Simple Little Pleasures – Finding ways to save money

Most people think that students spend huge amounts of money on going out. Honestly, partying is the furthest thing from my mind after a long day at university and part-time job. When I get home, all I want to do is wrap my hands around a calming mug of tea and read through my favourite websites.

In these difficult times people are starting to enjoy staying in rather than going out. And why not? It’s fun doing things in the comfort of home. I’ve invited friends over for movie nights with popcorn and games, or for quiet dinners with home-cooked food. The other night it was a pot-luck dinner party, so everyone bragged about each of the dishes they brought, whether it was a fudgy chocolate cake or creamy macaroni salad.

Another great thing about staying in is the online shopping, simply because it’s extremely convenient and oftentimes cheaper. No more braving crowds on grey drizzly streets. While looking for films on sale to add to my collection, I stumbled upon VoucherCodes.co.uk (http://www.vouchercodes.co.uk). It’s a website that features discounts from high street retailers, and provides extra benefits on top of the usual NUS student discount. Basically, they do tie-ups with online shops to give you discounts. When you have your discount code, all you need to do is use it at the checkout when buying books, clothes, CDs, and DVDs online.

It feels great when I can save a little on the things I really enjoy. Even with minor purchases, every little saving counts. Maybe I’ll have enough put away for that well-deserved holiday.

–

Katerina has a blog at http://the-raincloud-project.blogspot.com/

Advice needed for disabled Filipina moving to the UK

I recently received an email from a Filipina living in Madrid. She would like advice for her disabled sister who’s thinking about moving to London. Please read the message below, and if you have any helpful information, please post a comment.

Thanks!

Dear Filipino Comunity in UK,

I’m 32 years and I’ve been living in Madrid for almost 17 years now. I am a spanish citizens as I feel comfortable in Spain. However my sister have never had adjusted with the spanish way of living and am thinking of going to London for her as I believe it is a more cosmopolitan city and there were more filipinos there to get together. Well its what Ive heard around. When I saw your website today, I am delighted to hear how you guys manage to help people in a crucial situation. I admire your concern with the filipino comunity in UK. Frankly, I dont use of going to any filipino events in Madrid but Im sure there such no helpful organisation as yours.

I need your advices if how disabled person could live in the UK. Does anyone of you knows more about this. My sister have recently applied for a double cetizenship (Filipino-Spanish) but until to date we have no
resolutions.

My elder brother is planning to visit London on the first week of August with his family. If you could inform me where to seek advice so that I could tell him to stopped by, I would greatly appreciate it.

Maraming salamat and more power to you!

Eskrima Demo Team (London)

World Champion Ermar Alexander is looking to form a demo team to help him in the promotion of the Filipino martial arts.

If you’re interested, try-outs are on August 2, 10am in Stratford.
Please visit http://www.eadocepares.co.uk/sugbo for more info.

Doce Pares classes:
London: Leyton, Covent Garden, Shepherd’s Bush
Kent: Chatham (Medway)

Please visit http://www.eadocepares.co.uk for more details about the classes.

Barrio Fiesta Sa London 2009

Update June 2010: Details for the 2010 Barrio Fiesta can be found at this page.

Wondering when the next London Barrio Fiesta will be held? The Philippine Centre, organisers of the event, announced that it’s set for Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th July 2009. As usual, it will be held in Lampton Park, Hounslow, TW3 4DN.

Let’s hope we don’t have a repeat of last year’s confusions after Hounslow council temporarily shut it down.

Update 16 July 2009: We’re starting to hear conflicting information about whether or not the event will go ahead. Some people are saying that Hounslow council have once again refused the health and safety permit; others are saying that it’s pushing through. We can’t verify what’s true at the moment because no-one at the London Borough of Hounslow could confirm this information when we called. They gave the number for John Laing Integrated Services, the contractor who’s responsible for park maintenance, but there was no answer.

We strongly suggest finding out for yourself before heading off the the Barrio Fiesta this weekend. Contact numbers below.

John Laing Integrated Services: 0845 456 2796 or 020 7901 3200
Philippine Centre: 0845 838 7880 or 020 7096 1246 (ask for Gen Ashley)
London Borough of Hounslow: 020 8583 2000

Update 18 July 2009: It looks like everything is set up and ready to go (see comment from Martin below). For those of you who’ll be there, have a great time and let us know how it goes.


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Related articles:

Re-opening of the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant

A Phil-UK reader, Pow Belgado, asked me to let you guys know about the re-opening of the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant. As usual, posting these messages doesn’t mean that we endorse any particular viewpoint. Do your own research to keep informed about the issues.

A Call to Filipinos Around the World – Tell the Philippine Congress “No to Nukes”

The re-opening of the mothballed Bataan Nuclear Power Plant is a hotly debated topic in the Philippines. House Bill 6300, which is currently in the House of Representatives, seeks PHP 100 million pesos of our tax money for a feasibility study. Several studies over the past decades have already said that this is a dangerous plant to operate, and in one study that already cost millions of dollars they found 40,000 defects in this plant! Later on our Congressmen are going to ask for $1 billion dollars to refurbish the power plant. The BNPP’s tainted history is already a hard lesson on how the pursuit of nuclear power has been a gargantuan and unjust burden on Filipinos. Even now, with moves for its revival heralding what appears to be aggressive plans for a national nuclear program, nuclear power may become the altar upon which this country will bankrupt itself.

Nuclear power is the most dangerous, and most expensive source of electricity. It won’t help our country achieve energy security because it won’t lower the costs of power, and it won’t reduce our dependence on imported fuel. Nuclear power will also not solve problems like climate change.

One key solution to genuine energy security and climate change is Renewable Energy. Renewable energy is clean, safe and cheap. And the best thing about it is, we already have a Renewable Energy Law—so we don’t need to revive outdated technology like the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant to achieve our quest for energy solutions.

We must tell the congress we don’t want nuclear power!

If you want to tell Congress that you don’t want nuclear power sign in and we’ll make sure your message is delivered.

Your voice and those of your family, friends and colleagues will count!
Sign the petition TODAY! http://www.greenpeace.org/seasia/en/no-nukes/

Marketing company wants your views on telecoms services for the Filipino community

A market research firm asked us to post this message:

Want to give your views on an issue that affects the Filipino community in the UK?

Want to make £25 in an hour?

Analysys Mason is currently recruiting volunteers to give their views of telecommunications services for the Filipino community in the UK.

Who qualifies?

Any first or second generation Filipino who has lived in the UK for more than 6 months and owns a mobile phone.

When is it?

We will be holding two sessions in central London, the first will be on Thursday 21st May at 7pm. If you can’t make that date get in touch and we will arrange a mutually convenient date.

What will happen?

There will be around 10 volunteers at each session, we will discuss (over light refreshments) the various methods used to contact friends and relatives in the Philippines.

Sounds great, how do I sign up?

Just send an email to [email protected] with the following details:

  • Name
  • Contact phone number
  • Occupation
  • Are you first or second generation Filipino?
  • Length of stay in the UK

Please note: Phil-UK isn’t affiliated with Analysys Mason in any way. I’m just posting this in case any of you would like to earn some money in exchange for giving them your views.

Kasayahan! Kulay Pinoy’s maiden project

Kulay Pinoy, a new production outfit, is launching its first production entitled “Kasayahan!” on the 10th of May 2009. “Kasayahan!” is a concert featuring Filipino and British performers singing Filipino songs and excerpts from west-end and broadway musicals.

Take a look at KulayPinoy’s website: www.kulaypinoy.co.uk
Download the flyer

The Kulay Pinoy project started amongst a group of friends who have decided to set up a production company with the aim to showcase our cultural background and artistic talents. The Philippines has long produced world-class performers in the fields of theatre, dance and popular music worldwide. Pilita Corrales and Lea Salonga, amongst others, have become the blueprints to this legacy and many others are to follow.

The Philippines has won the respect of other countries worldwide not only due to the artistic talents of its people, but also because of work ethics and excellence in the fields in which they partake.

Kulay Pinoy Productions wishes to celebrate this excellence and unite Filipinos from all corners of the globe.

Kasayahan! is Kulay Pinoy’s maiden project and is a collaboration of both Filipino and British creativity bringing you an unforgettable musical extravaganza.

CERUMENTRIC nominated for Best Dance Act-Solo

Erick A. Fabian of CERUMENTRIC wanted to let you all know that he was nominated for Best Dance Act-Solo in the recently concluded Asia Voice Independent Music Awards (AVIMA). He didn’t win but was featured in their website at:

http://voize.my/wpv2/music/cerumentric

You an check out his MySpace page and listen to sample music at: http://myspace.com/cerumentric

Erick even gave us an exclusive pre release teaser, but unfortunately we can’t stream from this site at the moment. The rest of you will just have to wait until it’s released to the general public 🙂

A Play in 2 Days – Yellow Earth Theatre

Yellow Earth, a London based British East Asian touring theatre company, is running a project for young people aged between 8 to 18 years old. See below and drop them a note if you’re interested.

A PLAY IN 2 DAYS

Using a story from the East mixed with voice, text, movement and loads of
fun, participants will have a chance to create their very own play in 2
days.

Open to all young people aged 8-18. This is a taster for a brand new youth
Theatre that will be launched by Yellow Earth Theatre and the Central
school of Speech and Drama in Autumn 2009.

WHEN
Monday 6th and Tuesday 7th April from 10am – 4pm

WHERE
Central School of Speech and Drama
Embassy Theatre
Eton Avenue
London NW3 3HY
(Tube: Swiss Cottage-Jubilee Line or Finchley Road – Jubilee/Metropolitan
Line)

COST
£30

Sign up now at http://yellowearth.org/youththeatre using the downloadable booking
form. For enquiries email [email protected] or call 020 7734
5988.

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