Tuesday, December 22, 2009

POEA Advisory To Returning OFWs during the Holiday Season

As Christmas is the season when most overseas Filipino workers usually come home for a vacation, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration has issued an advisory on the issuance of POEA travel exit clearances.

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According to POEA:

In order to facilitate the issuance of POEA travel exit clearances (OECs) to returning OFWs during the Christmas and New Year Holiday Seasons, please be informed of the following:

The POEA Balik-Manggagawa Processing Division experiences a surge in the number of applicants for OECs at the start of the Christmas peak season. This number is double the usual of 1,000 per day. Congestion and security are major concerns at the POEA premises. Complicating this situation is the number of OFW applicants who have immediate flights.

In order to (pace, declog or deload) minimize the delay in processing of OECs, POEA advises the following:

  1. OFWs who have just arrived are encouraged to apply for their OECs early either at the POEA Main Office or at the nearest POEA Regional Offices and Extension Units, or avail of the OEC delivery service, so that they can avoid last minute problems prior to their return flights.
  2. Departing OFWs who will return during the Christmas season are encouraged to apply for their OECs at the Philippine Overseas Labor Offices (POLOs) in their host countries prior to coming home. Or, they may apply for their OECs at the POEA Main or Regional Offices early prior to their return flights to their host countries.
  3. Regular processing of OECs has been discontinued at the NAIA Labor Assistance Center (LAC) except for weekend or emergency exit within 5 days from entry. OFWs must apply for their OECs with the POEA Main or Regional Offices prior to their return flights.
  4. OFWs who have not yet registered with the POEA are advised to bring their contract and/or certificate of employment, and other proofs of employment in order to be documented and be issued an OEC.
  5. OFWs to regularly check the POEA website, http://www.poea.gov.ph for advisories especially before they book their flights

Charice Pempengco Performing on Singapore Idol’s 3rd Season Finale

Charice tweeted on her new twitter account, after her old account was hacked, that she would be a guest performer on the 3rd Season of Singapore Idol TV show on Dec 27, 2009. Singapore Idol is a show much like American Idol where undiscovered singers in Singapore compete over several weeks to be number 1 in the voting. This show will be the Grand Finale of the season.

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Singapore Idol's two finalists are Sylvia Ratonel and Sezairi Sezali, one of whom (Sylvia) is half-pinay on her father’s side and mom is Eurasian.

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Sylvia Ratonel

Season 3 is bigger and better with a whole load of surprises in store for viewers and contestants alike.

Monday, December 7, 2009

Lea Salonga Live at Esplanade Theater on the Bay

Don’t miss this chance to watch our very own Lea Salonga who will be performing live at Esplanade this coming December. Since the Theater on the Bay is an open area, I guess it will be free.

imageimage

When: Dec 16, 2009 (Wednesday)
Where: Esplanade Theater on the Bay (map)

Friday, November 27, 2009

PSRC 4th Inter-Profession Bowling Tournament 2009

A bowling tournament where every worker from various industries will have the chance to meet and play against other Filipino professionals/workers in Singapore: office workers, healthcare/hospital staffs, I.T. experts, architects, engineers, household helpers, hotels, restaurants and workers in other service industries... whatever your expertise are... you are all welcome to play and have fun!

This is another one-of-a-kind bowling league organized by PSRC (Pinoy Sports and Recreations Club) whose aim is to unite more Filipinos through different sports activities.

What: PSRC 4th Inter-Profession Bowling Tournament 2009
When: Saturday, November 28, 2009                   
          Registration at 1:30pm, roll-off at 2:00pm
Where: Superbowl Mount Faber, 2 Telok Blangah Way
Format: 10-pin bowling, team of 3 bowlers playing 5 games each bowler,
                      at least 2 team members should belong to the same profession

Contacts: Randy Salita - 92231990
              Dex Guillermo - 81256920
              Emman Zoleta - 96185105
              Louie Bragais – 97317002

Register your team now! Lane bookings for November event is limited to 24 teams so registration will be on first-come-first-served-basis.

Another upcoming tournaments:

What: PSRC 9-Pin Tap Funbowl
When: Sunday, November 29, 2009
          Registration at 6:00pm, roll-off at 7:00pm
Where: Superbowl Mount Faber, 2 Telok Blangah Way
Format: 6 games of 9-pin-tap bowling, individual event

What: PSRC Inter-Profession Bowling Tournament Finals 2009
When: Saturday, December 12, 2009
          Registration at 1:30pm, roll-off at 2:00pm
Where: Superbowl Mount Faber, 2 Telok Blangah Way
Format: 10-pin bowling, team of 3 bowlers playing 5 games each bowler, at least 2 team members should belong to the same profession.

There will be step-ladder games to determine the individual winners.

Monday, November 23, 2009

Efren Peñaflorida: One more Hero for the Philippines

One more reason to be proud for being a Filipino.

Efren Peñaflorida, who started a "pushcart classroom" in the Philippines to bring education to poor children as an alternative to gang membership, has been named the 2009 CNN Hero of the Year.

Peñaflorida, who will receive $100,000 to continue his work with the Dynamic Teen Company, was selected after seven weeks of online voting at CNN.com. The CNN Hero was chosen by a blue-ribbon panel from an initial pool of more than 9,000 viewer nominations.

 

 


"Our planet is filled with heroes, young and old, rich and poor, man, woman of different colors, shapes and sizes. We are one great tapestry, Each person has a hidden hero within, you just have to look inside you and search it in your heart, and be the hero to the next one in need.

--Efren Penaflorida, CNN Hero of the Year

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Adidas @Expo Sale 2009: Apparels, Bags & Footwear

Another Sportswear maker, Adidas, is having sale this month at the Expo.

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What : Adidas Apparels, Bags & Footwear Sale, up to 70% off.
Branded Sportswear, Men Tee shirt,Top & Shorts. Ladies & Children's wear, Adidas orignal range.
When: Aug 28, 2009 (Friday) to Aug 30, 2009 (Sunday)
Event Schedules : Time: 10am to 10pm
Venue : Foyer 2 Level 2
Admission : Public - Free Admission

Where:
Singapore Expo (Map)
1 Expo Drive #01-01 Singapore 486150
Singapore, 486150
Singapore

Organizer : JLC Enterprises

 

This is good news for me as I'm in the market for a good running shoes. See you there...

Friday, August 7, 2009

Lady Gaga Live In Singapore

Get ready to party the night away when modern dance-floor diva Lady Gaga graces Fort Canning Park for one night only! Lady Gaga brings her exciting full ‘live’ stage show to Singapore. So be prepared for this ultra glam queen as she takes the stage at Fort Canning Park to wow Singapore with her eccentric style!

When: 12 Aug 2009 Wed, 8pm

Where: Fort Canning Park

Ticket Price:
Early Bird - S$75 [Sold Out]
Group Purchase (Min 5 Tickets) - S$85
Standard - S$95
Event Day - S$105

Book here via Sistic

 

Contact Person/Event Organiser
Andre Alabons
LAMC Productions Pte Ltd
Tel: 6324-0764
Fax: 6324-0947
email: media@lamcproductions.com

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Nine Inch Nail Coming to Singapore Live 2009

"The Industrial Rock Godfather" is coming to Singapore! LAMC Productions is thrilled to announce that legendary Grammy winning industrial rock group Nine Inch Nails will perform "LIVE" in Singapore for one night only!

Trent Reznor officially confirmed that Nine Inch Nails are set to tour the globe in 2009 for one last time before going on hiatus indefinitely. "In NIN world, 2009 marks the 20th anniversary of our first releases. I’ve been thinking for some time now, it’s time to make NIN disappear for a while."

Nine Inch Nails will perform at Fort Canning Park on Monday, 10th August 2009. Don’t pass on this opportunity to experience Nine Inch Nails “LIVE” for the very first time in Singapore!

What:
Nine Inch Nails - “Wave Goodbye 1989 – 2009”

When:
10 August 2009 (8.00pm)

Standard tickets now $99
Group tickets at $85 each (min 7 ticket purchase)
At the door $119

For online tickets please call (65) 6296 2929 or online at www.tdc.sg
(Booking fee and 7% GST applies)

Buy tickets here

Friday, July 17, 2009

Jailed for four months for bribing traffic offense

This is a constant reminder to always follow the law in Singapore:

This man accepted a bribe in return for taking the rap for a traffic offence was jailed for four months on Wednesday.

Take_Bribe

Tan Poh Heng, 29, now unemployed, pleaded guilty to corruptly receiving $1,200 from housing agent Huang Yongjie, 27, to assume criminal liability for the latter's speeding offence along Upper Thomson Road in December 2007.

Assistant Public Prosecutor Christine Liu said Mr Huang was caught speeding by a speed camera along Upper Thomson Road on Dec 4 that year.

He did not know that he had been caught speeding and was overseas when a traffic offence notice was sent to him around mid-December.

He then decided to look for someone to 'take the rap'' as he did not want to have a further six demerit points on top of his current balance of 12 demerit points.

Later that month, he approached his colleague, Ms Doreen Yap Xiao Ping, 24, and said he was willing to pay a 'market rate'' for someone to take the rap for his offence.

After being informed that the going rate was $200 per demerit point, Mr Huang said he was willing to pay $1,200, in addition to the fine of $150.

Ms Yap then recommended her boyfriend, Tan, to Mr Huang.

Mr Huang issued a cheque for $1,350 to Tan, who deposited $1,000 into his account and spent the rest.

Tan went to the Traffic Police department to pay the fine of $150 after claiming to be the driver.

He has surrendered the $1,200 to the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau.

He could have been fined up to $100,000 and/or jailed for up to five years for corruption.

Mr Huang and Ms Yap have not been charged.

via StraitsTimes

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Use and Top-Up your ez-link card at McDonalds and Old Chang Kee



By the end of this months, retail outlets like McDonalds and Old Chang Kee, which accept ez-link cards for payment, will also become automatic top-up points.
ezlink
EZ-Link, which makes the cards that are widely used for payment on the public transport system here, is consolidating its top-up service under a new name EZ-Reload.

Now, people with an auto top-up service linked to their cards will get their cards 'recharged' with cash when the value inside them hits zero, as they pass their cards over readers on buses and at train stations.

Besides retail points, EZ-Link will extend this to cars with the second generation of In-Vehicle Units (the cards are topped up on passing under Electronic Road Pricing gantries). The new IUs are able to read both CashCards, which are used now, as well as the new Cepas-compliant ez-link cards.

There is a 25-cent service charge for each top-up, though EZ-Link's executive director Nicholas Lee hopes to reduce the cost or do away with it in the future, he said at a launch today (Wed).

For now, top-ups are linked to credit cards, though a Giro bank version will be introduced towards the end of August.

The move is seen as a way of giving ez-link an edge in the transport space over its competitor Nets or Network for Electronic Transfers (Singapore).

Nets CashCards are unable to do such automatic top-ups at the moment, although it has plans to introduce a card that can do so this year.

Crime Advisory: Increased Bicycle Theft Around Hougang Area

IMAG0069According to Hougang Neighborhood Police Centre, there has been an increasing bicycle theft reported around Hougang Public Housing Estate. Most of the thefts occurred around common public areas such as void decks and corridors.

Here are some of the preventions measures as advised by the Police:

  • Keep your bicycle indoors when not in use. If not possible, secure it to a designated bicycle bay.
  • Use durable locks made of 100% steel. "U-Locks" provides better protection compared to a chain or cable lock.
  • Lock your bicycle at a well-lit place with high human traffic.

If you witness any crime or theft, report it by calling 999.

 

A Chance to win “Shinjuku Incident” movie passes, premiums and City Chain voucher

8 Days, a subsidiary of MediaCorp Publishing, has these great prizes to give away:

8dayslogo13

20 Movie goodie bags, each containing a $50 City Chain voucher, a pair of movie passes, and a notepad.

80 notepads. -.-

Try your luck with this question:

Q: Shinjuku Incident opens in theatres here on Apr 2. True/False?
A: True

and SMS to 73388 in the following format:

<8E> <Answer> <NRIC> <Name> <Sex> <Email>
e.g. 8E True 1234567Z Mandy Gibson F mgibson@mail.com

Each SMS costs 20 cents.
Multiple entries are not allowed.
Winners of 8 Days promotions in the past 2 months are not eligible for this contest.

It’s Tax Season Time

Well ladies and gentleman, it's time to file your Income Tax Return before the deadline . You are required to send in your tax return if you have received an IRAS notice regardless of your income.

Big TaxI have just e-filed my B1 form today. I have been anticipating this since two weeks back when IRAS announced the availability of e-filing. Apparently, our company already transmitted the employees' remuneration details and deductions (e.g. CPF contributions and donations) to the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore ("IRAS") electronically. However the data is still in pending queue and will not be viewable from IRAS.

If your is employer is participating in the Auto-Inclusion Scheme, you can still proceed with individual filing without seeing the income data.

According to IRAS "Employees who proceed to e-file (without seeing their employment income details) have to select "option 2" and to tick the box in Section A. "Tick the box if your employer is  participating in the Auto-Inclusion Scheme for Employment Income and details are not known in the Income, Deduction and Reliefs Statement".

How to find out if your company is in the Auto-Inclusion Scheme? That question has been anticipated and you can find it here - “List of Employers Filing Employment Income Electronically From the Year of Assessment 2009”.

IRAS is providing a free SMS service to allow you to check whether your tax filing has been received by IRAS. You can do this 2-3 days after your successful filing.

Simply key in “filetax<space>NRIC/FIN Number” and send your SMS to 9116 4900. They will respond to you by SMS.

[e.g. filetax S1234567A]

For those who are filing their ITR for the first, these information may be able to help you understand the process:

Maids freelancing as sex-for-hire during their free time

I stumbled upon this article from AsiaOne news regarding some maids suspicious activity during their free time like for example during morning after sending their employer's child to kindergarten school.

They are supposedly freelancing as sex-for-hire.

I have heard similar stories regarding "some" Filipina maids doing this kind of stuff during Sundays in Orchard.  This is not to incriminate and degrade our kababayan in the domestic service industry. In fact I am against some of them doing it and this sometime leads to corrupting the perception of other nationalities that all Filipinas are probably the same.

Disclaimer: I have not witnessed anything, I just heard it which might not be true so take it with a grain of salt.

Under the law, a maid is not allowed to perform other work outside the employer's home. Employers can also be penalized if they are aware of their maids' illegal activities and have 'a part in encouraging it', according to lawyer Satwant Singh.

As per the Women's Charter, an employer who takes a cut from a 'freelancing' maid, can be jailed up to five years and fined up to $10,000.

But how will employers know what their maids are up to when they are at work?

Read on the story from an investigative reporter on how his encounter with one maid and share your thoughts on this issue......
--
By Appointment Only

In Bukit Batok, a few maids have given 'extra' work a new meaning.

One of them, Rose (not her real name), an Indonesian, is allegedly selling sexual favours to middle-aged men in the neighborhood.

newsmaid1Rose and her friends charge between $40 and $60 for sex, and would also leave their contact  numbers for men in the estate.

This reporter called Rose for an appointment.

Rose was willing to meet, though I was not recommended by any of her previous clients.

Rose, 40, said in English: 'I don't go to hotels. I'm usually busy (with my other appointments). You must live nearby so that we can do it at your home.'

Then she added: 'Darling, do you have condoms?'

Rose stressed that our date would depend on whether her boss was working that day.

She has worked in Singapore for five years and revealed that her customers were usually older men.

One of her regulars, who paid her well and bought her gifts, had recently relocated overseas.

Rose added: 'If you like my services, you can call me any time. In the future, you don't have to pay me all the time. I just want to make you happy.'

When it was time to proceed to the flat upstairs, my handphone rang, as planned. newsmaid2

The call from a colleague was my excuse to call off our 'liaison'. I told Rose that a family member had called to say he was coming over.

Rose agreed to postpone the session and assured me that she would fulfill her contract and 'not run'.newsmaid3

The next day, I called Rose, revealed my identity and asked her why she was engaging in such activities.

After a few moments of silence, she said: 'After my husband died (in 2000), I was the only one left to support my family. My $350 salary is not enough to send back home.'

She then hung up.

Source: original story here

Weekly OPM NITE @ Gotham Penthouse

If you're looking for a place to wind-up after a week of pure hard work, check out
Gotham Penthouse.

This Bar is located in Clarke Quay with an area 7500 square feet space. The place is beautifully designed with an array of visual delights and an eclectic style of music and entertainment.

If you decide to visit, check out these areas within the bar:

  • Shag Room
    Elevated VIP area complemented by lush shag carpet.
  • Liquid Loft
    An elevated island bar with a fine view of the dance floor and stage.
  • Merlot Lounge
    An extraordinary stimulating chill out area
  • Show Floor
    Dance floor and performance area
  • The Groom Room
    Zen like bathroom

They have a special event called OPM NITE where they play Pinoy Music every Sunday starting from 8pm onwards

Bands:
"Live band Brown Inc. & guest band artist " MAMBURATS" .

Their recent promo was:
1 4 1 JUGS & 20% Off Bottles + Free Entry!

 

Other Promos:

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List of Singapore Residential/Household Movers (Lipat Bahay)

In case you are in need of a mover, here’s the list I gathered during a recent move.

  • Sharin (Malaysian) - highly recommended
    Mobile – 92383089

    - He’s very careful, on time and organized
    - With BIG truck and helpers (if requested).
    - He has a homemade trolleys which helped a lot in moving items, you may not need a helper..
    - Normally charge around S$50 and from 80 to 200+ if you have a lot of things specially bulky items.
    - Negotiate, he will agree up to a reasonable amount. According to him, he has catered to a lot of pinoys.
  • Ah Meng - 9338 5335 or Albert - 9769 2187
    - They have 14ft truck.
    - Charge around S$180 to S$250 range...
    - They will check your things and give you a quote.
    - You can request for boxes.
  • SIM - also recommended
    Mobile - 98532365.
    - He’s a local and usually charged around S$60
  • Tony Mercado (noypi)
    Mobile - 81134897

    - he's well known as 'mang tony'
    - charges $80 per trip.
    - he'll give you a quotation of roughly how much the total cost
    - unfortunately he does not provide boxes and has a small truck
  • Uncle Andy (Singaporean)
    Mobile – 90238932

    - price would range from $30 - $50
    - hourly rate
    - with helpers, if requested
  • Mr. Amat
    Mobile – 97361344

    - Cheap charge
    - normally available only on late night or Sunday morning.
  • Tolits (noypi
    Mobile – 98719518
  • Dani
    Mobile – 97585730
  • Alan Mah
    Mobile - 9022904

If you are planning to move cabinets, furniture's and appliances, you may want to get a professional service:

A & A Removal and Delivery Services 

Call Ms. Lita (pinay) at 90229049 for more information
Email: aaremoval@hotmail.com

  1. VAN

    Van and driver to drive only (1sthr)    $40
    Additional charges after the 1sthr    $20 per / 30 mins

    Van and driver to help move items (1sthr)    / $60
    Additional charges after the 1sthr    $30 / per 30 mins

    Van and driver + 1 mover to help move items (1sthr) / $80
    Additional charges after the 1sthr    $40 per / 30mins

    Additional charges for house not on lift level    $10 per level
    Additional charges after 5pm    $10
    Additional charges after 7pm  $20
    Additional per drop-off point    $10
  2. 10 Ft Lorry

    10ft Lorry and driver to drive only (1sthr) $60
    Additional charges after the 1st hr    $30 / 30 mins

    10ft Lorry and driver + 1 mover to help move items (1sthr)    $90
    Additional charges after the 1sthr    $45 / 30 mins

    10ft Lorry and driver + 2 movers to help move items $250 per trip

    Additional charges after the 1st trip pro-rate based on Lorry load $30

    Additional charges for house not on lift level    $20 per level
    Additional charges after 6pm    $20

    Additional charges after 8pm    $40

    Additional per drop-off point    $20
  3. 14ft. Lorry

    14ft Lorry and driver to drive only (1sthr)    $80
    Additional charges after the 1sthr    $40 / 30 mins

    14ft Lorry and driver + 1 mover to help move items (1sthr)    $100
    Additional charges after the 1sthr    $50 / 30 mins

    14ft Lorry and driver + 2 movers to help move items (1sthr)    $130
    Additional charges after the 1st hour    $65 / 30 mins

    14ft Lorry and driver + 3 movers to help move items (1sthr)    $160
    Additional charges after the 1st hour $80 / 30 mins

    14ft Lorry and driver + 2 to 3 movers to help move items    $350 to $450 per trip

    Additional charges after the 1st trip    pro-rate based on Lorry load
    Additional charges for house not on lift level    $30 per level
    Additional charges after 6pm    $30
    Additional charges after 8pm    $50
    Additional per drop-off point    $30

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

AH1N1 Update: Singapore discontinued temperature checks for AH1N1

Temperature checks for H1N1 cases at all Singapore borders will be discontinued from Saturday,  according to a government statement on Friday.
In the initial phase of H1N1 (2009) outbreak, temperature screening was implemented at the border checkpoints to contain the spread of the virus into the community.  As Influenza A (H1N1-2009) has become  endemic among global communities, and with localised community spread in Singapore,  temperature screening at our borders is now less useful than before there was local community spread.  As such, these temperature screening measures at our border checkpoints will be discontinued with effect from Saturday 11 July 2009.

MINISTRY OF HEALTH
MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

In the initial phase, temperature screening was implemented at the border checkpoints to contain the spread of the virus into the community.

There are currently 70 confirmed H1N1 cases in hospitals here, including one in ICU.

Worldwide, more than 98,000 cases of H1N1 flu, including over 440 deaths, have occurred since the outbreak was first reported on April 24, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Scam Alert: Police Warns Public About Increasing Use of Counterfeit S$50

This news is a little bit dated but in case you still haven’t heard yet. There’s nothing to lose for being informed……

Police has recently reports of unknown person using counterfeit money as mode of payment.  To date more than 30 cases were reported and as we approach the period of festive sales, we would like to reiterate the importance for being vigilant.
Modus Operandi

Please take note that the culprit will normally use a fake currency note of S$50/- (commonly bearing the serial number: 2EY322725) at pubs, restaurants, petrol kiosks, convenient stores and 4D outlets for purchases.
The scam can also take in other forms ie culprit may also seek assistance in changing looses notes using counterfeit money, on the pretext of urgent need.

What to look out for:
1.  Counterfeit Notes using serial number:2EY3222725;
2.  Poor quality paper that has a waxy surface without the following intaglio:
      a.  No raised printing:
      b.  No shimmering effect on the kinegrams;
      c.  No Security Thread; and
3.  Although the counterfeit note simulated the outline of the watermark, but it does not have three-dimensional portrait of the late President Yusof Bin Ishak when examined under light.

What can you do when you receive such notes?
1.  When presented with the counterfeit note, do not return the suspected note to the suspect;
2.  Delay and keep the suspect at sight and if possible contact the police immediately;
3.  Take note of the description of the culprit, e.g. gender, age, height, built, attire, scars/tattoos, accent of language or any distinct features;
4.  Note the suspect(s)' mode of escape and take down the vehicle registration number if he/they escaped in a vehicle;
5.  Minimize the handling of the note and carefully place it in an envelope/polymer bag and hand it to the Police when they arrive.
If you have any information relation to the above cases, please to not hesitate to contact Police hotline at 1800-255 0000 or dial 999 if urgent police assistance is required.

IMAG0048IMAG0054

Friday, July 3, 2009

Advisory On The Validity Of Green Philippine Passports

There has been a lot of confusion regarding the validity of the old Philippine Passport (green) ever since DFA introduced the Machine Readable Passport (or MRP).

New MRP

The Philippine Embassy in Singapore reiterates that all green Philippine passports (non-machine readable, including those whose period of validity extends beyond 2010) will be valid until the stated date of expiry.

Green Passport

This advisory has been issued to reiterate the Embassy's previous statements on the validity of green passports, and to allay the confusion caused by recent erroneous information circulating on the Internet.

However, the Embassy reminds its nationals that a passport with at least six months' validity is required in order to travel outside of the Philippines.  Filipinos are advised to renew their passports at least six months prior to its expiry in order to avoid unnecessary inconvenience.  It takes approximately six (6) weeks to process the new machine-readable passport.

HALAKHAKAN Singapore 2009 with ATE GLOW and CHOKOLEIT

Two of the most talented comedians in the Philippines will be performing Live in Singapore

IMG_3964 IMG_3968

WHEN: March 20 at GOTHAM CLUB, Clarke Quay
WHEN: March 21 at DXO Esplanade
TIME: 7:30pm onwards

Tickets @ $38.00 (FREE STANDARD DRINK)

For ticket sales and inquiry, you can contact +65-82138969
Email: pinoy_advertise@ yahoo.com

 

If you’re a Starhub subscriber, you can send the following information for a chance to win ticket:

IMG_3963

Northwest Airlines began serving "PENIS" onboard, Georgia now the top "PENIS" producing US state.

Are you bored and want to try something interesting?

How about trying the latest offering from Northwest Airlines (NWA). They apparently began offering “Penis” on board according to CNN anchorwoman Zain Verjee.

During  her report, she made a mistake on what is commonly known as “Freudian slip” when she should have said “peanuts” instead of "penis".

In all seriousness, Verjee proclaimed:
“Northwest began serving penis this month as its merger partner Atlanta-based Delta airlines has done for years,” Verjee said.

And she also added:
“Georgia is the top penis producing state in the country.”

Damn, what is she thinking?

Anyway, here's the video...

Rest in Peace, Francis Magalona, 1964-2009



A tribute to the “FrancisM”




Prayers and condolences for his family….

MOM Introduced Measures to Prevent Profiteering from employment of Foreign Workers

For those who are planning to take their chances to hit the jackpot in Singapore, read and understand this information carefully.

To summarize, it is an offense/illegal for employers and employment agencies to collect/receive any form of payment (whether monetary or in kind) in exchange for employment consideration.

The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) introduced new Work Permit and S Pass conditions to prohibit employers from receiving payment as consideration for employing foreign workers, and recovering employment-related costs from foreign workers. A new licence condition will also be introduced to prohibit employment agencies from offering payment to employers, in exchange for hiring foreign workers through them. The new conditions will make clear to employers and employment agencies that engaging in such malpractices constitute an offence.

  1. Why is MOM introducing new Work Permit & S Pass Conditions and Employment Agency Licence Condition to prevent employers and employment agencies from profiteering from employment of foreign workers?

    Such practices increase the debt burden and compromise the welfare of foreign workers. The new conditions will make clear to employers and employment agencies that engaging in such malpractices constitute an offence.
  2. What are the new Work Permit and S Pass Conditions? When will it be effective?

    From 14 July 2008, it is an offence for employers to receive any form of payment (whether monetary or in kind) from a Work Permit holder or employment agent as consideration for the employment of the Work Permit holder. Employers are also prohibited from recovering employment-related expenses such as the levy and security bond, from their Work Permit holders. These new conditions will also apply to employers of S Pass holders.
  3. What are some of the employment-related expenses that cannot be recovered from the foreign worker?

    An employer is not allowed to recover employment-related expenses, (whether monetary or in kind), which are payable by the employer. Some of these include, but are not limited to:
    a) fees associated with application, issuance, renewal, or reinstatement of the Work Permit or S Pass
    b) costs associated with furnishing a security deposit required by MOM;
    c) costs associated with medical insurance required by MOM;
    d) costs associated with medical examination required by MOM;
    e) foreign worker levy payments required by MOM;
    f) costs associated with training a foreign employee, where the training is provided by employer or required by MOM; or
    g) repatriation costs.
  4. Who will be affected by the new Work Permit and S Pass Conditions?

    The new Work Permit conditions prohibiting employers from receiving payment (whether monetary or in kind) as consideration for the employment of the foreign worker or recovering employment-related costs will apply to all employers of Work Permit holders, including foreign domestic workers, and employers of S Pass holders.
  5. What is the penalty for employers who do not comply with the new Work Permit and S Pass Conditions?

    Errant employers who breach the new Work Permit and S Pass conditions will be fined up to $5,000 and/or imprisoned for up to six months under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act. They will also be barred from employing foreign workers in the future.
  6. What is the new Employment Agency Licence Condition? When will it be effective?

    From 14 July 2008, employment agencies will be prohibited from offering, directly or indirectly, any form of payment (whether monetary or in kind) to employers, in exchange for the employers hiring foreign workers through them.
  7. Who will be affected by the new Employment Agency Licence Condition?

    The new Employment Agency Licence condition will apply to all employment agencies carrying out recruitment or placement activities of foreign workers, including foreign domestic workers.
  8. What is the penalty for employment agencies who do not comply with the new Employment Agency Licence Condition?

    Employment agencies that breach the new Employment Agency Licence Condition will have their licences revoked and their security deposit forfeited.
  9. Will MOM be implementing other measures to curb the errant practice and the recovery of employment-related costs from foreign workers?

    MOM is working with the Singapore National Employers Federation to advise employers not to engage in such malpractices.  Foreign workers will also be educated on the new regulatory measures through guidebooks issued by MOM, namely “Working in Singapore - A Guide for Foreign Workers” and “A Handy Guide for Foreign Domestic Workers in Singapore”, as well as briefings conducted during safety orientation courses.
  10. How will employers and employment agencies be informed of the new Work Permit & S Pass Conditions and Employment Agency Licence Condition?

    Employers of Work Permit holders (including foreign domestic workers) and S Pass holders, as well as employment agencies will be informed of the Work Permit and S Pass Conditions and Employment Agency Licence Condition via circulars from MOM. MOM will also announce the new conditions on the WPOL and via the EA Alert.
  11. How can foreign workers report breaches of the new legislations?

    Foreign workers can call the MOM Call Centre at (65) 6438 5122 or email to mom_fmmd@mom.gov.sg.
  12. Where can I find more information on the new Work Permit and S Pass Regulations and Employment Agency Licence Condition?

    You may wish to call the MOM Contact Centre at (65) 6438 5122, or access the website for more information on the new Work Permit and S Pass Conditions and Employment Agency Licence Condition.

 

Source: http://www.mom.gov.sg

Philippine Embassy: New Machine Readable Passport Fee, Requirements and Validity

According to the Philippine Embassy Press release:

    The Philippine Embassy's issuance of the new Machine Readable Passports (MRP) is in compliance with the requirement of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) for all countries to issue Machine Readable Passports not later than 01 April 2010.

    This global standard is inter-operable and harmonized with all participating countries. Because of this, compliance benefits for the governments, the travelers, the airports and the airlines, primarily in document security and ease of travel.

    In response to the ICAO directive, the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) will be phasing-out the green passport and has instructed all its regional passport offices and foreign service posts, including the Philippine Embassy in Singapore, to begin issuing the MRP.

    The Philippine Embassy in Singapore started accepting applications for the new Machine Readable Passports (MRP) since 1 June 2008.

    All regular green passports earlier issued will remain valid and will be honored by immigration authorities worldwide until their stated expiry date.

If you currently hold a valid Philippine passport (green passport that has not expired), there is no need to worry as the green Passport will still be honored as a bonafide travel document issued by the Republic of the Philippines until it expires, even after the roll out of the new Machine Readable Passports.

Despite having more security features and more pages--44 compared to 36 pages for the old green one, take note: there will be no increase in the passport fee. Like the green passport, the MRP will be valid for five (5) years.

REQUIREMENTS

All passport requirements will remain the same except that the applicant will be required to personally appear and submit three (3) passport-size photos (4.5x3.5 cm), which should have a royal blue (instead of the usual white) matte background.

Personal Appearance is required for data verification, finger-printing and signature capture. Applications by mail will not be accepted. This will be easy for us here in sunny Singapore since it won’t take an hour to get to the embassy but it might be a problem to those Filipinos living in other countries where the presence of Philippine consulate is limited.

New Photo Requirements:
· Background – ROYAL BLUE
· Size – 4.5 cm X 3.5 cm
· Pose – image of applicant is 70 – 80% of the photograph
- Straight frontal shot (no tilting of head)
- “Medium” smile is allowed
- Collared shirt / decent attire
- Both ears visible
- Prescription eye-glasses allowed, provided there is no glare
- Head scarf / veil for religious or health reasons allowed

Photos can be rejected for the following reasons:
- Distorted image – head is tilted or smile is too wide
- Women - excessive makeup, large earrings
- Men – wearing makeup, earrings
- colored contact lenses
- use of headgear other than scarf / veil for religious or health reasons
- use of dark eyeglasses / shades
- photos with “red-eye” effect
- dirty photos / poor photo quality / poor or uneven lighting
- digitally altered photos (rendered with photoshop or other imaging programs) / unnatural skin tones

It would be wise to apply for the MRP at least three (3) months before the expiration of your green passport since all the applications received by the Philippine Foreign Service Posts abroad will be sent to the Department of Foreign Affairs in Manila via diplomatic pouch. Because of the transit time, it will now take SIX WEEKS for a passport to be released to the applicants, from the time the application is accepted at the Consulate General.

So, what does the new Machine Readable Passport look like?

New MRP

McEmergency: This is an emergency, my McNuggets are an emergency

    This McNugget meltdown happened in one of McDonald's branch in Florida. Latreasa Goodman ordered a 10 piece McNuggets but the store apparently runs out of McNuggets. The cashier told police she offered Goodman a larger portion of food for the same price to make up for it, but said Goodman got “irate”.

Base on my limited knowledge, once the order has been punched, it cannot be refunded unless the cashier or the manager will take responsibility and give the money back from their own wallet.

Goodman apparently told investigators she tried to get a refund for the 10-piece McNuggets, but the cashier told her all sales are final.

    Dispatchers for 911 told police Goodman called the emergency number three times and on each occasion was told an officer was en route.

    “She maintained the attitude ‘this is an emergency, my McNuggets are an emergency,’” the report states.

    Goodman eventually agreed to get a McDouble in lieu of the McNuggets as long as she also got the difference in price back. Goodman said the only menu items she cares for are McNuggets and McDoubles.

McNuggets, introduced to the McDonald’s national menu in 1983, are sold in more than 100 countries and often are dunked in barbecue or hot mustard sauce. McNuggets 10-piece selection has 460 calories and 29 grams of fat.

    McDonald's statement:

    "Satisfying each and every customer that visits our restaurants is very important to us.

    Regarding this isolated incident, we apologize for the inconvenience caused.

    In the event that we are unable to fill an order, a customer should be offered the choice of a full refund or alternative menu items. We regret that in this instance, that wasn't the case.

    We want to correct our mistake. We will be sending the customer her refund, along with an Arch card for a complimentary meal on us.

Goodman, 27, eventually won but she ended up getting a notice to appear in court on a misuse of 911 charge, according to a recently released police report.

      Two High Ranking AFP Officials visited Singapore, gave courtesy call to Ministry of Defense

        The Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, General (GEN) Alexander Yano and Flag Officer in Command, Philippine Navy, Vice-Admiral (VADM) Ferdinand S. Golez was in Singapore last February three-day introductory visit as part of their new post.

        They meet with Minister for Defence Teo Chee Hean at the Ministry of Defence as a courtesy call.

        General Yano also meet with Chief of Defence Force, Lieutenant-General Desmond Kuek and visited the Army's Headquarters Training and Doctrine. While Vice-Admiral Golez meet with Chief of Navy, Rear-Admiral Chew Men Leong and visited the Changi Naval Base.

        The visit underscores the warm and friendly defence ties between Singapore and the Philippines. Besides the exchange of visits, both defense forces also interact regularly through courses and other professional exchanges.

        Source: Mindef Singapore

      POSB iB Message’s SMS Notification services

      From 14 June 2009, when you successfully complete the following transactions, for added peace of mind POSB will send an SMS notification:
      • Add New DBS/POSB Payee
      • Add New Other Bank Payee
      • Funds Transfer To Other DBS/POSB A/C*
      • Funds Transfer To Other Bank*

      You need to update your mobile number for the Internet Banking Message Service (iB Message) at any DBS/POSB ATM.

      *For transactions of S$2,000 and above.

      Ka Roger: Pinoy Food Stall In Tampines

      Ka Roger, a pinoy food eatery known for their BBQ and other Filipino foods has a branch in Tampines.

      It is strategically located near the Tampines Mall, around 10mins walk from Starbucks and Church of the Holy Trinity.

      They are open from everyday starting from 8AM to 8PM.

      If you want to inquire regarding their services, you can call 9782-5974 and look for Ka Roger.

        Complete Address:
        Ka Roger
        Tampines Street 12 Block 164 Unit 01-297.

      Solar Entertainment and Parmon Group to broadcast live TV feed in Singapore of Pacquiao and Hatton’s fight

      This is something to look forward to this coming May 2. I hope they will announce the list of Cinema’s where they will be showing the live telecast. For the first time, we will be able to watch Pacman’s fight in the big screen here in “lah lah” land.
        Solar Entertainment Corporation, the leading sports television broadcaster in the Philippines, has appointed Parmon Group of Singapore to distribute the widely anticipated live television feed of the Pacquiao / Hatton duel scheduled for May 3, 2009 in Las Vegas (May 2 for U.S. viewers). Parmon is chaired by sports philanthropist Paul Monozca.

        "We are pleased to work with Solar Sports to bring the live feed of the boxing match between Manny Pacquiao and Ricky Hatton to Singapore said Paul Monozca, Chairman of Parmon Group. We are expecting massive interest from both the Filipino and British communities in Singapore as this is for the world junior welterweight crown. We are currently working out the venue and everyone is looking forward to it". Proceeds of the live television event will benefit cancer stricken children the Dr. AB Monozca Foundation supports.

        "Lets move on" said an excited Peter Chanliong, Chief Operating Officer of Solar. We leave it to Paul Monozca's group on bringing this much anticipated event to Singapore."

        The celebrated Manny Pacquiao is the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world according to several boxing magazines. His popularity in the Philippines is unmatched and he has a global following. From humble beginnings, Pacquiao is now a multi-millionaire having earned an average of USD10million in several fights the past 4 years. He is expected to earn USD 20 million for the May 3 fight alone which includes a share in the broadcast rights via pay-per-view. His last fight in Las Vegas defeated former world champion Oscar de la Joya of the United States. Pacquiao is so popular in his home country that the crime rate dropped to zero during his bouts. Filipinos from all walks of life watch Pacquiao.

        The Pacquiao/Hatton fight is planned to be held in a chain of cinemas - as opposed to the Singapore Indoor Stadium.

        Watch Manny Pacquiao Vs. Ricky Hatton Online Free Live Streaming

      GMANews.TV Falls victim of a fake site, warns public

      GMA News warned the public last week regarding a fake site that reports fake news. The fake site, which was hosted under www.000webhost.com, has been taken down as it is reporting a 404 error meaning none existing page as of press time.

      000webhost.com, according to its site, is a user donations supported free web hosting service

      MANILA, Philippines - GMANews.TV, the official news Web site of GMA Network’s News and Public Affairs, would like to warn the public not to fall for a phony Web site masquerading as our site.

      The sham Web site has the URL http://gmanewstv.comoj.com/karatekidaids.htm, and recently it posted a fabricated news item entitled "KARATE KID" FAST FOOD with AIDS!!!" The bogus story was about a 14-year-old boy who was diagnosed with AIDS after eating in a Makati restaurant.

      A screen shot of the bogus Web site carrying the Karate Kid story has been circulating in Internet forums apparently to discredit GMANews.TV and the restaurant.

      Legitimate Web sites can easily be faked through digital photo editing software applications. In the case of the fake GMANews.TV Web site, the perpetrators obviously made a screen grab of the nation page that contained the Red Cross kidnapping story, altered the copied page with a bogus Karate Kid story and posted it online using an obscure URL http://gmanewstv.comoj.com/karatekidaids.htm. This Web site does not belong to GMANews.TV or any of its affiliates, including its parent company, GMA Network Inc. and its Internet unit, GMA New Media Inc.

      A comparison of the fake Web site and the GMANews.TV will reveal these glaring differences:

      1. First, the fake Web site used all capital letters in the headline. These are not the style of GMANews.TV even if it is the end of the world.
      2. Second, the fake Web site used triple exclamation points. These are also not the style of GMANews.TV.
      3. Third, the fake Web site used a text font type that is different from the one used by GMANews.TV.
      4. Fourth, articles tagged as related stories were about the kidnapping of International Committee of the Red Cross in Sulu.
      image image

       

      Source: GMANews.TV

      Wednesday, July 1, 2009

      DBS/POSB System Upgrading Maintenance (July)

      Maintenace

      Got this from DBS/POSB:

      Please note that we will be upgrading our system to serve you better on:

      Date: 6 July 2009
      Time: 00:00 a.m. to 03:00 a.m.

      During this period, the following Credit Cards and Cashline services will be temporarily unavailable:
      - Account/ Statement enquiry
      - Funds Transfer/ Bill Payment
      - Cash Withdrawals

      We apologize for any inconvenience caused and thank you for your understanding to this matter.

      Monday, June 29, 2009

      DBS/POSB Customers: Stand to win a HTC Dream Phone today!

       image

      Calling all DBS/POSB and iBanking customers. Simply update your personal contact information (email and mobile number) at any DBS/POSB branch, and you could win yourself a HTC Dream Phone with a 24 month 3G Flexi Lite plan with SingTel (worth S$1194)!

      This promotion is only valid from 1 June 2009 to 31 August 2009, so don't miss out on this amazing draw!

      The following persons/parties are not entitled to participate in the Draw:
      1. Employees of the Bank or its subsidiaries and their immediate family members;
      2. Employees of advertising agencies and any other parties who are directly involved in organizing, sponsoring, promoting or conducting the Draw; and
      3. Estates of deceased customers.

      PNP and AFP consider recruiting gays and lesbians

      In order to bolster its current force, the Philippines National Police (PNP) and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is considering the idea of recruiting transgender to join the force. This is needed to fight the growing insurgency and war on terror.

      The AFP is a volunteer force and has a total active strength of 113,500 with 131,000 personnel in reserve.

      IT Show 2009 at Suntec Singapore

      This will be the first IT Show of 2009. With the economy still slowing down, this will be the chance to snag a bargain…
      It Show Logo

      Venue: Suntec Singapore (levels 1, 2, 3, 4 & 6)
      Date: 12 - 15 March 2009
      Time: 12pm – 9pm
      Free Admission

      As usual, there are raffle draws and prices to be won:
      For every $100 paid or deposit placed during the show, you may stand a chance to win:
      1st Prize: S$ 20,000
      2nd Prize: S$ 3,000
      3rd Prize: S$ 2,000
      And other attractive prizes

      **Remember to redeem your IT SHOW lucky draw coupons @ Level 6 (Hall 602)- Suntec Singapore)





      I will be there on the first day so keep watching this page. I’ll post updates, deals and price list.

      Sunday, June 28, 2009

      Flu Update: Nine Filipino Nationals Confirmed Case of AH1N1

      Singapore has confirmed 50 new cases (316th to 365th cases) of Influenza A (H1N1-2009) today, bringing the total tally to 365 confirmed cases and nine are Filipino nationals.

      In addition to these 50 new cases, 48 other cases were pending investigation yesterday.

       

      Source: DFA

      Maximum working hours according to Singapore Labor Laws

      This might interest the working professionals in Singapore…….

      • Maximum working hours as per Employment Act: 

        An employee is not allowed to work for more than 12 hours within a day except in the following circumstances:
        a)   Accident or threat of accident;
        b)   Work that is essential to:
               i.    the life of the community; .
               ii.   national defence; or
               iii.  security;
        c)   Urgent work to be done to machinery or plant; or
        d)   An interruption of work which was impossible to foresee.

      • Overtime

        All work in excess of the above hours of work is considered as overtime work, and the employee must be paid no less than 1.5 times his/her hourly basic rate of pay.

        Payment for overtime work must be made within 14 days after the last day of the salary period.

        The rate of payment is not less than one and a half times the employee's hourly basic rate of pay.

        source: Employment Act.

      Pinoy Foods: Skinless Longanisa, Rellenong Bangus and desserts

      In case you are cramming for a pinoy foods and sweets in Singapore.
      Posting for a fellow pinoy, contact details below.

      Home made skinless pork longanisa - $16/kg - (28 pieces)

       image image image

      Rellenong Bangus - $10/per piece

       image image

      Puto Cheese - $30/box (5 dozen)

       image image image

      Cassava Cake - $18/tray (322 x 260 mm)

      image image

      Lumpiang Shanghai - $8/half kilo

      image image image

      Place your order one day in advanced.

      For orders and information contact Joey O.
      Mobile: 91817730
      Email: skinless_longanisa@yahoo.com
      http://www.skinless-longganisa.webs.com/

      Tough Times

      Just got my monthly newsletter from efinancial careers and it was all pure bad news for those are in working the banking industry.

      Their top stories:

      Banks discuss tough times in recruitment
      “Junior candidates are especially scared of being last in, first out. They want to join a prudently run organisation. The monetary aspects of a job are less important than getting some degree of security.

      Jobs in jeopardy as RBS plans Asian exit
      “Many RBS people are now just going to be surfing the net all day. The people I know there don’t know where they stand. They are in limbo,” says one headhunter who asked not to be named.

      >>full story

      Hope this ends soon. It’s making us all nervous.

      Friday, June 26, 2009

      Manny Pacquiao: The Great Boxer and 6th Richest Athlete in the World

      This is something being a pinoy should be proud of, from rags to richest doing what he loves to do and good at it – being the world’s best pound for pound boxer.

      Quoting from Inquirer.net:

      FROM ring icon to global superstar. From multimillionaire to billionaire.

      Manny Pacquiao affirmed his status as one of the brightest lights in the boxing firmament with his first ever appearance on Forbes Magazine’s list of world’s highest-paid athletes this year.

      Cashing in mainly on his devastating victories over former boxing Golden Boy Oscar De La Hoya and British idol Ricky Hatton, Pacquiao ranked sixth in Forbes’ elite cast with estimated earnings of $40 million (about P1.9 billion) from June 2008 to June 2009. Atop the list was golfer Tiger Woods.

      The 30-year-old Pacquiao, the world’s best pound-for-pound fighter, emerged tied in earnings with current NBA Most Valuable Player LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers and golfer Phil Mickelson, just a shade under soccer glamour boy David Beckham ($42 million).

      Forbes is a prestigious business magazine. It describes itself on its website as “a leading Internet media company [that] is among the most trusted resources for the world’s business and investment leaders,” providing reports on business, technology, investing and lifestyle and the databases, such as the annual Forbes Lists, among others.

      More money than Federer

      In an article written by Kurt Badenhausen, Woods wound up the runaway top grosser for the eighth straight year with $110 million. That amount was below Woods’ $115 million overall earnings last year but nearly 2 1/2 times more than what joint second placers Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, and Kimi Raikkonen earned.

      Bryant, main man of the NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers, the basketball legend Jordan and the Finnish Formula One driver Raikkonen grossed $45 million each.

      Surprisingly, Pacquiao earned more than tennis star Roger Federer, who won the French Open last month for his 14th Grand Slam title. With $33 million to his credit, Federer was tied with the Phoenix Suns’ Shaquille O’Neal.

      De La Hoya fight

      Pacquiao is estimated to have gotten at least $20 million, including pay per view (PPV) shares, for making De La Hoya quit on his stool after the eighth round last Dec. 6. De La Hoya, who still made the list with $32 million, eventually announced his retirement early this year.

      Pacquiao, who was honored by the Boxing Writers Association of America as its Fighter of the Year on June 12 in New York, went on with a two-round demolition of Hatton on May 2, raking in a guaranteed purse of $12 million plus a yet to be announced PPV share.

      Also included in Pacquiao’s coffers were the $3-to-$5 million he got for knocking out former World Boxing Council lightweight champion David Diaz in nine rounds last June 28.

      Other millionaires

      Other athletes on the list confined to those who earned at least $30 million were motorcyclist Valentino Rossi ($35M), Nascar superstar Dale Earnhardt Jr. ($34M), Formula One racer Lewis Hamilton ($32M), New York Yankees’ Alex Rodriguez ($32M), golfer Vijay Singh ($31M), Boston Celtics’ Kevin Garnett ($31M), Nascar driver Jeff Gordon ($30M), New York Yankees’ Derek Jeter ($30M) and two-time football Player of the Year Ronaldinho ($30M) of AC Milan.

      Another huge paycheck awaits Pacquiao when he returns to the ring on Nov. 14, most likely against WBC welterweight champion Miguel Cotto of Puerto Rico.

      A megabuck bout with Floyd Mayweather Jr. is also on the horizon for Pacquiao, who is already considered the best Asian and best southpaw fighter ever and is a cinch to enter boxing’s Hall of Fame.

      Beyond sports

      Earlier this year, Forbes Magazine also put Pacquiao on its roster of world’s most powerful celebrities, ranking him 57th. The roster was headed by actress Angelina Jolie, television host Oprah Winfrey and singer-performer Madonna.

      Time Magazine has also put Pacquiao, who has won five world crowns in as many divisions, on its own list of the world’s most influential people.

      No other Filipino appeared on the three rosters, a testament to Pacquiao’s universal recognition that goes beyond the realm of sports.

      Thursday, June 25, 2009

      POEA Advisory to overseas Filipino workers on precautionary measures against A(H1N1) flu virus

      The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration reiterates its advisory to overseas Filipino workers on precautionary measures against A(H1N1) flu virus as the World Health Organization has declared a global pandemic.

      POEA Administrator Jennifer Jardin-Manalili said that aside from protecting themselves against the virus, inbound and outbound Filipino workers should observe the following reporting and monitoring arrangements:

      Returning OFWs/and disembarking crew shall inform their recruitment/manning agencies about their arrival in the Philippines.

      • OFWs should stay at home (self-quarantine) for 10 days after arrival before personally reporting to the recruitment agencies.
      • OFWs with flu-like symptoms on the date of departure shall notify their respective agency and ask for postponement of deployment.
      • If infected onsite, OFWs shall ask for assistance from the nearest Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) or Philippine Embassy or Consulate.
      • OFWs shall report to the nearest Philippine Overseas Labor Offices, Embassy or Consulates any case of infection among other Filipino workers.

      In the Philippines, the public should report any known case of the flu virus to the nearest local health authority, or through the following:

      Bureau of Quarantine - 832-2929
      OP CEN-HEMS - 711-1001 / 915-7725621 / 921-5922361
      National Epidemiology Center - 743-1937
      RITM - 807-2628

      Administrator Manalili also asked OFWs to heed the advice of government health authorities to protect themselves from the virus like strengthening the immune system, maintaining good personal hygiene, and practicing social distancing.

      She further encouraged all recruitment agencies to issue similar advisories and guidelines to their departing and returning workers and seafarers

      No Reservations: Anthony Bourdain’s take on the Philippines

      Anthony Bourdain is a 28-year veteran professional chefs, author of the book Kitchen Confidential and host of the popular Travel Channel show “No Reservations”.

      514816REGEL._SL160_

      Kitchen Confidential became an unlikely, but enduring, international bestseller. He has since milked that lucky break for everything it's worth.

      No Reservations (now entering its fifth season), he travels the globe to sample such food at local haunts in big cities and small villages.

      He visited the Philippines recently as part of his "Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations FAN-atic Special".

      Augusto Elefanio, an enthusiatic Filipino-American living in Long Island, New York is the runner-up of the Special Casting Call. Together with his Chinese-American wife and his family, they were flown back to Cebu to serve as Anthony’s guide (fixer) in discovering the region’s culture and culinary delights.








      The First International Pinoy Music Festival in Singapore

      See the gathering of the hottest bands in the Philippines in one event.

      One day only !!!

        WHO: Pinoy bands playing in Singapore for the International First Pinoy Music Festival:
      • * 6Cyclemind
        * Afterimage
        * Bamboo
        * Imago
        * Kamikazee
        * Moonstar88
        * Parokya ni Edgar
        * Razorback
        * Sandwich
        * Siakol
        * The Dawn
        * The Youth

         

        Other Artists that will perform @ D'MARQUEE:
        * DragonForce - 2009 Grammy Nominee metal band
        * The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus - American rockers from Middleburg, Florida
        WHEN: March 1, 2009 starting at 9am onwards
      • Price:  VIP - $180,   Normal - $120,   General - $70 Group discounts also applicable!
        VIP - $150 VIP (u.p. $180)
        Normal - $100 (u.p $120)
        General - $60 (u.p. $70)
      • Part of the proceeds will be donated to GMA Kapuso Foundation and Espesyal Pinoy

      Concert Venue Amenities:
      - More comfortable (fully air conditioned)
      - Family oriented place
      - Near to recreation centers and malls (Wild Wild Wet, Downtown East Mall, Costa Sands, Escape Theme Park, Explorer kid..etc)
      - Easily accessible with FREE shuttle bus service -
      - State-of-the-art sound and lighting system
      - VIP guests will now be closer to the stage
      - Food and drinks are also available at the venue (Official Food Caterer: GP Asian Restaurant & Sizzling Plate)

      Games and booths during the event:
      - Picture with the artists booth (VIP guests are priority)
      - Artists look-alike contest
      - Dedication booth (message will be shown on the big screen)
      - Marriage booth (post-valentines event hehehe)
      - Faces of the night
      - Tattoo/Henna/Painting booth
      - Merchandise Booth

      ***All tickets sold during the period of October 2008 till Feb 11, 2009 will still be honored at the gate*** The organizer is Pinoy Sunday (+65 91704956 / +65 91264495)

      Take Out: Another Pinoy food stall in East Side (Tampines)

      Another new pinoy food stall named TAKE OUT was recently opened in the Tampines area to serve the pinoy community in the East Area. The store is strategically located in the hawker center in front of Holy Trinity Church in Tampines St. 11...

      Their specialty include but not limited to Pancit Malabon and puto. As part of Filipino diet, they also have rice meals sets.

      This new store is owned by the same owner as Dodie and Kristine's Pancit Malabon.
      Operating hours is between 9am-10pm, Tues-Sun...

      Singapore implemented Home Quarantine Orders (HQO) to limit A(H1N1) spread, failing to comply can be prosecuted

      Singapore has implemented Home Quarantine Orders (HQO) with the aim of limiting the spread of Influenza A (H1N1-2009) in the community.

      HQOs will be issued to those who have had close contact with confirmed cases of Influenza A(H1N1-2009). They will be placed under quarantine for 7 days from the point of their exposure to the virus, either at home or at designated facilities prepared for this purpose.

      Close contacts are those who have sustained unprotected exposure to the confirmed case for a significant duration of time and within a close proximity of 2 meters. In an airplane these would include passengers seated in the same row as well as within 3 rows in front and behind the confirmed case.

      Why quarantine?

      Influenza A(H1N1-2009) is a contagious and potentially dangerous virus which can cause a flu pandemic. HQOs are used to isolate contacts of the virus, so as to limit the spread of the virus in our community.

      What will happen when an HQO is served?

      Those to be quarantined would be isolated either at their homes or at designated facilities such as Aloha Loyang. There they would be well taken care of and their health monitored.

      CISCO officers will serve the HQO and will subsequently install an electronic camera at the homes of those to be quarantined at home. They will be given a home quarantine kit, which includes an oral thermometer and a mask. A nurse will explain the conditions in the HQO which are to be observed.

      During the home quarantine period, CISCO officers will make random calls to those quarantined between 8 am and 11 p.m. When called, they will have to turn on and present themselves in front of the electronic camera to show that they are at home.

      While under HQO, the person must stay at home or in the facility provided and avoid contact with others. They have to take their temperature twice daily and monitor themselves for flu-like symptoms. Good personal hygiene is especially important. Persons quarantined at home are to wear a surgical mask if they need to be in common areas of the house near other persons.

      All persons should respond fully and truthfully to all questions by MOH officers or others acting on behalf of the Director of Medical services. This is to enable the officers to better take care of those quarantined and to limit the spread of the Influenza A(H1N1-2009) virus within Singapore.

      Flouting of HQO

      Those who flout (deliberately disobey) the HQO may be subject to further conditions.

      These may include:

      1. Being required to wear an electronic tag to enable the monitoring of movement during the period of the home quarantine.
      2. Being required to be detained and isolated in a hospital or other place.

      Any person who fails to comply with the HQO can be prosecuted and

      • in the case of a first offence, be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to both; and
      • in the case of a second or subsequent offence, be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $20,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or to both.

      What should I do if my family member is quarantined at home?

      Your family can help the process by following the instructions given to you at the serving of the HQO.

      Please avoid contact with your family member who is under HQO and be vigilant against possible indirect ways of contact through common household items. Everyone in the house can go about their daily routines but be sure to pay extra attention to personal hygiene and general household cleanliness. Avoid inviting visitors to your home.

      Regularly clean and disinfect the areas used by the family member under HQO and avoid sharing bodily fluids like saliva through the sharing of food and drink. Family members should build up their own immune systems by eating properly and healthily and exercising regularly.

      What if the person under HQO, or another household member, starts to display flu symptoms?

      Should your family member under HQO start to display flu-like symptoms, he/she should wear a surgical mask and call 993 for the dedicated ambulance service to bring him/her for further assessment.

      If the family member under HQO needs medical assistance for other minor illnesses, please call the designated helpline 1800 333 9999.

      If another member of the family not on HQO, displays flu-like symptoms please also call 993 and have that family member wear a surgical mask while waiting for the ambulance to bring him/her to TTSH Emergency Department.

      It is possible in the initial stages of the disease for the quarantined family member to have contracted the Influenza A(H1N1-2009) virus but not display symptoms such as fever. Hence, it is possible for him to spread the virus on to another household member, even if he still seems well. Hence it is very important that your family follows the instructions given with the HQO kit so that we can all better prevent the virus from spreading in our community.

       

      Source: Ministry of Health

      Retrenchment: The last evacuation drill

      Is this supposed to be a joked? Anyway, keep reading….

      In a large multinational company..............

      A fire alarm rang at 4 PM in a large office when almost all employees were in office (approx 5000). As usual the entire office was evacuated within 3 mins & all employees gathered outside the office in the designated area waiting for further announcement.

      The Security Officer in charge made the following announcement:

      "Dear employees - with sincere regret I have been asked to announce that for many of you it will be your last evacuation drill. Due to the recession the company is laying off almost 50% of its employees. So when this announcement finishes, I ask all of you to move back into the building and if your swipe card does not work then it means you have been laid off in which case you will not be allowed inside and all your belongings will be couriered to you by tomorrow.

      The Company has used this innovative approach as we didn't want to fill up the email box with lay-off mails and good bye mails in thousands & also to avoid any fight inside the office and the consequent security issue for all staff.

      Hope you have had a rewarding career with us and all the best ahead.

      Please move back in and try your luck".

      Tuesday, June 23, 2009

      Ricola Contest Over $15,000 Prices to be Won Including a Trip to Switzerland!

      Share your Ricola moments by filming a video, take a photo or write about your favorite and creative Ricola moments for a chance to win big prizes.

      I Love Ricola

      To enter, either upload your photo or video entry on Facebook at http://companies.to/i-love-ricola/ or
      http://www.facebook.com/pages/I-Love-Ricola/85632499431

      In the case of written journal entries, mail1 into Ricola or email it to share@ilovericola.com.

      For photo and video entries:
      1. Buy a pack of Ricola and enjoy.
      2. Shoot your photo or video (30 seconds or less) featuring yourself and your Ricola pack.
      3. Join our Facebook Brand Profile page at http://companies.to/i-love-ricola/
      4. Upload your photo or video entry on the Wall section, with proof of purchase details1 in the
          comment box below.

      For journal entries:
      1. Buy a pack of Ricola and enjoy.
      2. Write about your Ricola moment (25 words or less).
      3. Mail into Ricola2 or email it to share@ilovericola.com with proof of purchase1 details attached.

      Submit as many Share Your Ricola Moments entries as you like but each entry must be accompanied by proof of a single product purchase. Go ahead and enter today!

      Prices To Be Won

      • Pairs of tickets to a movie of your choice at Golden Village cinemas will be given away to Share your Ricola moments Entrants, Voters and Fans every week during the promotion!   
      • A Club Med Bintan weekend getaway for two for the 2nd, 3rd and 4th highest vote-getting photo, video or journal entrants.
        Plus all Share Your Ricola Moments entrants and Fans of the I Love Ricola Facebook page will be automatically entered into a Draw for another Club Med Bintan weekend getaway for two! The more entries and votes submitted, the more chances you have to win!
      • The Grand Prize of a trip for two to Switzerland with $1000 spending money, will be awarded to the highest vote-getting photo, video or journal entrants.