Wednesday, February 25, 2015

What’s cooking: TV5 resident chef’s recipe for a healthier lifestyle

Having dealt with food for most of his life, chef turned host Jeremy Favia never imagined seeing himself hosting his own show on television.
Growing up, Chef Jeremy always knew that he was born for the kitchen; not necessarily as a chef, but someone whose work involves food—be it a restaurant manager or an owner.
Unknown to many, however, the 29-year-old chef had different dreams. At one time he wanted to be a doctor; as a little boy, he wrote on his yearbook: “I want to be a priest!”

Years after, he now finds himself in front of the camera doing some hosting jobs for different cooking shows as TV5’s resident chef. Armed with his killer smile and natural charm, Chef Jeremy has gained popularity not only because of his culinary skills, but also because of his looks and the positive aura that he exudes.
While hosting a cooking show is something he truly enjoys, Chef Jeremy says he’s now more focused on his job at The Center for Wellness and Aesthetics of The Medical City in Ortigas, Pasig. It’s an immensely fulfilling job that allows him to help empower people who are suffering from various ailments to improve their health.
As the Wellness Center’s in-house chef, Chef Jeremy prepares special meals that are planned around an individual’s health problem, like hypertension or diabetes. The goal is for a client to cut down on his maintenance medicines as he benefits from the nutritional contents of the food Chef Jeremy cooks. Absolutely hands-on with his job, the chef even delivers the food right to their clients’ doorsteps.
“Isasabay mo ‘yung specially prepared food sa medicine mo hanggang sa mabawasan ‘yung tini-take mong gamot,” Chef Jeremy explains. “I have a client na diabetic, who subscribed to a meal plan for thirty days. After he completed his subscription, nagbawas na siya ng gamot.”
The venture inspires Chef Jeremy to be creative in doing the special meal plans, knowing that he plays a crucial role in setting his clients on the path to recovery.
Believing that the secret to a healthier lifestyle is smarter food choices, Chef Jeremy advises people to include fiber like C-Lium in their daily diet.
“Fiber naman talaga is very good for your digestive system and over-all health. May times namagluluto ka ng hindi ‘ganun ka-healthy so you’ll need fiber to help flush many of those unhealthy foods,” he says.
Chef Jeremy also relates that he used to eat a lot whenever he was stressed out. In such times he takes fiber supplements, specifically C-Lium Fibre, to help make him feel lighter.
“’Yung C-Lium hinahalo ko siya sa juice. I always feel lighter whenever I use C-Lium and there are times na kumakain ako ng ‘di ganun ka-healthy so C-Lium helps me to have enough fiber in the body,” he says.
C-Lium Fibre is made from natural psyllium plant, which is a good source of soluble and insoluble fibers. According to the National Fiber Council, the soluble fiber in psyllium absorbs water, turns into a gel, and attaches to food, sugars, cholesterol, and fats in the stomach and helps to expel these from one’s digestive system. A high-fiber diet also lowers the risk of developing life-threatening diseases such as heart disease, certain forms of cancer, diabetes, and stroke. 
Chef Jeremy likewise says that with proper diet and active lifestyle, almost anyone can achieve optimum health.
This conviction is what drives Chef Jeremy to handle a new cooking show and other ventures outside television. Being in his best shape ever, he looks forward to even more opportunities coming his way.
C-Lium Fibre comes in two formats--husk powder and capsule form-- and is available in leading drugstores and supermarkets nationwide.

Saturday, February 21, 2015

Teriyaki Beef With Egg at Pepper Lunch

Last week, an organizer invited me as one of the persons who will attend a real estate event this day somewhere in Paranaque City.

Before we proceed to the venue, the organizer set a group lunch at Pepper Lunch in Mega Mall, Mandaluyong City.

I took my lunch this day at Pepper Lunch with Teriyaki Beef with Egg, one of their Japanese Classics in their menu.



For me, I am satisfied with the taste of the food and the food services.


Top 10 Movie Properties

One of the key features in any movie is a memorable property. Something that makes the audience think “I wish I lived there!” Lamudi, the global property portal, takes a look at the top 10 properties from some of the best loved films.

1. ‘El Fureidis’ in Scarface


Image via Wikimedia Commons

Stretching over a jaw-dropping 10 acres of land, El Fureidis—Tony Montana’s mansion, is now up for sale for a staggering US$35 million. The Roman-style stucco estate has recently undergone an exquisitely detailed renovation, allowing its four bedrooms, numerous Persian gardens, and glistening swimming pools to return to their original splendor. Located in Santa Barbara, California, El Fureidis offers luxury living of the highest order, combined with an incredible history and provenance.

2. Corleone Family Home in The Godfather

Ever since Francis Ford Coppola’s magnum opus, The Godfather, graced the screens in 1972 to universal critical acclaim, the Corleone family home featured in the film has been a residence recognized the world over. Measuring an astounding 6,248 square feet, the English Tudor-style mansion located in Staten Island, was center stage in the unforgettable wedding sequence which starts off the film. Renovated in the style of the Godfather in 2012, the estate is now worth an estimated $2.895 million. However, the original Godfather house was set in a small town in Italy called Savoca, this is where the first movie in the trilogy was filmed.

3. Hearst Castle in Citizen Kane



© Dan Schreiber via Shutterstock.com

“Cost: no man can say” goes the famous newsreel at the beginning of Orson Welles’s epic in reference to Charles Foster Kane’s staggeringly vast private estate. Named in Citizen Kane as Xanadu, it is clear that Hearst Castle in San Simeon, California, is the inspiration behind Kane’s stately home. Now it is one of America's most enticing museums and one of the most well-known properties in the world.

4. St. Joseph Plantation in 12 Years a Slave


© Joseph via Flickr

This 12,000-square-foot raised Creole-style estate was built in the 1830s and is still operational today as a family-owned sugar plantation. Located along the Mississippi River, St. Joseph’s Plantation recently gained worldwide recognition after its memorable appearance in Steve McQueen’s 12 Years a Slave.

5. Palace Bristol Hotel in The Grand Budapest Hotel

Wes Anderson’s 2014 masterpiece earned more BAFTA nominations than any other film, including Best Film and Best Director. Crucial for the film’s success was the set design and visual aesthetic which were admirably supplied by the Palace Bristol Hotel which served as the inspiration for Anderson’s Budapest Hotel. Built at the end of the 19th century, the Palace Bristol Hotel contains 48 single and double rooms, as well as luxury and presidential suites, which cater to the tastes and desires of the wealthy.

6. Bag End from The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings


© Chris Cooper via Flickr

Located at the end of Bagshot Row in Hobbiton, Bag End provides the perfect backdrop for the antics of Tolkien’s most endearing characters. According to the floorplan provided in The Hobbit book and designed by Daniel Reeve for the movie, about a third of the space is intended for the preparation and consumption of food, while the remaining areas allow for the pursuit of quieter pleasures such as smoking and writing.

7. The McCallister family home in Home Alone




© Minh Phan via Flickr

Based in Winnetka, Illinois, this red brick colonial Georgian house comprises an awe-inspiring 4,250 square feet and is within a stone’s throw from Lake Michigan. Up for sale in December of 2014, this piece of real estate sold for $1.58 million.

8. The Razor Residence in Iron Man

Comprising 11,000 square feet and overlooking the Pacific Ocean, the Razor Residence can be seen center stage in Jean Fareau’s 2008 American superhero film Iron Man. Perched on the edge of California’s Torrey Pines State Park, the house resembles a glass monolith, fitting perfectly into the landscape whilst standing out as a piece of modern art. Designed by San Diego based architect Wallace Cunningham, the estate caters to the most luxurious tastes, whilst retaining its simple and elegant beauty.

9. Christ Church College in Harry Potter


Image via Shutterstock

Who could forget Harry’s first time in the great hall at Hogwarts? The floating candles, the Sorting Hat, the incredible tension electrifying the atmosphere, and the original Dumbledore making his first appearance before our hero is placed into Gryffindor House are all unforgettable features of our favorite movie adaptation. This crucial part of the series was filmed in the Great Hall, modeled after the Great Hall at Christ Church, Oxford, and is one of Harry Potter’s best moments.

10. Elrod House in Diamonds Are Forever

In Sean Connery’s final outing as the super-slick MI6 agent James Bond, director Guy Hamilton needed an equally mesmerising house. Elrod House was brought to life by architect John Lautner in 1968. Lautner’s design manages to create a seemingly floating concrete roof structure which blurs the line between interior and exterior, as well as showcasing the panoramic landscape view of the Palm Springs desert. These factors combine to make it the best known property to ever feature in a film.


Tuesday, February 17, 2015

The Value of Small Things

I believe the idea on how to value small things first before valuing bigger things. Knowing and learning the basic principles and applying them in every day living. 

To be trusted in handling small things first before bigger things. I believe that this is a part of the process of maturity and responsibility. 

We have to learn how to value things regardless of its size or quantity. 

Monday, February 16, 2015

Basic Cooking Lessons With My Parents

My parents are my mentors with regards to the preparation of foods and services. We siblings mentored us when we were still young. Helping them in every things that we can do in their small time business eating place.

They trained me through basic cooking lessons and preparations. I believe that I have to start from the basics. To learn from small things and applying them in every related activities. 

When I am well trained, time will come that I will be handling big things. I have just to wait the right time.

Uniform Allowance for the Year 2015

Last month, the officers and employees of the Company where I work with have received a cash as uniform allowance for the year 2015.

It was a blessing and thankful for the generosity of the Company. This kind of generosity will serve as a tool of motivation for the officers and employees to love and value their office works consistently and progressively. 

Sunday, February 15, 2015

Computation of Withholding Tax on Compensation and Year-End Adjustment

In relation to my previous blogs about the computations of SS & EC Contributions, Philhealth Contributions and Pag-IBIG Contributions, let us apply it in the Computation of Withholding Tax on Compensation and Year-End Adjustment:

ILLUSTRATIONS:

Assuming that Employee A (Husband) is married to Employee B (Wife) with a Monthly Basic Salary (Net of Absences, Late) amounting to Php.18,000.00, with two (2) Qualified Dependent Child (QDC).

Employee A opt to contribute Monthly Pag-IBIG Contribution of P900.00.

The Monthly Withholding Tax on Compensation is computed as follows:

Step 1. Determine the Gross Taxable Compensation Income (Net of SSS, PHIC & Pag-IBIG)

Step 2. Determine the Mandatory Employee (EE) SSS, PHILHEALTH, Pag-IBIG Contribution and UNION Dues (if applicable).

Employee (EE) SSS Contribution (Monthly) – P581.30
Employee (EE) Philhealth Contribution (Monthly) – P225.00
Employee (EE) Pag-IBIG Contribution Monthly) – P100.00

Step 3. Determine the Exemption Status and Number of Qualified dependents of the taxpayer (if any).

Personal Exemptions: P50,000 regardless of status.
Additional Exemption: P25,000 for every qualified dependent child but not to exceed four (4) dependents

Step 4. Computation of Withholding Tax using the Revised Withholding Tax Tables Effective January 1, 2009.

SEMI-MONTHLY:


Use Table B for Single/Married Employees with Qualified Dependent Children (QDC)
Taxable Compensation Income Regular:
Basic Salary (Net of Late/Absences)                                                                                        9,000.00
Overtime Pay                                                                                                                                0.00
Others                                                                                                                                          0.00
                Total Taxable Compensation Income                                                                                  9,000.00
Non-taxable/Exempt Compensation Income:
                Basic Salary/Statutory Minimum Wage Minimum Wage Earner (MWE)                                               0.00
                Overtime Pay (MWE)                                                                                                                     0.00
                SSS, GSIS, PHIC & Pag-IBIG Contributions, & Union Dues (Employee Share Only)
                                SSS                                                                                 P290.65
                                PHIC                                                                              P112.50
                              Pag-IBIG                                                                          P  50.00                               453.15
                Others                                                                                                                                          0.00
                Total Non-taxable/Exempt Compensation Income                                                                453.15
Gross Compensation Income                                                                                                               9,453.15
Less:      Total Non-taxable/Exempt Compensation Income                                                                  453.15
Gross Taxable Compensation Income (Net of SSS, PHIC & Pag-IBIG)                                                  9,000.00
Less:      (See Withholding Tax Table: Semi-monthly– Column 5, B.2)                                                        7,083.00
Excess/Difference                                                                                                                                 1,917.00
Multiply by:                                                                                                                                                  20%
Withholding Tax of Excess                                                                                                                          383.40
Plus:      (See Withholding Table: Semi-monthly – Column 5 Row 1)                                                              354.17
Total Withholding Tax on Compensation – Semi-monthly                                                                      737.57


ANNUALIZED COMPUTATION OF WITHHOLDING ON COMPENSATION
Taxable Compensation Income Regular:
Basic Salary (Net of Late/Absences) – January 1 to December 31 (18,000 X 12)                      216,000.00
Overtime Pay                                                                                                                              0.00
Others                                                                                                                                         0.00
                Total Taxable Compensation Income                                                                              216,000.00
Non-taxable/Exempt Compensation Income:
                Basic Salary/Statutory Minimum Wage Minimum Wage Earner (MWE)                                           0.00
                Overtime Pay (MWE)                                                                                                                    0.00
                SSS, GSIS, PHIC & Pag-IBIG Contributions, & Union Dues (Employee Share Only)
                                SSS (581.30 x 12 mos.)                                        6,975.60
                                PHIC (225.00 x 12 mos.)                                      2,700.00
                                Pag-IBIG (100.00 x 12 mos.)                                1,200.00                                 10,875.60
                13th Month Pay (18,000.00 x 12/12)                                                                                   18,000.00                         
                Others                                                                                                                                            0.00
                Total Non-taxable/Exempt Compensation Income                                                   28,875.60
Gross Compensation Income (216,000.00 + 28,875.60)                                                          244,875.60
Less:      Total Non-taxable/Exempt Compensation Income                                                    28,875.60
Gross Taxable Compensation Income                                                                                      216,000.00
Less:      Total Exemptions
                                Personal Exemption                                     50,000.00
                                Additional Exemptions (25,000.00 x 2)       50,000.00                                100,000.00
Less:      Premium Paid on Health and/or Hospital Insurance                                                                 0.00
Net Taxable Compensation Income                                                                        116,000.00          
Tax Due: Excess (116,000.00 – 70,000.00) x 20%                                                                   9,200.00
Plus:                                                                                                                                            8,500.00
Total Tax Due                                                                                                                          17,700.00
Less: Taxes Withheld (January 1 to December 15) – (1,475.14 x 11 mos. + 737.57)        16,964.11
Amount of Tax to be withheld on December 16 -31                                       735.89          

Please refer http://www.bir.gov.ph/images/bir_files/old_files/pdf/42126AnnexC.pdf of the Revised Withholding Tax Table Effective January 1, 2009 and http://www.bir.gov.ph/index.php/bir-forms/certificates.html#c2316 (BIR Form No. 2316) - Certificate of Payment/Tax Withheld