Happy 4th of July!

 
Its the 4th of July which most Americans would celebrate independence day that also means barbecue day! For us Pinoys, its not really big but the government decalres it as the Filipino-American friendship day. Exactly 65 years ago, it was also known that this used to be the independence day of the Philippines. However, since President Macapagal changed it o June 12, the new generation does not really celebrate this day. Call centers with US clients would mean something to them as there would be less calls or even a holiday for some.  Nevertheless, the 4th of July is still something to blog about even in the Philippines. And yes, I do have relatives in the states and I know they are celebrating this one. I hope that when it come to our own independence day, we would be proud and celebrate it to comemorate our history which we also share with the americans.

DEAR PRESIDENT NOY

Your excellency,
                   I am but a mere young independent-minded Filipino who is part of the 90 million population of these islands. A striving student who is on the brink of not enrolling this school year due to high tuition and unemployment. I am also a blogger who writes about the social injustices yet have a few to no resources to be of aid. I have wrote this letter, my letter of hope and cooperation to your new administration. The truth is, I did not voted for you, yet I adore your parents and also promise to give my support to whoever will win the seat of the presidency, the most powerful position in the land.
                  I want to first congratulate you on your victory. The past elections was truly historical, yet the real battle would start after taking oath as the 15th president of the Republic. The country awaits your ascension to power and has an overwhelming number of woes and hopes for our country. I understand how its hard to decide on national issues, I hope you would be firm on them and they will be for the sake of making change.

Change.

This has been your creed during the campaign, and some of your competitors also use this. Changing the situation of the country is indeed no joke for anyone. I hope that in what you plan for the country would make a long term benefits and not just first aid to old wounds. I would suggest that one sector that is in need is Education. This sector was been the most unnoticed problem in the society as more children drop out of schools, deteriorate intelligently (due to lack of references and quality teachers), they now cry out to you to notice them. They may make up the majority but they would rely on someone who has authority and power.

Power.

A strong word which also describes what ar you capable of as the new leader. Power could also mean energy, electricity that make our economy run. Power which many parts of the islands would not stabilize and causes blackouts. Delays due to this causes more problems with services, products, infrastructures, and many other things that will affect or slow down progress. You have the power to decide on the best way to eleviate or erradicate this crisis. For this, I know it takes a lot of work.

Work.

As of now I belong to the unemployed, as I also struggle to work my way to college. Many Filipinos too are in the same situation, yet some of them did not reach tertiary education. Thus opportunity for employment is scarce.  Opportunities here are very limited, so many of us still leave the country everyday to seek greener pastures. You once said that you want more jobs available with good pay, its a statement that we will anticipate to be a reality.

Reality.

The reality of the country has been revealed to you so many times in the past as you go around and see the real situation. Also you vow on eliminating corruption, which is one of the biggest leech in the progress of the country. It may have deep roots now, but your intentions are true and your heart is brave, I hope you may succeed in this endeavor. And as you lead at the start of this new decade, may you also unite the divided nation.


Nation.

Our country, comprised of more than 7 thousand islands. You have passed most of the islands during the campaign. You have seen that each region has its own special needs to be addressed. Mindanao also wants permanent peace and to end the age-old wars.The victims of the Maguindanao massacre still cries out for justice. The restoration of flooded and drought lands in Luzon also asks for a new start. Nation-building is probably the toughest job you will encounter. However, amidst all of these problems that this country is having. You, as the president can be the catalyst.

For the Filipino people who put their faith in you, may you not fail them. For us, who doubted you, may you show you are worthy of that seat. For the others who feel that nothing will happen, may your actions convert them into hopeful and proud Filipino. What I have written here would be just a shallow discussion of the what the country. I hope you would take a chance to read my letter. I know I may not sound like a scholar from a prestigious school, but what I write here is with pure intentions. I am also a Filipino, who also wants a better Philippines to live in. A better living for my fellow Pinoys. For now, I maybe a critic to your administration, but if you proved my doubts wrong, I will be a faithful supporter for the change everyone has been waiting for.

Freshman Masculine Wash Launch with MOCHA

I was actually intrigued about this product and what it can do for men like me. I say 'Masculine Wash', is something kinda awkward so I decided to go it its launch at A.Venune in Makati. I have seen the billboard ads but have not seen the actual product. At the product launch, it looked more like a boys night out as there was booze, casino (poker, lucky6 and slot machines), and most of all sexy girls dancing on stage. There was also sleek cars parked in the middle of the venue giving it a 'astig' feel. Now this is now a man's ultimate night out with everything that would make him (me) happy. Elev8, which I believe is also an ad agency launched their own product which is this masculine wash.

Then, the venue really got burning when the girl group MOCHA, went on stage and provided entertainment for both the guys and the gals. It really lifted the spirit of the men inside the venue (me included). But there performance actually leads us to the star of the night...finally, the moment we have been waiting for...

Freshmen Masculine Wash has arrived!

It's a masculine wash that thoroughly cleans like an ordinary soap! The product's active ingredient, Tea Tree Oil, properly moisturizes the skin, neutrally balanced at ph7 making it gentle on the skin. It gives you that cool, fresh feeling that lasts all day!

It eliminates and protects the male genitals from germs that cause unwanted odor and itchiness! For minor scrapes and wounds, the masculine wash aids the immune system in the healing process. And the Freshmen Masculine wash has been dermatologically tested for proper intimate hygiene.

Freshmen Masculine Wash is already available in the market for s suggested retail price of 79 pesos per bottle.

'Cause men need to feel fresh, clean and cool too!

YONEL'S TOP 30: December 7, 2011


And when I say jump, You say how high!
And when I say go, We go all night!
You say ohhh... You say ohhh...
I'm a SHOTCALLER! - Taio Cruz dominates again this week!

Yonel TOP 30 HITS as of 07 Dec 2011 

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PLDT SME Nation’s Bossing Ako: Inspiring Filipino entrepreneurs




PLDT SME Nation is going all out in serving the nation’s small-and-medium entrepreneurs (SME) through its massive campaign that aims to ignite Pinoy ingenuity for business with “Bossing Ako.” The “Bossing Ako’ campaign aims to encourage more Filipinos to strive to become their own boss by becoming entrepreneurs. It also seeks to inspire Filipino small-to-medium scale entrepreneurs to continue striving for success and courageously meet the challenges of growing their business.


“We are on a nationwide campaign to encourage a new generation of Filipino entrepreneurs. The Philippines needs more entrepreneurs in order to ensure our economic future. Today, about 90 percent of income in the Philippine economy is generated by SMEs. As we move forward into the 21st century, we’ll need more SMEs to provide more jobs, more income and more purchasing power,” says PLDT SME Nation Vice President and Head Kat Luna-Abelarde.


The nationwide campaign was kicked off with the launch of the song “Para sa mga Bossing” performed by OPM rock music icon Rico Blanco collaborating with Journey lead vocalist Arnel Pineda. The song’s release introduces a new anthem and rallying cry for Filipino entrepreneurs and entrepreneurs-to-be: “Ang asenso maaabot/Sa bagsik nitong prinsipyo/Ang talino’t pagsisikap/Ibubuhos sa negosyo/Bossing ako/Aking tagumpay/Sa ‘kin nakasalalay…”



SME ambassadors
Apart from the launch of the “Para sa mga Bossing” anthem, PLDT SME Nation has a parallel effort that focuses on icons of Pinoy entrepreneurship. This effort focuses on the success stories of these SME icons—to provide models, inspiration and even wisdom to SMEs and help them succeed just as well.


These SME icons are designated as “Pinoy Bossings” and include: Mother Lily Monteverde of Regal Films for starting from SME into a pillar of the Filipino film industry; Jay Aldeguer of Island Souvenirs for promoting his passion and love for the country through his tourism souvenirs business; Joey Concepcion, entrepreneurship advocate and Founding Trustee of Go Negosyo; and PLDT Chair Manny V. Pangilinan as the ultimate bossing.

 Also representing the ‘Bossing Ako’ movement are Les Reyes of Reyes HairCutters, Gardy Cruz of Pancit Malabon Express; Raphael and Jenni Soon of North Park, Ronald Pineda of Folded & Hung; Benjamin Liuson of The Generics Pharmacy, Darius and Carlos Hizon of Pampanga’s Best; Louie Gutierrez and Dulzzi Gutierrez of Silverworks; and Vicki Belo and Cristalle Henares as the mother-daughter tandem for beauty and medical practice.


“The entrepreneurs we tapped for this campaign are all great examples of SMEs that others could look up to for inspiration. The selection is both diverse and of top-notch quality, representing various business industries in their success stories,” says PLDT SME Nation Marketing Head Amil Azurin.

With preparations on-hand in wrapping up the first phase of the campaign with the release of the song and the unveiling of the 12 SME ambassadors, a big launch is set to take off by mid-June; followed by a grand celebration of the “MVP Bossing Ako Awards Night,” named in honor of PLDT’s Chair Manny V. Pangilinan by October in partnership with Go Negosyo.

For more info on what PLDT SME Nation can offer your business, you may call 101-888 or visit www.pldtsme-nation.com.ph.




The Launch

The Grand Launch that happened on the NBC tent June 10, 2010 was very monumental as it presented all of the SME ambassadors together with the ultimate bossing Manny "MVP" Pangilingan. Each is presented uniquely as their products and services are represented. They serve as the success stories as PLDT SME nation also launch BOSS. A complete entrepreneur's package of phone, internet and security in one.  Also expect in the coming days that these ambassadors will also have their billboards all over the metro and the country  to promote the PLDT SME nation. The MVP Bossing Ako Awards Night is scheduled for October and is organized in partnership with GoNegosyo. And if you want to know more about these bossings just read on...

PLDT SME Nation’s Pinoy Bossings show the way to success for SMEs

THEY ARE WALKING success stories: twelve entrepreneurs who made it big and are now inspiring models of Filipino ingenuity, hard work, courage and perseverance. These twelve “Pinoy bossings” are part of PLDT SME Nation’s “Bossing Ako” campaign, aimed at fostering the emergence of a new generation of Filipino entrepreneurs.

“Today there is a sense of renewed hope, a feeling that we, as a people, have been given a fresh start and it is the perfect time to promote the advocacy of PLDT SME Nation. That advocacy is to help give rise to more Filipino entrepreneurs. We need more Filipino entrepreneurs to ensure the nation’s economic future.

“SMEs practically form the backbone of the Philippine economy. They provide not only goods and services but also create wealth, livelihood and employment. Supporting the advocacy for entrepreneurship is an opportunity for nation-building,” says Kat Luna-Abelarde, PLDT vice-president and head of PLDT SME Nation.

PLDT SME Nation carefully selected these twelve Pinoy bossings so that their success stories can become sources of encouragement for Filipino entrepreneurs and would-be entrepreneurs. By sharing their stories, these Pinoy bossings would be providing examples and insights that may help SMEs (small-to-medium scale entrepreneurs) become successful as well.


Pinoy Bossings

“Mother” Lily and Roselle Monteverde of Regal Films.  She loved movies ever since she was in elementary school—and would even cut classes just to watch movies. Lily Monteverde, or “Mother” as she is endearingly called, also had a knack for business at a young age: she sold rice cakes as a child. After she got married, she started a popcorn stall business. With her earnings, she produced her first movie in the 1970s. Today, she’s one of the most powerful figures in Philippine show business and a legend in the history of Filipino cinema. She has produced at least 300 films.

Jay Aldeguer of Island Souvenirs. He’s the main man of Island Souvenirs, a tourism themed shop that he founded in 1992. Island Souvenirs clicked mainly because the look and quality of its products stood out from the competition: while other souvenir shops featured ethnic-looking, earthy tribal designs (the sort that inspired the sound of tribal drumbeats in one’s head), Aldeguer chose to portray the Philippines as a sunny, tropical, cheerful country. He splashed his shop and products with the kaleidoscope colors of the Pinoy fiesta, the verdant greens of the tropics, sea-blues, and bright, sunshine yellows and oranges. The result: a 300 percent profit margin after just one year. Island Souvenirs is still going strong and Aldeguer has added even more business ventures.

Joey Concepcion of Joey Pepperoni and Founding Trustee of Go Negosyo. Coming from a family of successful entrepreneurs, one might think that Joey Concepcion had it easy. On the contrary, Concepcion says he didn’t even get any allowance as a student. He says his father wanted him to learn to make his own money at an early age so he could get what he wanted. Even though Concepcion is already President and CEO of RFM Foods Corporation, he still gets inspired to set up small businesses. One of these is Joey Pepperoni, a pizza chain. “I enjoy building brands. I thought of Joey Pepperoni as something that I could set-up and later pass on to my kids, if they want it,” he says. Concepcion is also one of the founders of the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship, which created the brand “GoNegosyo” as the name for a movement that they have started. This movement aims to help more Filipinos become entrepreneurs and turn the Philippines into a nation of millionaires.

Les Reyes of Reyes HairCutters. He made his fortune setting up a chain of salons. Reyes started Reyes HairCutters in 2001 and quickly grew the business as a franchise. His secret? Offering quality, branded products and expert services at affordable prices. He tapped the lower-income market, which at the time could only dream of expensive salon services, or make do with cheap salons that did more harm than good. Today, Reyes HairCutters has 200 branches in the Philippines, one outlet in the U.K. and will open other branches abroad. Business has been so good that Reyes HairCutters has now cut across income levels, expanding up to the higher-income markets and positioning itself as a Family Salon and the Salon ng Bayan.

Gardy Cruz of Pansit Malabon Express. Pancit is a staple Pinoy dish. It’s everywhere! So how do you make it a successful business with so may others making the same product? Gardy Cruz already had a home-cooked pancit recipe that has been the basis of a successful family business for 100 years—so what he did was introduce a new concept of bringing it to the customer. He served his delicious pancit, fresh and hot and fast, on food carts—hence the term “express”. Before Cruz came up with his revolutionary idea, you could only get delicious, hot pancit at a good restaurant. Cruz came up with a way to make his pancit a fastfood item—without sacrificing freshness, taste and quality. Pansit Malabon Express began in year 2000 and it now has 56 branches all over the country—and it’s still growing.

 Raphael and Jenni Soon of North Park. You can really turn your passion into profit. North Park bossings Raphael and Jenni Soon love good food and this inspired them to set up their own Chinese cuisine themed restaurant in 1994. North Park stood out from the competition with its modern look, pristine yet tasteful interiors, offering a surprisingly wide range of delicious noodles and dimsum treats. It captured the middle to high-end markets with its quality dishes at surprisingly affordable prices. Before North Park came along, one either went to a gourmet-level Chinese restaurant, or hole-in-the-wall eateries in Chinatown to enjoy good Chinese food. North Park brought good quality and affordable pricing that’s still a hit with its diners. There are now 16 North Park branches.

Ronald Pineda of Folded & Hung. This bossing would have been a dentist if he didn’t get into the clothing and fashion business. Pineda is a licensed dentist but his passion for selling, clothing and fashion spurred him to establish Folded & Hung or F&H. Pineda’s store has a solid reputation for being trendy and chic in its choice of apparel, accessories and perfumes—if you’re a middle-class fashion newbie or even an upper-class fashion maven who finds the prices of foreign brands outrageous, then F&H offers what you need. “I got this from F&H” is now part of fashion speak and makes a legit statement fashion-wise. F&H now has 35 outlets in the biggest malls across the Philippines. Pineda says the secret to succeeding in the apparel and accessories business is to be constantly creative and inventive. “The only way to predict the future is to invent it,” says Pineda. 

Benjamin Liuson of The Generics Pharmacy. Benjamin Liuson is growing The Generics Pharmacy (TGP) at a phenomenal rate. The Generics Pharmacy has expanded its network from a single main outlet into 840 branches—all in a span of three years. In contrast, it’s biggest competitor took 65 years to establish its 700 branches.  Liuson credits franchising as a crucial growth driver of his business—but he also says that TGP is successful because it serves a basic need of Filipinos: quality, effective and affordable medicines.  Incredibly, the Philippines has the highest cost of medicines in Asia, second only to Japan. TGP sells medicines for as low as 25% to even 10% of the retail price in regular drug stores. For example, a tablet of paracetamol costs P0.60 at TGP while the same costs P3 at other drug stores. Liuson considers his business an advocacy as well. “Medicines and health care are a basic right, not a privilege, of Filipinos. By offering low-priced, yet effective medicines, TGP is contributing to the health of Filipino families and the entire nation,” says Liuson.

Darius and Carlo Hizon of Pampanga’s Best. Their tocino processing business started 39 years ago as a cottage industry set up by their mom Lolita Hizon. Brothers Darius and Carlos helped grow it from a backyard business into a 9.5 hectare, world-class, ISO-certified meat processing facility. Through it all, Pampanga’s Best retains the delicious taste and excellent quality that makes it a favorite in Filipino households—in the country or even abroad.

Louie and Dulzzi Gutierrez of Silverworks. Creativity, passion, inventiveness and business savvy combine to make Silverworks the leading silver fashion accessories manufacturer and retailer in the Philippines. Siblings Louie and Dulzzi Gutierrez come from a family of jewelers—but they decided to offer, way back in 1994, an alternative to the more expensive gold jewelry and accessories. The idea was a hit: silver jewelry became a more affordable and more standout choice for young people who did not have enough money to buy gold. Silverworks maintains its competitive edge through designs that range from the stylish and chic, to classic and even the edgy. Silverworks hit it big because it had time on its side—the mid-1990s being a period of recession, when people were looking for more affordable items. Louie and Dulzzi also say that getting proper training and education—he’s a gemologist, she’s a fine arts graduate—helps a lot. They also form two aspects of the business, the creative side (Dulzzi) as well as the business side (Louie), and they combine their strengths well. Silverworks has recently introduced its Sexy Steel line of accessories.

Vicki Belo and Cristalle Henares of Belo Medical Group and Belo Essentials. Simply put, there would be no beauty industry in the Philippines without Vicki Belo. Vicki Belo introduced revolutionary methods in liposuction and other cosmetic surgeries and treatments as she focused her practice into the beauty aspects of dermatology—in contrast to other doctors who focus on the clinical side. There are now seven Belo clinics in Manila. Belo says her dream is “to make everybody beautiful” because it is a great equalizer. “Beautiful people have an unfair advantage over those who are average-looking,” she says. Belo took this mission to another level by introducing Belo Essentials, a collection that brings beauty products and treatments to a more mass market—giving even maids the chance to experience “beauty by Belo.” Belo now has an able partner in her daughter Cristalle, who helps in developing the Belo Essentials line.

The Ultimate Bossing
The list of PLDT SME Nation’s top entrepreneurs would not be complete without PLDT Chairman and now Burger King Philippines owner Manny “MVP” Pangilinan. As the head of the number one company in the Philippines, Pangilinan is the ultimate bossing role model for SMEs.  Pangilinan also owns ABC-TV5, Cignal Digital Television and Smart Communications, the leading cellular network provider in the Philippines. Pangilinan says encouraging Filipino entrepreneurship is the best way to rescue millions from the grip of poverty. “I was born poor, but poor was not born in me. That’s why I say that being poor is nobody’s destiny. Every Pinoy can be a bossing and help create livelihood, jobs, and bring wealth to this nation. I would like to do my part in helping my countrymen move from poverty toward a more prosperous, abundant life,” says Pangilinan.

Happy Independence Day! Still Proud to be Brown!


Here is a unique way to show my love for the Philippines. Its a poem I wrote years ago, make sure you read of them to know the story. Happy Independence day!



Nais kong maging Hapon
Isang hapong ‘di marunong mag- Filipino
Hapon na hindi alam ang Pilipinas
Nihonjin sa puso at diwa

Babad sa teknolohiya ng Akihabara
Maging ninja, Maglaro ng Shougi
O magtsaa sa bundok Fuji
Isang aktibong deboto ng Shinto

Maglaro ng yelo sa Sapporo
Sumakay ng Shinkansen Araw-araw
Mabakasyon sa Naha sa tag-init
Maging samurai at mag-hara kiri

O di kaya ay gumawa ng manga
Anime, Hentai at Sentai
Magsulat ng Kanji
Katakana, at Hiragana

Magbilang ng Tenki, Gatsu at Jikan
Magbilang ng Yen at sen
Magbabad sa mga onsen
Manood ng No at Kabuki

Bumati ng Konichiwa
Magpaalam ng Sayoonara
Kumain ng Ramen at Takoyaki
Yakisoba at Shushi

Mamasyal sa Okinawa
Sa Lungsod ng Nagasaki at Nara
Magdrive ng Honda at Toyota
Sa mga lansangan ng Shibuya

Ngunit bakit kailangan kong maging hapon?
Upang masayang buhay ay magkaroon
Mangibang bansa para makisama
At mabuhay upang lunukin ang kanilang kultura

Pinoy na nga ako noong isinilang
Ngunit kaunlara’y sa ibang bayan ay nakita
Na nais ko rin tuklasin at maranasan
Ang kanilang mga bagay na sa aki’y nagpahanga

Hindi ko lang nais maging hapon
Maging Kano ay ninais ko na rin
Malay, Intsik, Thai, at Europeo
Lahat na ng lahi, wag lang Pilipino

Bakit di ko ba mahal ang bayan ko?
Dahil wala ba dito ang hinahanap ko?
O hindi sapat ang mayroon dito?
Sa tingin ko, ang mata ko’y bulag

Sanay na kasi ako sa mabigat na trapik,
Pandesal, itlog at dyaryo
Sa dumadaan na puto at taho
At sa mga tao nagtratrabaho

Sawa na yata ako sa ating mga tanawin
Na bundok, dagat at buhangin
Sa mga bagyo na may kakatuwang pangngalan
At sa Lupang Hinirang na aking kakantahin

Ngunit nais ko palang maging pinoy muli
Kumain ng Balot at sumakay ng Jeep
Makipagbalagtasan, Makipagtsimisan
Magtext ng walang hangan

Balikan ang Boracay, Palawan at Cebu
Lumamon ng pulutan at tumunga ng beer
Makipatintero, Mag-arnis at escrima
Bumati ng Mabuhay at Kamusta

Akala ko na ang pinoy ay bunga lang
Ng pinaghalong kastila, kano at hapon
Lagyan ng ibang sahog
Hayan! Pilipino ang tawag diyan

Yun pala nasilaw lang talaga ako
Sa kinang at ganda ng bansa nila
Tama nga ang mga siinabi nila
“Kay tagal mong nawala, babalik ka rin”

Yun pala ang pinoy, sa una’y bansa’y itatakwil
Pero kinalaunan matututo itong mahalin
Nais ko pa rin na maging Hapon
Pero higit na nais kong maging Pilipino