Samprasita

IN ROMANCE FICTION, NOT EVERYONE MUST BE PERFECT

2014-06-03T17:01:00.001+08:00

Paunchy male heroes with average incomes rarely happen in romance novels. But when one John Hall happened in 'Just Another Day at the Office', falling in love with this portly guy holding a mid-level management job, is very very possible.

Author Hedonist Six classified her novel as erotica/FFA romance. Oh yeah, there was sex, but they were not overkill.

The heady experience from reading their intimate scenes comes from the author's crafty characterization of the two leads. An attractive, aggressive, sexy heroine who's comfortable with her sexuality. A good-looking overweight hero who's a great turn-on because despite his insecurity, he's a normal male - - gentle, sensitive, can pack a mean punch, a peeping-tom, and enjoys sex time with his lady love.

The sexual tension between them is always there, thanks to the carefully contrived incidents in the office and their homes.

This book's more of a 'fluttering' romance for me.

Reviewing 'Becoming Mrs Walsh'

2014-06-03T16:35:00.000+08:00

About the Book

Shoshana Thompson is 26 years old, miles from home, and engaged to Andrew Walsh, the last single Walsh brother of one of Washington, D.C.'s wealthiest families. Throughout her engagement she becomes enamored with the Walsh lifestyle.

Life in the fast lane comes to a screeching halt when Shoshana develops feelings for another man. When she discovers the feelings may not be one-sided, things are about to get a lot more complicated. This man is not only part of her fancy new world, he is also completely off-limits.

Becoming Mrs Walsh deserved being a 2013 top 10 Chick Lit Plus book.

It satisfied reading fulfillments letting us live vicariously through the characters - - experiencing their conflicts and doubts, deriving giddy delight in the unfolding romance between the heroine (Shoshana) and Mark, the man she can't be with.

Many events - - none of them boring - - take place in the book which show the characters' virtues and quirks and how they complement each other, that it's almost painful to stop reading the book.

There are no obnoxious characters here. In fact Drew Walsh, one of the key male leads, is appealing despite his hush-hush personality. He has strong moments in the book especially when he bares that he knows and notices a lot about people.

But Mark, is hands-down ultra hot. The author (Jessica Gordon) has successfully created one of the winningest male heroes by not going over the top with him.

Subtlety and nuanced scenes magnify readers' senses.

Freedom from want

2013-07-03T13:14:00.002+08:00

This July is National Nutrition Month and the theme is “Gutom at malnutrisyon, sama-sama nating wakasan.” Time to flag everyone's concern about hunger and malnutrition especially among the helpless young.

Government, NGOs, companies with a conscience, concerned individuals - - they meet regularly and implement community-support projects. We admire and respect them for acting.

But will this lead to ending global hunger, especially here where most Filipinos consider themselves 'mahirap'?

In a 2012 SWS poll, 54 percent of Pinoys (or some 10.9 million families) claim to be poor. In depressed communities, a poor family consists of six members. Six hungry mouths per family, even while this sounds too emo.

A poverty statistics report said that a family of five needed P4,869 monthly income to meet the basic food needs and P7,017 to stay out of poverty.

It's easy to say that an information campaign on nutrition education is key to helping everyone get into the right mindset when feeding one's family. But how will that help 'yung sobrang mahirap' who are more familiar with food insecurity than other day-to-day concerns?

Created in 1947 and having undergone restructuring and renaming through the years, the National Nutrition Council (bless them) - the highest policy-making and coordinating body on nutrition, has been carrying out priority livelihood and nutrition education programs.

Last July 2, the Philippines coalesced with the global SUN (Scaling Up Nutrition) Movement that is founded on the principle that everyone has the right to food and good nutrition. Signing up with SUN - thus joining other 40 countries - was the main point of the NNC's nutrition month launch. NNC has lined up other priority actions for this month, that includes a hunger concert and hunger summit.

NNC has a weekly nutrition radio program on DZXL where their guests give expert info on food production, food fortification, breastfeeding and healthy lifestyle behavior. Listen to them every Saturday, 12.30 p.m.

In our personal capacities, what can we do to reduce hunger and malnutrition?

Here are practical steps anyone of us can do at any given day to help break the daily vicious cycle of hunger and malnutrition for those we know in need of relief.

Create your own homeyard vegetable garden (and give some of your fresh produce to a poor family you know)

Avoid food wastage. Cook and eat just enough food. But if cooking too much can't be avoided, bigyan mo din kapitbahay na mahirap. Somehow this way, you give the family a break by effecting a sense of food security or food satisfaction, especially for the children.

On Facebook, ask your friends to help you put into action a donate-food-to-the-disadvantaged neighborhood project and turn over, as a group, the collected goods to your beneficiaries. You can do this sans fanfare or have photos taken with your friends during the handover, blog about it, instagram it, whatever. The payoff here is you fed.

Donate money you can afford to food security programs in your community or to government-led projects.

It’s nice to do a good deed.

PH Economy: Cruising at City Speed while in the Highway

2013-03-06T17:52:00.002+08:00

Not only is it more fun in the Philippines, but it is actually doing very well economically. This positive assurance was shared by four business and trade leaders in the government and private-sector at a business forum held last February at the AIM Conference Center in Makati City.

The economic pulse defined the framework of the conference, billed "Marketing Goods & Services in a Robust Philippine Economy,” and organized by 720cc (Seven Twenty Degrees Consumer Connect), a re-branded two-year old media agency Plus with a 40-year heritage in the local ad industry.

The keynote speaker, Dr Emilio Antonio from the University of Asia & the Pacific (UA&P) apprised the audience on the economic landscape, past and forecast. Charts presented at the forum showed the positive indicators stimulating the economy, from US$ shortages to surplus, interest rates down and focused efforts to stimulate the economy.

Dr Emilio Antonio says the Philippines
is now next to China in terms of savings rate.

Another speaker, Ms. Brenda Mendoza - NEDA Director of Trade, Industries and Utilities – revealed that the GDP during the last three quarters of 2012 registered a growth of 67% equivalent to 2.6% points increase (6.5) over the same period in 2011 (3.9). Growth rate in industries during the same period scored a 4.5% points rise in 2012 over the preceding year (from 1.8% to 6.3%), while the services sector chalked up a 2.7% gain over 2011. It was a consensus among the economic leaders that the Philippines is now next to China in terms of savings rate.

The economic impact on certain industries were discussed by Prof. Eric Soriano of the Ateneo Graduate School and Mr. Gabs Buluran, TNS Philippines general manager.

Professor Soriano predicted that growing affluence and investment appetite will fuel property sales. He said government infrastructure is starting to move, consumer sentiment is getting better and areas outside of the National Capital Region are getting favorable.

Mr. Buluran reiterated that at 7.4% growth, the Philippines was best performer in Asia next to China. Service markets like BPOs provided employment thereby boosting lifestyle spend. The OFWs and the BPOs tap all available media. Consumption of media, he said, mirrors the economic trends with platforms not bound by time and space, gaining solid ground on the consumers' habits.

He also said that more than 12 million urban Filipinos from ABCD class, aged 16-65, are on social networks with 2,533,981 building relationships with brands. Internet penetration was highest among 34 years old and below, with the teens accessing the Internet more. Moreover, the Internet along with the mobile phone are the key channels used by OFW families, with Facebook reigning supreme. 11 hours is the average time spent online each week.

The Economic Briefing was a pulsing report provided for clients of 720cc (www.720cc.com) and invited marketers of products and services.

Delia Saguil, 720cc president

Confident of the country’s economic uptrend, 720cc president Delia Saguil said their technology and communications expertise will not only ride this upbeat but will also open new avenues for growth through relevant, efficient and effective connections with defined target markets. She added that 720cc is the ideal technology partner because of their expertise in due diligence and their ability to analyze relevant issues and use learnings to pursue practical, relevant and measurable goals.

What’s inside Golden Herbs Coffee Supreme & why you'll love it

2013-02-18T22:10:00.000+08:00

This coffee which comes in a convenient pre-mix drink in single serve sachets shows promise especially for those with a driving passion for coffee.

Why?

It has two powerful herbs that are good for human health – moringa oleifera and ashitaba –with a sweetener - stevia, a plant sugar which is a healthy sugar good for diabetics and those who want to reduce their weight. Its taste is soothingly familiar, like a very light brew of barako.

As you sip it, its mild calming aroma envelops your nostrils. Even when piping hot, there is no burning sensation. The coffee goes down easily.

Hence, the name Golden Herbs Coffee Supreme, which was launched very recently by PeakLife Inc, and its mother company, Empower Marketing Inc., a 100 percent Filipino-owned company that champions the buying of Filipino-made products. The coffee's wide-scale launch through the company's national sales network comes 10 years after the market introduction of Golden Herbs Tonic, a nutraceutical drink made from 12 premium herbs co-actively working to boost the body's immune system.

The coffee supreme formulation was made by a team of Filipino scientists and doctors, who did research for at least 25 years at the Department of Science and Technology.

The two herbs work in perfect synergy: ashitaba removes toxins through the excretory glands while moringa (better known as Malunggay among Pinoys) replenishes the nutrients needed by the body.

Both are good tissue builders. Moringa is referred to as the 'tree of life' because it can combat malnutrition, helps in muscle recovery and prevents immune-system diseases. It's a plant that thrives in tropical climates and grows so quickly and easily in Filipino backyards. The plant's leaves are used the most. Moringa leaf powder contains more than 90 nutrients, 8 essential amino acids and 46 anti-oxidants. Antioxidants are known for preventing cellular damage. When the leaves are dried and turned into powder form, its efficacy increases and its shelf life increases. What makes it more appealing as an additive to any food or drink, the dried powder does not change the taste of the food, drink or beverage.

Ashitaba, researched and studied extensively in Japan, commonly called the “longevity herb”, is a green leafy vegetable that has a rare flavonoid called chalcone that contributes to good metabolism and helps in the production of nerve growth. Older people will love one of its health benefits - -keeping degenerative diseases at bay. Ashitaba contains beta-carotene, has 28 times more vitamin B2 content equivalent than garlic, four times more vitamin C than lemons, and nine times the amount of iron found in spinach.

If you want your immune system and your metabolism working at full throttle first thing in the morning, give this healthy coffee a shot!

Contact PeakLife Inc. (www.peaklifeinc.com) and Empower Marketing (www.empower.com.ph) at 534-6843 and 477-4504. Or visit them at the 2nd floor, Roscar Bldg, 81 EDSA, Mandaluyong City.

The Fashion Academy Manila teams up with Easy Pha-max

2012-09-18T17:05:00.000+08:00

Fashion, in general, has always been about anything fabulous.

How we’d like to be or look like in our clothes, hairstyles, shoes, eyewear, whatever-wear at whatever age we fall in.

Recently in Makati, two innovative companies redefined fashion when they inked a one-year partnership that pushes youth, fun and fitness to the very core of what we should all be.

The partnership is between The Fashion Academy Manila and Easy Pha-max Philippines which both agreed that youthful fun, fitness and being utterly sexy truly represent “Style, Wellness and Happy Brands.” The contract ends in December 2013.

Is this something like an in-your-face thing? Not really, but it’s meant to grow into something livable and acceptable for everyone, said digital marketing specialist Eric Yam, who’s just been tasked to head the marketing department of Easy Pha-max Philippines.

This is the first time that the country’s wheatgrass leader will use an institution as a Brand Ambassador, one that's hooked-up with one of the world's best-recognized brands in modeling and glamour.

“We’re happy that The Fashion Academy Manila has joined our stable of respected Brand Ambassadors and Brand Advocates,” Yam said. Company endorsers include fitness buff and sports broadcaster Dyan Castillejo, cosplay icons Alodia and Ashley Gosiengfiao, Lucky Manzano and Jocelyn Oxlade.

“The Fashion Academy Manila (TFAM) is affiliated with an international franchise modelling agency Elite Model Management Manila that has produced the world’s top professional models like Gisele Bundchen, Naomi Campbell and Cindy Crawford, among many. Easy Pha-max is about healthy living and transforming lives for the young and old. Our new partnership celebrates fresh and fun lifestyle. It's about people - not just about one person – wanting to be physically fit, sexy and feeling young. The best way to spread this message is through these models who have the qualities that every one wants to have,” he continued.

TFAM director of sales Cindy Arguelles - Lichauco and Elite Model Management Manila managing director Eughie Teng see their endorsement of wheatgrass and healthy living as very much in keeping with the school’s commitment to find a work-life balance for their models while helping them carve successful modelling careers.

The school's goal is simple. Make their family of young, ambition-driven modelling talents embrace glamour, fun and wellness in equal measures.

The Midas touch is promising for both of them, and 2012 isn't over yet.

About The Fashion Academy Manila (www.thefashionacademymanila.com)
TFAM is the first fashion school to offer a holistic and integrative approach to teaching in seven fashion tracks: Photography Academy, Modelling Academy, Makeup Academy, Hair Creatives Academy, Fashion Styling Academy, Personality Enhancement Academy, Celebrity Artist Lab. Trainors and mentors are among the top names in the local fashion industry - Joey Mead, Borge Aloba, Lee Figueroa-Roberto, Ian Dave Basa, J. Dennis Arceo, Niko Villegas, Alcs Porras, Binibining Pilipinas 2002 Karen Agustin-Ostrea and Xander Angeles.

TFAM is located at 3F A.Venue Mall, 5343 Makati Avenue, Makati City Philippines. They can be contacted at (632) 9097400/ 940-9312, 0917- 872-7875 / 0917-536-5483.
FB: http://www.facebook.com/thefashionacademymanila

The grass is greener in PH for Kitty Girl

2012-08-15T16:10:00.000+08:00

She’s very pretty, one of the lovable faces in PH showbiz. Her Brit accent makes her even more appealing to her fans.

Many describe her as a dead ringer for Megan Fox and at certain angles, of Jessie J.

So, what keeps former Kitty Girl lead singer Jocelyn Rose Oxlade busy and peppy these days?

Wil Time Big Time

This 24 year-old half Pinay, half-Brit hip hop singer is seen every Saturday singing and dancing on TV-5's Wil Time Big Time. She's also collaborating with some producers on her solo projects, including a solo album tentatively called Living Doll expected to be released in December this year.

Pretty soon, most likely in October, we’ll see her as Anne Curtis’ sosyalera and fashionista friend in Viva Film’s “Nothing Compares to You”. The movie also stars another Brit-Pinoy, Derek Ramsey.

Owing to her unpredictable and frequent out-of-town engagements, she often wakes up at 5 a.m. At other times, she only gets to sleep at sunrise. She admitted she's not used to smoky places, the late nights, the frenzied schedule of rehearsals and hosting gigs.

Impeccable hosting

"Anything I can do to benefit my health and the condition of my body, I’m game. I read on the Internet that drinking wheatgrass can increase your energy and stamina. I would see the Easy Pha-max wheatgrass kiosks in the malls making me all the more curious about it. I chose it because it’s a trusted one … with Super Brand recognition and other awards. I’ve been hooked on this green juice for over a year now,” she said.

Following dietitians’ advice, she drinks wheatgrass first thing in the morning for that immediate energy burst.

“The first time I drank it, I was expecting to at least catch a cold but the wheatgrass kept my energy up. I felt it also helped my voice stay in good condition. I like the honey-flavored one, it's not overly sweet. After drinking it, I feel refreshed and energized,” she cooed.

The best way to absorb its nutrients is when it’s taken on an empty stomach because it’s the only food that the colon is digesting at that time. Taking wheatgrass with a meal would interfere in the efficient absorption of its nutrients.

Born and raised in England, this Kitty Girl moved to the Philippines in 2005 after finishing her A-levels in Psychology, Biology and Chemistry. She wanted to know more about her mom’s Filipino heritage.

The close-knit Oxlades

Seven years later, Jocelyn has found her heart and fulfillment in the Philippines. And robust health.

LBC's Super Baba Remittance, another win for Pinoy wage-earners

2012-07-11T13:12:00.002+08:00

Planning to send money to your parents in the province?

Consider then "Super Baba Remittance" by LBC Express Inc., the Philippines' pioneer in money remittance.

Filipino wage-earners who regularly send money to their loved ones anywhere in the Philippines will now only pay pay P3.00 for every P100, as long as they use the Send and Swipe Card, powered by Visa and LBC Mobile Remit of LBC Remit Express.

EVP for Global Remittance Janet T. Ong described their 'Super Baba' campaign as the company's continuing efforts to make money transfers both affordable and convenient for all Filipinos.

Super Baba Remittance is not a promo, the executive clarified. The P3 for every P100 will be a regular service.

The Send and Swipe card can be used in any of the more than 9,500 Visa ATMs nationwide. Money can be also transferred and received using LBC Mobile Remit which will favor Filipinos who are known globally for being so text-savvy.

Founded in 1950 and tagged as the country's "Pambansang Padala", LBC Express is a global Filipino company with more than 1,000 branches nationwide and over 300 cash-in locations all over the world to service to service the needs of Filipino migrant workers and their loved ones in the country.

Visit www.lbcexpress.com for more info.

Pole dance your way to fitness & good abs

2012-06-11T15:01:00.001+08:00

Kittens. Tigers. That’s how students at Polecats - the country's premier pole dancing group - are called.

Last June 2 at the AFP Theater in Camp Aguinaldo (Quezon City), the Polecats Kittens and Tigers proudly showed their command of pole dancing and their sensuality while spinning around dance poles.

They were performing at their recital billed Stellar 2.

Like their namesakes, the Polecats moved with strength, agility and stealth-like speed as they crawled up and down the dance poles and spun around like crazy.

These are the good and sexy results of attending at least eight weeks of classes, learning pole dancing moves like floorwork, grabs, holds, hooks, spins, ankle and feet climbs, slides, transitions.

The nimble moves become inevitable for many and especially for the young.

The not-so-young can do it as long as they don't let go of their aspirations for physical fitness or revive their sex appeal.

Stellar 2 was Polecats' second successive year of putting the spotlight on their students who rose to the challenge of "pushing their limits beyond boundaries.”

Perfect ballet split by Stellar 2 project head Mara Andres

It was about feeling healthy and being proud about themselves. Also hot and sexy (according to this blogger)!

(foreground, standing, center) Polecats founder Christina Dy

Stellar 2 performers - beginners, intermediate, professionals

A Polecats dance instructor, Margaret Jade Chua Lao

Polecats is located at Strata 100, F. Ortigas Jr. St. in the Ortigas central business district.

Active living is the normal life to Dyan Castillejo

2012-04-29T19:37:00.001+08:00

Multi-awarded TV sports host Dyan Castillejo is always on the go, this she admitted to 15 mom-bloggers in an open forum on healthy living held over the weekend and arranged by veggiecircle blogger who advocates healthy lifestyle practices.

Accompanied by her 9-year old son Matthew Garcia, Dyan met with the women bloggers with whom she shared tips on how to raise healthy children by feeding them healthy food and drinks and guiding them on active living.

“I didn’t know how to grow up but healthy because my parents reared me into it. My life is super regimented,” she said. Since her teen years, as soon as she woke up, she was always doing something, even when going out on dates. She recalled that she would meet her then boyfriend (now her husband) while jogging and playing tennis. He lost 25 lbs. in their first three months of dating, Dyan said.

Describing her life as super-regimented, Dyan chafes at the thought of not doing anything because that is wasting time. When she's not covering sporting and adventure events, family bonding - more often, is marked by physical activities with her son and husband. “We bike, we exercise together. We go to church together. We have fun together,” she said.

It isn’t any wonder that her son is also into multiple activities - - football, tennis, student council, church choir. “I love what I’m doing. My mom asks me if I like to do something and if I do, she tells me to go for it,” Matthew piped in.

Matthew (left) likes football because it's a team sports.
He endorses Whea-gee Chewables which combines the wonders of
wheatgrass and the benefits of colostrum in a chewable tablet form.

To keep up his energy, he takes Whea-gee Chewables which is good for boosting children’s immune system and cleansing their digestive tract. He has been taking it for the last four years and hardly gets sick, he confessed.

Active living being high on her agenda, Dyan carries seven bags in her car - - workout bag, liquid bag, for books, for cold and warm food. The liquid bag is for her Easy Pha-max wheatgrass powder drinks which she takes 10 times a day. “It’s the first drink I take upon waking up. When I drink wheatgrass, I know I feel well,” she said.

Dyan’s parting words for the mom bloggers, “Whatever you grew up with, that becomes the normal thing. Exposing your kids to the sporting lifestyle nurtures their team spirit and camaraderie.”

Dyan (standing) is the Brand Ambassador for Easy Pha-max Wheatgrass.

She co-hosts "Sports Unlimited" with Marc Nelson, aired Saturdays on ABS-CBN.

Big summer volume discounts on wheatgrass products

2012-03-14T17:32:00.004+08:00

It's summer. You want to earn extra money and conquer the heat at the same time.

If you consume in large quantities health supplements whose basic component is the alkaline-rich wheatgrass, or you know lots of people who buy health products, then here's good summer news for you.

The Bulk Discount Package by Easy Pha-max Philippines for regular wheatgrass buyers took effect last March 1 and it offers specific discounts for minimum purchases starting from P5,000 to P50,000. The discounts are computed from the SRP (suggested retail price).

The volume discounts are perfect for customers who buy for family/personal consumption or intend to start a health store business this summer, because in the end they buy at lower prices the Easy Pha-max products known for their premium quality, said company vice president Grace dela Rosa.

The minimum purchase required is P5,000 where the buyer gets a 15 percent discount for products of their choice.

The markdowns are specific to their corresponding purchase requirements: 20 percent off - P10,000 to P24,999; 25 percent off - P25,000 to P49,000; 30 percent off - P50,000 and above.

Grace clarified that consumers can avail themselves of the Bulk Discount Package only when they buy direct from the Easy Pha-max office or from its accredited distributors called Global Bio-Herbal Entrepreneurs. Consumers can also order online at www.wheatgrasscan.com.

Get more information about the discounts and the products by calling the consumer hotline 890-1111. Those living outside Metro Manila can call toll-free 1-800-10-8901111.

Wheatgrass rocks to this radio DJ

2012-01-07T12:06:00.023+08:00

DJ George of pop/R&B station Wave 891(FM) shuns dependence on anything that doesn’t work. Like medicines, even if prescribed.

In June 2011, the 38-year old radio DJ/voice talent/events host thought she was near death when she felt chest pains, couldn’t breathe and belched so bad.

Based on lab tests and images from a camera inserted down her throat, she was told she was suffering from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Her ENT doctor prescribed a medicine which DJ George described as a proton inhibitor. (GERD is a condition in which food or liquid comes up from the stomach into the esophagus and can cause heartburn, nausea, chest pain and other symptoms.)

DJ George of WAVE 891 (FM), live on air Mondays to Thursdays 5pm-8pm and Fridays from 5am-8am.

“For three months, I was taking this expensive tablet but I didn’t feel any improvement in my throat,” she recalled. “My stomach acids may have been addressed, yet I still felt a lump in my throat which was uncomfortable.” She spent those months sleeping in a semi-reclined position to avoid acid backing up into her throat that would cause the swelling. She was disappointed that her medicine didn’t address the problem of swelling. It only addressed the stomach acids by inhibiting their production.

A singer-friend (from an all-girl sing-and-dance group) suffering from hyperacidity told DJ George to try Easy Pha-max wheatgrass whose bus ads DJ George had already noticed before.There are other wheatgrass variants but DJ’s friend swore this particular one “really works.”

A week after drinking wheatgrass, DJ George felt a bit better. That “something” in her throat, she said, lessened in size and she didn’t feel uncomfortable as much anymore unlike before when she wasn’t taking the natural health supplement.

This makes sense to me now. Because wheatgrass is alkaline, it tapers the acid and coats the esophagus down to the stomach with alkaline, thus addressing the lump problem in my throat.

When I first drank Easy Pha-max wheatgrass (with honey), its smell reminded me of green tea. I also drink Easy Pha-max wheatgrass pure but because I have a sweet tooth, I frequently drink the honey-flavored one,” she said.

DJ George continues to drink wheatgrass, twice daily, upon waking up and before sleeping.

“Wheatgrass works!” she affirmed. She now sleeps flat on her back.

100% Filipino-made 10-in-Coffee especially made for Pinoys

2011-10-14T17:00:00.000+08:00

For most Filipinos, breakfast will not be complete without a cup of piping hot coffee. There are even others who can survive until lunch time by just drinking coffee--- brewed or instant.

Now comes a unique coffee experience for Filipinos. Moreishi 10-in-1 coffee is not your ordinary instant coffee because it combines coffee, non-dairy creamer, fructose, and seven premium herbs in one sachet.

Coffee lovers will surely love it because of its engaging taste and the health benefits that they can get from every cup they drink.

It’s the only BFAD-approved coffee in the market that uses seven of the 10 herbs recognized by the Department of Health as “medicinal plants.” Frequent drinking of Moreshi-10-in-1 Coffee improves one’s over-all health condition as it boosts the immune system to prevent diseases such as asthma, kidney stones, high blood pressure, rheumatism and even goiter.

Ginger enhances one’s respiratory system and kills TB germs while ginseng is a good antioxidant and promotes stamina. Reishi or red mushroom strengthens the immune system, lowers blood cholesterol and helps cleanse the body. Aside from its anti-inflammatory and anti-allergy properties, turmeric (luyang dilaw) prevents eye cataracts.

Sambong, a natural diuretic, regulates fluid retention of the body and helps treat kidney stones. Kelp (seaweed) which is rich in iodine prevents goiter and even hair loss. It also promotes healthy fingernails. Lastly, the herb gotu kola which promotes skin elasticity is a brain tonic herb which improves mental focus and memory.

Moreishi-10-in-1 coffee is exclusively distributed by Empower Marketing Inc. (http://www.empower.com.ph), a 100 percent Filipino-owned company that advocates wellness using products made from indigenous plants.

The instant coffee was formulated by Filipino scientists and registered doctors from medicinal plants approved by the Department of Health as having been tested and clinically proven for their medicinal value.

Learn more about Moreishi 10-in-1 coffee and other Empower Marketing health products by visiting their website or calling them at 534-6702 to 04.

Want to see how your ‘live’ blood behaves?

2011-08-17T17:37:00.000+08:00

CBC. Live blood analysis. They have become compulsory especially among job applicants. After all, the companies hiring them want to be assured they have a generally healthy workforce.

This September, in various areas in Baguio City, a team of young brand ambassadors and registered nurses will show Baguio folks the first step to finding out if they are healthy or unwell through live blood analysis tests, or LBA for short.

The Easy Pha-max team will be at the Baguio Country Club (Sept. 1 to 3, 10am – 7pm) and at Aegis People Support (Sept. 2, 8pm onwards) to give free LBA to the young workforce and local residents and introduce the company’s product line of healthy food supplements.

LBA is a health check that alerts anyone of potential disorders that could harm the person’s health in the long run if left untreated.

But then how can you have a condition treated if you don’t know you have it?

Blood determines a person’s health condition. A healthy blood maintains a pH range of 7.35 – 7.45. Beyond that, our bodies become weaker because the body works doubly hard to bring the pH level back to normal. A pH level less than 7.35 also makes the body more prone to diseases. Unhealthy blood, which is caused by chemicals, poor diet, and stress, lead to a more serious health condition.

Our blood carries important nutrients to the cells in the body for it to function properly. It helps eliminate wastes in the body by moving them to the kidney and liver.

The most common blood test is the Complete Blood Count (CBC). The problem with this test is that the blood cells extracted from the body die after 30 minutes, therefore the blood cells being analyzed in the lab are already dead. It’s hard to determine if the red and white blood cells were performing their duties while inside the body.

Because of this, another blood test – the LBA - is getting attention.

What is LBA?
Unlike the conventional blood test, LBA uses fresh blood making it easier to determine the blood’s behavior inside the body. The live blood is examined under a microscope that is connected to a computer enabling patients to watch on a video monitor their blood moving around, while a medical professional or a trained nutritional microscopist is analyzing and explaining. You see exactly how your blood behaves inside your body.

Does your blood move around or does it stay rooted in one spot? Get yourself LBA'd by Easy Pha-max Phils. when it holds on-ground health activities in malls and BPOs. That way, you're on top of your health.

LBA test results shows the activity of red blood cells, the presence of bacteria or free radicals in the body, malabsorption of fats, presence of heavy metals in the body (i.e., mercury), nutrient deficiencies and toxicity in the body which cause certain diseases.

The LBA isn’t considered diagnostic. It gives an early warning of potential abnormal conditions like diabetes, heart attack, arthritis.

Anyone having the LBA test can, on the spot, learn from the attending medical personnel the proper health regime or get a medical referral.

To know more, call +632 890-1111 and speak to registered nurses and dietitians.

See you in Baguio!

Makati Sports Club's 1st open tennis tourney

2011-08-04T14:46:00.000+08:00

The Makati Sports Club launched last July 29 the 1st MSC Men's and Ladies' Open Tennis Tournament 2011 where 140 professional tennis players from all over the country have signed up to compete.

This is the first time in its history that the Makati Sports Club has organized a sporting event for the country's professional tennis players and top collegiate players.

“We are holding this tournament to promote the sport in the country,” MSC Comptroller Ron Limbo said during the opening. Also, the recent short-lived stint of 18-year old netter Jeson Patrombon at the Wimbledon Junior Boys’ Singles Tournament motivated the club to run the tournament to prepare younger players to the rigors of local and international competitions.

Major sponsor is Easy Pha-max Phils. Inc. (EPPI), the country's leading distributor of wheatgrass-based health products carrying their brand name in different forms - powder, tablets and ready-to-drink in cans. Other sponsors include Firefly Lighting and tennis racquet maker Babolat.

The official tournament began August 1 and the championship games for the men and females divisions are scheduled on August 7.

The grand winner for the mens’ division will walk away with PhP22,000 while the champion in the female category will take home PhP10,000 cash. Cash prizes will be given to runner-up players and those who will reach round of 16, round of 8, quarterfinals, and semi-finals. Total consolation prizes at stake amount to Php 68,000.

Expected to reach the finals in the male division include top-seeded players Johnny Arcilla, Elbert Anasta, PJ Tiemo, and Rolando Ruel Jr. while the Patrimonio sisters Anna Christine and Anna Clarice, Marian Jade Capadocia, and Aileen Rogan are widely considered in the female division.

EPPI chair and CEO Edward Ling said the company's sponsorship abides by their advocacy for healthy lifestyles. In a brief interview, he said "We are strongly pushing for preventive healthcare. In every way we can, we encourage everyone to shift to a healthy lifestyle that includes eating healthy foods and increasing their physical activities like this one, playing tennis."

Limbo said the club has been been serving wheatgrass at its restaurant and dining rooms for some time now.

The musical 'Proudly Green: 100 years of La Salle' looks to next 100 years

2011-07-13T18:33:00.007+08:00

The new and much talked-about musical ‘Proudly Green’ with a cast of 100, tackles two messages that the 100-year old De La Salle University hopes its 180,000 students in its 17 campuses across the country must take to heart – better education and environment in the Philippines in the next 100 years.

Directed by multi-awarded director and La Salle alumnus Fritz Ynfante, the one-hour musical extravaganza done in lyric theater charts the university’s 100 year history from the time the Christian Brothers came to the country in 1911.

First shown last June 11, it will be re-staged on July 31 at the St. Benilde Gym at La Salle Greenhills, 4 pm and 8 pm.

Using existing music, the lyrics of which were improvised by advertising guru and La Salle professor Adie Pena, the show is a mix of Broadway, rock , gospel and a mashup of La Salle’s three different alma mater songs.

Despite the participation of seasoned theater performers Isay Alvarez and Robert Sena from Miss Saigon, Rannie Raymundo and JM Rodriguez, there are no main stars here. Fritz Ynfante wanted the story to be the star. The main characters are nine wingless angels representing the first nine Christian Brothers who came here and founded the school.

The angels who came down from heaven are the continuing thread because they re-tell the story.

Three acts break into three epochs that end in man-made disasters which show important milestones in the history of La Salle and the country: 1911-1945 ends in World War 11 with the massacre in February 12, 1945 of the Christian brothers and people both young and old, 1946-1972 ends in Martial Law, 1973 to the present time talks about the future and compels audiences to think and be more caring about education and the environment, La Salle’s two missions which are also universal concerns. Their deterioration is a threat that the university does not want to leave to the next generation.

Other history highlights include the first game between La Salle and Ateneo and the arrival of the first female students (coeds).

A riveting scene in one of the acts has two boys extending their arm to touch each other’s forefinger, embodying One La Salle. The boys represent an elite student and a student from the poorest La Salle campus.

One La Salle

Green, being the university’s color and a symbol of hope, is pervasive throughout the show. According to Adie, the green light and the resplendent green costume of Isay who portrays the Alma Mater songs, signify that the spirit of La Salle continues. He says, “We are talking about three generations who grew up with three different anthems, so that even if they are not familiar with the other songs, we are all green La Sallians.”

Isay Alvarez is Alma Mater

‘Proudly Green: La Salle’s 100 Years’ was organized by the Grade School and High School Taft chapter of the De La Salle Alumni Association. Its re-staging is in response to the clamor by parents and students who have not seen it yet. By showing it again, the DLSAA hopes to nurture among the next generation of students the Christian upbringing, spirituality and sound values began by the Brothers 100 years ago.

New challenges

Tickets are selling at P600 for reserved seating and P300 for students. For reservations, call Manny Blanco at 818-3021 and 819-3963 or the De La Salle Alumni Association at 523-6158 and 526-5612.

Cosplay goddesses Alodia and Ashley root for the Good Drink

2011-06-03T18:09:00.001+08:00

Icons of the performance art known as cosplay, sisters Alodia and Ashley Gosiengfiao – though opposite in temperament - have endeared themselves to millions of their young fans with their good-mannered yet perky personalities, and of course, drop-dead gorgeous looks.

The lissome and artistic twosome got into cosplay in their early teens, collecting many awards in competitions here and abroad. They’re now 23 and 21, still heavily into cosplaying, lately venturing into successful commercial endorsements of online games, fashion, telecoms, food and health drink.

Reflective and polite, the elder sister – Alodia - who stands 5’4, placed 76^th in the 2010 FHM 100 sexiest women poll. Another plaudit came her way when she was named one of the most influential women in the Philippines by a local glossy for inspiring many women to cosplay.

At 5’5, younger sister Ashley or Ash is the sportier one and dabbles in photography which she does professionally despite only having learned it from the web. She plays the lead guitar for the all-girl band, Yes Ma'am (formerly known as Hymn of Siren), and even records her own songs and posts them on her blog. A tad naughtier, Ash even contemplates being a ‘yaya’ if she weren’t into cosplay or the arts. Don’t you just lurve her?

Their strong influence with the younger generation made them incontestable brand endorsers for the new Easy Pha-max Wheatgrass RTD, billed as the best health drink in the Philippines.

“It’s perfectly blended and very convenient. Just the right amount of sweetness which I really love. Just chill it, shake it well and you’re good to go,” Alodia said.

Younger sister Ashley added, "I’m into sports. I played volleyball from seventh grade to my fourth year in high school. I give importance to my health. When I drink a can in the morning, nawawala yung tamad vibe ko. As much as I want to be healthy, I don’t like vegetables. Good thing that with this RTD wheatgrass, I can do a lot of amazing things.” Ashley thinks she’s fat even if her legions of fans think otherwise.

Being health-conscious is not just for adults. Take it from cosplay goddesses Alodia and Ashley who swear they can change for the good by establishing a healthy lifestyle while still young. Like balancing their diet with the Good Drink.

Take the Grasstig Ka Ba health challenge at Watsons

2011-04-28T15:37:00.052+08:00

Malling offers a welcome respite from the heat, job stress, boredom.

When you go to the malls this summer, you can drink wheatgrass juice for its all-round health benefits and get a chance to win cool items from the ongoing Easy Pha-max Wheatgrass Grasstig Ka Ba Challenge.

To join, just buy any of these Easy Pha-max products at select Watsons branches: 10+1 Value Pack, Wheatgrass Pure 30 sachets in a box, or Wheatgrass Honey 15 sachets in a box.

Then go to the Grasstig Ka Ba Challenge booth and drink within five seconds one glass of Wheatgrass Honey to win one of these items (you choose): a Certified Grasstig shirt, tumbler or umbrella.

Buying the Wheatgrass 10+1 Value Pack also entitles you to have a free live blood analysis (LBA) where trained nurses extract a tiny drop of blood from your finger tip.

On a monitor, you get to watch how your blood moves inside your body. The LBA test helps detect health conditions you may be suffering from. You will also know the level of acidity in your body.

Called "super food", wheatgrass purifies the blood, flushes out toxins from the body, lowers blood pressure and helps relieve constipation.

Since it started on April 1, the Grasstig Ka Ba Challenge has been held at Watsons outlets in Gateway Mall, V- Mall Greenhills, Market Market, SM Fairview Hypermarket, SM City North Edsa, and SM Mall of Asia. You can catch its final leg on May 7 and 8 at Watsons stores in Festival Mall and SM Megamall.

Easy Pha-max Phils. Inc. is the country's leading distributor of wheatgrass-based health products.

Easy Pha-max opens 1st Lifestyle Center at SM MOA

2011-01-22T19:28:00.000+08:00

The first Lifestyle Center of Easy Pha-max Philippines Inc. that gives Filipinos easy access to health resources in a relaxed setting opened at the SM Mall of Asia on January 20.

Easy Pha-max is the Philippines' leading distributor of wheatgrass-based health products.

Mall shoppers looking for other healthy lifestyle options will find them at the Lifestyle Center located on the 2nd level, south wing of SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City. It is the first of several lifestyle health stores the company and its channel partners will put up across the country this year.

CEO Edward Ling said it is a one-stop shop for the company’s wheatgrass products that include Wheatgrass Pure, Wheatgrass with Honey, Bio Coffee, So Easy Colon Cleanse, Whea-gee (for kids), Bio Soy Milk, Skywheatgrass Plus, Insupro Forte (anti-diabetes), among others. Other products like Wheatgrass ready-to-drink (in can) will retail soon.

Incorporated on 28 November 2007, Easy Pha-max is a subsidiary of INS Bioscience which is engaged in the scientific research and development and commercialization of herbal remedies and bioscience products in Malaysia. Easy Pha-max is the only company that uses both the leaves and roots of the wheatgrass to get the maximum amount of proteins, minerals, enzymes and chlorophyll that neutralize toxins and restores alkalinity to the blood.

As such, the Lifestyle Center will give mall shoppers access, on any day, to antioxidant dietary supplements, health information and diagnostic screenings.

Mall shoppers can have their health check-ups from experienced nurses and dietitians using modern diagnostic tools like the Live Blood Analysis and Inner Body Scan which provide information on the body’s health condition.

The LBA identifies traces of cholesterol, uric acid and damaged cells in the blood. The Inner Body Scan on the other hand, shows the metabolic age and condition of the body. Exclusive Easy Pha-max merchandise like the “I Love Grass” shirts, umbrellas and other accessories are also being sold at the center.

The center is operated by artist Charles de Nava who runs Rotech Arts & Frames which provide contemporary artwork services in selected malls in Luzon. De Nava is one of the company's more than 500 accredited distributors. He operates 22 kiosks and carts scattered nationwide.

Ling said the Lifestyle Center aims to help Filipinos understand holistic wellness.

Edward Ling, Easy Pha-max Phils. CEO

"Since day one of our operations four years ago, we’ve been in the business of motivating Filipinos towards leading healthy lifestyles. The Lifestyle Center is a wonderful opportunity for us to make healthcare more accessible. We are identifying locations in Metro Manila and in key cities in the country where we can achieve our company vision of transforming lives and communities by restoring people’s health,” he explained.

Ling clarified the Lifestyle Center will not replace clinics and hospitals. The company only wants to empower consumers to adopt healthy lifestyles by giving them access to the latest health information and products.

Easy Pha-max has tapped admired celebrities to endorse its wheatgrass products like ABS-CBN sportscaster/athlete Dyan Castillejo and actress/aerobic exercise instructor Jackie Lou Blanco. Their infomercials are showing on Cable TV in 14 cities across the country. In Metro Manila, the infomercial is screened daily on SkyCable 11 and Destiny Cable 3, 10pm – 12 midnight. For more information about Easy Pha-max, visit www.wheatgrasscan.com.

BUYanihan's Lucky 7 winners of gift certs

2010-11-27T01:20:00.000+08:00

November 26th, 2010 | Author: Ida

Seven participants in the just held two-day e-Commerce Summit 2010 won gift certificates from BUYanihan.com in a raffle draw held on the last day of the summit.

They were:
· Reggie Bundang of regaloservice.com (a gift service portal)
· Alvin Gale Tan of SVI Software Services (e-services outsourcing provider)
· Micci Lopez of cashsense (facilitator of cash-based transactions online and offline)
· Fritzie Ann Revilla of 701 Search Inc. (online classified ads service)
· Bernardo Mitra (chairman of many companies, among them ChilLine Attitude Corporation which develops destinations that cater to a high-end client base)
· Alexandra Lopez of Ayannah (provider of solutions that enable secure transactions over online and mobile communication networks)
· Mel Co of Global Competitiveness (business and training consultancy)

Each won P300 worth of GCs of Sodexo, Krispy Kreme and Red Mango that BUYanihan.com raffled off after the announcement of the category winners in the 4th DigitalFilipino SPI top 100 Web Awards.

Some of them are members of the DigitalFilipino.com Club founded in 2003 by Janette Toral who is acknowledged as the ‘Mother of the e-Commerce Law (RA8792)’. The Club is composed of more than 100 members who meet regularly to share their experiences on e-commerce, social media, SEO marketing, blogging and e-lancing (freelancing over the Internet).

BUYanihan.com founder Eddie Lee was a speaker on the first day where he discussed the growth potential in the Philippines of group buying websites by harnessing the Filipinos’ collective bargaining power and their innate social networking skills.

By 2012, Eddie foresees this market to grow to P9 billion with about 20 strong players each featuring 3,000 discount deals a year.

For a group buying site to successfully promote and sell 3,000 deals, he said the company needs to have 300 staff to handle 1-million transactions a year and have the infrastructure to send out one (1) billion emails to its customers (database) who have a spending power of P300 per month.

Launched in August 2 this year, BUYanihan.com is the Philippines’ first group buying site. Since then, the site has featured 20 deals on food and drinks, beauty and skin care, themed parks, travel, hotel, kiddies fun and fun run.

Posted in Buyanihan Always!

Simplify your Christmas shopping

2010-11-02T16:26:00.000+08:00

For the festive crowd planning their Christmas shopping list and itinerary, the blog below is worth sharing. Irrespective of whether you're on a budget or intent on shopping like crazy.

http://www.buyanihan.com/blog/2010/10/a-brilliant-way-to-save-on-christmas-purchases/

A brilliant way to save on Christmas purchases

October 28th, 2010 | Author: admin

The countdown to Christmas has begun. It is two months away.

Mixed feelings from the young and grown-ups.

Great expectations for the perfect gift from the young. Meanwhile, the not-so-young are already saving and planning what to give.
Ah, the joy in Christmas shopping. When you don’t leave it to the last minute. And especially when you shop online, a burgeoning trend worldwide, because it can be done from your home and your office desk. No need to jostle with the Christmas crowd on the malls and in Divisoria.
Be among the world’s savvy shoppers and bargain hunters in cyberspace. Make BUYanihan.com your Christmas shopping destination.
We can make your shopping experience simple, easy and painless this Christmas. We’ll take care of looking for that ‘something’ that gives long-lasting value. We’ll get that ‘something’ at big markdown prices to help your Christmas budget go further.
What do we have, what will you choose and who will you surprise?
The kids, the other relatives, the boss, the BFFs, the neighbors, the customers, the companies down the hall that have always given your company a basket of Christmas goodies.
Check our site every day because we offer loads of fabulous bargains on popular products and unique Christmas gift ideas that suit any budget (including those with deep pockets).
Fine/casual dining, booze, mouth-watering festive food, theme parks, wellness and spas, body-beautiful treatments (yes!) and other must-have Christmas gifts for friends and business customers.
It’s simple to buy from us.
Sign up as member, fill up the information boxes, click buy on the Home Deal page, choose your payment method and complete the checkout process. Voila! We will email you the printable coupon which you can take to the store to redeem your purchase within its validity period.
To the best we can, we arrange with retailers between three and six months expiry dates.

So bring your Christmas spending on gifts and company giveaways ahead of the holidays.
See, no stress.
Happy holidays!

Let's go Buyanihan

2010-08-05T18:20:00.000+08:00

Patterned after the popular group buying websites in the US and Europe, Buyanihan.com is the Philippines’ first collective-buying site where real bargains on different goods and services are featured every week. It’s a low-cost Internet business tool that local businesses can use to pull in new customers.

If Buyanihan sounds familiar especially to Filipinos, it is a play on the word “bayanihan” which in English describes the Filipinos’ kindred spirit (collaboration, if you like) with one another.

Note the bold emphasis on the word “real" in the lead sentence. The emphasis is deliberate because the discounts are not your usual ‘10 to 30 percent less’ the normal prices.

The time-limited discount offers can go anywhere from not less than 50 percent and up, depending on negotiations between Buyanihan.com and the retailer.

So what will be the deals?

Hotel and restaurant meals, popular consumer items, tickets to themed parks and concerts, adventure tours, spas and other wellness services, flying or horseback lessons, you name it.

This new business model poses a new revenue stream opportunity for commercial establishments in that they can monetize their inventories especially during off-peak hours or their lean months when there's not too much demand for the items (or services).

The caveat is the deal gets the green light if the agreed minimum number of people sign up before the run-time (1 to 5 days) expires. And this is where the power of viral promotion comes into play. If consumers see the deal as a shared interest, they will feel compelled to pass on the information to their friends using traditional and social media - - word-of-mouth, email, Twitter, Facebook. Because if there are not enough buyers, sorry guys, the deal is off.

And the companies? They should be prepared at all times to welcome new customers at their doors.

Buyanihan.com is only available in Metro Manila but by the second half of 2011, it will expand to Cebu and Davao.

The LGBT Vote

2010-03-13T23:01:00.002+08:00

http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/sim/sim/view/20100306-257022/Almost-a-Woman

Around 10 percent of the more than 50-million registered voters for the general elections just two months away are LGBTs, according to Ang Ladlad which is seeking representation in the Philippine Congress.

Ang Ladlad defines its constituency as “lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender" persons.

Although it has been included in the ballot list, the Supreme Court has yet to decide on the merits of Ang Ladlad’s accreditation as a party list group. This means if the SC does not accredit the group, votes for Ang Ladlad will not be counted.

If it wins, Ang Ladlad will push for the passage of the Anti-Discrimination bill which seeks to punish persons, agencies, offices and establishments that discriminate against Filipino LGBTs.

“It has been 10 years now since the filing of the bill. There must be a law that protects and allows us to choose our school, apply for work, enter establishments without prejudice. We have worked out our priorities already,” Ang Ladlad’s first nominee Bemz Benedito (representing transgenders) said.

It will support the bill repealing the Anti-Vagrancy Law which emboldens the police to arrest gays and transsexuals who walk at night without identification cards, set up micro-finance and livelihood projects for poor and handicapped LGBTs, create drop-in centers for “Golden Gays” or old and abandoned LGBTs and young ones driven out of their homes by parents or guardians. The centers will have counselors and hotlines for those seeking advice on LGBT issues and reproductive health.

I’m crossing my fingers. This demographic is a key driver in our economic growth.

Let SMilDS.com take you to e-commerce wonderland

2010-02-05T13:08:00.003+08:00

This is for the small and medium entrepreneur with limited funds but who wants to be his/her own boss and make lots of money.

Information sharing and delivery reigns supreme in today’s social media milieu, making customers more informed and selective over what they want and where to get it. The market is here and everywhere, waiting to be tapped and cajoled into buying your product and services.

The challenge, or better yet, the golden opportunity facing the micro-entrepreneur is to put a business on the Internet where he immediately engages with the global marketplace without even leaving the Philippines. However, taking the e-commerce path can be formidable especially if one is used to bricks and mortar, is unfamiliar with the platform that successful online businesses here and abroad use.

The quickest route, industry experts say, to earning extra income lies in running a virtual store because tangible products are sold to consumers who want them. This is where e-commerce can help the self-starting capitalist on his way to becoming a netpreneur.

Setting up an e-shop can be outsourced to companies whose e-commerce expertise is beyond reproach. Platform2u.com Phils.Inc., an e-commerce company barely seven months old in the Philippines, is making waves in the local IT industry. When it began operations in July last year, the company immediately launched its fourth generation e-commerce solution called SMilDS.com meant to help capitalists take their B2B and B2C operations online.

Fourth generation means social commerce or networking/multi-level marketing in the digital space. SMilDS.com software has a cross-selling e-trading engine – a first in the Philippines - that facilitates webstore owners to sell not only their own but also the products of other online merchants in the global market. The e-retailers earn commissions from their cross-selling.

The e-commerce software comes complete with the basic components of an e-retailing platform: easy set up and design e-store system, proactive fraud monitoring, relationship management system, automated logistics and payment processing (in 18 different currencies). In less than 24 hours, SMilDS.com can build a robust and secure 24x7 webstore.

Three business packs are offered – Lite Pack, Full Pack and Enterprise Pack - at a cost almost equivalent to having one, two or three Frapuccinos a day, depending on which is selected. Again, depending on the pack one has subscribed to, value-adds are thrown in like support in advertisements and digital promotions, system upgrade up to two years, business analysis report and training courses. Training in webstore design can be enjoyable and can be done in one’s own time because the tutorial is accessible on YouTube.

There are now 150 merchants who are part of a growing online mall hosted by SMilDS.com (http://smilds.com/ph/), selling almost 2,000 items that customers all over the world can view on their computer screens. Product viewing and comparison is made easy through the site links on the SMilDS.com e-mall. Clicking a product takes you to the website of the store owner.

At their July launch, company executives announced their vision is to help the Philippine e-commerce industry rise from ground zero and to bridge the e-commerce divide in the country. The industry, they said, recorded only about PhP5 billion (US$100 million) e-commerce transactions in 2009. If they begin now, budding Filipino online store owners will be part of the e-trading revolution, because by 2012, the size of the Philippine e-commerce industry is projected to reach PhP20 billion.

So, when a buyer from...let's say, Davao, Shanghai, California or any part of the world clicks and pays, the lucky webstore owner is on his way to becoming his own boss and earning more than he’d ever dreamt.

And SMilDS.com, which led their current merchant-partners to the Net economy, is barely seven months old.

Transpinays: "Accept us for who we are"

2010-01-15T01:23:00.007+08:00

Before, they used to hide their gender identities from everyone, including their fathers, fearing ridicule and avoiding corporal punishment. Most of them, at an early age (5 yo), felt they were girls.

In the November 30 (last year) episode of GMA 7’s public affairs TV show I-Witness, Kristine Madrigal - a transsexual - was featured where she openly talked about the difficulties she faced from childhood. Homophobia/transphobia, discrimination in the workplace, all resulting from society's deep-seated prejudice against those who are not “straight” and the flawed judgements of some people in Government.

Interviewed (but) briefly in the program was clinical psychologist Brenda R. Alegre who expressed her frustration over the lack of job opportunities for transsexuals despite their talents and academic qualifications. She deplored the fact that because of this, many transsexuals end up as entertainers and go to Japan and Thailand.

Brenda, who is finishing her doctorate in Clinical Psychology, authored the first graduate study on transgenderism because she wanted the public to understand a gender that has always been misunderstood and misrepresented.

Her study, “Psychological Perspectives and Development of the Transsexual Woman: A Phenomenological Case Study on Male to Female Filipino Transsexuals”, is about Filipino transsexual women (or Transpinays) and the difference between them and gays. Brenda is a Transpinay.

Completed in 2005, she is using her thesis as the cornerstone for working up her advocacy in making this society learn to accept them and be given equal treatment like everyone else. Backing her up is STRAP (Society of Transsexual Women in the Philippines), a transgender rights information and support group for male to female (M2F) transsexuals.

The Transpinays are seeking cooperation from all sectors in eliminating discrimination against them, which Brenda says is achievable if:

-   School authorities include transgenderism in the curriculum in primary and secondary levels
-   Health and medical sciences develop standardized measures on gender identity (femininity vs. masculinity vs. androgyny) and recommend healthy management procedures on hormone replacement therapy (HRT), genital reassignment surgery and facial feminization surgery (FFS)
-   Social workers provide the right counseling and job placements for them
-   Government creates gender fair and compassionate laws that will include transsexuals

Last Tuesday, the Supreme Court ordered the Commission on Elections to recognize Ang Ladlad as a party-list group. Last November, the Comelec denied Ang Ladlad’s petition to be accredited as a party-list group to run in the May (2010) national elections on “moral grounds”. Ang Ladlad represents the LGBT community.

It is hoped that the SC directive is a step forward towards respecting transgenders. It may not have occurred yet to some government officials that the way to bring about positive change is toss our prejudices in the dustbin.

Hooray, Transpinays and LGBTs.