Donating For Disaster Relief - Beware of Donation Scams

Donating for Disaster Relief - Beware of Donation Scams

Whenever a natural disaster leads to devastation either at home or abroad, many Americans are looking for ways to help by donating to a relief organization or charity. The Arizona Better Business Bureau warns that fraudulent charities will likely emerge to try and scam donations from well-meaning Arizonans.

The Better Business Bureau of Central, Northern and Western Arizona offers the following tips to help Arizona residents decide where to direct donations to ensure that their money provides the most benefit to the victims of natural disasters:

Rely on expert opinion when it comes to evaluating a charity. Be cautious when relying on third-party recommendations such as bloggers or Web sites, as they might not have fully researched the listed relief organizations. The public can go to the BBB online to research charities and relief organizations to verify that they are accredited by the BBB and meet the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability.

Find out who will benefit and what type of assistance they will be provided. The immediate needs are usually food, water, shelter, transportation and clean-up efforts.

Be wary of claims that 100 percent of donations will assist victims. Despite what an organization might claim, charities have fund raising and administrative costs. Even a credit card donation will involve, at a minimum, a processing fee. If a charity claims 100 percent of collected funds will be assisting victims, the truth is that the organization is still probably incurring fund raising and administrative expenses.

Find out if the charity is providing direct aid or raising money for other groups that are active at the scene of the disaster. Some charities may be raising money to pass along to relief organizations that are already active in the region. If so, you may want to consider “avoiding the middleman” and giving directly to charities that have a presence where the disaster took place. Or, at a minimum, check out the ultimate recipients of these donations to ensure the organizations are equipped to effectively provide aid.

Be cautious when donating online. Be cautious about online giving, especially in response to spam messages and emails that claim to link to a relief organization. Web sites and new organizations may created overnight allegedly to help victims.

Gifts of clothing, food or other in-kind donations are not recommended. In-kind donation assistance is not practical. Most foreign relief organizations prefer cash donations so that supplies can be purchased near the relief site. In-kind drives for food and clothing, while well intentioned, will rarely end up being delivered to those in need.

If tax deduction is a concern, donate domestically. To help ensure your contribution is tax deductible, the donation should be made to a U.S.-based charitable organization that is tax exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Go to IRS Publication 78 on www.irs.gov for a current list of all organizations eligible to receive contributions deductible as charitable gifts.

We are luckier than most; people in the Greater Phoenix area face very few natural disasters. While it is true that we have extreme heat, it is predictable and is not nearly as devastating as earthquakes, floods, tsunamis, or hurricanes.

Stereotypes about Filipino culture [CLICK TO READ THIS] Have any of these stereotypes ever been applied to you?

The 10 most common stereotypes about Filipino culture

One of my Filipina friends recently shared with me some of the “Filipino” stereotypes she and her family had experienced while growing up in the United States among the Americans.

Even though my friend was born here and grew up immersed in the American culture, her family kept traditional Filipino customs and taught her a thing or two.

However, over a long span of life in USA, I’ve met many “foreign born” citizens who share their cultural backgrounds with the locals – and there are many of such Americans, and that makes the USA one of the most diverse countries in the world – because of all the people of various cultures gathered in one place.

Here are some of the stereotypes of the Filipino culture that she shared with me:

1) Filipinos drive only Japanese cars, because they are reliable and practical.
   Even though it’s not true to all Filipinos, many of us, and them, would agree
   with this one statement!

2) Filipinos are always late to everything. Even though it’s regarded as a stereotype,
   my friend did admit the fact that she is usually late, as well. Better known to us as
   "Filipino time."

3) Someone asked her if she has ever eaten a "dog". In some provinces in the Philippines,
   they do eat "dogs", but they are the "wild" dogs. Neither her, nor her family, have
   ever eaten one.

4) Upon entering a Filipino's home, one must remove one’s shoes, and should put on
   slippers. Filipinos don't like "outside dirt" inside the home. This is actually a
   very common thing in Russia, Ukraine, Germany and France – based on my direct
   experience.

5) Filipinos loves "rose gardens and orchids", one can tell if you are walking by a
   house, and you see a plentiful amount of them, it is a "Filipino" home.

6) Most Filipinos like "oriental" furniture, with the "plastic" covers, and "plastic
   rug runners".

7) Some Filipinos eat with their "hands".  This is true.

8) Filipino parents would get their attention, by saying, "Psst!" and "Hoy!"
   You are a true "Filipino", if you turn around.  :-)))

9) Most Filipinos tend to work in accounting, as physicians or nurses, or electrical engineering.
   I knows a lot of Filipino nurses, physicians and accountants, in the area where we live.
   Filipino parents tend to push “math and science" majors in college, she says.

10) My friend’s Filipino lolo (grandfather) told her mother: "The Chinese treat the
    Filipinos, like second-class citizens." On their recent trip to Hong Kong and
    Macau, they experienced it, since most of the domestics (housekeepers) are Filipino.
    There are a lot of Chinese-Filipinos in the Philippines, and they are very wealthy
    he said.

If you are a Filipino, can you please tell me if any of these stereotypes have ever been applied to you.  Some stereotypes are both healthy and fun, and completely harmless.  Others, well, you know ... What are your thoughts?

If you have any other stereotypes to share that have not been included here, please leave a comment below. This way we all become more culturally aware.  Salamat...


-=-Dr. Dave-=-
====


If you like this and other Filipino related topics, food,  humor and videos be sure to visit us on Facebook at

 Dr. Dave's Filipino Scene. Here is a link to visit us:  (You may need to copy and paste this link into your browser)

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dr-Daves-Filipino-Scene/159834104096974

Be sure to tell your friends.  We hope to see you there.

Salamat:-)))
-=-Dr. Dave-=

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Is There a Secret Code? Deciphering Those Hidden Meanings behind Filipino Expressions :-))) [CLICK TO READ THIS]

Married to a Filipina and at times have a hard time understanding the message they are trying to get across? Then this is for you.  Here we answer the question, "Is There a Secret Code?  Deciphering Those Hidden Meanings behind Filipino Expressions."

Were you ever presented with a Filipino expression and asked yourself, just "what is he or she telling me?  What are they trying to say?"  If so, this may hold the answers you were looking for.  :-)))

Before Chat Acronyms & Text Message Shorthand became so familiar words and expressions were used.  Many of them we can still relate to today... :-)))   I know that I can.

The other day I shared this list with my wife Lucy.  She said that she agrees with at least 95 percent of these.  How about you?

How many of these can you relate to?


1. "Mwah" means... "I love you"

2. "Makaligtaan ko sa iyo" means..... "I miss you"

3. "Ok ka lang?" means... " ano ka hilo?!?!"

4. "Hay nako!" means..... " seryoso ako"

5. "Ingat ka lagi" means... "I care for you"

6. "Musta na?" means... " sino'ng love mo?"

7. "Secret" means..... " ikaw"

8. "Ano'ng problema mo?" means... " hurt naman ako"

9. "Kayo pa rin ba?" means.... "ako naman"

10. "Chick boy ka pala eh!" means..... " ang kapal mo!!!"

11. "Grabe ha!!!" means... " selos ako"

12. "Saan?" means..... " sama ako!"

13. "Shit!" means... " ako na lang kasi eh!!"

14. "Inaantok na ako" means..... "wala kang kwentang kausap"

15. "May gagawin pa ako eh" means..... "maghanap ka ng kausap mo"

16. "Bakit naman?" means..... "alam mo namang ikaw lang"

17. "Nakakaaliw ka" means..... "ang cute mo"

18. "Ewan" means..... " oo "

19. "Ganon?" means... "kapal mo!!"

20. "Eh kasi" means... " nahihiya ako"

21. "Talaga lang ha?" means... "naku, bola!!"

22. "Basta" means... "wag kang makulit"

23. "Busy ka?" means... " kausapin mo naman ako"

24. "Pwede ba" means... " mas cute naman ako sa kanya "

25. "May kasabay ka?" means..... "nood tayo ng sine & kain sa labas"

26. "Miss' nahulog" means..... "anong number mo?"

27. "Magwiwithdraw pa ako" means... "pucha naman, ikaw muna!!"

28. "May barya ka sa 100?" means..... "pautang muna, sa sweldo na kita babayaran"

29. "Kawawa ka naman" means... "Buti nga...sabi ko sayo eh!"

30. "Susunod ako" means... "umalis ka na! Ang kulit mo eh"

31. "Thank you sa gift ha" means..."Ang cheap mo naman"

32. "San kaya pwede makitulog" means... "check-in tayo"


*****
Are there any expressions and their meanings missing from this list?  
If you can think of any please take a moment and leave me a comment below.
Tell me the expression and what it means and I will add it to this list.  Salamat!

-=-Dr. Dave-=-

====


If you like this and other Filipino related topics, food,  humor and videos be sure to visit us on Facebook.

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You No longer Need A Secret Decoder Ring :-)

 

Lechon - A Sought After Food During Any Filipino Special Occasion.

Lechon - A Sought After Food During Any Filipino Special Occasion.

Called "LECHON" (pronounced LEETCH-onn), by Filipinos near and far, this mouth-watering cuisine of roasted suckling pig is usually found during festivities, holidays, special occasions, birthdays, baptisms, weddings, and more.

Lechon is traditionally the center-piece of the celebration as guests look forward to see and taste lechon in any special Filipino celebration.
    
Center Piece of Special Occasions

Tempting Lechon Aroma

How could you possibly withstand the tempting aroma of lechon slowly roasted to golden brown over the coals?

The juicy meat under the glazed crispy skin drawing you in to take a bite. 

A Filipino celebration is not complete without lechon on the table.

Lechon is a Spanish word meaning roasted suckling pig.  Most Americans I know, who have tasted lechon agree that Filipino lechon is one of the best tasting foods they have ever tried.  Although there are many recipes for Filipino lechon, the best tasting is the one from Cebu in the Southern part of the Philippines.

A whole roasted pig or lechon takes a lot of time and energy to prepare. 

First the pig is seasoned and skewered on a rotisserie.  Then it is cooked slowly over a bed of hot charcoal.  And while being cooked the lechon is constantly brushed with special sauce that turns the roasted pig’s skin into a deliciously glazed, red, crunchy skin.  The crunchy crispy skin is a Filipino favorite.

Slow Cooked Over Charcoal

 The Right Spices and Slow Cooking Process Makes The Difference

 
To a Filipino the lechon’s outward appearance is as important as its taste.

To achieve the unique taste of the Cebu lechon the right spices are critical.  This  includes a large bunch of lemon grass, peppercorn and other condiments.


These spices are responsible for the yummy taste and irresistible aroma of Filipino lechon.   Lechon is absolutely a feast of your senses as it creates a festive air of celebration!

Inside with the ingredients for a yummy Cebu Style Lechon

After eating some of this yummy lechon I was  a little silly.  

The head to this little piggie is wearing my glasses:-)  LOL

COME AND JUDGE FOR YOURSELF - Later this year we are going to know for sure at the LECHON COOKOFF  to be held at the Arizona Filipino Festival on October 5 & 6th, 2013 in Tempe Arizona USA

Visit the Official Facebook page of the Arizona Filipino Festival at the following link:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Arizona-Filipino-Festival/181542755313124?ref=ts&fref=ts

  The Philippines is about family, community and togetherness. Food is a huge part of that experience. So eat together and love together. LECHON!

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Media Bias and those who use the power of friendships in the media to manipulate a story

MEDIA BIAS 

Is the term MEDIA BIAS new to you?  Allow me to take a moment to explain.  It is really very simple.

Wikipedia describes MEDIA BIAS as "the bias of journalists in the selection of what they choose to put in stories and what they choose to exclude. Clearly a sign of overt and covert censorship." 

It is the bias of journalists and news producers and their selection of events and stories that are reported and how they are covered.  Unfortunately, media bias is as wide spread and like the common cold... It can be found all over the world.  This is not the first time we have seen Media Bias... Nor will it be the last.

We have seen those who use the power of friendships in the media to manipulate a story into what I shall refer to as MEDIA BIAS AND PROPAGANDA.


I am not alone when I say that WE HAVE ALL SEEN JOURNALISTS WHO FAIL TO REPORT ALL AVAILABLE DETAILS AND FACTS OF A STORY OR EVENT, ESPECIALLY WHEN THEIR FRIENDS AND ADVERTISERS ARE INVOLVED.

You can find media bias in newspapers, radio, and television around the world.

When it comes to reporting stories involving friends, these affiliations may be considered a conflict of interest..

Yet those in THE MEDIA WOULD LIKE YOU TO BELIEVE THEY ARE ABLE TO REMAIN OBJECTIVE and that their reports are fair and accurate.

*** NOTHING CAN BE FURTHER FROM THE TRUTH. ***

We see this time and time again when personal friends of those in the media are directly involved in an event or situation that others consider newsworthy. 

If their friends are involved and they do decide to cover the story you can be sure of one thing.  The facts in those STORIES ARE TWISTED, SUGAR COATED, AND SKEWED.  CRITICAL FACTS ARE OMITTED ALL TOGETHER AND OFTENTIMES THE STORY BECOMES MORE OF A COHERENT NARRATIVE THAN AN ACTUAL NEWS STORY.

It is amazing the lengths they go to in order to protect their friends and/or advertisers from humiliation.    ****** IT IS ALL ABOUT THE MONEY. ******

MEDIA BIAS AND PROPAGANDA ARE NOTHING NEW.   Those in various forms of media have used this as a mechanism for propaganda for many generations. This practice has gone on long before you and I were born and it will continue long after we are gone. 

In his article of June 7, 2011, Stefano Mario Rivolta of #BeyondBias lists three forms of media bias:

1. Gate keeping bias, - deciding whether to release a story or keep it quiet.
2. Coverage bias - deciding to cover a story or pretend its not news worthy.
3. Statement bias - cherry picking, twisting and skewing statements.

It comes as no surprise that all three of these forms of media bias and propaganda were clearly displayed in a recent article.

In the media it is fairly easy to "prove" one side of a story over another.   It is really that simple.  THEY CHERRY-PICK STATEMENTS THAT SUPPORT THEIR FRIENDS AND ADVERTISERS WHILE IGNORING ALL OTHER EVIDENCE TO THE CONTRARY.

What is important, is that media bias does not matter much if no one Is listening or reading anyway because even with their cherry picked statements many already know the truth. 

God Bless,
Dr. Dave

 NOTE:  #BeyondBias is an internationally recognized standard aimed at increasing public understanding of good journalism and encouraging media audiences to become critical users of the news they consume.

TWITTER:  https://twitter.com/Beyond_Bias
 

New Year's Eve in the Philippines

New Year's Eve in the Philippines

Bisperas ng Bagong Taon ("New Year’s Eve") is a festive time in the Philippines. There are a lot of traditions that Filipinos follow in the belief of ushering in a prosperous New Year. Many of these customs you may recognize as showing a Chinese influence.

FILIPINO FOOD ON NEW YEAR’S EVE

Special food is prepared, but not like the Noche Buena feast on Christmas Eve, although some families might be wealthy enough to prepare another lechon (roasted pig) after serving one on Christmas. For sure, pancit (noodles) are cooked to signify long life, as are eggs signifying new life. Traditional delicacies made from malagkit (glutinous or sticky rice) like biko are prepared — that’s so good fortune will stick around throughout the year. Fish and chicken are not served because these animals scrounge for food, and we don’t want to have to scrounge for food in the coming year.

Part of the fun in getting ready for New Year's Eve is to come up with twelve (12) round fruits, each to signify a month of the year. Ideally, there should be twelve different fruits — grapes, oranges, clementines, cantaloupe, pomelo, watermelon… It’s a tough challenge, so half the fruits likely end up being non-circular like mangoes and apples. The fruit that Filipinos most associate with the celebration of the new year and will rarely be without is imported ubas, purple grapes that are very round.

THE NOISIEST TIME OF THE YEAR IN THE PHILIPPINES

The same way Americans enjoy Fourth of July fireworks, Filipinos go all out with the noise on New Year’s eve. Filipino paputok (firecrackers) come in so many shapes and go by very interesting names — judas belt (a string of firecrackers), super lolo (“grandfather”), kwitis (from the Spanish word cohetes meaning rocket), bawang (“garlic”), airwolf…

Children love scratching the dancing firecracker watusi against concrete sidewalks and cemented surfaces, although the government has been warning against it because of chemical poisoning.

Pots and pans are clanged to scare away evil spirits. A few men shoot guns in the air if they think they can get away with it. Cars and trucks are vroomed and horns are tooted to cause as much noise as possible. Empty cans are dragged all around, whistles are blown.

OTHER FILIPINO TRADITIONS ON NEW YEAR’S EVE

Before the clock strikes midnight to herald in the new year, all doors must be left wide open to allow good luck to enter. This includes cupboards, drawers, cabinets... windows!

Filipinos try to dress in polka-dots because the roundness signifies prosperity. Pockets are filled with round coins, which are jangled to attract wealth. Coins are also left on top of tables and in drawers.

At the exact moment of midnight, Filipino children jump as high as they can because they believe this will make them taller.

Whatever condition your wallet is in when the New Year arrives, so it will be the rest of the year. Make sure to put in the money your received on Christmas. The same goes for the neatness of your home.

Filipinos spend the last days of the year vigorously cleaning everything, especially of dust. However, on thefirst day of the new year, you are not supposed to do any cleaning. No cleaning on New Year’s Day itself!

And don’t start the year off by spending money. Frugality on the first day sets the tone for wise money management in the coming year.

Manigong Bagong Taon! Happy New Year!

The 12 Days of Christmas -=- Did you know?

The 12 Days of Christmas -=- Did you know?

 

 

 Some early traditions hold that this song was used as a teaching tool to instruct young people of various denominations in the Christian faith. Even without the symbolism, the song is a playful piece that loses none of its appeal when taken at face value.

1. A Partridge in a Pear Tree

The partridge in the pear tree is Jesus on the cross. The bird imagery can also be seen as symbolic of Christ’s teaching “as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings” (Luke 13:34)

2. Two turtle doves

The two turtle doves represent the Old Testament and the New Testament.

3. Three French Hens

The three French hens symbolize the three members of the Godfather: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, Alternatively, they represent the three virtues; faith, hope, and charity (1 Corinthians 13:13)

4. Four Colly Birds

The four “colly” is an old word for “black” stand for the four Evangelist – Matthew, Mark, Luke and John – or the four Gospels they wrote.

5. Five Golden Ring

The five gold rings correspond to the first five books of the Bible, sometimes referred to as the Pentateuch.

6. Six Geese A-Laying

The six geese a-laying refer to the six days of Creation (Genesis 1:31; Exodus 20:11)

7. Seven Swans A-Swimming

The seven swan a-swimming suggest the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit (Romans 12:6-8), alternatively seven swans represent the seven sacraments recognized by some faith traditions.

8. Eight Maids A-Milking

The eight maids a-milking signify the eight Beatitudes from Christ’s Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:3-10).

9. Nine Ladies Dancing

The nine ladies dancing embody the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).

10. Ten Lords A-Leaping

The ten lords a-leaping denote Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:3-17).

11. Eleven Pipers piping

The eleven pipers piping are the eleven faithful Apostles (Luke 6:13-16; Acts 1:26).

12. Twelve Drummers Drumming

The twelve drummers drumming are the doctrines in the Apostles’ Creed (namely: 1. belief in the Father, 2. Belief in the Son, 3. the virgin birth, 4. the atonement, 5. his ministry after death, 6. his ascension to Heaven, 7. his role as judge, 8. belief in the Holy Ghost, 9. belief in the church, 10. forgiveness of sins, 11. the resurrection, 12. and eternal life.