Miss Universe

Last weekend, watching the beauty contest reminds us about the importance of getting foreign talent. Importing overseas resources improves the local pool. It increases the sophistication by having more worldly assets. But often the reaction is not good because the local team may feel threatened. So the normal reaction maybe to look for better opportunities overseas.

Perhaps one way to keep the resident talent is to increase their pay. But not really a good way as life is not all about money. Or is it? What about the foreign talents that come on board? Are they adequately paid? At a deeper level, what is the relation between a beauty contest and higher pay? I don’t know. I wonder where this is leading to.

Let’s see. The winner of a beauty contest is normally the prettiest. So the beauty contest winner will get the prize which is usually a lot of money. Hence, the most beautiful talent may also be the one with the most money. A logical conclusion? Perhaps. So can we say that foreign talents should be paid more? Wait a minute. Is there a link between foreign talent, beauty contest and higher pay?

But maybe we are getting somewhere. We all know that movie stars get a lot of money. In fact, some movie stars are former beauty contest winners and most often are wealthy and famous. So what is the final conclusion? To get more money, join a beauty contest or be a movie star. Being a foreign talent may also be an added advantage. Make sense?

Mystery blogger

Welcome to the world of blogging. Someone has just started a blog joining the thousands created every day. Who could it be? Lots of blogs are created anonymously or with pen names preferring to keep their identity secret. Just like me.

But still blogging is fun to do. A world wide craze loosely called web 2.0. The first wave was the internet. The second wave is where tools like blogging exist. To express ourselves and create a community plus earn money via web advertising.

It's the future. So who is the mystery blogger? Who knows? Maybe it's just the person beside you. Look at the blog site below and have fun. Check out also the cafe photo slide show near bottom right.

http://traveltips-newtravellers.blogspot.com

By the way, nanganak na si Kris. She gave birth to a second son. Good luck. See below related video in You Tube.

http://www.youtube.com/?v=fe96EdPs_84

Invest in the market

Earning money in the stock market seem to be a good way to earn money these days. For instance, buying IPOs or initial public offering of new companies listing in SGX is one promising way. See the recent performance of IPOs such as Citispring.

Now how can simple folks like us participate in the booming stock market? Some say the best way is to buy mutual funds. Others say the best way is to buy index funds. But its also important to know your risk tolerance and investment time frame.

Most books on investing say the best strategy is to invest for the long term for at least 5 years or more. Other books advise to diversify. For instance, invest in different sectors like telecommunication or property but also buy blue chips companies to minimize risk.

The prudent way to start maybe is to consult a licensed financial advisor. Also read books on stock investment, attend free courses sponsored by the library or SGX and consult websites to learn more such as:

http://www.fundsupermart.com/

http://www.sgx.com/

http://dl.nlb.gov.sg/victoria/2007/03/fundamentals_of_investing_and.html

Remember don't rush to invest but learn more about your investment style and the market. Otherwise it may be more prudent to keep your money under the mattress or bet in a casino.

Sudden rain

We were caught in the rain and could not get back to the office after lunch. So we talked about our best movies of all time. Here are some of the list as I recall..

List # 1

1. Lord of the Rings trilogy

2. Star Wars series

3. Sound of Music

List # 2

1. Apocalypse Now

2. Gandhi

3. Good Fellas

List # 3

1. The Sound of Music

2. Gone with the Wind

3. Sleepless in Seattle

List # 4

1. Jurassic Park series

2. Back to the Future series

3. Mama Mia musical

The little prince

We received a gift today at lunch time. The classic book 'The Little Prince.' Supposed to be a timeless story still relevant to read even as an adult. I haven't read the book yet. Not really a children's book.

Studies show more than fifty percent of the millions of blogs created every year are written by people who are aged 19 and younger. So writing blogs and reading 'The Little Prince maybe a sign that we are getting younger.

Video blogs

New features added like news reels and video feeds from You tube. Also, video clips will be posted to show happenings in the city. Good way to see what is happening around the island.

Friends posted in other countries can check out the site with the latest news and videos. See below video on mini guitar concert last Monday.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3wV0A920cw

Easter holiday

New feature added to the cafe blog: news reels to catch the latest headlines. See right below.

Suppose to be fasting during the holy week. No chance as had crepes with strawberry for breakfast today. Still no meat so a slim excuse still exists. Will try to skip lunch today. Not really to observe the holy week rituals but to lose weight. Need to lose about 10 kg by June this year. Ha ha ha..

Back in the Philippines, holy week is usually spent going to beach resorts or to the provinces with the family for a short vacation. But no chance to be solemn and respectful during the most important time in the Christian faith. Instead, time spent more lazing in the beach and drinking San Miguel beer.

The only time solemnity is observed is when watching the holy week parades in the streets in the early evenings. The parades are organized by the local Catholic church I think to herald the Spanish prince and princes who defeated the Moors long again in Spain. A tradition left long ago from the Spanish occupation.

A more grisly procession is when penitents walk the streets whipping themselves with sharp whips or have themselves crucified in crosses. A bloody spectacle seen usually along the main highway in the provinces of Pampanga on the way to Baguio city - the summer capital. All these memories are starting to make me hungry.

Losing weight

Getting older makes us gain weight. The stomach starts to bulge and the body get out of shape. What to do?

Start a contest to lose weight by June. What are the results of the coffee barkada?

1. Join a health club but no time to go. After a few months, stop the membership and join a yoga class. Wait for the next chapter (or hintayin ang susunod na kabanata).

2. Pretend that losing weight is easy. With June nearing, still need to lose more than 10 kilos and rising. Panic time so do fasting during the Holy Week. Maybe praying will help too.

3. Go on a diet while travelling to China and Thailand and get impressive results. Lose 10 kilos in 3 weeks. But recently gone binge eating - consuming Doritos and cake. Gained back some kilos.

4. Don't eat after 6 pm.

5. Eat as much as you want but don't swallow the food. Like a monkey.

Less than 2 months to go before June.

Politics going left?

Survey in the week of 26 March 2007 show left-of-center political party 'Bayan Muna' ahead in the polls. But the administration counter that polls are more accurate as election date approaches. Despite the government claims, leftist politicians are making a strong comeback. The plight of left leaning politicians like Satur Ocampo seem to indicate an attempt to muzzle the left prior to the coming elections.

The last time the political left showed a strong presence was in the early 1970's prior to the declaration of martial law. But the conditions are now different. Principally the fall of Soviet Union and the rise of capitalism in Eastern Europe and China. So the rising left seem to be countered by underground rightist squads with links to the military. This is seen in a recent study highlighted by human rights organizations. But these reactions seem more an exception rather than the rule.

A possible outcome in the next election is the rise of left-leaning politicians with populist views similar to South America. Latin American countries offer a good example as the Philippines share the same historical and cultural background being former colonies of Spain. Populist leaders now dominate the political scene in Venezuela, Peru, Columbia and Brazil. Is the Philippines headed the same way? This maybe a welcome development in the long run as it moves away from leftist extreme of armed struggle into the more mainstream political arena of elections.

What do you think?