Reminders for Christmas shopping

The season of Christmas is now without doubt in our midst and people are busy going to the shops trying to complete their holiday shopping chores. A few reminders are in order to ensure the safety of everyone.

With bonuses already released by many companies for their employees, be careful with ATM withdrawals. The machines may be safe to use, especially in areas where the concerned banks have installed added security precautions, but there may be watchful eyes waiting for an opportunity to accost those who step outside of the bank’s premises after withdrawing money.

When going through the shops, secure you money holders (wallets and bags) so that these do not entice those with evil intentions. Remember that showing precaution and alertness is still the best way of discouraging thieves from victimizing you.

Have your shopping list ready so that your time to go around is maximized. Don’t go window-shopping during those periods when the shops and mall have too many people going around. It also helps one to manage spending on just what really is necessary.

Buy gifts that are useful for the intended receiver. Avoid items that will just likely end up in a storage cabinet, to be forgotten after a few months. This also goes for corporate giveaways that often end up as clutter on the desks of those who receive them.

Managing one’s personal finances is also a primary concern, especially with the temptation to blow away the additional money that comes from bonuses. A good way to do this is to stick to your shopping list and budget, and keep the rest secured in a savings account.

A shopping list divided into areas where to go is a good way to conserve gasoline (or transportation money) and time. Remember that with everyone going out to shop, travel time can be double “normal” times. Shopping in groups, where the barkada will use only one vehicle to go to the shops, is another commendable suggestion.

The same is true with the delivery of gifts. Family members can schedule the transport of gifts by area, which hopefully will reduce the number of vehicles on already congested roads in the metropolis.

Last year, we encouraged people to donate on behalf of the Super Typhoon Yolanda victims. Thankfully, we don’t have something as depressing this year, but this does not stop you from donating to your favorite charity in lieu of buying a gift.

Most importantly, this Christmas, share your warmth and generosity with lots of smiles and cheerful words.

There can only be one National Collegiate Champion – San Beda Red Lions

Congratulations San Beda College Red Lions for being the best collegiate team in the country for the 2014 season, sweeping the best of three championship series over the tough DLSU Green Archers, last year’s national collegiate champion.

This year marked historic achievements by the Red Lions that include a five-peat NCAA title and the first national collegiate championship. As a national titleholder, the school and team members will receive scholarship assistance, athletic items and gift certificates in the amount of P1 million courtesy of ABS-CBN Sports and Action.

Out of more than 250 teams from 35 leagues nationwide, 40 teams qualified and passed through several levels of competition for regional championships, qualifying games, the Elite Eight, and the highest level, the Premier Four.

San Beda College will have possession for one year of the M.V. Pangilinan Perpetual Bronze Sculpture, “Abutin Ang Tagumpay,” a symbol of collegiate basketball supremacy.

Final ranking for the year is as follows: SBC Red Lions, national champion; DLSU Green Archers, runner-up; University of Visayas Green Lancers, third place; and fourth placer, University of San Carlos Warriors.

The Champions League 2014 National Collegiate Championship is sponsored by media partners ABS-CBN and Philippine Star, Phoenix Petroleum, Molten Balls, Fil-Oil Flying V Sports, Fog City Creamery and Foccacia. Tickets are available at SM Tickets online.

Congratulatory and candid comments

From one of our regular letter senders, lawyer Deo G. Contreras Jr., is a quick congratulatory greeting on the just-ended National Champion’s League, plus a few paragraphs commenting about the mining industry which was tackled in my last column. Here goes:

“Firstly, our congratulations on your successful PCCL events. Although my sons are Blue Eagles, they like the athleticism of the Red Lions. Personally, I did not know your active leadership at the PCCL until my eldest son told me. That was a good championship game last night and we rooted for the champion Red Lions!

“On mining, the short speech of Mr. MVP (Manny V. Pangilinan) during the mine safety week in Baguio was crafted in with an optimistic hope addressed to the government. But if we examine closely what lies beneath the speech, it is about lack of proper governance exemplified by the quality of regulatory competence, implementation of taxes, sharing of the earnings from national wealth between the national and local governments and the extremists ideas being peddled against legitimate mining.

“We have two laws on small-scale mining (PD 1899 and RA 7076) purportedly passed by Congress to control, supervise and properly tax the thousands of mainly illegal small-scale miners damaging the mountainsides in mindanao, Bicol and the Benguet areas.

“We do not see the government and such extremists going after illegal small-scale miners for the blatant destruction of our mountain areas and non-payment of taxes.”

Where we are

Thank you, Atty. Contreras, for the kind words. The PCCL has been running the Collegiate Champions League for 12 years now, and credit to its success is due largely to the commitment and dedication of Coach Joe Lipa who believed in enriching the sports of basketball in the country at the grassroots level.

Coach Joe has infected us with his enthusiasm and passion, which translated in us doggedly running after the various leagues and schools in the country every year to encourage them to upgrade their basketball program and participate in the Champions League.

Credit is also due to the many corporate supporters, including those we have acknowledged in today’s column, that have untiringly supported the PCCL for many years now. Maraming salamat sa inyong lahat.

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Should you wish to share any insights, write me at Link Edge, 25th Floor, 139 Corporate Center, Valero Street, Salcedo Village, 1227 Makati City. Or e-mail me at [email protected]. For a compilation of previous articles, visit www.BizlinksPhilippines.net.