Twilight the Movie – What Makes it Talk of the Town?
If you’re also wondering what makes people abuzz about a movie called Twilight, then I’m not alone. Twilight the Movie is one of the hottest topics in schools today. My friends have all been asking me about this movie because they know I know a lot of information when it comes to movies like these, well not really. I asked them I never heard of this one, but what makes people very curious on this one? Want to know why? Watch Twilight the Movie Official Trailer.
Launch of Pinoy Contests Is A Bright Spot Amidst Global Financial Crisis
As the effects of the global financial crisis are being felt more and more by ordinary consumers, there has been great need for a site that gives people information about contests, promos and freebies. Filipinos can now put a smile on their face amidst all the economic gloom with the timely launch of Pinoy Contests, a new blog which can be viewed at pinoycontests.blogspot.com.
The site features online competitions that residents in the Philippines can enter for them to win prizes, freebies and giveaways. With the ongoing slowdown, people are motivated to hunt for promos and prizes, and Pinoy Contests serves as a useful resource for them in this regard.
New content is added to the blog each day for visitors to be updated with the latest competitions that they can join. As an occasional bonus, helpful tips will also be given for them to improve their chances of winning.
The launch of the blog coincides with the release of MasterCard’s survey results indicating that 70% of consumers in the Asia-Pacific region are more inclined to cut back their spending on discretionary or non-essential items, in light of the worldwide financial crisis. A recent survey by Pulse Asia also determined that 67% of Filipinos are expecting hard times in the coming year.
Thus, visiting sites such as Pinoy Contests where one can win prizes and get freebies seems very attractive and rewarding indeed.
For more information, visit pinoycontests.blogspot.com or email pinoycontests (at) gmail (dot) com.
The new $800 billion rescue plan poised to bail out Main Street
I surfed through CNBC and Bloomberg last night and Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson was once again talking to the press. I do not have the luxury to watch these channels lately unlike in the previous weeks since my wife’s work schedule has now changed back to regular day shift. In other words, she gets absolute control of prime time television.
Nevertheless, the morning news reported what the press conference was all about. Surprise, surprise? Not quite. The Federal government has unveiled another multi-billion bailout package amounting to US$800 billion this time. If you recall, Congress approved last month a US$700 billion rescue plan that was supposed to ease the credit markets for businesses and consumers to gain access to credit. However, half of that amount has already been allocated to the financial sector but the credit markets has yet to fully thaw leading Federal authorities to realize that their plan did not materialize the way they were hoping for.
This new stimulus plan, on the other hand, claims to directly benefit consumers and businesses. Unlike in the first stimulus plan where the government infused funds directly into ailing banking institutions, the new package will buy troubled assets of institutions that are involved in providing student loans, credit cards, and auto loans. Likewise, it will also infuse massive amounts of money to improve liquidity of mortgage lenders Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and Ginnie Mae so that they will be able to service Americans who are planning to own a home but could not gain access to financing because of the credit crunch.
Government wants to make sure that struggling homeowners, who have seen their home equity dropped dramatically since the housing bubble burst, will have a better chance to sell their homes because potential buyers now have access to financing. This is also a welcome news to automakers who are hoping that the stimulus would make it easier for consumers to get car loans, something that they have been desperately wanting since this crisis began as flagging sales has threatened to put them out of business.
Nathan Andrada
nathanandrada.wordpress.com
adbrite – online ads demand drops, cpm shifts to pay-per-click!
As online ads revenues continue to weaken, impression based models are taking a beating. Businesses continue to cut costs and the last thing they need is to advertise without any tangible returns.
Fast forward time, it’s about time that online advertising starts to evolve. We netizens are so constantly bombarded by imprressions that it barely makes “an impresssion” anymore. 2 great new concepts that come to mind are “click stream”and “peer push”.
The Philippines could elect an independent president in 2010
(Last of three-part series)
The global economic crisis would be a game changer next year. If the country falls into a recession or extreme slowdown, there is no way the President’s coalition will stand a chance in 2010. It would be a political suicide for somebody to run for president under the President’s coalition. However, the administration could spend their way out of the crisis in order to show to the people they have managed to cushion the effects of the crisis and end the year with a decent 4.8 percent growth in GDP and probably a 5.5 percent the quarter before the elections in 2010.
This, however, will come at a price because the nation might return to a fiscal crisis because of the government’s deficit spending. But none of this will matter because it is up to the next president to handle, may it come from the administration party or from the opposition. The Filipino public must be reminded, though, that the premise for the imposition of the VAT, which was vigorously pushed by the President’s allies in Congress, is to stabilize the country’s fiscal health and to balance the budget in 2010. At the rate of how events are unfolding in these last few fiscal quarters, a balanced budget may be entirely scratched out of the equation. Congress may be partly blamed for this as they let spending let loose.
Neither can the current administration take credit for their so-called achievement of the highest economic growth in a lifetime because despite growing a little above 7 percent in GDP, a country of 90 million people requires at least 9 percent of growth in order to sustain the population. Their case that the economy was in good hands under their watch is largely contentious.
The expected spike in unemployment, reduction in real income especially among the middle class and those below poverty line will pave way for the people’s increased appetite for fresh policies in terms of taxation and government spending. At the same time, the people will be smart enough not to buy into any divisive rhetoric against the government, which would likely come from the mainstream opposition, because they know better now the harsh consequences brought by extreme political division.
This kind of political climate is ripe for any independent presidential candidate to take advantage. If he or she can make her case to the Filipino people that she can unite a weary and divided nation and has the technical skills to run the economy more efficiently where an economic growth can be achieved that can sustain the current population, that candidate may have a chance.
Liverpool keeps pace with Chelsea despite dropping points vs Fulham
Not the best weekend for the so-called Big Four could hope for in the Barclays Premier League. Neither Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester United, and Arsenal could gain maximum points as they were held by their respective opponents in last Saturday’s fixtures. As it stands Liverpool and Chelsea are deadlocked at 33 points.
Liverpool were clearly not in their usual dominant form in their game against Fulham, a game that ended in a 0-0 draw. The usual sharpness was clearly absent and they were caught a step behind in many occasions especially on the defensive end. It could have been fatigue that was caused by the international friendly fixtures in the mid-week where many of their players came back from international duties. Javier Mascherano, who captained Argentina in their win against Scotland, was constantly out sprinted by Fulham striker Bobby Zamora. Fernando Torres did not have his usual speed and his shots lacked power.
Captain Steven Gerrard’s absence was another crucial blow. He could have made a huge difference especially inside the box. Many times Albert Reira did managed to slip the ball inside the penalty area and had Gerrard suited up, he could have provided more threat to Fulham keeper Mark Schwarzer.
Manager Rafael Benitez’s tinkering with the lineup starting Lucas Lieva instead of the much experienced Xabi Alonso and opting to sit out Gerrard very much indeed proved costly for the Reds. As the game was wrapping up, I could not help but check the Chelsea-Newcastle game which was shown on the other channel because a Chelsea win would have brought them two points ahead. To my relief, Newcastle held their own in Stamford Bridge and ended with a goalless draw of their own.
Liverpool has a midweek Champions League fixture against French Ligue 1 club Marseille and will return to action in England against West Ham United on Monday, December the 1st.
Nathan Andrada
nathanandrada.wordpress.com
Pretty Woman for an essay subject in school?
My friend buzzed me online this morning to ask about my opinion on the movie ‘Pretty Woman’.
I was like, “Huwat??? Pretty Woman? What for?”
Apparently, her younger brother’s teacher assigned the class to write a short essay about the movie as their take-home assignment. I wonder how much our educational system has spiraled downward in terms of quality since my time. I remember when I was in high school, my English teacher gave us take-home assignments that involved studying biographies of great literary figures such as Ernest Hemingway and William Shakespeare, most of the essays we were tasked to write about were on great literary pieces such as Hamlet, Merchants of Venice and the like.
(Continue here)
Tweak Your Blog
Last week, I tried searching for my blog in the Internet. I was able to see some reviews for my blog made by other bloggers. That is really very nice of them. Thank you very much.
With that review, I was able to receive negative and positive comments from them. One of them is the over population of ads and the clutter look of my sidebar. This reviews by the way are made for my Memoirs Of A Certified Blogger blog. Over the past days, I have deleted some of the Project Wonderful ads in my sites and made sure that important widgets are only placed in my sidebar. I also have trimmed down the display of posts to just 10 I think from 20 something.
Hayden Koh Katrina Halili Naked For Belo
Yes you heard me right, Hayden Koh and Katrina Halili went naked for Belo’s Medical Group new web site. Hayden Koh is a medical doctor and was an instant celebrity after pairing with Dr. Vicky Belo. He also appeared on GMA 7’s Celebrity Duets. He did not win the title though. Katrina Halili on the other hand was nothing new with these stuffs. She had appeared on men’s magazines showing her right assets. Her last cover was on Maxim magazine if I am not mistaken. She was also the villain in GMA 7’s Marimar.
Justin Timberlake Beyonce in Single Ladies Parody
I was browsing my friend’s blog when I saw this clip of Justin Timberlake with Beyonce Knowles dancing Beyonce’s latest dance song, “Single Ladies.” Justin Timberlake and the rest of the SNL guys are wearing bathing suits. They look funny. Justin Timberlake can definitely dance Beyonce’s moves.
Here is the music video:
