BLOGGED PHILIPPINES

It’s in the news last week that Cebu Pacific will strictly implement their policy for hand carry baggages. So what really is the current policy. Here’s what their website says. Every passenger is allowed one carry-on or cabin baggage, with a maximum weight of 7kg and dimension of 56cm x 36cm x 23cm for Airbus flights and 56cm x 35cm x 20cm for ATR flights. - source This stricter implementation is set to begin tomorrow. Cebu Pacific explained the purpose of this move: “to streamline operations and to provide a more efficient check-in experience.” Cebu Pacific Flight So if it has been your habit not to care for the actual weight of your carry on bags, then it’s time to weigh in. Excess weight will require check-in which will cost you more than to book a check-in baggage in advance. Most airlines are not strict with this 7kg policy. AirAsia is the only company I personally know that is very strict at this. But since Cebu Pacific is the largest airline company in the countr...

When San Miguel Corporation took over the helm of managing PAL and PAL Express (then Airphil Express), they decided to merge the operation of the two airline companies. Though the two airlines have been long-time sister companies, they have operated almost independently until Lucio Tan sold his majority stake to San Miguel . PAL Express was named Airphil Express before San Miguel acquired PAL The result of the consolidation is immediately evident. First, Airphil Express changed its name to PAL Express. Second, PAL Express stopped all flights that are common with PAL (e.g. Manila-Cebu). Then just recently, PAL Express suspended 35 Express inter-island flights leaving inter-island travelers with no other choice but Cebu Pacific.

Many would have seen this coming. Last March, Zest Air and AirAsia Philippines announced a strategic partnership to further their strength in the increasingly competitive local aviation industry currently led by Cebu Pacific. Part of the deal is the acquisition of 40% ownership of Zest Air by AirAsia. And we are now starting to see the progress of that deal. Starting May 10, 2013 all Zest Air flights will now be booked at airasia.com. Instead of booking in two separate websites, Zest Air and AirAsia customer just have to go to one site. A unified system is of course a more efficient way to operate a business. We can therefore expect that starting May 10 all visitors of flyzest.com will be redirected to airasia.com/ph . Efficient Operation Means Better Customer Service? I'm just hoping that this latest development will dramatically improve Zest Air's customer service. I was referring to services that should be given to the customers when flights were cancelled, del...

Budget carrier AirAsia Philippines announces the suspension of their Clark to Kota Kinabalu route effective February 1, 2013. In their press release, the low-cost airline cited the the company's plan to realign its business and strengthen operations in core markets for 2013 as the reason for the take down. Clark - Kota Kinabalu is the latest route suspended by AirAsia. Last December 1, 2012, they stopped their Clark-Macau and Clark - Puerto Princesa routes. Affected passengers were offered three options: Flights will be moved to an earlier date to or from Kota Kinabalu/Clark without any additional charges (subject to flight availability) Offered credit shell for the value of purchase with 3 months validity Full refund Similarly, passengers who have connecting flights on AirAsia or AirAsia X will be offered any one of the following options: Flights will be moved to any other available flight to/from their original connecting destination Offered credit shell for the va...

I've been studying for over four years now regarding investments and personal finance but it seems that I don't have the courage to take the first step. Well, it was my brother who told me about it. He started investing in 2006 starting with his company cooperative and then later, he entered into Mutual Funds. English: Phillippine stock market board (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) It Started with F.J. Colayco's Wealth Book My bother showed me a book, written by Francisco J Colayco entitled "Pera Mo Palaguin Mo (Wealth Within Your Reach). It was a best-seller book in personal finance. Actually, when my brother told me to read it, I was a little bit skeptical. You know, I'm not fond of reading books. But when I started reading the first few pages, I was amazed on how simple the words are. Actually, the book is written for OFWs according to the author. That event opened-up my mind to personal finance. But I was still jobless at that time. I am freshly out o...

Henry Sy's SM MOA. Image via Wikipedia Three Filipino businessmen made it to the top 1000 of this year's list of " Richest People in the World " by  Forbes  finance magazine. SM Malls tycoon Henry Sy moved up to No. 173 (201 last year) with a whooping $5.8 Billion net worth. Philippine Airlines' Lucio Tan follows at a distant No. 512  with a net worth of 2.3 Billion but still up compared to last year at No. 522. Alliance Global Inc's  Andrew Tan is at No.540 with $2.2 Billion. Meanwhile, Enrique Razon entered this year's list with $1.1 Billion but is out the Top 1000 at No.1057. See the 2010 Richest People in the World here...

Carlos Slim Helu .Image via Wikipedia Forbes , the popular business and finance magazine finally released their most awaited list of the richest people of the world for this year 2011 . In the second year now, Carlos Slim Helu holds the top spot. The Mexican telecoms mogul now boasts an astounding $74 Billion in his name, a $20.5 Billion increase over last year. In the distant second place is William "Bill" Gates III , founder of Microsoft with a net worth of $56 Billion, up $3 Billion compared last year. Here's the complete list of the Top 10 Richest People in the World: 1. Carlos Slim Helu and Family - $74 Billion 2. William "Bill" Gates III - $56 Billion 3. Warren Buffett - $50 Billion 4. Bernard Arnault - $41 Billion 5. Larry Ellison - $39.5 Billlion 6. Lakshmi Mittal - $31.1 Billion 7. Amancio Ortega - $31 Billion 8. Eike Batista - $30 Billion 9. Muskesh Ambani - $27 Billion 10. Christy Walton and Family - $26.5 Billion - Christy Walton of W...

"The Jolly Bee is eating Mang Inasal chicken!" Tony Tan Caktiong owned Jollibee Foods Corporation, the largest fast food chain in the Philippines announced the acquisition of the seven-year old fast food chain Mang Inasal! According to the disclosure, Jollibee will be buying 70% of the shares of Mang Inasal for a sum of 3 Billion pesos. Mang Insasal, a relatively start up fast food chain has seen a rapid growth in the recent years. Since it started in 2003, Mang Inasal already boasts a total of 303 stores around the country, most of which are franchises. Recent financial reports shows that the young company is already earning a revenue totaling to 3.8 Billion pesos. Mang Inasal has been known for its delicious roasted chicken and "unlimited rice". They also sell products that are relatively cheaper compared to other established fast food chain. These and other key marketing strategies seems to have boosted the company's growth. Jollibee on the other hand...

1. Definition Inflation is the rise in the prices of goods and services in a country. It is translated to the decrease in the purchasing power of a currency. For example, your 500 pesos now can only buy 80% of what it can buy last year. 2 . You actually lose money when you save with a piggy bank or under your bed sheet. (I mean long term saving here.) Having a piggy bank is what most people do to save money. But unfortunately, your money inside it will be eaten wholly by Philippine’s high inflation rate. Saving for long term in a piggy bank or under your bed sheet is simply outdated and impractical nowadays.

Image via Wikipedia No matter how big a company was and no matter how focused it was towards their desired market, there will still be segments of the population with unmet needs. These small portions of the population have unique needs but because of their size, main stream providers don’t bother to serve them. As a result, members of these groups usually become desperate buyers. They have the capability to buy but there’s no available product for them. It is understandable why large providers do not enter their market. It is because it’s not practical for big companies to do so. However, for those desiring to earn cash from home, these small markets can be the opportunity. Marketing on the unique needs of a small group of hungry buyers is what is commonly referred to as niche marketing . The Advantages One of the advantages of niche marketing over mass or mainstream marketing is that because of its size, there are usually no or just small competition. Also since it was small...

Do you have a credit card? Well, if you do, your just one of the millions of people around the world who wants to avail the advantages of having one. A credit card is a piece of plastic card that can be used to purchase goods and services. It looks like an ATM, usually with your name and card number inscribed on it. The only difference between the two is that credit cards can be used for buying things based on the sole promise of the holder to pay his debts under an agreed terms and conditions. You can buy as much as you want until you reach your credit limit within a month. Credit limit is the maximum allowed debt in a given month. Credit limit varies depending on the type of credit card (Classic, Premiere, etc) and also varies depending on the paying capacity of the person applying for it. Credit Card Advantages Credit card makes money transactions a lot more convenient. You don’t have to bring a lot of cash. All you need is to present your credit card on merchants that accept...