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STILL SMILING. A Filipino trader smiles despite plunging share prices at the Philippine Stock Exchange in Manila's financial district in Makati on November 21, 2008. Share prices closed 4.14 percent lower, tracking falls on Wall Street overnight amid weak US economic data, dealers said. The composite index was down 76.43 points at 1,765.90 points. AFP/ROMEO GACAD

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CRAFTING PAYS. Jessica Luzano shows off her creative talent with lighting fixtures and furniture inspired by her passion for crafting.

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GOING DOWN. A Filipino trader monitors plunging share prices at the Philippine Stock Exchange in Manila's financial district in Makati in this file photo. Share prices closed 4.15 percent lower on Friday. AFP/ROMEO GACAD

Who knew that factory waste and plastic can generate income and extract the creative juices of ordinary people like Virgie Buencochillo and Rene Sison? Founder of Invisible Institute Ann Wizer did. By collaborating with NGO Gems Heart, Wizer originally hoped to offer women creative ways to generate income and empower themselves. After ten weeks, the institute grew and transformed into an organization that utilizes the creativity of both men and women in creating everything from stylish bags to sandals by crocheting waste materials such as plastic bags, lighters, unused and rejected syringes. Video interviews conducted by INQUIRER.net multimedia reporter Izah Morales. Royalty-free music courtesy of Kevin MacLeod.

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UPBEAT. A Filipino shopper walks into a foreign brand clothes shop at a Manila shopping mall on November 5, 2008. Consumers remain upbeat in the Philippines, splurging on clothes, holidays and gadgetry despite the financial crisis rocking the world, a Nielsen Co. survey announced November 6, 2008. The Philippines was one of only seven out of 51 countries which did not experience a drop in consumer confidence this year according to an on-line survey of 500 middle-class people conducted by Nielsen from September 22 to October 6. Nielsen credited this to the increased remittances of the eight million Filipinos working overseas, saying this cushioned the country from the effects of the financial crisis in the United States and Europe. AFP PHOTO/ROMEO GACAD

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A Filipino trader monitors stock prices at the Philippine Stock Exchange in Manila's financial district of Makati on November 6, 2008. Philippine share prices closed 3.2 percent lower in line with other Asian markets following heavy losses on Wall Street overnight. AFP PHOTO/ROMEO GACAD

The Business Process Association of the Philippines (BPAP) came up with the top ten "next-wave" cities, or ideal outsourcing locations aside from Metro Manila and Cebu. INQUIRER.net multimedia reporter Lawrence Casiraya talks to BPAP chief Oscar Sañez and Jones Lang LaSalle Leechiu country head David Leechiu about the need to invest in other cities that will compete against India and China.

Singularly, drift wood looks ordinary and to some extent, even trashy; but when put together to sculpt into a figure, it becomes a piece of art that's profitable at the same time. INQUIRER.net multimedia reporter Marjorie Gorospe interviews artist James Webb, the owner of Cebu Homecraft, about their distinct products and how they generate profit from it. Jenno Gacasan, artist and resident designer, also shares his thoughts on the pieces.

Dangwa is famed for having the best flowers at an affordable price. However, INQUIRER.net multimedia reporter Marjorie Gorospe discovers a special flower shop that not only sells flowers, but also peculiar pumpkins harvested for the Halloween season. Personnel at the Puentespina Orchids and Tropical Plants, Inc. Rene Carreon talks about the variety of pumpkins the store sells and how the business is surviving despite the strong competition in the area. Video taken by INQUIRER.net multimedia reporter Izah Morales. Background music courtesy of Kevin MacLeod.

The Asian Institute of Management (AIM) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Foundation have signed a partnership aimed at building a network of corporate foundations focused on corporate social responsibility projects that promote corporate interaction and learning. Asean Foundation executive director Filemon Uriarte says more people will benefit from these foreign CSR programs. Video taken by INQUIRER.net multimedia reporter Alex Villafania.

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SLOWEST PACE. Remittances by Filipinos working abroad rose to $1.3 billion in August, up 10.4% from a year earlier, the central bank said. The amount, however, reflected a slowing down since May this year. Graph by BERNADETTE GARCIA / INQUIRER.net