Monday, July 31, 2006
Sunday, July 30, 2006
The Great Divide
I had been doing a lot of research about the Philippines for my Global Marketing class lately. For our final paper, we were asked to research about the ways marketing is being done at a country of your choice. I obviously picked my country and it was shocking to discover many different facts about the current state of the Filipino poor.
According to a recent article from Xinhua News Agency, the daily minimum wage in Metro Manila is 325 pesos -- less than half of the estimated daily cost of living for a family of six in the capital region, which is 654.96 pesos (15.59 U.S. dollars) a day.
Filipinos who live below poverty line live on an average of Php 35/day, or $0.68 US cents. And according to an independent research organization, 83% of Filipinos live below poverty line. That's 8 out of 10 Filipinos who are living off of much less than how much you tip the bartender in the Meatpacking district who prepared your martini in one night!
Not that I am ignorant about how poor many of my fellowmen are, but it is just shocking to see the real numbers in your face. It is crazy how the great divide between the rich and poor is too evident in this world, and it is upsetting to see how the spoiled little rich kids are not aware of that.
You just thank God you are lucky, that you ended up with a life better than most of your fellowmen. And you join nonprofit organizations -- and make one life a little better every single day. ;-)
According to a recent article from Xinhua News Agency, the daily minimum wage in Metro Manila is 325 pesos -- less than half of the estimated daily cost of living for a family of six in the capital region, which is 654.96 pesos (15.59 U.S. dollars) a day.
Filipinos who live below poverty line live on an average of Php 35/day, or $0.68 US cents. And according to an independent research organization, 83% of Filipinos live below poverty line. That's 8 out of 10 Filipinos who are living off of much less than how much you tip the bartender in the Meatpacking district who prepared your martini in one night!
Not that I am ignorant about how poor many of my fellowmen are, but it is just shocking to see the real numbers in your face. It is crazy how the great divide between the rich and poor is too evident in this world, and it is upsetting to see how the spoiled little rich kids are not aware of that.
You just thank God you are lucky, that you ended up with a life better than most of your fellowmen. And you join nonprofit organizations -- and make one life a little better every single day. ;-)
Sunday, July 23, 2006
Miss Universe Let-down
I can't believe our very own Miss Universe Philippines, Lia Ramos, did not even make it to the first cut!!! (9:40pm ET)
Wow, she won Miss Photogenic!!! Woohoo! (10:24pm ET)
Wow, she won Miss Photogenic!!! Woohoo! (10:24pm ET)
Sunday, July 16, 2006
A Wonderful Feeling
Yesterday, I had an appointment at a fancy bridal gown shop on 5th Ave. to try on some wedding gowns made by different upscale designers. I just wanted to see which style I like best and which one highlights my assets ;-) You just have to be beautiful on your big day!
I was supposed to go with a friend of mine, but she cancelled last minute and I ended up going alone -- which was a little sad for a first-time bride. I had a fabulous experience nonetheless.
My "gown assistant" sat me down and asked me what I wanted in a wedding dress. I told her everything, and we looked like two friends giggling about a wonderful idea. I put my imagination to words... A-line, lacey, dropped waist, chapel train, silk satin, ivory and strapless. I thought it ended there, but there were several other questions about details I didn't even know about! I was impressed. She knows her sh*t. Apparently, she was a Georgetown Law graduate who wanted a career shift to the wedding industry.
She let me scout this huge room of wedding dresses made by different designers. They had it all - at least based on my taste and opinion. There was nothing tacky there, just those in the SALE section. ;-)
My assistant asked me if I wanted a strapless bra and some shoes to wear, and I was delighted that it was part of the whole service! I found 8 different dresses that I wanted to try on, and was pretty excited about them all! The very first white dress that I wore was beautiful. It was a $5,000 gown from Priscilla of Boston. With that price tag, it better be good!
As I went out of the dressing room and looked at myself in the mirror, it struck me right into my head, "I'm getting married!"
My assistant asked me if I wanted a veil to match it, and she put one on me. There it was, the whole shebang. White dress. Veil. Wedding. Marriage. Goodness gracious! ;-)
I shared that moment with nobody but my stranger assistant. I wanted to take photos, but they would not allow it. We tried on the the rest of the dresses, and each dress gave different levels of excitement! Some styles I picked had plenty of chantilly lace, french lace and silk satin. You can see that they are all well-made as all the silhouettes tucked my tummy in very smoothly. And I personally think, that's a challenge ;-) Hehe. Some felt so right, some didn't. I loved it! I felt like a princess! It was a wonderful feeling.
I left the store with a grin on my face, imagining what it would be like when I finally walk down the aisle in a beautiful dress, with my groom waiting at the other end. I could not afford the dresses they had there, but wearing them felt like hitting the jackpot.
I called my mother-in-law after and shared the news, and then we talked about wonderful feelings.
*Shot inside the dressing room.
I was supposed to go with a friend of mine, but she cancelled last minute and I ended up going alone -- which was a little sad for a first-time bride. I had a fabulous experience nonetheless.
My "gown assistant" sat me down and asked me what I wanted in a wedding dress. I told her everything, and we looked like two friends giggling about a wonderful idea. I put my imagination to words... A-line, lacey, dropped waist, chapel train, silk satin, ivory and strapless. I thought it ended there, but there were several other questions about details I didn't even know about! I was impressed. She knows her sh*t. Apparently, she was a Georgetown Law graduate who wanted a career shift to the wedding industry.
She let me scout this huge room of wedding dresses made by different designers. They had it all - at least based on my taste and opinion. There was nothing tacky there, just those in the SALE section. ;-)
My assistant asked me if I wanted a strapless bra and some shoes to wear, and I was delighted that it was part of the whole service! I found 8 different dresses that I wanted to try on, and was pretty excited about them all! The very first white dress that I wore was beautiful. It was a $5,000 gown from Priscilla of Boston. With that price tag, it better be good!
As I went out of the dressing room and looked at myself in the mirror, it struck me right into my head, "I'm getting married!"
My assistant asked me if I wanted a veil to match it, and she put one on me. There it was, the whole shebang. White dress. Veil. Wedding. Marriage. Goodness gracious! ;-)
I shared that moment with nobody but my stranger assistant. I wanted to take photos, but they would not allow it. We tried on the the rest of the dresses, and each dress gave different levels of excitement! Some styles I picked had plenty of chantilly lace, french lace and silk satin. You can see that they are all well-made as all the silhouettes tucked my tummy in very smoothly. And I personally think, that's a challenge ;-) Hehe. Some felt so right, some didn't. I loved it! I felt like a princess! It was a wonderful feeling.
I left the store with a grin on my face, imagining what it would be like when I finally walk down the aisle in a beautiful dress, with my groom waiting at the other end. I could not afford the dresses they had there, but wearing them felt like hitting the jackpot.
I called my mother-in-law after and shared the news, and then we talked about wonderful feelings.
*Shot inside the dressing room.
Monday, July 10, 2006
Lessons from a CEO
Today, I had the privilege of listening to Ann Moore, Chairman and CEO of Time Inc. She spoke in front of all the summer interns, a bunch of idealistic and ambitious hopefuls.
I like her a lot. She is very smart, but very down to earth. She does not try to be high-faluting, her intelligence and sharpness just shone through. I want to be like her someday - perhaps not in the same industry or level, but I would make her one of my (many) role models in career decision-making.
She talked about the current state of the company in a very entertaining way. The powerpoint presentation had more visuals than words, which appealed to us all. Her silly banters were quite witty. For example, she quizzed us on which InStyle Magazine cover sold more copies: Queen Latifah or Gwyneth Paltrow? The room murmured "Gwyneth" in sync. But then, she said " Na-ah! Gwyneth may be a hollywood princess, but Queen Latifah is the Queen!"
I took down plenty of notes and would like to share what I took away from her after that one valuable hour.
a) Do not torture yourself with a job you hate. If you don't like numbers, don't go to a bank. If you hate people, don't get into sales.
b) I've been to Superbowls, the Oscars, you name it! I didn't look too crazy on our 25th anniversary reunion. - (After finishing b-school in Harvard 29 years ago, her classmates were "horrified" and thought she was crazy to get a job in Time Inc. She was offered lower pay, despite getting 13 other more generous offers.)
c) Be patient. Don't be afraid of career jogs. Fill out your dance card. I am now at the top of the pyramid, but I didn't go straight right away. I zigzagged all over the place! And I did for 25 years!
d) Not everyday is a picnic, but that happens anywhere.
e) You all have an obligation to train your replacement. - (On succession planning)
f) Plan long-term. 25 years go by in a blink.
There was also something off-the-record about her experience with the First Lady on board Air Force One. But I'll save that for next time! :)
I like her a lot. She is very smart, but very down to earth. She does not try to be high-faluting, her intelligence and sharpness just shone through. I want to be like her someday - perhaps not in the same industry or level, but I would make her one of my (many) role models in career decision-making.
She talked about the current state of the company in a very entertaining way. The powerpoint presentation had more visuals than words, which appealed to us all. Her silly banters were quite witty. For example, she quizzed us on which InStyle Magazine cover sold more copies: Queen Latifah or Gwyneth Paltrow? The room murmured "Gwyneth" in sync. But then, she said " Na-ah! Gwyneth may be a hollywood princess, but Queen Latifah is the Queen!"
I took down plenty of notes and would like to share what I took away from her after that one valuable hour.
a) Do not torture yourself with a job you hate. If you don't like numbers, don't go to a bank. If you hate people, don't get into sales.
b) I've been to Superbowls, the Oscars, you name it! I didn't look too crazy on our 25th anniversary reunion. - (After finishing b-school in Harvard 29 years ago, her classmates were "horrified" and thought she was crazy to get a job in Time Inc. She was offered lower pay, despite getting 13 other more generous offers.)
c) Be patient. Don't be afraid of career jogs. Fill out your dance card. I am now at the top of the pyramid, but I didn't go straight right away. I zigzagged all over the place! And I did for 25 years!
d) Not everyday is a picnic, but that happens anywhere.
e) You all have an obligation to train your replacement. - (On succession planning)
f) Plan long-term. 25 years go by in a blink.
There was also something off-the-record about her experience with the First Lady on board Air Force One. But I'll save that for next time! :)
Sunday, July 09, 2006
Coach Bag Monogram
I went inside a Coach store on 5th Avenue with a friend a few days ago. Not to shop, but to windowshop and see how far a disposable $50 can go. (Answer: No, it doesn't go very far.)
What is so irritatingly amusing is that people swarm the store to buy overpriced merchandise. I was checking out this China-made $398 travel tote, and the sales assistant happily approached me to see if I needed assistance. I said no, and we were just looking around.
As she was trained to do so, she went on and showcased that that bag I am looking at has a special feature. I can personalize my Coach bag by putting my initials in it for (only) $25 and 10 business days! I pretended to whisper an ooohhh, followed by an aaaahhh. But I thought, what a rip off! That's almost $425 plus tax for a bag that will go off-season in a few months. Not only did the monograms look cheap to me, I thought it is lame to put initials on your purse to "own" it.
I left the store with nothing and a thought. Sometimes fashion is really lame, but there are plenty of lame suckers in this world.
Here's a photo of the bag.
What is so irritatingly amusing is that people swarm the store to buy overpriced merchandise. I was checking out this China-made $398 travel tote, and the sales assistant happily approached me to see if I needed assistance. I said no, and we were just looking around.
As she was trained to do so, she went on and showcased that that bag I am looking at has a special feature. I can personalize my Coach bag by putting my initials in it for (only) $25 and 10 business days! I pretended to whisper an ooohhh, followed by an aaaahhh. But I thought, what a rip off! That's almost $425 plus tax for a bag that will go off-season in a few months. Not only did the monograms look cheap to me, I thought it is lame to put initials on your purse to "own" it.
I left the store with nothing and a thought. Sometimes fashion is really lame, but there are plenty of lame suckers in this world.
Here's a photo of the bag.
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