Monday, December 31, 2012

Viral: A Mother's Letter Before Daughter Goes to College

Viv turns two next month, and I'm already panicked by the thought that she will not always live under my roof. To help calm my fears, I've drafted a letter full of sound parental wisdom that I plan to give my daughter when it's time for her to leave the nest.


Dear Viv,

Tomorrow, you're headed off to college. Your Dad and I are so fucking proud of you. What, you didn't know mom dropped F-bombs? I've been saving them up until you left the house. Your poor Dad is going feel like he’s living with Sam Kinison.

Since your high school years were not nearly as tortured and awkward as your mother's, perhaps you will not feel the need to go full Girls-Gone-Wild bananas in college like I did, but just in case, here are some helpful guidelines:

Do not drink the punch. It's flammable and toxic and boys have most definitely peed in there. If you must drink, stick with beer, which will hopefully fill you up before you can poison yourself.

Please don't do drugs. But if you’re going to try drugs, do like mom always taught you at Whole Foods and buy organic.

When you go out at night, always use the buddy system. (Your buddy is a nice girl from your dorm. Preferably a Mormon.) When that cute lacrosse player wants to show you the roof of his fraternity house, ask yourself, is my buddy here? No? Then go find her and walk home together.

No naked photos. If some boy you like really needs a permanent record of your boobs, suggest that he draw you from life, Titanic style. He supplies the diamond.

Make friends with girls. Guys can also be terrific friends, but until the When Harry Met Sally theory of gender relations is formally disproven, some of those friendships may be lost to unrequited feelings or bad kissing. Girls are for life.

Speaking of permanence, I hear tattoo removal is quite painful.

Don't automatically skip the opening band. The Beastie Boys once opened for Madonna.

If someone offers you a chance to march on Washington for a cause you believe in, go. This rarely happens after college, and never again does it come with a shiny bus and matching t-shirts.

Courses like philosophy, art history and literature will open your mind, unveil the beauty in the world and make you really good at crossword puzzles. That said, it wouldn't hurt to take an accounting class.

I know it's more convenient, but remember that texting will never be as satisfying as an in-person conversation. Would you rather have a pizza described to you, or delivered to your door?

And one more thing I learned in college a few times over: a broken heart feels like the end of the world, but it's just the beginning – as well as the foundation for all the best songs and poetry.

Viv, I hope you'll take some of this advice to heart, but whether you do or not, I’ll still be there whenever you need me. Once upon a time I knew a lot about great novelists and boys. I can still talk with some authority about boys. (Or should you fall in love with girls, I’m a quick study.)

I’m so excited for you. As it says in our storybook, I love all that you will be, and everything you are.

Love you madly,

Mom

CPK Perfect Treat - Get P200 GC for Every P1,000 Spend


Details
  • Get P200 worth of CPK Gift Certificates for every P1,000 dine-in spend.
  • Present a minimum dine-in receipt of P1,000.
  • Gift Certificates can be used on your next dine-in visit, maximum redemption of P500 gift certificates per day.
  • Promo will run from December 27 2012 to February 28, 2013.
  • Valid for dine-in only at California Pizza Kitchen Trinoma, Greenhills Promenade and Lucky Chinatown Mall.
  • Offer is not valid in conjunction with existing promos.
  • Redemption is valid until 60 days from end of promo period.

Full List of Winners of the 38th Metro Manila Film Festival


2012 MMFF Winners
  • Best Child Star: Miguel Vergara, "One More Try"
  • Best Sound: Michael Idioma, "El Presidente"
  • Best Musical Score: Jessie Lazatin, "El Presidente"
  • Best Theme Song: apl.de.ap and Jamir Garcia, "El Presidente"
  • Best Make-up: Warren Munar, "El Presidente" by Warren Munar and company.
  • Best Special Fffects: "Shake, Rattle & Roll 14: The Invasion"
  • Best Production Design: Brillante Mendoza, "Thy Womb"
  • Best Editing: Vito Kahili, "One More Try"
  • Best Cinematography: Odyssey Flores, "Thy Womb"
  • Best Supporting Actor: Cesar Montano, "El Presidente"
  • Best Supporting Actress: Wilma Doesnt, "Sisterakas"
  • Best Original Story: Henry Burgos, "Thy Womb"
  • Best Screenplay: Anna Ramos, "One More Try"
  • Best Director: Brillante Mendoza, "Thy Womb"
  • 3rd Best Picture: "Sisterakas"
  • 2nd Best Picture: "El Presidente"
  • Best Picture: "One More Try"
  • Best Actor: Dingdong Dantes, "One More Try"
  • Best Actress: Nora Aunor, "Thy Womb"

Cherry Mobile's Bagong Taon Bagong Cellphone Promo


Get the Cherry Mobile C8 plus D11TV for only P1,499. This promo is valid at all Cherry Mobile concept stores, kiosks, and accredited dealers nationwide from December 28, 2012 to January 2, 2013 only.

Western Appliances 'What You Want' Clearance Event


Load up on What You Want at up to 50% OFF! Catch the Western Appliances BIG SALE! Clearance Event from December 26, 2012 - January 20, 2013 at these branches: Ever Commonwealth, Farmers Annex, New Farmers Plaza, Festival Supermall, Greenhills, Monumento, Makati, SM Megamall, Aria Place Pampanga, P. Tuazon, Recto, Sta. Lucia East Grand Mall, Harbor Point Subic, TriNoma and SFDM QC.

7 International Airlines Seek More Flights to Philippines


MANILA, Philippines - With the law abolishing the gross Philippine billings tax (GPBT) and the common carriers' tax (CCT) nearing enactment, at least seven foreign airlines have signified intention to fly into the country by early next year, travel industry groups revealed.

Aileen Clemente, interim president of the Federation of Tourism Industries of the Philippines (FTIP), said those that are keen on designating flights to Manila by the first quarter of 2013 are Cathay Pacific, Delta Airlines, Etihad, KLM, Kuwait Airlines, Lufthansa/Swiss Airlines, Qatar Airlines and Singapore Airlines.

And once the GPBT and CCT have been removed, Clemente said these carriers would surely increase the frequency of their flights to the Philippines by the middle of the year. "It will signal to the world that we are getting our act together and that all the components that will boost Philippine tourism are being addressed," Clemente said.

John Paul Cabalza, Philippine Travel Agencies Association president, said the group supported the calls of various local and foreign associations, including the Board of Airline Representatives (BAR), to fix the onerous taxation on airlines the last two years after foreign airlines withdrew from the country one after another.

"We have seen the dwindling number of seats available to the Philippines because of the GPBT and CCT and this is not good for us since the different parts of the country are largely only reachable by air," Cabalza said.

Clemente added that more international airlines flying into the country means higher tourism numbers for the country.

The Senate has already voted for the passage of a MalacaƱang-backed bill conditionally waiving P2.50 billion in combined revenues from the GPBT and CCT; the House of Representatives has long passed its own version of the bill.

The two houses of Congress will meet in a bicameral committee to reconcile the differences of their bills and pass the final version of the law.

With these positive developments on the policy front, Cabalza said all the tourism-related subsectors should now start preparing for the entry of more foreign tourists to the country. "We have to find the right balance in terms of supply of hotels, seats, pricing, and airport capacity. More training must also be provided to travel agencies and tour operators. Our tour guides should also become multilingual,”" Cabalza said.

According to data presented at the Senate hearings, about 3.5 million tourists are expected to visit the country this year, higher by 9.18 percent compared to last year. The government’s target is to attract 10 million tourists by 2016.

To meet the target, 15 million seats should be made available. Currently, the Philippines only has 6 million seats available with about 369 flights weekly, second lowest in Asia and just ahead of Cambodia.

One factor that is going against the Philippines is that it is the only country levying taxes on airlines. GPBT would be replaced by 20 million seats by 2016 and lower airfares by at least 8 percent.

There is also a projected strong growth in tourist arrivals from 5.54 million in 2013, 6.75 million in 2014, 8.21 million in 2015 and 10 million in 2016. Expected jobs to be created are currently being seen at 6 million, with revenues to be generated estimated to reach P455 billion by 2016.

Source: ABS-CBN News

On Sale - Levi's, Payless, Cardams, Florsheim & More!

Hontiveros Allegedly Disrespected Parking Attendants



How true is the claim of some parking attendants at the Philippine International Convention Center that defeated 2010 senatorial candidate Risa Hontiveros showed disrespect to them when she entered the pay parking area near the office of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office before Christmas?

My information is like this: A white Toyota Fortuner with plate number TCQ-395 entered the area without even taking the parking ticket even if the guard had signaled the driver to stop.

Apparently, the woman inside was in a rush to attend a meeting purportedly at one of the function rooms of the PCSO office at the PICC last December 23 between 2 to 3 p.m.

Moments later the sports utility vehicle exited at the other gate but was flagged down by the parking attendant, and the driver was asked to hand down the parking ticket.

However, the driver could not show any because he bypassed the parking attendant at the other gate. It was confirmed by the exit parking attendant to his counterpart at the entrance.

The attendant was talking to the SUV driver when the passenger window opened, and there he saw Rissa Hontiveros who immediately said: “What’s wrong ba? You’re delaying me. Magkano ba ang babayaran ko?

The parking attendant said: "P50 po, mam".

To which Hontiveros allegedly said: "Singkuwenta lang pala hinarang mo pa ako."

The woman indeed paid, but her apparent rude reaction to the poor attendants has made a mark.

Sources: Journal.PH & Kapirasong Kritika

Are you ready for Online Shopping to be taxed?

There’s been a lot of news lately about the announcement of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) to go after online sellers. This is because a lot of the ones doing purely online retail may not be applying the standard duties on sales like VAT.
Commissioner Henares has been stressing that they are looking for ways to be able to monitor and collect taxes from online retailers. For one, the usual government bureaucracy of putting up a brick-and-mortar business can be easily bypassed when you do it purely online (you can skip the building permit, mayor’s permit, etc.).

Let’s be clear first that whether it’s offline or online, generating revenue/income from selling products or services is taxable. There’s nothing new that will be introduced. It’s more like enforcing what’s already there.
The closest analogy that I can think of is jaywalking. Anybody who jaywalks can be penalized; it’s already impoed a long time ago. However, there are streets that are not monitored by MMDA so when people crosses that street, they don’t get penalized. Now, the MMDA is saying they will start monitoring those streets that people used to jaywalk all the time because nobody was looking.
Anyway, to give you a better perspective of the difference between brick-and-mortar retailing (those stores in the mall) and online selling, let’s look at an example.
Take for example the Galaxy S3. My sources tell me that the distributor cost of the unit is around Php16,000 only. If the suggested retail price is Php32,000, you subtract the 12% VAT and you are left with Php28,571 (while the Php3,429 is remitted to BIR at the end of the month).
Here’s what we think is the estimate computation:
Suggested Retail Price: Php32,990
Less:
VAT — Php3,535
Unit Cost — Php16,000

Gross Revenue: Php13,455
Less:
Operating Expenses (@ 30%): Php4,037

Income (before Taxes): Php9,418
Business Tax (30% of Income): Php2,825
Net Income: Php6,593
The amount of Php6,593 is the estimated income per unit sold if this was a regular retail store in the mall.
When we look at the same for an online store, it should look the same. The biggest difference would be the operating expenses (OPEX) which might be lower than our estimated 30%.
However, if all else is the same but we remove the tax incidence, we are looking at Php6,360 in savings. If all of these savings are passed on to the customer, then we are looking at an online price of Php26,630.
This is where the mall price and the online price differ. This is the single biggest reason why mall retailers cannot compete with the prices of online retailers.
What if the BIR was so strict and it runs after the online sellers and ask them to pay taxes? The most logical step is for the sellers to tuck those taxes into the price of the unit.
That would mean that our computation above would revert back to the highest mall price. If the online sellers want to be more competitive, they might lower their retail price a bit. They would normally get this from the savings they get from doing the selling purely online (that’s less rent, bills, etc). So instead of our 30% estimated opex, it could be just 15% (Php2,018).
They could then pass on that savings to the customer for a little lower retail price.
Then again, the online sellers would look at this situation differently. They would stick to their usual pricing, keep the little margins that they get from selling way below SRP, and pray hope that the BIR would not go after them for not declaring any sales.
Otherwise, if they abide by the norm and pay the respective dues (and at the same time stick to their competitive pricing), I don’t think there would be any income left after paying VAT and business tax. In some cases, I would even think they’d lose money altogether. This is where a lot of the resentment by online sellers come from.
Worse comes worst, the online sellers to cave in and start selling their products at almost the same price as the ones in the malls.

Saturday, December 29, 2012

MUJI Philippines End of Season SALE, Dec 28 - Feb 17


Details
  • The MUJI Midyear Sale runs from December 28, 2012 to February 17, 2013.
  • Great discounts on selected items.
  • Muji offers products such as Apparel, Stationery, Housewares, Fabrics, Health and Beauty, Bags, Shoes, Travels, Furniture, Interior Decor, Gift items.
  • Happening at Muji Robinsons Magnolia, Alabang Town Center, Bonifacio High Street, Rockwell, Greenbelt 3 and SM Mall of Asia.


Globe Telecom takes over BayanTel

Without much funfare, Globe Telecom is effectively the new owners of BayanTel. Or something to that effect. The negotiations between Globe and BayanTel have been going for some time now with the former offering to pay the latter’s debts.
Globe and BayanTel has been in talks about this for a long time and the two has even gone into joint-use in recent months.
BayanTel has been in debt for a long time and is under rehabilitation. The biggest asset that telcos are looking to get from them is the additional spectrum.
"In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange, the Ayala-led telco said 92.90 percent of the debt papers were tendered, adding that it would pay Bayantel’s creditors no later than December 21. {source: Interaksyon}"
This move isn’t really a surprise since Globe is looking to get more bandwidth. Globe made a bid to acquire Digitel (Sun Cellular) for the same reasons only to be out-bid by PLDT/Smart.
Globe has undertaken a modernization program starting last year in order to accommodate more traffic and subscribers.

Thursday, December 27, 2012

The FOREVER 21 SALE, Get Up to 50% Selected Items!


Details
  • Forever 21 End of Season Sale is from December 24, 2012 to January 13, 2013.
  • Up to 50% OFF on great selections.
  • Happening at ALL Forever 21 stores nationwide.

Forever 21 Stores
  • SM Megamall
  • SM Makati
  • SM City Cebu
  • SM City North EDSA
  • SM Mall of Asia
  • SM Lanang Premier (Davao)


Sale: Promod, Marks & Spencer, Debenhams & Parfois!


Parfois End of Season Sale is from December 26, 2012 to January 31, 2013. Grab a bag at P995, scarves at P495, watches at P1,235 and jewellery at 30% OFF (selected items only) Happening at SM Megamall, Glorietta, SM Southmall, Abreeza, SM City Davao, Gateway Mall and SM Cebu.


It's the best day for shopping! Grab great deals up to 50% off at the Promod A/W End of Season Sale on Dec 27, Thursday! Offer good at all Promod stores.


Christmas definitely isn't over with the DEBENHAMS HOLIDAY TREAT! Enjoy 20% off on regular priced items from December 26, 2012 to January 2, 2013. Visit Debenhams Shangri-La, Rustan's Makati, Trinoma, and Abreeza and treat yourself to a fabulous shopping spree!


Let the Christmas celebration continue with Marks & Spencer's Year End Spectacular! Get 20% off on ALL Womenswear, Menswear, Lingerie & Toiletries (not including food & wine, items on sale and on promo) Sale is from December 26 to 31, 2012.

Sale: Mint, Adidas, Regatta, Mango, Pedro & Naturalizer


Mint End of Year Sale happening at all stores nationwide. Up to 70% OFF on selected items specially at SM Megamall, SM Manila Temporary Store & SM San Fernando. Get 10% OFF on all items. Graphic Shirts at 3 for P900. Autumn Collection at 2 for P900. Plus, Buy 1 and Get 2nd item at 50% OFF. Only selected branches have the P100 pero shirts (Mix it shirts)


Happy Holidays from Adidas, Happening at Market! Market! only). Buy 1 take 1 (Photo c/o: @amanda)


The Regatta Yard Sale is from December 26, 2012 to January 31, 2013. Get items for as low as P250. Promo is valid in all Regatta stores nationwide.



Mango's End of Season Sale is until January 31, 2013. Happening at ALL Mango stores in the Philippines. Up to 50% OFF selected styles.


If you are planning to buy shoes or bags, you might want to check PEDRO at Level 1 Main Mall, SM Mall of Asia.



Get Big Discounts from Naturalizer starting December 26, 2012 to January 31, 2013.

Sale: Jellybean, Bossini, Unarosa, Penshoppe & More!


Penshoppe's Crazy Crazy Crazy Sale is from December 26, 2012 to January 24, 2013. Get up to 70% OFF on selected styles. Happening at all Penshoppe stores nationwide.


The Jellybean End of Season Sale is from December 26, 2012 to January 26, 2013. Choose from our wide selection and buy 1 and get your 2nd, lower priced Jellybean item for FREE! You can also get their new arrivals at 10% OFF!


Shop At Bossini ATC, Megamall, Robinsons Manila, Abreeza Davao, Ayala Center Cebu and CDO ans Get Big Discounts from Bossini starting December 26, 2012 to January 31, 2013.


Unarosa's on SALE! Up to 70% off on past seasons' highlights! Additional discounts for those who'd splurge! Sale is from December 26, 2012 to January 15, 2013.


The Body Shop continues giving joy with their Post-Christmas Sale happening December 27, 2012 until January 7, 2013. Get up to 70% off on Christmas items.

Tomato Clearance Sale is from December 26, 2012 to February 3, 2013. Up to 50% OFF on your favorite Tomato items. Happening at all Tomato Stores, Outlets and Kiosks located in the Metro!

SM Malls and SM Department Store's Year End SALE!


SM Department Store's Year End Sale is from December 26 to 31, 2012. Up to 50% OFF selected items. Happening at all SM Department Stores and The SM Stores nationwide + The SM Supermalls End of Season Sale until January 13, 2012. Up to 70% OFF on selected stores and items.

Robinsons Department Store's Post Holiday Wow Sale

Robinsons Department Store ends the year with its Post Holiday Wow Sale from December 26 to 31, 2012. Happening at ALL Robinsons Department Stores nationwide.

Robinsons Malls
Galleria, Forum, Nova Market, Manila, Metro East, Magnolia, Cainta, Starmills Pampanga, Angeles, Ilocos Norte, Imus, DasmariƱas, Sta. Rosa, Los BaƱos, Lipa, Cebu, Bacolod, Dumaguete, Iloilo, Tacloban, GenSan, Pulilan and Cabanatuan.

BRAND MANIA: The Great Brand Sale, Up to 70% OFF!

Details
  • The Brand Mania Sale is from December 27 to 29, 2012.
  • Up to 70% OFF on great selections.
  • Happening only at the Trinoma Activity Center in Quezon City.
Brands on Sale
  • Skinfood
  • Miss Sixty
  • Energie
  • Boboli
  • Diva
  • Vans off the Wall
  • Trilogy
  • Salsa Fits My Life
  • T Bar
  • Elite Paris
  • Accessorize
  • Lola
  • Team Manila Lifestyle
  • Lilliput
  • Terranova
  • Calliope
  • American Denim Bar
  • Twilight Beauty

Photos: Former Bully Still Takes Lunch Money & More!

A friend of mine ran into his old high school bully

Someone's been naughty this year...

So I got you a gift but...

That was pretty cute, kid.

She wanted to play fetch but I had to decline...

I truly hate this game...

So my friend asked her husband to wrap at least one shirt, this is what she got.

Lost a bet, have to wear this bad boy from xmas eve to new years eve.

Apple Maps Ruined Marriage

Pug life

I ran out of Christmas wrapping paper and had to improvise
Source: Reddit