10 New Year's resolutions and how to make them work

MANILA – It’s that time again when people start making resolutions for the New Year. But how many of these are maintained and fulfilled?

Here are ten of the most common New Year’s resolutions and how you can make them work.

Resolution #1: I will lose weight.

How to make it work: Be more specific. How much weight do you want to lose? What is your time frame for reaching these goals? The more specific you are, the more likely you will be able to reach them. More importantly, make sure that you have a specific diet plan to fulfill this resolution. Here’s an example: “I will only eat half a cup of rice per meal and more vegetables.” The next thing you know, you are already two sizes smaller.

Click here for some safe weight loss tips.

Resolution #2: I will go to the gym.

How to make it work: Feeling guilty during the holiday binge, some people tend to sign up for gym memberships only to end up wasting them. If you have never stepped foot in a gym for the past six months, chances are it won’t change this coming year. There are plenty of ways to exercise outside the gym, from trying a sport to following fitness videos. If you don’t have time for both, you can start with this resolution: “I will take the stairs at work or when I’m out and about.” That will definitely burn some calories.

Click here for some exercise tips to kick start your day.

Resolution #3: I will save more money.

How to make it work: It’s easy to say this at the start of the year, but not when you are faced with a beautiful pair of shoes, or while you are hanging out at your favorite coffee shop. Skip the items you don’t need and watch your savings grow. Here’s a resolution that you can make: “I will drink coffee at home instead of buying that expensive latte.”

Read finance guru Suze Orman’s take on “latte expenses” here.

Resolution #4: I will never be late again.

How to make it work: This resolution requires breaking a habit by replacing it with another one. Make concrete steps -- sync your watches and clocks to follow the Philippine standard time. Sleep early. Set your alarm an hour earlier than you intend to wake up, and make this resolution: “I will stop hitting the snooze button.”

Resolution #5: I will keep my house clean and organized.

How to make it work: If you have always been disorganized, chances are you will have a hard time fulfilling this resolution. Start small by telling yourself: “I will organize my closet this Saturday.” Continue by cleaning other parts of your room until you finish the entire house.

Resolution #6: I will stop smoking.

How to make it work: Going cold turkey is not the most effective way for most people who want to stop smoking. Take baby steps instead – if you usually smoke two packs of cigarettes a day, reduce it by half. Here’s an example: “I will only smoke one pack of cigarettes a day.” After a few weeks, take it a step further by cutting the number of cigarettes you smoke daily to half a pack. The next thing you know, you won’t even miss it.

Resolution #7: I will spend less time on Facebook, Twitter, etc.

How to make it work: This is another tricky resolution to make, especially if you already have the habit of checking your social media pages throughout the day. Try this resolution instead: “I will not check my Facebook, Twitter and other social media accounts when I’m outside the house, unless it’s really important.” If this is too much for you, start with keeping your phone during meals. Less screen time will help you cultivate and maintain relationships with the people around you.

Resolution #8: I will be more concerned about the environment.

How to make it work: You don’t have to be a vegetarian to express your concern for Mother Earth. All you need is to change a few habits, from turning off lights and appliances that are not in use to using recycled items. Here’s another example to help you get started: “I will bring my own water bottle to work or school.”

Click here for more eco-friendly tips.

Resolution #9: I will start dating other people.

How to make it work: You cannot just decide to go out and date the first person you meet. It is not only dangerous – it will also make you look desperate. Make this resolution instead: “I will go out and make an effort to meet new people.” Making yourself more “visible” will boost your chances of finding a long-term partner. If it doesn’t work out, you still end up having more friends.

Resolution #10: I will spend more time with my family.

How to make it work: This may be hard for career-oriented people to fulfill. Free up some time to spend with your family by making this concrete resolution: “I will have dinner at home with my family every Sunday.” This will lessen the chances of you working overtime or accidentally scheduling a night out with friends.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Consumer trends to watch out for in 2014

MANILA, Philippines - 2014 is expected to bring challenges to Asia, amid political upheavals and economic slowdown. As we welcome the new year, here are some consumer trends that we should watch out for, according to Trendwatching.com.

"For those who adapt to Asian consumers’ rapidly changing needs, there are countless opportunities ripe for the picking. Brands that champion change – giving voice to the concerns of the masses, then answering them – will also win priceless consumer favor. But where brands fail to catch on fast enough, expect a new breed of Asian ‘civic-consumers’ to step in – showing off their resourcefulness with a dose of Made-in-Asia-for-Asia ingenuity," Trendwatching.com said in its December Asia Trend Bulletin.

1. Space strapped

Asia's megacities will face space constraints, with every square meter becoming worth more and more. Trendwatching.com noted that Asian citydwellers will be looking for "smaller, affordable and well-designed brand solutions."

"Searching for big opportunities in the coming months? Then think small: compact, foldable, stackable, modular, vertical, cantilevered, portable, flexible, even hidden. Remember: the goal is to squeeze more from less, and make Asian micro-living as efficient, creative and comfortable as possible," it added.

Among the companies that are capitalizing on this trend are IKEA with its compact furniture solutions; and Daewoo's mini, "wall-mounted" washing machine. The Korean Advanced Institute of Science and Technology is developing the Armadillo-T, an electric car that can be folded in half to save on space.

2. Secondhand status

A new generation of middle class Asians are starting to spend more, whether its on clothes, electronics or luxury goods. But many of these newly rich Asians still can't let go of their frugal nature, so they opt for the next best thing: secondhand goods.

"Whether buying marked-down luxury items, secondhand (design) fashion pieces, or consumer electronics, these consumers will seek status and access, but at a more affordable – and less intimidating – price point," Trendwatching said.

Examples include a nonprofit organization, Green Bug, that operates stores that specialize in secondhand items in Mumbai. In China, there is a growing number of stores selling secondhand luxury branded handbags and clothes.

3. Faithfacturing

With many young Asian consumers preferring to keep their faith, brands should try to also cater to these religious consumers.

Trendwatching.com noted some apps are catering to Muslims, such as Crescent Trips which helps Muslim travelers keep their daily prayer requirements; and Peace Mobile app which contains Islamic content. An Indonesian magazine Hijabella, catering to modern Muslim women, was launched in 2013.

4. Crowdcracked

Young Asian "civic-consumers" are showing a desire to participate in efforts to solve social issues.

"Forward-thinking socially-minded entrepreneurs will already be working with communities to deliver crowd-powered solutions. Brands too should consider how to foster, support, incubate, include, and, yes, lead enthusiastic Asian consumers... As you head into 2014, think about how to behave and respond in a world where consumers have very different (read: higher) expectations around brand – and indeed consumer – participation and contribution," Trendwatching.com said.

Examples include Google's Crisis Map for flood victims in the Philippines, and Bribespot Thailand, an app that tracks incidents of bribery.

5. Made Livable in China

Chinese consumers are prioritizing health and safety in 2014, amid continued pollution problems and food safety scandals in China.

"Brands who believe that health is wealth should think beyond obvious medical sectors, incorporating affordable urban design or reliable ways to track information provenance. And don’t be afraid to use China as a launchpad: though Chinese consumers might be experiencing some of the most extreme environmental and health challenges, similar innovations will undoubtedly be welcomed by pollution-afflicted urban audiences throughout the rest of Asia too," Trendwatching.com said.

Examples include Panasonic's compact tabletop air purifiers; sale of sealed cans of oxygen; and the invention of a "breathing" bicycle (a modified bike with an air-filtration device to provide clean air).

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Dubai kicks off 2014 with dazzling world record bid

DUBAI - Dubai attempted to smash the fireworks world record as it ushered in 2014 with a bang, as a wave of pyrotechnics swept around the globe to celebrate the New Year.

The Middle East hub was hoping to break the Guinness World Record for the largest-ever display, pledging to set off more than 400,000 fireworks.

People crowded in the streets below took pictures on their mobile phones as the salvo lit up the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest tower at 830 metres high.

To the strains of Arabic pop music, the five-minute thundering display filled the skies above the United Arab Emirates' main city.

Kuwait set the record in 2011 with an hour-long blast of 77,282 fireworks.

Sydney had the first of the world's major pyrotechnic shows, with seven tonnes of explosives lighting up Australia's biggest city.

Fireworks shot off the Opera House for the first time in more than 10 years as part of the extravaganza, focused on the Harbour Bridge.

"The Opera House was fantastic," said Murphy Robertson, from Denver in the United States, after watching the Aus$6 million ($5.4 million) show which attracted some 1.5 million people to harbour vantage points.

"The thing that really got me was the sparks, the golden curtain of sparks going off the bridge."

Kiribati and Samoa in the Pacific were the first to see in the New Year at 1000 GMT Tuesday, in a wave of celebrations that will finish on the United States' remote Howland and Baker Islands at 1200 GMT Wednesday.

Tonga, located near the international dateline, was one of the first nations to say farewell to 2013, holding a prayer festival that culminated with a bamboo "cannon" fired into the air.

In Antarctica, passengers and crew on the Akademik Shokalskiy ship -- awaiting rescue after being trapped for a week in ice -- rang in the new year with a specially composed song lamenting the "great shame we are still stuck here".

In Hong Kong, the city's skyscrapers were lit up by a dazzling eight-minute pyrotechnics show fired from a one-kilometre line of barges along Victoria Harbour.

An estimated 400,000 revellers packed the shoreline to watch the show.

Further down, groups of teenagers gathered with sign boards offering "free hugs" to passers by.

"We're doing it because it's fun and it makes people happy," said 16-year-old local Wendy Yip.

In Japan, the celebrations were quieter. Small fireworks displays were held across the country. But millions of people turned out to local temples and shrines to greet the new year with contemplation and to pray for peace for relatives.

Muted celebrations in typhoon-ravaged Philippines

For areas ravaged by Super Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines, celebrations were much more muted than usual.

In Tacloban, which bore the brunt of the November 8 storm, officials planned a midnight fireworks display to try to raise spirits in a region where nearly 8,000 died or are still missing.

In the ruined farming village of San Isidro, residents are still grappling with the overpowering stench of death as 1,400 corpses stacked in black body bags lay in a field, more than seven weeks after the tragedy.

Seoul rang in 2014 with a ritual clanging of the city's 15th-century bronze bell 33 times, reflecting the ancient custom for marking a new year.

In Singapore, people flocked to the financial district for fireworks while thousands of white spheres were launched on Marina Bay, holding residents' wishes for 2014.

Jakarta set up 12 city centre stages for performances to showcase the vast archipelago's kaleidoscope of cultures.

But in Indonesia's sharia stronghold of Banda Aceh, Islamic police seized thousands of firecrackers and cardboard trumpets after the city administration banned New Year's Eve celebrations for the first time.

In Mumbai, revellers celebrated a court victory over the local police force, which pushed back closing time in bars and restaurants to 5:00am instead of 1:30am.

In Rio de Janeiro, authorities are predicting that 2.3 million people -- a third of them tourists -- will crowd Copacabana Beach for fireworks and pop music as Brazil kick off a year that will see them host football's World Cup.

Major spectaculars will also light Berlin's Brandenburg Gate and central London when parliament's Big Ben bell chimes midnight.

Some 300,000 revellers are expected at the Champs-Elysees in Paris, while about a million people will gather in New York to mark the stroke of midnight and the traditional New Year's Eve ball-drop over Times Square.

Cape Town will have a free concert with fireworks and a 3D tribute to former South African president Nelson Mandela, who died on December 5.

In the Netherlands however, Dutch police arrested 100 youths who pelted firefighters with bottles and fireworks in a central town notorious for its unruly New Year celebrations. One man was killed by fireworks in the small northern town of Medemblik.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Muted revelry in Tacloban as global fireworks usher in 2014

MANILA, Philippines – Tacloban was a picture of a city trying to get back to its feet as the world ushered in 2014 Tuesday night.

Residents were lining up to buy bread or cakes; some were queuing for fruits. Nearing midnight, a concert by singer Rico Blanco, whose family hails from Leyte province, is being prepared. But not all is New Year’s Eve as usual.

“Hindi rin mapigilan ang mga residente na salubungin ang Bagong Taon sa nakasanayang paraan tulad ng pagpapaputok at paghahanda,” reporter Jenette Ruedas said in her report for TV Patrol.

Ruedas likened Tacloban City streets to Divisoria, a strip bustling with food stalls and ambulant vendors with various wares in downtown Manila. But the wrath of typhoon Yolanda, which ripped through Tacloban and nearby cities November 8, is still palpable.

“Mabenta ang torotot bagamat may ilan pa ring nagbebenta ng paputok kahit hindi gaanong mabili,” Ruedas said.

Officials were preparing a midnight fireworks display to try to boost spirits, despite nearly 8,000 dead or missing.

Aid agencies are also organizing free concerts or distributing food for the traditional New Year's Eve dinner, an Agence France Press reporter said.

In the small, ruined farming village of San Isidro, residents are still grappling with the overpowering stench of death as 1,400 corpses stacked in black body bags lay in a field, more than seven weeks after the tragedy.

In any case, Taclobanons are hopeful. They are scheduled to see a fireworks display in the city hall after the concert, Ruedas said.

World welcomes 2014

Elsewhere in the world, traditional yearend fireworks that would usher in the new year began lighting up the skies of some of the world’s biggest landmarks.

Sydney kicked off a promised unprecedented spectacular to mark New Year celebrations, the first in a wave of pyrotechnics to usher in 2014 from Hong Kong to world record-chasing Dubai.

Tonnes of explosives were set to light up Australia's biggest city, with fireworks shooting off the Opera House for the first time in more than 10 years as part of the December 31 extravaganza, focused on the Harbour Bridge.

Sydney lord mayor Clover Moore said the Aus$6 million show ($5.4 million), themed "Shine", was expected to attract 1.6 million spectators.

"We are ready to host the world's best New Year's Eve on the world's most beautiful harbour," Moore told reporters earlier in the day.

The first of a record three fireworks displays took place three hours before midnight, as part of the show Moore promised would be "bigger than ever", showering color over Sydney Harbour.

Dubai’s record-breaking display

Dubai is hoping to break the Guinness World Record for the largest display, pledging to set off more than 400,000 fireworks. Kuwait set the mark in 2011 with an hour-long blast of 77,282 fireworks.

Tonga, located near the international dateline, was one of the first nations to greet 2014, holding a prayer festival that culminates with a bamboo "cannon" fired into the air.

Hong Kong’s countdown

Cities across Asia will be next to hail the New Year, with Hong Kong boasting the biggest-ever countdown show for the Chinese city.

Fireworks will soar from skyscrapers and a one-kilometer line of barges along Victoria Harbour in a "wish upon a star" tourism board show.

In Japan, shoppers were busy buying crabs, tuna sashimi and other delicacies to feast in the New Year, with noodle shops doing an especially brisk trade.

Eating noodles on New Year's Eve is regarded in Japan as a symbolic act to wish for a long life.

Millions of people were due to visit shrines and temples through to early morning in massive, yet quiet tradition, paying their first annual respects and praying for peace for relatives.

Seoul will ring in 2014 with a ritual clanging of the city's 15th-century bronze bell 33 times, reflecting the ancient practice for marking a new year.

Elsewhere in Asia…

In Singapore, people will flock to the financial district for fireworks while thousands of white spheres will be launched to bob on Marina Bay, holding residents' wishes for 2014.

Jakarta has set up 12 city center stages for performances to showcase the vast archipelago's kaleidoscope of cultures.

However, 6,500 police will be out to ensure security amid warnings that extremists in the Muslim-majority nation may target the celebrations, prompting travel warnings from countries including neighboring Australia.

In Indonesia's sharia stronghold of Banda Aceh, Islamic police seized thousands of firecrackers and cardboard trumpets after the city administration banned New Year's Eve celebrations for the first time.

"There should be no activity whatsoever to celebrate the turn of the year," senior Banda Aceh sharia police official Reza Kamilin said after the clerical Ulema Consultative Assembly said New Year's celebrations or wishing someone "Merry Christmas" was "haram" (forbidden) in the city.

In Mumbai, revelers celebrated a court victory over the local police force, which pushed back closing time in bars and restaurants to 5 a.m. instead of 1:30 a.m.

Last year India cancelled most of its official New Year's celebrations after the fatal gangrape of a student on a New Delhi bus on December 16, which sparked protests and a year of introspection about women's rights.

Revelers and a memorial

In Rio de Janeiro, authorities are predicting 2.3 million people -- a third of them tourists -- will crowd Copacabana Beach for fireworks and pop music.

Major spectaculars will also light up Moscow's Red Square, Berlin's Brandenburg Gate and central London when Big Ben chimes midnight.

An expected one million revelers will gather in New York to mark the stroke of midnight and the traditional New Year's Eve ball-drop over Times Square.

Cape Town will have a free concert with fireworks and a 3D tribute to Nelson Mandela who died on December 5.

Images from the anti-apartheid hero's life will be projected onto City Hall where he gave his first speech after release from 27 years in prison in 1990. -- with report from Agence France-Presse

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

7 firecrackers to avoid this New Year

Do you plan to welcome 2014 with a bang? A word of warning: as of Dec 30, the Department of Health has reported a 30 percent increase in firecracker-related injuries compared to last year.

"Out of the 253 firecracker injuries reported so far, 164 were caused by 'Piccolo'...a small tubular fireworks that whistles then explodes," reports ABS-CBNnews.com.

Call us kill-joys, but we feel we need to say this: Keep your hands off the firecrackers. And while we still have our digits intact, we're sticking our middle finger to these blasters:

1. Green Environmental Protection

The name doesn't fool us: Green Environmental Protection is being sold at PHP150 per box in Bocaue, Bulacan, and claims to be very safe and not produce waste.

2. Kiramisu

Kiramisu, sold underground in Divisoria for PHP50 "can split a pig's feet," according to the vendor we spoke to.

3. The Great Bawang Corsair

The Great Bawang Corsair, also sold in Divisoria's black market, promises a very loud boom at PHP10 per box.

4. Plapla

Plapla, another firecracker that has been declared illegal, cost PHP50 for 10 pieces, and can injure 6 persons in one blast.

For the complete list of 7 firecrackers to avoid, read the original story at the Coconuts Manila website.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com