Curbside Stories

Photo from yahoo.com. After 36 years, the curse has finally broken and the Philippines finally won the blue crown. The first ever Filipina to win Miss World is Megan Young, the 23-year old actress and model from Pampanga. She bested Miss France (First Runner-up) and Miss Ghana (Second Runner-up) and the other 123 candidates today in Indonesia. This is one momentous event for the Philippines. Everyone is proud right now just knowing that the beauty, talent and intelligence of a fellow Filipino was recognized internationally. Congratulations, Megan Lynne Young!

Getting married? Have you picked up a wedding dress already? I have! I know it is still too early, heck, I am not even engaged, but who knows? It is better to be prepared at all times. Anyway, I have here two of my most favorite wedding dresses from Dress First . This particular mermaid style dress is strapless with beaded lace overlay. The train satin tulle is long enough for dramatic entrance and exit photos. This is available in four colors (white, champagne, ivory and pink) but for a conservative church such as ours, it is white or ivory for me. This is currently on sale for $441.99 previously $579. A princess will never be caught dead not owning even a single ball gown so if you are dreaming of a princess-like wedding, a ball gown type of wedding dress is perfect. I especially like this one-shoulder ball gown with organza train and ruffle flowers. I mean, it is a ball gown yet it is not overpowering the bride. This is currently on sale at $260.00 previously $322...

When I was in college, all I could dream of is how to become an owner of my own business or to become a boss. I started working as a clerk at age 21 in a local government office. I stayed there for about two years before deciding to work in a private company. It was a breathe of fresh air from the corrupt system of the government but I stayed only for about year. I was even asked a promotion but I refused because I believe that there's still a better chance for me out there. Finally, in 2007, I was hired as an executive secretary, also in a private company. After three years, I was promoted as a department head of IT and later on as a department head of marketing in addition to my IT duties. I have 5 people under my supervision. My dream of becoming a boss came true. I thought before that it was the perfect job with all its perks--high salary, respect, authority, the sense of being in control of everything. It's not, because behind all the responsibilities and perks is acco...

President Benigno Simeon Aquino III delivered his 4th State of the Nation Address at the Batasang Pambansa Complex in Quezon City on July 22. I think the best thing about this year's SONA is the President asking every Filipino, "What have you contributed so far?" Read the entire speech after the jump.

1. Leaders engage themselves in filtered information, they surround themselves with bureaucracy that thinks the same way they do. As a consequence, although they reach agreement, oftentimes that agreement is not contemporary and not in any way relevant to what's going on in their marketplace. 2. Leaders who engage in selective hearing, in other words, they hear what they want to hear but not necessarily what they should.  3. Wishful thinking that when the business is off, the market will come back, they all do, they see the world through rose-colored glasses, they see the world as they want it and not as it is.  4. Fear. There are cultures that suppress reality. They punish people that have views that are confrontational or that are different from the norm. Organizations that suffer from this don't get real information, as a consequence, you behave in a way that's not contemporary with what's going on around you. This is from Larry Bossidy's speech ...

I dream of going to Disneyland even when I was still a kid. I grew up watching all the Disney princesses and I think that Mickey Mouse is the most lovable mouse ever. Indeed there is some sort of magic that makes people dream of going to the happiest place on earth. How Disney maintain that certain level that is beyond comparison is something that tickles my imagination. When I went to the bookstore to find reference books for my research, I stumbled upon a book entitled The Disney Way by B. Capodagli and L. Johnson. I read the foreword and before I know it, I was already at the cashier paying. I could not put the book down. It was amazing reading their management principle is almost the same as any other large companies, maybe, just maybe, the only thing that differentiates Disney from the bunch is that the have with them the most committed and happiest employees who believe in their vision to make Disneyland the happiest place on earth. I will let you in on Disney...

Above all things, I think we need a government with common sense and true concern. Would you build roads and bridges during the rainy season? I bet your answer is NO because common sense teaches us that concrete must be cured enough to make it stronger and the rainy days will impede the construction process. If you see that a house is flooding because their drainage system was dumped with soil from the road widening project you are doing, would you help dig up the soil? I bet the answer is YES because we are human beings with the inherent gift of care and compassion.