Vote for the Best and Win an Entertainment Showcase

The Christmas celebration in the Philippines is arguable the longest in the world.

As early as September, we could already hear Yuletide tunes from almost every corner and would probably be played until the first Sunday of January (Feast of Three Kings).

Well, if you'll find yourself strolling at SM North EDSA anytime between today and 03 January 2011, you might want to go to the Atrium where you can find a display of almost 60 Christmas trees and Belen that are all made of old newspapers.  These are actually competing for the annual contest organized by Manila Bulletin.

Here's a treat for you by just looking at the display.  If you can figure which among the amazing displays will win the top prize this year, You can win for your self an Entertainment Showcase courtesy of Changhong and Rainbow DVD.

To vote just text MB Say XMASTREE or XMASBELEN Number of your choice Your name Your address.

Send your entries to 6800 to Smart subscribers or 2256 to Globe subscribers.

For more information, you may call 524-7884.

Win WWE Premium Items

As far as I can remember, I've been a pro wrestling fan since I was 5.

Those days, you already know who will win even before the bell rings. The match-up makers then would just pick one WWF superstar than put him in the ring with an unknown fighter which we would describe as "parang pinabili lang ng suka sa palengke"

But of course, there were a few times that a mediocre wrestler would win the match if your name happens to be like Barry Horowitz or Steve Lombardi.

Today's WWE has evolved into a real eye candy with glitz and brawl combined. My all-time fave is still the Hulkster but I would not be amaze now if somebody will win a match via leg drop.

Now here's a great treat for WWE sucker like me. Jack TV has this amazing promotion for all their loyal viewers where WWE Premium items will be given away. Here's the contest PR I read from their official website.

Jack TV gives you more reason to watch and stay tuned to WWE Raw and Smackdown!

With new timeslots and now even closer to its US airing, Jack TV adds more excitement to the breath-stopping shows each WWE Titles offer. Simply catch the weekly featured wrestler during either Raw or Smackdown, and key in your answer here. Do this for the whole promo period to get a higher chance of being drawn as the Grand Winner of WWE merchandise from Mattel. JACK TV proves all the more why it’s called to be WWE’s home.

Promo Period: December 22 – January 25, 2010 (5 weeks).

Check their website for more details.

FREE Entrance to Ginebra vs Alaska Christmas Do-or-Die Game

Last year, after almost spending Noche Buena in the hospital, I whispered a simple prayer hoping that this year's Christmas day celebration would be better and more exciting.

Last night, I think Santa did noted my plea from last year and granted a convincing 94-76 Barangay Ginebra win over rival Alaska Milk in Game 2 of their best-of-3 quarterfinals match. This means that the two teams will have to meet on Christmas day to determine who will face San Miguel Beer for a best-of-7 semifinals match. The other semis battle will be between Talk N' Text and B-Meg Derby Ace.

Now, here's a Christmas treat for fellow Ginebra fanatics like me: PBA will be giving away FREE tickets to the first 1,000 spectators (Gallery section) to the Kings-Aces match on Saturday at the Cuneta Astrodome. The game starts at 5 p.m. Lucky ticket holders will also be treated to special raffle prizes during the game.

I just hope the Kings win so it will really be a great holiday celebration for all the ka-Barangays!

FREE Toll Fee from SLEX

Here's a good news I just read from Manila Bulletin which I think in way can make a lot of motorists happy during the holiday season.

Southbound motorists will enjoy toll-free use of the South Luzon Expressway (SLEx) and the Southern Tagalog Arterial Road (STAR) on Christmas and New Year.

As a treat to expressway users, the South Luzon Tollway Corporation (SLTC) will waive collection of the toll for the 36-kilometer expressway from Alabang in Muntinlupa to Sto. Tomas in Batangas from 10 p.m. of December 24 to 6 a.m. of December 25, and from 10 p.m. of December 31 to 6 a.m. of January 1.

The STAR Tollway Corporation (STC) will observe the same toll holiday at the 42-kilometer highway from Sto. Tomas to Balagtas town in Batangas province.

Given the toll holiday, motorists are expected to save P86 at SLEx and P60 at STAR.

Although the Citra Metro Manila Tollway Corporation (CMMTC) will not implement a similar toll holiday for users of South Metro Manila Skyway, it is still letting motorists use the elevated portion of the expressway from Bicutan to Sucat toll free until the Alabang extension is finished by May 2011.

Nevertheless, CMMTC will revert to its P85 toll rate for the use of the elevated Skyway starting December 22.

On the other hand, the Manila North Tollways Corporation (MNTC) and the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) said there will be no toll holiday for users of the North Luzon Expressway (NLEx) and the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx).

Both MNTC and BCDA have a pending application to implement 11 and 43 percent toll fee increase, respectively, before the Toll Regulatory Board. Target implementation is on January 1 but TRB officials said no decision on the petitions has been made.

The MNTC is seeking an 11 percent toll rate increase from its present rate of P2.13 per kilometer while the BCDA is requesting for 43 percent increase from its current rate of P2 per kilometer.

Make a pledge and get a FREE Ingat Pilipinas Kit

When you finish reading this blog post, two accidents will have occurred.

It's a fact that we should not take lightly especially during this holiday season when parties and drinking sessions are simply irresistible. That's why we should be careful ALWAYS! Sabi nga ng kahawig kong si John Lloyd, "Ingat!" (What I meant was kahawig kami kasi pareho kami ng Natasha shirt na suot niya sa brochure na dala ng nagpapa-order dito sa office)

Anyways, here is a great promotion to get some freebies this Christmas. Just register and make a pledge at www.ingatpilipinas.com and you will get a FREE Ingat Pilipinas Kit!

Get a Php 200 David & Goliath coupon when you donate

Our parish priest asked us to be like Manny Pacquaio this Christmas.

I said, "Huh? Get a career in boxing, showbiz or politics?"

Actually, what the priest meant was to practice the the best evah boxer's mantra," It's better to give than to receive."

So if you have old clothes just acting as abode of roaches and mice in your cabinet, why not check for items which you think other people can still wear, wash them and go to the nearest David & Goliath outlet (Bonifacio High Street, Greenbelt 5 or Trinoma).

As an added incentive for your good deed, you'll get Php 200 David & Goliath coupon.

Here's the complete mechanics of this remarkable activity:
1. For every two (2) shirts donated *, get a 200php coupon that can be used when you purchase any regular-priced David & Goliath Tee.
2. Only one coupon can be used for each David & Goliath shirt purchased.
3. The coupon cannot be used in conjunction with other existing promos and/or discounts.
4. The coupon is transferable but not convertible to cash.
5. The coupon is valid until March 31, 2011.
6. You may drop your donations in any David & Goliath store

* any brand as long as they are in decent, wearable condition.
* Donation period is from December 10, 2010 to January 16, 2011.
* This project is for the benefit of the T-SHIRT DRIVE OF ROCK ED PHILIPPINES.

Visit http://www.facebook.com/davidandgoliathphilippines for details.

Per DTI-NCR Permit No. 8055 Series of 2010.

Mapanghingi ka ba? Php 1000 Winila Credits Giveaway

I just realized this morning that I am on an "instant" diet in the past few days because of my deadlines at work.

From my instant coffee in the morning to my instant pancit canton for meryenda, I transacted and closed deal with a client after a few emails and made revisions on a lay-out with just a few clicks on my mouse--- hah! you can't do these things instantly back in my college days.

Other "instant" things I do lately is online shopping so I was delighted to be introduced by my friend Jayson Biadog (who's also giving away credits via his popular blog) to Winila, another cyberspace gem which promises up to 95% savings form the actual prize of the product. Indeed, it lives up to its tagline Spend Small, WIN BIG!

Bid for products and gain huge savings. Or, buy products directly. Worst case, you pay the retail price.

How does Winila work? You can either start shopping directly for the retail price, or you choose a bid package in order to bid for your desired products.

All placed bids raise the price & add time to the clock. You win the product if you're the final bidder when the clock hits zero!

What if you don't win? With the Buy It Now functionality you can purchase the product for a discount equal to the value of the bids you put towards that auction.

To get you started , Mapanghingi ka ba? is giving away Php 200 Winila credits to five (5) lucky followers of this blog. Here's the mechanics how to win:

1. Just subscribe to Mapanghingi ka ba? (kindly submit your email address on the widget on the right portion of this page) or simply follow this blog.

2. If you are already a subscriber or follower of this blog, just indicate your name and email address and say the magic words "I wanna have P200 Winila credits")

3. Winners will be determined via random.org will be announced here on the first week of January 2011 and will be contacted via email on how to claim the prize. Promo Period: December 10 to December 31, 2010 11:59 p.m.


On the left side is a user/ winner's testimony about his great experience with the site.

Winila credits can be used when you register for FREE at Winila.com.

To know more about Winila.com, click here or go to their Facebook page.

Win Channel V G-shock and Bon Jovi Shirts

I am not a big Bon Jovi fan but I love to sing his hits during videoke sessions.  Well, it is only with Bon Jovi songs that I can adlib and eat the words and get away with it.

So what is your favorite Bon Jovi song?  

    *  It’s My Life
    *  You Give Love A Bad Name
    *  Wanted Dead Or Alive
    *  Have A Nice Day
    *  What Do You Got?
    *  Livin’ On A Prayer

Just choose one from the list and explain why and you might end up winning a Bon Jovi shirt and a Channel V G-shock watch! 

To join, just click HERE and place your answer to the question.

PMAP High Flyers Video Making Contest

The High Flyers Campaign official endorser Dingdong Dantes with members of the Academe-Industry Committee of the People Management Association of the Philippines (PMAP) led by Director-in-Charge Ana Marie S. Bongato, FPM (third from right) and Chairperson Vicente U. Kilayko (extreme right).

The People Management Association of the Philippines (PMAP) is a fifty year old national association of top HR practitioners in the country. With about 1,800 member companies, PMAP helps institutions mold an enlightened, competent, socially responsible and influential sector of people managers who can effectively participate in nation-building.

Part of PMAP’s thrust is to work closely with academe to ensure the availability of talent for the current and future requirements of industry. For this purpose, the Academe-Industry Committee has been working with the Coordinating Council of Private Education Associations (CoCoPEA) and a Memorandum of Agreement has been signed.

Fact: 400,000 college students graduate in the Philippines every year. In a 2006 survey of PMAP member companies, it showed that 40% of applicants fail in their job interviews and most of these fresh graduates. Moreover, most of them fail not because of lack of technical skills but rather, they lack key behavioral competencies necessary to perform in typical office situations. The top three behavioral competencies were: Initiative, Communication Skills , and Critical Thinking.

In 2009, PMAP, through its Academe Industry Committee, has therefore invested in an audio visual presentation (AVP) entitled “Book Smart is Not Enough” to highlight these key skills. The objective is to create a desire among students to develop these behavioral skills. PMAP also wants to make sure that the message is positively received by the students. The target group are incoming first year college students because PMAP believes they, compared to upperclassmen, will have enough time to develop these skills. The format is adapted to the mindset of a typical youth where comedy is used to increase retention and creative use of copy to incite action. The AVP has been successfully distributed and shown in various universities and colleges.

For this year, PMAP created the “High Flyers Campaign” video-making contest which aims to continue the campaign and reach the youth more effectively through an interactive activity, where they will not only participate and exhibit the three (3) behavioral competencies but gain a much coveted reward in the end. The term High Flyers is a metaphor for the kind of youth that we believe to be winners, not just for the contest but for the rest of their lives, since they are more assured of jobs and a secure future.

To create a high level of awareness, PMAP has partnered with Dingdong Dantes as the campaigns’ official endorser. The young actor along with PMAP Director Ana Marie Bongato and Academe-Industry Committee Chair Binky Kilayko formally launched the contest at Hotel Intercon, Makati City last November 24, 2010.

Dantes explained the importance of developing the three (3) behavioral competencies and also invite students to join the PMAP and SEAIR Search for the High Flyers. The contest is open to students 16-21 years of age and it will run from November 25, 2010 until February 28, 2011. Grand prizes include trips to Boracay and Singapore. To view the contest mechanic and download the registration form, please search “PMAP High Flyers” via Facebook and “like” the fanpage to get access to the files.

FREE Comic Book Day at NBS - Powerplant

There are so many things happening on December 5. Well, if you're looking on my desk calendar. Two binyagans, an appointment with a colleague, three bodega/ warehouse sale in Pasig and other activities I hope I can still accommodate.

Lucky for those who has an open sked on December 5 (Sunday) 'coz it's Comic Book Day at National Book Store- Power Plant Mall from 2 pm to 5 pm (only).

So what do you expect at NBS Power Plant that day aside from getting a FREE comic book? Here's more...

1. Get a FREE sketch by top graphic novel artists!
2. Get a chance to win prizes by just showing up...no purchase necessary!
3. Get 20% OFF on all graphic novels at the event only.
4. Get a chance to win a sketch by Leinil Yu with any graphic novel at the event only!

This event is in partnership with Sketch Pad Studios and the Power Plant Mall.

I wish back issues of Funny komiks would be available that day. I will really make time to go there if that will happen. Batibot just got second life recently so why not? :-b