For their part, businesses are accorded equal protection under the law. I’m not sure if this applicable in the local setting, but fidelity bond protects businesses against embezzlement or theft by employees.

Government Declared Philippine Holidays

January 1 (Sunday) – New Year’s Day
January 23 (Monday) – Chinese New Year
February 25 (Saturday) – EDSA Revolution Anniversary
April 5 (Thursday) – Maundy Thursday
April 6 (Friday) – Good Friday
April 9 (Monday) – Araw ng Kagitingan
May 1 (Tuesday) – Labor Day
June 12 (Tuesday) – Independence Day
August 19 (Sunday) – Eid’l Fitr
August 21 (Tuesday) – Ninoy Aquino Day
August 27 (Monday) – National Heroes Day
October 26 (Friday) – Eid’l Adha
November 1 (Thursday) – All Saints Day
November 2 (Friday) – Special (non-working) Day
November 30 (Friday) – Bonifacio Day
December 25 (Tuesday) – Christmas Day
December 30 (Sunday) – Rizal Day
December 31 (Monday) – Last Day of the Year

Long Weekends for 2012

January 21-23 — Chinese New Year
April 5-9 — Holy Week and Araw ng Kagitingan
April 28 – May 1 — Labor Day
August 18-21 — Eid-al-Fitr and Ninoy Aquino Day
August 25-27 — National Heroes Day
October 26-28 — Eid-al-Adha
November 1-4 — All Saints’ Day
November 30-Dec 2 — Bonifacio Day
December 22-25 — Christmas
December 29-Jan 1 — New Year

1. Instead of using dryer, hang the clothes outside to save on electricity. I observe that clothes that are sun or air dry smell good.

2. Cook outside the main house. The heat generated from cooking will induce a warmer or humid atmosphere inside the house.

3. Use washing machine at night when lesser appliance is being used. Computers with touch monitors (like elo touch screen), may or may not consume large amounts of electricity, but just the same, turn off appliance when not in use.

4. Visit parks instead of going to the mall to avoid unwanted spending.

You can add more budget-wise tips to the list. Comment section is open.

The Volkswagen Passat estate car is one of the roomiest around, with large, comfortable seating and all sorts of hidden storage areas. The suspension means it is comfortable even on long journeys, so if you’re thinking of driving the family to France for this year’s holiday, this is the car for you.

Fitting child seats properly is imperative for safety, which is why most newer cars now come with ISOFIX fittings. These allow car seats to be attached to points fitted into the car itself, rather than relying on adult seatbelts to secure them. These are fast becoming a necessity in the family car market, so whilst used car prices can be tempting, shopping from the more recent end of the market is advisable. That’s not to say a used car won’t have these fittings, but it is always best to check before purchasing.

The Toyota Avensis has been producing models with this ISOFIX feature since at least 2007, and has a spacious five door hatchback version for large families. It has a phenomenal amount of storage space, with a 543 litre boot capacity even when the rear seats are all up, and under-floor cubbies in some versions. The Verso model can seat seven, which is perfect for an ever-increasing family.

Wainwright’s Coast To Coast:

Also known by locals and ramblers as C2C, this route starts at St. Bees on the Cumbrian coast, leading towards Robin Hood’s Bay near Whitby in North Yorkshire. Taking around 14 days, among the sights you can see include the market town of Alston, Scafell Pike, which is England’s highest mountain and Ennerdale Bridge. If you’re going the reverse route, then you might want to stay in a comfortable cottage in the Lake District to rest your weary feet.

Jennings Adventure Ale Trail – Rydal

For the real ale connoisseurs among us, this trail is a must. Starting and finishing in Ambleside, this 30-mile route takes in pubs in Elterwater and Grasmere along the way, all of which serve ale brewed by Jennings, makers of the much-loved Cumberland Ale. Aside from beer, this route also has plenty of spectacular views of nearby lakes, tarns and becks which are bound to challenge even the most experienced walker.

Tour of Great Gable via the Passes

This part of the Lake District gave birth to rock climbing in Britain, and begins and ends in the village of Seatoller. Along the relatively short 15-mile route, you’ll pass through Ennerdale, Scarth Gap and will get awe-inspiring views of the Great Gable Mountain. This route is well worth walking if you want to walk across challenging terrain.

With 17 stations including Cru Steakhouse and chocolate room for only P2, 500 net per head, Marriott Café got everything what a family would crave for from the healthiest greens, house-made pasta, savory steaks, to well-crafted cocktails.

To pay tribute to the woman that matters most, for every minimum of P12, 000 net worth of receipt is entitled to an instant free caricature for mom! Since we believe that whatever hat she wears, mom is always at her most beautiful. On Mother’s Day, we’re adding a dose of cuteness with an exclusive souvenir caricature of her on Sunday Brunch.

And if the whole gang is in the mood to celebrate the day for dinner, Marriott Café offers Ocean Surf exclusively for this Sunday of mother’s day for only P1850 net per head. We know how most moms enjoy getting their hands dirty on rock lobster, crabs, oysters, clams, and shrimps.  That’s why our spread is stocked up only with the freshest and tastiest selections, whether it’s enjoyed as is or have our chefs make an exciting twist from it.

What’s lovely about this buffet is that, it’s not only about shells and seafood. The spread is pumped up with big slabs of beef and lamb slices from the carving station and other delicious options from the rotisserie.  Swing by at the Chinese Station for authentic dim sums, pork barbeque, marinated chicken, and Beijing style duck. The dessert station decks out as well large array of choices both for sweet toothed and weight watchers.

While for some who plans to go in an intimate, classy venue serving decadent dishes, Cru Steakhouse is the first in mind when making dining decisions. It’s also a venue of choice if you want to be settled in fine dining style of ambience with hands on service and pleasant staffs, who are very much adept on wine pairing too. For mother’s day, sous chef Rej Casanova whips up a surefire hit four course menu: Baby rocket salad with pan fried scallops, mushroom consome, grilled grain fed Australian ribeye with sautéed baby carrots & potato dauphinoise and creamy mushroom sauce or duo of baked mahi mahi and grilled jumbo tiger prawns, capped off with poached cranberries fresh apples vanilla bean ice cream—all these at P4, 000 net per head.

Sitting between your loved one while enjoying a perfectly composed and polished meal is always a great thing; but if it’s added with a weekend break in a snazzy hotel, whose mom wouldn’t love the idea? With this in mind, on offer is the special Mother’s Day room package. Spend a leisurely overnight stay in the deluxe room for only P9, 888++ single/double, inclusive of Marriott Café breakfast buffet for two with P1,000 worth of credits at Quan Spa and Jessie Mendez salon.

Discover Marriott Manila’s exciting take in celebrating Mother’s Day. From the world-renowned service, dining, and accommodation, it’s no wonder why it’s a favorite spot of every fun-loving family.

For inquiries or reservations, call 988-9999.

Breakout and breakthroughs at SM City Batangas the last on-ground audition

The last streak may just be it. TV5′s newest and biggest singing reality search Kanta Pilipinas held its last on-ground auditions April 20-21 at SM City Batangas. The last opportunity to get approval from Inspirational Diva Ms. Jamie Rivera, award-winning musical arranger/composer Mr. Jimmy Antiporda and Talent Manager Ms. Maristel Sempedro was quite tough with more than 247 aspirants. Ms. Nini Matilac, Head for TV and Film of Futuretainment Inc., joined in selecting the best talents for the show.  Like what they have done in Cagayan De Oro, Cebu, Davao, Baguio, Iloilo and SM North auditions, hopefuls were given tips and suggestions on how to improve their performances and what best to do next time they try to audition in other contests and programs. Since looks are not enough to get in any singing reality shows, those who failed auditions in previous on-ground auditions determined to try their luck on the last on-ground auditions at SM City Batangas. Some aspirants who followed the judges’ suggestions and criticisms made it and some did not despite the long travel from other regions. With four audition judges arguing on points to consider for each contestants who tried luck on stage, the decisions were sometimes unanimous and magnanimously split. A blind choir singer traveled all the way from Quezon City and wowed the judges while a girl from Zamboanga made the judges awe at her performance. There were also groups and performances who were so great on the first day and failed to get in the final list on the call-back auditions. Wrong choice of songs and missing soul in performances made some aspirants cry on stage but grateful for the experience after.  Just when the crowd was set to leave the audition came a beautiful lady from Quezon City who wowed the judges with her appearance and voice quality. The last on-ground auditions drama continued with the call-backs from where 48 in the list cut down to 29. The judges found it difficult to eliminate some contestants whose voice quality was compared to those seen in international singing reality searches. Audition Judge Mr. Jimmy Antiporda provided some contestants piano musical arrangement to those with wrong choices for the last chance to get the approval of the judges. Some made it and some did not. What will happen next? The excitement continues as the next firsts of Kanta Pilipinas will unveil next week! Don’t miss your last chance to get in TV5′s biggest and newest singing reality search. Online auditions deadline is until April 26, 2012 so keep submitting your entries. Kanta mo, Kwento mo Kapatid! Soon on TV5! For more updates, like the Facebook Page of Kanta Pilipinas at  https://www.facebook.com/KantaPilipinas and follow us also on Twitter @Kanta_Pilipinas.

Hair-raising songs and stories loom TV5’s Kanta Pilipinas auditions in CDO, CEBU and DAVAO

Set to conquer the Summer Capital of the Philippines tomorrow and the following weeks (IloIlo, Manila and Batangas), TV5’s Kanta Pilipinas continues to scour the country in search of the next big star able to make the nation sing.

The Dream from Cagayan De Oro

With 180 registrants last Feb. 24, 2012 in SM City Cagayan De Oro reaching the cities of Iligan, Misamis and Cagayan, 76 hopefuls were called back and only 37 passed the judges’.  Filipino pop songs became the favorite rendered on the stage with many who rendered the Grammy Award winning songs of Adele and Whitney Houston, hopefuls came from different communities and barangays. Inspirational Diva and audition judge Ms. Jamie Rivera was excited to listen to the stories of the Cagay-anons. Award winning Cross Genre Composer, Arranger, Producer Mr. Jimmy Antiporda raised eyebrows asking a couple who sang on the stage. “May conflict ba yan?” relating to the girl singer and pianist boyfriend as he was alluded in the same shoe with Ms. Jamie Rivera in the past. Ms. Maristel Sampedro became the comic relief throwing funny comments at gays impersonating Whitney Houston on the stage. What astounded the judges and onlookers was the ex-convict contestant who vented denouncing his past as a former member of the Akyat-Bahay gang. There was also one with 11 siblings living in different parts of Mindanao hoping to be reunited with dreams through Kanta Pilipinas.

Cebuanos wow TV5’s Kanta Pilipinas judges

Fun and more fun of TV5’s Kanta Pilipinas’ call for the nation continued in Cebu last March 2, 2012. Hosted by Jhai’Ho, the event center of SM CITY CEBU filled the mall with 424 registrants and more than a thousand onlookers and mall-goers when TV5’s Kanta Pilipinas began the auditions. Audition Judges Ms. Jamie Rivera, Erickson Raymundo and Mr. Vehnee Saturno entertained the crowd with their comments and reactions. Interesting songs and stories unveiled like a girl from Surigao who won a local contest in her province was sponsored by the Mayor to go to Cebu to audition so she can fly to Manila to look for her Dad whom she never met. The humble dream to be reunited with the father was referred as “Taong-Grasa”. Ms. Jamie Rivera tried to enliven the spirit of the sobbing participant, “Kung ang tatay mo taong grasa, alam ko kung ano ka (Baby Oil”? which the mob appreciated. Cornerstone Talent Management Center Head Mr. Erickson Raymundo pushed the inspiration more with his comments, “Bigay mo na lahat ng Kaya mo, Buwis Buhay na ito”.  Another pupil-dilating story was a girl who has Retinitis Pigmentosa (a rare disease suffering from loss of sight at night), a girl born with hairlip but can now sing and a girl who want to give honor to her island (referring to Siargao). From the 424 registrants, 51 hopefuls were called back the next day and only 16 passed to get to Manila.

Judges awe at Davaoeños

Adele and Whitney were still the national anthem among contestants along with other standards and OPM pop songs like Angeline Quinto’s Patuloy ang Pangarap in SM CITY DAVAO last March 10, 2012. Hosted by the perky and lively Jhai Ho, TV5’s Kanta Pilipinas in SM CITY DAVAO became the talk of the town especially after the last calamity struck in the province. Giving hope to all Davaoeños, Ms. Jamie Rivera, Mr. Jimmy Antiporda and Mr. Erickson Raymundo enjoyed the performances of Davao hopefuls. From the roster of 378 registrants coming from the cities of GenSan, Cotabato, Sarangani and other outskirts, 46 contestants were given another chance to get the judges’ attention the next day. There was one welder who stood out despite his looks rendering an unforgettable performance and a farmer who dreamt of having his own land. Stories of broken families and living with stepfather were cognizant to the other contestants’ sorrows except for an interesting unemployed young man who makes a living out of singing earning his talent from his disabled grandfather. Ms. Jamie Rivera had a hard time choosing who will go to the next level after consecutive outstanding performances of the hopefuls. At the end of the second day call-back auditions, 22 hopefuls from Davao made it in the list of eliminations.

The call for the nation to sing continues in SM CITY BAGUIO tomorrow and SM North EDSA on March 30. TV5’s Kanta Pilipinas on-ground auditions will commence on April 20, 2012 in SM City Batangas. Don’t miss your chance to shine with #Kanta_Pilipinas

The looks and the talent soar in Baguio

TV5′s newest singing reality search, Kanta Pilipinas held auditions at the Summer Capital of the country, Baguio City. The nationwide search for the country’s biggest talent brought more crowd witnessing the Ilocanos take the stage with formidable and truly exceptional celebrity judges, award winning Cross Genre Composer, Arranger, Producer Mr. Jimmy Antiporda, Power belter Ms. Bituin Escalante and Cornerstone Talent Management Head, Mr. Erickson Raymundo. Powerful songs sung and interesting stories unfolded with more than 193 registrants who tried and participated. Perky and crowd-attraction Jhai’Ho opened the program with dynamic song and dance boosting more confidence of the contestants. Compared to the former auditions, the hopefuls in Baguio did not choose Adele’s songs and stuck to standards and classics. Onlookers and mall-goers were drawn to the stage as many hopefuls look truly exceptional and pleasing. Was the looks enough to get the vote of the judges? Ms. Bituin Escalante was teased in the middle of the auditions to sample what would be “giving all you’ve got” performance. Singing while sitting, more audience were thrilled and captivated at our country’s power belter’s rendition of Alicia Key’s “If I Ain’t Got You”. Distinct and unforgettable stories that inspired the songs of the hopefuls include a battered teenager who would hide in different places of the house all the time. An interesting twin was astounding with the song and the story sharing how their father had always taken their income in singing. Battery stories continued with one who is always hand-cuffed by the father getting inspiration and passion to sing from the struggles. The stories behind the songs brought the others to the next level. From a batch of 193 registrants, 43 were called back and only 16 was given the recognition to compete with the nation when Kanta Pilipinas begins airing on July. Was the looks or the drama enough to take them to the next step? Will they be fortunate to compete for the final list? These and more we have all to look forward with Kanta Pilipinas which will be airing on TV5 soon!

The discerning exceptional performances from Iloilo

TV5′s Kanta Pilipinas brought the Filipino pride, musical tourism set to promote the country’s local talents in the City of Love, Iloilo last March 23-24, 2012. If it was so easy for the contestants in other regional audition venues to come to the stage and bring the house down with their confidence, the Ilonggos were so nitpicky and conservative supporting the hopefuls who had more talent than stories. This time, the country’s considered RnB Siren Ms. Arnee Hidalgo joined our panel of judges, Cornerstone Talent Management Head, Mr. Erickson Raymundo and award-winning cross genre composer, arranger and producer Mr. Jimmy Antiporda selecting the country’s top local performers in SM City Iloilo. The songs took over the stories with more outstanding performances of Ilonggos on the stage. One of the most unforgettable hopeful was a young teenager who sang a Jovit Baldivino’s “Too Much Love Will Kill You’ dedicating the song to his girlfriend who died of leukemia. Another hopeful from Boracay composed his own songs and a product of broken family who longs for his father’s love with his songs. The inspiring stories that created more color and passion to the song wowed the judges in Iloilo. From among the few registrants, almost half were called back the following day and the final list  from Ilonggo were 16 lucky hopefuls who will vie their chances in Manila soon. Were the stories more powerful than the songs? We have too much to look forward with TV5′s Kanta Pilipinas as more performances will unfold in the upcoming auditions set on March 30 at SM City North EDSA and April 20 in SM City Batangas. The excitement continues with the country’s biggest and newest singing talent search that’s truly Filipino, Kanta Pilipinas, soon to be airing on TV5! Let the song uplift the nation with Kanta Pilipinas! We all believe that Filipinos are the best singers in the world! Tara na! Kanta mo, Kwento mo, Kapatid #Kanta_Pilipinas!

PRESS RELEASE

An estimated 100,000 jobs will be made available to job seekers by close to 300 employers at the Department of Labor and Employment’s Job and Livelihood Fair on May 1 (Labor Day) at the World Trade Center in Pasay City.

Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz said the Job and Livelihood Fair will give the unemployed the opportunity to find a job and those with business inclination an opportunity to earn.

Local employers will come from the business process outsourcing, tourism, banking and finance, hotel and restaurant, health and wellness, and construction sectors.

This is definitely a good opportunity for everyone looking for a job. Would there be musicians looking for Acoustica program experts, this is their chance to find among the thousands of possible job applicants at the Job Fair.

The survey also reveals that about 4 to 10 households do not have any cash on hand that can be used in emergency cases; while six of 10 households have limited cash to spare (to even replenish tanning supply).

If I were to be asked, I would have given the same answer.