Kaya Mo, Pinoy!

I’m on a beach vacation right now with my family here in the southern part the Philippines. Good thing the hotel we are staying has a free WIFI and their internet connection is superb. A friend of mine saw this tweet on my Twitter – ” Thank you Torrent”.  He knew that I’m addicted to movies. He asked me what software that I’m using in playing the movies that I’ve downloaded from the internet.

First, I told him to stay away from the default Windows Media Player. It is one of the most horrible player out there because it only supports few codecs.

Second, download VLC Media Player – one of the best (if not the best) media player that can beat the features of any paid media player software. Did I mention that it’s free?

Yes, it’s FREE!

Well, aside from the fact that it’s free – thanks to open source -,  my most favorite feature of VLC is you can play almost all movies out of the box! Unlike some media players where I used to download and install codec packs, VLC on the other hand let me watch movies without downloading additional codecs. Maybe my laptop has a lot of codecs already installed on it. I really don’t know but one thing for sure, VLC supports almost all  codecs.

So the next time you will be in a paradise like me, don’t forget your vlc player, download,  install and make it your “swiss knife”  media player.

Most of you probably know what is debt consolidation but have you ever heard about debt settlement?

First some background what most people do in trying to solve their debt problem.

Recession, loss of job, hospitalization and other unexpected life changes can result in financial difficulties even for those who manage their debt well.

When we find ourselves having problems in making ends meet, the first natural course of action is to take a look at the budget and find ways to cut back on unnecessary expenses. This first step can help us pay down debts and keep monthly bills current. Unfortunately, this is just a stop gap until we can really find either a better paying job.  But what happens when we can’t solve our debt problems with budgeting?

The next step is we need to seek outside help.  It’s really  hard ask for someone’s help specially when you’re having money troubles, but if you don’t gain control over your debts, your credit rating will suffer. So it’s better to take charge of your debt before it’s too late.

Most debtors turn to debt consolidation like  transferring high-interest debts to a lower interest credit card. This is often done to secure a lower interest rate. However, debt consolidation does have definite drawbacks. Closing numerous accounts and putting all of your debt into one account can negatively affect your ratio of debt to available credit, lowering your credit score.

Another popular option for those with debt problems is debt arbitration, debt negotiation or debt settlement. Whatever term you are going to use, it is a way in which the debtor and creditor agree on how to approach the debt.  Usually, the creditor will give a reduced balance which is considered the full payment. The debtors can either pay this new reduced balanced in full or in terms as well. It depends on the debt settlement agreement that you will undertake.

By seeking a debt settlement from the creditor, it can often prevent us from going to bankruptcy.

This is an email  that I received the other day which I want to share to all KayaMoPinoy.com readers.

ABS-CBN Foundation launches Bayanijuan sa Calauan

By: Faizza Farinna T. Tanggol

CALAUAN, Laguna–Informal settlers living along the Pasig River and esteros now have hope for a better life thanks to “Bayanijuan sa Calauan”, the 107-hectare resettlement project that supports the Kapit Bisig para sa Ilog Pasig (KBPIP) movement.

The National Housing Authority (NHA) has provided the scenic Calauan site adjacent to the Nagcarlan Mountain Range in Laguna. “This resettlement site is actually owned by the National Housing Authority. We [at NHA] had a memorandum of agreement with ABS-CBN Foundation where we gave them authority to manage the Calauan housing project,” explained Rico Laxa, General Manager of NHA, “There are 800 houses here ready for the families, we just have to fix it a bit-paint the houses and have doors and windows installed. I’m sure the site will definitely improve with the help of ABS-CBN Foundation and their partners.”

KBPIP, a partnership between ABS-CBN Foundation, Inc. and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources through the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission (PRRC), has taken on the challenge of rehabilitating the river waters in seven years.

An important phase in achieving the rehabilitation process of Pasig River is to relocate the estimated 4,000 families currently living near Pasig River and waterways leading up to it, as these households contribute to 60% domestic wastes in the Pasig River, according to a PRRC study. Bayanijuan sa Calauan, the official resettlement site of KBPIP, will provide shelter, livelihood, child welfare, environmental initiatives, microfinance and disaster-risk reduction programs to the families.

“Bayanijuan sa Calauan is about showing how the Filipino spirit can be, how we can all work together,” Gina Lopez, managing director of ABS-CBN Foundation, clarified during the site’s inauguration, “This is an ideal place, where we can bring the informal settlers from Pasig River to transform and improve their lives through Bayanijuan.” Read the rest of this entry

The Philippines has been chosen as the third cheapest tourist destination in Southeast Asia in a survey conducted by FinanceAsia on July 13, 2010.  The poll was conducted to find out which Southeast Asian destination offers the best value.

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.

It’s back!

The Biggest Job Fair in 2010!

Thousands of positions need to be filled by top employers
local and overseas!

Meet these employers face to face and get a chance
to be hired on the spot!

JobSolutely Cool! Career Fair
GLORIETTA ACTIVITY CENTER
August 12 – 13, 10am to 7pm

So, what are you waiting for? Register now and get your dream job!

To Register: http://myjobstreet.jobstreet.com/application/online-apply.php

Hiring Companies:

Franchise 2010 is currently being held at SMX Convention Center, Pasay City.  While the conference started already, the official Franchise Expo will start  on July 15.  The expo will display exhibits of local and international franchises. It will also provide seminars on  empowering franchise, exciting business presentations, and vigorous industry networking and marketing activities.

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

I live in the South of Metro Manila and I feel so  proud whenever there’s a new business development in the area.

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.”

1st Youth Leaders for Good Governance Training Seminar

This 2-day event is aimed at equipping the participants with competencies and skills that will allow them to start and develop a Kaya Natin chapter in their school, college, or university. The said KN school-based chapter will also help in the following:

• political and governance education
• organization of activities that promote good governance and organization of forum/seminars  that will aim to discuss and address political and socio-economic issues in our country.

Who : Currently enrolled student leaders based in Metro Manila

When : August 6-7, 2010 (Friday-Saturday)

Where : Ateneo de Manila University, Quezon City

Registration Fee : P250 per person inclusive of   merienda, lunch, and materials to be used in the seminar

To register, send your complete name, contact number/s, name of school, and email address to kayanatin@yahoo.com or call (02)434-1458

This announcement is a public service of KayaMoPinoy.com

Good news for all Globe mobile users specially to those who are using their DUO services.  KayaMoPinoy received an advisory from Globe that DUO has expanded their coverage.  You can now call DUO numbers in Batangas, Quezon, Northern Samar and Davao and all Globe landlines NATIONWIDE!

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.