Tomorrow is November 1. Something on the Macabre. . The Business of Caring for Our Departed Ones.

We have often heard the saying, "There are only 2 things certain in Life and that is Death and Taxes" but to most people, we avoid any talk about Death.

Do you know that there is a thriving business in dealing with the Departed, to wit:

1.  Look at the expansion of Memorial chapels for the Rich and Famous.  Ex Funenaria Paz, Araneta Ave and Downtown Manila, is now in Sucat (inside the Manila Memorial Park, one of the premiere memorial parks in the country) to cater to the affluent communities in Paranaque ((BP, Tahanan Village), Alabang (Ayala-Alabang, San Jose Subd) and more.

Crypts at St Therese Columbarium

  2.  Several Columbariums have risen up (no pun intended) in the country (Columbarium etc).

  3.  Technology invades the Business of Funeral Parlors.  St. Peter's Memorial Chapel offers eBurol (Burol is wake in Tagalog) so that relatives of the departed who are not able to come home to attend the wake and burial (think Green Card holders, OFWs, TNTs or illegal immigrants hehehe) can view the proceedings from where they are based.

Painted on the bluegreen gate "eBurol of St Peter Memorial

4.  The Karaoke is not anymore the exclusive of sing-along bars and night clubs.  My friend went home to Pangasinan and at the plaza, there was a parade/motorcade of sorts led by a cargo truck.  In the rear of the truck, there was a karaoke blaring loud music while a singer was singing a pop tune (not a typical somber sad funeral music).  Apparently, the songs being played where favorites of the Deceased.

5.  In conjunction with No. 4, relatives of the Deceased can also hire a Funeral Planner.  Much like a Wedding Planner, the Funeral Planner is there to plan the whole Funeral proceedings from the wake to the funeral processions and finally, the burial. 

The relatives of the Deceased are either too distraught with the death of their Loved Ones (that they do not have the frame of mind to plan the funeral) or that during the wake and burial, the relatives would like to spend time talking and commiserating with other relatives and friends of the Deceased.

Paper replica of money bills to be burned during the burial ceremony

Paper replica of the Deceased's house

   6.  In Chinatown, there is a thriving business in making Paper reproductions of the worldly possessions of Chinese affluents who have passed away.  You will see colorful paper replicas of bills of money, house, cars and other earthly belongings which will be carried to the final resting of the Deceased to be burned.  (My mom said this is so that the Deceased can bring his earthly possessions to the Great Beyond for his enjoyment.

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Location 101: Bus Terminals

Mister Donut on the side

  If you pass by the Cubao Area right after Farmer's Market going towards Kamuning in Quezon City (North of Manila), you will notice that the area after the intersection of EDSA and Aurora Boulevard is bounded by bus terminals on both sides of the road.

Paslaubong(Take Home) products on display

  There's Victory Lines, Genesis, Five Star, Baliwag Transit and more.

Dunkin Donut and Pao Express (Dimsum)

  And it almost all the bus terminals, there will always be a donut (Dunkin Donut, Mister Donut), siopao and some other quick snacks.

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To see the results of the survey todate, just click the “Show Result” button

First in that Mall but Not Anymore & that Somebody Got Even a Better Spot. What to Do?

This must be what is going through the mind of Manila Scramble. 

You see, for a while, Manila Scramble was the only Scramble outlet in Robinson Galeria and though their location is not in the crowded Foodcourt itself but rather off to the side of the former Fountain Area leading to the Central Escalators, people were lining up (and this is still the case even now) to get their hands on the Scramble craze.

Pinoy Ice Scramble at Rob Galeria Foodcourt

  Suddenly, Pinoy Ice Scramble appeared and they were able to secure a spot right at the Foodcourt just in front of Tokyo Tokyo.  People coming from the EDSA Main Entrance will see the Pinoy Ice Scramble almost before seeing any other food cart.  (Fantastic how Pinoy Ice Scramble did that!!!)

Pinoy Ice Scramble (side view)

  While Manila Scramble is still going strong, I am sure they must have lost some sales to the newcomer Pinoy Ice Scramble. 
Like it or not, Manila Scramble will have to do something about Pinoy Ice Scramble having a better location.  Am sure the Impulse buyers (or first-time scramble eaters) will see the Pinoy Ice Scramble and try it first--- They cannot see the Manila Scramble outlet unless they go further down the Foodcourt area.


With strong demand for space to locate Scramble franchises of all brands, Mall Leasing has started doubling-up the number of scramble franchises in their leasable areas.

Megamall suddenly had Icebreaker Scramble after having two other scramble outfits in the area already, Buzbox Scramble and Scramble Mania.  But this will not be so much concern as Megamall is huge and in two buildings.

But look at Ever Grand Central Supermarket where there are 3 scrambles (Pinoy Ice Scramble, Scramble Madness and other newcomer) in a small area.  In fact two of the scramble outlets are practically facing each other!!!

Before getting a Scramble outlet, discuss exclusivity or territorial protection with the Mall Leasing.  You might get a cheaper franchise (P60,000) but not a brand name scramble and then, the Mall suddenly locates an Icebreaker Scramble or Buzbox Scramble in front of yours,  Can you survive?

If you want to request for further information, send me a message or comment on the above post, please kindly click the "comment" button below this post.

As a NEW FEATURE ON MY NEW BLOG, I am conducting a Reader Survey on "What You Think Is The Hottest Small Business in Manila today". On the Top Right part of this blog is my Survey Poll. Please click your choice as the Best Small Business in Manila and then click "Vote" button.

To see the results of the survey todate, just click the “Show Result” button

If You Are In The Taxi Business, You Should Have Heard of the Vios Killer called. . . the Hyundai Accent Diesel!!!!

  Toyota has for many years cornered the Taxi business starting with the Corona long before, then the Corolla Big Body and at present, the Vios, the original model and the latest called the Batman model.  (Don't ask me why the taxi drivers call the latest Vios incarnate as the Batman model).

Almost all the gasoline-powered Vios are converted to LPG as the Taxi operator can charge a higher boundary (up to P1,800 plus for MGE Taxi, the highest) and earn maybe at least a Peso/liter of LPG by requiring their drivers to only fill-up at company garages.

Of course, the concern of taxi operators is that LPG-powered Vios are prone to overheating as evidenced by cases of warped cylinder heads and other overheating-related problems. This is especially of HIGH CONCERN as the Vios does not have a temperature gauge!!!

For the taxi driver, LPG-powered Vios suffer from poor acceleration especially struggling going over flyovers and hills, Toyota Aircon is very weak and nobody is really sure how safe is inhaling LPG fumes while driving these LPG-powered taxis 24-hours a day!

  After ousting Honda from Third place, Hyundai has set its sights on the Numero Uno, Toyota by offering a better (and maybe healthier) alternative. . .  the diesel-powered Hyundai Accent CRDi

  Diesel is P9.00/liter cheaper than Regular gasoline and therefore the price difference with the cheaper LPG may not be so great if you factor higher maintenance cost due to overheating. 

Likewise, initial reports say that the Hyundai Accent has very good acceleration (good for running Formula 1 races in traffic-infested EDSA as they ran after every taxi rider), has really good cold aircon and appears solid (though time will tell).

Hyundai Accent CRDi Diesel

Drawback is the initial lack of surplus parts in the market and nobody knows how is the reliability in the long-term but if we follow JD Powers, Hyundai Quality is up there with the very best of the cars.  (Would you believe an R & E Taxi driver told me that their company bought some brand-new Hyundai Accents for the purpose of cannibalizing them for parts in the event of accidents etc??)

Oh yeah!!! Toyota does not sell a diesel-powered car in the Philippines.  

If you want to request for further information, send me a message or comment on the above post, please kindly click the "comment" button below this post.

As a NEW FEATURE ON MY NEW BLOG, I am conducting a Reader Survey on "What You Think Is The Hottest Small Business in Manila today". On the Top Right part of this blog is my Survey Poll. Please click your choice as the Best Small Business in Manila and then click "Vote" button.

To see the results of the survey todate, just click the “Show Result” button

More Scramble Updates: Lines. . Lines. . Manila Scramble's the Name!

  I went to Robinson's Galeria Foodcourt to meet a client who availed of my Lotto Consultation Service on How to Setup and Operate Your Own Lotto Outlet.  Since I was early, I decided to check-out the Manila Scramble that my friend told me about.

It was still early in the day but I finally saw the Manila Scramble located not in the Foodcourt but in the middle hallway from the former fountain area leading to the escalators.  Despite not being in the main foodcourt area, it already had a line. And according to my friend, this is the same every day.

They also have an outlet in Robinsons Ermita among other places.  Pricing at P10-P17 is like Icebreaker Scramble.

If you want to request for further information, send me a message or comment on the above post, please kindly click the "comment" button below this post.

As a NEW FEATURE ON MY NEW BLOG, I am conducting a Reader Survey on "What You Think Is The Hottest Small Business in Manila today". On the Top Right part of this blog is my Survey Poll. Please click your choice as the Best Small Business in Manila and then click "Vote" button.

To see the results of the survey todate, just click the “Show Result” button

How a Free Sulit Ad Helped Boost My Lotto Consultation Service

I have only one source of livelihood and that is my PCSO Lotto Outlet which I started about more than 2 years ago.  While it pays for the bills and gets me through my day, I was thinking of a way to capitalize on the skills and experiences (sometimes painful) in running a Lotto outlet.

I then hit on the idea of offering a One-on-One Consultation on How to Setup and Operate Your Own Lotto Outlet and to encourage prospects, I decided to offer  it at a low P2,000 per head for an almost 2-hour session.

My Target Market are OFWs and employees wanting to start an affordable Small Business of their own and I felt, a PCSO Lotto Outlet was exactly what they need.  My biggest challenge was how to market my Lotto Consultation service.


I then remembered my friends mentioning about this outfit offering free ads on the internet and that it has proven profitable for them.   To advertise through the traditional print and media ads were out of the question as I was on a tight budget.  There was only only one solution :I had to get a Sulit ad.

When I posted my ad, nothing much happened but I was excited as I noticed that almost immediately my ad started showing Views.  Soon after, I started getting Private Message or text messages on my mobile inquiring about my Lotto Consultation service.  Since then, I never looked back.  I now have a good sideline business that has allowed me to engage in my passion for Digital Photography as well as help pay my daily expenses.

My blog http://richardjosephsiy.blogspot.com has benefited from my Sulit ads as many of my blog visitors are either my Sulit ad viewers but also my Sulit-generated clients.  Sulit's superior SEO has in a way boosted the Google Analytics of my blogger blog.

To know more about Free Sulit ads, click on this Link right now http://sulit.com.ph and discover a new way of making money online.

LONG LINES AT LOTTO OUTLET DUE TO 2 BIG BACK-TO-BACK JACKPOTS!!!

  For the past weeks, lines at Lotto Outlets are long and business for the Lotto Agent is good due to 2 Big Jackpots:

  6/55 JACKPOT AS OF OCT 17, 2010     P237 Million (Monday-Wednesday-Saturday)

  6/49 JACKPOT AS OF OCT  17, 2010   P121 Million  (Tuesday-Thursday-Sunday)

As you know, Lotto sales are up and up whenever the Jackpot is BIG.

The record LONG LINES WAS WHEN 6/49 REACHED A HIGH OF P347 Million!!!!  Who knows, maybe 6/55 or 6/49 or even both will surpass that level.  Now, that would be just GREAT!!!

 For those interested in going into the Lotto Outlet business, I offer a One-on-One Consultation on How to Set-up and Operate Your Own Lotto Outlet.  Topics will include Site Selection, The Proper Way to Apply with the PCSO, How Much to Set-up a Lotto Outlet, Actual Operations, How to Attract Lotto Players, Hiring The Right Lotto Operator and How to Protect Your Business from Fraud and many many more.  I will share with you my Actual Experiences as a Lotto Agent.  My fee is only P2,000 per head.

If you are interested in availing of my Lotto Consultation, you may text me at 0922-8831225 for details. See ya guys.

If you want to request for further information, send me a message or comment on the above post, please kindly click the "comment" button below this post.

As a NEW FEATURE ON MY NEW BLOG, I am conducting a Reader Survey on "What You Think Is The Hottest Small Business in Manila today". On the Top Right part of this blog is my Survey Poll. Please click your choice as the Best Small Business in Manila and then click "Vote" button.

To see the results of the survey todate, just click the “Show Result” button

Listen Up, Andok's and Baliuag. Bounty Fresh's 800 Chooks To Go OUTLETS are Making a Killing!!!!!

Chooks To Go under LRT Carriedo Station

At first I only noticed them in supermarkets like Waltermart.  I thought it was just a vehicle to promote their dressed chicken for a limited period hence, the supermarket displays.

They always sold out their roasted chicken.  It was certainly tasty without need of gravy or ketsup. 

  And at P169, it is just right for the wallet.  Enough to feed a family, friends making a birthday blowout and more.  At this price, they are cheaper than Andok's and company.  P72 will just get you a One-piece Chicken without drinks at KFC! P100 plus will buy you only a 2-piece Chicken Joy at Jollibee. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

On my way to R. Hidalgo st., Quiapo to get some camera equipment, I then saw a stand-alone booth of Chooks to Go under the LRT Carriedo Station. Today, I read on the Inquirer Ad that there are more than 800 Chooks to Go outlets already!!!!

For the small entrepreneur, this is proof that even though the lechon manok market is dominated by Andoks, Baliuag, Mang bocs and Sr Pedro, there is still room for another brands as long as you can offer a TASTY PRODUCT AT AN AFFORDABLE PRICE.

According to HKR, local importer of Henny Penny from the US of A, their electric Rotisserie will cost P375,000 (half of a Honda Jazz VTEC) but Chooks to Go is using Rotisseries made in China which could be bought for less than half that amount.  Think. Think.

If you want to request for further information, send me a message or comment on the above post, please kindly click the "comment" button below this post.

As a NEW FEATURE ON MY NEW BLOG, I am conducting a Reader Survey on "What You Think Is The Hottest Small Business in Manila today". On the Top Right part of this blog is my Survey Poll. Please click your choice as the Best Small Business in Manila and then click "Vote" button.

To see the results of the survey todate, just click the “Show Result” button

SCRAMBLE NEWS: Cold Scramble with Hot Dog? . . . Check Out Pinoy Scramble.

  As I disembarked the crowded MRT Train at the Taft Station, I noticed the Pinoy Scramble Foodcart.  While all the Scramble franchises I have seen todate  sold only Scramble, this Pinoy Scramble sold also Hotdog sandwich, burgers and what have you.

  I am not sure if that is a good idea to have Scramble with many other food stuffs.  Its more of a snack kart selling everything else. Or, stated another way, they may have everything a stomach needs.  Taste and compare with other Scramble brands.  There is a difference.

Look for Joey Rollo, the owner, at Tel 494-3861.

If you want to request for further information, send me a message or comment on the above post, please kindly click the "comment" button below this post.

As a NEW FEATURE ON MY NEW BLOG, I am conducting a Reader Survey on "What You Think Is The Hottest Small Business in Manila today". On the Top Right part of this blog is my Survey Poll. Please click your choice as the Best Small Business in Manila and then click "Vote" button.

To see the results of the survey todate, just click the “Show Result” button

The Hyundai Challenge: Something for the Would-be Entrepreneur to REALLY THINK ABOUT.

As I looked out the window of the bus I was riding just as it passed the Robinsons Galleria Mall in Quezon City (Central of Metro Manila), I noticed this stunning white car with the shiny black top and swooping lines. 

At first I could not tell what car was it but when it moved forward, I was surprised to find out it is the new Hyundai Sonata (a car that is set-up to go against the likes of market leaders Toyota Camry and Honda Accord).



Hello????  An upstart car made in Korea going against the established Giants Toyota and Honda.

For some facts, during the global car crisis that saw General Motors file for bankruptcy and Toyota to show its first loss in ages, Hyundai was the only one to show growth in sales (albeit not so big but a growth nevertheless when others showed negative sales).  In the Philippines, Hyundai has beaten terribly Honda and is now NUMERO TRES after Toyota and Mitsubishi.  I am sure they will soon be NUMERO UNO.  I see Hyundai Tucson with its beautiful flowing lines (fluidic in Hyundai speak) everywhere when there used to be CRVs and RAV4s before.  There seems to be more Starex vans than Hi-Aces.  They even have a sports car that looks mouth-watering WIDE & LOW-SLUNG, the Hyundai Genesis Coupe with Brembo brakes and 2.0 Turbo or V6 engine (to replace the forgettable Tiburon with the forgettable name).  On the taxi front, it's still Toyota Vios but watch out, the Number One Taxi company group, MGE and R & E, are now trying out 80 units or more of the Hyundai Accent Diesel which is reportedly to have better acceleration than a LPG-converted Vios (who knows about the detrimental health risk associated with LPG conversion kits and the fact that  quite a few LPG Vios have suffered warped cylinder heads as LPG makes the engine overheat versus gasoline). And the scary part is that Toyota will LOSE BY DEFAULT as they do not sell a small diesel car in Manila.

Hey Hoy Hay. . . what has Hyundai got to do with the would-be entrepreneur?  Simply this, EVEN IF YOU ARE THE NEW KID IN THE BLOCK (your the Hyundai kid) entering a well-established industry (the Toyotas and Hondas), YOU HAVE A FIGHTING CHANCE TO BEAT THEM AT THEIR OWN GAME.

If you want to request for further information, send me a message or comment on the above post, please kindly click the "comment" button below this post.

As a NEW FEATURE ON MY NEW BLOG, I am conducting a Reader Survey on "What You Think Is The Hottest Small Business in Manila today". On the Top Right part of this blog is my Survey Poll. Please click your choice as the Best Small Business in Manila and then click "Vote" button.

To see the results of the survey todate, just click the “Show Result” button

PCSO LOTTO TIPS: How NOT To Increase Your Sale of Scratch It Cards

(Sample of PCSO Lotto Scratch card "Knockout".  Look for the Glove and Win the Peso Amount below)

  When you sell PCSO Lotto Scratch It Cards, you earn more than selling Lotto tickets and yet how come not all Lotto outlets are selling it?

Reasons:

1.  Poor Lotto Scratch It Card sales because the Lotto agent failed to provide an area where the Lotto customer can comfortably play the Scratch It cards.

2.  Not all Lotto outlets set-aside their own money to pay the Winning Amounts on the Scratch it cards and instead, they tell the winning Scratch card winner to go to another lotto outlet or to the pcso to claim their winnings.  When they do this, the lotto customer gets really angry because the winnings may be small in amount.

3.  Selling Scratch It cards is time consuming and if the lotto agent's sales are good, he will have to assign a person to just attend to the sale of scratch cards. 

(There are now more than 12 kinds of Scratch Cards todate with names like Go Bananas, Tic Tac Mu, Lucky Tiger, Pito-Pito, Christmas Cash, EZ2, Pot of Gold, Go for Goal, Cash Extravaganza & Sargo)

4.  Some lotto agents do not sell all varieties.  They only sell the fast-selling scratch cards.

5.  They do not have the latest scratch it card games.  (Lucky Circle and some lotto outlets are able to get the latest scratch it cards ahead of the other lotto outlets)


For those interested in going into the Lotto Outlet business, I offer a One-on-One Consultation on How to Set-up and Operate Your Own Lotto Outlet.  Topics will include Site Selection, The Proper Way to Apply with the PCSO, How Much to Set-up a Lotto Outlet, Actual Operations, How to Attract Lotto Players, Hiring The Right Lotto Operator and How to Protect Your Business from Fraud and many many more.  I will share with you my Actual Experiences as a Lotto Agent.  My fee is only P2,000 per head.


If you are interested in availing of my Lotto Consultation, you may text me at 0922-8831225 for details. See ya guys.

If you want to request for further information, send me a message or comment on the above post, please kindly click the "comment" button below this post.

As a NEW FEATURE ON MY NEW BLOG, I am conducting a Reader Survey on "What You Think Is The Hottest Small Business in Manila today". On the Top Right part of this blog is my Survey Poll. Please click your choice as the Best Small Business in Manila and then click "Vote" button.

To see the results of the survey todate, just click the “Show Result” button

PCSO LOTTO UPDATE: Lotto Outlet is Now Inside the MRT Station. . . Lotto Business Must Be Good!!!

(This is Actual Photo of my Lotto Outlet in a Mall in Quezon City)

  After Going through a Surgery to remove my wisdom tooth that decided to live under my gums, I had to climb the MRT Boni Station to get to the other side of EDSA (Robinson Pioneer Mall side) and wait for a taxi.

  While crossing the MRT Station above, I noticed that there is already a Lotto Station inside the MRT Station itself.  This is part of the series of Lotto Outlets that are being set-up in selected MRT stations and are all owned by Pacific Online Systems, the partner of the PCSO for the Visayas and Mindanao areas as well as the owner of the Lucky Circle Corp that has exclusive rights to operate Lotto outlets in all SM Malls (of course, SM owns Pacific Online indirectly through Belle Resources, the owner  of Pacific Online).

Well, if SM thinks Lotto is worthwhile to invest their huge Cash War Chest, then LOTTO MUST BE A GOOD BUSINESS!!!

(Your Lotto Customers can WIN AS MUCH AS P200,000 FROM SCRATCHING A SINGLE SCRATCH IT CARD! And you, as the Lotto Agent, gets 10% for Winnings over P10,000/card))

(There are so many PCSO Lotto Scratch It Cards to sell!!)

(Sample of a PCSO Lotto Scratch It Card)

(Long Lines at my Lotto Outlet)

(Sample of a PCSO Lotto ticket)

  For those interested in going into the Lotto Outlet business, I offer a One-on-One Consultation on How to Set-up and Operate Your Own Lotto Outlet.  Topics will include Site Selection, The Proper Way to Apply with the PCSO, How Much to Set-up a Lotto Outlet, Actual Operations, How to Attract Lotto Players, Hiring The Right Lotto Operator and How to Protect Your Business from Fraud and many many more.  I will share with you my Actual Experiences as a Lotto Agent.  My fee is only P2,000 per head. 

(Sample of a PCSO Lotto Playslip)

If you are interested in availing of my Lotto Consultation, you may text me at 0922-8831225 for details. See ya guys.

If you want to request for further information, send me a message or comment on the above post, please kindly click the "comment" button below this post.





As a NEW FEATURE ON MY NEW BLOG, I am conducting a Reader Survey on "What You Think Is The Hottest Small Business in Manila today". On the Top Right part of this blog is my Survey Poll. Please click your choice as the Best Small Business in Manila and then click "Vote" button.

To see the results of the survey todate, just click the “Show Result” button

2010 AFFI FILIPINO FRANCHISE SHOW: The Corner Bakery is Very Much Alive!!!

While it is true that we Filipinos eat Rice as a main staple, our consumption for Bread and baked goods has definitely increase.  Look at the success of Gardenia which has trumped all local bakeries and this Malaysian-owned company is now planning to open a huge factory in Cebu, right in the heartland of Julie's Bakeshop.

  Not fazed by the above, Julie's Bakeshop just announced that they have, I think, more than 800 branches already and are targeting to open many more this year.

Franchise Fee          p250,000
Deposit                    250,000
Equipment                650,000
Pre-open package     192,000
Insurance                  10,000
Construction &
  Working Cap           855,000
Reserve Fund           384,000

Total INVESTMENT P2,791,000

While P2.8Million is a hefty sum of money, you could study Commercial Baking at the TLRC or Bake Institute and then set-up your own bakeshop using locally fabricated baking equipment from Almedah, Gomeco and the other local baking equipment manufacturers in the country.

Contact nos. 642-2218    643-5024

If you want to request for further information, send me a message or comment on the above post, please kindly click the "comment" button below this post.

As a NEW FEATURE ON MY NEW BLOG, I am conducting a Reader Survey on "What You Think Is The Hottest Small Business in Manila today". On the Top Right part of this blog is my Survey Poll. Please click your choice as the Best Small Business in Manila and then click "Vote" button.

To see the results of the survey todate, just click the “Show Result” button