The number of Philippine women involved with European, American, Canadian and Australian men is difficult to estimate. Of course, these aren’t the only countries where the Filipinas are escaping to. Filipinas are, in fact, leaving the Philippines in masses. This phenomenon has been taking place for over 20 years or longer, but with the increasing global access to the Internet and the growth of dating websites, scams are on the rise.

Some of the better known sites include Filipinaheart.com and Cebuanas.com, but the list is extensive and new websites emerge each month. Some relationships begin in person, while a large majority are begun on the Internet. For those initiating on the Internet, the risk for relationship fraud and scam is at an all time high. Potential victims should be extremely wary of any Filipina asking for money early in the relationship. If there is a chance this woman could be the one, whether in the Philippines or beyond (Colombia, Russia, Ukraine, Brazil, etc), a background check can save a great deal of money and heartache. In short, due to the number of fraud and scam cases in international relationships, it is better to be safe than sorry. The alternative can be costly.

Our three favorite background check services are Owens OnLine, Wymoo International and Philippine PI. Owens OnLine offers a professional service at a reasonable price, although their services are more tailored to business clients. Wymoo International and Philippine PI are industry leaders for confidential investigations for individuals. Wymoo covers over 100 countries worldwide. For the Philippines, however, we recommend Philippine PI because of their local presence throughout the islands.

Depending on your need for information and the Company you choose, professional investigations cost between $350 and $600. Surveillance services may be more, depending on the number of hours worked. Surveillance service should provide detailed reports with photo or video evidence. The insurance and verification is an increasingly wise investment.

Best of luck,

A. Hathaway

© 2005-2007 A. Hathaway, All Rights Reserved

This will be short.

I just want to ask you a question.

— 0 —

Last week, I had lunch with a wealthy foreigner.

How wealthy? He was earning two million dollars a month. (I’m not kidding.) He was in the Philippines visiting our smaller islands.

“So how did you like your visit?” I asked him.

“I loved it,” he said, “I have never met a more polite, more courteous, nicer people than the Filipinos.”

“Thank you,” I beamed.

But then he frowned. “Bo, I also noticed how religious Filipinos are. I saw the tricycles with signs, saying, “God loves you” and “John 3:16”. There is so much God in your country. And yet there is so much poverty.”

Ouch.

That hurt because it’s so true.

His question reminded me about my visit to Vietnam a month before—and how disturbed I felt.

There’s not much God in that country. It’s been a communist country for decades. But the economy is exploding. And according to statistics, poverty has gone down by a huge 60%! Can you believe that?

One reason: Foreign investments.

Last year, the Philippine’s foreign investments reached a measly $2.5B.

In Vietnam last year, their foreign investments reached $15B.

And do you know what happened this year? From January to July 2008, foreign investments in Vietnam already reached $33B!

Look at China. Another “godless” nation. But poverty has gone down as well. And they’re now poised to be the next Superpower of the world.

Look at Japan. Only 2% of its population is Christian. Many of them don’t even have any religion. Yet their economy has been thriving for decades.

But look at a few South American countries. Like the Philippines, there’s a lot of religion and poverty there too.

So here are my questions:

• Why so much God and poverty in our country?

• Does a certain brand of religion cause poverty?

• Or am I missing something here?

Share me your thoughts below.

Tell me what you think.

Next week, I’ll give you my thoughts.

May your dreams come true,

Bo Sanchez

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But not many businesses thoroughly understand the benefits of outsourcing. It’s true that outsourcing can save money, but that’s not the only (or even the most important) reason to do it. As the outsourcing trend in the Philippines came to be in early 2000, more and more US companies have to turned to offshoring and staff leasing for more than one reason.

(1)Control capital costs. Cost-cutting may not be the only reason to outsource, but it’s certainly a major factor. Outsourcing converts fixed costs into variable costs, releases capital for investment in more important areas of your business, and saves you from spending so much during the early stages of your business. Outsourcing can also make your small business more attractive to investors, since you’re able to pump more capital directly into revenue-producing plans and activities.

(2)Reduce labor costs. Hiring and training staff for short-term or peripheral projects can be very expensive and temporary employees don’t always live up to your expectations. Outsourcing lets you focus your human resources where you need them most.

(3)Get more projects done. A good outsourcing firm has the resources to start a project right away. Handling the same project in-house might involve taking weeks or months to hire the right people, train them, and provide the support they need. And if a project requires major capital investments (such as building a series of distribution centers), the startup process can be even more difficult.

(4)Increase efficiency. Companies that do everything themselves have much higher research, development, marketing, and distribution expenses, all of which are charged to the clients. Now that’s bad for business. An outside provider’s cost structure and economy of scale can give your business an important competitive advantage.

(5)Focus on your core business. Small businesses have only so much to spend, especially when they’re only starting out. Outsourcing can help your business to shift its focus from minor activities toward work that serves the customer, and it can help owners on management.

(6)Provides even competition. Most small businesses can’t afford to match the in-house support services that larger companies offer. Outsourcing can help small firms act “big” by giving them access to the same economies of scale, efficiency, and expertise that large companies enjoy.

(7)Reduce risk. Every business investment carries a certain amount of risk. Markets, competition, government regulations, financial conditions, and technologies all change very quickly. Outsourcing providers assume and manage this risk for you, and they generally are much better at deciding how to avoid risk in their areas of expertise. Since the Philippine BPO labor force is very much equipped with the skills, knowledge, and communication skills to execute these tasks, investing on outsourcing in the country provides greater security than other Asian competitors.

Bernard Joseph Esposo Guerrero

A Globalization

What came alongside globalization was the practice of most companies to focus more on market efficiency, increase of return of investments (ROIs), low-cost procedures, among others. These corporate goals took the center stage, atop and over values that are sensitive and important to workers and the general working atmosphere. A clear manifestation of this trend is the growing incidence of labor contractualization, casual, and temporary employment; not only by large and multinational companies, but also by medium-sized ones. These labor practices enabled companies to have a clear edge over less competitive ones that eventually just fade out; inevitably displacing quite a number of employees. Based on Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP) reports,   with 107, 439 companies not renewing registration in 2003, nearly a million workers were dispatched. This has tremendous consequences as to how the labor landscape was shaped up in the country especially in terms of employee-employer power relations, interactions, and struggles.

Contractual Employment and Implications

Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs) are spearheaded by legitimate and representative labor unions. These unions are organized by regular employees – as part of their rights. Employees join unions whose leaders represent them. Unions act as the workers’ voice as collective efforts induce better management and greater productivity by reducing labor turnover, enhancing worker morale and cooperation, negotiating more efficient workplace, resolving grievances, and influencing management into better efficiency.[i] With the massive trend towards contractualized labor – which is characterized by less benefits, fragile security and tenure, lower overhead, and occurrences of high attrition – the easy shift from cheap markets to cheaper ones is in no way favorable to non-regular employees. As seen in face of economic instabilities, it has been easy to remove contractual employees be it in the enterprise level or macroeconomic level – and this phenomenon appears to be ubiquitous across the globe. An interesting case would be the Philippine garment industry[ii], wherein the subcontracting system facilitated workforce downsizing by half. In fact, from the common 6-month contracts, some companies have even shortened tenures to a mere 3 months. The case of Shoe Mart (SM) is perhaps one of the best  - and most notorious – examples to illustrate why labor unions in the Philippines are hard to pull up and maintain as employees change every now and then. The effects of which to union’s cause and the affectivity of their methods towards bargaining render the sustainability of their battle-cry as practically nil. The exercise of employee rights then becomes futile, much more pointless to fight for.

The Philippine Industrial Relations at Play

The Philippine government, as a part of a bigger political strategy, has never been innocent from exuding better benevolence towards businesses – businesses pay taxes, while unions are seen as threats to investors.  The tendency of the government to be indifferent to the demands of the workers is one of the reasons why there have been lessening union popularity and decreasing numbers of CBAs achieved every passing year.

The Department of Labor and Employment’s (DOLE) Bureau of Labor and Employment Statistics reveals that in 1990 more than 4,982 CBAs were secured, in 1995 with 3,264, in 2005 with 2,793, down to  1,456 in 2008[iii]. However, with the decline of CBAs, the number of employees covered seems to have maintained a hefty status. Nevertheless, one might want to question the extent of power that labor unions currently possess in face of negotiations with their employers.

More insidious tactics of capitalists right now, aside from remolding the concept of employment relations, is that they dissuade their workers from forming unions through threats such as firing them right on; deaths – though mostly in contention against claims of suicides and occupational accidents as causes – of union-leader and member workers,  as what took place in Hanjin[iv]; and even the use of indirect, passive ways of discouraging such as installing labor management councils and other union avoidance measures within the workplace. Sometimes, employers even instill faux labor unions that are only to be led by employer-loyalists so that they can control, mitigate, and pacify potential uprisings and damages. In a way, the struggle is also an ideological battle. Though the spirit and cause of labor unionism has not faded away, its declining strength and visibility in the labor scene is attributed to two correlated problems: the lack of bargaining rights, and the lack of conducive avenues to exercise such rights.

Conclusion: Cycles of Self-fulfilling Prophecies

The apparent apathy of both the government and employers, in fact, creates a self-fulfilling prophecy of employee numbness as well since employees already tend to see their causes as predetermined losing battles. This large-scale cycle of apathy from both parties can be said as the overarching dilemma within the industrial relations structure in the country.

In face of globalization, despite the silencing of these labor apparatuses by factors that are both coming from companies and the government, as well as self-, employee-made ones, one cannot say that labor unions are truly dying out. Suffice to say that employees approach towards unionism and CBAs are just outdated, failing to adjust to what the status quo calls for. Perhaps, there is already a need to rekindle and reinvent the working idea of a union in order to keep up with the ‘modern’ ways of the modern age. The point being established here is that labor unionism can still bounce back to gaining its former vigor. As to how this can be done, there are already many recommendations laid on the table by various experts. As much as globalization attempted to widen the world to promote unity – economically, politically, and culturally – its effects of alienating people – especially the workers – cannot be denied. The Philippine labor unions’ experiences are a case in point.

[i] Amarante, M. 2008. More Unions, Lesser Member: Worker Representation in the Phillipines. Philippine Journal of Labor and Industrial Relations 28; nos. 1 & 2.

[ii] See works of Ofreneo, R. of the School of Labor and Industrial Relations, Univ. of the Philippines.

[iii] See bles.dole.gov.ph/2009 Publications/2009 YLS/html/chapter_19.html

[iv] See case of Hanjin Heavy Industries Corporation of labor malpractices and abuses.

Thanks to Umbrella Online Real Estate, searching for suitable properties in Manila for both residential and commercial purposes has been made easy. With Umbrella Online real estates’ help, potential Manila home buyers and Manila Real Estate owners meet in one platform and provide buyers and sellers with endless property list and information to meet both of their demands.

Umbrella Online real estate is known to be Philippines best and only Real estate firm with interactive floor plans, private viewing, 360 degree tours with the company’s fleet of chauffeured vehicles and colored photographs of Manila homes for sale, Manila property information, location maps, aerial views and printable colored brochures to help homebuyers choose the right property from the company’s list of Manila realty for sale such as apartments in Manila, Manila homes and Manila houses and Manila condominiums that suits each buyer and sellers need in terms of price range and property type.

Umbrella Online Real Estate is the place where real estate agents, private sellers, property developers and landlords can meet their marketing and property investment needs. Umbrella Real Estate is completely unique and original to the Philippines. From the firm’s branding, office, chauffeured vehicles and to the very appearance of their real estate agents, everything is designed to give clients a quality and hospitable service.

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The rental opportunity is achieved through a need for hotel accommodation, rather than residential letting markets. There are three key reasons why buyers are keen to invest in Apart-hotels or Condotels in the Philippines” Collingz continues, Firstly, it’s a completely hands-off investment: the developer builds the hotel, and the management company runs it. Their job is to operate the hotel, maintain it and ensure maximum room occupancy and, as they receive a percentage of the nightly room rate, they are motivated to do so.

Secondly, because investors income is a percentage of the nightly, weekly or monthly room rate of the rental operations pool of all the units in the development rather than a monthly income from a single rented property, they are not exposed to substantial monthly deficits.

From a financial perspective, the income level compares favorably with traditional buy-to-let. Generally, expected income levels are sizeable 12-16% ROI per annum would not be unusual in a well-selected apart-hotel. If suggested income levels on a development are much below 10%, we would not consider promoting it as it would not represent a good investment opportunity for our clients said Collingz.

In the Philippines this form of investment seems set to outstrip the traditional buy-to-let rental market. At present, Metro Manila and regional towns such as Cebu, lack hotel rooms meaning that occupancy levels in any developments are likely to be high.

Most new investors in the Lancaster Suites Manila are established UK property investors who are looking for a UK product with a higher yield and no operating deficits. However, Apart-hotels are also attracting first time buyers looking to establish themselves on the property ladder whilst making yearly income as well.

Demand for apart-hotels is increasing as investors become more aware and better informed about the opportunities on offer. And whilst finding financing for overseas property has been difficult in the past, PCPI offers all buyers a no prequalification In-House 12 year payment plan with zero down payment, making the entry level open to may first time investors.

Lancaster – The Atrium, located in Shaw Boulevard, Metro Manila, is a “Full Service” Apart-Hotel ["Condotel"] offering Studio, One, Two and Three Bedroom Suites for sale. To be completed and ready for turnover from December 2010, Lancaster will provide unit owners with premier residential condo units with the option of enrolling their units in the Lancaster Rental Pool and earn Rental Incomes as Owner Non-Residents when not using their units. This makes Lancaster Manila, one of the Hottest Investment Opportunities in the Philippines said Collingz.

All units at the Lancaster Suites have kitchen facilities. The standard unit price provides for the suite to be semi-finished but not fully furnished. Included in the current price are the interior finishing’s such as tiled & semi-fitted bathrooms, bedrooms with simulated wood plank flooring, semi-fitted living and dining area with simulated wood plank floorings and lower kitchen cabinets/work tops installed. Walls and ceilings are painted cement finish. A complete optional extra interior fit-out package including unit fittings and fixtures, furniture’s, furnishings, air-conditioning, lighting fixtures and appliances will be available towards the time the units are closer to being completed continued Collingz.

For further info please do not hesitate to contact us:

Beth Collingz
PLC International Marketing Networks

As this thought implies, the known “Pearl of the Orient Seas” is undeniably has characteristics that suits the taste of different races. One proof of this is the booming economy of korean schools where in the teachers are Fiipinos and teach Koreans fluent English. This goes to show that the Philippines is one of the good communicators world wide. Another is the food industry where in many restaurant with different types of cuisine is very popular business in the country. The chefs are Filipinos that has diverse knowledge on different food that will cater not only the Global Market but also its local market.

Many other business establishments have been circulating in the country thus giving the government the oppurtunity to have Philippines properties for sale. Who would not want to have a hospitable environment and accessibility to different business probabilities? Many people would want to have a successful venture in the business industry thus why not try to buy Philippines properties for sale.

One of the booming business in the Philippines is the tutorial centers wherein great Filipino teachers devote their time to enhance one’s ability and boost ones confidence in the academe. A lot of foreigners visit the Philippines and stay here for a long period of time not only because of the tutorial centers but also the low cost of living in the country unlike other coutries wherein people have to spend a fortune just to get a good education. Here in the Philippines it is all about quality and Philippines properties for sale are of quality in terms of surroundings, people, and view.

Americans, Koreans, Chinese and British have been here in the Philippines and haven’t been out eversince. It is because of the satisfaction they get from living in a simple country with big culture and promising future. Why is it a promising future? It is because here in the Philippines you are safe to try and venture in many industries and get a quality of workers and business partners. It is not only helping the ecomony of the country but also have the people employed and in return you get the maximum benefits you could ever have.

Many have gone and stayed in the Philippines and that is enough proof that buying Philippines properties for sale is worth it and a great investment for you. Why not try to explore the possibilities and look at the Philippines in the business aspect and you will see that it has the potential to be involved in the global market.

Visit the website http://buyandsellplus.com/.