Health and Safety Certification a Must for Construction Workers in 2010

Health and safety issue is one of the critical concerns of the construction industry in the coming years. In UK alone, construction company and site should be health and safety certified. This means, it is the duty of every employer to assure that every construction site remain a feasible environment for workers.

How can this help the employer? This is CSkill have to say:

"A good health and safety records is everyone's business. Employing qualified workers aware of the all the basic health and safety issues on site, helps to reduce accidents, has a positive effect on your business profitability, reduces downtime and lessens the risk of litigation."

Health and safety accreditation is one of the services offered by CITB-ConstructionSkills to employers who want their employees get the right training. In partnership with the CITB Northern Ireland and the Construction Industry Council (CIC) and the Sector Skills Council for Construction, (Construction Skill) CSkillc offers other construction related accreditation and technical skills improvement.

Visit them at their website.

Vitalstrats Creative Solutions is looking for a Final Cut Pro trainee

This ad just came into my inbox. Should you be interested in working with them, please feel free to contact the details below:

Are you very creative, willing to stay up most nights, and is interested in learning new things?

Vitalstrats Creative Solutions is looking for a Final Cut Pro trainee. Eventually, trainee status will be lifted and promoted to in-house editor.

Applicants may or may not be knowledgeable in FCP but must be very creative and willing to learn. Editing takes a lot of time and we need someone patient enough to learn the technical aspects of editing and come up with creative ideas as well.

Some of our clients include Ford, BPI, Dept. of Tourism, Bangko Sentral, Isuzu, PDSI, St. Paul Manila, Warner Music (music videos), Summit Publishing, and a number of indie filmmakers.

Interested? Email us your contact details at amrei.dizon@vitalstrats. net or contact us at 435-9379 and 435-9289.

Reviewing Life today...

Just a days ahead and another year comes.

One thing I'm greatful about this year is the many lessons I've learned. Though some may have come splendid as special gifts, some also came like a blow. Knowing those things reminds me that everything happens for a reason and this reason should be our ultimate goals.

Reading my life's stories for 2007 is another feather in my cap. Maybe someday I'll tell it to you everything about it.

To those who took the time reading this blog, Thank you!

Happy Holidays!

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Eskwela.com : The Philippine's largest social network for Filipino students

I was invited to join this site months ago.

Eskwela.com is a "social directory for Filipino students and alumni. The webmaster claims that the website contains list of registered students from 1,510 universities, 6,639 high schools, 42,645 elementary schools, and 1,551 companies.

Definitely, Eskwela is one of the promising, and perhaps, the largest online social and networking website for the Filipino students.

This online site can be a good avenue for any Filipino to find long lost friends in elementary and high school days.

To check on the website, log-on to http://www.eskwela.com.

5th Ramon Magsaysay Student Essay Competition is now OPEN

The 5 th Ramon Magsaysay Student Essay Competition has been extended until October 12, 2007. The competition theme is “The Magsaysay Awardee Who Inspires Me Most: the Magsaysay Greatness of Spirit Lives”.

The Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation is inviting high school and college students to take part in the birth centenary celebrations of the late Philippine President Ramon Magsaysay by participating in this contest.

Reference source for students is the Foundation website – www.rmaf.org.ph .

Entries must be original, written in English, with an estimated length of 2-4 pages or 500-1,000 words in length. Deadline for submission is extended until November 20, 2007.

All participants are required to register online via www.rmaf.org.ph . By visiting the Foundation website, secondary school principals and university or college registrars, college deans and department chairs of the participating students also endorse online the students' participation.

Essays should be submitted by email to rsmsec5phil@gmail.com .

For competition mechanics, other information and technical assistance, please contact the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation at 521-3166 or toll free 1-800-1-888-2390

Filipino Americans demand for apology from ABC and Desperate Housewives

This subject is all over the net for several days and the Online petition, as of this writing, is gaining more than 60,000 online signatures.

Started by Kevin Nadal, , knadal@gmail.com, the petition is filed online against ABC -- the creator of Desperate Housewives.

Here is Kevin's Petition for the Filipino people in http://www.petitiononline.com/FilABC/ :


To: ABC

To the producers of "Desperate Housewives" and ABC:

We are writing to express concern and hurt about a racially-discriminatory comment made in an episode of Desperate Housewives on 9/30/07. In a scene in which Susan was told by her gynecologist that she might be hitting menopause, she replied, "Can I just check those diplomas because I just want to make sure that they are not from some med school in the Philippines."

As members and allies of the Filipino American community, we are writing to inform you that this type of derogatory remark was discriminatory and hurtful, and such a comment was not necessary to maintain any humor in the show. Additionally, a statement that devalues Filipinos in healthcare is extremely unfounded, considering the overwhelming presence of Filipinos and Filipino Americans in the medical field. Filipinos are the second largest immigrant population in the United States, with many entering the U.S. (and successfully passing their U.S. licensing boards!) as doctors, nurses, and medical technicians. In fact, the Philippines produces more U.S. nurses than any other country in the world. So, to belittle the education, experience, or value of Filipino Americans in health care is extremely disrespectful and plain and simply ignorant. Many of the hospitals in major metropolitan areas of the U.S. (and the world) would not be able to operate without its Filipino and Filipino American staff members.

As Filipino Americans and allies, we band together to ensure that this type of hateful message should not be allowed to continue on our television and radio airwaves. Given the recent amounts of media attention that has been given to Michael Richards (against African Americans), Isaiah Washington (against gays), and Rosie O'Donnell (against Asian/ Chinese Americans), it is ridiculous that this type of hateful speech made it through various screenwriters, the show's producers, the show's actors, and ABC itself.

We demand a public apology to the Filipino American community, and we demand the episode be edited to remove the ignorant and racist remark. We will not allow hateful messages against our community (or any other oppressed community) to continue.

To sign the PETITION, click this LINK or copy and past this link to your browser: http://www.petitiononline.com/FilABC/

THE BETTER SIDE OF THE PHILIPPINES

INTEL General Manager Robin Martin About the Philippines looks at the current Philippine situation as half full-half empty. Here is what's in his mind:

Filipinos (including the press, business people and myself) tend to dwell too much on the negative side, and this affects the perception of Foreigners, even the ones who have lived here for a while. The negative perception of the Philippines is way disproportionate to reality when compared to countries like Columbia , Egypt , Middle East, Africa , etc.

Let us all help our country by balancing the negative with the positive especially when we talk to foreigners, whether based here or abroad. Looking back and comparing the Philippines today and 1995 (the year I came back), I was struck by how much our country has progressed physically.

Consider the following:

1. The great telecom infrastructure that we have now did not exist in 1995. 1995 was the year the telecom industry was deregulated. Since then billions of dollars have been invested in both fixed line and cellular networks producing a system with over 5,000 kms of fiber optic backbone at a world competitive cost. From a fixed line capacity of about 900,000 in 1995 we now have over 7 million. Cellular phones practically did not exist in 1995; now we have over 11 million line capacity .

2. The MRT, many of the EDSA flyovers (including the Ayala Avenue flyover), the SKYWAY, Rockwell and Glorietta 4, the Fort, NAIA terminal 2 and most of the new skyscrapers were not yet built in 1995.

3. If you drive to the provinces, you will notice that national roads are now of good quality (international quality asphalt roads). I just went to Iba, Zambales last week and I was impressed that even a not so frequently travelled road was of very good quality.

4. Philippine exports have increased by 600% over the past eight years. There are many, many more examples of progress over the last eight years. Philippine mangoes are now exported to the US and Europe .

Additional tidbits to make our people prouder:

1. INTEL has been in the Philippines for 28 years. The Philippines plant is where Intel's most advanced products are launched, including the Pentium IV. By the end of 2002, Philippine operations became Intel's biggest assembly and testing operations worldwide.

2. TEXAS INSTRUMENTS has been operating in Baguio for over 20 years. The Baguio plant is the largest producer of DSP chips in the world. DSP chips are the brains behind cellphones. TI's Baguio plant produces the chip that powers 100% of all NOKIA cellphones and 80% of Erickson cellphones in the world.

3. TOSHIBA laptops are produced in Santa Rosa , Laguna.

4. If you drive a BENZ, BMW, or a VOLVO, there is a good chance that the ABS system in your car was made in the Philippines.

5. TREND-MICRO , makers of one of the top anti virus software PC-Cillin (I may have mispelled this) develops its "cures" for viruses right here in Eastwood Libis, Quezon City . When a virus breaks in any computer system in the world, they try to find a solution within 45 minutes of finding the virus.

6 . Today a majority of the top ten U.S. Call Center firms in the U.S. have set up operations in the Philippines . This is one area in which I believe we are the best in the world in terms of value for money.

7. America Online (AOL) has 1,000 people in Clark answering 90% of AOL's global e-mail inquiries.

8. PROCTOR & GAMBLE has over 400 people right here in Makati (average age 23 years) doing back-up office work to their Asian operations including finance, accounting, Human Resources and payments processing.

9. Among many other things it does for its regional operations network in the Asia-Pacific region here in Manila , CITIBANK also does its global ATM programming locally .

10. This is the first year ever that the Philippines will be exporting cars in quantity courtesy of FORD Philippines. (I have an idea this article was written between 2001 - 2002, so this operation should have been on-going for the last 3 years or so. CYN)

11. The government is shedding off graft and corruption slowly but surely. This is the first time in our history that a former president is in jail and facing charges of plunder. Despite all odds, we are still pursuing the ill-gotten wealth of Marcos now enjoyed by his unrepentant heirs.

Next time you travel abroad and meet business associates tell them the good news. A big part of our problem is perception and one of the biggest battles can be won simply by believing and by making others believe. This message is shared by good citizens of the Philippines who persevere to hope and work for our country.

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TREASURES OF THE SOUTH: Grandest Regional Trade Show on November 30 - December 3, 2007

From the organizers of the esteemed international furniture show named Cebu X comes the largest and grandest gathering of the Small and Medium Enterprises in the Philippines at the Queen City of the South. Organized hand-in-hand by Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industries (MCCI) and Philippine Export Confederation in Cebu (PhilExport-Cebu), the show aims to provide venue for budding markets to meet prospect clients and at the same time feature the best-of-the-best of what the Philippines can offer to the world. Definitely, the show is a testament that Philippine goods and services is, indeed, globally competitive.

The show christened as “Treasures of the South: The best of VISMIN,” To be held in SM City Trade Hall on November to December 3, 2007, will be the first and grandest trade fair that will show the country’s color, warmth, and fascinating blend of influences through arts and crafts made by our Filipino artisans across the archipelago while providing an avenue for small enterprises to be noticed by exporters and distributors.

Open not just for furniture and furnishings industries, the show will also highlight world-class export products and services from different sectors, namely: construction, real estate, fashion accessories, travel agencies, garments, gift items, christmas decors, housewares, financial institutions, advertising, printing, academes, food industries, financial institutions, real estate developers, food industry and creative & advertising agencies.

For budding and aspiring exhibitors, they will avail of the following benefits.
1. Listing in the “regional trade show” website with products and company details
2. Company listing in the show directory which will be distributed during the show.
3. Company will be part of the active database of CFIF and Cebu X
4. 20% discount on any training offers during the 4 day event that CFIF conducts
5. Pre-negotiated rates in hotels for their accommodation.
6. Pre-negotiated rates in freight forwarders or trucking of items

For more information, log-on to www.treasuresofthesouth.com or email us at bert@cebuexhibition.com or info@treasuresofthesouth.com .

CFIF conducts Training on "Effective International Trade Fair Participation"

What’s the most important part in Trade Fair Participation? preparation stage, during the event or the post fair? The answer is: ALL.

Tom Willemse, a CBI Consultant emphasized that every part of trade fair participation is crucial since all part of the pre, on, and post activities of trade participation contributes to the overall performance in attending the fair.

Attended by 22 participants from different companies who are ready to participate in the upcoming Cebu X 2008 show on March 6 – 9, the seminar dubbed “Effective International Trade Fair Participation” is organized by CFIF in cooperation with CBI of the Netherlands. Esteemed Trainor’s Tom Willemse of Intraservice Netherlands and Johan Laman represented CBI and held run-through on the basics of Trade fair participation. The seminar was held in the seminar room of CFIF’s new building along North Road Jagobiao, Mandaue City last September 26-27, 2008.

The seminar also included tackled topics on exhibition strategy, exhibition selection, stand design and decoration, the buying and selling process, getting visitors to your stand and stand behavior. Mr. Willemse and Mr. Laman also gave individual counseling to exhibitor’s who participated the seminar.

The participants we’re Velma Alicaya, Susan Genson, Rowena Alterado, Cecille Genson, and Carolyn Seno of Venus Craft; Bridget mariposa of APY Came, May Sarmiento of PhilExport Cebu, Karla Batiquin of Design Ventures, Inc.m Don Bartolota (Wireworks), Ernst Rama (NCB Industries), Charlene Lim and Jen Siarot Arden Classic, Inc., Charmaine Ong (Angel Whispers Gifts and Crafts, Eric Casas and Agnes Casas (Kirsten International), Carmen Rodriguez (Accessoria, Inc), Cristina Gaston (Hacienda Crafts Co. Inc.), Charmaine Basubas (Diamond Cane International) with Irene Ngosiok, Ruben Licera, Bert Dico, Rosemel Calderon, Lalyn Lumapas, and Marilou Matura of Cebu Furniture Industries Foundation, Inc. (CFIF).

The CBI (Center for the promotion of Imports from developing countries) is an agency of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands. The CBI was established in 1971. Its mission is to contribute to the economic development of developing countries by strengthening the competitiveness of companies from these countries on the EU market. The CBI considers social values and compliance with the most relevant environmental requirements to be an integral part of it’s policy and activities.

IN PHOTO: Tom Willemse and Johan Laman of the Netherlands CBI flanked with some of the participants of the training.

A Home of our Own

Since its humble beginnings, it has always been the dream of the Cebu Furniture Industries Foundation (CFIF) to have its own home. Thirty-four years later, what was once just a vision has now become a reality.

Along the busy lane of North Road Jagobiao in a northeastern city in Cebu rises a new 2-story building. In white hue, the new building best represents the people behind the success of the Foundation: its membership. Situated in a 2,415 square meter lot in Barangay Tungasan, the structure is at the heart of Mandaue City – the home of 60% of the Foundation’s membership.

HOW IT CAME TO BE. The plan of having a home of its own was the product of more than a decade of challenges for the CFIF Board of Trustees. In 1994, the first committee to search for a lot was established. It was unanimously decided that the building be located in the heart of Mandaue City where about 60% CFIF membership is located. CFIF Executive Director Ruby Babao-Salutan recalls: “it was the consensus of the board to locate the building in the ‘center of action.’ ”

The planning and the search for the site were not only the challenges faced by the Foundation. Funding the construction of this building took a long way. Every year since the committee was formed, a portion of CFIF’s savings was allotted for the building of its “home”.

THE “WHITEHOUSE”. The new edifice is the convergence zone of the Foundation’s operations. It houses all of CFIF’s support and service centers: Membership and Advocacy, Market Development, HRD and Productivity, Environmental Management and CFIF Information Centre (CFIF IC).

The lobby is furnished by no less than the renowned Kenneth Cobonpue.

CFIF IC, the business and design information powerhouse of the furniture industry, sits on the ground floor, just next to the lobby area. Furnished by the excellently-crafted furniture of Dedon Manufacturing Inc., which showcased of the Cebuano craftsmanship and German technology, CFIF IC hosts top-of-the-line design and product development materials and market reports accessible to CFIF member companies and other clients. It also prides itself for its Material Collection – a library of swatches and materials used by the furniture industry.

Also on the ground floor is the training area which houses the HRDP’s office and three training rooms ready to accommodate industry-related functions, trainings and other events. Each is capable of providing ample space for 50 individuals with state-of-the-art audio and visual facilities courtesy of the German Development Services (DED). Furnishings of the conference room were provided by Cebu Fil-Veneer Corporation.

CFIF’s dining area will be a special setting by itself with furniture pieces from Classical Geometry Export Trading.

Guests and clients coming to the reception area of the second floor are welcomed by the furniture set by Murillo’s Export International Corp. with lighting and fixtures from Raphael Legacy Designs Inc.. The second level houses the Executive Director’s office fully furnished by Detalia Aurora Inc. Adjacent to this room is the CFIF Board Room dressed with a complete regal boardroom set by Maitland-Smith Cebu Inc.

Sitting right next to the Executive Director’s office is the Membership and Advocacy and Finance and Admin Units’ area. Across them resides the Market Development Unit, whose main function is to run the annually celebrated Cebu International Furniture and Furnishings Exhibition (Cebu X) and the upcoming regional trade fair christened as “Treasures of the South: The Best of VISMIN”.

CFIF’s new building is a new milestone of its history. The Foundation’s new home humbly stands as an epitome of its undying commitment to serve its role: the voice and the primary support organization of the Philippine furniture export industry.

*This article was was published in the 2008 CFIF Annual Report.

Cebu X 2008 on March 6 to 9

Are you a buyer looking for high-end furniture and furnishings pieces?

Or, are you a designer looking for Rembrandt?

Cebu International Furniture and Furnishings Exhibition (Cebu X) is your show. Still to be held at Waterfront Cebu Hotels and Casino, Salinas Drive, Cebu City, Philippines on March 6 to 9, 2007, the show will once again gather hundreds of exhibitors from all over the Philippine archipelago.

After months of research and website development, Cebu X website is now fully operational with the following features:

1. Weekly updated news updates. Want to know the latest news about Cebu X or Cebu X exhibitors whereabouts? For sure, we'll give you the details you want to know.

2. Raw Material Feature. From a bamboo stalk to just about anything, Filipino's has the raw materials necessary to make every furniture and furnishings done in the Philippines special. Every furniture piece tells a story you would love to know.

3. Downloads. Information, forms, application and press details is within reach. Just press the "Downloads" button and you'll have all the information you want.

This year's theme dubbed "Excite!" brings in new blood to Cebu with a more varied yet outstanding presentations that will traverse from classical to contemporary. All it takes is for you to click their website or write simply www.cebux.com in your browser.

Tagged as the "Design Destination of Asia", Cebu X is one of the most sought after furniture and furnishings exhibitions in Asia for it's boutique style presentation which shows every Filipino craftsman's creativity and ingenuity. Cebu X is organized yearly by Cebu Furniture Industries Foundation, Inc. (CFIF) -- the primary support organization of the Philippine furniture export and manufacturing industries.

To register or for more information, please click this LINK or check their website at www.cebuexhibition.com

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