Saturday, March 5, 2011

Macapagal Money

The picture of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in the new 200 peso bill has been replaced by the new dominant photo of a tarsier.  The picture of Arroyo’s inaugural ceremony in 2001—printed at the back of the old bill—will still appear on the bill, this time on the front side, although a bit too small.


“The swearing in of GMA is on the front side of the new 200-peso note,” Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas says (BSP) Governor Amando Tetangco Jr. in reply to insinuations that the former President was downgraded in the new design.  The old bill bears the signature of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and Rafael Buenaventura. The little girl holding a Bible in between Arroyo and Davide at the reverse of the note is Cecilia Paz Razon Abad, daughter of former Philippine Education Secretary Florencio Abad and Batanes Representative Henedina Razon-Abad.

Sunday, February 27, 2011

Beef Cuts

Chuck, Brisket, Rib, Plate, Short Loin, Flank, Sirloin, Tenderloin, Top Sirloin, Bottom Sirloin, Round, Shank

Saturday, February 26, 2011

Yen Baet

Rain fell constantly on this dreary autumn day in Hallstatt. Under the comfort of a small umbrella, I tried to capture the quiet serenity of this quaint town as the clouds drifted low over Hallstatt lake.


Filipina photographer Yen Baet's entry to the National Geographic Photo Contest.  "Rainy Night in Hallstatt", was taken in Austria as twilight crept in. It shows a church by a picturesque lake.  Baet learned photography on her own. She has a degree in English, and has been published in the Philippines and Japan.  She was born in the Philippines but immigrated to the US. England is now her home, though

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Fundamental Factors behind Major Currencies


Every currency traded in Forex is influenced by the conditions in its country of origin, and the external relations that affect its value. Economic Indicators (GDP growth, import/export trade accounts), social factors (unemployment rate, real estate market conditions) and the country’s central bank policy are the factors that determine the currency value in the Forex market. Each one of the six major currencies has its particularities, and we are going to analyze the fundamentals that drive the currencies individually.

The U.S. dollar (USD) is the most traded currency in the Forex market. It is also used as a measure to evaluate other currencies and commodities. The reserves in USD are by far the largest being held by different nations, and they compose 64% of the world reserves. Globally speaking, the fundamentals that drive the U. S. Dollar are several. Since the largest amount of metallic commodities and the oil are mostly traded with prices in USD, significant demand variations in these markets will reflect directly on the currency value, as it happened in 2008 with the EUR/USD reaching 1.60, being the oil price a big contributor for this event. In the domestic market, the biggest factor that has been moving the dollar are the industry indicators and the real estate boom, and both were caused by an unsustainable credit system which could not be paid, causing a domino effect in the United States economy, and consequently, worldwide. During the last few years, the USD has been losing ground for other currencies, thanks to the credit bubble, and erroneous social policies, but it will still remain as one of the most powerful currencies for an undetermined period of time.

The euro (EUR) is by far the newest currency traded among the major pairs traded on Forex markets. It is used by 16 European Union member countries and it tends to enlarge during the next few years. The fundamental factors that move the Euro are often based on the strongest economies using the new common currency, such as: France, Italy and mainly Germany. The countries’ indicators regarding export trade, inflation and unemployment rate tend to have a high impact on the EUR movements, considering that countries such as Germany are larger exporters of manufactures and technology. Europe still remains an energy dependant from the Russian gas and the Middle Eastern Oil, making higher demands for these commodities to have a negative reflect on the European Union common currency.

The pound sterling (GBP) is the national currency of the United Kingdom, and the fundamental factors that move it are as complex and variable as the British economy and its global influence. The London commodity market plays a fundamental role in the GBP trends, being a reference for oil and gold trading. Nevertheless, as a powerful and globally dynamic economy, the United Kingdom indicators, social situation and the housing sector are perhaps the main determinant factors for the GBP price. Lately, the British economy has faced inflation issues, which led the interest rates to be cut, industrial recession, and other domestic factors that made the trading movements to naturally flow from the GBP towards other strong economically backed currencies, such as the EUR.
The Japanese yen (JPY) is the strongest and by far the most traded currency in the Asian market. Japan’s economy is mainly orientated to the industrial production exportation, and the economic situation of its main commercial partner, the USA, tends to have a direct influence on the JPY market. The JPY is a low-yield currency, being the GBP/JPY the most volatile pair traded on Forex, usually the scalper’s favorite one.
Switzerland is a small country located in the European Alps, yet, its strong international trade and money influx, made the Swiss franc (CHF), one of the main currencies traded on Forex. The CHF is often preferred by low yield investors. In times of financial instability, such as for the last years with the USD, many traders choose the CHF as a safe investment. The CHF trends can be often compared to those of the gold, increasing their value while other markets’ tends to depreciate during economic downturns.

The Canadian Dollar (CAD) faces a similar situation with the other commodity currencies, being majorly an export-dependable. Most of the Canadian production is exported to the USA. Facing the very same credit bubble problem that dragged America into recession, Canada has to deal also with a decreasing demand for all commodities. The CAD usually correlates positively with the prices for the all commodities.

Sunday, February 6, 2011

Saturday, February 5, 2011

E. Murray Bruner Philippine Collection

These photographs were taken by E. Murray Bruner who was a member of the Philippines Constabulary, First Company Isabella, from 1906—1910. The E. Murray Bruner Philippine Collection is part of the South East Asian Images and Text collection of the University of Wisconsin.

An Echague Belle: Consuela
Sra. Consuela Perrere poses for a photograph.
 
A Group of Native Officers and One American.
  American and Filipino soldiers pose for a photograph.

Filipino Girls, Posing.
Two Filipino girls pose for a photograph.

The bride and Family.
A bride poses for a photograph with her family and two American soldiers.

Ah Yet - Waiter, Ah - Cook, Ah Shim - Waiter.
Three Filipino men pose for a photograph.

American Man and Filipino Women.
An American military officer poses for a photograph with two Filipino women.

Officers Quarters, Teachers Camp, Baguio, P.I.
Officers quarters, teachers camp, Baguio, P.l. Tents in the forest.

Igorots
Igorot warriors pose for a photograph.
Weaving at Banaue
Two women weaving using a traditional backstrap loom.

Pulling Wood.
Four soldiers ride carabao pulling a heavy piece of wood.

Officers Ave. Camp John Hay, Baguio
  A row of military buildings.