Starbucks Passion for Excellence

Ever wondered why Starbucks has consistently dominated its market lead despite facing alot of competition from an industry of coffee shops mushrooming to capture a billion dollar industry?

Lets face it, the competition like Seattles Best, Dunkin Donuts, Figaro, Bo's coffee(in the Philippines) has for many years tried to capture the big chunk of Starbuck's market but to no apparent success, Starbuck's continues to lead the pack with the bulk of the coffee drinkers and even the non-coffee drinker's prefer Starbucks than the rest even if the price is a bit costlier than other coffee shops.

Yesterday, Starbucks closed down operation nearly 7100 stores across the US, its not because they are on holiday or is set to go bankrupt, the main reason is they have gathered all their employees for a re-training on how to make an espresso, ensure that their barista's do not resteam their milk and to just steam fresh milk, to make sure that it takes 15 to 19 seconds for each espresso shots to pour from the machine so that they come out like honey dripping from a spoon. They also reminded their barista's to smile, thank their customers and make eye contact with their customers when serving their drinks.

Though it has been the company policy all throughout starbucks stores worldwide, however the consistency is being ensured through their recent training that these are consitently being followed and implemented.

Barista's also exchanged comments, experiences and challenges they face at work especially with remembering their regular customers.

Now that's what a company ought to be, always retooling their frontlint barista's to always keep the connectiveness with their customers, and though one day of closure for the store will definitely have an impact on their sales, nevertheless the Starbucks management is far sighted in viewing that one day of retraining is worth a dozen times benefit for the company in the long term.

Now, that's deserving Starbucks to be on Top.

Avastin- a new hope for breast cancer

The US FDA has announced last February 22, that it has conditionally approved the Genentech's Avastin drug for breast cancer. Avastin which blocks blood vessel growth to the tumor has been in the market for over 3 years now for colon and lung cancer, it has also been approved in Europe and being prescribed for breast cancer.

Although FDA's advisory panel voted against the approval 5-4, because the drug shrank tumors but did not lead to longer life or improved quality of life for cancer patients. FDA has recently took a surprise decison in approving Avastin. This took the doctor's and investor's by surprise since FDA doesnt always disregard the opinion of its own advisory panel regarding approval of drugs.

The surprising decision has been deemed to reflect the agency's flexibility amidst the many criticisms from cancer advocacy groups due to the agency's failure to approve any new cancer drugs last year.

The decision has placed high hopes that Provenge, a drug that is considered to help prostate cancer patients, can also be approved this year. Though it failed to shrink tumors in the 127-patient trial presented to the FDA last year, a standard measure of efficacy. But patients on Provenge did live 4.5 months longer than those on standard treatment, with fewer side effects.

Since no new drugs for advanced prostate cancer have been introduced in more than 20 years, oncologists and patients alike are eager to see Provenge approved. The advisory committee voted 17-0 that the drug was safe and 13-4 that it was effective

Looking forward to more research and development on cancer vaccines and treatment soon.

EJ

"EJ - Ang pinagdaanang buhay ni Eveleo Javier at Edgar Jopson"

Watching this play last night at CCP depicting the life and times of two of the social reformists of their generation against the ugly regime of Marcos dictatorship. Though they both came from different setting, different social class, fought a different battle, but both studied at Ateneo de Manila, Edgar Jopson fougth for social reform leading the National Union of Students of the Phils. while Eveleo Javier who saw the ugly political system of his home province Antique decided to change the landscape of Politics thru reforms.

The social and moral values of the play still plays a significant role in our present modern setting, corruption, oligarchs rule, hunger, injustices and military abuses has been a constant struggle during this two youthful leaders times. Times have changed, leadership have changed but the same ugly hand of greed, power, injustice prevails.

One funny plot of the story is when Edjop brought his girlfriends and later becoming his wife Joy to China where a Red cloth was unfurled as the backdrop of the scene and the cast cutely dressed in Mao's communist attire holding on to a red book marching towards the stage, every playful statue like movement was well choreographed, the marching and poses has catched the audience attention as well as the musical score was relatively chinese and the man raising the red flag shouting YI, ER, SAN, SE(1,2,3,4 in mandarin) several times elicited much laughter from the audience.

The most gripping scene was when Edjop and his company were being interrogated and the 2 women cast were being tortured by allege military men and screams of the scene can emotionally touch the inmost soul of the audience what horror those women went thru during the Martial law years, the rape scene was also worth noting.

As for the scene on the life of Eveleo Javier, the comedy rest on the scene where the townsfolk came to give their donations for the construction of a gymnasium for the western Visayas meet back when he was elected as Governor. The reality that if your not a supporter of the President, funds will be deprived from your province and thus evcen cause much hardship on the delivery of basic services to the community.

Over all the play is great, the cast were absolutely stunning in their performance and shows their flexibility in their roles as their character portrayal changes, the music and choreography and the entire script is definitely appropriate and the social relevance of it to our modern socio-political landscape is appropriate in time for social awakening.

The musical score is being rendered by the band Sisig who were also onstage.

Bravo to the entire cast and crew, writer, director of EJ.

Honesty and Integrity

Our country has been plagued by scandal after scandal without seeing any end on the broiling political clamor for change. In other countries, businesses going under, encountering tax problems, faces probes and embarassments.

What's wrong with people nowadays? It because everyone thought of getting away with a small mistake, that even a bribe is being deemed a favor, a gift that necessitates to be reciprocated with another favor.

In any course of life, be it at work, in school, or at play from the high office of the land to the lowly citizen, everyone should have the integrity and will power to commit the highest standard of individualism.

I remember once living with friends and we had a dilemma back then that we usually lose our stuffs especially jewelry and money. Since we have no other way of finding out who is the real culprit, it could either be a ghost or elves playing on us, as one of our housemate suggested.

We decided to play a game one evening, its a scrabble game but theres a pot of money for the taking, Four players playing a friendly game and suddenly one decided to cheat on all, thus we found out who amongst us is willing to cheat for a small amount of money.

We are all born and raise to be good and its our innate to be helpful unfortunately being greedy is also an innate instinct in all of us.  May we overcome our selfish intentions for the greater good of all.

Morning Glory

I stared through the transparency,

a magnificent smile meets me.

Peered through me,

benevolent acts,

that sweeping voice,

resounding the cymbals of tune.

This anchor I entrust,

noble scope of blue meteor.

I salute the early morning face,

so sublime, innocence demurring.

Stupidity leads to scandal

A Hong Kong actor-singer learned a valuable and painful lesson at the expense of losing a career in showbusiness and exposing the nakedness of several women. Edison Chen who had been scandalize by the posting of his explicit photos with other female celebrities such as Gillian Chung, Bobo Chan, Cecilia Cheung has rocked the entire Hong Kong community in recent weeks.

The pictures and photos allegedly stolen from the laptap of Edison Chen when he brought it to be repaired to a computer technician last year has been circulated around the internet for the past weeks and its spreading like wildfire. A certain Kira who seems to be championing a moral crusade in Hong Kong against actors and celebrities like Edison is still a mystery.

But claims that there are more wrecking videos and photos that can even cause shame to the business community since some well known businessmen's wife are also in those photos, may seem too much to fathom, its only to keep the flame of this news more sensational. Thousands of photos have already been posted on the net and these has since cause alot of news even in China. Witch hunt for the culprit is onlgoing and the mere view of those pictures or downloading it may cause trouble to an ordinary Hong Konger's.

The apology made by this actor came too late a time, though remorseful as it seems to be, the photos and videos doesn't seem to present that it does occur in their mind back then. He should have known better that being a real man doesn't have to mean fucking around and be careless, to the extent of his reputation being scrutinize just because of his playboy image and plain stupidity.

This scandal has cause shame and even anguish to those involved, and while Edison Chen has since gave his intention to quit showbusiness, such a waste of talent just because he couldn't resist taking a shot of himself and the women he cuddles even on their private moments, exposing their private parts.

A disgusting desire to keep and store those photos, only to be spread across the globe by the power of connectivity. Learn the lesson of not playing with the idea of showing flesh unless you can earn a substantial amount of money by posting it and if you are a porn star at that.

A. Pot

Loving you is the greatest miracle,

anyone could have captured your glimpse.

I thank God everyday for

you have bestowed upon me your love;

How could I ever repay such generous

and precious lovingkindness;

more than anything

I long to behold you in my arms every breath I live.

Such tenderness of your kiss

that embrace which brings life anew birthing.

Its not a token but a lifetime gift to ever hold and cherish.

Beloved Forever,

a tranquil dream turned into reality.

Nihilism

"In the mountains of truth you never climb in vain."
-Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche

I came across the book "Will to Power" some years ago, a posthumous compilations and writings by Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche believing in the philosophy of Nihilism, the stand on which Being especially past and current human existence, is without objective meaning, purpose, comprehensible truth or essential value.

A philosophy to which invalidates the very meaning of life's existence and of God himself.
Nietzsche never wanting to acknowledge the existence of a higher being and stood for the call for individualism and that neither truth nor is there value for any action rather that which is individually perceived as right to each his own.

Nietzsche, a philosopher and poet and a great mind of his time but has always been perceived indifferent towards his peers and contemporaries such as Karl Marx, and Sigmund Freud. For years he has patronized and associated himself with Wagner but through many years that he deemed sufficed for his own recognition, he tried to tear apart the stand and philosphy of Wagner without remorse nor gratitude for his formative years in the philology circle.

Much more than fame, he tried to capture the intellectual circle with his self proclaimed philosophy and belief in the non-existence of God by declaring "God is Dead" thru his writing of "Thus Spoke Zarathustra" which he wrote in 4 parts between 1883-1885.

Unfortunately for Nietzsche, God is not dead and infact God was listening all along, on January 3, 1889 he collapsed in Turin, Italy and when he awoke he lost his sanity and on Aug 25, 1890, he died, still deprived of his long time wish to be recognize as a man of his time.

To acknowledge the existence of a higher power, we may call Him God, savior, creator, maker or to which we choose to surrender our existence that there indeed is a purpose and meaning for our life and to closely connect with our fellowmen no matter what indifferences we may have of opinion and be grateful for what we've learned is the ultimate quest of each man. Not for personal self gratification.

Though Nietzsche's work didn't stop when he died, he somehow managed to gain some reputable recognition for his works thru the Danish critic and scholar Georg Brandes, who lectured on Nietzsche at the University of Copenhagen in 1888. The philosophers thoughts influenced among others Thomas Mann, Herman Hesse, André Malraux, André Gide, Albert Camus, Rainer Maria Rilke, Stefan George, Sigmund Freud, and Jean Paul Sartre.

Although the Nazis used some of the philosopher's ideas, Nietzsche was deeply opposed to the collective tendencies that labelled National Socialism. He rejected biological racism and German nationalism, writing "every great crime against culture for the last four hundred years lies on their conscience." Nazis, on the other hand, welcomed Nietzsche's view of "Herrenmensch," a new type of man who with his robber instincts was able to manipulate the masses and who was a law unto himself.

After all these years, I still couldn't grasp the thought and mind of a man whose only view is to be himself, finding no purpose in living, having no subjection to a force greater than himself and would be ungrateful for all that has been his thorough existence.

If only Nietzsche live out one of his quotes written above, he would have found happiness and never have to live in vain.

US recession and China's overheating economies

The buzz of a US economic recession has been circling around, the US sub-prime mortgage crisis that started early September 2007 has dealt a big blow to consumer spending as well as household liquidity and has spread out on a global scale relating to banks and financial institutions relating to sub-prime markets.

Many well known financial groups such as Merryll Lynch, Citigroup, Barclays and Northern Rock of UK has been partly been a casualty in part or wholly in all these Sub-prime crisis. Citigroup even announced a 4300 employment cut by the end of January 2008 and Allan Greenspan, the former Federal Reserve Chairman, last Friday made a notable remark saying the United States is significantly at-risk of facing a recession. Greenspan made those statements while speaking during the Cambridge Energy Research Associates(CERA) Week 2008 event.

Greenspan cited "we are clearly on the edge" placing the odds at 50% or better that the economy will go into recession. But significantly due to low interest rates in the past years and the recent lowering of interest rates by the new Fed chair Bernanke several times in the past 3 months has encourage more and more liquidity into the market and thus has prevented the economic downturn of the US market.

Recession being defined in macroeconomics as the decline in a country's gross domestic products (GDP), or negative real economic growth, for two or more successive quarters of a year.

However the 2007 3rd and 4th quarter results of GDP of the US economy hasn't been release yet and this all the more makes everyone jittery as to the outcome of the figures.

Rising oil prices which has so far reached $100/barrel at the start of the year 2007 and has slowly been managing to stay hold between the $80-90/barrel in the recent week and would definitely affect inflation among many economies dependent on Oil, the China economy heating up and overflowing liquidity has also not been too helpful though China may be experiencing the opposite of what the US has been going through these days, too much liquidity or funds in the market can also pose a different economic backslash especially when China's economy grew another 11% in 2007 wherein the economic managers of China are trying to temper to atleast 10% for the entire 2008 and the US long been wary about the control currency control on the yuan and only in the past months has the People's Bank of China allowed the free flowing devaluation of their currency.

People's Bank of China's years of controlling their currency is now posing a threat of over heating, if the business and government could not pour their excess liquidity into more economic value and new business entities or investments abroad. Even with the recent active role being played by China on the economic life of most African nations, there is still so much overflowing funds that needs to be tamed from their economy. China has been exploring ventures in mining, oil, power generations, transportation, even healthcare and education in African nations.

Last year China organized an African-Sino Summit where China writes off US $1.3B of 31 of Africas poorest nations and thus pledged more educational and healthcare support for the African nations(lucky for them, when will we have such a generous sponsor!!!)

The contrast in the US state and the China economy have both significant impact on the world economies especially if the US goes into recession since alot of world economies are dependent on the consumer spending and purchasing power of the dollar. China on the other hand may gain some temporary relief as majority of their exports are dependent on the US economy, the relief may come in the slowing of their overheated economy.

As many economists has been projecting, I also do not believe the US economy is entering into recession. perhaps a slowdown yes, but a recession would be unlikely at this time, especially with the coming US election, the crunch on the sub-prime sector which may have a long term effect and would more or less caution banks and financial markets to be moderate with their accounting as to avoid write offs unless they are China who can easily forgive debts. "Forgive us of our debts as we forgive our debtors".

Memoriam

As we were attending the church service today, it was a sad day to note the passing of a very promising young Pastor, Kevin Alamag and his wife Abella last thursday, February 14 due to a vehicular accident along Commonwealth avenue.

Pastor Kevin Alamag has shown exemplenary leadership not only at GCF but as well as in his previous pastoring at Church of the Risen Lord in UP Diliman. Oftentimes he would lead the pastoral prayer at the 6pm Sunday service where I am attending, and it shows by the way he leads the congregational prayer that he indeed has the passion and the whole-hearted devotion in service towards God and for the church. I got the first glimpse of him last year when he seems being groomed by our senior Pastor Luis Pantoja for greater responsibilities up ahead in the church ministry.

But that's life and God knows what is best. Pastor Kevin Alamag and his wife Abella's mission in this life may have been over and called have called them home to a place where no tears, no fear and no worries will have to reign anymore and where God has prepared a place far beyond our imagination to fathom.

God has always been a God of surprises and mysteries... The day Pastor Kevin and Abella had that accident, it was a Valentine's day and God called them to share the date and banquet with Him in his domain... trully indeed a valentines date fit for the loving children of God, prepared by the Majestic King Himself.

Life is a journey and one day we shall be called home as well, so let us strive to live our every day life pleasing before God and Savior Jesus Christ. So that when the time comes for us to present our accountabilty before our righteous master, we can say, we have been a good steward of what He has given us in this earthly dwelling.

To Pastor Kevin and sister Belle, thank you for all the prayer and service you've given us, for the love you've shared, for the people you've touched and for those you've inspired and knowing that you'd both continue to smile upon us from heaven.

We will miss the voice that led our congregational prayer but we will always linger in our hearts the memory of your leading.

15 years get-together

I find sheer pleasure and joy for my role...

Feb 2, 2008 (8:25pm) : I received a call while playing badminton with my high school friend Aleem and his AIM peers at the Blue Rackets Gym in Makati. It was Patrick, our classmate also back in our Notre Dame Boys' days who worked in Indonesia and I've last seen last Sept 2007.

"Yo Man, where you tonight" Patrick said

"I'm here with Aleem playing badminton, why? where are you, you back in Manila", I replied

"Yeah, Lets have a drink later tonight",

"sure, lemme check with Al", i told him.

Al agreed but to meet by midnight at around GB3, Pat wants it at the Fort.

"I'll text you later after the game" I said before hanging up the phone.

A text to Mark who works for McCann Ericson ensued. Mark, whom I haven't seen for over 8 years after we had our falling out ages ago and who happens to be our class valedictorian has been exchanging emails, YM and text messages with me for the past 5 yrs and who seems to be busy all the time for anything else. Suddenly seems to be agreable to the idea of meeting up but only for starbucks. Knowing Patrick and Aleem to be both beer drinkers and loves the party life, I am not sure the coffee conversation would be agreable to them, so I told Mark to get back to him and I need to figure out the exact place where were going to meet.

After the game of badminton, Aleem went back to AIM to take a shower and change for our night out. Patrick texted and informing me that if I and Aleem wouldn't be at the Mint Bar at the Fort by 10:30pm he'd leave, so texting him that were on our way despite the time almost being past 11pm.

Wew arrived at the Mint Bar, and what a surprise, Patrick was with Michael, another classmate who studied medicine in Davao and two other girls around their table. we had a few exchanges of chat, then getting back to texting Mark that were at the Fort, he called to ask what time we'd leave the bar, Patrick and Aleem ssems to have so much fun that I told him perhaps 1am, So Mark said, I'd be there by 1am and suggested we find a coffee shop around the area.

I've got to prepare the others for the eventual arrival of Mark who want to have coffee, and seems everyone is amenable to pack up our boozing time by 12:30 midnight.

Mark arrived while were leaving the parking lot, we proceeded to Alchemy Bar in Ortigas as the two gals seems to want to party at the Alchemy. when we got there, a starbucks happens to be nearby, so the five of us former classmates, foes of debates and academics for that matter back in our High school years decided to send the two girls home, Patrick hurled the cab for the two girls while we went for coffee.

Mark foot the bill, and the rest of us were amaze at such generosity. Knowing Mark to be stingy in the past years weve come to know him as a classmate, and as a friend. "This is a welcome development" we all echoed behind his ears...hahahahaha

We talked and shared stories, memories, friends, foes, crushes, gossips, our funny moments in the past years and at the end of that get together, we spent over 5 hours together reminiscing the many years that has gone by and the people who we haven't seen for sometime.

Somehow a part of this evening can be categorize as reconciliatory, for me and Mark, For Mark and Patrick who also had falling out after Y2K, Aleem and Patrick had some unspoken angst due to a past girlfriend whom Aleem courted but Patrick got the approval.

It was indeed a thought wondering years, a night to cherish as part of our memories of each other... and more to follow in the next few days and hopefully we can find more of our former classmates whom we spent 4 yrs of our High school lives together from our class named St. Stephen, St. John to St. Gabriel in a far away city so often misunderstood and we so bemused to have changed drastically with our growing up.

The woman who changed me!

I entered a building so uniquely adorned, spacious and brightly painted. I am required to leave behind my cellphone and other electronic gadgets with me, register for the 4 evening seminar(monday, tues, thursday and friday). The woman then gave me a temporary ID after I presented to her my ID card and at exactly 6pm everyone should already be inside this room where the walling is curiously hieroglyphics of ancient Egypt. At the front center is a wide blackboard and seems like its an auditorium class of a university.

I thought what am I here for.... but everyone filled the room and there even is not enough chairs to fill the crowd so some have to stand at the side and back of the room. Then a woman walked thru from a small door on the back of the left side corner of the room, in a delicately white pants and dress, her hair is so attractively raised like she just came from a salon, she has this eyes so distinct and well browed, and fear gripped me that I thought I saw a witch in sheeps clothing. Oh my gosh! is she going to hypnotize us in the room? She was like a witch I dreaded when I was a child from all those fairy tales.

She holds a cordless microphone and began to introduce herself as Charley Barretto emphasizing the E in her name Charley, a resounding beautiful voice I've ever heard marveled into my ears. Soft spoken and with her smile I somehow felt a bit relaxed. She then called attention to those who were there for the very first time and she tried to play along our emotions that when certainly viewed her as a with(my golly, she can even read our minds).

She discussed the principles of life, the Science of Mind and Man Center is all about, the sphere of the Universe, our god within, the conscious and the sub-conscious mind, the power of thoughts and things, belief, every positive ideas becomes the visible.

Every night for 4 to 5 hours she would only talk how we can be prosperous, abundant, rich, powerful, its tapping thru the sub-conscious being within ourselves. and showing us the light to shine our path into a more abundant beingness.

It was already a friday night, the last evening of the 4 day seminar, somehow I understood slowly the manner by which to conquer my fear and doubts. But tonight its all going to be different coz I will either walk out of this place still the same or a changed man in mind and heart and soul.

As she put down her microphone and calls for the closing of her seminar, she walks and vanishes into the confines of her private room. I felt a changed man, I saw a new meaning and hope for living. I saw her not as she first came in 5 nights ago when I first had a glimpse of her, a bewitching hag. Tonight I saw her as the light and the angelic beauty of a woman I would love to meet again.

For many years I continued to attend the class of Ms. Charley Barretto which rarely happens once or twice every year.

I am grateful for the time I was able to listen and attend her class, without those nuggets of her thoughts, I would have viewed life in a different sphere and am proud to have acquired the wisdom from a Charley Barretto, The Science of Mind.

I'm a true blue Sommist.

Year of the Rat

a rat display made up of yellow fruit

The year of the Rat is the first animal sign of the chinese zodiac, a hopeful restart button so to speak in all our life, its like a refresh of everything we have done for the past years, and as humans, we are always hopeful, having that positive anticipation of greater things to come our way, better life, better year, a good family and health, a better financial condition and fewer debts etc.  

Its that part of ourselves that recreate a hopeful new beginnings and make wishes and prayers.  No matter where we are in the world or what faith we believe in, it is always a good start to be set a positive tone and create a good vibes of energy to re-envigorate us to anticipate better things for the coming days, months and year.  Letting go of our past year's shortcomings and pitfalls.

May the new year of the rat bring happiness and joy for everyone and let us forgive ourselves for our shortcomings and aim to grow better and better in the days ahead.