These lurkers are actually very intelligent people. They can gather insurmountable amounts of personal data, which are strewn all over the web and then compile and refocus it to be a marketing campaign tool = junk mail or much worse.  Face it, there is more than a 90% chance that if you are a surfing online denizen, that you have already posted your name, address, perhaps even phone number on a social networking site.  With the help of a good designer, programmer and copywriter, these sharks can lure a good number of people just like you; and with great aplomb “bait” you to give up even more personal matters that can lead to social or financial disaster.

A good example would be flower delivery services. This covers almost the entire world and remains as one of the most popular Internet services available today, next to emailing and social networks. It seems like a low risk deal but whom can you really trust with your personal ID’s, messages and credit/bank ID?  Online transactions nary need a physical signature anymore, so what businesses need to operate on are safeguards on top of other safeguards.  Websites can be hosted from anywhere in the world but there are four main signs/marks/seals or logos to look for which have propelled the commercial side of the web forward by placing its anointment of trust to only the worthy websites.

First look for a Privacy Policy.  Any website that collects any form of information should have one. May be a seal or logo or a link to a company statement on how it promises – “beyond a shadow of a doubt” how it will handle your personal information and any transaction done through the website.  This to my knowledge was one of the earliest implemented standards that reputable commercial websites inculcated that placed a blanket and binding trust agreement between itself and its clients.  Beyond customer satisfaction, this covers that all your information will strictly be used for official business only.

Secondly, look out for a Business Verification seal.  This is a country dependent verification service that has proven that the web entity is a genuine, registered business entity with full accountability.  This means that if your roses don’t arrive or arrive in poor state then there are real people you can run after and complain to.

Thirdly, look for an SSL Certificate.  The most known “Secure Sockets Layer” Certificate authority in the world is Verisign.  This is like a combination of the Privacy policy and the Business Verification plus much more.  This is the certificate that encrypts and protects all information from the “buy” button on that website all the way to the endpoint or the server of the credit/debit card company and back again, all in a snap.  This not only protects the customer and the seller but the banks as well.

Lastly, look for a Vulnerability Scan Mark.  McAfee is lonely at the top of this field. Being elders in the anti-virus field, it has risen above the rest and now tests and guarantees websites for being hacker safe.  As I mentioned before these sharks and lurkers are very intelligent people and will only stop when they get frustrated.  Now with the tens of millions of websites out there only a handful can successfully get this Vulnerability Scan Mark, because these elders will not stop until you fix all the issues your website has. It doesn’t stop there, since hackers also continue to improve their skills over time, the McAfee service counters this by redoing the scan 365 days a year. Yup, all year round and throughout all occasions.

We are creatures of habit. So before you commit to an online service provider, which more than likely you will be using again and again (because it’s just so easy), look for these four things.  Barring any Acts of God, these four “promises” will virtually guarantee that each time you do engage in online commerce everything will come up smelling like roses.

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Online purchasing gives you hassle-free transactions. However, better make sure you are dealing with a non-fly-by-night e-commerce sites. Island Rose is one of the pioneers in online flower delivery service in the Philippines.

Want to say you care with more than an email or text? Make your presence felt at birthdays, baptisms, anniversaries, or any occasion even if you can’t physically be there with the help of Island Rose.

With an abundance of options from flowers, candles, bears, and even chocolates, you’re bound to find the perfect gift. Gone are the days when you need to hassle someone from the Philippines to do your errands – buy the gift, wrap it, and give it to the celebrant. You can now do all that with a credit card and a few clicks online from anywhere in the globe.

Island Rose even gives you the option to pay in your preferred currency (Dollars or Pesos). Make sure to check out their delivery areas before ordering.

Calima

Send your lola flowers, just because. She’ll surely love the Calima’s arrangement and she’ll be thrilled with the out-of-the-blue gesture. (P1,260 for 1 dozen and P1,795 for 2 dozen).

Sweets for you sweet? Send Belgian chocolate bliss to your significant other just to say you miss them. (P460 – P990)

Give your super woman (and super busy) mom a Luxury Bath Crate complete with towels, bath gel, body milk, and massage oil that will give her a much-deserved reason to unwind. (P2,950)

Your sister just passed her licensure exam; send her a Glitter bouquet together with your love. (P1,360 for 1 dozen and P1,895 for 2 dozen)

Messenger Bear™

Your best friend’s first baby! Congratulate the happy couple and order a Messenger Bear. (Available in Light Brown or Ivory, P990)

A colleague from your previous company was recently promoted. Send the Noblesse her way to show her how proud you are of her. (P1,260 for 1 dozen and P1,795 for 2 dozen)

Your newly wed cousin and his wife are finally moving into their new home. You may not be there for the house blessing, but you can still send your best with the Passion Home Fragrance Set. (P1,350)

With these gifts, Pinoys abroad (and here) can easily send their love and well-wishes.

Visit Island Rose’s website by clicking here.

Shower your loved ones with our Combination flower bouquets. You can choose from a variety of our flower arrangements or you can customize your own bouquet by choosing up to four colors of roses. Start spreading the love.

BUY NOW!

By popular demand, we are bringing back our double-up shopping spree to Island Rose Rewards Club members.

Once again, you may double your order of any flower bouquet for only $4 or 190 pesos. You can find this option as a drop down menu upon check out. Enjoy huge savings by taking advantage of this offer on top of your rewards points and membership privileges.

Surprise your loved ones and shower them with flowers. Order as much as you want until August 15, 2010 or while supply lasts.

Wishing you a life full of lasting relationships.

Sincerely,

Dustin Andaya
Marketing Director

“Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier.” – Mother Teresa of Calcutta (1910 – 1997)

Featured Blog Articles: Island Rose’ Bridal Bouquets in The Wedding Planner – Check out which Island Rose bridal bouquets are featured on a prestigious wedding magazine. Celebrity Moms receive flowers from Island Rose at Moments – Watch the clip and see how these celebrity moms loved the roses from Island Rose. Putting Up a Proper Traditional Filipino Wedding Entourage – Learn from this guide on what a traditional Filipino wedding should be.

Island Rose and Silverworks would like to thank everyone who participated in the Coolest Mom Photo Contest that ran until May 5, 2010. We would also like to congratulate our 3 winners who won an Island Rose flower delivery and Silverworks Coolest Mom pendant with silver chain.

In 250 BC, the Romans also fêted their mother goddess and this 3 day celebration was called Hilaria or the Ides of March.

As Christianity spread throughout the European lands, this again blended to celebrate the Mother Church. Alluding to the influence as the spiritual power as the giver of life and protector from harm. Some historians theorized that this actually was an adapted from the ancient traditions so instead of having a festival a Church visit became a norm on this day.

In the 1600’s, the early Christians established this day to give honor and praise to the venerable Mother Mary, the mother of Christ. But soon this was expanded by a religious order to cover all mothers and referred to as Mothering Sunday. Many of English commoners were destitute at this time and good employment was to be had by servitude to the households of the rich. Geographically challenging as most of these were, the servants were still encouraged to take a leave and spend time at home. For those who could make it, special cakes called the “mothering cake” were taken home to make the event special; and these were decorated with wildflowers that were collected along the long way home.

For the rich, the celebratory dinner after going with entire family to the Church, was of rich roast or veal with furmety, a dish of wheat grains boiled in sweet milk, sugared and spiced. As queen of the feast everything was done for her happiness. Soon enough, the changing social trends for the English during the dawn of the Industrial Age changed these customs for “Mothering Sunday”.

It was a busy time for the nation and when even the American colonists could not afford to celebrate on Sundays due to the lack of time and so its practiced ceased.

In the 1870’s an American social activist named Julia Ward Howe began a one-woman peace drive for a moving appeal to all women to crusade against the horrifying carnage of the American Civil and Franco-Prussian wars. She spearheaded the enactment of Mother’ Peace Day which was carefully celebrated for 10 years.

But it is an important note that it was largely the influence of another American woman Ann Marie Reeves Jarvis that started it all for Howe. During the Civil War she organized women from both sides for better sanitary conditions which actually led to her reconciliatory work later on for the Union and Confederate neighbors. This became a lifetime cause for Jarvis and this dedication and zeal prompted her daughter Anna Jarvis to remain single to take care of her mother until her passing on May 9, 1905. Both Anna and her sister Elsinore missed their mother so much and felt that children often neglect their mothers as they went by their daily lives.

By 1907 Anna gathered enough support and campaigned with friends and other inspired people to start a Mother’s Day to honor all Mothers both living and dead. She had hoped that this day would amplify respect for parents and reinforce family ties.

On May 10, 1908 a church service for the late Ann Jarvis set the stage for the current Mother’s Day practices in observance of motherhood. This spread like wildfire to all the States and by May 9, 1914 it was declared by presidential decree that all 2nd Sundays be observed as Mother’s Day.

This convention soon spread across the world, crossed all borders and even faiths. This is the day to acknowledge our mothers with feasts, flowers and gifts for their indelible contribution in our lives. Let’s celebrate.

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As tradition goes, Mother’s day should be dedicated to our loving mothers, showing our gratefulness of her love and care for us. You may start by doing her daily chores or organizing a special surprise for her. Complete her day by sending a bunch of fresh flowers from Island Rose – Philippine flowers and gifts. Visit www.islandrose. net and make your mom smile on Mother’s day.

Show your deep gratitude and appreciation of your mom’s love. Send a two-dozen arrangement of our Calima roses. You can also send her a long-stem rose vase to preserve your flower gift properly.

SHOP NOW!

Dear Members,

It’s that time of the year to celebrate our love for mom. Pamper her on Mother’s day and make her feel loved and appreciated. This special occasion gives us an opportunity to thank her for all the hard work she had done for us for the past year – Spoil her with fresh flowers and unique gifts.

Mother’s day will be on Sunday, May 9, 2010.  Avoid the Mother’s day rush, reserve your flowers and gifts as early as today. She deserves the best on this occasion; have a bunch of farm-fresh flowers delivered right to her doorstep.

Wishing you a life full of lasting relationships.

Sincerely,

Dustin Andaya
Marketing Director

Featured Blog Articles: Celebrity Moms receive Island Rose bouquets at Sweet Life – Check out this video clip as some celebrity moms receive Island Rose bouquets during their visit at Sweet Life. Unang Hirit Visits Island Rose Farm – Join Susan Enriquez as she tours Unang Hirit’s viewers to the Island Rose farm. Enjoy Five-minute Free Call from Island Rose and Tawag Philippines – You can now enjoy a free call for every purchase at Island Rose. Maintaining Long Distance Relationships – Read on this feature for some tips how to keep the passion with your loved one even if you’re far away from each other.