LIFE | 10 Ways to Invest in Yourself

Image Source: Facebook user Heather Santobiz

Everyone wants a fatter purse. Most people want to get rich fast; hence, a lot still get scammed even if they already know it's a scam. But, instead of fattening other people's purse and not getting anything or after benefiting from it, just walking away and getting a lot of enemies, why not use your money to make yourself a better person? Why not prevent greed from taking away what you have - the respect from people around you and human dignity.

Feeling like you're still finding your way, stuck between running after your ideals and trying to get away from the mud of reality? Why not make yourself better by achieving small accomplishments whatever they are?

Haven't you felt much better after investing an extra hour of sleep after a week of work load hell? The most and best important place to put your money and your time is you.

Listed below are ten (10) tips I searched all over the web to help you improve yourself. Hope this post enables you to love yourself more. Definitely, it's worth every single peso!

1. Your health is your wealth.

Eat well. Sweat out the stress; isayaw po ang problema hehe. If thriftiness gets in the way of your plan to go spelunking in one of Bulacan's hidden caves, maybe you could do a substitute like exercising at home or doing yoga or hiphop abs hehe. 

Unwind and/or contemplate; it pays to reward yourself sometimes po. Ako, when I know I've accomplished something good I reward myself by watching a good movie hehe while eating cupcake as I lay on the bed in a rainy weekend hehe.

Sleep sakto! :) For adults, it's around 7 hours. Or go for some naps in the middle of your work. Meet up with old friends; hang out with barkada, 'cause sometimes our friends are our dampeners - our stress relievers.

These simple, yet sometimes difficult tasks to do are what boosts up your health which, as defined by the World Health Organization, is:

a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.

2. When you are stuck with deciding which you'd like to do first, do that one thing that matters most to you.

If you're still unable to come up with a decision, stop and make a criteria for decision-making hehe. Grade your decision based on this criteria. Prioritize which ones you'd passionately do first or you'd find easy to do - it depends on how you act on it.

3. Don't be scared to say no.

A lot of things are going on every day. And if you focus on doing the things that would improve yourself, make yourself better, that would mean having to do a rain check to an invitation to a drinking session for cooking first time for your sister. Sometimes, you just have to say no.

If you set that tonight you should have done finishing your third English conversational learning lesson, then make sure it's done before say, practicing swimming at the pool (if this is your lesser priority).

4. Learn something that interests you or do something that you would love to do, when given the time. Ako, I always wanted to learn how to program and make some codes (kasi I figured it's fun if one day I'd have an app of my own, or at least know how to do part of it during my free days).

5. Know your strengths and use them to your advantage.

Ako, I see my time as my strength. I take it as an opportunity to really grow and learn fast. In one programming language I am quite hooked on, I am already 39% done after two days (of course, it's not continuous po, as I allocate maybe 1-2 hours). 

I also utilize another portion of my time to write about things that make me happy like #AlDub (haha), The Voice Kids, stocks, some weird news, flash reports (that seem important to disseminate) or even viral topics.

6. Manage your weaknesses. 

One aspect of my mine that I see weak is my focus. I am sometimes lost at things to do because a lot of them keep running simultaneously in my mind. So, what I do is that I write down all the things that I want to do for the day and allot a specific time for siesta or procrastination so that my gaunt mind would be able to stave itself off too much exhaustion and get back to a better focus. 

7. Read, listen, watch stories from inspiring people.

I prefer reading online than reading hard prints. As of the moment, I watch TED Talks in Youtube, but when I want to kill time, I watch funny pranks. Who doesn't love laughing right? 

You can also download applications or tools that can increase your productivity. There is this app called Forest that once installed and opened will grow from a small seedling while you are doing something productive.

You may opt to listen to trending happy music of any genre on SoundCloud or Spotify as well. Or just go with instrumentals that give calm to the mind.

8. Take calculated risks. Beat your past self. And take everyday as your last breath.

I really see routine stuff as inapplicable to me. I want to do something at least every week. I want to expand my horizons. Last night, I stretched my limits by walking hundreds of meters of walkway to the mall instead of taking the cab or riding a jeepney. It was definitely one of my longest walks in life.

Nakatipid pa ako! Siguro yung hindi ko talaga magagawa ever is pumila sa LRT o MRT from the ground floor at maipit nang maipit sa loob ng tren habang rush hour hoho. Medyo naharass na din ako dun every once in a while; nakakatakot, pati mga lalaki nahaharass na.

When you think that this day could be your last, you would really be able to use your time wisely. :)

9. If there are things you really dislike but you must, just do it.

Sometimes there are things that are really hard to do, no matter how much we try to love them. Ako, ayoko po talaga ng naghuhugas ng pinggan kahit 2 spoons lang yan. But then  I realize if I won't do it, the germophobe in me will be unleashed and the dirty dishes would make me worry more, so I just end up having to do it. I also think of it this way; if I won't clean up, bacteria and other forms of microorganisms might just dwell and multiply extra fast. Scary.

10. Time is still gold; block out time for yourself.

I may have mentioned this in some bullets but it's really important to keep in mind the essence of time. Every hour you spend procrastinating steals you an hour to have a chat with your siblings.

Be kind with everything else, from hugs to compliments, to advice and even love. Yihee. You're here in this world to enjoy life whatever setting you are in. Sabi nga ni Powell Davies ('di ko actually siya  kilala haha), "life is a chance to grow a soul."

BONUS. To sum it all up, magpapapatawa po ako, JAPAN:

J - just live, laugh, love, learn, take risks, prioritize, accomplish, listen, empathize, ask, give, forgive, thank, remember, fail, rise up, and then fail again, and then rise up stronger,

A - and lastly,

P - pray

A - at

N - night hehe

Source: INC

P,S. I was just kidding about Powell Davies po hehe. Hope you enjoyed reading this post po!

VIRAL VIDEO | OFW lambasts Bureau of Customs for new Balikbayan rules

A plan by the Bureau of Customs (BoC) to impose additional taxes on balikbayan box has come under fire, particularly from OFWs like Geneva Medina who has had enough of all the burden that the government is placing on them.

The BoC's new rules set to provide tougher measures on balikbayan packages sent by OFWs was set to deter illegal smugglers and traders who take advantage of the tax-free balikbayan boxes.

Some of the rules concerning OFWs include:

• limit (no excess) of 500$ in value
• canned goods, grocery items and other household effects must not exceed a dozen a kind, while apparel whether used or new must not exceed three yards per cut
• corruption and lost items
• increased clearing fees for all containers to as much as Php 100,000 to Php  120,000

But Medina just couldn't give in, that she hinted at the corruption going on inside the bureau and in the country as a whole. She furiously pointed out that OFWs left the country to work for their families. The government should instead help the OFWs help their loved ones, rather than slap taxes and go through all those balikbayan boxes which causes delay.

May mensahe si Geneva Medina sa mga custom sa Pilipinas..
May mensahe si Geneva Medina sa mga custom sa Pilipinas.. Nkka inis na Kc ang customs Sa pinas! Ang kakapal ng mukha"maawa naman kayo sa mga OFW's"...
Posted by Latest News Channel PH on Thursday, August 20, 2015

MONEY MATTERS: 5 Awesome Tips to Help your Parents in your Finances

Desperate times call for desperate measures. There will come a point in time where, in the middle of your juggling-of-academic-and-social-life stunt, you'll tell yourself "that's enough, I have to do something para mabawasan paghihirap magsumikap ng mga magulang ko for my education."

This came to my mind when one of my parents became unemployed which resulted in our family income plunging 55% - yes and I'm not overestimating here. It was sudden, and it was hard to adjust. I became depressed, at some point, because it was so tough I thought I might not be enrolling in the next semesters. But good thing, I did some actions in advance which helped kept us afloat, even now.

Now, would you have to wait for such tragic thing (as mine) to happen to yours? You wouldn't right?

How can a student, a teenager, or a young adult become less financially dependent of their parents? You may ask, how can I assist my parents in the middle of tuition fee increases, food price hikes, rental rate increments? What students don't know is that they can do A LOT to make life easier both for them and their parents.

Here are five (5) awesome ways I did in order to help my parents lessen the burden, while we were going through the financial black hole that was sucking us out into oblivion. And I'm definitely emphasizing saving here, hehe. 

1. Apply for scholarships. Study hard and smart.

Fact one. College-related and after-college expenses increase every year! Actually, the price for expenses will usually go up as we age! Don't forget that almost everything that has a price tag in it is becoming more expensive! Blame it on inflation. Books become more mahal. Internet shops make you their cash cow. Professors give you projects for additional credits. The list goes on.

One thing you can actually do, especially if you're such a smart *ss (or just an *ss), is to really focus and study hard! It's true there are just brighter students out there who come out of the top of the class, because their well-off parents nurtured them well. Now, here's the gist. If you think you're not that type of genius I've mentioned in the sentence prior this, it's not your fault, but it's your fault if you won't do something about it!

This will always be fact number two! Hardworking, diligent students most oftentimes level with, and in some cases outshine, bright students. I have known people who are definitely smart, but fail classes because they don't attend or fail to submit on time, or don't submit at all. Studying hard and smart is the key to getting a scholarship! 

You want a scholarship? Work hard to get it! :)

2. Save chunks of your allowances.

Admit it ('cause I do). It's hard to save, especially at this moment that iPhones and other smartphones plus other gadgets, add to that the hobbies that we happily immerse ourselves into (studying at tea shops, partying), lure us into spending more. But you have to realize, that even just by saving 50 Php everyday, you can already have money to pay for your books next month.

Here's an additional tip. We talk about chunks. Yes, you will save up, but please don't save up and then end up compromising your health because you're not eating well. You've got to be kidding me! Hilarious!

3. Get a part-time job! And save.

There are a lot of part-time jobs out there. You can become a baby-sitter, a tutor, a call center agent, or perhaps, a bartender at Starbucks! You just need to have the guts and the motivation. If you really want to help your parents, you know doing this is the right thing. And there's nothing wrong with it.

And remember, save up a lot - not too much that you won't have anything left for you to relax and enjoy. The earlier that you save, the earlier you're training yourself to spend less and be thrifty, the bigger the amount that you can chip in to take the burden of college education your parents are currently bearing.

4. Blog and earn! And save!

I started blogging when I was in my late years (nineteen, I think)). And I found out about Google ads during that same period. I have to be honest, it's hard to earn via blogging especially when you aren't that good of a writer whose articles can be easily searched on the web or whose topics are in demand - you know, professional bloggers call this SEO optimization. Mine isn't that optimized, but still I earned, in some way.

And tada! I just got my first paycheck from Google after years. :)) It's slow, but it's better to have earned (and waited for it) than never right? You have to make really good articles (via Blogger), and you have to build around you an audience that could stick with you all through out the year. It's tougher for me, 'cause I blog anonymously. I didn't want to subject my identity to the public, not because what I do is illegal (which isn't), but because I want people to know about my blog/s and not about the author behind the blog. I don't want to be known, but rather, I want my blog be known and share and influence change.

And, don't forget to save! Saving is compulsory if you really want to pay at least part of your tuition (or your daily expenses) or support yourself during the tough times.

5. Invest what you have saved!

Investing can come in a variety of ways. You can invest in a startup (or build one with your trustworthy friends!). You can invest in public companies via COL Financial. If you want to know how to invest in PH companies like Jollibee (JFC) and SM Malls (SM), visit this post. Also, here are reasons why I joined the stock market.

But where should you invest the most? What't the biggest investment? YOU. Invest big-time in yourself! Grow and learn in the best way you can! The world is just so awesome to live in, and it becomes more awesome with people who give out their best shot and invest in themselves!

See. You know, you don't have to wear the hippest brands just to be in. Or be loud about what you do - e.g. posting food trips all the time, going to the malls to buy new clothing for next month. Saving has always been, and always will be, one of the best cool things to do that teenagers and young adults sometimes fail to realize!

P.S. I made this short, given the fact that it will bore you if I post lengthy stuff. Hope this post helped some of you!

p.P.S. If you're interested in reading more life-based money stories, here are some of them:
Two financial lessons I learned from Mama and Papa when I was a kid

5 steps that may help students (actually anyone) become rich (Part 1)

5 steps that may help students (actually anyone) become rich (Part 2)

MONEY MATTERS: Two financial lessons I learned from Mama and Papa when I was a kid

If I were to be asked what two lessons on handling (cash, money) my finances I learned from my parents in the past, it would be that:

1. SAVING SAVES.

I was born to parents who had problems budgeting our monthly income before. 10 to 15 years ago, their spending habit was a bit "regularly overwhelming", enjoying the fruits of their labor after working their asse* all day long.

I was in third elementary grade then when I first observed what happens to a family when it runs out of cash - it's heartbreaking. At a young age, when the multiplication table was once one of my interests, I felt I needed to do something. Being the eldest, I knew I had to take responsibility for my brothers (and perhaps for my parents as well; it's kind of amazing you may say, but I don't know ganito lang talaga ako).

I thought what if one of my siblings gets sick? Where would they get the money? If my Papa, who contributes a bulk of the family's income, gets sick, where would we get funding for our tuition fees in school (back then, my parents knew education was key; they enrolled us in private schools)?

So, the simplest thing I could do was really to be thrifty (this word I didn't know of until I entered high school). I cut my baon (yes, elementary baon) and place what I saved behind picture frames, within the pages of the Bible (because back then, I thought the money would grow haha) and some magazines, inside jars and my alkansiya (flash forward to 5 years after, which was then stolen by our kasambahay).

There came a time that saving did save us from starving for a day! At that time, my parents' salaries (which were relatively low compared to what was then offered in Metro Manila counterparts) haven't been released yet, and we literally had nothing.

On that memorable day, my eagerness-to-save-the-day attitude hyped, and I told them not to worry 'cause I had a backup savings. I opened the back of the photo frame, and viola, my money brightened the day's mood. We were able to eat at that moment. Hence, from that day and on, saving became my happy habit. :))

There were even instances my Mama, Papa and siblings would be surprised that at just 9 or 10 years old, I was able to give them gifts on their birthdays.

At present, we're no longer having really deep financial struggles - just humps and bumps. In a few years' time, we'll be financially well-off, I hope - thanks to saving!

2. AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE, DON'T MAKE CREDIT (UTANG). 

The second thing I learned from them is not to owe money from someone or make credit; this is the reason why we don't have credit cards (except Papa when he has to purchase something asap and he has no cash with him). I'm not campaigning for a snub of credit cards; these can help too (only when you know you're capable of settling your financial obligations ON TIME).

I always made sure that I won't borrow money, if I have no money with me. Probably my shyness has helped me deal with extravagant spending hehe. 

Today, with no debt to worry, I still live below my means; living below my means doesn't mean I'm not eating well or what. It only means I make financially sound decisions when it comes to my finances. As a student, who has gone through algebra and the higher math, I should know my limits. And by knowing my limits, I can figure out ways to reach these limits, and set new ones. 

If I can't afford something right now, pretty sure that by not spending the money I have today or by not making utang, I'll be able to buy something that's way, way better in the future. :)

P.S. Hope you guys enjoyed reading this short post. If you did, please like Spotlight Philippines to get updated with what I do in life financially. :)

P.P.S. If you're interested in reading more life-based money stories, here are some of them:
5 Awesome Tips to Help your Parents in your Finances

5 steps that may help students (actually anyone) become rich (Part 1)

5 steps that may help students (actually anyone) become rich (Part 2)

Date a medical student this Valentines Day

This article marks my first post of the year. After all the ups and downs of 2013, I felt it's not right and justifiable to just let this blog (Spotlight Philippines) go derelict of posts. So, here I am taking a break after having started burning the midnight oil.

When we talk about medical students, what comes into mind are pressured, sleepless men and women in their early to mid-20s taking in too heavy academic overload for four years or so in order to achieve this highly regarded profession. Hence, this serves as a tribute to all med students out there. Why date a medical student?

One reason why PH can't live up to its potential, for now

Do we, descendants of the first Filipinos who fought for our independence, really care much for this country we call the Philippines - an archipelago of at least 7,107 islands and diverse people? By the looks of it, I think we continued to care less and less. We cared less about how others (foreigners) perceive us, Pinoys. We cared less about how to contribute to nation-building by eagerly following laws and implementing these laws properly. Actually, we stopped caring. We took steps to no direction, probably because there's no definite reputable leader to guide us and encourage us to be the best of who we want to be. Most of us are a typical mediocre, and we're forcing ourselves become a shattered country!

Most Filipinos have been focused on setting themselves rich, hence, leaving others behind, increasing the gap between the corporate rich and the massive poor; meanwhile, those left behind relied more on the government ill-terribly under-seeing their family's future. I guess, we have been too selfish - noting first our extra-lifestyle needs to highest priority than our country's needs. We've been too selfish, and this selfishness has to stop.

We needed large sums of infrastructure funds to greatly affect the industries that hire to no bounds, yet with the word "hiring" itself, we have set limits and barred some to a point that they had to choose another job, after graduating on a certain degree, after thinking of just wanting to pass all the subjects just to obtain that degree and work to such dismay. Passion, to be honest, was almost non-existent in our jargon. Talking about funding, politicians have always made kickbacks out of it; why can't we see this and do something about it?

We have asked for higher tuition fees which in the future, should have paid off and provided security to parents sacrificing hours and hours just to at least make ends meet. Some parents even thought of auctioning their most-beloved possessions like wedding rings just to bring ample food to the table. Other parents selfishly thought of being a burden to their sons/daughters, rather than trying to gather and make use of every open window of opportunity to raise the family's income. Why can't we see this and do something about it?

Corporate greed has widened the gap between the Filipino rich and the poor. No wonder this imminent class divide, together with the dreadful and awful situation of politics in the country, will set fire to a revolution no one would expect. Tax collection is still inefficient and low, despite reforms introduced in the beginning of Aquino's term. Why can't we see this and do something about it?

The answer still and will always be easy. Apathy. Apathy, even within the government's ranks and even in our local communites, is prevalent. Thousands of PCOS machines failed during the midterm elections; all we did was report it through media outlets, and no visible action has been done. Media has somehow served to produce more couch potatoes, therefore reducing per capita work efficiency when each household employs a daily routine of watching Ina, Kapatid, Anak, and other programs which (for real) continue to reach high flying colors in TV history. Don't blame the media; blame ourselves! We're all words and no action; why can't we see this and do something about it?

Just a few hours ago, a legit report from PhilStar revealed a Chinese warship chasing a Kalayaan town boat carrying the mayor-elect and at least 140 other civilian passengers. Why can't we increase our defense capabilities? Why are we so self-centered and ego-centric? Why can't we think about the life of our nation as a whole? Why can't we think about the nation's progress while deciding whether to run for a critical law-making position?

All these I saw and still see at present. We lack an urgent sense of nationalism. We lack high respect and regard for our country. But definitely, we're oozing with national pride (and prejudice, as well); we always love to brag  about the few Filipinos who make it to the international spotlight, yet fail to follow their footsteps or at least take a new path and make a mark. We always judge people by the way they talk, in the manner they look, at the venues they take us to. We love chismis. We  live in a society of failing democracy, backwardness, and crab mentality. We lack belief in passion and excellence.

This is the truth, and it's one reason why PH can't live up to its potential, for now. Sounds hilarious, cynic, hateful, or absurd? Prove me wrong tomorrow then.

For YOUth: How it feels to be an unemployed graduate

The status of youth unemployment here in the Philippines has been revealed by an alarming report in Interaksyon, the official news portal of TV5 (Kapatid). The report cites that youth unemployment is at an "alarming rate" of 17 percent, which is twice the national average.

I cannot help but agree with what the report contained. It's true. There is a widespread job mismatch and skills shortage, although companies have a lot of unfilled jobs.

Idealist students don't get to grab the job they aspire to. You are called an idealist when you know that you have made great plans for yourself whether or not you included in your goals helping to shape the country's future. 

You yearn to reach six-digit figures at the age of 30 or earlier. You wish to become the manager or a junior executive before you reach 31. You plan on taking your family abroad when you're 32.  You decide to get married if and when you get promoted. You focus yourself on your ideals.

I am one of those unemployed youth being discussed; I, too, am idealist. I studied hard during my last years in college, after I juggled different responsibilities placing academics at a lower priority in my first academic years. Despite being able to graduate, with two flunks, and earning a very satisfactory academic performance, I was one of those graduates who, after being interviewed, were never really called back for a job offer.

I presume idealist graduates have fallen prey to such companies. Worse, you become depressed after not getting any job offer at all.

So, aside from depression, how does it really feel to become unemployed?

I feel troubled, worrying that the idealism which is still in me might leave soon due to the gloomy employment condition that the country is facing. Every time I let time pass me by, I realize I'm closing the gap between reality and idealism - that I might not achieve my dreams.

I feel bum and bored, every time I realize I've got nothing to do other than surfing the internet and looking for job offers all day long.

I feel broke and desolate, knowing that some (not all) of my peers have joined the employed race, started earning for themselves and their families, and meeting new friends to share memories with.

I feel no change at all, seeing that everything that's happening to me from waking up to setting myself to sleep happen by routine since no one's around to talk to and engage in challenging activities.

Despite all these, I try to make it up to a point that I could use up at least a fraction of my time to writing stuff online and sharing my perspectives with you.

I feel that although the lighted urn of idealism has seen its flame slowly die down, there is still hope. I feel optimistic that God has plans for me, as long as I keep on pursuing what I want.

I feel that some day I'll be the greatest person I have always wanted to become.

I feel that this dismaying statistics of Philippine employment  can still be improved by the government.

I feel that those who read this post (you) have realized there's so much thrill and challenge to expect after you graduate high school or college. Expect a lot of trials, disappointments and surprises/

I feel that the youth of today will still continue striving and giving their best to compete with themselves (and not with others) so as to improve the persons that they are and to show to their future employers that they've got what it takes to become part of the company.

Before I end this, I would like to tell all the youth to keep aiming high. Someday, you will be the boosters of the rocket of growth of Philippines. We, the group of unemployed graduates, cannot say that the government has failed us, but it is almost like it.

Message: Happy World Teachers' Day!

Happy Teachers' Day to all the teachers/professors I encountered during my growing-up days!

You made us who we are today. You inspired us to know more about things that we do not know. You challenged us to become the better, growing person that we are now. 

You pushed us beyond our intellectual limits just to reach our stepping stones to success. You supported us whenever we are down and troubled. You got mad at us when you wanted to correct our mistakes.

You filled the void in our hearts. You completed our journey while we leave the safety of our home. You nurtured us and believed in us. You taught us how to live life.

Of course, let us not forget, Happy Teachers' Day to our first teachers - our parents who guided us through the good and the bad, who gave everything for us despite our shortcomings, who knows they too deserve to read the message above, who shielded us from our enemies, who sacrificed all they had for our education, who worked hard just to keep us in school, who left nothing for themselves just to make us full, who gave unconditional love and care.

Thank you to my Mama, Papa, my lovely teachers in my childhood days, and my motivational professors in college. Thank you for teaching us the greatest lessons of life.

And most of all, thank You for dying on the cross just to show us how you deeply love us and for teaching us through actions the values that we need in order to go on in life.

Wherever we go, we will always carry you in our hearts!

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Spotlight Philippines joins UNESCO in its call for teachers "to receive supportive environments, adequate quality training as well as 'safeguards ' for teachers' rights and responsibilities." Spotlight Philippines takes a stand for teachers.

Mabuhay ang mga guro ng bayan!

Opinion: Quotable online comments, why the UP Pep Squad won

Some viewers/spectators predicted that the UP Pep Squad will win based on its performance compared to the other squads'. 

But, there were others who focused on one truly visible stunt failure that shocked nearly everyone, sending the whole UP audience to an all-out cheering support while heightening the mirth obtained by others who waited for such failure to happen.

After watching the video replay of UP Pep Squad's performance in a video uploading site, I saw quotable (of varied facets, aspects, and degrees) comments which, for these users, justify more UP Pep Squad's triumph. Let this be some fun-tertaining way of easing the post-CDC tension (or not, lol).

The following comments may appear as either witty and/or funny, critical, taunting, or just simply boastful. Reader discretion is advised.

*Just an opinion, you don't want to be the school that wins just because UP had a fall, you want to win because you were better than UP. Win or lose UP's routine was just in a whole new level. - Youtube user starappler

*Bakit may nahulog sa dulo ng routine ng UP? ... Dahil sa huli ang kailangan pa rin namin ay SABLAY!!! UP Fight! :D #proudiska - Youtube user alie7lienable

*A bit off topic, but wtf? Nice to see ABS-CBN applying their typical brand of bad journalism in the description of the video. "...upped the shock factor in this year's UAAP Cheerdance Competition by coming out with clean-shaven heads..." Folks, please improve your mediocre reporting skills. "Clean shaven" means NO HAIR AT ALL. - Youtube user djanarak

*abpano kung sadya yung pagkalalaglag?hahaha! totoong malinis ang performance ng FEU kaso mas mahihirap naman yung inattempt at nagawa ng UP kumpara sa FEU.

A simple fall is negligible compared to a number of perfectly executed, fairly difficult stunts!

parang grado lang yan. bumagsak ka man sa 1-2 quizzes pero perfect naman ang mga exams, malamang uno ka pa rin. ;D

anyway, mind you, ang sablay sa UP ay katumbas din ng tagumpay. Kung di mo gets, di mo achieve yung level ng UP. #noPunIntended - Youtube user inductme

*Pag nalaglag di na pwede manalo? Nasa rules? Nasa criteria for judging? - Youtube user kriselise25

*From twitter: "Only a true Maroon can understand the performance everyone just witnessed. While everyone else saw a routine, we saw a struggle." - Youtube user bigotsse

*UP proves that simplicity is the ultimate beauty. - Youtube user erinadelaine

*dalawa ang dahilan ng sobrang ingay sa ending ng routine ng UP Pep Squad

1. suporta ng UP community at UP Pep fans

2. may nalaglag sa UP, masyadong nagdiwang ang ibang schools :) - Youtube user renzbernabe

*Um, hindi naman talunan ang FEU, eh. Ang galing ng routine nila, malinis na malinis. Ang kritikal lang ay yung willingness na sumubok ng mas mahirap, palawakin ang abilidad, at palayuin ang naaabot--at yun ang nagawa ng UP Pep Squad. It's the difference between breaking boundaries and making a few mistakes and being perfect in my comfort zone. - Youtube user moira7inori

*SOMETIMES:It's not about winning. It's about sending a message. - Youtube user tekkenngina

*from overheard: Fatima Torres: Freedom at gender equality. Timeless and socially relevant. When teams used elementary themes, UP stayed ahead with ideology. #uaapCDC2012 -- marielditams (@marielitams) - Youtube user joey kim soriano

*This is what I call UNEXPECTED!

Napakalayo noong Madonna routine nila last year, this one is very symbolic in a sense na kailangan busisishin ang bawat detalye ng routine na ito.

Hindi ko ito inexpect na ganito ang routine nila, I was in goosebumps while watching this.

Kudos UP! :) - Youtube user Lanz16

*alam ko na ba't nanalo ang UP..every year has a new attempt..attempt na patayin kaming audience grabe stunts nyo..una uniform na uniform..pati buhok ganda tuloy tingnan..di nagmamadali sa routine kaya ung flow..parng hihintayin mo tlga..napakaflawless...may thrill

*..bawat bagsak..hiyawan ung tao,..ganda e..simple yet you make it a big trouble to your competitors..it is not how complicated the steps but how you perform it perfectly...ma-2nd courser nga sa UP..lipat ako cebu to manila..

CONGRATS! - Youtube user kaname30yuuki

*In UP...

We are not just made to enjoy freedom; we are made to appreciate it.

We are not just taught the value of being free; we are trained to fight for it.

We are not just moved to reserve it for ourselves; we are empowered to share it.

More than anything else, the UP life is but a struggle... to be free... and to give everybody a fighting chance to be who he/she pretty much deserves to be.

I am from UP. And I am proud.

CONGRATS UP! - Youtube user Kimboy Uy

*"you don't want to be the school that won because UP had a fall. You want to be the school that won because you're better."

Nabasa ko ito sa Twitter. :D - Youtube user inductme

*"walang plus points kung gaano man kahirap ang routine." ah ganun ba? eh kung nag-macarena nalang pala sila, eh di perfect na ang score nila, tutal madali namang aralin yung steps nun, at sabi mo naman hindi mahalaga kung mahirap ang routine.

*the "risk factor" of a difficult stunt is what amazes judges. JUDGES BARELY LOOK FOR ERRORS. WHAT THEY'RE LOOKING FOR IS STUNT DIFFICULTY AND CREATIVITY - THESE ARE WHAT MAKE PEOPLE STAND UP AND CHEER! - Youtube user arpeemac

*ewan ko ba sa Director nito.... Pangasar! No offense meant, pero may alam ba sya sa ganitong klaseng competition... bakit kelangan magkaroon ng close-up shots??? Sayang ung ibang moves na hindi nakikita sa television.. Sa ganitong competition, close-ups are not necessary... Mas okay nga kng medyo malayo ang shot ng camera atleast nakikita ng manonood yung detalye ng galaw ng GRUPO at hindi ng 3 or 4 na katao.... ABS-CBN, pakiayos ito next year, kasi mas madaming nanonood sa bahay kesa sa Venue. - Youtube user popodrunk14

*Nalaglag lang talo agad. You shouldn't judge a performance over one mistake. We're humans & such error occurs. Yes they had one slip. But compared to the others, they stood out among the rest.

*This one is irrelevant but yes their performance had a fall. Pero, bakit si Beyonce nalaglag at nagpagulonggulong sa stage on one of her concert pero she's still a star. My point is no matter how much you fall, your the winner because you had something unique. UP won because they stood out among the rest. - Youtube user SweetSapphireangel15

*I think I should put this out there: So yes, they changed to the ranking system, but even if it were a point system, for minor errors, 1 point may be deducted, but for MAJOR errors, like the one that occurred, UP TO 5 (meaning 5 or less) may be given.

So let's say a squad committed a major error ON AN EASY STUNT. That would DEFINITELY warrant -5. but if the error was committed on a difficult stunt, it is to the judges discretion that only a small deduction be given. IMO, UP would still win, - Youtube user adaneko

Globe vs Smart: Which network has better quality?

Which one has better performance, Globe or Smart? A network benchmark test recently conducted by the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) reveals which telco performs better. 

And the results, when comparing as a whole in my interpretation, prove that Smart provides better performance than Globe. How did I say so?

Interesting questions about the Catholic Church

I am a Catholic. I am proud of who I am as an instrument for change. But, sometimes, I wonder and ask myself things Church-related that, even if does not seem relevant, will also make you wonder.

This is a post that does not criticize nor commend. I write down in this blog some questions that I have in mind about the Catholic Church, simply referred here as the Church.. Naive and clueless, I just seem to think about these questions over and over again, even when I am inside the Church.

1. With all the investments of constituents of the Church in big conglomerates, why are there still a lot of Filipino beggars in the street? Are they not being sheltered by our beloved priests, with all the collections they make every mass hearing?

2. How is the "ostya" made? What is its composition?

3. Every time there is a blessing or an act of sprinkling water over the mass-hearers' heads, where do they get the water being used?

4. From whom do they source the beautiful statues and handcrafts? They're really wonderful; with every detail so intricate and all, it really interests me.

5. Is the Catholic populace declining? Where I hear mass, at around 10AM, only around 60% of the total seats are completely filled in; another 10-20% of the unoccupied seats become filled only when the Homily is about to finish.

6. Did our priests, ever since they entered the life of simplicity and meekness, commit sins in the entire duration of service? And what's their say on Senator Tito Sotto's plagiarism issue?

7. Is use of condom still banned by the Church? Recently, the Pope has dropped the Catholic ban on condoms (article courtesy: The Telegraph).

8.What do our Reverends do during their free time? Do they watch TV, pray or do something else?

9. Why are tuition fees in Catholic schools expensive?

10. Does a secret society, the Opus Dei, really exist? It really intrigues me, hehe.

Para sa UP student na crush ko

Eks. Ekis. X years na akong nabubuhay dito sa Pilipinas, pero ni minsan di ko man lang nagawang magkaroon ng totohanang (seryosong) girlfriend, yung walang halong biro o signo ng panandaliang aliw. 

Nag-daan na din ang malaki-laking bilang ng mga araw, at marami din naman akong natipuhang babae, pero sa di matanggal na katorpehan e wala pa din akong napapasagot. Ano ba naman ang isasagot niya, kung sa kauna-unahan pa lamang ay wala namang tanong?

Paano ba magtanong? Ganito ba dapat: hi, pwede ka bang i-take out? O: uy, kumusta (sabay tameme)?

Tuwing may natitipuhan akong babae, andami agad lumalabas na ideya ng pagsuyo sa kukote ko, na kahit ako eh napapangiti na din sa kilig, mala-A Crazy Little Thing Called Love. Pero parang abot-isip lamang ang mga ito, dahil sa mundo ng pagsuyo sa kanila, pinangungunahan na agad ako ng takot at kaba. Sino ba naman ang hindi matatakot kung may kotse na, tapos hot pa?

Takot, na baka malaman niya ulit na gusto ko siya (kahit na alam niya naman, iwas mode nga lang). Kaba, dahil baka magkamali ako sa harap niya (gaya nang mauntog as wall extinguisher case). Mukhang sa aspetong pag-ibig ng buhay lamang na ito ako hindi naging matagumpay, na magpapatotoo na wala talagang perpektong tao sa mundo.

Ako na nga siguro ang pinakamabait, malambing at mapagkakatiwalaang kaibigan na makakasama ninuman, di ko rin naman masasabing pangit ako dahil may mga nagkagusto na din sakin. Ngunit tila, kung sino pa ang gusto mong makasama, siya pa ang hindi mo makuha. Kung sino pa ang di mo gusto, habol nang habol pa sayo. Kahit sa mga naging karibal ko, ako naman talaga ang nakakalamang; nagkulang lang ako sa tulak.

Kaya, kung may kakilala ka mang mangmang o tuliro o torpe na kagaya ko, pakitulak naman nang matauhan. Kailangan din namin ng ganun. 

Para sa babaeng siyang dahilan nang pagpupumilit-sumikap kong maabot ang standards, para sa UP student na tatlong taon ko nang gusto (at alam niya naman), grabe, magparamdam ka naman. Ayoko nang mag-isa. Salamat.

Para kay Santa: Isang Pang-matagalang Ninalyn Uy Please

SMP. Samahan ng mg malalamig ang Pasko. Ang koponang tradisyonal na nabubuo sa tuwing sumasapit ang buwan ng Disyembre.  Isa ako sa mga kasapi nito, for four years! Me already!

Baka isipin mong sa buong buhay ko hindi pa nahuhulog loob ko sayo, este, sa iba. Alam mo, marami na akong minahal na babae. Bawat taon ata, walong taon ang nakakaraan, may na-lilink sa akin. Noong mga taong iyon, beasty hippo pa ako, kaya naiirita sila kung bakit kailangan pa nilang mainsulto sa ganung biruan.

But, sa pagdaan ng panahon, unti-unting nagbago ang hulma ng kapalaran. Ang dating beasty hippo, nagbago ng anyo, without artificial interference. From beasty hippo to charming snow leopard. It's in the genes, sabi nila. Ang dating kinaaayawan at pinagtatanggihan ng mga babae, naging katanggap-tanggap na.

Pero, sa kabila ng mga pagbabago, ako pa rin ang nahirapan. Bilanggo ng SMP. Dahil bawat babaeng dumadaan sa buhay ko ay pawang isang napakagandang tanawin lamang. Isang abot-tingin lang, kinatatakutan kong akyatan. Kaibigan.

Natakot akong masaktan. Yun yon eh.

Magtatapang-tapangan na ako. Santa, hinahamon kita. Isang wish lang ang hinihiling kong matupad. Isang pang-matagalang Ninalyn Uy po, please. Isang tulad niya, na kailangan ng maraming kalalakihan ngayon. Isang tulad niya, na lunas sa pagkatorpe. Isang tulad niya, na kayang sutsutin ang batas ng pagmamahal.

Asahan mong hindi ko siya sasaktan, hindi tulad nang nangyari sa akin way back. Asahan mong, kahit halos lahat ng laman ng regalong hinahatid mo sa akin noon ay mga laruan, hinding-hindi ko siya paglalaruan.  Asahan mong hindi siya magsisi sa ginawa niyang pananawagan.

Asahan mong, sa mundo niya, hindi na siya mag-iisa.

P.S. May nalalabing 13.5 hours ka pa para maihanda ang regalo ko. Salamat. Mas gugustuhin ko pang matulog sa kakahintay, kesa sa magising sa katotohanan. Sana'y pakinggan mo ako.

Hindi Mo Lang Alam

Hindi Mo Lang Alam

Mahigit apat na taon na tayong magkakilala.

Sa mga araw na nagdaan, nakita ko kung paano tayo lumaki karamay ang isa't isa. Naaalala mo ba yung mga araw na kumakanta ako kahit wala sa tono, kahit na nakakahiya sa harap nang maraming tao? Malakas lang talaga loob ko noon. Hindi naman kita bestfriend, pero gabundok talaga ang tiwala ko na kapag kasama kita, kaya kong maging Red Horse. Extra strong.

Magkaibigan lang tayo noon. Wala pang makukulay na mga ngiti. Wala pang hawak sa kamay. Wala pang dahilan para magkahiyaan. Wala pang kahulugan sa bawat galaw na tumatatak sa mga araw na nabibilang.

Sayang lang at hindi mo alam to.

Malapit nang matapos ang buhay Isko natin. Sana tayo na. Tanungin mo na ako, 'di na uso na lalaki ang nagtatanong e.

Modernize PH Agricultural Sector

With the rise in economic power of some of the most populated countries in the world, like India, China and parts of Africa, food becomes scarce. 

Agricultural necessity bubbles up. 

Exporting billions of tons of agricultural products, the Philippines has to modernize the agricultural sector to increase its supplies and lower the prices making it more competitive for the PH to sell its agricultural products outside and increase its market share in terms of agricultural trade.

This may lead to higher wages for farmers and provide better lives to about 32% of the country's employed, although it would have little bearing on the country's GDP, which in this case would mean lifting people out of poverty. 

Moreover, the need to import rice will be no option since we won't have to heavily depend on rice and agri-food importing countries like the US, Vietnam and Thailand, the top rice exporter of 2010. It is a lingering challenge, and never a choice to forgo, to the Aquino administration to listen to the grievances of the many, whose lives depend on the wages they earn.