Filipino Holiday on a Spree!

I visited a mall the other day and was glad to find out that there are mob of people out there enjoying the thrill of finding some items to give this Christmas season. Families eating in droves in fastfood chains and children still enjoying the rides and the amusement parks. Even in the turmoil of global financial crisis, Filipinos are still keen in celebrating it amidst the problems our world is into. I never thought that Pinoys will not celebrate the season but somehow I am happy that we are keeping the Christmas tradition in our hearts and for all times. For businesses in retail this is a good sign that somehow the economy is still in shape and is able to cope up with the times even if there are fewer outputs compared to last year wherein they are still currently surviving and afloat.

Philippines however felt the pinch but business moguls such as Ayalas of Ayala Corporation and Uytengsus of Alaska Milk have positive outlook among Filipinos who are eager to survive the crisis. They are encouraging people to look for other means in order to survive from giving the sense of entreprenuerial spirit of setting up a small business or getting a part-time job and other alternatives in making their lives sustainable for their future.

The best thing in Christmas is celebrating the coming of our lord, Jesus Christ. His coming is the essence of the season in observance of Christian traditions.

MALIGAYANG PASKO AT MANIGONG BAGONG TAON!

Copyright 2008-2009 - PinoyMoneyVantage

The Homefront

We are almost plunging into a new global recession if the problems plaguing the U.S. economy from the financial crisis griping the movement of this once economic power of the world is not averted even with the rescue package given by the federal government a few weeks ago. The U.S. economy is losing ground the other time with Dow Jones and NASDAQ losing points on trading day. Investors are pulling away their investments in stocks, banks and other financial instruments after the public have lost their confidence with these companies. Greed became the main ingredient of this chaotic times with majority of companies profit raking effort have turned against them which started at first with the subprime crisis on real estate on which the credit crunch.

Germany and Japan had already put on the "We are now on recession banner" and have stepped plans to curb the lay-offs where most of those affected are the manufacturing industry especially the automobile makers from Daimler Benz, Opel, Nissan, Mitsubishi and others. Iceland on the hand is the first nation to file bankruptcy with it government piling up debts even if they are the most ecologically friendly nation in using renewable energy like geothermal plants and others.

A few weeks ago, I was reading this article published in the Philippine Stock Exchange website. "RP Stocks among least affected in Asia". It was a good news indeed that we survive a bit from being banged up a few weeks ago. But I still feel at lost with the trading of stocks I have in my investment account. My shares of investments lost ground. Mutual funds are not doing that well

Financial and banking institutions in the Philippines have learned their lessons on 1997 Asian Financial crisis. I was much happy with Jaime Zobel de Ayala's comment that the Philippines can weather the global financial crisis by tapping our local or domestic markets in opening credits for the local folks to borrow. It was a positive news to see that Filipinos are interested in putting up their own businesses amidsts the global turmoil on one segment of TV Patrol last night. I am happy that these people are resilient enough to be in the road less travelled.

I am hopeful that the Eye of the storm will pass away.

Copyright 2008-2009 - PinoyMoneyVantage

Ayala Land wins Euromoney’s Real Estate tilt

Ayala Land has once again proved its mettle among the best property developers in the country as it bagged the “Best Overall Developer in the Philippines” award, among other category awards from the esteemed 2008 Liquid Real Estate Awards powered by Euromoney. The latter is a trusted resource on global financial markets and the award is the outcome of a survey conducted among financial institutions and real estate investors by its niche publication Liquid Real Estate.

Liquid Real Estate, known as the “voice of the real estate industry” around the world, capitalized on their access to various property markets in order to sieve the best and brightest among industry players.

This year, Ayala Land was vested with the following recognition:

Best Residential Developer in the Philippines

Best Retail/Shopping Developer in the Philippines

Best Office/Business Developer in the Philippines

Best Industrial/Warehouse Developer in the Philippines

Best Leisure/Hotel Developer in the Philippines

Best Mixed-Use Developer in the Philippines

Best Property Manager in the Philippines

In an email to Ayala Land, Euromoney’s head of Middle East and Asia, William Powell, expressed his congratulations to the company for winning the award, revealing that, “competition is extremely tough for these awards and therefore poll winners richly deserve the accolade.”

A global awards dinner was set in London last October 2, 2008.

Copyright 2008-2009 - PinoyMoneyVantage

The American Financial Meltdown, What's next? Part 2

Finally, the financial crisis is not yet over even if the U.S. Senate and Congress passed the bill and sign by President George W. Bush and released the needed US$700 billion dollars in rehabilitating the economy and bailing out these companies.

In Europe, it seem they are taking the beating from the ripple effect of the U.S. financial crisis had spread worldwide affecting all of us and it is beating the hell out of Europe. Germany and France are taking it serious effort in controlling the effect of the financial crisis. France's BNP Paribas and Germany's Hypo Real Estate are hit hard and being bought by other major companies which were not stricken and have more capital to acquire ailing companies. European Union is preparing itself for anything worst possible scenario by setting a bail-out fund as well to its ailing banks.

Who's next? Asia? The questions are, Are we prepared to fend for ourselves without the need of intervention from America who is also helpless and would take years to recover. Asia just got off from the claws of the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis wherein it took us 3 to 5 years to recover. As some of economists say, Asian countries won't be affected because the credit is not yet fully developed plus before borrowing money you still need collaterals just in case you cannot pay as what our Philippine banks are doing. Yesterday, President Gloria Arroyo disclosed that the country needs to brace itself for the uncertainties up ahead. Our local exporting companies have already incurred losses since 2007 during the subprime crisis due to the slowdown of demand of imported products from their country with expected 1% percent (250,000 people) jobs loss from our country as what one of the economic adviser of President Arroyo disclosed.

Without credit, the economy won't grow. It cannot obtain the growing needs of small and larger business to expand. There will be job losses and downsizing from most of the companies in the U.S. American Companies with international bases abroad would likewise relocate or outsource their existing companies in our country to the rapidly growing economies such as mainland China and India.


Meanwhile Philam Group of Companies, an AIG company is being likely to be sold to other companies who are interested in acquiring this great company which has been included as a forerunner in insurances banking and other financial and investment services in the Philippines. Yuchengco Group of Companies is very vocal about the issue while Ayala Corporation, San Miguel Corporation, SM Group of Companies, First Pacific Corporation are still mum but are interested in expanding their business into into insurance and other financial services and investments. AIG is still struggling to sell of its international assets in order to raise funds to pay of the loans from the U.S. government.

Will the Philippine government step up to the threat and have countermeasures on this issue. As the government would say, Yes. "we have plans for countermeasures on the effects of the financial crisis in America" but still the support of the majority of public would be needed and appreciated in facing this growing crisis.



Copyright 2008-2009 - PinoyMoneyVantage

PESOS AND SENSE: Weather Proofing your Personal Finance

I would like to invite you on one of the upcoming events of the Registered Financial Planners - Philippines

As you know the days of financial literacy is still at its infancy in the Philippines and only a handful of people know where to invest and make their money work for them in passive income way. Current times, we are plagued with financial difficulties with the wrong mindset and perception on how money should be used and how money should work for us and not work for money, we need to save for our future especially on the transition days.

Most of the speakers are well known in mutual fund, investments, financial planning and business industries.

1. J. Randell Tiongson is a financial coach and educator. He is a member of the Registered Financial Planner Institute - Philippines (RFP) and have been in insurance industry in the early 90's to present. He is a also a columnist with Business Mirror, RFP Philippines and appeared on financial related shows as guest in ANC (ABS CBN News Channel). You can visit his site at www.income-tacts.com and www.rfp-philippines.com.

2. Efren LL. Cruz is a Banker, Financial Planner and author of such books as "Pwede Na! The Complete Pinoy Guide to Personal Finance" and “Pwede Na! The Complete Pinoy Guide to Retirement and Estate Planning”. He writes for Business Mirror, Income-Tacts, RFP Philippines. You can visit his www.income-tacts.com and www.rfp-philippines.com.

3. Francis Kong is a motivational speaker, entrepreneur and columnist for Philippines Star in the business section. He is the owner of Inspire Leadership Consultancy Inc. ,the company that brought The Millionaire Mind of T. Harv Eker to the Philippine shore. You can visit his site at www.businessmatters.org.

4. Chinkee Tan is a former actor who has become a lifestyle trainer, entrepreneur and motivational speaker. He wrote a book titled "Till Debt do us Part" - which tackles on getting out of debt, becoming financial free and many more. You can visit his site at www.chinkeetan.com.

Copyright 2008-2009 - PinoyMoneyVantage

The American Financial Meltdown, What's next? - Part 1

In the past few weeks I am glued on reading some newspapers, watching Bloomberg, CNN, BBC on television and was pondering what will happens to us next. People here are bit panicky and paranoid regarding the plight of major financial institutions like Lehman Brothers and insurance giant American Insurance Group, Inc. (AIG) and other corporate big names that are now experiencing dismal array from the credit crunch. But before this companies would be bailed out by the U.S. government, mortgage companies such as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are making the news on the black parade of Wall Street for the past few weeks as these companies were indebted from their previous with with subprime crisis in real estate brought about by the credit crunch but the hardest hit companies was the CitiGroup of companies (Citibank, Citi Financial etc). Just to give you a brief overview on the firms in the current U.S. financial crisis (see List of companies).


U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson was at the stand the other time and talking to media and pleading to the public to calm down and was telling about the federal government's rescue plan for these ailing companies in order to save the U.S. economy which is going down to recession . Many people think that the Great Depression of 21st century is here and only happens once in a century. President George W. Bush made his statements on television the urgent need of the government to take action on the financial crisis a few days ago and on the intended bail out which will be under fire with the bipartisan parties of Republicans and the Democrats on a negotiation table wherein the Democrats rejected the proposed bail out on which they say it is a short term plan and the U.S. government will incur more risks of economic hardships. The US$700 Billion allotted by the Feds as credit to these companies are not enough and sure the U.S. taxpayers will bear the brunt but still the will make profit of 8% but these are risk strategies in making profits in the long run. Still the negotiation is still underway to save the ailing U.S. economy and also the world who rely mostly on the U.S. markets.

There is notion that "when America sneezes, the world suffers flu". Philippines is an exporting country its main market is United States and second is the European union. Now as people are belt tightening in America and elsewhere, it seems we are going for a roller coaster ride for the duration end of 2008 to the early 2009. No one can predict on what will happen to us but I have high hopes that we can surely recover from the illness of the financial crisis in New York.

I was able to watch Tina Palma's show on ANC, TALKBACK the other day wherein her guests are experts from the business, investments and finance sector such as Deputy governor Diwa Guinigundo of Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and others assured that most of the investment put by government owned corporations and companies (GOCCs) are not invested in the assets of such companies like Lehman Brothers and other financial institutions in the New York. Unlike some reports of a major Philippine banks with assets in Lehman Brothers are sufferring from loss of their deposits because of their investment with the said company. That bank however said that it is only a fraction or a small percentage and not all are invested in the Lehman Brothers.

Right now the issue and circumstances are still unraveling and we have to keep our senses vigilant at this rough times. Hope that everything would be good up ahead.

Copyright 2008-2009 - PinoyMoneyVantage

Ways of Creating Wealth Seminars for September 2008 (Part 2)

Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) is very active in providing seminars on Stock Investments thanks to the aggressive marketing of the Marketing Education Department of PSE and also the cooperation of different securities companies who are eager to tap the local market with the information and dissemination drive about our local stock market to the general public.

List of the seminars from different securities or brokerage companies include Basic to Advance Stock Market Trading and Analysis, Strategic Investing and many more (see List from Market Education Events of Philippine Stock Exchange) in Adobe Acrobat 8.0.

Other information for the said event and market orientation you can course to Capital Markets Development Division, PSE c/o Ms. Agnes Ignacio at (02) 688-7534 at PSE Tektite Building, Ortigas Center, Pasig City.

Sometimes the seminars maybe cost you dearly but a the long term investment of gaining knowledge and insight of passive income on financial instrument is PRICELESS!

Copyright 2008-2009 - PinoyMoneyVantage

Ways of Creating Wealth Seminars for September 2008

The Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) recently posted articles in the web regarding Filipinos know how in the stock market and it seems only 1% invest of the population knows the passive-income potential of stock trading with their hard earned cash on this type of investment. The Philippine Stock Exchange is totally committed in delivering and providing awareness and education through this type of seminar for the general public in order to uplift not only the financial literacy of our countrymen as well as influence the movement of our Philippine economy and our businesses.

The Philippine Stock Exchange, Inc. and the University of Santo Tomas - College of Commerce Alumni Foundation, Inc. and its Young Alumni Achievers Council invite everyone to THE STOCK MARKET SIMPLIFIED: Walk your way to creating wealth.

SEMINAR TOPICS include:
Basics of Stock Market Investing
Personal Investment Strategy
Technical Analysis

Date and Venue
September 18, 2008
6:00 PM to 9:OO PM
PSE Tektite Trading Floor
2/F PSE Centre, Exchange Road
Ortigas Center, Pasig City

SEMINAR FEE
Php 500.00*
*inclusive of food and materials

For inquiries and registration, contact the following:
PSE Market Educ. Dept.:
Mr. Mark Valino
688-7539/688-7534
mavalino@pse.com.ph
www.pse.com.ph

UST COCAFI:
Ms. Leila Pulintan
786-1611 loc. 8374
ustcocafi@yahoo.com


Copyright 2008-2009 - PinoyMoneyVantage

MAGICJACK - VoIP for everyone!

A magic of communication for everyone with a less cost, pocket-sized portability and ease of use at your fingertips.

It was a wonderful present from a relative who have given us this new small device before my sister's return trip from the U.S.A last month. MagicJack became a rave in America for those looking for cheap alternative and cutting the cost of their telephone bills to half in making long distance calls to other states or even abroad.

Most of the Voice Internet Protocol (VoIP) I know are internationally based like Vonage, Skype and others. The cost of having a connection with this companies is half from MagicJack's offer of US$20 to 30 for this small unit.

MagicJack is plug and play. Just plug in your USB port and in one minute a program will appear to connect to your computer and the internet. MagicJack can be used anywhere as long as you have PC or laptop, internet connection with a broadband, WiMax, DSL plus an ordinary telephone handset. Works with cordless phone too.



My MagicJack number is currently registered in New Jersey, USA even if I am living in Pampanga, Philippines and so it has been useful for the businesses with our prosective clients in and keeping in touch with our relatives in the United States and Canada. On my first day, my brother was able to contact my cousin in New York City who bought this device for us and it works even if it encountered some choppy reception but we still had a conversation for an hour. Even my sister used to contact also his buddy in U.S. at ease with this product.

Copyright 2008-2009 - PinoyMoneyVantage

Real Estate Investing in Tough Times - a short talk with Rex Mendoza

August 6, We went to Manila on a business trip with my mom and younger sister (an apprentice and is learning the ropes of real estate). She recently finished her studies and just arrived fresh from the U.S. after a 3 week vacation mixed with business and pleasure. I was able to join them on the 2nd General Brokers Assembly for the second quarter of Alveo Land Corp., An Ayala Land company, which was formerly known as Community Innovations, Inc or CII for short. We were invited by one of the Brokers network coordinator the other day and the venue will take place at Bonifacio High Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.

Alveo Land Corp (formerly Community Innovation, Inc.) was a young upstart company of Ayala Land Inc. (ALI) back in the early 2000 and has been in the forefront on the mixed residential developments ranging from horizontal to vertical projects wherein one of their top selling properties are Two Serendra in Bonifacio Global City, The Columns in Makati CDB just to name a few of their projects has achieved P 60 Billion pesos through its combined sales of their project in the whole Philippines with achieving a first quarter profit of % by Ayala Land Inc as reported by Mr. Robert Lao, deputy head of sales of Alveo Land Corp.

Mr. Dan Abando, president of Ayala Land Inc. together with Mr. Rex Mendoza, Senior Vice President of Ayala Land Inc. were present on the meeting together with the movers and shakers of the company, their accredited real estate brokers and their respective companies that are business partners with the Ayala Land. The top 10 brokers were presented and given awards and gifts for their support with Ayala's vision of developing the landscape and venturing into real estate which gave them lots of opportunities.

Mr. Rex Mendoza gave a small talk on Real Estate Investing in Tough Times in which he gave some details to help the sales people achieve their goals of selling to customers on bearish market and boosting sales of their properties. "The people are capable of buying anything but they are afraid of uncertainties lying ahead with dark clouds" as what Mr. Mendoza said. You see, customers are on a "wait and see effect" of the economy.

Monthly Peso per US $ Rate (January 1997 - June 2008)
LATEST: P 44.281 /US$ (June 2008)
HIGH: P 56.341/US$ (October 2004)
LOW: P 24.2648/US$ (December 1994)

Interbank Call Loan Rate
(January 1991 to June 2008)
Latest: 5.27 % (June 2008)
High: 21.1 % (January 1998)
Low: 6.9 % (July 2003)

Sources: Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas

91-day T-Bill Rates (Updated 18 June 2008)
Latest: 3.67 % (January 2008)
High: 15.8 % (November 2000)
Low: 4.4 % (May 2002)

Mr. Mendoza recently showed some slide presentations adapted from Anton Periquet's presentations to Ayala's top brass a few weeks ago (Anton Periquet is a Deutsche Regis Partners Country Strategist). Just citing an example from last year, A lot of people in 2007 doubled their net worth overnight upon investing in stock market, mutual funds and others during the bull run of early 2007 but somehow upon reaching the late 2007 to the early 2008 a lot of the same people who invested were left with one half to one third of their net worth to losing streak. In 2007, people are thinking that they are rich because of their purchasing power but at present times people are belt tightening or afraid to invest, he asked us if the "Good Times are Over?".

People tend to ask the same old question of What now?, What do next? So people backtrack and not engage again meaning market needs excuses for movement and ask for stimulus on which inflexion point occur. The Philippine Stock Exchange Index is signalling another economic inflexion point. Mr. Mendoza reiterated that history repeats itself setting an example of 1997 Asian Financial Crisis (or Asian Flu of 1997) wherein Asian tiger economies like Japan, Singapore, Thailand, Philippines and other countries where hit hard but manage to survive the tough times and make a rebound in the process. He also pointed the psychological problem of the investor on How Long this problem will stay? Wherein there are two pre-requisites that should make the world economy stabilize on which 1.) Global Risk Appetite Normalize; 2.) Domestic Trigger Surfaces.

Along the meeting, he discussed the Virtous Cycle Unwinds that affected the world wherein there were two shocks experienced globally in late 2007 to present times. First of all is the U.S. SUBPRIME CRISIS brought about by CREDIT CRUNCH which was brought about by bad practice of lending and financing wherein they lent their money to those with poor credit (see through Investopedia). The second is OIL, in the past few months there have rising fuel prices but somehow a few days ago, the oil market and trading have recently decrease to US$ 115 per barrel and I am hoping it will go down sharply. The two shocks affected our real estate buyers from abroad specifically the Filipino-Americans who were our main investors but here in the Philippines and other overseas Filipinos from other parts of the world are not affected by the U.S. Subprime Crisis because our local banks are asking for primary collaterals (land titles, bank certificates, stock certificates etc) before issuing and approving a client a loan (very strict rules) so it is a different story from what is happening in the U.S. wherein the lenders can lend you money as long you are breathing with no collateral before the housing bubble burst.

There is a growing consciousness among the public in investing in real estate to hedge against inflation wherein a property is still the best option in long terms with capital appreciation. Right now mortgage rates from banks remains low with major banks competing in giving the lowest rates to potential customers, Peso - Dollar Exchange Rate is still stable and positive economic outlook in 2009 and Filipinos as most Asians regard property as a primary investments.

There maybe crisis in these rough times but some people see opportunities in times ahead.

"THERE IS NO FUTURE IN SHORT TERM".

Copyright 2008-2009 - PinoyMoneyVantage

San Miguel Brewery Report: My first stock trading investment

A few months after my initial investment with this company. San Miguel Corporation recently released their 1st Quarter sales report (see below). I am much surprised and pleased to see that from PhP 8.00 per share of stocks that I bought Last May 2008 have dramatically jumped to PhP 9.30 per share so my 1000 shares from San Miguel Brewery went up with estimated net value PhP 9,100.00 to PhP 9,300.00, thanks to their boosts of revenues from beer and food operations. Prior to hitting the PhP 9.00, before it was still at PhP 8.40 - PhP 8.50 per share on the end of July. The April to early July were stock trading was limited due to fears of high oil prices and fears of the investors in loosing more their money but somehow San Miguel Brewery pulled on its initial public offering (IPO) on its debut at PhP 8.50 per share but fell sharply on the following weeks to PhP 8.10 - PhP 8.30 per share. (see Charts for San Miguel Brewery)

Somehow, the world stock market rallied when prices of oil have dropped dramatically to US$ 113 per barrel with confidence from worldwide investor of this positive news which gave a stimulus in market movements in the past weeks.

The article below was taken in the San Miguel Corporations' website.

San Miguel Brewery Revenues for First Semester up 9%

7/24/2008

San Miguel Brewery Inc. (SMB), the brewery operations of San Miguel Corporation, today reported first semester 2008 net sales of P23.8 billion, 9% higher than last year’s P21.9 billion, directly attributable to a 7% increase in sales volumes.

Operating income grew 25% to P7.2 billion from P5.7 billion in the prior year period.

“Despite a more challenging economic environment and added pressure on the consumer’s disposable income, we’ve turned in very strong results. We continue to invest in brand building and are focusing on improving sales momentum and efficient execution across all distribution levels,” said Ramon S. Ang, president of SMB Inc. The Company’s marketing resources were focused on outlet-based promotions and on reinforcing flagship brand, San Miguel Pale Pilsen. Trade management efforts, including rationalization and training, are being implemented to streamline and maximize product distribution. SMB Inc. is also undertaking new programs to offer wider availability and ensure consumer satisfaction. To conserve financial resources, programs to reduce inventory and trade receivable levels were also implemented alongside other cost saving programs.

Related News from Philippines Star - August 13, 2008 - SMC triples H1 income to P19.7 B.


Copyright 2008-2009 - PinoyMoneyVantage

Alicia Keys Experience: a one night only concert in Manila

I decided to a two day leave and have a break from work at the office on a wonderful weekdays even if it was rainy for the past few days. It was fun at first to be invited by my kid sister who was bugging me since she arrived from the United States last month on a short vacation. She was looking forward on one of the much awaited concerts here in Manila she would like to see. I thought she was waiting for Daughtry but I was wrong and it was none other than the eleven-time Emmy award winner singer-songwriter named Ms. Alicia Keys.

It was worthwhile experience for us who happen to have found some definitely viewable seats located at Section C of the Gold area. I was happy that she gave me one ticket free which cost about PhP 4,068.00 on that particular section and it was quite a nice view at the forefront of the concert. A few hours prior to our travel, we were glued on MTV and we are waiting for any announcements on the change of venue of Alicia Keys - Live in Manila concert and in our wait it was confirmed through Philippine Star and the TV announcement that the original venue which was SM Mall of Asia - open field will be transfered to SMX Convention which is a few meters away. The concert will begin rain or shine as what was stated on print and TV. We were happy to received a positive news about it.

We prepared everything with our essentials especially our trusty digital camera and left home in Pampanga at 7:00 pm and finally arrived in Manila at 8:15 pm with less traffic on a Tuesday night after rush hour travel as we crossed the less busy thoroughfares of the old Manila, I gazed alot on the window and lots of things changed especially the locale of Roxas Boulevard area wherein there are no more food and beverage establishments which made the area more cleaner with less people there. Missed the old heydays when I was still in college.

We reached SMX and once we entered the building we have trouble finding our seats because of the crowd is getting rowdier with people also lost in finding their designated seats with other people seating on other people's chair which is a definitely rude behavior. I thanked that usher who happened to helped us a lot even if I never knew his name. We seated at section C and I was amazed on seeing a group of five older people sitting near the end of the chairs and look like hippies of the 1970s with long hair and rocker-musician outfits and I later found out they were the"ASIN", a famous rock band from 1970s watching Alicia Keys' perform and enjoying themselves the nostalgia of playing music again (I think!).

At last and behold when clock strikes at exactly 10 pm, the crowd went wild when the back up vocals began to sing and the instruments started playing. People got excited when amidst the dark silhoutte of tall woman with medium built appeared and when the spotlight flashed through, she appeared and the crowd cheered with her sex appeal and her soulful voice as she whipped the stage with her songs from her new album "As I am" with other of her famous song on her second album.

A few days have past and still feeling the tune of Alicia Keys in my head. The memories of attending a talented artist like Ms. Alicia Keys is "PRICELESS". The money my younger sister spent for both our tickets was "WORTH IT".

Copyright 2008-2009 - PinoyMoneyVantage

No Arms, No Legs, No Worries

During one of the seminars I have attended recently, Mr. Dindo Raymundo was our motivational speaker at that time. He was able to share one of the life changing moments that had inspired on his recent travel to Australia. A life changing moment with this person of extra-ordinary abilities who is physically disabled but conquered the whole world with his wisdom through his evangelical thoughts and his speaking engagement that touched a lot of people's lives in the presence. His name is Nick Vijucic.

Nick Vijucic was well aware of his handicap but he was determined to show to people that he is just a normal human.

I was viewing his resume and found he is an extra-ordinary person with lots of trades wherein he is a real estate investor, stock investor and a businessman other than being an evangelist at the same time.

I have put the three part series from www.richgrad.com on Mr. Vijucic's seminar. I hope you get inspired with this man's word not only with his experience but for his spiritual sense in spreading God's words around the world.

You can visit his site at www.lifewithoutlimbs.org.

Copyright 2008-2009 - PinoyMoneyVantage

Wall Street Got Drunk: Humorous thought on Bush statements!

Watch this comments of George W. Bush's on Youtube during the Orson Fundraiser in Texas. I saw this segment on CNN last July 24, 2008 and a lot of people got mad. Dubya was playing funny but received terrible replies from the business sectors especially the financial people of Wall Street and even the federation of homeowners affected by the subprime crisis.

"Bato-bato sa langit ang siyang tamaan ay huwag magagalit"

Copyright 2008-2009 - PinoyMoneyVantage

My Sights on JG Summit Holdings

I have my sights on this great company which Mr. John Gokongwei founded back in the early 1990s. Was reading a back issue of BizNewAsia Magazine published last May this year which regards as "Gokongwei Gambit". John Gokongwei's intent on acquiring the 40% shares of Petron made me interested in the oil and mining sector of the stock market. Oil is still profitable even if it has weakened for the past few days in the world market.

Saudi Aramco, a conglomerate of Saudi Royals and American companies decided to pull out the plug and sell the 40% share to interested entities through bidding of Petron. JG Summit is interested in this with their experience in the petrochemical production and business through JG Petrochemicals, Inc., A JG Summit Holdings subsidiary while London-based Ashmore Group has acquired 50% shares when Saudi Aramco finally sold it shares of Petron to this group. However, this government owned company with more than 40% control of the company also would like to sell it shares with the remaining 10% bloc to the other local small investor or other companies with interest in Petron to Ashmore or any other local investors. It was reported that some of the remaining shareholders have sold their shares to Ashmore at P 6.53 per share which is lower than expected in a already loosing companies which has a deficit of billions of pesos. See Ashmore's company profile (Ashmore).

At this moment, Petron is still under negotiations with JG Summit Holdings and will get most of those local small investors of JG Summit Holdings excited about if the acquisitions push through with the plans. You can view the articles on the business section of the Philippine Star (July 23, 2008).

Copyright 2008-2009 - PinoyMoneyVantage

The Power Broker in Me: Putting back Real Estate back on Top

I had my few months hiatus of not being a real estate broker. It was a soul searching time for me as I finished the 2 month Registered Financial Planners Course given by Registered Financial Planning Institute - Philippines two months ago and still kept practicing.

Those months were a fulfilling moment for me in updating with new trends in medical and scientific research, learning new trades, knowing more on different types of investments and meeting new people as potential clients. Even if we are experience the downtrend in the stock market as in we are in a windfall of world recession as the U.S. is still coping up with its own problems which affected the world and us feeling the brunt of higher oil prices with inflation rate staggering at 11.4% from last month. It does hurt the pockets of consumers of all walks of life.

To admit the truth, the real estate industry felt the pinch with America as its rich market before for Filipino-Americans in selling properties have made an abrupt stop and so most major Philippine developers put their sights on other places where Filipinos thrive. They have had a second look on the European and Middle Eastern Market segment targeting Overseas Filipino Workers there and also the local Philippine market. Feeling worrisome on the downtrend in sales that I need to find alternatives of producing money other than relying from my fixed-income job which is not enough to sustain my lifestyle.

Real Estate has become a bread and butter for some older folks in the trade. I on the other hand, have a career and real estate is a part-time work for me. In two years time, I might go full-time and quit the healthcare job once I have established myself in taking over the family business.

I find it amazing as I become equipped with the words from these motivational speakers who are at the same time fellow real estate brokers from different chapters of REBAP and made millions in just a few months through real estate selling. I find it inspirational to see and hear them talk and believe in their principles even met the oldest real estate professional who is already in her late 60s who happens to have lots millions on different transaction and deals from her small beginnings in the 80s and in the present times. The topics on the seminar are relatively needed for the participants to apply these experiences in real life especially in the sales and marketing aspect in being a real estate brokers. The speakers also added new tools in creatively selling properties through the use of word of mouth, the internet and advertisements.

Another inspirational lecture given by Mr. Ricardo "Dindo" Raymundo, team manager of Alaska Aces Basketball Team. He given us some thoughts on his experiencing from managing the best basketball team through his corporate knowledge and business wisdom which kept this team the among the top teams in Philipppine Basketball Association (PBA). He also shown us a video clip of Nick Vujicic - No Arms, no legs, no worries.


Copyright 2008-2009 - PinoyMoneyVantage

Government Securities: Retail Treasury Bonds

Last week, the Bureau of Treasury has formally announced its offer for a 3 year and 5 year Retail Treasury Bonds which has a coupon price 8.5% interest for the 3 years RTBs while 9% for the 5 year RTBs.

Retails Treasury Bonds are direct and unconditional obligations of the national government which primarily caters to the retail market or the end-users. They are issued by the Bureau of Treasury (BTr). They are interest bearing and carry a term of more than one year and can be traded in the secondary market before maturity.

Retail Treasury Bonds are safe, liquid and offer attractive returns to investors.

Features:
Issuer	:	National government
Term	:	3 and 5 years
Tax feature	:	Interest income subject to 20% final withholding tax
Type of income	:	Tax paid income
Rate	:	Fixed for the life of the RTBs
Coupon payment period	:	Payable quarterly in arrears
Interest computation	:	Simple interest/add-on
Manner of purchase	:	Auction or through secondary market
Retail Treasury Bonds are issued and sold at a price equal to be face value and are redeemed at maturity for the full face value of the instrument plus interest/coupon of the last period (www.mart.com.ph).

Copyright 2008-2009 - PinoyMoneyVantage

Budgeting Your Money: Most common mistakes people make

It's payday time. A lot of young professionals (yuppies) are on their trail to the nearest ATMs and they would sure look forward in a night out dinner with friends or do the usual night hops to bars and places of entertainment like a movies, shopping and others. After spending some on non-essential things they become guilty of losing their money in the end with debt from credit card companies and other IOUs with friends, relatives, your local loansharks even the legitimate lending companies around.

That's spells trouble alot for those who spend too much for nothing however only a few people know where they keep track of their weekly and monthly expenses in a regular basis which basically important in managing your finances in order not to overspend.

1. "I do not know where my money went" (Never Keep track of your spendings)
Solution: Track your spending and begin with a budget

A lot of people fear money management. This problem would definitely make a poor decision making and stop you from searching for that problem. It is better to face that fear and debt in order to get back to on track. It is better to track your budget by keeping your receipts and later track on your spendings and categorize in groups like for groceries, utilities, mortgage and emergency money and non-essentials.

Better to sit down, tally and categorize those expenses you incurred, a best example is to see your last month's worth of receipts including those that do not need receipt like buying some candy in a nearby sari-sari store counts as well. Keeping track of small and major expenses is highly recommended by putting it in a notebook.

Once you find extra cash, you can now save a portion and use the others for paying debts.

2. "I am maxed out with my Credit Card" (Credit Card debts rising).
Solution: Face on your creditors and negotiate

This fantastic plastic money is here to stay. We are faced with too much product advertisement of credit cards, with sales people littering around malls giving leaflets of credit card application and of course the cold calls they make during the early afternoons to mid-morning via their call center representatives. Some of our local big banks are offering credit card for free unless you are an account holder of their institution and having been banking with them for more than six months to a year. Back in my college days, lots of teenager can apply for a credit card through this major credit card firm and were in debt already in their young life.

Don't put yourself on situation that you hadn't paid up your credit card debt. Failing to pay your bills and ducking away from creditor's call can destroy your credit standing. Better to be straightforward than hiding yourself from them.

Contact your credit card companies - it is better to negotiate with your creditors tell them forward that you are unable to pay outright with money. Learn to haggle and tell them your lowest rates that can match with another credit card company. They sometimes accept a percentage of a full amount or help you set up a reasonable repayment.

Other things to remember on lessening your credit card debt:

3.) Do not take cash advances

Cash Advances - Instant cash indeed, they have the potency to make you get it but think a lot of time before receiving that money. Advances have sky-hight interest rates and service fees. In other word it is a expensive way to get cash. Better to slash those household expenses in order to prevent that short-term cash crisis.

4.) Don't miss payment dues

Credit Card companies pay a hefty fine on late payments, it is better to try paying online banking if you are beating the deadline. In short, being late on payments would definitely affect your credit score.

5.) Don't carry too much plastic on your wallet (too many credit cards would blow a hole in your pockets).

Having lots of credit cards is an easy way of piling those credit card debts. An instance, for example is a man who carry multiple credit cards wherein he pays the credit card A with credit card B. Better to control yourself on not misusing this tool.

It is better to limit your credit cards to two cards for easier money management. The first card is used for short-term purchases that you can pay-off in a month while the second card for major purchases.

6.) Don't make the minimum payments

This will stretch out your payments, with interest on hand, this will increase your overall cost on your purchase.

People think that "Credit Card is free money" but it is NOT. They do not know the concept of the credit card system, wherein you make a major purchase on that particular item through this credit card company and later pay it on before the due date or in a given time frame.

Save Smart, Spend Smart.

Copyright 2008-2009 - PinoyMoneyVantage

Philippine Stock Exchange: Less than half of 1% Pinoys invest in the stock market

When I was downloading the Red Herring from Sultan Mining IPO a month ago and came across this article from the Philippine Stock Exchange website.

Going back in early 2000, I was a 19 year old college student. I became fascinated with stock market. I played and joined with www.virtualstockexchange.com wherein high school students in the U.S. do mock trading with nothing. The concept of the website was to teach the young students on the concept of the stock market, investments and business and at the same time prepare to be in the corporate world as passive investors which would be beneficial for them in their future endeavours.

I have also read this article on Phillippine Star the other day and seen some it online through ABS-CBN News Online regarding this (See Article).

See PSE Article released on June 16, 2008.

One of the author of well-known Philippine finance blog also made comments on the PSE article. He recommends that there should education through roadshows and also setting up a basic talks in schools and fairs and I agree to that in teaching the young. In the US, some high school student already have the knowledge in trading stocks through mentoring from their teachers, corporate sponsors and other people involved in stock market.

Therefore, we need to educate the Pinoys with this. I guess, in order to let the people know the stock market is by launching a financial education among the youth. The young people are the best targets for this. Teaching them young would encourage to be more responsible and financially educated.


Copyright 2008-2009 - PinoyMoneyVantage

Why Kill the Electric Car?

As oil's skyrocketing price of US $150 per dollar with expectation of US$ 200 dollars per dollar in a few months to come. This trend sure hurts the end user / consumers pockets as inflation rate rose a notch higher from the previous months as cost for production of basic commodities are again at all time high. In my mind, these questions struck me. So you are spending a lot of money on gas and have started thinking of ways to reduce your gas bills? Or, you want to save the environment for our future generations from harmful carbon dioxide emissions?

Recently I was able to watch this video documentary made two years ago by Sony Pictures about the lessons learned on the lost of this great technology made, developed and mass produced by General Motors's - The Electric Car or EV1 model in 1996.

Going back to memory lane, I was fascinated with this technology back in the mid to late 1990s when Discovery Channel was still showing the "Beyond 2000" TV program plus its advertisement on the electric car that recharges its batteries using solar power recharging station or even in the luxury of their own home using 110 voltage of electricity.

It is tragic to see the loss of this technology when General Motors, Inc. (GM) pulled the plug on its EV1 project and scrapped out the remaining fleet to the leasee of these cars. The Honda and Toyota followed suit when they scrapped their SUV, pick up trucks and station wagon with EV1 technology for their gas powered , internal combustion engine cars.

It is amazing on seeing a few Filipinos innovators come up with the idea of reviving this lost technology. I got a glimpse of Gerry Caroro's GCar ( www.gcarmotors.com). You can view and test ride the car at Quezon Memorial Circle in Quezon City for P 30.00 per lap. I wish they could mass produce more of these cars but would generally wait for test result and road worthiness of these cars into the public roads for the future use of the general public.

Last year, Makati City government, GRIPP (Green Renewable Independent Power Producer), and Greenpeace launched its first electric jeepney for use as public transport. They are in for one year of test piloting their assigned routes. The e-jeepneys became successful have started operating last July 1, 2008. The e-jeepneys are locally manufactured by Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturers Association of the Philippines - MVPMAP.

The e-jeepneys are operational and are plying the Makati routes as follows:

Route:

• Salcedo Village – from Dela Costa St. turn right to Makati Ave., right to Paseo De Roxas, right to Villar St., left to Leviste St, left to Rufino St., right to Ayala Ave. and right to Dela Costa St.

• Legazpi Village – from Salcedo St. turn right to VA Rufino St., left to Adelantado St., left to Gamboa St., left to Salcedo St., left to Benavidez St., left to Paseo De Roxas Ave., right to Legazpi St., left to Dela Rosa St., and left to Salcedo St. (Source: www.makati.gov.ph)
  

In other parts of the country, a Dumaguete-based startup company called Insular Technologies (www.insulartechnologies.com) assembled its own version of electric vehicle with the help of Greenpeace International. The company was co-founded by Rene Tuballa. It first debut during the founding anniversary of Siliman University on August 27, 2007.

We need these zero emission, no pollution technology in this hard times as fuel prices are getting higher everyday, we need to save mother earth which we are slowly killing through global warming. How I wish that the innovations made by our Filipino scientists would not turn into obscurity as a museum pieces because we need these alternative technology now.

Copyright 2008-2009 - PinoyMoneyVantage

Book Review: Sikreto ng Mga Mayayaman by Al Sembrano

One of the best financial literacy book I have ever read. Even if he share his personal experience as a poor young boy from Mindanao. Mr. Sembrano was really keen on learning the long road to financial success where he is right now in being a financial analyst with major banking companies in the United States and eventually retiring early to making a one masterpiece of 10 series books.

The author's objective is to bring back to the basics of financial education and planning to readers with better understanding. It was very practical compared to the other books of Filipino writers. This books empowers everyone who reads it with knowledge from getting a job, creating wealth from small to big proportions and starting business. It also has inspirational wherein the author share his life's experiences that led him to success. This book is applicable to all Filipinos who want to live a prosperous life.

MONEYVANTAGE: Bank Deposits and Personal Savings Accounts

What is the purpose of bank deposit savings? A lot of people ask questions on why save your money on a savings account?

Savings accounts are accounts maintained by retail financial institution that pay interest but can not be used directly as money (by, for example, writing cheque). These accounts let customers set aside a portion of their liquid assets while earning a monetary return (see Wikipedia). A savings account can be in passbook or in Automated Teller Machines (ATMs).

A lot of people underestimate the use of savings account in bank although it only earns about one percent (1%) prevailing rates in the Philippines. Still a savings account is useful in many financial aspects. Saving money may be placed in short term or long term goals still the purpose he/she must undertake in securing his/her future. An example of the uses of this investment tool are raising for a down payment in order to purchase a property (condominium or a house & lot) or an automobile, setting up capital for a future business venture, or can be used as emergency fund, used for transferring fund via mobile banking locally or abroad or a keeping your personal secret stash.

Opening a bank savings account is easy, the purpose of opening a savings account for a smart financial investor is to "contain or temporarily store" some of your money in a bank and at the same time it can be used as a financial statement in acquiring bank loans (housing, automobile and personal loans), buy some other financial investments offered by this financial institution that produce higher yields. An example of this is buying a retail treasury bond in government controlled banks like Development Bank of the Philippines and Land Bank of the Philippines wherein it requires an initial deposit of PhP 5,000 on your savings account before buying Retail Treasury Bonds worth PhP 100,000.

For a clearer view, let set an example:

Ramon is a 9 to 5 office worker, he receives a an average of PhP 14,000.00 a month. He is a novice investor and have average knowledge in investments thanks to his peers encouragement in reading financial planning books and attended some free financial literacy seminars. He saves a portion of his salary because his goal is for him to set aside money for emergency fund that is good for six months in case he lost his job (or get sick), set aside a downpayment for his equities on his planned purchase of a PAG-IBIG accredited development (house and lot package) in Cavite and at the same time save for an initial capital for a small time enterprise or business in the sides in by next year.

He maintains five savings account which he manages from different banks, he puts up his goals into action.

BANK
ABC Bank: saves money for Contingency or Emergency fund
XYZ Bank: saves money for a purchase of higher yielding investments (ex. stocks, mutual funds, Value Unit Linked Insurance, etc.)
LEVI Bank: saves money for initial capital of his small business.
EFG Bank: saves money down payment in acquiring a buying a house and lot with an Pag-Ibig accredited property developer in Cavite.
BBB Bank (ATM provided by his employer): Salary and personal expense fund.

When time and money matures they can eventually use the saved money in their specific goals or reinvest it with higher yielding vehicles like equities, mutual funds, money market bond funds, UITFs etc.



Copyright 2008-2009 - PinoyMoneyVantage

Food Security in our Midst!

The Philippine government is beefing up its resources on importing rice in Thailand. It already had talks with the foreign minister of Thailand last month and agreed with the our government's dealing.

Are we hungry now? As of most of the SWS surveys it says YES. They say majority of the urban poor are getting hungrier much less to the countryside are experiencing the same.

I had deep thoughts on this regarding the need for food as we are now experiencing rice shortage with people looking for a much cheaper variant of rice coming from National Food Authority (NFA). Mindanao is experiencing much worst than their Metro Manila counterparts because rice prices of other variants rice to P 50.00 per kilo. Rice hoarding is now rampant in this parts of the Philippine. A lot of people are now experiencing hunger even we tighten our belts to save but somehow inflation is keeping up on us wherein it already peaked at 9.6% as I read yesterday's broadsheet with the tumbling value of Philippine peso to dollar at US$ 1.00 to PhP 44.00 on the foreign exchange rate. Some of the financial and international affairs expert see that inflation can go to double digit in a few months time not only here but around the world.


In the light of the looming rice crisis that the Philippines and other countries experiencing right now. Local provincial government of Oriental Mindoro had taken step in encouraging agriculture to be taken by jobless out of school youth. This program not only provides jobs but also the knowledge and skills for these young folks to take up farming which is essentially important nowadays making Oriental Mindoro the rice capital of region 4. In the first place, our country was based in agriculture but in the past couple of decades it came to a point that industrial and advance technological age is keeping up with our country and less people are taking agriculture as business and settled for a much newer career outside of farming in the rural to the urban cities.

Copyright 2008-2009 - PinoyMoneyVantage

A Millionaire Mind: T. Harv Eker

I was able to glimpse of book on T. Harv Eker's Secret's of a Millionaire Mind. It was a small paperback book on National Bookstore. In my compulsive buying of wealth building books this is a definite gold mine of information for me in achieving that success in life. In the first few pages, the author describes the psychology or way of thinking of some folks on what they say regarding rich people, the middle class and the poor people especially how they describe themselves in a way and also how they perceive money.

Most Pinoys think of money as a thing to dispose immediately, they never think of the long term goal, always the short term due to impatience and the mindset of earning quick buck as they seldom think of their future. Filipinos always blame and make scapegoats of the government, the church, other people etc. They need to think first before blaming everybody. I know that we are not going anywhere if we blame everybody. We assess ourselves, plan and later take immediate action in resolving the problems.

Most Pinoys do not save a portion of their money which is essential for their future. A sample of things essential and necessity are basic life insurance, fruitful retirement fund, allocation and diversification of wealth through passive income and others. The fact is that, we need to change our spending habits, avoiding temptation of compulsive buying or things we do not really need and feel guilty in the end so we need to differentiate the needs from wants.

Financial reprogramming ( Your Money Blueprint) - changing the way of thinking on how we perceive money is the answer if you act on it. Did you know that the rich people are working more hours than the average person is. Rich people are determined to be rich if they work smartly and hard. Did you know that rich people also admire other rich people because they get inspired to be like them on what they are today.

In an article last month on Philippine Star's front page column. There is an article that caught my attention. Does Money buy you happiness? A lot of people say "YES" but isn't this ironic for all that money is not the solution to all of this madness in our world. 85% would still prefer health than money because "in good health you can still create wealth".

As I was reading throughly through its pages, T. Harv Eker included Wealth files in guiding the reader on the things he/she needs to ponder of. Included also are the inspirational story of few of T. Harv Eker's students who attended the seminar on the Millionaire Mind in the United States and Canada. I know there is no Millionaire Mind Intensive Seminar like in the North America but someone would come up with this and bring it to the our shores here in the Philippines. I would definitely would like to attend this seminar.

Copyright 2008-2009 - PinoyMoneyVantage

Tago ng Tago: An Overseas Pinoy View!

I came across this blog from this guy named Ton Ton (http://pilipinosaabroad.blogspot.com). I find these true on the countless stories I have read and seen on TV plus the stories my aunts and uncles living in the east coast of the U.S.A. or other people from other countries tell me when I am traveling from time to time. Ton ton's blog has details on what he has endured on his stay abroad with his high hopes and dreams of making it and returning to the Philippines. Sometimes he has these pessimistic thoughts on himself but if you see it on the brighter side you can learn a lot from his thoughts in the Philippines right now.

Another of stories when I stayed in New York for a very short vacation of one month after graduating and passing my licensure exam in the Philippines. It was spring break of 2004 when my parents decided that I needed to go to the United States for me to use the tourist / business visa (B1/B2) for travel because I deserved a break for making them proud in passing the exam and graduating from college in 2004 - a double celebration for my achievements.

Eventually, I wanted a car but it so happened that they do not want me to have a car instead wanted me to have a pleasure and experience of traveling and visiting America. It was my second time to travel again and the first time to see my uncles and aunt after years of separation from them. On my stay in New York, it so happened that I met some Filipinos there from the neighborhood (most of these people migrated in the U.S. during the early 1970's to 90's. My aunt left in 1995 after their 20 year petition was granted by U.S. C.I.S. As I walked around the block I observed that mostly Hispanic and Jewish denominations live together in our area. It was a community to behold with different colors, race and creed in the United States which is a immense diversified culture.

We were having a momentary discussion with my aunt the other time when we were eating in the kitchen. The owner of the apartment where they live is also a Filipino originally from Metro Manila and it so happened that my relative where the tenants of the ground floor. On the other hand, I was curious on the persons living below us who happens to be a old man who is also Pinoy with his family. The sad truth about the family living in the basement that they are undocumented aliens in the U.S. as what my aunt said to me. In short they are TNT (tago ng tago).

These people below us where are bit hesitant in meeting us when we were there. They have their own lives. They are busy at work like what normal people do at work. They toil for a much longer period in order to make a decent pay, they got no job security, no social security numbers in their names and always on a lookout against U.S. Homeland Security personnel or U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) who are on a look out for violators or undocumented aliens in their country. Incidence of being deported or caught in the East coast of U.S.A. are rare unlike in the state of California where are a majority of the Filipino immigrants in the United States lived would definitely report their own fellow Filipinos to the authorities if they found they were illegal aliens.

Indeed, tragic to the extent that your own countryman will sell you out because there is a price for confirmed tips on aliens caught but I am unsure if this is real.


Copyright 2008-2009 - PinoyMoneyVantage

Fueling Change, Saving on Gas: What my thoughts are.

Timeline of Oil Dependence from 1940s to the Present Times

Graph Courtesy of Fuel Focus Natural Resources Canada

Oil has become a major commodity in the world market today. It finally breach to US $135 per barrel on crude oil. In fact, we are really suffering from a chronic pain of disbelief as inflation reach its all time high of 6.2% last April of this year. Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas is geared in cutting down the interest rates in order to lessen the inflation increase of all commodities.

What is happening around the world, people of all walks of life are affected with this. Protests in Indonesia have erupted when the Indonesian government have cut its subsidies on oil products, Egyptians in Cairo and other cities have decided to leave their cars and depend on public transportation system available. Meanwhile, Spanish fishermen leave their fishing boats for protest against the increasing crude oil price. This is what is happening worldwide when I turned on the TV watching CNN's Fueling Change segment a few hours ago. Americans living in major U.S. cities decided to scrap their gas guzzling SUV for a smaller yet less gas consuming compact cars.

Reading the a broadsheet the other week, President Bush met with Saudi King Abdullah in order to increase the oil production but Mr. Bush's appeal was turned down by the Saudis because they are maximizing it already (see article). The demand is too high so the prices are soaring already.

The other day, I was watching the Correspondents on ABS-CBN late night, seeing the alternative fuel of some priest inventor was scrapped because limited support was given by our national government on this people. Alternative fuel is the solution here and so does becoming eco-friendly fuel products must be propagated.

Right now, I am no longer using my car often. Everything is already planned out before going out in using an automobile. I turned again to the public utility vehicles as my mode of transport. With the soaring fuel cost of P 50.00 or more per liter who would not think again about this. I wouldn't like to see myself waste my money on fuel that is no longer affordable having felt the pinch already.

I've been amused with this article from CNN Money (cnnmoney.com) on the 6 gas saving myths I have read on their weblink through yahoo the other week. You may click this link - six gas saving myths on CNN Money.

Also I have added links on history of oil discovery and dependence from Kipnotes.com which is definitely interesting and for additional knowledge for everyone.

Copyright 2008-2009 - PinoyMoneyVantage

The San Miguel Brewery IPO Report: My first stock investment

I recently went to San Miguel Brewery, Inc. offices last May 5, 2008. I chanced upon the advertisement on SMB IPO last April 24, 2008 at the Philippine Star. I opened on the possibility investing in paper assets while dreaming of buying some real estate in the future. It was an event I was waiting for in buying some 1000 shares of a long-time profitable food and beverage company with a proven track record that has been in the country for more than a hundred years of existence. Testing the waters, I opened an account with this company and at the same looking in trading stocks so I invested PhP 8,000.00 worth of shares (1000 shares = PhP 1.00) on this as a Local Small Investor (LSI).

I can see how profitable San Miguel beer to the local masses with production of millions in the open market and even internationally recognized as a strong seller with other well known brand names from Europe like Heineken, Carlsberg, Mexico's Corona, America's Miller and others.

I was amazed on how it jump on its initial offer of PhP 8.00 per share to PhP 8.50 will additional pesos on my paper assets of owning an a 1000 shares of San Miguel Brewery on its debut yesterday morning (May 12, 2008) at the Philippine Stock Exchange trading day. The increase was 6.25% as what was reported in the news last night beyond what I have expected from earlier reports in a famous broadsheet on the forecast that it will lose its value regarding previous IPOs. It gave me a jitter as my kept my fingers crossed from days of waiting since signing up last 5th May 2008. It did not lose ground on its first day but somehow found out on visiting the PSE's ticker tape that San Miguel Brewery with San Miguel Corporation A and B incurred some losses. I lost 10 centavos on the value of what I gain yesterday but it is a close call than losing more a PhP 1.00 value of my shares with this company.

I am glad that I was able to test the water of stock trading and will be able to understand and be vigilant in investing in hard-earned cash. Will be watching closely on SMB performance in few days or so.

About San Miguel click this link.

Copyright 2008-2009 - PinoyMoneyVantage

Personal Experience: The Financial Planning Challenge

I signed up for the 10th Registered Financial Planner Program, it was quite a thrill for me to bound into much better career of financial planning in the future because there are more things I can expect in meeting more people eventually clinical laboratory science and real estate are some of my first and second passion and here comes financial planning in my life which is applicable for me and family.

Many people ask what is a financial planner and what his or her role to them as clients?

A financial planner or personal financial planner is a practicing professional who helps people to deal with various personal financial issues through proper planning, which includes but is not limited to these major areas: cash flow management, education planning, retirement planning, investment planning, risk management and insurance planning, tax planning, estate planning and business succession planning (for business owners). The work engaged in by this professional is commonly known as personal financial planning. In carrying out the planning function, he is guided by the financial planning process to create a detailed strategy tailored to a client's specific situation, for meeting a client's specific goals (see Wikipedia).

Personal financial planning is broadly defined as a process of determining an individual's financial goals, purposes in life and life's priorities, and after considering his resources, risk profile and current lifestyle, to detail a balanced and realistic plan to meet those goals. The individual's goals are used as guideposts to map a course of action on 'what needs to be done' to reach those goals (see Wikipedia).

As what many of the lecturers in 10th RFP program have said, financial planning has evolved in a sense that he/she offer his/her service with much gusto due to the fact that it involves the element of giving advise, becoming a coach and at the same establish a fruitful relationship with a client with rapport. I find financial planning a little demanding with lots of data gathering in order for the client set and accomplish those goals.

Members of RFP Batch 10 are mostly comprised of insurance agents and brokers from big insurance companies, wealth and asset management officers from banks, senior financial executives from major credit card companies, licensed real estate brokers and one licensed stock broker from a well known securities and equities company listed with Philippine Stock Exchange. We all come different industries but we share one common goal in becoming future Registered Financial Planners.

Will update on my next article on Financial Planning because I am still undergoing studies with Registered Financial Planners Institute - Philippines (RFPI-Philippines). if you want to be a Financial planner you may visit their website at http://www.rfp-philippines.com for more details.



Copyright 2008-2009 - PinoyMoneyVantage

Economic Slow Down in America How it Affected the Philippines and the World

It was a sad thought that the economic slowdown and recession in the United States not only affected our local real estate developers but the independent real estate firms selling to the once rich market of people with higher credit score and higher net disposable income. So everyone in America especially the baby boomers (those who were born in the 1940's or after World War II) who are about to retire by now or in a few years time and even the middle class Americans.

Once and for all, I have to shift our firm's attention to other markets in the world where there are lots of Filipinos working overseas. A good example of market is the European and Middle East wherein there are great concentration of Pinoys migrant workers in those areas. This was admitted by Rex Mendoza, Ayala Land, Inc vice president for sales and marketing (see article, Manila Times). Right now most of those real estate developers are also tapping the Asia-Pacific market another place to look and scour at is the first world countries like Singapore, Hong Kong, New Zealand and Australia wherein there are also a great number of Filipino immigrants there who may want to invest here in the Philippines.

It is definitely a fact that the Philippines and other asian countries as well especially with China rely with the U.S. market with their massive export capability of goods and the European Union is second. Last year, some of the China made goods were removed from the shelves due to complaints from customers and findings from government agencies regarding their safety. It was found that most of their products do not comply to international standards and health hazard for children. Lots of these products especially toys were pooled out of the U.S. market early last year.

The Business Process Outsourcing (BPOs) related with call center and medical transcription companies are feeling the pinch of subprime mortgage crisis (see article, Times UK) in America, as most of these companies heavily rely in U.S. dollars and also the U.S. markets. U.S. $ dollars have been for the past few months is breaking even against the dollar. However, it is now risen its value after loosing its value from P40.00 to US$ 1.00 but as of this writing the pesos is against the dollar at P 41.00 to US$ 1.00. Multinational BPOs from U.S. who have moved their operations here in the Philippines and India are loosing ground due to the loss of customers and closure of some U.S. based companies due to recession meaning alot of people are being laid off from work in the America.

Last week, I was watching CNN when I stumbled upon Union Bank of Switzerland having problems. I was totally shocked on seeing Union Bank of Switzerland, one of the best and biggest banks in Europe (see article, BBC CO UK) lose US$ 34.8 Billion due to the subprime mortgage and credit crunch. UBS is experiencing dire straits after heavily investing in U.S. real estate properties which have rapidly declined in value for the past few months since last year. It was tragic. Lots of investors have lost confidence on the annual stockholders meeting last week in Zurich (see UBS has doubled its subprime writedowns).



Copyright 2008-2009 - PinoyMoneyVantage

On Scam and Con Artist in our society

In being a Real Estate Broker there are times when I do find scamming artist prowling some of those small time business talks and free seminars happening within the metro. Such an example of this when I attended the Free Entrepreneurship seminar conducted by a group of Chinese-Filipino businessmen in Binondo, Manila.

I get annoyed with these types of people and most of these guys are con-artist in a sort of way of enticing some hapless person to see and later buy that piece of real estate in Bataan. Example of this is that they are selling pieces of properties in hectare within Morong, Bataan. I know this place because some of Morong's portions are under the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority's property and under the Bases Conversion and Development Authority and also some of them are under the jurisdiction of Department of Natural Resources as well because Subic is a virgin rain forest of the country and the others were already acquired with Ayala Land Inc with joint venture agreement with Subic Development Company (SUDECO). Other than that, some of those properties are still under the name of the Republic of the Philippines.

There is also an instance on of the books I read, "Real Estate Lesson by Eduard L. Tan" wherein a group of syndicates with connection with higher officials in the government are able to get a piece of property inside the La Mesa Dam, Watershed and Eco Conservation Park. It was sad that they have already titled it under their names and are willing to contest in the courts. Also remembered an article from Philippine Daily Inquirer (see Link).

Right now, there are many financial scam plaguing our people, the most recent I have seen, read and heard in the media this early 2008 was the Royal Manchester Five or RM5 for short. The company was up running for the past 7 years. Cyrus Hao and Renato San Juan are now at large and have already have gone out of the country hiding from the prying eyes and hand of the law. Doubling your money in 5 or 6 years is reasonable, given the less than 15% average compounding rate required to do so. But if someone promises to double your money in one and a half years, which is what 4% a month or 48% a year does, it's obviously a scam. That's probably a
pyramid or Ponzi scheme.

Other high profile cases that have recently flaunted the media and people are FrancSwiss, Multitel and many others that have vicitimized the hard-working people, the middle class and even the few of affluent people in our society even the personalities which have kept themselves silent from these issues from the media.

There are also other informative to watch out for regarding con artist and scams, I read the issue of the January and February 2008 issue of MoneySense which is undoubtfully useful even the back issue of FHM (2006) was also a useful on small time crooks and syndicate prowling the street for unsuspecting victims.

Don't be fooled with these types of people. They will rip your hard-earned cash so don't put yourself into misery.

The Think Rich Pinoy Experience

I recently have attended the February 17, 2008 Think Rich Pinoy Seminar at PhilAm Life Building in Ma. Orosa Street, Ermita, Manila. It was an event I cannot forget that changed my life. Wealth building through real estate by flipping foreclosed properties is one shot deal that can generate income for you and your loved ones. There are pros and cons in real estate but this one could get you rich in no time at all.

Dr. Gamboa and others like him have dream of making one million rich Filipinos by 2010. It maybe impossible but with proper attitude and mentoring anyone can be a millionaire by that time. "We do not have to go abroad and keep our country's economy afloat with our skilled OFWs leaving our shores and working hard to both ends meet, we can make entreprenuers of our OFWs as what Dr. Gamboa", said in his statement.

Financial education through real estate and other income generating schemes can arm every Filipinos with the knowledge of wealth building and at the same create passive income for their benefit. The investments made will work for them in no time.

One of the most notable real investor in this type of business was Robert Kiyosaki, author of the Rich Dad, Poor Dad and co-author of other Rich Dad series of books who inspired Dr. Gamboa into this type of business and serves as his inspiration in creating a book called "Think Rich Pinoy". Think Rich Pinoy is an adapted version of the Rich Dad, Poor Dad for Filipinos to understand. The principle of flipping property and its concept are still the same but simplified.

I have read the book since last year and at the same time bought one of his book follow up, Grow Rich Pinoy, which emphasizes on flipping properties with little or no money at all plus with the help of course of rehabbers, lenders and other private investors by using Other People's Money (OPM) concept.


I have met other people who are still in the rat race who want to be investors and entrepreneurs and owning their own business. Dr. Gamboa emphasizes the empowerment of every Filipinos to financial freedom. It was a good thing that I met Dr. Larry Gamboa, Ph.D. himself on the flesh and maybe in the future would be a future franchisee of Think Rich Pinoy.

Copyright 2008-2009 - PinoyMoneyVantage

Adventures in Caliraya - a team building experience

31st March, it was 3 A.M. I got up after sleeping for about a few hours and my body is still needs to recuperate from yesterday's work. At 4 AM, I am still in Pampanga and have to travel again with Tessa and Laila to get to Bonifacio Global City in Taguig to meet up with the rest of the crew who are joining with the rest people from Angeles City who are about to embark on a Team Building Training for Top Brokers. I got apprehended of the thoughts of having a good time, meeting new people from different places and at the same time having a fun pleasurable time with outdoor activities in Lake Caliraya.

At 5 A.M., as we approach the Metro. Traffic was heavy on North Luzon Expressway from the Balintawak exit to EDSA Cloverleaf because it was a rush of vehicles off to work on a very hectic Monday converging to Metro Manila from the nearby provinces. I was thrilled on seeing the bright lights off Metro Manila because I am always busy in the province and the thought of visiting Laguna and seeing a more provincial type of scenery which I haven't seen for a long time. Laguna has more green fields and agriculture compared to Pampanga it hasn't lost its nostalgia and also its historical value for me. It will be a long drive to Laguna but it will be fun anyways.

The team building seminar is sponsored by Community Innovation, Inc. (an Ayala Land, Inc. company) and the good thing about it is FREE including the bus going to and from plus the food, hotel accommodation at Caliraya Recreation Center. It was nice to have a company through Ate Tessa who happens to be our business partner, my mom's acquaintance and our top salesperson and Laila, who happens to be a site officer of Marquee Place Angeles City, Community Innovations project in Angeles City. Laila will accompany us on our first tour to Caliraya and with rest of the sales force coming from Metro Manila and other places.

We arrived at Bonifacio High Streets at 6 A.M., it was a site to behold being inside the Bonifacio Global City for third time I was awed on how fast developments were. A site to behold as most of the people of all walks of life converge in this future city inside the former military base which was converted into a mixed used development. It was lush, with bright lights on the streets. Skyscrapers are already on the rise as I behold on the site of Serendra (the hottest selling property in the list of Ayala Land developments in Metro Manila). I see it differently in my view of making oppurtunities in selling residential condominium properties inside Bonifacio Global City.

As we left the metropolis to Laguna, I see lots of road construction along the South Luzon Expressway and slow traffic in some section of the way with lots of detours, counterflows and barriers around. It was a long wait until we reached the city of Calamba, Laguna which is a definitely a historic place to visit for those who are venturing down south. The travel was leisurely as we went across town that I haven't seen along time from City of Calamba, to the towns of Pila, Los Banos, Sta. Cruz and later to Pagsanjan wherein it to took us about an hour and half to reach the sleepy and quiet town of Lumban.

Lumban is 30 kilometers south of Metro Manila. It is quite an astonishing place to visit, lots of agricultural fields, mountain trails, less people and great view of the nearby Sierra Madre Mountains. On top of those uphill road, you can already view the low-lying areas and nearby towns in Laguna. It reminds me alot of Bataan and Subic Freeport, Zambales minus the buildings and ships and less vehicles.

We arrived at about 9:30 AM, Bus 1 was already there together with participant from the Southern area who have rendezvous at Shell SLEX in Sta. Rosa, Laguna. They did have 30 minute head start on their to Caliraya Recreation Center. As we arrived on the area, we have to cross the lake on a ferry and then travel by a jeep to the hilltop where the ALI trainors and marshals are waiting for us. It was great and pleasurable travel in going to Caliraya with an awesome view of the lake, the mountains and its amenity areas.

As we were waiting for our cue, our names were roll called and have assigned us to four groups composed of 12 to 13 members. Our first taste of the action was to meet, the trainor on the gazebo. Downhill slope was dangerous as we raced first. The gravity of earth is pulling us downward as I breeze on down to meet our trainers who were waiting for us on our first activities. Too bad, we were second place and had not received the price money per group.

Mr. Rex Mendoza, VP for Sales and Marketing for Ayala Land, Inc. (former President of AIG- PhilAm Group) was there on that event and gave us an short inspirational talk especially in the sales record the 5 year old Community Innovations, which is the youngest member of Ayala Land Inc. subsidiaries, achieved with total of 1.8 Billion pesos sales for 2008. CII and ALI were grateful with our efforts in marketing their projects and have they thanked us for being their outstanding sales force of achieving higher growth with their company. Together with Mr. Robert Lao of, Head of Sales of Community Innovations, Inc. (An Ayala Land Company) presented the awards on the Brokers' Night.

It was great that our company and my mom's name was given an award as the Top Individual Broker and Best in Project Selling category in one project for achieving record breaking sales at Marquee Place in Angeles City alone. I do like to thank Miss Tessa for her efforts in helping our small company achieve this feat and beating the other teams in achieving that high sales in one project alone.

1st April, it was time to pack as I felt lonely as I leave this darn place full of memories which gave an inspiration of meeting sales people like me from different places and different backgrounds and also the young like-minded people like Architect Rico Yangco, Ely Belgica, Kuya Hubert Claveria, Mr. Alex Gaston and the others I have met all along the way.

Visit Lake Caliraya Resort and Recreation Center at www.caliraya.net.

Copyright 2008-2009 - PinoyMoneyVantage

Want to be a licensed Real Estate Broker or Professional?

Do you want to be a real estate professional?

Real Estate Brokers Association of The Phillippines will holding Comprehensive Real Estate Seminar and Review for those who would like the to take the Real Estate Brokers Licensure Examination from the Department of Trade and Industry - Bureau of Trade Regulations and Consumer Protection (DTI-BTRCP) on May 2008. Schedules from different chapters of REBAP in Metro Manila to nearby provinces are posted below and will be conducting these seminars on given dates and specific venues.

For inquiries you may call the nearest REBAP Chapter in your local community with their contact numbers listed below.

Real Estate Brokers Association of the Philippines (REBAP), Inc.

Tel Nos.: (632) 373-2281 / 374-2496 / Email: rebapnational@yahoo.com

SCHEDULE OF SEMINAR FOR BROKERS LICENSE:

COMPREHENSIVE REAL ESTATE SEMINAR & REVIEW: (CRESR)

For 2008 MAY EXAM

CHAPTER	DATE & TIME	VENUE	Fee	Contact
Caloocan	April 5, 12, 19, 26 & May 3, 10, 2008 Gen. Review –May 10 1:00 – 7:00 PM	Rotary Center, cor., Mother Ignacia, Roces Ave., Q.C.	PhP 3,500.00	986-9674/438-2966 0916-3633975 0916-7574409 0916-2437313
Cavite	April 15, 22 & 29, 2008 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM	Chowking, Kalinisan Zapote, Bacoor, Cavite	PhP 3,500.00	(02)7966717/ 09196946045 (046)4772713
CBD	April 12, 19, 26, May 3 & 10, 2008 1:00 – 6:00 PM	Level 1, Cacho Gonzales Bldg., 101 Aguirre St., Legaspi Village, Makati City	PhP 3,500.00	726-0137 724-3019 0916-7497181 0918-9191189
Greenhills	April 19, 26, May 4, 2008 8:00am-5:00 PM	Champaca Room, Club Filipino	PhP 3,500.00	995-0340 0927-9071275
LAMP	April 5,12,19, 26 May 3,10, 2008 8:00am – 12NN	2/F Tia Maria Bldg. C.V. Starr Ave., Las Pinas City	PhP 3,500.00	872-3929 0915-8429457
Makati	April 12,18, 19, 2008 26-Gen. Review 1:00 – 7:00 PM	Dasmarinas Rm, Makati Sports Club, Makati City	PhP 3,800.00	751-5213 0906-9790796 0916-3018338
Mandaluyong	March 1,2,8,9, 2008 9:00am-6:00 PM	405 Jovan Bldg., Samat cor. Shaw Blvd, Mandaluyong	PhP 3,500.00	531-6914/ 7174253 0920-3815908
Marikina	April 13, 20, 27, 2008 8:00 am – 7:0 PM	Skyline Riverbend Café, Riverbanks Center, 84 Bonifacio Ave., Barangka Ave. Marikina City	PhP 3,500.00	0923-3022150 942-0741
Ortigas	March 16, 30 April 13, 2008 9:00am-6:00 PM	Dencios, Metrowalk Ortigas, Pasig City	PhP 3,500.00	0917-8940913 0919-4032997
Quezon City	April 19, 26 May 3, 10 & 17, 2008 1:00 – 7:00 PM	Max’s Restaurant Quezon Avenue (beside Mcdo)	PhP 3,500.00	412-2624/482-6677 0917-7898630 0922-899-8880
Pampanga	April 19, 20 & 27, 2008 8:00AM – 5:00 PM	Bahay kamayan, Gapan Olongapo, Sto. Nino, San Fernando, Pampanga	PhP 3,500.00	0920-9242403 0917-5204953 0917-8063307

Copyright 2008-2009 - PinoyMoneyVantage

A view of one OFW experience in financial literacy

I found this at Youtube a video on an interview with an OFW. Economic Resource Center for Overseas Filipinos, Inc. or ERCOF is a non-profit organization in the Philippines which emphasizes in providing provides various services to assist primarily Overseas Filipinos and basically anyone wishing to reside, do business or engage in some form of livelihood or enterprise in the Philippines. ERCOF has been there for on our OFWs guiding them with the proper steps in achieving their goals and mission of providing the knowledge in business and financial planning services as well.

The countless stories of most OFWs were a typical scenario to most of our kababayan who are saving for the future but somehow have no financial understanding on where to invest their money in order to save for their future plans of staying here for good and at the same time engage in business in the Philippines and also reintegration to our workforce.

Somehow I find not necessary for an former OFW to be in reintegrated to the workforce, I know that they have the capability of building a business with an entreprenuerial fervor and at the same time the savings they have made as a capital in their future business. There are things hinder them especially that most of their savings were spent on things that are not necessary and wisely spent after toiling for few years in the foreign land they are working before. Save and spent without planning is what is happening plus the fact that their relatives where borrowing money and then cannot able to pay them right away so what happens is that debt accumulates and hampers the progression of our OFWs from getting out of the rat race.

I congratulate ERCOF and other Non-government organizations (NGOs) in doing their best in helping our OFWs in their endeavor of reaching their dreams and goal of a sustainable growth for their benefit as well as the helping the Philippine economy afloat. You can visit www.ercof.org for more information on Economic Resources Center for Overseas Filipinos (ERCOF).

Copyright 2008-2009 - PinoyMoneyVantage

Becoming a Real Estate Sales Professional

I could never imagine myself being in the real estate business. I did have a fruitful career in the healthcare industry but somehow the lure of fame and fortune have taken me to this new profession. I have been in the industry for three years now. Started out as a secretary and a assistant to my mom who is also a newbie or a greenhorn in the real estate even if she was a licensed real estate broker since 1984.

The real estate industry became an interest to me in 2005. I first attended a sales training seminar for real estate agents with Communities Philippines, A Vista Land Co. (formerly Crown Communities, Inc.) selling their projects outside of Metro Manila. It did become a challenge for me to be in this profession in being a proactive and outgoing person. It changed me into overcoming fear and shyness by arming me with self-confidence in dealing with different people as a real estate sales professional plus the thought of earning a high commission brought me to property sector after resigning from my dead-end job which only offer a above 100,000 annual income.

My mom was medical representative with an multinational nutritional and pharmaceutical company before her retirement in 2003 when I was a about to graduate in college. Her career has spanned for more than 30 years in the selling and marketing which in turn earn lots of money with that company and at the same time earning money through the high sales she garnered in the past. She was a seasoned salesperson but still she is still adjusting as a real estate sales professional after her retirement in being a medical representative, she was totally back to zero in the property sector and being a real estate broker is not the same work as the previous job, but still the principle of selling to would-be client is the same especially in establishing rapport and building relationship with them.

I learned the ropes from her on the sales experiences and wisdom she gained plus the experience of having a actual site manning or mall booth manning which is hard work even you are passing time, we usually work in duo. I even had some little scruffles with some clients or would be clients who are just not interested and are wasting my precious time. I learned those types of people from Michael Pink's book named "SELLING AMONG WOLVES WITHOUT JOINING THE PACK" wherein he differentiated those types into four groups.

According to Discoro "Jun" Garing's book The Filipino Art of Breakthrough Selling, that out of the 100 prospects / customers you encountered there is only 20 prospect who are really interested in buying a product, 4 of them are qualified to buy but there is only 1 true buyer (so the ratio is 100:20:4:1). The ratio I have mentioned is a salesperson batting average in making a home run to closed deal. The numbers speaks well and also in my experience as a real estate agent turned and licensed real estate broker. In the marketing arena, you should be armed with the knowledge, expertise plus the appetite to associate with other people is needed in order to close that deal. Plus be tech savvy in marketing the project wherein the internet has become among the best medium of getting the attention of local and overseas clients.


Copyright 2008-2009 - PinoyMoneyVantage

MONEYVANTAGE: The Property Sector

It has become the best choice in investments for most people as a vehicle or income stream. Real Estate values appreciate for the past few years and started booming after 1997 Asian financial crisis was over in 2001 at that time when Asian countries have finally recovered. Year 2002, where most of the major developers and private contractors have started running their engines for the bull run up ahead as the Philippine economy is on a swing again.

Source: "Investing in Stock Market Today" (www.citiseconline.com)

Right now it is a Buyer's Market wherein the demand of real estate is high but somehow it is a little bit slowing down due to the U.S. financial crunch of what our North American-based Filipinos are experiencing right now yet it is favorable for our local young urban professionals, OFWs living in the European countries and elsewhere to invest in the Philippines because they are somehow not affected with the US$ dollars decline in value due to the fact their are using Euros as their currency plus the low interest rates from our local Philippine lenders and banks, flexible payment terms and schemes from the developers had also attracted favorably to the end-users.

According to Global Property Guide, House prices in the Philippines rose by 14.29% y-o-y to Q2 2007, up from 8.45% y-o-y to Q2 2006. Strong economic growth and the continued inflow of remittances from Overseas Filipino Workers have been fueling the housing market in the Philippines. Our total U.S. $ dollar reserves reach a whopping U.S.$ 34.8 Million dollars from its previous U.S.$ 8 Million dollars according to the reports of Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) as of this writing.

Somehow Filipinos put a great value in owning a property in order for them to secure in the long term on their retirement age here in the Philippines. Not only that our retired fellow Filipinos who are coming back but the majority of foreign expatriates and retirees coming here to study, do business or even live their transition ages in style. Prices of commodities are less expensive compared to theirs, cost of living is not that high with the value of money they are receiving from their pensions able to sustain and compensate them with excess cash on their hands, Climate in our country is tropical it is mostly sunny and rainy wherein most of these foreigners would like to frolic in the hot sun.

REAL ESTATE BOOM continues as seen on the Philippine Industry Growth Cycle which has becoming relevant for those who are engage in stock market. The propery sector is in the growing stage and would likewise pick up the pace in the future.

Copyright 2008-2009 - PinoyMoneyVantage

GO NEGOSYO! - The Entreprenuer Mindset In Us

Fascinated with the inspiration that these small entrepreneurs who became a big name brands in the local consumers market in Pampanga. They did have lots of hardship prior to the beginning but soon their businesses have expanded to higher measures of their businesses and also providing employment and job oppurtunities for the local folks in their community.

I attended the Go Negosyo Road Caravan in Pampanga last November 2007 wherein they featured the famous local Capampangan Entreprenuers. Here are the list of Most Inspiring Pampanga Entrepreneurs:

• Atty. Emmanuel Angeles - Angeles University Foundation
• Jaime Uy - Sentine Development Corporation
• Fatima del Rosario - Sasmuan Delicacies
  
• Jose Bituin - Betis Crafts Inc.
• Prudencio Garcia - Mekeni Food Corporation
  
• Teresa Carlos - Bank of Florida
• Peter Nepomuceno - Angeles Electric Corp.
• Michael Escaler - PASUDECO
• Lolita Hizon - Pampanga's Best
• Ryan Razon - Razon’s
  
• Wilfredo Tan - HausLand Development Corporation

Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center was jampacked from people of all walks of life, from high school and college student, investors, and small time business owners who want to hear, see and learn for themselves how these people have ventured into this type of businesses and industry and inspire themselves to be entrepreneurs of the future in keeping our economy afloat.

In my experience as an entreprenuer, it is hard at first in building your business and planning for the days ahead but somehow you put your sweat, blood and tear in making it work. Once it fly off to success it becomes evident that your goal in life has been finally achieved after all the pain and efforts in putting that business in good running condition.

Copyright 2008-2009 - PinoyMoneyVantage

MONEYVANTAGE: An Introduction!

DO YOU HAVE DREAMS OF BECOMING RICH?

It was always my dream and everybody's dream to be rich. Not in the sense of being materialistic. All we want is to have everything in our life. Being complete as a person especially becoming mentally, physically, and spiritually rich in a sense. The these three element should be balanced.

Since late 2005, I have taken interest on a lot of things, read lots of books and attended seminar regarding different financial streams and investment as what most rich people do. Just a few of examples are investing into Real Estate, Stocks, Mutual Funds, and venture as an entrepreneur in creating a business as well that could provide cashflow and at the same time provide jobs also. Robert Kiyosaki's Rich Dad, Poor Dad book gave me the insight on his life on how he failed and at the same time succeed in what he does today (engage in real estate and other businesses).

Currently I am into real estate and have been in the industry for the past three years, the property selling business is still good and the demand is high especially for Business Process Outsourcing (BPOs), Filipino-foreigners and Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) who would like to own a piece of the Philippines. The flow of income is great. In comparison to my current job in a different sector outside of my real estate venture, it is twice or thrice bigger than what I have receive from my 15-30 paychecks for the whole year including Christmas and performance bonuses I received from my job combined.

So far, I have diversified some of my earnings through mutual funds, invested in a small business which eventually failed a month ago (I will definitely try another or do the same business again with much improved product and location availability) and will soon dabble into the complex work of the stock market which became an interest for me since 2001 when I was a 19 year old college student. I never learned stock market and understand the stock trading even if I signed up for the virtual stock exchange in the internet for young people in the U.S. and eventually lost interest in it because I have no mentor or no one to teach plus the hectic schedule of being in college and hitting the books all the time ate most of my time.

Later this month, I took great interest again on the stock market when I have seen the ANC News Channel on the free seminars conducted by CitiSecurities, Inc. / CitiSeconline, an Online Stockbrokerage company (www.citiseconline.com) named "INVESTING IN THE STOCK MARKET TODAY" which I have attended a week ago on their head office in Philippine Stock Exchange (Tektite) Building in Ortigas, Pasig City. It gave me a a new things to learn on investing in other stream of income generation even if it running on a bearish market and I am crossing my finger on have a bull run in the next few months before investing a portion of my earnings and savings into the stock market.

Failing is a process of learning, as I have mentioned earlier I failed my first commercial business. Me, my sister and her partner from school have ventured into the Food & Beverage business. We were selling budget friendly pasta and pizza for college kids in a well-known college in the University belt area - Manila. Business was good and picking up in the first few months but somehow, we incurred tremendous losses during the semestral break and Christmas break. It blew our hats off and realized we are heavily loosing money and our capital is bleeding when we finally decided to close our joint-venture enterprise. Somehow we learned how to manage some issues and settle some misunderstanding on what happened but the trials didn't deter us our will and spirit in becoming the young entrepreneurs of the future as in we are making our product better.

So far the most spiritual and inspirational book a I have read was Bo Sanchez's 8 Secrets of the Truly Rich. It emphasizes on the notion that even the poor can become rich in terms of getting out of debt and even fuelling our urge to succeed with God's guiding hand. It awakened me spiritually and I have given thought about why most Filipinos are poor is due to negative thinking of "MONEY IS THE ROOT OF EVIL".

I dreaded that word before, if you read the bible on 1 Timothy 6:10. Money is NOT the root of all evil but "THE LOVE OF MONEY IS THE ROOT OF ALL EVIL" (see entry). That mindset of "MONEY IS THE ROOT OF ALL EVIL" is what is keeping us poor. I am telling you that you can make money your ally and even make your money work for you harder as your slave and NOT being enslaved by money. Through proper financial know-how and also gaining the financial literacy we need as Filipinos. It was so sad on watching it on TV news that 8 out of 10 Filipinos do not have or ignorant on financial literacy and how money works and other things.

I know that our formal education system did not educate us or provided little know how on personal finance is. However, this is fresh start for me and you also in gaining those insights and knowledge that therefore would make wiser decision in your spending habits and at the same time saving something for retirement, for business and even a little something for pleasure once in awhile.

Copyright 2008-2009 - PinoyMoneyVantage