Archive for 'Life In The Metro' Category
Lotte B&W Koala Biscuits and Lotte Chocolate Snack Koala Biscuits tested positive for melamine content. Bfad clears 22 others.
23 October 2008Two more products have been tested positive for melamine according to the Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD). These are Lotte B&W Koala Biscuits and Lotte Chocolate Snack Koala Biscuits.
This latest results bring the total products tested for positive to 6. The other melamine-positive products were : JollyCow Slender High Calcium Low Fat Milk (1 liter);Greenfood Yili Fresh Milk (in Chinese character); Mengniu Drink (in Chinese character); Lotte Strawberry Snack Koala Biscuit.
Meanwhile, 22 other food products tested negative for melamine. These are:
UP and ADMU soar in Top University Rankings
15 October 2008
After the Philippines' dismal showing in The Times Higher Education - QS (THE-QS) World University Rankings the past few years, the Ateneo de Manila Univesity (ADMU) and the University of the Philippines (UP) give the Filipinos something to smile about.
AdMU jumped from 451 to 254, beating out old academic rival UP, which jumped from 398 to 276. The Metro's other top universities, De La Salle University and the University of Santo Tomas also managed to get into the top 500 where they figured in the 401-500 bracket.
Free food from mister donut
6 October 2008It was a normal bird chirping morning as I went to buy some food for the family at Mister Donut. After ordering and paying for my take out, I noticed a sign beside the cash register which read, "If we don't issue a receipt, your meal is on us".
I never liked this ubiquitous notice because establishments with signs like that were obviously trying to convey the message of compliance to the BIR (Bureau of Internal Revenue) but never really explain the exact details as to how a customer is considered to be "unissued a receipt". Do we wait 5 minutes upon consummation of the deal? Do we wait for the customer to walk out the door? Or must the customer reach home first to be considered "unissued a receipt"?
Twas DLSU ADMU at the Filipino Poker Tour Media Bloggers Elimination
2 October 2008
Pokerstars' pinoy poker competition entitled Filipino Poker Tour held their Open Free Rolls for media and bloggers last night at the Metro Card Club, Metrowalk, where playing poker for money is legal.
Over 30 participants responded to the invitation to play Texas Hold 'Em, and there were some crash course lessons in poker for those who did not know their full houses from their flushes.
Christmas shopping ideas (part 1): Personalized gifts
1 October 2008
Its October once again… perfect time to start planning for Christmas gifts. I know, i know… how can I think about spending for Christmas gifts when financial instability prevails. But that's the whole point of this series, to suggest gifts that are thoughtful, useful and most importantly not so expensive.
One way to add a unique touch to your gifts without putting a strain on your hard earned pesos is to give personalized items. There are so many personalized items out in the malls. The more common of which are cups, mugs, hats, towels, mousepads, keychains, magnets, t-shirts, pillows, etc. But let me share with you other newer and unique items I've seen.
Tropical Storm Pablo Update no.7: Signal no. 2 in Metro Manila, Bicol and Southern Luzon provinces
1 October 2008Tropical Storm "Pablo" (Higos) Update as of 5:00 am, Oct. 1, 2008.
Signal No. 2
(60-100 kph winds)
Albay Burias Island Camarines Sur Camarines Norte Marinduque Northern Oriental Mindoro
Batangas Laguna Cavite Rizal Quezon Province Polillo Island Metro Manila
Signal No. 1
(30-60 kph winds)
Catanduanes Sorsogon Ticao Island Masbate Romblon Rest of Oriental Mindoro
Occidental Mindoro Lubang Island Bataan Bulacan Pampanga Zambales Tarlac Pangasinan Nueva Ecija
Nueva Viscaya Quirino Aurora
Oct. 1, 2008 declared as Eid’l Fitr (end of Ramadan) holiday
23 September 20081) An employee will receive his or her regular wage even if he or she doesn't work on October 1, 2008, whether the day is his or her regular workday or rest day.
2) On the other hand, if October 1, 2008 is a regular workday for the employee, and the employee works on that day, he or she gets 200 percent of the regular wage for that day. If the employee works in excess of eight hours, he or she receives the hourly rate for that day (which is 200 percent of his/her regular wage divided by eight), plus 30 percent of that hourly rate.
3) If October 1, 2008 is the employee's rest day, and he or she works on that day, he or she receives 260 percent of his or her regular wage. If the employee renders overtime work, he or she receives his or her hourly rate for that day (which is 260 percent of his/her regular wage divided by 8), plus 30 percent of that rate.
P5 COLA inclusion in minimum wage starts Aug. 28, 2008.
28 August 2008Under Wage order NCR No. 14, workers in Metro Manila will start to receive the additional P5 COLA or Cost of Living Allowance into their daily minimum pay. The P5 COLA will now be included in the computation of the workers' wage-related benefits. Wage related benefits under the Labor Code include the 13th month pay, the equivalent of the 11 paid regular holidays, the five days leave and the premiums under the SSS, Philhealth, HDMF, etc. The minimum wage is now pegged at P382/day for Metro Manila workers.