Baking with Love

There is no gift better than the thing you personally craft for your special someone. Cards, scrapbooks, portraits, bracelets and shirts are just some of the most popular items that can be personalized. The word “personalization” can actually be defined as the practice of exerting an effort to churn out a present for someone whom you want to feel extra special and unique. This simple act makes gift-giving sweeter and more appealing to both the giver and the receiver.

Try forgetting the boring memorabilia for a while, and consider offering your darling with yummy treats that you especially baked just for him or her. Remember that sweets, aside from flowers, never fail to serve as a charmer.

Bake with your love one in mind and take some cues from Executive Chef Rudolf Ranada of MOST Institute Culinary School. Here are some tips on baking brownies, that will sure bring you closer to your girl’s heart

1. Be very patient. (especially when you are not that much into pastry)


2. Follow the recipe. You will produce lesser quality if you don’t do so. If the recipe says one cup of sugar, you have to put one cup of sugar. Making “tantsa” simply wouldn’t work because there is no discipline in it. When you become a professional chef, that’s the time you make your own recipe.


3. Taste it. Good chefs are known to be good eaters. If you are too conscious with your abs, the kitchen is not the place for you. You have to taste whatever it is that you’re cooking or baking.
   
4. Underbake it. Brownies are the easiest to bake because they are basically melted chocolate, butter, sugar, eggs, nuts and flour. To prevent brownies from becoming too dry, underbake it. If the recipe calls for 30 minutes in 3500F, take it out from the oven after 25 minutes or five minutes earlier. This will make brownies gooey in the inside. When you cut the brownies, you will have a fudge layer in the middle portion. You may also start baking the classic recipes of apple pies and chocolate cakes.


5. Research and experiment. Instead of using almonds, try hazel or macadamia nuts if your budget is not tight. Add a little twist to your brownies. Cut a small piece, put it in a plate and microwave. Get a scoop of ice cream and add it on top. Now, share a plate of this divine dessert with your dearest! Myka Santiago

Want to learn more about baking and pastries? Enroll in a culinary course at Most Institute. Click here for contact details.

How Not to Crash as a Comic Artist

Comics has succeeded in creating its own tradition in the Philippine Literature, owing history to Filipino artist-writers who contributed art and stories to Hapi, Holiday, Hiwaga, Aliwan, Tagalog Klasiks, Espesyal Komiks and other popular comic magazines of long-ago. And then, there were the likes of Alfredo P. Alacala, Nestor Redondo and Francisco V. Conching who became well recognized in the field. Now, young readers still choose to patronize the great works of Larry Alcala and Pol Medina Jr., as new names aspire to be included in the list of Filipino comic artists.

In contemporary days, a college barkada headed by Jescie James “Da Bhoss” Palabay started a Filipino Comic Magazine publication. “Ilabas ang utak ng Pinoy” was their art’s primary thesis, and “Culture Shock” was the first title they came up with. After a short while, they changed it to “Culture Crash” which basically concerned the rowdy crash of cultures taking place in the Filipino system. Culture Crash Comics was launched in the year 2000, with the appearance of the very first issue on August. Issue No. 14, the last one to be sold in the market, was released in 2004. Culture Crash followers were disheartened when the group stopped their publications. The artists said, comic-making seems easy but it never is. Unsurprisingly, the biggest challenge they encountered was the lack of resources—time and finances.

Despite the breakup, each Culture Crash artist still has his presence felt in the comics industry. And to relate the stories of a few, Mark Navarro is now a creative director of Level Up and a freelance comic books seller, while Jon Zamar is a freelance graphic artist (concept art and digital art) for local and international companies.

And in line with their group and individual success, Jio Beltran, Jon, Mark, Melvin Calingo also known as Taga-Ilog and the rest of the gang willingly shared some tips for aspiring independent comic artists.

• Passion. Every comic artist must love what he or she is doing. Passion will drive you to create more and more comics. It will also help if you find a graphic art-related job to complement your hobby. With this lifestyle, you will get to earn and have fun at the same time.


• Support. Find a financier who believes in you and in what you do. However, Jio related, your product must already be in good quality to start with.


• Publicity. Let the public feel your presence. Release as much comics (books, magazines, etc.) as you can.


• Controversy. Create buzz. Take advantage of the functions of the Internet and popular social networking sites to promote your works.


• Media. Since everything has already started to roll up in the Internet, web comics are now gaining popularity in the online scene. You may choose to upload your comics in the cyberspace and make it accessible to the public as what Jio plans to do. Or just put supplements in the net and publish the real thing as Indie like what the Taga-Ilog prefers.


• Time Management. It is difficult to find time and funds, especially if you are already raising your own family. In this case, it is always better to take comics as a sideline. But if you have a financier who can really carry you on, do it full-time.


• Decision Making. If your comics are now in hype, think hard before accepting any television offer. Be sure you have already completed a series before doing so and that the television company that will buy your publication is a trusted one. As Mark stated, “TV is a very different animal (compared to comics)”.

The popular artists behind Culture Crash Magazine continue to amaze their fans with their achievements in the arts. Perhaps, the legendary comic magazine has not suffered an upsetting crash at all. Kubori Kikiam is still in business and if only each of them would have enough reserves, more Indie komiks will be released under these well-liked names. Myka Santiago

Meet some of aspiring comic artists here.

Making It Right in the Online Business

Shopping is, without doubt, one of the favorite pastimes of many people. No wonder, bazaars which you can find not only during Christmas but all year round, are frequented by shoppers who like me are always on the look-out for good deals. Going over all the stands in line always allows me to find cheap alternatives for the bits and pieces in department stores and signature boutiques. However, for those who do not have the luxury of time and energy, there is of course a way to leave some of the shopping hassles behind. Shopping online will definitely help you save some resources if you only know the right merchandising business to contact, as well as the safe way of doing it.

DIVICOM Marketing is a reliable online business where you can easily purchase bulk giveaways such as bags, clothes, accessories, shoes, and office and school supplies. Just state the item you need and the budget you can afford, and DIVICOM will aim to provide it for you.

And when it comes to secure online shopping, DIVICOM owner Roman Ubaldo shares some tips:

• One way to know if an online shopping business can be trusted is if it has a permit to operate. DIVICOM Marketing sends a properly signed scanned copy of the power of attorney form to his client. Then, the client signs it as well and scans it after. Roman ensures that both parties involved have a copy of the updated form. In such case, if ever he would fail to meet the terms of the contract, the client can simply file a lawsuit against him.


• Roman accepts payments in the form of G-cash and through banks. These are the more traditional methods of payment, along with PayPal. Be doubtful of sellers proposing a complicated payment scheme.
  
• If there is a delay in the delivery of the products ordered, it might be the fault of the courier. Maximize your patience and communications skills. Coordinate properly with the seller before taking any harsh action.


• Avoid lopsided bargaining. Negotiate with the seller moderately to prevent unwarranted arguments. A good buyer-seller relationship will always mean a favorable deal on both factions.

He also provides advice for those selling online:

• Understand the competition by visiting ukay-ukay stalls, Divisoria malls, and other similar stores. Keep yourself updated with the hottest products and general market pricelist. Widen your list of contacts. Develop relationships with more business partners and suppliers. These actions allow Roman to put the prices of the products he sells in the lowest possible quotation.
  
• You can’t stop fragile items from being damaged during deliveries. This, of course, adds to the company expenses. If a client complained for damaged products, ask him or her to return them to you as soon as possible. After checking the breakages, resolve the conflict by negotiating with the client properly.


• Lastly, Roman claims, a real client will provide you ample time to prepare and deliver the ordered products while a potentially bogus one will insist on obtaining them within the day they were ordered. Myka Santiago

So, if you are looking for an online merchandising business worthy of your trust, DIVICOM Marketing is the name to go for. Contact Roman Ubaldo here.

On Pest Alert

Sharing a home with the creepy crawlies is like living on some quasi anti-terrorist battlefield where war tactics include silent attacks and seek and destroy stratagems to ultimately outwit, outplay, and outlast the enemy. It’s all about winning sole survivor.

An effective scheme would be deploying a special unit particularly trained in pest annihilation. That team from TOPBEST Pest Services, Inc. will fill in the shoes of the S.W.A.T. squad and will fight like there’s no tomorrow. Note to enemy: be ready to raise the white flag.

TOPBEST Services, Inc. is a family-managed organization founded in 1997. With a staff of more than 50 trained technicians and personnel, servicing thousands of residential and commercial clients, they’re the fastest growing pest control company in the country. Using biodegradable and environmentally-friendly products and state-of-the-art equipment, the company puts a premium on safeguarding life and providing the best service for their clients. It’s a commitment to their namesake.

Frances Grace M. Lazaro, Senior Marketing Executive, shares some valuable tips we could use to keep our homes pest free.

There are different preventive measures for different kinds of pests. Household pests such as ants, cockroaches, flies, and rodents come inside our properties for food and shelter. Some steps we could take would be the following:

• Eliminate food, moisture and harborage. Rigorous sanitation (cleaning and disinfecting) causes stress on pests, so they will forage more actively and may be controlled more readily by pesticides.


• Garbage cans should have tight-fitting lids. They should be cleaned regularly and placed as far from doors as possible. Clean garbage cans with boiling water to kill maggots. Likewise, garbage should be regularly disposed to avoid further infestations.


• Always keep doors and windows closed. Seal cracks and crevices to eliminate hiding places and reduce passageways. Seal gaps around plumbing, wall outlets, and switch outlets.


• Ensure proper ventilation in humid areas, such as stock rooms and attics because these are ideal breeding places for pesky pests.

Termites, on the other hand, are a much more complex case. They continuously but silently build one colony after the other and can wreck our precious properties. Proper attention should be given to termite prevention and control.

• Keep it dry. Check your gutters to make sure water drains away from your home and doesn’t pool around your foundation. Fix faulty drainage and any plumbing or roof leaks that cause moisture to accumulate.


• Keep all firewood, lumber, or wood products away from your home’s foundation or crawl space.


• Signs of mud tunnels or “bug size” tracks of damp dirt denote that termites are present, as these serve as means of traveling. In the meantime, do not sweep away these mud tunnels because termites will be driven away only temporarily.


• Immediately call a professional pest control such as TOPBEST Pest Services, Inc. to survey your property and give you treatment options and recommendations. Romina Tobias

Live in a pest-free environment. Consult a TOPBEST Pest Services professional today. Click here.

Own a Car through a Loan Program

Is owning a car listed in your 2009 planner? If you believe you are ready to own one but is a little short on budget, financing assistance may be all you need. Add a bit strategy to your action plan in order to achieve the noble objective. It wouldn’t hurt at all to try first-rate loan services for the idea to materialize.

The Auto Loans Department of AMA Bank provides refinancing services to local and overseas employees, business owners and corporations for as low as .50% monthly interest rate. Now, the question mark falls on the why’s, how’s and few what’s of things. Read on as Roel Galang, Marketing Officer of AMA Bank’s Auto Loans Department, provides a comprehensive guide on how to own a car through a loan program:

How much money do I need to start with the loan program?

You will need at least P50,000 from your own pocket as a down payment. You can then loan another P50,000 from AMA Bank to be able to purchase a P100,000-worth 1994 model, secondhand car. Or to avail a brand new vehicle like Toyota Vios or Honda City, you must have at least P150,000 for the down payment and mortgage fee.

Post-dated checks are required for the monthly amortization. To understand the credit ratio, the monthly amortization is 30 percent of the borrower’s monthly net salary. For instance, if you earn P35,000 to P40,000 a month, you can avail the loan services with P10,000 worth of monthly amortization.

The modes of payment vary on the status and model of the car to be refinanced. The down payment for a brand new car is 20 to 30 percent with maximum terms of 48 months and minimum of 3 years; forty percent for secondhand cars with specific bracketing indicators. For instance, a 1994 model will require you 18 months to pay while a 2004 model will allow you 3 years to settle your balance. Insurance is also covered and with four months to pay after signing of loan documents.

How do I get to choose a car?

AMA Bank finances brand new cars mainly from Nissan, Toyota and Honda. You can choose the car to purchase but you may also seek advice from the marketing officers of AMA Bank on which brand has a high market value or consumes less gasoline.

BMW and Mercedes Benz are the most expensive cars that can be possibly loaned from the program. On the other hand, the least expensive car that will be accepted must be worth P100,000, and anything that goes below is considered undervalue. Examples of this car are the ‘94 model Toyota Corolla and ‘95 model Nissan Super Saloon automatic.

How fast is the car loan processing in AMA Bank?

If it is within Metro Manila, you will have to wait four to five days for it to be approved. The whole processing period from the time of application will count 45 banking days excluding Saturdays and Sundays.

Once your loan has been approved, you have to forward the OR/CR or the original certificate of registration and the official receipt of the registration to the Marketing Officer-in-charge. After that, you will sign the loan documents and issue a post-dated check. The Marketing Officer will then process the check. This will signal the availment of the loan. You will start paying the debt after 40 daysupon signing of loan documents.

What if I fail to pay the loan on time?

Problems in terms of collections are quite unavoidable especially when a client suddenly loses a job or business. It is clearly stated in the promissory note that once you fail to pay back the bank, the car will be repossessed. As Roel puts it: “mababaon ‘yung sasakyan”. They wouldn’t be able to claim their registration copies unless they fully settle their loans. Sad to say, AMA Bank doesn’t provide extensions or “tawad” since in a bank’s point of view collections are always expected especially in a lending business. Funds must keep spinning so that new borrowers will always be accommodated. Failure to pay on time will lead to penalties and more cost of money.

AMA Bank has been in the business for 54 years with10 branches nationwide, with the car loan program being added to the list of its banking and finance services in 2001. Myka Santiago

To avail the fastest car loan services, contact AMA Bank here.

How to Dress Fabuloose-ly for Plus-size Women

All women want to look and feel beautiful. That’s why they constantly look for classy and tasteful clothes that fit and compliment their figure regardless of their size. Plus-size women encounter exceptional challenges in finding the perfect outfit, as the traditional market gears its designs more on the slender body type.

Good thing, nowadays, there are a lot of apparel shops whose products are specially designed for full-size women; one of them is Fabuloose Clothing Collections.

Fabuloose owner Maria Elena Pascual Inigo recognizes the need of large women for hip clothing styles and designs. And to help them dress fabulously, she provides the following tips:

• If you have big arms you should avoid puffy sleeves. This will only attract attention to the area where women feel extremely conscious.


• Wear off shoulders, preferably black if you feel that you can flaunt them. The style is very elegant, not formal and fitted but not tight. You will definitely leave a lasting impression.


• Try a wrap dress to hide the hips and notice the curve. Let the clothes flow the way it should without revealing your bulges. This looks classy, sexy and comfortable at the same time.


• Use belts when wearing very loose, long blouses. They will make you look slimmer and hide extra pounds. Do not wear it too tight, it’s not pleasing and definitely not comfortable. Make sure to wear it wisely.


• Wear cotton fabrics if the season is humid. A light fabric cotton allows for better air circulation than most others. One great thing about it is that it also absorbs moisture from the body.

Because of Fabuloose, large women are now able to flaunt their assets and figures. In personal affairs and career issues, the world and its society recognize those who can look secured and feel good about themselves. With outstanding and notable get-up, plus-size women can now carry themselves and face the world with much greater confidence and optimism. Mary Gumellus L. Arabaca

Have a fabulous look for less! Click here.

Surplus Hunting in the Metro under a Budget

With the prices of commodities continuously going up, who said you can't have quality gadgets anymore? I say you still can, as long as you know where to look.

If you don’t mind buying surplus items and doing some sort of treasure hunting like me, HMR Philippines may be the best place for you to go to. Situated in Pioneer St. in Mandaluyong, HMR Philippines is a 5,000-square meter warehouse that offers a wide range of products from computers to furniture & fixtures, audio video products to office equipments, toys and even items for Christmas all at a very low price. You can find branded desktop computers and laptops such as Dell, IBM, Compaq or HP at a fraction of the running cost in the market. Computer monitors go for as low as P1,000 while CPUs are between P3,000 to P7,000.

Don’t get suspicious about the quality of the products. HMR Philippines marketing manager Kares Ng said, all their products particularly the PC and electronic lines, go through a series of tests to ensure that they are in perfect running condition before they are displayed in the showroom. Each product even goes with a warranty. Their commitment to affordability and quality makes them a “well-kept secret,” as proven by their loyal patrons through the years.

Just some tips when you visit HMR Philippines: be patient and have an open mind. Don’t expect too much. Remember, the items for sale are surplus. Some, though are really brand new… it’s just they come with minimal damage like scratches. Their products are one-of-a-kind too, so if you find something you like, don’t wait for another day or week to buy it… the item might be gone by then.

But don’t worry about the warehouse being empty when you drop by for a visit as there’s a steady schedule of deliveries. Now, with all this information in hand, the well-kept secret is out. Happy surplus hunting! Czarina Medina Año

Find affordable surplus items such as computers, peripherals, electronics, office equipments and a lot more at HMR Philippines, Inc. click here for contact information.