Wearing Helmets: A Safety Reminder for Motorcyclists

The soaring price of oil worldwide is one reality we all have to accept. And as we all continue to face the many challenges in the workplace in order to live comfortably, one key factor is the transport system. Commuting is now considered a way of life and the clamor for a more cost-efficient mode of transportation has paved the way for the motorcycle. To date, the number of motorcycle commuters continues to rise all over the country.

Driving a motorcycle involves skill, presence of mind, and safety. And one very important rule is to "always wear a helmet" just like "wearing a seatbelt" is synonymous to driving a car. Helmets of all shapes, sizes and brands are now available in the market. But how safe are you with your helmet? Will it actually protect your brain if you meet an accident? Statistics reveal that an increase in level of road accidents usually involves motorcycles.

Before you take the road with your new motorcycle, here are some helpful tips to remember about helmets as shared by Spyder.

1. Safety Standards

Always make sure to check that your helmet has passed at least one of the safety standards from the following: DOT (USA standard) European standard (or ECE; accepted by more than 50 countries and the MOTO GP), BSI (UK), and Snell (the most highly regarded standard used in the U.S.).

2. Helmet Components

A motorcycle helmet has two major parts: the outer shell and the energy-absorbing inner liner.

Outer shells for good quality helmets come in either a resin/fiber composite like fiberglass (Spyder's Cranium and Panther helmet models), molded thermoplastic such as ABS (Spyder's Sphinx, Sabre, and Enduro models) as well as other less commonly used materials such as carbon fiber and Kevlar.

Economical Driving with Fuel Saving Practices

As a motorist, have you wished that you can still extend your car's fuel mileage even further? Sure, you have applied economical driving techniques, drove as smooth and as consistent as possible, and kept your speed at par or below speed limits. But it doesn't stop there. You also have to start learning fuel saving habits and practice them. In this time of utmost fuel economy awareness, you can definitely contribute your own little part to conserve fuel even more.

Here are some helpful tips to further increase your fuel mileage:

Play your trips. Accomplish everything in one swoop. To keep you on track, maintain a list of tasks that you need to do each time you go out. For example, when planning a trip to the mall, be sure to bring with you a checklist of all the things you need to buy, and a task list of everything that you need to do, like paying your utilities or credit card bills. By being organized, you will save not only on fuel but also on time and effort.

Lighten your load. Are you one of those motorists that bring all their things everyday, whether you need it for that day or otherwise? Before you leave the house, check the contents of your trunk and leave the things that you won't need for the day, like golf clubs, gym stuff, etc. Doing so will make your car run lighter, thereby consuming lesser fuel.

Plan your route carefully. Plan your route around roads with lesser obstructions, intersections, and traffic lights. This may be a longer one than your original route, but the former may be a more fuel efficient route provided it has fewer stops and obstructions than the latter. Also, as far as traffic volume is concerned, pick the route that has a more predictable increase and decrease of volume, depending on the time of day.

Avoid braking whenever possible. Braking wastes fuel, as propelling the vehicle again from a deceleration or a stop will need fuel. You can lessen the need to brake by maintaining a safe and steady speed. Be mindful of your distance from the car in front. If the need to step on the brakes is inevitable, depress the brake pedal as gradual and as smooth as possible. If a complete stop is not needed, let go of the brakes and apply gentle dabs on the accelerator pedal to bring the car up to speed again. If the engine speed is not too low and the vehicle speed is matched to the current gear, then there is no need to downshift, for it can still take up the drive.

Check your engine. The time to check your car's engine doesn't only pertain to the time when your car's check engine light is on; periodically check your oil, fuel filter, air filter, and other wear and tear parts that your engine may need. If left unchecked, a dirty fuel filter may hamper the smooth flow of fuel from the fuel tank to the combustion chamber, resulting in significant power loss. The same is also true for a dirty air filter, as air flow will be restricted if the air filter is dirty. To adjust for different fuel grades and quality, give your car a tune up as often as possible.

Avoid unnecessary idling. In this time of frugality, an engine left idling for extended periods of time is a mortal sin. As the car is not going anywhere, mileage for this will be 0 km/l. If the car will be idle for more than three minutes it is a good practice to park, turn off the engine, get out of the car, and wait outside. Not only will you save up on fuel by doing this; waiting outside your car is also a security precaution, as most car theft victims nowadays are those waiting inside their vehicles.

Avoid unnecessary wind drag. When traveling at highway speeds of 60 kph upwards, to avoid unnecessary wind drag, keep your windows closed. Drag is another resistance that your car needs to overcome. Between the use of your car's air-conditioning and keeping your windows closed, the former will be more fuel efficient at highway speeds.

Use the correct motor oil. Again, your car's manual is your friend. Follow the correct oil viscosity for your car as stated in its manual, as well as the oil change schedule. Using the wrong oil will not only make your car's engine inefficient, but may induce premature wear and tear, resulting in unplanned vehicle repair costs.

Switch to a new, fuel efficient vehicle. Let's face it, even with proper maintenance, cars, as machines, will be less efficient and consume more fuel over time. If you have the means to do so, you can plan to purchase a newer and fuel efficient vehicle to replace your existing one. You can have it financed through the auto lending industry leader -- BPI Family Savings Bank's Drive your Dream Auto Loan. It offers low interest rates and flexible payment terms. Buyers can own a brand new car worth Php 600,000 for only Php 9,220/month, at 20% down payment and light payment-term of six years. Just visit any of the 800 BPI, BPI Family Savings Bank branches or Express Banking Centers or call Auto Loans Direct Marketing at 845-6777 or 89-100. They can also text AUTO GO PSTAR name landline number city or province and send to 0918-89-10000 or 0917-89-10000, or logon to www.bpiexpressonline.com.

Taken from The Philippine Star

Tala-arawan ng Isang Dating Child Actress

Ni Victoria Haynes

Mayroon akong iba't ibang alaala noong bata pa ako. Ang mga sticker na "Jesus Loves You" na nakapaskil sa dingding na nakatapat sa aking kama, ang iba't ibang comics at childrens' books na kinalakihan ko, ang mga kaibigan na kahit medyo mahirap nang maalala ay mahal ko pa rin, ang mga taong nakapag-udyok ng pagbabago sa aking buhay, lalo na ang mga taong may mga mahahalagang itinuro sa akin.

Hindi maiiwasan sa buhay ang masaktan dahil bahagi rin iyan ng paglaki. Maaaring hindi masayang alalahanin, pero katotohanan siyang nararanasan nating lahat. Pero higit sa mga ito ang pag-ibig. Alalahanin mo ang pinakamasakit na leksyon na iyong natutunan, isipin mo ang mga pangyayari kung paano mo natutunan ito. In retrospect, makirot sa puso, pero ngayong nakaraos ka na at tapos na ang lahat, maginhawa na ang iyong pakiramdam. Hindi mo maide-deny na ikaw rin ang nakinabang. Ikaw ang natuto at ikaw rin ang magtatagumpay sa bawat anumang hirap na na naranasan mo.

Sa mata ng isang bata na walang kamuwang-muwang, maganda ang mundo, masaya, makulay at walang kakulangan. Ang lahat ng tao ay may pangarap, hindi ang isang bata lamang. Maraming taong may gustong gawin sa buhay pero hindi magawa-gawa dahil sa negativity ng mga tao na pumipigil sa kanila at pati na rin ang mga kalagayan na humahadlang sa kanila. Minsan, pati na rin ang pagtingin nila sa kanilang sarili ang pumipigil sa kanilang pag-unlad. Pero tao lang tayong lahat, nagtatrabaho, nakararamdam, nagtitiis at nagmamahal.

Kadalasan, ugali ng mga tao na ilagay ang mga artista sa pedestal, at sa totoo, maraming mahuhusay na aktor at aktres sa Pilipinas. Pero minsan nakakaligtaan rin nilang tingnan ang mga paghihirap at mga pagsisikap na kailangan ng mga artista upang marating ang kanilang kinaroroonan. Matinding pagsisikap at sakripisyo ang kailangan para maging 'role model' at upang manatiling ganap na walang kapintasan. Higit pa sa mga intriga at tsismis ng buhay. Nakatutuwang malaman ang mga pangyayari sa entertainment industry, pero sayang na marami ang nadadala sa pagsubaybay sa kanilang mga idolo na hindi na nila masyadong napapahalagahan ang kanilang sarili. Iyon bang sa lahat na lang ng bagay ikukumpara nila ang sarili nila sa ibang tao, kasama na rin doon ang mga idolo nila. "Kailangan mas payat ako" o kaya naman "dapat mahabang kaaya-aya at makintab ang buhok ko" at piliing maghirap at maabala para lang matulad sa kanyang idol. Ang hindi lang nila alam, araw-araw na nagda-diet at labis din ang pag-aalaga ng mga artista sa kanilang buhok, balat at ngipin.

Ok na may talent, na may sariling galing sa paglikha ng kanilang sining. Pero maaari rin tayong matuto sa pamamagitan ng pag-aaral at pagsumikapan ng ating mga gusto at hilig. Simula pa lang sa pagkabata, may angking galing na sila sa mga bagay na gusto nilang gawin. Pero hindi lamang ito ang dahilan sa pag-unlad ng tao. Nilikha tayo ng Diyos para magsilbi at kagalakan Niya. Hindi puwedeng hanggang doon lang ang gagawin natin.

Kailangang linangin ang mga talento at kahusayang ipinagkaloob sa atin. Isa ito sa maraming konsepto na natutunan ko kay Joachim Antonio, isa kong kaibigang propesor sa isang unibersidad dito sa Manila. Nanalo na siya ng tatlong Palanca Award para sa kanyang mga dula. Sa totoo lang, siya ang nagturo sa akin kung paano magsulat. Mayroon siyang writing seminar ngayon sa Fully Booked, ang "Inkblot."

Kung estudyante ka, mag-aaral ka. Kung athlete ka, pupunta ka sa gym araw-araw para ma-develop ang muscles. At kung nakapagbuhat ka na ng dumbbell, alam mong hindi lalaki ang iyong mga muscles sa isang iglap. Buwan ang kailangan para magpalaki ng katawan at ilang on and off seasons ang pinagdaraanan ng bodybuilders para marating nila ang kanilang kasalukuyang kalagayan. Kailangan ng sapat na oras at pagsisikap ang anumang tagumpay.

Ilang oras ang ginugugol ng mga pintor para matuto ng sketching at shading. Simula pa lang ito: ilang oras pang mag-eeksperimento, maghalo-halo ng kulay. Higit sa lahat, kailangan ring gugulan ng oras ang mismong pagpipinta.

Kung gusto mong maging mahusay sa pag-arte, kailangang matuto kang magmasid ng mga tao at tauhan. Sa "666," ang pelikula kung saan ako gaganap, pinayuhan ako ni Direk Celso Ad Castillo na pag-aralan ang "The Exorcism of Emily Rose." Pinanood ko ang pelikulang ito ng mga anim na sunud-sunod na beses sa loob ng tatlong araw. Noong sumunod na linggo, pinanood ko ang lahat ng mga exorcist films na nahanap ko.

Malaking sakripisyo ito para sa akin. Hindi ako mahilig sa nakatatakot. Romantic comedies, fantasy films, at indies ang hilig ko. Kaya, malaking tiyaga ang kinailangan ko sa panonood ng mga tungkol sa possessions, demonyo at multo, pero sabi nga nila, "the show must go on" at totoo ito.

Sa awarding ceremony ng FAMAS ngayong taon, napanood ko si Imelda Papin at napakagaling niya! Kahit noong sa pangalawang bahagi ng kanyang performance ay nasa back stage na ako na naghahanda para sa pag-present ng susunod na award, dinig ko pa rin ang kanyang pagkanta at nadala ako sa kanyang tindig sa entablado. Kahit alam kong malabo, masaya sana kung makakanta rin akong tulad niya. Alam kong mahirap maabot ang kanyang kalibre. Napakaraming oras ng ensayo ang kailangan para marating ang kanyang kalagayan.

Ang punto ko lang dito, hindi ipinanganak ang mga tao na ganap ang kanilang husay. Lahat tayo ay nagsisikap upang makamit ang ating mga pangarap. Araw-araw, gumagawa tayo ng mga desisyon at lalo nating nakikilala ang ating sarili. Kung anuman ang pinaggugugulan natin ng panahon, marahil ibig natin, dahil hindi na natin mababawi ang panahong lumipas na.

Ang nakaraan, para man sa mabuti o masama, ang bumubuo sa atin. Puno ang buhay natin ng mga taong may ibinahaging leksiyon, mga taong minahal, mga taong nakasakit, mga taong wala na at mga taong nandito pa rin ngayon. Ang lahat na daranasing sakit, pagtitiis at paghihirap ay nagpapalakas at nagtuturo sa atin. Mayroon tayong iba't ibang taong nakikilala at makikilala na mag-iiwan ng marka.

Noong maliit pa ako, ginampanan ko ang papel ni Terya, anak nina Babalu at Kris Aquino sa sitcom na "Home Along da Riles." Kasama ko rin doon sina Dolphy, Nova Villa, Carding Castro, at iba pa. Hanggang ngayon, malinaw pa ang mga alaala ko kay Tito Babalu at nami-miss ko siya. Naalala ko siya minsan bilang kalaro, minsan guro sa pag-ensayo ng mga linya para sa mga eksena naming dalawa. Parati siyang kasama na may maraming kuwento at mapagpasensya sa makukulit na batang katulad ko. Malaki ang lungkot ko noong pumanaw siya. Masaya kasi talaga siyang kasama. Naaalala ko pa rin ang ngiti niya, ang boses niya, at ang candy na lagi niyang dala sa bulsa.

Maliban kay Tito Babalu, mayroon din akong ibang mga kaibigan na nasa mas mabuting lugar na ngayon. Iba-iba ang natutunan ko sa lahat ng aking nakilala. Paniniwala ko talaga na mahalaga ang patuloy na pagkatuto ng isang tao. Lahat ng makikilala natin, makakausap, o makakasama man lang ay may epekto sa buhay natin. Minsan, baka tayo pala ang may malaking epekto sa buhay nila at hindi lang natin alam.

Kaya nagsusulat ako ngayon, dahil alam kong maraming tao ang may pangarap, pero nahihiya o nagdududa sa kanilang sarili. Mga nanghihinang-loob na subukin ang kanilang mga kaya, o minsan, hindi makasulong dahil sa isang trauma na hindi mabitiwan.

Para sa inyo ko isinusulat ang mga ito. Hindi n'yo kailangang mahiya o ma-insecure, dahil lahat ng bagay ay kayang gawin. Sa mga pinagdaanan mo, hindi mo ba minsan napapansin na sa simula, akala mo hindi mo kaya pero sa huli kaya mo naman pala? At sa katagalan, hindi lang kaya, kundi napakadali rin pala? Sa makipot na daan ng tadhana, ang nakaraan ay pinagtatawanan na lang.

Nagsisikap ang mga taong magagaling, kahit likas na sa kanila ang talento. Pinaghihirapan at pinag-aaralan pa rin nila ang kanilang sining. Walang sikat na banda o mang-aawit ang hindi nag-eensayo; walang artistang hindi pinag-aaralan ang script at role na gagampanan nila. Natatago sa kinang ng showbiz ang ilang oras, gabi, at linggo at minsan pati na rin taon ng pag-aaral, pag-eensayo at pagpapawis. At iyon ang showmanship. Kung may pangarap ka, huwag kang magpahadlang -- kahit sa sarili mo. Kung nakayanan ko, kakayanin n'yo rin...

Taken from Pinoy Parazzi

If Looks Could Kill...

By Andy Leuterio

... then you'd be twice dead if you ever saw the Nitro in your rear-view mirror. This is because like any good Dodge, the midsize-SUV sports extraverted, sh*t-eating styling that does not care one whit about what its detractors think. Never mind that it shamelessly apes the hiphop culture popularized by 50 Cent and P Diddy and scores of other curiously named, overpaid rappers who wear tons of platinum bling on a daily basis and are seemingly just seconds away from a major felony. The Nitro does not care.

For that matter, whoever will buy one does not care either, because it's the type of SUV that thumbs its nose at convention, beginning with the signature Dodge crosshair grille to its exaggerated fenders to the chromed 20-inch wheels. And why not? In a market full of two-box SUVs that look like they were penned by designers during their coffee break, the Nitro's audacious styling will strike up conversations in your neighborhood and send your valets in a tizzy.

In this new age of high fuel prices, the Nitro keeps rolling with a 3.7-liter SOHC V6, an engine that won't elicit hosannas at the gas pump but nonetheless puts out a gratifying 205 HP and 235 lb-ft of torque through a 4-speed automatic. A part-time four-wheel drive system is electronically controlled by a switch in the center console. The Nitro features a coil-spring independent front suspension and a five-link, coil-spring rear, but if you must have more, a performance suspension features a revised sway bar, springs, shocks, and bushings.

Image aside, the Nitro does have a very accommodating interior because even the most unabashed SUV buyer will look for a ride that will earn its keep. To that end, the front passenger and second row seats can fold flat, while the "Load 'N Go" cargo floor (rated up to 400 pounds) slides 18 inches rearward to make loading and unloading of cargo easier. Unfortunately, there is no third row seat in the Nitro. For the lucky five who will fit inside, the Nitro's American-sized seats ensure that even the most oversized Pinoy homey will fit comfortably.

Up front, the Nitro's chuckily-designed cockpit will give one the feeling of being at the helm of a tank. The instrument panel features independent pods for each meter cluster, while the square-edged center stack and oversized shifter have that sort of upsized, extra-durable feel.

Despite the larger-than-life ambience, the Nitro's cabin is still well equipped with most of the features expected of a midsize SUV. Leather adorns the steering wheel and bucket seats, the driver's seat is 6-way power adjustable, and the airconditioning has automatic temperature control. The stereo should please any audiophile and budding homeboy: it's an 8-speaker Infinity system with a 6-disc in-dash CD player, MP3 capability, and a subwoofer that will bring the house down.

Standard safety features will also help to keep you from crunching your Nitro while cruising in the 'hood: front and side airbags, 4-wheel disc brakes with ABS, Electronic Stability Program, back-up sensors, tire pressure monitoring display,and a UConnect Hands-Free Communication system. With an SRP of P1.980M, the Dodge Nitro packs a styling punch that will please the extroverts, while ensuring it still has the goods to keep itt useful for families everywhere, bling or no bling.

Taken from The Philippine Star

Under My Umbrella

The rainy season is not just about unflattering windbreakers and jackets. The fashion-conscious can still go out in style even as the season threatens to literally rain on their parade.

Herbench, Human and Kashieca have teamed up to provide foolproof and rain-proof fashion all season long. All one has to do is mix and match Herbench's signature casual chic pieces; Human's fashionably adventurous ensembles; and Kashieca's ultra-feminine clothes.

Stay stylishly dry with Herbench jackets, and accesorize with the perfect colorful umbrella, too. Bench umbrellas come in polka dots and psychedelic prints. Cover up in Kashieca's most comfortable yet extremely chic light jackets and cardigans. And for days when you need to hit the gym or get into your favorite sport, Human offers the hippest hoodies.

Singer Rachelle Ann Go mixes and matches these brands for all her fashion needs.

Available at Herbench, Human, and Kashieca outlets nationwide.

Taken from The Philippine Star