Blog meet my Mind, Mind meet my Blog!

Network Marketing Educational System

2015-02-20T01:45:00.000-08:00

Stuffs you already knew!

Since our current education system is built to technicality, it is designed in a 'Work = Reward/Consequence' basis where a good work is rewarded by a good grades and poor grades to those who fail to meet the requirement. Our minds are being programmed to succeed on our first attempt to the given task, it doesn't encourage us to make mistakes and learn from them. Similar to employment world whereas; a good performance will be rewarded while a lousy job can cause agitation and worst case scenario is getting fired if you got caught up in a numerous unsatisfactory job. What happens now, we are not equipped to manage our emotion, handle our frustrations and accept rejections. Here's a link from my previous post about it: Education To Employment

Stuffs you ought to know!

That is why Network Marketing Companies develop educational systems to prepare their employees for those kinds of real life challenges and obstacles. Seminars are conducted by speakers, these speakers are teachers with real life experiences, they didn't learn what they teach from school. Each and every one of them have their own unique story to tell because they have lived it first hand to tell that story. They don't just talk to you directly but they also reach out to your spirit, just like the speeches made by Kings to soldiers before going to war. In other words, they are real life coaches with all the rights to brag about what they have achieved which qualifies them to teach what they had learned from it. My view about this is - if you want to become a businessman? Hear and learn from a successful businessman. Don't listen to someone who talk the talk, find someone who walk the walk. Don't go to business school, they'll teach you to become an employee. Simply because after years of studying, when you graduate then you'll apply for a management position hence as an employee and not as a businessman. It's like we're all in a system where we are being programmed to become workers. You're perseverance as an employee is a good thing but maybe you're just in the wrong system. Maybe that is also why you always come up short when it comes to financial aspects.

These are reasons why you should make time for yourself to see and listen to their seminars.

Here are some common educational tools Network Marketing Companies offer:

Opportunity Presentation - This is where you'll be prompted of what you can achieve and gain from being a business partner. Usually the summary of Product, Marketing and Compensation Plan

Product Presentation- This part describes the background of the product manufacturer, it's credentials and legacy. Then a technical and detailed presentation of the product and its benefits followed by proof of potency.

Marketing Plan - This is the part where an experienced speaker thoroughly discuss about different marketing strategies to choose from in able to do the business. It is also where they explain how the company system works, to ensure that you can be successful if you know how to manage it.

Compensation Plan - A thorough explanation on how the company will pay you regarding your work. This is where they'll discuss the "how's and why's" of payments you'll receive for your hard work and productivity.

Motivational Talk -This are commonly done by a company achiever, step by step information and tips he used to become successful. Mistakes he had done, problems, obstacles, emotional trials encountered and the solutions to make it right etc.

Inspirational Talk - This is basically done by people who struggled in life to live, uneducated or sometimes disabled individual who succeeded from their perseverance using the system. It is meant to touch emotions of the audience and become the key to challenge themselves to strive harder because they are more fortunate and capable of accomplishing tasks given such intelligence and enough resources to use.

Newbie Orientation - This is a technical explanation about the used company system. This is exclusive for new business partners. The tools used to become a proper user of the system.

Advance Training - Mind setting, strengthening emotional quotient. Also knowing, enhancing and developing your skill sets. Gathering available resources that can be use to build and boost your productivity.

The purpose of these seminars is to open mind about opportunity to earn equally or more depending on your hard work. There is nothing about discouraging somebody to work but, to convince someone to go and to try it out to see what it can do to someone.

Face the reality of the world we're both living in. We are only helping the rich get richer and us the employees with a steady paycheck no matter how hardworking we are. At the end of the day we are not paid by our skills or intelligence, we are only paid by our work hours. You are a smart person right? use that to outsmart your company. Earn money from a part time business until such time you can fire your boss and gain flexible time and financial success.

"The question isn't can you? it is will you?"

Blowfly

Traditional Business Versus Personal Business Franchise

2015-02-14T02:13:00.002-08:00

Stating the Obvious...

Whenever we hear the word Networking, Network Marketing, Referral Marketing and Etc., people tends to raise eyebrows or laugh about it. They often think it's a SCAM, well I cannot blame anyone for that mentality because I also think that way before. Pyramiding schemes are everywhere hiding in plain sight, being advertised on air and other sorts of advertisements. We took pity on victims being interviewed in our local TV news, poor people with dreams to live well someday and escape poverty, that makes them an easy prey for scammers. Lack of vigilance and knowledge about the what they are into is what drove these people off the cliff. There are lots of guidelines available to distinguished pyramid scams to the legit ones, here is my version; my other post about it - Guidelines For Choosing A Good Network Marketing.

Leading corporations use the same concept if you haven't noticed yet. It's called leveraging - multiplication of oneself through others. Richest, people in the world doesn't have all the education and skills they need to become rich, all they need to do is find an asset with the expertise on that required field of study and hire them to do the work. All business is made up of network of working individuals with different qualification. From CEO to the lowest paid employees, check the organizational chart and it's a very common structure -

The Legendary Pyramid.

Large corporations like some famous fast food chain use a system called franchising. Basically this is a network of individual business owners working inside a corporation. These individual business owners pay a huge investment fee a.k.a franchise to plug themselves into the network and gain access to services offered in exchange for the investment. This is also the system that network marketing companies use. The difference in traditional business and network marketing business is; in traditional network building you'll need to have lots of capital to start a business or hundreds of thousands maybe millions to tap into their system as a share holder, while the latter only require minimum investment fee entitling you to use the company's assets, services and facilities. In business term, this is called personal business franchise. See the similarity?

Factors to consider in building a business:

Traditional Business:

Idea - first you need to know what you're business be like.
Capital - money to fund your business and expenses while still in process of building the business.
Location - where your business be located and consumers to market products or services.
Business Registration - Process to legalize your business (DTI, SEC)
Merchandise - what are your products or services to sell.
Employees - people to mobilize your business.

Network Marketing Business:

Capital - money to fund your business and expenses while still in process of building the business.
Employees - people to mobilize your business.

Since network marketing companies are already a established traditional business, they already provided the Idea, Location, Business Registration and Merchandise. All you need is the capital and people to help you mobilize your business. Furthermore, these companies provide a vast educational system to help you build your business, boost up self confidence and lift up fighting spirit.

Remember that equal amount of opportunity is offered to all members depending on their productivity. So if you think that Network Marketing is a quick "GET RICH" scheme, sorry but you need to educate yourself more my friend. Open your eyes and mind.

Well this is a metaphor; as a working individual you are already a workhorse working for a superior workhorse working altogether for the human who owns the ranch, who gets all the good stuffs dude? Working hard as an employee doesn't mean you'll own the company one day, the line is way too long before you so it would be heart breaking to keep your hopes up too soon. Don't be mad because I'm taking you in some point somehow so keep on reading instead.

Now let's apply this to a network marketing business. Don't complain if the one on your upper level gets the good stuffs first because you didn't bother to complain working for your supervisor or manager right? You cannot fire your boss if he/she's lazy, same thing you cannot fire your uplines in Network Marketing Business but, here's your good stuff - This is what I can promise you, compensation plan is normally base on someones productivity and not just by being early, sure you cannot fire a lazy upline but you can surpass his/her earnings. Because if a member become stagnant, the system cannot work for them, thus no commission will come to them. Otherwise, if you excel in managing your business and properly using the system, possibly you'll become the boss of your own organization and same opportunity goes out to each and every one under your management following the system. Take note on "Following the System", meaning "Working Not Waiting!". This is a job and a business at the same time after all, understand?!

"Feed your mind"

Blowfly

I Shine - My First Alliance In Motion Global Inc. Event Experience

2015-02-09T23:25:00.001-08:00

This is one of many unquestionable proof of the success that Alliance in Motion Global Inc. is harvesting through the years from its foundation. I Shine is just one simple event that the company provide to reward their achievers but, take note, it had to be done in MOA Arena just to accommodate its supporters. Unfortunately only 16, 000 seats are available and more than 20,000 members wants to buy tickets. Yup, it's truly jam packed with the company's achievers and members!

So here's what we've experience:

It only took us seconds to gain entry on the gates having VIP tickets. Cool right?, it never costs us a single penny to obtain tickets. they're provided to us by our mentors a.k.a. uplines.

Crowd swarms the reception area with people waiting for companions, buying shirts, foods and having their pictures taken all the way to the comfort rooms. We have had our fair share too.

It was still early when we entered to find good seats, only 1/8 on of the total seating capacity are currently occupied that time.

Different groups are practicing their own cheers while waiting; you wouldn't feel bored at all. Other groups prepared choreographed dance routines and balloon synchronized movement displays.

The program started in an intense level of energy, on top of the lungs cheering and loud chanting. Everyone participated in the human wave performance instructed by the hosts. Such an amazing display unfortunately I haven't had the chance to capture it because I am a part of the human wave. :-D. There are few heart breaking testimonials, stories of life struggles and success meant to inspire and motivate all aspiring distributors, so for them to give their all and work hard if they want to achieve as much success as theirs (one of those almost made me cry, LOL).

Starting with a military sword bearers march, followed by the entrance of the founders, Board of Directors, Training Team, Speakers Bureau and the Profit Sharing Qualifiers. Followed by the awarding of the Silver Executive.

Next is Gary Valenciano's serenade for the Profit Sharing Qualifiers then his all out performance which last more than an hour. Here are some clips I captured from his performance:

Gary V. mentioned some heart warming words about our event, on how we - the crowd responded with energy and such dedication to whoever is on that stage. Well, I think it's because of what we call solidarity and loyalty.

After Gary V.'s performance, the awarding of Gold Executive commenced. It took only 45 Minutes tops, well it's not like many can get promoted to GE asap.

Uhm.. sorry about that neck stiffing video.. never reviewed it before embedding...

Before the program ends, the founders shared motivational talks and good news about the company's new achievements. New business partner, new products and company development. One of the good news is the beginning of construction phase for our company's own 22 Storey Building and Manufacturing Lab. That's how dead serious Alliance In Motion Global Inc. is! They establish its own business building to cater all its distributors needs and provide assistance. I had enough good news for one night that my mind struggles to process much information, lol! just a hyperbole figure of speech, I'm so excited that's all!

Again, this is just one simple event that AIM Global Inc hosted. Get ready to be blown away on our 9th anniversary celebration to be held at Philippine Arena this May 31, 2015 with a plan to break a Guinness Book of Record called 55,000 Project. Power!!

"To see beyond what our naked eyes can't, the reality of life and the opportunity that awaits us"

Blowfly

Proffesional Employment Carreer?, Time To Wake Up

2015-02-04T22:27:00.000-08:00

Our Current System. Mindset and Misguided Beliefs.

What is our common answer when ask about our dreams in life?, mine is "To buy a house and lot, a car and to have my own business". How do we plan to achieve that?, by studying and having a job. Sounds easy right?.

Education is not for everyone. We all know it costs us, public schools are only there until we graduate high school. Others quit because they can't even pay for projects and miscellaneous fees. After that you'll need to find resources like scholarships or a job to pay for your education. The fact that our current employment system is designed and based on our educational background where an under educated person has minimal fighting chance. Let's say a two (2) different person with different educational attainment strive to succeed in life, the sea of opportunity for the educated one is a lot bigger than the other thus a greater chance to have a better life. Get my point?, it's like the world is not meant for the unfortunate ones. Given the situation that you're born poor and uneducated, the odds are unlikely my friend. Chances are that you'll live the rest of your life working each day to bring food on your family's plate as a poor person. If you fail to educate your children, then you're passing that legacy to your children.

I'll try not to be bias on this. I know some individuals who succeeded in life being under educated. Given such inborn skill sets and knowledge learned from their harsh but fruitful life experiences combined with proper timing. Here's the catch, all of those people I knew are businessman and self-employed people. Stories of success featured on Television are commonly from being employee to building their own business from a small capital, tears, sweat and blood. A business company from scratch to a seven figure corporation.

After graduating college, we're obliged to find work to pay bills and start living away from our parent's roof simultaneously helping them financially to gratify their sacrifice in educating us. Well, it's really our duty to take care of family because we're living in a culture where family relationship is valued a lot, specially our folks. It is the way Filipino culture always is, family comes first right?.

Having a job may seem the achievement of our dreams. A steady paycheck, the credibility to apply for house and car loans. Obtain credit cards, buy nice clothes, gadgets and cool stuffs. All sorts of things that makes our everyday lives easy and stuffs to satisfy our hunger to access higher social class. Now we think we're stable enough to start our own family. It all starts to settle into place we planned it to be. Looks much like we are living the dream, having those acquisition for a comfortable and better living. What are we missing?, the reality of we; these people woke up each morning with such regret that we have to work our entire lives to pay for the debt caused by our 'living the dream' in advance. If we're lucky enough to keep a job in a particular company, we're are entitled to a company retirement benefits which is also the payment for the services we've done while being employed. Visualize this, now at last we gain a huge amount of money. We think of what's next for us?. What will we do with it? invest it in mutual funds and other bank investment plans?, it's good if we're saving it for our children, what if we want to taste the fruit of our hard work while we're still alive?. I'm dead sure you're not wasting your money for personal pleasure, family comes first right?, remember our inherited family values?.

Now we all know the solution is to start building our own business, risking a lot to gain a lot. Problem is, the setting up phase of a traditional business is time consuming. If you already have an idea of what the business be like, then you'll need to work on legality issues and all sorts before beginning to establish it.

Bummer dude! how old are you again?. How long do you think will it take to set up and kick start your own business venture. You haven't got forever dude, only few years remaining in your lifetime. So the time is now!, begin visualizing yourself many years from now. Are you the ones being pictured as example from this blog post or are you the ones visualizing yourself as a FREE,FINANCIALLY OVERWHELMED and HELPFUL Individual!

Blowfly

E2E Education to Employment, Thinking Out Loud! (just like the song says!) ;-)

2015-02-01T20:02:00.000-08:00

As a kid, we are being prepared and groomed to aim for a better future. That is why at our young age, our parents sent us to school to learn. Life is a series of learning after all. Even as a child we learn from our mistakes, what things can hurt us and what not. It's all from our everyday experiences as we grow up and go on with our lives.

Being a student, we commonly hear from our parents to study hard, get good grades so later on - land a good job and earn good salary. The problem in our current educational system is, actions are always match with corresponding action. A good work is rewarded by a good grades and poor grades to those who never excel in the activity. Fact is, they don't tell us to keep on trying after we fail the current activity. So, our minds are set to succeed on our first attempt, if we fail to submit then you already lose your chance and deal with the penalty. So move on!, you'll have your chance on the next activity but not this one. Another thing is, the system does not teach us how to manage our emotion, handle frustrations and most rejections. So the weak resorts to quitting school. The system is built to technicality, but poorly focusing in other aspects that build us as a person. School teach us knowledge, great stuffs and tools we need to be able to find a job but, didn't prepared us to face the reality and cruelty of the employment world. In fairness, yes we know how to deal with pressure because school is driven by a system with a deadline to motivate us. But I think it's pretty far out compared to pressure and stress brought by the corporate world.

Yeah we already knew that actions comes with consequences but think about it. It's the same principle corporate world use. Whereas, good performance is rewarded by a compliment or sometimes nothing, well you don't get salary increase or promotion that fast so don't bother, not in ages my friend. While a lousy job can cause you agitation, worst case scenario is getting fired if you got caught up in a numerous unsatisfactory job. Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against employment system, having a job is great!. Everybody needs to work to live. To experience hardships and struggles that will strengthen then mold us into a tougher version of us. Then, to establish a good plan for life to work out for us.

Lack of confidence and a good working environment creates a negative perception about our current work. This is why companies offer trainings, seminars and work place familiarization. Team building is also one good thing a company provides. This activities are important because it builds up self confidence, a good working attitude and a harmonious relationship amongst co-workers. Work competition is good when it creates a positive aura and a job well done but, it's bad when your personality gets dark. The problem about this is, company activities such as this took years to plan and execute, mostly years to follow up.

Well this is my own point of view and past experiences, so don't get upset about it!. You can always create your own blog and write stuffs also, freedom of expression right?. Actually, this is just an introduction to my upcoming post, why I brought up this subject?, or let's just say "I'm just thinking out loud" like the title of the song Ed Sheeran wrote :-D. I mean and will state the obvious, the difference and fact about employment systems and, the opportunity for you to see and learn from what I learned from it.

Blowfly

Guidelines For Chosing A Good Network Marketing Company

2015-01-29T22:13:00.001-08:00

Before we begin, a little something about the subject!

What is Network Marketing A.K.A Multi-Level Marketing (MLM)?

Multi-Level Marketing(MLM) (As defined by Wikipedia), is a marketing strategy in which the sales force is compensated not only for sales they generate, but also for the sales of the other salespeople that they recruit. This recruited sales force is referred to as the participant's "downline", and can provide multiple levels of compensation. Other terms used for MLM include pyramid selling, network marketing, and referral marketing. According to the US FTC (Federal Trade Commission), some companies that use multi-level marketing exploit members of their networks and constitute illegal pyramid schemes.

You can watch the video below for more elaborate definition of Network Marketing explained by Tim Sales.

Credits to the owner of the video.

Now that you have knowledge about Muti-Level Marketing or whatever you want to call it, let's move on to the main point of this blog entry 'Guidelines'.

First - Check Legality.
We have to distinguish Legal Network Marketing from Malicious Pyramiding Schemes. It is really pretty obvious, some pyramiding scams operate without physical product or either suspicious. Meaning, the company only gain money from referring/recruiting people for their investment/joining fee which will be used to compensate sponsors/uplines.

Here's a brief Anti-Pyramiding Scam Educational Video From DTI.

Credits to the owner of the video.

Second - The Company Product.
It is a must that MLM Companies have their own product. Usually MLM's are pro-distribution companies. It's simple, an outstanding sales/movement of products/merchandise ensures profit, therefore financial stability of the company and good compensation for their distributors. Remember, many legit MLM Company shuts down after a year or two due to company bankruptcy. Some because of the Company's bad compensation plan.

Third - Company Credibility, Integrity and Milestones.
Company must exercise transparency. The legality of the Company must never be put to questions, so they are required to show proof of registration documents and etc. While, no or less number of complaints and law suits reflects the company integrity. Somehow, long Company operations is an enough proof of company stability, because Company milestones represents its financial capability to run and pay its employees/workers.

Fourth - A Good Marketing Plan.
In MLM, Company provides seminars and large scale meetings where they show and discuss the company marketing strategy and how they plan to move the product and reach the end-users/consumers. Well, every MLM Company comes with their own marketing strategy and I cannot tell you if one is better than the other, but my advise is that you attend as much different company seminars as you could, study it. Then it's up to you to decide which one suits you best!

Fifth and last!- A Good Compensation Plan.
Alright!, you passed the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th guide, so now we go to what you'll gain from them. There are lot's of MLM company with different ways/styles to convince prospect investors/partners and I cannot tell you if one is better than the other. It is vital that you scrutinize this to make sure they are not underpaying their employees which may result to complaints/law suits Or over paying which may lead of course to company bankruptcy, moreover.. closure. Again, my best advise is to also attend as much different company seminars and study their Compensation Plan until you figure out what company will be the best tool to reach and achieve your goal; to become FILTHY RICH!..

That's about it!

By the way, my objective for writing this blog is to give basic knowledge about Multi-Level Marketing, to establish better understanding about alternative source of income, define tools to achieve financial freedom, and to share the same Opportunity to others, because I'm a Network Marketer Myself!!

Because "Nobody is an Island", you cannot achieve your goal alone. Learn to multiply yourself through others. Take the risk and learn from your mistakes. Use the Power of Leveraging!

Happy Networking!

You're kind for reading my blog, but will you be so kind enough to watch the video below, Here's my chosen Multi-Level Marketing Company and a brief explanation about it's marketing and compensation plan!!

Credits to the owner of the video.

Thanks for reading my Blog Post!!

"Ignorance is lack of willingness to learn."

Blowfly

RCBC My Wallet Visa - Shop online without credit/debit cards.

2014-01-23T18:15:00.002-08:00

RCBC MyWallet Visa card - is a reloadable multi-purpose prepaid stored value card which offers the flexibility of managing your day-to-day financial transactions with the added convenience of access to the worldwide Visa network. With this prepaid stored value card, you spend only what you have loaded in the card, thus, preventing you from overspending!

As mentioned, you can use this card to shop online, being a visa card, you can use it directly for any transactions online. withdraw funds in your card and even your Paypal, Alertpay, Payza, Paypay and etc.. (only if it's affiliated w/rcbc) and linked, I'll be posting that matter on my next blog post.

Obtaining RCBC MY Wallet Visa Card

How:

In able to apply for it you'll need:

2 Valid ID's. You can use any of these:

- School ID
- Company ID
- Drivers License
- PRC License
- SSS ID
- Philhealth
and etc.. I run out of ideas

And Money for payment of course!!

Procedure:

1. Just visit any RCBC Branch and state your purpose of visiting and the guard will hand you a number. Wait for your no. to be summoned.

2. Talk to the Customer Service Officer and she'll fill-out the enrollment form for you, present two (2) valid photo-bearing identification card, provide photocopy (that's all they need). Also tell the amount you want to fund your card.

3. If your # was called, go to the cashier and pay Php 120.00 as payment for the visa card and the amount you want to fund your card. (Php300.00 if your planning to link it to Paypal account or all sorts).

4. The CSO will give you the card and brief you with the terms.

Thats it, wait for an hour or two and your card is activated. You can withdraw any amount loaded in your card, there's no transaction fee as long as it is RCBC affiliated ATM, Bancnet or Megalink to be exact.

There it is enjoy your new and affordable cash card!

"Manage the way you spend or be a fool reminiscing your mistakes"

Blowfly

Obtaining LTO Student Permit

2014-01-23T16:29:00.000-08:00

Yeah we are all surely excited that at our age 16 we can finally get our hands on a studend permit that will allow us to drive motorized vehicle of course with presence of a person holding a valid professional drivers license. But law and its flaws always suck right?, most of them (law enforcers) are too lazy to mind if some stupid teen is putting somebody into trouble.. haha. Well I can say I'm lazy too, allowing my drivers license expire and giving myself headache for reverting back to student permit. whew!!

So for those who don't know how to get this:

- First, find the nearest LTO Office at your location.
- Produce a photocopy of your birth certificate or better yet, if you have NSO. Bring the original for verification
- Bring any identification card, you're teenage so school ID would be fine.
- Adult?, surely you have more than enough ID's to prove who you are right?, bring any of those!

If you check LTO's website, it includes TIN #, but it was crossed out from the requirements. I wasted my time asking BIR for it, they say it's only necessary if I'm applying for non-pro or pro license.

There are only 4 stages,

Here's the procedure:

1. Go to the CSR, show your documents and ID and they'll provide you the form and number. After accomplishing it, pass it to CSR or if they have a tray in window 1, put it there front facing down.
2. When your name or # was called, proceed to window 2 for photo capturing and signature.
3. Pay the amount corresponding to the type of service and wait.
4. Get your Student Permit.

If you manage to arrive early, you won't have the trouble of waiting. So be there early or don't complain with your stupidity and laziness!!

"The early bird catches the worm"

Blowfly

The Ambitious Hike: Mt. Pulag Summit

2014-01-22T05:40:00.000-08:00

Where it all started:

It was Nov. 2013 when our friend Janna came home for a vacation from USA. After a short stay at Manila to meet up with her college friends, we've heard she's on her way to our hometown. Upon arrival, of course we visited her for a long chat and alcohol binge (my favorite game) and this is where we learned about their plan to reach the top. Originally, there are only 5 of them, Janna, her younger sister Jessica (who's also on vacation from KSA), their cousin Giselle, and her 2 friends(late meet up). Two of us were invited but Thrice wasn't able to go and I was with doubt at first but hey it's all expenses paid anyway so why not.

Getting there:

We left the next day before noon and arrived at manila before 7pm. Just a quick rest and a little time to pack stuffs we need for the climb and we're off to cubao to catch the bus headed to bagiuo. I ride a different bus since they booked their trip days earlier and that bus was full. My bus ride was a bit longer due to stops but it only came 20 minutes short of their arrival time and Giselle's friends already joined them. It didn't take long before our service arrived, and once again we're on the road. I think it's about 3 hr SUV ride with a 5 min halfway stop to get to DENR office where briefing will take place. In our case, it took a little longer because we had a chat with other mountaineers at the stop and we all agreed to make our teams one since there are 7 of them and only 6 of us. From DENR Office, we transferred to a jeepney the guys rented for another 1 hr ride to the Ranger Station. Anyway, I must say that the driver was really bad ass man. I never ride a drifting jeepney before, it was very thrilling and dangerous ride due to muddy road and deadly cliff drop.

Our journey on foot began:

Ranger Station is where you'll arrange for tour guide, porter and vote for a team leader. I think they assign 1 guide for every 10 person. They assigned 2 guides because our group has 13 members (we joined as one team thinking we'll save money by having only one guide.. LOL). There's a rumor of a previous hiker catching hypothermia but nobody confirmed if it's true (later Jan 2014 it was mentioned at TV Patrol news having one casualty in month of November). Everything's settled so we gathered for a prayer then begin the hike, it was approximately 1 and half hours (depends on your phase) on foot with at least 20 min knee busting climb before reaching Camp 1 (perfect for resting after the steep climb) and less than 2 hours to get to Camp 2 (camping grounds). By the way, professional mountaineers set up their tents near the summit. Our team mates manage to set their tents up before it gets dark but unfortunately for us, we aren't geared properly for the weather so they didn't allow us to set tent in open grounds. It's no use arguing with experienced hikers so we heed their call and later on found out the benefit. We learned how unarmed we are as we begin to hear their mountaineering stories and seeing how their gears work and the likes of it. I guess we all agreed that night, it was a pretty ambitious climb for first timers to hike the 2nd/3rd (still debated) highest mountain in the country being unprepared. At least we're proud that they give it to us, we have the guts! (is it really guts or death wish?)LOL. We continue chatting over dinner and after that, what else?, the best way to fight the cold is liquor so we brought out all the alcohol drink we packed and push on getting to know each others lives. It was nearly 1am when the last 3 man standing (including me) called it a night, it was 9 degrees if I remember right. The plan was to get up 5am and hike to the summit to witness the sunrise but sadly it was called out due to zero visibility and rain. Everyone was up at first light then coffee and breakfast was prepared and served so that we may resume the hike at 8am. As breakfast was done, everyone prepared themselves and suit up to make ourselves wet proof; you know cold weather, rain and fog. Well for me, I'm wearing only cargo shorts so I had to improvise and strap my legs with a trash bag to prevent soaking up my legs then eventually both socks and shoes. The hike only took less than an hour with minimal climbing effort, and tadaa… at last we are on the top of the 2nd or 3rd (whatever) highest mountain in the country of the Philippines. The peak is said to be 2,922 mts but I didn’t ask my team mates reading in his altimeter. Surely reaching the summit was a wonderful feeling of accomplishment and satisfaction. Thanks to the guys that made this adventure a success, I don’t think we'll made it that far if we haven’t met them. Well I wasn’t disappointed but I just hope we saw the sunrise, they say it was a beautiful scene. Good part is, I was literally standing in the clouds (It’s impossible to stand on clouds right?) and of course, touching the sky. Nevertheless, it’s great considering the previous team never made it to the summit; some didn’t even reach Camp 2 because of the bad weather.

Here a link to a breath taking time lapse video titled:

Chase the Clouds - The Mount Pulag Summit

Credits to Bong Bajo for the video, I just borrowed it. "Kudos!" pra sa iyo!!

A quote was mentioned to us by the DENR officer that applies as a rule to Mt. Pulag, here it is:

“Take nothing but photographs, leave nothing but footprints. Bring nothing but memories, kill nothing but time”

So we packed everything even trash and brought it with us all the way down. Our descend phase is kind of fast and quiet, for sure everyone is eager to reach the Ranger Station to rest. I didn’t even bother the pain in my shoulder because of my backpacks weight. That's about it!, we re-trace our trip back to bagiuo and Janna offered dinner then we said our goodbyes to the good heart fellows who we owe this ones success. And lastly pictures.

Thank you Janna, Jessica, and Giselle for a great experience!!

Here are some tips to survive Mt. Pulag:

Outfit Includes:(check weather)

- Jacket, waterproof just in case it rains and a thick one to fight the cold.
- Shirts, bring lots if it's humid.
- Wet proof pants, Leggings and/or jogging pants
- Trekking shoes
- Bonnet
- Gloves
- Socks, thick and long.

You might want to double or even triple that! Bring extras. Our clothes wasn’t enough to fight the cold, it might drop below 0, Our last check before sleeping was 9 degrees.

Group checklist:

- Tent, bring the ones with fly sheets not the beach tent(it won't stay up long)!
- Portable Stove and Cookwares
- Food Supplies (Carbohydrates, Energy sources)
- Lighting source (General use), better to bring emergency light
- Knife
- Ropes
- Duct Tape/Packaging Tape
- Water Proofing Stuffs, ( for electronic devices)
- Large plastic bag,trash bag,zip lock plastic bags(for e-devices) - can be used for waterproofing your bags! I used it as warmer for my feet. hehe

In your backpack:

- First aid kit
- Toiletries (soap, shampoo, toothbrush),
- Toilet paper or wet ones, there are designated “Toilet Areas” at the camping grounds.
- Flashlight and Batteries, it's advisable to bring your own.
- Spoon and fork,
- Drinking cup, if you’ll be drinking hot drinks or liquor. hehe
- Raincoat
- Slippers
- Sleeping Bag, bring your own. In my case, the tour guide offered me his. haha
- Water bottle container, it can be filled up with spring water along the trail.
- liquor and cigarettes, I don't smoke so I only need lots of alcohol. lol

Avoid casualty or being left behind, pack right to fully enjoy the hike!.

"Prevention is better than cure"

Blowfly

Frank, Inyo and Franco

2011-05-04T23:53:00.000-07:00

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I was really thrilled the first time I heard about this band Franco, their album was released last May 2010. I was captivated by their reggae rock music, and surely lot of us will dig in the lyrics.

Franco is composed of individuals affiliated with established acts - Franco Reyes (Inyo), Gabby Alipe (Urbandub), Paolo Toleran (Queso), Buwi Meneses (Parokya ni Edgar), and JanJan Mendoza (Urbandub), that's why they call them super band. That's also why I'm kind of jumped by excitement, it was days of getting high to their music and I loved it. Eventually while searching for some details about their album, I came across a debated forum about Franco Reyes' former band InYo and the newly launch super band Franco where they argue on who plays best. Then I was really disappointed to found out that most of the songs released by Franco was already out internationally in InYo's album and was also played by Frank (Franco Reyes' original Cebu based band).

Now here's the catch, I know that Franco Reyes wrote this songs and it is his music, and has the right to play these songs even if Frank and InYo disbanded because of the royalty but, releasing this songs again as their debut album as Franco come on!, well I never heard a disbanded group re-released their songs again under another band name, usually they release an album with new singles and sings their previous bands hit songs. I understand now why the other side in the forum proclaim Franco as a Super Cover Band. Well don't get me wrong, I really like that Franco was formed, because it's a great band but a band was suppose to make new songs not to play songs that was released before. I think the original band Frank deserves the credit for these songs, they are the ones behind that music when it was being crafted anyway.

I have nothing against Franco, this is just my opinion you know. I like Franco band because of it's super band title and I'm looking forward for their next album and I hope it will be surprisingly good,. I salute Frank for bringing the music to life, Inyo for making it international and Franco for popularizing it to our country. They are all great bands, and to you Sir Franco for a good strategy to keep your own music alive. So Kudos! More Power.

Letter to Ela (Blowfly)

2011-04-11T09:58:00.000-07:00

I

Hey Ela we use to hang around.
The moment I met you I was so glad
Those days of our meaningful bond
Ever since then you stayed in my mind

II
A friend to be that's where I stand
But each and every day the more I fall in love
So tell me have you ever had the heart?
To tell me to stop without hurting me so bad

****
My Dear Ela tell me how's your heart
It's sad to hear that you're breaking apart
How I wish I was there to stand by your side
To comfort you and be the one to hold your hand

III
Perhaps before wasn't a good time
And I came late way too far
You have everything you needed somehow
But you've given me friendship anyhow

IV
Have yourself enough time to heal
Because waiting has always been my game
It's may way of showing I really care
Your hearts condition matters much anyway

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Letter to Ela

I am lost, take me home.

2011-03-29T18:17:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I met my future boss, we went to the construction site where I'll be working as soon as I finished processing my work pass. While waiting for the approval which we applied online, he gave me a quick briefing about how soon his company will be taking over the project . I waited a couple of hour hours for his meeting to be adjourned, he then drive me to MOM Work Pass Division. The Que didn't take long but we had a slight delay when the officer noticed 2 missing pages that's necessary for the registration, so my boss had to run and produced another printout. After that, when everything seem to be fine he said his goodbyes and parted for another meeting. The registration and finger printing was quick so I'm out in the building in no time. That's the start of a new story.

My work is done so I head home. I've been given directions earlier so I figure it would be fine. Next thing I notice I'm walking for minutes without any Idea where to go or what to look for, so I ask an old Chinese guy in a motorcycle to point out which way to the nearest MRT station and that's when he misguided me. I figured that he'd given me direction to walk straight on a street parallel to where the MRT is 3 blocks away. I was lucky to see a small sign pointing the right way after walking a couple of blocks, so I hurried on that path. That's it I'm saved!

Good thing is, a long walk is a good exercise and you can enjoy the view. The least is no one would know you are lost!

Layout Modification

2011-03-27T17:17:00.000-07:00

Now that I managed to put ads here, it's time to give this blog a little touch of my personality. Lately I'm trying experiment with the layout and design of this blog, I guess it will take a couple of days to get this done and meet the design that suits my personality.

My next move then will be, creating an informative entry I think.

Blog for money

2011-03-27T05:48:00.000-07:00

I just thought that it might be a good idea if I could earn money from blogging. So I'll take some time to learn about google adsense (captured my interest before but never really tried it) and this time I'll put some effort.
Having trouble on where to start this blog thou.