Spicy Challenge

The excitement of having new challenges and surpassing it as well is beyond compare.

I never considered myself as a lover of hot and spicy foods. It could probably be the least food that I wish to have on my death bed. However, with my recent visit to Tagbilaran City, Bohol, I never missed the opportunity  to try one of the city’s delicacy and pride, the Buzz Organic ice cream. 

The cafe’s organic ice cream brings a variety of flavours- from their classic chocolate, ube, mango, vanilla, buko, durian and avocado to some unique or peculiar flavours of malunggay (moringa), dragonfruit, jackfruit, pandan and spicy ginger. 

Spicy Ginger

Malunggay Flavor

Variety of flavors

What caught my attention was the malunggay flavour and of course, the unique spicy ginger. 

The malunggay flavour taste creamy with a taste of a bit of malunggay. Yes, it was really malunggay, alright! It was so sweet and creamy that even a three-year old kid can finish an entire cone of it. However, when I tried the spicy ginger flavour, wow oh wow! It was some kind of tangy, hot and spicy. At first, I told myself, “Kaya lang Che, carry mo lang yung anghang.” But then, when I consumed about half of the big scoop, it was the time when I can really taste the “luya”. I felt that I was actually chewing ginger! I felt like throwing up. It was so spicy that I can’t even identify any flavour aside from it. But I still manage to consume more, until I can no longer take it and I said, “D ko na kaya!” So I placed the remaining thumb-sized ice cream on my plate.

It was one great experience that I had in Tagbilaran. The spicy ginger flavored ice cream is indeed a must-try for every tourist in Bohol.

I can hardly believe that I consumed (well, almost) the spicy ginger flavored ice cream. But I did. 

Hurray!

Everything is  possible.

4 Ways to Make Your Money Grow

Why do you save?

Why do you invest?

...whether the reason why you save and invest is either for the educational fund of your kids or just simply preparing for the rainy days, it is important that one must understand the value of saving and the importance of placing your hard-earned funds into the right investment.

Recently, I realized that with the three kids in tow, I know that soon when they reach college years, it would be difficult for us to sustain their college funds should we not prepare for it today. There are a number of ways on saving money and investing your funds. However, before doing so, one must know why they are saving or investing. It should start with a goal setting to ensure that everything will be successful.

Here are some ways on how to save and invest your money:

I. ITF (In-Trust-For)
          This is actually a bank savings account in which the owner of the account serves as the trustee of the funds and transfers to the beneficiary of the funds should the owner dies. The account name will look like this, "Juan dela Cruz ITF name of the child". So, when Juan dela Cruz dies, the amount in the account will automatically goes to the child whom the funds have been intrusted for.
However, this type of investment has low investment growth. My ITF account for my kids only yields 0.025% interest per annum less withholding tax. Minimal growth yet lesser risk and higher liquidity rate - meaning, you can withdraw your money anytime.

2. LIFE Insurances
            Lately, a number of insurance companies strategically linked with known commercial banks in the country have introduced various life insurances that would perfectly suit to the varying needs of the investor. Life insurances are good for those having long-term goals- such as college funds for your kids. There are actually two types of life insurances - the traditional plan in which a fixed amount is required to invest, with specific term and with specific return of investment. Say, if you are investing P30,000.00 annually for a life insurance for 5 years, your total withdrawable fund will become P300,000 (estimate) after 8 years. Plus, in case of death of the payor, the beneficiary will receive a guaranteed death benefit  which could go as high as 500% of the annual premium.

           The second type of life insurance is what they call the diversified insurance in which the amount paid as a premium by the payor will be invested by fund managers in the stock market. This type of investment posed a higher risk yet providing a possible higher return. Fixed death benefit amount is also offered in this type of investment. Payment period ranges from 5 to 10 years.

             The premium for these insurances vary depending on the age of the policy owner. For the age of 37 (which is actually my age, sssshhhhh), monthly premium payment ranges from P2,500- 3,000 with a living benefit of P3.2M and death benefit of P3.4M.

3. UITF (Unit Investment Trust Fund)

             This product is also one of the highly marketed bank products these days. UITF means the pooling of funds from various investors in which these funds will be invested in the stock market by the fund manager/bank. It has higher returns yet are not risk free. You can actually start an initial investment of P10,000 and can be increased anytime.

4. Stock Market

            If you are familiar on how the market works, then investing your funds in the stock market is one of the lucrative ways to make your money grow. Before, an investor needs a trader to do all the trading transactions; however, nowadays, one can actually perform the actual trading (buying & selling) of stocks. What one needs is to get an account from CitiSec Online (COL) or BPI Trade. Minimum investment amount required is only P10,000.00. Sounds cool, right? Yes, it is but before you get yourself indulged into the stock market, you should perfectly understand how the trading works, the various risks involved and of course, you must learn how to speculate.

These are just some of  the ways on making your money grow. One may also engaged into entrepreneurial activities to earn more.

To save and invest, there are only two points to remember, (1) set a realistic goal and pursue it, and (2) never invest into something which you don't understand. 

Save. Invest. Make your money grow.

Everything is possible.

Arabian Night's Costume: A DIY

Whoa! I don’t know if ingenuity is part of being a mom or inherent to a person. But, I want to believe the former – that being a mom leaves you no choice but to think of good ideas without sacrificing the budget.

Chloe was invited to attend a themed birthday party of her classmate; and each of the invitees was encouraged to wear an Arabian Night's costume. I was thinking of buying a ready-made costume since I have no time to find (and borrow) nor to make one. However, the costs of the costumes online are way too expensive for just an hour or two of usage. So I dismissed the idea of buying a ready-to-wear attire.

I hit my box of goodies and desperately looking for any available piece of clothing to make use as a costume. Voila! I found an old flowy, sheer blue cloth which is perfect for the harem pants. Now, my dilemma was how am I going to work on it? With the assistance of PapaLo, I learned how to make the pants’ pattern. I was actually hoping to make use of my portable sewing machine which I bought years ago from Lazada.com. But with no luck, the machine was not working well. What made the situation a 'lil challenging was the fact that the costume will be used on the following day. Now, it leaves me no choice except to make the harem pants and the rest of the accessories manually. Yes, I'm making it DIY. (GREAT!)

So, here is the finished DIY Arabian Night's Costume. Harem pants by yours truly, belly dancing accessory/belt which I used as Chloe’s top (with an inner top, of course), headdress (also a DIY) which was actually used by Chloe as an Egyptian before and the rest is purely Chloe’s charm.:)

Though the sewing process was quite tiring but I know that I was enjoying it as much as Chloe’s enjoying her party.  

What makes it more fulfilling is the fact that at the end of the day, Chloe bagged the Best in Costume Award. 

Job well done, anak! Nanay’s hardwork had been paid off.

Love your breasts

Have you heard of the BRA Project? Well, this is a worldwide campaign aimed to increase the level of awareness among individuals on the importance of having regular breasts check up, early detection of breast cancer and prompt treatment to save more lives.

BRA Project stands for Bra to Raise Awareness Project. Recently, one of the tertiary hospitals in the city through the Breasts Wellness Center initiated this project. The group encourages everyone to donate their used and old bras as these will be used in the installation of bra artwork. Involvement of each one equates to awareness.

But what is important here is the fact that breasts are one of the most important parts of our body and should not be taken for granted. 

Learn to do the monthly breast self-exam

 

1.       Stand before a mirror. Inspect both breasts for anything unusual, such as any discharge from the nipples, puckering, dimpling or scaling of the skin.

The next two steps are designed to emphasize any change in the shape or contour of your breasts. You should be able to feel your chest muscles tighten while doing these steps.

2.       Watching closely in the mirror, clasp hands behind your head and press hands forward.

3.       Press hands firmly on hips and bow slightly toward your mirror as you pull your shoulders and elbow forward.

4.       Raise your left arm. Use three or four fingers of your right hand to explore your left breasts firmly, carefully and thoroughly. Beginning at the outer edge, press the flat part of your fingers in small circles, moving the circles slowly around the breasts. Gradually work toward the nipple. Be sure to cover the entire breast. Pay special attention to the area between the breast and the armpit, including the armpit itself. Feel for any unusual lump or mass under the skin. Repeat the exam on your right breast.

5.       Gently squeeze each nipple and look for a discharge.

6.       Steps 4 and 5 should be repeated lying down. Lie flat on your back, right arm over your head and a pillow or folded towel under your left shoulder. This position flattens the breast and makes it easier to examine. Use the same circular motion described earlier. Repeat on your right breast.

Remember, love your breasts. Have it checked.

(Credit to the Breast Wellness Center, CMZ for the information about the  BRA Project)

Jewelry making materials in Iloilo City

Most often, I wish that a day has 36 hours instead of having only 24 hours. Tasks at work are already overwhelming, spending time with the kids and family is quite mandatory, tending to my online business (since I work alone) is sometimes demanding and of course, spending time for my craft hobby is enticing.

I admit that if I need to organize these tasks in the order of priority, family will always be at the top. Then, work, business and later on the crafts. However with the given limited time and a number of tasks at hand, most of the time, craft materials were left behind and already gathering dust.

But thanks to the opportunity of visiting Iloilo City. My love for craft making has been rekindled. Though walking along Iznart Ave, in downtown Iloilo is fraught with leg fatigue, still, I find it rewarding and inspiring.

I came across with this store, RNBJ Enterprises. This is just a small store yet equipped with almost all materials and supplies for jewelry making. Different kinds of beads hanging loosely in one side while swarovski and other semi-precious stones/beads are keep within a transparent shelf.

different chains for neck pieces

various beads (glass/wood/plastic beads)

semi-precious beads in strands

more beads which includes stone beads, pearls and more

By the sight of these gems, I got so thrilled that my mind was immediately playing with possible designs that would go along with the pieces that I managed to buy.













And, my committment is to create at least five jewelry pieces or accessories each month. It could be a neck piece, a brooch or a bracelet.



:) I am fervently hoping that I can spare a little  time to work on my crafty hobby.

2013

 TWO THOUSAND & THIRTEEN

Everyone has its own story to tell. Each has something to share. It may not be a story with a happy ending nor an experience worth sharing but somehow, Filipinos tend to overlook it and always perceive each thing as a blessing.

But for me, 2013 is indeed one of the best years of my life. This is the year that even before it begun, I can tell that 2013 is my year. God has always been my constant companion, in everything that I do, I plan and wish to fulfill. God never fails me. To God be the glory!

1. Career advancement

     I admit that once in my life, I failed. My morale became low that wishing for a career growth seems impossible. But, again, God’s grace lifted me up. T’was February when I brave myself to apply for the vacant position of Human Resource Management Officer. Last minute preparation became possible (big thanks to those who supported me) and the interview was a blast. The end result is indeed a success!I got the promotion which I believe is God-sent.

     2013 is also my fifth year in PhilHealth. Each year is unique and I thanked everyone who supported me in achieving my dreams - either that someone is a morale booster individual or a confidence shaker. You have became a part of my 2013 success.

2. Business growth

    Online selling has been in my bloodstream already for quite sometime. It started in ebay.ph, then ventured in multiply site, facebook and recently creating a page that would cater a wider scope of the target market. Indeed, the new page which is operating for almost a year now has successfully gained 3,000 likes and of course, producing a lucrative outcome. My gratitude goes to all my dear Ukayistas who keep on believing and patronizing Ukay’s Best. I owe these all to you.

   The Ukay’s Best page is one of the online shops that offer a variety of quality ukay treasures at the most affordable price.

3. Zamboanga seige survival

    The September 9 Zamboanga seige had left thousands of displaced families, homeless individuals and created a psychological imbalance as trauma inflicts to a number of inhabitants in the city.

    But give thanks to the Lord for sparing us from these negative effects of war. Though we can see from our place the glare of the burning houses in the war zone; and hear the sound of gunfights and exploding mortars, our family was all safe and sound.

    Even the business center of Ever (my hubby), the Zamboanga Emission and Testing Center which sits along Sta Catalina Drive where the actual combat happened was spared. Everything was intact, guards were unscathed, no looting happened and the building was spared from fire.

    God is good all the time.

As I bid goodbye to 2013, I carry all the beautiful memories and even the challenges that helped me succeed.

All my success and failures, I offer them all to the Lord. As Jeremiah 29:11 says, "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!