September 2008 Archives

By Ria Mendoza FOR many Filipinos in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the underlying dream is to save up, go back home, start a business and eventually attain financial independence. But even though many overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) have done this before, a huge percentage has also found the path to entrepreneurship very difficult. Eventually, the savings from years of hard work end up in smoke. (Photo: From left to right: UP Professor Ilano, Philippine Consul General Benito Valeriano, PBC President Lucille Ong and UP Professor Florendo awards the sixth 'Managing for Business Success' seminar participants the certificate of completion). On the other hand, others have no solid idea where to start realizing their dreams. This is the reason why 19 Filipinos working across all sectors made a beeline for the “Managing for Business Success” seminar organized by the Philippine Business Council (PBC) in association with the University of the Philippines (UP). The three-day seminar, held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel from September 23 to 25, is the only seminar certified by UP outside of the country. Choosing the right business to get into is always tricky, but the discussion of UP Marketing and Strategic Management Professor Art Ilano gave the basics of not only finding the right fit for a person, from franchising to starting an all new enterprise, to branding, expansion and effective marketing. Complemented by the lectures of Joselito Florendo, UP Professor of Finance and Accounting, the participants learned the intricacies of income statements, cash flows and balance sheets. However, Florendo emphasized that though the work can be done by accountants and bookkeepers, it is important for business owners to know how to interpret this data to know how their business is faring. Philippine Consul General Benito Valeriano attended the closing ceremony and awarded the participants their certificate of completion together with PBC President Lucille Ong, Professor Ilano and Professor Florendo. The “Managing for Business Success” seminar is the sixth in the PBC-UP seminar series to be held in Dubai and was sponsored by the Western Union Foundation.

By Izah Morales INQUIRER.net "Bahay Kubo kahit munti ang halaman doon ay sari-sari…" The song brings nostalgia of how life in the rural side can be simple and modest. But as time ticks away, such life calls for modernization. Would a modern Bahay Kubo be possible in the age of digitization?
Isolina Calma made it possible when she conceptualized a modern Bahay Kubo 57 years ago. Her daughter, Jophine Calma-Lazaro recalled how her mother fancied bamboos. "She’s very artistic. Lahat siya ang nagplano at gusto niya kawayan (She plans it all and she loves bamboo," said Calma- Lazaro. Though she opposed her mother’s plan, her mother assured her that it will be a modern house. Hence the reconstruction of their old Bahay Kubo began in 1951 until 1952. Lazaro explained that it took a year for them to finish the house that stands in an 800 square-meter lot due to the superstitious beliefs of her mother. Calma-Lazaro said that according to her mother, bamboos must not be cut during months that do end with the letter "O." Her mother believed that if bamboos were cut in those months, (namely Enero, Pebrero, Marso, Mayo, Hunyo Hulyo, Agosto), then the bamboos would be eaten by termites or "bukbok." Thus the bamboos (Kawayan-tinik variety) were carefully chosen and cut during the months of September until December. Lazaro also related that the bamboos were first soaked in the Laguna de Bay for preservation before it was used in the construction of the house. Almost every part of the house was made of bamboo from the ceiling to the flooring. Despite the house’s age, Calma-Lazaro and her family have maintained their bamboo house. "Madali namang linisin ang kawayan. [Gumagamit lang kami ng] liquid floorwax at wet rug," Calma-Lazaro recalled. Eventually, her mother’s dream house became a reality and today, it is now attracting tourists who visit Los Baños. Lazaro said that occasionally they receive visitors from the International Rice Research Institute. Moreover, their house has also been used as a set for a film (Juan Tamad goes to Society) and a TV program. "Noon, hindi pa nagpapabayad ang mother ko because this [house] was her pride," said Lazaro. Calma-Lazaro said their favorite place in the Bahay Kubo was the terrace -- the place where her family and friends gather and celebrate. But they also believe that home is where their heart is.

By Izah Morales INQUIRER.net WHEN dawn breaks, his live alarm clock starts crowing and cackling, waking him up for a morning jog. For 78-year-old Felipe Obrince, this morning ritual does not bother him at all as he looks forward to an early jog with San Pedro’s (St. Peter’s) favorite pet: a rooster.
Obrince’s pet rooster, Robinhood --his fourth pet-- jogs with him around the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) campus every morning or when weather permits. According to Obrince, Robinhood has actually other names, including Kaber and Burtik. Obrince said he has been changing Robinhood’s name in the last three years to allow his talented rooster to join pet shows. In the beginning, Obrince didn’t want to join pet shows that were hosted by an organization in UPLB until students invited him in 1995. “Nagja-jogging lang ako kasama yung aso ko. Tapos bigla akong kinumbida diyan sa pet show nila (I was jogging with my dog when they invited me to join the pet show,” Obrince recalled. He grabbed the chance and luckily, his first pet dog, Monelpa, won the competition. Later, he was surprised when UPLB students dropped by his house to deliver the prize. He said he didn’t expect that the competition had a cash prize. Since then, he joined pet shows, fielding different pets, including a goat, a Japanese pig, and of course, Robinhood, his rooster. Obrince said that he has developed fondness for unusual pets “Gusto kong maging kakaiba. Ayoko ng may kapareho (I want to be different, and I don’t want to be a copycat,” he said. Training a goat, a pig, and a rooster was never a headache for him because he knew the secret in making his unusual pets obey his orders. “Maliit pa, inuumpisahan ko na (I start their training early],” he said. He started Robinhood, for instance, when it was still, er, a chick. But he admitted that training pets was not really his intention. “Noon, gusto ko lang kasi na may kasamang nag-ja-jogging, (All I wanted was to have them jog with me),” he said. Obrince said all he wanted was companionship, but somehow got more than what he wanted. He said that his talented and unusual pets were not only mere companions but now prized possessions. At the age of 78, he still wants to continue training new and unusual pets. He plans to train a deer someday. “Ang gusto ko sana ay ung usa para ipakita sa kanila kung paano sumunod at kung pano kasama ito na hindi mailap, (I wish to train a deer and make them follow and unafraid of people),” said Mang Felipe.

This article is also published in the Proudly Filipina blog, an online magazine and social network that simulates the warm, intimate and safe environment of bonding with your sisters or best girlfriends. Through a selection of articles on love, sex, hobbies, soulful stories, inspiration, health and wellness, advocacies and women's issues and that are targeted towards enriching the Pinay's heart, body and spirit, it's every Filipina's virtual coffee-and-cupcake time at the click of a mouse. By Rissa Calica-Gimenez ARE you a Maria Clara? A Gabriela Silang? Or a Cory Aquino? Like all women, Filipinas do come in all shapes and sizes. But what sets us apart is our character -- unique, distinct, feisty, yet caring to the max. Find out what type of a Filipina you are and have fun! You’re a Maria Clara if you… Dare not dine alone in a restaurant Can’t wear a dress with low neckline Won’t go out on a first date without a friend or a chaperone Are demure and would not think of raising your voice Would rather “die” than call a guy on the phone You’re a Gabriela Silang if you… Don’t mind drinking with the boys Dare to learn how to ride a motorcyle Change the color of your hair depending on your mood Don’t mind experimenting with make-up or fashion Go out of town at the spur of the moment You’re a Cory Aquino if you… Want to change people’s views and attitudes Dare to make a difference in the society Love doing volunteer work Perform on the world stage and get accolades Demand for your rights as a woman and as a person Did you get a glimpse of yourself there? We’re sure you’re a merry mix of all three and it doesn’t really matter. What’s important is you belong to a great race and deep down… proudly Filipina. (Photo courtesy of Proudly Filipina)

By Izah Morales INQUIRER.net SOMETIMES you just hate the rain especially the nonstop downpour that causes flooding -- not to mention wet socks and feet. In Muntinlupa City, however, no rain can stop the celebration of the Banhayan Festival as residents of barangay Cupang and Buli danced and sang despite the strong rains. I saw people who were barefoot not complaining, as they followed the long route of the parade. Young and old folks rejoiced in honor of their patron saint, San Nicolas de Tolentino. One of the members of the Mother Butler Guild, Mrs. Matilde Fernandez, recalled that the Banhayan Festival began in 1995 as a way of thanksgiving and praise to their patron saint who they believe is miraculous. According to her, Banhayan, a term coined by their former parish priest Fr. Balmare, is also a celebration of the ties of barangays Buli and Cupang. Apart from Fernandez, Inang Auring Malaca, 71-year-old candle vendor, is among the many believers of the miracles of their patron saint. In her dream of patron saint, Poong Kulas, she was told to get San Francisco leaves to put on a body part, which needed healing. Since then, she said she became a 'hilot' in their place. As Inang Auring lighted the candles and said prayers, she showed how her faith keeps the fire burning and how prayers can bring miracles. It is as if they are saying, “What else would you hold on to when darkness befalls you?”

By Lawrence Casiraya INQUIRER.net LIKE any "business" person, Mang Joel (full name Joel Gastorillo) thrives on having loyal clientele and trying to protect his turf. I was able to persuade him to relax under the shade for an interview and he was kind enough to lend me a few precious minutes. In his line of work, every moment counts. Each time a traffic light turns red is an opportunity to make a living.
He starts roaming Alabang-Zapote road as early as six o'clock in the morning and ends his day at about the same time in the evening. These days, he says, the biggest he earns in a day is P300, which entails a lot of running around chasing after motorists. In between odd jobs, his primary source of living is selling cigarettes and candies on the street. "Dalawang taon na ko nagbebenta. Minsan nakaka extra pero eto talaga ikinabubuhay ng pamilya ko. Dito na naming kinukuha pambili ng pagkain saka baon ng mga bata (I've been selling for two years now. Sometimes I get extra work but this is our main source of income, including allowances for our children)," he says. I asked him what's his secret so he could sell more and he tells me it all boils down to good vendor-customer relationships. Jeepney drivers are his biggest clients and he admits having to sell on credit sometimes ("Kala-kalahating kaha minsan (half a pack of cigarettes)," he says) to his patrons. He also keeps to his side of the road, literally. Policemen, he says, are trying to limit the number of cigarette vendors to keep the road safe for motorists. Hence, he "shares" the road with another vendor but cannot sell to vehicles going the other way. As he is about to get up and head for the road, I ask him if he himself is a smoker. He tells me, a bit jokingly: "Oo, pero bumibili na lang ako nun Mighty sa tindahan para makamura. (Yes I am but I just buy cheaper Mighty cigarettes at the store)."