Cosmopolitan Bash 2012: Fashion PULIS Top Picks

Email address: edc_photography@yahoo.com.ph

 

Anthony and David Semerad

JC Tiuseco

 

Nate Burkey

Vince Ferraren

Sam Adjani

John Spainhour

 

Mark Manicad

Fabio Ide

James Blanco

100 Winners to Win 500PhP Worth of Cotton On Discount Coupon

To qualify:

1. Follow MicSyLim on Twitter.

2. Like CottonOnPh on Facebook.

3. Answer the question "Where did Cotton On originate from?"

4. Email your name (Last Name, First Name), mobile number and answer to micsylim@gmail.com with Cotton On as the subject line. Each email address is entitled to one entry.

3. The deadline of submission is on September 21 at 11:59pm (Manila time).

4. 100 winners will be posted on Fashion PULIS on September 22 at 12:05am

5. Each winner will receive Php 500.00 discount coupon (for a minimum P1000.00 purchase of regular items) that can be used on Sept 22 in Cotton On - SM Megamall from 9am until 9pm.

6. There will be a registration table in front of the Cotton On - SM Megamall store where winners can claim their discount coupon.

7. Winners are requested to present a valid ID.

NTC: Smart is Better Than Globe

Yesterday, the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) confirmed the network superiority of Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) following the release of the results of its network quality tests for the second quarter of this year which showed Smart posting significantly better test results than Globe Telecom.

Globe, however, issued a statement that attempted to turn the results of the NTC'S Quality of Service Benchmarking Test upside down.

According to that test, Smart’s network rated higher in four of the five parameters that had been defined by the NTC in consultation with all three mobile phone operators. These four important parameters where Smart posted better scores are: 1) Drop Call Rate; 2) Call Set Up Time; 3) Average Signal Quality; and 4) Average Receive Signal Level.

In its statement, however, Globe conveniently downplayed or disregarded these parameters and focused on the “blocked call” parameter, which was the only test that showed better results for Globe. On that basis, Globe said that its “legacy network” was better than that of Smart.

This is the same legacy network that Globe officials have admitted, in several recent occasions, to be congested.

This selective reading of the test results defies arithmetic, and, more importantly, flies in the face of consumer experience.

Globe’s press statement also contains a substantive misinterpretation of the test results in one of the key parameters – the Average Receive Signal Level. Globe said in its statement that: “The final metric is the Average Receive Signal Level with a minimum acceptable range of -85 dBm. Both telcos did not make it to the standard.”

Source: Smart.com.ph

The Off Price Show

Madness is not Justified

Image courtesy of www.en.wikipedia.org

First impressions last, but that is a general statement. Actors playing good-guy roles should not be taken at face value -- needless to say, let us not be fooled. This young talented actor TA badly needs a crash course on anger management. At a recent gathering of stars, TA allegedly got so drunk that he went ballistic and broke a few pieces of paintings inside a function room of a five-star hotel where the event was held. It seemed TA's love problems got the better of him.

Someone close to him revealed that TA had been nursing a very broken heart brought about by a spat he had with a pretty actress girlfriend AG. Heard from the source that the sweethearts were already not on speaking terms even prior to the big event. AG was overheard saying nasty things about TA as she was pointing to his photo in a catalogue. TA learned about it and that left him very hurt and inconsolable. Thus he found solace and comfort in the company of liquor - no matter how temporary. It could have been better had he stayed there and not gone overboard breaking valuables that were not his.

Both TA and AG have been sweethearts for a quite a time. They look good together as AG's sweet and delicate image compliments TA's macho and brusque persona. Being one of the network's leading actors, TA is often cast as a wholesome and upright character in both movies and tv. But the recent violence he got entangled into just proves what separates real from reel. Don't say you weren't warned.

Who are TA and AG? Please abide by the RULES in writing comments if you want them to be posted. Initials and comments that are too explicit will not be accepted.

Follow micsylim on Twitter for the latest update. Please continue to send your juicy stories to michaelsylim@gmail.com. Thank you very much for loving Fashion PULIS.

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Just Like Another Attraction?

Is Eurasian hunk model (EH) dating fashion expert (FE) ? Both were spotted together in a restaurant. Onlookers who recognized them were wondering if something was happening beyond the fashion world. Generally, very few articles are written about models unless they have made the shift to mainstream media. EH has tried acting, while FE is often seen on Lifestyle shows. Incidentally, EH is not “all body” as he has a college degree from a reputable university. EH is in his 30s, while FE is a bit older and married.

Poll: Is This for Real?

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Reticent Talent Piracy via Charity

Image courtesy of www.faceoutbooks.com

Talent manager TM has been in the business for years and has a stable of popular stars under his wing. As such, he was able to invest in some properties, particularly in condominium units. So far, he has 3 units in the Mandaluyong alone. As a manager, TM is quite generous to his new wards as he is willing to offer his place to them who will have need for a temporary dwelling. One of those talents is IA, an actor who made big waves in an indie movie he starred in. Now, TM has also offered his condo #2 to an aspiring hunk actor HA but who is not his talent. HA is an alumnus of a rival network's reality show and his connection/friendship with TM is kept a secret from his network. 

TM is so smitten by HA and is said to be his latest "eye candy" and the beneficiary of his generosity. Not only is HA housed comfortably, he is also given out-of-town shows and other projects. Not only is he given projects, TM gives HA his talent fee TF in full, meaning without the customary agent's cut. All of that unbeknownst to HA's management network.

TM's scheme seems to be working because he also previously did the same thing to an ex-commercial model and hunk actor MA who had left his network and is now finally under his wing. TM seems to thrive on this, doing it without second thoughts. To those who know him, TM reasons that this is survival and he is only helping those who need it. As to his eye candy HA, how long will they be able to keep their connection a secret from his network? Is it just a working relationship or something else? If they deny it, why is TM often seen visiting and spending long hours with HA in his condo and leaving only in the wee hours of the morning?

Meanwhile, TM really believes it works. After all, his first and original eye candy - FA - is still with him and is one of the most in demand actors of his network.

Can you guess who are TM, IA, HA, and FA? Please abide by the RULES in writing comments if you want them to be posted. Initials and comments that are too explicit will not be accepted.

Follow micsylim on Twitter for the latest update. Please continue to send your juicy stories to michaelsylim@gmail.com. Thank you very much for loving Fashion PULIS.

Enjoy updating my blog using my new I-PAD powered by SMART BRO!

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Agree or Disagree: Guidelines in Identifying Gay and Lesbian

Yosi Samra: Autumn Winter Collection

Here comes the “-ber” months again! Presenting the 2012 Fall Collection of Yosi Samra. Feast your eyes on the various colors, patterns, textures and cap-toes these collections have to offer.

The Burnished Ostrich Collection made of mixed materials.

The Stingray Collection in bright, vivid colors.

The Classic Tweed Collection with a neon twist.

Plaids and Houndstooth patterns for the colder season!

The Serpent and Snake Cap-toe Collections are your greatest temptations.

Now you don’t have to worry about your feet giving up on you in the middle of a party or a shopping marathon. You can just whip out your favourite pair of Yosi Samra flats from your purse for that much needed break and you’ll be back up on your feet in no time.

Yosi Samra collections are available at GAS Greenbelt 3, 2/F Trinoma Mall, Powerplant Mall and Alabang Town Center now.

Check out Yosi Samra Philippines’ facebook page for all available designs: http://www.facebook.com/YosiSamraPhilippines.

Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/YosiSamraPhilippines

Dilly Dallying

Image courtesy of www.merchantcircle.com

Handsome Hunk Actor HA is hot and is every girl's fantasy. However HA has a pretty girlfriend GF who makes no bones about her being a jealous lover. They have been together for quite some time, and both are fortunate enough to be on top of their careers. People in and out of showbiz see them as a happy and ideal couple, the one most likely to end up with each other. Or so they thought.

Until one pretty girl PG confessed that HA had been persistently pursuing her for a date for so long. And each time, PG would constantly turn him down in respect to GF, as PG didn't want to cause trouble. But one day PG and HA met again in an event, and HA once more reiterated his invitation to PG, this time he was more persistent. PG was cornered at that point, had no way to go but gave in.

A day after the date, PG naughtily quipped to a close friend that she had no regrets going out with him. She excitedly confessed that her playtime with HA gave her an ultimate high -- and that HA was so worth it -- she wouldn't have it any other way. She said that HA confided to her that contrary to public perception, his relationship with GF is far from ideal. He said he was already getting so burnt-out and tired of all those years of having to deal with GF and her crassness. And yet, he had to feign public affection for the sake of his and GF's career. Needless to say, nowhere is he happy with his love life. What makes it more difficult for him he said is that his own mother abhor GF a lot for exactly the same reason. HA is just wishing that one day, he will just have the opportunity and courage to cut -- and cut cleanly.

Do you know the characters in the story? Please abide by the RULES in writing comments if you want them to be posted. Initials and comments that are too explicit will not be accepted.

Follow MicSyLim on Twitter for the latest update. Please continue to send your juicy stories to michaelsylim@gmail.com. Thank you very much for loving Fashion PULIS.

Enjoy updating my blog using my new I-PAD powered by SMART BRO!

A Breach of Children's Rights

Image courtesy of www.peta1.wordpress.com

A child is one of God's most priceless and beautiful creations, a source of pride and joy to the family. And as such, parents and/or guardians are responsible that the child's physical, emotional, psychological, and spiritual needs are sufficiently met. Children are vulnerable and those entrusted for their care are responsible to protect them and keep them safe at all times.

But not all children are as privileged. Many of them are trapped into situations where their growth and rights as children are unjustly jeopardized. To date, more and more kids are becoming easy targets of abuse. In the Philippines, child workers are more often vulnerable to exploitation. And one area where this is commonplace is in the entertainment industry.

Children who work in entertainment, particularly those in show business are often subject to abuse, exploitation and discrimination, yet most of their elders and guardians don't know any better. They go unheard and this is wrong.

DOLE ( Department of Labor and Employment) a government organization that safeguards the rights of the working children (15 years old and below) against a working environment that is abusive - mentally, physically, socially or morally dangerous and harmful. This practice is considered exploitative.

Unfortunately, poverty is one significant barrier to children achieving their rights and being treated fairly. Television networks and movie companies are mostly guilty of the above. They know the rules , turn a blind eye, and violate them. What are considered violations of children's rights in local showbiz?

LONG WORK HOURS, mostly lasting till the next day can be very damaging, affecting the child's health, academic performance and adolescent behavior in the long term. Sleep is so important, that lack of it can adversely harm them for a long time.

TOO MUCH PRESSURE to deliver good/excellent performance from the director, the child's manager and guardians can wreak havoc on the child's still about-to-bloom personality.

In showbiz, children talents who do a serye or soap are exposed to an environment too large for their young minds to comprehend, not to mention the injustice being committed. The only difference is that children who are lead stars are given preferential treatment and enjoy more perks, vis a vis bit players and extras. *Children's rights apply equally to every child, regardless of who they are, or where they live.*

What am I talking about? Too often, poverty is the most significant factor why children and their parents decide to enter showbiz. Many are blinded and overwhelmed by stardom and the fame and fortune that go with it. Not realizing that it's just the surface that they're seeing. Showbiz starters are often shocked to see the reality behind the glitz and glamor. As newbies, both guardian and child never thought that work hours can entail so long, with very little pay to show for it. An average talent/extra can get anywhere from 500 to 800 or at most 1,000 pesos net per day for a taping or shoot that can last from 6am to 2am of the next day. Under such agonizing long hours, children extras are never given quarters where thay can sleep or even rest. Only big stars are provided with airconditioned tents for the purpose. Extras have to be creative to fend for themselves. They are fortunate if the location shoot is somewhere near comfortable like a big house for example. But what if it is in a forested area, or something like a farm?

There was an instance that an agent was tasked to bring in a truckful of extras for a big scene to be shot that day. The children extras arrived on the set at 7am. Early call time, but they were called to the scene at past 3pm already. What happened and where were they between 7am and 3pm, when the summer heat seemed like to melt one's flesh? They were just scattered around, some crowding under a tree to shield themselves from the scorching summer heat. Kids as young as 4 and 5 years old, were accompanied by their mothers or guardians, but who could only do so much. Sometimes babies get sick on the set, but the production people would not want them to go home because taping has to be finished that day. If you ask them why they allow their kids to go through this ordeal, the standard parent's reply, "This is better than staying at home with nothing. At least here, we are fed and paid, no matter how small." Sigh, indeed, beggars can't be choosers. Aren't you reminded of Marie Antoinette's "Let them eat cake?"

But isn't the above a clear expoitation, capitalizing on the plight of the poor, hapless children in exchange for crumbs?

"Sec. 12-D. Prohibition Against Worst Forms of Child Labor. - No child shall be engaged in the worst forms of child labor. The phrase "worst forms of child labor" shall refer to any of the following:
"(4) Work which, by its nature or the circumstances in which it is carried out, is hazardous or likely to be harmful to the health, safety or morals of children, such that it:
"b) Exposes the child to physical, emotional or sexual abuse, or is found to be highly stressful psychologically or may prejudice morals. "

Every network has a reputation amongst the myriad of issues happening in each "backyard." Network A is untrained but generous, network B is calculating but often misses. When it comes to advocacies, network C has probably the most. Yet one of them reeks of hypocrisy --- its children's welfare's loud talking should be matched with kilometric walking.

In its weekly tapings, this network C's popular program regularly engages the services of child extras. Aside from all the above abuses happening everytime, there's something more than meets the eye. Children are both exposed and subjected to verbal abuse -- oftentimes being shouted at at the slightest misdemeanor/mistake, by the production staff, making the helpless children nervous and fearful. During dramatic scenes where crying is required, they have devised a way to make the kid act accordingly -- threaten the child that if he would not cooperate, his mother or anyone in his family will be killed on the spot.

"Verbal assault - when an authority threatens or bullies the child and creates a climate of fear for the child. Terrorizing can include placing the child or the child’s loved one (such as a sibling, pet or toy) in a dangerous or chaotic situation, or placing rigid or unrealistic expectations on the child with threats of harm if they are not met."

Even if the shouting are sometimes not directed at them but to their agents/caregivers, still the trauma on the children cannot be over-emphasized.

Each taping requires dozens of scenes to get completed. And each scene would be repeated 5 to 6 times if they're lucky, and more if the director is fastidious and doesn't feel satisfied. Child extras who usually have no formal acting workshops find this practice really excruciating. You factor in everything that happens as stated above, and you get a picture of a child who gets severely "beaten" psychologically, mentally, and physically.

"Douglas Besharov states in Recognizing Child Abuse: A Guide for the Concerned, “Emotional abuse is an assault on the child’s psyche, just as physical abuse is an assault on the child’s body”(1990). Children who are constantly ignored, shamed, terrorized or humiliated suffer at least as much, if not more, than if they are physically assaulted. Danya Glaser (2002) finds that emotional abuse can be “more strongly predictive of subsequent impairments in the children’s development than the severity of physical abuse.” Constant exposure to verbal abuse tears a child's self-esteem."

Sometimes, the abuses committed against these kids also stem from the pressures on the production to come up with a product that's excellent, fast and finished with the LEAST production cost.

Network C has foundation focused on child welfare program that not only "saves and restores back to good health sick and abused children, but also gives shelter, treatment and quality home care for rescued children until they can be with their families again or referred to child-caring agencies. It has the following services: training and advocacy on child abuse prevention, rehabilitation of families in crisis, academic scholarships, livelihood, community outreach and medical and dental missions." Are DOLE officials aware that this very tenet is being broken by the very people who are supposed to uphold them?

I used to admire network C for I thought that it is THE face of children's refuge and well-being. But their clouded principles and total apathy smashed that illusion.

"Everything you say and do to a child is absorbed, catalogued and remembered."

Please abide by the RULES in writing comments if you want them to be posted. Initials and comments that are too explicit will not be accepted.

Follow micsylim on Twitter for the latest update. Please continue to send your juicy stories to michaelsylim@gmail.com. Thank you very much for loving Fashion PULIS.

Enjoy updating my blog using my new I-PAD powered by SMART BRO!


Sources:
http://www.lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra2003/ra_9231_2003.html
http://www3.hants.gov.uk/childrens-services/childrenandyoungpeople/child-protection/child-abuse.htm
http://www.thefamilyinternational.org/en/children-hope-future/

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