are preneed plans still safe?

I have a preneed plan that I finished paying a year ago. I will have to wait for the next four years to be able to enjoy the benefits from the said plan. I am planning to acquire another preneed plan but I am now hesistant due to the latest SEC circular allowing preneed companies to defer payment of planholders benefits. Here's a portion of that news from Business Mirror (Online Space).

"The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) released a circular last December allowing preneed companies to defer the payment of plan-holder benefits for as long as three years, after the industry was sent reeling by the global financial crisis.

In August of 2008, the Philippine Federation of Preneed Plan Companies Inc. (PFPPCI) sent a position paper to the SEC regarding the effects of the credit crunch on their investments. They admitted their member-companies were having a harder time meeting their financial obligations.

“When the financial meltdown started in the second quarter of 2008, and growing worse with each passing month, the 12-percent [interest rate] assumption was no longer achievable. In fact, 6 percent was even a tough goal for some of the companies,” Sen. Edgardo Angara cited from a SEC report.

Cocoplans president Caesar Michelena said the economy is not working the way it should, and a crisis of this magnitude has never happened before.

“At least, the Great Depression was based in the US, but the current financial crisis is global, making investments difficult everywhere,” he said.

Since that position paper, the federation has asked to be allowed to delay the payment of plan holders’ benefits by five years. The SEC approved the request but shortened the time span to three years.

Actuarial Society of the Philippines (ASP) member Orlando Manalang conceded, “I don’t think they had a choice anyway. Some preneed companies would not be able to pay even if SEC did not allow them those three years.”>>>>more

A 3D Wall on my webpage!

I am a "geek" too when it comes to using a computer! (Slight lang!) I grew up practically with my elder brother bombarding me with all these geeky computer terms and showing me how to run the latest applications...etc. My younger brother is also a big follower of him and it came to a point that I too became a "geek"!

Well, here's one software that I "discovered" ahead of my brothers. They too found it cool to use too! Its Cooliris 3D Wall. Check what I have here and see if you too will find it cool.

"Cooliris 3D Embed Wall provides the visual experience of the full Cooliris plug-in within the frame of your browser window!"

I have a website too!

Nowadays, creating one's own personal website just requires a basic skill of understanding and following simple instructions. Of course, it is a different thing if you prefer to have your website look more professional. I made one for myself via Freewebs. Please check it out too. Just click on the site's homepage image below and you will be taken to a short tour to my personal website I also titled: Circle Of Life.

A website is different from a blogsite in the sense that the website has sort of more room for me to present myself - my likes, my favorites..even my slideshows! Those who will catch me there will be treated to a lot, lot more! I even posted some blogs there too! So, see you there!

This is Me!

I almost feel like a superstar! From my infancy days until I acquired my certificate for my profession, I feel I am always " the center of attraction"! What with all these "cameras" shooting at me ...on the virtual world! Yap...this is me from months old till now!

wee...Celebrating my Birthday !!

can't wait to start the next 365 days of my life!! really looking forward to it... As much as i want to have big cake and balloons  I think I will just settle for a quiet one with friends. I mean birthday does'nt necessarily have to be expensive as long as your surrounded with good friends that should be just perfect. Am so glad am not back home where everyone's asking you for a "treat" I mean...its ridiculous, it's your birthday and they are expecting you to spend money..hmm..they should be the one treating you..British culture is quite different. ...You're not expected to pay for your friends meal... we go dutch!! its so cool...heeheh...good for people who are "kuripot" but want to share their special day with friends.

So, this year am going to do the same, go out with friends for a meal..then go dutch!! Also, am lucky this year as my boyfriend arranged for us to have a short trip to watch a west end show in London!! so..so..excited..

lazy sunday afternoon

I wonder how many healthcare workers like me enjoys the so called "lazy sunday afternoon". Today is one of those few occassions that am actually off from work. The weather's nice but i don't have any urge to go out. Perhaps i miss that sunday afternoon back home where everyone's heading to the mall and enjoy window shopping or perhaps have some snacks with the whole family. Oh, yah! I miss the bit where i have to wake up early to catch the first sunday mass, but really what i wanted was for my dad and grand dad to buy that special "bibingka" after the mass. I felt sunday for me is just one day where you're doing nothing. Is it me or because am too busy with work and ending up exhausted most of time and the only better thing to do is stay at home and snuggle down with my duvet.

I want to know what others do during sundays??Any one out there?

bringing back the old memories

Actually i don't have much clue of what to write here.. what am hoping for is that friends, foes from way back since childhood would hopefully visit and share their views with me or even just to stay in touch. It would be nice to bring back those old memories...does'nt matter if its good or bad... 

Opps, it would be nice to meet people from all over the world too!! Looking forward to learn each others culture, values and beliefs after all this is what life is all about...welcome to the circle of life.