Better biz news please

I’ve always found business reporting in the Philippines to be wanting. There are not a lot of good, ind-depth articles that are able to tackle business issues. More often than not, they read like hard sell PR pieces of the companies that they are supposed to report about as journalists.

This from Inquirer.net for example. The initial premise is interesting enough and maybe worthy of reporting:

MANILA, Philippines — Nine out of 10 Filipinos have nothing to bequeath to their loved ones when they pass away, thus leaving many young dependents with an uncertain future, research done by the financial giant Sun Life of Canada shows.

And then, it’s all downhill from there. Especially when it talks about the new company campaign:

“What’s great about ‘It’s time’ is that we do not want to overwhelm our clients. Financial planning is both a process as well as a lifestyle change. It can’t happen overnight, but Sun Life can make it easy for them,” Martin said.

The “It’s Time!” advocacy, which has been rolled out with a tri-media campaign, features insights and lessons from celebrities Pia Magalona, entrepreneur and TV personality Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino as well as professional basketball player James and his son with wife Kris Aquino “Baby James” Yap.

There is a better way of doing this, Inquirer

And while we’re at it, isn’t it any wonder why insurance penetration is low? Well, we haven’t forgotten about the College Assurance Plan yet. My sister, who is now in second year college, has not had the chance to have any of her tuition reimbursed since the company tanked. And we paid a fortune to buy it when she was a baby thinking we would be able to use it when she needed to.

All my thoughts for now.

Getting a zhu zhu pet

I was on my way to writing a ranty post. Like how sometimes I hate the world, blah blah blah. How stressed I am right now. How I just want to go away in a faraway land somewhere and be alone with my thoughts, far from responsibility that I must do as a grown-up.

But I thought, why waste my energy? I already spent the day being grumpy. And tomorrow might be the same as today so it’s better if I channel my energies into something else tonight.

And I made up my mind that I’m going to buy me a zhu zhu pet tomorrow. Yes, I’m going to get that hamster that sold out previously and which was the craze in the States a few months ago.

I’ve always wanted to get one when I read about it and it was pretty impossible to get it back then because it was sold out everywhere. But I saw a few in my neck of the woods today. And even if it’s the equivalent of $21 to the $9.99 US retail price (but $14.55 with shipping and tax if you buy at Toys ‘R’ Us), my nearly instant gratification will hopefully appease my soul a little bit.

Will select based on color and cuteness, as website does not explain hamster characteristics.
Will add the pet to the menagerie of weird things on my desk: the plastic smiley mushroom toothpick dispenser, the glow in the dark green skeleton that shows you worms and blood from its eye sockets when you squeeze its head, the communist pig candy dispenser and the rambutan looking toy withe weird face that lights up when you yo-yo it up and down.

So. Here’s to a new zhu zhu. Unless I change my mind.

Up in the Air

Let me start off by saying I love George Clooney. He’s my answer to the typical if you could go out with anyone in Hollywood who would it be question.

Let me also say that I like Jason Reitman’s films. I think “Thank You for Smoking” was good. I loved “Juno.” And now, I will add “Up in the Air” to the list of movies that I will be watching more than once.

Why do I love this movie? It made me think. A lot. It’s the kind of movie that seemingly has a simple plot on first watch, the kind where you can just explain to that friend of yours, the one who always ask questions like “What’s going on onscreen?” as if they’re not at the movie theater watching with you, “Oh, his job is firing people and he met this woman at a bar.”

And that’s where it’s deceptively simple. Underlying its simplicity are the complex gray areas in life that we’re faced with, that I am faced with, right now. Is it really better to have loved and lost than not have loved at all? Should you give up a great job to follow the guy? Why do people cheat on their spouses? Why do a job you hate just because you’re good at it? Should we just settle? Why is it so hard for other people to stay in one place? (Cue ehem, ehem here?). What is it that we’re looking for out of life exactly? And why is it that when we meet someone who we think is THE ONE, that someone turns out to disappoint us?

Also, unimaginable as it may seem, sometimes, getting laid off is the best thing that can happen to anyone. Especially if it means leaving a dead-end job at a no good company.

Well there are still many questions to ponder. That film had that effect on me. And I will most definitely be watching it again. Or not. But I will surely be thinking about it.

So yes. My thoughts on “Up in the Air.” And I thought his stereotyping of airline passengers was hilarious. But I think they’re not necessarily true at all times.

It’s Complicated

When I’m not out fulfilling obligations, I only have time to eat, sleep and sneak in a movie or two. And since I’ve been feeling a bit under the weather lately, the movies are the only thing that’s keeping me sane.

The first great movie I’ve watched this week is Nancy Meyers’ “It’s Complicated” starring Meryl Streep, Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin, with the adorable John Krazinski thrown in to appeal to young women like me. Hehe.

What is not to like about this movie? I have just realized that most of the movies I like have Meryl Streep cast in the lead role. At this point in her career, I don’t think that she is capable of doing anything wrong acting-wise and critics will be hard-pressed to decide what her best role is of all the movies she has ever made.

Steve Martin I’ve liked ever since I found out that he wrote “Shopgirl.” That novella I still remember to this day. I think the length of that book and the story he wrote was just right and was a slice of real LA life. I read it before I lived in LA but appreciated it more after I had left the city. The movie was something I’ve watched a few times too. Before “Shopgirl” I really disliked Claire Danes but that role redeemed her in my eyes. Then she fizzled after that. Go figure.

Alec Baldwin I like in “30 Rock.” He’s hilarious. And that low-key, grizzly voice of his only adds to his douchebag charm.

And I just realized how much I love Nancy Meyers’ movies. I loved all the movies she has ever directed, including “The Parent Trap.”

From Wiki:

Director

• It’s Complicated (2009)
• The Holiday (2006)
• Something’s Gotta Give (2003)
• What Women Want (2000)
• The Parent Trap (1998)

Plus, of course, the screenplay for “Father of the Bride.”

By writing this out, I think I added another favorite to my also favorite, Richard Curtis (Bridget Jones, Love Actually, Notting Hill, The Girl in the Cafe).

So why did I like “It’s Complicated”? Because it’s refreshing to watch a movie about older people who are romantically involved and not just another boy-meets-girl heartbreak or hooking up plot.

Because even if it’s a movie about older people, you actually manage to forget that they are older. Even their issues about the complications of having an ex and grown-up kids became magically relatable to me, and believe me I’m the last person who should be able to relate to this sort of situation.

Because the movie comes across as honest and it doesn’t have a fairy tale, tamper-proof ending. And because really, when we younger people stop to think, older people still have the same issues as we do and we will someday have these.

Because the film shows us why things don’t simply work with some couples and there is no way that it can be saved even if they try.

Now for the cons. Wasn’t too thrilled about the scenes with the girl friends. I think it could have been tightened up more or written better. Also not amused by Pedro.

Well, this entry is much longer than I expected it to be. I will write about Great Movie #2 in another entry. Anyone else watched the movie? Thoughts?

Boy-toy sushi plate

Am glad I went out to dinner with two colleagues. I have been really tired lately from all the hoopla and going out for some nice sushi and fro-yo was a needed shot in the arm.

On the cab ride to the mall, we started talking about human sushi plates (don’t ask how we got to that topic). But it’s an interesting, naughty question. If I could pick a guy to act as my sushi plate, as they do in California for some parties, who would I pick?

Hmmm…

In Hollywood, my top three would be George Clooney (coz he’s hot and really witty funny), maybe Chace Crawford (coz I just literally drool when I watch him on Gossip Girl) and maybe Ryan Reynolds (coz he has a body to die for). I would also throw in Rob Lowe and the Korean American actor Daniel Henney into the mix.

And now I just realized how schizophrenic my type of guy really is.

Betsey bags

I am what you may refer to as a closet fashionista. I think I’ve said that before on this blog.

I used to love shoes but since I realized I may have plantar fasciitis, and my feet now can’t take it when I wear uber flat or uber high heels, I am reduced to wearing Crocs (yes. thank God for them even if they’re not nice looking) or comfortable brands like Rockport and Aerosoles (did I hear anyone say grandma?).

I still have some nice shoes I wear but only on very rare occasions. I bought this gorgeous pair of Mary Jane heels at Aldo for Christmas just because it was so pretty. I’ve only worn it twice. Once on my birthday for five minutes when I greeted my friends and then decided to take them off after they expressed admiration because they were killing me, and once to mass, where I thought I would die before the priest concluded the service.

The other nice shoes are lovingly stored in plastic storage boxes at home. When I get the chance, I will most probably try to sell them online and find them a home. It doesn’t mean that if I can’t wear them no one else will.

I am now slowly accumulating the less fug styles of Crocs. There’s only a couple that can pass for a normal shoe but the rest, are well, Crocs. But they’re good to my feet so it’s better than being unable to walk.

As for bags, I don’t really believe in spending a fortune. I just searched my blog and here is a previous post I wrote on bags.

I am only writing about bags because one of my favorites, Betsey Johnson, was featured on this show I’m watching. Apparently, Betsey used to hang out with Warhol and Edie Sedgwick and she gets her inspiration from rock and roll a lot, yet remains feminine at the same time. Which I think is kinda cool.

Got my second Betsey J bag Christmas and so far, a few of my friends want to steal it. LOL. I also heard that her stuff is sold at SM in the Philippines?! Am a bit puzzled by this but I guess it’s good that it’s readily available?!

Dear Blog #3

Dear Blog,

It’s nearly the end of January and I haven’t done my New Year’s resolutions yet. Yes, I am way delayed. I always make it a point to write down resolutions. This serves as my compass of sorts through the year. When I’m in doubt about which direction to take, I re-read what I’ve written so help make my decision more definitive.

But with all the nonstop action, personal and professional, that has been happening in my life when 2010 arrived, I simply have not found the time to sit down and decide what I want.

I have been fact with indecision lately. I just go about my daily routine and fix the problems that need to be fixed. I mess up my kitchen, then clean it up, then mess it up again. It’s an onerous cycle that needs to be broken. If I don’t wake up soon enough, then maybe I will find myself sleepwalking toward June, then December!

When to pause? When I’m not fulfilling professional obligations, all I want to do is watch Discovery Travel and Living or pop in a DVD. If I find myself out of the house, all I want to do is hunt down comfort food. Then I have to run errands. My laundry, for example, has piled up in that I had to have almost a month’s worth of clothes laundered in one go.

But I feel that change is in the air. I’m pretty sure that if I get to finally make up my mind, and that usually happens in a snap, then everything will fall into place. I’m that kind of girl. There is a method to my madness and I guess by now I already know this so I just let myself while away the time while I figure things out.

And I think that I know deep down what I really want to do next. It requires some sort of preparation, though, and is not something that can be done in an instant. I am still that brash, overconfident girl who does things at a moment’s notice. Deep down that is, despite my now calm, seemingly boring old-fashioned self. Maybe I have hibernated this long because I’m saving up my energy for something bigger and more grand?

Comments on Jason Ivler issue

I’ve had to screen a whole lot of comments on this blog related to the posts on Jason Ivler.

First, I don’t allow below the belt personal comments, especially on Jason’s mom. Sure, she’s a tad weird. And she was instrumental in harboring a known suspect. And I’m not defending any of the actions that she did on her son’s behalf because it was wrong for her to do so.

But the comments should only be on these actions related to non-obedience of the law. The personal insults are uncalled for.

There are also comments stating that Ivler deserves to die for what he did. I don’t really know what to say about this, except that as much as I can, I wish to espouse non-violence. Ironic in Ivler’s case, I know. But this is my blog and I can moderate as I see fit.

So yes, no personal insults. Stick to the objective facts of the situation. And no posts about killing/wishing people dead.

Personally, I’m glad that he’s finally been arrested. I hope he goes to trial soon. If proven guilty, I hope he be given the maximum punishment under the law. Then maybe he and other kids who feel like the world is their oyster and they can just shoot people on a whim will learn their lesson.

The Ivler saga has shuttled close to 3,000 hits on this blog for the day. Most amazing how this issue is attracting a lot of attention, more than the Kris Aquino past dramas, more than the elections. Does it say anything about what people are looking for when they read blogs? Maybe it does.

NBI Arrests Jason Ivler

Whoa!

While I’m watching Kris Aquino emote on The Buzz thanks to YouTube, I checked my blog. The stats, more than a thousand hits, are through the roof because of my previous post on Jason Ivler.

Very briefly saw on Twitter that he has been arrested, with matching police standoff drama.

ABS CBN reports that he was arrested by the NBI in Quezon City. His mom allegedly harbored him at their family residence.

Inquirer.net has more details, saying that Ivler faces assault charges in addition to his previous charges.

This guy needs to go to trial for all the crimes he has been charged with. And no, just because he’s an American citizen, he does not deserve to be given special privileges.

Dear Blog #2

Dear Blog,

The past three days have been really lazy ones for me. All I literally did was eat, sleep and watch DVDs. Was it a vacation from my vacation? Maybe.

The Philippine presidential debate is heating up and there’s a lot of exchange in the blogosphere. To my surprise, there is incredible support or admiration for Gibo online. It seems like he’s been giving great interviews and his platform has drawn people to his cause. I have not watched his interviews, just read snippets here and there. But I know that I won’t vote for him. He’s allied with GMA and he had this opinion about changing the Constitution. That’s just fishy for me.

So what have I been watching lately?

The Time Traveler’s Wife. Just OK in my book. The story needed more development. Why does he time travel? Just because? That’s pretty lame. I haven’t read the book by the way. There might be an explanation in the book and there might even be websites dedicated to this but I simply cannot be bothered.

Fine, they’re in love, it’s destined, blah blah. But the reasons have to be more clear-cut, at least, if I’m the viewer.

Watching the Fantastic Mr. Fox now. Find it boring in parts. Don’t know if I’m going to finish it.

Did a marathon of Mad Men Season 3. Fantabulous. Jonn Hamm is still dashingly awesome. And so is January Jones. In that Paris episode, she actually eclipsed him in dominating the screen. One would think that a pretty actress can’t act, but her role as the spoiled Betty Draper suits her very well. And she is able to pull off the twist in the season finale. One begins the season by hating Don Draper and his womanizing, lying, but very human ways, but in the end, one ends up hating Betty because she feels Don is no longer good enough for her and she finds a way out of her boring life (that scene in the episode where she has a fit and says I hate our friends, I hate our life, that was a good transition scene in terms of her character development).

I’ve caught up with NCIS. Still love this series although I think they should add more personal stories to the usual cases. The episode with Tony’s dad was a good one, the physical resemblance between Michael Weatherly and Robert Wagner was genius.

American Idol has already started. I still have a soft spot for this show even after 9 seasons. This show I’ve seen in many different countries, it’s funny. I don’t miss Paula at all, although I think the guest judges Posh Spice and Mary J. Blige were lame-o. Wonder how the show will fare without Simon? I’m not sure I’m going to tune in after he leaves.

Have seen three Chuck episodes. Man, this series gets better and better and better. I hope they are able to keep it up. I thought they were going to phase out the Buy More and some of the actors but it seems like they’ve kept almost everyone except for Anna. I cannot wait for the new episodes every week.

In the meantime, I’m missing Glee. Although the last two episodes did not really rock it for me compared to the first ones. I hope the series does not lose its steam during its hiatus.

On the movie front, I watched Sherlock Holmes at the cinema. The movie is a must-see especially for those who have grown up reading the stories. The problem though, is that purists might resent the jazzing up of Holmes. I never imagined him to be that eccentric and weird and he was portrayed as more gentlemanly in the stories.

The cinematic story-telling style is compelling, though, and breathes new life into an old character. The movie is fast-paced, engaging, action-packed and there is never a dull moment. A must see, in my book.

Also been meaning to watch Avatar. Yes, haven’t seen it. Am not a big fan of James Cameron. But I may watch it just to see the movie technology they used.