“Spread” the Love: The Creator of Universally Loved Nutella Dies; Meanwhile, the World Still Hates Vegemite

On Valentine’s day, Michele Ferrero, Italy’s richest man, and the creator of Nutella, one of the world’s most loved bread spreads, died at the age of 89. In other news, another iconic spread, Vegemite, is still hated the world over.

Vegemite and Nutella
Vegemite vs. Nutella. Which would you put on your bread? Image from wanderingsheila.com

 

Nutella didn’t initially exist as we know it now. It started as Pasta Gianduja, a Continue reading “Spread” the Love: The Creator of Universally Loved Nutella Dies; Meanwhile, the World Still Hates Vegemite

Advertisement

Awesome Wedding: When the Bride Sings “It’s Not About the Money, Money, Money…” at the Reception to Set Things Straight With Her Groom’s Guests

Many people marry for love. Some people marry for money. It hurts though when you marry for love and people wrongly assume you’re marrying for money. What do you do and how do you do it? Set the record straight at the reception in grand style by singing “It’s not about the money, money, money” – from Jessie J’s Price Tag.

It's Not About The Money
“We’re paying with love tonight”. Image from careergirlnetwork.com

 

Three years ago. I attended the wedding of a friend. My friend, the groom, is rich, while his bride came from a simple background. Continue reading Awesome Wedding: When the Bride Sings “It’s Not About the Money, Money, Money…” at the Reception to Set Things Straight With Her Groom’s Guests

Single This Valentine’s Day? Don’t Feel Left Out – There’s Actually a Singles’ Day in November

February 14 is Valentine’s Day; when lovers celebrate their love, and when companies sell to these lovers all sorts of merchandise and services. What about singles? November 11 is Singles’ Day. Even companies get their turn to make money off singles.

Wait, isn’t there a Singles’ Awareness Day which is celebrated also on February 14? This serves as an alternative to people who are not in a relationship. Why is it called Singles Awareness Day? This might be the answer:

Happy Singles Awareness Day
#truth. Image from someecards.com

 

Ok, so maybe S.A.D. is not a holiday that should be taken seriously. Fortunately, the Chinese had made a Singles’ Day all on its own – without latching on Valentine’s popularity.  Continue reading Single This Valentine’s Day? Don’t Feel Left Out – There’s Actually a Singles’ Day in November

Love All Kinds of Love: Did Bench Create a Fake Controversy With its Gay Couple Billboard Ad?

The “Love All Kinds of Love” ad campaign by Bench (a Philippines’ based clothing brand) is heating up social media with its “defaced” billboard featuring a gay couple. Was the billboard vandalized? Was the billboard censored? or Did Bench marketing staff do the defacing themselves to generate controversy? Is other words, is #PaintTheirHandsBack just an elaborate gimmick?

The Philippines is home to more than 100 million people, so there must be a lot of gay people in the country. Fashion is also one of the industries that seem to be gay tolerant. Bench, a Philippines based clothing brand that now has an international presence, unveiled its ad campaign just in time for Valentine’s. The campaign, titled “Love All Kinds of Love”, featured platonic love between a grandmother (veteran Filipina actress Gloria Romero) and her grandson, and romantic love between straight, gay and lesbian couples.

This was the gay couple ad photo. It features Vince Uy and Nino Gaddi Continue reading Love All Kinds of Love: Did Bench Create a Fake Controversy With its Gay Couple Billboard Ad?

Philippines’ Best Valentines Deals for 2015

Valentine’s Day is coming. For many businesses, this is the time to make a lot of money from lovestruck consumers. Fortunately, there are still good deals out there. Finance MD has chosen the best ones for Valentine’s.

I looked for the best Valentine’s deals out there. From champagne, to concerts, to peanut butter, and even the ‘red room of pain’ – I have it all. Here are the best sales, promos, freebies, contests, etc. in my opinion:

Continue reading Philippines’ Best Valentines Deals for 2015

The ‘I Love You’ That Cost Billions

In 2000, when people were still naive enough to open email attachments from unknown sources, the ILOVEYOU virus (also known as “I Love You” or “Love Letter” virus) quickly spread and cost billions of dollars in damages and repairs.

It’s only Wednesday but it’s throwback time! Let’s go back to the year 2000, when people communicated online primarily via email. The virus originated in the Philippines, then spread to Hong Kong, to Europe and finally to the United States. The White House, Congress, the FBI and the Pentagon were all affected. The State Department was forced to disconnect its computer systems from the internet, according to a spokesman. The damages was estimated at US$ 5.5 Billion during its first week of spread alone. The final cost (including system repairs) was estimated at US$ 15 Billion.

 

I Love You Virus
“I Love You – and I won’t think you’re stupid for actually opening this attachment.” – is probably the long form of the message.  Image from people.carleton.edu

 

The author of the virus is alleged to be a Filipino Continue reading The ‘I Love You’ That Cost Billions