10th wedding anniversary

Last October 24, hubby and I celebrated our 10^th wedding anniversary. The family went into the mall on October 26 (Sunday) for some shopping spree, strolling and had dinner at Burgoo for the post celebration. We went at SM Marikina, the newest SM branch. The department store, as well as the independent stores, already has their own offerings on discounts and sales for the coming Christmas. If you are a credit card holder, for a minimum purchase of P5,000 (single receipt) you can have it charge under your SIP for six months at zero interest. Others give freebies and discount coupons.

At Burgoo, we ordered for shrimps and ribs platter, special supreme nachos and fettuccini carbonara. The food was great except the nacho’s beef toppings. It was quite few and dry as compared to the toppings of Don Henrico’s nachos, really superb.

Hotel Casco Antiguo @ Panama

Investing on real estate in a place that has lots of things to offer and in the hype of progress and development is something you wouldn’t resist considering. As the value of real estate continues to appreciate, aside from investment factor you may consider settling in a different place someday where you can enjoy a great environment and spend the rest of your life.

Panama, the southernmost country of Central America, has great things to offer not only to its new and valued visitors but also to people who are planning to settle in the country. Enjoy a wonderful natural experience of Panama’s white sand beaches, temperate and tropical rainforests, surfing and more. Have a look of its 300 year old World Heritage Site called Casco Antiguo. It is a hot real estate market, but also the best place to know Panama itself. Its rich and unique mix of architectures and cultures clout tell Panama story and you might even spend several years to discover the totality.

A Panamanian condo hotel, Hotel Casco Antiguo, offers 34 hotel condo units for sale with 5 star amenities and services, rooftop terrace, bar and pool. Interested to invest in Hotel Casco Antiguo? Want to reserve one of the amazing condo units? Check out the site to find more about Hotel Casco Antiguo and you can also Register for an eBrochure Here.

Flowers for All Soul's Day @ Dangwa

ROSES

DAISES

BROMELIADS

ANTHURIUMS

All Soul’s Day is nearing and everyone is busy going to the cemetery to clean the graves or mausoleums of their departed loved ones in preparation of said commemoration. Also, many are busy looking for candles and flowers as well that are very traditional on this occasion.

Dangwa, located along Dimasalang Avenue, is the best place to get your flowers for any occasion like wedding, birthday, and others. It is a place of wholesale flower market that can offer you lot of flowers or for a broader selection of flowers like bromeliads, daises, roses, anthuriums, and more. You can even request for an arrangement on your choice of flower and the prices, as compared to others, are relatively low.

The family usually get our flowers at Dangwa by dozens and we just arrange it. Some members goes for artificial flowers that do not wither and can be used over and over again. Sounds practical especially for those who have their graves blocked. For those with open graves, fresh flowers are still preferred.

Melamine on Sunflower Blueberry Cream Sandwich

Hong Kong’s Center for Food Safety found 3.2 parts per million (ppm) of melamine in the Philippine-made Sunflower Crackers Blueberry Cream Sandwich, exceeding the 2.5 ppm legal limit for melamine in food products.

In that regard, BFAD lawyer Emilio Polig said that all goods manufactured by Croley Foods Manufacturing Corporation (maker of Sunflower Crackers) which contain milk and milk-based ingredients are to undergo melamine testing. Also, BFAD ordered Croley Foods to explain within two days why their Sunflower Crackers Blueberry Cream Sandwich product exported to Hong Kong failed to go through BFAD testing. If found positive for melamine, Croley Foods will face charges for violating Republic Act (RA) 7394, or the Consumer Act of the Philippines, regarding the production of adulterated food products and sub-products.

It was such an alarming news as Sunflower crackers have been a favorite of both kids and adults for snacks. For quite sometime, my kids like eating Butter Cream biscuits which I believed being manufactured by Croley Foods too. I immediately hold the remaining stocks until clearance from BFAD.

2008 Miss Earth @ Puerto Princesa, Palawan

Miss Earth 2008 beauty contestants walk at the Sabang beach in Puerto Princesa city the capital of western Philippine island of Palawan on October 25, 2008.


Miss Earth 2008 beauty contestants at third from left from Minna Nikkila from Finland, Caroline Duffy from England, Rachel Hope Crofts from New Zealand and Diana Flores from Dominican Republic plant tree seedlings at the forest land of Puerto Princesa city the capital of western Philippine island of Palawan on October 24, 2008 as part of the pageant's environmental campaign.


A group of Miss Earth 2008 beauty contestants enjoy the visit at the Puerto Princesa subterranean river national parka in Puerto Princesa city the capital of western Philippine island of Palawan on October 25, 2008. Candidates of Miss Earth visited the Puerto Princesa subterranean river national park a popular tourist site located in the city's pristine forest as part of Miss Earth environmental campaign.

The winner of Miss Earth 2008 will be crowned on November 9, 2008 from among the 85 international contestants. AFP PHOTO/Romeo GACAD (Photo credit should read ROMEO GACAD/AFP/Getty Images)

2008 Housing Fair @ SM Megamall

Don’t forget to visit the 2008 Housing Fair set on October 29-31 at SM Megamall. For those looking for a housing loan or those troubled with their existing housing loans, come and benefit on this “baratillo” fair with over 60,000 foreclosed properties of participating agencies will be offered at low interest rates and payment terms of up to 30 years during the 3-day event.

The fair will be spearheaded by the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) and participated by the government agencies like Pag-ibig Fund, National Home Mortgage Finance Corporation (NHMFC), Home Guarantee Corporation (HGC), Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and Social Security System (SSS).

There will be a showcase of new housing projects that are available to the market that will be conducted by selected private developers and loan counseling sessions to answer borrowers who have problems with their existing loans and to brief new borrowers on how to avail of a housing loan. The fair is now on its 3^rd year and it aims to make housing truly affordable and accessible to ordinary workers.

Bibingka Recipe

This Philippine snack is a traditional one being sold beginning September until January. Others may have different version of it by adding other ingredients and the manner of presentation. At home, I usually preferred to put more cheese and salted egg for a more delicious and tasteful bibingka.

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 1/4 cups coconut milk
• 3 beaten eggs
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 4 tablespoons baking powder
• 1 piece salted egg, sliced
• 1/2 cup grated cheese
• 1/2 cup melted butter to baste
• 1/2 cup fresh grated coconut

Cooking procedures:

Mix sugar and coconut milk, then add beaten eggs. In a separate bowl mix the flour baking powder and salt. Combine the two mixtures and pour into a pan lined with banana leaf.

Add the cheese and salted egg and bake in 375 degrees over for 25 minutes, basting with butter every five minutes. When fully baked sprinkle with sugar and add grated coconut to surface. Serve while still warm.

Senate Probe on Euro Generals

Disgusting! Is there any other word horrible than this coz I felt it is an understatement. Hearing what transpired in the Senate Probe on the recent and very controversial Euro Generals I really felt repulsive and mad towards those useless government officials.

I knew some people in the PNP and I know how hard it was for them to accept how things happen inside their institution especially the recent controversy involving their generals and higher officers. They are bound to look after the criminals, law offenders and keep at peace this country. Now, loud and clear, if they only could immediately put in jail those futile officers of them I think they will be very happy to do that.

No money for modern guns, lack of ammunitions, no benefits and yet the almost P7 million PNP fund can go in and out of their custody without any approval of the rightful officers. Yes! This is just one of the many disgusting truths that were uncovered during the Senate Probe. How can the PNP Chief allows such neglect of his authority? Why did they allow some unqualified generals to go on with the trip in violation of their own rules? Why allow such unauthorized used of fund? What such a lapse in handling the PNP fund?

If you where able to watch it you will feel angry and disgusted to these officials that despite the global economic crisis and the many unsolved and unattended problems in the PNP institution itself they can afford to do this. The problem that the whole world is facing right now is not actually the issue of money, it is simple due to greed for power and money.

Bizarre: Find the Man in the Coffee Beans

Doctors have concluded that if you find the man in the
coffee beans in 3 seconds, the right half of your brain
is better developed than most people.

If you find the man between 3 seconds and 1 minute,
the right half of the brain is developed normally.

If you find the man between 1 minute and 3 minutes,
then the right half of your brain is functioning slowly
and you need to eat more protein.

If you have not found the man after 3 minutes,
the advice is to look for more of this type of exercise
to make that part of the brain stronger!

And, yes, the man is really there!!

Barcodes & EAN country codes

Have you had in your inbox a forwarded message with a subject
How to differentiate products that are made in CHINA?

Below is an excerpt from the said email:

The whole world is scared of China made 'black hearted goods'.
Can you differentiate which one is made in the USA, Philippines,
Taiwan or China? Let me tell you how...  the first 3 digits of
the barcode is the country code wherein the product was made.
Sample all barcodes that start with 690.691.692 until 695 are
all MADE IN CHINA.
Hubby and I searched for the said topic on barcodes for your
reading so that you too will be enlightened on the issue:

Barcodes not guide to product origin

EAN Country codes

Kids make us laugh

Pictures to put a smile on your face. Raising kids is not an easy job but it is not always traumatic too, LOL. If you are a parent by now, you will understand the joy and the hardship of your parents way back then of your childhood. Instead of getting angry we burst into laughter on our kids’ actuations. For parents-to-be or parents-wanna-be out there be prepared, LOL.

Dr. Sarabia burned to death

A prominent eye doctor, Dr. Federico M. Sarabia, was burned to death after his old Mercedes Benz model was bumped by passenger bus along the Epifanio Delos Santos Avenue (EDSA) in front of Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City, between 3:00am – 3:30am of Tuesday.

Reporter from DZMM radio station said that Dr. Sarabia together with his companion Henny Garcia (out of danger) was cruising along EDSA in front of Camp Aguinaldo when his car's rear was bumped by a speeding Joanna Jess bus (TYG-660) between 3:00 a.m. and 3:30 a.m.

Police said that based on the accounts of witnesses, Sarabia's car was following a bus marked "Commuter Bus" with plate number TXE-812, when it's rear was hit by the Joanna Jess bus, which was reportedly racing with another Joanna Jess bus with plate number TYF 860.

Rescuers were able to pluck out Sarabia's doctor companion out of the burning sedan but Dr. Sarabia fainted after his legs were cut after the collision and that his body was charred by fire and burned alive inside his car. The police have launched a manhunt for the arrest of the bus driver in the name of Margarito Madrid.

Dr. Azar-Mehr: Los Angeles Dentist

Good care of our teeth is a prerequisite not only to enhance our appearance to look good but also for health reason. I heard from the news that there are illnesses that can be caused by the bacteria in our mouth and teeth. Through a regular check up and having reliable and trusted family dentist we can be assure of having not only the clean healthy white teeth but could also protect the family from any possible sickness.

If you are looking for a Los Angeles Dentist then check out Azarmehr.com where you can find reliable and professional dentists with different specializations to take good care of your teeth? Dr. Parviz Azar-Mehr, a Los Angeles prosthodontist, is a dental specialist that received post doctoral training in crowns and bridges, dentures, dental implants, cosmetic dentistry and TMJ disorders. He has practiced and taught dentistry for over 25 years and currently a Professor of Clinical Dentistry at the University of Southern California (USC). Dr. Han Young Pak Azar-Mehr, a Los Angeles restorative dentist, had post-doctoral education in Restorative Dentistry from the University of Alabama and New York University. She has more than 20 years of experience in the practice and teaching of restorative dentistry.

Check their website for more details of their backgrounds, discounts you can avail from their clinic and sample video of their dental practice. They have both more than two decades of experience in practice and teaching in the field of dentistry and the clinic has state-of-the-art equipment to serve you best aside from the advance and modern dental technology and cosmetic dentistry services of the two renowned professionals.

Sponsored by RM.

General Dela Paz cleared, from Russia to Philippines

The former Philippine National Police (PNP) comptroller Eliseo dela Paz was cleared and can return to Manila, as Philippine Consul General Joselito Jimeno said. The said general was able to convince the Russian investigators that the 105,000 euro (P6.9 million) was a contingency fund for the delegates to Moscow.

Though General Dela Paz was cleared in Russia, upon his return he will be facing different probes as to why such huge amount of money was taken as contingency fund aside from the approved budget of the delegates. The Office of the Ombudsman, the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) and the Aviation Security Group (ASG) are some of the groups who will perform their respective investigations on the said incident.

There are many questions sprouted from this incident not only from different government institutions and private ones but moreover to the ordinary members of the entire PNP. The policemen had and continue agonizing due to low salary, always promise housing benefit, lack of ammunitions, to name some and yet their institution can set aside that huge amount for the generals’ contingency fund which I think is big question too to many. Nowadays that we are facing a global financial crisis, those generals must be able to defend how important for them to take with them a contingency fund on that amount or else they may suffer the same consequence of General Garcia.

Small Business Loans & Line of Credit

Running a business is such a tough job but as compared to having employed in a private company or government agency your business can give you a better yield in the time and effort you spend. Though there is a current global financial and economic crisis life must go on as well as businesses, even the small ones.

If you are looking for a business loan, there are online lending and financial institutions where you can get that much needed fund to establish or expand your business. Depending on how big or small the capital you need there are Small Business Loans and Line of Credit you can avail of. With small business loans, you will be getting a specific amount of loan you can use in your business and interest is computed based on that loan proceeds spread towards a number of months or years as the case maybe. While in Line of Credit, the interest will only be computed based on the amount you get or use out of the total approved credit line you received.

In whatever type of loan you wish to avail there are many online Unsecured business loans you can choose from in starting your dream venture or maybe expanding an existing one.

Peace for Willie Revillame & Joey de Leon

After long period of dispute and exchanges of silly words, Willie Revillame (host of Wowowee) and Joey de Leon (host of Eat Bulaga) peacefully settle the past in the recent Supreme Extreme Award last October 17 in Embassy Bar at The Fort. What The Buzz and Startalk can’t do this award giving body unexpectedly did it and both renowned noontime game show hosts are now at peace with each other.

Both comedians attended the award’s night because both of them will receive an award but everything happened spontaneously. At least, that will be an early Christmas gift to the followers of these renowned hosts who continuously help people in their respective game shows.

Read the rest of the story here.

Forbes Asia: List of Philippines' 40 Richest

Forbes just recently published its Top 40 Rich List for the Philippines. Below are the Top 10 and consideration was given on the net worth of these business magnates as basis of the ranking:

1. Henry Sy ($3.1 billion, Age: 83, Married with 6 children)

Philippines' leading retailer opened his biggest mall yet in May on Manila's waterfront. Now on verge of becoming nation's second-largest banker, once merger with his Banco de Oro and Equitable PCI is finalized.

2. Lucio Tan ($1.5 billion, Age: 74, Married with 6 children)

The Filipino-Chinese magnate made his fortune from a variety of sources, including tobacco and beer. Also owns Philippine Airlines. With Hong Kong property portfolio, cashed in on booming Asian real estate market.

3. Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala ($1.2 billion, Age: 74, Married with 7 children)

Patriarch of Ayala Corp., Philippines' oldest conglomerate, founded in 1834. Interests in real estate, water, telecom. Officially retired in April, though sons Jaime Jr. and Fernando have run daily operations for the past decade.

4. Andrew Tan ($700 million, Age: 57, Married with 4 children)

Chairs Megaworld Corp., large real estate company known for its Manila complexes that integrate office, residential and commercial units. Now developing technology parks. Just broke ground on a new Marriott hotel in Newport City.

5. Tony Tan Caktiong ($690 million, Age: 58, Married with 3 children)

Got start with 2 ice cream parlors; soon switched to hamburgers. Today his fast-food group Jollibee, which he still runs, has almost 1,500 locations operating under 6 brands. Also 167 restaurants abroad, including 100-plus in China. Plans to open locations on U.S.' East Coast and in Las Vegas, and to enter India next year.

6. John Gokongwei Jr. ($680 million, Age: 81, Married with 6 children)

Lived on street at age 13 after wealthy father died. Peddled thread, soap, candles during World War II. Later founded JG Summit, a conglomerate with telecom, property, food, airline and textiles interests, that is celebrating fiftieth anniversary this year. Chairman emeritus, leaves daily operations to son Lance, who is president.

7. Eduardo Cojuangco ($610 million, Age: 73, Married with 4 children)

Known as "Danding." Shares of San Miguel Corp., the food and beverage group he chairs, briefly suspended in November, after alleged inflation of sales figures of its Coca-Cola (nyse: KO - news - people ) Bottlers. Company denies allegations.

8. Enrique Razon Jr. ($525 million, Age: 48)

9. George Ty ($435 million, Age: 75, Married with 5 children)

Founder and chairman of Metrobank, one of the Philippines' largest financial institutions with branches in Asia, U.S. and Europe. Known to wear suit and tie to office every day. May soon relax a bit: founder handed over chairmanship earlier this year.

10. Inigo & Mercedes Zobel ($430 million, Age: N/A)

For a complete list of the Top 40 check out Forbes Asia’s The Philippines’ 40 Richest.

ABS-CBN: Cristy Fermin suspended

ABS-CBN Network immediately suspends Cristy Fermin in violation of certain provisions in her contract and suspension will last till December 31, 2008. The suspension has nothing to do with Nadia Montenegro’s case against Fermin submitted to the MTRCB.

Prior to that, there is silly exchange of words between Fermin and Montenegro that rooted on the controversies involving Gabby Concepcion who is a dear friend of Montenegro. The story went up to the point where Fermin divulged a secret in one of the episodes of The Buzz.

OFFICIAL STATEMENT ON THE SUSPENSION OF CRISTY FERMIN'S CONTRACTS

Ms. Cristy Fermin's contracts for her engagement as host for Channel 2's The Buzz and anchorperson for DZMM's Showbiz Mismo have been suspended with immediate effect and will last until December 31, 2008.

The suspension of her contracts with ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation was due to Ms. Fermin's violations of certain provisions thereof in relation to her statements during the October 5, 2008 episode of The Buzz.

It was deemed that Ms. Fermin did not conduct herself with due regard to social conventions and public morals. Her statements went beyond the bounds of decency as they involved innocent children who are not party to their personal dispute. Ms. Fermin's statements violated the highest standards of professionalism and journalistic integrity.

The act committed by Ms. Fermin brought her and The Buzz to public disrepute, jeopardizing the name and goodwill of both the show and the network.

Charice met Mariah Carey @ Andre Agassi benefit concert

Charice was one among those A-list superstars of the music world that performed in this year’s Andre Agassi Benefit Concert at Wynn Hotel in Las Vegas to benefit needy children. After singing with her idol, Celine Dion at Madison Square Garden, this sixteen-year-old Filipina singer from Laguna met and hugged superstar Mariah Carey before the show proper. "I am very happy and I home I'm gonna sing with her soon, I wish! You're beautiful. It's so nice to meet you. She's so cute! I love you Filipinos, thank you," said Carey.

Every time she was given a chance to perform Charice always proved the power of her voice that gave her several standing ovations and nothing but praises among the icons in the international music industry. On that benefit concert, Charice performance brought the house down as she was given a thunderous standing ovation by the audience.

Charice is truly a pride of the Philippines in the field of singing and may the prowess of this young Filipina continue to prosper eventually into an international career. Good luck Charice!!!

2008 impeachment complaint vs. PGMA

As early as 6am, Jose 'Joey' de Venecia III, Iloilo Vice-Governor Rolex Suplico, and public interest lawyer Harry Roque led the filing of the complaint at the House of Representatives secretary-general's office at 7:40 am to make sure they would be the first to file the impeachment complaint. Said 2008 impeachment complaint was endorsed by Bayan Muna Reps. Satur Ocampo, Teddy Casino, and Gabriela Rep. Liza Maza.

Though the 2005, 2006 and 2007 impeachment complaints were all failures, Prof. Harry Roque of the UP College of Law said that they felt it was their civic duty to still file a new one. Roque said further that the new complaint is different from the ones filed in 2005, 2006 and 2007 since the cases on Northrail, swine scam, and fertilizer scam have all been documented by the Commission on Audit.

The impeachment complaint accuses Mrs. Arroyo of betrayal of public trust after she approved the National Broadband Network (NBN) telecommunications deal with China's ZTE Corp., saying that the deal was overpriced by at least $130M.

Other grounds included in the complaint are:

• culpable violation of the Constitution for approving the Northrail rehabilitation project;
• numerous human rights violations;
• graft and corruption for her administration's involvement in various irregularities including the P728M fertilizer scam, P2B swine scam; and,
• alleged ballot-switching in the 2004 presidential election.