Inspiring SOS Ambassadors

This is a snippet on a presentation for the upcoming SOS Global Skills Share on Fund Development and Communications to be held in Alpbach, Austria. It features Ms. Jamie Rivera, celebrity advocate for the cause of SOS Children's Villages in the Philippines.

Below is the snippet of the presentation. We hope that Ms. Jamie Rivera will be delighted to know that her advocacy and selfless love in dedicating her talents and gifts to children in need will be recognized by SOS peers and colleagues all over the world converging in this forthcoming event in Austria. May her tribe increase!



Ms. JAMIE RIVERA, SOS Children's Villages Philippines celebrity advocate

The celebrity advocate is a person connected with the entertainment industry (hence easily recognizable and familiar to the public), of good reputation and image and has achieved a certain level of success or influence in his or her niche. Our celebrity child advocate is Ms. Jamie Rivera, a recording artist, songwriter, album producer in the Philippines. She is also an international stage actress, having performed in London’s West End as Kim in the production of Ms. Saigon from 1990 to 1993.

She joins the ranks of international SOS celebrity partners including UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador and Academy Award winner Angelina Jolie, world famous German violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter, American singer and author Suzanne Vega and Queen Noor of Jordan, among many other esteemed celebrity personalities.

Celebrities as partners: The support of many well-known personalities can sometimes help projects to get off the ground smoothly and effectively promotes our work. Their valuable commitment brings the situation of children into the public eye and gives voice to our cause.


Jamie Rivera in a local event celebrating the 60th Founding Anniversary of SOS Children's Villages

HOW DOES FUNDRAISING RELATE TO OUR PR-BUDGET?

By Inspiring SOS AMBASSADORS

PHILIPPINES:

Celebrity Child Advocate: Ms. JAMIE RIVERA

International songwriter, album producer and actress

Gracing major events of the National Association

Promoting SOS Children’s Villages in TV Appearances

Allowing use of name and picture in promotion materials



Links:
http://www.mb.com.ph/node/217949/jamie-riviera-advocate
http://www.pep.ph/articles/11363/Jamie-Riviera:-New-year,-New-home
http://www.sosphilippines.org/ViewNews.aspx?newsid=136&type=1

Holy Week free TV - Holy Junk!

To my dear Mama, who sorely missed her Ten Commandments being aired during Holy Week...

It's the proverbial Holy Week dilemma that makes suffering mandatory for all those who are stuck in front of their television sets for some reason: Holy Week free TV programming. And just because you're in some vacay spot doesn't mean you're spared; as long as you're still within the Philippine islands, you are stuck with TV.

I blatantly did not include cable shows here for the simple reason that as the world turns, cable shows with their regional programming restrictions and canned shows will simply do not change much even though it's the holiest of holy days in the Catholic calendar. Al Jazeera will still air their scheduled for-all-seasons documentaries, CNN and Fox will still update on the US healthcare package for all the seven days of holiness on this other side of the world, while Arirang will not break away from its confetti-ready talent and variety shows. The same goes to free TV channels that are really not in the mainstream psyche of the regular Filipino viewer, such as (with all due respect) the ever-warring Iglesia Vs. Soriano channels, for instance.

In the Philippines with only two free TV channels to choose from (the third wheel, TV 5, is yet to make a mark after a ho-hum launching featuring mostly stars from the two other networks) and with their mass-targeted audience tags (ABS-CBN 2 - Kapamilya and GMA 7 - Kapuso), the suffering takes on the form of inappropriate programming selections mostly packed in the early morning and primetime (6pm onwards).

On these supposed godly hours of Holy Week programming, choices reeked from tagalized cartoon shows in the morning that simply do not have any connection at all with the sacred days ahead and marathons of soap opera reruns obviously bent on capturing audience interest that they've lost during regular telecast schedules.

Ironically, the dead hours (about after 12nn to 5pm) were peppered with what seemed like a sinner's redemption selection, what with contemplative servings of your usual Siete Palabras, and those Holy Week homilies broadcasted from Sto. Domingo Church, and other religious specials often featuring a high-profile priest either lecturing from a church's pulpit or in Araneta Coliseum.

The challenge in this broadcast segment (sandwiched between early morning and primetime) lies not on the TV channels really, but to the viewers whose free will to participate in some kind of remote redemptive exercise from sin are defeated by the simple power of body clock (that 3 o'clock habit of napping) made weaker by the sweltering afternoon heat.

So, who could blame lolo who wants to skip hell as what the 1st testimonial speaker of the Seven Last Words promises polygamous husbands who goes back to the lawfully wedded one (then again, "goes back" was not explicitly explained by Mr. Testimonial), but weakens as the path to salvation was about to be explained, dozing off in a prelude to the afterlife.

Ironically, on waking hours, just when everyone could use a bit of some sensible TV to feed their souls, idiotic programming lineup awashed the idiot box's offerings, making the monicker so redundant and at its worst best on Holy Week.



Of the two networks, perhaps the worst sin committed against unwilling and innocent viewers was courtesy of the Kapuso commune. While saving graces can be found in inspirational though wishy-washy formats of replays Wish Ko Lang and Cinemaserye (the "Butch" episode starring Sunshine Dizon), no amount of repenting can atone for the sin of blatant, actually desperate move of including ill-timed programs, led by that moronically inappropriate queen-of-all-Holy Week-horrendous-program choices Tanikala (a horror-mystery-black-documentary), followed by the marathon rerun of that teenybopper hogwash First Time. What else was there beside a commercial motive whispered on the ears by he-who-must-not-be-named to decision-brokers of this network, that these ill-produced shows made it into the network's Holy Week programming.

Around this flag of irreverent and insensitive disservice to poor viewers fly the horses of doom(ed)-old, flat-dead movies that will never earn a fraction of audience share when shown on regular days: Captain Barbell, Enteng Kabisote, Rubberman and that Regine-Robin washout. What was this network thinking? While other observers can go to the extent of believing these bad, bad choices to be a covert power play by a non-Catholic media entity (Born against, err, again Christians), a few forgiving souls see it as a folly of man being man (read: stupid).

However, a redeeming value was noted with the network's Black Saturday lineup notably Manaoag: The Call of the Virgin and a fresh program effort featuring Marian Rivera in the TV-movie Anghel sa Lupa.



On the other fence, ABS-CBN 2 was able to redeem itself from the sins of its early morning mundane-obtuse-violent cartoons and unimaginative canned noontime religious blah-blahs by a few sensible marathon reruns, led by the latest tv rendition to the beloved story of twins Agua Bendita, where it devoted a total of 6 hours (2 hours each on Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Black Saturday) of its Holy Week block.

Still, a confession must be made on whoever wrote and produced that segment of Matanglawin shown on Holy Thursday, where that hyperventilating host reported on animals’ souls being equal to that of man, and even namedrop a Pope to give credence to this inaccurate broadcast sensationalism! This situation is a regular sin of producers, writers and hyperventilating hosts (who are often unmasked in situations like this for their real average IQs after all) for failing to see loopholes in their scripts. Mind you, this is one serious misinformation on television about an established philosophical issue (ever heard of metaphysical and sensient soul distinctions?) Repent, recant and hide your faces – now na!

Early on in the week, the Kapamilya circle received an early flak on its programming service from a church official, Msgr. Gaspar Balerite of Catarman, Northern Samar who rebuked the channel's insensitivity via a post in the CBCP website.



The Monsignor lambasted the show ASAP's transgression against the sanctity of Palm Sunday courtesy of its Boracay special, featuring skimpily-clad performers on the beach. While defenders of the black bikinis were quick to retort the rather predictable "it's-a-beach-we-don't-wear-habits-here" mantra, the early call for sobriety of skin showcase seemed to strike a chord, at least until Easter Sunday, it seems. The priest also warned shows promoting commercial tie-ups with resorts for showcasing Holy Week as a time of merrymaking when it is supposed to be a time for repentance and meditation.

Come Easter Sunday, when the poor Holy Week captive audience can break loose from the mundane television fares of the past three days, regular programming is back, though this is not to say that non-Holy Week programming is redemption from stupid offerings and senseless broadcasting hoopla. It is quite the contrary.

What I mean here is that, as a ravenous consumer of television products, there is light at the end of the tunnel when some free TV programming brokers will finally be blessed with sense, sensibility and inspired guidance to give justice to the Holy Week block next year.



And maybe just a word of longing, as echoed by my dear Mama, who sorely missed her dose of The Ten Commandments every Holy Week: RPN 9 must continue its mission, albeit once a year, of giving back to every Filipino Holy Week TV viewer that overwhelming spiritual effect of watching the sea divide into two as Moses laboriously held on to his holy staff, then come together again when all the good people are safe beyond, drowning the King's nasty soldiers in its midst - a triumph of good vs. evil in all its majestic cinematography.

Come on Channel 9, it could redeem you from the clutches of being government-owned.

Patalastas: SOS Children's Villages Philippines, Inc. WANTS YOU!

A Loving Home For Every Child

Mindanao Drive, Ayala Alabang Village,
Muntinlupa City 1799 Philippines
www.sosphilippines.org

SOS KINDERDORF INTERNATIONAL
www.sos-childrensvillages.org


SOS Children's Villages, Phils. Inc. is a
pioneering non-profit organization in the
Philippines, providing Family-Based Care for
orphaned, abandoned and neglected children and
children who are in extreme difficult
circumstances, for 42 years now. Our Fund
Development Unit is currently expanding, to meet
our long-term goal of extending our programs to
more needy children, as well as their families.
WE are in need of:

Donor Management Officer

Requirements:

1. Knowledgeable in simple database
management to monitor fund raising campaigns,
programs and donor lists.

2. Familiarity with new media marketing
(e-mail blast, SMS blast).

3. Able to conceptualize programs and campaigns related to non-profit fundraising, with focus on committed giving (individual donor acquisition) as well as donor retention program

4. Experience with non-profit work an advantage.


Please e-mail your CVs with cover letter to:
Ms. Carmela Tarroja,
Asst. Director For Fund Development
SOS Children's Villages Phils. Inc.
E-mail: cgtarroja@sosphilippines.org

The CSR Buzzword: Where Does Non-Profit Fit?

Hahhh, after over three months juggling an impossibly crazy schedule, I finally got to post here a rather important concern that has been hounding me even before I dipped my feet in the otherwise complicated word of Fund Raising fort Non-Profit. It's the buzzword that so many public speaking "personalities" love to drop at any opportunity offered, some do it with great conviction, others with a wary thought on its real driving force, others make it sound like a product of the month.




(Image from www.bffj.org)

Anyway, it's the buzzword CSR - Corporate Social Responsibility, which has spawned at remarkable speed of PR thoughts, fellow buzzwords like "sustainability,"beneficiation (yes, brothers and sisters, rather suspicious-sounding, right?)," "stakeholders," and what-have-you. Whether it's purely window dressing an otherwise profit-driven world, or raising the bar when it comes to business ethics, we cannot tell for sure. One thing is only certain, as far as your Ms. Independent Consumer is concerned: There is something unsettling about CSR's universal triple bottom line: : People, Planet, Profit.

However, the Polyanna in me still won over, and I'd like to believe it is all for the sake of humanity's greater good that we are moving towards this way.


The Manila Forum
May 28, 2009
Ascot Makati

Though the event was primarily for businesses, (in the Philippine setting, the challenge for CSR heads or the management officers to integrate Corporate Social Responsibility into their business philosophy and management or leadership decisions), there are several important points that I have drawn from an NGO perspective:

Foremost of this is the role of NGOs as one of the stakeholders of these businesses. Now that CSR is in its stage where it is going to be part of the “DNA” of a business, the emphasis is not merely for companies to help the communities, but how the communities are helped in the BEST way, and how that benefits the company in return.

The other thing is the redefining of the corporate giving aspect of businesses as how it is related to the real concept of CSR, and how it may affect NGOs.

During the Opening Remarks, ADB’s Ambassador Curtis Chin (topic: Global Perspective on CSR) mentioned of a “trend” in Europe and in the US whereby companies with developed CSR programs are moving beyond “corporate philanthropy” with an understanding that CSR is not philanthropic giving.

The emphasis of CSR in the 21st century is “corporate behavior” in relation to business areas and issues that are identified, from which the company invests in, the amount of which is dictated by what they will be getting from it so that they will be perceived as a “responsible company” – which is what CSR is simply all about. Chin mentioned that the quality of products and services and how these businesses treat their own employees are the top two areas of concern and attention when it comes to CSR.

He mentioned that companies who give money to charity or do charity or volunteer acts do not get the desired impact in terms of being perceived as a responsible company, especially if these deeds are not directly related to the company’s business, and may be adverse to them since consumers nowadays are very critical and suspicious of these acts.

Chin said that the “public affairs’ side of businesses are now looking at issues for the long-term as against one-time “photo ops.” Environment is now a top CSR issue and with this, he was quick to explain that it does not mean holding an environmental clean-up, a pageant tied with environmental issue or giving to an environmental NGO, but rather, coming up with strong and clear-cut policies about the business’s interaction with the environment itself, the community stakeholders affected by its operation and a more active participation in environmental laws where, even if the business may be affected, it will still uphold environmental protection and human well-being, for it to be perceived as a truly sincere and responsible company.

Along these lines, it is clear why philanthropic giving is not the priority of progressive businesses.

This line of CSR education was also parallel to the plenary talk given by CSR Asia Chairman Richard Welford (topic: CSR Regional Perspective), when he presented the top 10 strategies that successful Asia-Pacific corporations do and why they are perceived as responsible and good corporations by their stakeholders. Environmental concern and human resource management (treatment of employees) are again the leading areas. Adhering to international standards, investing in communities, transparency and accountability, etc. are the other indicators. Philanthropy is last on the priority list.

Though these are enlightening information on the part of CSR heads and business leaders present, it is quite an emerging challenge for non-profit organizations for reasons pointed out by these CSR professionals. As Mr. Welford added, philanthropy, as perceived by the respondent companies who took part in the 2008 CSR survey he cited, philanthropy is not going to get them noticed, at least as far as public trust is concerned.

This prompted me to pose a question during the Q and A portion after the plenary session, whereby I gave a brief introduction about SOS Children’s Villages (quite happy that Ms. Pacita Juan, businesswoman, co-chair of the Philippine Coffee Board and one of the speakers, informed everyone that she knows the organization), and having stated that Philippine NGOs in general have taken a backseat when it comes to Grants, are now facing a challenge in diversifying their fund sources, and with the trend of “moving away from corporate giving” by businesses whom we depend on one way or another to support us, where does that leave us, if businesses do not think of us as an “issue” worthy enough to be included in their CSR programs?

I also took that Q and A opportunity to make an open appeal to the CSR heads presents, on behalf of the NGOS, to not totally shut us (NGOs) out in their aim of being perceived as a “responsible business” since we are also their stakeholders (which the CSR heads and participants have welcomed positively).

It was inspiring to note that the three speakers were very enthusiastic and interested in responding to the question I pose, and gave their professional advises not only on the NGO perspective as a whole, but also particularly to SOS Children’s Villages. They offered quite a lot of insights, but the three of them both emphasized one thing: the need for the SUSTAINABILITY of NGO programs.

Ambassador Curtis Chin:

• He was very direct in his advices: First, NGOs should do their market research first before approaching a company with the intention of being a beneficiary of their corporate philanthropy (or what was left of it) or being a partner in a tie-up.

• The most important thing is to know WHO ARE WE APPROACHING? What are their giving criteria, what are the programs they are supporting (if children are one of their causes, explore. If they specifically cited environment and livelihood, then seek elsewhere).

• NGOS should be clear about what they want from the company. Present a COMPELLING CASE. Do not waste their time with poor market research.

• He also emphasized that not all companies have the same approach when it comes to corporate giving or dealing with NGOs. Some are very particular about the NGO brand (since this is a reality) and this is among their criteria, while others are biased towards helping start-ups.

• He also shared some practices of some high-end corporations where their NGO or institutional partnership and sponsorship are now only coursed through online. The giving criteria are answered online so that their management is able to eliminate in their database requests that do not meet their corporate giving or partnership criteria. This is also the idea behind online applications of most grant funding institutions nowadays. NGOs should pay attention to these so as not to waste their time and resources as well. As such, market research is of utmost importance.

• Lastly, Mr. Chin emphasized the need to venture into SOCIAL ENTERPRISING for NGOs, to create a steady, permanent stream of income so that ‘investors’ can participate, and to start to re-think of its perception of an NGO from “out for a dole-out” to an entity that do sustainable programs.

Ms. Pacita Juan:

• Make it a good brand, and sustain that brand.

• For NGOs in general, she said that CSR’s changing approach to corporate philanthropy is the reality, and with that, NGOs should rethink its strategy from ‘asking’ (donations, grants, etc.) to venturing into ‘SOCIAL ENTERPRISE’ which showcases the sustainability of the NGO’s programs that companies nowadays look for in a partnership.

• Ms. Juan also advised that it is high time for NGOs to give a “fresh twist” to their image. Re-invent themselves, give a fresher, more up-to-date twist on who you are and what you do. Refresh your packaging. (This advice was also one of the things that Ms. Gianna Montinola, founder of Hands-on Manila, gave during the Communications workshop, where she emphasized the case of FEU needing an image repackaging to that of being “cool” and “in with the times” to make it more appealing to students and parents, which include investments in areas that reach out to their ‘clients’ using modern ways (doing away with the “institutional” image).

Mr. Richard Welford:

• The Chairman of CSR Asia acknowledged that the scenarios I presented in my question were all true, and that there is really a tough job for NGOs.

• He again emphasized the need for NGOs to come up with SUSTAINABLE programs. He said that companies, especially nowadays, do not want a “dole out” role forever. They are not going to partner with NGOs forever and ever. As such, there should be a definite timeline on how long the partnership is intended, and then offer something beyond the usual.

• Collaborate with the company, present “exciting ways” to be involved (not just turn-over photos after a project) like opportunities for team-building. (As there is a donor fatigue, there is also the reality of corporate partner fatigue.) Tap into internal stories of how the partnership matters in terms of setting up something and making the NGO or the beneficiary independent and self-reliant after it.

Mr. Junie del Mundo

• He emphasized that despite the so-called trends in funding interest and prioritizations that companies now have, an NGO that has an effective communications plan will not find itself at a loss.

• Good and effective communications is very crucial especially when relaying the message of your program’s relevance to the company you are approaching. Communicate your importance as a stakeholder, the importance of your programs, and especially how you are important to the companies you are approaching. (What are their needs that you are satisfying? For companies, why are we giving money or support in this area, what are we getting from it?)

• Consistency in the branding, from institutional what-have-you up to the smallest events, these should all be branded consistently.

• The good news is that while the Asia-Pacific region reported a general downtrend in trust for businesses, government and media, trust in NGO emerged on top and is growing. (From the 2009 Global Opinion Leaders Survey conducted by Edelman Trust Barometer.) This means that NGOs still have it when it comes to public perception and support. (For me, this explains why funding strategies directed at individuals is still a dependable strategy despite the changing times.)

To sum it up:

• CSR is not just an emerging concept in the world of business, it is a global reality that in the future, every business no matter what the size would have to adopt one way or the other, as it will spell their success or failure.

• CSR is the very proof of the shift in the commercial world as dictated by the times – products are not anymore the center, but the consumers.

• And with this reality, NGOs like us have our own challenge to meet – how to make our organization at par with what CSR requires so that we can be relevant to their programs without compromising our policies or ethics.

• I personally believe that the trends in CSR offer a win-win environment for both the company and the NGO. On our side, it will professionalize some of the standards we employ in partnering with only the best and well-meaning companies that share our values as an institution, as workers and as individuals.

The Case of The Missing Price Tag in the Neighborhood Rice Retailer Store

Or... as some professional target audience would have it:

The Role of Media Paradox in Philippine Inflation

Hi there folks. Thanks for constantly dropping by. We're back and I can't wait to post some interesting insights about us, beautiful, wonderful and smart consumers and how we survive in the maddening world of consumerism.

Our lesson for today is all about the CPI, or Consumer Price Index. Wait, don't get on tab mode just yet. Sure, who wants percentages, ratios, year-on-year comparisons and more inflation lessons on your net time. Unless you're some underpaid, domain (non-) writer for a BPO company based in India or the Philippines, you have no choice. But for free spirits out there, gee, no thanks!

However, what I would like to point out in this entry is the surprising relation between mundane tidbits of business news and the everyday Pinoy's spending (and selling) habits.

The hard facts:

1. February 2009 Inflation rate (the increase in the prices of goods and services) was up at 7.3% year-on-year (as against February 2008, which was 5.4%).

2. The uptick was attributed to the inevitable increase in food, beverages and tobacco index coupled with some drastic increases in the price of utilities services (light, water and fuel).

3. The National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) where the quarterly inflation report comes from, specifically pointed out the increase "was mainly due to the upward price adjustments in the heavily weighted food items particularly rice, meat, corn and eggs. Moreover, higher prices of LPG in many regions including NCR and increased prices of charcoal in some regions were also observed during the month."

Spices to the noodle, as business reporters refer to data below, include:

4. Higher annual inflation was also noted in the corn index at 27.4 percent from 25.3 percent; eggs, 7.3 percent from 7.2 percent; fruits and vegetables, 4.9 percent from 4.2 percent; and meat, 10.5 percent from 10.2 percent.

5. The annual inflation in the cereal preparations index slowed to 14.7 percent in February from 16.9 percent in January; dairy products, 10.1 percent from 11.7 percent; fish, 7.8 percent from 9.5 percent; and miscellaneous foods, 7.2 percent from 8.3 percent.

Indeed, pre-and post-February 2009 saw us, independent consumers complaining about the sudden increase in the price of rice. Sometime January, I bought a few kilos of the P28 per kilo rice variety from the neighborhood rice retailer. There was the lowest-priced P26 per kilo variant which had slightly smaller grains, but other than that, the contents of the two bins looked the same to me.

A mid-priced variety was P38, P10 more than my preferred variant and was remarkably whiter, smoother and larger in grain-size. The highest variant was priced at P42 a kilo.

On that same night, a primetime news program ran an item about the possibility of a slight increase in the price of rice due to distribution backlogs brought about by the recent storms and nasty weathers.

The reporter gave some nice editing guides to the video editor, with the lead smoothly segueing to the profile of some eager-beaver undersecretary and, with accompanying natsot and sound bite, made a promise that the increase will not be permanent as everything is expected to get back to normal once the distribution channels are in place again.

The next morning, on the way to work, freshly pentel-penned cardboard price tags were half-buried in my neighborhood store's rice bins. Gone was the P26 rice variant yesterday afternoon. Instead, the same bin where the P26 was placed now sports a red P28, while the next bin bear P32 (for the rice that had the P28 tag the night before). Similarly, gone was the P38, and in its place glared a shocking P42. Consequently, the highest priced variety that was just P42 last night was now P46.

Who can solve the mystery of the changing price tags

in rice retailer bins?

Indeed, talk about media hype. Looking back at my reckless reporter days, I thought how story submission deadlines, beat assignments and random business quotes can alter price tag colors and their bin locations as well as the purchasing power and rice variant option for the average Filipino.

A smile ran across my face when I suddenly remembered those reckless reporter days, when young, eager and so full of angles for even the most mundane of stories, I would submit reports about "impending" occurrences brought about by current situations whose links are gladly conceived and justified by some editorial authority figure with the least manipulation on my end. The next day, my story would bear earth-shattering headlines like "Heads to Roll in the ______ Department," "Panic in Compact Car Compartments," or "Bluetooth Embarrassed Antenna Toters."

You see, I have long observed and pondered that story submissions by reporters, coupled with (or the lack of) a creative headline that can only come from he most brilliant editorial minds in the newspaper or the TV network, has something to do with how the world turns and why events (including boring ones like CPI and inflation) behave the way they do.

The paradox involving media and CPI is that whenever the media made a disclaimer, like the rice story I retold above, that "everything is expected to return to normal once the disruptive factor (in our rice story case, it's the distribution channels) has been calmed and soothed," the reverse happens.

Since that morning of the case of the missing P26 price tag in the neighborhood retail rice bin, up to this very day, nothing has changed. I figured that just like wage security, price tags, especially in neighborhood retail rice bins, cannot go lower sans "return to normal" signals are up.

Save for some basic commodities guarded by consumer watchdogs like petroleum, LPG and fuel, there is always an effect when a news broadcast programming accommodates an "impending price increase" of this and that commodity, either to fill a vacant 30-seconder vacuum in the final gap, or have something, finally, to present as a "business news" and put those business banner graphics, downstreams and upstreams to use.

I therefore conclude that: the price increase of some basic commodities are directly proportional to the media mileage a random business quote gets in a primetime news program.

Now, there's a new, fresh and intuitive insight (if I can say so myself) that NSCB analysts can add to the CPI narrative analysis template that always accompany the quarterly CPI and inflation report.

Again, that is just my opinion. But as Simon Cowell puts it, I'm always right.

Hehehe.....

Divisoria - A scale model of Philippine Consumer Demographics

Divisoria: (pronounced Dee-vee-sor-yah), also known simply as Divi (Dee-vee)

- a marketplace in Manila, Philippines, with Juan Luna St. as its main entry point, and expanding from all sides of the Binondo (Chinatown) area. It is characterized by congestion, high foot traffic and a cornucopia of wares sold either wholesale (by the bulk) or retail at low, low bargain prices.


Divisoria on not-so busy days

December 30, 2008 (Tuesday) - My FIRST EVER TRIP to DIVISORIA

Funny. I've been to a lot of places, halfway around the globe from where Manila is, I have scoured several malls, markets and shops, from the glittering soukhs of Dubai to the drab Wal-marts and Targets of the US, to the colorful variety of Palawan fishport kiosks to the singular wares of Asian night markets.

After all those years and miles of travel, this is my first time to FINALLY go to Divisoria, merely a good one hour commute away from my family house in a Metro Manila city. A Divisoria trip was something that I have always wanted to do for years now. So what is the fuss all about?

I have been hearing so many things (good and about) about this stretch of bustling marketplace in Manila. Every year before the school opens, Divisoria tops the television news headlines as the place to be for moms on a budget - with papers, notebooks, pens, pencils, uniforms, bags and all sorts of school opening paraphernalia at way, way lower costs than National Bookstore, or other school and office supplies stores and establishments for that matter. To top it all, "tawaran" or haggling is very much alive here.

Christmas season, it's the same thing. Everyday, fresh footage of Divisoria shoppers and wares would make it on primetime newscasts and on newspaper banners. Fruits in season, toys, clothes, shoes, cornucopia of gifts and a veritable lineup of knickknacks on sale at buyer-friendly prices.

For years, it was always that way, and for years, I have longed to be in that "magical rush mad place" myself, with will but without the way, it remained just a passive plan.

Thanks to the long 2008 Christmas holiday, I had a couple of really bored days to spare. So when I overheard my sister, niece and nephew review plans for a Divisoria trip the following morning, I gladly joined the trio.

My 17-year-old niece, Cyrille, is a Divisoria veteran since she was 12, able to commute the two jeepney rides from our family house in another city, right to where a very chaotic street opens up to the heart of the market, Binondo; able to navigate her way in and out the narrow alleys and passageways. She knows the lefts and rights to where 168 Mall is, the turns and backsteps leading to Tutuban Mall, and the starting point of marching warm bodies that amble away to the Divisoria Mall.

For every trip, she would bring home a "dangkal" of Koreanovela DVDs, cute anime shirts, coin purses, and slippers. In due time, she brought along her younger brother Robin and together, they would be absent for hours at home, returning with an MP3 player, small and light yet "fully-loaded" electronic gadgets, more DVDs and anime shirts.

I haven't' been to Divisoria but I know the distance, the public commute and the urban legends associated with actually being in the heart of the place and haggling. I thought of these two babies and how they are able to go to Divisoria and back home safely, which puzzles me. Overtime, it became an ordinary thing that soon, my sister Venus had to accompany them to ensure their safety.

In no time at all, it became a three's company of one adult and two teenagers trooping to the popular marketplace even if only one of them needed something to buy there, like something as mundane as a 1/4 yard of red cloth to use in a school program. Each one would return with their own stuff dangling in small, flimsy plastic bags. A hot cup of coffee would be enough to revive them of the tiredness the long commute and hours of walking around would give, and all is well.

As for me, urban legends are the stuff that filled up my "Divisoria" before I finally had the chance to experience the place.

Urban legend No. 1: There are professional swindlers in Divisoria, who employ tactics like hypnotic spells that would lead you to give your paper bills and walk away without getting your change, and "fastest fingers first" magicians (the unscrupulous vendors) who would count your change, coin by coin or paper bill by paper bill, in front of you, only for you to discover once the money are all shoved to your palms that a few hundred pesos are actually missing.

Urban legend No. 2: Divisoria is a haven for pickpockets who would lead you to a hopeless chase around the marketplace once you try to run after them.

Urban legend No. 3: The underground elements in Divisoria know each other, and some of the vendors are actually their comrades.

What everyone eventually realizes later on is that there is NO urban legend in Divisoria, because all these things actually DO happen in any marketplace (or any congested, chaotic places for that matter), more often victimizing the naive, inexperienced, even the overly confident.

Despite these risks, a good commonsense is enough to make that Divisoria trip hassle-free, enjoyable (really) and fun.

To close this, here is my own findings on this case (as opposed to "finds," which I'm sure all of you know by now) : In Divisoria, all items are good finds!

THE NO SCRIMPING ON CHRISTMAS CAUSE

THE INDEPENDENT CONSUMER INVITES YOU TO THE NO SCRIMPING ON CHRISTMAS CAUSE

Holidays are coming!

And this is the time of the year when consumerism is at its all-time high! Not that we mind a lot. After all, how can one fulfill the noble Christmas spirit of giving when there is no buying in the first place? Sure, sure, one can always give "intangibles" or practical gifts like what those magazines always feature (read: recycle) in their annual holiday issues - give the gift of time, the gift of your creativity, the gift of love. Nothing wrong with that really, except (for me at least), these "practical" options should be circulated among us year-round, and not just within the closest of kins and friends, but to as many people as possible.

Besides, haven't you noticed that it is that one brief period in a year when "purchasing" feels magical? I do! In contrast to the stressful, hurried and sometimes depressing shopping we do on ordinary days, shopping(s) for the sake of Christmas shopping (accumulating gifts we will be giving away, even decors to add cheer to our own personal spaces in tune with the yuletide theme) has a kind of light, airy, cheerful feeling to it, much like those mornings when a child wakes up on a Christmas morning. Magical!

Wowwww.... That MAGICAL Christmas feeling!

As I age, I would always wonder where have all those "magical Christmas morning" feelings I had as a child gone? Those past Christmas mornings when I woke up and I never could feel that special, dejavu-like brief moments of magic...

Then, one time, when I was busily immersed among the crowd of Christmas shoppers in a supermarket, I GOT IT BACK! Yes, even for a brief moment, less than a minute perhaps, I stopped and there it was, immersing me with what could have been the invisible Christmas spirit powder dust for grown-ups like me, leaving me with a fresh, invigorating energy that lasted me more rounds of gift-shopping for those several long commutes with loads of Christmas shopping bags, yet I feel like a super hero.

That moment was a sort of an epiphany for me, and greatly redefined my views about Christmas shopping. And whenever I feel like recapturing that old Christmas morning magic I had as a child, I just go shopping (even if it is not Christmas, even if only to feel and smell that charmed air of people and products melding together in a sea of polished shopping mall floors) and for once, I appreciate this very welcome "peace on Earth, goodwill to men" drive that regular consumerism would morphed into come Christmas time.

CHRISTMAS SHOPPING IS HEAVEN IN A MORE MEANINGFUL SENSE

That is why, I strongly advocate and promote the NO SCRIMPING ON CHRISTMAS cause. And I invite you to join me. I don't mean you splurge everything on Christmas shopping, of course not! Your common sense surely knows "everything in moderation" is good all the time, for anything. What I mean simply is:

It's Christmastime! Share a bit more, give a bit more, buy a bit (okay, a lot) more, and spread love and cheer as much as you can and make more children keep those magical Christmas morning feelings a lot longer! Could be the reason why there is that "feeling like a super hero" air to that.

I came up with this piece because I feel that as a self-proclaimed Independent Consumer talking my head and heart to all of you, guys, I have a responsibility to deflate a pervading twisted view about Christmas and consumerism.

There are those people who feel that this is the season of waste, of wanton splurging, of evil, evil consumerism. And they refuse to jump the bandwagon of buying and buying for Christmas. "Christmas is consumer exploitation! Christmas is too commercialized! And I don't blame them. Okay, I blame them a bit for not being smart, analytical and independent enough to be in control of their consumer activities, Christmas or not. And I blame the overly kick-ass hardselling tactics of some "marketers" that hype the "purchasing" side of Christmas over the real motive of why people should buy for others (and for themselves) especially during the yuletide season.

Heck! a P245,000 plasma TV at 0% interest as the "perfect gift for the family that no perfect dad should miss??? Or those 18-carat diamonds that wives and girlfriends should get for Christmas, and nothing less, because women deserve only the best??? Hah!!! How painfully materialistic, pressure-overt and just plain dumb. These kinds of shameless Christmas marketing had become so blatant and a lot of people are really turned off year after year, hence the "Christmas shopping is evil" stance of some of our folks out there.

But hey, this is the time of year when your being an Independent Consumer comes in. You can beat that evil, phony and fake Christmas goodwill permeated by those trying hard, hard-selling, and selling-to-the-demon-their-souls" marketers who taint the real and basic spirit of Christmas, "GIVING AND GOODWILL TO MEN," as shown to us by the story of the Three Magis who humbly presented their gifts to the newborn baby Jesus.

Buy, not because those shameless Christmas marketers tell you to do so, but buy because you think that little cuddly teddy bear will make little Nicole feel more warmly tucked in at night; grab that dog tag necklace-and-bracelet pair for Nicko's coming-of-age image experimentations which is so important to a fifth grader like him; bag that flashlight-fan-stereo combo for old Dad to add to his stack of shiny, unused OldDad gadgets in his room; wrap up that luscious red tablecloth for Mom to use during the family Media Noche, and get dozens of those glow-in-the-dark popsicles, starter storybooks, stick-on nail polishes, bead boxes, leaping bunnies, and so, so, so many little more gifts that would add up to clutter a year after for friends and even strangers.

And by all means, if you can conveniently afford it, save up for many months to buy 82-year old gramma and grampa that nice, widescreen plasma TV for better, more enjoyable soap opera viewing to delight them in the slowly dwindling afternoons of their beautiful lives together. Who cares? And in all your gift buying choices, think of what small, sensible price and practicality to pay in exchange for those precious moments when little eyes open up with delight, wrinkled hands become excited, confusions turn into refreshing ideas, and weary hearts (even yours) are cheered.

Be the cool, hip and informed Independent Consumer that you are with THE NO SCRIMPING ON CHRISTMAS CAUSE - Care to join me?

MERRY CHRISTMAS, EVERYONE!