Travel Magazine Launches Its Travel Now Campaign

I believe everyone likes to travel every now and then, especially those who are adventurous and curious to explore new sights, culture and tradition. You can only appreciate the wonders of our world by going around and discovering different places, along with the food, the traditions, and the people.

If given the opportunity I would prioritize travelling the Philippines, but would of course would not hesitate and think twice if given a chance to go on a trip outside the country.

TRAVEL Magazine, the lifestyle publication for passionate adventurers, launches its TRAVEL NOW campaign, with a 4-day photo exhibit at the Fashion Walk of Greenbelt 5. The exhibit runs from January 24-27, 2013 and features local and foreign ‘bucket list’ destinations and sights with quotes from Pinoy celebrity adventurers on why they TRAVEL.

Entrepreneurship on the Verge of a Threat

This might just kill entrepreneurship in the country..

The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) will hold operators of buy-and-sell websites liable for any entrepreneur who makes money online without first registering with the bureau and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

“We will file cases against sellers who fail to issue receipts and pay taxes, but we will also file cases against the websites which provide such service,” BIR Commissioner Kim Jacinto-Henares said.

She said website operators engaged in buy and sell are similar to that of mall operators that allow entrepreneurs to lease a commercial space in their establishments.

#readmore
BIR: We can go after Sulit, AyosDito and YOU for unregistered, untaxed online sales
http://www.interaksyon.com/infotech/bir-we-can-go-after-sulit-ayosdito-and-you-for-unregistered-untaxed-online-sales


Just when everything gets cooler then government pull off yet another "disappointer".

 'Sadly' enough this is not the Government creating a new law. If they did, we always had the Supreme Court as option.

This is merely an influential person who has made bullying the budding online sector her preferred occupation. Even sadlier [sic] is that lack of competence does not make Ms. Henares impeachable.

you guys can organize a forum with other players and possibly BIR to drum up info and clarification on matter. Lots of small sellers here aside from the platform companies.Just like FOI, people need to band together. For Ebay US they impose at least a ceiling - USD20K per year or more than 200 listings before a seller can be taxed. It's also the responsibility of the seller to apply the tax on the purchase, not eBay. They also have compliant tax computation software for sellers. Just some thoughts. I sell online intermittently and was planning to relaunch my store. 

DCOM will be having a meeting this Friday to discuss this. Our goal is to get the major players on the same page and engage with BIR.

Hope we can have a public forum open to sellers also. 

Everything seems vague. Will they also ran after people who sell their old stuff online? I think the BIR is barking at the wrong tree. They should start running after those who benefit from gov't. services without paying taxes.

Buy and sell websites are classified ad services. They are no mall that sellers "rent" space from. So lame of BIR to pass the burden to website owners.

*credits to the online peeps 

Google Launches their Philippines Office

Google Inc announced its deepening investment in the Philippines by opening a new office in Manila.

The Philippines has a vibrant and growing online community with over 33 million Internet users, a number that is likely to double in the next 3 years (ADMA 2012). The new office is in line with Google’s ongoing efforts to provide and improve its services for its Filipino users, to help Filipino businesses grow both locally and globally and to tap into local talent. Google is currently hiring for its Manila office. Job openings can be viewed on its website, www.google.com.ph/jobs, in the coming days.

“The Philippines is a key country in Southeast Asia in terms of its digital economy and tech-savvy population. This new office will allow us better engage with our local users, partners and advertisers. Over 33 million Filipinos access the Internet regularly to study, shop, search for ideas, opportunities, create news businesses, and connect to each other. And Internet use in the Philippines is set to grow exponentially. Research indicates that the number of Filipinos online will have nearly doubled by 2016!” said Julian Persaud, Managing Director of Google in Southeast Asia.

“We are delighted that Google has decided to set up an office in Manila,” said Undersecretary Manuel L. Quezon III. “Their presence is a testament to their commitment to the Philippines. We hope that Google's entry will encourage more local businesses to go online and tap into international markets. We are looking forward to collaborating with Google more in the future.”

Narciso Reyes has been appointed Country Manager for the Philippines, bringing to his new role over 16 years of digital marketing and finance experience in Asia and the US.

“We’re excited to be deepening our investment in the Philippines with the opening of our office here in Manila. Our local team will be committed to providing better services to our Filipino users and to helping businesses -- large and small -- grow locally and globally, contributing to the growth of the Philippine economy. We envision Google as part of everyday Filipino lives and as a partner in the development of local communities, culture and business,” said Narciso Reyes.