Indonesia Quake
My heart is aching for the victims of the recent tragedy that hit Indonesia. The latest headline from
CNN.com reads:
"Indonesian disaster death toll tops 5,100, with 6,500 badly hurt"
Quoting CNN again:
The 6.3-magnitude quake, which struck close to the former Javanese royal capital of Yogyakarta, has so far killed 5,136 people, seriously wounded 6,504 and left 100,000 homeless, according to the country's Social Affairs Ministry. Another 2,081 suffered minor injuries.
This is just around a year and a half after the tsunami that hit the country together with other countries in Southeast Asia, India and even part of Africa.
Was browsing around the net trying to get more info on earthquakes when I found this wikipedia page about the Pacific Ring of Fire, map shown below
I quote:
The Ring of Fire is a zone of frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions that encircles the basin of the Pacific Ocean. It is shaped like a horseshoe and it is 40,000 km long. It is associated with a nearly continuous series of oceanic trenches, island arcs, and volcanic mountain ranges and/or plate movements. It is sometimes called the circum-Pacific belt or the circum-Pacific seismic belt.
90% of the world's earthquakes and 81% of the world's largest earthquakes occur along the Ring of Fire. The next most seismic region (5–6% of earthquakes and 17% of the world's largest earthquakes) is the Alpide belt which extends from Java to Sumatra through the Himalayas, the Mediterranean, and out into the Atlantic. The Mid-Atlantic Ridge is the third most prominent earthquake belt.
The Philippines, including the most of Southeast Asia and Japan is inside this ring of fire. But knowing the Philippines, we do not really take preparation very seriously. I agree with what Alejandro R. Roces said in his article in Philippine Star today, to quote:
So far we have been lucky. Metro Manila has been spared of both typhoons and earthquakes. But it is only a matter of time before one or both disasters happen again. This time we should be ready. We can take the necessary measures to minimize the accompanying damage.
I hope as we send our own delegates to Indonesia to help them battle out this disaster, we do not forget the looming threat we have back home. We need to educate our people again to be prepared, to always make sure we are ready with what mother nature will throw our way. And lastly, I believe on the power of prayer, so that he will always protect us from natural calamities and disasters
Read more!
Created: Tuesday, May 30, 2006
0 Comments
State of today's retail, according to consumers worldwide
Just want to share a reading from Inquirer regarding the current trends on the retail industry...a very good read I must say
Published on page B2 of the May 7, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer
AUTHOR and science of shopping guru Paco Underhill recently talked about interesting developments in the retail industry based on his clients worldwide:
1. Cutting edge of retail is generally where money is young.
Underhill stated money is not young in London, Paris, Frankfurt and New York. But it is young in Moscow, Dublin, Sao Paolo, Mexico City, Shanghai, Mumbai.
2. One of the primary motivations of construction is how to control labor costs.
Labor cost is not an issue in places like the Philippines, Mexico and Brazil. "Emerging markets are less likely to look to Europe and North America for ideas. Emerging markets need to start leading."
3. How do I fit into a multi-tasking life?
Underhill stated "value is not just a price issue. Price is not the only factor that determines whether a person will buy a product, consumers are looking at values and merits."
4. The Ma and Pa stores are booming.
Consumer firms acknowledge that these stores will be a major contributor to sales growth.
5. Social stratification of retail is over.
Underhill stated that in the past, the rich do not cross over to shopping in mass-based shops, but today, "Forbes Park residents are comfortable buying a Coke from a sari-sari store."
6. Used is cool.
The popularity of used clothes or ukay-ukay is not just a trend in the Philippines. Underhill said there are stores in Japan that span several floors, selling used clothes, ebay and Craig's List carry second hand items for sale.
7. Finding new ways to sell the same stuff.
8. Lingerie and mobile are the hottest products.
9. Most staff in emerging market are highly motivated, well-educated, and trainable and loyal.
10. The use of shopping carts is declining as shopping missions change. Consumers go to stores more often in the 21st century than 20 years ago. Design for private labels is one of the opportunities in Philippine packaging.
11. Family eating rituals are changing.
12. Shoppers of clothes are two kinds—those who buy for special occasions; and those who buy for everyday wear.
"Many labels fall in love with the Saturday night market but the market is the Monday to Friday."
13. The emerging market innovation is finding ways to get beyond the price. Underhill cited the Roppongi Hills mall which is a shopping complex, library, art museum, commercial office, hotel, residential place in one.
14. Selling to women. Shops have to adjust to the women market in terms of design, amenities and better understanding of why women shop.
15. Design alone is not the answer—the fastest growing retail channel are anti-design.
16. Mall owners need to evolve from landlords to place-makers —owning malls is not just about real estate and collecting rent.
17. It's important for businesses and their staff to be having fun because chances are consumers are having fun too.
18. It is all about solutions—understanding and innovating at the point of sale; learning how to compete with everyone; balancing global needs with local identities.
M.Q. Espino
Read more!
Created: Sunday, May 14, 2006
2 Comments
An invitation
I have finally decided to buy the domain Maniladailyphoto.com...so come on visit my new home at
Manila Daily PhotoNow that I have a new "home" I'm thinking of migrating this old blog over there too...I think it will relatively be easy...let's see :)
Read more!
Created: Saturday, May 13, 2006
0 Comments
