Jollijeep, Makati's budget meal

photo from www.vinvinjacla.com

Have you heard of Jollijeep? It sounds like the famous Jollibee restaurant and it also serves meals...on a budget price. Name any skyscraper in the Philippine's business district, like RCBC Plaza, LKG Building, PBCOM Tower, and they all have Jollijeep nearby (at the back of the buildings). Jollijeep is where Makati employees buy food when they're on a budget. It's a familiar sight to see many long-sleeved and high-heeled employees eating at Jollijeep (standing because it doesn't have any table or chair). During payday, employees will most likely go to a famous fast-food, like KFC, McDonald's or Jollibee. But a week after, they will go back again to Jollijeep for a simpler and cheaper meal.

Jollibee, face of a happy meal

photo from wikipedia

Try to ask who is Jollibee from any kid in the Philippines and he will not surely miss the right answer! This popular chain of fast-food restaurants started in 1975 as a Magnolia ice cream parlor in Cubao, owned by Mr. Tony Tan. In 1986, Jollibee opened its first international restaurant in Taiwan. It's 100th restaurant was opened in Davao City in 1991 and in 1993, Jollibee Foods Corporation (JFC) became a listed company in the Philippines Stock Exchange with an initial offering of P9 per share (as of January 21, 2011, its shares were trading at an average of P80.81 per share). The JFC's subsidiary also operates and franchises other restaurants, including Greenwich and Red Ribbon Bakeshop, Inc. By the end of 2009, the Company had 686 restaurants in the Philippines and 57 international branches located in Brunei, the USA, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Dubai, Guam and Spain, to name a few. Today, Jollibee is still one of the busiest restaurants in the Philippines.

source: http://www.jollibee.com.ph, Philippine Stock Exchange

Winning US$16 million lottery is a nightmare! -William Post, lottery winner

It's everyone's dream to win the lottery. But based on the experience of Mr. William Post, winning a US$16.2 million in 1988 was a nightmare of his life! He was sued by his ex-girlfriend who wanted a share of his prize and his brother tried to hire a killer to kill him. Those were just a few of his problems that made him a broke again. "I was much happier when I was broke," William said. He died at the age of 66 for respiratory failure in 2006. So for those who value having the peace of mind, think twice of wishing on winning a lotto prize.

source: http://lotterywinnerbios.blogspot.com/2009/01/lottery-winner-william-bud-post-went.html

Fil-Am won US$1 million lottery in USA

This very lucky man is Mr. Florante Jimeno who won $1 million in lottery in Virginia. It would be around $700,000 net of tax for him which he intends to use in investment, pay bills and for his 3 children.


source: Balitang America http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/global-filipino/01/18/11/fil-am-wins-1-million-lottery

Expect 2011 Rainy Summer

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said it will be a rainy summer this year. PAGASA is expecting 1 typhoon in March, 2 in April and another 2 in May. Philippine's rainy season starts in June and PAGASA expects 2 or 3 typhoons during this time. It may be a rainy summer but it will surely not stop the locals and tourists in visiting beautiful beaches in the country.


picture: http://pinas-traveler.blogspot.com/

Filipino couple had same sex wedding in UK

Rolly Marcial and Jojo Capio got married in the UK under the Civil Partnership for Same Sex Couples law. Their friends have supported the couple’s decision but the Chaplain in Birmingham, Fr. Edgar Dizon, stressed out that marriage is only intended between a man and a woman.

source: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/global-filipino/01/20/11/pinoy-male-couple-weds-uk

White House Executive Chef is a Filipina

US First Lady Michelle Obama (center) with the cast of Iron Chef America's latest episode. From L-R: Bobby Flay, Cristeta Comerford, Iron Chef America host Alton Brown, Mario Batali and Emil Lagasse. Photo from the Food Network.

Cristeta Comerford is a Filipino-American White House Executive Chef. She feeds the most powerful presidents in the world, Presidents Clinton, Bush and Obama. She joined the White House kitchen as an assistant chef during Clinton administration, was promoted as Executive Chef by First Lady Laura Bush in 2005 and reappointed by First Lady Michelle Obama in 2009. She graduated a Bachelor of Science in Food Technology from University of the Philippines and earned her culinary experiences from various kitchens in Washington, Chicago, Austria and France.

source: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/pinoy-migration/01/04/10/filipina-white-house-cook-wins-iron-chef

Monique Lhuillier, Hollywood’s designer from Cebu

We always hear her name from some famous Hollywood actresses. But who is she and what does she look like? She is Diane Monique Lhuiller, born of French and Cebuano descent. She came from Lhuillier family who owns the chain of pawnshops in the Philippines. She got her talent from her mother who ran a custom high-end collection of children’s clothing. Monique moved to Los Angeles and studied at the Fashion Institute for Design and Merchandising (FIDM). It was during that time when she met Tom Bugbee, her husband. While looking for her wedding gown in 1995, she was surprised by the lack of fashion in the bridal options. In 1996, the pretty designer debuted her bridal collection and Tom joined the company as CEO in 1997. Their successful partnership now has established international brands and has dressed famous celebrities, including Jennifer Lopez, Angelina Jolie, Meg Ryan, Britney Spears, Sharon Stone, Teri Hatcher, Janet Jackson, Jessica Simpson, Debra Messing and Mariah Carey. She now lives in LA with her husband and two children, Jack and Sophia.

source: http://www.moniquelhuillier.com/, http://en.wikipilipinas.org/index.php?title=Top_10_Successful_Filipinos_Abroad

picture: http://www.zimbio.com/pictures/MEKFUs-Bx9o/Monique+Lhuillier+Salon+Opening+Arrivals+Inside/0Yc8wc66MCi/Monique+Lhuillier

President Aquino defended police, saying Google-search PNP achievements

The Philippine National Police (PNP) is now in hot seat due to the latest crime incidents, including the murder of two car dealers. President Aquino said that the government is looking for solutions to eliminate these crimes. He defended the police against media's criticism and said to take a look into PNP's achievements, which are searchable in Google.

source: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/01/19/11/pnoy-not-keen-reviving-death-penalty

2 car dealers murdered, bodies burned

Venson Evangelista and Emerson Lozano, both second-hand car sellers, went missing after going on a test drive with their respective buyers last January 13, 2011. On January 14, Evangelista's burned body was found in Cabanatuan City while Lozano's body was found in Pampanga. Police suspected that both were killed by the same criminal group.

source:http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/01/18/11/police-confirm-burned-body-missing-car-dealer

Mayor Herbert Bautista violated traffic rule, promoted traffic aide

Quezon City Mayor, Herbert Bautista, received a warn from a traffice aide last December 31, 2010, for beating the red light. Sol Botillo, the traffic aide along Kamuning, said he got nervous when he heard the familiar voice of the man inside the Expedition but still he continued to warn him of the violation. The former actor mayor politely apologized of his misconduct. The following week, Botilla was requested to attend the flag ceremony at the city hall and to his surprise, Mayor Herbert gave him P10,000 and granted him a promotion.

source:http://www.abs-cbnnews.com

How to stop Facebook addiction?

One of my officemates became very addicted with Facebook that he wanted to ask our IT Department to block his access during office hours. To those who seriously want to end Facebook addiction, here are some tips from wikiHow:

1. Admit that you are an FB addict. (Admin: Yes, you have to admit or else stop reading the next steps.)
2. Define your goals of having FB account. If you don't have any goals, skip step #3.
3. Make and follow an FB schedule.
4. Think of other things that you can do. (Admin: You might want to spend your time in blogging, just like what I'm doing now.)
5. Block the time you spend in FB by using parental control sites.
6. Leave facebook. (Admin: Can I just stop reading in step #5? Haha!)

source: http://www.wikihow.com/Quit-Facebook
picture from Facebook

What is President Aquino thinking?

On the picture, President Aquino is burying his face in his hands while presiding the first cabinet meeting in 2011 last January 18, 2011, in Malacañang.

source: http://www.mb.com.ph/
Photo by KJ ROSALES

Baron Geisler gets another sexual harassment complain

Cherry Pie Picache, one of Philippine's best actresses, has filed a complain against Baron Geisler for allegedly touching her breasts during the taping of ABS-CBN's Noah tv series. Baron, who is known for his alcohol addiction, was reportedly drunk during the taping.

Update as of 1/21/2011: Baron has asked for a public apology from Cherry Pie. He admitted that he is an alcoholic and would go for a 90-day rehabilitation program.

source: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/entertainment/01/18/11/baron-faces-harassment-complaint-anew