BANK FINANCING

IN HOUSE FINANCING

For in-house financing, financing is extended by the company who is selling the property.  Under this scheme, there is no transfer of ownership to the buyer until the property is fully paid.
If you are interested in securing in-house financing,

• Gather information about your savings and monthly cash profile.
• Having an idea of your funding resources, estimate what kind of a property you can afford, how much you can borrow, how much you can afford to pay on a monthly basis.

Typical factors affecting evaluation and approval of a request for in-house financing include the following: 

• Proof of monthly or periodic net cash inflow
• Size and quality of assets and investments currently owned
• Credit track record (as verified with other bank dealings and the presence of any court cases)
• Purchase of and good payment track record in other Ayala Land properties, etc.
• Tenure with the employer or number of years in business, in case of a professional or an entrepreneur.

An application for in-house financing is typically evaluated within a period of two weeks to one month.  This timetable assumes complete documentation and solid evidence presented to support the various factors being used for evaluation.  Length of processing may be prolonged by incomplete documents or insufficient evidence of capacity to pay. 

BANK FINANCING

For bank or external financing, financing is extended by a bank or financial institution such as Pag-Ibig or NHMFC (National Home Mortgage and Finance Corp.).  Under this scheme, ownership of the property is transferred to the buyer.  The buyer in turn mortgages the property to the bank.  This is typically covered by a Deed of Mortgage.
If you are interested in securing bank financing,

• Gather information about your savings and monthly cash profile.
• Estimate what kind of a property you can afford, how much you can borrow, how much you can afford to pay on a monthly basis.

Contact the bank to secure a list of the documents required for bank financing. Ask the bank representative or mortgage officer for clarification on the factors which will affect their evaluation of your financing application. Also gather information on applicable interest rate, term, and processing timetable.

• Typical Checklist Requirements of a Bank
  • Pre-processing Requirements
  • A. Borrower Information
    • Duly accomplished application form
    • 2 valid identification cards
  • B. Income Documents
    • If locally employed
      • Certificate of Employment (COE) indicating salary, position & length of service
      • Income Tax Return (ITR) for the last 2 years or W2
    • If Overseas Filipino
      • Certificate of Employment duly authenticated by the Philippine Consulate
      • Crew Contract & Exit Pass from POEA (for seafarers)
      • Proof of monthly remittances
      • Notarized or authenticated Special Power of Attorney (BPIFSB format)
    • If Self-Employed
      • Articles of Incorporation/By-laws/SEC Registration
      • Audited Financial Statements for the last 2 years
      • Department of Trade & Industry (DTI) Registration
      • ITR with Statement of Assets & Liabilities (SAL) for the past 2 years
      • Bank statements for the last 6 months
      • List of Trade References (at least 3 names with contact nos. of major suppliers/customers)
    • If Practicing Doctor
      • Clinic address/es and schedules
    • If from Commission
      • Vouchers or bank statements (for the last 6 months reflecting commission income)
    • If from Rental of Properties
      • Rental/Lease contracts (indicating name of tenants & rental amounts with complete addresses of properties being rented)
      • Photocopy of Transfer Certificate of Title (TCT) &/or Condominium Certificate of Title (CCT)
  • C. Collateral Documents
    • Clear copy of owner's duplicate of TCT/CCT
    • Lot/Vicinity map certified by geodetic engineer
    • Photocopy of tax declaration/tax receipts/tax clearance
    • Endorsement letter/computation sheet/contract to sell from developer stating the contract price (for accredited developer project)
  • D. Fees
    • Non-refundable appraisal fee of P3,000
  • Post Approval Requirements
• Original owner's copy of TCT/CCT
• Certified true copy of the latest Realty Tax Declaration on land and improvements under the name of the borrower/mortgagor
• Original copy of latest Real Estate Tax Clearance
• Health Declaration form (supplied) for MRI enrollment with Ayala Life
• Medical examination with Ayala Life, if applicable
• Fire/Lightning/Earthquake insurance coverage through BPI-MS, if applicable
• Opening of deposit account with any BPI or BPI Family Savings Bank
• For Corporate borrowers, Board Resolution/Secretary's Certificate (form supplied), if applicable
• Four copies of Special Power of Attorney, if applicable.
• Await advice from the bank mortgage officer for any additional documents they may request or for a formal advice of approval for financing.
• Immediately advise your Seller once you have been informed by the bank of the approval of your financing application. Typically, loan proceeds will be released by the bank directly to Ayala Land as the seller. In exchange, Ayala Land will release the proof of ownership (e.g. Transfer Certificate of Title) directly to the bank, upon your endorsement.

BPI Family Bank (www.bpi.com.ph), Banco de Oro (www.bdo.com.ph) , Chinabank (www.chinabank.ph), Metrobank (www.metrobank.com.ph), and Philippine National Bank (www.pnb.com.ph) offer financing for ALI properties. For AVIDA, BPI Family Bank (www.bpi.com.ph) and PS Bank (www.psbank.com.ph) are preferred.  A bank directory shall be provided to buyers upon their request
Typical factors affecting evaluation and approval of a request for bank financing include the following: 

• Proof of monthly or periodic net cash inflow
• Size and quality of assets and investments currently owned
• Credit track record ( as verified with other bank dealings and the presence of any court cases) 4. Tenure with the employer or number of years in business, in case of a professional or an entrepreneur.

GRILLED LAMB CHOPS

The Lamb Chops came at Promo price (Buy 1 Take 1) sold by Rustan's Fresh Supermarkets during the recent Holidays. I am just cooking off what was leftover.

MARINADE

1/2 Cup Soy Sauce
  3 pcs. Calamansi
  8 Whole Garlic Cloves
Pepper
Thyme and Parsley

I believe that marinating meats and chilled for a few hours definitely
enhance the flavour of the meat. The acid from Calamansi acts as a Meat Tenderizer too.

Grill the meats on both sides for around 10-15 minutes.
Baste with the leftover Marindate and crack on Black Pepper during the grilling.
Used an Imarflex Electric Griller here.

Was pretty satisfied on the taste and results.

Sure beats eating at an expensive steakhouse.

JORDAN AT 50

ORIGINAL ARTICLE
http://www.philstar.com/sports/2013/02/18/910174/jordan-50

Michael Jordan is now 50 years old. The retired guard considered the greatest basketball player of all time has left a mark on the sport more through his sheer force of will than his incomparable athletic ability. Though once again, questions are starting to arise whether or not Jordan would have fared as spectacularly almost two decades removed from the game given greater athletic ability of his basketball descendants, his status remains unquestioned.

Instead of going over the volumes of stats and seemingly endless highlight reel that studded his career, this writer pored over the big picture: what lessons did Michael Jordan leave behind for other athletes and even ordinary people to follow? What really made him the enduring figure he still is today? How did he continue to evolve to become even more of an awe-inspiring exemplar?

Facing down rejection. Remember that Jordan was cut from his Laney High School basketball team? Though it would have been devastating to any teenager, Jordan persisted in pursuing his dream. He practiced incessantly that summer, and went through a growth spurt that saw half a foot added to his height. For young people trying to find their way in the world, that sends a very strong message: don’t give up. Keep plugging away at your goals.

Keep getting better. Sadly, there are many elite athletes who are just content to be where they are, earning seven-figure salaries and playing the game they enjoy. But for Michael Jordan, winning an NBA title was the ultimate prize, and his competitiveness drove him in that direction. Unfortunately, the Detroit Pistons kept preventing him from leading the Bulls even just out of the East. Athletic enhancement specialist Tim Grover (who now trains Kobe Bryant) approached Jordan with a unique new training program designed to make him stronger while adding only about five pounds of muscle a year, keeping him airborne. Jordan bought into it, and with his buddies Scottie Pippen and Ron Harper, had a “Breakfast Club” where they trained in secret and all improved dramatically. The results are obvious.

Trusting the system. Through seven years of frustration and even injury beginning his rookie season in 1984, Jordan’s efforts proved fruitless. Truth be told, he was selfish and took too many shots. In some of the games he would win for the Bulls, he would even tease assistant coach Tex Winter that he “forgot” to follow the triangle offense they had spent a long time inculcating into the team. His smugness probably cost the team a couple of championships early on. But when he realized he had hit a well, Jordan grudgingly acknowledged that he needed a system to enhance his magnificent gifts. Consider the fact that only Jordan and Pippen were on all those six Bulls title teams. The system worked.

Working with others. Early in his career, he constantly got into conflict with teammates he didn’t believe in. Center Bill Cartwright got so incensed with Jordan’s comments that he threatened to seriously injure him at one point before he was traded. Passing the ball was not Jordan’s strong suit. He simply didn’t think his teammates were good enough to win games in the clutch. But some of his most memorable victories eventually come when he gave up the ball to Steve Kerr and later John Paxson for winning shots. When he opened up to the gifts of others, he made it easier on himself. When he learned to trust that they would deliver, they did. They proved they were ready.

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Practice makes perfect. Jordan was such a tough taskmaster in practice. He simply savaged any teammate who didn’t perform up to par in drills and scrimmages. He would humiliate them relentlessly, thinking it would make them tougher, to the point of being cruel. This made playing games a relief for the Bulls, because the games were sometimes easier than practice, and because during games Jordan was on their side.

Finding new ways. Jordan came up with several new tricks to improve his chances of winning. The most obvious was developing a trademark fallaway shot later in his career. Most coaches wouldn’t teach that because it supposedly took you out of rebounding position and was not fundamentally sound. But for Jordan, it separated him from taller defenders and gave him a clearer shot. He also mastered blocking shots from behind, which gave him a headstart in fastbreaking in the other direction. He also realized that free throw shooters didn’t box out, so he could swoop in for rebounds from behind them.

Being an ambassador. Jordan’s ascension paralleled the explosion in media and the Internet. He wore the badge of brand ambassador very well, and enjoyed the attention. When the Dream Team was formed, he was still the most sought-after among all of them. He became the most-recognized athlete on the planet, in some place supplanting even Muhammad Ali. He inspired people to play the game, sold videos and sneakers, and led the way in creating his own Jordan brand. In terms of endorsements, he became the benchmark for all succeeding athletes, thanks in large part to his agent, David Falk.

Fighting time. His constant comebacks ultimately became his downfall, effectively dividing his career into the golden moments with the Bulls and his mediocrity with the Washington Wizards. He was also the top executive with the Wizards, but had to surrender his position to play again. His snide comments against respected Wizards owner Abe Pollin closed the door on his days as an executive in Washington. His pride did him in, but it also provides lessons for us today, lessons about humility and respect.

Thankfully, Michael Jordan will be remembered for his excellence on the basketball court and his success in business. He was, after all, also human, and had his own share of controversies (gambling), tragedies (the murder of his father) and family issues (repeated news of divorce over the years). But even that reminds us that being the greatest in one part of our life does not guarantee success in other areas. You still have to work at that, too.

LEARNING FROM OTHERS

ORIGINAL ARTICLE

http://www.philstar.com/sports/2013/02/19/910558/learning-others

There’s an extremely interesting book that’s just out in the market called “NBA List Jam!” by long-time NBA front office executive Pat Williams and Boston Herald web site blogger Michael Connelly. It’s an amusing collection of top 10 NBA-related lists contributed by players, coaches, officials, writers, broadcasters and fans. Over 125 lists were assembled by the authors who went out of their way to generate feedback from those in the know about the NBA. More than their entertainment value, you can pick up a lot of lessons from the lists.

I’ve chosen three lists to share with you. Please allow me to pick up lines from the book. First is a list of 10 things you never knew about 11-time NBA world champion coach Phil Jackson by author and NBA analyst Charley Rosen who served as his assistant coach with the Albany Patroons in the Continental league.

First, Jackson is an excellent cook who believes that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. His speciality is pancakes made from scratch that includes at least a dozen ingredients like buttermilk, eggs, whole-wheat flour, wheat germ, flax seed and fresh berries in season. Second, when serenaded by the house band in Mexican restaurants, he’ll tip $50 for the musicians to play “My Way.” Third, since he really doesn’t see himself as being a celebrity, only two personalized items are on the walls of his Los Angeles home – one is a large, framed poster of the caricatures of the 1973 New York Knicks title squad (which Jackson was a part of) and second is a drum cymbal autographed by Jerry Garcia’s Grateful Dead. Fourth, his favorite radio show is “Prairie Home Companion” which reminds him of his childhood in Montana and North Dakota. Fifth, he and his older brother handcrafted the main residence in his Montana homestead which is where his family of five children and six grandchildren congregate at least once a year. 

Sixth, Jackson bounced a pass off his butt to Walt Frazier during a three-man fastbreak drill at a New York practice. Seventh, he is a ferocious competitor belying his calm Zen-like exterior. That’s what he had in common with Michael Jordan and that’s why they got along famously. Jackson never wants to lose even in penny-ante card games, thumb wrestling, foosball and tiddly-winks, said Rosen. Eighth, he was nearly knocked out by former NBA/ABA star George McGinnis. While defending McGinnis once during a game, Jackson wouldn’t ease the pressure. McGinnis threw a punch that grazed the top of Jackson’s head. Jackson fell to the floor but luckily, didn’t absorb the full impact of the blow. Ninth, Jackson had a contentious relationship with referees as a player and coach. In the Continental league, Jackson was suspended two games for spitting at a referee once and ejected for throwing a chair on to the court in another incident. Finally, Jackson was a talented baseball player in his younger days. He once pitched a one-hit, 12-strikeout shutout for the University of North Dakota and in an exhibition game, clouted a double off the legendary Satchel Paige.

* * * *

Bill Van Gundy, father of the only pair of brothers (Jeff and Stan) to coach in the NBA, came up with a list of 10 coaching lessons he passed on to his sons. Van Gundy himself was a coach at Brockport State College and Genesee Community College.

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First, defense wins. Second, do not expect universal love or agreement. “You will always be criticized,” he said. “You will never satisfy everyone – players, fans, media. Don’t try. Do what you think is right, develop a thick skin.” Third, preparation pays off. Fourth, be demanding. “Demand performance, not talk,” said Van Gundy. “Push each person to be the best he can be. Everyone can learn and improve. When winning, never accept anything you would not accept when losing.” Fifth, teach, teach, teach. Sixth, winning is all important. “Learn from losing but never like it,” he said. “Everyone in the program must focus on winning.” Seventh, be completely honest. Eighth, work hard. “This is a staple of success,” he said. “There is no limit to how hard one can work. Working harder can overcome a lot of deficiencies.” Ninth, trust your gut. “Thoughtfully formulate a sound coaching philosophy – offense, defense, discipline, motivation – to guide you,” he continued. “When push comes to shove, always confidently put your trust in your instincts.” Finally, be yourself.

* * * *

Don Rutledge, former WNBA supervisor of officials, listed the top 10 essentials for a basketball official. First, being in good physical, mental and emotional shape. Second, a great knowledge of the rules of the game. Third, mastery of the mechanics of officiating. Fourth, understanding of the game. Fifth, officiating teamwork with each crew. Sixth, being observant: See without looking, hear without listening, sense without feeling. Seventh, ability to handle adversity and conflict. Eighth, willingness to expose your honesty and character to all. Ninth, poise. Finally, communication skills, your biggest asset.

If you’re a basketball fan, there’s a lot you can learn just by reading what’s on the top 10 lists of the experts of the game.

CRAB CAKES WITH CREAM SAUCE

My Mom is devout in her Faith and thus we have certain days where
meat is not served. I do not mind as I'm not choosy with eating. 
I need to lose weight anyway.

Usually I do not follow any recipe. I always look at what are the leftover
contents of the fridge or cabinets and concoct something in my head and make something 
out of that. Here's what I found today...

RECIPE

6 Crab Cakes
2  Cloves Garlic, Minced
1/2 Onion, Chopped
1/2 Carrot, Chopped
1/4 Cup Green Peas
1 Tbps Cream of Chicken
2 Tbps Cream
Pepper



Prepare Ingredients.

Pan-fry Crab Cakes and set aside.



Saute Vegetables for a few minutes. 
Mix Cream Broth Mix and Water

Add Cream Broth Mix and Cream.
Season with Pepper to taste.



Plate and Serve.



NOTE TO SELF:
I over-estimated the saltiness of the Cream Broth Mix.
Need to tone it down a little.
Thankfully, was able to salvage this dish from being a disaster

RAVENS EDGE 49ers 34-31 IN ELECTRIC SUPER BOWL

ORIGINAL ARTICLE   

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/49ers-ball-1st-super-bowl-233734257--nfl.html

NEW ORLEANS (AP) -- For a Super Bowl with so many story lines, this game came up with quite a twist. 

Try a blackout that turned a blowout into a shootout - capped by a brilliant defensive stand.
The Baltimore Ravens survived a frenzied comeback by the San Francisco 49ers following a 34-minute delay in the third quarter for a power outage Sunday night, winning their second championship 34-31. Super Bowl MVP Joe Flacco threw three first-half touchdown passes, Jacoby Jones ran back the second-half kickoff a record 108 yards for a score, and star linebacker Ray Lewis' last play fittingly was part of a defensive effort that saved the victory.

''To me, that was one of the most amazing goal-line stands I've ever been a part of in my career,'' said Lewis, who announced a month ago he would retire when the Ravens were done playing.

They are done now, with another Vince Lombardi Trophy headed for the display case.

 ''What better way to do it,'' Lewis said, ''than on the Super Bowl stage?''

That stage already was loaded with plots:
-The coaching Harbaughs sibling rivalry, won by older brother John, who said the postgame greeting with Jim was ''painful.''
-Flacco's emergence as a top-level quarterback, and his impending free agency.
-Colin Kaepernick's rapid rise in the last two months as 49ers QB.
-The big game's return to the Big Easy for the first time in 11 years, and the first time since Hurricane Katrina ravaged the city in 2005.
-Lewis' self-proclaimed ''last ride.''
But when the Superdome lost power, well, that wasn't in anyone's scenario.
 Flacco and the Ravens (14-6) were turning the game into a rout, leading 28-6 when, without even a flicker of warning, several banks of lights and the scoreboards went dark. Players from both sides stretched and chatted with each other in as bizarre a scene as any Super Bowl has witnessed.

''The bad part was we started talking about it,'' said safety Ed Reed, who had the game's only interception. ''That was mentioned. It was like they were trying to kill our momentum.''
After power was restored, the 49ers began playing lights out.

San Francisco (13-5-1), in search of its sixth Lombardi Trophy in as many tries, got back in the game almost immediately.  Michael Crabtree's 31-yard touchdown reception, on which he broke two tackles, made it 28-13. A few minutes later, Frank Gore's 6-yard run followed a 32-yard punt return by Ted Ginn Jr., and the 49ers were within eight.  Ray Rice's fumble at his 24 led to David Akers' 34-yard field goal, but Baltimore woke up for a long drive leading to rookie Justin Tucker's 19-yard field goal.

San Francisco wasn't done challenging, though, and Kaepernick's 15-yard TD run, the longest for a quarterback in a Super Bowl, made it 31-29. A 2-point conversion pass failed when the Ravens blitzed. Tucker added a 38-yarder with 4:19 remaining, setting up the frantic finish.

Kaepernick couldn't get the 49ers into the end zone on the final three plays. The last was a pass into the right corner of the end zone to Crabtree that involved some incidental bumping. Jim Harbaugh insisted a flag should have been thrown.

''There's no question in my mind that there was a pass interference and then a hold,'' Jim Harbaugh said.
Ravens punter Sam Koch took a safety for the final score with 4 seconds left. Koch's free kick was returned by Ginn to midfield as time ran out.

''How could it be any other way? It's never pretty. It's never perfect. But it's us,'' John Harbaugh said of his Ravens. ''It was us today.''
Barely.

 ''Yeah, I think that last drive when we got the ball and had time to go down and score a touchdown,'' Kaepernick said, ''we thought it was our game.''

But the championship is Baltimore's.

As for the foul-up at America's biggest sporting event, officials revealed that an ''abnormality'' in the power system triggered an automatic shutdown, forcing backup systems to kick in. But no one was sure what caused the initial problem.

Everything changed after that until Lewis and Co. shut it down. But there were plenty of white-knuckle moments and the Ravens had to make four stops inside their 7 at the end.
''I think it speaks to our resolve, speaks to our determination, speaks to our mental toughness,'' John Harbaugh said. ''That is what wins and loses games.''
At 4 hours, 14 minutes, it was the longest Super Bowl ever.

Flacco's arrival as a championship quarterback - he had 11 postseason TD passes, tying a league mark, and no interceptions - coincides with Lewis' retirement. The win capped a sensational four games since Lewis announced he was leaving the game after 17 Hall of Fame-caliber years.

The Ravens will become Flacco's team now, provided he reaches agreement on a new contract.  Flacco's three TD passes in the opening half tied a Super Bowl record. They covered 13 yards to Anquan Boldin, 1 to Dennis Pitta and 56 to Jones.

That start boosted him to the MVP award.

''They have to give it to one guy and I'm not going to complain that I got it,'' Flacco said.
John Harbaugh had no complaints about getting that other trophy named after that Green Bay coach. But he struggled to balance it with the disappointment his brother was feeling.
''The meeting with Jim in the middle (of the field for the postgame handshake) was probably the most difficult thing I have ever been associated with in my life,'' the Ravens coach said.
The wild scoring made this the second championship in the NFL's 80-year title game history in which both teams scored at least 30 points. Pittsburgh's 35-31 win over Dallas in 1979 was the other.

The Ravens stumbled into the playoffs with four defeats in its last five regular-season games as Lewis recovered from a torn right triceps and Flacco struggled. Harbaugh even fired his offensive coordinator in December, a stunning move with the postseason so close.
But that - and every other move Harbaugh, Flacco and the Ravens made since - were right on target.

New Orleans native Jones, one of the stars in a double-overtime playoff win at Denver, seemed to put the game away with his record 108-yard sprint with the second-half kickoff.
Soon after, the lights went out - and when they came back on, the Ravens were almost powerless to slow the 49ers.

Until the final moments.
''The final series of Ray Lewis' career was a goal-line stand,'' Harbaugh said.
Lewis was sprawled on all fours, face-down on the turf, after the end zone incompletion.
''It's no greater way, as a champ, to go out on your last ride with the men that I went out with, with my teammates,'' Lewis said. ''And you looked around this stadium and Baltimore! Baltimore! We coming home, baby! We did it!''

Jim Harbaugh, the coach who turned around the Niners in the last two years and brought them to their first Super Bowl in 18 years, had seen his team make a similarly stunning comeback in the NFC championship at Atlanta, but couldn't finish it off against Baltimore.
''Our guys battled back to get back in,'' the 49ers coach said. ''I thought we battled right to the brink of winning.''

The 49ers couldn't have been sloppier in the first half, damaging their chances with penalties - including one on their first play that negated a 20-yard gain - poor tackling and turnovers. Rookie LaMichael James fumbled at the Baltimore 25 to ruin an impressive drive, and the Ravens converted that with Flacco's 1-yard pass to Pitta for a 14-3 lead.

On San Francisco's next offensive play, Kaepernick threw behind Randy Moss and always dependable Reed picked it off. A huge scuffle followed that brought both Harbaughs onto the field and saw both sides penalized 15 yards for unnecessary roughness.

Reed, also a New Orleans native, tied the NFL record for postseason picks with his ninth.
Baltimore didn't pounce on that mistake for points. Instead, Tucker's fake field goal run on fourth-and-9 came up a yard short when Chris Culliver slammed him out of bounds.

The Ravens simply shrugged, forced a three-and-out, and then unleashed Jones deep. Just as he did to Denver, he flashed past the secondary and caught Flacco's fling. He had to wait for the ball, fell to the ground to grab it, but was untouched by a Niner. Up he sprang, cutting left and using his speed to outrun two defenders to the end zone.

Desperate for some points, the 49ers completed four passes and got a 15-yard roughing penalty against Haloti Ngata, who later left with a knee injury. But again they couldn't cross the goal line, Paul Kruger got his second sack of the half on third down, forcing a second field goal by Akers, from 27 yards.

When Jones began the second half by sprinting up the middle virtually untouched - he is the second player with two TDs of 50 yards or more in a Super Bowl, tying Washington's Ricky Sanders in 1988 - the rout was on.

Then it wasn't.
''Everybody had their hand on this game,'' 49ers All-Pro linebacker Patrick Willis said. ''We point the fingers at nobody. We win together and we lose together, and today we lost it.''

Team Comparison

Team		Record	Standings	PF	PA	Road/Home	AFC	NFC	DIV	Streak
	San Francisco	11-4-1	1st NFC West	397	273	6-1-1 Home	7-4-1	4-0-0	3-2-1	W 1
	Baltimore	10-6-0	1st AFC North	398	344	4-4-0 Road	8-4-0	2-2-0	4-2-0	L 1

 

 

REAL ESTATE TRANSACTION FEES

For the Account of the Seller

Capital Gains Tax - 6% of the Selling Price (SP) or Zonal Value (ZV) or Fair Market Value (FMV)

For the Account of the Buyer

Documentary Stamp Tax - 1.5% of SP or ZV whichever is higher

Transfer Tax - Rate depends on location of property (Ranging from 0.25% to 0.75% of SP or ZV whichever is higher)

Registration Fee - Graduated Rate based on SP (ex 5646PHP for SP of 1M PHP)

Realty Taxes - For the remaining months of the year based on date of full payment

SUPERBOWL XLVII PREVIEW

A Legend is not a fairy tale, or a myth or a fable. Legends are real. On Super Bowl Sunday (February 4, 2013), on the grandest stage on earth, either the Baltimore Ravens or San Francisco 49ers will have a chance to become Legendary.

MATCH STORYLINES

 

BROTHER VS. BROTHER
Baltimore Ravens Coach John Harbaugh VS. San Francisco 49ers Coach Jim Harbaugh

For the first time in Super Bowl history, the opposing head coaches will be brothers. John Harbaugh will face younger brother Jim (John, who is 50 years old, is just a year older) in Super Bowl XLVII, leading the Ravens to their first Super Bowl appearance in 12 years.


THE OLD WARRIOR'S LAST RIDE
Baltimore Ravens LB Ray Lewis

The Lewis retirement extravaganza will continue through Super Bowl XLVII. While Lewis isn't the dominant force he was when he led the Ravens to triumph in Super Bowl XXXV following the 2000 season, the linebacker still dictates the emotional decorum of the team's locker room. Lewis could turn out to be one of the few all-time greats to go out with a championship victory.


A CINDERELLA FINISH
San Francisco 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick

The second-year quarterback with just nine starts -- including two in the postseason -- has been a catalyst for the 49ers' march to Super Bowl XLVII. Kaepernick hasn't flinched in the face of enormous playoff pressure, helping the 49ers overcome a 17-point hole against the Atlanta Falcons in the NFC Championship Game en route to a 28-24 win. Kaepernick's combination of arm strength and running prowess will make him an enticing player for fans to follow on Super Sunday.


A BREAKTHROUGH RUN
Baltimore Ravens QB Joe Flacco

Flacco has won playoff games in each of his first five seasons. This year's run only enhanced his reputation as somebody who is able to perform under difficult, pressure-packed circumstances. En route to Super Bowl XLVII, Flacco defeated two future Hall of Fame quarterbacks -- Peyton Manning and Tom Brady -- in their own stadiums in back-to-back weeks. Flacco will be on an impressive personal run entering Super Sunday, having thrown for eight touchdowns and no interceptions in three playoff victories this year.

At Stake...The Lombardi Trophy
On the Grandest Stage of Them All
Legends Will Be Made

SOURCES
http://www.nfl.com/superbowl

WARPED SENSE OF VALUES

ORIGINAL ARTICLE
http://www.philstar.com/sports/2013/01/23/900079/warped-sense-values



Some wise guy once said you’re not cheating unless you’re caught. If you can get away with deceit for an advantage, go ahead and do it. If you’re found out, apologize and ask for forgiveness. After all, you’re only human and everyone makes mistakes.

 
Lance Armstrong’s confession that he used performance-enhancing-drugs (PEDs) to string up seven consecutive Tour de France victories from 1999 to 2005 was a desperate act to salvage a losing situation. The fact that he did it on Oprah Winfrey’s talk show was an indication of insincerity – Armstrong wanted to use the celebrity’s widely popular program as a vehicle to launch a recovery platform. Winfrey shouldn’t have agreed to be manipulated but then, her motive was probably as murky as Armstrong’s. Winfrey couldn’t care less about Armstrong’s sincerity. She was in it for the ratings and you can’t blame her for that. If she was asked to treat Armstrong with kid gloves in exchange for an exclusive appearance, then Winfrey could be guilty of compromising journalistic ethics.

 
Armstrong, 41, was a manufactured character of superhero proportions. Here was an athlete diagnosed to be suffering from a form of testicular cancer in 1996 with a supposedly 50-50 chance of survival because the disease had spread to the brain and lungs. He underwent surgery and chemotherapy. Four months after his diagnosis, Armstrong was declared cancer-free and less than a year later, was back on the professional cycling tour. Remarkably, Armstrong went on to win all those Tour of France titles and became an inspiration to all.

 
Throughout his comeback, there were allegations that Armstrong was on PEDs. He strongly denied the accusations and over 600 drug tests produced negative results. Armstrong sued a slew of accusers and skeptics suspicious of drug use to preserve a reputation as a clean-living, overachieving cancer survivor. But when over 10 former teammates testified that he was a drug user and pusher to avoid being severely penalized themselves, the truth finally prevailed. The United States Anti-Doping Agency revealed findings of Armstrong’s drug use and the Union Cycliste Internationale announced a lifetime ban. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) stripped Armstrong of recognition as a cycling third placer in the road time trial at the 2000 Sydney Olympics and has asked for the return of the bronze medal. The IOC has also banned Armstrong from ever participating in the Olympics.



In his heyday, Armstrong was like a demi-god who could do no wrong. He left his first wife Kristin for singer Sheryl Crow and eventually wound up with another woman with whom he fathered two children, conceived naturally despite a previous prognosis of impotency due to his cancer. Whatever indiscretions Armstrong had, the public was forgiving because he was Superman. He signed multi-million dollar contracts to endorse a variety of products for Oakley, Nike, RadioShack, Anheuser-Busch, Trek Bicycle and others.


Armstrong retired from pro cycling after his seventh Tour de France win in 2005 but came back in 2009. Early last year, he turned to pro triathlon. Armstrong was a US sprint course triathlon champion in 1989 and 1990 so it was like going full circle.

 
What is alarming in Armstrong’s disclosure is how he was able to avoid detection for years. He has admitted to using testosterone (“the building block from which all steroids are created … strength, speed, recovery: this is what testosterone is all about,” wrote Gabriel Montoya in Boxing News) and erythropoietin or EPO (“increases red blood cell production, thus creating more oxygen in the blood and increasing endurance,” noted Montoya). But how did he escape detection in over 600 drug tests? There is proof that Armstrong made contributions to anti-doping agencies but did he bribe his way out of positive tests? If drug tests are inutile, how many champion athletes are on PEDs?

 
Writer Scott Ostler said when listening to cheat confessions, “I never sensed shame or regret which is probably because cheating is genetically ingrained, an extension of the competitive nature of man … with some athletes I interviewed, I got the sense they believe it’s dishonorable, dumb or unmanly NOT to cheat.”

 
Is there a difference between a basketball player, having touched the ball last before it went out of bounds, trying to convince the referee it was off the guy in a different uniform and an athlete who takes a PED to gain an unfair advantage in competition? Winning at all costs has warped the sense of values among some athletes. You never compromise the integrity of sports for if you do, how do deliver the message of honesty, sportsmanship, working hard and discipline to young athletes? Sports is a vehicle to build character not a window of opportunity for an athlete to become a conscienceless monster.



On the Winfrey show, Armstrong wasn’t completely truthful as he spoke about keeping a promise to his former wife to be drug-free in his 2009 comeback. It now appears his former wife was in on his drug shenanigans and he used PEDs in his comeback. Armstrong has dug a deeper hole for himself. He talked about leveling the playing field as if to justify the use of drugs as a way to cover for a handicap and was totally out of whack.

 
If his intention was to generate public sympathy for making a clean breast of his drug use, it certainly didn’t work – Armstrong has lost all credibility as a chronic liar. If his intention was to try to win back the $75 Million he lost in endorsement contracts, it didn’t work. If his intention was to campaign for the lifting of his lifetime ban, it didn’t work. If his intention was to begin a new career as a celebrity speaker, it didn’t work. Armstrong is a disgrace to sports and to humanity not only because he cheated as an athlete using drugs but also because he pushed drugs. He deserves the most severe sanction conceivable for an athlete gone wrong. 


Livestrong has outlived its relevance.

HERO TO ZERO IN 9.79 SECONDS

HERO TO ZERO IN 9.79 SECONDS
http://frostwhisper2012.blogspot.com/2013/01/hero-to-zero-in-979-seconds.html

 


BEN JOHNSON of Canada set consecutive 100 metres world records at the 1987 World Championships in Athletics and the 1988 Summer Olympics, but he was disqualified for doping, losing the Olympic title and both records. The debacle became one of the biggest high profile scandal in Olympic History.  Johnson was stripped of his gold medal and world record and banned from competition for two years. The disgrace of the event was a black eye on Canadian amateur sport and pushed the drugs-in-sport issue to the forefront like never before.



YOUTUBE:
1988 SEOUL OLYMPICS 100m Dash FINAL
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1xqXO9cj8uE



On September 24, 1988, Johnson won the 100m final at the Olympics, lowering his own world record to 9.79 seconds. Johnson would later remark that he would have been even faster had he not raised his hand in the air just before he finished the race. However, Johnson's urine samples were found to contain stanozolol, and he was disqualified three days later. He later admitted having used steroids when he ran his 1987 world record, which caused the IAAF to rescind that record as well. Johnson and coach Francis complained that they used doping in order to remain on an equal footing with the other top athletes on drugs they had to compete against. In testimony before the Dubin inquiry into drug use, Francis charged that Johnson was only one of many cheaters, and he just happened to get caught. Later, five of the finalists of the 100-meter race tested positive for banned drugs or were implicated in a drug scandal at some point in their careers: Carl Lewis, who was given the gold medal, Linford Christie, who was moved up to the silver medal and who went on to win gold at the next Games, Dennis Mitchell, who was moved up to fourth place and finished third to Christie in 1992, and Desai Williams, Johnson's countryman who won a bronze medal at the Los Angeles Games in 1984.


SOURCES
Wikipedia
Google Images
 
 

THE WAY TO WEALTH (1758)

"The Way to Wealth" is an essay written by Benjamin Franklin in 1758. It is a collection of adages and advice presented in Poor Richard's Almanac during its first 25 years of publication, organized into a speech given by "Father Abraham" to a group of people. Many of the phrases Father Abraham quotes continue to be familiar today. The essay's advice is based on the themes of work ethic and frugality.


Benjamin Franklin, The Way to Wealth (1758).


[The classic Franklin summary of his advice from Poor Richard's Almanac.]

In 1732 I first published my Almanac under the name of Richard Saunders; it was continued by me about twenty-five years, and commonly called Poor Richard's Almanac. I endeavoured to make it both entertaining and useful, and it accordingly came to be in such demand, that I reaped considerable profit from it, vending annually near ten thousand. And observing that it was generally read, (scarce any neighbourbood in the province being without it,) I considered it as a proper vehicle for conveying instruction among the common people, who bought Scarcely any other books. I therefore filled all the little spaces, that occurred between the remarkable days in the Calendar, with proverbial sentences, chiefly such as inculcated industry and frugality, as the means of procuring wealth, and thereby securing virtue; it being more difficult for a man in want to act always honestly, as (to use here one of those proverbs) It is hard for an empty sack to stand upright"

Courteous Reader,
I have heard, that nothing gives an author so great pleasure as to find his works respectfully quoted by others. Judge, then, how much I must have been gratified by an incident I am going to relate, to you. Istopped my horse lately, where a great number of people were collected at an auction of merchants' goods. The hour of the sale not being come, they were conversing on the badness of the times; and one of the company called to a plain, clean, old man, with white locks, "Pray, Father Abraham, what think you of the times? Will not these heavy taxes quite ruin the country? How shall we ever be able to pay them? What would you advise us to?" Father Abraham stood up, and replied, "If you would have my Advice, I will give it you in short; for A word to the wise is enough., as Poor Richard says." They joined in desiring him to speak his mind, and gathering round him, he proceeded as follows.

"Friends," said he, "the taxes are indeed very heavy, and, if those laid on by the government were the only ones we had to pay, we might more easily discharge them; but we have many others, and much more grievous to some of us. We are taxed twice as much by our idleness, three times as much by our pride, and four times as much by our folly; and from these taxes the commissioners cannot ease or deliver us, by allowing an abatement. However, let us hearken to good advice, and something may be done for us; God helps them that help themselves, as Poor Richard says.

"I. It would be thought a hard government, that should tax its people one-tenth part of their time, to be employed in its service; but idleness taxes many of us much more; sloth, by bringing on diseases, absolutely shortens life. Sloth, like rust, consumes faster than labor wears; while the used key is always bright, as Poor Richard says. But dost thou love life, then do not squander time, for that is the stuff life is made of, as Poor Richard says. How much more than is necessary do we spend in sleep, forgetting, that The sleeping fox catches no poultry, and that There will be sleeping enough in the grave, as Poor Richard says.

"If time be of all things the most precious, wasting time must be, as Poor Richard says, the greatest prodigality; since, as he elsewhere tells us, Lost time is never found again; and what we call time enough, always proves little enough. Let us then up and be doing, and doing to the purpose; so by diligence shall we do more with less perplexity. Sloth makes all things difficult, but industry all easy; and He that riseth late must trot all day, and shall scarce overtake his business at night; while Laziness travels so slowly, that Poverty soon overtakes him. Drive thy business, let not that drive thee; and Early to bed, and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise, as Poor Richard says.

"So what signifies wishing and hoping for better times? We may make these times better, if we bestir ourselves. Industry need not wish, and he that lives upon hopes will die fasting. There are no gains without pains; then help, hands, for I have no lands; or, if I have, they are smartly taxed. He that hath a trade hath an estate; and he that hath a calling, hath an office of profit and honor, as Poor Richard says; but then the trade must be worked at, and the calling followed, or neither the estate nor the office will enable us to pay our taxes. If we are industrious, we shall never starve; for, At the working man's house hunger looks in, but dares not enter. Nor will the bailiff or the constable enter, for Industry pays debts, while despair increaseth them. What though you have found no treasure, nor has any rich relation left you a legacy, Diligence is the mother of good luck, and God gives all things to industry. Then plough deep while sluggards sleep, and you shall have corn to sell and to keep. Work while it is called to-day, for you know not how much you may be hindered to-morrow. One, to-day is worth two to-morrows, as Poor Richard says; and further, Never leave that till to-morrow, which you can do to-day. If you were a servant, would you not be, ashamed that a good master should catch you idle? Are you then your own master? Be ashamed to catch yourself idle, when there is so much to be done for yourself, your family, your country, and your king. Handle your tools without mittens; remember, that The cat in gloves catches no mice, as Poor Richard says. It is true there is much to be done, and perhaps you are weak-handed; but stick to it steadily, and you will see great effects; for Constant dropping wears away stones; and By diligence and patience the mouse ate in two the cable; and Little strokes fell great oaks.

"Methinks I hear some of you say, ‘Must a man afford himself no leisure?' I will tell thee, my friend, what Poor Richard says, Employ thy time well, if thou meanest to gain leisure; and, since thou art not sure of a minute, throw not away an hour. Leisure is time for doing something useful; this leisure the diligent man will obtain, but the lazy man never; for A life of leisure and a life of laziness are two things. Many, without labor, would live by their wits only, but they break for want of stock; whereas industry gives comfort, and plenty, and respect. Fly pleasures, and they will follow you. The diligent spinner has a large shift; and now I have a sheep and a cow, everybody bids me good morrow.
 
"II. But with our industry we must likewise be steady, settled, and careful, and oversee our own affairs with our own eyes, and not trust too much to others; . . . Trusting too much to others' care is the ruin of many; for In the affairs of this world men are saved, not by faith, but by the want of it; . . . .

"III. So much for industry, my friends, and attention to one's own business; but to these we must add frugality if we would make our industry more certainly successful. A man may, if he knows not bow to save as be gets, keep his nose all his life to the grindstone, and die not worth a groat at last.", A fat kitchen makes a lean will; and Many estates are spent in the getting,
Since women for tea forsook spinning and knitting,
And men for punch forsook hewing and splitting.
If you would be wealthy, think of saving as well as of getting. The Indies have not made Spain rich, because her outgoes are greater than her incomes.
"Away then with your expensive follies, and you will not then have so much cause to complain of bard times, heavy taxes, and chargeable families; for
Women and wine, game and deceit,
Make the wealth small and the want great.
And further, What maintains one vice would bring up two children. You may think, perhaps, that a little tea, or a little punch now and then, -diet a little more costly, clothes a little finer, and a little' entertainment now and then, can be no great matter; but remember, Many a little makes a mickle. Beware of little expenses; A small leak will sink a great ship, as Poor Richard says and again, . . . .

Here you are all got together at this sale of fineries and knick-knacks. You call them goods; but, if you do not take care, they will prove evils to some of you. You expect they will be sold cheap, and perhaps they may for less than they cost; but, if you have no occasion for them, they must be dear to you. Remember what Poor Richard says; Buy what thou. hast no need of, and ere long thou shalt sell thy necessaries. . . . Many a one, for the sake of finery on the back, have gone with a hungry belly and half-starved their families. Silks and satins, scarlet and velvets, put out the kitchen fire, as Poor Richard says.

"These are not the necessaries of life; they can scarcely be called the conveniences; and yet, only because they look pretty, how many want to have them! By these, and other extravagances, the genteel are reduced to poverty, and forced to borrow of those whom they formerly despised, but who, through industry and frugality, have maintained their standing; in which case it appears plainly, that A ploughman on his legs is higher than a gentleman on his knees, as Poor Richard says. . . . But this they might have known before, if they had taken his advice. If you would know the value of money, go and try to borrow some; for, he that goes a borrowing goes a sorrowing, as Poor Richard says; . . . .

"But what madness must it be to run in debt for these superfluities? We are offered by the terms of this sale, six months' credit; and that, perhaps, has induced some of us to attend it, because we cannot spare the ready money, and hope now to be fine without it. But, ah! think what you do when, I you run I in debt you give to another power over your liberty. If you cannot pay at the time, you will be ashamed to see your creditor; you will be in fear when you speak to him; you will make poor, pitiful, sneaking excuses, and, by degrees, come to lose your veracity, and sink into base, downright lying; for The second vice is lying, the first is running in debt, as Poor Richard says; . . . .
 
"What would you think of that prince, or of that government, who should issue an edict forbidding you to dress like a gentleman or gentlewoman, on pain of imprisonment or servitude? Would you not say that you were free, have a right to dress as you please, and that such an edict would be a breach of your privileges, and such a government tyrannical? And yet you are about to put yourself under such tyranny, when you run in debt for such dress ! Your creditor has authority, at his pleasure, to deprive you of your liberty, by confining you in gaol till you shall be able to pay him. When you have got your bargain, you may, perhaps, think little of payment; but, as Poor Richard says, Creditors have better memories than debtors; creditors are a superstitious sect, great observers of set days and times. . . . .

"IV. This doctrine, my friends, is reason and wisdom; but, after all, do not depend too much upon your own industry, and frugality, and prudence, though excellent things; for they may all be blasted, without the blessing of Heaven; and, therefore, ask that blessing humbly, and be not uncharitable to those that at present seem to want it, but comfort and help them Remember, Job suffered, and was afterwards prosperous.


Source: The Works of Benjamin Franklin. Edited by Jared Sparks. Vol. 2. (Boston, 1836), 2:92-103.
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