Arts and Crafts in Business

I have always been inclined to our family business. I am there since it gave birth to a humble single stall in the market until it rose to a 7-stall store. My last visit to my hometown brought out something that I want to firm up, and that is my great vision to bring it to a supermarket/mall level. Too ambitious, yes. But impossible? Absolutely no!

I know that it is not yet my time to call it quits with the corporate world. I still need a guaranteed and steady inflow in my bank account. But this responsibility to my employer does not mean I cannot work on my vision. I have my mind, my resources, and my little spare time to divest my attention to my vision.

Recently, I started in working with name branding. I researched on cute photos in the net to associate with clothes and accessories, bags, toys, homeware, school and hardware supplies which are our recent expansion. All lumped into one store but I have a long term plan of putting each of this in separate stalls. I created logo for each product line.

the "first" logos

i'm thankful for www. istockphoto.com for the cool images!

I gathered old magazines which I can transform into paper bags. This, of course, are of inferior quality, but way better than ordinary plastics, right? I bet my niece would be enjoying this activity as she likes arts and crafts!

my raw materials/work in process!

finished product!

 The first four paper bags that I've finished!

Now I am so excited to go home probably next week and introduce my new idea!

Lipad Na, Bumoto Ka!

And so 2010 national election is at the tip of our nose. We know it, this is one of the most crucial turning point in the history book of the Philippines. Our fate as a nation is at hand. We need to give our share, no matter how little it may seem or gigantic it may be.

We always hear in every media outlets that we, as Filipinos, should exercise our rights - the right to vote specifically. I admit that I'm not a die-hard Filipino but I feel the need for me to ensure that my vote will be counted. But what hinders me to do so? It is the skyrocketing airfare that will leave my ATM grieving once again. You may ask, why did I not transfer my registration here in Makati? It is simply because my home is in Negros. My vote is needed in our local city - a blossoming city in which if will not be taken cared of, the growth will be staggard. I am passionate to bring my local city into a different level.

This is a national issue where everyone should help. The voters have the will, but sometimes we do not have the means. This is where I see the need of the companies to help out. Airline and bus operators. They can HELP a lot. In this trying times, it is the best time for them to take their corporate responsibility into a deeper level. Drop your fares to a lowest level specially designed for the May 10 elections. I assure you, people and politicians will thank you a lot!

This does not mean though that I am not grateful to the frequent promos each of these airlines have. My previous blogs can attest how thankful I am! This time, dedicate your promo taglines to the election such as "Lipad Na, Bumoto ka!"

Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines, Airphil Express, Zest Air - ARE YOU GAME?

Who/What Ruins Your Air Travel Experience?

Domestic flights are very common nowadays, thanks to the magic of competition as it yielded cheaper airfares! But along with this frequent travels come an equally frequent irritation with the airline services and nasty co-passengers.

What are your top five list? Here's mine!

1. An annoying kid and an inconsiderate guardian tandem
Kids are cute especially when they are in their distinctive baby voice. My adoration turns out to be a bitter one when these kids are unreasonably noisy inside the plane while everyone else is trying to catch a little nap before heading to a full-packed day. My irritation is fueled up when their guardians do not have a clue that these little monsters are messing up your supposed-to-be relaxing trip.

2. The magician passengers
Have you encountered those people who seemed to have brought EVERYTHING that they have in their trips?! It's fine with me as long as you won't force that EVERYTHING as check-in baggage or carry more than what is allowed as hand carry so as to save from paying the excess baggage. This makes you ridiculously cheap or a star in "Kampanerang Kuba". And oh yeah, please stop debating with the airline that you are in the right reasoning. It causes further delay!

3. The "I-must-be-the-first-to-jump-on-the-plane" passengers
I get the logic why the airlines chop off the boarding per seat number ranges. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I see it as an efficient and faster way of getting into the plane. But there are just some people who never cared to observe it. The end result? There you are all jammed in the aisle! Hello? The plane won't leave ASAP if you are sitted first.


4. The little sari-sari store inside the plane
Well, thanks to those frequent airfares, I got to travel more than the usual. I know business, and I know that it's one way of the airlines to make some profits by slashing the on-board "meals" and instead push those carts with food and souvenir items. But, can we spare the first flight with this scheme and give the guests (yes, us!) the time to grasp a small sleep?!

5. The one-sided announcements of the estimated and actual arrival time
I cannot remember if this is true to all airlines but I noticed this one when I last take my flight via AirPhil Express. The route from Manila to Bacolod took us forever. This was evidenced by the non-stop cursing of the guy beside me. No apology was announced from the flight attendants' deck. My opposite route arrived to Manila earlier than expected. There was pride in the FA's voice when she announced it. Can we at least be fair?!