You got a Friend

When the going gets tough and you feel like you want to give up, a friend or friends will always be there to lend a hand.

Help can come in many ways and forms - a pat on the back, a hug of sympathy, a kiss of confidence and a touch that let's you feel that everything is going to be alright.

It was reported a month back that Dick Israel, one of the most sought after villains in Philippine cinema, had a  stroke while doing a TV series.

Dick Israel 

The family had to use their savings to ensure that the head of the family gets the best care however due to expensive treatments and chemotherapy, the savings the family once had were all gone. Dick's wife had to seek assistance from his fellow movie actors and maybe from fans via a radio station.

Friends / Acquaintances Unite!
One of the listeners of that radio program was Richard Merk, actor / singer / restaurateur. From previous reports, Merk's bar is always used a platform to help out fellow actors and musicians. Fund raising and charity functions are being held here to show support to their colleagues.

I have always admired Richard Merk in allowing this to happen and I guess that is also one of the main reasons why his bar is still being packed with people - all days of the week.

Merk's Bar Bistro Webpage 

Having a Good Time
The benefit has turned out to be a reunion for some of the artists while others enjoyed the music played. For the benefit done for Dick Israel, it was a night full of Eagles and Eric Clapton's songs - Dick's all-time favorite.

With this kind of ensemble and help from your friends, would you still think you are all alone in dealing with your problem?

I hope not.

**Read this article from Inquirer.net

Weddings

from http://www.fineprints.ca/

is a favorite topic by ladies and well.... not so much by men. 

With this in the conversation, women, friends or not, can unite and talk about how theirs went and how they want their children (or sometimes) and grandchildren should have their weddings done. 

When I got married, there was no major fuss. First because my marriage was only in a judge's office and second, I just wanted my family to be there and share the moment with us. 

I guess time has changed differently now as a lot of brides and grooms-to-be want to have a last hurrah before they actually tie the knot.

According to this news article from Maktoob Business, a lot of hen and stag parties are being held in Las Vegas, Mexico and the Bahamas. Though some opt to do it where they plan to have their wedding - so if it's a beach wedding, the couples including their entourage hops into one airplane and when they reach the land of promise, they go their separate ways and party like there's no tomorrow. 

I guess this is a good idea so that you do not end up like the movie, The Hangover, where the bachelor's friends lost their groom-to-be that they tried to look for him all over Las Vegas. 

Another convenience about this type of trip is that the wedding planners of the event do not have to worry about bringing / monitoring the bride and groom together because they will all just be in one area. 

I guess this is another way for the travel coordinators, wedding planners and hotelier's scheme of having business in their sleeves which is a good thing - that they can still come up with good sales pitches for their customers despite and in spite of the recession period.  

The Heat is ON!

Summer is now here in Dubai... and did Summer make a very fine entrance!

It has been hot!hot! for the past few days. People here try to strategize how they will beat the heat when they are walking, cooking or even at times, when they laze in their house. 

Summer usually lasts for two months - July & August. 

Emails have been sent all throughout the region that the days will definitely get hotter. I am not sure if that's even true because they send these type of scam emails... usually this time of the year. 

I guess we just have to wait and see. 

Forbes' 15 Richest Royals

If you were given one billion dollars to spend what would you do with it?

Probably, I will buy a three-bedroom house complete with backyard and swimming pool. After that, I will buy my husband a car or maybe a van whatever he likes which we can use for the food / internet cafe business that we will be putting up.

The rest will be saved in the bank or will be invested in stock bonds or another business venture but I want to make sure that we keep enough money for the family - for the kid's education.

How do you think these royals spend their money? Forbes has recently named 15 of the richest royals in the whole world.

Starting it off with Thailand's King Bhuminol Adulyadej. 

Abu Dhabi's ruler came fourth and Sheikh Mohammed came sixth.

It seems like even with the recession happening all over the world, these royals still have enough billions in their sleeves. 

I sometimes wish I'm just like them but when I think about the riches that I have - not the material ones. It makes me smile and think that I will not trade that for anything in the world. 

**to see the full list of richest royals here>