The Philippines is cheaper than Malaysia but more expensive than Thailand and Indonesia.

The survey used the Mandarin Oriental’s rack rates costs in August for its deluxe room.

If the survey used the The Economist’s Big Mac Index, which uses the price of burgers around the world as a light-hearted measure of relative currency values, the Philippines will easily be on top 1 to be the cheapest place for both burgers and hotel rooms.  The survey conducted also noted that Philippine peso  has the advantage of getting cheaper.

Big Mac Index might be better used as a benchmark for tourists to work out how expensive an unfamiliar country is going to be.

Seminars provide an excellent forum for business matching between franchisors and would-be franchisees. The franchisors can promote their respective franchise systems to a pre-selected audience looking for a business.

Some of the seminars that are scheduled to be taken are:

Franchising Your Business Right

Turn your business into a gold mine. Franchise it!
16 – 18 July 2010, Friday to Sunday, 1-3 pm
SMX Meeting Room 10 (July 16 and 18)
SMX Meeting Room 7 (July 17)

Master Franchising 101

If you are looking for a foreign brand and want to be a master franchisee, an area developer or a partner, then this seminar is for you.
16 July 2010, Friday, 1:00 pm
SMX Meeting Rooms 8 and 9

Investing in a Franchise Wisely

Learn the basics of franchising
17 – 18 July 2010, Saturday and Sunday,  3-5 pm
SMX Meeting Rooms 8 and 9

How to Register as an Expo Visitors
1. Register On-line and you are entitled to Bring a Friend on a complimentary basis.
2. Register Onsite -  located at the lobby of the SMX Convention Center.

Admission rate : Php 100 per person

Franchise 2010 is using the theme “Getting Ready for the World” in preparation for Manila’s hosting of the Franchise Asia 2011.

Get the no. 1 Source for Franchising Your Business

The latest news that I’ve gathered is that Nestlé Philippines  will invest 4.3 billion pesos  over two years in a new facility  on a 27-hectare site in Tanauan, Batangas.

The new Tanauan factory construction will start this month and the target of completion is on March 2012. It is expected to help spur economic growth in the area, would hire 170 people for the new facility, and generate hundreds of other jobs in other sectors providing the facility with raw materials and services.

According to John Miller, CEO and Nestlé Philippines Chairman, the facility will produce COFFEE-MATE Non-Dairy Creamer and BEAR BRAND Powdered Milk Drink. Mr. Miller said that demand for the two brands, both of which are market category leaders, continues to grow and the investment in the new factory will address the need to increase production.

The Philippines is second biggest market after the United States for Coffeemate, which is currently imported from Thailand.

Nestle Philippines is also upgrading  its equipment and technology in its four existing factories in the country, which are:

• The Cagayan de Oro Factory which manufactures NESCAFÉ and BEAR BRAND;
• The Cabuyao Factory which manufactures NIDO, NESVITA, NAN, NESTOGEN, BEAR BRAND Choco, NESTLÉ All Purpose Cream, Ready-to-Drink MILO, BEAR BRAND Sterilized, and CHUCKIE;
• The Lipa Factory which produces MILO and NESTLÉ Breakfast Cereals; and
• The recently commissioned Pulilan Factory, which manufactures NESTLÉ Ice Cream and Chilled products.

Nestlé has been in the Philippines as a part of everyday life of many Filipino people for 99 years already. The Company is the second largest taxpayer in the country and is among the country’s top six corporations. In 2009 Nestlé paid the government some PhP10.6 billion in taxes.

Mr. Miller told the reporters,  “We are here to stay. We are investing here and we are investing big time,”.  The chairman also added that, “The investment in the Tanauan factory starts a new chapter in Nestlé commitment to the country, as we look forward to the next 100 years of nurturing Filipino families by offering healthy and tasty products.”

Plus free calls to any landline including other providers like PLDT, Bayantel, Digitel, etc. within the same area.

DUO is now available in more areas: NCR, Cebu, Bohol, Capiz, Negros Occidental, Batangas, Quezon, Northern Samar and Davao.

Did you know that once you have an active Globe subscription (prepaid or postpaid) you can activate Super Duo?

For Globe users, you may want to get more information by texting “DUO” to 8888.

Let me define what ergothioneine in layman terms. Egothioneine is simply an amino-acid that has an antioxidant properties just like a Glutathione. I bet you are familiar with Glutathione already. Furthermore, ergothioneine protects the skin from oxidative or it attempts to slow down the process of skin aging.

According to a study made by Penn State food scientists, they have found that mushrooms are a better natural source of ergothioneine than either wheat germ and chicken liver, which were the two dietary sources previously believed to be best. The researchers found that white button mushrooms have about 12 times more.

Joy Dubost, doctoral candidate in food science, who conducted the study, says, “Ergothioneine has been shown to have strong antioxidant properties and to provide cellular protection within the human body.” With this cellular level protection, Ergothioneine is best in fighting free radicals in your body.

Ergothioneine is now being commercialized as dietary supplements and can be found on most anti aging products. A word of caution though when it comes to buying your supplies of Ergothioneine. Like any dietary supplements, beware there are a lot of penny stocks companies selling Ergothioneine. As a consumer, you have to make sure where these companies is getting their supply of Ergothioneine.

One company,OXIS,a manufacturer of ergothioneine for commercial use believe that, to their knowledge, their company remains the only significant commercial source of pure l-ergothioneine worldwide using their patented synthetic manufacturing process.

With this patented and proprietary method for commercially producing Ergothioneine, OXIS plans to become the primary worldwide source.

For more information about OXIS INTERNATIONAL, INC., kindly visit their corporate website at http://www.oxis.com or if you’re into Facebook, you can get a regular updates about their products by visiting Oxis on facebook or get short, timely messages  on Oxis on Twitter for real-time update.

Even if hundred of thousands of Pinoys are working abroad as OFW, survey still shows that 90% of Filipinos do not have enough savings even if they cut back on expenses already.

Why? Simply because of lack of  knowledge, specifically in financial management.

Did you  know that richest people in the Philippines and other parts of the world (based on Forbes Magazine’s “Richest” lists) built their wealth through business, investing, or real estate.

Opportunities abound that will make your hard-earned money work for you, create automatic and passive income, offer unlimited income potential, build appreciating and income-generating assets, and help you become your own boss. Money Summit & Wealth Expo will present all these opportunities. Now it’s your turn to become wealthy!

Money Summit and Wealth Expo 2010

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN

There are different roads to riches. In this conference, you will learn the four most practical and most common ways to achieve wealth. Each opportunity presented will answer these three key questions:

1. How much money can I make? You will learn about the size of the market and what you can reasonably expect to earn.
2. How will I make money? You will get an overview of the different market opportunities, various business models, and strategies to make money.
3. How do I get started? You will find what you need to start and what specific steps to take to get started.

The Money Summit & Wealth Expo features real millionaires and money-making experts from the fields of real estate, investing, business, and sales.

The conference is divided into four areas, covering 16 income opportunities and wealth-building strategies. Each day will have topics on these four areas. Below is the program schedule (subject to change without prior notice):

Day 1, July 2, Friday (8:30-6:00)

• The Think Rich Quick system of flipping properties, with master real estate investor Trace Trajano (via live webinar)
• Infopreneurship: Make money in the information business, with Master List Builder Joel Christopher (via live video streaming)
• Get rich through rent-to-own properties, with rent-to-own specialist Eden April Alemania-Dayrit
• Secrets of direct sales superstars, with superstar sales performer, best-selling author, and top trainer Dr. Rodolfo “Dr. Dups” de los Reyes
• Simple stock market investing: The way to a richer life, with CitisecOnline.com chief executive Conrado Bate
• Beat the market with foreign stocks and funds, with Global Investor’s Center’s Malaya Laraya
• Telesales: How to make money selling over the phone, with One Outsource Direct president Butch Villamor
• Fast and furious profits in forex trading, with master forex trader Mark So

Day 2, July 3, Saturday (8:30-6:00)

• Make millions in network marketing*
• How to become a Pinoy eBay power seller, with certified eBay instructor and power seller Eireen Diokno-Bernardo
• How to build a million peso home-based Internet business, Internet marketing expert Jomar Hilario
• Make money in franchising, with Francorp executive and Philippine Franchise Association head Bing Limjoco
• Start and grow a lucrative Multiply business, with Renegade Folk co-founder Regina Sambalido
• Boost your portfolio with alternative investments, with Superfund Financial Hong Kong Ltd.’s Joseph Wong
• Quick profits in foreclosures, with The Property Forum founder and real estate auction expert Noli Alleje
• The Rich Dad way to getting rich, with Laurus Enterprises CEO Jerome San, official partner of Rich Dad Asia in the Philippines

* subject to change

If you would like to know more about the Speakers and the process on how to register, please visit: http://iluvlearning.com/money-summit-wealth-expo/

You may be wondering what are the methods and practices to bring your business to the next step and grow beyond its current status.

Choosing the correct way,  using the available resources, and how much money, time and sweat equity you’re willing to invest  are just some of the methods on how to make your business to grow.

And this is where  joining seminars, conferences and expo can bring a lot of benefits to your business.

If you’re ready to grow, join

Negosyo Power Expo 2010

August 20 – 22, 2010, Activity Area, Trinoma Mall

Negosyo Power Expo 2010 is an event where the strong and vibrant Small and Medium Enterprises industry can be further cultivated and nurtured.

Negosyo Power Expo 2010 focuses on delivering a very unique event experience to support the success and growth of small and medium size businesses in the Philippines. It serves as a connection to explore business opportunities, learn the latest SME market trends, establish contacts, explore business opportunities, exchange views & ideas, display products and services, as well as acquire latest technology and promotion tools.

Negosyo Power Expo Main Objectives

• To drive SME business success and growth.
• To inspire, motivate and educate the public to get into business.
• To promote entrepreneurial spirit in the country.

Who Should Attend

• Entrepreneurs
• Managers
• Decision Makers
• Non-Government Organizations
• Business Enthusiasts
• General Public
• Mall Visitors
• Small and Medium Business Owners
• Government and Private Institution
• OFW and their families

For more information, visit http://www.negosyopower.com.ph/

It’s a very informative show that presents topics on entrepreneurship and new business ideas. What so good about the show is that it features successful businessmen and entrepreneurs who mostly started from nothing.  The only downside is – it’s only a weekly one-hour program which is really very short for a full-packed show like this. The show airs from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM. In this 1 hour alone , you will learn a lot from their guests and resource speakers who are mostly experts on their fields.

Most of the time, they  give gifts or prizes to their weekly listeners and phone callers. If you are lucky enough, they also gives financial help  and provide assistance to their deserving listeners specially to those who has a business plan already.

Since the show have won numerous times already, it was awarded the much coveted “Hall of Fame” for winning the  “Best Business News Feature recognition from the Catholic Mass Media Awards.

The show is being anchored not less than Dr. Carl Balita, an educator, entrepreneur, an actor, producer, writer. a professional singer, nurse and a business leader rolled into one! His encouraging voice in the airwaves really inspire the Filipinos to bring out their best when it comes to setting up their own business and be optimistic about it in spite of the economic crisis.

Tune in to DZMM Radyo Negosyo every Saturday nights if you want to be inspired and wants to know the  best business for you. Who knows, you might be featured as their next “successful entrepreneur”.

Those words are a thing of the past.

Here’s comes ” UNLI”.  You know the meaning of “UNLI”, don’t you?

Well for the sake of non-Filipino readers of KayaMoPinoy, “UNLI” is the short form of “Unlimited” . Thanks to the mobile or cellular phone service providers, “UNLI” has been nominated for the Word of The Year among others such as “jejemon”.

Globe, Smart, Bayantel, Sun and other providers are competing each other  to grab a bigger  piece of the market. This is the reason why they were all eager to promote this “UNLI” craze.  In the end, it’s the subscribers or end-users who is winning this war. The result is cheaper plans, bigger and better promos and hopefully a better services too!

Other businesses such as those in food industry even tried this “Unli” craze. Some of the restaurants that are using this technique are Abe Restaurant in Trinoma, Best Friends restaurant along Pureza St. cor Magsaysay Blvd. Manila and the famous Mang Inasal.

If you have a business or product that you can offer as “UNLI”, I’m absolutely sure that you will keep your customers happy. We, Filipinos, love this type of offer, don’t we?

Study, learn and apply the profitable lessons from those businesses offering this kind of scheme. Tap into the “unli” craze while it’s hot and who knows, this might be the magic word that your business is waiting for it grow exponentially!

Plantersbank Handy Credit – Entrepreneur Personal Loan

A non-collateral cash loan worth P100,000 to P500,000. The installment plans are flexible, ranging from 12 to 36 months. Applicants should be sole proprietors or self-employed individuals between 30 and 65 years old, with a business operating profitably for the past three years and total gross monthly sales of P50,000. Applicant must also be credit card holders for at least one year with good credit standing and with single combined credit of at least P50,000.

Plantersbank Auto Loan

This is for aspiring car owners who wish to purchase a brand new or pre-owned car up to five years old, or existing car owners who either wish to refinance an existing car loan or get a cash loan with an existing car as collateral. The minimum loan amount of P100,000 can be paid in up to five years.

Plantersbank Small Bizloan

A multi-purpose credit facility lending P500,000 up to P5 million as a revolving credit line or term loan. Approvals are given in only 10 days upon submission of requirements.

For more information, visit www.plantersbank.com.ph or the Plantersbank nearest you.