Lacson stands by his record and experience

Sen.  Ping Lacson: The most qualified, the most competent, the most experienced candidate.

Senator Panfilo “Ping” has once again proven he is truly the  corruption-buster “Mr. Clean” he is touted to be. In recent articles, the  presidential candidate known for his strong anti-corruption stance, was recently vindicated for previous crimes he was unjustly accused of during the Arroyo administration. No less than  former President Sen. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, in her recently launched memoir entitled “Deus Ex Machina,” admitted that the accusations against Sen Lacson were fake.   

 “The information that was made public could not be substantiated,” GMA wrote in her memoir.  

Years later, Marquez recanted accusations against Sen Lacson and apologized.  Corpus also issued a publicly televised apology to Lacson for falsely accusing the senator.   

True to form, the magnanimous Lacson did not hurl vindictive comments against his accusers.  Instead, he tweeted a forgiving message to his former detractor.   “Late is always better than never. To ex-PGMA’s credit, she has the decency and courage to admit that she publicly and unjustly accused me of various crimes based of false information. Whatever, I have already forgiven her a long time ago.”  

Even in the thick of the present presidential election, Lacson maintains his nonbelligerent stance, preferring  not to say anything about the other candidates wanting to be President of the Philippines because he is also running for the position.

In his recent interview session with Boy Abunda for the television personality’s series 2022 Presidential One-on-One Interviews, Lacson, one of five presidential candidates who were invited to the show, chose to talk instead about what made him best suited for the highest position in the Philippines.

“I am the most qualified, the most competent, the most experienced (candidate),” he told Abunda matter-of-factly without mentioning any of his rivals.

The candidate said it was time for voters to be discerning, to realize that politics was not entertainment and they should not be influenced by dole-outs.

In his campaign sorties, a singing and dancing Lacson would certainly not be on the program. “I won’t sacrifice authenticity,” he said, and would not do anything that had nothing to do with the country’s problems.

“The number one problem is the government, so the solution is the government- good, honest governance,” he said.

Lacson stressed, “Tough problems need tough solutions from the country’s top leaders.” His goal, if elected president, was to leave the country better off than when he started and see a greater respect for government officials.

Although he acknowledged that the qualifications for presidential candidates were so much simpler than those required of job applicants, the senator also pointed out that college degrees do not guarantee outstanding public service.

“Maraming may PhD na mas magaling magnakaw kaysa magsilbi sa bayan (there are many people with doctoral degrees who are very skilled in stealing public funds than in serving the country),” he said.

He would not oppose though some changes in the qualifications, although it would require a constitutional amendment. The job was demanding, he pointed out, and it called for skills in handling crises like the still ongoing corona virus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

Lacson said he would lead by example if he were elected president. He recalled that he was able to minimize graft and corruption in the Philippine National Police when he was its chief by consistently showing he could not be bribed. It was his leadership by example, he said, that drastically reduced, if not totally eliminated, corruption in the police establishment.

As a senator, he did not collect the pork barrel, or extra funds allocated to legislators ostensibly to finance pet projects. He was able to save the country millions of pesos by carefully and thoroughly reviewing every proposed annual budget of the government, he said.

Lacson would push for digitization and automation in government as president so there would be no human intervention. He said, “Human intervention always resulted in corruption.”

Lacson supported the resumption of mining in the country, “a major industry” of the Philippines, but it should be sustainable and responsible. “It must be data-driven and science-based.”

However, he also expressed concern that corruption would create the same problems as before. “Corruption lets violators get away (with their crimes). Palakasan (pull or influence) allowed people with the right connections to do as they please.”

Lacson’s vice presidential candidate is Senate President Vicente “Tito” C. Sotto III.

For more info on Ping Lacson, follow https://www.facebook.com/PingLacsonOfficial. 

Sen Lacson being interviewed by host Boy Abunda

Coco Martin supports new partylist advocating for livelihood and the transport sector

Coco Martin, famously known as Cardo Dalisay on-screen, is making rounds all over as he debuts his endorsement not of the partylist with the same name as his show, but of a new party-list – AP Partylist #AkoyPilipino on Friday, February 25.

“Anuman ang hirap na ating pinagdadaanan, may kakampi na tayo…” Martin introduced his new party-list group with first nominee Rep. Ronnie Ong in-action in the background in the partylist’s video now circulating online. He continues, “Ang AP Partylist ang tutulong magbigay ng trabaho at kabuhayan sa mga manggagawang Pilipino.”

Rep. Ronnie Ong is Coco Martin’s long-time friend and is nicknamed by PeopleAsia as the “frontliner Congressman.” Ong is known for his various out-of-the-box COVID-19 Bayanihan projects since the first lockdown, such as his #LibrengSakay program for healthworkers, #LibrengGulay program for community kitchens, #LibrengTablets and E-skwela Hub e-learning centers for students and teachers.

Before the pandemic, Ong also supported senior citizens looking for employment through his Tulong Pangkabuhayan program, deploying various able-bodied and willing-to-work seniors at airports, public universities and government agencies. During the pandemic, he also helped out-of-work transport workers such as UV Express or FX drivers by employing them as #LibrengSakay drivers, as well as some laid-off ABS-CBN employees who found alternative work as contact tracers.

More than just Coco Martin, the all-star cast of Ang Probinsyano forming the famed “Task Force Agila,” has also expressed their support for AP Partylist on their social media pages, sharing the various advocacies of AP Partylist closest to them. “Mula po noong umpisa nakasama na namin si Cong. Ronnie, at kita namin na nagtrabaho talaga siya, naglingkod talaga siya. Kaya ngayon, ang #164 AP Partylist na kasama siya ang sinusuportahan na namin. Sana po ay suportahan niyo rin,” Coco Martin said.

Watch this video or click on the link below:

https://fb.watch/bn-S-15eNk/

Aside from the endorsement video, AP Partylist also collaborated with OPM artists Bassilyo, Sisa and Smugglaz with their “Ako’y Pilipino,” anthem that sings of the pride, perseverance, and hardwork of Filipinos. They sing, “Ikaw ay magtiwala, magtiwalang may magagawa. Ito na ang panahon, ang tamang pagkakataon, sa bawat daing mo’y magtutugon. Ako’y Pilipinong lumalaban, tumatapang, lalo kung nasusugatan, anumang pagsubok ang daanan, haharapin nang may kagitingan. Itaas mo ang noo, isigaw mo sa buong mundo, ako’y Pilipino.” Both videos are available on Youtube and on AP Party-list’s official social media pages.

Coco Martin calls on the audience to join him on his new journey with his new partylist, “Dito na tayo sa biyaheng aasenso ang lahat ng Pilipino… AP Partylist #AkoyPilipino, number 164 sa balota.”

Stay updated, for more info, visit:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHAqU3Ie-mI  and  https://fb.watch/bnvpau0MFE/

6 Tips to Ace Social Media for Your Online Business Growth

Here are some of the best methods you can utilize to scale your business in no time.

Starting your online business can be a tricky affair in these trying times. One factor that contributes largely to the success of a business in today’s world is the right use of various Social Media tools. These tools translate branding into sales which eventually will generate revenue for your business.

This month, we have listed down top tips that can be applied to churn out a successful business online.

Product Knowledge should be at the back of your hand

As a business owner, you need to start off by listing the Features, Benefits, and Real Advantages of your products to identify how to properly draw your communication and marketing plan. These three facets are essential for customizing branding and helping your product and/ or service stand out amidst a sea of online sellers breaking from the clutter and eventually converting leads to effective sales.

Identify your Target Audience

As an entrepreneur, you have to walk in your customers’ shoes and identify correctly what their concerns, needs, and pain points are. Having figured your business audience, you can come up with an effective marketing, content, and communication plan to reach out to your target audience. 

Identify your price points

As an online seller, it is important to identify accurate price points of your offerings which are generally based on factors like your target audience, their consumption habit, the market competition as well the value for money the product offers. An estimated price point lets you benchmark your position and helps you customize your communication plans for promoting your offerings and engaging well on social media without overdoing it. If gauged well, a well-thought price point can scale up a business to a great extent.  

Craft a content strategy

An essential way to maximize social media reach for your business is to have a content strategy calendar in place and choose appropriate tools which if properly utilized can prove advantageous for most brands or businesses.

Showcase your products with multiple images

While shopping online you would want to vet a product and inspect its details quite minutely before making a purchase, similarly, it is essential that your customer gets to view different angles of the product you are cataloging on your website. Always make sure that you upload multiple images that are shot well, backed by suitable lighting conditions and backgrounds, for your audience to fully appreciate it.

Leverage FB’s pinned post option

You can highlight the product and/or service that you want to feature with this option. It could also be an FAQ, ways to order, and modes of payment in order for your customers to easily navigate their way and understand your offerings.

Use the auto-response feature

Using an auto-response feature is the best way to engage your customers, while you’re away. You can earn loyal and new customers depending on reliable and satisfactory customer service. With this auto feature, you can assist customers, answer their queries in real-time without having to log into your account every single time.

You may also resort to messenger chatbots like Many Chat that are easy-to-use and support well with longer responses and photo attachments features. 

Use the FB Live selling feature

Part of your content strategy must include FB Live sessions to further engage your online audience. With this feature, you can directly engage with your audience in an instant while also offering your product and services. However, the Live sessions must be planned well in advance and spaced out adequately to build a sense of anticipation amongst your audience. Do not rush into these sessions, Live Selling is a terrific opportunity and if leveraged well, it can have a high positive impact for your brand and business.

Find a bankable supplier to tend to your overall business needs

Apart from a considerable social media presence, as a seller, you should have access to the best available space to procure your regular supplies. Always make sure that your supplier is a legitimate source of products with trusted sellers and offers dedicated customer service. You may opt to use Zilingo Trade as a hub where you can source from varied categories at wholesale prices with multiple shipping options to sellers along with custom offers on credit and available discounts. With fashion, lifestyle, and beauty, the Zilingo Trade platform offers great options for existing as well as growing businesses.

Your creative materials are your most essential tools

Presenting a fetching catalog of product photos is no easy task. It takes a good amount of creativity and adequate skills to make your product stand out from the clutter of online sellers. There are various options to curate highly engaging content online as per your business taste and needs.

Use Canva

“For starters, you may use Canva to create your layout. This is an easy-to-use platform where you can use templates to layout your product photos, plus it is free. You just have to be consistent with the colors and template style of your photos to have an effective brand recall and brand association,” shares Janelle.

Use an Affordable Marketing service

If you have a small budget and not enough time to invest or find it difficult to use Canva or Photoshop, you may opt for Zilingo’s MAAS service that lets online businesses have professionally shot photos for as low as 110 Php per layout. The set of MAAS offerings also includes Videography and Layouting services as per requirements.

Using social media to get positive leads and generate revenue doesn’t need a big budget. As an entrepreneur, you need the right attitude, a positive and go-getter mindset, and the ability to tap into free online tools which are at your disposal to unlock social media’s prowess and strive towards a successful online business venture.

Lacson to use education to fight poverty

Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson believes that the key to solving our country’s poverty problem is education.

Anti-corruption crusader Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson will fight persistent poverty in the country by giving young people more access to education.

Lacson points out that the Philippines has a high dropout rate because of poverty. Young people are forced to leave school to help their families and because being in school are proving to be a heavy financial burden. They remain mired in poverty because without a good education their prospects are limited and they can only get low-paying jobs.

In this latest video, the presidential aspirant who wants to reform government and make it truly work for the good of the people will launch the innovative Edukasyon Plus program if elected. The program will provide free education and institute a government internship program. Each family will receive a P5,000 monthly allowance during their family members’ internship. Lacson believes that this arrangement will allow students to focus on their studies as they will not be under pressure to help their families.

   

“Even if education is free, young people cannot finish their studies because they have to help their families. If this vicious cycle continues, when will they be able to lift themselves from a life of poverty?” he says.

   

Studies show that among member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the Philippines have the highest school dropout rate.

   

Lacson is convinced that education is the only way to give people the chance of a better future and to improve the lives of Filipinos, many, if not most, of whom still live below the poverty line. People remain mired in poverty, unable to get better-paying jobs, for lack of education, he stresses.

   

With Edukasyon Plus, young people can avail of free education and participate in a government internship program that will pay their families a monthly allowance. “They won’t have to choose anymore between education and work to help their families,” Lacson says. He believes the program will help many people leave behind lives of poverty.

   

“Edukasyon Plus is the real solution to the problem of poverty,” Lacson adds.

   

Lacson and his running mate, Senator Vicente “Tito” Sotto, are running on the slogan “Aayusin ang gobierno, aayusin ang buhay mo.” (They will fix the government and put your life in order.)

   

For more info on Ping Lacson, follow https://www.facebook.com/PingLacsonOfficial. 

Lacson relies on ‘Mr. Clean’ image

   

Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson is leveraging his reputation as a crime-buster and anti-corruption champion in his bid to become the next President of the Philippines.

His video advertisement (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yv_HZnGnsow) highlights some of his major accomplishments as a senator and former head of the Philippine National Police (PNP).

    Lacson plans to expand on his initiatives to prevent public money from being lost through corruption as president and bring the government closer to the people. His main advocacy is to give more power to local government units that are closest to the citizens and understand the people’s needs best and are in a better position to respond to their problems more effectively.

    As highlighted in his TV ads, Lacson’s careful and detailed scrutiny of the national budget has saved the country P300 billion. He proved his strong opposition to the pork barrel that had become for legislators a major perk of their jobs, by refusing it. 

    Among the accomplishments Lacson has listed as proof of his qualification for the highest post in the country are the investigations of the P728 million fertilizer scam, the anomalous $329 million contract between the Philippines and China’s ZTE Company, and Payola or bribery in the Bureau of Customs by exposing the TARA list.

    He also brought to the public’s attention the “Hello Garci” tapes, an attempt at cheating during the 2004 elections. 

    The former military officer and PNP chief exposed the chopper scam where tge government paid brand-new prices for second-hand helicopters.

    Lacson’s initiatives as PNP chief earned him a trust rating of 78+ percent from the public, the highest rating ever recorded for the position.

Destressing in this time of the Pandemic through Solitaire.Org

In this time of the pandemic, we all have developed anxieties and stresses. Whether it's coping with the new normal, be it school or work related, or life in general. Going online has never been stressful than seeing condolences in your newsfeed and timeline. A lot of people are dealing with losses, not just stress and anxiety brought about by the pandemic. 

As for me, I have found two ways to deal with my anxieties. First, I stayed in the farm, where I can grow things and smell fresh air on a daily basis that wearing face masks and face shields aren't the trend. I love the farm feel. It's peaceful and calming. I spend most of my time planting or growing the plant, fruit or vegetable that I like to grow. When I am tried, I take a rest. Either I sleep, read a book or simply sit still and admire the bountiful view around me. And when I am tired doing all that, I play games online. 

One particular site I visit when I want to lay online games is Solitaire.Org which has most of my favorite online games such as mahjong games, hidden object games, card games like Gin, Rummy, Crazy Eights, Euchre, Hearts, etc,  connect 3 games like Zuma Ball Shooters or Candy Crush type of games and  other fun online games like PacMan, Tennis, Billiards, etc.

So far, this is what I like playing after doing gardening and tending my rabbits.

Pyramid Solitaire is actually a game my grandmother played when she was still alive. She played with actual cards while I watched. I was truly amazed when I saw it in Solitaire.Org that I have not stopped playing it even if I lose. It just makes me want to play again and win. Ha!

Anyway, I am sure you guys do other things to destress. But why not try playing solitaire online or other online games. My mother loves Candy Crush. I have introduced the site to her and she is happy to find lots of games to pass the time.

 

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Build An Effective Character

Building an effective character doesn't only include the mental aspect but also the physical aspect for man is both a thinking and moving being. Learn more about the TRI-BODY Principle on Characterization with us! 

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CHED and REX Education recognize model HEIs’ flexible learning and innovations through Gawad Edukampyon Awards 2021

In a time of great difficulty and challenges not just for the education sector but for the whole country, many schools and educators rose to the task to continue providing holistic and enriching learning for students throughout the country. It’s time for these heroic efforts to take the spotlight and be acknowledged.

The Gawad Edukampyon Awards 2021 was created for this very purpose: to celebrate innovations and excellence by higher education institutions (HEIs) during the most challenging time in recent history, and bring together educators and institutions to create, refine, and implement innovative programs suited to create better and sustainable learning in the 21st century’s new normal of education. 

Launched in January 30, 2021 by Rex Education and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), in partnership with the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), the Gawad Edukampyon Awards 2021 is driven by CHED’s #WeLearnAsOne Bayanihan efforts and Rex Education’s Edukampyon advocacy. 

“I encourage all HEIs to join the Gawad Edukampyon and showcase your innovations. It is during these challenging times that we must empower and inspire each other, draw strength and learn from one another,” said CHED Chairperson Prospero “Popoy” De Vera.

Flexible learning is here to stay

Rex Education has always rallied behind the Edukampyon advocacy, which calls for the involvement of the whole community and all education duty-bearers to ensure all students are Filipino Whole Learners—healthy, safe, engaged, supported, challenged, and values-oriented inside and outside their learning environments. This has become especially important and relevant given the context and changes in education in the new normal, where flexible learning has become a more viable modality for the years to come.

“[There is] no going back to the traditional, full-packed, face-to-face classrooms. The Commission has adopted a policy that flexible learning will continue in the school year 2021 and thereafter,” said De Vera. This statement comes after the release of CHED Memorandum Order (CMO) No. 04, series 2020, “Guidelines on the Implementation of Flexible Learning,” which also presents flexible learning as a sustainable system that should be part of every school’s Learning Continuity Plan (LCP). 

Given the new investments of many HEIs in technology, teacher training, and retrofitting of facilities to adapt with flexible learning, and with this modality already long-adapted by many universities across the globe, it only makes sense for institutions to embrace the new landscape that flexible learning brings. This adaptability and learner-centered approach to education has always been at the core of Edukampyon, which—through the many studies and real-world applications it draws from—argues that learning should not just be delivered from the classroom curriculum, but from the whole community and through every possible learning moment. 

“The Edukampyon agenda lobbies that as members of the community, everyone is part of this learner-centered solution, and are thus duty bearers morally obliged to support initiatives that will benefit our learners. We acknowledge that the efforts to realize the vision of Edukampyon is continuously growing. We may be at the very first steps of this years-long movement. But taking the first step is always the most crucial moment in every revolution. With the help of every HEI and of everyone, we hope that this first step leads to a march where we create more programs and campaigns that would allow us to be champions for the Whole Filipino Learner. And we hope Gawad Edukampyon Awards 2021 will lead that way,” said Don Timothy Buhain, CEO of Rex Education.

Award categories and prizes

There are four categories under the Gawad Edukampyon Awards. Each category will be awarded to the school who has implemented a project or initiative that best exemplifies excellence in the particular field and has been demonstrated during the pandemic. 

The Gawad Edukampyon for Excellence in Flexible and Responsive Management is an award to be given to HEIs who created policies or specific projects and practices that ensured the continuity of education, as well as the health, safety, and well-being of students, faculty, staff and school-community during times of disruption. This includes efforts that set a clear framework and system for the transition and integration of flexible learning approaches, excellent and strategic leadership and management, and innovative management approaches that provided tangible support to the staff and students’ well-being especially during pandemic.

The Gawad Edukampyon for Excellence in Flexible Teaching and Learning Innovation is an award to be given to HEIs with exemplary innovative and adaptive learning approaches and solutions, including innovative platforms, tools, pedagogies, and appropriate learning assessments; efforts to promote learner-centered teaching; technology-enhanced or arts-based learning; setting up mobile open online courses (MOOCs); or creating significant reforms in the curriculum to accommodate the changes in the delivery of learning.

The Gawad Edukampyon for Responsive Research and Development is an award to be given to HEIs with outstanding research and development of products that significantly contributed to the community through research and materials dissemination to other LGUs or other HEIs, as well 

as researches that have been used as an input to public policy or adopted into a local community project, and case assessments or action-research that can improve the government’s COVID-19 response. 

The Gawad Edukampyon for Public Service and Community Engagement is an award given to HEIs with outstanding outreach projects that alleviated challenges experienced by their community because of COVID-19. This includes those that have increased community resilience or improved response to the pandemic and communication campaigns that have engaged the community or resulted to transformative decision-making.

Two winners will be awarded for each category—one from the public sector and another from the private sector. Each award category winner will receive a cash prize and an educational resources package worth P200,000. The narratives of all winners will be featured in the Rex Education-led publication, Padayon.

How to join

All HEIs who wish to participate in the Gawad Edukampyon Awards can now submit their letter of intent (LOI) signed by the HEI head or authorized representative to edukampyonsecretariat@gmail.com with the subject heading “The Screening Committee, Gawad Edukampyon 2021”. The deadline of submission of LOI is on June 4, 2021.

For the full mechanics on how to join, and to access the forms, application information, and other updates, you may visit Gawad Edukampyon on Facebook, head to the link bit.ly/GawadEdukampyon, or contact the Gawad Edukampyon secretariat at edukampyonsecretariat@gmail.com or 0956-812-3896.

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Dreaming of Visiting St. Albert

Below is an old photo of the clock tower in downtown St. Albert in Alberta, Canada. I love looking at clock towers that my friend who lives there, sent me this. Well, it will be nicer if I can take a photo myself and see it for myself.  But with this pandemic, traveling is surely not a possibility at the moment. I can only dream of going into trips and enjoy traveling just like in the good old days. 

But as they say, even with the STAY AT HOME protocols. we can still see the world through many other sources, for as long as we make good use of these sources. Books, the Internet, Television, and many others. I prefer updated information that is easy reach so I prefer looking into the internet. 

Where is St. Albert?

So to see this clock tower, we go to St. Albert, which is a city in the province of Alberta, one of the territories of Canada. It is on the Sturgeon River, which is northwest of the city of Edmonton. Ha! Thanks to Wikipedia for this information on St. Albert, Alberta. 

Found this map too.

When you are in St. Albert, of course, it's not only the clock tower downtown that you will see. Now this is becoming exciting as I go to different pages and sources online, just like travelling. 

Where Should You Visit in St. Albert?

There are a lot of sights and sites to go when in St. Albert. I have a few here that I want to see for myself, apart from the downtown clock tower that I already mentioned above. 

Among others, we have this Youth Mural in Downtown St. Albert, as seen on the wall of St Albert Place, where community events happen, and community activities take place. It houses the public library and the heritage museum, the Musee Heritage Museum, which houses permanent and temporary exhibits. It has an art gallery and a visual art studio too. And of course, the Arden Theatre which hosts the annual Cheremosh Ukrainian Dance Festival, which is the largest dance festival in North America. It is also a good place to sit and admire nature, as you can actually see the Sturgeon River at the back. One has to be there to actually see and admire its beauty. 

St Albert Place was built in 1984 and was designed a a place where people could go, and enjoy, hence it was coined as the "people place".  It was designed by Douglas Cardinal, a world-renowned Canadian, whose flowing architecture is marked with smooth curvilinear forms, which is influenced by his aboriginal heritage as well as European Expressionist architecture.

Another place to visit is the historic Alberta Wheat Pool, which was the first of Canada's wheat farmers' cooperatives dating back 1923.  Alberta Wheat Pool, an Alberta Grain Co. and Elevator by the rail line in were both saved from demolition and are now Provincial Historic Sites of Alberta. To date, now known as the St. Albert Grain Elevator Park. I would love to see this park.

They are just a few of the places I have found. But evidently, St Albert is a very good place to live because it has an active and skilled labor force with a very low underemployment rate. Now, if you want to live in St Albert, then I think it's time that you look into the different  St Albert real estate and choose which house to buy. To me, that is another move, and maybe a good decision if you have fallen in love with St. Albert.

 

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Going out for the first time after quarantine

It was a very exciting day, when I first went out after more than 14 days quarantine... 

But the 3rd time I went out scared me.. A lot of people do not use the face mask and face shield properly, taking precautionary measures as a joke..

Staying at home is still the very safe thing to do to keep ourselves safe...

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Coping with Stress during the Pandemic

How do you cope with stress in this time of the pandemic, as you keep your self safe by staying at home? Most people would do a lot of things like watch movies, eat, cook, bake, or do exercises. As for me, I alternately do cooking, baking and gaming or playing online games.

One of the games that I like to play is The TribeZ. It's actually a game for kids, but ever since its launching, I have downloaded and played it, expanded my tribe as I play and finish every task. But sometimes I get tired of it so I have other games to play like Clash of Clans and some games through the app, ClipClaps. Every time I feel bored, I find other games to play and I  continue to explore different apps, and download games, or visit different gaming sites to find new games or familiar games that may be new but are actually similar to most of the games I played in my childhood and growing up.

One time, I went to  a gaming site that has many different online games in one page, and I was really ecstatic to find my favourite games on Play.Org. I was very happy to have found my way there because whenever I get bored and visit the site, I can easily play the different online games, and I can choose many games that are quite easy to handle, using only the mouse or the arrows on the keyboard, and not necessarily use a joystick.

I like the Brick Out game because it is the similar to my favourite Online Game, Paddle Pop or the Arcade Game,  Atari Pong. 

Another game I like in this online games website is Pac Rat, which is a cousin of the Pac Man game that I grew up playing.

However, I find it very challenging to move the arrows on the keyboard, so I prefer the Brick Out more for it only uses the mouse to play. It works the same way with other games, but it is more convenient because you do not need to download it. You can immediately play whenever you are online. This is how I cope with stress during this pandemic, having stayed hoe for a very long time, since last year's outbreak. 

The most relaxing of all is the restaurant simulation game that is similar to Diner Dash.

My niece and daughter loved playing as soon as I shared the game with them. Sharing this wonderful game site with my family sure works wonders. Now everyone has something to keep them busy and not worry so much about COVID 19.

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Our Dog Enjoys Baths These Days...

Hello everyone. How are things doing these days? I just finished quarantine officially, yesterday. i can already go places, with face mask and face shield, of course, but I don't feel like going anywhere because it's so hot. Summer is not as fun as it should be, for two years now. This pandemic has really changed a lot of things for everyone. Although, I can see that some people enjoy going out often, I don't really feel envy. I like to think that staying indoors makes me feel safe. It's better now that I am with my family.

Plus our dog... Here's Mishkah, as she enjoys a good bath in this hot weather.

I wish life is easy.. hehehe 

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The Pandemic Made Me Think of Selling My Condo Unit

Two years ago, I bought a property in the middle of the city. It's a condo unit that, at that time wasn't finished yet. It was a good buy, really. It's cheaper, considering that the location is right at the heart of our city, and tourism was bustling at that time, pre-Covid. 

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It was a corner unit, so it has a balcony. And in the building, all floors, units in that part of the floor, are the biggest in square area. Not that big, but big enough for me and my daughter. 

But then again, I had other plans for the said property since it is, after all, located in the heart of the city.

I planned to furnish it, and have it rented thru AirBnB. That should be a good plan, if it were so.

And because it is on a higher floor, and with all the amenities of the condo, like the swimming pool, the gym and parking, I was pretty sure it will be a good way to earn extra money.

I couldn't help but imagine how cozy I'd make it so guests will enjoy their stay.

I planned to put comfortable furniture, and up to date appliances. Not to forget, the soft bed, linens and sheets, and set the mood so their stay will be memorable.

And then COVID19 happened. All the world suffered. Tourism and of course, travel was put on a halt. It broke my heart, ended my dream and the opportunity to earn extra, gone. At first everything was fine. Our school in Myanmar, although it didn't have enough students, was still able to give us our salaries. Then in May of last year, we didn't get any salary at all. They apologized, but we decided to stay on because it was difficult to find another job in the middle of a global crisis. My condo unit was not fully paid yet at that time, so I had a difficulty getting funds to pay for the monthly fee, to complete full payment. I had so many things to think about.  I even thought of selling it, or have it mortgaged now, since I am repatriated. One year has already passed, and nothing has changed. In fact,  everything has gotten worse.

I looked into mortgage as a last resort, so I have been calculating the monthly fees so as not to lose the property, if unpaid. I chanced upon a mortgage calculator online that is quite unique because of the graphs of loan repayment that goes with monthly and yearly amortization tables. In that way, everything is clearer to the mortgagor. Another thing I looked into is the feature of the calculator that estimates mortgage affordability according to the homeowner's income. 

To give you an idea, it looks like this.

 Well, that is just a part of the page. Here's more.

If you scroll below that, you will find explanation about terminologies and other important things to know when mortgaging property. That is really beneficial before making a very serious decision about your house, or any property you wish to mortgage. But of course, you need to make sure you will be able to pay amortization when doin so, else lose everything if you are not able to pay. 

As I am now a repatriated overseas Filipino worker, I need to make sure that I have my means to pay amortization. I don't want to lose my condo unit or sell another property to save it. I need to find a job or something to earn my means.

The Philippine Statistics Authority reports that as of February 2021, there is 8.8% unemployment, unfortunately, I see that in the coming months, that rate will rise, due to the fact that there were so many Overseas Filipino Workers, like me, who have been repatriated, mostly for losing jobs in the middle of this pandemic, but for us from Myanmar, it's because of the coup that has really paralyzed the economy of Myanmar. With all remaining businesses closing, and the never-ending protests, I could only hope and pray my local friends can survive. As for myself, the need to find another means to stand through this storm is my main priority. So whether I sell my condo unit or mortgage it, my decisions need to be assessed many times over before finalizing anything, or I may regret later on. 

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The Agony of Waiting

Yesterday we had our swab test and today I got this result upon checking for my results. Well, it's not there yet so I need to patiently wait. Hehehe..

It's agonizing to wait, yes, but I am positive that the result is what I have prayed for -- NEGATIVE. Well, yeah, that's what everyone is praying for these days. Keeping my fingers crossed.

 

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Need to Combat Gaining Weight and COVID 19 Pandemic

I am finally back in the Philippines after almost 4 years stay in Myanmar. Would have been exactly 4 years come May 17, but sadly, I have to come home for reasons that you may already know.  Well, last year, during the onset of the COVID 19 pandemic, I already wanted to come home, but, we were protected in a way that our mode of teaching changed, from face to face to online, so we can stay at home and be safe. I guess  lot of you can relate to that, because all over the world, we fought and still continue to fight the monstrosity of COVID 19.  But the very reason why I am home is not only of COVID 19, but because of what transpired last February 1, 2021. When a military junta took over  in ruling the country after arresting all the winners of the election held last year. And because it was a landslide win, the people who supported the winners of the election took to the streets and protested, which eventually lead to bloody dispersals and daily deaths of young and old. All people from all walks of life, professionals, workers, students and even children protested. No offices functioned because all employees joined the protests. Banks, hospitals, facilities, the only open ones during COVID related lockdowns have closed. Imagine, we didn't have electricity bill since February because no one is doing the job anymore. It was scary because no one is also monitoring COVID 19 anymore. You don't know who is affected, everyone you meet can now be considered a PUM. All the more my anxiety grew. 

Anyway, here is a video of our repatriation flight and our quarantine facility where we are now housed upon arrival. Our government is very strict when it comes to people getting into the country because right now, there is growth in numbers again. So we have to be quarantined for everyone's safety, then we'll only be released if our covid test result is negative.

Pardon my big face. Gosh, I am so fat, aren't I? I blame COVID 19 for this. How about you? Have you not gained weight during this terrible time? Did you or anyone you know also gained weight during the lockdowns? If not, how did you stay in shape?

As for me, it was quite a challenge. Before the pandemic I weighed 180 lbs. It was already a struggle. But at that time, I have managed to keep fit because face to face classes make me move a lot; going up and down the stairs to go from one classroom to another. So I was fine. Unfortunately, in March2020, just after my birthday, every plans of the school for trips and get togethers were called off, and summer classes were done online. Then there was the lockdowns. We were told to stock on food good for a month, and I bought 2 months worth of food because I didn't want to go out anymore.. After 3 weeks, I weighed myself and I found that I gained 10 lbs. Living alone during the pandemic does that to a stress eater that I was.  It went on for months. And every time I weigh there's added numbers. Then I was afraid to weigh myself. When I reached 226 lbs., I was more than alarmed so I tried using a weight loss calculator to help me. I lost some weight and was happy at 205 lbs. as of December 2020, before the Christmas break.  But during the Christmas week, another lockdown was declared. So how to cope on a holiday away from your family, with everything that went on in the country so far away from yours? Eat... I gained again. At 223.4 last January 11, a friend and I started using Fastic, an app we downloaded from playstore,  to hep us manage our weight. So we did fasting, keto diet and low carb diet altogether along with the Calories Burned Calculator which we found online. 

As of February 1, I found myself stress eating again. No one is monitoring the covid situation in Myanmar, plus the military could come up our building and shoot anyone they suspect to be a protester or if anyone is suspected to support or hide protesters. It's double the worry, and double the anxiety. My ideal weight is 110 lbs., and although I have set that as my ultimate goal, I was working it slowly, but I am now stuck at 215 lbs., for more than 2 months now. 

So I decided to come home. Here, I could be facing the covid problems of my community, as well as economic uncertainty, but I will be with my family. I have a support system here that I never had while in Myanmar. Plus, there is no military to worry about, and although I feel worried and scared for the lives of my friends in Myanmar, I still feel better knowing that I am home in my own country. I can help them better if I am alive and healthy.  And to start losing weight again, I have requested no rice in all my meals here in our quarantine facility, as I am now back to the work on my weight loss journey. I think this time I need to include the use of a calculator for counting macronutrients to help me estimate macronutrient consumption in all meals too. Now, since gym facilities are closed at this time, going through YouTube for work out videos is a must. It's not only diet that needs looking into, but the right exercises as well. Wish me luck!

Here is a workout video that I try to do while in quarantine.

This was me in 2014. I was 230.4 lbs. in September of 2013, when I got sick. But I managed to lose weight that by February 2014, I was at 176 lbs. and although I gained weight over the years, and became 180 lbs. thereafter, I was able to keep it from going up by following a strict diet and lots of movement activities that helps me sweat even when I don't intentionally exercise. 

It was only during the pandemic lockdowns that I kind of lost it again. So yeah, coming back home will be an advantage. Gaining weight and covid 19 are my problems now, but will be better faced when I will be with my family around me, than when I was far away. 

How about you? Do you have the same problem too? Do share. Please comment below.

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Beautiful Flowers

This morning, we went to buy garden soil, and I am really glad I went withTr Grace because I saw so many beautiful flowers that reminded me of my grandmother, Lola Viating.

The soil we bought was priced higher than the usual, and the lady manning the garden supplies and plant shed told us that her soil comes from Bangkok. It was kinda odd to hear that because nothing can come or go internationally, with the pandemic still around. Maybe what she meant was the soil is better than our previous purchase. He he he Miscommunication always happens here due to a language barrier.

Anyway, the trip was worth it because I saw so many flowers that reminds me of so many things, of different people who I dearly miss. It even reminded me of our small rooftop garden back home. There were also flowers that I have not seen before. Like this multicolored baby chilies. 

And there were those we wanted to buy but they were really expensive. So I just took photos. The lady didn't mind.

Aren't they lovely? 

New Year's Gift

We had our Christmas exchange gift already and in the new year, I still get to receive another present.

Thank you Tr Grace. Thank you Universe

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