Making Money Online with Affiliate Marketing, Pros and Cons

Affiliate marketing has become a very common way to make money online. Every day, a lot of people are using affiliate marketing to make some extra bucks from home and some of the lucky ones are even able to earn money to cover all their the monthly expenses.But before you jump on the affiliate marketing bandwagon, you are advised to spend some time to examine the pros and cons of affiliate marketing.

The Pros
The first advantage of affiliate marketing is that it doesn't cost much to get started. Anyone can start an affiliate marketing business. All that you need for setting up an affiliate marketing business are a computer, a high speed Internet access and few hundred dollars.
You don't have to worry about how to run and profit from affiliate marketing. Internet is a good tool to help you find all the affiliate training, tips and information you need to turn your affiliate marketing business into a success.
When you are running an affiliate marketing business, you are marketing other people products or services to make money online. You job is only to send targeted visitors to the company's e-commerce website that you are affiliated with. Whenever a visitor referred by you made a purchase, you'll earn an amount of affiliate commission.
And since you are marketing other people products on the net, there is no stock you need to keep and your merchant or affiliated company will handle all the customer support and product shipping works.
Many affiliate programs will provide a lot of free promotion tools and attractive banner ads and text links to their affiliates. If you join one of these programs, you can use the quality banner ads or text links to match your website content. These ads will make your site look good and possibly generate instant affiliate commission for you.

The Cons
No matter what is being discussed, if there is an advantage, there is always a drawback as well. In the case of affiliate marketing, there are several downsides you have to keep in mind.
You have to do some researches and investigations on the affiliated company or merchant to find out whether it is a reliable company before really joining it. There are unscrupulous and dishonest companies sometimes just close down their affiliate programs without giving prior notice to affiliates. They leave without paying commissions which is even worse.
Affiliate marketing isn't a get rich fast program. You have to take the time to optimize your website and squeeze page so that they will generate good click-through rate consistently. And you need to put hard effort on testing which online marketing techniques are working well with your affiliate programs.
In some niches, you need to build an email list before you can earn affiliate commission. The process of affiliate marketing is you promote your website to get targeted visitors, from your website, you'll encourage your targeted visitors to click on your affiliate ads and links to your merchants sites so that they will make a purchase. But if you are marketing affiliate products related to Internet marketing, home business or online business niches, the visitors you refer to your merchants sites will not make a purchase on their first visit. You must collect their email address to send follow-up email to them to encourage them buy your affiliate products.

Conclusion
Affiliate marketing has pretty high profit potential. But, it is an online business that requires patient, hard work and the right knowledge to achieve success. You may be very interested to start earning money with affiliate marketing because of the advantages it offers but keep in mind that there are drawbacks and challenges you have to deal with.
With the right mindset, knowledge and marketing plan, you can make good profits online through promoting affiliate products or services.


source: money maker info

Today Online News..

For Philippine banks
Reforms to the Philippine banking system undertaken since the Asian currency crisis have helped to improve the regulatory and supervisory system, but confidence would be further enhanced by greater transparency, formalization of procedures and institutionalization of reforms, Moody’s Investors Service said in its latest report.

BSP sets up intra-day liquidity facility
To help banks and non-banks maintain liquid positions, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has set up its own intra-day liquidity facility (ILF) to ensure inter-bank transactions through real-time settlement systems are running smoothly.

PSE, SGX infuse P200 M in PDEx
The Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) and its regional counterpart, Singapore Exchange Ltd. (SGX), have pumped-in close to P200-million fresh capital into the dwindling bottomline of Philippine Dealing and Exchange Corporation (PDEx).

P1.9-B coco fertilization program set
A three million metric ton (MT) mark in coconut production is targetted to be hit by the government in three years through a P1.89 billion salt fertilization found to be more cost-effective than chemical fertilization.

Metro Pacific Investments turns around with P195-M net profit
Metro Pacific Investments Corporation reported a turn-around in its operations last year with core net income reaching P194.9 million in 2007 compared with a core net loss of P25.4 million in the previous year.


source: mbonline.com

Video Training - Step-by-step Guide to start Making Money Online with Affiliate Program

Derrick VanDyke from Affiliate Cash Secrets has published a new video yesterday that I think you may want to check out. The new video is an affiliate video showing you a 5-step system you can follow to start making money online. Here's are what exactly you will learn from the video:

1) Find Profitable Affiliate Products

2) Set Up a Squeeze Page

3) Load Your Autoresponder

4) Drive Targeted Traffic

5) Sell Back-End Products

The link to access this video is:http://affiliatecashsecrets.com/videos/quickandeasy

The video is only 23 minute long. But, it covers enough content and information that you can put into action to get started in affiliate marketing.

How To Make Money Free Online

Since you don’t have any overhead, all the money you make is yours. If you just want some extra income to buy things you want or need that would put a strain on your budget, this is a good way to do it. You don’t have to start right out putting money into making money free online. You can even use this money as start up capital for another online business to make even more money. Whatever you want to do with it, you can.
The first thing you need to … read more

source by:dragon

Paid Surveys

Paid surveys can be a very good source of making money online.It is very easy to start receiving paid surveys.

• Just check out our paid survey list
• Choose a few companies (the best are in the recommended paid surveys section)
• Signup
• Receive paid surveys

The Recommended Paid Surveys Section companies are the rated according to the highest payments, and the quantity of paid surveys sent! So guys why dont you try one of the listed below.. ! Start getting paid for your opinion. Start taking paid surveys today!

Company Name Available To Whom Payment Method Join Here

Acop International Cash Join Here
Brand Institute International Cash Join Here
Contractor Board International Contractors Cash Join Here
Efocus International Cash Join Here
Eyecloud International Cash Join Here
Focus Line International Cash Join Here
Go Global Surveys International Cash Join Here
Gozing International Cash Join Here
IThink Inc International Cash Join Here
MBS International Cash Join Here
Michael Herbert Associates International Cash Join Here
SurveySavvy International Cash Join Here
Yahoo Panel International Cash Join Here
ClarionResearch International Cash & Prizes Join Here
FGI Panel International Cash & Prizes Join Here
Gang Research International Cash & Prizes Join Here
KellyResearch International Cash & Prizes Join Here
My Points International Cash & Prizes Join Here
Opinion Place International Cash & Prizes Join Here
Opinion Square International Cash & Prizes Join Here
Q & A Research International Cash & Prizes Join Here
Survey Central International Cash & Prizes Join Here
Spider Matrix International Cash & Prizes Join here
SurveyComplete International Cash & Prizes Join here
Vault Surveys International Cash & Prizes Join Here

We’ll make war, vows Roach

LAS VEGAS, Nevada—The first time they met, Manny Pacquiao put Juan Manuel Marquez on the defensive end and nearly nailed him right in the first round.
Trainer Freddie Roach has instructed his prized ward to do the same in their rematch on Saturday, with slight variations, of course.
“We’ll make it a war,” said Roach after the weigh-in of Pacquiao-Marquez II on Friday. “We’ll put pressure right from the opening bell.”
Pacquiao intends to exploit his edge in speed and power by rushing Marquez, who boasted that he has covered all bases with legendary Mexican trainer Ignacio “Alex” Beristain, who has produced 16 world champions.
Marquez said he will have an answer to whatever Pacquiao offers, that he will be able to adapt to Pacquiao’s fighting style and that he is ready to go toe-to-toe with the Filipino ring superstar if necessary.
Roach, a two-time trainer of the year awardee, scoffs at the claims saying that Pacquiao is in great shape and is ready for war.
“We’ll take it to him (Marquez),” said Roach, who believes that Pacquiao has grown stronger and better since the first Pacquiao-Marquez encounter held May 8, 2004.
Pacquiao, on the other hand, observed that Marquez was a little slower in his last two victories over Marco Antonio Barrera and Rocky Juarez, respectively.
“I hope he doesn’t run,” said Pacquiao, who’s aiming to become the first Filipino and Asian three-time champion in three divisions. “If he does the fight will be boring.”
After making weight at 129 pounds Friday, Pacquiao said he intends to bulk up to 143-144 come fight time to exploit his natural weight advantage over Marquez, who surprisingly checked in at 130.
“I’ll go all out for a win,” said Pacquiao. “The knockout will be a bonus if it comes.”
Meanwhile, for Diosdado Gabi, just making the weight in his North American Boxing Organization title bout against unbeaten Mexican Abner Mares on Saturday was a reward in itself.
Over six pounds above the 122-lb limit with barely four days to go before Friday’s weigh-in, Gabi had to drastically cut his food and water intake.
The Gabi-Mares encounter is in the undercard of the Manny Pacquiao-Juan Manuel Marquez rematch for the World Boxing Council super featherweight crown on Saturday.
Another Filipino, Michael Farenas, is also seeing action against Mexican Baudel Cardenas in the featherweight class.
Meanwhile, Sen. Jinggoy Estrada called up the Inquirer and denied he was here to watch the Pacquiao-Marquez bout.
Estrada said he is currently in Bohol, where he plans to spend the Holy Week.

source: By Roy Luarca Philippine Daily Inquirer

Oil Closes Higher After Reaching $111

Crude oil closed a choppy session higher on Thursday. Light sweet crude for April delivery moved to $110.33, up 41 cents on the session. Oil touched a record $111.00 at around 10:50 a.m. ET before coming back lower.
Weakness in the U.S. dollar continued to push commodity prices higher. The greenback lost significant ground to other majors this morning, adding to its record lows versus the euro and hitting a 12-year low against the yen. Oil soared again on Wednesday as a weakness in the U.S. dollar out-weighed a rise in weekly inventories.
Crude closed at $109.92, up $1.17 on the session. Prices reached as high as $110.20 in the late afternoon, crossing $110 for the first time. Traders continued to consider the weekly inventory report from the Energy Information Administration from Wednesday that showed a much bigger than expected increase in crude oil inventories in the week ended March 7.
The report showed that crude oil inventories increased by 6.2 million barrels after showing an unexpected decrease in the previous week. The increase came in well above analyst estimates of an increase of about 1.6 million barrels. With the increase, crude oil inventories rose to 311.6 million barrels, although they remain in the middle of the average range for this time of year.
Stochastics and the RSI again showed over-bought levels for April oil, which has been trending sharply higher since Feb. 7. If prices turn lower, some support may be found at the 10-day moving average at $105.503. The $111 mark could mark psychological resistance for oil. Natural gas prices were higher following the weekly inventory report.
Prices moved at $10.24, up 22.9 cents on the day. The Department of Energy reported that stockpiles were down 86 billion cubic feet in the recent weekOn the economic front, data released by the Department of Commerce on Thursday revealed that retail sales unexpectedly fell in the month of February, with decreases in auto and gasoline sales contributing to the drop in overall sales. The report showed that retail sales fell 0.6 percent in February following a revised 0.4 percent increase in January.
The decrease came as a surprise to economists, who had expected sales to increase by about 0.2 percent. Also Thursday morning, the Department of Labor released its report on initial jobless claims in the week ended March 8th, showing that jobless claims unexpectedly came in unchanged compared to a revised reading for the previous week.
The report showed that jobless claims came in at 353,000, unchanged from the previous week's revised figure of 353,000. Economists had been expecting jobless claims to edge up to 355,000 from the 351,000 originally reported for the previous week.
In other commodity news, gold touched the $1,000 an ounce mark for the first time in the most actively traded contract on Thursday in U.S. trading. April gold traded at $995.30, up $14.80 on the session. The precious metal first hit the key $1,000 mark at around 8:25 a.m. ET and later reached as high as $1,001.50.


© RTTNews.com

Hostile crowd jeers Pacquiao as Marquez vows to win fight

LOS ANGELES — Juan Manuel Marquez said on Monday that he is not putting to waste three months of training that amounted to 120 rounds of sparring this weekend against Manny Pacquiao.
"I know what happened in the first round of the first fight and I am going to be different this time because I will be more cautious," said Marquez during a press conference held at La Placita Olvera, an old section of the city where the first Mexican settlement was established in 1781, and a California State Historic Landmark as well.
Since it was an area where Mexican stalls and restaurants are located, Marquez enjoyed the homecourt edge as they jeered Pacquiao when he spoke on the dais and cheered Marquez when it was his time to speak. The reception was so hostile that even Pacquiao’s promoter Bob Arum was not spared by the diehard Marquez fans when he talked about how exciting the fight will be and why the Filipino will emerge triumphant at the Mandalay Bay.
Some fans even insinuated that Pacquiao take his seat as he tried his best to put together words in English during his short speech and not even one sentence that Pacquiao memorized in Spanish was not enough to please them.
So it was an all-Marquez show as expected and the 34-year-old native of Mexico City who will be making the second defense of the World Boxing Council (WBC) super-featherweight crown took the opportunity to pump up the crowd by engaging Pacquiao two times in a staredown that thrilled the boisterous crowd. Each time, Pacquiao was the first to take turn away although he later said it was all for show.
But Marquez believes getting the job done won’t be as easy as reciting the alphabet.
"To knock him out is going to be hard because he is very strong but if it goes the distance (of 12 rounds), I have the endurance to pull off a win," said Marquez through translator and adviser Jaime Quintana. "I am coming to fight and I am coming to box and this time it will be different and I want to do a smart fight. Manny Pacquiao knows just one thing and that’s just to fight and come after you and I am prepared for that."
Marquez kicked off his training for this second meeting on Dec. 15 while Pacquiao was caught in the rapture of the Yuletide season and the celebration of his 29th birthday on Dec. 19.
Still, Top Rank big boss Bob Arum said that the eight weeks Pacquiao worked under Freddie Roach will be the difference.
"He’s worked unbelievably hard and he’s in unbelievable shape and given those elements, this would be the best Manny Pacquiao on Saturday and I believe that the best Manny Pacquiao is the best fighter in the world. And nobody can beat the best fighter in the world," said Arum while waiting for the principals to arrive at the plaza.
"I think Marquez is a capable fighter, a good fighter who’ll give a good fight but there’ll be just one winner and that’s Manny Pacquiao. You’ll see a Manny Pacquiao on Saturday you’ve never seen before," added Arum, who already has a fight lined up for Pacquiao sometime in June at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas should he topple Marquez.

by: Nick Giongco

Arroyo earmarks P5B for conservation projects, todays articles

BATAAN, Philippines - President Gloria Arroyo said Wednesday that government has allocated P5 billion for conservation activities, including the P240 million for protected areas.
Mrs. Arroyo said the allocation is part of the P8-billion budget of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for 2008.
DENR’s 2008 budget would be used to beautify villages and cities, build more urban parks and recreation areas, purify water systems and clean up industrial sites.
These efforts highlight government's commitment to take care of the environment, adding that protection of national parks and wildlife sanctuaries is among top government priorities, the President said. Mrs. Arroyo said the P240 million will be spent for protected areas so that these could be developed into international sanctuaries for eco-tourism and scientific research.
The President has also set aside P5 million for the Pawikan (sea turtle) conservation Project in the village of Nagbalayong in Morong, Bataan. Through the Philippine Tourism Authority, the president ordered the release of additional funds for the setting up of shelters, lodging rooms for tourists and marine biologists and livelihood for project officers.

source:gmanews.com

Smart eyes to improve mobile messaging services with new i-mode rollout

Leading wireless carrier Smart Communications is aiming to improve its mobile services in the country with the rollout of the popular i-mode service in the country this month.
Smart, in a statement, said it will offer i-mode to local customers by March 15.
Smart and Japanese leading wireless carrier NTT DoCoMo has an existing mobile services agreement through their respective mother companies.
Smart said i-mode will be available initially to its Smart Gold subscribers.
Smart Gold subscribers will have access to i-mail, allowing them to send email via their handset for 1 peso per message under the i-mode service, the wireless carrier said.
i-mode is a very popular mobile email and Internet service first launched in Japan by mobile communications leader NTT DoCoMo in 1999.
According to Smart, the service is currently used by more than 47.8 million subscribers in Japan, and is also widely used to mobile subscribers in 15 other countries in Asia and Europe.
Smart also said it plans to make available more attractive and practical content and information to its i-mode user base in the Philippines.
"We understand and seek to cater to the rapidly evolving needs of today’s mobile phone owners. Smart provides not only cutting-edge connectivity to the biggest network in the country, it also offers access to world-class services, such as i-mode," Danilo J. Mojica, chief of Smart’s wireless consumer division, in a statement, said.
The i-mode rollout is also part of an agreement between NTT Group, the parent company of DoCoMo, and Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT), the parent company of Smart.
In a statement earlier, NTT DoCoMo has disclosed that it has increased its stake in PLDT from 6.7 percent to 13.34 percent.
The Japanese firm last month said it acquired the additional 12.53 million shares, or an additional 6.64 percent stake in PLDT, for approximately 86.7 billion yen (US$ 760 million).
DoCoMo’s parent company, NTT Group, now has a total of 2.03 percent stake in the Philippine carrier’s outstanding common stock.
The increase in stake also enables DoCoMo to book the investment using the equity method and reclassify PLDT as an affiliate, DoCoMo, in the statement, said.
As part of the stake increase, DoCoMo said it expects to "strengthen" its business tie-up with Smart Communications.

by: Joel D. Pinaroc

Sun Cellular offers most affordable way to call and text

Sun Cellular, with its better network and better value, is once again taking its value-for-money services to the next level with a prepaid product to surely beat all others – P10 Call and Text Combo.
Get excited with its great features that will, without a doubt, stretch your budget even further as this revolutionary service gives you 10 minutes of Sun-to-Sun calls, 40 Sun-to-Sun texts and 10 inter-network texts at an unbelievably low rate of only 10 pesos.
Pass around important messages or even text jokes or organize the next big get-together with your barkada or family knowing that there will still be enough text allotment to get you through the day. And with a 10-minute Sun-to-Sun call feature added to the offer – good for instances when a voice call is urgently needed -- Sun’s newest prepaid product is absolutely great value for just P10
Load up and enjoy the savings with Sun Cellular’s P10 Call and Text Combo now available at all Sun Shops and authorized retail outlets nationwide.
As part of its steadfast commitment to give the best and most affordable services to the public, Sun is set to spend another P11 billion in 2008 to add more cell sites and boost network coverage, allowing subscribers to continue enjoying calls and texts anytime, anywhere, 24/7.

88DB to hold RP’s first online Battle of the Bands

88DB.com, a multimedia service portal and lifestyle network, takes the power of the worldwide web and hosts a revolutionary online battle of the bands to support the upcoming rockers and spot the next big name in music.
The 88DB First Online Battle of the Bands revolutionizes the way band competitions in the country are held. Amateur and upstart bands with no prior recording deal will go head to head via an online voting system at the 88DB.com website (www.88DB.com.ph.) Genuine music lovers and fans of good old rock n’ roll can check out each band’s ad profile and performance samples and vote by logging on to the site.
The contest is open to all amateur bands based in Metro Manila. Band members should be at least 16 years old to be able to qualify in the contest. To register, bands must create profiles with their complete and verified details, which include the band name, the members’ names and contact info and a short background of the band. They also need to upload at least three pictures of their members and two embedded videos of studio or gig performances from video streaming websites.
These online video productions will be hosted by 88DB.com.ph for the Internet voting. Fans and friends can register, log on, view the pod casts and enter their pick. The top 15 bands with the most number of votes by March 31, 2008 will move on to the finals and rough it out again with their scores back to zero.
This time, the emerging top three, who will be determined with the most votes by April 15, will get to perform live with hot newcomers Taken By Cars, hip hop and jazz it group Sinosikat and Philippine rock legend The Dawn on April 18, 2008 at Tiendesitas, Pasig City!
First placers will take home P10,000, second placers get P8,000 and third placers will receive P6,000! Registration starts on February 1, 2008 and ends March 14, 2008.

Fire in Pacquiao’s eyes, todays featured articles.

His cheekbones now more prominent and dressed in a fancy jacket moments after working out at the Wild Card on Tuesday afternoon, Pacquiao said that he can’t wait to get his hands on Juan Manuel Marquez on March 15.
"I have no fear," said Pacquiao, who goes after Marquez’s World Boxing Council (WBC) super-featherweight crown at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.
"I am excited to finish the unfinished business," the 29-year-old Filipino hotshot said, referring to the score he is looking forward to settle with Marquez, the 34-year-old counter-puncher who battled him to a split draw in May 2004.
Pacquiao is so juiced up for the Marquez rematch that he made good on his promise to train at the Wild Card for eight solid weeks under Freddie Roach instead of just asking Roach to hop in a plane and meet up with him in the Philippines for training camp.
"I am trying hard to rekindle my thirst (for winning) just like I was starting my career," said Pacquiao, whose stock took a nosedive following unimpressive victories over Mexicans Jorge Solis and Marco Antonio Barrera in 2007.
In his almost-daily training at the gym — most especially during sparring days — Pacquiao would not wait for the buzzer to sound signaling the resumption of action as he would walk towards his sparmates’ corner so they could go at it again right away.
While most of his sparring partners are still being attended to by their cornermen during the rest period, Pacquiao would already position himself near the opposite corner just like what happened when he banged bodies with Juan Garcia of Arizona, said to be a clone of Marquez.
"Everything is good," Pacquiao said shortly before a gym barker requested that there be silence for one minute.
One could hear a pin drop at the gym and Pacquiao took the opportunity to say a little prayer in the far-end corner where Roach gives out instructions as everyone inside either stopped chatting or joined the fighter in contemplation.
Pacquiao’s training lasted two and a half hours with the only time he was not exerting effort was when he would go from one area to another and it came on the eve of an open workout scheduled Wednesday with Top Rank promoter Bob Arum and representatives from various media outlets expected to gather there.
"This is the toughest training camp I’ve been," added Pacquiao before getting inside his Mercedes Benz 550SL which has a special spot in the parking area en route to his two-bedroom apartment at The Palazzo in La Brea, a mere 10-minute drive from the Wild Card.

NOTES: Freddie Roach left the gym while Manny Pacquiao was already doing his stretching as he had to go to Pasadena to train Bernard Hopkins…

Top fight scribe Steve Kim of mamboing.com, a regular at the Wild Card where he also works out, said he’s never seen Pacquiao so pumped up for a fight. "The last time I saw him this focused was during the first Barrera fight," said Kim…
Pacquiao adviser Mike Koncz said the fighter will go to Las Vegas by land on Monday. "Manny’s always superstitious about a lot of things." Top Rank head Bob Arum has offered a private plane.

source: Nick Giongco

RP prepares to claim Spratlys, other contested areas

MANILA, Philippines - will formally claim some contested areas that it considers part of its exclusive economic zone before the May 2009 deadline set by the United Nations.
The National Security Council on Tuesday met to discuss the matter in a bid to define in detail the country’s jurisdiction and to enable it to use the resources found in the contested areas.
"We shall advance the rights and interests of our nation in harnessing these rich resources," President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo said in a speech Tuesday in Malacañang.
Former Justice secretary and Solicitor General Estelito P. Mendoza, a lawyer of ousted President Joseph E. Estrada, has agreed to help the administration back up the country’s territorial claim.
"We appreciate that former secretary of Justice Estelito Mendoza has lent his unrivaled expertise in this field to help strengthen the Philippine claim on this very valuable portion of our national patrimony," Mrs. Arroyo said.
Among the contested areas being claimed by the Philippines are the Kalayaan Islands Group (Spratlys), Sabah, the Benham Rise, and other Expanded Continental Shelf (ECS) areas.
The Kalayaan Islands are also being claimed by China, Brunei, Malaysia and Vietnam. Meanwhile, Sabah is also being claimed by Malaysia.
Under the United Nations Convention on the Laws of the Sea (UNCLOS), every country is given 200 nautical miles that would make up its exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Each country possesses sovereign rights over the resources under its EEZ.
The Philippines needs to enact the law to affirm its commitment to the UNCLOS, which it ratified in 1982.
The international treaty states that signatory countries should define their territorial sea and internal waters.
However, no such measure is included in the Legislative Executive Development Advisory Council list of priority bills.
Earlier, Agriculture Secretary Arthur C. Yap warned that the country’s claim to the ECS may be forfeited if Congress fails to craft a law that will legitimize and strengthen the country’s stake on the baselines before the May 2009 deadline.
He noted that the ECS areas are rich in fishery and mineral resources.
A. D. B. Romero, BusinessWorld

P/$ rate closes at P40.75/$ 1

The peso exchange rate closed lower at P40.75 to the US dollar yesterday at the Philippine Dealing & Exchange Corp. (PDEx) from P40.455 last Friday. The weighted average rate depreciated to P40.662 from P40.457. Total volume amounted to $ 615.12 million.

Who is Akebono Matsu?

Earlier in the year, on January 22, 2001, the day after the New YearÕs sumo tournament ended in Tokyo, 31-year-old Yokozuna Akebono announced his retirement to end a memorable 13-year career as an active wrestler. Despite a terrific comeback in the past year with two tournament championships (in Nagoya in July 2000 and Fukuoka in November 2000), the nagging effects of painful knee injuries sapped his motivation and made him decide to call it quits.

The ceremony almost didnÕt happen on this day as organizers almost canceled it because of the terrorist attacks in the U.S. Fortunately, they decided to go ahead with it despite a significant number of cancellations by spectators and dignitaries. The result was a half-full sumo arena for AkebonoÕs last hurrah. Actually, I thought it would be a sell-out crowd despite ticket prices ranging from 3,600 yen to 11,300 yen. Tickets for this special event were not sold through regular concert-ticket channels as you had to call the special Akebono Retirement Ceremony office and order tickets and reserve your seat.

Outside the Kokugikan sumo arena in Ryogoku, Tokyo on the day of AkebonoÕs retirement ceremony on September 29, 2001, people waited for the gates to open at 11 am. It was an overcast morning, but later turned sunny in the afternoon. When the gates opened, Akebono and his wife stood outside the arena entrance to greet visitors and shake hands. At 11 am when the gates to the arena opened, we went in and received free program booklets. Akebono towered the sea of people around him. With his kimono-clad wife at his side, anybody could go up and shake his hand (I did). Boy, he was big. I was surprised that he had not lost much weight since he retired last January.Inside the entrance hallway, there was a long table on the left side with red and white. Over 300 people who would participate in cutting off the topknot, a tradition in sumo. There were so many names, but one which stood out was KonishikiÕs ribbon in the middle row on the right.

People gradually started filling the Kokugikan sumo arena. The arena has two levels. The lower level has mainly ÒboxÓ seats for four people who sit on cushions. During the matches, some people in the first few rows end up catching a giant wrestler being thrown out of the dohyo. The upper level of the arena has chairs (cheaper seats) which are much easier on the western spectator. In the arena, a Shinto-style roof above the sumo ring is suspended by cables. Any pillars would obstruct the view. This makes the event look very different from other combat sports such as wrestling or boxing.In the corridors outside the arena, souvenir shops sold all kinds of Akebono merchandise. This is much alike any sporting event in Japan, and sales are usually brisk at the retirement of an exiting athlete. An Akebono doll performing the ring-entering ceremony (dohyo-iri) went go for 5,250 yen (limited edition of course). Another limited-edition Akebono doll, sold for 1,050 yen. There were also manju (bean cakes) with the Japanese kanji character for ÒAkebonoÓ stamped on them as well as paper fans with the faces of the top sumo wrestlers. Akebono is at the bottom. Other Akebono goods included dishes, miniature banners, paper lanterns, pouches, coasters, etc., all with his name on it.The program then started at 11:30 am with an attention-getting taiko performance on the sumo ring. Then exhibition matches began by wrestlers from the Makushita Division, the third highest division in sumo. First, you have to understand that a retirement ceremony for an important sumo wrestler includes a variety of activities besides the actual ceremony of cutting away the topknot. It involves almost the entire Japan Sumo Association, and most wrestlers in the top three divisions (Makushita, Juryo, and Makunouchi) also appear in exhibition matches. The first part of the program is a little boring, so there were few people. It gave the roaming eye a chance to notice the large posters hanging along the upper perimeter of the arena. They are pictures of past tournament winners. You can find quite a few of Akebono in the Kokugikan. The framed posters are larger than life. The black-and-white photographs are taken in a photo studio and printed on large paper. They are hand-painted in color by a woman who has been doing it for years. Some of the paint has peeled off in one of AkebonoÕs pictures. In another picture, you can notice that his ceremonial apron was presented by ÓHawaiiÕs PeopleÓ as written on the bottom of the apron. The design shows a statue of King Kamehameha with a rainbow overhead.For those who read kanji, on the wooden frame the top kanji characters say ÒYushoÓ (tournament winner). The left characters state, ÒYokozuna Akebono Taro,Ó and the right characters indicate the tournament year and month of the tournament. The apron design includes the kanji character for ÒAkebonoÓ superimposed with a rising sun design, and a red hibiscus complementing it. Hibiscus happens to be the HawaiiÕs state flower, and ÒAkebonoÓ means dawn or rising sun. Someday IÕd like to see an exhibition of all his ceremonial aprons. A yokozunaÕs apron comes in a set of three because the other two aprons are worn by the dew sweeper and sword bearer during the dohyo-iri ring-entering ceremony.The early part of the program included shokkiri or comic sumo in which two low-ranking wrestlers clown around on the sumo ring. It was comedy time with two young wrestlers performing various comical antics such as spitting at each other, kicking, and other illegal sumo acts on the ring. After the Makushita Division matches, the Juryo Division or second division wrestlers performed the ring-entering ceremony at noon and held some exhibition matches.One match featured Sentoryu, an American sumo wrestler from St. Louis, Missouri. His real name is Henry Armstrong Miller, and he was born to an African-American father and Japanese mother.Eventually we got to see Akebono again in a demonstration on how they tie on the thick, white rope (tsuna) around the waist of the yokozuna. The tsuna actually has a copper wire at the core so that the rope can be shaped as required, and the tsuna itself is the symbol of the gloves.The other wrestlers wrapped the tsuna around his waist from the front, or the thickest part of the rope. It takes precision to position the tsuna correctly around his big girth. Once they got it on, they pulled it tight. After that they tied the rope at the back. Once everything was in place, Akebono turned in all four directions to show everyone what it looked like. His style of tying the rope was the shiranui style characterized by a single loop in the back. Another other style, called unryu, has twin loops.Soon afterward, Akebono entered the arena to perform his final dohyo-iri or ring-entering ceremony. He was flanked by wrestler Musoyama the dew sweeper in front of him and fellow Hawaii Yokozuna Musashimaru as the sword bearer behind him. And he also carried his infant son Cody, also dressed as a yokozuna.As they got ready to step up to the sumo ring, the audience clapped and cheered. Before starting the ring entering ceremony itself, Akebono passed his son to the referee. Luckily he had a son because he would not have been allowed to do it with a daughter as females are prohibited from entering the sumo ring, even at sumo stables. This is one thing I disapprove of sumo (the other thing is the requirement that foreign wrestlers must obtain Japanese citizenship to become a sumo elder or stablemaster). Barring women from stepping onto the sumo ring, even to give an award to a wrestler, is one of the most blatant and preposterous forms of sexual discrimination in Japan. It was devised centuries ago, and for the sake of tradition, traditionalists in the sumo world have maintained this extremely absurd custom and belief that women are considered to be impure (due to menstruation). Women were not even allowed to view sumo matches up until 1909.Many similar discriminatory practices (like barring women from climbing Mt. Fuji) were abolished long ago, and here we are in the 21st century with women still unable to step into the sumo ring. The sumo association has constantly rejected requests from important female ministers in the Prime MinisterÕs Cabinet to give an award to the tournament winner in the sumo ring.

The current governor of Osaka who is a woman, has also requested that she be allowed to give the EmperorÕs Cup to the winner of the grand sumo tournament in Osaka held every March. But as of this writing, she has not yet succeeded. It only makes the sumo association look silly. ItÕs a matter of time before the sumo association will have to acquiesce. After all, you canÕt produce sumo wrestlers without women. And women (wives of stablemasters) play a major role at sumo stables in raising young sumoaspirants.I keep thinking, what would finally make them abolish this rule? Probably a female Japanese Prime Minister.

The sumo association would look really bad if they even refuse a female Prime Minister from entering the sumo ring to give the EmperorÕs Cup to the tourney winner. (Note that legitimate female sumo wrestling also exists in Japan, but they are not under the jurisdiction of the Japan Sumo Association who ironically give its blessings to female sumo wrestling.)Well, excitement built as Akebono gets ready to clap his hands to attract the attention of the gods with his son looking on. Cody did not squirm nor cry and performed very well like his big daddy.Akebono spread out his arms to show that he has no weapons, not that he needs any weapons with his imposing physique. Unfortunately, sumoÕs third active Yokozuna Takanohana, could not participate in this dohyo-iri as the dew sweeper or sword bearer because of an injury.After finishing the ritual motions, Akebono got back his son and put him down for a moment as Musashimaru and Musoyama looked. Needless to say, it was so cute. They should let the little boy perform the dohyo-iri as well. In Part 2 next month, look forward to photos of AkebonoÕs topknot cutting ceremony.

Asian markets sink on US recession worries

SEOUL, South Korea - Asian markets tumbled Monday as investors reacted nervously to a steep decline on Wall Street Friday after disappointing economic and corporate news renewed worries the US economy was sliding into a recession.
Japan's benchmark index sank 4 percent, while Australia's market fell 3 percent and key indices in South Korea and Hong Kong were down nearly that much.
Investors in Asia dumped shares after a series of depressing economic and corporate reports Friday out of the United States, a vital export market for Asia, sent the Dow Jones industrial average falling 315.79, or 2.51 percent, to 12,266.39.
The bad news included poor quarterly results from American International Group Inc. and Dell Inc. and weaker-than-expected results on the Chicago purchasing managers index.
In Tokyo, the benchmark Nikkei 225 stock index lost 4.01 percent to 13,057.09 points by midday.
Japanese stocks were also pushed down by the dollar's slide against the yen, which erodes earnings at the nation's vital exporters. The dollar fell to 102.92 yen, its lowest point since Jan. 28, 2005. By late morning in Tokyo, the dollar bought 103.04 yen, down from 103.96 yen late Friday in New York.
Asian markets, which have fallen much of the year so far, had staged a modest recovery through the middle of last week, but pessimism returned Monday.
Hong Kong's blue chip Hang Seng index plunged more than 3 percent at the opening. By late morning, it was down 2.6 percent at 23,698.65.
In Seoul, the Korea Composite Stock Price Index was down 2.9 percent to 1,662.29 in late morning trading. And in Sydney, the benchmark S&P/ASX200 index was down 3.1 percent to 5,401.2. - AP

Wall Street fall, NBN mess drag RP stocks 1.6%

MANILA, Philippines- Philippine share prices fell sharply on Monday as players went on a buying spree inspired by concerns over the United States economy and the political uncertainty in the domestic front, analysts said.
The 30-company Philippine Stock Exchange index dropped 50 points or 1.58 percent to 3,079.99 while the all-share index slipped 24.91 points or some 1.30 percent to 1,896.25.
Losers trounced gainer 67 to 29 while 42 stocks were flat. Volume traded reached 788.8 million valued at P2.59 billion.
Emmanuel Soller, EquitiWorld Securities stockbroker, said the Dow Jones' huge losses last Friday plus the political tension on demands by various sector for President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to resign pulled down the market.
"The Dow Jones and Asian markets were down and also with out political situation, it will probably test the 2,950 level," he said.
Wall Street lost 315.79, or 2.51 percent over the weekend on renewed concerns over a weakening US economy.
Soller added that if for the rest of the week, no other major political development will take place the bourse will continue its consolidation with a downward bias.
Telecommunications giant Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. slid P100 or 3.45 percent to P2,800.Conglomerate Ayala Corp. declined P10 or 2.30 percent to P425.
Developer Ayala Land Inc. jumped P0.25 or 2.13 percent to P12.
Bank of the Philippine Islands, an Ayala Corp. unit, skidded P0.50 or 0.90 percent to P55.
Philex Mining Corp., the country's largest miner, rose P0.10 or 1.08 percent to P9.30.

source: Cheryl Arcibal,
GMANews.TV

RP BOP surplus falls 70% to $216M in Jan 2008

The country's balance of payments fell 70 percent to $216 million in January due to strong outflows during the month, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said Monday.
In its latest data release, the central bank highlighted, however, that the BOP stayed in surplus despite the year-on-year drop.
The overall BOP position is critical to the BSP, as it smooths foreign exchange volatility. A larger surplus gives the central bank better leverage to stabilize the peso's exchange rate against other currencies, particularly the US dollar.
The central bank said that during the month, inflows still outpaced outflows, of which the country's international reserves reached another record-high, surging by over $600 million from the previous month to $34.4 billion.
The GIR is expected to hit a record high of $35 billion to $37 billion in 2008, although the balance of payments surplus would drop to $3 billion to $3.5 billion. BSP Gov. Amando Tetangco Jr said he sees the BOP surplus to rise at a more moderate pace this year despite peaking forex reserves.
"We will be coming off a high base. Also, the assumption is that a large part of foreign exchange inflows will remain with banks to service the needs of their clients," Tetangco said. - GMANews.TV

Hackers recruit for local language skill

SAN FRANCISCO - Wanted: computer virus writers. Must be fluent in Mandarin. Or Russian. Or Portuguese.
These hacker help wanted ads are appearing on underground Internet channels as malicious code designers increasingly want programmers with foreign-language skills to help launch country-specific attacks, security vendor McAfee Inc. said in a report Thursday.
Hackers want to craft compelling and grammatically correct Web pages and spam e-mails — which are crucial in fooling people to download viruses or reveal personal information like credit card numbers, according to the report.
By localizing their attacks, hackers can better target software and sites popular in specific countries — such as peer-to-peer network applications in Japan, online gaming sites in China, and banks in Brazil. They can also limit their attacks to countries where law enforcement is more likely to be lax.
The report found that just 67 percent of spam is now written in English, a sign that broadband penetration in emerging markets has made attacks in non-English languages increasingly lucrative.
Attacks written in local languages aren't new, but the torrent of money flowing into criminal coffers from Internet attacks has made hackers increasingly sophisticated about lures that will work on their targets.
"It speaks to the underlying professionalism and understanding of business that we've seen in the past few years, and that we haven't seen in the past," said David Marcus, security research and communications manager with McAfee. "They're approaching malware as a business and are looking to build their businesses globally.
"Marcus added that hackers' recruitment pitches often take two forms: hackers looking to employ virus-writers to design spam and Web sites in local languages, and those hackers looking to trade malicious programs in different languages.
Hackers already have made progress in English-language spam, Marcus said. While three quarters were packed with typos and other errors just a few years ago, he said, only about 10 percent do so today.
"It doesn't take a huge investment in time to craft this stuff perfectly,"
he said. AP

the crying man in an autograph signing.. what for??

ZTE deal witness Rodolfo Lozada Jr autographs a book on Dr. Jose Rizal during his visit to Adamson University in Manila Monday.

FG- Bagsak na naman ang rating??? editorial..

As i watch the 24 oras in GMA 7, hindi nawala sa pansin kong mapanuod ang balitang bagsak na naman sa SWS survey ang unang ginoo. And take note mga kababayan this is the worst scenario cases. Ayon sa survey last sept ay nakakuha na ang FG ng -31% total dissatisfaction. And now FG got another total -51% as of December. And we already know the reason why mga repapips.

Hindi bat nadadawit sila sa naunsyaming kontrata ng NBN o National Broadband Network Deal ng ZTE. Panu ba naman ayon sa ating pagkakaalam ay humigit kumulang sa US$130 million ang nasabing kontrata at biglang lumobo sa mahigit US$200 milyon. E sino bang magbabayad nun kundi kaming nandidito sa bansa ni Juan dela Cruz.

May ipinagkaiba ba ito sa "the most expensive highway sa Pasay ang Diosdado Macapagal Boulevard" hindi bat mas mahal pa yata ito sa ating NLEX dahil umabot ito ng mahigit isang bilyon. Maraming nag ingay dahil hindi naambunan ng komsiyon, ganun po ba yun mga repapips? Meaning hindi marunung mamamahagi si Manong Mike? hindi ba sila kapamilya o kapuso manong?

Ang tanung natin, ganito naba talaga ang garapalan sa gobyerno? Madaming nagraraly? gusto pababain si Ate Glo, eh sino naman ang ipapalit? isa ding sabik sa pwesto? ang tanung bababa kaya si Ateng Glo?

Eh kung nung hindi nga nakapwesto nagpilit pumuwesto? ngaun pang nakapwesto na sila...

Ganito talaga yata dito sa Pinas... Ang mga pulitiko ngaun hindi na pa Krus kung mag tanda pag pumapasok sa simbahan, pa hugis P naraw, ibig sabihin P as in Peso o Piso.

Kaya naman ang ekonomiya natin lalong bumabagsak dahil sa mga kagarapalan ng mga nasa pwesto.. Lalo tayong nababaon sa pandaigdigan utang.. At eto pa sabi ni Ate Glo napataas daw nya ang piso?? Heller!!! hindi po kami ipinganak kahapon.. ateng.. Bagsak lang po talga ang ekonomiya ng US at dahil lahat ay may hanganan. Ang US umabot na sila sa tinatawag na PEAK o tuktok ng nakaraang taon sa pag unlad so what do you expect po madam??

Eh di ang bumaba ulit tulad na ibang laws of FOREX na " history repeat itself "..

Kaya kayong mga nasa pwestong mga ganid, may hanganan din ang mga tulad nyo..

Tandaan nyo....Bilog ang mundo.....

Another Fil-Am shines in Hollywood: T.V. Carpio

May Filipino-American invasion ngayon sa Hollywood. Tulad ng Fil-American na si Ramiele Malubay na pasok pa rin sa Top 16 ng American Idol, namamayagpag din ang isa pang Fil-American sa Hollywood movies at TV shows.

Ito ay si T.V. Caprio na may major role siya sa movie musical na Across The Universe.

Ginagampanan ni T.V. ang role ni Prudence, isang former high school cheerleader na naging isang bisexual bohemian. Kasama pa niya rito ay ang Hollywood actress na si Evan Rachel Wood.

Na-nominate sa nakaraang Golden Globe Awards ang Across The Universe as best motion picture (comedy or musical). Mula ito sa panulat at direksiyon ni Julie Taymor (director ng Frida at ng Broadway version ng The Lion King) kung saan pinagsama niya sa isang musical ang 33 revolutionary songs ng The Beatles which includes "Hey Jude" and "All You Need Is Love." Inawit ni Carpio sa naturang pelikula ang "I Wanna Hold Your Hand" at iba pang mga kanta.

Pinuri si T.V. ng kanilang director at tama lang daw ang pagkuha niya sa Fil-Am actress for the movie."Along with having a beautiful singing voice, T.V. is a dancer and former ice skater. So, I had Prudence become a skater in the circus scenes because T.V. could ice skate. Then, I thought, ‘Well, she'll be the cheerleader because she's so good physically.' As you get to know the actors, you create more and more for them," pahayag ng Hollywood director.

Masayang-masaya rin daw si T.V. sa role na ibinigay sa kanya: "I wanted so much to make Julie's vision come alive. When she would tell us what she saw, it would never be just what's written on a piece of paper, it would be something just completely out of this world. We were so honored to be a part of that. We couldn't even believe that this is our job."Ang tunay na pangalan ni T.V. ay Teresa Victoria Carpio. Ipinanganak siya sa Oklahoma City noong 1981. Anak siya ng Asian performer na si Teresa Carpio.

Nakatira ngayon sa New York City si T.V. at nakalabas na rin siya sa ilang U.S. TV shows tulad ng The Jury at Law & Order. On Broadway, napasama na siya sa main cast ng Rent. - Philippine Entertainment Portal

NTC wants text messages to be free within network, todays top news..

The National Telecommunications Commission's desire for lower interconnection rates among mobile phone providers could make text messages within the same network free.
This was according to NTC commissioner Ruel V. Canobas, who stressed the direct effect of interconnection charges on retail prices. "Retail prices include interconnection charges if a call or text is sent from one network to another network. For calls or texts sent within the network, the retail price is lower. So, if the interconnection charge is low, the retail price is low and lower if the call or text is within the same network," he said.
The regular access charge agreement submitted by Smart and Pilipino Telephone Corp. (Piltel) to NTC shows that the SMS (short messaging service) charge between them is P0.32 per text, which is P0.03 lower than what Smart charges other operators. Smart is a sister company of Piltel. Canobas said the retail price or fee for text within the same network may almost become free if the interconnection rates are set a minimum prices.
He, however, said that the power of the NTC is limited under Section 18 of the Republic Act 7925 to set interconnection charges. Under the law, the access charge/revenue sharing arrangements between all interconnecting carriers shall be negotiated between the parties and the agreement between the parties shall be submitted to the Commission. With this, the NTC chief is supporting the House Bill No. 456, which proposes to prohibit the public telecommunications entities (PTEs) from imposing fees and/or charges on text messaging between subscribers of the same network.
Under the proposed bill prepaid subscribers shall be entitled to free text messages until such prepaid load has been fully consumed. Canobas said when Sun Cellular entered the cellphone market, it embarked on a massive marketing campaign introducing free text and voice calls "on net" or between and among subscribers of Sun. Globe Telecom Inc. and Smart Communications Inc. then offered free text promos to their subscribers.
"If the PTEs are required to provide free text messages between its subscribers until the value of the prepaid call card is fully consumed, the PTEs may stop offering low-priced prepaid cards and longer validity period," Canobas said. At present, the value of prepaid cards ranges from P50, P100 and P300 with a validity period until one month or less. Once this happened, revenues of telecommunication companies are expected to decline as earnings from text messages contributed the biggest. Globe, Smart officials were not immediately available for comment. - GMANews.TV

Caltex helping sweep through panagbenga ’08

Chevron Philippines, maker of Caltex fuel, is fielding 150 volunteers this morning in a sweep of city streets in the wake of the grand and float parades of this year’s edition of the “Panagbenga” flower festival.

“Event like the Panagbenga allow everyone to cheer, relax, and appreciate the amazing beauty of our city, in this case, Baguio,” said Mark Quebral, Chevron manager for policy, government and public affairs. “That’s why it is important to preserve such beauty by cleaning the streets after the celebration.”

Working in partnership with the Baguio Community Volunteers Movement, Caltex initially deployed the 150 cleaners yesterday, aside from donating cleaning materials and cash sponsorship of the festival. It will double the number of its volunteers on March 2, after the capping ceremonies of the festival.

Chevron also set up its Ka-Roadtrip motorist Assistance program in its Caltex stations from the North Luzon Expressway all the way up to Kennon Rd. for the safety of travelers on their way to Baguio.

Through its Caltex Good Roots Project, Chevron had supported Baguio residents engaged in environment regeneration and livelihood for its farming communities.

As Baguio gears up for the annual exodus of thousands of visitors this summer, Chevron is again expected to come in as a major sponsor of the annual search for the “Lucky Summer Visitors of Baguo-Benguet” who will be selected during the Holy Week.

Representatives of Chevron met last Friday officers of the Baguio Correspondents and Broadcasters Club, the umbrella organization of media practitioners based here, to firm up the “Lucky Visitors” project.

BCBC president Pigeon Lobien said the project, initially launched in 1958, provides a red carpet welcome to the lucky guests as a symbolic way of thanking vacationists for choosing Baguio and Benguet as their holiday destinations, especially during the Holy Week.

The lucky guests will be chosen at the Caltex station in Rosario, La Union , on March 20. – BCBC release

Marian Rivera on Dyesebel: Topless kung topless!

Payat si Marian Rivera nang makita ng PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) sa launching niya as the newest celebrity endorser/image model of Karimadon last Friday, February 22.

Trabaho ang rason niya sa pagkahulog ng kanyang katawan. Pero babawi daw siya ng kain at tulog after the last taping of Marimar na kundi sa March 6 ay sa March 7.

Nag-imbita na rin si Marian na panoorin ang final telecast ng Marimar sa March 14. Live daw ang ending nito at lalabas ang buong cast para magpasalamat sa viewers sa pagsubaybay sa telenovela and for making it the number one show in local TV.

Isa raw sa mga hindi makakalimutang eksena ni Marian sa Marimar ay ang paghiga niya sa kabaong na nakasara. Takot siya noong una, pero naisip niya na marami ang madi-disappoint ‘pag nag-inarte siya kaya ginawa na rin niya."Para sa Marimar, inalis ko ang takot at kaba sa dibdib ko. Gagawin ko ang lahat para sa show na malaking bagay ang ibinigay sa akin at ibinibigay pa," sabi ni Marian.

Hindi rin makakalimutan ni Marian na sa Marimar nagsimula ang love-hate relationship nila ng co-star niyang si Katrina Halili. Nagsimula ang telenovela na friends sila, pero sa middle part ay nag-deadmahan sila at nagkaroon ng silent war. Pagkatapos ay nagkabati sila, pero matatapos itong war na naman sila.

Ayaw na lang mag-elaborate ni Marian sa latest conflict nila ni Katrina na nag-start nang magkasabay silang mag-guest sa SiS. Pero sa tono ng pananalita ni Marian, malabong magkaayos pa sila ni Katrina.

After Marimar, sa Dyesebel na ang concentration ni Marian. Sabi niya, full training ang gagawin niya para sa underwater scenes. Payag din siyang mag-topless at nagbiro ngang "topless kung topless" ang kanyang gagawin."

"Sa pictorial pa lang, nag-topless na ako at naniniwala akong bakit ko tatanggapin ang Dyesebel kung aarte-arte ako? Naniniwala naman akong hindi papayag ang GMA-7 na lalabas ako ng TV na ikakapahamak ko at mababastos ako. Nandiyan ang MTRCB at hindi sila papayag na maging bastos ang Dyesebel, na ang target audience ay mga bata. Pero sexy at daring si Dyesebel dito, mag-e-expose ako ng skin," patuloy ni Marian.

Ikinatuwa ni Marian ang pagpapadala ng Regal Entertainment ng DVD copy ng Dyesebel ni Alice Dixson para kanyang mapanood uli. Napanood na niya noon si Alice, pati ang versions nina Vilma Santos at Charlene Gonzalez. If she has the time, panonoorin rin daw uli ni Marian ang mga ito.

Ang dinig ni Marian, sa Palawan ang taping ng Dyesebel. Pero dahil malayo, baka sa Anilao, Batangas na lang sila mag-shoot. Ang gusto nga ni Direk Joyce ay sa Palawan at Batanes ang kanilang location, na perfect para sa serye. Pero alam din niyang mahihirapan silang lahat dahil malayo.

Sa April na eere ang Dyesebel. Ipinangako ni Direk Joyce na maiiba niya ang hitsura nina Marian at Dingdong sa hitsura nila ngayon sa Marimar. Kapag pinanood daw ang Dyesebel, sina Dyesebel at Fredo na ang makikita ng viewers at hindi sina Marimar Aldama at Sergio Santibañez."Bel" at "Fredo" na rin ang tawagan nina Marian at Dingdong ‘pag nagkikita sa taping ng Marimar. Sinisimulan na raw nilang mag-internalize ng kanilang character para hindi sila magulat once na magsimula na silang mag-taping para sa Dyesebel. - Philippine Entertainment Portal

Claudine Barretto clueless about Marjorie's 'kept man'

Jobless ngayon ang mister ni Claudine Barretto na si Raymart Santiago sa GMA-7. Katatapos lang lumabas ni Raymart sa Zaido and, so far, wala pa raw bagong offer sa aktor ang Kapuso network.

Sa second night ng burol ng ina ng dating manager ni Claudine na si Manay Ethel Ramos ay nakausap siya ng PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal). Tinanong namin ang aktres kung ano ang pinagkakaabalahan ngayon ng kanyang mister."Nagpapatayo kami ng rest house sa north, sa Tanay. Yun, busy siya dun. Halos every day nandun siya," kuwento ni Claudine.

Kung si Raymart ay pahinga muna sa kanyang career, si Claudine ay nagte-taping na para sa bago niyang teleserye sa ABS-CBN, ang second installment ng The Susan Roces Collections titled Maligno."Naka-siyam na taping days na kami, pero ngayon hindi kami makapag-taping kasi maulan. Ang daming location, ang daming effects," lahad ng aktres.

Ano ang pakiramdam na gagampanan niya ang role na unang ginampanan ni Susan Roces?"Unang-una, privileged talaga kasi Susan Roces collection," sambit ni Claudine. "Napakagandang offer, di ba? Hindi mo matatanggihan. And if I'm not mistaken, dito nanalo si Tita Swanie ng maraming awards. Sobrang challenging!"MARJORIE'S "KEPT MAN." Nagpunta sa Hong Kong last week si Claudine kasama ang buo niyang pamilya at kalahati ng Santiago family. Kabilang sa pamilya ni Claudine ang kapatid na si Marjorie Barretto at ang mga anak nito, minus ang mister ni Marjorie na si Dennis Padilla.

May balitang pinatigil na ni Marjorie si Dennis sa muling panunuyo nito sa kanya. Ano ang masasabi ni Claudine dito?"Alam mo talaga, sa totoo lang, hindi ko talaga alam ang nangyayari sa buhay ng mga kapatid ko," sabi ni Claudine. "I don't ask them. Ang konti ng oras namin ni Marjorie mula nang maging councilor siya. Hindi ko siya masyadong nakikita."After Dennis, wala bang alam si Claudine na ibang lalaki na nagugustuhan si Marjorie ngayon?"Wala e," maikling sagot ng youngest sa Barretto sisters.

Pero sa album na Unexpected ng isa pa nilang kapatid na si Gretchen Barretto, inalayan niya ng kanta si Marjorie at ang tinawag ng controversial actress na "kept man" ng kapatid."Siguro malamang may nanliligaw sa kanya [Marjorie] or something," reaksiyon ni Claudine.

Hindi kaya si Caloocan Mayor Recom Echeverri ang tinutukoy ni Gretchen na "kept man" ni Marjorie?"Binata ba siya?" tanong ni Claudine. "Na-meet ko na siya nung campaign. Buntis pa ako that time."RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD. Hindi ba natatakot si Claudine na matulad din sa kapatid niya ang kahinatnan ng relasyon niya kay Raymart?"Ang difference namin ni Raymart [kina Marjorie at Dennis], siguro pareho kaming gumagawa ng conscious effort na hindi kami magkaroon ng problema. Like, nagkaka-counseling kami, ‘tapos dapat laging constant yung communication."Sabi nga ni Raymart, laging sinsabi ng iba mga tao, si God dapat ang nasa center ng relationship. Pero hindi talaga nila alam kasi wala naman talaga silang relationship with God talaga.

"Ang ano talaga namin ni Raymart is that we make it an effort to love God first before each other. Ilang years pa lang kami, di ba? Parang alam ko rin na ‘pag dumating yung araw na nagkaroon ng mga trials, pagsubok lang ‘yan ng Diyos because He wants something better for you and for your marriage and not for you to grow apart."And I'd like to think that if ever na hindi nag-work out yung kay Kuya Dennis at Marj, I'd like to think also na yung sa amin naman ni Raymart, it's gonna be more solemn. For our parents' sake na rin also and not only for our own sake. Matatanda na rin naman sila. And I want them to be proud of us naman," pahayag ni Claudine. - Philippine Entertainment Portal

Alicia admits she’s pregnant of her politician bf

Alicia Mayer has admitted she is pregnant of her politician boyfriend whom she refuses to identify as of the moment.

"Gusto ko kasi magsimula na sa ‘kin," said Alicia on her decision to approach Startalk hosts Butch Francisco and Lorna Tolentino on Saturday.

As for the background of her boyfriend, Alicia opted to play coy rather than drop a name."Let's just say that he's loving," she said, adding "Hindi, actually, hindi siya sa showbiz..."

"Politics?" quizzed Butch."Oo, politics," was the ready reply of Alicia, who for a time was involved with comedian and ex-Parañaque mayor Joey Marquez."E, kasi hindi naman kasi showbiz, e. So, tingin ko parang unfair naman for him and also for me kasi ayoko rin siyang magulo," she added.

Unnamed bachelor

To put any malicious rumors immediately at bay, the dusky sexy actress clarified that her politician boyfriend is single and free from any relationship commitments. On the first trimester of her pregnancy, Alicia proudly announced that her family was very excited with the coming of the newest family member."Actually, very happy sila," she said. "

'Yong family ko no'ng nalaman nila lahat sila supportive sa ‘kin kahit na ano'ng ginagawa ko, especially now na magkakaroon ng bagong addition sa family."According to Alicia, her boyfriend’s family also feels the same about the baby. "I think they're happy also," she said.

Marriage plans

Alicia mentioned about marriage although it is unlikely within the course of her pregnancy. "Siyempre meron in the future, ‘di ba?" she told Butch when broached on the subject of formalizing their union.

Just like any other couple, Alicia confessed that prior to her “delicate condition" she and her boyfriend were already entertaining the thought of settling down although everything were discussed in passing."

Sinasabi ko nga kanina parang dati kasi lagi kaming nagbibiruan. Di ba? ‘pag nasa relationship kayo, pakasal kayo, ganun. Parang puro biro then you put it aside," she said.Pregnancy obviously made the situation serious, altering Alicia's point of view.

"Pero ngayon parang siguro pagka tinanong ulit ako, since na merong baby, siguro I'd put it through consideration. Siguro parang gano'n."Again, an altar date at this point would just have to wait until Alicia regains that whistle-bait figure of hers."

'Pag kakasya na 'ko sa magandang gown," she wittingly hit back. - Philippine Entertainment Portal

Jamilla Bares More on At Home Ka Dito

Probably the most controversial housemate on Pinoy Big Brother Teen Edition, Jamilla Obispo will be making another revelation, this time on At Home Ka Dito! This Sunday, June 25, together with Charlene Gonzales, Joross Gamboa and Roxanne Guinoo, Jamilla opens the doors to her humble home in Laguna. She will be requesting a room make-over for her son, Miggy.
Mom’s will be able to get new ideas for their kid’s rooms with the unique design decorating love team Joross and Roxanne will be executing. Of course Jam won’t be the only one getting a make-over but she and Charlene will be visiting Myla, who’s a teen-age mom like her. Myla also took desperate measures to provide for her baby. A big change awaits Myla as Jamilla and Charlene give her one surprise after another.
Don’t miss another life changing make-over on At Home Ka Dito! Catch Charlene, Joross and Roxanne this Sunday morning after Inuyasha 2.

Fed chief signals another rate cut

WASHINGTON - Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke warned Congress that the nation is in for a period of sluggish business growth and sent a fresh signal Wednesday that interest rates will again be lowered to steady the teetering economy.
"The economic situation has become distinctly less favorable" since the summer, the Fed chief told the House Financial Services Committee.
Since Bernanke's last such comprehensive assessment last summer, the housing slump has worsened, credit problems have intensified and the job market has deteriorated. Bernanke said that the confluence of these factors has turned people and businesses alike toward a more cautious attitude toward spending and investment. This, he said, has further weakened the economy.
Incoming barometers continue to "suggest sluggish economic activity in the near term," Bernanke told lawmakers. At the same time, he added, the Fed must keep a close eye on inflation given the recent run-up in energy and other prices paid by consumers and businesses.
Were energy prices to continue to rise at a sharp clip — which the Fed doesn't anticipate — it would "create a very difficult problem" for the economy. It would spread inflation and would put another damper on growth, Bernanke said. If that happened, he added, it would be a "very tough situation."
The central bank, which started lowering a key interest rate in September, has recently turned much more aggressive. Over the span of just eight days in January, it slashed rates by 1.25 percentage points — the biggest one-month reduction in a quarter century. Economists and Wall Street investors predict the Fed will cut rates again at its next meeting on March 18.
There are dangers that the economy will weaken even further. "The risks include the possibilities that the housing market or labor market may deteriorate more than is currently anticipated and that credit conditions may tighten substantially further," Bernanke cautioned.

He also said consumers need to be financially savvy — understanding mortgages, credit cards and other financial products.
"Well they certainly need to know the interest rate and how it varies over time and what that means to them in terms of payments," Bernanke said. - AP

What is Stock Market?

A stock exchange, share market or bourse is a corporation or mutual organization which provides facilities for stock brokers and traders, to trade company stocks and other securities. Stock exchanges also provide facilities for the issue and redemption of securities as well as other financial instruments and capital events including the payment of income and dividends. The securities traded on a stock exchange include: shares issued by companies, unit trusts and other pooled investment products and bonds.
To be able to trade a security on a certain stock exchange, it has to be listed there. Usually there is a central location at least for recordkeeping, but trade is less and less linked to such a physical place, as modern markets are electronic networks, which gives them advantages of speed and cost of transactions. Trade on an exchange is by members only.
The initial offering of stocks and bonds to investors is by definition done in the primary market and subsequent trading is done in the secondary market. A stock exchange is often the most important component of a stock market. Supply and demand in stock markets is driven by various factors which, as in all free markets, affect the price of stocks

First Metro reports 2007 income at record-high P1.41B

MANILA, Philippines- Profit at First Metro Investment, the investment banking arm of the Metrobank Group reached P1.41 billion in 2007, 33 percent higher than its 2006 level.
In a statement sent to the Philippine Stock Exchange, First Metro said this is the highest income level it has achieved in its 35-year history.
Net income was recorded at P1.06 billion in 2006."The company’s performance is reflective of the Philippine economy’s 7.3-percent growth in 2007 which is the fastest in 31 years. This growth resulted in a strong revival of capital markets, both fixed income and in particular the Philippine stock market which rose by 21 percent in 2007 to reach 3,621, beating its previous historical index high posted 10 years ago in 1997,"
First Metro said. Metrobank is the largest bank in the country in terms of assets.

source: GMANews.TV

Net foreign selling of RP stocks at P13.3B year to date

As i read the news last friday, more than P13.3 billion in foreign funds has exited the stock market as of February 27, as investors, cowed by the weakening US economy, decided to stay out of the local bourse.
In a presentation, Francis Lim, PSE president and chief executive officer, said that as of February 27, 2008, the bourse suffered net foreign selling amounting to P13.3 billion.
Earlier, the PSE said it suffered the worst net foreign selling in January when it reached P11.59 billion, surpassing the P9.4-billion net foreign selling recorded in October 2003.
He warned that if the trend continued, the PSE will lose in six months all the net foreign buying that the stock market piled up in 2007.
However, analysts remain optimistic that the stock market will weather the US economy's weakness, and even political tension in the local front.
“The market and the economy will withstand all the political problems that we have," said Roberto Juanchito Dispo, executive vice president of First Metro Investments Corp.As of February 27, the 30-company Philippine Stock Exchange index was down 14 percent from its 2007 closing level, with the property index suffering the worst with a 21-percent decline.
Comparing the two-month period of the year from the January-February period in 2007, total capital raised through initial public offerings and follow-on offerings were down to P9.7 billion from P16.7 billion. - source: GMANews

Markets to weather political tension from NBN mess - analysts

MANILA, Philippines- Local market analysts are betting that the interfaith rally scheduled for late Friday, and the ongoing political unease from allegations of high-level corruption in public procurement will have little effect on stock prices and the economy as a whole. Astro del Castillo, First Grade Holdings managing director, told GMANews.
TV that the slight uptick in the stock market earlier Friday was a vote of confidence on the local bourse. The gain happened only hours before the start of a rally to pressure President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo into resigning. The president and her husband have been linked to the allegedly anomalous $329.48-million national broadband network deal with ZTE Corp. of China.

Friday's gain also occurred despite Wall Street's overnight slump.

“We’re happy to note that investors are focused on the opportunities available to them in our bourse. It is a surprise, actually. Investors were optimistic and they seemed to think that nerves will be calmer next week," del Castillo said.
Roberto Juanchito Dispo, executive vice president of First Metro Investment Corp., agreed.
“The market and the economy will withstand all the political problems that we have," Dispo told reporters on the sidelines of a joint seminar by the Philippine Stock Exchange and the Chamber of Mines in Makati City on Friday.
Lawrence de Leon, Accord Capital trader, said that although he felt that players still “traded with caution," the increase in the buying activity in the last 30 minutes of the session showed that they believe that the rally will be peaceful.
However, Sergio Ortiz-Luis, president of the Philippine Exporters Confederation, said the failure of the local market in the previous days to take advantage of the recoveries posted by Wall Street and other regional markets showed that the political tension and even the rally will have an “effect" to the market and the economy.

Telecom, broadcast industry cite reforms initiated by NTC

The telecommunications and broadcast industry lauded the leadership of National Telecommunications Commissioner Ruel Canobas in bringing about reforms and providing new perspective to the agency, notably the speedy disposition of cases, regular dialogue with the industry and stakeholders, and ontime processing of permits and licenses.