Monthly Archives: June 2014
How Pinay became Lipa’s ‘lomi queen’ millionaire
MANILA, Philippines – Not being able to read and write did not stop a Filipina housewife in Lipa, Batangas from pursuing her dream of providing a better life for her children.
Natalia To is the woman behind the success of Lipa City Panciteria, a three-decades old noodle house in Batangas known for its “lomi.”
To grew up in Cagayan Valley with six siblings, and was forced to sell food at an early age to help support her younger brothers and sisters.
While her siblings were at school, To said she would help her mother cook at home and sell the finished products during breaks.
“Hindi ako nagsusulat, hindi din ako nagbabasa…N agsisi nga ako na hindi ako nakapag-aral, lahat ng mga kapatid ko nakapag-aral,” she told “My Puhunan.”
As early as then, To would dream of having her own restaurant someday.
But her dreams were put on hold when she married her husband, To Kim Eng, who was fond of playing mahjong.
Opportunity came when during one of the mahjong sessions, her husband cooked lomi to serve their guests.
The authentic lomi recipe became a favorite in the neighborhood, and it didn’t take long for the couple to put up the first lomi house in Lipa.
From just one table, To and her husband’s food business grew. When To’s husband passed away, she continued to run the business, from the buying of ingredients to the cooking.
“Nagtagumpay ako sa sipag ko. Kung hindi ako masipag eh ‘di wala din. May mga iba kahit may kaya gusto lang ako kumain at mag-utos. Ako hindi, talagang nag-tiyaga ako,” she said.
To’s children are now helping in the business, which spawned another noodle house, Lomi King, in Lipa.
“Nagpapasalamat ako sa Panginoon at naawa din sa akin at tinulungan niya ako. Walang wala ako dati talaga, naiiyak ako kapag naaalala ko dati talagang wala. Kahit pambili ng gatas ng anak ko wala, binibigyan lang ako ng mga kapatid ko,” she said.
PH to launch own microsatellite in 2016
The Philippines is blasting off into the space age with the planned launching of its own microsatellite in July ,2016, with the cooperation of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency.
The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) said the space venture is part of the government’s disaster risk management program.
The space program has two components: the Development of the Philippines’ Earth Observation Microsatellite (DIWATA), with a budget allocation of P800 million; and the Philippine Earth Data Resources and Observation Center (PEDRO), with a budget of P600 million, DOST Secretary Mario Montejo said.
DOST’s Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development (PCIEERD) said DIWATA is expected to gather “on-demand and real-time status of the country’s environment, particularly for applications such as disaster risk management, land-use, and aquatic resource assessment and monitoring.”
On the other hand, PEDRO will serve as an earth-receiving station that will “securely receive, process, and exploit and distribute space-borne imagery and derive information from the supported remote sensing satellites.”
The government-owned microsatellite can be used to improve weather detection and forecasts, agricultural growth patterns, and monitor forest cover and the country’s territorial borders, Montejo said.
“We can develop a lot more uses for the microsatellite if we keep on improving its capability to expand its applications,” he added, citing that the Philippines presently relies on third-party service providers and commercial vendors for satellite data and interpretation.
He also said that with a microsatellite and receiving station, the country will be able to gather its own satellite images and other data and not rely anymore on foreign sources.
PCIEERD Executive Director Dr. Rowena Cristina L. Guevarra said DIWATA will be developed in partnership with the Tohoku University and Hokkaido University of Japan.
She said PCIEERD will monitor the implementation of the space program to be implemented by the University of the Philippines.
“We are going to launch the microsatellite development program this coming July. Then, we will be sending seven engineers to Japan for the training with the two universities,” Guevarra said.
From its development to its launch, making microsatellite involves many stages — from making sensors, payload mass, the microsatellite itself, including testing, and finally the launching, Guevarra pointed out. She expressed hope that the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency will allow the DOST to launch the microsatellite in 2016.
Source: http://www.mb.com.ph/ph-to-launch-own-microsatellite-in-2016/
3 mining firms not Filipino-owned, SC rules
MANILA, Philippines–The Supreme Court (SC) has upheld the disqualification of three mining firms from exploration and extraction activities in the country because they were not Filipino corporations.
The tribunal’s Third Division dismissed the petition of Narra Nickel Mining and Development Corp., Tesoro Mining and Development Inc. and McArthur Mining Inc. which had sought a reversal of the Court of Appeal’s decisions dated Oct. 1, 2010, and Feb. 5, 2011.
In its April 21 ruling, the high court determined that the mining firms were not Filipino corporations because a 100-percent Canadian corporation, MBMI Resources Inc., owned 60 percent or more of their equity interests.
The magistrates used two tests to determine the nationality of a corporation—the control test and the grandfather rule which is embodied in a Department of Justice opinion in 2005.
“Shares belonging to corporations or partnerships at least 60 percent of the capital of which is owned by Filipino citizens shall be considered as of Philippine nationality (control test), but if the percentage of Filipino ownership in the corporation or partnership is less than 60 percent, only the number of shares corresponding to such percentage shall be counted as of Philippine nationality (grandfather rule),” according to paragraph 7 of the DOJ opinion.
The Supreme Court considered the “grandfather rule” because “doubt prevails and persists in the corporate ownership of the petitioners.”
Company layering
It also looked into the corporate structure of all three mining firms and found that “company layering” was utilized by MBMI to gain control of McArthur. MBMI also controlled Tesoro and Narra.
“…(W)hether looking at the capital structure or the underlying relationships between and among the corporations, petitioners are not Filipino nationals and must be considered foreign since 60 percent or more of their capital stocks or equity interests are owned by MBMI,” said the 31-page division ruling penned by Associate Justice Presbitero Velasco Jr.
The high court, meanwhile, said it could not tackle the issue raised by the mining firms on the recent sale of MBMI shareholdings to DMCI, a corporation duly organized and existing under Philippine laws and which is at least 60 percent Filipino-owned.
The mining firms had told the high court that they could now be considered to be Filipino-owned because the transfer of their shares cured the defect of their previous nationality.
The Supreme Court said that it could not tackle this new manifestation by the mining firms because it was pending in another division of the court.
Read more: http://business.inquirer.net/173856/3-mining-firms-not-filipino-owned-sc-rules#ixzz36A4igVpI
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NEW REGULATIONS OF UAE AFFECTS DEPLOYMENT OF FILIPINO DH
The United Arab Emirates have issued a new unified contract law for domestic workers since the beginning of June 2014. The Ministry of Interior have contacted the embassies of the largest exporter of domestic workers namely Philippines, Indonesia, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka for the clarification on the confusion of the new rules.
In this new law, the rights of the domestic workers are protected under a binding contract between the employer and the housemaids. The Ministry will directly supervise the implementation of the newly modified contracts to make sure that both parties will perform their duties and responsibilities. The embassies of these countries need not to attest it because it will be under the duties 0f UAE authorities.
The new contract intent to assure transparency and renders legal security for both parties as well as to modify the legal procedures, to save time and effort and establish their working relationship.
However, the Philippine embassy did not agree with the new implementation because of the difference in labour policy. The verification of contracts for Filipino domestic helpers is under the law and it is strictly followed to protect the workers before the approval for deployment.
Philippine Labour Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz clarified that there is no deployment ban, but the suspension of this verification of contracts for household workers by the UAE has affected the scenario. No Filipino domestic workers were deployed since June 1, thus resulting to the shortage of household employees. Filipinos are the most in demand household worker in UAE because they are hard working, can speak English and doesn’t cause much trouble, according to a hiring agency there.
Baldoz believed that the two governments will find an agreeable arrangement for both parties like that of the Philippines and Saudi Arabia. The UAE government has disclosed enthusiasm to discuss the issue with the Philippines and the latter have agreed to engaged in the talk.
Can a franchising business be beneficial to an OFW?
MANILA, Philippines — Exactly three decades ago, I was an Overseas Contract Worker (OCW).
At that time, all Filipinos leaving the country under a contract were known by those three letters.
A world of opportunities suddenly opens up not only for the Filipino worker but for his entire family as well.
The primary reason why Filipinos migrate is due to the lack of job opportunities at home. There is an oversupply of skills and talents, and a lack of demand on the other hand.
Instead of trying to force one’s self into the crowded market, many opt to take their chances overseas. This may be done through legal means or the so-called TNT (Tago Ng Tago) or always hiding.
The journey begins when family and friends go to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport to bid farewell to the OFW. Tears, hugs, kisses and high 5’s can be seen all over the departure area.
With the hope of a better future, the immediate goal of the OFW is to uplift his family’s standard of living, In the provinces, there is a surge in the sales of house-and-lots. Caravans of real estate agents from different companies would conduct selling missions in almost all OFW-occupied countries.
However, OFWs need to seriously plan for their future. Many countries nowadays are implementing “nationalization” programs, which aid their citizens getting jobs, which have previously been occupied by foreign workers.
One alternative for OFWs is to explore the franchising business.
But can the franchising business be beneficial to an OFW?
By definition, franchising is a method of getting into business under an existing brand and provided support by the owner. Compared to a start-up, the trial and error is much less. The owner, otherwise known as the franchisor, faced many obstacles during the initial stages of the business. During such process, he was able to arrive at identified products, services, the right procedures, customers and most important is the profitability.
One challenge for OFWs is making a firm commitment of managing the franchise. This is a crossroad. Most OFWs would still want to return to their jobs overseas and earn more money. For his family to manage may mean giving their commitment as well. The success of the franchise business is total confidence in the business concept. It is not enough to like the product and give the required investment. The franchisor expects a firm and serious commitment.
From my experience meeting many OFWs, I noticed most of them like “cramming.” Like during schooldays when the exam dates are getting near, it is the only time one forces one’s self to study.
There are OFWs who like procrastinating or postponing for tomorrow what is important. There are those who are afraid of even discussing such scenario. One thing I learned in my overseas exposure is there is always an end to everything. The great and fantastic benefits will soon end. If no savings and preparation are done for the unexpected return or end of contract, it may be too late. There are those who enter into any business just so to earn.
One great benefit franchising may offer is having a business under an established brand. There is also back-up support by the franchisor and his team.
However, the OFW must do a careful study as well as exerting effort in learning about franchising. This is not like going to a supermarket and picking up the business of choice.
Unfortunately because of the lack of study, the impulsive action leads to a greater mistake and at times falling victims to some franchise scams.
On July 5 (Saturday), I am giving two half-day sessions of seminars. The first session is focused for those who are planning to invest in a franchise business. The second will be for entrepreneurs exploring how to further expand. The venue will be at the Asian Institute of Management (AIM). Seminar fee for each session is P549 or US$12. For further information go to http://www.ariva.com.ph
Source: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/business/06/27/14/can-franchising-business-be-beneficial-ofw
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