Krispy Kreme Philippines is one with the country during this time of need – giving priority to seeking ways by which they can provide assistance to those who have been affected by Typhoon Ondoy.

Among one of the most immediate actions they have taken was to give away free doughnuts to typhoon victims and relief operation volunteers.
But as the past days have shown, no one could do it alone. That is why they are encouraging everyone to help them in their fund raising efforts to provide relief for Ondoy victims, by simply purchasing an Original Glazed doughnut this coming Sunday, October 11, 2009. For every Original Glazed doughnut you buy, the sale will automatically go to Krispy Kreme’s relief fund which will distributed to the Philippine National Red Cross-Rizal Chapter and ABS-CBN Sagip Kapamilya.
Krispy Kreme is inviting you to join hands with them in rising from this occasion and prove that heroism is truly a Filipino trait.
You may visit the following stores on October 11 to join the fund raising – Bonifacio High Street, SM Megamall, Greenhills Drive-Thru, Trinoma Mall, SM Mall of Asia Main Mall and Drive-Thru, Robinsons Galleria, Gateway Mall Ground Floor and Cinema Level, Glorietta 4, The Annex SM North EDSA, SM Fairview Annex.
Filed under: awareness and causes, musings & meanderings | Tags: identity theft
This post is in response to comments and reactions (especially by Twitter) i’ve received recently regarding my identity theft problem. (Thanks guys for taking the time to read my post! May God’s peace and protection be upon you, always.)
I’ve been accessing the internet since 1996, which means i’ve been on the net for more than a decade now. Yes, way back when text browsers are used in order to navigate the world wide web; a decade when facebook, multiply, and friendster are not yet household names.
I’m not a person who will publish things falsely or make conclusions based on feelings or emotions. I do not lack logic; i take great care at doing research and gathering enough evidence, plus scrutizining the facts. Yes, several people do exist with the same name. Er, it doesn’t take rocket science to figure that one out! However, these won’t change the fact that someone has been assuming ‘my identity’ online.
It’s not a matter of ‘Googling’ your name and finding out that you share the same name with three or more people on social networking sites. What i’m saying is, someone assuming your identity will cause you a great deal of problem. So, it’s up to you to find out who these people are, what they’ve been up to, and if they pose as a threat to anyone specially to helpless and clueless minors.
Find out if someone opened a new credit account and charging stuff under your name. Did they take out a loan assuming your identity? A victim of identity theft could end up with serious debt. Did you know how much $$$ lawyers are charging these days for consultation? How many fees will pile up and how much your insurance will shoot up because of this kind of problem?
Identity theft is no laughing matter, so don’t be surprised why i’m so serious about it!

photo credit: the dark knight, warner bros.
Filed under: awareness and causes, daily discoveries, musings & meanderings | Tags: fake friendster accounts, identity theft
My name is Joy Isaguirre and I’ve been a victim of Identity Theft.
A few weeks back, i have noticed that someone opened a Facebook account using my name. Since there was no picture and profile information at the time, i dismissed it (wrong move), thinking it’s best to get on with my life.
Yesterday, as i was going through the perpetrator’s account: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000091552011 (which was recently removed by Facebook, at my request), i found that there are 44 minors connected to the fake Facebook profile. And it did not stop there! The person also opened a Twitter account (http://twitter.com/joyisaguirre) and several Friendster accounts using my name:
http://profiles.friendster.com/101828450
http://profiles.friendster.com/86488412
http://profiles.friendster.com/86005734
http://profiles.friendster.com/85955072
Someone is assuming my identity and the perpetrator is targeting minors on Social Networking sites. This is serious matter. As i was investigating how the thief may have gotten my information online, I noticed a microsite which indicated my name, age, occupation, and other personal information.
These information are easily accessible by anyone on the Internet. Since these information are highly personal in nature and should not be given freely, i immediately emailed and informed someone from the microsite about the matter. I requested that they remove my information or make the page not accessible by the public, as soon as possible.
The reply i received from the microsite was a bit disappointing. Yes, they will help me but i will have to wait until Monday next week before their programmer can remove my information from the microsite.
This incident has caused me a great deal of stress because the person using my identity is targeting minors. Believe me, you don’t want to be a victim of Identity Theft. It will cause you serious $$$ and stress. And yes it could happen to anyone.
So if i were you, i’d be proactive. Do everything you can to protect your identity, before anyone can steal and do some serious damage.
Filed under: awareness and causes, blogger events | Tags: enchanted kingdom, underprivileged children at enchanted kingdom
Congresswoman Ivy Arago made dreams come true at Enchanted Kingdom
Fifty less privileged children from San Pablo, Laguna recently experienced a magical time at the Philippines’ first and only world-class theme park. Headed by Congresswoman Marie Evita “Ivy” Arago, the children were able to enjoy and take pleasure in all the rides and attractions of Enchanted Kingdom (EK).

For the second time around, the 3rd District Laguna Representative brought with her another set of underprivileged children who never thought they would get the chance to go inside EK. These children collect garbage at dumpsites and the Congresswoman wanted to reach out and let them see life’s beauty even for a day.
“These children were so excited to come here at Enchanted Kingdom! Some of them were not able to sleep the night before because they were thrilled at the thought of going inside the park for the first time. I am really overwhelmed by the support Enchanted Kingdom has extended to us,” said Congresswoman Arago.
“It was very fulfilling to see the children enjoying themselves. Smiles were written all over their faces. We felt their wishes come true when they stepped inside the park. This is a perfect example on how magic works at EK,” said Cynthia R. Mamon, Ph.D., EK’s Vice President for Sales, Marketing & Entertainment.

The children were given the whole day to enjoy the Park. Most of the boys went for the Dodgem to test their driving potentials while the girls fulfilled their fairy tale fantasies at Grand Carousel. Everybody got wet after trying EK’s water rides and by evening, they all witnessed the sky all aglow during the fireworks display.
Come to Enchanted Kingdom where the magic stays with you! From now until August 28, 2009, they are open Saturdays and Sundays from 11:00AM to 9:00PM with Fireworks Display at 8:00PM. For inquiries, please visit www.enchantedkingdom.com.ph.
Filed under: awareness and causes, daily discoveries | Tags: dot travel advisory ah1n1
Travel Advisory as of 10:00 AM June 26, 2009
The Department of Tourism (DOT) remains unhampered at the increasing number of A (H1N1) cases in the country, optimistic that complete recovery of all confirmed patients is on the upswing.
As of 3:00 PM yesterday, June 25, 2009, there have been 727 reported cases of the virus, of which 536 or 74% of the total confirmed cases since May of this year have fully recovered from the symptoms. Based on data from the Department of Health (DOH), a notably rapid recovery is evident. To date, 85 more patients have completely recovered from the pandemic flu and were sent home, while new cases numbering 123 are being closely monitored.
According to Tourism Secretary Ace Durano, “From a global perspective, the H1N1 flu is no different from the known seasonal flu; it is mild and treatable. In fact, in the US and Mexico where it all started, it is perceived and responded to just like any other seasonal flu. The state of the global economy is still the biggest challenge for the industry.”
He added, “In Australia where the most H1N1 cases in Asia Pacific are recorded, the population has already overcome the initial psychological scare that an unknown virus naturally brings. Comparing such cases with the Philippine scenario, what we have is even milder. In the country, while the occurrences of the virus are in populated areas, these are not in main tourism destinations.”
“As far as the industry is concerned, my job is to make sure this temporary concern will not distract the industry from pursuing opportunities in the near- and medium-term,” Durano further said.
The DOT likewise reported that at present, 50 foreign tour operators from France, Switzerland, China, US, Canada, as well as Asia Pacific countries are here in the Philippines for the purpose of updating themselves on the new hotels, resorts, destinations, and tourism experiences in the country.
For the previous months, the DOT has echoed the statements of the World Tourism Organization (WTO) and the World Health Organization (WHO), issuing no travel restrictions.
As of 9:07 AM today, June 26, 2009, the WHO also reiterated that globally, the virus is not mutating for the moment and is stable.
The DOT’s marketing departments and regional units remain on heightened alert for any case of flu-like symptoms from arriving tourists.
DOT Marketing Teams report no buyer cancellations, especially for the present Philippine International Travel Fair (PITF) in Cebu, one of the biggest travel events in the country; and MICE Mart, also an important tourism event slated for the year.
Tourism attachés reported no cancellations or deferment in East Coast, Midwest, West Coast, US and Canada. Instead of expressing anxiety, American travelers planning to go to the Philippines have inquired more on the thermal scanning procedures and the quarantine process.
Ground handlers from the European market segment have issued no cancellations resulting from the flu, and agree that since it is the off-peak season, arrivals at this time are almost negligible. For France and Switzerland, the focus now is on air safety, following the recent Air France tragedy.
The DOT strongly urges tourism stakeholders and partners such as transportation services, hotels, resorts, restaurants, and other tourism establishments, to be even more vigilant and impose stricter measures on proper hygiene to prevent the further spread of the virus.
Every step is being taken to ensure the safety of everyone. Airports and all concerned establishments from the tourism sector continue with their strict monitoring of incoming travelers who show initial symptoms.
[info source: department of tourism - office of dept. secretary ace durano]








