Culture Shiok! Singapore OFW

Labor Day in Singapore: Filipinos, "Foreign Talents" and Labor Migration

noreply@blogger.com (Culture Shiok!) — Thu, 01 May 2008 00:42:48 PDT

Isang mapagpalayang araw sa lahat ng makababasa.

It has become a Labor Day tradition of national governments to announce the current unemployment rate. In my opinion, it is a clear effort to appease the labor movement and ensure the general public that the government is creating new jobs.

In the Philippines, insatiable unhappiness in the labor sector has become a perennial problem for government. With a population of around 90 million, 33.7 million of which are employed (in January 2008), and an unemployment rate of 7.4 % (go figure), celebrating Labor Day means protesting in the streets, activists staging noise barrages, hunger strikes, and mass rallies all calling for more jobs and wage hikes, and on the sideline, to ask the current president to resign. It’s not a pretty picture.

As a result, more Filipinos are crossing borders to seek greener pastures. There are more than 8 million Filipinos overseas, almost 50% of which are temporary migrant fondly called OFWs or Overseas Filipino Workers. Most are in the United States, Saudi Arabia or in neighboring Malaysia, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan and Singapore.

Singapore's strong economic growth has led to the creation of more jobs in the first quarter of 2008. Although the unemployment rate rose to 2.0% in March 2008 from 1.7% in December 2007, this is still lower than first quarter of 2007.

Filipinos are benefiting from this steady growth of Singapore, to the dismay of some Singaporeans. They see this as an outright dipping in their iron rice bowl.

Searching for a good job here in Singapore is not easy. Job openings are mostly “for Singaporeans and Singapore Permanent Residents ONLY”. Most Filipinos traditionally get domestic help jobs, together with Indonesians. Filipino nurses are also sought after. Singapore also opened its doors to skilled technical workers and some professionals. Recently, Filipinos have been landing jobs in most sectors, services, manufacturing and construction, competing with the locals in the process. Another not so pretty picture.

Regrettably, as bad as it may seem to the common Singaporean, it is inevitable, a multi-faceted phenomenon known as overseas labor migration. This migration helped shape Philippine’s population and change the course of development at the individual, household, community, and national levels. It has made a substantial impact on the country’s economic performance.

So what’s in it for Singapore? The category of foreign talents where Filipinos fall under ensures there are enough workers nurses and technicians not readily available locally. In the long run, they would also rejuvenate and increase an ageing, declining population and even replace thousands of Singaporeans working or emigrating abroad.

Yeah right… Most Singaporeans will disagree. With the influx of Filipinos, Indonesian, Thais, Indians and even mainland Chinese, it’s too much too swallow. The open door policy that the government has actively pursued is indeed not to everyone’s liking, at least for some Singaporeans.

To be fair to Singaporeans, the government should be more strict in screening foreign talents.

As what Prime Minister Lee Hsien Long has stressed, Singapore workers, and I personally believe also covers foreigners, need to continually refresh their skills to be adaptable in case the global environment changes.

photo courtesy of Señor Enrique

Visita Iglesia in Singapore

noreply@blogger.com (Culture Shiok!) — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 22:44:32 PDT

Visita Iglesia is a Holy Week practice of Catholics in places where there are many churches, in countries like Malta, Poland, Ireland and the Philippines. Overseas Filipinos have brought it to places, like North America, that never had it before.

The custom goes back to the early Church when Christians would visit the seven great basilicas in Rome for adoration of the blessed sacrament after the Mass of the Lord's Supper on Holy Thursday.

Here in Singapore, Christians constitute approximately 14.6% of the country's population; 4.8% (32.9% of Christians) being Catholics and the remaining 9.8% (67.1% of Christians) being of other mostly Protestant denominations and traditions.

Start your Visita Iglesia in Singapore by visiting the following Catholic churches:

Cathedral of the Good Shepherd

St. Joseph's Church (Victoria Street)

Church of St. Joseph (Bukit Timah)

Church of Saints Peter and Paul

Church of Our Lady of Lourdes

Church of St. Teresa

Novena Church (Church of St. Alphonsus)

Youth Olympic Games 2010 in Singapore

noreply@blogger.com (Culture Shiok!) — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 08:30:10 PST

Singapore will host the 1st Summer Youth Olympic Games in 2010. The result was unveiled by IOC President Jacques Rogge at the Olympic Museum in Lausanne. Singapore beat Moscow in the final vote, 53 to 44.

“Singapore has put together a very exciting project. Hosting the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) for the first time is a great responsibility, and I have every confidence in the team in Singapore. I have no doubt that their professionalism and enthusiasm will be instrumental in the staging of successful Youth Olympic Games in 2010,” said Rogge to journalists present in Lausanne.

More than seven months of hard work by Singapore's YOG bid committee, headed by Mr Ng Ser Miang, didn't go down the drain.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's Switzerland stopover to meet IOC President Rogge to show Singapore's seriousness in hosting the Games proved worthwhile.

Those who went to the Final Countdown Party at the Padang didn't go home with sad faces.

The Games village that will house the more than 3,200 athletes and 800 officials should be ready on time.

It's time to prove the world that Singapore is ready.

Ushering the Year of the Rat in Singapore

noreply@blogger.com (Culture Shiok!) — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 19:52:38 PST

Gong Xi Fa Cai!

2008... another "Rat year". It's the first in the lunar calendar cycle and recurs every twelfth year. The Chinese New Year does not fall on a specific date, so it is essential to check the calendar to find the exact date on which each year actually begins.

It's a long holiday break here in Singapore with the first two days of the Chinese New Year falling on Thursday and Friday, respectively. Wednesday was declared a half-day working day. Some have taken official work leave to cover Monday and Tuesday.

A few weeks earlier, the sidewalks start to turn red with lanterns an other Chinese New Year decorations. Plants with auspicious colours and shapes like four seasons lime, lucky bamboo, pussy willow, chrysanthemums, zamioculca, went on sale. They are believed to bring a year of good luck and fortune. The nian gao, or year cake was also a hit.

There's an annual Chinatown Street Light-up. Disney's Mickey and Minnie MOUSE, along with other Disney characters, were used on the arches along the main streets of Chinatown. Many Singaporeans expressed unhappiness with the idea.

There's also a fireworks display at the Marina Bay area. The Esplanade Bridge was closed as this is where they set-up the pyrotechnics. Firecrackers are banned here in Singapore, so the New Year fireworks display is only one of the few instances you can see and hear a "controlled" show.

The year in Singapore (as seen in YouTube)

noreply@blogger.com (Culture Shiok!) — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 02:28:05 PST

This is a collection of YouTube videos compiled and published in The Sunday Times as Singapore's YouTube Hits, videos "that made the headlines this year". The total number of views varies so I didn't include what was initially published. I also changed some titles. Enjoy!

1. SAF ghost

2. Funny professor

3. Bullied trishaw uncle

4. Civil servants' rap

5. Models "stripping" on radio show

6. Youth beatings (happy slapping)

7. Heartland scuffle (This is Singapore!)

8. Repeal 377A

9. Leaked MRT suicide footage

go find it yourself... it's still there... somewhere...

10. Mocking teachers

The video "Nation Builders" was not included. It's one of my favorites. It comes in two parts. An eye-opener, if not a gentle reminder.

Try Royston Tan's Singapore Censorship too!

For the love of Ma Ling....

noreply@blogger.com (Culture Shiok!) — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 05:53:45 PST

You'll only realise how important some things are only when they're gone.

It's been a while since Ma Ling luncheon meat was pulled out from supermarket shelves here in Singapore. It's seems like eternity for die-hard Ma Ling fans, whom most grew up eating the canned luncheon meat. Those who are used to munching slices of Ma Ling in their Nasi Lemak or economical beehoon are feeling the loss. Some have included the return of the luncheon meat in their Christmas wishes, while some have reported X-Files-style "sightings". Some are not as optimistic and just simply turned to other luncheon meat brands like Tulip (Denmark) and Spam (USA).

Ma Ling luncheon meat is about as famous in China as Spam is in the U.S. Shanghai-based Maling Food Co. is investigating allegations that a shipment of its meat was contaminated with the banned antibiotic nitrofurans, which is thought to cause cancer. The export ban to Singapore covers all Ma Ling brand canned-food products which includes meat, fruits and vegetables.

The Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) ensures that food processing plants will be able to meet its food safety standards, which are in line with international standards. It's only then that the exports of canned pork products will resume.

So will Ma Ling luncheon meat ever see the light of day again?

Vacation Rentals

noreply@blogger.com (Culture Shiok!) — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 08:01:27 PST

Going for a vacation this holiday season? If you're traveling and would like to try something different from your usual hotels stays, you might want to check-out vacation rental homes. It could be a Florida Vacation Home or a beach house. There are also cabins, villas, bed and breakfasts and other vacation lodging.

There's a listing of famous and even the not so famous vacation locations. Travelers can easily find the place, check it out and make the reservation. Isn't that simple?

Singapore: Christmas in the Tropics

noreply@blogger.com (Culture Shiok!) — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 09:09:04 PST

The lighting-up of Orchard Road signals the start of the Christmas season here in Singapore. During this month-long celebration, now famously known as "Christmas in the Tropics", visitors won't fail to feel the festive spirit just by walking along Orchard Road. Christmas carol singing and colorful light displays never fail to inspire each and every passerby.

I like this year's lights as they are not the usual bright yellow lights that would eventually make yours eyes feel hot just by looking at them. The lights over Orchard Road are a bit dim, the not-so-very-bright-white type, and would give you a feeling that you're looking at the stars. Stars are seldom seen here in Singapore, unlike in other places.

Have a Whimsical Christmas!

Photo courtesy of Erich's Wuerstelstand (check-out his other pictures, look for his stand when you visit Chinatown and try his frankfurters)

Is it easy to get a loan?

noreply@blogger.com (Culture Shiok!) — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 07:08:31 PST

It seems easy or they're just simply doing everything to make it look simple and fuss-free. It's easy to get cheap loans for someone who is working, has a regular salary and has the ability to pay the monthly dues. That means someone who can settle the loan. Who would lend you money if they know beforehand that you cannot pay.

Getting loans more than double your income is a breeze if you meet the lender's requirements. You need to provide them identification documents and computerized pay slips to show that you meet the minimum salary. Tax information is sometimes checked if you are self-employed. Latest bank statement, phone and utilities bills are also essential.

You need to ensure that you can still comfortably settle your other monthly obligations like mortgages, credit card payments, utilities bills and other loans. You should still have enough for your personal expenditures to see you through the rest of the month.

Enhanced Earning Experience with Advertlets.com's 336×280

noreply@blogger.com (Culture Shiok!) — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 15:25:55 PST

Fact #1: Right now, 100% of all Singaporean blogs registered with Advertlets who have the 165×240 ad formats are running a CPM campaign!

Fact #2: Advertlets.com have more clients interested in advertising on the Singaporean network, however - we’ve close to sold out most of our inventory!

Fact #3: You have the 165×240 Sidebar ad installed, but not the 336×280 Rectangle ad format.

The 336×280 Rectangle ad format works best if placed in between blog posts on your main blog, or at the comments section at the end of an individual post. It is also a fact that there are more ads available for this format.

If you have international traffic (besides Malaysia & Singapore), you may also want to consider installing the 468×60 format.

What you need to do to enhance your blog earning experience? Just follow these simple steps:

1. Go to Advertlets.com (If you're not yet a member, sign-up NOW!)

2. Log in to your account

3. Go to "blogs" and get your codes

4. Click anywhere in the box to select the code for "336x280 Banner (No poll - lightweight)".

You may paste this code ONLY into the website you have registered with Advertlets, as the code will only work on your registered website address.

5. That's it!

If you are fast enough, you can earn $15, even $50, by telling other Advertlets members to get the 336x280 ad format. You can be one of the first 100 Singaporean bloggers to write a post and encourage others to sign-up and install the 336x280 ad format.

Very Limited Time Sponsored Post Opportunity For Singaporeans (Be Kiasu And Hurry!)

Reminders:

you must be a registered Singaporean member of Advertlets (sign-up quick!)
you must have at least 20 unique visitors a day
post must be at least 100 words long and includes a link to 'www.advertlets.com' and at least an image from Advertlets.com (logo or screenshot)
leave a comment on this post

Books on Board ....All Aboard!

noreply@blogger.com (Culture Shiok!) — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 08:21:29 PST

All the books you can read and even listen to, in various formats (Adobe eBook, MobiPocket, Microsoft Reader, eReader, Audio Books, iPod). From General Fiction, Mysteries, Thrillers, Adventures, Horror, Fantasy Science Fiction, Romance, Classics, Biography, History, Sports, Business, Non-fiction, Spiritual, Health and Fitness to Self-Help. Name it and you'll find it at Books on Board, an online Ebook store.

They have the broadest selection possible at aggressive competitive prices. They don't charges transaction fees for small purchases. If you manage to find a better price, you can write them and they'll see if they can give you a better price. No membership fees or clubs - Just Good Prices. No shipping charges on downloadable ebooks and audiobooks. Sounds good service to me.

Apple iPhone in Singapore

noreply@blogger.com (Culture Shiok!) — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 09:31:53 PST

....not until next year's "official" Asian launch. Apple iPhone is currently legally (and illegally) sold in the United States and Europe. These units are 'locked' and will work only wit SIM cards from Apple's partner service providers.

But who could stop an entrepreneurial whiz who knows how to hack and unlock the phone's software and sell it to interested buyers. Other than online sellers, there are shops that made the phones available here in Singapore for those who really can't wait.

Apple was said to have issued a warning e-mail to retailers to stop selling the gadget, if not, legal action will be sought. Selling is one thing, hacking the software is another. It's considered a breach of the copyright law.

Just follow law and wait for the launch next year!

Remote access for your PC

noreply@blogger.com (Culture Shiok!) — Sat, 08 Dec 2007 16:37:14 PST

Imagine having remote access to your PC. That means you can have access to your home or office PCs from anywhere, as long as there is an internet connection. You can bring your work at home. You can access your office PC at the comfort of your own home. When you forgot your presentation in your home PC, you don't have to travel back home, just use your remote access to retrieve your files. This should increase your productivity. You don't have to travel to work from home and vice versa.

This is made possible by Remote PC, a leading remote access solution for PCs. Access your home and office PCs from anywhere with an internet connection.

Now you don't have to worry about missing important board meetings anymore! Recent enhancements include Vista compatibility and a remote meeting option with up to 10 users sharing the same desktop. Plans start at $4.95/month with a 30 day free trial.

Singapore's Pedra Branca, Malaysia's Pulau Batu Puteh

noreply@blogger.com (Culture Shiok!) — Sat, 01 Dec 2007 18:41:09 PST

A granite outcrop in the Singapore Straits near the South China Sea, where frequent visits by seabirds made it look white because of their droppings. That's how it got its Bahasa Melayu name Pulau Batu Puteh or island of the white rock.

Back in 1847, the British took possession of the island, thinking that it was terra nullius or no man's land. They called the island Pedra Branca and built what is now the Horseburg Lighthouse.

For over 150 years, Great Britain, and later its successor Singapore, continued operating the lighthouse.

Malaysia, in 1979, published a map of its territories, which, for the first time, included Pedra Branca as one of their own. The map extended 12 miles from the coast. This was seen as a preemptive action to changes in the then to be formalized UN Convention on Law of the Sea.

To maintain good bilateral ties, Singapore and Malaysia decided to finally settle the case and brought it before the International Court of Justice in The Hague, Netherlands.

Malaysia claimed that it has the original title to the island, possessed by the Sultanate of Johor since it establishment in 1512. The original title was said to have been passed on to the State of Johor and later to the Federation of Malaya, which Johor joined in 1948. Malaysia argues that Pulau Batu Puteh is the center of Johor's ancient maritime empire, and thus, has always been a part of the state.

For Singapore, it maintained that Pedra Branca was terra nullius and that its continuous display of state authority, operation of the lighthouse as well as naval patrols around the island, from the time of the British up to the present. Singapore also presented in court a 1953 letter to the British authorites, from a top Johor civil servant, which stated that "Johore does not claim ownership of Pedra Branca."

Malaysia argued that Singapore's display of "stately authority" is not an exercise of sovereignty, they just merely operates the lighthouse. Malaysia went further when it cited an 1844 letter which claims the Johor rulers granted permission to the British to build and operate the lighthouse.

Singapore asked Malaysia to come up with any historical document that mentioned the island by name and specified that it is included in the Sultanate of Johor. Malaysia failed to provide this in court.

The hearings are over and the court is expected to come up with a decision next year.

Photo courtesy of oiseauxbleu!

Choosing the right web host

noreply@blogger.com (Culture Shiok!) — Sun, 02 Dec 2007 03:48:46 PST

Are you considering to get your own web host? With all the competing web hosting service providers out there, you may find it hard to get the right web hosting choice.

If you are new to web-hosting , you need to know the basics of web hosting. There's a web hosting directory called WebHostingChoice which can help you start learning about web hosting. It's basically a guide to web-hosting. They have a quick start guide that will have you on your way to creating a web site to their "Frequently Asked Questions" (FAQ) page where they will try to answer your most common questions about web hosts.

There is also a Web Hosting Plans Directory to help you to easily find web hosts that provide such features that you require.

If you are already an advanced user, you can always skip the basics and go down to the specifics. They also have an Advanced Search page for your more specific needs. This page will also allow you to pick every single feature that you want in a web hosting service.

You can look for cheap web hosting services. You may come across web hosting deals that are almost too good to be true, very affordable with amazing web-hosting features! There are a lot of web hosting services that while offering cheap prices, they also provide excellent performance and service. Just because a host is cheap does not mean that you will receive low quality service, but you must be careful and but you need to be careful and you must scrutinize every detail. Getting the right web host depends on your choice.

Singapore Marathon 2007

noreply@blogger.com (Culture Shiok!) — Sat, 01 Dec 2007 08:52:22 PST

40,000 runners and about S$203,000 total prize money. Weeks and months of grueling practice runs and other mind-boggling preparations all boils down to today's race. The Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon 2007 will start at dawn, at around 5:30 am for the 42.195 Km marathon.

Some people think that the runners are crazy, as might be evident in todays race. All will start running, some will eventually walk, limp and even crawl just to cross the finish line. They'll be running their own race, with their own personal goals, and it's not even about the money for most of them.

Two-time winner Kenyan Amos Tirop Matui is using this race as preparati0n for the Beijing Olympics. He timed 2hr 14 min 59 sec in last year's race. He's just one of the 60 "elite" marathoners from 18 countries whose timings will be considered for entry in the upcoming Olympics.

The starting line is in front of The Fullerton Hotel and the finish line is in front of the City Hall.

Roads will be closed, traffic will be diverted, organisers and runners will be up early, supporters and spectators are also ready.

It's "all systems go," Good luck to all!

Call Home For The Holidays

noreply@blogger.com (Culture Shiok!) — Sat, 08 Dec 2007 16:08:39 PST

Workers far away from family need to stay connected while on work assignment abroad. Staying in touch with friends and family can often mean having to make long distance telephone calls. For those working overseas, long-distance calls to family and loved ones is a basic necessity.

Long-distance calls in some countries may not be very expensive but in others, it can be overly expensive, to a point that it's already prohibitive. Long-distance plans are usually expensive. Even if they claim it's reasonably priced, the total bill of making long-distance calls will surely and quickly add up.

One solution is to use calling cards. But be sure you have a low-cost card. The package should disclose the rates and fees. If it doesn't, you may have a card that is more expensive than ordinary telephone service. Also, take care to use up your pre-paid minutes before the card Calling cards are inexpensive, there's even cash back rebate program where you will get a certain percentage of every calling card or phone card purchase that you make.

So next time you call home, try to use calling cards.

Pinay Sex Scandal

noreply@blogger.com (Culture Shiok!) — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 09:50:53 PST

When using misleading titles is the right thing...

The word "Pinay" refers to a female Pinoy or Filipino. It's the same as "Filipina." "Pinay sex scandal" and "Pinay scandal" are getting some attention lately, as shown in Google Trends. It shows how often they've been searched on Google over time.

Despite projects aimed at reshaping the Filipina image online, the number of prostitution-related sites and their users is just simply overwhelming.

There's a mini SEO experiment currently running in the Philippine Blogosphere which targets these sites to divert some traffic and eventually push the actual scandal sites out of Google's first few search result pages. It was started by Marghil at macuha.com "Pinay scandal".

So when you search Google for "Pinay scandal," don't be surprise if you end-up seeing most of the posts below:

Wanna know the latest trend about Pinay Scandal? by Dexter of Tech At Hand
Pinay Scandal… The Issue by Darang Sisa
Pinay Scandal by Almer Viloria
Google Suggested Pinay Scandal by Ada
Pinay Scandal by Ada
Pinay Scandal by Catzie
Pinay Scandal by Mina
Pinay Scandal by Jehzeel Laurente
Pinay Scandals: Earning Big Bucks? by Nika
Looking For Pinay Scandals?! by Eli
Pinay Scandal by Eligio
Pinay Scandal by Stentorized
Pinay Scandal by Caryl
Pinay Scandal o Iskandalosang Pinay by Kengkay
Pinay Scandal by Hazel
Pinay Scandal by Baby Face
Pinay Scandal Story by Pinoy Ambisyoso
Pinay Scandal by Kenneth
Pinay Scandal by JoanJoyce
Pinay Scandal, Anyone? by MyGlitch
Pinay Scandal Here by Jojitah
“Pinay Scandal” Idea by Neil
Pinay Scandal… In The Mind Of Pinays by Marikenya
The Pinay Scandal - Most Outrageous and Raw Scandal by Chuva
Pinoy Scandal Survivor No. 1 Proud Filipina: Julie Borje by Marikenya
Pinay Scandal by Chuvaness
The Best of Pinay Scandals by Rhodilee
Pinay Scandal by Che
Pinay Scandal by JeanGrey
Pinay Scandal Revealed! by Glitchline
Pinay Scandal on the Web by Philippine Elections 2007
Pinay Scandal, Let’s Play The Trend by Selaplana
The Hottest Pinay Scandals by iRonnie
Blog About Filipina, Pinay Scandal And Vedio by Allen
Pinay Scandal Video by Ronald Mojica
Pinay Scandal by Paulyn
Pinay Scandal Videos by Mi
Pinay Scandals by Rhyannefranz
Pinay Scandal Revealed! by Mesothelioma Info
Pinay Scandal or Pinay Sex Scandal SEO Project by Lestat
Pinay Scandal Here by Ronald
Sex And Pinay Scandal Videos Sell by Blogging Pinay
Pinay Scandal / Pnay Scandal: 18 Above Only by Ceefive
Pinay Scandal Me by Marlene
Pinay Scandal in Baguio City by Reyna Elena
Pinay Scandal, Performing In Bubbles by Kotsengkuba
The Famous Pinay Scandal Keyword by Edward
The Pinay Scandal Advocates by Lestat

Tags: Pinay scandal, Pinay sex scandal, Filipina, Pinay, sex scandal, Pinoy scandal

Advertlets response: Straight from Josh Lim

noreply@blogger.com (Culture Shiok!) — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 02:46:54 PST

In my previous post, I mentioned that my Advertlets earnings slowed down to an almost frozen state. I didn't blog about it to get their attention but, to my surprise, I immediately received a comment from Josh Lim of Advertlets. He was quick to say that they have checked my account and said "it appears to be fine."

He continued by giving some tips on which ads to install to optimize my earnings:

- Installing the 165x240 sidebar ad higher up the page. We noticed it is installed quite low down the page.
- Installing the 336x280 ad instead of the 180x150 ad (more ads available for the 336x280 format). The 336x280 format goes best after posts.

He said the majority of earnings would come from Malaysian/Singaporean traffic at the moment. I'm sure he's referring to the upcoming CPM ads. I just hope we can all benefit from them.

Thanks for the quick response Josh!

Is your Advertlets earnings not moving?

noreply@blogger.com (Culture Shiok!) — Sat, 24 Nov 2007 08:53:44 PST

I joined Advertlets back in August and have been hosting their ads in my blog for quite some time now. Just a couple of days after joining, my earnings, although very little, just continued to increase. I have one 468x60 banner ad and 2 sidebar ads, one with poll and one without. I was so excited with this venture that I even wrote about getting my first check from Advertlets.

But recently, I noticed that either my earnings would totally not move or will be very slow. I know there's a slight decrease in the numbers of visitors to my blog, but I'm sure it's not that much to cause my earnings to become FROZEN.

Are you having the same problem? Is your Advertlets earnings steadily going up?

Money when you need it

noreply@blogger.com (Culture Shiok!) — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 18:25:06 PST

Isn't it very convenient to have money when you need it? Banks and other lenders here in Singapore are now getting more considerate in allowing almost anyone to apply for unsecured loans like payday loans.

Approval which usually takes several weeks to a few months not only take as little as 24 hours for processing until the release or transfer of of the money into your chosen account.

There are also free comparison services where you can request free quotes from a network of licensed lenders. Also provided are information that you can use to make your own decisions about short-term cash loans. Visit one of the sites where you can get information of the sites that offer payday loans.

Have you ever experienced being short on cash? Did you consider taking up payday loans?

Technorati ranking going down

noreply@blogger.com (Culture Shiok!) — Thu, 22 Nov 2007 09:08:17 PST

From the Technorati Top 2,500, my blog's ranking is down to 3,800. My blog authority of 1000 plus also went down and now it's only blog authority

What actually happened is that I changed my blogspot url so that I can use http://www.cultureshiok.com.

Technorati is still the leading monitor of the world of weblogs. Linking is still important. A link from one weblog to another helps provide context around an argument or point, and it is essentially a "vote of attention" from one blogger to another. The relevance of a site on the web can be determined by how often a source is cited and therefore considered an authority.

Links in the world of weblogs are even more important since bloggers frequently link to and comment on other blogs, creating a sense of timeliness and back-and-forth one would have in a conversation.

Most of us already know how it works. For those who are still in the dark, Technorati tracks the number of links and the unique source of links to determine the breadth and readership of any author or site. Read more about Technorati and making money online.

Don't stop working on your blog. Favorites exchanges are fine. Getting readers is still the best.

Take a personality quiz

noreply@blogger.com (Culture Shiok!) — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 09:47:31 PST

How well do you know yourself? Are you an optimist or pessimist? Will you rather lead or just follow? Have you ever wondered about what other hidden traits you might have. There's a wide range of personality tests and assessments available today that will enable you to explore your personality and discover a few more unknown traits you never thought you have.

There are fun and enjoyable personality tests that will make even make you laugh and help you know yourself better. Have fun with a fun personality quiz or test your intelligence with an I.Q. z test. There are also trivia quizzes to test your knowledge. Take some naughty or nice quiz and know more about your personality.

Quiz Rocket has the answer with tons of online personality quizzes and fun tests. These funny and fun personality quizzes will make you laugh and help you find your true personality. You can also test your intelligence or trivia I.Q. with one of our fun trivia quizzes. Quiz Rocket has 30+ fun quizzes, with more added every day. Personality quizzes are no rocket science, take fun tests with Quiz Rocket now!

Nike+ Charity Run '07: Nuffnang's first charity initiative

noreply@blogger.com (Culture Shiok!) — Sun, 18 Nov 2007 08:46:09 PST

Nuffnang is paving the way for its bloggers to band together and give back to the community. It has partnered with Nike and is currently supporting the Nike+(plus) Charity Run '07. This is also Nuffnang's first charity initiative.

The Nike+ Charity Run '07 is in aid of the kids at Make-A-Wish Foundation Singapore. Nike is pledging SGD5 worth Nike products for every kilometre you run. The further you run, the more you're giving to these kids. So hit the JOIN CHALLENGE now to make a difference. Your participation is sure to make some wishes come true for the kids.

For Nuffnangers, you can help spread the news by blogging about the event. If you intend to run, put on your Nike + shoes, plug in your Sport Kit, upload your runs and make underprivileged kids happy! If you don't have a Sport Kit, Nuffnang has 20 kits to be given away. If you don't have a Nike+ shoes, then you better get one soon. You do have an iPod, right?

I'm blogging and running! Hope Nuffnang will give me one of the Sport Kits so that I can start uploading.

Let's all run for a cause. The more we run, the more smiles for kids at Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Do you know your ASEAN?

noreply@blogger.com (Culture Shiok!) — Sat, 17 Nov 2007 07:46:37 PST

The Singapore-based broadsheet The Straits Times conducted a poll among ASEAN member nations' students on their knowledge of the regional organization, which is celebrating its 40th year of existence. This is also in conjunction with the 13th ASEAN Summit which is being hosted this year by Singapore.

What does ASEAN stand for? ASEAN stands for Association of Southeast Asian Nations

How many members does ASEAN have? There are currently 10 members. This includes Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam

Does ASEAN have a president? The ASEAN does not have a president. Chairmanship rotates in alphabetical order among member nations every year.

Which year was ASEAN born? ASEAN was formed on August 8, 1967 in Bangkok with five founding members, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.

Here are the other questions the students had to answer.

Have you ever visited another ASEAN country?
Do you know other students from an ASEAN country?
Is the time the same in all ASEAN countries?
Have you heard about ASEAN?

Please leave a comment with your answers.