JESSE ROBREDO: Inquirer's 2012 Filipino of the Year

JESSE ROBREDO: Inquirer's 2012 Filipino of the Year

Source: Inquirer

Mayor Pogi is Inquirer's 2012 Filipino of the Year. The (PDI) Philippine Daily Inquirer annually honors a living Filipino who has made the most positive impact on the life of the nation. It is only the second time since the beginning of the Filipino of the Year series in 1991 that the Inquirer voted for a nonliving Filipino. The first one being Fernando Poe Jr. who died in December 2004 and was named that year.

Sec. Jesse Robredo deserves to be honored. Maybe not a lot of you has been given the chance to know him personally when he was still alive because he is a very simple man with a big heart in public service. He is not the type that grab headlines or waste people's money or talk about other people's trash. He is a man of action.

Jesse's tsinelas leadership inspires, lending a wealth of insight into the virtues of people-empowered governance and of unparalleled devotion to his constituents, spouse and children, parents and siblings. If only all the politicians in the Philippines will emulate Jesse's tsinelas leadership...

He is a very hands on mayor. A guest in Naga City recalls how he personally saw Pogi's tsinelas leadership:

"Let me share one experience I had with this man they call POGI. Jesse Robredo was walking in the city center when he noticed a drainage canal in front of the hotel where we are staying, he saw that it was clogged with trash,  without a second thought he cleaned it with his bare hands and and all the people around were shock to see the mayor cleaning a canal."- Binatang taga Bukid

The Inquirer editors and assistant editors voted Jesse Robredo the Filipino of the Year for 2012. Of 63 votes, Robredo received 17; Luis Cardinal Tagle, 11; and President Aquino, 8. The rest of the nominees were, in the order of number of votes received: Cris Valdez, Sen. Pia Cayetano, Rep. Edcel Lagman, Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago, government and MILF peace panels, Dolphy, Filipino women, Filipino Indie makers, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile and Kevin Balot.

TOFARM Awards:2013 Outstanding Farmer Recognized

TOFARM Awards:2013 Outstanding Farmer Recognized

Thanks to the support of JCIP, UHI and LGUs, our local farmers are now being given awards and recognition they long deserve. As we all know food is becoming scarcer since agricultural lands are being converted left and right into malls, subdivisions, condominiums, cemetery and what have you. It is a fact that unless we shift our priorities to supporting farmers and glamorizing their role in nation-building, we are going to have a problem in food supply in the very near future.
 
It is about time that Filipino people start planting vegetables and fruits in their backyards or even in pots due to the food crisis that we may face soon. 

TOFARM, a search and awards program launched last July by the Junior Chamber International Philippines (JCIP) and Universal Harvester Inc. (UHI) aims to refocus attention on the importance and viability of agriculture as an industry and vocation.

Twenty-seven notable representatives of the agricultural sector were hailed Farmer of the Year by a board of judges composed of industry leaders and recognized specialists in the agricultural sector.

The Tofarm awards night was held at the Raffles Hotel in Makati last Thursday,  Jan. 24, 2013 with guests of honor Sen. Francis Pangilinan, chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food, Calamba Mayor Joaquin M. Chipeco Jr. and international farming experts.

The Search and Award of “The Outstanding Farmers of the Philippines” is a program of the Junior Chamber International Philippines (JCIP) and the Universal Harvester, Incorporated. 

JCI Philippines is the organization that brought “The Outstanding Young Men (TOYM)” and “The Outstanding Filipino (TOFIL)”.

This search and award for farmers is an initiative since the early 70’s by JCIP (formerly Jaycees) and Planters Product. An Awards Program in recognition of the Resiliency, Ingenuity, and the Strength of our hard working Filipino farmers. 

The program is anchored in promoting farming in the youth sector of all classes. The search will be inclusive and participative, expanding from public to private sector stakeholders in agriculture, fisheries and livestock.

This project is open to all Filipino farmers, fisherfolk, animal raisers, cooperatives, farm communities, organizations, education/academe, agricultural scientist, LGUs and public employees, and business entities in both rural and urban areas/centers.

We would like to congratulate Mamerto B. Rarangol of San Mateo, Isabela, a farmer who champions the value of education and the use of the scientific method to maximize farming yields and make every square foot of his land productive was named Farmer of the Year at the TOFARM Awards Night that honors The Outstanding Filipino Farmers of the Year.

Rarangol, who was also named winner in the farmer category, leads 33 other nominees in various award categories, namely: agriculture cooperative, Local Government Unit, agri-entrepreneur, family farmer, young farmer, farmer, fisher folks, livestock, agri-initiatives, agri-innovator and urban/city farmer.

The other winners are: 

• LABO Progressive Multi-Purpose Cooperative of Labo, Camarines Norte for Agriculture Cooperative
• Provincial Government of Pangasinan for Local Government Unit
• Mary Mediatrix V. Villanueva of Daraga, Albay for Agri-entrepreneur
• Lilia B. Pelayo and a family of San Pedro, Laguna for family farmer
• Remigio T. Villamayor Jr. of Calamba, Laguna for young farmer
• Ferdinand B. Mari of Alicia, Isabela for fisherfolks
• Don Bosco Agro-Mechanical Technology Center of Legaspi City for agri-initiative
• Bienvenido R. Baligod of San Pedro, Laguna for agri-innovator 
• Rogelio N. Sulad of Mandaue City for urban/city farmer. 
• Felomina H. Javina of Narra, Palawan who introduced integrated farming and pest management using indigenous materials in her community won the People’s Choice Award. 
• Narcisa Mikkelson, who together with her husband Keith promotes sustainable organic farming, received a special citation.

The TOFARM winners received plaques and cash incentives for their achievements.
JCIP president Ivan Ruste said JCIP undertook the TOFARM project to remind the youth about their role in active citizenship.

“Agriculture, the backbone industry of the Philippines, cannot be sustained unless we involve our youth and refocus interest in this sector. Through TOFARM, we want to show our youth that farming is a noble profession that is also lucrative and worthwhile. At the same time we want to recognize the role that generations of farmers have contributed to Philippine society and our economy. We thank our organizing partner, Universal Harvester Inc. for supporting this project very generously and inspiring our farmers to reach new heights.”

Universal Harvester, Inc. represented by its executive vice president Mrs. Milagros Ong-How, said UHI fully supports JCIP in paying tribute to Filipino farmers.

“Through the search and awards, TOFARM hopes to make agriculture attractive for the next generation and for the entire country as well. TOFARM will be a continuing program that will help support and inspire the agricultural sector,” Mrs. How added.

Rommel Cunanan, TOFARM project chairman, JCI Philippines, said that besides recognizing the achievements and contributions made by farmers to the Philippine society and the economy, the program also aims to promote farming among younger generations.

The Junior Chamber International is a worldwide federation of young leaders and entrepreneurs aged 18-40.

LAMOIYAN CORPORATION: 25 Years of Hapee Smiles

LAMOIYAN CORPORATION: 25 Years of Hapee Smiles

Lamoiyan Corporation turns 'Silver'. The country’s first homegrown toothpaste, Filipino-owned oral and personal care products manufacturer Lamoiyan Corporation celebrate its 25th anniversary of giving hope, sharing Hapee smiles to Filipinos at Acacia Hotel today, January 24, 2013.

President and CEO, Dr. Cecilio Kwok Pedro of Lamoiyan Corporation presented to the media, trade partners and distributors and VIP guests the achievements of Lamoiyan Corporation for the past 25 years. He relates how his first company, Aluminum Container Inc., sold aluminum toothpaste tubes to foreign firms from 1978 to 1985. However, an unexpected experience happened in 1985. Those companies which he had been supplying aluminum tubes for about 8 years switched into using plastic laminated tubes. So, not for long, Pedro had to close his factory. Undaunted by that failure and with his full faith in God, he decided to try venturing into toothpaste manufacturing, then the domain of multinationals. And so the birth of the first local 100% Filipino-owned toothpaste manufacturing Company in March that same year saw the introduction of the first local toothpaste brand, Hapee toothpaste and later diversifying his product line to include Hapee Kiddie Toothgels, Dazz Dishwashing Paste and Dazz All-Purpose Kitchen Cleaner, Fresher feminine wash and Gumtect, a special gum-formula toothpaste. Since its inception it has consistently maintained world-class quality at par with its foreign counterparts. 

 

I personally think it is good to note that Dr. Pedro is a staunch supporter of the hearing impaired. Yes, Dr. Pedro has chosen to use his entrepreneurial skills to help provide opportunities to others. Dr. Pedro helps provide free college education to at least 180 deaf-mute students through the Deaf Evangelistic Alliance Foundation, Inc. (DEAF), which he currently chairs. He was recognized by the Department of Education, Culture and Sports for the continuing efforts of D.E.A.F. providing education to the hearing-impaired in alleviating their conditions and providing them with adequate education.

Lamoiyan Corporation also employs over 30 deaf-mute staff, and helps provide them with free housing. To narrow the communication gap between his hearing-impaired and hearing personnel, Dr. Pedro has also required his managers to learn sign language.

 

“My primary intention is to encourage more businessmen to be socially responsible, to help people and to give back to the community,” Dr. Pedro shares. “Being socially responsible is not only taking care of the hearing impaired, but also taking care of your people. You provide a decent place where they can work safely,” he adds. “I also believe in taking care of my employees’ physical, intellectual, and spiritual well-being.” Of these three aspects, Dr. Pedro puts a premium on creating means by which his people can grow spiritually. His company holds regular Bible studies and prayer meetings to help make food for the soul. Their singular corporate motto is “Making the difference for the Glory of God.”

 

Dr. Pedro, together with his only son Joel Pedro VP for Sales and Marketing with Peter Paul Ang, Assistant Vice President for New Business Development bared details about several activities currently in the pipeline in relation to its 25th anniversary, which includes tie-ups with organizations such as the Philippine Dental Association (PDA), represented by Dr. Corazon Flores for its nationwide adopt-a-Baranggay project medical/dental missions. 

Joel Pedro VP for Sales and Marketing

Various activities will be conducted in key cities in the Philippines with the support of Lamoiyan’s trade partners. Dr. Pedro also reiterates his support to the deaf mute.

The event also coincided with the company's three-day National Sales Convention that aims to empower and build a stronger business partnership with its valued trade partners.

 

Themed "Silver," which is also in line with the commemoration of the company's 25 years in the business, this annual conclave serves as a fitting tribute to their trade partners’ substantial contributions to Lamoiyan Corporation’s continued growth. The event also gives the trade partners a preview of Lamoiyan Corporation’s goals and programs for the year, and allows them to look back at the firm’s historic past and further foster camaraderie with one another.

 

“We believe that celebrating our silver anniversary amid this convention is the perfect opportunity for us to show what God has done for a Christian-Filipino company in a highly competitive oral care industry. With our trade partners present, together we will walk the path to victory,” Dr. Pedro said.

 

Peter Paul Ang, Assistant Vice President for New Business Development  

Lamoiyan Corporation also stands proud as the first Filipino company that successfully penetrated the local toothpaste industry through its dental care brands, and Kutitap. Since then, its portfolio of products expanded, many of which have earned the love, patrimony and loyalty of consumers here and abroad.

“Many thought then that my decision was unwise but Lamoiyan Corporation’s success throughout the years proved otherwise. It’s been a good 25 years, and we are looking forward to more years together with our trade partners in order to make a difference—all for the glory of God,” Dr. Pedro continues.

To know more about how Lamoiyan Corporation gives hope to Filipinos and shares smiles, visit www.lamoiyan.com or www.facebook.com/LamoiyanCorporation.

FRESH FRAGRANCE BAR: Perfume Store for Perfume Addicts

FRESH FRAGRANCE BAR: Perfume Store for Perfume Addicts

It's always wonderful to be elegant, it's always fashionable to have grace, it's always glamorous to be brave, and it's always important to own a delectable perfume! Yes, wearing a beautiful fragrance is in style at any age! ― C. JoyBell C.

My addiction to perfume began when I was a child. I grew up in a family where members love perfume. I can still clearly recall the nice smell of my mama. Growing up, I became aware that good looks coupled with great smell equals a dashing personality.

It is a good thing that I have a very keen sense of smell. My exceptional gift of sniff has both an advantage and disadvantage. One advantage is that  I very well appreciate nice scents. This made me decide to take a class on perfumery.

Yes, dear. Yours truly knows how to make perfume. But the perfume we concocted is quite cheap. And that can be a problem since cheap perfumes come off easily. So, I can very well say it pays to buy original perfume. If you buy one labelled eau de toilette, that means it has water in it. The distillation of the scent makes it wear off easily. Look for one with parfum which is worth it in the end. 

CONFESSION OF A PERFUME ADDICT

Based on experience, it is too much hassle to make and formulate your own perfume which doesn't last as long as the original. Buying from abroad like in Hong Kong has its danger, like what happened to me way way back. When I was buying perfume there, I accidentally hit with my bag several bottles of perfume on display in a store along Nathan Road. Geez, I ended up paying and cleaning the mess. It was so embarrassing and humiliating. They even threatened me that if I don't pay in full, they'll call the police. I got so nervous, I can't imagine being imprisoned just because I accidentally broke two bottles of perfume.  From then on, I stopped wearing perfume. I tried buying perfumes from our local department store here but those with very good scents cost a lot. This hinders me from buying locally.

It is a good thing there's “FReSH FRAGRANCE BAR: the perfume store for perfume addicts”. I learned from Aj and Thei that it offers original perfumes at a cheaper price than those from department stores! That means you and I can now be Perfume Addicts because the price at this store is easy on the pocket! Yehey! 

Aside from that, FReSH‘s staff will be there to assist you if you don’t know yet the kind of scent that is perfect for your personality! Awesome, right? So what are you guys and gals waiting for? Check out FReSH on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/freshfragrancebarand). Visit their stores now!

FReSH FRAGRANCE BAR ‘enabled’ my Perfume Addiction once again. The FReSH Fragrance Bar, the Perfume Store for Perfume Addicts, offers different brands of signature scents at reasonable prices as compared to department stores plus they have perpetual promotions, loyalty programs and flexible payment schemes that a perfume lover would never really dare to miss. They have an extensive selection of premium imported scents that come at a reasonable price and a guarantee that what you're getting is the real thing. The luxurious signature scents I once coveted can now be truly within my reach because of FReSH Fragrance Bar!  Yes! Fresh Fragrance Bar have made it possible for people to be able to afford the perfume they always wanted.


Great Tips on how to make perfume last longer:

• Layer the scent- I love Jessica McClintock! So I bought a Jessica McClintock soap cleanser, a Jessica McClintock powder, Jessica McClintock lotion and I use all of them before I apply the Jessica McClintock fragrance. 
• The best way to apply perfume is right after you shower. Spray the mist in front of you and walk through it before dressing up because many perfumes can stain clothes. So apply perfume first before you wear your clothes. 

• Don't dab or rub you wrists- this bruises the scent and damages the oils in it causing the scent to not last as long and change the way it should smell. 
• Misting your hair is a great idea too because hair holds onto scents really well. With a mist, just hold one of your arm out as far as possible and mist in front of you so that the mist will land on your head as you walk through it. 
• If you are really having a problem keeping the scent on you, spray or apply some to a cotton pad or ball and place it under your bra. This will help the scent linger all day long.

Fresh currently has five retail stores in Eastwood Mall, Alabang Town Center, Lucky Chinatown Mall, Marquee Mall Pampanga, Abreeza Mall Davao and several more to come.

FREE MOVIES: 7th Spring Film Festival

FREE MOVIES: 7th Spring Film Festival

Good News peeps!

It is the time of the year where we get to enjoy Free Movies from the Filipino-Chinese community! Woooooooooooot! 

The Spring Festival is one of the most celebrated Chinese-Filipino Festivals, bringing the joys and artistry of Chinese films to the Philippines.

For the past six years, the Ateneo de Manila University Ricardo Leong Center for Chinese Studies has brought the joys and artistry of Chinese films to the Philippines through the annual Spring Film Festival held in Shangri-La Mall.

For their 7th Spring Film Festival, their movie line-up includes:

• The Piano in a FactoryStorm
• Warriors
• 2 Become 1
• The Space Dream
• Jasmine Women 
• Golden Times.

All movies will be shown with English Subtitles beginning February 1 to 10, 2013.

Free Admission.

Here are the movie schedules! Showing starts on Feb 1 and ends on Feb 10.

Free Admission! With English Subtitles.

Are you a blogger or a writer? Then you might be interested to help promote the 7th Spring Film Festival.  

Press screening will already be this Thursday morning, around 9 or 10 am. Should you be interested, please pre-register here:http://tinyurl.com/sff2013blog Thank you!

If not, you may opt to just write about their event and send the link to us for verification. 

Kindly Spread the word! Thank you!

JUSTIN BIEBER: Posted Bare Butt on Instagram

JUSTIN BIEBER: Posted Bare Butt on Instagram

Justin Bieber, a Canadian pop artist, set the Internet ablaze last Saturday night by flashing his butt on camera. Maybe for lack of better things to do Justin Bieber posted a picture of his bare butt on Instagram. Shocks! Sporting a baseball cap, sunglasses, and a black tank top,  Justin Bieber pulled down his underwear to moon the camera.

I hope his young fans won't emulate him. 

Justin Bieber’s manager Scooter Braun later joked on Twitter, “as a prankster u have to respect another good prank. only makes sense. #crackdealer”

The singer gave no explanation for posting a picture of his posterior. He quickly deleted it, but not before it was passed along on the Web ( unedited photo below).

Justin posted a picture of his bare bottom on Instagram and, of course, within minutes the snapshot had over 15,000 likes and 2,700 comments. The photo received 86,000 likes and more than 19,000 comments before it was taken down. 

Warning: Butt crack below.

Kids don't emulate Justin Bieber please. 

PINOY HENYO: Video of Grand Winner

PINOY HENYO:Video of Grand Winner

CONGRATULATIONS DESPABILADERAS FAMILY, GRAND WINNER NG PAMILYANG PINOY HENYO! 

Harvey and Trix Despabiladeras, Iba kayong dalawa! 

Pamilyang Pinoy Henyo Grand Finals winners Harvey and Trix Despabiladeras were able to guess 9 words out of ten. It should have been perfect but na technical sila dahil sa sagot nila na Dumaguete City na dapat daw di umano ay Dumaguete lamang. Here are the Words: (please note that  #1 & 9 are worth 2 points, Word #6 is assigned 3 points. All other words are worth 1 point.)  

DESPABILADERAS FAMILY (Trix & Harvey) from Quezon City got 13 points.  They guessed a total of 9 "Henyo" Words out of ten (10). Not bad.

1. Gamot
2. Dumaguete City ( Technically wrog because of the word City)   
3. Ponkan
4. Boy Logro
5. Stand Fan
6. Pawis
7. Poodle
8. Rome
9. Gumamela
10. Pako

Muling pinatunayan ng dalawang Pinoy Henyo na talagang magaling ang Pinoy kahit bata pa sila. Iba kayo Dabarkads, every performance, EAT's amazing! 'Yan ang Pinoy!

Despabiladeras family won Php 300,000 ( Three hundred thousand pesos), a Henyo Trophy and one (1) brand new Chevrolet Spark!

The two kids were able to carve their 14 letters last name into the minds of Eat Bulaga Pinoy Henyo Fanatics, Congratulations children! You deserve to win!

INSTAGRAM WAR:Sunshine Cruz-Montano Vs. Krista Miller

INSTAGRAM WAR:Sunshine Cruz-Montano Vs. Krista Miller

"Hell hath no fury than a woman scorned"- An Insensitive Man

The girl in the picture is Cesar Montano's alleged flavor of the month. Allegedly, this isn't the first time Montano has been linked to another woman since his marriage with Cruz 12 years ago.

Everybody got surprised when Sunshine Cruz-Montano posted on Twitter and in instagram pictures lambasting Cezar's alleged other woman. After discovering that a number of her gifts to husband Cesar Montano are now in the hands of a woman who co-stars with him in an upcoming film.

Sunshine said that even her kids know the"girl" who allegedly goes with the name Kristalyn Engel aka Krista Miller, because it was her kids who called her attention about the matter, because allegedly Krista keep on sending provocative and sexy pictures and messages to her husband Cezar for weeks.

In a series of posts on Instagram, which have also been deleted, Miller shared photos of an Abercombie and Fitch shirt for men, a pack of chocolates and an iPhone 5.

Allegedly, Sunshine found out that the iphone5 and men's shirt she gave to Cezar not to mention the chocolate from her sister-in-law was posted in Instagram by Krista. A big ouch for the legal wife Sunshine. Which prompted Geneva Cruz to react as well in defense of her cousin Sunshine.

shinemontano: I have been quiet. Weeks of texting and sending photos. I was REALLY QUIET but don't you know the meaning of being DISCREET? I BOUGHT THAT SHIRT and it is a guy's shirt for heaven's sake! The chocolate is from my sis in law and that is my iphone5. Di mo na dapat pinagmamalaki sa social networking.

Sunshine Cruz-Montano also responded to another photo post of Miller, which has the caption, "I hope one day, I'll be your first priority."
The actress said, mentioning Miller's account, "You might soon be his first priority. Pagdasal mo."
 
On Thursday night, Geneva Cruz said, "Mess w/ @shinemontano & you'll mess w/ our whole family too. We come in peace, pero konting respeto naman, babae ka rin. @iamkristamiller"

She added, "Get ready to attack a recent invader of a family member. :p #trespassing @Somimilicious"

Addressing Miller, Geneva said in a series of "tweets," "I'll never understand it! And I refuse to do so. Hooking up with unavailable married men is death. There's no logic. No responsibility."

"Girl, maybe if you treated yourself with some much needed respect you could win yourself a husband too! You are so insensitive. What are you a non-living thing? Purchase your own husband & get off my cousin's. It's never too late to change," she said.

Sunshine Cruz ,Cesar Montano and kids during happier times.

On microblogging site Twitter, Cruz directly addressed Miller via a "mention," telling her to "have the decency to return the iPhone 5. I'm sure you can do better that that." 

Netizens reaction: