Be a Changemaker and Win

Changemakers are agents of change in a society who seize opportunities that others may miss in order to improve systems, invent new approaches and create solutions to improve society and uplift the conditions of the citizens of a nation.

The British Council, UK’s international organization for educational opportunities and cultural relations, in partnership with Starbucks and in collaboration with Social Enterprise Development Partnerships Inc. (SEDPI) and the Ateneo de Manila University, has launched the I am a Changemaker competition which is now running on its 2nd year.

The I am a Changemaker is a business competition that aims to look for young entrepreneurs who can make an impact in their communities by spotting social problems and issues and finding innovative ways to address them.

Filipino citizens, aged 16-28can form teams to join.Teams will be asked to submit an enterprise proposal that addresses a social problem. It must have demonstrable financial viability, whether it is for profit or non-profit. Finalists will travel to Manila to pitch their ideas in front of a panel of judges. The competition will have a total of four (4) winners (1 winner each from NCR, Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao). Each winning team will receive PhP 100,000. Another PhP 100,000 is also at stake for finalists who meet the special criteria set by Starbucks.

Details of the mechanics can be found HERE.

One of the winners last year of the British Council grant was Cheenee Otarra whose idea has now bloomed into a product called Sumilao Corn Coffee. I just found out that corn can be made into coffee!

Sumilao Corn Coffee is organically grown because the corn is the native variety. It is also caffeine-free and roasted in San Vicente, Sumilao, Bukidnon. The farmers have been roasting corn coffee for some time now but it is only now that it is being packaged and marketed in a more professional manner to get their coffee out into a wider market. At least the Sumilao farmers are getting help from some people!

If you or anyone you know (aged 16-28) has a bright idea to make life better for our fellow Pinoys, join this competition. Who knows, your proposal may just make it and help change lives.

BE A CHANGEMAKER TODAY.

Earth Hour 2010

Earth Hour 2010 happens on March 27, 2010.

On this day, people all over the world will turn off their appliances and lights for one hour starting at 8:30 PM.

We can no longer ignore the effects of climate change. Just see the frequency and intensity of earthquakes happening around the world. In my own country, the Philippines, we are now experiencing a very harsh El Nino with very little rain and drought in many agricultural places. Last year, we were hit by Typhoon Ondoy which brought floods to Metro Manila in places that have never experienced floods. Many other countries are experiencing freak weather activities as well.

Rather than leave it up to the different governments around the world to do something about it, we should act as individuals, living on this one and only home planet of ours, to make changes and adapt greener and more eco-friendly lifestyles.

You can support Earth Hour by:

1. Turning off your lights at 8.30PM on March 27
2. Showing your support and adding yourself to the Earth Hour world map
3. Adding Earth Hour widgets, logos and banners to your blog or website to help us spread the word
4. Talking about Earth Hour in your social network by updating your Facebook status, grabbing a Twibbon, tweeting about your support, and more
5. Get together with your friends and family, by hosting an Earth Hour party or holding your own candlelit affair
6. Rally your local council or community group to run an Earth Hour event for your community
7. Encourage your employer and workmates to take part in Earth Hour and make energy savings every day
8. Make an Earth Hour Lantern as a symbol of hope for the future
9. Be creative! Find a new way to mark Earth Hour and let Earth Hour know all about it!

This will be the third year that my family will be joining this endeavor. Here are my 2008 and 2009 posts on it.

Kraft’s Yummy Cheez Whiz Burger Spread

Cheez Whiz has long been a staple in my home. Not just now when I’ve got kids of my own. Growing up, this was already ever present in our refrigerator as my siblings and I found it not just cheesy yummy but it was so convenient as a cheese spread on our pandesal and Sky Flakes.

Well, guess what. Cheez Whiz has taken a turn for the better as Kraft comes out with its Cheez Whiz Burger flavored spread.

I recently opened a bottle of this spread. This spread is gread over burger patties. There’s no need to buy expensive, imported cheese squares. A generous spread of this burger flavored Cheez Whiz is enough.

OK, I had no burger patties on hand when I opened the bottle but I did have my favorite biscuits on hand. So, I simply opened a pack of biscuits and slopped Cheez Whiz over it.

Guess what. It was just as good on biscuits as I believe it will be on a burger pattie. It even has some bits of meat mixed in with the spread to add texture.

Looking at its label, I see that it is fortified with Calci-3, a trio mix of Calcium, Vitamin D and Phosphorus — three essential building blocks that kids need to have strong bones.

Cheez Whiz Burger comes in three sizes: a 15g Sulit Pack, a 110g bottle, and a 200g bottle.

Manila Slows Down Once Again with Pacquiao-Clottey Fight

It’s just a few more minutes to the Pacquiao-Clottey fight at the Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas and over here in Manila, a Pacquiao Sunday is a sight to behold.

(courtesy of www.pacquiaovideo.com)
Pacquiao’s fights are always national events in the Philippines. Everything comes to a standstill. People knock off from work early and head home to watch on their TV sets. Hordes of families and friends meet up in movie theaters, malls, bars, restaurants, schools and just about anywhere where there will be livestreaming. Such livestreaming places have evolved these into income-generating product as bars price a livestreaming ticket with free beer and restaurants package lunch or snacks for their paying patrons.
Personally, I enjoy the free roads. In a place like Metro Manila where every day is a survival race against traffic, seeing a highway almost free of vehicles is a sight to behold. And statistics have shown that crime drops to almost insignificant rates during a Pacquiao fight. It seems that even criminal elements actually stop to watch his fights.
A website, Pacquiao Video, gives the following “tale of the tape:
The whole Philippine nation is rooting for Pacquiao, naturally. In a while, we will all be at the edge of our seats, cheering every punch that lands squarely on Clottey, and wincing at every punch that lands on Manny. And if Pacquiao once again wins this fight, he will be the talk of the town as work resumes tomorrow, Monday. 
GO, MANNY! YOUR WHOLE COUNTRY IS BEHIND YOU ALL THE WAY!

Today is International Women’s Day 2010

International Women’s Day (8 March) is a global day celebrating the economic, political and social achievements of women past, present and future.

In my world, there are many women achievers that I see, some of whom I personally know — women of all ages who are moving in different spheres of influence trying to make this world better for others, women climbing the corporate ladder just as fast as their male counterparts, women making marks in the fields of arts, science, government, industry, medicine and in many more areas.

But today, I want to honor the women who are not as visible to the world as we know it. These are the women in many countries who continue to be discriminated against; abused by their own culture, family and husbands; tortured as political prisoners; forced into heavy labor under abject conditions; and many other women who suffer in silence despite domestic violence for the sake of their children.

I truly feel blessed to be born a free woman — free to grow up under the care of a loving family, free to be educated as much as i wish to, free to choose who I love and marry, free to travel, free to express myself in any form (within reasonable bounds), free to be recognized for my God-given talents in a society that treats men and women equally.

How sad it is to see that even in world that has gone through centuries witnessing slavery, discrimination, abuse and the like, these have not been totally eradicated till now despite the technological and educational advancement that people living in this century have access to.

I fervently hope that it will not be long before women are accorded the dignity, respect and equality that we have a right to as human beings and children of a God that sees all men and women as equals. Equality not in the sense that men and women should have the same roles all the time (as women definitely have roles that are best served by our nurturing nature) but equality in the sense that a woman who chooses to stay home to take care of children should be accorded the same respect as one who chooses to pursue a career. After all, careers have office hours. Full-time mothers work 24/7.

I wish I live to see the day when societies with castes and social classes break these barriers down and afford women the same rights to dignity, education and work as men. I hope that I or my children will be able to witness a world where women are free to be the best they can be as citizens of this world with the same opportunity to make a contribution to mankind.

To all my women family and friends, here’s wishing ourselves a HAPPY INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY!

Clinique’s Bonus Time Promo

Today, my girl and I took advantage of Clinique’s Bonus Time promo. Since I am about to run out of their Pressed Powder Transparency 3 which I use daily on my face, I decided to buy reserve stock. My girl needed her pressed powder as well.

Good thing we waited until now because this twice yearly event really allows you to get freebies which ordinarily would cost you a couple of thousands when purchased separately.

With a minimum single purchase of P3,500, you get travel sizes of Repairwear Contour, Turnaround Instant Facial, Turnaround Concentrate, Liquid Facial Wash, Long Last Lipstick in Berry Kiss and Lash Power Mascara in Black Onyx. A pretty-in-pink trendy bag is thrown in when you increase your purchase to P4,000!



My daughter and I are both happy. We have our powder supply, the freebies, and my favorite colored pink bag.

This is a limited offer only. Promo is good from March 1-17, 2010.

Celebrate a Toblerone Valentine

Running out of great ideas for Valentine?

Toblerone has come up with different ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day with your special one. You can continue to celebrate V-Day with this love triangle chocolate-y sweetness.

Log on to www.toblerone.com.ph (the Toblerone Fan page) where a community of like-minded, chocolate lovers can share their thoughts on different V-day traditions and gift ideas making it easier for singles and couples to share the sweetness of February. Check out what you can do while on that page:

Would You Date Your Bestfriend?

Answer this and you could win. Here are the simple Toblerone mechanics, as posted on their FB wall: Here’s a hard-hitting, reality-facing, heart-to-heart question for you guys: Seriously, will you consider dating your bestfriend? Yes or No- and why? Share us your answers and you might just win one of three(3) limited edition Toblerone bars for Valentine’s Day! Don’t forget to tag us TobleronePilipinas !

Spread the Sweetness

Which is your loved one’s favorite Toblerone: Milk Chocolate, White, Dark, Fruit & Nut or all? Go to the “Spread the Sweetness” tab to get to the Toblerone Gifting Application which will allow you to do just this.

 
Matchmaker, Matchmaker
Play a little game of Cupid this season by trying out Toblerone’s matchmaking application. This fun, online application lets you mix and match buddies online to check their compatibility and romantic potential. 
  
And there’s more!
On Feb. 11, there will be a “for singles” event. Head on to UNO Pizzeria Restaurant and Bar at San Miguel By the Bay at 7pm as Toblerone, in partnership with Thinkpadd and UNO Pizzeria, hosts a Valentine’s Day speed dating exclusive.

And while at the grocery, why don’t you grab the limited-edition Valentine’s Day Toblerone for your loved ones?

However you wish to celebrate Valentine’s Day, Toblerone has got you covered.

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!

Link to ACET Results 2010-2011

I am just as eager as everyone else to see the ACET results since my son took it.

As early as last week, students had been checking online since the results were supposed to have been released by Jan. 9 but eventually moved a week.

I am keeping my fingers crossed. As I told my son, everything is in God’s Hands and we need to be ready for anything, good or not so good.

The latest announcement is that the ACET results will be released tomorrow, January 16, at 1 PM.

Here is the link: ACET RESULTS 2010-2011.

Good luck to all who took it! And remember, when a door closes, it is God’s way of refocusing your gaze which, is fixed on the door, towards the direction of a window He opens.

Avon’s Anew Rejuvenate Line

It seems like almost every cosmetic line has jumped on the anti-aging bandwagon.Wherever I turn now at the cosmetic counters, the anti-aging line is being touted and it confuses us consumers all the more because which now, of all these brands, is truly effective in terms of preventing the ravaging effects of the sun and wind on one’s skin as one ages.

I’ve always been a try-first-and-see person as far these claims go. One of the earliest brands to claim to be anti-aging turned out ineffective for me. I did not really feel any difference after consuming about 2 bottles of it.

A blogger friend, Earth, just wrote a review on Avon’s Anew Rejuvenate Line. She has actually tried the product line already — all 6 of them. And she has nothing but great words about its effect on her.

While I have not tried this Avon line, Earth’s word is good enough for me to want to. At my age, I really need to take care of my skin since it tends to get dry in many areas already unlike when I was in my teens when oily skin was my problem.The sun also affects older skin than younger ones so I really need to be conscious always of protecting my exposed skin to the sun.

The great news is that Earth is sponsoring a contest that will award this whole Anew Rejuvenate line of Avon to a lucky blog reader of hers. You too can join till January 30, 2010. If you are interested, head on over to
Earth’s blog for the mechanics of the contest.

As for me, I definitely want to try this out. After all, if it truly works on someone my age (a mother of 2 teens and 2 adults), that alone is the best testimony to the effectiveness of the anti-aging product, right?

So here goes. I am crossing my fingers that I win this contest.as I am excited to try out something that is highly recommended by Earth. I’ve seen her lately and yes, her skin looked very good.