Paying it Forward

January 2012

Many Filipinos have been struck by the effects of Tropical Storm Sendong. While tragic, the challenges people in Cagayan de Oro have faced through the holiday season have given everyone, regardless of where they are from, an opportunity to show love, kindness and compassion to Sendong’s victims. As we end the Christmas holidays and move on to the new year, let us greet 2012 with generous spirits—making the most of this chance to show oneness with our fellow Filipinos who have been struck by tragedy. There is no better way, after all, to kick off a new year than by making space in our hearts for humanity.

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Gift.

The start of the year is the perfect time to clean out your closets and rid your rooms of any items you may no longer need. Old clothes, blankets, towels and other goods will benefit flood victims greatly. Many foundations, schools and churches have set up drop-off centers that can accept donations. LBC Foundation is accepting donations until January 6, 2012—visit their Facebook page for more information.

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Click.

Websites like Unicef Philippines and the Philippine Red Cross have made it easy for everyone to give cash donations at the click of a mouse. Every peso counts in times like these and coursing your donations via legitimate organizations will ensure that your money is reaching families and evacuation centers that need it the most.

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Volunteer.

Whether you join those making actual trips to Cagayan de Oro or choose to give your time to another cause that you believe in, volunteering is a selfless activity that will surely usher in the spirit of compassion and humanity throughout the year.

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Post.

Reblog any calls for action, share links on Facebook, and tweet to your followers. Social media has certainly made the world a smaller place—during times of crises, tools like WordPress accounts, Facebook walls and Twitter timelines can work wonders in getting information out there and bringing like-minded people who support the same cause together in an instant.

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The Blue Leaf is a great place to host parties, whether you're looking to entertain corporate clients or throw a get-together for friends and family. We can help you forge new bonds and make new memories, no matter what the occasion. For inquiries, call The Blue Leaf Events Pavilion at 898-BLUE or visit http://www.theblueleaf.com.ph/ for more information.

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The Blue Leaf Events Pavilion • 632 8872175 • 632 8875687 • inquiries@theblueleaf.com.ph

100 Park Avenue, McKinley Hill Village,Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.

All in the Family

December 2011

December is a special time for Filipino families—reunions, get-togethers and parties abound as relatives from abroad fly in, busy work schedules give way to extended vacations, and everything else is put on hold in order to celebrate family, the holidays, and all the traditions that come with Christmas and New Year.

It is important to keep up courtesies, even among family members. Not only does it make every occasion flow more smoothly, it also turns each gathering into a no-stress, fun party.

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Delegate and volunteer.

Families usually have self-appointed organizers who take the helm when it comes to planning and execution. Offering to help them in any way you can—whether it’s volunteering your home as a venue or taking care of food or invitations will always be a welcome gesture. If you are taking charge of plans, try to delegate the tasks so you are not overwhelmed as well.

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Adapt and adjust.

Mixing and mingling with second and third cousins, especially during large, extended family parties, can take some adjustment, especially when it comes to varying styles of entertaining. Let any reservations and inhibitions go and embrace the mix of personalities and types of parties.

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Keep things light.

Every family has their share of dilemmas and grievances. Stay positive during family parties and try to keep serious talk out of the celebrations.

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Listen.

It is but natural for old family stories, childhood tales and other such histories to come out during these gatherings. Indulge the family’s natural storytellers and remember that every tale presents an opportunity to learn more about the people in your family tree.

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The Blue Leaf is a great place to host parties, whether you're looking to entertain corporate clients or throw a get-together for friends and family. We can help you forge new bonds and make new memories, no matter what the occasion. For inquiries, call The Blue Leaf Events Pavilion at 898-BLUE or visit http://www.theblueleaf.com.ph/ for more information.

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The Blue Leaf Events Pavilion • 632 8872175 • 632 8875687 • inquiries@theblueleaf.com.ph

100 Park Avenue, McKinley Hill Village,Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.

Call Time

November 2011

Whether you’re getting in touch with a client for business or ringing a friend who you haven’t spoken to in a while, phone calls have become a communication staple in this day and age. Conversations that don’t involve face time still pose a set of requisite manners that show consideration and thoughtfulness to the parties on both ends of the phone line.

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Keep these in mind before dialing someone’s number and remember that a pleasant disposition always comes through, whether you’re on a voice or video call.

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State your name.

When your call is answered by someone who does not recognize your voice, immediately identify yourself. Being straight to the point helps keep conversations brief and cuts lag time considerably.

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Check if a conversation is possible.

Once you’re on the line with the person you want to speak to, ask if it is a good time to talk on the phone. You may, after all, have called at an inopportune time. Always offer to call the person back at a better time, in case he is unable to stay on the phone with you.

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Leave a short message.

In case you are unable to talk to the person you’re calling, keep your messages concise. Scribbling complicated messages can be a hassle—you wouldn’t want the note-taker to mix up any important details as well.

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Time it.

If you are making a business call or are attempting to contact someone who is not a close friend or relative, it is generally polite to get in touch with him or her between 9:00 AM and 9:00 PM, excluding emergencies.

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Keep it short.

The person who makes the call is typically the one who ends it—but if a call seems to be dragging on too long and taking much of your time, you may excuse yourself by saying that you simply must go. Wait for a break or pause in the conversation and say it firmly.

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The Blue Leaf is a great place to host parties, whether you're looking to entertain corporate clients or throw a get-together for friends and family. We can help you forge new bonds and make new memories, no matter what the occasion. For inquiries, call The Blue Leaf Events Pavilion at 898-BLUE or visit http://www.theblueleaf.com.ph/ for more information.

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The Blue Leaf Events Pavilion • 632 8872175 • 632 8875687 • inquiries@theblueleaf.com.ph

100 Park Avenue, McKinley Hill Village,Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.

Small Talk, Big Gesture

October 2011

Exchanging pleasantries and keeping up a conversation, no matter how mundane the topic, is part of being courteous to the people that surround you, whether at work, at family functions or at social events. A genuine “How’s it going?” or even a short “Hello” may be acceptable and good enough at times, but extending the conversation to create rapport is sometimes necessary too.

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Follow these easy small talk guidelines to get past the curt greetings and establish a relationship that you can build on in the future.

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Be attuned.

Gauge whether the person you are talking to is receptive or not—if he seems distracted or fails to respond to you, then just take a hint and back off. If the person seems to be willing to chat, make sure not to overstay your welcome and give your friends some space.

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Keep spaces open.

Stand to one side while doing small talk and don’t block traffic, whether you’re at a cocktail party or in the middle of a business conference.

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Stay open to others.

If others make a motion to join in on the conversation, be courteous enough to include them. You may have to switch the topic to make sure everybody is in the loop—find a subject matter that everyone can contribute to.

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Be sensitive to others.

Keep your voices low, and watch out for other people’s body language. You may be talking over other small groups of people or creating distractions for other groups within the same space—in that case, take your conversation outside or to another place where you will not be in other people’s way.

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End it well.

Round out your conversation with a pleasant comment such as, “It was nice talking to you” or “I need to get back to work now.” Leaving small talk with a definite close will ensure that the next conversation will start out well.

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The Blue Leaf is a great place to host parties, whether you're looking to entertain corporate clients or throw a get-together for friends and family. We can help you forge new bonds and make new memories, no matter what the occasion. For inquiries, call The Blue Leaf Events Pavilion at 898-BLUE or visit http://www.theblueleaf.com.ph/ for more information.

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The Blue Leaf Events Pavilion • 632 8872175 • 632 8875687 • inquiries@theblueleaf.com.ph

100 Park Avenue, McKinley Hill Village,Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.