If a picture paints a thousand words..

If this line from a famous 'Bread' song says it correctly here, then Jimmy Paule is in real trouble. Mr. Paule was believed to be the real connection to the Joc-joc Bolante Fertilizer fund cam. If Bolante is the 'mastermind', then Paule is the 'manipulator' who provides the key to most of the facts being held off by Bolante himself. But Bolante and Paule seem to have mastered the art of evading truth: Bolante by sporting a sober face, and Paule by denying knowledge of the key players in the alleged scam even if they had posed for 'posterity' in this picture below.

The witness, Leonicia Llarena (the birthday celebrant here), identified them as —(from left) Redentor Antolin, Jimmy Paule, Leonicia Marco-Llarena, Paule’s wife and daughter, Marilyn Araos and Julie Gregorio.

Paule, a businessman tagged as the fund “manipulator,” also suggested that his image was superimposed in the photo introduced at the resumption of the inquiry into what Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile summed up as a “grand conspiracy to defraud the government.”

“The picture speaks for itself, the picture paints a thousand words,” Gordon said of the photograph showing Paule attending the 50th birthday party on Aug. 23, 2004, of Leonicia Llarena, alleged financier of the so-called “farm inputs/farm implements” under the fertilizer scheme.

Amid these difficult times, the Filipino people is treated with yet another 'big show' in the Senate. I call it as such (short of 'moro-moro' or circus) until some real big fishes in the thick of fund scams (qualifying as plunders) are jailed. Except for Estrada, who earned his liberty too soon, we have yet to see some big plunderers of this country's wealth land in jail for the longest time ever.

The real challenge for the government is to confiscate the plundered wealth and return them to where they once belong and punish the plunderers. But sad to say that some people in government are too afraid to act for fear that the next 'show' will be theirs.

Obama steps into history

Stepping into history, Barack Hussein Obama grasps the reins of power as America’s first black president in a high-noon inauguration amid grave economic worries and high expectations.

Braving icy temperatures and possible snow flurries, hundreds of thousands of people descended on the heavily guarded capital city yesterday for the first change of administration since the terror attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

But what does he bring with him? High hopes and expectations, and vision for change as he rallied around people and called on more actions than celebrations. The economic crisis and the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq are the tallest orders for Pres. Obama.

As has been often said, no President can deliver alone, but if the membership of his economic and policy advisory team is an indication, then Pres. Obama is in for a good start. Let's have our fingers crossed as Pres. Obama fulfills his vision of a "better world in our time".

Donald Trump and Apprentice Celebrity Edition 2

The first celebrity edition of The Apprentice was such a great success, that is why Donald Trump will be doing it again in March this year. And what a line he got for the second installment of celebrity apprentice!

To be honest, Trump does not really need celebrities to pump the show’s ratings or earnings, it is doing well by using ordinary people to compete for the opportunity of being his apprentice. But being the brilliant businessman that he is, Trump knows that with celebrities as prospective apprentice, he could make a killing.

Although in the first season, the celebrities were working to raise funds for their favorite charities, and not really for Trump. But that is just for the apprentice’s part, as for the ratings of the show and its benefit – it still Trump’s.

The second season also will see the apprentice raising funds for charity. So you see, it is after for a good cause.

Two things working for the show here, one of course is the celebrity factor. People love watching celebrities. The second factor being curiosity – does these celebrity people really have some business sense in them? How would they fare when they enter the world of Donald Trump? Would their status matter to Trump?

Too many questions, which can only unfold as the show progresses.

We all know that in reality shows, there are either one or two contestants who seemed to take the villains role. You know to spice things up. And of course, Trump realizes that. That is in the second season of celebrity edition of The Apprentice, he puts it lots of potential villains, and I mean lots of them, who might not only stir the show, but even give it a great shake-up.

Let us first see the line up of this year’s celebrity apprentice:

• Clint Black – Country Singer
• Andrew Dice Clay – A famous 80’s comedian
• Annie Duke – Professional Poker player
• Tom Green – A Canadian actor/comedian and former MTV host
• Natalie Gulbis – Professional golfer
• Scott Hamilton – Former ice skater
• Jesse James – Custom bike builder who was also a former host of a reality show
• Claudia Jordan – She is the holder of the No. 1 suitcase in “Deal or No Deal,” which a press release say is “indicative of her rise in the business”
• Khloe Kardashian – youngest of the Kardashian sisters who also has their own reality show
• Brian McKnight – R&B singer
• Joan Rivers – Comedienne
• Melissa Rivers – Television host and Joan’s daughter
• Brande Roderick – Former Playmate of the Year, also co-starred in Snoop Dog’s “Hood of Horror”
• Dennis Rodman – Former basketball player and winner in “Celebrity Wrestling Challenge.”
• Herschel Walker – Former football player
• Tionne Watkins – member of TLC, more popularly known as T-Boz

Indeed, such an interesting line up. While most seems to be unheard of, at least on our part of the globe, some surely rings a bell like the singer Brian McKnight, and who doesn’t know Rodman?

Personally, I am curious how Rodman, also known as “The Worm,” would do his stuffs in the show or what will happen when he comes face to face with Donald Trump. And would the poker player in Annie Duke bluff her way to avoid being fired? Would Joan Rivers impose her motherly authority on Melissa Rivers when it is required in the boardroom or even during implementation of the tasks? Hands down though, I’m sure many people would be rooting for Brian McKnight.

Those who have seen the first season of the celebrity edition, will definitely look forward to this second edition of the show. Honestly, I haven’t seen that first season because I missed the buzz. I just followed it through YouTube. But definitely, I won’t miss this one. Or if I will, for some reasons unknown for now, then, I can always depend on YouTube.

Dates to Remember (Holidays) for 2009

In December last year, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo signed Proclamation No. 1669 declaring the official list of regular and special non-working holidays for 2009. This list was released recently by Malacañang to provide guidance to business and institution in their planning for the year.

As per Proclamation no. 1669, the list for this year’s holidays is as follows:

Regular Holidays:
April 9 – Maundy Thursday
April 10 – Good Friday
April 6 – (Monday nearest April 9) Araw ng Kagitingan (or Day of Valor)
May 1 – Labor Day
June 12 – Independence Day
August 31 – National Heroes Day
November 30 – Bonifacio Day
December 25 – Christmas Day
December 30 – Rizal Day

Special non-working days:
August 21 – Ninoy Aquino Day
November 1 – All Saints Day
November 2 (additional special non-working day)
December 24 (additional special non-working)
December 31 (additional special non-working day)

A separate proclamation declaring a national holiday for the observance of the Muslim feast Eid’l Fitr will be issued on a later date after the approximate date of the Islamic holiday has been determined in accordance with the lunar calendar. Other region-specific Muslim holidays will be observed as proclaimed by the Office on Muslim Affairs or the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

Palace officials however said that the schedule could still be amended, which could mean more “holiday economics” announcements from the administration. Press Secretary Jesus G. Dureza said that the President can still declare additional holidays whenever necessary.

Mrs. Arroyo, for her part, has justified the moving of holidays as an economic stimulus. Declaring December 24 and November 2 as holidays would greatly strengthen Filipino families and in effect would boost domestic tourism.

Donald G. Dee, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chairman Emeritus welcomed the holiday list. When asked about the possibility that the President may declare additional holidays, Mr. Dee said “I have the confidence that the President will not exercise her authority irresponsibly.”

Meanwhile, Makati Business Club Executive Director Alberto A. Lim believes that long weekends can benefit the economy but said Malacañang should stick to its list. “What business does not like is the sudden declaration of holidays,” he added.

In 2007, Mrs. Arroyo signed Republic Act 9492, a law which allows for the movement of holidays and traditional non-working holidays as much as practical and necessary.

Of Shopping Malls and Pinoys

Who are the personalities behind these malls?

One trait that cannot be taken away from the lifestyle of the Filipinos is being a “shoppaholic” and they are really impulsive shoppers too - meaning they care less for what's there left for tomorrow as long as they can take all that they want for the day. In fact, if one's basis is the number of people who mill around and shop at malls, one would say - there is no room for the financial crisis in the Philippines.

Shopping Malls are in the system of Pinoys. Whether they have to buy something important, watch movie, have lunch or just to have coffee, the shopping mall usually is the first thing that pops-up in the minds of the Filipinos. But wait, did you ever care to know who are the people behind these giant establishments that we Pinoys can't do without?


Let’s get to know who are the people behind these malls in the Philippines. Let’s also see who was able to make it to the top and who weren’t able to give justice to their business.

The successful ones are:

1.THE AYALA’S

The Ayalas caters all the side of the economy. From the richest people to the masses. Ayala Land for example, offers a variety of real estates available for all the sectors of the economy. From condominiums to subdivisions (Avida Land) to the lowest form of Real Estates, Shopping Malls.

Ayalas shopping malls does not only caters the richest of the nation, but also those from the economy side. Ayala Malls showcase diverse shops, some are even brands from other countries. This is shown in the place where it is said, that the Ayalas transformed into business district, Makati City.

2.HENRY SY

Unlike the Ayalas, Henry Sy appeals and focus to one sector of the economy, the masses. If Ayala Malls are in the range of As, most of the time, in terms of customers, Henry Sy are in the Bs.

We are all witness how SM Malls boomed the country. In just 50 years in existence, SM became the mall for everyone.

The SM Investment Companies now are involved into many subsidiaries already, to name some, we have China Bank, and now with arrangement with ABS-CBN.

3.JOHN GOKONGWEI, JR.

He started selling soaps, candles, and other goods in an early age of 15. And at the age of 19, he is already involved in importing products from the United States. His retail business now reached the total revenues of P3.4 billion. Which also includes some of his ventures like, Cebu Pacific Air, Robinsons Savings Bank and Digital Telecommunications Philippines, Inc. (more popularly known as Sun Cellular)

4.GAISANO’S

The South is always regarded as something that is a little primitive, but the Gaisanos changed that view of the people. The family, which is most of the time coined as the “Ayalas of the South” started venturing out businesses in the south part of the country. DSG Sons Group, Inc. now operates biggest malls in Mindanao and Visayas.

And the not so successful ones:

Unfortunately, there are also some who wasn’t able to enjoy and reap a not-so-good fruits from their hardships. We have Jose Go and Jimmy Gow.

Jose Go, caters the masses from the masses. Probably can be described as those belonging in the classes D and C.

Ever Emporium was opened on C.M. Recto. Most of the customers are students since during the 1970s that place is considered to be the University Belt. The mall was a success that made Go opened another 4 malls.

Like Henry Sy and the Ayala, Go also ventured on real estate and formed Gotesco Land in 1996. However, the Asian Crisis of 1997 hit his business, leaving him a multi-billion debt.

Jimmy Gow like Jose Go, decided to focus his markets to the classes D and C. The low-income market of Gow and Go made them yield a low-income revenue as well. Uniwide Sales, the mall owned by Jimmy Gow, now reached an amount of P11 billion in debts and considered to be the biggest bankruptcy in the Philippines.

2009 is not what tellers of fortune say..

If we are to believe the foretune-tellers, 2009 is somewhat gloomy in terms of the economy especially on the first quarter, so they say. But I say 2009 is not what these tellers of foretune (or rather, prophet of doom?)say or guess about. For one, the first quarter of the year is merely a drag-on effect of the last quarter of 2008. And what did we have in that part of the year? The prices of crude oil slowly but gradually went down and inflation stood still. That was really good enough.

Now assuming and upturn in the prices of crude oil, and say even inflation, is indeed the trend in the first quarter of 2009 - these would not be too drastic as to create a chaotic situation in the early part of 2009. It will behave the same way. As it went down slowly and gradually it will go up the same way. At the same time we don't discount the efforts of our economic managers in the government to try to cushion the effect of such an increase in prices if it happens. Overall, there is really nothing to worry within the first quarter of the year.

An event to watch would be how the Obama administration can effectively handle the US economic recession. Whatever happens in that corner of the world is important for us as we are not exempted from its effect on the global economy. But having prepared for that situation quite extensively before he even assumes the Presidency, Pres. Obama is likely to succeed in handling the US financial crisis. What is not certain is how fast the US economy would be able to recover from such situation.

Nevertheless, with right attitude, optimism and the right economic prescriptions, the Obama administration is expected to bail out the US economy from further recession. In the Philippines, let's hope that for one last time the Arroyo administration (with all her economic background, minus her attitude) shall go for a sound legacy to leave before she steps down in 2010.