A Look at the World’s Economic Situation Today

Today’s economic situation creates ideal opportunities for angel investors and venture capitalists. It was reported that the world’s economy today may appear to be improving statistically but many believe that the global economic conditions are only getting worse. When a high intensity earthquake and ensuing tsunami devastated Japan last Friday - March 11, 2011, the world was shocked and in great turmoil. 

Japan, as one of the richest countries of the world is currently suffering from nuclear crisis that may influence the global economy, and may affect the health condition of the nation and its neighboring countries. It was the worst earthquake experience that this country ever had, and the worst calamity that ever happened to this country. Japan gets more than a quarter of their power from nuclear energy. The country has several nuclear reactors and became the third largest nuclear power user in the world providing 34.5% of its electricity. So many countries depend on nuclear power. But what happened in Japan recently made safety officials seek desperately on how to avert catastrophe because this nuclear meltdown is enough to impact human health.

Prior to the catastrophic event in Japan, several countries experience tragic situations as the strong forces of nature hit these countries while some experience chaos and wasted so many lives due to civil wars because of political ill-power or political dynasty. Following are just few of the major disasters encountered by some countries today, creating a humongous effect in their economies.

• A strong earthquake wreaked havoc in New Zealand last month and killed so many people while hundreds are still missing and left damages that caused billions of dollars. 

•   The wettest season ever in Australia happened earlier this year where one of its biggest cities and some towns were ravaged by heavy floods, killed few people but affecting thousands of families and establishments that cost billions of dollars in its damages.

• In south-eastern Brazil as well, they experienced the worst natural disaster after several decades. More than 500 people were known to have died in heavy floods and damaged a huge amount of money in their properties.

• Egypt encountered its first real international crisis and the biggest disaster since the Iranian revolution that happened three decades ago, pushing the Egyptian regime out of power. This also caused several civilian lives and affected a lot of foreign workers in the country. 
• The people power started by the Egyptians subsequently brought tumultuous revolutions by Libyan and Bahraini people, still with the aim of pushing their leaders out of power due to political dynasty or regime. These countries are major producers of oil and employed thousands of foreign workers but they were vastly affected because they have to be sent back to their own countries. 

• Saudi Arabia and Qatar are afraid to be the next middle-eastern countries to have possible signs of hostilities. According to some economists, if this would ever happen this could be the worst catastrophe that would eminently disturb the global economy.

To raise venture capital is one of the solutions to economic recovery today. Angel investor networks are very positive of seeing their money grow by investing in start-up businesses with potential, or in some business establishments that are still in the recovery phase after the catastrophe. Those who have good business lines of credits are very much capable of acquiring these unsecured business loans quickly. Entrepreneurs and investors can easily connect with each other no matter which part of the world they are because of the advancement of technology.

Death of a Remarkable Soldier

February 8, 2011 -  Retired General Angelo Reyes committed suicide in front of his mother's grave, and died at the age of 65. Reyes, along with other high ranking officials, was alleged by former military fund manager Lt. Col. George Rabusa and former auditor of Commission on Audit (COA) Heide Mendoza, for bribery involving military funds, lavishly spending the money together with his family while on service with the government. The allegation is not just talking about hundreds of thousands of pesos, but hundreds of millions of pesos. It was known that Reyes received send-off money which is commonly known as "pabaon" in the military circle, the practice of giving cash to retiring military officers, amounting to millions of pesos. He was scheduled on this day to appear before the senate investigation but informed the lawmakers through a letter that he would not be able to do so.

Reyes has done remarkable achievements to the government from different administrations, which include the EDSA Dos where he pulled out the army's support from former President Joseph Estrada when he was impeached and subsequently departed from office, which brought the presidency of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who was then the Vice-President. He was Estrada's former AFP chief of staff. He was appointed as secretary of National Defense and secretary of DILG under Arroyo's administration.

The allegation is a very big shame not just to the military circle but to the Philippines as a religious nation. Reyes strongly denied the allegation and expressed his sentiments about the involvement of his family to this shameful accusation. Now that one of the main culprits killed himself in the midst of serious issues, people tend to question his action. Was it because of shame or guilt? Was it because he was holding the truth and can not afford to divulge that would greatly affect some big names in the Philippine politics?

How Television and Internet Affects Children's Behavior

 

Television is a common feature in every domestic scene. Even with the advancement of technology on home entertainment, standard television viewing remains the popular pastime activity for millions of people, and most of them are children. Most children plug into the world of television long before they enter school. On average, children watch TV for two hours a day.

Television is a powerful tool for entertainment and education for children if given the right programming. However, according to studies, television and media in general can also have a very negative influence. The great impact of TV on the children's diet and physical activity should be understood by parents to prevent obesity and sedentary lifestyle. Television is also very crucial to the brain development of the children at a very early age if exposure is not monitored and not limited.

Television and internet, has a major influence on children as well as on adults' behavior. Direct response television (DRTV) advertisements and infomercial lines aired on television daily have a great impact, either positive or negative on the viewers, specially the children. We see drugs, sex, nudity, and vulgar languages portrayed on almost every show or program on TV, and children should not be exposed to this kind of entertainment, particularly at a very young age in which they do not have the ability to distinguish what is reality and fantasy.

Children seem to believe whatever they see on TV is true and imitate them. Young boys choose to wear what their favorite singer is wearing such as Justin Bieber. Young girls like to wear clothing worn by their favorite TV personalities like Miley Cyrus in Hannah Montana. At school, if they wear anything that is not in the fashion line of their favorite TV personalities, they are considered as an outcast.

The repercussion of television has more negative than positive effects, and children should have restrictions to what they watch or at least they are monitored while watching TV. The same thing is true with the internet. Nowadays, at a very young age, children know how to operate the computer and play their favorite games, watch movies, or surf in the internet. Internet is much worst than television when it comes to influencing the chidren's behavior. On television, programs are shown at a specific time slot, while on the internet, they can search any movies or show and watch it at anytime.

Children may search anything on the internet and browsing may lead them to adult websites if they are not being assisted. They may join live web chat services that may not be suitable for their age. It is best for parents to control the use of TV and internet, and teach the kids that television is for occasional entertainment, and internet is for educational purposes and not for constant escapism.

Cebu Celebrates Sinulog Festival, a Big Help to its Economy

 

January 16, 2011 – Cebu City, Philippines, marks another history for Cebu as it celebrates Sinulog Festival, the most awaited big event of the year. With different participants not just from Cebu but also from its neighboring islands, who spend hundreds of thousands of pesos for their sophisticated, unique, and colorful costumes and props, competing for the grand prize and bringing home the pride.

It is the most colorful event of the year that attracts not just the native Cebuanos, but also foreign people who keeps coming back every Sinulog Festival. This helps a lot in the tourism industry and greatly affects the economic situation of Cebu particularly in the hotel and restaurant industries. Almost every year, new hotels arise to serve more foreign people as their population continues to grow, to provide them comfortable place just like a home away from their home.

Cebu has a lot to be proud of. It has all the ingredients for an ideal tourist destination. It gets a share of 500,000 international tourists in a year. With its accessible international airport, natural attractions such as beautiful beaches and luxury resorts, that includes diving and island hopping, and the charming Cebuanas and hospitable Cebuanos, thus making it as one of the best destinations in Asia.

Cebu has been ranked as the 4^th Asian island destinations according to Travel + Leisure magazine that released its World’s Best Awards 2009 result last year, a listing of the best airlines, hotels, or cruises, in islands and cities all over the world.  Cebu has also been named as the “Best Honeymoon Destination” because lots of travelers, especially the couples, are finding its pristine white beaches, romantic resorts and breathtaking views, a perfect treat for their honeymoon trip.

Such recognition provides impetus for more private and public sector investments in infrastructure and tourism-related facilities. Korea and Japan are the leading source markets for goods and electronic devices, while US and Europe are the leading source for Business Process Outsourcing services that tempestuously boomed because Cebuanos provide quality of work and speak the English language proficiently.