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Last minute plans, leave applications and vacation bookings ensue this time of the year, especially when all you’ve done is work for the past three months. By this time, I know of a lot of BPO companies who have not done their annual summer company excursions yet. May and June are usually the months when BPO companies get out of town for summer team building activities. It is also the time when the denied leave applications from holy week get their requiem. Unfortunately, the weather is pretty erratic as the season transitions from dry to wet. Not to worry as in this issue we have prepared a quick guide that will get you in and out of town faster than your longest handle time.

This issue is all about the procrastinated vacations and making them happen just before the wet season goes on full tilt. In our fashion section, we display Soak’s latest collection, this will surely help if you are in the market for new swimwear. While our health section features an easy to follow guide to get toned for that

beach trip arranged on the 11th hour.

Starting this issue we are proud to announce that Rap Yu will be our official cover photographer. Rap Yu is also from the industry making After Call - truly by BPO people for BPO people. We would like to expand this by inviting BPO employees to contribute to our magazine in any way possible. If you want to get involved in our magazine in any way, just shoot us an email: aftercallmag@yahoo.com or simply post a message oin our facebook wall: http://www.facebook.com/AfterCallMag.

Gratitude,

Bayan de la CruzEditor-in-Chief

Publisher’s NoteThe Bishop bill, as I’d like to call it, also known as the Call Center and Consumer Protection Bill is gaining some traction. Last month, it was reported that it gained some 100 sponsors! I’m not sure what our lobbyists and the Indian lobbyists are doing there, but what does this say about them? I hope they are doing whatever it takes to stop this bill as the failure of this bill is actually more valuable to the Philippines than the Scarborough Shoal in the next five years. I hope the Filipino lobbyists have as much resolve as our military as the next five years of positive GDP and per capita income growth rely on this.

On a more positive note, Credit Lyonnais Securities Asia (CLSA) – a leading independent brokerage and investment group has seen their crystal ball and predicted a consistent 9% growth for our middle class, crediting this to the BPO and the tourism industry. In my article “BPOs: The Rise of the New Middle Class” we discuss this further. Going back to the Bishop bill, it only covers outsourced

voice work, and since American legislators have been attacking the industry every election year, BPO companies doing business in the Philippines have been aggressively branching out to non-voice. Actually, of the $ 11 billion earned by the industry last year one fifth came from non-voice. A report from BPAP entitled “The 2011 Growth Report” tells us more about this.

All in all the trend is still looking up, but it is up to us to make sure the trend progresses. It is up the BPO entrepreneurs, executives, managers down to the rank file and especially the BPO lobbyists. Let us display true leadership in our roles no matter how insignificant they seem. In doing this, I’m sure brighter times will come our way.

Best,

Pio GranadaPublisher

Pio Granada Publisher

Bayan de la CruzEditor in Chief

Brian LuBusiness Development Director

ContributorsWriters

Dr. Jon Abaquin

Greg Yan

Ellen Landicho

Chris Angeles

David Bicierro

PhotographersRap Yu

Caloy Crencia

Layout and DesignDetremier Villones

THE LOOK AND FEEL OF THE OUTSOURCING INDUSTRY

Editor’s Note

On the Cover:Janelle Olafson

Photo by: Rap YuHair and make-up by: Jessa

AreejStyling: Donna Chua

Swimsuit: Soak swimwearAccessories: Stylist’s own

The Business Processing Association of the Philippines (BPAP) announced recently that the Philippine information technol-ogy and business process (IT-BP) industry ended 2011 with US$11 billion in revenues, or 24% higher than in 2010, and employed 638,000, or 22% more employees in the same period. “We hit the targets projected in our Road Map 2016,” pointed out new BPAP president and CEO Benedict Hernandez. “This is a good start to our five-year plan to grow at average of 20% a year—above projected global annual growth rates of 10% to 15%.” At a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 20%, IT-BP will become a US$25-billion industry by 2016, contributing about 9% of GDP and capturing 10% of the global IT-BP market share, Hernandez added. The country’s world No. 1 status in contact centers was further strengthened by impressive growth reported by the Contact Center Association of the Philippines (CCAP), also headed by Hernandez. The contact center sector ended 2011 with 416,000 employees providing US$7.4 billion in services to the world. Already the largest contact center hub in the world, the sector posted a healthy 21% growth in 2011 and remained the largest sec-tor of the Philippines IT-BP industry at 65% of total industry. The Healthcare Information Management Outsourcing Association of the Philippines (HIMOAP) also produced impressive numbers that combined expansion and a first attempt to measure healthcare information management outsourcing (HIMO) services being done across a range of business process companies. A preliminary survey indicated that as much as US$277 million worth of HIMO services were provided to global end-users from the Philippines, with the sector employing 24,700. Philippine Software Industry Association

(PSIA) president Nora Ter-rado reported a high 37% growth in revenues from IT outsourcing, compared with just 11% in employment growth. Anecdotal indica-tors also point to strong demand for Philippine IT

services into 2012. The Animation Council of the Philippines, Inc., (ACPI), however, revealed that the sec-tor lost out to some contracts as global com-petition heated up in back-room animation services, particularly from countries like China that subsidize animation operations. ACPI re-ported that its sector shrank by 10% to US$128 million in revenues in 2011 but it maintained its headcount at about 8,600 animators. ACPI has been running its annual animation competition, Animahenasyon, for the past 4 years to encourage local animators to produce original animated films and cartoons. Some of the winners have been featured on local cable channels such as the Knowledge Channel. The Game Developers Association of the Philippines (GDAP) reported that their first competition also uncovered many young talented game developers. GDAP members have also produced games that have gained followers in the online world. The game development sector grew by 13% in 2011, reaching US$8 million in revenues and employing almost 1,400. Raymond Lacdao, BPAP’s Executive Director for Industry Affairs, added that companies providing engineering services from the Philippines saw a 5% increase in revenues and employment in 2011 ending the year at over 9,000 employees providing US$172 mil-lion worth of services. This is a second consec-utive year of positive growth after a contraction in 2009, reflecting a recovery in global markets for construction and engineering design. Finally, BPAP Senior Executive Director Gillian Virata reported that non-voice BP and knowledge process (KP) services grew by 24% in 2011 to over US$2 billion in rev-enues and almost 130,000 employees. “These numbers are somewhat deceptive because we reclassified a chunk of high-value, non-voice services to HIMO,” explained

Virata. Overall, Virata pointed out that the data shows that the industry has been steadily moving into high-value services. “This year there was a relatively sharp spike in the revenue-to-employee ratio for ITO and also for HIMO (compared with the ratio for transcription), which increased the ratio over-all for total industry.” This trend is in line with BPAP’s growth plans which are aligned with government’s plans for the industry. Hernandez concluded by acknowledg-ing that hitting the industry’s targets for 2016 would “not be possible without the strong government support that we are now expe-riencing.” Government has already granted ₱450 million in subsidies for training through the Technical Education and Skills Develop-ment Authority (TESDA) led by Secretary Joel Villanueva. DOST’s ICT Office (ICTO) Deputy Executive Director Alejandro Melchor III also reported that ₱350 million has been allocated by the ICTO to support the IT-BP industry. The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) has also approved the offering of BPAP’s Service Management Specialization Track starting June 2012 and has allocated about ₱125 mil-lion to SUCs to implement IT-BP programs. BPAP has also received support from Budget Secretary Butch Abad, Education Secretary Bro. Armin Luistro, Labor Secretary Linda Baldoz, Trade Secretary Greg Domingo, PEZA Director General Lilia de Lima, BOI undersecretaries Adrian Cristobal and Cristino Panlilio, as well as from legislators such as Senator Edgardo Angara and Congressmen Freddie Tinga and Roman Romulo. “The support has been overwhelming and we are beefing up our team and resources to be able to effectively manage the programs that we have developed and that government is supporting,” explained Hernandez. “With this support, comes great responsibility; we are investing in resources that will ensure we make good on our commitments to government and all our other development partners. “A key success factor,” Hernandez added, “is our ability to engage our members and other stakeholders in these programs as volunteer leaders and team members, sponsors, and contributors.” (

The 2011 BPO Growth ReportComplete 2011 Results of BPO Sub-industr ies

Arvato AcceleratesGlobal BPO growth with Manila expansion

arvato inaugurates newly expanded Manila facility. Global business process outsourcing (BPO) partner arvato inaugurated its newly expanded facility in Manila, which supports multimillion-dollar BPO programs for some of the world’s leading brands. arvato has developed its Manila presence over the last four years to provide multi-lingual, multi-geographic, 24/7 support across a range of services, including revenue processing, query management and customer services.

arvato announces Manila expansion. Global business process outsourcing (BPO) partner arvato announced the expansion of its Manila operations to support its strategy of providing secure infrastructure, high-quality dedicated client teams, and best practice frameworks for global organizations. The Manila site, located in Eastwood City, Quezon City, now also serves as Microsoft’s second offsite facility in Asia.

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As part of IBM’s centennial in 2011, IBMers in the Philippines set out a year-long adventure that paid tribute to its rich history and challenged employees

to continue this legacy by helping shape the company’s future. Dubbed as the Centennial Celebration of Service (http://www.ibm.com/ibm100/service), IBMers participated in various community-building activities. This meant going beyond the four corners of their cubicles and exploring possibilities to make the world work better for clients, industries, communities and of course –IBMers.

“Innovative, dedicated, and collaborative. IBMers have transformed the company into what it is today,” remarks Cassandra “Candy” Soto, Philippines

Delivery Leader for IBM Global Process Services. “We make sure to strike a balance in an individual’s career, through a fulfilling job, developmental opportunities and of course - a lot of fun along the way. IBM’s greatest asset is the IBMer. That’s what we have always strived to uphold, and will continue to champion into the next century. An advocate of community projects herself, volunteerism has become such a way of life for Candy that even family and friends have been influenced to do their part for society as well. In fact, Candy rallied her teams towards various community-based advocacies by participating in some initiatives herself. The activities offered IBMers an opportunity to bond, make a big difference to peoples’ lives, all

IBM’s Centennial: A Year- Long Celebration of ServiceLeadership in Action

“Innovative, dedicated, and collaborative. IBMers have transformed the company into what it is today.”

Last July, IBMers in the Philippines came together at the La Mesa Ecopark for the Big Blue Jungle, for a family fun fair and tree planting activity

IBM volunteers joined Kariton Klasrum, a project headed by CNN Hero of the Year 2009 Efren Penaflorida.

while living out company values.

Kariton Klasrum

Kariton Klasrum is a volunteer teaching program for urban poor children who otherwise would not have had the chance to get a basic education. If the name rings a bell, Kariton Klasum is the much-celebrated program formed by 2009 CNN Hero of the Year, Efren Penaflorida.

Iskul Blue Kool

Employees established a home-grown program called Iskul Blue Kool, which aims to enable college students with basic workplace skills, such as Corporate Survival and Presentation Skills. With training materials and presentations in hand, the 300-strong team went to various universities in Metro Manila and empowered over 700 students.

Brigada Eskwela

Employees were not afraid to get their hands dirty, either. In partnership with the Department of Education’s Brigada Eskwela program, IBMers adopted two (2) dilapidated schoolhouses, and completely refurbished them. The result? Bright and stimulating facilities, just in time for the school year.

Big Blue Jungle

Finally, at the Big Blue Jungle, 1,000 IBMers,

with their families and friends, worked together to reforest 800 tree seedlings at the the La Mesa EcoPark and partake in a family fun fair set in the site’s picnic-ready facilities.

Glam Rock Year-End Celebration

What better way to cap off this historic milestone than with a rockin’ year-ender? Last December 4, IBMers donned their best rock star ensembles and headed to the World Trade Center for Glam Rock: The IBM Global Process Services Year-End Gathering. Senior leaders opened the event with a look back at 2011. Highlighting the business’ accom-plishments, it was an opportunity to thank employees for their commitment to IBM’s success. In line with IBM’s innovation-driven culture, special awards were given to employees who made significant contributions to the business. IBM community grants were also awarded to various employee volunteer groups on behalf of their chosen partner organizations. Never short of talent, Glam Rock was also the culmination of a year-long talent competition, IMPACT. The winners, along with the IBM Dance Crew got the crowd pumping by performing energetic dance numbers onstage. IBMers were also treated to concert-worthy performances by theater actor and recording artist Gian Magdangal and singer CB Automatic, himself an IBMer. International fashion model Sandra Seifert, joined by several IBMers, were the nights’ hosts. (

International fashion model Sandra Seifert, joined by several IBMers, were the nights’ hosts.

Glam Rock Year-End Celebration

8

Lito Tayag, Country Managing Director of Accenture in the Philippines, received the award on behalf of the Company’s approximately 24,000 employees. This is the second time in the Awards’ history that Accenture won the title, also being the very first recipient of the award in 2007. Convergys Philippines Services Corporation, represented by Victoria “Ivic” Mueco, the Company’s Country Manager for Customer Management Operations, was proclaimed BPO Employer of the Year. Also a consistent finalist throughout the Awards’ history, this marks Convergys’ third time to win the much-coveted award: First in 2007 and then again in 2009.

Other winners of the night were HSBC. Electronic Data Processing Philippines for Shared Services Excellence of the Year, Maersk Global Services Center (Philippines) Ltd. for Most Innovative BPO Company of the Year, IBM for Non-Voice Excellence of the Year, Ingram Micro Shared Services Center for Fastest Growing BPO of the Year and Hewlett-Packard Asia Pacific (Hong Kong) Ltd. Phils. for a newly institutionalized category – Quality Program of the Year. To ensure that the best new industry players are also recognized, the Award-giving body recognizes the Best New BPO Locator of the Year. This award was brought home by Tata Consultancy Services (Philippines) Inc. Topping-off the list of awards is the

ICT Individual Contributors Award which were given to three of the most respected personalities in the Philippine IT-BPO sector: Virgilio Pena, Monchito Ibrahim and PEZA Director General Lilia De Lima. These awardees were honored for over 10 years of valuable contribution to the ICT industry. During his speech, Richard Mills, Chairman of the ICT Awards, urged fellow non-Filipinos to stand up and pay homage to the hundreds of thousands of Filipinos who tirelessly work day-in and day-out to make the ICT industry in the Philippines what it is today. The crowd obliged in a standing ovation reinforcing a shared and strong belief that the Philippines is now a global force in business process outsourcing.

Global management consulting, technology management and outsourcing company Accenture in the Philippines bags the International ICT Awards Philippines 2012 BPO Company of the Year Award in ceremonies held at the Marriott Hotel Manila last March 29, 2012. Over 500 guests from the country’s IT-BPO sector were present in this most prestigious sectoral awards jointly organized by the Business Process Association of the Philippines and the Canadian Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines.

The International ICT Awards 2012

From L-R: Lito Tayag – Country Managing Director, Accenture in the Philippines; Cassandra Sotto – Director, Business Process Delivery for Philippines, IBM; Alex Wozniak – General Man-ager, Ingram Micro Shared Services Center; Kristina Beckendorf – Managing Director, Global Delivery Lead Liner Operations & Head of Business Relations Management, Maersk Global Services Center (Philippines), Ltd.; Monchito Ibrahim; Virgilio Peña; Noel Mendoza – Director, Global Deliver Center, Hewlett Packard Asia PAcific (Hong Kong) Ltd., Phils.; Vikram Singh – Country Manager, Tata Consultancy Services (Philippines) Inc.; Carlo Jose – President & Head of GSC Philippines, HSBC Electronic Data Processing Philippines; and Victoria Muego, Country Manager for Customer Management Operations, Convergys Philippines Services Corp.

9

The Winners1. BPO Company of the Year: Accenture in the Philippines

Accenture in the Philippines is a global management consulting, technology services and outsourcing company and have achieved great strides in growing the business and its capabilities. The year 2011 saw a 25% increase in total export revenue driven by high growth areas in emerging technologies, such as analytics and cloud computing, and new capabilities in Healthcare and Finance. Headcount also increased 25% from 20000 to 25000 employees where they have a strong comprehensive leadership development program. The combination of world industry leadership, growth in the Philippines, as well as the companies premier commitment to developing Philippines as a global destination of choice are reasons Accenture in the Philippines has been selected BPO Company of the Year.

2. BPO Employer of the Year: Convergys Philippines Services Corporation

Convergys employs over 28,000 people in 17 contact centers making the Philippines the largest site based headcount in their world-wide operations. Convergys is also the largest private employer in the Philippines and targets employee centric facilities and services. Each year, dedicated engagement teams per site facilitate more than 30 employee engagement programs. Convergys has also made a commitment to integrity for all employees and was the first BPO company to commit to the Integrity pledge in 2011. These are just some of the reasons Convergys has been chosen as BPO Employer of the year

3. Shared Services Excellence Company of the Year: HSBC Electronic Data Processing Philippines

HSBC Electronic Data Processing Philippines offers diverse and complex lines of services covering knowledge process outsourcing, voice and non-voice to 55 countries across 4 regions. HSBC reinforces the positioning of the Philippines as a global leader in Finance & Accounting Outsourcing. Employing over 5,700 professionals in the country, their success is proven by the significant revenue growth year after year. They are a strong supporter of development of Filipino talent for global career opportunities and play an important role assisting future investors in their start up plans by opening their doors to corporations looking at setting up shared services. The combination of growth in revenue and employment, in addition to critical and multi- faceted scope of functions they provide, highlights HSBC Electronic Data Processing Philippines as Shared Services Excellence Company of the Year.

4. Non-Voice Excellence Company of the Year: IBM

IBM provides a broad range of high value non-voice services to its global customers. In the Philippines they provide Non Voice services to 46 clients who are leaders in their respective industries, 31 of those belonging to Fortune 500. In 2011, IBM launched EPIC (Enterprise Process Innovation Continuum) which utilizes a holistic, analytics-driven methodology to provide continuous innovation for their clients’ business processes. With their service delivery anchored on Innovation and Process Excellence, IBM has made itself relevant and a leader in the local BPO community. It is for these reasons that IBM has been chosen as Non-Voice Excellence Company of the Year

5. Best New Locator of the Year: Tata Consultancy Services (Philippines) Inc.

In 2011, TCS inaugurated its first BPO Delivery Centre in the Philippines, which is also their first BPO centre in Southeast Asia. The Philippine BPO expansion achieved double revenue growth and increased their full time employees by over 300%. The Philippines (Manila) Global Delivery Center of Tata Consultancy Services is a strategic growth unit within TCS with focus to build capability to serve global clients worldwide through the Philippines.

6. Fastest Growing BPO Company of the Year: Ingram Micro Shared Services Center

Ingram Micro Inc., a Fortune 100 company, is the world’s largest technology distributor and a leading technology sales, marketing and logistics company for the IT industry worldwide. The previous year yielded unsurpassed organic growth in Ingram Micros’s operations in the Philippines with a 40% growth in associates, significant growth in

revenues and a depth of service lines has highlighted its selection as the Fastest Growing Company of the Year

7. Most Innovative BPO Company of the Year: Maersk Global Services Center (Philippines), Ltd.

Maersk Global Services Centre in Manila (MNLGSC) is one of five global shared service centres of the A.P. Moller-Maersk Group. In line with its vision to be the leading shipping line when it comes to environmental, sustainability and reliability, Maersk Line has made an innovative approach and widened its focus to include what happens while the vessels are at sea. The Energy Efficiency team was created in 2011 in pursuit of gaining benefits on fuel savings, sustainability, and being environment friendly for the entire Maersk Line network. Maersk Line decided to move the team’s location to Manila and the team now monitors a total of 600 vessels and currently sends analytical stakeholder reports to their operations around the world.

8. Quality of the Year Program: Hewlett-Packard Asia Pacific (Hong Kong) Ltd. Phils. ROHQ

HP Asia Pacific started in the Philippines in August 2003. Their focus is on promoting a culture of quality and process maturity. Beyond obtaining numerous quality certifications in the past year, their quality and continuous improvement projects are complex in nature and all were directly related to business operations. They have led the way in partnering with industry peers to form an ITSMF Chapter in the Philippines that aims to provide visibility and access to a global network of service management practitioners. HP Asia Pacific invests heavily and has been in the forefront of driving quality programs to continue to remain competitive. This highlights their selection as the winner for this year’s Quality program of the Year Award.(

ICT Individual Contributor of the Year Virgilio Pena

Virgilio Peña or “Ver” was the Chairman of the Commission on ICT in 2004-2006. Prior to his appoint to said position, he was Undersecretary for ICT at the Department of Transportation and Communications and concurrent Executive Director of the Information Technology and e-Commerce Council (ITECC) under the Office of the President. He also served as Presidential Assistant on ICT in 2001. He is currently the President of Everest Academy and Chairman of Altius Phils. Inc.

Monchito Ibrahim

A familiar face in the BPO industry, Ibrahim is currently with the Department of Science and Technology – Information and Communications Technology Office (DOST-ICTO) as Commissioner, he also served in the same position at the now defunct Commission on Information and Communications Technology (CICT), which the DOST-ICTO replaced, until June 30, 2011.

Lilia De Lima

Appointed as the first PEZA Director-General in 1995, Atty. Lilia De Lima has served as the Director-General and Vice Chair of the Board of the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) for over seven years now. It was in her maiden year of service when investments in Philippine economic zones increased five-fold to P52.5 billion from year-ago level.

BPOs: The Rise of the New Middle ClassBy Pio Granada

Last year, according to BPAP, the industry earned $ 11 billion in revenue - a 24% improvement from its 2010 performance. So the question is, shouldn’t all call center and BPO professionals be rich by now? As of 2011, the industry employed about 638,000 individuals. Let’s say for the sake of argument 50% of the $ 11 billion went to salaries of 638,000 people. If that is so, the average income of a BPO professional would be $8,620.69 per capita for 2011, that’s Php 362,068.97, if you are a call center agent this figure probably comes pretty close to your gross income last year and if you are a supervisor, you’re probably around Php 100,000 richer than the average BPO bear. According to the National Statistics office the average income of a Filipino family is Php 206,000. I repeat, that’s FAMILY INCOME not individual, meaning our average BPO bear is approximately Php

156,068.97 wealthier than the average family.

The Eagle Flies AgainAccording to the Credit Lyonnais Securities Asia (CLSA) report done by Mitzi de Dios entitled the “The Eagle Flies Again,” it is highly possible that the BPO industry will grow to a 1.2 million work force and will hit its target of $25 billion by 2016. This alone should motivate Filipinos to stay home as the income per capita is to increase in the following years and ignite continuous growth for the country’s middle class. The report also said that the middle class in

Philippines has been growing at an average of 9 percent per year and by 2015 the middle class will represent one fifth of the country’s population. The report attributes this growth both to the tourism and BPO industries. This is concrete research data that show BPAP’s goal of growing the industry to $25 billion by 2016 is not at all a pipe dream, and this is coming from a very credible body. The report continues, “For sure the country’s middle class is still nascent, especially in areas such as investment. Most have their savings in fixed income and have yet to invest in equities in a big way.” In the early ‘90s, President Ramos deregulated the telecom and banking sector. According to this report, this may have paved the way for the birth of the BPO industry by the turn of the century, and thanks to this, gross domestic product (GDP) growth averaged 4.54 percent for over a decade now. CLSA says that this GDP trend will be higher by 2013. The CLSA also said, “The

country’s economic growth has lagged its regional peers. But, without much fanfare, the economy has transformed itself into an emerging services center, laying the foundations for today’s growth.”

In a nutshell, what the report says is that the BPO industry is one of the main pillars of the Philippines GDP growth, and this has spurred the expansion of the country’s middle class over the past decade. A strong middle class is what the country needs to grow more and display stellar economic performance. The BPO industry is supplying exactly this, but

what does it take to be in the middle class? Is the average BPO bear really a member of this club? To be sure let’s hit the numbers.

The Middle Class DefinedTo be considered a member of the middle class according to the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB), your household should have an annual income ranging from Php 251,283 to Php 2,045,280, live in a domicile made of strong materials, a refrigerator and own a radio. Honestly, I don’t know how the radio got in there. At any rate, here the pay grades of voice and non-voice BPOs before taxes with no night differential, or any other perk:

Call centers• Entry Level Customer Support Agents - $300 - $400• Experienced Customer Support Agent - $450 - 500• Team Lead Agents- $550 - $700• Project Manager or Assistant

Manager - $900 - $1,400

• Manager - $1,500 - $2,500

Non-Voice BPO Salaries• Entry Level from average school - $350• Entry Level from top schools - $450• Experienced - $600 - $900• Very Experienced - $1,000 - $1,500• Project Manager - $1,500 - $2,000

According to http://www.worldsalaries.org the average Filipino salary in all sectors is Php 10,719 per month. Entry level call center agents are paid at least Php 1,000

“To be considered a member of the middle class according to the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB), your household should have an annual income ranging from Php 251,283 to Php 2,045,280, live in a domicile made of strong materials, a

refrigerator and own a radio.”

11

more than the average Filipino worker. Every year, a low end rookie voice agent, gets a basic pay of Php 151,200, being paid $300 a month at an exchange rate of $42. Add this agent to any household that lives in a decent house, owns a refrigerator, owns a radio and earns more than Php 100,000. Presto! You’ve got a middle class family, and we are just talking about basic pay here. Including the other perks like 13th month, allowances, bonuses, hazard pay and night differential, the annual pay can easily balloon to over Php 250,000. If you don’t believe me and still feel you’re poor because you blew your salary on a recent Boracay trip, just check your pay slips and do the math. By now, everybody knows working in a BPO automatically puts the average BPO bear on a higher pay grade than most employees. The findings in this article are meant to concretize this belief and slap awake whoever is still in denial. Some people still look on to overseas work as the solution to their financial woes and complain of the lack of lucrative employment oppurtunities within the country. Whilst, just under their noses is an industry hungry for their talent and willing to propel them out of poverty without the hassle of leaving the Philippines. The fact is the middle class is alive, and they are working in the Philippines as BPO professionals. So if you work in the industry even as the new guy, be grateful as you are part of this emerging middle class and don’t have to go through any long distance thing with the people you love. However, if you don’t own a radio, I’m afraid that the NCSB thinks you’re poor. (

Harte Hanks Reports Q1 ResultsFor the three months ended March 31, 2012, the company generated free cash flow of $9.9 million, up slightly from $9.6 million in the prior year’s first quarter. Capital expenditures for the quarter were $3.1 million compared to $4.4 million in the prior year’s first quarter.

Commenting on the first quarter performance, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Larry Franklin said, “We had a solid performance in Direct Marketing, with revenue and operating income decreasing 1.2% and 2.0%, respectively, reflecting the marketing strategy changes being made by a large long-standing retail customer, as we mentioned in the fourth quarter. Revenues and operating income slightly exceeded our expectations for the quarter. These results reflect a good performance in our retail and pharmaceutical revenue verticals and our agency and contact center services.

“The Shoppers first quarter revenue rate of decline of 5.9% was lower than the previous four quarters. The first quarter is cyclically the lowest revenue quarter of the year. Operating income declined $1.1 million. The 2.2% postage increase in late January coupled with continuing paper price increases throughout 2011 accounted for 80% of the operating income decline in the quarter. We are experiencing the savings from the organizational changes made in Shoppers during the third and fourth quarters of 2011. We expect to see the rate of revenue decline decrease through the year, and we should see profit improvement for 2012 from the 2011 cost savings and continued operating efficiencies from the structural changes.”

Discussing the performance of individual business segments, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Doug Shepard said, “Direct Marketing revenues

decreased $1.6 million, or 1.2%, in the first quarter of 2012 compared to the first quarter of 2011. These results reflect a decrease (as a percentage) in the low teens from our financial vertical compared to the first quarter of 2011. Our pharmaceutical vertical experienced revenue growth in the mid single digits and our retail vertical grew in the low single digits. Our high-tech vertical declined in the low single digits and our select vertical was flat compared to the prior year quarter. Operating income margins were 11.2% versus 11.3% in the first quarter of 2011.

“During the quarter, Shoppers revenues increased for the automotive, communications and consumer spending sectors, but decreased for the real estate, services and restaurant sectors.”

Concluding, Franklin said, “In the last call we said we expected the 2.2% Direct Marketing revenue growth in the fourth quarter to continue into 2012, that our profits would likely be down in the first half, and we would show slight revenue and profit growth for the year. Based on our first quarter performance this is still our expectation for Direct Marketing. In Shoppers, we are optimistic that the changes that have been made will lead to higher profits in 2012.” (

Harte-Hanks recently opened a recruitment office in Market!Market in Taguig City. (standing from left) are Kyle Kennedy, Group Managing Director of Harte-Hanks, and Ben Chacko, Country Manager Harte-Hanks, (seated from left) are Bud Melchor Executive Director of the Department of Science and Technology-ICT Office, and Elmer San Pascual, Philippine Economic Zone Authority Public Information and Promotions Head.

Sources:-Philippine economy seen heading toward high-growth path, CLSA study sees start of private investment cycle by Doris Dumlao (http://business.inquirer.net/46553/philippine-economy-seen-heading-toward-high-growth-path)- http://www.neda.gov.ph/devpulse/pdf_files/Jan%2015%202007%20shrinking%20middle%20class.pdf- http://www.worldsalaries.org- NSO: http://www.census.gov.ph/

Trevor Friesen: After Call Magazine Leader of the Quarter

The Friesen Legacy

Genuine leader, family man, corporate visionary and a former Marine, Sitel General Manager for PHANZ (Philippines, Australia and New

Zealand): Trevor Friesen is at the helm of Sitel 2.0. He is steering the company from merely focusing on operational excellence to an organization that brings equally remarkable results for its employees, clients and shareholders. Having 18 years of BPO experience and starting in an entry-level position, Trevor is the man for the job. He has a proven track record that spans from partnerships with countless Fortune 500 companies and keeps it all balanced. For him, success doesn’t end in the workplace and should continue to one’s personal life. He believes that leaving a legacy behind is paramount to be considered to have led a positive life. At first glance, Trevor may seem reserved, unapproachable and emits that the presence of authority. Get to know him and you will understand how genuine he is and why he can motivate employees simply through his presence and actions. With a fast mind, broad industry experience and military discipline Trevor is the kind of man who brings value to partnerships, focuses on operational excellence and improves organizational leadership. Having almost unparalleled results in the industry, After Call magazine is pleased to announce its leader of the quarter – Trevor Friesen.

Humble BeginningsTrevor began his call center career when he was leaving the military. He responded to a job ad just like most people in the industry. Referring to his rough start, he says, “[When I started] I was the subordinate person so I received the absolute worst shift available. I was working in the US and given a schedule from 5:30 PM to 2:30 in the morning. My schedule was from Tuesday to Saturday, which left little time for my family, but I stuck with it.” Early on to be successful, Trevor knew that he had to treat his call center agent post more than a job – but as a career. When asked the difference between a job and a career. He answers, “It is all attitude and behavior that sets the two apart. Those that pursue a career think about what they can do to better their selves professionally and improve the position of their company. A career requires professionalism, problem solving, and innovation. The professionals find themselves with pride [in their work] they are inquisitive and constantly looking for development plus continuous improvement. I was trying to be professional in

what I was doing. Simply put, a job is for those that follow a process for the purpose of collecting a paycheck.” Not long, because of this outlook, he was promoted to be a supervisor, then to a workforce position and eventually into his first senior leadership designation as a site director. Trevor comments, “I received experience from the various positions I held. I was patient and took time to master what I was doing before pursuing the next step. I knew I was ready for leadership when those working for me where, themselves, promotable. Too many people today focus on what is next rather than what is right in front of them. Opportunities and recognition will come from the results produced.”

Trevor’s Competitive EdgeTrevor doesn’t just want Sitel to be the best BPO company in the industry. What he wants is for Sitel to become a world class company, a Starbucks or an Apple, which other executives look up to and wish their company was just as impressive. He said, “We want to build Sitel into a company that our employees are proud to work for, and people are attracted to because they believe in what the company stands for. We also want our clients to consider us to be invaluable, and they chose to do business with us because we are an excellent partner.” He sees the BPO competitive landscape as ‘highly commoditized at the moment’ and advocates that to be successful; any BPO company needs a unique value proposition. For Sitel, he believes that it is Sitel 2.0 that provides it. The simple shift from focusing on just being an operationally excellent call center to prioritizing the goals of their clients’ that provides them value is Sitel’s differentiator. He thinks that the key is to understand not only the business objectives but to realize the competitive landscape of customers and how Sitel can provide solutions that give his clients the advantage from a CRM standpoint. He considers himself to be a highly competitive person. He believes that defeat is simply having somebody else more prepared. Stating the importance of preparation, Trevor said, “It is especially disappointing when as a team, and me as an individual, were not ready for an event, whether it was going after a new client, or in personal life having a contest that I’m trying to win.” Learning from this experience, Trevor and his team focused on business development and went on to win more clients for Sitel. It was only last year that Sitel was elevated by PEZA to the hall of fame as an outstanding employer. Only a

By Pio Granada

Photo by Caloy Creencia

select few are awarded this honor as it takes a long list of credentials and at least three PEZA accredited industry awards to get to this point. Achieving this award shows Sitel’s leadership is at the zenith, the objective from here forward is to build on that momentum. He believes that this big win was a team effort and wants to give credit to Sitel as a cohesive unit.

Work-Life BalanceTrevor is a dedicated family man. He has a beautiful Brazilian wife and two sons. Every weekend he makes sure he spends quality time with them. An enjoyable pastime is cooking, which his family likes to do together. He sees to it that all their needs are met and that all members of his family are enabled to pursue what makes them happy. In keeping himself fit, Trevor hits the gym 2 to 3 times a week and keeps healthy food accessible. For him, happiness means a genuine feeling that his family is secure and that they are provided everything to be successful themselves. At work, he sincerely cares about Sitel’s employees, he wants them to feel this through the company’s initiative to “Mean More”. In the end, the objective is to properly balance all employee, client, and shareholder goals. If employees desire to work for the company, clients see the value of doing business with Sitel, and that the company’s objectives are being met, then according to him that is happiness.

Vision and LegacyWhen asked, “What kind of legacy do you want to leave?” Trevor answers, “Being recognized and respected as a word class leader would be nice. However, to be considered a person that has made a positive impact on all those around me, including my family would be great.” He continues, “Do you leave behind a legacy of integrity, ethics, respect, and admiration? My vision is to help my family better themselves, make sure my kids are healthy and educated. To continue to work towards what success looks like for me at work and at home, and to have happiness all around me.” He elaborates, “Happiness is a level of comfort and security. Security in that I know there is [a sense of] accomplishment [in my work and personal life], a focus on providing value and encouragement. That others look at me as an inspiration rather than look at me as somebody they have to follow because of a position I hold or because I tell them to do something. I want people to work with me because they believe in me. I want them to emulate my behavior – my vision and passion for success. I am a very competitive person, so happiness [for me] is when you can walk away from life or business, and say that I’ve accomplished all my objectives, I’ve produced results in the company, in my community and the people I touched are better for it.” (

“Early on to be successful, Trevor knew that he had to treat his call center agent post more than a job – but as a career.”

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Last Minute Summer:

Four Fantastic Quick Weekend Getaways By Pio Granada

“Winter is coming…” says Ned Stark from the Game Thrones, and just as true for the Philippines the wet

season is almost upon us. The clock is indeed ticking , and you haven’t hit the beach all summer long.

Leave application, after leave application has been denied. Your absences are at the limit, another one

would see your promotion down the drain. You’re on the edge, nearly burned out. Caffeine has lost its

jolt, you’ve become numb to nicotine, and every workday your nerves feel they are about to give way to a

breakdown – you need to disconnect.

Finally, you choose one of your weekends to detox,

but you have no idea where to go on a limited time.

It’s crunch time , and it’s time to commit to a break. It’s

a matter of do or die, and that’s death by an exploding

aneurysm in the arms of your next irate caller. In this

case, one of Hunter S. Thompson’s quotes come to

mind, “Buy the ticket and take the ride.” This is exactly

what you have to do when you absolutely just have to

get out of town in a flash.

Here, are four quick junkets that are only about two

hours away from Manila either by land, sea or air.

That’s faster than braving the weekend traffic to the

usual Tagaytay quick weekend getaway. These four

escape routes will get you out of Manila faster than

your longest call. So bring out the weekend warrior in

you and book the trip.

1. Batanes

Batanes maybe the northern most province and seems a millennia away, but in reality, it’s just an hour and 45 minutes away by plane. Although, the plane ticket can cost as much as Php 15,000 but

believe me, it’s worth it. Going to Singapore might be cheaper, but seeing breathtaking highland landscapes comparable to only to the ones seen in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, combined with pristine white sand beaches and Ivatan culture in the Philippines is an experience not to be missed.

A three days and two nights itinerary is already enough to explore the 3 main islands – Basco, Sabtang and Itbayat, however to maximize your time, take the plane ride if you are going to Itbayat. This will save you time and from getting seasick from the boat ride going to the Island, as it infamous from making most of its passengers use barf bags – even some of the locals are not spared.

When in Basco, make sure to rent a motorbike, there is nothing like feeling the fresh wind in your hair while touring the island’s unique landscapes and lighthouses. In Sabtang, make sure to tour the beaches and visit the limestone houses.

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4. Guimaras

2. Carabao Island, Romblon

3. Real, Quezon

Take the Caticlan flight but this time you’re not going to Boracay. But why shouldn’t you? You can party yourself out on Saturday, ferry back to Caticlan and take the boat to Carabao Island. Here, you can detox

the alcohol for a day and live like Robinson Crusoe, as this island is what Boracay looked like about 40 years ago. There are already plans to develop this island. Right now, to experience Carabao island at its finest, the thing to do is bask in this Island’s virgin paradise as much as you can. So better book that flight ASAP.

What? Quezon in two hours? By land? The answer is yes, and this is actually the closest surf break to Metro Manila. If you love to surf then you probably know about this beach. If not it’s a great place to learn,

you can book lessons here with the Philippine Surfing Academy (http://www.philippinesurfingacademy.com/). If surfing isn’t really your thing you can head to Balabag falls for a picnic. You can stop by the road side wet market, buy fresh seafood and ask them to cook food for you, much like your local dampa (seafood market-cum-restaurant). The seafood in Real is amazingly fresh, from tiger prawns, to blue marlin and almost any salt water fish you can think of is available here. Real offers a fresh water chill or the salt water rush of a five foot wave. Take your pick. At any rate, due to its proximity to fishing villages, eating fresh seafood here can’t matched by any Dampa in Manila. Another plus factor is you can jump off to Polillo Island if you have the time to spare.

Catch a plane to Ilo-ilo, take a cab to the Ortiz port in the city, board the boat to Guimaras, and in less than two hours you’re in Guimaras. With white sand beaches and islets that tend to have their own character, this

destination is unbeatable, especially if you want to disconnect. Out of the main town of Jordan, there are only a few hotels available. Some people opt to just camp it out in the beaches or islands. I was lucky enough to have relatives to stay with during my trip there. So, unfortunately, I can’t recommend a hotel here; however Baras beach resort seems to be a good place to stay. When it comes to Island hoping make sure you visit Ave Maria islet and Baras cave island. The Baras cave was really interesting, when I was there, the boatmen were able to park our pump boat inside the cave and hang out there while the afternoon sun raged. Snorkeling, island picnics/parties and just plain chilling out are the doctor’s orders here. Finally, don’t forget to try the mangoes.

Travel

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Lying at the heart of the Asia-Pacific region is the Coral Triangle, a spectacular underwater world brimming with wealth of unparalleled proportions. The Coral Triangle is the planet’s richest center of marine life, the nursery of the seas. Few reefs within the Coral Triangle can rival the productivity of the Philippines’ own Tubbataha Reefs, located in the Central Sulu Sea in Palawan. Tubbataha, touted as the crown jewel of the Coral Triangle, is a project site of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Philippines and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This April, WWF-Philippines national ambassadors Marc Nelson and Rovilson Fernandez went on a five-day diving expedition to do hands-on conservation work at the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Marine Park. Onboard WWF-Philippines’ research vessel M/Y Navorca, Marc and Rovilson stood at the front lines to ensure that the reefs remain pristine for generations to come. “I’m an avid scuba diver and Tubbataha has some of the best diving in the world. Being able to see sharks and turtles on every dive and even running into a whale shark underwater is proof positive that WWF’s conservation efforts in the area is a success,” says Marc. Since Marc and Rovilson were named WWF-Philippines national ambassadors in October 2010, the dynamic duo has led a slew of activities to create more awareness about the Philippine environment’s immense biodiversity. These activities include WWF environmental education sessions to help empower thousands of public school students to become young stewards of nature.

The Tubbataha Experience

The twin atolls of the Tubbataha Reefs lie in the middle of the Sulu Sea, approximately 160 kilometers southeast of Puerto Princesa City in

Palawan. The reefs are only reachable by boat, a journey which takes 10 to 12 hours and is only attempted from mid-March to mid-June. Entry to the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Marine Park without proper clearance is strictly prohibited. Tubbataha spans more than 97,000 hectares and hosts approximately 600 species of fish; 360 species of corals (approximately half of all coral species in the world); 14 species of sharks including the ferocious tiger shark; 12 species of dolphins and whales; a nesting population of endangered hawksbill and green sea turtles; and over 100 species of birds, including rare migratory birds. “During our trip, we saw spinner dolphins, black and white tip reef sharks, stingrays, manta and eagle rays and a whale shark, which is rarely seen in Tubbataha. Such sightings manifest the excellent health of these waters,” says Rovilson. “Best dive ever!” exclaimed Marc after seeing the four-meter juvenile whale shark. Marc has been diving since he was 11 and has had hundreds of diving trips around the world. Marc and Rovilson likewise interacted with rangers from the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Marine Park, the best-managed offshore marine protected area in the country. The ranger station stands on a sandbar in Tubbataha’s north atoll. The rangers ensure that Tubbataha’s waters are protected from illegal fishermen and poachers. “They also maintain a steady watch on the licensed dive boats in the area and are trained to come to their aid in any emergency situation,” adds Marc.

The Tubbataha Reefs: Ensuring Food Security

But the Tubbataha Reefs go beyond being a Mecca of Philippine diving. The reefs’ rich marine biodiversity also ensures an ample food supply for over 20 million Filipinos, who depend on fish

as a source of protein. The Tubbataha Reefs’ twin atolls produce fish biomass of at least 200-tons per square kilometre. This is five times greater than the productivity of a healthy reef. “Tubbataha is the seeding and growth area of the fish stocks for Palawan and the Visayas. Without this protected area, fish would not have the opportunity to grow to maturity and repopulate other areas,” says Marc. Adds Rovilson, “With a burgeoning Philippine population, escalating food prices, and unmonitored unsustainable fishing practices, it is only imperative that we protect the Tubbataha Reefs. As ambassadors of WWF-Philippines, we want to raise more awareness about Tubbataha so we can better safeguard this cradle of marine life.” Home from their trip, Marc and Rovilson are more determined than ever to protect the Tubbataha Reefs plus other critical ecosystems in the Philippines.(

“We are privileged and proud to represent WWF, the world’s largest independent conservation organization. At the same time, Marc and I also carry the responsibility to communicate the need to protect the Philippine environment’s fragile beauty,” concludes Rovilson.-

WWF Ambassadors Marc Nelson & Rovilson Fernandez Do Marine Conservation Work in Tubbataha ReefsBy Gregg Yan

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Thousands get treated to an overload of pizza goodnessFilipinos really cannot get enough of the better-than-ever Greenwich pizza. The Philippines’ favorite pizza chain in the

country creates a better than ever pizza with the Ultimate Hawaiian Overload, another exclusive Greenwich offering to make pizza lovers crave for more. To add excitement to the introduction of Greenwich’s latest offering, the Greenwich Pizza Blowout, a nationwide free sampling of the brand’s newest pizza flavors, took place to bring the ultimate enjoyment to all pizza lovers nationwide. Thousands lined-up to get a free taste of the delicious product. “We have a great-tasting product

and we want to share this with our customers,” shares Melo Del Gallego, Greenwich brand manager. He also adds, “The Ultimate Hawaiian Overload pizza gives this popular flavor a new twist. As this is the favorite of Filipinos, Greenwich has made the Hawaiian pizza experience better than ever.”

Greenwich brand ambassador, John Lloyd Cruz, made a number of store visits around Metro Manila to see first-hand how avid Greenwich followers are enjoying the new Ultimate Hawaiian Overload pizza. During his rounds, the sought-after actor gamely conducted the “Barkada Crust Course” wherein Greenwich customers were given the chance to make their very own Ultimate Hawaiian Overload pizzas.

John Lloyd led the participants to experience how to make the Greenwich Overload pizzas from forming the freshly-made crust to overloading it with the freshest toppings.

“Greenwich customers who got the chance to participate in the Barkada Crust Course really had a fun time,” Melo Del Gallego recalls. “They did not only get to meet John Lloyd, up close and personal, but they also had the opportunity to experience the freshly-made goodness of a Greenwich pizza.”

It is no wonder that customers are in love with Greenwich’s latest pizza offering. What with its two kinds of cheese—Mozzarella and Cheddar, glazed pineapples, and two types of premium meat—ham and bacon. It does not even stop there, the Ultimate Hawaiian Overload also boasts of its crisp-on-the-outside-yet-soft-and-chewy-on-the-inside crust that is freshly made everyday in all Greenwich stores making pizza eating even more delightful.

This latest pizza innovation from Greenwich definitely satisfies Filipinos’ craving for an overload of Hawaiian pizza goodness. From the first bite down to the last, one can savor the blend of the juicy and sweet taste of glazed pineapples, the other delightful toppings, the perfect pizza sauce and the freshly made crust. It has the goodness no other Hawaiian pizzas have.

Enjoying pizza will never be the same with the Greenwich Ultimate Hawaiian Overload, now even better than ever.(

For delivery within Metro Manila, please dial 5-55-55.

The new Greenwich Ultimate Hawaiian Overload levels up the pizza experience with glazed pineapples, two kinds of premium ham and bacon and two types of cheese toppings to complete that delicious pizza goodness.

Barkadas get a slice of their favorite Ultimate Hawaiian Overload. Greenwich once again proves why they are the Philippines’ favorite pizza with the Greenwich Ultimate Hawaiian Overload

Greenwich brand ambassador John Lloyd Cruz made a number of store visits around Metro Manila to see first-hand how different barkadas are enjoying the new Ultimate Hawaiian Overload pizza.

Customers get to experience making their own Greenwich Ultimate Hawaiian pizza via the Greenwich Barkada Crust Course.

Not only is Enchong Dee one of the hottest leading men in the country, he is also one of the busiest and most hardworking actors in the entertainment industry. To keep his energy level up no matter how busy he becomes, he turns to his favorite things that never fail to give him a lift. The young heartthrob shared that dance music gives him a surge of energy whenever he feels stressed. A movie buff, Enchong also said that he likes watching films during his free time and counts Click, which stars Adam Sandler, as one of his favorites. The actor also wants to widen his horizons this year, and is planning to devote more time to muay thai and dabble in music. Enchong also shared his newest cravings, the Jollibee Coffee Float and Chocolate Float, that give him the lift he

needs. “They’re my perfect cure for a bad day,” he said. “We’re very happy that Enchong remains a part of the Jollibee family. We believe that he perfectly embodies the youth of today—always on the go and determined to soar to the top. They juggle a variety of activities on top of school and work, and they nurture their hobbies and passions. As such, they need delightfully cool refreshments to make them feel good and give them an energy boost, and they can find that in the new Jollibee Chocolate and Coffee Floats,” said Jollibee’s Vice President for Marketing, Albert Cuadrante. The newest float treats from everyone’s favorite fast-food chain, the Jollibee Coffee Float and Chocolate Float are made up of deliciously smooth iced coffee and delightfully rich iced chocolate, crowned

by creamy vanilla soft serve and chocolate syrup topping. “These refreshing drinks are the best and most deli-cious way to perk up a hectic workday,” said Enchong. Like Enchong, anyone can get the lift that they need anytime, anywhere with Jollibee’s new Coffee Float and Chocolate Float, only P45 in all Jollibee outlets nationwide. (

Enchong Dee gets a lift with the new Jollibee Coffee and Chocolate Floats

Pantry

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Sea, Sand and SunSoak up the last rays of summer in this season’s

hottest swimsuits.

Photographer: Rap YuStyling: Donna ChuaHair & Make-Up: Jessa Areej MaganaModel: Janelle OlafsonLocation: Patar Beach, Bolinao

Water and SandSwimsuit: Soak SwimmerAccessories: Stylist’s Own

Bamboo RuinsSwimsuit: Soak SwimmerAccessories: Stylist’s Own

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AriaSwimsuit: Soak SwimmerAccessories: Stylist’s Own

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THE CHIA-SMOOTHIE DIET: THE EASIEST WAY TO LOSE 7 LBS IN 7 DAYS

by David Bicierro

Health

Chia seeds

You work at night, and you’re fat. You can’t seem to stop putting on weight. You’re working 8 hours a day so you obviously have the time to work out, but you’re a night worker, and for biological reasons, you simply don’t have the energy or motivation to do it. You’re not at fault. It’s the incompatibility of your working hours and your body. Still, you know you have to do something because being fat isn’t just unsightly, it’s downright dangerous. What if we tell you there’s a way to lose weight and keep it off without working out, starvation, or in any way feeling deprived? What if we tell you there’s a way to lose an average of 7 pounds in just 7 consecutive days? Say hello to Chia Seeds, The most nutritionally dense food known to man. It’s one of the greatest things to take the world of healthy living by storm. Chia seeds are categorized and widely accepted as a Superfood. A Superfood is a type of food that come with tremendous health benefits that set it apart from “regular” food. Compared to other Super Foods, chia is the big daddy of them all, surpassing others in nutrition, health benefits and just as importantly but rarely given attention: culinary adaptability. You can mix chia seeds to nearly any food or drink preparation without altering its taste.

What is it like? They’re tiny seeds that look like miniature dinosaur eggs about half the size of sesame seeds. When you put them in water, they soften and form a gel, making them look like tiny tapioca pearls

or sago. Whatever food you you mix chia seeds with is the flavor it will take on. Meaning if you put it in coffee, it tastes like coffee flavored sago. If you put it in orange juice, it tastes like orange juice. It’s so nutritionally dense and complete that a single tablespoon is more nutritious than an average rice meat, and veggie meal. You can research it, and I guarantee you will be amazed at just how extremely nutritious it is. None of the information you’ll get is an exaggeration of a lesser truth. It’s just powerful. Aztec warriors, mixed martial arts practitioners and even NFL players have used it. The hardiness of Aztec warriors in battle is a staggering testament to its prowess.

SO WHAT DO YOU EXACTLY HAVE TO DO?

For a complete 7-day meal replacement, you will substitute each meal with a fresh supercharged smoothie that has all the nutrients your body needs. Unlike all other dieting methods, this one is fun, engaging, and unless you step on the weighing scale, you won’t feel like you’re actually losing weight because all throughout you will feel strong and lively. Weight loss pills, teas, or the like are dangerous because all they do is turn off

your cravings. In fact, craving is your body’s way of telling you that it’s missing sustenance. That’s why people who use those

products are actually in worse condition. In comparison, the chia-smoothie diet works differently. Your cravings will stop because you’re giving your body what it needs – and only what it

needs with precisely none of the stuff that will fatten you.

Making a serving of chia-smoothie in two quick steps:

1. Take one large ripe banana or two small ones, another fruit of your choice (preferably with a fleshy texture like mango), one to two cups of cold water, and one tablespoon of chia seeds.

2. Use a blender to mix the ingredients, and blend until the concoction is as smooth. Don’t add milk or sugar, as these ingredients defeat the purpose of the diet.

A single serving like this is more than enough to sustain you for 4-6 hours or until the next serving. To keep it fun, play around with different fruit combinations. You can do 2 or 3 fruits, just as long as one of them is a banana. Pick domestically produced organic fruits to avoid harmful preservatives. This is the easiest, healthiest, and safest way to lose weight fast. You can drink 3-4 servings a day. When you start craving for food, simply drink a serving, and you should feel satiated.

It’s easy to follow, and it works. Many of the people who have done this have lost an average of about 10 lbs in 7 days. The number of pounds you lose depends on your metabolism and how closely you adhere to the program. To keep your metabolism up, make sure you add exercise in your weight loss equation. Two quick exercises in the next article are excellent suggestions.

A one pound pack of Forzudo chia seeds only costs Php 495. A single pack can last 3 weeks to a month, if you consume one tablespoon three times daily. Not only is Chia more effective and safer than dieting products, it’s also affordable. To get your chia seeds or to become a reseller, contact a Forzudo distributor through this number: 0947-7616162.

If you’d like your body to look great at the beach, try these two exercises. You’ll get a total-body workout… and you can adapt them to whatever shape you’re in. Please don’t forget to warm up for a few minutes be-fore doing these. I recommend you do the following twice: 30 seconds of marching in place followed by 30 seconds of jumping jacks, 30 butt kickers and 30 sec-onds of pushup walkouts. After your warm-up, let’s get started with dirt diggers (For an instructional video go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zAe5EerMos). They’re one of my favorites. They’re easy to learn and really work your core. You start out almost as if you’re doing pushups. Put your hands flat on the floor, about shoulder-width apart. Extend your legs almost all the way out, but keep a very slight bend at the waist. Now, lift your left foot a few inches off the floor and bring your left knee forward (towards your chin) as far as you comfortably can. Then straighten your leg and touch your toes to the floor again. Next, do the same thing with your right leg. Repeat, always alternating sides. You can do these as slowly as you need to – or as fast as you’re comfortable going. For a little extra challenge, you can add a rotation. Here’s what I mean: When you’ve brought each leg forward, stop and rotate from the hips so you swing that leg under the opposite leg. Try to keep your upper body straight while you do this. Then swing your leg back to its “normal” side, and extend it all the way back before returning to your starting position. You’ll really feel it after you’ve done a few of these. Another exercise that’s great for building a beach body fast is the burpee (For an instructional video go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKBfVncsq_4&feature=fvst). This is an exercise lots of pro athletes use. But they can be done at any intensity level. Stand about a foot back from a sturdy table or weight bench that’s about knee-height. Place your hands flat on the bench, palms down. The heel of your hand should be right at the edge of the bench. Now, leaving your hands resting on the bench, hop upwards slightly and thrust your feet back 12-18 inches. Land on your toes and the balls of your feet. With your hands still on the bench, hop back into your starting position and stand straight up. That’s all

there is to it.

As you become comfortable with the movements, add a little speed. Burpees will quickly get your heart pumping. For a bigger challenge, do burpees without a bench. Start out standing straight up. Then bend at the waist and place your hands on the floor in front of you. Use the same hop and thrust you did with the bench, but extend your legs out almost as far as they can go. Now reverse the hop and thrust so you’re crouching with your feet just behind your hands. Then stand up straight and repeat. Again, as you become comfortable with the movements, add in more speed. If you’re already in pretty good shape, you can use varia-tions to really accelerate your progress. For example, you can …

• Do burpees with a pushup in the middle• Do a spread-legged pushup in the middle• Replace the stand-up step with a jump. From your crouch, jump into the air, raising your hands over your head.

Dirt diggers and burpees are the easiest way I know to build a beach body fast. Start doing them now, and by the time summer hits, you’ll be ready for that bikini.

[Ed. Note: Yarixa Ferrao, a.k.a. Coach Yari is a Certified Personal Trainer (NASM) and an expert in functional training, fat reduction, sports performance and cellulite. Coach Yari is the founder of Get Fit in 6, a 6-week life transformation program for both men and women in Delray Beach,

Florida. You can visit her at www.getfitin6.com.]

“This information is provided by Ageless Beauty and MyPureRadiance.com, featuring the best in natural beauty secrets and anti-aging solutions. For more information or to sign up for a free newsletter subscription, please visit http://www.mypureradiance.com/.” (

The Shortcut to a Great Beach Bodyby Yarixa “Coach Yari” Ferrao

Health

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Retail Lab2nd Fl. Archaeology Wing, Powerplant Mall

CABANAabove Nail Spa, 109 Gamboa st. Legaspi Village, Makati

HotpinkAyala, Cebu

www.soak-swimwear.com

PERSONAL INFORMATION

Date of Birth: 12 March Place of Birth: San Juan, Metro Manila, PhilippinesNationality: FilipinoParents : Mother: Imelda Quibranza- DimaporoFather: Abdullah Dimakuta Dimaporo

EDUCATION

Graduating 2012MSc Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Develop-ment, University of London,Distance Learning Programme

2000 – 2002BA Sociology, Mindanao State UniversityMagna Cum LaudeUndergraduate Thesis: A Socio-demographic Profile of Families with ChildDeaths in the Municipality of Magsaysay, Lanao del Norte

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY

2010 January – JuneExecutive Director, WYA Foundation Inc., New York City, New York

2008 – 2010International Director of Operations, World Youth Alliance, New York City, New York

2007 July – November

ADVOCACIES

SPONSORED BILLS 1. HB04658- AN ACT DECLARING THE MT. INAYAWAN RANGE, LOCATED IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF NUNUNGAN, PROVINCE OF LANAO DEL NORTE, AS A PROTECTED AREA, PROVIDING FOR ITS MANAGEMENT AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

Status: Pending with the Committee on NA-TURAL RESOURCES

2. HB-05021- AN ACT TO ESTABLISH THE PHILIPPINE SPORTS ACADEMY IN THE CAPI-TAL TOWN OF TUBOD IN THE PROVINCE OF LANAO DEL NORTE AND ALLOCATING FUNDS THEREFOR.

Status: Pending with the Committee on YOUTH AND SPORTS DEVELOPMENT

3. HB05412- AN ACT BANNING THE CATCHING, SALE , PURCHASE, POSSESSION AND TRADE OF ALL SHARKS AND RAYS,

THEIR DERIVATIVES AND BY-PRODUCTS IN THE PHILIPPINES.

HOUSE RESOLUTION

1. HR01056 - A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZ-ING, COMMENDING AND CONGRATULAT-ING FILIPINO-AMERICAN PRODUCERS GIGI DEMENT, STEFANIE WALMSLEY AND STEPHEN DYPIANGCO FOR WINNING THE BEST LIVE ACTION SHORT FILM AWARD DURING THE 83RD ANNUAL ACADEMY AWARDS.

CO-AUTHORED BILLS

1. AN ACT PROMOTING RURAL FARM SCHOOL AS AN ALTERNATIVE DELIVERY MODE OF SECONDARY EDUCATION. 2. AN ACT CREATING THE PHILIPPINE MIL-LENNIUM DEVELOPMENT FUND, APPROPRI-ATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

3. AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE PROTEC-TION OF THE ENVIRONMENT BY PROHIBIT-ING THE DUMPING OF SEWAGE SLUDGE AND INDUSTRIAL WASTE INTO THE SEA.

PRIVILEGE SPEECHES

1. POWER CRISIS IN MINDANAO – talked about the power crisis in Mindanao and the need for government to actively search for alternative sources of energy. Discussed the impo rtant role of electricity consumption to economic development. Urged the House of representatives to initiate pro-poor and productivity-oriented legislations, such as the revision of the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA).

2. ON PRIORITIZING THE YOUTH – Talked on the role of family in the protection of youth.

BILLSAuthor of 15 House Bills; Co-author of 61 House Bills

I. Mindanao NOW!

Pegged by Manila Bulletin as “Mindanao’s Child of Peace” (Pamaran, M. 9 October 2011), having been born to parents coming from previously warring families, Rep. Aliah Dimaporo is introducing a campaign she calls “Mindanao Now!” that focuses on the awareness of Mindanao arts and crafts, fashion, traditional cuisine and tourist sites, particularly in the predominantly Muslim areas.

II. To Forge Peace Through Sports

Rep. Aliah Dimaporo, one of the youngest solons at the House of Representatives, is pushing for the promotion of sports among the young people as one avenue to foster unity and peace inMindanao and other conflict-ridden areas of the country. At present, Rep. Dimaporo of the 2nd District of Lanao del Norte is laying the groundwork for the launch of a national movement called the Young Leaders for One Philippines (Y1P). One of the Y1P thrusts, she says, will be the conduct of sports acti-vities for the young people to promote peace. “Unity is an essential element of peace and throughout history, sports

has proven to be one effective, universal, tool for its promotion”. She cites the phenomenal influence of sports stars like the Azkals, the Philippine Dragon Boat Racing Team and her colleague in Congress, Rep. Manny Pacquiao, in promoting unity and national pride among Filipinos. “Our excellence in sports has opened the world to ‘the Filipino’ and has united us in national pride. Sport builds nations, brings pride to a country, and unites people in diversity.” Among other benefits, the young solon also adds that Sport also helps in the development of social skills and promotion of values, such as the responsibility and leadership in teamwork, respect and humility in sportsmanship, and discipline and perseverance in play. Dimaporo admits that she has become an ardent promoter of peace for personal reasons. “I am a product of peace. My forebears were from two warring factions and were literally killing each other until the marriage of my parents, through their union, put an end to it in 1977.” Aliah graduated magna cum laude in Sociology at the Mindanao State University. Before joining Congress, she was the Executive Director of World Youth Alliance Foundation Inc, in New York City, New York.

ALIAH DIMAPORO

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2nd District of Lanao del Norte

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Compressed Natural Gas (CNG): Alternative Fuel for a Green FutureBy Ellen Landicho

Clean Air versus Fuel ConsumptionPetroleum products are the dirtiest forms of fuel when burned. They emit carbon monoxide, lead and other toxic chemicals which the environmental advocates blame as the main cause of climate change. Here in metro manila alone, busses, jeeps and private vehicles all contribute to the worsening state of the environment. Commonwealth and EDSA alone has thousands of these vehicles plying its route daily which further adds contaminants in the air. We clearly need fuel for our transportation and our industries, but we can no longer use such expensive and dirty fuels. That is where Compressed Natural Gas or CNG becomes a necessity.

Fuel for the FutureCNG has been dubbed as the fuel of the future and has been used in many countries including the US, Canada, Australia, Middle east, China and South East Asia. Because of its low greenhouse emission, it has become the international clean fuel standard. This will benefit the users as well as the environment. The development of CNG has been around for nearly three decades, it started as early as 1994 in some countries in the Middle East like Iran. These countries have placed laws that provide incentives and regulatory functions in CNG production within the transport sector.

Clean• Reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by 20% to 30%• Reducing carbon monoxide (CO) emissions up to 75%• Reducing nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions by approximately 50%• Reducing up to 95% of particle matter (PM) emissions• Reducing volatile organic compound (VOCs) emissions by 55%

AbundantThis offshore oil well called the Malampaya Gas Field off the coast between Mindoro and Palawan has been working for over ten years within an estimated life span of 20 years. This vast reserve has been operating at a total generating capacity of 2,700 Megawatts in Ilihan power plant off the coast of Batangas to provide 40-45% of Luzon’s power generation requirements.

AffordableAccording to the DOE, CNG would cost the consumer just P14-P18/liter because of the abundance of CNG. Less production and processing cost is also a crucial factor in its affordability. Because the gas can be distributed and utilized straight out of the oil well in its natural state, fewer refining and production process is necessary making it less expensive than its counterparts. Infrastructures can be focused on immediate distribution and can be easily transported through pipelines.

SafeAlthough CNG is flammable, it has a narrow flammability range, making it an inherently safe fuel. Strict safety standards make CNG vehicles as safe as gasoline-powered vehicles. In the event of a spill or accidental release, CNG poses no threat to land or water, as it is nontoxic. CNG also disperses rapidly, minimizing

ignition risk when compared to gasoline. Natural gas is lighter than air and will not pool as a liquid or vapor. Nevertheless, indoor leaks can form a flammable mixture in the vicinity of an ignition source. Reported incidents of CNG bus fires are related to engine failures, not the use of natural gas. Natural gas buses have onboard gas detectors and other safety devices such as tank safety valves that only allow fuel flow when the engine is running. CNG is a readily available alternative to gasoline that’s made by compressing natural gas to less than 1% of its volume at standard atmospheric pressure. Consisting primarily of methane, CNG is odorless, colorless and tasteless. It’s drawn from domestically drilled natural gas wells or in conjunction with crude oil production.

CNG in the PhilippinesIn the Philippines, CNG has been developed slowly for over a decade starting with the discovery of the Camago deposit and later the Malampaya Natural Gas field. In its current state, it is producing an amount of nearly 2,700 megawatts of power which can reach up to 8,000 megawatts in full production. This energy source is capable of supplying 40-70% of the Luzon power requirements and is also able to supply parts of Visayas and Mindanao. The CNG deposits found in Malampaya and other adjacent areas can easily handle the energy requirement of Luzon which includes not only electricity but also fuel for transportation, industrial fuel requirements and other uses. Currently, the government has accumulated a total of P25 Billion in savings and income from the Malampaya operations within the decade. This amount earned is large enough considering that it is not operating in full capacity, and the deposits have not been fully utilised. This Malampaya fund can be used in further developing the CNG distribution network, the pipelines, the facilities and other support structures, manpower trainings and conversions needed to meet the growing demand that CNG production will provide. CNG is the energy of the future because it is more advantageous in all aspects such as price, availability, emission levels and safety that our reliance with imported oil will diminish. We shall become independent of foreign control in terms of energy production. The only way for this to flourish is for the government to have enough political will in order to enact laws that will support the creation of the CNG industry. We as citizens also have the responsibility of campaigning for CNG and informing our legislators, local politicians and our fellow citizens to support in such an endeavor. All of these efforts will be part of the green future ahead and for the economic success of our nation for years to come. (

Ellen Landicho is a civic leader and an entrepreneur advocating clean energy. She heads ENTRA, an NGO advocating CNG development in the Philippines.

QC Times Supplement

The spate of recent oil price increases topped by the increase of prices in commodities has stirred another wave of mass protests and transport strikes all over the country. While the drivers and operators are calling for an end to escalating fuel costs, the government seems helpless in addressing the crises that have its roots in global problems and tensions between the oil producing nations. International oil importation has become politicized due to regional tensions affecting the supply chain all over the world. International oil prices started to pick up affecting our economy in a drastic way.

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You have been working hard to achieve your dreams, one of which is having a home you can call your own. A home that is safe, where everything you need is within your reach, and where there is a space for your friends to bond and for your family to grow. However, you think that the salary that you earn as a business process outsourcing (BPO) employee is not enough to realize this dream.

Fortunately, there is a company which can help you own your dream home at a price you can afford – PRO-FRIENDS (Property Company of Friends, Inc.). Founded in 1999 by a group of friends, PRO-FRIENDS has been in the business for more than a decade and is one of the fastest growing property developers in the country today. Its flagship project, the 600-hectare Lancaster Estates in Imus, Cavite, offers quality, spacious, and stylish townhouses and single attached homes in gated communities. You can avail of these homes starting at approximately P8,000 a month, or just half of a starting agent’s monthly pay!

Lancaster Estates offers superior accessibility and convenience as the project is located only 15 to 20 minutes away from SM Mall of Asia (SM MOA) and Ninoy Aqui-no International Airport (NAIA), via Cavitex. Travel time going to and from your place of work is significantly cut short, giving you more quality time to spend with your friends and family. Convenience is further enhanced

by the presence of scheduled buses that service Lancaster Estates – Lawton, Manila route, passing through major thoroughfares like Coastal Road and Roxas Boulevard.

Twenty-four hour security is guaranteed so you can sleep your worries away. Inside Lancaster Estates are amenities that you can already enjoy. At the heart of the development is the Leighton Hall, a modern, three-storey clubhouse that can accommodate up to 300 guests for birthday celebrations or family reunions. It also has large swimming pool where you can cool off from the tropical heat. Right beside the hall is the community chapel, the Church of the Holy Family, which is available for your spiritual needs. You do not need to go far to provide excellent education to your children as the St. Edward Integrated School, a private school under the consultancy with the Lasallian Schools Supervision Office (LASSO), offers this at affordable rates. Shuttle service is available to transport you from one point to another inside the estates. A commercial area will soon rise to provide you with additional shopping, dining, and recreational options.

To make it easier for you to realize your dream of owning a home, PRO-FRIENDS also offers one of the most affordable financing schemes in the market today. To know more about Lancaster Estates or to schedule an ocular trip, contact them at (02) 491-7700 or visit www.profriends.com. (

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Your dream home, now within your reach

Space

Diana townhouse at Lancaster Estates.

Send your children to St. Edward Integrated School. Classes open this June 2012.

Attend regular masses at the Church of the Holy Family.

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With a projected 42 million new UC users by 2015, Jabra launches four new UC-dedicated headsets for cost-effective UC deployments – the Jabra UC VOICETM series. Jabra launched a new series of four headsets developed

for the growing Unified Communications (UC) market and specifically for UC deployments. All four headsets were designed specifically for

companies looking for a cost-effective means of deploying headsets across an organization and to accommodate for the different working styles and environments without compromising on quality. In addition to headset solutions for light to heavy users the

Jabra UC VOICETM series features a portable headset developed for today’s virtual offices that is the industry’s first corded UC headset with a behind-the-ear wearing style and discreet form factor for video conferencing.UC use expected to increase

600% by 2015. “Today there are approximately 7.8 million users of UC,” said Ralph Ede, Jabra Managing Director for South Asia,. “By 2015 that number is expected to skyrocket to 49.5 million. Optimization of these investments by adding the voice dimension to the UC experience and attaching headsets that offer superior sound, comfort and build will have a tremendous impact when wanting to ensure the right ROI.” With so many new users coming

from a traditional desk phone environment, the single most important factor for successful deployment and adoption of the technology is the headset, which completes the UC experience. With a series of easy-to-use UC headsets Jabra’s new headsets pave the way for faster end-user adoption of the technology.And as more companies deploy

UC there is a growing realization

that audio plays a vital role in the success of the UC deployment. While the audio quality at both ends of a UC conversation is critical, there are many other factors that make a headset perform beyond expectations. “A headset must be easy to configure, comfortable, and have a solid, quality feel,” added Ede. “The seamless integration between the soft phone and the headset is a key factor in employee adoption of a UC roll-out and thus, it’s overall success in terms of improved collaboration and productivity gains.”

Strategic DevelopmentWith its new Jabra UC VOICETM series, Jabra builds on a long tradition of user-driven innovation and developing high-performance headset solutions. As the first company to have headsets optimized for Microsoft’s Office Communicator Jabra has a history of maximizing the benefits of UC with headsets that are comfortable, easy to use and at the forefront of the development. “In essence, this is a whole new

category of cost-effective headsets,” said Larsen Sandoval, Jabra Country Manager for Philippines,. “The four headsets in the Jabra UC VOICETM series are both powerful and economical. They’re simple, durable, have superb audio and come from Jabra’s years of experience creating an award-winning portfolio. Sandoval added that with its

availability in the Philippines, the Jabra UC VOICETM can help deliver significant benefits to end users and their employers, including the ability to lower operational costs while increasing productivity, cut travel costs and headaches, shrink decision cycles and times to market, and take advantage of new business opportunities by collaborating with customers and partners. “It can really make communications work in a business environment.” (

Dell™ recommends Windows® 7 Professional.

Get the mobility and productivity your business needs with Dell™ Vostro™

Invest in the future of your business and get the Vostro™ V131 and the Vostro™ 3350. Enjoy efficient and reliable features that increase your productivity, keep costs low, and ultimately boost your business. With Dell, you can do business the smart way!

Vostro™ 3350

• Intel® Core™ i5-2450M processor• Windows® 7 Professional• 4GB*DDR3SDRAMMemory• 500GB*SATAHDDDrive• 133*HDWLEDLCD• 1-YearNextBusinessDayOnsite*• 1-YearAccidentalDamageServices

Vostro™ V131

• Intel® Core™ i5-2430M processor• Windows® 7 Professional• 4GB*DDR3SDRAMMemory• 500GB*SATAHDDDrive• 133*HDWLEDLCD• 1-YearNextBusinessDayOnsite*• 1-YearAccidentalDamageServices

Windows® 7 makes the things you do every day faster and easier. With faster searching, easier browsing, and simpler ways to connect, there’s less between you and what you want to do.

RowenaMelchorat02-887-7782orrowena.melchor@ap-primetrica.com for inquiries.Contact

Only thru Dell® Authorized Distributors

*Weights vary depending on configuration and manufacturing variability.

**By delivery only. Prices shown are inclusive of delivery (Manila only) and Value Added Taxes.

*IMPORTANT DELL DETAILS: FOR HARD DRIVES: GB means 1 billion bytes. Actual capacity varies with preloaded material and operating environment and will be less. DELL WARRANTIES AND ON-SITE SERVICE AND ADVANCED EXCHANGE SERVICE: Customer is required to contact local Dell’s Appointed Distributor for any support, technical advice and resolution. The service may be available on a chargeable basis by the Distributors. Shared Memory: Between 32MB and 224MB of system memory may be allocated to support graphics, depending on the system memory size and other factors.

ALL PURCHASES FROM DELL® AUTHORIZED DISTRIBUTORS IN THE PHILIPPINES. Pricing, specifications and availability are subject to change without notice. All efforts will be made to check for errors in typography and photography; however inadvertent errors may occur for which Dell may not be responsible. Microsoft, Windows and the Windows logo are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. Celeron, Celeron Inside, Centrino, Centrino inside, Core Inside, Intel, Intel Logo, Intel Atom, Intel Atom Inside, Intel Core, Intel Inside, Intel Inside Logo, Intel Viiv, Intel vPro, Itanium, Itanium Inside, Pentium, Pentium Inside, Viiv Inside, vPro Inside, Xeon, and Xeon Inside are trademarks of Intel Corporation in the U.S. and other countries. Copyright 2010 Dell Inc. All rights reserved.

Designed specifically for Unified Communications deployments

With the Jabra UC VOICETM headsets Jabra is committed to making you successful in winning in the ‘last three feet’ between the promise of Unified Communications and the end user;

• Dedicated to UC voice deployments• Easy to deploy• Easy to maintain• Superior sound clarity • Fast user adoption • Four designs to accommodate different needs and preferences• Two-year global warranty• Fast return on UC investment

To learn more about the Jabra UC VOICE series or to learn where to buy the headsets, please visit www.Jabra.com.

Jabra Introduces a UC-Dedicated Headset Series

Tech + Mobility

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Money Jars The Simplest Money

Management System Jon Abaquin M.D.

Money

Before we begin with this article some disclaimers first.

First off, this is not the only money management system you can use to get out of a financial predicament but this is what I used and it worked for me.

Second, it is not an original concept I invented but I learned this from T Harv Ecker. I am not sure if he is the original author or brains behind this but it is really not that important for me.

So there…let us begin.

I’m often asked by my friends now that we have the passive income mindset - after

reading Kiyosaki’s book ‘Rich Dad Poor Dad’ and knowing the secrets of the millionaires’ mind from reading T. Harv Ecker’s book of the same title, what’s next…or where do we go from here…what do we do with our money…or maybe in some instances, how should I budget my money when I do not even have enough to pay my bills and loans?

The simplest and workable solution is to do the Money Jars! It’s a simple money management system I learned from T. Harv Ecker’s Millionaire Mind Intensive Seminar.

Basically, it is a set of rules for budgeting your money on a daily basis for 30 days. Then hopefully, if you get the system right it becomes a productive habit and would help you with your financial troubles. Materials Needed:

6 “clear” jars of course…can be made out of glass or plastic just make sure it is clear or transparent.

A calendar – for tracking the number of days your into it.

Labels and Pen

Label the 6 jars as such:

FFA 10% - for Financial Freedom Account (for buying ASSESTS that would put money into your pocket – or the Goose the lays the golden eggs)LTSS 10% - for Long Term Savings for Spending (these are for your wants that dream vacation in Europe or the Caribbean, a BMW perhaps, etc.)NEC 50% - for necessities (utilities, food, rent, basic necessities, etc.)EDU 10% - for education (always sharpen

the saw!)PLAY 10% - for play (for your inner child)GIVE 10% - for tithing (the law of abundance, what you give so shall you receive)

What’s our objective…well there are different objectives for the different phases…when you are just starting the objective is to develop a habit…thus the calendar to help track down your daily routine of putting money into these jars…at this stage, the amount of money is not important…what is important is the habit of daily putting money into these jars.

The second objective, when you have done these for 2 -3 whole months, is to have enough money saved for your FFA to invest on some assets that would generate money for you and lessen money spent on NEC, while you allow yourself some PLAY money and GIVE / tithe to others.

How does this work?

At the end of the day whatever coins you have left, put them into these money jars based on the percentage indicated. For example you have P10 left (100%), put P1 (10%) on each of the jars and P5 (50%) for the NEC jar…got that!

Now when you are starting try to see which of these jars have a big bearing on your life at that moment...when I did this way back in 2007, I found that my NEC was eating 75% of my income and I do not have any “LONG TERM SAVINGS” all were “I WANT IT NOW” expenses like a new suit by Paul Smith, a watch perhaps…those type of wants…so in effect I was negative in some aspects and I was not giving any TITHES. Worst my PLAY was almost always more than 10% of my

income. And to add insult to injury, I do not have any FFA… yeah the golden goose that would lay golden eggs…bummer! So on that desperate note I used these money jars for a year and at the end of that year my NEC was down to 50% and I am now managing my money and my life based on the right percentage as indicated in my money jars.

It was not a smooth journey, especially on the first few months but I have no way to go but up and I said to myself, I need to get out of this rat race and start living the life I always wanted and have my money work for me rather that me working for it…so that was my motivation, it is true what they say “no pain, no gain” so I hope this short article about money jars would inspire you to take on the fight for financial freedom.

Have a cool summer and should you be interested to know more about these do drop me an email at jon@ommdorm.com (

“I need to get out of this rat race and start living the life I always wanted and have my money work

for me rather that me working for it.”

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Masterfully-blended from Scotland’s finest single malt whiskies, Chivas Regal 18 Gold Signature boasts itself as a distinct aged scotch among others. With its deep amber color and multi-layered aroma tinged with dried fruits, toffee, and chocolates, Chivas Regal 18 Gold Signature has a smooth taste with notable dark chocolate bursts and hints of citrus and spices. Its finish is warm and long, leaving you with just a craving for another sip. Its bespoke craftsmanship, flawless blending, and originality draws in all your senses. An exclusive event entitled “Chivas 18: Crafted for the Senses” was held at Skye, W High Street last April 24, 2012. “Crafted” coming from Chivas Regal 18’s origins as a Scotch with an intricate process of distillation and blending, with a hand-selected mix of superior single malt whiskies, each of which has been aged no fewer than 18 years prior to blending. “Senses” signifies the multi-sensorial experience of the brand, from seeing the impressive bottle shape, the arresting colors and hues of the liquid, an inviting aroma, and of course, its truly remarkable taste. The success of the brand lies

in its quality and consistency, according to Chivas Master Blender Colin Scott. He believes the creation of a superb and smooth blend of whisky is the result of creativity, experience, inspiration, and patience. Automotive brand Mini Cooper and Anonimo Firenze had special participation in the event. Similar to Chivas Regal 18, Mini Cooper’s British pedigree and chic style make it a global iconic brand. While Anonimo Firenze’s handcrafted timepieces exude uniqueness and sophistication, also found in the 18 year old Scotch. The venue was lavishly decorated for the evening with golden accents and trim, and the air itself teased guests with hints of chocolate and fruit. Guests were able to elevate their experience of Chivas 18 Gold Signature by pairing their drink with an array of delectable treats such as dark choco-late truffles, sultanas, hazelnuts, panna cotta, and crème brulee, among oth-ers. The night was also highlighted by a visually-stunning contemporary ballet performance, and the audience enjoyed a live performance by the Techy Romantics, indulging guests with their signature edgy music style.

“Chivas 18: Crafted for the Senses” was hosted by Pernord Ricard Philippines Inc., the exclusive importer and distributor of Chivas Regal.

Chivas 18: Crafted for the Senses

Some believe that working for BPO’s is a springboard or a stepping stone to living your dreams. It wasn’t long ago when Rap Yu was working as agent for Convergys Philippines. Back then, he never lost sight of his passion for Photography. It was at Convergys where Yu got one of his first breaks. When his skills were identified, Convergys commissioned him to take company photos of company events and the like. From there on, he took the steps towards being a professional photographer. After Call goes head to head with up and coming fashion photographer Rap Yu in this quick Q&A.

Q: What motivated you to pursue a career in the call center industry?

Rap Yu: After College, it was my first job. I had just applied with some of my classmates at Convergys. Honestly, I never expected to receive a call back. I felt that I wasn’t able to give my best during my interview. Back then, I got motivated to work in the BPO industry because I needed funding for my career in photography. A photographer’s equipment isn’t cheap at all. Therefore, I needed to persevere and work really hard for the equipment I own. Q: Can you briefly tell us about your call center career? RY: My call center career at Convergys was really one hell of a blast. I was in an account where values and a sense of family were well intact. During those times, I was always considered the youngest of my peers, so my colleagues would always give advice not only in my career as an agent or a photographer, but also in life. My team mates always had a positive perspective, which influenced me to have a great outlook in life. Q: Why did you decide to become a photographer? RY: I decided to become a photographer when I was making my thesis during my college days. It was always my dream to make it to the top as a great photographer, someday. I remember my professor then challenged me to have some of my shots published before I can call myself a real photographer. Ever since, I worked hard on improving my craft until I was able to get my first published work. Q: How did you make the transition? What were the challenges? RY: The transition from working in a BPO company towards becoming a full time photographer was really hard, as I had to fend for myself. When I wasn’t established as

photographer yet, the comforts of having a steady paycheck when I was in Convergys were surely missed. After putting in the effort and sacrifice, the rewards are great.

However, there would be times when you’d miss getting paid every 15th and 30th of the month! Hahaha! Q: Currently, how are you doing as a photographer? Please elaborate

RY: Right now, I’m doing great in my career. Little by little, I’m meeting the right people, and I’m learning more than what I could’ve ever learned when I was an agent [about photography]. I get to meet many [creative] personalities, and I’m able to collaborate with them. Some of the photo projects that I did were for Alodia Gosseingfiao’s show entitled “Alodia’s Fantasy,” another is for One Shangri-la magazine where I did a fashion editorial spread as well as their kids selection. On one of my latest projects, I shot Megan Young and Lauren Young for a tech magazine.

Q: Would you recommend the work you did in the call center industry? Why?

RY: Yes, in a way that you get to meet a lot of new people and it might be the key to meet the right people. [In my experience] You can also get new ideas that can energize your life bring you new perspective in life, which will motivate you to work harder to reach your goals. Being a photographer working in a BPO industry has some of its perks too, you’ll never know when that one big break comes, on the right time at that same office where you take calls.

Q: What advice can you give to agents who want to follow their passion and get their dream job?

RY: Follow your dreams, have faith, always believe, have passion and work hard for it. If you want it then go get it!

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