3rd Annual Christmas Sweepstakes

[jadegil6]

The Sweepstakes this year will be for two prizes of 2000 pesos each, paid out on December 24, 2011 in Php by a Western Union money transfer.

Rules are:
(1) All posts on the forum will count as one entry.
(2) If you win and you are a filipina, then you will be paid the money.
(3) If you win and you are not a filipina, then the prize will be paid to Hope House Cebu, a Christian Ministry helping the poor.
(4) Site Administrator (Michael) will keep track of the number of posts you make on the Forum between December 4, 2011 and December 23, 2011. Cut-off time will be at midnight, 12/23/11 at 12 PM Central Standard Time (US), which is the same as 2 PM on 12/24/11 in the Philippines. Each 30 word (or more) post will be counted as one entry, and entered under your name. Drawing will be within 12 hours of cutoff time, and winners notified by email and by forum announcement at that time. Payment will be made ASAP, hopefully on 12/24/11 (US time). If payment is to go to Hope House Cebu, then it will ether be paid to their representative in the US, or through therir PayPal account online.
(5) All posts will count as one entry. Multiple posts per day ARE allowed, so if you maKe ten posts in one day, then you will get ten entries for that day. Any post that is less than 30 words will not be counted, because you need to make a realistic contribution to the forum, and not just be writing a few meaningless, nonsensical words to earn an entry.
(6) Void where prohibited. (which has never been an issue previously)

[chaychay644]

I like this criteria..coz unlike before, anyone can join in the sweepstakes draw even if they don't bother to post/contribute in the forum..they just log in for the sake of their sweepstakes entry..so thumbs up to you sir Michael for this wonderful idea..

[jadegil6]

I wasn't going to have a Sweeps this year because of the loss of all income, but I decided that I would make an attempt to give away a little somethin somethin. lol
Not many entries to add up, and better chances for the few who are posting to win something.
Good luck!

[Edwin]

Yes, Sir Michael, I know there was one complaint as ChayChay alluded to that a person won the sweepstakes who had not made one post to the forum, and like you say all it took then was to log in, send the entry, and log out. This is great that you are encouraging people to post because that is what keeps things interesting here is when people interact with other people on the subjects posted, or start a new interesting post that people are interested in responding to. You are also correct in that there will be fewer entries where people actually have to put out some effort and time in order to make an entry for the sweepstakes. Then too we are stimulated to post more if we see more people posting. That may not be true for everyone, but I think it is true for many of us. Community feels good, and what we have here is a little community. Then another thing I don't think many people think about is that there are many here who only read posts and don't respond. They just enjoy reading other people's thoughts, and that is okay, but it would be nice to encourage them to get in here and post as well. Also for the people who are hoping to win attractions this is a wonderful place where Christianity is encouraged, and they can find friends who have good morals and are quality people rather than the type of people who are self serving and willing to damage other people. This is the place to find good people. So if you are just reading and not posting, that is okay, but I would like to encourage those people to get in and write something that other people can read and respond too. Get on here and be seen, because if you just read, no one is going to find you, but if you post people will see you, and someone will be interested in you. Don't hide your candle under a bushel, but let it shine for all to see!

[mitch1989]

woow i like it..thank you so much sweepstakes back,,

[edeline]

You are so kind Michael. I am also glad with the new criteria that you are making. hehehe, I tried entering the sweepstakes before but I guess I didn't have the luck on it so that was it. The person who will be winners will surely be very happy. Good luck to all.

[Edwin]

Yes, I agree with edeline and others that Sir Michael is very kind to have this sweepstakes' drawing, and some deserving people no doubt will win. So good luck everyone, and get in there and post a plenty. This is a great encouragement to make the forum active, and that is a very positve step in the right direction. So get in there respond, post, and start new subjects. We may not win after all, but we will sure have a lot of fun in the process!

[jadegil6]

I have just conducted the drawing.

There were 2 names drawn.

Each wins $50.00. I increased the amounts from 2000 pesos to $50.00 which at the time of this posting is 43.35 pesos per dollar at the Western Union office in Cebu City....equaling 2,167.5 pesos.

The first name selected is Edwin. Since he is an American, then his $50.00 will be donated to Hope House Cebu.

The second name selected is edeline.

I will notify them both through an email, and make arrangements for the payments.

Congratulations to these forum members.

Thanks to all of you who have posted and entered.

Merry Christmas to all.

[Edwin]

Congratulations to the winners! Funny, huh, congratulations to me and Edeline! I am very happy that what I won goes to the Hope House Cebu. I am very happy that Edeline won, and she can use it to help with her needs.

Merry Christmas Eve to all of us on this side of the ocean, and Merry Christmas Day to all people in the Philippines and on that side of the world. Some of our family were from out of town; came for Carol's Birthday, so we opened presents with them and with our kids here which was fun. Our other daughter, not one of the twins, got to be with her two daughters, one who lives in town, but never gets to see her, and the other lives with our other twin, and it was very nice for the daughters and the mother. Then we got time with our kids, and our daughter that we don't see often, and that was fun too! I took her home and had a good visit with her on the way.

A little while after we got there, the Grampa, who owns horses and a rodeo arena, anyway he and his granddaughter came. Then another family member called, they are all Indians (Native Americans), and asked why there were so many cars there. Grampa said that he probably thought he was missing a party, and there might be Tequila there, but no there was no Tequila there! They had to go water the horses, so at that time I went home, and then we enjoyed an early Christmas with the rest of our kids and my sister.

[edeline]

Congratulations to you too Edwin. I didn't expect that I will win in this Christmas. I am so happy with it and yes it can help me.

Thanks Sir Michael for the kindness you give to the people here. I thought that I don't have the luck in this kind of sweepstakes. hehehe

Merry Christmas to all and thanks once again. I hope that we will all have a wonderful Christmas.