Namets! at Cinemalaya 2008

I was fortune enough to watch feature films at this year’s Cinemalaya independent film festival at the Cultural Center of the Philippines yesterday. (I was fortune because I had the luxury of time to travel from the hilly North Eastern Metro Manila to Manila Bay.  My friends and I jokingly dub the event as “cinemalayo” [...]

Republic Act 9504 - full text

(Per RA 8293 Sec. 176.1 works of the Government of the Philippines can be used freely for non-commercial purposes. Feel free to copy the following text:)
An Act Amending Sections 22, 24, 34, 35, 51 and 79 of Republic Act No. 8424, as Amended, Otherwise Known as the National Internal Revenue Code of 1987. 
Begun and held in [...]

On Being Rich

Image by A Look Askancevia Flickr
I saw the question (in Filipino) on a discussion thread in an internet forum called Pinoyexchange.com.  It asked why Filipinos are not rich.  I don’t post there however I’d like to explore the idea of being rich.
How does one define “rich” or being “rich?”  Must we put a dollar figure to determine which [...]

Republic Act 9504 - Tax Exemptions for Minimum Wage Earners and Increased Tax Exemptions

UPDATE (6/28/2008): The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has recently published its draft Revenue Regulation for the implementation of Republic Act 9504 (RA 9504).  It is also conducting a public hearing July 1, 2008 (Tuesday), 8:00 to 12:00 Noon at the BIR National Training Center Auditorium, BIR National Office Compound, Quezon City.
You can download the draft [...]

Personal Equity and Retirement Account (PERA)

Yesterday, the bicameral conference of the Senate and the House of Representatives has approved the passage of the Personal Equity and Retirement Account (PERA) Act. It is similar to the Individual Retirement Account/Annuity (IRA) in the United States.
The bill is just waiting the signature of the President Arroyo to come into effect. Once enacted, it [...]

Malaysia Airlines Zero Fares Around ASEAN

Image via Wikipedia

Just last Monday morning I just learned that Malaysia Airlines (MH) is offering Zero and discounted fares around South East Asia. This includes travel between Manila/Cebu to Kuala Lumpur/Kota Kinabalu.
Please check it out here. (Please read the terms and conditions fully before you hit submit!) The booking period ends Tuesday 3 June 2008 [...]

ümobile

Image via Wikipedia

ümobile is the latest mobile phone operator in the Philippine market. This brand is owned by Connectivity Unlimited Resources Enterprise, Inc. which has recently been purchased by Smart Communications.
This brand markets itself as the first adveritisng sponsored mobile network. Therefore subscribers should text or sms ads from companies in exchange for free phone [...]

Manila Water irks me!

New version of Manila Water bill

Old version of Manila Water bill
The images above are found at the back of my water bill from Manila Water Company. The east zone water concessionaire in Metro Manila. Please pay a particular attention to the part where it says “BANK OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLAND (METRO MANILA BRANCHES).”
Anyone who knows [...]

Inquirer.net: GMA 7 refutes KBP ad load rule

GMA Network defended its decision not to follow the Kapisanan ng mga Broadcaster ng Pilipinas’ (KBP). Read the excerpt below:
MANILA, Philippines - GMA Network, Inc. said on Wednesday that the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) rule limiting the commercial load of programs to 18 minutes per hour will push commercial airtime prices up.
The [...]

Latest Charice Pempengco Videos

Image via Wikipedia

As everybody knows, Charice Pempengco has become an international sensation. In these two videos, you’ll see her perform on British television and a promo for her appearance on the Oprah Show.
Best wishes Charice, you make us so proud!
On the Paul O’Grady Show:

The Oprah Show promo: