Surely the Dizons had a tough time during the competition with the span of time given to conceive their plans. In fact the younger Dizon mentioned that the competition was extremely challenging as opening a restaurant in 24 hours is impossible. However the father and son were determined to win the challenge. As the battle takes place one can easily tell that they have the heart of a true Filipino by serving Filipino dishes. Their menu consisted of lumpia as appetizer, oxtail Kare-Kare, beef tongue Lengua, ampalaya stuffed with shrimp and banana turon ice cream for dessert. Mostly they used ‘NOY’ as the fictional name of their restaurant that is obviously short for “Pinoy.

As judging time revealed the Filipino-American father and son reign as best chefs and bagged $10,000. The Dizon’s not only became $10,000 richer but they also give pride to the Filipino community for showing their cooking skills and what Filipino food is all about on national TV.

Moving to Los Angeles
Q: Why did you moved to L.A.?
A: My husband has his profession there that he cannot leave.

Life of Filipina in Los Angeles
Q: How’s the life of a married Filipina in L.A.?
A: My life here in L.A is very good, even if i don’t have a job yet. I’ve been here for 20 months but i have nothing to complain, my husband is very nice to me as well as to my family. I am so lucky here and very opposite to some of my friends who married other white guys too.

Q: How do you spend your regular time in L.A.?
A: At first it’s hard a lot of adjustments, the weather, people and of course the place… But generally speaking it’s okay. As of now I’m getting busy helping my husband in organizing his office and some other stuff.  Especially that we are a basketball season holder and I and my husband are taking vacations.

Q: Do you miss you family back in the Philippines?
A: Of course! Surely you would especially that it’s me who leave the country. However as to compensate my absence, though it’s not enough as to cover the feeling of missing them, I just contribute financial assistance.

Filipino community in Los Angeles
Q: Is there any Filipino community in L.A. that you’ve been with?
A: Yes, there is… I know some Filipinos here but i did not join them, because i don’t know how to drive and don’t have a car either, and since husband is very busy I prefer in spending my time to help him.

Filipino jobs in L.A.
Q: “Filipino seeking for a job in L.A.” Is it a good idea, based on your experience living there?
A:  it’s good actually especially if you’re a nurse, there are lots of opportunities but sad to say that economy here is down, so not much this time. But if you’re in a medical field i guess no problem at all…

Anna Maria Perez de Taglé is not a stranger to the entertainment business being the granddaughter of Sylvia La Torre. La Torre was a radio personality, singer and actress. La Torre is very remarkable in the Philippine music industry being the The Queen of Kundiman in 1950s and 1960s and also known as undisputed queen of novelty songs. The song “Waray-waray,” and Alembong,” are just those that are hardly to forget.

Anna Maria Perez de Taglé was in the Children’s Musical Theatre of San Jose before starting to audition in television and movies. Prior to her appearance in Camp Rock, Anna Maria was already in the limelight after playing her first significant and major role as Ashley in Disney Channel’s Hannah Montana.  Perhaps what inspires the Filipina to make her mark in the Disney family and Hollywood is the influence of La Torre as Anna mentioned that she would like to expand her singing career as her grandmother.

Filipino boxer and WBO minimum weight champion Donnie “Ahas” Nietes

The 12-round boxing schedule was pretty tough for both boxers. In the openning rounds Nietes started with strong and accurate combinations. Nietes continuously dictates the round’s tempo and connecting impressive combinations. Bunches of solid shots were received by Rodriguez . For a weak boxer those punches could put him down on the canvas but it never kneeled the Mexican opponent proving that “Dragoncito” was a strong warrior. Rodriguez, meanwhile, keeps his aggressiveness that in the forth round it was him controlling over the pinoy boxer. The Sinaloan homeboy got a blooded nose during the 7th and 8th rounds after receiving great punches of Nietes. But the Mexican came back in ninth round and came out more aggressive when Nietes appeared to have lost a step and stamina. In round 10 Nietes suffered a cut in right eyebrow from an accidental head butt. Even with the shortcomings the Filipino boxer proved to be slicky as with his name “Ahas” by keeping his poise until the end of the fight.  In spite of strong punches and hard body shots Rodriguez finished the fight strong. However after the last ring of the bell and announcing the scores of 119-110, 118-110 and 116-112, it was the Filipino boxer dominating the fight and declared winner as still  WBO minimum weight champion.

Nietes’ win over Rodriguez was his third successful title defense and made history as the only Filipino to defend consecutive 3 times in Mexican territory after defeating Erik Ramirez & Manuel Vargas respectively. The 28-year-old Nietes now improved his record to 27-1-3 with 15 knockouts while Rodriguez dropped to 10-6-3 with 7 knockouts. The Filipino boxer will also set a record next month for holding the WBO minimumweight champion title for three years.

Under POEA Memorandum Circular No. 06, which took effect on August 1, out-bound OFWs are mandated a fee of P600 as six months advance Pag-IBIG contributions. The fee also serves as a requirement for the issuance of an Overseas Employment Certificate that all land-based and sea-based OFWs must have to leave the country. The said certificate will not be issued upon failure to comply of this requirement.

Binay, as chair of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC), chairs the Board of Trustees of PAG-IBIG Fund, said that he has already ordered Pag-IBIG and the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) to review the basis for compelling OFWs to pay their contribution in advance.

“What is important is that government should assist our OFWs and should not be seen as further imposing burdens on them,” Binay said.

On Thursday, Binay directed the Home Development Mutual Fund (PAG-IBIG) and the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) to suspend the implementation of the order requiring OFWs to advance their contribution to the housing fund before they can leave the country.

“Aside from reviewing the legal basis for the order, the concerned government agencies should hold more consultations with the affected sectors. There should be transparency in the process,” Binay stated.

“There are benefits to be derived from PAG-IBIG membership and this should be explained fully to our OFWs,” he added.

As head of PAG-IBIG’s Board of Trustees, Binay assured the OFWs that the matter will be given priority by his office. He also said the government will continue providing assistance to the OFWs instead of being a burden to them.

Concerned migrant workers groups, among them Migrante and the Blas F. Ople Policy Center, as well as associations of labor exporters, have questioned the directive.

Meanwhile, Migrante welcomed Binay’s move and reiterated their position that membership to the housing fund must not be compulsory but only optional.

“We urge VP Binay and PAG-IBIG to invite us for a dialog and consultation so that they could hear direct from the OFWs and their families our strong opposition against making it compulsory,” John Leonard Monterona, regional coordinator of Migrante Middle East Chapter said.

Miss Universe 2010 has officially started and Las Vegas just gets even hotter as the contestants stun the world with their gorgeous figures. One by one, representing from different sides of the globe, over 80 sexy stunning ladies went out the bus in swimsuit attire. All contestants pose in their signature Dar Be Dar by Tala Roassi bikinis at the famous “Welcome to Las Vegas” sign.

The swimsuit photo-shoot is just part of this racy contest. And it’s good to see that Miss Philippines Venus Raj stands out as she poses in her swimsuit at Mandalay Bay Beach. On the face of the Filipino representative expressed an excitement as it is her first visit in US. “Amazing! It’s like this city, is a city in the middle of a desert. Wonderful!”, Ms. Raj’s statement as interviewed.

Meanwhile in an interview during the event, the mayor of Las Vegas on his presence believed that the Filipino community in Las Vegas will strongly support Ms. Raj, as part of his statement was, “We have a great Filipino population here in Las Vegas. And it’s very important to us because they’re hardworking folks who really are part of the fabric of our community. But as a generality I think Filipinos love a beautiful woman too”. Also present during the sexy photo-shoot was Ms. Universe 2009, Stefania Fernandez.

The Prince
Prince Andrew, Duke of York currently at age of 50 is the second son of Queen Elizabeth II. He married Sarah Ferguson producing two daughters Princesses Beatrice, 22, and Eugenie, 20. But the marriage ended to divorce on 30 May 1996. However the separation was friendly and Prince Andrew spoke fondly of his ex-wife. Currently, the Duke of York works with UK Trade & Investment as Special Representative for International Trade and Investment.

The Filipina Model
Alexandra Escat is a 25 year-old Filipino-Spanish commercial and ramp model with numerous appearances on TV advertisements in the Philippines. She grew up in Madrid with a Spanish father and a Filipina mother. She became a friend to KC Concepcion when she studied at the International School of Manila. Ms. Escat is often spotted at fashion events in Spain and Philippines. She is also a columnist at Estilo De Madrid, a Spanish website and has been invited to some exclusive events in the UK.

The Yachting
UK’s Daily Mail news said Filipina model Alexandra Escat was seen yachting with Prince Andrew. Humors follow that the model is the Duke of York’s new girlfriend, after the news.  But denials came fast as those close to the prince claim they are just friends and the Filipina model was married to another guest on the yacht. But controversy arose as it turns out that the 25-year-old pinay model is in fact single. Hence, most did not buy the excuse following the photos as it expressed the opposite.

On the 154-foot super yacht Prince Andrew had captivated conversations and touches with half his age Filipina model. Caught in the photograph, Ms. Escat was obviously giggling as Prince Andrew kisses her hand. The Daily Mail also showed photographs of the prince and pinay-model having lunch in Porto Cervo in Sardinia. The pair was later spotted boarding a private jet flying out of Olbia Airport for an unknown destination.

If you are a Filipino who wants to try your luck in Dubai, the recent reports would be a great help. A job hiring opportunity was made known to the public by a report last Tuesday saying that the Emirates Petroleum Products Company (EPPCO) is looking for 700 Filipino workers to be assigned in Dubai, 400 as gasoline station attendants and 300 as staff for a convenience store. EPPCO is a company based in Dubai with 170 gasoline stations in the United Arab Emirates having 4,000 employees and 1,373 of them are Filipinos.

Qualifying to the job hiring is any Filipino ages between 20 to 28 years old. Applicant can either be high school graduate of college level and must have an experience for the position they are applying for at least one year, can speak English and knows good customer relations. Applicants don’t need to pay placement and visa fees. However they have to shoulder an estimated amount of P5,000 for documentation, medical and other fees before going to Dubai. The company will carry their travel expenses and they are provided with free accommodation and transport service once there. Salary for gasoline attendants and customer service assistants is at P18,000 per month as reported.

Representatives of EPPCO will start hiring in Metro Manila and Cebu on August 15. Interested applicant may submit their papers at the CDK International Manpower Recruitment Agency located at the Midland Plaza Hotel in Ermita, Manila. Meanwhile, if this hiring doesn’t suits to your skill set other jobs in Dubai also awaits for Filipinos ages between 29-35 years old like party hosts, magician, balloon decorators, teachers, hair dressers and technicians.

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