 77%.

Remaining tickets are priced at $1,000, $750, $500, $300 and $150, not including applicable service charges. Ticket sales at $1,000, $750, $500 and $300 are limited to 10 per person and ticket sales at $150 are limited to two (2) per person, with a total ticket limit of 12 per person. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Tickets also are available for purchase at www.mgmgrand.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

2011 Honda CR-Z All the fun of the original CR-X. And it’s a hybrid!

2009-10-29T17:07:00.000-07:00

This spiritual successor to the venerable Honda CR-X originally made its debut as a concept car two years ago at the Tokyo Motor Show. And now, at this year’s show, Honda has revealed a new CR-Z, a 2-seat hybrid sports coupe that looks very much like the final production version scheduled to go on sale in the U.S. in the second half of 2010.

"Beyond great styling and features, the CR-Z will bring new levels of engagement and fun to customers interested in a small car or a hybrid vehicle," says Eric Berkman, Honda’s vice president of planning.

Fitted with a 6-speed manual transmission and sport-tuned suspension, the upcoming CR-Z certainly will be engaging for the driver, the first hybrid sports coupe on the market. Although the car on display at Tokyo has a tiny back seat, the production CR-Z (which makes its worldwide debut at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January) is a sporty 2-seater, one with the added practicality of a hatchback.

Conveying its fun-to-drive nature, the CR-Z boasts a bold grille, slit openings for the headlamps and strong character lines that give this Honda an aggressive, angular look. It’s taller and less rounded that the original concept, making it much more practical and ready for production.

One styling cue that connects the CR-Z to the highly entertaining original CR-X is the shape of the rear quarter glass. Beneath the hood, the front-wheel-drive CR-Z is powered by a stronger version of the Insight's 1.5-liter 4-cylinder hybrid powertrain. Honda’s Integrated Motor Assist works like an electric supercharger, effectively boosting both off-the-line response and fuel economy.

The CR-Z concept's interior features more glitz than the production model will, but the layout will remain the same, with the main instrument bezel positioned behind a 3-spoke steering wheel flanked by pods for the auxiliary controls. With the CR-Z—which goes into production at Honda’s Suzuka factory in February—it appears that we will now be able to mix a healthy dose of driving fun with environmental consciousness.
Honda CR-Z

5 Used-Car Red Flags

2009-10-29T16:04:00.000-07:00

If only cars could talk. It would make the buying experience a lot easier, wouldn't it? Because verbalized or not, every used car has a story to tell. And to avoid getting ripped off, it's up to you to listen. You need to know about the skeletons in that car's closet, the dark secrets of its past.

There are so many problems that can hide easily under the surface -- accident damage, a counterfeit title, failing mechanical parts. It's not as if you're marrying the car, but you are making quite a financial commitment. Wouldn't you rather find out about these red flags before saying "I do" and plunking down your hard-earned cash?

With this list of warning signs, you'll be able to make your next used car purchase confidently -- and if you do find "the one," we'll bet the relationship won't end in a messy divorce.

Red Flag #1: No Service Records

More from U.S. News & World Report

» Great Deals on Used Cars

» Best New Car Deals for October

One of the most important aspects of a used car is its maintenance history. You want to make sure you're buying a vehicle that has had routine oil changes and major mileage services. Always ask the seller, even if it's a car dealership, for all service records. If they can't provide those for you, you have no way of knowing if the car has been maintained properly. In addition to asking for records, look for a windshield sticker indicating when the car's next oil change is due. If there's no sticker or it shows an oil change is past due, ask why.

Red Flag #2: Vehicle and Accident History Issues

A vehicle history report is essential for any car purchase. You can ask the seller or dealership for the report or access it yourself online using the car's VIN (Vehicle Identification Number). AutoCheck charges $19.99 for a single report or $29.99 for unlimited reports for 60 days. The report shows accident/damage history as well as title problems, frame damage and an odometer rollback check -- any of which should be deal breakers.

Red Flag #3: Mechanical Problems

A quick look under the car can reveal fluid leaks, but unless you're an expert, you'll need to have someone else do a thorough inspection to make sure it's in good working condition. A PPI, or Pre-Purchase Inspection, is performed by a neutral third party (such as a certified mechanic or automotive technician) and costs about $100 to $200.

The inspection is a detailed assessment of the cosmetic and mechanical condition of the vehicle. It is an invaluable asset since it can alert you to problems, maintenance issues and even frame damage hiding under the surface. The mechanic should put the car on a lift to check undercarriage components. Make sure he or she also uses a paint meter gauge to catch any re-painted body panels -- which mean the car may have been in accidents that weren't reported to the insurance company (if they had been reported, they would show up on your AutoCheck vehicle history report). Choose the party who will perform the inspection, rather than going with someone recommended by the seller. Ask to have the results sent directly to you.

You may be tempted to skip a PPI, but it's almost always well worth it. You're making a large investment in a vehicle, and the price of the PPI is only a very small fraction of that. If any problems the PPI shows are deal breakers, you can walk away from the sale. If not, you can still use them to negotiate a better price.

Red Flag #4: A Problem Title

Your AutoCheck vehicle report will show any problem titles on the car's record at any point in its history -- everything from hail damage to fire damage. Most of these issues are red flags, but here's just a sampling of those to avoid at all costs: Flood titles, which means the vehicle has received extensive water damage; salvage titles, which mean an insurance company has at some point declared the car a total loss due to sustained damage; and junk titles, which mean the vehicle indicate that a vehicle is not safe enough for use and the car cannot be titled again in that state.

Red Flag #5: A Fraudulent Title

A problem-free title doesn't mean it's valid. Criminals can create counterfeit or fraudulent titles and use them to legally register and then sell stolen cars. If you buy a car without a valid title, it's the worst-case scenario -- you don't legally own the car you just bought.

The first step to verify the title is to check with the DMV. Usually, you'll just need the car's VIN number and may be charged a small fee (often these transactions require you to go to the DMV's office). You need to make sure the VIN on the car matches the VIN on the title and the seller's name matches the one on the title. This record check is also valuable because it will show any outstanding liens on the title, which means that the owner is still making payments on the car and doesn't own it outright. This could complicate the sale later, especially if you're buying from a private seller.

However, even if the title appears to belong to the seller, it could still be fraudulent. There are a few signs that may signify foul play. Play close attention if the vehicle was recently brought to your state and titled or if the VIN number on the car is obscured or shows signs of tampering. The title should look official, meaning it will be printed on special paper with watermarks (visible when held up to the light). All text, graphics and borders should be sharp, not blurred. If you can, compare the title with an original (perhaps from a friend's car in the same state) and make sure the two look the same.

The Bottom Line

Checking for all these red flags may seem excessive, but they can save you time and headaches down the line. In the end, the PPI, AutoCheck vehicle history report, DMV records and seller should be consistent. If any of the information seems fishy, consider walking away from the sale. If any of the above warning signs do surface, you may not even want to give the car a second thought. It doesn't hurt to walk away, but it can sure hurt a lot to buy a problem vehicle. Plus, with the internet, you can find virtually any car, anywhere. And as they say, there are plenty of other fish in the sea.

Soms Noodle House

2009-10-18T07:34:00.000-07:00

Soms is a Thai restaurant. It’s carinderia-look makes it quaint and charming. There are tables and chairs inside, but it’s best to be seated outdoors, right along the street! Huge umbrellas keep your tables shady, so no worries about getting sunburn while you eat.
The Food:
Pad Thai. One of my Som’s highlights! I enjoyed these Thai noodles a lot. It was flavorful and the serving was generous.
Garlic Beef. The meat was very tender, but I found the sauce too sweet for my taste. I’m not too fond of sweet viands that’s why. But if you are, then this dish would be perfect for you.
Tom Yum Shrimp. Som’s Tom Yum is mildly spicy. It was refreshing, but not for me. I like my Tom Yum hot, hot, hot!
Shrimp Fried Rice. Oh this was a winner! I enjoyed every spoonful of this. The rice was so tasty, but not too tasty that it would overwhelm the viands. Really good.
Fish Cakes with Chili Sauce. The fish cakes I found a bit dry and lacking in seasoning on their own, but I guess that’s what the chili sauce is for.
Calamares. These deep-fried squid rings were absolutely delicious. They were so flavorful on their own that we didn’t use the dipping sauce anymore. Great nibbles!
I enjoyed the ambiance. It’s a hole-in-the-wall place. No frills, no pretensions. I enjoyed that better than the food actually. We were there on a balmy Saturday so eating outdoors was great.

The price is reasonable. For all these dishes, we paid around P1,000. Not bad since the portions were quite generous too!

Next time… I’ll order the Milk Tea and their Red Curry. I’ll also try their Catfish Salad. Yup, we will go back another time. I’d like to give it another chance. But if the dishes are again really sweet, that’ll probably be the last time I’d eat there.

Soms is along Alger St., Makati. If you’re coming from EDSA, make a right on Estrella, turn left at Rockwell then right at Kalayaan. Alger St. is a little road right before the restaurant Grilla. If you’re coming from Makati Ave., turn to Kalayaan St. then make a U once you hit the end of the road (that’s a Bel-Air gate already). Then turn right before you hit Grilla. There’s parking near the eatery and a parking attendant watches over the vehicles.

One final note… do calibrate your expectations. I LOVE Thai food. When I heard SOMS was a place serving authentic Thai food that was reasonably priced, it sure got me excited! I hope you enjoy your SOMS experience .
Soms

College Drop Out Turned No.1 Business Mogul

2009-09-25T16:48:00.000-07:00

There was once a 13 yr old boy from an exclusive preparatory school in Lakeside, Seattle who was banned for the summer after he and 3 of his friends where caught exploiting the bugs in the operating system of a PDP-10, a mainframe computer belonging to Computer Center Corporation (CCC), just to obtain free computer time in school. After the ban was lifted, the four students offered to fix the bugs in CCC's software in exchange of more computer time. A year later, they were even hired by Information Sciences Inc. to write a payroll program in COBOL, providing them added computer time and royalties. The 13 yr old boy in my story was very fascinated about computers and got so much involved in programming. At age 19, he eventually decided to drop out of school and start his own computer company. Who was this boy? BILL GATES

Whom of you doesn't know Bill Gates? I guess even the kindergarten pupils know him. He was known as the richest man in the world and topped the list of Forbes magazine for several years. He once quoted "Are you one in a million, or one of the millions?". He was not just an ordinary business man, he was also philanthropist -- something not many people knew. Now i can tell you, he is indeed one in a million. And this is his story.....

Bill Gates is one of the most influential people in the world. He is cofounder of one of the most recognized brands in the computer industry with nearly every desk top computer using at least one software program from Microsoft. According to the Forbes magazine, Bill Gates is the richest man in the world and has held the number one position for many years.

Gates was born and grew up in Seattle, Washington USA. His father, William H. Gates II was a Seattle attorney and his mother, Mary Maxwell Gates was a school teacher and chairperson of the United Way charity. Gates and his two sisters had a comfortable upbringing, with Gates being able to attend the exclusive secondary "Lakeside School".

Bill Gates started studying at Harvard University in 1973 where he spent time with Paul Allen. Gates and Allen worked on a version of the programming language BASIC, that was the basis for the MITS Altair (the first microcomputer available). He did not go on to graduate from Harvard University as he left in his junior year to start what was to become the largest computer software company in the world; Microsoft Corporation.

Bill Gates and the Microsoft Corporation
"To enable people and businesses throughout the world to realize their full potential." Microsoft Mission Statement
After dropping out of Harvard Bill Gates and his partner Paul Allen set about revolutionizing the computer industry. Gates believed there should be a computer on every office desk and in every home.

In 1975 the company Micro-soft was formed, which was an abbreviation of microcomputer software. It soon became simply "Microsoft"® and went on to completely change the way people use computers.

Microsoft helped to make the computer easier to use with its developed and purchased software, and made it a commercial success. The success of Microsoft began with the MS-DOS computer operating system that Gates licensed to IBM. Gates also set about protecting the royalties that he could acquire from computer software by aggressively fighting against all forms of software piracy, effectively creating the retail software market that now exists today. This move was quite controversial at the time as it was the freedom of sharing that produced much innovation and advances in the newly forming software industry. But it was this stand against software piracy, that was to be central in the great commercial success that Microsoft went on to achieve.

Bill Gates retired as Microsoft CEO in 2008.

Bill Gates Criticism
With his great success in the computer software industry also came many criticisms. With his ambitious and aggressive business philosophy, Gates or his Microsoft lawyers have been in and out of courtrooms fighting legal battles almost since Microsoft began.

The Microsoft monopoly sets about completely dominating every market it enters through either acquisition, aggressive business tactics or a combination of them. Many of the largest technology companies have fought legally against the actions of Microsoft, including Apple Computer, Netscape, Opera, WordPerfect, and sun Microsystems.

Bill Gates Net Worth
With an estimated wealth of $53 billion in 2006, Bill Gates is the richest man in the world and he should be starting to get used to the number spot as he has been there from the mid-ninties up until now. The famous investor Warren Buffett is gaining on Gates though with an estimated $46 billion in 2006.

Microsoft hasn't just made Bill Gates very wealthy though. According to the Forbes business magazine in 2004 Paul Allen, Microsoft cofounder was the 5th richest man in the world with an estimated $21 billion. While Bill Gates' long time friend and Microsoft CEO, Steve Ballmer was the 19th richest man in the world at $12.4 billion.

Bill Gates Philanthropy
Being the richest man in the world has also enabled Gates to create one of the world's largest charitable foundations. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has an endowment of more than $28 billion, with donations totaling more than $1 billion every year. The foundation was formed in 2000 after merging the "Gates Learning Foundation" and "William H. Gates Foundation". Their aim is to "bring innovations in health and learning to the global community".

Bill Gates continues to play a very active role in the workings of the Microsoft Company, but has handed the position of CEO over to Steve Ballmer. Gates now holds the positions of "Chairman" and "Chief Software Architect". He has started that he plans to take on fewer responsibilities at Microsoft and will eventually devote all his time to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

In 2006, the second richest man in the world, Warren Buffett pledged to give much of his vast fortune to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Bill Gates Receives a KBE
In March 2005 William H. Gates received an "honorary" knighthood from the queen of England. Gates was bestowed with the KBE Order (Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) for his services in reducing poverty and improving health in the developing countries of the world.
After the privately held ceremony in Buckingham Palace with Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Gates commented on the recognition..

"I am humbled and delighted. I am particularly pleased that this honor helps recognize the real heroes our foundation (Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation) supports to improve health in poor countries. Their incredible work is helping ensure that one day all people, no matter where they are born, will have the same opportunity for a healthy life, and I'm grateful to share this honor with them."

The KBE Order of the British Empire is the second highest Order given out, but it is only an honorary knighthood as only citizens that are British or a part of the Commonwealth receive the full Order. This means that Gates does not become Sir Bill Gates.

Bill Gates lives near Lake Washington with his wife Melinda French Gates and their three children. Interests of Gates include reading, golf and playing bridge.

Bill Gates
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3rd Philippine Blog Awards

2009-09-25T16:44:00.000-07:00

Philippine Blog Awards is a yearly event held to recognize outstanding blogs. This is a good opportunity for filipinos to meet other bloggers within the Filipino Blogging Community.

WHAT: 3rd Philippine Blog Awards
WHERE: Megatent Ortigas, Pasig (this will also be held at Cebu and Mindanao)
WHEN: Oct. 9, 2009 (same month for other venues)

The nomination period is already closed but it's still a good event to visit so mark up those calendars and together we will go. ^-^

A friend and classmate of mine (actually one of my first tutor in blogging) won the award last year. To have an idea of what a winner blog looks like visit him with this link PinoyBlogero.com

If you have anymore questions or just wanted to know more about this event, enter this link. Pinoy Blog Awards or contact them at pinoyblogawards@gmail.com

Two-meal diet aids in oldest man's longevity

2009-09-24T18:17:00.000-07:00

GREAT FALLS, Mont. — So what does the world's oldest man eat? The answer is not much, at least not too much.

Walter Breuning, who turned 113 on Monday, eats just two meals a day and has done so for the past 35 years.

"I think you should push back from the table when you're still hungry," Breuning said.

At 5 foot 8, ("I shrunk a little," he admitted) and 125 pounds, Breuning limits himself to a big breakfast and lunch every day and no supper.

"I have weighed the same for about 35 years," Breuning said. "Well, that's the way it should be."

"You get in the habit of not eating at night, and you realize how good you feel. If you could just tell people not to eat so darn much."

BIRTHDAY SPEECH: Read Breuning's words of wisdom

His practice of skipping supper began when he first moved to Great Falls from Minneapolis in 1978. He lived in the Yellowstone Apartments at the time and would walk downtown to Schell's in the Johnson Hotel or the Albon Club on the second floor for lunch.

In 1980, the Albon Club moved to the Rainbow Hotel, and the owners asked Breuning to be manager, which he did for 15 years.

"I never started eating supper again," Breuning said.

He gets up at 6:15 a.m. and has a big breakfast every day at 7:30 a.m. Usually it's eggs, toast or pancakes.

"You can order anything you want, just like a restaurant," he said.

"I eat a lot of fruit every day."

Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer sent Breuning a fruit basket after a recent visit.

"Boy, I tell you that was good fruit. I ate the whole darn thing," Breuning said. "Peaches, pears, everything, it sure was good."

In addition to eating fruit every day, Breuning also takes a baby aspirin.

"Just one baby aspirin," he said, "but everybody gets that for their heart. That's the only pill I ever take, no other medicine."

And he drinks plenty of water.

"I drink water all the time," he said, and just a bit of coffee. "I drink a cup and a half of coffee for breakfast and a cup with lunch."

Breuning said he has been healthy all of his life and believes diet has a lot to do with it.

"If people could cut back on their normal weight, it wouldn't be quite so bad," he commented. "They just eat too much!"

Breuning remembers his family having a cow, pigs, chickens and a big garden when he was growing up, like most people did in those days.

"Everybody was poor years ago," he said. "When we were kids, we ate what was on the table. Crusts of bread or whatever it was. You ate what they put on your plate, and that's all you got," Breuning said.

Breuning recalls his mother being a good cook, though she died when she was 46 after an operation in Minneapolis. His wife was a good cook, too. They met when they worked in Butte for the railroad.

"Everything she made was good," Breuning said. "We used to have lots of card parties, and they would always say what a good cook she was."

While diet has contributed to his longevity, Breuning also believes that working hard was good for him.

"Work doesn't hurt anybody," he said, mentioning that he had two jobs, one working for the Great Northern Railway until he was 66 and the other as manager/secretary for the local Shriner's Club until he was 99.

These days, Breuning keeps busy talking with all of the people who visit the Rainbow Retirement Center interested in meeting the world's oldest man.

Though his vision doesn't allow him to read anymore, Breuning keeps his mind active by listening to the radio.

"My eyes are gone," he said, "but I listen to the radio. I get all my news on KMON."

Breuning started eating out 35 years ago, but said he doesn't anymore.

"Once you get used to not eating in restaurants, you don't want to anymore," he said. Besides, he'd rather eat at home, at the Rainbow Retirement Center.

"They have a lot of good food right here," he said, "and good cooks."

Breuning celebrated his 113th birthday with not one, but two cakes, one chocolate and one vanilla. And for his birthday lunch he got his favorite: liver and onions.

World's oldest man gives 113th birthday speech

2009-09-23T18:22:00.000-07:00

Transcription from a written version of the speech Walter Breuning gave Monday afternoon at his 113th birthday party in the Rainbow retirement home ballroom.

"Life begins each morning whether we have succeeded or failed or just muddled along. Life is a school to learn, not to unlearn.

Life is the creation by God and if you would know God, be not a solver of riddles. Look about you and you shall see Him playing with your children. Look into the air and you shall see him walking in the clouds, out-stretching his arms in the lightning and descending in rain. You shall see him smiling in flowers, then rising and waving his hands in trees.

"Life is a great teacher of truth. What is truth to one is not truth to another. What is true in one country may be false in another.

"Life is short but the influences of what we do or say is immortal. There needs to be much more of the spirit of fellowship among us and more forgiveness. The power of gentleness is little seen in the world.

"Remember that life's length is not measured by its hours and days, but by that which we have done therein. A useless life is short if it lasts a century.

"There are greater and better things in us all if we would find them out. There will always be in this world — wrongs. No wrong is really successful.

"The day will come when light and truth and the just and the good shall be victorious and wrong as evil will be no more forever.

"Life itself teaches us to best prepare for that future which we hope for and for that journey to that land un-known, not made by hands.

"Everything just is beautiful; everything beautiful ought to be just.

"The mystery of the world remains unknown. Our maker alone is the key which unlocks all the mysteries of the universe.

"The world is neither a prison nor a palace of ease, but rather for instruction and discipline.

"This world has been good to all of us."

Dr. Joe Chang Discusses The Story Of AgeLOC

2009-09-18T18:02:00.000-07:00

Dr. Joe Chang Discusses The Story Of AgeLOC

Age Loc

2009-09-17T09:50:00.000-07:00

· Nu Skin Enterprises’ platform to become the world’s leading anti-aging company

· Nu Skin’s Competitive Advantage: other companies focus on the signs of aging (lines, wrinkles, etc.). ageLOC attacks both the signs and the sources of aging

· There are many sources of aging, but the ultimate source of aging is found in our genes

· Virtually everything we encounter influences our genes: diet, stress, sleep, pollution, smoking, etc. Until recently, science has not be able to understand how nutrition and skincare products influence our genes

· Nu Skin has aggregated unique, proprietary ways to isolate clusters of genes that are critical to the aging process

· With proprietary formulas, Nu Skin’s ageLOC products will help to reset and support “Youth Gene Clusters,” the genes that help to preserve youthfulness—leading to preventative and corrective benefits

· Products developed in consideration of the impact they have on genes will likely be safer than those developed with no regard for the impact of that product on genes

· Galvanic Spa gels include ageLOC ingredients to battle arNOX, a source of aging identified by Nu Skin research over the past 4 years

· A daily use ageLOC skincare regimen containing a broader spectrum of ageLOC ingredients focused on genes will launch in October

· In the future, additional Nu Skin and Pharmanex products will be infused with other ageLOC ingredients to battle aging at the ultimate source—our genes.

· In the future, it is almost certain that other companies will try to mimic Nu Skin’s approach to product development

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AgeLOC LAUNCHES!!

2009-09-16T09:53:00.000-07:00

Nu Skin Sales Leaders Poised To Capitalize on Promising Megatrends

PROVO, Utah, June 22 /PRNewswire/ — Top international sales leaders for Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc. gathered today in Saint Petersburg, Russia, to learn how Nu Skin plans to expand its distributor business opportunity with next-generation anti-aging products in both skin care and nutrition that target the ultimate sources of aging.

To view the Multimedia News Release, go to: http://www.prnewswire.com/mnr/nuskin/38868/

“For more than 25 years, Nu Skin has offered people the opportunity to start their own business selling exclusive and innovative anti-aging products — and that opportunity will be better than ever with ageLOC,” said Truman Hunt, Nu Skin president and chief executive officer. “We believe that ageLOC is unlocking the secret of youth through our unique understanding of the relationship between aging and certain genes in the human genome, the ultimate sources of aging.

“ageLOC will not only have significant implications for an aging population that wants to live young, but also for an increasing number of people who are seeking out Nu Skin’s business opportunity to supplement or replace their income.”

The international sales meeting is the next step in the company’s roll out of its exclusive ageLOC discoveries. Nu Skin introduced the first phase of its strategy to target the sources of aging last October with the launch of ageLOC Galvanic Spa Facial Gels, formulated to target a free radical generator in the skin to deliver superior cosmetic benefits. The company will continue its roll out of ageLOC products with the introduction of an unmatched daily skin care system this October at Nu Skin’s global 25th anniversary celebration in Los Angeles. As part of its strategic direction, the company will also unveil plans to launch additional exclusive ageLOC products, including a nutritional supplement in the latter half of 2010.

“By targeting the ultimate sources of aging we have the advantage of developing truly game-changing products that have both preventative and corrective anti-aging benefits,” said Joe Chang, Nu Skin executive vice president and chief scientific officer. “ageLOC also unites our skin care and nutritional product lines into a comprehensive anti-aging product offering that delivers solutions for people who want to enjoy a more youthful existence.”

THE ageLOC OPPORTUNITY: Leveraging Socio-Economic Megatrends

ageLOC is a powerful platform for Nu Skin distributors as they continue to benefit from significant social and economic megatrends, including a growing aging population and an increase in those seeking ways to supplement or replace income. For example, by 2030 the number of people worldwide over the age of 60 is expected to double to more than 1 billion. By 2015, the anti-aging industry is expected to grow 76 percent in the United States, 73 percent in Japan and 82 percent in the Asia Pacific region. Additionally, the economic environment bodes well for Nu Skin’s direct selling business model as Nu Skin offers an attractive option for those who need to supplement or replace their income in today’s harsh economy.

“Nu Skin continues to stay relevant by marketing innovative and scientifically validated products, as well as by paying the highest percentage of revenue in distributor commissions of all direct selling companies listed on the New York Stock Exchange,” said Ashok Pahwa, chief marketing officer at Nu Skin. “That is especially meaningful considering the fact that 2008 was the largest revenue year in Nu Skin’s 25-year history with $1.25 billion in sales.”

Anti-aging remedies for young and old

2009-09-15T18:50:00.000-07:00

By Ria Francisco-Prieto
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 05:43:00 09/25/2009

Filed Under: Skin Care

MANILA, Philippines — As we age, our skin’s demand vary. There are a lot of changes and measures we can actually take to keep our skin young. It is important to remember that there is a right procedure for the right age. Most of the time, getting treatments too early may also lead to immature—and irreversible—aging.

I asked reputable dermatologist Dr. Aivee Aguilar-Teo for tips on age-appropriate treatments, procedures and simple ways to care for our skin. Her answers:

Individuals in their 20s, generally, have resilient skin elasticity, higher metabolism, faster skin cell growth and regeneration. Thus, your 20s is the best time to adopt preventive methods and a strict skin care regimen to delay the signs of aging.

Dermatologists recommend liberal usage of moisturizers and sunscreen, and, of course, minimizing sun exposure. Starting a regular fitness routine is also recommended at this point, since the body’s fat-burning abilities already start decreasing in the mid-20s.

Treatments. Here are some popular non-surgical procedures for people in their 20s dealing with common cosmetic problems like acne, premature wrinkles, unwanted facial and body hair and cellulite:

* Skin Care and Skin Rejuvenation
* IPL Photofacial
* Blue Light Therapy for acne
* Microdermabrasion/Diamond peel
* Chemical Peels
* Laser Hair Removal
* Body Contouring and Cellulite Treatments
* Mesotherapy
* Radio Frequency

These are some other popular cosmetic treatments for people in their 20s:

* Breast Augmentation
* Rhinoplasty/nose surgery
* Liposuction
* Lip Augmentation

Skin care in your 30s-40s

People in their 30s still have healthy skin, but elastic collagen fibers begin breaking down and cell production starts to lag. Facial wrinkles are more prevalent than they were in the 20s, as are fine lines and age spots.

Slower metabolism in the 30s and 40s can also mean the development of stubborn stores of fat that are hard to remove, even with regular exercise.

Good habits for older skin

Regular exercise, a healthy balanced diet and daily vitamin supplements become important to keep your skin and body healthy as you continue to age. Drinking lots of water to keep tissues hydrated and consuming plenty of antioxidant-rich foods are also advisable for preserving the skin’s vitality.

In your 30s and 40s, aside from daily sunscreen application and frequent moisturizing, topical anti-aging/antioxidants such as retinoic acid, alpha hydroxy acid and topical vitamin C should be incorporated into the regimen.

Treatments. Here are some of the most popular non-surgical skin rejuvenation treatments for 30 and 40-somethings today:

* Skin rejuvenation and skin tightening treatments
* Chemical peels
* Microdermabrasion
* IPL Photofacial
* Fractional/Erbium Laser Resurfacing
* Botolinium toxin injection for wrinkles and fine lines
* Dermal filler injection for deep lines and folds
* Radiofrequency (Thermage/Refirme) for skin tightening

Body contouring treatments:
* Mesotherapy
* Carboxytherapy
* Radiofrequency
* Ultrasound assisted lipolysis
* Hair regrowth treatments
* Mesohair
* Laser Regrowth
* Surgical body contouring
* Breast Augmentation or Breast Lift
* Liposuction
* Abdominoplasty/Tummy Tuck

Skin care for those over 50

When people hit the 50s, 60s and 70s, the signs of aging have usually begun attacking in full force. Collagen levels are at an all-time low, skin elasticity is minimal and age begins to show prominently on the face.

The effects of exposure to the sun and elements over the years manifest themselves. The most common problems are deep wrinkles, drooping skin (particularly around the eyes and jowls), loss of volume (cheeks and nasolabial area), prevalent age spots and pigmentations (melasma) and other skin imperfections such as varicose veins and spider veins.

Treatments. Non-surgical skin tightening methods are popular for patients of all ages. However, they might not yield the same level of results in more extreme cases of loose or sagging skin at this age. Hence, surgical procedures might be a more effective treatment in some cases.

Skin rejuvenation/tightening

* Deep chemical peel
* Radiofrequency
* Fractional/CO2/Erbium laser resurfacing
* Botolinium toxin injections
* Dermal filler injections
* Surgical Skin Tightening
* Blepharoplasty eyelid surgery
* Facelift
* Neck Lift
* Brow Lift

Many patients in their 50s and 60s also choose to combine a facelift or surgical skin tightening procedure with rejuvenation treatments like chemical peels, IPL Photofacials, microdermabrasion, or fractional laser resurfacing for maximum effect.

Liposuction and tummy tucks are popular choices for taking care of loose skin and excess fat deposits around the torso.

Finally, no matter which age bracket you are, be sure to discuss all treatment options with a trusted and qualified board-certified dermatologist or plastic aesthetic surgeon. Not only will you be able to learn more about the risks and benefits of various procedures, you will get an informed opinion about which procedure will work best for you.

PGMA allegedly spent US$20K on Dinner

2009-08-09T16:20:00.000-07:00

Posted by pinoytutorial on Aug 9th, 2009 and filed under Featured, News Articles. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry

Page Six

According to Page Six section of the foreign newspaper New York Post, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo allegedly spent a whopping 20,000 US$ on a dinner at Le Cirque New York City, USA. It happened after her scheduled business meeting with US President Barrack Obama.

Mrs. Arroyo didn’t seem to mind her status – a public head of a country with millions of indigent people – while ordering the lavish meal consisting of:

Appetizers:

lobster salad, wild burgundy escargot and soft shell crab tempura

Main course:

black cod, halibut, Dover sole, saddle of lamb and prime dry-aged strip steak

Additional:

caviar and Krug champagne at $510 a bottle.

Whew! that meal fit the Royal families! Many public figures opposing PGMA cringed upon learning the issue and gave a “bad aftertaste” opinions on the President’s alleged millionaire extravaganza.

On the President’s defense, Press Sec. Cerge Remonde came to the rescue! He said that it was Congressman Martin Romualdez who paid for the tab on the said Restaurant.

On a personal note, after checking the price list of Le Cirque, the food wasn’t that super expensive. Price ranges from 40-120 US$ per person (w/out wine). Unless, she brought a “very” large fleet with her then that would be a different story.

GMA 2

After a couple of days, for sure this issue will fade away. No one will know if this is true or just a hoax overblown to catch media attention. In any case, PGMA should have been extra careful doing such kind of activities especially when all Filipino eyes are on her.

(source:Inquirer)

Corazon Aquino, Ex-Leader of Philippines, Is Dead

2009-07-31T16:41:00.000-07:00

By SETH MYDANS
Published: July 31, 2009

Corazon C. Aquino of the Philippines, who was swept into office on a wave of “people power” in 1986 and then faced down half a dozen coup attempts in six years as president, died Saturday in Manila. She was 76.
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Former Philippine President Corazon Aquino at a news conference in Manila on July 8, 2005.
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Times Topics: Corazon C. Aquino

Her son, Senator Benigno S. Aquino III, known as Noynoy, said she died at 3:18 a.m., The Associated Press reported. She learned she had advanced colon cancer last year and had been hospitalized in Manila for more than a month, he said. The cancer had spread to other organs, he added, and she was too weak to continue chemotherapy.

Demure but radiant in her familiar yellow dress, Mrs. Aquino brought hope to the Philippines as a presidential candidate, then led its difficult transition to democracy from 20 years of autocratic rule under her predecessor, Ferdinand E. Marcos.

That initial triumph of popular will —after a fraudulent election in which Mr. Marcos claimed victory, though most people believed Mrs. Aquino had won — was a high point in modern Philippine history, and it offered a model for nonviolent uprisings that has been repeated often in other countries.

But it also set a difficult precedent in the Philippines, where people nostalgic for their shining moment continue to see mass movements as an acceptable, if unconstitutional, answer to the difficulties of a flawed democratic system.

Since Mrs. Aquino left office in 1992, the Philippines has had two electoral transfers of presidential power and two attempts at replicating “people power,” including one that succeeded in removing a democratically elected president, Joseph Estrada, in 2001.

Mrs. Aquino spent the decades after her presidency as the fading conscience of her country, supporting social causes and, in her last years, joining street protests calling for the resignation of the current president, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

An observant Roman Catholic who sometimes retreated to convents for contemplation, she attributed much of her success to a divine will. She also said she sought guidance from the spirit of her late husband, Benigno S. Aquino Jr., who had been a chief challenger to Mr. Marcos. His assassination in 1983 fueled the opposition against Mr. Marcos and made his widow a popular figure.

“What on earth do I know about being president?” Mrs. Aquino said in an interview in December 1985, after a rally opening her election campaign.

But that was beside the point. For many Filipinos, she embodied a hope of becoming a better nation and a prouder people.

“The only thing I can really offer the Filipino people is my sincerity,” she said in the interview.

It was what they hungered for, and what she delivered as president. Although often criticized as an indecisive and ineffectual leader, Mrs. Aquino combined passivity and stubbornness and an unexpected shrewdness to hold firm against powerful opponents from both the right and the left.

Her survival in office was one of her chief accomplishments. She was succeeded by Fidel V. Ramos, whose challenge to Mr. Marcos had been a catalyst for the uprising in 1986 and whose support as Mrs. Aquino’s military chief was crucial to her in quelling coup attempts.

In the months after she took office, while ambitious people who had wilted under Mr. Marcos’s dominance jockeyed for power, Mrs. Aquino succeeded in restoring a freely elected parliament and an independent judiciary.

She had come to power through what amounted to popular acclaim — she called it “people power” — expressed by huge crowds that gathered in support of her after the disputed election in February 1986.

One year later, in February 1987, an 80 percent popular vote for a new constitution was seen as a vote of confidence in her presidency, and coming after her nonelectoral ascent to power, it confirmed her legitimacy and helped keep her challengers at bay.

But these challenges, including the attempted coups and continuing agitation from pressure groups, limited her options. Lacking political experience, she held back from making the most of her overwhelming mandate.

Born into one of the country’s wealthy land-owning families, the Cojuangcos of Tarlac, Mrs. Aquino did not lead the social revolution that some had hoped for. She failed to institute effective land reform or to address the country’s fundamental structural ailment, the oligarchical control of power and politics.

Under pressure from her restive military, she was forced to abandon one of the most strongly held ideas she brought to her presidency, an amnesty and reconciliation with a Communist insurgency. In one of the most striking retreats of her presidency, addressing the graduating class at the Philippine Military Academy a year after taking power, she said, “The answer to the terrorism of the left and the right is not social and economic reform, but police and military action.”

She turned her military loose, and the war against the Communist New People’s Army resumed. The four-decade conflict continues today, along with widespread extrajudicial killings by the military that are reminiscent of Mr. Marcos’s time.
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Times Topics: Corazon C. Aquino

Although the economy revived under her leadership, it remains weak, sustained by the remittances of millions of overseas workers. Economic growth is also hampered by an exploding population in a largely Roman Catholic nation in which artificial birth control is rejected by the church.

Maria Corazon Aquino, popularly known as Cory, was born in January 1933, in Tarlac province in central Luzon, the sixth of eight children of José Cojuangco.

Like her future husband, she was the offspring of a wealthy and politically powerful family. The Cojuangcos’ banking and commercial interests, along with their 15,000-acre sugar plantation, made them one of the wealthiest families in the province.

Like the Aquinos, they belonged to the class of oligarchs of Chinese, Spanish and Malay descent who have held the real power in the Philippines since colonial days. She herself attended exclusive schools in Manila before, at 13, she was sent to finish her education at convent schools in the United States, where teachers and students remembered her as a quiet, studious, devoutly Catholic girl.

She studied at Raven Hill Academy in Philadelphia and Notre Dame Convent School in Manhattan, a small institution on West 79th Street (now called Notre Dame School), where she was a member of the class of 1949. In 1953 she graduated from Mount St. Vincent College in the Riverdale section of the Bronx with a major in French and a minor in mathematics.

She enrolled in law school in Manila, where she met her future husband, Benigno Aquino, a promising young journalist with a future in politics clearly ahead of him. She left the law behind and married him in 1954, and the couple had four daughters and a son.

Besides her son, she is survived by her daughters, Maria Elena Aquino-Cruz, Aurora Corazon Aquino-Abellada, Victoria Elisa Aquino-Dee and Kristina Bernadette Aquino-Yap.

Mrs. Aquino played the dutiful wife as her husband’s political star rose. In less than 20 years he became the country’s youngest elected mayor, governor and senator, emerging as one of the chief potential rivals of Mr. Marcos, who was then president.

When Mr. Marcos declared martial law in 1972, extending his presidency beyond its two-term limit, Mr. Aquino was arrested and charged with subversion and illegal possession of firearms. He spent the next seven years behind bars. It was during that time that Mrs. Aquino’s political education began in earnest. As her husband’s only link to the world outside, she memorized his messages and statements and passed them on to the press.

In 1980, Mr. Marcos allowed Mr. Aquino to go to the United States for a triple-bypass heart operation. Mr. Aquino accepted academic posts at Harvard and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and the family settled in Newton, a suburb of Boston, for what Mrs. Aquino later recalled as the happiest three years of her life.

But despite warnings from Mr. Marcos’s powerful and eccentric wife, Imelda, Mr. Aquino pursued a sense of mission and returned to the Philippines on Aug. 21, 1983. He was escorted from his airplane by two soldiers, who gunned him down on a side stairway leading to the tarmac.

Mr. Marcos was widely blamed for the assassination, although no proof has emerged, and Mr. Aquino’s funeral became the occasion for a huge antigovernment protest.

It was at his funeral, dressed in black and standing beside his open coffin, that Mrs. Aquino became a national symbol, showing the dignity and composure that would characterize her most difficult moments as president. Her popularity reached its peak during her presidential campaign against Mr. Marcos in January 1986, when she was surrounded by enthusiastic crowds chanting, “Cory! Cory! Cory!”

The “people power” uprising began with a foiled coup attempt by a clique of junior officers two weeks after the election in which Mr. Marcos was declared the winner by a compliant legislature. Two of Mr. Marcos’s military leaders — Defense Minister Juan Ponce Enrile and Mr. Ramos, who was then chief of the national police — broke away and took refuge in a military camp in the capital.

Responding to calls by the Catholic Church and by Mrs. Aquino’s backers, hundreds of thousands of people poured into the streets around the military camp, blocking the advance of tanks and calling on the soldiers to join them. The tide had clearly turned against Mr. Marcos. President Ronald Reagan, who had supported him throughout, sent him the message that it was time for him to leave.

Four days after the uprising began, Mr. Marcos was flown on an American aircraft to exile in Hawaii, where he died in 1989. Before fleeing, Mr. Marcos had himself sworn in as president in his nearly empty palace. Almost simultaneously Mrs. Aquino was sworn in by her civilian supporters at a social club near the military camp. She was immediately recognized as president by the United States. In an address to the nation, she declared, “Our long national nightmare is over,” and there was a moment of hope.

Penelope Cruz breaks the red carpet's cardinal rule... but only because her bags were stolen Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-

2009-07-31T16:17:00.000-07:00

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Most girls wouldn’t carry an entire outfit in their handbag, but then again most girls aren’t Penélope Cruz.

So it’s just as well she had a red trouser suit in her bag, as her luggage was lost on her flight to London from Madrid.

She simply reached for her change of clothes to tread the red carpet at Somerset House last night.
Penelope Cruz

Red-hot: Penelope Cruz looks stunning in her Bottega Veneta suit, which she wore after her luggage went missing after a flight into London

The Bottega Veneta suit wasn’t quite up to her usual glamorous standards, but it did the trick, especially teamed with some show-stopping shoes. It complemented her olive skin and long, brunette hair, even if they were the only thing to stand out.

The actress, 35, came under fire for breaking the cardinal rule of wearing red on the red carpet, but at least we now know she had good reason.

Cruz was in town for the premiere of Broken Embraces, and luckily the heavens didn’t open on her linen number.

She said: 'I looked up at the sky and said, ‘Don’t you rain on me — I’m Penélope Cruz!'

It seemed to do the trick.

Her director, Pedro Almodóvar, had an interesting theory about the lost luggage.

In delightfully broken English, the Spaniard said: 'I think it’s a plot. I think someone take it.

'They a-bring it with him or her to home. I think it was a-stolen for a fetishist.'

Penelope Cruz

Blending in: Penelope Cruz disappears into the red carpet at Somerset House

The film tells the story of a filmmaker who goes blind after an accident and his struggle to re-engage with life.

It was shown earlier this year at the Cannes Film Festival.

Broken Embraces is the fourth collaboration between Cruz and her fellow Spaniard. It is Almodovar's first film since his 2006 hit Volver.

The movie opened this year's open air season at the Film4 Summer Screen at Somerset House.

Her Spanish actor Javier Bardem was not at the premiere, but she revealed the two of them had recently stayed with U2's Bono on the French Riviera.

The film is released in cinemas on August 28.

The woman who REALLY invented French dressing: New movie reveals a different side to Coco Chanel

2009-07-31T16:10:00.000-07:00

By Lina Das

She gave us trousers for women, black as a fashion statement, fake pearls and the little black dress, but while Gabrielle 'Coco' Chanel revolutionised women's fashion with her clean lines and unfettered simplicity, her own life was as messy and complicated as her signature style was uncluttered.

This year has seen a tidal wave of Chanel mania sweep across Europe, from films such as Coco Chanel starring Shirley MacLaine, and Coco Chanel & Igor Stravinsky, which closed the Cannes Festival in May, as well as a biography due out in the autumn.

And the most anticipated of them all - the film Coco Before Chanel starring Audrey Tautou in the title role - is released today.
Audrey Tautou Coco Before Chanel

Elegant: Audrey Tautou in new film Coco Before Chanel. The actress captured Chanel's birdlike appearance

But the irony of a woman who strove for simplicity in her work, yet whose life was a study in untidy truths, hasn't been lost on those attempting to tell her story.

Much of what she achieved in her 87 years was to be admired, Chanel having transformed herself from an orphanage-raised young girl to someone whom the film's director terms 'the world's first businesswoman'.

But there were also some unpalatable facts, namely her alleged anti-Semitism and her relationship with the truth, which at best could be described as sketchy.

She was taught to embroider by the nuns who ran the orphanage and it was a skill she seemingly put to use when it came to telling the truth. 'She said she invented her life because she didn't like it,' says director Anne Fontaine. 'Parts of her life were too heavy to come to terms with. She lied to be free.'
Coco Chanel

Ground breaking style: Coco Chanel in signature faux pearls and cigarette

Freedom was a big deal for Chanel. For a young girl born in 1883 in a poorhouse (she paid her brothers to disappear lest the truth of her origins became known), it must have seemed a commodity that was unattainable.

Her father Albert was an itinerant salesman and when her mother Jeanne died when Gabrielle was 12, she and her two sisters were placed in the orphanage of the Aubazine monastery, where Gabrielle was to remain for six years.

Taught to sew by the nuns (whose habits inspired her lifelong love affair with black minimalism), at 18 she moved to a convent to work as a seamstress.
ALESSANDRO NIVOLA & AUDREY TAUTOU

The man of Chanel's life Arthur 'Boy' Capel, played by Alessandro Nivola (left) tragically died in a motoring accident in 1919

'Most people don't know Chanel came from such humble beginnings,' says Fontaine, 'and that without any intellectual or artistic education, she managed to fashion herself and shape her own destiny. It shows what a strong personality she had.'

In Audrey Tautou, known for her role in Amelie, Fontaine found someone who captured Chanel's birdlike elegance. 'It was imperative to have an actress with similar proportions to Chanel,' says the director, who shot the entire film in French - there are subtitles.

More...

* LIZ JONES: Coco Before Chanel made me fall in love with fashion again
* The sexiest shop on Earth: The uproarious story of Biba, the store that defined the Sixties
* How to be a Coco clone: Steal the style of the design legend

Chanel's formative adult years saw her trying to make it as a music hall singer in the French city of Moulins. (One song, Coco, provided her nickname.) This gave her access to the wealthier sets and it was here that she was to meet the first of two men who would help her achieve the fame, fortune and, ironically, the independence she so richly craved.
Couturiere Gabrielle
Audrey Tautou as Coco Chanel

Homage: Coco seen here on the mirrored staircase of her couture house. £1.3million was spent on more than 200 costumes and 700 hats for the movie

Etienne Balsan (played in the film by Benoit Poelvoorde) was a wealthy breeder of horses who took Chanel on as his second mistress. 'Essentially, she was a courtesan, which is a bit of a contradiction to the image we have of Chanel as an independent woman,' says Fontaine.

'She was very thin, anorexic almost, and although men found her funny, they didn't think more of her. But she knew she had to sleep with Balsan to get anywhere, which was revolutionary for this period.'

At Balsan's, she learned to ride horses like a man (giving rise to her trademark androgynous style and her love of sportswear as fashion) and to reject the elaborate, corseted fashions of the time in favour of creating simple sack dresses.
Audrey Tautou

The fashion designer had a 50-a-day habit which was portrayed in the film. However French authorities outlawed adverts for the movie that featured smoking

Though Balsan regarded her as something of an embarrassment, forbidding her to leave the bedroom when his society friends were around, he grew to admire and then love Chanel, though it came too late as he had already introduced her to the man who was to prove the love of her life - his friend Arthur 'Boy' Capel.

An Englishman from a wealthy coal mining family, Boy was to have a lasting effect on Chanel's life. He is played by actor Alessandro Nivola.

Nivola says: 'What I loved about the story was that Boy's relationship with Coco begins the moment he tells her he's going to marry someone else, which isn't typical of most period, romantic movies.
Coco Chanel

Lavish: The French designer in her Paris apartment actually came from very humble beginnings

'They're both orphans, and he delights in her power rather than being intimidated or turned off by it.' It was Capel who loaned Chanel the money to set up her first fashion salon in Paris and her designs flourished after World War I.

Nivola says: 'She got men to finance her career without being tied to them. But I think it was only human for Chanel to long for something more traditional.'

Sadly, it was never to be, as Capel was killed in a motoring accident in 1919. Fontaine says: 'For Chanel, it was a disaster when he died.'
Jackie Onassis John F. Kennedy

Fan: Jackie Onassis reportedly wore Chanel on the day of husband President John F. Kennedy's assassination in 1963

The film ends shortly after this period and the truncation of Chanel's life story meant that some liberties had to be taken with the fashions that appear in the film.

The movie's costume designer, Catherine Leterrier, admits: 'The photos of Chanel in the famous striped mariner's sweater didn't appear till the Thirties, so we had to move the fashion forward slightly by showing her walking along the beach and noticing the sweaters of the fishermen as they pull in their nets.

'The Chanel bag is another iconic creation and Anne Fontaine wanted me to imagine how it originated, so I created a quilted sewing bag as if the young Coco had made it out of a remnant given to her by her aunts. I hope Chanel will forgive me!'
Chanel No 5 perfume

Iconic: Chanel No 5 perfume was reportedly the only thing Marilyn Monroe wore in bed

No doubt Coco would have been pleased by the sumptuous feel of the film (£1.3 million was spent on more than 200 costumes and 700 hats which feature in the movie). But by cutting swathes out, it manages to dispense with some of the more unsavoury aspects of her life.

After Capel's death, she embarked on affairs with the composer Igor Stravinsky and the Duke of Westminster, with some speculating that she might have become the Duchess had she been able to have children (she was rumoured to have undergone a botched abortion and motherhood and marriage always evaded her).

She later befriended Winston Churchill. But as the Germans marched into Paris in 1940, Chanel closed down her fashion house and ensconced herself in the Ritz, embarking on an ill-advised affair with the Nazi intelligence officer Hans Gunther von Dinklage.

Fontaine says: 'She liked men and had many of them and I don't think there was any anti-Semitism on her part.'

But after Chanel created her own perfume range - the first designer to do so - she tried to wrest control from the Jewish brothers who owned the business by trying to make use of the anti-Semitic laws of the time.

When France was liberated in 1944, she was arrested and evaded punishment, eventually fleeing the country in disgrace and living out the rest of the decade in exile in Switzerland with von Dinklage.

She returned to fashion in the early Fifties, and while the French greeted the new collection with scorn, in America they were more forgiving (the suit Jackie Kennedy wore on the day of her husband's assassination came from Chanel).

The film ends with a strange, dream-like sequence where an elderly Chanel, perched on the staircase of her Parisian atelier, watches the models parade in front of her in some of the label's best-known creations.

Chanel lived till 1971, having spent her final years in her private suite at the Hotel Ritz in Paris.

Fontaine says: 'At the end, she felt a life without a husband and children was a disaster. She was very alone and the day she died, she went up to the concierge and told him: "In about three or four minutes, I'm going to die."

'She went up to her room and was dead five minutes later. She was so much of a control freak in her life that it was no surprise that she had that control in death, too.'

• COCO BEFORE CHANEL is released in cinemas today.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1203293/The-woman-REALLY-invented-French-dressing-New-movie-reveals-different-Coco-Chanel.html;jsessionid=937B2BF57873B581B43CFB83F08FEF10#ixzz0MsipmXo8

Best Cities For Singles 2009

2009-07-29T17:24:00.000-07:00

It hasn't been an easy year for New Yorkers, what with the fall of Wall Street, a media-industry shakeout and a significant decrease in consumer spending. Just in June U.S. retail sales experienced a year-over-year decrease of 9%, to $342.1 billion, according to the Commerce Department.

These financial stresses have brought a shift in priorities for singles: Living in New York City no longer requires making your first million by the age of 30, but instead means finding happiness with another person (though having achieved the former certainly can't hurt with the latter).
In Depth: Best Cities for Singles
citysingles_419x98.jpg

With an unemployment rate of 8.2%, many of this metro area's finest unmarried folks-- 28% of the overall population--are taking advantage of generous severances and enjoying the spoils of the city--including its 35,000 restaurants, 3,800 bars and 734 museums--with dates they've found online. The New York metro area boasts a larger number of active accounts on dating site Match.com than any other place in the country, making up 8% of the entire site's active members.

While it's the biggest metro included--New York should have even more active members--other large metros don't participate nearly as much. For example, only 2% of Angelinos, who live in the second-largest metro in the country, actively use the site. (Match is based in Dallas, Texas, which ranks 17th on our list.)

It's still not cheap to live in New York--the average cost of a one-bedroom apartment in the borough of Manhattan, for example, is $3,522-- but the average entry-level salary is a lot higher too, at $35,593. (For singles making entry-level money, there are more affordable accommodations in Brooklyn and Queens, as well as across the river in New Jersey.) The average rent for a one-bedroom in Milwaukee is just $813.65, but the average starting salary is only $30,453. Close competition with New York includes Boston, Chicago, Seattle and Washington, D.C., which round out the top five best cities for singles.
Behind the Numbers

To generate our list, we ranked 40 of the largest continental U.S. metropolitan statistical areas in seven different categories: coolness, cost of living alone, culture, job growth, online dating participation, nightlife and the ratio of singles to the entire population of the metro. Each metro was assigned a ranking of 1 to 40 in each category, based on quantitative data, and all categories were weighted equally. The ranks were then totaled to determine the final rankings. A metropolitan statistical area (MSA) is a geographic entity defined by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget for use by federal agencies in collecting, tabulating and publishing federal statistics.

The biggest factor in the rankings this year was an increase in online dating, not just in New York but across the entire U.S. Pepper Schwartz, Ph.D., a sociology professor at University of Washington in Seattle and the relationship expert at Perfectmatch.com, says that the Seattle-based dating site has seen a 48% increase in subscriptions year-over-year. She believes that it's directly related to the recession.

"I don't think that it's an accident," says Schwartz. "People are telling us that when things are tough, core needs are most important. And love--someone to share your life with--is a core need."

Of course, not every single is looking to settle down. But that's why our top cities offer a little bit of everything for every kind of person. Washington, D.C., for example, has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country--6.2%, compared with a national average of 9.1%--so this metro area is a promising spot for those who are single as well as ambitious. Boston, on the other hand, is ideal for those unsure about their future prospects. Home to over 40 colleges and universities, those seeking graduate degrees find plenty of like-minded peers around them.

Farther down on the list, spots like Austin and Portland prove to be up-and-coming singles capitals. From March's annual South by Southwest music, film and media festival to the city's ever-growing creative community of artists, musicians and designers, Austin ranks high on the coolness scale. It also gets points for job growth; the number of jobs in the city will increase by 17.5% over the next five years, according to New York-based research firm Moodys' Economy.com. And while Portland is pricey--a one-bedroom apartment rents for $1,124 on average, and the entry-level salary is below the national average--the city's indie music and arts scenes, as well as its myriad bars and clubs, are all positives.

But wherever you live, even if it's Jacksonville, Fla., which falls dead last on our list, there's a community of singles making the best of that particular place. Whether that means embracing the great outdoors around Denver or buying the next round of tequila shots in nightlife-oriented Virginia Beach, there are plenty of other like-minded people on the prowl. And right now, the easiest place to find them is online.
Full Methodology

To determine the best city for singles, we ranked 40 of the largest continental U.S. metropolitan statistical areas in seven different categories: coolness, cost of living alone, culture, job growth, online dating, nightlife and number of singles. Each metro is assigned a ranking of 1 to 40 in each category, based on quantitative data. All categories are weighted equally. The ranks are then totaled to determine the final rankings. A metropolitan statistical area (MSA) is a geographic entity defined by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget for use by federal agencies in collecting, tabulating and publishing federal statistics.

Coolness: To determine coolness, market research company Harris Interactive conducted a poll in July 2009 of adults from across the U.S., each of whom was asked, "Among the following U.S. cities, which one do you think is the coolest?" Data were provided by Harris Interactive.

Cost of living alone: Our proprietary cost of living alone index is determined by the average cost of a metro area's one-bedroom apartment rent, a movie ticket and a six-pack of Heineken. Additionally, we factored in entry-level salary data. Raw data came from the Accra Cost of Living Index, provided by the Arlington, Va.-based Council for Community and Economic Research and New York-based Mercer Human Resource Consulting.

Culture: Our cultural index is determined by the number of museums, sports teams and live theater and concert venues per capita in each metro area. Data were provided by New York-based AOL City Guide and the U.S. Census Bureau. Job growth: Job growth rankings are determined by the projected percentage of job growth over the next five years for each metro. Data were provided by New York-based research firm Moody's Economy.com.

Online Dating: Online dating rates are determined by the percentage of active profiles in each city of the overall active member data based of Dallas, Texas-based dating site Match.com.

Nightlife: Nightlife is based on the number of restaurants, bars and nightclubs per capita in each standard metropolitan area. Data provided by AOL City Guide.

Admit it -- you used to wear Crocs Crocs

2009-07-27T17:36:00.000-07:00

Blue and yellow Crocs decorated with plastic "Jibbitz."

In retrospect, the rise of Crocs seems improbable -- impossible almost -- even to the people who rode the wave all the way to the top.

"For a while, they were just right there, in the middle of American culture," says Richard Polk, the owner of Pedestrian Shops and ComfortableShoes.com, based in Boulder, Colo. Polk's store was the first real shoe store to stock the crazy-looking plastic shoes, a few years back, when they first roared out of nearby Aurora to take the world by storm. Polk was a believer; not only did his shop get on the bandwagon early, but he also wore a pair all through a campaign for Boulder City Council in 2005. Yet looking back, even he can't quite believe it. "It was amazing -- here you got grown-ups talking about serious stuff, wearing royal blue shoes," Polk says. "I don't think that'll ever happen again."

Which is sort of the problem for Crocs Inc. now. Reports about the company's future look bleak -- it lost $185.1 million last year, shed 2,000 jobs, and revenue in the first quarter of 2009 declined by 32 percent. And yes, you read that right -- they had grown so big so quickly that they laid off 2,000 people. Just three years ago, Crocs went public in a splashy stock offering, raising $200 million; now it trades at about three bucks a share, down from a high of nearly $70 in October 2007. Analysts wonder whether a scheduled September debt payment will do the firm in.

Crocs appears to have been a classic victim of its own success. Founded by some friends who somehow got their hands on a new Canadian technology to make lightweight, bacteria-resistant foam, the company launched in 2002, aimed at boaters, who might need waterproof footwear. Things started slowly enough. They sold to people who liked them more for their comfort and support -- cooks, nurses, waiters, anyone who needed to be on their feet for a long time.

But three years ago, they somehow just caught fire, spreading from the heartland to the coasts in a reversal of the usual trend path. New York chef/erstwhile Food Network star Mario Batali endorsed them without reservations, buying dozens of pairs; he would go on to be such an effective evangelist that the company launched a special Batali line. Polk's store started selling as many as 5,000 a month, between the bricks-and-mortar locations and the Web site. By the summer of 2006, Crocs were everywhere. "You've tried to ignore them, but they've spread like vermin," the Washington Post's Style section sneered in an Aug. 1, 2006, piece on the trend. Crocs didn't just roll with the boom, it pushed it along -- the company took out ads in Vanity Fair, with the tag line "Ugly can be beautiful."

That ad campaign gets to the heart of why the rise, let alone the fall, of Crocs was such a mystery. The shoes are ugly. You know they're ugly. People knew they were ugly even as they flocked to buy them; they celebrated, they reveled in their ugliness. They created a whole tacky subculture around them, sticking little plastic charms -- known as "Jibbitz" -- in the holes that dot the tops of the shoes. You could decorate your shoes with hamburgers or sharks, and for some strange reason, people actually did. The shoes sold by the millions. By 2007, even George W. Bush was tromping around in the things.

And Crocs, like any good business, expanded its operations to meet demand. It bought the company that made the Jibbitz, in a vertical integration move straight out of Andrew Carnegie's playbook. It ramped up production, building factories in Canada and Mexico to churn out more and more of the shoes. It set up distribution centers in Japan and Holland to help shovel the things out to a global audience. It tried to launch a line of clothes, made out of the same synthetic material it used to make the shoes.

But the material, it turned out, was part of the problem. With the exception of a few well-publicized incidents where the shoes got caught in escalators, Crocs, it seemed, were virtually indestructible. Which meant no one ever had to buy replacement pairs. Perhaps no one at Crocs HQ had heard the term "planned obsolescence," or seen the movie "The Man in the White Suit." At some point, the company saturated its market and suddenly ... everyone who ever had any intention of owning a pair of Crocs, did. And sales came crashing down. The recession, when it began last year, was the final blow.

Now, in the summer of 2009, just three years after Crocs rocketed up, it's hard to find a pair on anyone over the age of 10. Wandering around the Mall, the White House and the Capitol over the last week, I saw plenty of tourists strolling in flip-flops, sneakers, business shoes -- and only a handful of Crocs. A few years ago, it would have been impossible to walk a block through downtown without spotting them in some garish color.

"So many things happened to have their growth be on such an unrealistic path that when the economy pulled back, they had just figured out how to make more -- and they needed less," Polk said. "You couldn't sustain that fairy dust thing. There's just no reason why such a large percentage of the families in America needed to have half a dozen pairs under their kids' beds." (Incidentally, while Polk is still selling shoes, he's no longer on Boulder's City Council. He served one term, thanks to his Croc-walking campaign, but didn't seek reelection after he was arrested for marijuana possession in 2006.)

Now in its death throes, Crocs has turned to more and more exotic styles. There's the Santa Cruz, vaguely modeled on classic espadrilles -- a pair of which, in full disclosure, I must cop to owning. There are boots, known as the Nadia. There are models with high heels, and golf shoes. There is even a whole run of Crocs lined with fur, known as the Mammoth, which Salon's Rebecca Traister sheepishly admitted to purchasing for her boyfriend.

But if Crocs is to survive its debt burden, it may have to retrench, getting back to basics and its core market -- the chefs, the nurses and the others who bought the shoes in the early days, as well as kids, who retailers say like the shoes because they don't need help tying them. The new CEO, John Duerden, has indicated as much, saying the company knows there's still a market out there for its products and is taking steps to slim down to make sure Crocs can serve it. When pressed, though, he's also defended the recent diversification. "We currently have more than 120 styles of casual, comfortable footwear, including sandals, boots, heels, wedges, flats and functional footwear for people who work on their feet or who have foot or back problems, along with our signature clogs," Duerden wrote in a snippy post on the company's blog after the Washington Post reported on its financial problems.

Regardless, the Crocs Inc. we all knew and loved -- or hated -- a few years ago seems to be a thing of the past. Either the classic Crocs shoes will be sold, quietly, to niche markets, or the company will turn itself into just another anonymous manufacturer of cheap, more or less well-made footwear that looks indistinguishable from anything else on anyone's feet. And all those brightly colored, indestructible marvels will, one day, clog up our landfills. And future archaeologists will find them and say, "Wow. These are some ugly shoes."

Nu Skin Chairman Recognized With 2009 International Award for Outstanding Business Performance

2009-07-20T11:44:00.001-07:00

PROVO, Utah, July 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Nu Skin Enterprises‘ (NYSE: NUS) founder and Chairman of the Board Blake Roney was honored yesterday with the International Stevie Award as the top chairman of the board by the 2009 International Business Awards. The International Business Awards are the only global, all-encompassing business awards program honoring great performances in business. This recognition comes on the heels of the company’s largest revenue year ever.

“As founder and chairman of the board for Nu Skin, Blake Roney has shaped the foundation and successful direction of this company,” said Truman Hunt, Nu Skin president and chief executive officer. “Nu Skin’s 25 years of success can, in many ways, be attributed to Blake, his values, his abilities as a businessman and his efforts to improve lives. He represents the company’s mission to ‘be a force for good’ in the world and has demonstrated his passion to improve lives by empowering people with innovative products, rewarding business opportunities and an enriching and uplifting culture.”

Roney’s achievements include developing an enterprise that established a legacy of demonstrating its difference through its people, product, culture and opportunity. The company has grown from a few thousand dollars in start-up capital to a billion-dollar publicly-traded company with more than 750,000 independent distributors operating in 48 markets. Nu Skin boasts an impressive portfolio of skin care and nutritional anti-aging products, and a direct selling model that attracts both full-time and supplemental income seekers. In addition, the company has facilitated the donation of more than 155 million meals through its Nourish the Children initiative and has donated more than $17.5 million to improving lives of children through the Nu Skin Force for Good Foundation.

Recipients of International Stevie Award trophies were selected from more than 1,700 entries received from organizations and individuals in more than 30 countries. Nu Skin has previously been honored with three Stevie Awards - two American Business Awards for Most Innovative Company for the BioPhotonic Scanner in 2005, and for Best Corporate Social Responsibility Program for the company’s Nourish the Children business initiative in 2007. In 2008, Nu Skin Korea received an International Business Award for Best Corporate Social Responsibility Program in Asia.

About The Stevie Awards

Nicknamed the Stevie(R) for the Greek word “crowned,” the awards will be officially presented to winners at a gala dinner on Monday, September 14 in New York City. Stevie Awards are conferred in four programs: The American Business Awards, The International Business Awards, the Stevie Awards for Women in Business, and the Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service. Honoring companies of all types and sizes and the people behind them, the Stevies recognize outstanding performances in the workplace worldwide. Learn more about The Stevie Awards at www.stevieawards.com.

The Company

For 25 years, Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc. has been demonstrating its tradition of innovation through its product portfolio, independent business opportunity and corporate social responsibility initiatives. Nu Skin’s scientific leadership in both skin care and nutrition has established Nu Skin as a premier anti-aging company, evidenced in its patent-pending ageLOC(TM) anti-aging platform and flagship products including the Galvanic Spa(R) System II, Tru Face(R) Essence Ultra, LifePak(R) nano and the g3 nutrition beverage. A global direct selling company, Nu Skin operates in 48 markets worldwide and has more than 750,000 independent sales representatives. Nu Skin Enterprises is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “NUS.” More information is available at http://www.nuskinenterprises.com.

Mid Year Naturalizer Warehouse Sale - Missed

2009-07-15T21:09:00.000-07:00

Sorry guys we missed it. Yeah we missed the Naturalizer Warehouse Mid Year Sale this year. I thought it was on July but they had it last June 18-20,2009. Next would be on November 2009. I will make sure not to overlook it again. I got my Seychelles White Sandal there at a best buy price. I also got my Florsheim brown ladies shoes and also my natualizer wedges. Now i am wondering what should have been my best buy this year... Anyway the universe is conspiring to keep to my promise to save, save and save....Telephone Number of Jannov Plaza Pasong Tamo Makati Warehouse is 893-8435 to 38 . See you there in November 2009.

Wait i learned that the Aldo Warehouse is also at Jannov Plaza Pasong Tamo Makati and they also hold an annual sale.

5 Neat and easy ways to burn calories all day, every day!

2009-07-13T19:06:00.000-07:00

You know that friend, the one who is always tapping her leg, getting up to straighten the bookshelf, the one who generally just can’t sit still? She’s likely burning an extra 200 to 300 calories a day on top of any workouts she does or the amount of calories she burns just being alive. This process is neatly called NEAT, which stands for “NonExercise Activity Thermogenesis” (say that 5 times fast!), and it’s essential for successful weight loss. Basically, it’s the extra stuff you do, physically, all day long that adds up. Make a point to add more “neat” into your day and you can zap another 500 calories! Here are a few ideas:

Do crunches in bed: You could burn about 20 calories in under 5 minutes just by drawing your knees to your chest 25 to 50 times, plus it strengthens your abs and gets your blood pumping.

Check out these 10 ways to boost your calorie burn

10 Ways to Ignite Your Calorie Burn

Torch up to 60% more calories with every workout

Dance around while getting dressed: Turn up the radio or listen to upbeat music on your iPod (if you can) while doing all your morning rituals—an hour of hip shakin’ can burn about 55 calories. Tired of the belly fat? Dance it off!

Stand up! Don’t sit when you can be on your feet—you’ll burn about 40% more calories. So just take a stand—when you’re on the phone, watching kids at the playground, making small talk at a party.

Laugh: Watch something that’s consistently funny (like 30 Rock) and you could burn about 40 calories if you guffaw for 10 to 15 minutes straight.

2 Minutes to a happier, healthier you!

Walk, pace, jog down the hall: In other words, MOVE! Doing little bits of activity all day—taking the stairs to use the restroom on another floor at work, doing an extra lap around the grocery store—can help you burn an additional 375 calories a day!
Health

‘Drug firm offered govt P100M of discounts’ But DoH rejects ‘bribe’

2009-07-13T02:46:00.000-07:00

By Maila Ager
INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—(UPDATE 4) A big pharmaceutical company has allegedly offered the government five million discount cards with an estimated worth of P100 million – a move which Senate President Juan Ponce-Enrile described as a “bribe” meant to prevent the enforcement of the cheaper medicines law.

Reiner Gloor, executive director of Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Association of the Philippines, said Pfizer Philippines reportedly made the offer to the Department of Health before the list of the maximum retail price (MRP) for essential medicines was released last month.

But the offer, Gloor said, was rejected by Health Secretary Francisco Duque.

Enrile said the offer was “tantamount to a bribe in order to obviate” the enforcement of the law.

“I’m not implying any wrongdoing or any malice or any suspicion. I’m just giving the industry a chance to explain to the people of this country who probably have the same impression that this company, Pfizer, can afford to offer five million cards the value of which can be P100 million or even more…How can they not afford to lower the prices of medicines?” he asked.

Gloor said the offer was made before the MRP list was made public.

But Enrile argued that the offer was “an indication that the purpose of the offer was to thwart, stop, and impede the enforcement of the law.”

The Senate President said the offer might also be considered a bribe regardless if it was made directly to Malacanang or the DoH.

“Still, it’s the same carabao – bribe – to prevent the enforcement of this cheaper medicines law,” he stressed.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, Trade Secretary Peter Favila and Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya Jr. were a no-show at Monday’s congressional inquiry on her alleged secret meeting with multinational pharmaceutical firms last week.

It was supposedly agreed in that meeting to delay the imposition of the MRP on essential medicines in the country which effectively halves the prices of these medicines.

In a letter to the congressional oversight committee on quality affordable medicines, Ermita said there was “no sufficient” time to adequately prepare for the hearing since they only received the invitation last Friday, July 10.

Ermita and Senior Deputy Executive Secretary Joaquin Lagonera were also invited to the hearing.

But Senator Manuel Roxas, who co-chairs the committee with Palawan Representative Antonio Alvarez, belied Ermita’s claim, saying that the invitation was received by the Office of the President on July 9.

“Ganunpaman, wala silang oras wala tayong magagawa. Ang punto po rito ay pinupukpok natin ang tamang implementasyon [In any case, they have no time, we can’t do anything about it. The point is we’re pushing them to properly implement the cheaper medicines law],” Roxas said.

Aside from Gloor, also present was Augusto Villanueva, general manager of Roche Philippines.

On Roxas’s questioning, both Gloor and Villanueva confirmed the meeting with the President in Malacanang last week.

Gloor said also present in the meeting were Health Secretary Francisco Duque, Trade Secretary Peter Favila, and representatives of other pharmaceutical firms.

“The President said if you can’t come up something commendable and good, then I will have to sign the MRP,” he said, recalling Arroyo’s statement during the meeting.

Villanueva said the meeting was organized by Pfizer.

But before that meeting with the President, Villanueva confirmed that a similar meeting with Ermita was held in Malacanang last July 2.

That meeting, he said, was also organized by Pfizer.

Roxas said he learned that Arroyo agreed not to impose the MRP if the drug firms would bring their prices down. However, he said, the law on affordable medicines provided for the MRP and could not just be set aside.

Medicine

Google's War on the PC

2009-07-12T00:08:00.000-07:00

The Web giant's new operating system, revealed overnight, will make sharing programs and data easier, and Douglas Rushkoff thinks it will change the entire technology industry—for the better.

As the GoogleApps suite of programs finally graduated from its "beta" status this week, Google also announced its plans to release an operating system on which to run them. Google Chrome, based on the company's new browser, will invite us all to spend a lot less time, energy, and money on our computers—and in the process, it may force the technology industry to consider how to make money after people no longer require expensive machines and software to do their work.

In a sense, Google is just bringing computing back to the way it was supposed to be.

When Steve Jobs toured Xerox PARC and saw computers running the first operating system that used Windows and a mouse, he assumed he was looking at a new way to work a personal computer. He brought the concept back to Cupertino and created the Mac, then Bill Gates followed suit, and the rest is history.

Technology has moved away from sharing and toward ownership. This suits software and hardware companies just fine: They create new, bloated programs that require more disk space and processing power. We buy bigger, faster computers, which then require more complex operating systems, and so on.

What Jobs didn't happen to notice was that the computer operating system he witnessed and copied wasn't meant as a way to organize the software and data on a single machine—it was actually a way for computers on a network to share resources. Not only files, but the software to work with them. The computers themselves were to be just dummies—terminals from which to run software and access files that were stored on someone else's expensive computer.

Instead, our operating systems have moved away from sharing and toward ownership. We buy a big powerful machine and do everything on it ourselves. This suits software and hardware companies just fine: They create new, bloated programs that require more disk space and processing power. We buy bigger, faster computers, which then require more complex operating systems, and so on. (It's as if the car companies and asphalt industry worked together, building roads that required new kinds of cars, and then cars that required new kinds of roads.)

But, as more computer users are coming to realize, owning hardware and software is actually more of a liability than an asset. Whether it's watching a $4,000 laptop fall off the conveyor belt at airport security, contending with a software conflict that corrupted your file management system, or begging your family to stop opening those virus-carrying "greeting cards" attached to emails, all computer owners are highly leveraged and highly vulnerable technology investors.

While there have been "cloud computing" efforts before, they always ran up against people's (false) notions of computer privacy, virus contagion, and fear of dependence. While sporting a new super laptop felt like driving a Porsche, using a shared application felt more like taking the bus.

Google Apps helped retrain us to work in a networked fashion. Instead of opening a word-processing program on our own computers, we used a browser to open Google's word processor. No updates to worry about, no new versions, no file compatibility—or even file storage. It's all someone else's problem. Meanwhile, the Net-based applications are much more biased toward collaboration and sharing than stuff stored on our laptop. While any file can be kept viewable or changeable by only you, it can also be shared with whomever you choose to invite. For those temporarily offline, Google provided a small application through which people could still work on their files remotely before reconnecting to the network.

Although Google Apps alone may not have convinced the public of the benefits of cloud computing, the introduction of $100 and $200 "netbooks" like the Asus Eee and Dell Mini 9 liberated users from the myth that owning more computer was somehow better than owning less. Miniature keyboards notwithstanding, netbooks could as easily be "net desktops," running nimbly on bloatware-free Linux operating systems.

With Google now building a Linux-based netbook OS of its own, those last barriers to entry will be removed. People who want to spend less, work less, and get more, will have an option. Instead of figuring out how to hack their netbooks to run illegal copies of the Mac OS X, people will be clicking a button to install a free, legal, and streamlined Google OS Chrome. (Mac OS X is actually bigger than the whole hard drive on my current netbook, anyway.)

The most legitimate concern, of course, is whether a Google OS will end up centralizing control of software and data in a previously decentralized universe. I'd have to say no. Being essentially forced to use Microsoft Word by a Windows-addicted industrial complex is no better; worse, in fact, because I have to pay for the bloated program. By taking away our need to own software individually, Google is not taking away the equivalent of our right to bear arms; it is simply exposing how little agency all of our store-bought software packages afforded us in the first place.

And luckily for us (if not the company's shareholders), Google tends to do things because they're neat, and worry about business models later. While it may imagine its OS will provide new opportunities to sell advertising space, chances are Google is hoping to benefit purely from the increased Internet traffic catalyzed by an always-on, always-connected, and always-collaborating network of users. In the Chrome universe, a piece of software will not be a disk you buy, own, and are stuck with, but a place you go. So if Google ends up turning its networked programs into advertising platforms, we'll be freer than we were before to do our computing elsewhere.

Douglas Rushkoff, a professor of media studies at The New School University and producer and correspondent for the PBS Frontline Digital Nation project, is the author of numerous books, including Cyberia, ScreenAgers, Media Virus, and, most recently, Life Inc., released this month by Random House.

Michael Jackson Loved More Dead Than Alive?

2009-07-09T23:55:00.000-07:00

REUTERS

We've finally made it to the day of Michael Jackson's private funeral (as private as it could get, anyway, for a colossal megastar such as him) and his world-watched memorial at Staples Center. Which, turns out, was an even more coveted ticket than any one of his London concert gigs.

The world's interest in, and affection for, M.J. has astronomically grown since his passing, and a huge shift in the public perception of this eccentric figure can't go unquestioned.

Has anyone else noticed the sudden idolatry now that Jackson is dead? Why do some fans, journalists and music insiders who were so quick to criticize him when he was alive, seem that much more comfortable praising Jackson now that he's gone?

In the last few years, all we heard anyone talk about when mentioning Jackson was his increasingly bizarre life—his overwhelming debt, his eccentric public behavior, his endless facial contortions and mostly, his problematic relationships with children.

Now that he can't shock people anymore, the public's completely comfortable with Michael Jackson again. He's no longer the peculiar punch line to every little-kid-loving joke and a No. 1-selling Halloween mask. Now people prefer to paint Jackson as a perfect, legendary angel. Mention his name today and you'll be slapped if you consider him anything but a musical genius. We know—we tried!

We think M.J. should be remembered infinitely as an incredibly talented performer and musician, that's indisputable. Just have to raise the question to you all if you have noticed how people are choosing to remember Michael—as how they want to remember him rather than how he really was at the time.

Don't kill us for raising the question, we're genuinely curious. And to play Devil's Advocate, we see both sides. Just want to hear from you all if you notice the switch, too.

Where Will Michael Be Buried?

2009-07-08T22:42:00.000-07:00

Los Angeles (E! Online) – Neverland? Nevermind that, for now. But where exactly will Michael Jackson's remains wind up?

Following Tuesday's all-star tribute, Jackson's shiny, flower-adorned casket was wheeled out of Los Angeles' Staples Center.

While the family relocated to the Beverly Wilshire Hotel for a private wake, sources say the coffin was transferred to an ambulance, which was accompanined by a Hummer and destined for...

Well, we're not exactly sure, but we have some ideas.

Although Los Angeles police said there wouldn't be a family motorcade back to Forest Lawn Memorial Park, where the Jacksons held a private funeral service earlier Tuesday, family friend and unofficial spokesman Majestik Magnificent told E! News that Michael's body was returning to the famous burial grounds, and the cemetery had ordered all press to clear out.

Indeed, E! News has obtained a copy of Jackson's death certificate listing Forest Lawn as the mortuary. (Just because Forest Lawn is named, doesn't mean he will be buried there—just that his body had been held there after his death.)

The death certificate, signed by sister La Toya, is dated Tuesday and was filed by a deputy coroner. The cause of death is noted as "deferred." A burial permit was also filed with the Los Angeles Ccounty's Vital Records department, but that document has not been made public.

Because the burial permit was filed in Los Angeles County and not Santa Barbara, the chances of a Neverland burial are dwindling, despite brother Jermaine's stated preference for the sprawling ranch as Michael's final resting spot.

"We have not been contacted by the Jackson family or any of their representatives about a burial or a funeral service at the Neverland Ranch," William Boyer, communications director for Santa Barbara County, tells E! News.

"Because this would be on private property they would actually have to go to the state department of consumer affairs. We would know about it because part of the permitting process is the state goes through a checklist of things they would need to do...local jurisdiction would have to be asked. We have not received any contact from the state."

Dan Redmond, spokesman for the Cemetery and Funeral Bureau of the California Department of Consumer Affairs, concurrred, saying the family would have to get a "certificate of authority" from the bureau and "that has not happened."

Another reason the Jacksons may prefer Forest Lawn: Michael's maternal grandmother, Martha Bridges, is buried there.

Michael Jackson

China flexes muscles in strife-torn Xinjiang

2009-07-08T22:17:00.000-07:00

Reuters – Ethnic Uighurs wait with sticks behind a road block in their neighbourhood in Urumqi in China's Xinjiang …

By Chris Buckley Chris Buckley – 51 mins ago

URUMQI, China (Reuters) – Armored vehicles and trucks carrying thousands of Chinese troops rumbled through riot-damaged streets of the regional capital of northwestern Xinjiang on Thursday, blaring out propaganda urging ethnic unity.

But some residents of Urumqi, where 156 people were killed and 1,080 wounded on Sunday when minority Muslim Uighurs went on the rampage against Han Chinese, worried about how the two sides could ever co-exist again.

Han Chinese, who have said they feel threatened after Sunday's violence, cheered the show of force and took pictures. Uighur residents looked on with strained faces.

"This makes me scared and I think it's meant to," said a Uighur woman called Adila. "What can we do against so many soldiers?"

Li Zhi, Communist Party boss of Urumqi, said on Wednesday he would seek the death penalty for rioters who resorted to "cruel means" and murdered people in this city divided between Uighurs and Han, the country's predominant ethnic group.

The line of troops, armored vehicles and trucks measuring several kilometers and blasting out the propaganda passed for about 25 minutes through Saimachang, the Uighur neighborhood where hundreds of women protested on Tuesday.

Helicopters flying only a few meters above rooftops scattered propaganda leaflets over the crowd of hundreds who gathered to watch the security forces march by.

Troops mounted on the truck with guns and riot shields shouted slogans in unison and some of the trucks carried signs in Chinese, one of which read "separatists bring calamity to the country and its people."

The Uighur woman, Adila, said her husband had been taken away on Monday by police although he had just arrived back from the city of Yili in Xinjiang where he works as a truck driver.

"He works for a Han man, but I'm not sure we can work with Han people now. They hate us, and we are scared of them."

Sunday's rioters were mostly from the southern part of Xinjiang, the English-language China Daily quoted Adina, the wife of a neurosurgeon at the regional People's Hospital, as saying.

"They had different accents, wore different clothes, and beat up even Uighur girls who wore short sleeves (for violating fundamentalist customs)," Adina added.

Shi Guanzheng, a retired teacher originally from Shanghai, dared not venture too far despite the heavy security presence.

Shi blamed the government for failing to quell protests by Han on Tuesday, when, armed with knives, clubs and bars, they thronged parts of the city demanding revenge against Uighurs.

"That should never have happened. It should have been nipped in the bud. The killings of innocent people is never justified, but now both sides are so filled with emotion that the repercussions will last a long time," he said.

"I'm scared about what will happen when the (paramilitary) People's Armed Police have to leave. It's not about tomorrow or the next day. It's about next month or after. What then?"

Xinjiang has long been a tightly controlled hotbed of ethnic tension, fostered by an economic gap between Uighurs and Han, government curbs on religion and culture and an influx of migrants who are now the majority in Urumqi.

Beijing cannot afford to lose its grip on a vast territory that borders Russia, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India, has abundant oil reserves and is China's largest natural gas-producing region.

PREPARED FOR TROUBLE

Overnight in a Uighur neighborhood near the main bazaar, residents prepared for trouble, readying themselves with clubs.

One middle-aged woman in a headscarf walked by carrying a machete and a carving knife mounted on a stick.

Down the road, a group of seven Uighur men built a barricade out of planks with broken shards of beer bottles in front.

"We're protecting ourselves," one of the men said.

Turkonate, a lean Uighur man in his 20s standing outside with several friends, said police were taking away young men who had any recent injuries, who could not produce any identification or did not have residence papers.

"They're taking our people every day. I don't know how this is going to end."

The violence prompted President Hu Jintao to abandon a G8 summit in Italy and he returned home to monitor developments in Xinjiang where hundreds have been arrested in the ensuing crackdown.

In a display of ethnic unity, state television showed Shanghai Communist Party boss Yu Zhengsheng and mayor Han Zheng visiting Uighur restaurants in the commercial hub of the country's financial capital.

"If there is no stability or harmony, the lives of the people cannot get better and there will be no economic development," Yu was quoted as telling his Uighur hosts.

The government has blamed Sunday's killings on exiled Uighurs seeking independence, especially Rebiya Kadeer, an activist who lives in exile in the United States. Kadeer has denied the accusations.

(Additional reporting by Ben Blanchard in Shanghai and Yu Le and Benjamin Kang Lim in Beijing; Editing by Nick Macfie)

China Riot

Michael Jackson's family silent on burial plans

2009-07-08T21:54:00.000-07:00

Reuters, Jul 8, 2009 8:00 pm PDT More than 31 million Americans watched Michael Jackson's public memorial on television, but mystery surrounded the whereabouts of his body on Wednesday and plans for his burial.

A day after Jackson's casket was taken to a Los Angeles basketball arena for an emotional memorial for fans, friends and his family, attention returned to how Jackson got his hands on powerful prescription drugs reportedly found in his rented mansion after his sudden death on June 25.

Sales of Jackson's albums soared for a second week, with his solo albums jumping another 90 percent to 800,000 copies in the United States, tracking firm Nielsen SoundScan said.

Nielsen Media Research said 31.1 million Americans watched Tuesday's Los Angeles memorial live on television. The figure is lower than the TV audience of some other recent events.

Some 49.5 million Americans tuned in for President Barack Obama's first White House news conference in February, and 35 million watched former President Ronald Reagan's 2004 burial live on TV.

The Nielsen figures do not include viewing on the Internet or other platforms, which has grown rapidly in the last few years.

The Jackson family spokesman did not return calls for comment on burial plans for the "Thriller" singer, who died of cardiac arrest at age 50.

NO REQUEST FOR NEVERLAND BURIAL

California officials and those in Santa Barbara County said the family has not asked for the required special permission to bury Jackson at his abandoned Neverland Valley Ranch in central California.

Media reports said the Los Angeles coroner's office was conducting neuropathology tests on part of Jackson's brain, which could be behind the delay in the family's burial plans.

One of Jackson's doctors, Beverly Hills dermatologist Arnold Klein, on Wednesday denied he was one of the targets of a police investigation over drugs seized from Jackson's home after his death.

"I was not one of the doctors who participated in giving him overdoses of drugs or too much of anything," Klein told ABC's "Good Morning America" in an interview.

"I always was concerned about him. No matter what he wanted, someone would give it to him," he said. Klein also denied media reports that he was the sperm donor of Jackson's two children with his ex-wife Debbie Rowe.

A spokesman for Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said the elaborate memorial cost the cash-strapped city $1.4 million, "far less" than an initial estimate of $3.8 million.

City officials had braced for as many as 250,000 fans to show up at the Staples Center. The actual number was closer to 1,000. Donors chipped in $17,000 after the city set up a website asking for cash to cover the cost, he added.

Jackson's music is enjoying the commercial success that eluded the "King of Pop" in recent years.

The singer's "Number Ones" compilation was the top-selling album in the United States during the week ended July 5, and his 1982 blockbuster "Thriller" took second place.

Michael Jackson

Halle Berry's baby Nahla enjoys family day out at the beach

2009-07-08T19:35:00.000-07:00

By Donna Mcconnell

Suri Cruise had better watch out. There's a new contender for the title of cutest child in showbiz.

Halle Berry and husband Gabriel Aubry took their adorable daughter Nahla to Miami Beach yesterday, where they looked the picture perfect family.

Dressed in a cute frilly swimsuit, Nahla, 15 months, appeared to be having a whale of a time with her parents.

Forever blowing bubbles: Halle Berry, little Nahla and Gabriel Aubry have fun on Miami Beach

It's a dog life: Nahla pats a furry friend while her mother looks on

In heartwarming scenes, the actress blowed bubbles from a tube while Nahla looked on, apparently fascinated by the sight.

The pair also had fun chasing a pigeon across the sand and playing with a dog on the beach.

As they took a dip in the water, the toddler tried on her mother's sunglasses, which predictably swamped her face.

Giving chase: Halle and her daughter run after a pigeon

Trying out her mother's wardrobe: The toddler dons the actress's sunglasses

Later, Gabriel looked the picture of a doting father as he lifted his daughter up in the air.

Nahla clearly takes after her mother in the style stakes. At 42, Halle looked stunning in an orange summer dress, sunglasses and a beige sun hat.

Her husband, a model, showed why he is in the right profession as he bared his rippling torso in red trunks.

Doting father: Gabriel lifts his daughter into the air

Picture perfect: The trio enjoyed time together as a family

Halle is clearly not from the Hollywood school of mothering, taking a hands-on approach to parenting during her holiday in Miami.

Earlier, the trio were seen going for a swim in a pool in the South Beach area, where Nahla tried to earn her water wings.

The couple who are rarely seen together in the public eye took to the water at a pool in Miami's South Beach with their daughter safely encased in a bright yellow inflatable ring.

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Hold on tight! Halle Berry takes a dip in the waters to help her baby daughter take her first paddle towards earning her water wings in Miami yesterday

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You can do it! Partner Gabriel Aubry offers Nahla some encouragement

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Family business: The low-profile couple are enjoying a family holiday in Miami's ritzy South Beach

She might be Hollywood's 12th highest paid actress but Halle looked like any regular mother as she coaxed Nahla to paddle in the pool with the help of father Aubry, 33.

With her striking green eyes, Nahla is clearly a chip off the beautiful couple's old block.

Yesterday looking free of make-up and wearing a white camisole and rolled up chinos, the Monster's Ball star was joined by Nahla's father model Gabriel, 33, in Florida as they strolled to dinner.

Good looks: Halle carries Nahla while her Canadian model boyfriend reveals his winning physique

Chilling: Halle relaxes by the pool with Nahla

Relaxed: Halle looks cool and casual in a black sundress and sunhat as she and her family go for a walk in the park

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Halle and Jamie Foxx enjoyed a steamy kiss at the Spike Guys' Choice Awards

Halle's dressed down look was in stark contrast to her appearance at the Spike Guys' Choice Awards when she shared a steamy kiss with actor Jamie Foxx.

She celebrated winning the Decade of Hotness award by kissing presenter Jamie Foxx, parodying the 2003 Oscars moment when Adrien Brody kissed her after winning the Best Actor trophy.

Foxx spoke about it recently and said: "Halle Berry's very attractive and has very soft lips. I just really appreciated the fact that I got a chance, you know, because it was very intense.

'To be honest, it was a great joke that Halle did. It was funny ... because people sort of misunderstood the pictures that came out.

'But it was a joke - respect to her and her family and everything like that. It was a funny, funny joke.'

The 42-year-old actress is not just in town for pleasure.

Tomorrow she will be joining Beyonce, Demi Moore, Sinead O’Connor, Mary J Blige and women across America for its Girls Are Not for Sale campaign.

The campaign aims to promote girls' empowerment and education as critical tools in the fight against child traffickers and pimps who victimise between 100,000 and 300,000 American children and teens each year.

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