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There are a number of large, international insurance and reinsurance firms operating in the Philippines, as well as local firms.

- Prudential life Plans, Inc.
- Ayala Life Assurance, Inc.
- First Filipinas Insurance Brokers Corporation
- Government Service Insurance System
- Permanent Plans, Inc.
- Philam Group of Companies.
- The Professional Group Plans Corporation.
- Yacht Insurance in the Philippines.
- Blue Cross Insurance, Inc

Insurance is a growing sector of the financial services industry especially here in the Philippines. Philippines emerges from the third world and exposure to the insurance industry and financial markets grows, all types of insurance are set to grow in the future. There are types of insurance include motor insurance, which includes automobile, motorcycle, and boat insurance, health insurance, life insurance, home insurance, travel insurance, personal property insurance, keyman insurance, dental insurance, rental insurance, and more.


I read another article regarding the Solution for Covering the Uninsured.
Many uninsured US senior citizen's were happy to hear the news that US government is planning for a Real Solution for the uninsured. All other country should also practice and follow other governance that would benefit the people. What are you reaction on this or opinions?

Source: By Peter Ferrara - FOXNews.com
A Real Solution for Covering the Uninsured

Speaking about health care reform in his State of the Union address,President Obama said"But if anyone from either party has a better approach that will bring down premiums, bring down the deficit, cover the uninsured, strengthen Medicare for seniors, and stop insurance company abuses, let me know."

On February 25, Republicans should seize the opportunity to broadcast the best kept secret of health policy: the uninsured can be covered at relatively modest additional net cost, without a government takeover of health care, rationing, new health care bureaucracies, or any of the other central components of Obamacare.

The lack of a clear safety net for the uninsured is what gives Democrats the political clout to keep coming back for socialized medicine. Republicans should advance the modest reforms necessary to establish a true safety net that will ensure that no one who needs it will be denied essential health care. Only these reforms will permanently protect the health care of the American people from government takeover and control.

Reform should start with Medicaid, which already spends over $400 billion a year providing substandard coverage for 50 million poor Americans. Congress should transform Medicaid to provide assistance to purchase private health insurance for all who otherwise could not afford coverage, ideally with health insurance vouchers.

This one step would enormously benefit the poor already on Medicaid. The program today pays doctors and hospitals only 60% of costs for their health care services for the poor. As a result, 40% of doctors and hospitals won’t take Medicaid patients. This is already a form of rationing, as Medicaid patients find obtaining health care increasingly difficult, and studies show they suffer worse health outcomes as a result. Health insurance vouchers would free the poor from this Medicaid ghetto, enabling them to obtain the same health care as the middle class, because they would be able to buy the same health insurance in the market.

Ideally this would be done by changing Medicaid financing to provide the federal assistance to the states for the program through finite block grants, which would not vary to match increased state Medicaid spending as it does today. States that innovate to reduce costs can then keep the savings. States that operate programs with continued runaway costs would pay those additional costs themselves. Such reforms worked spectacularly well in halting the runaway costs of the old AFDC program when Congress adopted welfare reform in 1996.

The block grants should provide states with increased federal funding that is sufficient, counting state Medicaid funds, to give assistance to all who truly cannot afford health insurance. The voters of each state can then decide how much assistance for the purchase of health insurance to provide families at different income levels. This would, rightly, vary with the different income and cost levels of each state.

Done right, this would ensure that no one would lack health insurance because they couldn’t afford it. But to ensure a complete safety net, federal funding should also be provided for each state to set up an uninsurable risk pool. Those uninsured who become too sick to purchase health insurance in the market for the first time, perhaps because they have cancer or heart disease, would be assured of guaranteed coverage through the risk pool. They would be charged a premium based on their ability to pay. Federal and state funding would cover remaining costs.

Such risk pools already exist in over 30 states, and they work well at relatively little cost to the taxpayers because few people actually become truly uninsurable. This works far better than forcing insurers to cover everyone regardless of pre-existing conditions, or regulations such as guaranteed issue (requiring insurers to cover everyone who applies regardless of health condition) or community rating (requiring insurers to charge everyone the same regardless of health condition). Such regulation naturally causes health insurance premiums to soar. That is because it is akin to requiring insurers to provide fire insurance for houses that are already on fire. With the above reforms, such cost increases would be avoided, while ensuring that everyone has somewhere to go to get essential coverage and care.

The law already provides that insurers cannot cut off existing policyholders, or impose discriminatory rate increases, because they become sick while covered. That would be like allowing fire insurers to cut off coverage for houses once they catch on fire. If this law needs to be modernized, it should be.

With these reforms, those who have insurance can keep it, those who can’t afford it are given help to buy it, and those who nevertheless remain uninsured and then become too sick to buy it still have a back up safety net in the risk pools. Notice that this completely solves the problem of the uninsured without any individual or employer mandates, which are burdensome, unnecessary gateways to enormous trouble. Republicans must also be careful to reject any reform involving health care rationing in any form.


I read some articles in Fox News about tips on saving fuel and winter driving.
This can also help other especially who is driving on winter. And many people will learn how to save fuel on winter..

Source: Fox News
Read the story in the link: Prep Car for Winter Driving and Save Fuel

Making sure your car is on shape for winter driving can mean a bit of extra cash in your wallet and boatload a extra dollars if you can prevent a costly repair. No matter what age of your car or what is the brand of your car you drive.

When temperatures drop, so does the fuel economy of you car. To save money during winter driving is to make sure you car is primed for optimum fuel economy. Check your tire pressure and add air if necessary. According to AAA, you'll get 10% better fuel economy with tires that are properly inflated. The correct pressure is listed in your owner's manual or on the driver's side doorjamb. Tire pressure decreases by about one pound for every 10 degrees that the temperature drops. So if you haven't added air to your tires in months, doing so will improve your fuel economy as well as improve your car's traction on slippery roads, reducing the likelihood of a costly accident.

If you live in an area where you need to drive through snow or slush regularly, then you probably want to purchase a set of snow tires. They can last for several seasons, depending on how you drive. Snow tires will reduce your fuel economy because they have deeper tread, and thus greater rolling resistance, but they are critical if you need to drive in regularly sloppy conditions. Most experts feel that if you live in a city where the roads are cleared promptly (or you can wait to go out), then all-season tires are acceptable as long as the tires are in good condition and properly inflated.

Another way to improve fuel saving in winter is to avoid "warming up" your car by idling. When a car is idling (running, but not moving) its fuel economy is zero mpg. Unlike cars of the past, the engines in modern cars generate relatively little heat at idle, so idling is not warming up the engine. Instead, start your car and drive it right away. This will generate the heat that your car needs to operate at optimum efficiency, and it will also get your car's heater to start blowing warm air faster. Just be sure you don't stomp on the accelerator pedal; you'll just be wasting the fuel you saved by not idling.

While it may seem more appropriate for summer driving, you should check your cooling system in winter (or have your mechanic do this) to ensure you are using the proper coolant and there are no leaks. A 50-50 mixture of coolant -- also called antifreeze -- and water is best. If you use 100 percent coolant, your engine will actually have a harder time staying cool, reducing fuel economy and damaging the engine in certain situations. Check the system for leaks (and regularly check your parking space for puddles) because low coolant can cause your car to overheat, even in winter.

Like oil, coolant gets dirty over time and needs to be changed regularly. Check your owner's manual to find out the schedule. And if you are adding or replacing the coolant yourself, double-check that you are using the type that is recommended for your engine or you could cause more harm than good.

Finally, have a mechanic check your car thoroughly to make sure it's in good mechanical condition, including checking all the belts and hoses for wear as well as looking for leaks, and respond promptly to any issues that arise with your car. The last thing you want to have happen in the winter -- for your safety and for your wallet is to become stranded.


Many of the consumers are looking for outrageous health insurance hikes.
What are your comment or opinion regarding this one?
Feel free to express and shout what's in your mind. So that many people will be aware of the situation regarding the health insurance.
I got the information from the other site.

Consumers in the state who buy their health insurance are getting hit with the increase of 15 % or more. The subsidiary of WellPoint Inc., Anthem Blue Cross has been fire for the week from the regulators and politician for notifying some of it's 800,000 policyholders in California that it plans to raise rates up to 39% March 1. In Maine the Anthem Blue Cross is asking for increase of 23% this year for some individual policyholders. Last year, they raised up to 32%. And in Oregon, multiple insurers were granted rate hikes of 15 percent or more this year after increases of around 25 percent last year for customers who purchase individual health insurance, rather than getting it through their employer. Steep rate hikes in this sliver of the insurance market — about 13 million Americans, as of 2008 — have popped up sporadically for years. Experts see them becoming increasingly common.

What your concerns and opinion regarding this one?
Feel free to give us comments..


What are your Ideas regarding goverment-run-health program?
That would compete with the health insurance companies.

Are these companies willing to take the risk?




-Twilight fanatics, another upcoming movie "The Twilight Saga:Eclipse"-

The Twilight Saga: Eclipse is an upcoming romantic-fantasy film scheduled for release on June 30, 2010. It is based on Stephenie Meyer's Eclipse and will be the third installment of The Twilight Saga film series, following 2008's Twilight and 2009's New Moon. Summit Entertainment greenlit the film in February 2009. Directed by David Slade, the film will star Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, and Taylor Lautner, reprising their roles as Bella Swan, Edward Cullen, and Jacob Black, respectively. Melissa Rosenberg will be returning as screenwriter. Rachelle Lefevre, who played Victoria in the previous two installments, will not be returning due to scheduling conflicts; instead, Bryce Dallas Howard will play Victoria.

Synopsis:
In "The Twilight Saga: Eclipse", Bella once again finds herself surrounded by danger as Seattle is ravaged by a string of mysterious killings and a malicious vampire continues her quest for revenge. In the midst of it all, she is forced to choose between her love for Edward and her friendship with Jacob—knowing that her decision has the potential to ignite the ageless struggle between vampire and werewolf. With her graduation quickly approaching, Bella is confronted with the most important decision of her life


Iron Man 2

By gcspan , Posted in: , , ,

-Iron Man fans, an upcoming movie "Iron Man 2" to be released on May 2010 watch out!-

Iron Man 2 is a upcoming 2010 American super hero film based on Marvel Comics character of the same name from Marvel Studios and Paramount Pictures.
It is the sequel to 2008's Iron Man, and the second film in a planned trilogy. Directed by Jon Favreau, the film stars Robert Downey Jr. reprising his role as Tony Stark, a billionaire industrialist and master engineer, also known as the superhero, Iron Man. The film is scheduled to be released in the UK on April 30th and in North America on May 7, 2010.


Synopsis:
In "Iron Man 2," the world is aware that billionaire inventor Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) is the armored Super Hero Iron Man. Under pressure from the government, the press and the public to share his technology with the military, Tony is unwilling to divulge the secrets behind the Iron Man armor because he fears the information will slip into the wrong hands. With Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow), and James "Rhodey" Rhodes (Don Cheadle) at his side, Tony forges new alliances and confronts powerful new forces.


Is Nonoy is capable to be president of upcoming years?
What are your ideas or comments regarding this one? To be aware of Noynoy's life or Political career see biography..

Benigno Simeon "Noynoy" Cojuangco-Aquino, III
(born February 8, 1960) is a Senator of the Philippines and a candidate for President of the Philippines in the 2010 election, as the standard-bearer of the Liberal Party. He is the only son of former President Corazon Aquino and former Senator Benigno Aquino, Jr.

A graduate of Ateneo de Manila University, he was seriously wounded by rebel soldiers in a failed coup attempt during his mother's presidency. In 1989, he was elected to the House of Representatives as Representative of the 2nd district of Tarlac province in the 11th Congress of the Philippines. In 2007, he was elected to the Senate of the 14th Congress of the Philippines.

Education and Early life
Aquino studied in Ateneo de Manila University for his elementary, high school, and college education, graduating in 1981 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics. After college, he joined his family in Boston in exile.

From 1985 to 1986, he was retail sales supervisor and youth promotions assistant for Nike Philippines and later an assistant for advertising and promotion for Mondragon Philippines. In 1986, he joined Intra-Strata Assurance Corp. as vice-president of the family-owned corporation.

Politics
Aquino is a leading member of the Liberal Party. He currently holds the position of Vice Chairman of the Liberal Party, having assumed the post on 17 March 2006. He was previously Secretary General of the party (1999-2002), Vice-President of the Luzon Liberal Party (2002-2004), and Secretary General of the party (2004-16 March 2006).

House of Representatives

Aquino was elected to the House of Representatives in 1998, representing the 2nd District of Tarlac. He won re-election in 2001 and 2004, and served until 2007.

Senate


Barred by term limits from seeking a fourth term as the Representative for the second district of Tarlac province, Aquino was elected to the Senate in the May 14, 2007 midterm elections under the banner of the Genuine Opposition (GO), a coalition comprising a number of parties, including his own Liberal Party, seeking to curb attempts by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to amend the Constitution.


Is Manny Villar willing to help the poor and lift up our country to poverty like what he did to his self? As a business man and a politician he will not take advantage of his power to his business like the real estate?
What are comments regarding this one?

Manuel "Manny" Bamba Villar Jr.
(born December 13, 1949) is a Filipino businessman and politician. He is currently a Philippine Senator, president of the Nacionalista Party, and a candidate for president in the 2010 presidential election.

Villar was born to a poor family in Tondo, an impoverished and densely populated district of Manila. After graduating from the University of the Philippines, he worked as an accountant and financial analyst, then launched a highly successful business in real estate.

Villar entered polictics in 1992 elected as Congressman respresenting the district of Las Piñas-Muntinlupa, and became the late Speaker of the House of Representatives. In 2001 he run for Senator and elected became the Senate President from 2006 and 2008.

Education and Early life
Manuel Bamba Villar, Jr. was born on December 13, 1949 in Tondo. His father Manuel Montalban Villar, Sr., was from Cabatuan Iloilo and his mother Curita Bamba came from Orani Bataan. The family rented a small aparment located run-down slum area.

Villar attended Holy Child Catholic School, a private Catholic School in Tondo. And also help her mother selling seafoods in Divisoria Public Market. He finished his high school education at the Mapúa Institute of Technology in Intramuros. He attended the University of the Philippines - Diliman and earned his Bachelor Degree of Business Administrator in 1970. And also earned his master degree in business administration in 1973.

Politics
House of Representatives

Villar entered politics in 1992 when he was elected to the House of Representatives, representing the district of Las Piñas-Muntinlupa (and later the district of Las Piñas City).

Senate

Villar was elected to the Senate in 2001, and later won re-election in 2007.
In July 2006, Villar was chosen Senate President. He had previously held the position of Senate President pro tempore, as well as the chairmanship of the Committees on Finance, Foreign Relations, Public Order, and Committee on Agriculture and Fisheries. In November 2008, he resigned the position due to a lack of support in the Senate, and was succeeded by Juan Ponce Enrile.


Gilberto Eduardo Gerardo "Gilbert"/"Gibô" Cojuangco-Teodoro, Jr.
(born June 14, 1964) is a former Secretary of National Defense of the Philippines, having assumed the post in August 2007 and resigning last November 15, 2009. From 1998 to 2007 he was a member of the House of Representatives, representing the First District of Tarlac province. In March 2009 he announced his intention to run for President of the Philippines in the May 2010 elections.

Education
Teodoro completed his grade school and highschool education at Xavier School run by the Society of Jesus.

Teodoro finished his Bachelor's Degree in Commerce from De La Salle University in 1984. In 1989 he completed his law studies at University of the Philippines, where he was awarded the Dean's Medal for Academic Excellence. In the same year, he topped the Philippine Bar exams.

Political
Congressman

From 1998 to 2007 he was a House Representative for the First District of Tarlac province. He assumed the position of Assistant Majority Leader in the 11th Congress and head of the Nationalist People's Coalition House members.

Secretary of National Defense

Teodoro was appointed Secretary of the Department of National Defense in August 2007 at the age of 43, the youngest person to ever hold the position.

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