PINOYMONEYVANTAGE | Personal Financial Self Help Philippines

Exploring the world of Sports in Badminton.

2011-12-01T20:44:00.000+08:00

Photo courtesy of sportsmanila.com

I have a confession to make.

To tell you the truth I haven't been really active with ball game related sports for the past few year after having a long hiatus with sports related activities due to injuries and sedentary lifestyle although I do take time to walk or run a few laps in a jogging trail it seems work has taken toll on my physical well-being.

Other extracurricular activities for the past few years that I am not engage with are Soccer / Football or even Basketball. Feeling the wear of being an old fellow and getting heavy with my weight that kept me from playing this sports.

Inspired to make an active lifestyle again, I was invited by my younger sister to join her to play badminton the other time and it really felt good because I really perspired a lot after the game and felt rejuvenated with that concept of keeping myself fit again and feeling happy and not stressed from work lately.

I felt very awkward in playing this game because it will be my first time playing it since elementary and high school. It is like playing tennis but on a more smaller courts plus you don't have to wait the shuttlecock to bounce on the floor but hit it as hard and make a point my missing your opponents' aim or shot on your field.

So what do you need to have in playing this game / sports:

1. Good badminton rackets

2. Some pair of indoor training shoes or badminton shoes

3. Dri-fit shirts (easily dries the sweat in your body)

4. Shorts

5. Shuttle cock

6. Badminton venues / pitch or courts - cost around PhP 60.00 to PhP 75.00 ("one to sawa promo"). The cost of getting the court may vary on the selected you would like to play

Photo courtesy of MSN Today

On the sides, will be trying other sports activities to maintain my weight and channel my energies to more productive activities than watching to much TV or being in front of the PC / Internet most of the time plus keep a close watch in watch I eat at this moment with holiday season coming in a few days.

BAKIT MAHIRAP ANG MGA PILIPINO (Why are Filipinos Poor)?

2011-11-03T20:00:00.000+08:00

A few months ago, I got to see one thread from one particular Filipino forum in the Philippines which really has hot debate on this question as I was wondering a lot of times before and asking myself, why are Filipinos poor?

A lot of the forum members and thread participants of the thread made a lot of comment that sure would make negative suggestions on why Filipinos are poor the known old known habits we have taken from our predecessors to new factors that are much more associated with economic and political in nature that has affected our nation and people in the process.

1. Negative or Pessistimic Thinking- Most of the time people lose sight of their goals when a minor setback entered in their life. They lose focus in the important things and become confused with what to do. At times, they panic and never recover into the right path.

2. Crab Mentality - I hate to admit that at times I felt this type of bad habit that needs to be removed from my system. Jealousy and envy is really a bad habit but it becomes good in other context if you channel it into a positive motivating force to take the challenge and be better by not trampling others success and achievements.

3. Ningas Kugon - According to the Yahoo! Answers page, Ningas Kugon is a Filipino idiomatic expression, this means temporary or not meant to last or it means that you're only good at the start. but after sometime you lost interest in doing it. In short, hanggang sa una lang.

4. Mañana Habit - or the Filipino expression "Mamaya na lang". This we adopt from Spaniard after 300 years a colonial entity. I do dread this if something is not done on time till someone forget about what to do the next day and lose sight of it. Procrastination is unproductive and it will surely be a time waster indeed.

I just got this quote from one of my friends in Facebook, "It is harder to be poor without complaining than to be rich without boasting", It does makes sense at all.

The Global Debt Crisis is spreading again.

2011-08-13T12:03:00.000+08:00

America in Crisis. I just a glimpse of one of my friends in Facebook explaining this short video on how the United States is doing to avert the problem but in my opinion it is coming from bad to worse.

This video is a very educational for people who don't understand much of economics. This is very short, concise but true on what's happening on the largest economy with AAA credit rating downgraded to AA+ a few days ago.

So the saying is true "When America sneezes, the world catches the flu".

What about the Philippines? I do not know yet for the time being on the status of our country if we will be affected with the onset of this new illness springing up. But anyways, I will keep you posted for further post on this as a continuation.

Copyright 2009 - 2010. PinoyMoneyVantage| Personal Finance Help Philippines

Getting a higher education: Applying for the Masters Degree Program

2011-03-25T19:51:00.000+08:00

I was so reluctantly the day I passed my credential last March 4, 2011. I felt exhilarated on the notion that I am going to study again in school but in a much higher and mature level of getting a Master's degree. I weigh down my options if I pursue other courses from other universities in the province or take a another glance on Metro Manila school such as De La Salle University - Graduate School of Business and Economics, Ateneo De Manila University - Graduate School of Business in Rockwell and Clark Freeport Branch, University of the Philippines - College of Sciences and University of the Santo Tomas - Graduate School. Although, it is very difficult to choose which Philippine top Business and Management schools or venture to Scientific or Research courses available I made the decision of applying at the premiere state university, University of the Philippines.

Making a Careful Study on which Business Course to take

Due to my limited financial capabilities and distance from schools on my list, the University of the Philippines Diliman Extension Program in Pampanga - Clark Freeport's Master in Management became my top choice followed by Ateneo De Manila - MBA program at Philexcel Compound in Clark Freeport, Pampanga The two schools became my choices because there almost close to my residence in San Fernando and accessibility to place of work which is a few minutes away. I asked some of the staffers of UP Clark and asked what's the difference between the Masters in Management (MM) and the standard Masters in Business Administration (MBA) in which MM is focused in general management for non-business course graduates like me and MBA is more of a specialized and focused in the business aspects of a organization, company and others.

Eventually it will be advantageous for me because general management is necessary for me in my work place and in supervising my interns during their internship program. I have a bachelor's degree in allied health science course so it will difficult for me to understand basic accounting concepts but some of the people I asked said you can learn this in graduate school.

Preparing for the Graduate Proficiency Admission Test (GPAT)

I got into hot water of forgetting about some of the important aspects of higher education...Returning to Mathematics. It seems I have to restudy again the basic Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Fractions, Percentiles etc. Reading comprehension became difficult for me. I did get a low score on the diagnostic exam from the old GMAC book I bought at Booksale for PhP 250.00 (GMAT 2006 Edition) which is very useful indeed compared to the brand new books such as Kaplan, Barrons, Petersen, Princeton Review which are sold at National Bookstore for a hefty price of PhP 1,000 or more with almost same contents.

Expectations and Outcomes...

As I am writing this blog, I feel the excited and jittery. Asking myself, if ever I pass the GPAT exam to be given tomorrow. I am really terrible in some aspects of the diagnostic exam even if I am prepared and conditioned like an athlete ready to face his opponents and if I learned a few tricks of reading a lot of the reference I have around it would be difficult for me. Anyways, I have the reach the pinnacle of difficult phase of relearning everything in a couple of weeks ( 4 weeks) minus the times I did not get to study and read. Darn. So I had to read or study triple time. I am just crossing my fingers for tomorrow if I will pass or not or hope that the exam will not be that difficult either.

Maybe in a few year's time a Ph.D. but not today, Think of GPAT first.

Rekindling Football

2011-02-17T17:16:00.002+08:00

Football or soccer would make a comeback among Philippine fans young or old. Although I am not an avid fan of the Philippine team in the early years. The last time I watch an international game was way back in 1996 or 1998 during a Philippines versus Thailand match at the Tiger Cup ASEAN Football Championships. Well, our athletes lost then by the way. As I see before, most of the players are either active servicemen with the Armed Forces of the Philippines and some hailing from University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) and National College Athletic Association (NCAA) member colleges and universities in Metro Manila such as University of Santo Tomas, De La Salle University, Ateneo De Manila University and others colleges in Central Philippines like Iloilo.

During my years as a high school player I was stucked in being a local kid and played in intramurals against lower years and at the same time represented our school in some events. Expanding my horizon of playing as an athlete for a university or college was promising but I wasn't cut out for it with the demand of academic studies taking up a pre-medical degree in securing my future so decided not to pursue it anymore.

I became a fan of European football watch the Union of European Football League (UEFA) seeing Italian, Spanish and English pit against Russian, Dutch, German top leagues and international players. Also I have seen how the Brazilians play in the World Cup 1998 and 2002 with Ronaldo as their star player.

I never thought that football is a big sport in the Visayas region with Iloilo / Bacolod would be the capital for football and the small town of Potatan, Iloilo has grassroots of follower who have played the game as early as the age of 4 as what Emilio "Chieffy" Calindong mentioned on one of their interviews with Ms. Ces Drilon on ANC a few nights ago after winning the first match for 2011 beating Mongolia. (2-0) at Panaad Stadium in Iloilo last February 12, 2011.

Compared to basketball, football requires a lot of running, wits and stamina to play a 45 minute first half in a very wide open field plus it doesn't require height advantage plus long reach compared to basketball which are assets for a players. As long as you run, kick and fool your opponents you are still good. Football is a team effort sport and there is no "bakaws or takaw bola" type of players in this sport.

It was the first time that I see foreign born players with Filipino blood such as the Younghusband brothers, Etheridge and others would play for Philippine National Football team together with our local boys which has become a good chemistry of local knowledge mixing with infusion of international skills of these players with make a lethal combination during their previous match with Vietnam, Malaysia and others.

With upcoming match in Mongolia this coming March, I hope the Philippine team aka the Philippine is Azkals would get tremendous support from our government with the needed fund of PhP 31 million pesos in for 2011 it is undoubtedly huge some of money but how I wish that some of our companies would sponsor the needs of this team and would eventually give glory to our country like Rep. Manny Pacquiao did in his boxing match. Hope he will support the Philippine Azkals in their effort of achieving a victory and a slot in SEA Games, ASEAN Games and The World Cup 2014 .

Pre-Valentine's Treats: Dating on a Shoestring Budget in the Metro Manila

2011-02-12T13:28:00.008+08:00

So most of us may be cash strapped in the time being and are looking for alternatives other than going out on a costly dinner date on high-class and very posh restaurant joint in the Metro Manila or nearby places. However, there are many ideas to watch out in the midst of the economic recession we are reeling today. Ideas that are surefire and are not as costly as they may seem but may be for romantics.

1.) Watch the sunset on the bay area - SM Mall of Asia would be a nice choice at the Seaside area or the Roxas Boulevard section on the Baywalk area. Viewing the sunset is very romantic for lovers as you see the sun goes down to the earth with your very dear one.

2.) Stargaze the night - hope it is not cloudy or rainy in February month, but the ideal place to visit the metro is in around the PAGASA observatory in University of the Philippines Diliman Campus. Stargazing may sound like so scientific but it is nostalgic for some lovers to see the night in each others arms.

3.) See the blinking lights and the Manila skyline - driving to Antipolo would be not a little bit easy. But the distance and exhilarating bright lights of the Manila skyline has a panoramic view along the Sumulong Highway stretch especially at night time. Just find a good spot with the best view there.

4.) Visit some Museums and Art galleries: There are lots of these in Metro Manila that you can visit and try once in awhile you and your partner can make some critics on paintings, artworks, sculptures and others. For more information, you can visit some of the listed ones at http://www.manila.world-guides.com/. Admission is FREE.

5.) Parks and Historical Places - Luneta, CCP and others near the Roxas Boulevard area are a nice place to visit if you are venturing into long walks but get to tell some stories. You can rent a bike for just a couple of pesos and run around that area.

Don't forget to bring some little snacks and umbrellas if the whether changes in a few hours and I am hoping this could give you some general ideas. However, I suggest that you should be creative and spontaneous in pleasing the one you love. Maybe you may swept him/her of his/her feet.

Saving for Retirement Starting this 2011 for Filipinos.

2011-01-15T15:24:00.002+08:00

For the late 20 year old professionals, retirement is far-off in our minds with the presumption that we can save on the later date. However, on the prime of our youth we should be prepared to save a portion of what we earned till we earn and enjoy the fruits of our labor during old age when we can no longer work or still be in a semi-retirement status with little work minding your own business and ventures by still keeping your mind and body active.

A lot of mid-40s onwards are poor or broke after 5 years after their retirement. It is they made a grave pitfall on money management with wrong advice or decision due to compulsive behavior or such.

Times have changed since we stepped into Information Age back in 1989 but let’s go back to the past and recall the Industrial Age of 1860 to 1988. Companies have sprouted through lots of innovation and invention around that time with America, Britain and other western nations lead the race through prosperity bracing itself to be more progressive economic superpowers through production and manufacturing of goods and services. Asia by then is still in its infancy on its industries. Then, there is a Job security / tenure and Define Benefit Plan (DBP) employed during those period.

What is Define Benefit Plan (DBP)?

According to Investopedia.com, DBP is an employer-sponsored retirement plan where employee benefits are sorted out based on a formula using factors such as salary history and duration of employment. Those times when major players give a lot of compensation to their employees after they retire. The Define Benefit Plan as what most businessmen thought is a mistake they made in giving their retired company or corporate employee benefits until they die an exception to this rules are career government officials and employees who still have the Define Benefit Plan in their pension. I was shocked that most accountants never heard of this term DBP.

Moving on to 1989 – The start of the Information Age, employees of this major companies and business are face with No Job Security or Tenure with the change of compensation given by employers using Define Contribution Plan (DCP) in which 401(K) Plans, GRESA, IRA in United States are an examples of these while in the Philippines, it is the Personal Equity Retirement Account or PERA.

What is Define Contribution Plan (DCP)?

A retirement plan in which a certain amount or percentage of money is set aside each year by a company for the benefit of the employee as defined in Investopedia.com.

So what now?

Some people lost hope in catching up in building their nest eggs. Well it is not too late for people with ages 40 to 55 years old to reap the fruits of their retirement age coming to a close.

There are several steps you can do in order to meet your requirements of building a stable retirement funds.

Change your mind set

being frugal is not easy. It requires discipline in meeting and achieving your goals about money and wealth.
Increase more of your savings

As you move or grow into a higher position, you tend to be given more compensation. Why don’t you save it and keep a little and can be used as a medium to start as a capital for a small enterprise or business. Let’s say from the previous 10% increase to 20% or 30% more.

Be more realistic with your goals

It’s better to think, write and plan your goals on what you want to achieve in the next few years of time. It is also fine to make annual review of your goals so that you won’t lose sights of your plans.

Lessen of your debts

pay off your debts and lessen your purchases of unnecessary that you can live without. Cut your credit card expense if necessary.

Cut the booze and smokes

By living a healthy lifestyle without these vices would help you achieve your goals and lengthen your years of existence in this world minus the lung and liver cancer, cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. Cost of cigarettes and alcohol beverages are high with taxes imposed on every country or states differs. Just citing an example: a pack of cigarettes cost PhP 30.00 and if ever you consume every week two packs of these at PhP 60.00 multiplied by 52 weeks in a years. It will be PhP 1,650.00 per year consumed on cigarettes.

Avoid Gambling

It may be fine if you use a little but is much better to control this is highly addictive habit of unnecessary splurge of money. It will drain your resources immediately when you get hooked.

Learn, Read and Educate yourself

There are lots of seminar, books on personal finance that tackles a lot regarding money issues and other matter that affect yourself, your relationship and attitude towards wealth management. Better to invest your time and resources in learning new trends and updating yourself with the latest businesses and others concepts.

Dabble into investments

Real estate, stocks and business ventures are the way to go. Being an entrepreneur requires creativity, entrepreneurial skill and tough mindset is needed in this. It will take a lot of time, money and effort to achieve but in making your business grow. The benefits you will sown is not a short term but to be used in a longer period of time.

It is not too late start as early as now, let’s get moving in 2011 and beyond.

Even in Death you will still be paying!

2010-11-21T17:13:00.001+08:00

I once read a rticle online through Manila Times that was published a few months ago a write up on one memorial p ark and funeral home. For many, it was a unbelievably dissatisfying for some readers who eventually are surprised about this in facing the grim reality when a loved one dies. Although, the misery are still there with the immediate family still be grieving for the loss of a loved ones, I ask this question, are you prepared if anything happens to you and if you depart this physical world and move on to the after life?

It is so ironic that even in death you still have to pay a lot of this material things such as Debts, medical expenses, educational expenses for the children, estate tax and such that it is burdensome to think about it on how this can happen to you. Life Insurance and Mortgage Redemption Insurances are your best protection in case circumstances suchs illnesses, accidents and others to leave something for your loved. However, the best way to plan ahead it to create an estate plan which requires the services of an estate planner, lawyer and accountants in customizing your subdividing the properties if ever unexpected events happen in your life such as death.

Related Articles or Blog posts:

Dying Can Kill with High Cost - The Manila Times (November 2, 2009).

Copyright 2009 - 2010. PinoyMoneyVantage Personal Finance Help Philippines

Me at Moneysense!

2010-10-03T12:26:00.010+08:00

Finally, I never thought that my case study in financial planning will be featured and published at Moneysense magazine's September and October 2010 at page. I feel very surprised that my name was there and that I have finally broken the ice of being a frustrated writer into a budding idealist. The case was quite unique in using my older brother as my model and that my boyhood dream of becoming a French Foreign Legionnaire would be quite useful.

Other than my work, this magazine features some articles featuring Retirement for Baby Boomers, Expert Advice by Efren Ll. Cruz and many more. Although, the copies of this magazine are very limited in provincial areas, there are some major bookstores who are selling copies at PhP 150.00. So I suggest that If you want to see my work, get one and buy a copy now.

I feel honored and privileged to be featured here at the Money makeover page for RFP. I am very much pleased and happy with the outcome of case I have been studying and writing for the two years when I submitted it to Ms. Paula the coordinator of RFP Philippines last April 2010.

What's for me in the future? probably writing articles in a major business dailies and will still definitely continue writing and blogging.

What are my goals in life for now?

2010-09-17T11:04:00.001+08:00

Back in February 2010, I was approached with one of my boss who is a physician consultant and had a one on one conversation in encouraging me to take up medicine and go back to school. He saw in me the determination to succeed in every tasks made during my career as a medical technologist / medical laboratory scientist in the hospital. He made some offers that anyone who wants to grab this great opportunity get it but somehow there are choices to be made and some consequences to see through. An example of which is the Medical Scholarship Grant on which you have to maintain at least a high grades in every aspect on the medicine subjects I will be taking, the cost of daily living and allowances with the support from my parents which I doubted can't help me with my endeavor due to the fact they are on their retirement age and have less money to support me.

Just another struggling young man with no job.

Back in April 2004, I was in the United States on a very short vacation for a month, It was a graduation gift for me which was a double of graduating from college and passing the licensure examination. I was a learning and very beneficial experience for me on visiting other places and meeting new people wherein I met most of my relatives and loved ones who have lived there and at the same time meeting other people of other places as well. I had the great plans of coming into United States in the next 3 years to work, then get a working visa sponsorship or an immigrant visa from an overseas recruitment and employment agency.

Looking back in 2003.

A year before, my father told me that I have to make way for my kid sister education and help her out also when she embarked on taking a college business course in University of Santo Tomas right after I passed my Medical Technologist Licensure Examination with Professional Regulations Commission. A year after the biggest Philippine Pre-need company collapsed suddenly and it tremendously affected the college trust fund for my kid sister. I was a bit frustrated with my dad when he told me that I have to let go of those dreams but at that time some of my friends and batchmates who have ventured to medicine have decided to quit by sophomore year and eventually taken B.S. Nursing as a second course - which is in demand back then or become a medical technologists for those who took up the board exam and practice their profession, some joined the sales division of pharmaceutical or diagnostic equipments distributor or some just plainly join the contact center bandwagon where the pay is very high and the promotion is fast-paced.

My former colleagues and classmates from college to internship who had taken the doctor of medicine course in Our Lady of Fatima University, Far Eastern University - Nicanor Reyes Medical Foundation when they were still very young at 21 or 22 and have either already finished their residency training program or are already consultant physicians somewhere in Metro Manila or in their respective provinces. I am already turning into my late 20s and I am no longer getting younger everyday with the hopes and dreams of becoming a healer.

The Working Years (Major Period of Adjustments)

A lot has happened in the past years from working in one health care institution after another, I was never satisfied with the paycheck I received from working and toiling very hard. I never heard of Entrepreneurship until my younger sister took the college course in University of San Tomas a few years back after decided to shift from Accountancy to Commerce major in Entrepreneurship. After learning it I decided to dabble my hands making a small business with their company as a silent partner and at the same time working as well in selling and marketing real estate properties. Although I am not really good at it first and requires a lot of training and experience to be a better salesman in the chosen field.

Venturing into the unknown and discovering my inner most self.

A past few years with some of the health care institution where I did meet friends co-workers and some competitions. I never felt better when I am getting promoted into getting a higher position or becoming someone of senior staff in my company. I am being delegated with more work with less pay and of course I am not inclined in some situation to take the load but however I do get some of those loads from the supervisor of the higher ups on this even if I don't really like it and it consumes my free time of doing my part-time work in the selling which is still a secret to them.

As I assess myself, working for this company is a good training as well in leadership aspects of managing and handling other junior staff and also the student interns who are training with us once you dabble into business the skills must be honed first and later applied in able to effective in doing your tasks at hand.

Where I am now.

I am much contented with what I have now as I made a major U-turn on some aspects that I left behind in the past. Most of which were successes and failure that shaped me to become who I am today. A much better person in the present. I have been contemplating of returning to school and pursue a higher learning probably earning a master's degree or a post-graduate degree suited in the line of work and business I will be handing

in the future.

Want to Get Out of the Rat race? Read This! (Part 1)

2010-08-10T22:05:00.001+08:00

It was an eye opener for me when I attended the recently concluded Money Summit and Wealth Expo courtesy of the Learning Curve, Inc. Jerome San of Rich Dad Asia / Millionaire Mind Asia talked about the Robert Kiyosaki principles on the book Rich Dad's Guide to Investing which I did missed to read back a few years but I did read the first two books Rich Dad ,Poor Dad and Rich Dad's Cashflow Quadrant back in early 2008 and played the Cashflow 101 game during one event with Larry Gamboa's Think Rich Pinoy in early 2009.

Jerome discussed some of the historical fact and timeline on how job started back in the age of Age of Discovery starting from 1400s and how it affects the modern age with major changes on how companies would compensate their employees after working for them in a decades after retiring from their old job. He made some comparative notes on the way companies are compensating their employees which greatly affects a lot of people.

Reaching your goal of becoming financial independent and free from debts requires a lot of discipline, sacrifices, motivation and right entrepreneurial mindset to reach the dreams anyone would one to achieve in the near future in which conceptualizing, building and running a business and later the business system will run itself is the only option of becoming a rich person eventually leading to being an investor with focus of furthering the business and seek more investments as well.

To be continued on the next post....

Retail Treasury Bills (RTBs) at Auction on July 27, 2010

2010-07-21T10:57:00.004+08:00

The Bureau of Treasury will soon be offering to the public Retail Treasury Bonds (RTBs). Tentative offering/auction date is scheduled on July 27, 2010. Indicative rates and terms are reflected in the attached Offer Letter.

Key features of Retail Treasury Bonds:

* earns fixed interest rate
* interest paid every 3 months during the term of the bond
* placement targeted at retail and institutional investors
* direct, unconditional obligation of the National Government

Indicative Maturity Date:
5 year RTBs – August 5, 2015
7 year RTBs – August 5, 2017
10 year RTBs – August 5, 2020

Minimum Investment:
The Retail Treasury Bonds shall be issued in scripless form and will be sold during the public offer period in minimum denominations of P5,000.00 and integral multiples thereof.

Indicative Rates:
5 years – 6.1000% – 6.2575%
7 years – 7.1000% – 7.2296%
10 years – 7.4000% – 7.5937%

Taxation:
Interest Income is subject to 20% withholding tax except if investor has a tax exempt status where, interest will not be subject to the 20% withholding tax

Indicative Auction Date: July 27, 2010

Related Articles and posts:

Government Securities: Retail Treasury Bonds
MONEYVANTAGE: Getting a Mutual Fund

Copyright 2009 - 2010. PinoyMoneyVantage| Personal Finance Help Philippines

PINOYMONEYVANTAGE Forum Section: COMING SOON!

2010-07-09T21:43:00.001+08:00

We have recently integrated the Forum Section of this Blog site with use of Nabble.com. This wonderful and very useful application could help me get in-touch with the readers who have questions and needed to be answered and are hoping that this will be put to good use and is very excellent tool in reaching reaching out to other people through discussion on the topic we have on this blog.

Let's put everything in perspective and move forward by signing up with us on our new forum for FREE.

We will later announce the date when the Forum Section will be available for viewers of this blog.

Regards,

Ben The Investor

An affair to Remember at the Money Summit & Wealth Expo, July 2 & 3, 2010 at the RCBC Plaza

2010-07-07T12:51:00.002+08:00

A week ago, I was given the opportunity to attend this event for FREE courtesy of Registered Financial Planners - Institute which was a one true investing your time and mind in terms of gaining knowledge from diverse speakers from entreprenuership, business development, leadership and principles, asset creation and wealth management, salesmanship / marketing training and a lot of more.

It was the best two days of my life in learning new things on expanding my horizon in the near future especially venturing to new businesses giving me the inspiration to pursue those dream without procrastinating it but ready to plan and make it happen in the nearest possible time. The Money Summit and Wealth Expo featured a lot of personalities from different businesses and industries who gave a 40 minute talk to all the participants at the end of lecture they will be asked with lots of questions. Plus it also featured Personal financial education and literacy through short lectures of different people involved in real estate, stock market and global investment funds available in the market.

MONEY SUMMIT AND WEALTH EXPO was one true God sent event for me as it refreshed my ideas and awakened again my senses by keeping me motivated again as I embark into the business world in near future. All the shared to all the participants are life-changing and inspiring in keeping up the flame on the torch of entrepreneurial life with the aspirations of most folks in become successful in their lives.

would like to thank Mr. Henry Ong of RFP-Philippines and Heinz Bulos of Money Sense Magazine and Learning Curve, Inc. for this wonderful event.

A 2 year old boy addicted to nicotine | Madness

2010-06-18T10:47:00.009+08:00

I was alarmed in seeing this video even if it was kind of amusing and cute but somehow it hit me that this is very wrong. A two year old boy such as this has weak immune system and his father was very wrong about this on teaching his wrong habits. Ardi Rizal smokes 40 sticks a day and cannot stop puffing, if he does then he will surely get tantrums that are not very normal for kids his age like getting sick, bang his head or what.

I have seen some similar cases of these happening around our community. Back in college, I used to live within the vicinity of the U-Belt area, I chanced upon this four year old girl who was smoking a cigarette for her mother's need. The store owner was alarmed and the whole community within that block frowned upon her mother who was despised by many for lacking the sense of responsibilities being a parent on her child by asking her child to light up the cigarettes even if their home was stone throw away. This also goes to people living in the slum wherein their children are already smoking in tender early ages.

It will have a lasting consequences if this child will not stop and keep the habit. A child's health is fragile even this gets worst and will deteriorate into problems in adulthood such as cardiovascular diseases which comprise of 27% in the mortality of Filipinos according to the study conducted by World Health Organization in 2002 (see downloadable file).

Well, we cannot totally ban cigarettes here in the Philippines but we increase more sin taxes and levies on these products which gravely affects 6,000,000.00 farmers and workers of major tobacco companies in the country. The Department of Health campaign of putting graphic posters of diseases on the backs of cigarette pack purchased should be useful as a wake up call to the population to reduce then later stop smoking and kick the habit.

About this man comment on the Indonesian boy's smoking problem. I totally agree with him. I will never let my son take up a cigarette in his entire life. If he does, he will definitely get a butt kicking from his future dad.

Copyright 2009 - 2010. PinoyMoneyVantage| Personal Finance Help Philippines

Financial Planning Tips for Fresh College Graduates | Things to Remember.

2010-06-17T22:16:00.004+08:00

So you landed on your first job and you finished college a few months ago with sheer luck of finding your ideal job in the many companies and job fair you had attended, participated and applied with. Now that you are in the real world and out of the four corners of the classrooms from your alma mater. I congratulate you for stepping out of your comfort zone and becoming a more mature person on taking the responsibilities of finding employment even if it is a temporary or permanent job that you applied to for yourself or your family.

You are very excited on your first "sweldo" or salary as a trainee on the company that hired you even if it is just enough for a single person. But let me ask you something, can you survive without asking for your parents for extra money? Yes it is possible, when working out a budget plan and being frugal would be ideal training experience for being independent from your parents. But parents are still willing to help you on feet and spare some cash on your first few months at work till you are already receiving your monthly sweldo. It will be hard fought decisions of weighing the pros and cons of needs and wants. There is nothing wrong in sipping a one cup of Starbucks coffee once a week ore watch a very good movie with your friends but if you do this often like everyday after work you will eventually end up a hole in your wallet or pocket with your cash out flowing to expenses in which but in economic sense, spending encourages economic activity in the market. It is also a big compliment to your parents once you received your first sweldo with your family as long as you treat them on a modest restaurant or buy a carry out food that is within your budget.

1. Change your mindset - It is ideal for young people to rethink and reprogram about their understanding on money. At school, we were never taught about principles of personal investing but think again of re-educating yourself about personal finance.
2. Create a budget plan - This one is a very hard discipline to follow and it requires a lot of planning and monitoring on your spending on the next 15 days before your salary runs out.
3. Open a bank account - Better to start up opening a bank account with booklet not the ATM type of account because you might end up spending your money. This is just the beginning of building your cash reserves in times of emergency.
4. Save a percentage of your earnings - Once, you open that booklet bank account. You better start saving some of your cash. Let say you earn about PhP 12,000.00 per month net, you can start by PhP 500.00 to PhP 1,000.00. When you get used to the regimen of saving that 500 to 1,000 pesos then increase to a much bigger amount like 1,500 pesos to 2,000.00 pesos.
5. Stay away from temptations - There are lots of temptation around, for women shopping is one reason they get indebted without thinking then feeling guilty at the end. Men also have lots of temptation from vices that are unproductive and destructive. There is nothing wrong in joining up for a night of a festive mood and you are feeling that party swing. Yet you can go out as long you have done careful study and plan on the cash you will be spending as long as you stick with your budget limit.
6. Be open minded - Keep learning, read new books on personal finance investments or attend enriching seminars which can be useful in the near future. If you need advise from a financial advisor or consultant seek help immediately.
7. Dreams have deadlines - Remember that every dreams have deadlines in which goals should be accomplished on a given timetable. From setting your career, buying your first car or owning a new gadget etc.

I know that some of us have dreams of becoming big and live a care free life but then again we face the reality that high maintenance lifestyle is not feasible unless you are ultra rich person but if you study the cases of celebrities, their lives become miserable and desperate.

A responsible youth is mature enough in their minds with high hopes and dream even if reality bites in that it will be a long hard campaign to succeed. Being frugal is the start if you want to reap the fruits of your labor in the future. Don't forget that losing that glimmer of hope can make you pessimistic about your life, your job and career.

Moving on - embarking on a new career in the near future!

2010-06-11T20:39:00.009+08:00

A few months ago after receiving an email sent by Mr. Henry Ong, program director of RFP that I am qualified to become a member of the Registered Financial Planners - Philippines. I was thrilled and honored to received that letter that I am already accepted in this organization with such delight I announced to my parents and also put a shoutout on my facebook account wherein some of my friends congratulated me even if I put much emphasis on what I did that I am very proud of.

What are my plans now?

My plans are not yet rock solid for now due to some hectic schedule and new assignment given to me by the company I am employed in becoming one of their managers to lead it. I am thinking about giving up the six years of experience in being a healthcare professional / manager of one of their top earning units or division as a section-in-charge, I am tasked to oversee the other staff and the smooth operation of my section in order to deliver fast, accurate and quality services to patients. This is somehow becoming a challenge that is overwhelming and another stress maker on putting to test my leadership skills as I take on the position left by one of my colleagues who was moved and promoted in another section.

I am happy but somehow have doubt about my capabilities on this matter. But anyways, I accepted the new appointment as acting section-in-charge as long as I perform good or better on what I do best. Should have joined the Army Reserves a few years back when I was younger. I put a video from youtube on the U.S. Army - Army Strong Commercials played in the US T.V. the advertisement title was convincing but it has a deeper meaning on the leadership skills on how soldiers from a buck private, non-commissioned officer to officer on the chain of command. I like this ad a lot and it is so "KICK ASS" for me. HOOAH!

My Real Estate Career on the other hand is still now doing good but I am still optimistic that I will practice this again after two years of not practicing it. However it is still a good option if I quit my healthcare job I can focus on being a Real Estate Brokers, Financial Planner and a leader.

Will be doing some lectures on the dynamics on financial planning in the coming months specifically for Real Estate Professionals of Real Estate Brokers Association of the Philippines.

Personal Investments:The Pros and Cons

2010-06-05T12:08:00.006+08:00

Do you want to know the strengths and weaknesses of your investments?

As an investor, you should learn first the different investment risk even if the gains are very high for these type of investments in a volatile market. An investor should make some assessments regarding his risk profile and manage it as well without being emotional if it loses its value. Should a planner take in order for his / her client determining his / her personal investment capacity plus the risk he can take. That is a question. It was a totally fine lecture with insights and also the discussion of advantages and disadvantages of these types of investments.

When we were on the discussion regarding which investment is better. Real estate come to be first among the ranking. We did have this momentary contradiction with the securities representative participants and us real estate brokers. I will not put the incident here on pitting against Real Estate against Stocks on which of the two is better but anyways, no investments are perfect and that is the beauty of it in diversifying your investments. Here are the summary below of the common investments that anyone can choose from:

Strengths and Weaknesses of Investment Vehicles available in the Philippine market

View more presentations from Benedict Baluyut.

Some of these lectures where adapted from Global Investors Center and First Metro Investment Corporation during Registered Financial Planners Institute - Technical Sessions and lectures on the RFP - Philippine Course. There are two pages on the Presentation.

REMEMBER THAT HIGHER GAINS MEANS HIGHER RISKS.

Related Articles and Blog post.

MONEYVANTAGE: Getting a Mutual Fund
Real Estate Investing in Tough Times - a short talk with Rex Mendoza
Budgeting Your Money: Most common mistakes people make
MONEYVANTAGE: Bank Deposits and Personal Savings Accounts
San Miguel Brewery Report: My first stock trading investment
MONEYVANTAGE: The Property Sector
Government Securities: Retail Treasury Bonds

Copyright 2009 - 2010. PinoyMoneyVantage| Personal Finance Help Philippines

15% VAT may lead to 'tax revolt' | The Philippine Star News Business

2010-05-27T11:53:00.013+08:00

I am against the proposed called 15% Value Added Tax increase. Secretary of Finance Margarito Teves and some other lawmakers are batting out this proposal since January 2010. For me as a businessman and end-user or consumers of commercial products and services it is a bane for us that we will shoulder this again 3% tax after 12% VAT was approved back in 2005 by Senator Ralph Recto.Would this be beneficial to the governement? As a matter of fact Yes, wherein the government may collect as much as P73.92 billion in fresh revenues by 2015 if the government increases the value-added tax (VAT) rate to 15 percent by 2013, according to estimates made by the Department of Finance (DOF). I never see the point of taxing too much on the middle and the masses. Why not make the tax collection efficient and build new strategies as what President -apparent Senator Benigno Simeon Aquino III aka Noynoy Aquino mentioned in the past weeks on media and at the same the government's coffers should be spent wisely on boosting our country's economy by tapping the local and non-tradtional markets which is stable and recovering despite the current global financial crisis which had affected Europe Union countries at present and the United States two years ago.

How I wish that Value Added Taxes should be lowered at around 6% to 8% only. All we need is to removed graft and corruption, keep the good governance principle intact and work on a transparent government that all Filipinos would appreciate and at the same build useful yet efficient economic developments to be benefited by the Filipinos.

15% VAT may lead to 'tax revolt' | The Philippine Star News Business
Raising VAT from 12% to 15%

Copyright 2009-2010. Pampanga Real Estate Guide, Trend and Review TV. All Rights Reserved.

Hacking Democracy: An HBO Documentary

2010-05-22T10:59:00.005+08:00

I got to see the Philippine Star a couple of days ago when one of the candidates have DVD about the Automated Election failures. It is a possibility that this happened in some areas in the Philippines during the recent May 10, 2010 National Elections. I hope it doesn't end up like if there are inquiries and investigation by the Commission on Elections and Congress. I have embedded here on this post for your perusal.

Could the election be rigged? I don't know?

Copyright 2009 - 2010. PinoyMoneyVantage| Personal Finance Help Philippines

The May 10, 2010 Presidential Election - Exercise your Vote to choose your leader

2010-05-11T16:53:00.004+08:00

I was able to exercise my right to vote and I am partially happy and discontented on what had happened last Monday. I have jot down some notes on my experiences and what I have seen from other media or heard from my friends and co-workers from other places who have experience the same as what I say where somethings that the Commission on Election should take considerations.

1.) There are only Three Board of Examiners for every precints or clusters. There should and are capable of handling 3 clusters in one precints not 5 per one precints.

2.) PCOS machine should be randomly tested a week prior to the main event.

3.) People lost their names on the polling area. Well it should be the responsibilities of the voters that they should have check their names first a week or a few days before the election. This is a very old issue which understandably require common sense.

4.) Elderly and people with special needs (person with disabilities) should have a separate rooms in order to vote.

5.) COMELEC, PAG-ASA, DOH and other agencies should make weather advisory and advise people to bring fan, food and water in case of a long queue due to intense heat in order to prevent heat related illnesses.

I salute the COMELEC, Media and other government agencies who have cooperated in the functions of educating the public and securing the future of the Philippines with the ballots we cast. Somehow, this turned out to be a milestone for most of Filipinos who have experienced first hand the need for changes from the old way of casting the vote to a new method through fast and somehow efficient automation process. At least we taste the automation fever and have selected the rightful leader in the hopes of moving forward to a progressive Philippines, free of corruption in the next six years.

I would like to share also the PCOS machine's thought on the previous election. It made fun of itself on twitter. You can catch it here at this link:
PCOSmachine@Twitter.

The RFP Challenge: What's next?

2010-05-08T11:54:00.003+08:00

Yesterday, I received an email from Ms. Danica, the program coordinator of RFP Institute - Philippines. I was surprised to see about the information on the email and then attached letters from Ms. Danica regarding my acceptance in this prestigious financial planning organization. I was very much excited that the case study plan I was making for the last two years was finally approved and the waiting game for me was over after almost 2 weeks of worrying if I needed to revise and make changes on it or not. It was never been an easy task for me of putting my very own comprehensive financial plan which I have been working on what to put and what to add after almost everything was in place with my heart, soul and dreams of having to finish this case study for good. I have contacted CRB John Ortiz a classmate from Batch 10 and fellow real estate broker from Real Estate Brokers Association of the Philippines (REBAP) who was also preparing his case study. I told him about the good news and receive a warm congratulations from him when he replied back through email about this day's accomplishments.

My parents were also thrilled about the new and I thinking about establishing a company for now I have been thinking about naming it The Great Rock Wealth Management Group. It is the first company I will build with my own blood, sweat and tears. I will first venture out on introducing this company as a financial literacy and personal finance firm advocating and researching on different financial strategies a client can achieve in building a straight financial road map to success before my services.

In this part, training and gaining more knowledge in financial planning would be necessary in this as long as you are taking classes from the RFP Institute in creating your own businesses plan of promoting financial planning to your clients as your business. This will be on May 15, 2010, Saturday.

As I recall on my submitting my papers, I feel jittery about it and crossed my fingers and prayed to the Almighty that my case study would be accomplished in lessening the burdens of thinking too much of it. Still I will continue writing some articles, putting some blogs on everything useful in reaching the financial independence.

Previous Blog post

Personal Experience: Financial Planning Challenge
What are your Personal Finance Goals in Life
Boy Genius...Knows Simple Personal Financial Planning and Management
Business in mind for 2010...The RFP Challenge continues.

Car Safety Tips against Auto Theft

2010-05-05T21:32:00.001+08:00

Auto theft crimes are rampant again these days even if we do not have official statistics on what is happening in the past 2009. As in the case of what happened some of those anonynomous person I know who have experienced this a couple of months ago during the celebration of the holiday season. Two months ago, I was shocked on what happened in which her 2009 Toyota Innova has a broken window at the right rear passenger side plus a damaged interiors from the forced entry and deliberate scratches from the perpetrators. Not only that, the brand new microwave oven she won on a contest was stolen as well. Another incident happened back in December 2009, A friend also lost some of her belonging wherein the perpetrator broke the glass at the passenger and stolen a lady's bag. Items stolen were some checks, IDs and some Thousand pesos cash. It was parked within a the parking area of big mall.

For more useful link, you can download this PDF link: 50 Tips for Autotheft Prevention from www.watchyourcar.org

Copyright 2009 - PinoyMoneyVantage| Personal Finance Help Philippines

The Wisdom of Napoleon Hill - Book Review: Think and Grow Rich

2010-04-26T02:58:00.002+08:00

I really never heard of Mr. Napoleon Hill before but I got interested in one of the book I saw being read by one of my seatmate on my bus ride to home a month ago - Think and Grow Rich.I got curious with it and made some research on this book through the Internet in which it was a bestseller. I believe this was predecessors (or Father) of most of the personal success, motivation and self-help books being printed and sold in major bookstores.

Who is Napoleon Hill and what he really do?

According to the Wikipedia link, Napoleon Hill (October 26, 1883 – November 8, 1970) was an American author who was one of the earliest producers of the modern genre of personal-success literature. His most famous work, Think and Grow Rich, is one of the best-selling books of all time. Hill's works examined the power of personal beliefs, and the role they play in personal success. He became the adviser to President Franklin D. Roosevelt from 1933-36. "What the mind of man can conceive and believe, it can achieve" is one of Hill's hallmark expressions.

What does this book can do and help you with?

I am still reading it in the process but I was so amazed on how this book can boost your self-confidence on what you want to do in life in which is giving you an insight what you can concieve and putting on that mindset or thought of getting it and achieving it. It has the same principles as what most of the new authors or writers as their basis and inspiration with the fact they are also sharing their experiences and knowledge in helping the average person who needed this revitalized energy of living a day in a triumphant existence in which it have made a great impact who ever anyone read it. This is the first of all the books that have personal success being published worldwide back in 1937.

I have added some video clips from Youtube which are only a few short segment you can watch on even if this in black and white. It is still interesting and useful.

Filipinos are now learning to save and invest for their future.

2010-04-25T13:32:00.000+08:00

In the past, an average Juan Dela Cruz has no knowledge or low IQ on personal financial planning. This has become alarming rate in the increase of most Filipinos without the knowledge who are in debt and do not know how to manage and their meager income and maximize and relearn the spending habits.

Even the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) made statements a few years ago that only 1% of Filipinos know how to trade or use the stock market as another alternative investments in which the PSE has been working hard in promoting and intensifying its drive of educating the public through their PSE roadshow presentations that are happening within our archipelago.

It has come to this point that most of the OFW families are now slowly learning about personal finances with the advent of available resources in financial planning in cooperatives, internet, personal finance coach and others which are discussing and lecturing from cash, debt, risk and wealth management thanks to the efforts of the government entities and non-government organizations in helping our fellow Filipinos educate them and hoping that the existing program will continue to flourish and expand in the near future.

See other articles and blog post.

OFW families now saving more for the future The Philippine Star News Business
PSE to hold stocks roadshow in Cebu, Davao

Long Term Financial Term Literacy for School Children and Teenagers
What are your financial goals in life?

Tears for Fears Live in Manila - May 2, 2010.

2010-04-16T00:51:00.000+08:00

Taking a break for the summer. Can't hardly wait to see these guys again perform on the big stage here in the Philippines at Araneta Coliseum. It will be my first time to see them live in the Philippines. I am a fan of 80's new wave music even if I was still a young kid living in the suburbs on those years I lived through. My consciousness to their music was in 1988 or 1989 when I saw their music videos played on TV or their music playing on the air waves. From Everybody Wants to Rule the World to Shout and others which have become chart hit toppers on those days. Music those days have sense of feeling and more emotions plus the quality of how the artists puts itself in the music makes it special for listeners like me to enjoy.

Fruit Juice Gimmick...Creating Voter awareness on the upcoming May 10, 2010 National Election.

2010-04-10T23:20:00.018+08:00

Recently, I have seen this short segment from this ABS-CBN's TV Patrol a month ago.. I got to see this fruit juice gimmick and was fascinated how people react with the available colored cups. The cup where colored according to the official color designations of candidates for example, Yellow for Noynoy Aquino, Orange for Manny Villar, Green for Gibo Teodoro and so on. The concept of the color coded cups have become a basis or learning the hearts and minds of ordinary people about what they feel and their outlook in the near future.Even at nearby 711 store are also using this cups and putting the daily winners on the presidential category.

It seems that it is a good way to get attention and raise awareness of being socially responsible as citizens of this country. It made a huge impact not only getting the pulse and surveys of the populace in which the individual would like to vote in our upcoming elections this May 10, 2010. Choosing the new leader will fall on to us as voters. The zero hour of choosing our new leaders from the national to local political scene and at the same time practicing our electoral obligations and rights that would be a good way of exercising the democracy we have gained after the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution is coming close and only a few weeks or days ahead. I hope that you have already made your choice in thinking of right leader who will lead this country in the next six years and I am hoping that we can achieve economic growth and social development in the next six years.

Remember my vote counts so are yours!

"UTANG", a documentary about credit and debts from The PROBE Team

2010-04-09T15:43:00.005+08:00

This one is a very interesting and best short documentary on CREDITS AND DEBT RISK MANAGEMENT on primetime TV in the Philippines by the Probe Productions and I wish to share to all the followers and viewers of my blog and would like to share a short segment of this for your information. Let this be a lesson for all who do not budget and plan their personal finances wisely. One of the famous personal financial expert, Francisco Colayco of Colayco Foundation is here.

I will be away!

2010-04-08T13:12:00.002+08:00

I will be away for a short vacation. I got things to do for the moment especially in completing my RFP Certification Course which is still pending plus my commitment with my OJT students in developing a more effective teaching and learning curriculum for their internship. This would take lots of time, energy and effort in emphasizing the needs for evaluation on new training policies of our incoming interns.

I will catch up with you with more topics on real estate, personal finance, planning and management.

The RESA Law, Republic Act 9646: What can it do for the Real Estate Industry in contrast.. Part 2

2010-03-26T23:28:00.011+08:00

This is the continuation of the first part published February 2, 2010.

Recently, the RESA law or Republic Act 9646: Philippine Real Estate Service Act of 2009 has gone a long way from being a obscure idea into reality of professionalizing the real estate service industry and expanding the satisfaction and needs of our real estate clients and investors with value added protection unscrupulous entities and individuals. A lot of people say that the law was hastily made but in real sense it was twenty-two (22) years in the making with lots of disapproval's from the previous congress and some real estate developer who do not adhere with the basis of fair and just treatment of the licensed real estate professionals who are abiding with laws and ethics of the realty trade.

Dr. Eduardo G. Ong

Generally speaking, those that were affected are the in-house brokers and agents who have not taken the real estate brokers / appraiser / consultants / assessor licensure examination being given in the past few years with the advent of the new rules governing the examination which was previously given by the Department of Trade Industry - Bureau of Trade Regulations and Consumer Protection to the Professional Regulatory Commission (see article). These affected people will either have to work for a licensed broker in order for them to practice the profession they know and have to apply for a Real Estate Salesman License and must have acquire or education at least second year college or 144 college units in order to qualify as a Real Estate Salesman. Another option is to take up a degree in Bachelor of Real Estate Services or Management Course once proposed curriculum under the technical panel of Commission on Higher Education (CHED) is approved and to be offered by colleges and universities can offer this course to the public.

Finally, Professional Regulations Commission has appointed Dr. Eduardo G. Ong as the chairman of newly established Professional Regulatory Board of Real Estate Services. Dr. Ong is a broker / consultant and lecturer on business, entrepreneurship and real estate consultancy for more than 25 years. With his experience and knowledge of this, he is well suited for the task of overseeing this newly created board in policing the ranks of the real estate industry. Dr. Ong was made an honorary member of Real Estate Brokers Association of the Philippines (REBAP) last March 25, 2010 during the First Quarter General Membership Meeting and Assembly held at Makati Sports Club in Leviste Street, Salcedo Village, Makati City.

See other related posts:

The RESA Law, Republic Act 9646: What can it do to the for the Real Estate Industry in contrast.. Part 1

Copyright 2009 - 2010. PinoyMoneyVantage| Personal Finance Help Philippines

Even the Top Athletes Screw up in their Finances.

2010-03-21T17:43:00.000+08:00

A few days ago, I was reading about some article on Yahoo! Sports about well-known and highly respected sports hero who are in trouble with their finances and research and learn their downfall of loosing million to billions of dollar earnings. It was so sad that these guys that we worship and idolize as sport fans learn the hard truth when they make mistakes of not saving for the rainy especially after they retire from the sports that we watch and mimic their moves. An example of this was the National Basketball Association (NBA) wherein I was a fan of the Chicago Bulls during the time Michael Jordan still rules as the king of the air. Literally speaking, "his airness".

Just to name some athletes, Scottie Pippen, a former NBA basketball star did made mistakes with bad business ventures and risky investment he made a couple of years after retirement from the league. Another one is Evander Holyfield, the former heavyweight champion boxer, also suffering this after his estate is already in foreclosure at the height of the U.S. Real Estate Crisis and the Global Financial Crunch of 2007. Mike Tyson also former heavyweight champion boxer is also facing the same problems with bad decision of buying excesses and too much luxuries and the lavish lifestyle that they cannot attain after they retire from the sport they love. Thinking that the money they earned will never ceased flowing wherein bankruptcy is dangling in their faces.

Most of them that are earning a whopping US$ 50,000,000.00 to US $250,000,000.00 purse in their bank account that will survive to their old age but somehow if our beloved sport heroes and heroine do not think and make decisions then they tend to lose a lot in terms of the money they earned from blood, sweat and tears. Some of these highly successful athletes who retire after 5 years go broke but some did eventually succeeded with better understanding of their financial figures with careful planning and management, understanding the advantages and risk with also wise and better decision in venturing into businesses, investment and buying properties after their retirement would be viable. (Link to Yahoo! Sports article)

Copyright 2009 - 2010. PinoyMoneyVantage| Personal Finance Help Philippines

Boy Genius...Knows Simple Personal Financial Planning and Management!

2010-03-08T18:40:00.002+08:00

Elijah Offering Video from Elevation Church on Vimeo.

Simple step in Personal Finance. How I wish that financial planning and management is simple as this compared to the what we know these days. Love this short video segment courtesy of Income-Tacts. Just Sharing this video clip to you.

Copyright 2009 - 2010. PinoyMoneyVantage| Personal Finance Help Philippines

What are your Personal Financial Goals in Life?

2010-03-07T16:54:00.003+08:00

I got to ask some people about this topic and somehow lots of them would love to have their own home, car, family, successful career, own businesses and others. Would this be enough to have a fulfilling life? Other are contented with that while some are scratching their heads like I did a few years ago when I was still struggling with the real world not knowing much on investments than a personal savings accounts which does not earn much.

A year ago, I was invited by one insurance agent offering me a value unit linked insurance from reputable insurance and investment company based from abroad and also in the Philippines. I was awed when I saw the needed money if in case I will be retiring at age 60 go 65 using one of their financial software tools wherein it estimated in my case If I lived to age 80 I will be needing at least PhP 80,000,000.00 just to live a comfortable life and so I need to shape up my finances in the next few decades assuming that the inflation is at 5 to 10% which is already included in the computation. It did blew my hat off and struck me real hard with my ego blown to bits.

So what are your financials goal now?

I did made some re-evaluation an revision of my personal financial goals wherein I became more realistic and updated of it on what will I be doing for the whole year of 2010 especially on the diversified portfolio of my personal finance and investments. During my attendance to the RFP program back in 2008, there should constant updating on the plans you made and make some comparative analysis and study newer investments available and rethink your strategies of achieving your financial goals . One of the lecturers suggest that planning should be done on an annual or bi-annual session but for the more conscious investors it can be done on a quarterly basis. Any client should be ready to shoulder some changes, make sacrifices and incur expenses in order to achieve your goals of becoming financial independent.

Prioritize them.

Rethinking of the diversification strategies requires critical thinking. Putting your plan in a long term financial goal would be ideal if you have plans in the long run for example a retirement plans, a business plans, a college education plans for the kids etc. The Mutual Fund investments I have gotten before is lagging behind and I need to think carefully on budgeting my personal finances in order to achieve my five year plan of raising a capital in funding a small business other than real estate. The equity investment for San Miguel Brewery seems to be fairing well averaging at PhP 8.80 to 9.00 per share back in 2009 and as of today. However it reach to peak of PhP 10.50 per share in 2008 on its first week debut. I am still keeping my portfolio on this company.

Do it now!

Better to act now than do it later, What I hate on the Pinoy Attitude of MAÑAÑA HABIT which we picked up from the Spanish back then. This trait should be removed in our system. It is better to think for the future and not of the current days and never procrastinate.

Post Script!

I recently added this video sent by Mr. J. Randell Tiongson of Income-Tacts and Personal Finance Advisers through Facebook about the Registered Financial Planners Philippines Program which is embedded here. Check it out. RFP Philippines Batch 18 is now on enrolling process.

Super Size Me: Breaking up the old eating habits!

2010-03-03T08:01:00.002+08:00

You can watch this free video courtesy of Google Videos about Morgan Spurlock's 2004 documentary, Super Size Me.

I am no longer a fan of fast food meals although I eat from time to time with these major establishments if I needed to especially during the early days I am working on early morning shift when I am unable to prepare food for breakfast. The fast food generation has grown exponentially with the rise of the easy and readily available meals plus the fact it has become very cheap on the pockets of average college students back then for those costing less than 40 pesos. It now affects the newer generation of children who are getting lots of illnesses that are related to diet and lifestyle. Count me in with this people having this problems now, I guess I paid the price of eating too much during my college years.

During our childhood years we occasionally visit this establishments on weekends and get to play with other kids on the see-saw, merry go round and the playground for kids. Children from our generation then are more active and would to go most of the time outside the house and play till dusk but now with new lots of gaming platforms and the rise age of computers gaming Children rarely go out and just play with their friends online or with a Playstation Portable (PSP) , Gameboy Advance or whatever video games available in their hands.

As a healthcare professional and a clinical laboratory scientist it is important to look after your health and the nutrition you receive especially on what you eat daily and watching out for the calories you take up. Symptoms such as dizziness, getting fatigue and high blood pressure are the signs of poor health. Blood test such as the routine chemistry examination like Lipid Profile, Blood Uric Acid, ALT and AST etc can help determine your bodily functions and how the physician can give you advise.

Cost of medical tests and other procedures are getting tantamountly high especially if you are NOT covered with medical insurances so you have to pay in CASH. As what one Vitamin commercials' slogan says, "Bawal Magkasakit" and "Prevention is Far Better than Cure" are a few sayings or quote that are definitively true. Getting sick is no pretty scene at all and I have been there alot of times and made some modifications on my lifestyle and what I eat wherein it has a tremendous effect on my personal life missing out things like drinking from time to time but for me it for the better good.

Morgan Spurlock's documentary is definitely an eye catching and shocking one but it sure caught the attention of alot of people including the major education and health departments in the United States in information dissemination of unhealthy eating habits which can affect the children now or in their later life.

I am so amazed how the Japanese people outlived other nationalities with their diet which is purely healthy, nutritious, fresh and organic food from fresh fish and vegetables and less red meat like pork and beef which is only eaten once a week.

So Eat Right, Live Right, Exercise Daily just a main advice for everyone.

Saving Mother Earth...Join Earth Hour 2010!

2010-02-28T10:00:00.003+08:00

I am a proud participant of Earth Hour 2009, me and my family supported this occassion in voting for the world legislation to come up in saving this planet we lived called Earth. Our planet is slowly dying brought about by the destruction of man on mother nature through climate change, pollution and other abnormal phenomenon that will affect us and the next generation of humans.

Let's join and participate this wonderful event, Let's make a stand for Mother Earth. Save energy for just one hour. It would make a difference. Mark this on your calendar, March 27, 2010 (Saturday) at 8:30pm.

For more information visit www.earthhour.org.

Copyright 2009 - 2010. PinoyMoneyVantage| Personal Finance Help Philippines

MONEYVANTAGE: Getting a Mutual Fund

2010-02-21T19:40:00.002+08:00

In the past several weeks, I came across with some old friends and peers from high school and even college and got to talk to them about investments wherein many ask what investments can they delve into. A lot people I ask haven't heard about mutual funds nor heard or have little knowledge of this investment instruments. So I am willing to share some of my knowledge and background on this and made some Frequently Asked Questions or FAQs for beginners who do not know about these golden eggs and what it can do for them in the long run. As a disclaimer, past performance of the mutual funds may vary from time to time and may not result in the expected future yield.

What are Mutual Funds? How do this work? What are these financial instruments anyways?

Mutual Funds are a type of investments that are pooled together from group of investors and are professionally managed by a portfolio manager. The seasoned manager on the other hand invests the funds' assets in different variety of investments such as stocks, bond or other investment securities or a combination of both stocks, bonds and securities.

Net Assest Values per shares (NAVPUs) represent the value of total equity, or it may be divided by the number of shares outstanding and thereby represent the net asset per value of investment.

Concept of the mutual funds are seen in the diagram below.

Types of Mutual Funds

There are three types of mutual funds available in the market and are offered by mutual fund companies in the Philippines namely:

1.) Stock or Equity Mutual Funds - which consists mainly on stock investments and are invested in listed and non-listed equity securities in Philippines companies and some are also invested on invested in international companies;

2.) Balanced Mutual Funds - are a mixture of stocks, bonds and money market. These are generally hybrid funds which are composed mostly of the two (stocks and bonds) and are widely invested on both;

3.) Bond Mutual Funds - are mainly invested in debt securities or treasury bonds issued by the government of the Philippines and also corporate bonds issued by major Philippine companies.

Returns and Risks

There are no guarantees of risks and safety margin in this type of investments, however. I put some summarized information regarding the three types of mutual funds.

Choosing your Mutual Funds

There are several mutual fund products out in the market to select from. However as I have said in the disclaimer, the past performance of this type investment may vary and depend on the market conditions and are not indicative of expected future returns.

Expenses, Fees and other charges

Thing to bear in mind before venturing into mutual funds.

There are several fees to remember on getting the mutual funds wherein they are the loads, Redemption fees, Transaction fees and 12b-1 wherein this may vary with different mutual fund products available. Just to give you the basics of mutual fund fees and expenses:

1. Sales Loads - is the commission that you pay when you buy shares in a mutual fund. Also known as a front-end load, this fee typically goes to the brokers that sell the fund's shares. Front-end loads reduce the amount of your investment

2. Redemption fees - A fee that some fund companies charge their shareholders when they sell or redeem their shares. Unlike a deferred sales load, a Redemption fee is paid to the fund-not to the broker-to defray fund cost associated with redemption

3. Management Fees - Paid out of the fund assets, management fees include payments to the investment adviser for portfolio management, any other management fees payable to the fund's investment adviser or its affiliates, and administrative fees payable to the investment adviser that are not included in other categories.

4. 12-1B fees - Covers the expense of providing information to shareholders about their investment through phone, mail and especially the internet as a major channel distribution for shareholders.

5. Other fees - This includes all expenses not subsumed under another category, including c
custodial expenses, legal and accounting expenses, transfer agent expenses, and other administrative expenses.

What else to Remember?

Mutual Funds can be held by the professional managers and company for two years maximum, however early pull out of your investments will have tax and redemption fees charged to your mutual fund account if you wish not to pursue it after a few months as an example or before the given redemption date.

Before buying, shop around first and ask for prospectus. Learn the past performances and how well they are managed by their appointed professional fund managers by asking some questions with the selling agent and also checking around information on their websites. As I have said earlier in the disclaimer, Past performance is not indicative of future results or yield of the mutual fund.

Remember, every decision you make are very crucial. Planning, learning and preparing are the next necessary steps of your Financial Planning stage in becoming a Financially independent person.

Happy Investing!

Copyright 2009 - 2010. PinoyMoneyVantage | Personal Finance Help Philippines

Looming Sugar Crisis... What now?

2010-02-20T23:06:00.002+08:00

This is bad news for the people with sweet tooth. I guess?

The world is suffering from acute sugar production with recent droughts brought about by the El NiÑo phenomenon plus the high demand during the past holiday season as a main ingredient for most food manufacturing companies and at the same time for renewable energy in which ethanol comes from.

Brazil is a major player in sugar production, cultivation and agriculture with its far reaching domination of this industry compared to our country's sugar production which had lagged down since the 1970s based on one study done in the 20th century. The Philippines was major exporter of sugar in the past to United States and Europe however the prices of this commodities went down in the late 1980s in which it became a junk market for this product. Brazil has become the top 1 producers of ethanol and ethanol-based fuel for their power generating facilities in their country during dry months wherein ethanol is a by product of sugar canes. There are at least 100 sugar producing countries all over the world. The top producers include Brazil, India, Pakistan, USA and others.

In the laws of supply and demand as I remember my introduction to economics class pertains that once the supply is low and demand is large, the prices are high. Anyways, even if we have the bad news of acute sugar production for now we can certainly lessen our consumption of sugar and this would be also good for the health and lifestyle with the prevention of diabetes, obesity, tooth decay and other illnesses which are related to overconsumption of sweets.

Sugar Futures Open Trading is a bit tricky in many and it involves substantial risk and is not recommended for all investors with faint hearts and shallow pockets.

Tapping in Global Market is one thing we can learn soon.

Triple Up: Celebrating the 2010 Chinese Lunar New Year, the feast of St. Valentine and the Victorious Pinoy Boxers.

2010-02-15T10:40:00.002+08:00

We got three reasons to celebrate this wonderful Sunday, February 14, 2010 which is not really an ordinary one. I was much glued in watching the Pinoy Power III Vs. Latin Fury boxing match today versus Latino boxers, texted some friends a Happy Valentine's day on Facebook and greeted some of my Filipino-Chinese friends "Kung Hei Fat Choy" in celebrating the entry of year of the Metal Tiger this 2010.

Happy Chinese New Year 2010!

The start of the new lunar calendar for 2010 has began. We welcome now the arrival of the Metal Tiger. Lunar calendar has been in use for the past 4000 years first by Arab scholars and later on by other ancient civilizations.

Love is in the Air on St. Valentine's Day

A friend of mine told is Feb. 14 a holiday, I told her and why would the government and the Roman Catholic Church declare it a religious even if it is the feast day of St. Valentine of Rome. I found some interesting facts on Valentine's Day concepts see Wikipedia). Sorry for her though.

Latin Fury Vs. Pinoy Power 3

I was watching it on TV and went ballistic on our compatriots victory of 3 wins, 2 losses against the latinos in this fight brought to us by ABS-CBN and Top Rank Boxing Promotions. Donaire's feat proves that he is a wise fighter and thinker in getting his strategy of beating the odds against an unknown fighter, Manuel "Chango" Vargas of Mexico. Can't wait to see Pacquiao Vs. Clottey by next month. Another accolades given to us by our fellow Pinoy fighters.

Businesses in mind for 2010...The RFP challenge continues.

2010-02-14T12:08:00.001+08:00

Recently, I attended the Real Estate Brokers Association of the Philippines (REBAP) 2010 Planning Session just to top off the plans for this year with the top officers and different chapters officials of Real Estate Brokers Association of the Philippines - National Chapter at University Hotel in University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City last January 9, 2010.

I got to meet lots of people from other REBAP chapters within Metro Manila and provincial chapter especially those located in the Southern Luzon areas and the northern parts of Luzon especially the Metro Baguio REBAP chapter officers and the national officers like IPP CRB Julius Topacio and current National Pres. Emily Duterte.

I admit I was impressed with of these speakers inbeing the hosts / hostess as well. One of the top facilitators and notable speaker in the meeting was CRB Engr. Bong Cruz. He is a well-known among the real estate circuit as one of the top lecturers and reviewers on Comprehensive Real Estate Seminar and Review in the Philippines and also in Continuing Education Program for Real Estate Brokers. As I looked beyong this, I want to be like them on being good speakers and would probably plan to join the toastmaster club located closest of our area if time permits.

One of our chapter officers, Ms. Karen ( our VP external) told me that I should be on track on being a lecturer again and at the same time being a speaker on some notable topics especially on the financial literacy and awareness to the public. I admit that I do dread speaking with lots of people I do not know but I pulled it out perfectly on my last engagement back in November 2009 about Internet Selling and Social Network Marketing to members of REBAP - Pampanga Chapter. It was fun that I shared some of my expertise and knowledge in getting more clients in the fast paced setting.

It was an encouraging and uplifting moment for me about Ms. Karen's ideas that gave me an inspiration to be an educator. As my morale has risen up in talking my way into being a public speaker with the topic of financial planning and literacy awareness for the benefit of the members of our organization. I am right on track of carefully rethinking my strategies and studying again what I learned from my class at Registered Financial Planners Institute - Philippines (RFP - Philippines) to be applied to my new sets of student, my fellow real estate brokers.

Copyright 2009 - 2010. PinoyMoneyVantage| Personal Finance Help Philippines

Aftermath of Disaster: Typhoon Ondoy and Pepeng what we learned from the past

2010-02-10T16:19:00.001+08:00

Its been a few months after the tragic event that changed the course of Philippine history last September 26, 2009 as we braced the heavy impact of supertyphoon Ketsana or Ondoy. A lot of people have already recovered but some are still recuperating physically and emotional on the aftermath of this worst disaster that hit us black and blue in just one day.

It was this time during the onslaught of typhoon Ondoy or International name: Typhoon Ketsana kept me awake, I was busy with work that day and at that time venturing out on a cold stormy night would given me spine tingling chills and suicide if you cannot find a public transport your way home

Remembering that fateful whole day and next few days post-Ondoy was not a good picture, People lost their homes, property and even their loved ones on that tragic day. Like those that happened before wherein the typhoons brought havoc in the past and have left a post-traumatic experience for the victims. The physical manifestation may not appear on the hapless victims but can make a lifetime emotional scar in them - this what most psychiatrist say as POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER (PTSD).

I still remembered the time when Typhoon Millenyo hit our home in 2006, I myself seen falling debris and roof flying over our head and coconut trunks and leaves flying over the air as the winds blow hard then the heavy downpour of rain with no stopping at all. Have brave on knee deep waters during my high school days when the town or city where I grew up in Pampanga became flooded with high waters plus lahar in nearby areas back in 1995 when the lahar hasn't compacted since Mt. Pinatubo erupted back in June 1991 and I was between the ages of 9 or 10 as I vividly recall up today.

Property Values go down.

Most of the affected areas within Metro Manila and nearby provinces such as Rizal, Laguna are very much affected the recent Felino Palafox, Jr. (Palafox and Associates) said that the Marikina River Valley is not suitable for development wherein it rest at the foothills of the Sierra Madre Mountain ranges so in the case of heavy rains from the nearby the mountains. The waters will subside down to the low lying areas. The water outlet should be flushed out to the Manila Bay and Laguna de Day. However the waterways are blocked with informal settlers and the government haven't done much to put things in order. Although the boom on the economy of the nearby Quezon City is adamant.

Value of Insurance.

I never had a doubt that insurance on certain things will be useful especially if you are covered with force majeure or the so called ACT OF GOD in your life and non-life insurances. As a consumer, we should better check on the policies we received what type coverages that this insurance can give us in case we ran into disasters or emergencies in this uncertain times.

Blogger.com: PAGES - Another added feature.

2010-02-08T15:57:00.006+08:00

I got ecstatic when I have seen this feature of introduce extra 10 pages for Blogger.com. At last, it can compete now with the other blogging network like Wordpress.com which had reign superior in the past few years.

On my pages, I put on my short autobiography and about this blog and why I made this blog which I would to share to anybody as an added knowledge on my journey in becoming a financially dependent and fit in the future because learning should not stop and stagnate as learning process is continous as long as we are living the dreams in our lifetime.

Copyright 2009 - 2010. PinoyMoneyVantage| Personal Finance Help Philippines

Pampanga Real Estate Trend, Guide and Review - The new real estate online resource in Pampanga, Philippines

2010-02-07T10:57:00.003+08:00

I am proud to announce that the Pampanga Real Estate Trend, Guide and Review has its new domain - www.pampangarealestatetv.net, on which it will focus on the current updates on the real estate industry in Pampanga, Philippines. It will serve as a resource guide for our fellow Filipino investors especially those who are from Pampanga, Kapampangan OFWs or those who intend to move into this growing province which has transformed from agricultural province devastated by natural calamities like Mt. Pinatubo eruption in 1991 to one of the progressive and agro-industrial hubs in Central Luzon under the Central Luzon "W" Growth Corridor.

This will also feature news, available property for sales, available, current market analysis of properties, economic analysis and growth of cities and towns within the selected areas and other useful researched data for investors to know before putting their hard-earned money into a fruitful investment in years to come.

Forum section is also available wherein it will handled by Real Estate Brokers Association of the Philippines, Inc. - Pampanga Chapter- the network of professionals in the realty trade commited to serve your needs. Click and visit the forum section.

Copyright 2009 - PinoyMoneyVantage| Personal Finance Help Philippines

The RESA Law, Republic Act 9646: What can it do for the Real Estate Industry in contrast.. Part 1

2010-02-02T22:41:00.006+08:00

I was able to participate the annual national planning session of Real Estate Brokers Association of the Philippines last January 9, 2010 at University of the Philippines-Diliman and have acquired some news and information on the said law which was in the making for the last 22 years in professionalizing the practice of Real Estate Services and I am very much happy with it for with the new updates being given to us by experts and lecturers such as CRB Engr. Bong Cruz of REBAP Greenhills and Immediate Past President Julius Topacio of REBAP Mandaluyong Chapter and the returning president CRB Emily Duterte.

I was impressed on one of the speaker especially CRB Bong Cruz on how he delivers his thoughts on the challenges the real estate industry will facing with this new law. It so happened that the fruits of labor on lobbying this law paid off thanks to Senators Panfilo Lacson, Antonio Trillanes IV and Rodolfo Biazon and other members from congress that had this bill authored and made to reality - see RESA bill during its creation with other congressmen who co-authored this bill into law.

A brief bio on Engr. Bong Cruz, is a well-known among the real estate circuit as one of the top lecturers and reviewers on Comprehensive Real Estate Seminar and Review in the Philippines and also in Continuing Education Program for Real Estate Brokers. He made some outline on how real estate professionals should comprehended and understand in order to keep themselves abreast with latest news as we wait for a few more months on the implementing rules and regulations of this law. He made comparison between the RA No. 9646 and the old and phased out Ministry Order No. 39 which was created during President Ferdinand Marcos regime in a manner how it will affect the latter from the newest law.

This law would give teeth and claws in apprehending, removing and scrutinizing other illegal entities engaging in real estate which had tarnished the industry for many years and improve the image and relations of real estate professionals to the public. Many of the real estate organizations in the country are working hard to meet the demands of improving the service and at the same becoming equivocal of being committed of being in service to others.

View the Real Estate Service Act of the Philippines - 2009.

RESA law or Republic Act No. 9646 in turn will help promote professionalism among the real estate brokers, real assessors, real estate appraisers, real estate salemen and real estate consultants not just as occupation but a recognized occupation by the Professional Regulation Commission under the Professional Regulatory Board for Real Estate Services.

Will update you more on the next part of this blog.

Copyright 2009 - PinoyMoneyVantage Personal Finance Help Philippines

Points to Ponder: The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene and Joost Elffers

2010-01-17T15:47:00.004+08:00

Recently, I stumble upon a forum of thinking people in the internet. Expressing their narrative thoughts and ideas on what they have in mind. Especially the thought of empowering themselves. I was really impressed with these intellectuals when they one of them has a signature on 48 Laws of Power which was a book written by Robert Greene and Joost Effler. I got curious with it and ask the these anonymous individual on what these books was. Eventually he explained a little bit of it and said that it is better if you read and comprehend the book.

There are some points or laws that are easily explainable and very relating to everyone's behavior which is applicable in reality. It is really happening on our everyday lives and anywhere you go or stay. The narratives are somehow frank, straight to the point, no holds barred explanation or sometimes very deep in understanding about the authors ideas. Here are few summary with my interpretation on the laws being applied to:

As what most people say it is a dog eat dog world in a very cutthroat competition. Somehow it is contradicting to religious belief, moral principles of civilized people but is still happening. As I say it is hard to accept but it is the TRUTH. Anyways, I found a video on Youtube that can be viewed here however it is recommended to buy the book at your bookstore and see for yourself.

Addicted with Facebook?

2010-01-12T20:30:00.002+08:00

It is a funny thought since I sent a comment on one of my students who was an avid Facebook member. She didn't directly admit she was getting online most of the time after school time. Even I have been noticed by some peers of being online and always on the chat with them or taking long hours when not at work or just got home. Of course, Facebook has outdone the first Social Networking site introduced in the United States, Friendster. Facebook has become a useful companion in sending private message to friends wherein I am sending some message on our planned get together high school party with some of my pals from the good ol' days with my teenage angst with our hormones in high levels.

It is a phemonenon that hit the Philippines shelving the longest and first social networking site, Friendster . Facebook members is still growing and already had reached its peak with 100 million users in 9 months. Another trivia: if Facebook was a country, it could have been the world 4th populous nation in the world with China at first.

As I posted a month ago in this blog, Social Networking sites such as Facebook has become a major marketing tool for major brands and companies even startup companies and new entrepreneurs can use this a marketing tool in spreading out the word. A facebook has tremendous wonders for small time businesses, in interacting with your friends and at the same time people seeing what you got through word of mouth or just peeking at the profile. Wouldn't that be nice.

Disadvantage in the having the internet life, well let just say. You don't get to interact with real people's emotion getting in touch with other's lives by really talking to them in person and not a view of the screen in your laptop or pc.

How would you know, if you are addiceted to Facebook?

1.) Spending longer hours on the net playing the different games available from Mafia Wars, Farmville, Race Wars, Texas Hold'em Poker and others could keep you wide awake and might affect your self on work or studies.
2.) Updating your status or what you are doing box.
3.) Chat.
4.) Viewing other people's photos or profile out of curiosity.

Just a piece of advice to all facebook fanatic, keep yourself at low. Be disciplined in using the FB in playing let just say a two to three hours and better to use this in selling. A quality moment of life with less stress or shall I say, sipping coffee outside and watching people pass by, watch the sunset with special someone or stargazing at night is a relatively relaxing mood to do. Anyways, try it. There is nothing to lose.

Copyright 2009 - PinoyMoneyVantage| Personal Finance Help Philippines

Moneyvantage: Investment and Money Plan 2010

2009-12-31T13:33:00.001+08:00

What have you been planning now for 2010?

I also got this question in my mind on what to do this coming year. A brand new start for everyone who want to start a fresh new life and leaving the old habits. It is a good time to exercise the frugality of living less or simple life in order to save for the future. Planning at this time should be put down on paper first and therefore be true to what you put. Filipinos are very good but in execution of the plan they fail. But being realistic in fulfilling your plans would be better of course, compared to procrastination or the "Bahala na. and Mamaya na attitude" Putting plan into action or execution is essential in setting your Investment and Money Plan in 2010. Let start in first in saving 5 to 10% of your total income for a down payment of a home, a renovation of your already owned home or a start up capital for a future business.

Watch out for better updates on currents of investments by next year, will give you more insights on what to expect and help you out on our endeavors of becoming self sufficient, independent individuals and future entrepreneurs.

Happy New Year to Everyone!

Copyright 2009 - PinoyMoneyVantage| Personal Finance Help Philippines

Fresh Outlook on Philippine Real Estate for 3rd and 4th Quarter 2009

2009-12-17T00:24:00.003+08:00

Recently, I made some lectures and slides on my lecture series as a resource speaker of Real Estate Brokers Association of the Philippines - Pampanga Chapter. I was invited to this because of my knowledge and experience in selling with new advancement in technology through internet. The title of the seminar "ABCs of Selling Real Estate Online". Members of our organization where there to see for themselves the new trends in selling real estate in an unconventional ways from the traditional marketing we were brought up with lesser time and efforts with maximum inquiry and closing of sales for the members.

To start off with, the Philippine Real Estate has become a lucrative business in the beginning of early 2000 wherein our country had already recovered from Asian Financial crisis of 1997 that affected most of the rising tiger economies such as Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, The Philippines and other nation within the Asian economic sphere such as Japan, Taiwan and others.

There is a sudden increase of Overseas Filipino Workers or OFWs in terms of remittance wherein it grew at about US$ 17.4 billion this year from US$ 16.4 billion in 2008. In percentage, there is a growth of 4% according to Goldman and Sachs and Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas figures.

Demand for real estate has become high with the increase in population growth in our country plus incoming investment of our fellow balikbayans especially Fil-foreigners opting to retire in the Philippines in their prime years. Also, our country has overwhelming housing backlog – wherein estimated there should be 3.75 million homes that still needed to be built.

Even if Real Estate in United States and other western countries have experienced economic decline in the past few years. The Philippine Real Estate’s overview in the future is still bright even it slowed a little bit due to global financial crisis.

The growth of Business Processing Outsource (BPO) in the country also helped promote job generation giving young professionals opportunity to make a living. Recently, the Philippines has won the 2009 Offshoring Destination of the Year Category at the National Outsourcing Association (NOA) Awards held last October 15, 2009 in London, United Kingdom.

Philippine peso and US dollar foreign exchange remains fairly stable at an average of PhP 45.00 to US $ 1.00 as of early December 2009. With the Philippine peso remaining strong compared to the US$ dollar.

Lending Rates in banks still remains low at an average at 9.0% to 12.0 % per annum compared to previous years of around 15% to 21% interest rates p.a. However, PAG-IBIG lending are very low at 6% which is very competitive against bank’s lending rates.

The passing of Republic Act 9646 also known as The Real Estate Service Act of the Philippines (RESA/RESAP law) sponsored by Sen. P. Lacson et al. The passing of Real Estate Investment Trust Bill of 2009 sponsored by Sen. Edgardo Angara

Being optimistic after the recent calamities and catastrophes that happened in the Philippines would not deter us of achieving and aiming our goal as a tiger economy again.

Surviving the Christmas Holidays 2009.

2009-12-12T13:22:00.004+08:00

Now what? You have your 13th month pay and also your December salary. People are so happy on Christmas time but for me it is only a temporary relief of having money like this. I asked a friend last time on what she would be doing with her bonuses. She said that she will be getting something for her children who are growing up becoming teenagers and at the same time pay something for herself as well like her graduate school she is attending to and some credit card debts and loans needed to paid off, just lessen or to wipe out her burdens. I was thrilled to have that answer from her. She is doing the right thing of paying off her debts slowly but surely in order for her to get her life on track.

However, this Christmas season spending should be done wisely. As a responsible shopper should be making a shopping list first before splurging every cent of his or her hard-earned cash on what he or she can give for our his or her loved ones. Buying process is easy but the Decision making is a bit difficult especially if you are on a budget or having limited amount of money. What are necessary for the meantime are food items which will be prepared in the Christmas eve feast or Noche Buena in Filipino / Spanish term.

Items from previous Christmas which were not used would be very useful as giveaways on family Christmas raffle during reunion. It would better if you hadn’t used them at all. Spending for a raffles for as low as PhP 50.00 to PhP 100.00 per item would be good. Children toys on the hand, should be safe from toxic chemicals. Remember children safety is top priority especially on toddlers who like to grasp shiny or interesting thing then put it in their mouth. Much better if you buy an educational toy with no small parts or appropriate toys for the child’s age.

About fruitcakes have longer shelf-life it would be advisable not to use this item in exchange gift you may never know that the fruit cake is already expired, better be food conscious with it and avoid giving this item anyhow unless it is freshly baked.

So looking for racket or business oppor0tunities in making extra money would also be good in this season when demands for food items, personals items are looking for extra bargains in tiangges. Holiday season is an ideal time to set your mind and energy in being an entrepreneur again. Try selling to your friends and neighbors first. Engage in free enterprise.

Remember, spending is good for the economy as long as you shop wisely and responsibly. Spending stimulates movement and growth of the local and international markets from its previous stagnation brought about by the global financial crisis.

Anyways, the important thing this season is the celebration of the birthday of our lord Jesus Christ.

Copyright 2009 - PinoyMoneyVantage| Personal Finance Help Philippines

New Credit Card Scam on the Rise.

2009-12-10T12:39:00.004+08:00

Have you noticed that your email account is always full with SPAM which is eating in cleaning and sorting your genuine emails from this nuisance or soliciting email with no factual basis. These scammers are international crime syndicates maybe based in African nations or may be even working or holding operations in any country outside of Africa.

Would like to share this article forwarded by a friend through email.

New Credit Card Scam

This one is pretty slick since they provide YOU with all the information, except the one piece they want.

Note, the callers do not ask for your card number; they already have it... This information is worth reading. By understanding how the VISA & Master Card Telephone Credit Card Scam works, you'll be better prepared to protect yourself.

One of our employees was called on Wednesday from 'VISA', and I was called on Thursday from 'Master Card'.. The scam works like this: Caller: 'This is (name), and I'm calling from the Security and Fraud Department at VISA. My Badge number is 12460. You r card has been flagged for an unusual purchase pattern, and I'm calling to verify. This would be on your VISA card which was issued by (name of bank). Did you purchase an Anti-Telemarketing Device for $497.99 from a Marketing company based in ?'

When you say 'No', the caller continues with, 'Then we will be issuing a credit to your account. This is a company we have been watching and the charges range from $297 to $497, just under the $500 purchase pattern that flags most cards. Before your next statement, the credit will be sent to (gives you your address), is that correct?'

You say 'yes'. The caller continues - 'I will be starting a Fraud investigation. If you have any questions, you should call the 1- 800 number listed on the back of your card (1-800 -VISA) and ask for Security.'

You will need to refer to this Control Number. The caller then gives you a 6 digit number. 'Do you need me to read it again?'

Here's the IMPORTANT part on how the scam works. The caller then says, 'I need to verify you are in possession of your card'. He'll ask you to 'turn your card over and look for some numbers'. There are 7 numbers; the first 4 are part of your card number, the next 3 are the security Numbers that verify you are the possessor of the card. These are the numbers you sometimes use to make Internet purchases to prove you have the card. The caller will ask you to read the 3 numbers to him. After you tell the caller the 3 numbers, he'll say, 'That is correct, I just needed to verify that the card has not been lost or stolen, and that you still have your card. Do you have any other questions?' After you say No, the caller then thanks you and states, 'Don't hesitate to call back if you do, and hangs up.

You actually say very little, and they never ask for or tell you the Card number.. But after we were called on Wednesday, we called back within 20 minutes to ask a question.. Are we glad we did! The REAL VISA Security Department told us it was a scam and in the last 15 minutes a new purchase of $497.99 was charged to our card.

Long story - short - we made a real fraud report and closed the VISA account. VISA is reissuing us a new number. What the scammers want is the 3-digit PIN number on the back of the card Don't give it to them. Instead, tell them you'll call VISA or Master card directly for verification of their conversation. The real VISA told us that they will never ask for anything on the card as they already know the information since they issued20the card! If you give the scammers your 3 Digit PIN Number, you think you're receiving a credit. However, by the time you get your statement you'll see charges for purchases you didn't make, and by then it's almost too late and/or more difficult to actually file a fraud report.

What makes this more remarkable is that on Thursday, I got a call from a 'Jason Richardson of Master Card' with a word-for-word repeat of the VISA scam. This time I didn't let him finish. I hung up! We filed a police report, as instructed by VISA. The police said they are taking several of these reports daily! They also urged us to tell everybody we know that this scam is happening.

I hope this article would be useful for readers of this blog. Would put more insights on other scams that you can avoid and prevent yourselves from being prey from these devious people as well. You can visit this site for more details on credit card scams:

http://www.snopes.com/crime/warnings/creditcard.asp

Copyright 2009 - PinoyMoneyVantage| Personal Finance Help Philippines

Book Review: Rule # 1 by Phil Town

2009-12-05T20:15:00.000+08:00

A few months ago, while attending a free seminar in Investing in Stock Market courtesy of Mr. Juanis Barredo, Vice President of CitisecOnline / Citi Securities, Inc. who introduced us to a lots of concept in this type of investment. It was not a get rich quick scheme but creating awareness on this type of investment where people never had engaged on. He gave us some list of books to read and ponder before going to stock trading until he recommended to us Rule # 1 by Phil Town.

Who is this Phil Town? I never heard of him in my entire life. I became wonder what this author does so I decided to research first before buying this book and eventually went to the closest specialty bookstore like Powerbooks in SM Megamall and was priced at more than a 1,000 pesos for a hardbound. I only need a softbound copy which cost a fraction of that at PhP 695.00 at the nearby National Bookstore. I am happy and content on finding a copy of Phil Town's book.

Before becoming a famous author and investor, Phil Town was a former Special Forces soldier in the U.S. Army who served during the Vietnam war of late 1960s to early 1970s. After his tour in 'Nam, he returned to the United States to find out that many people despise the troops coming home and have unwelcoming remarks due to the anti-war sentiments on that period. With no work and having difficulties adjusting to civilian life, he did odd-jobs at that time until he became a river guide at the Colorado river with a outdoor tour company called Three Rivers (see Video).

RULE # 1: DO NOT LOSE YOUR MONEY! - as what Mr. Phil Town said

A rule that Mr. Phil Town has kept on his mind in a very long time and has been telling the readers ever since the conception of his book, Rule #1. The same principle as what Warren Buffett does.

Understanding first the company that interests you and analyzing their pros and cons in investing in them by establishing the MOAT.

Checking out the internet and find the gems which were thrown to the trash. Markets are harsh but somehow you can find a good find on those companies that can generate income in the future years.

Long Term Financial Literacy for School Children and Teenagers

2009-11-26T16:48:00.001+08:00

Would it be great when you teach your children young on investing and saving on a rainy day. I just read a new article on Philippine Star a few weeks ago of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas about their program of including in the school system about basic financial planning.

This would be a great idea for many especially the young ones. It would be better to instill and educate them as early as six or seven year olds about the value of money. This in turn could help them when they grow up to be adults in developing their consciousness on simple money saving habits. I agree with some of the comments of the posters of the news article but found there are some negative feedbacks as well with some posters. If you can remember back in our younger days, we do not have that knowledge. Our parent only thought as to save and save then buy something on what we want. However, we need to educate about developing these young minds on the value of investing not just saving but helping them by a step by step process on letting them know about insurances, stock markets, business and entrepreneurship etc.

Most of those first world countries have teenagers who already engage in stock trading simulation, they are only junior to senior high school student with age of 16 to 18 already learning the ropes of the trade through mentoring of their teachers, the school system and special participation private sectors. An example of this is in the state of Georgia, USA (see link) wherein they participated in mock stock trading games through virtual or online trading simulation competing with other teeners from different schools which is also a good challenge as well.

In the Philippines, the PSE or Philippine Stock Exchange have launched the PSE-Manila Times Equity Challenge (see link) in order to make all people of all walks of life participate and learn on trading on the stock market for FREE. This has become a starting point for everyone and would like to see it widen the horizon of educating the people in investing.

Copyright 2009 - PinoyMoneyVantage| Personal Finance Help Philippines

Efren PeÑaflorida..Another Filipino Gentleman on the World Spotlight!

2009-11-24T16:24:00.006+08:00

I never thought in such a simple ways of helping young kids and teen get educated with this tedious young man from Cavite pushing a cart full books, toys and educational materials providing free education to the streets children and helping these young underprivileged kids by giving them the values formation as well in helping them to become a nurturing and good people amidst the poverty. Such an act of kindness in dedicating his energy through education with the help of his volunteers have led them to be part of nation building in giving the youth a free education.

Congratulations for winning and achieving the CNN Heroes of the Year Award 2009 and that the Dynamic Teen Co. would flourish more in shaping and forming the youth of today. Another Pinoy triumphant again. Kudos.

Copyright 2009 - PinoyMoneyVantage| Personal Finance Help Philippines

Facebook, Friendster and Others - Social Networking Sites As a marketing tool

2009-11-24T16:21:00.002+08:00

In connection with the previous post I made a couple of days ago. The dawn of new technology through information superhighway have spark new ways of marketing and targeting clients. Marketing has evolved through cyberspace as well, the new horizon in marketing of products and services came a long way from the good old days of meeting and doing a door to door sales talk and showing your wares and services to unexpected household this is the saturation strategy and flyering of leaflets among sales and marketing companies in order to raise awareness among potential clients or customer in getting their attention and major advertising campaign in which major ad companies are hired by large corporation in order to promote their products and services. Now social networking sites have changed a lot and became a big help from new entrepreneurs to large scale companies looking to get a share of the market. In short, marketers should capitalize and see trends on this in order to reach the public.

Social Media Networks is not a fad, it has become an evolution on how news and connection are delivered. It also become the new market of reaching the people especially in tapping and uncovering the niche market of people in cyberspace. Useful and sometimes annoying to some due to its spam capabilities. More than Billion people in China have used Social Networking sites like QZone as ways and means to interact, communicate and market in the Chinese scene. In the Philippines, Friendster and Facebook have become the most visited social networking sites for Pinoys, growing number of young professionals using Facebook and teenagers using Friendster. Followed by Multiply wherein it is being used by startup entrepreneurs as their website.

So if you are planning to use these tools, the better. If you already a member of any of these social networking site, announcing it your friends, colleagues and existing networks if you are venturing into business or selling some products and services on their private messages and also putting some links of the products and services to your share or bulletin boards button for people to see and view would be ideal as a first thing to do in marketing. Better yet, to use keywords that are catchy to other people's attention. It will take time and a lot patience for people to come and view you, Just wait. Don't give up, don't give in.

About The How to's of Basic Online Selling and Marketing: Some thoughts and insights.

2009-11-21T12:47:00.008+08:00

Recently, I got invited to speak with our organization in Real Estate Broker Association of the Philippines - Pampanga Chapter. I was designated as the Vice President for Management Information System for REBAP. I was a bit excited with sharing again my insights on selling online properties or listing of inventory of real estate in order to give them online exposure which is FREE.

I have been a online seller since 2005 with Real Estate as my focus, I started building website on free hosting sites such as Tripod.com which is under Lycos, Inc. based abroad. The disadvantage on building on free site is that you only have limited storage for up to 20 Megabytes of space so I tried to squeeze and resize most of my pictures and videos or sometimes I get hosted with other image hosting providers which are free then like Flickr.com which was formerly known as Yahoo Photos till 2007, Photobucket, Picturetrail and others available on the internet. Hosting is FREE but there is a downside. An example of this is Photobucket wherein it can host up to 2 Gigabytes of images.

There are alarming number of small time entrepreneurs using the net as a medium in getting their products and services out in the open market through this format. Most of users of Multiply.com are females wherein they comprise of 55% user majority of that free website and blog. I can't imagine how that unknown startup company in the United States become well known after ABS-CBN Global acquired 2% share of the company and plans to acquire 2% again in the next few year. ABS-CBN introduced Multiply.com to Filipino market through use of the multiply format on their top rated show wherein it increase ten folds the previous users.

Last month, Multiply.com already announced that it will support all online sellers who are using their platform and this would be a great news for those small or startup entrepreneurs to make themselves present on cyberspace.

Social Media on the other hand, played a great role in this in creating a totally new network where everyone exist. With Facebook as the number format in all social networking site in the whole world with 900,000,000 people who are members of this site. You can watch this Youtube video I found a few weeks ago which was useful during my recent talk. Come and watch it. Philippines has still more members of Friendster but they are shifting to Facebook nowadays.

Copyright 2009 - PinoyMoneyVantage| Personal Finance Help Philippines

The Pacquiao Vs. Cotto Fight - One of The Best Fights of 2009

2009-11-15T21:23:00.011+08:00

It was my birthday yesterday. I celebrated my simple celebration with my family. It was family bonding of course. I didn't have much in my 28 years of existence in celebrating this wonderful bash because we were busy preparing in watching the boxing match Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto. I woke up late and did not attend the morning mass because I had to stay late at night preparing my powerpoint slides for my presentations in the coming days. I am a resource speaker on information technology concerns of our organization in Real Estate Brokers Association of the Philippines also known as REBAP.

I can't help write my experience in watching a great fight with both boxer showing their prowess and their wits. It is a real test of strength and endurance with both fighers on the ring. The odds are at Pacquiao at 2 to 1. This were the stats when I was watching HBO Pacquiao - Cotto 24/7 Video last night.

Pacquiao's onslaught made Cotto weaker in making decisive moves. Cotto on the other hand, never had the chance to use his silver bullet in taming Pacquiao's beast in him. He has truly proven himself that he is still the pound for pound king and not just a fighter. Critics were wrong about him when they mentioned that he is just used to fight washed up boxers like Hatton and Dela Hoya. Maybe Floyd Mayweather Jr. Should consider again the offer even if he is envious that the PACMAN is the True Pound for Pound King.

I salute Cotto's sportmanship and bravery in this match. He is a also a great fighter in his division as a Welterweight boxer.

Pacquiao now has seven titles on different weight division on his belt.

In the end, Filipinos of all walks of life and other nationalities have united in support of the people's champ, Manny Pacquiao - Our Champion, We Salute you for representing our country with pride and honor.

The Filipino Art of Breakthrough Selling: 4th Quarter 2009 Seminars

2009-11-10T16:43:00.007+08:00

I was an attendee of one of these events by Dioscoro "Jun" Garing, Jr. in 2007. It was a fun and interactive seminar for would sales people or people who want to venture into the selling and marketing jobs or business. The lecture and seminar I attended before was more specialized on the Real Estate Selling and Marketing.

His powerful, self-motivating tactics is moved me in reaching my goals as a salesperson. The power in understanding the Filipino culture should be understood wherein a part of his tackles and identify the culture and perception of common Pinoys in sales. Dr. F. Landa Jocano Ph.D., a well known writer and professor emeritus from Asian Center, University of The Philippines - Diliman also gave some insights on the cultural of Filipinos and understanding them.

The lecture and short workshop give the attendees the necessary skill and understanding the deep roots of Pinoy consumer psychology and other details which may be very helpful for their personal experience.

Copyright 2009 - PinoyMoneyVantage| Personal Finance Help Philippines

A Tribute to Tita Cory

2009-08-07T18:03:00.005+08:00

Our beloved icon of Philippine democracy which has inspired other countries around the world in the 1980s said her last farewell. I never assumed that her passing would be a bit emotional for most of us who were born and seen her as our adoring mother of our nation after the disintegration of Marcos regime in February 1986 - EDSA People Power Revolution which was flocked by more than 2,000,000 Filipinos who were up against the dictator that tore down this country.

I was only a child then as I remembered flashing the Laban sign and wearing a yellow shirt with the Ninoy's face silkscreened on it. The martial law years was a very dark and terrible year under the Marcos' regime. If we rethink and study the past most of the known governments in Southeast Asia such as Indonesia during Suharto's regime, Myanmar and others have resorted to due to the rising communist threat of the Soviet bloc nations and China.

I feel very reluctant that we were given a strong leader such as her. I underestimated her strength as a woman wherein leading the country is one of the most stressful appointment or position.

Looking back in the past, United States and its allies have devised plans to halt and intervene the spread of communism by indirectly supporting mujaheedeen fighters in Afghanistan, sending combat troops in the fourteen year old Vietnam War which has spread to nearby countries such as Laos and Cambodia which were once part of the colonies of the old French Indochina after World War 2.

Thank you Tita Cory for the wonderful years of helping restore democracy to the Philippines again.

Visit her website at www.coryaquino.ph.

The 3rd Annual Philippine Real Estate Festival 2009

2009-07-31T04:11:00.000+08:00

Video courtesy of: www.rtvm.gov.ph

I was able to attend the Philippine Real Estate Festival last July 23, 2009. It was great to see some of the industry players attending this event.

The afternoon forums on the status of our real estate industry is very informative and useful in terms of economic outlook expected in the future and bright prospect our country can attain with high demand of Filipino professionals in the overseas work and business processing outsource sector, the near completion of infrastructure and telecommunications development projects around the countryside with sigh relief of pending slow economic recovery of the world.

Tourism Secretary Ace Durano is pushing the Philippines to have take chunk of the tourism market the Department of Tourism's aim is to promote property tourism, medical and ecology tourism in which it will showcase our lush beautiful sceneries and bountiful resources to foreigner and also our very own local tourist. Also in the forum are Philippine Retirement Authority Chairman Edgardo Aglipay who has given a short lecture on capturing the foreign retiree markets of baby boomers, people born before World War II. Mr. Antonio Antonino, the president of Ayala Land Inc. in which he discusses about real estate investment in the diverse Philippine market, Secretary Margarito Teves of the Department of Finance discussing on the investment outlook in the Philippines, Vice President Noli De Castro, the chairman of HUDCC on how the Philippines escape the subprime mortgage crisis and Director General Lilia de Lima of Philippine Economic Zone Authority on how locators still stayed in the economic zone in the Philippines.

I am very hopeful and optimistic on the positive news that we received from this movers and shakers of the real estate industry in the hopes of strengthening and putting our faith on real estate in order to hedge inflation. We are experiencing slow growth in our economic overview but with hopes of slow economic recovery of the United States and the whole world in which it will takes months to years before the happy days are here again.

Copyright 2008-2009 - PinoyMoneyVantage

Fresh Outlook on Philippine Real Estate for 2009 (part 2)

2009-06-15T17:02:00.000+08:00

There have been some woes and slow growth recently in the real estate sector as the industry was affected with the current global financial crisis which was have written on the previous post back in February 2009. There have been major changes among the Business Process Outsourcing Companies (BPOs).

The task taken by government in keeping our country afloat has been monumental. During the recent speech by Gov. Amando Tetangco of Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) last April 14, 2009 on the occasion of Australian-New Zealand Chamber of Commerce Annual General Membership held at Hotel Intercontinental Manila, Makati City mentioned that "no economy is immune from the effects of this crisis, but those which have built up buffers are more likely to fare better than others".

According to the 4th Quarter of 2008 Reports of Colliers International Philippines, in the past months shows that rising vacancy and inventories of office, commercial and residential especially on commercial business districts of Makati have reached around 2.6 percent. Movements of tenants elsewhere around or nearby these areas are on the rise. These actions should complement their needs, requirements, specifications in order to lower the costs of a companies' operational expenses compared to a high-rise buildings which are only suited for office settings due to their expected expansion and growth. Factors to be considered are power consumption, telecommunication equipment setup, shifting operations and others affected the buildings' suitability for these BPO companies. Moving to a more viable and amiable locations such as Clark Freeport (Pampanga), City of Sta. Rosa (Laguna), Quezon City, Cebu City and other nearby areas would benefits these other site from the rapid growth of the contact center industry.

A few weeks ago, Secretary Ralph Recto of the National Economic Development Agency has reported that the Philippines is in a collision course of near recession with growth of 0.4% on the first quarter of this year. With government expectation of a growth rate of 4.4% for the first quarter it turned out the slowly as the world recession is rearing its ugly head again. The government is taking steps on bending and curbing the mass lay-offs from happening by providing alternatives such as other jobs and livelihood for the poor such as Comprehensive Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program.

On foreign ownership of land in the Philippines, many suggested that government should open up shores of this country to foreigners in order to invest more creating more Foreign Direct Investments(FDIs). However, research done by the IBON Foundation reported that revising our laws as spearheaded by House Speaker Prospero Nograles would make the real estate prices skyrocket with the notion that the masses and middle class Filipinos will no longer be given the opportunity to buy or acquire property if this happens. The real estate industry needs regulation on acquisition if they are about to change the law limiting to 10% of the lands as disclosed by an anonymous real estate leader if the government and people are open to it.

On the brighter side, Banks are now offering low rates are getting lower now at 7.5 percent since January 2009. Home Mutual Development also known as PAG-IBIG has already lowered its interest from 7.5 percent to 11.5 percent. The lowest that a home lending government agency can offer. With these developments, refinancing of previous real estate bank loans can be done if a home buyer has a current loan mortgages in order to reduce and readjust the monthly amortization.

Despite the good news, the banking industry has become hesitant with the growing number of non-performing assets (bad assets) due to default or foreclosures by a borrower on properties and others. However for a real estate investor and speculator, this is a sign of a gold mine of new opportunities in a current global financial turmoil with growing number of these properties are located in highly populated and commercialized areas within the metropolis. Best time to buy is on a down market. Right now developers are encouraging potential buyers and investors to buy properties offering them more affordable longer and attractive payment schemes with lower interest rates at fixed terms from banks and other lending institution which is enticing indeed.

Copyright 2008-2009 - PinoyMoneyVantage

Updates on PAG-IBIG Loans (Home Mutual Development Fund) for 2009

2009-04-26T13:14:00.014+08:00

Last 1st April 2009, Vice President and Housing Czar Noli De Castro recently announced that the Home Development Mutual Fund (HMDF) also known as PAG-IBIG Fund have approved the increase and adjustments on loan structures from the previous maximum loan bracket of PhP 2.0 Million to PhP 3.0 Million. These adjustments are great news for our folks who are given a more wider choices and options in a purchasing a home.

This move not only will benefit all members which focuses more from middle income earners and workers in highly urbanized areas in the Philippines and the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) but also the real estate development companies as well in providing housing to our people. Thus empowers, the buyers with maximized purchasing power which help the real estate industry at the same time.

Here are the new Pag-ibig housing loan structures per annum:

For loan up to P400, 000 -- interest is 6%
Over P400,000 up to P750,000 -- interest is 7%
Over P750,000 up to P1 million -- interest is 8.5%
Over P1 million up to P1.25 million -- interest is 9.5%
Over P1.25 million up to P2 million -- interest is 10.5%
Over P2 million up to P3 million -- interest is 11.5%

All are fixed rates. For new developer, HMDF funds requires a 30% equity for their buyers to acquire a property and 70% loanable amount with strict compliance of requirements. If development company has a proven excellent track record , they can request to lower the equity requirement to 20% or 10%. Loans can be paid either 10 Years, 15 years, 20 years , 25 years to 30 years maximum.

What's happening, Philippines?, A short talk with Prof. Solita "Winnie" Monsod

2009-04-10T11:42:00.003+08:00

Recently, the Real Estate Brokers Association of the Philippines (REBAP) - National Chapter has invited new licensed real estate brokers, current or active members on its first General Meeting and Membership (1st GMM) Assembly held in Sulo Hotel, Diliman, Quezon City which is held quarterly It was a triumphant time for most of the real estate professionals of this organization to gather and share their thoughts, agendas, proposals, plans and other business matters that affect organization, the real estate industry and also the economic issues and global financial crisis that is currently happening .

There was a spark of light in darkness and a glimmer of hope when the invited guest speaker of the day was Professor Solita "Mareng Winnie" Monsod gave this short talk and analysis on what is happening now in the world and the Philippines. Professor Monsod is a well known figure in the media as economist, writer, broadcaster and a professor of economics in the School of Economics in University of the Philippines.

During the talk she presented her analysis on the current situation of how the Philippines is doing in the present financial crisis. Wherein the Philippines was never hit harder compared to the first world countries and neighboring countries with the stimulus package brought about by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's economic planning team in the effort to lessen the impact and keep the country from vulnerability against attacks. Somehow there are good news and bad news laying ahead in this tough times and condition that the ordinary Filipinos can cope up and adapt in a belt tightening mode. I adapted some of the notes I have jotted down including the slides used in the presentation.

Below is the summarized slideshow presentation (in Slideshare.net) adapted from Prof. Winnie Monsod's presentation as a guest speaker in last month.

What's up, Philippines?

View more presentations from pinoymoneyvantage.

Long Absence - Erratic Schedule

2009-04-03T19:54:00.002+08:00

Sorry being away for that long extended time. I am so busy with work and recent activities involving extra-curricular activities, work and organizational meets. Right now it is summer time and we will have lots of activities on my planned outdoor activities this April and May 2009. For my viewers, Thank you for waiting patiently for me.

I still have upcoming blogs to catch with especially in regards to financial, economic and environmental and even a bit of the showbiz limelight for you folks to see. Also, I will be changing my templates with a much newer one. I still love that old template with planet earth on it because I am a staunch supporter of Earth Hour at 60 minutes.

Have a happy summer, folks!

Farewell Francis M.!

2009-03-21T19:47:00.007+08:00

The music scene of the master rapper was kept alive by the people who loved him from his dear family, to friends from the showbiz and music industry to the music fans who have come to share his ideas of what ideal and true Filipino he was. I thank Francis for the memories and the music he has contributed to us in the past years. I may not be a die-hard fan of his music genre but I still appreciate his awareness with what's going on with the ordinary Filipino in his lyrics.

Thank you Master Rapper Francis Magalona, have a happy battle on heaven. You can visit his website at www.happybattle.net.

Fresh Outlook on Philippine Real Estate for 2009 (part 1)

2009-03-09T14:22:00.000+08:00

Amidst the gloom from the global financial crisis. The Philippines economy is still holding on thanks to the buffers implemented by the government and the economic managers. Right now, reports of job losses are not that staggering but are still manageable compared to what is happening in America wherein over millions of people lost everything in the previous months. Somehow local businesses are still very optimistic with the current situation happening around the globe with the election of President Barack Obama and its implemented economic stimulus package in order to help the U.S. economy recover from recession. Recently, the U.S. government admitted that its economy has been in recession since December 2007.

The Philippines is still and will experience slow growth on its first quarter with a percentage of around.

Business Process Outsourcing Companies or Call Center are still in growing even with the global financial crisis as more jobs are being outsource from abroad. Right now due to constraints and budget cuts. Majority of BPOs located in commercial business districts such as Makati, Ortigas, Libis, Cubao and Bonifacio Global City (Fort Bonifacio).

With slow growth in the construction and infrastructure industry. Inventories of real estate properties are still high and in-demand. Developers are looking forward in finishing their projects to make viable to their clients. Ready for occupany units of residential are in high demand these days.

An example of these are warehouses. Most of these warehouses are converted to BPO offices located closeby or within proximity of CDBs. in which it is just a few minute ride from the main city. Residential condominiums are much in demand as well within CDBs on wherein people working in these area prefer nicer and more comfortable space closer to their confines and conveniences.

Condotels are something to watch out for as prime investment with the buildup of major belt in the Philippines in Metro Manila and nearby provinces.

Copyright 2008-2009 - PinoyMoneyVantage

The Secret: the knowledge is now revealed and passed on to you!

2009-03-07T14:28:00.000+08:00

Recently got hold of a DVD from a friend. I went curious with the DVD he had given and went on watching it the other day on my free time. Well, I got amazed with those simple thought can turn everything into reality. Yes, this is true with the positive visualization of the outcome of the event you want to achieve can possibly come true as what athletes are doing before competing but still the best part of all this is the action that should be taken in order for the dream to actually take place. Rhonda Byrne's book have taken a storm.

The Law of Attraction in the universe.

In the DVD or the book, you can read or watch the interviews from different people who have shared their secret to success from Jack Canfield of Chicken Soup for the Soul book series,

Simple thoughts of positive thinking will attract positive outcome on what you want in your life.

Still try to remember that:

A THOUGHT / DREAM / INSPIRATION (5%) + ACTION (95%) = SUCCESS / REALITY (It may not be the perfect outcome but it will close to what you dream of or better than you have in your mind)!

I have also added "The Secret to you...a Gift from the Secret Scrolls" courtesy of www.thesecret.tv. In this is way you can view this over and over and get yourself inspired in building those thoughts and dreams in your life you want to achieve and strive hard to have.

Copyright 2008-2009 - PinoyMoneyVantage

Betting on Real Estate: Foreclosed Property Sector in the United States!

2009-01-11T12:04:00.009+08:00

Foreclosure in America is high and rampant nowadays. But still even if the U.S. is in recession there are still a lot of ways to earn money through real estate which is the highest and lucrative among all the investments you can think of. Right now property inventories are high and you can still flip lots of it as long you have extra cash on your sleeves with the growing demand of properties coming from other nations such as Canada which is least affected with the financial meltdown. Canadian economy is still resilient and in tip top shape compared to their neighboring America because less credit fall out. An example of Canadians moving down south to America especially in Las Vegas, Nevada wherein the prices are hitting rock bottom as what the video shown above. Other nationalities that are paving their way to the U.S. soil are the mainland Chinese who have the money and resources to tour and venture in America.

Las Vegas is a sin city or sin capital of the world but indeed even if there are no angels around in this heaven on earth. The real estate in this place is lucrative once the ailing economy recovers in a matter of months to years. President-elect Barack Obama later report his plan of creating a stimulus package in the ailing economy and in order to spur the once booming America back to its knees one step at a time. As an investor and a real estate broker I am hopeful that the world would become vibrant again and somehow will manage to survive the gloom over the dark clouds this 2009.

What about us, Global Pinoy or Filipinos? We can still manage to buy a property in the United States as long as you have the ample amount of funds in buying that dream home in their soil plus it is a very good investment and a plus if you are trying to impress the immigration official if you plan to migrate in America.

Included also in this blog write up the history of the credit crunch in 2007 and how it affected America and in the World as explained on CNN.

See the second part of this segment.

Copyright 2008-2009 - PinoyMoneyVantage

Office Humor in our lives!

2009-01-07T14:12:00.001+08:00

I decide to unfurl a lighter side of me. Being a serious author of this blog with "financial freedom".

Let's tickle your funny bones with some of the sites you can visit and forward message through e-mail that will surely make your friends and co-worker them laugh out loud. You can click the corresponding titles directing you to their own websites. Enjoy!

Usapang Pera (Money Talk): Biblical Principles of Financial Management

2009-01-04T12:49:00.000+08:00

Usapang Pera (Money Talk): Biblical Principles of Financial Management

What does money have to do with God? Because every financial decision is a spiritual one

"If therefore you have not been faithful in the use of worldly wealth, who will entrust the true riches to you" Luke 16:11

When: 10 & 17 January 2009, Saturday, 1:00-5:00 p.m.

Where: UCM Library

Resource Person: Mark Aranal, Creative Director of Crown Ministries

Registration Fee: P100 for 2 Sessions

For more information, please contact:

Rhon O. Bautista (Head Librarian),

E-mail: library@unionchurch.ph, Tel No.: 812-6062

Website: http://www.ucmlibrary.ws

Please sign-up at the library table in the Fellowship Hall on Sunday or at the Library during library hours

Copyright 2008-2009 - PinoyMoneyVantage

MONEYVANTAGE: Rent is up for Property Rental Sector

2009-01-03T12:09:00.006+08:00

Yesterday, I was alerted with the TV report from ABS-CBN regarding that the rent control law has finally lapsed last 31st December 2008 (see Republic Act 9341: Rent Control Act of 2005). I thought it was no big deal after all and finally realized that we do have rental residential/commercial properties in hand somewhere in Quezon City. I felt a bit ecstatic but somehow felt sorry for the people who we are leasing our properties. However we are adamant NOT to increase rent in order to compensate with the sudden slump in food business in which our tenant are involved with.

The demand for rental property is still high among urbanized cities particularly in Metro Manila. Still with the rapid urbanization and the immigration from people to these major cities the need for space and housing is still needed as major locators are not moving yet to closer provinces plus the business process outsourcing (call center) is still ongoing even with the slump in America and shifting to other countries not or less affected with the global financial crisis. Companies are still in need of housing for their personnel. Location of rental property, environment and neighborhood is also a key factor why people are looking for. As mentioned before, it should be close proximity, accessible to transport services and convenient for the tenant to get to where he/she works or intends to go. The closer the rental property to these factors the higher the rent is.

Somehow the RENT CONTROL LAW is beneficial for the poor and low-income families but the distributional effects are minimal since non-poor families have equal access to rent-controlled units. Philippines Rent Control Act of 2005 Provides rent control for properties with monthly rent not exceeding PHP10,000 in cities and PHP7,500 in other areas. Rent control maybe necessary to prevent economic eviction and abuses on payment of key monies.  
Some lawmakers are encouraging people to avail the PAG-IBIG Housing loans in which they their rates are at 11.5% interest p.a. compared to their previous offer of 18% interest per annum a few years ago in order to acquire their dream house and residential condominiums.

Copyright 2008-2009 - PinoyMoneyVantage

Welcoming 2009!

2009-01-01T10:51:00.005+08:00

Pardon me if have been busy for the past few months, I have been doing some homeworks with the Registered Financial Planner (RFP - Philippines) Program I have joined summer last year. Plus my regular job on the healthcare which requires a lot of my time on being promoted as an assistant section head. I have been unable to focus on Real Estate business for quite sometime and also helping the company my mom created back in 2004 with my younger sister taking the helm as my mother's assistant on her business affairs.

31st December 2008 - I was already saying goodbye to the old year and greeting the people at work "Happy New Year" as we were anticipating tomorrow for a NEW HOPE for everyone. I went to work in the morning and the company was on skeletal duty with some of the administration staff on holiday leave as what President Arroyo have declared a few days before Christmas. It is a long two week vacation for the office staff but not for us because our job involves in critical care in healthcare sector.

Got back from home at 3 pm after accompanying a friend from errand of buying some groceries intended for the night's coming party. He was happy enough to look and expect a bountiful 2009. It is true that most of us are expecting a new hope for change in 2009, that we increase our salaries and fringe benefits, job security, time and freedom with friends and families and a lot more. As the Social Weather Survey said on the Philippine Star published a few days ago that 92% of Filipinos are still hopeful for 2009.

1st January 2009 - At night to the early morning, I was really expecting a big bang of different fireworks on display in the air in our neighborhood. But somehow, I only heard less crackles and heavy explosions outside plus not much exhibition of fireworks in our subdivision. I came to wonder if us Filipinos are still on a belt tightening mode or just plain became eco-wise or friendly people in a way to save mother earth. Although, I admit I did play with firecrackers when I was little till I was a teener, My outlook on use of these have change through the years when I said to myself that why waste on burning your money on firecracker instead of buying essentials needed by the household like food, appliances etc or put it temporarily in a piggy bank and acquire new investments you want to setup.

I am hopeful too that we can weather the global financial crisis and that the economic buffers that government had done in the past few months would eventually last that long and would like to outlive the global economic crisis. I am hopeful that President Barack Obama would make a stand in providing economic stimulus to the number economy of the world in the United States of America.

Just watchout: will post more event and their details financial planning and services I can find for January 2009.

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2009!

Filipino Holiday on a Spree!

2008-12-15T22:55:00.017+08:00

I visited a mall the other day and was glad to find out that there are mob of people out there enjoying the thrill of finding some items to give this Christmas season. Families eating in droves in fastfood chains and children still enjoying the rides and the amusement parks. Even in the turmoil of global financial crisis, Filipinos are still keen in celebrating it amidst the problems our world is into. I never thought that Pinoys will not celebrate the season but somehow I am happy that we are keeping the Christmas tradition in our hearts and for all times. For businesses in retail this is a good sign that somehow the economy is still in shape and is able to cope up with the times even if there are fewer outputs compared to last year wherein they are still currently surviving and afloat.

Philippines however felt the pinch but business moguls such as Ayalas of Ayala Corporation and Uytengsus of Alaska Milk have positive outlook among Filipinos who are eager to survive the crisis. They are encouraging people to look for other means in order to survive from giving the sense of entreprenuerial spirit of setting up a small business or getting a part-time job and other alternatives in making their lives sustainable for their future.

The best thing in Christmas is celebrating the coming of our lord, Jesus Christ. His coming is the essence of the season in observance of Christian traditions.

MALIGAYANG PASKO AT MANIGONG BAGONG TAON!

The Homefront

2008-11-18T15:05:00.000+08:00

We are almost plunging into a new global recession if the problems plaguing the U.S. economy from the financial crisis griping the movement of this once economic power of the world is not averted even with the rescue package given by the federal government a few weeks ago. The U.S. economy is losing ground the other time with Dow Jones and NASDAQ losing points on trading day. Investors are pulling away their investments in stocks, banks and other financial instruments after the public have lost their confidence with these companies. Greed became the main ingredient of this chaotic times with majority of companies profit raking effort have turned against them which started at first with the subprime crisis on real estate on which the credit crunch.

Germany and Japan had already put on the "We are now on recession banner" and have stepped plans to curb the lay-offs where most of those affected are the manufacturing industry especially the automobile makers from Daimler Benz, Opel, Nissan, Mitsubishi and others. Iceland on the hand is the first nation to file bankruptcy with it government piling up debts even if they are the most ecologically friendly nation in using renewable energy like geothermal plants and others.

A few weeks ago, I was reading this article published in the Philippine Stock Exchange website. "RP Stocks among least affected in Asia". It was a good news indeed that we survive a bit from being banged up a few weeks ago. But I still feel at lost with the trading of stocks I have in my investment account. My shares of investments lost ground. Mutual funds are not doing that well

Financial and banking institutions in the Philippines have learned their lessons on 1997 Asian Financial crisis. I was much happy with Jaime Zobel de Ayala's comment that the Philippines can weather the global financial crisis by tapping our local or domestic markets in opening credits for the local folks to borrow. It was a positive news to see that Filipinos are interested in putting up their own businesses amidsts the global turmoil on one segment of TV Patrol last night. I am happy that these people are resilient enough to be in the road less travelled.

I am hopeful that the Eye of the storm will pass away.

Copyright 2008-2009 - PinoyMoneyVantage

Ayala Land wins Euromoney’s Real Estate tilt

2008-10-16T10:14:00.008+08:00

Ayala Land has once again proved its mettle among the best property developers in the country as it bagged the “Best Overall Developer in the Philippines” award, among other category awards from the esteemed 2008 Liquid Real Estate Awards powered by Euromoney. The latter is a trusted resource on global financial markets and the award is the outcome of a survey conducted among financial institutions and real estate investors by its niche publication Liquid Real Estate.

Liquid Real Estate, known as the “voice of the real estate industry” around the world, capitalized on their access to various property markets in order to sieve the best and brightest among industry players.

This year, Ayala Land was vested with the following recognition:

Best Residential Developer in the Philippines

Best Retail/Shopping Developer in the Philippines

Best Office/Business Developer in the Philippines

Best Industrial/Warehouse Developer in the Philippines

Best Leisure/Hotel Developer in the Philippines

Best Mixed-Use Developer in the Philippines

Best Property Manager in the Philippines

In an email to Ayala Land, Euromoney’s head of Middle East and Asia, William Powell, expressed his congratulations to the company for winning the award, revealing that, “competition is extremely tough for these awards and therefore poll winners richly deserve the accolade.”

A global awards dinner was set in London last October 2, 2008.