That little disagreement

I've ingested the idea of investing wholeheartedly. I even persuaded my parents to invest. My friends and I started this investing thing 2 years ago. Though I haven't reaped the rewards yet of investing, but it's great to have moved a step towards financial independence.

This blog isn't about investing and its whereabouts. Rather, it's the little discourse that got a little persuasive and strong afterwards  - during one afternoon at our coffee break. It started with our FlexBen Enrolment and somebody spoke about his variable insurance. And "they" (the once young officemates) all know we also have the same type of investment. Like wildfire, they attacked "the idea" of having to put your money to financial companies. I know where her fear is coming from. I knew you were a victim of those pre-need education plans. My parents are victims, too. From CAP, Pacific Plan and EduPlan, they all failed. But I am glad my parents are open-minded to venture again in investing - in its real sense.

So, to you who discouraged us, I would like to answer your attacks:
1.) We read and researched about investing before putting off the money. (Robert Kiyosaki's The Rich Dad, Poor Dad; Bo Sanchez' My Main Invests in Stock Market; Investing for Dummies; and other online journals)
2.) We understand the risks of investing, so we only set aside the money we can afford to lose. And you can't simply gain without risking. DUH.
3.) You're investing with our Provident Fund, and they're the same thing. DUH. Again.
4.)We still enjoy our pay but we observe prioritizing...spending only what is needed, shed those unnecessary wants and ditch the impulsive buying. I don't have the high-end gadgets or travel as often as I used to (naks!), I just live modestly. But again, it doesn't mean I'm (we are)  not enjoying.

Hope this will knock some sense to you...

"Filipinos are not much of an investor, which is why our investment market, although performing extremely well, is not as big as it should be. The rate of Filipinos with insurance is likewise low at less than 20 percent of the household heads.
Here’s another disturbing statistic, it is believed that only about 10 percent of Filipinos actually prepare for retirement. Because of all these, a big majority of the population ends up financially dependent on their children during their old age. An SSS (Social Security System) study said that over 70 percent of Filipinos during retirement are living with and are being supported by their children." (Brighterlife.com)

There, I said my piece. I'm claiming a brighter life. There's not a need to heed your warning. I'm never giving up my gargantuan dream!

Caravan of Hope

This is a repost from Dolefil's facebook page. 

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Together, let us give them hope...

URGENT HELP NEEDED: A call for support to Dolefil Caravan of Hope for the victims of super typhoon Yolanda.

Employees, dependents, business partners and other individuals & institutions alike are invited to take part in the relief operations. Cash and non-cash donations are welcome.

For questions, please comment on this photo or send us a private message. Thank you!

#dolefil #yolandaPH #CaravanofHope #MahintanaFoundation Dolefil CSR

 PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD. Daghang salamat!

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tonight, with the community

One thing I love about Fridays is the Community time with brothers and sisters of ALNP. I've been trying to protect my Fridays for this. And like always, it's so worth it!

Tonight, we don't have the usual praise- and- worship set up. It's like an open discussion. We shared our thoughts about the stark reality we are facing - after Yolanda hit our country and claimed a number of lives and properties.

After each story shared, we couldn't help but let out a gasp over the grimness of it all. And Sir Guy (our Branch Leader), threw a thought-provoking question : What is God's purpose for this?

Citing from Max Lucado's "It's not About Me", everything happens to give glory to God. We may not comprehend everything that has happened but we can place our trust in God...we can fix our gaze ahead because "something good comes out of immense suffering". The Bayanihan all over the world and the kindness shown to the victims is a manifestation of God's glory. Moreover, the resilience and resoluteness the world has witnessed from the Filipinos demonstrate our deep faith in God - which points to God's great glory as well.

So that's the serious part that transpired tonight. Now, the fun part is the useless bantering and endless teasing we do - that would send us in fits of giggles. Ha-ha

I remember the joke shared by a brother..."Wala gyud nakaya ni Yolanda ang Bacolod ug Iloilo, mas kusog ang hangin sa mga Ilonggo!" Haha This cracks me up hard. No, i don't have prejudice about Ilonggos because I have an Ilonggo bloodline and i have a lot of relatives in Bacolod. (Paki-explain, haha) And this tells us something, we Filipinos can still joke about everything despite the hard knocks of life. Our coping mechanism is really superb!

And Friday would never be complete without a food. So we ate out, the bantering continues!

woofing second birthday

Just six posts after Logan's first birthday, here we are again celebrating his birthday!

His birthday may not be as bongga as last year (sans the birthday hats, lotsa cupcakes and a candle to wish to), it doesn't mean i love him less. The love and the fondness just keep growing!

Here's a short list of Logan's sweet-cray antics:
1.) He enjoys making balat  the buko. And while on the side cheering him up, his speed accelerates exponentially. Making pasikat of some sort.

2.) He's a lot stronger and faster than Summer (my other Labrador, a year younger than him). But when Summer tries to get his toy (a ball or anything they can grab), Logan willingly lets Summer have it.

3.) He's a great protector! Logan (or any other Lab i think), doesn't have a bad bone. I remember an instance when a Belgian Malinois was barking at us. I believe Logan was feeling my fright. And wham, Logan instantly barked back. Though he still was looking cute and malambing while trying to fight off with the Belgian.

4.) He's very behaved when it's his bath time. He raises his leg when i'm soaping him between his legs. He really has a mind of his own! Haha

5.) When he sees my dad carrying a pandesal, he would immediately be in his "down" or "sit" position. He begs like crazy! And he would never stop until my father waves his hand and says "No more!".

6.) He knows how to go up and down the tricycle. Sometimes, when we're having our walk at the plaza and he sees a tricycle parked, he would make sakay straight away. Uh-oh, we're not going home yet. Ha-ha

I can't enumerate everything in one blog post. Ha-ha Maybe some other time.

To end this birthday post, I pray i could spend more time with you - which means zero OTs, add more than just the sit-down-stay tricks, more gala at the plaza, more beach bumming and a lot more activities together with Summer. I thank God you're a lot healthier this year, no more dog-hospital-scare. Cheers to more years together!

Let's do the Yoga!

because i want to give my body a challenge, i (together with my friends) joined a session of yoga at Marichi Yoga. We came late since we have to travel from our town all the way down to GenSan. And we missed the warm up and we have to catch up with the group.

The session that night was all about balance - standing in one leg while your arms are pointed somewhere, bending in one leg while the other leg is stretched at your back. I get a good laugh remembering my wobbly legs while balancing and unsteady arms while doing some planking. And i know the teacher can easily weed out the beginners from the little advanced yoga students! Ha-ha

I never thought yoga can be a little draining, perspiring and challenging. My limited idea of yoga, before, was a relax and relaxation stretching on the mat. That time i was really struggling to keep my foot steady on the ground. But it inspires me that bigger studes from the class can really have their balance.

The climax of the class was for everyone to do a handstand. And I was line, Omigaaaad! I never saw it coming. I'm the type who's afraid to do tumbling or much more hand stand. The other studes (who are already a little experienced) did really an amazing handstand. I wasn't certain if i can make it, worry got ahead of me. Ha-ha But i was "forced", or i forced myself to beat myself on this. i was whimpering when it was my turn and added "ma'am, please take care of me!". Ha-ha So here is my not-so-perfect handstand with the assistance of the teacher and the wall.

Differently capable, who got it right?

My no-sweat favorite part.

My handstand and balance suck, but it's a good start. I'm glad to have pushed myself to this. Someday, i'm gonna do the handstand by myself (sans the wall and the teacher). According to Pattabhi Jois, “Practice and all is coming…” Namaste!