#SeeTheWorld: Celebrate the season of giving

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AirAsia in partnership with World Vision celebrates the season of giving through a joint Christmas initiative called “See the World,” an awareness building and fundraising effort for the benefit of Filipino children.

The Christmas season will always remind me of my childhood. There is always this warm feeling in my heart when I think of Christmas day. A child always lives in my heart. As a little girl, my parents could not afford to buy expensive gifts but I was always happy with whatever they gave me. Any gift always gave me a giddy feeling as well as a big smile. I can just imagine the children when they receive their gifts. But not children are blessed any time of the year.

This is why I want to be able to touch the lives of these children when we reach out to them. There are many groups that help children and World Vision Philippines is one to remember. I recall my trip to Zambales during their World Vision’s Noche Buena Campaign.

AirAsia and World Vision “See the World”

This time around, World Vision partnered with AirAsia.

AirAsia in partnership with World Vision celebrates the season of giving through a joint Christmas initiative called “See the World,” an awareness building and fundraising effort for the benefit of Filipino children.

“See the World” aims to raise at least one million pesos to provide sponsorship program for many children as direct recipients across the country.  For every AirAsia seats booked or sold in the Philippines from 1 to 31 December 2017, five pesos will be automatically donated to World Vision’s child sponsorship program.

AirAsia World Vision

AirAsia and World Vision partnership.

With the wonderful ‘See the World’ collaboration of AirAsia and World Vision, each one can have that chance to touch each other’s hearts and celebrate Christmas in a different way.

AirAsia World Vision

Aside from fundraising efforts, “See the World” will feature inspiring stories of children from impoverished communities around the country whose lives have changed and caused other children and communities to aspire for better living conditions.

Mechanics 

How does this work? Read the mechanics of the AirAsia World Vision partnership and how you can be part of the “See the World” Christmas initiative.

    1. Promo is open to all Philippines AirAsia passengers at least 18 years of age
    2. For every AirAsia ticket booked in the Philippines, PHP 5.00 goes to World Vision child sponsorship program.
    3. Promo will run from December 1, 2017 to December 31 , 2017 for all Z2 flights.
    4. Booking must be made within December 1, 2017 to December 31, 2017 regardless of travel dates.
    5. By booking a flight, traveller signifies acceptance on the standard terms and conditions of AirAsia flights.
    6. For further questions, you may call 742-2742 (Promo hotline or customer support number). See more at Philippines AirAsia Facebook page.

I believe in the saying that when “something good happens to us, let’s make something good to others. The more we share our blessings, the more that we are blessed.”

Sharing our blessings feels good because we’ve made someone else feel good. Let’s give a chance to touch each other’s hearts and celebrate Christmas in a different way.”

AirAsia Philippines will run a web series online and available in AirAsiaPhilippines facebook starting November 20. Keep updated and find out more about “See the World” through #AirAsiaWorldVision and #SeeTheWorld hashtags.

Best kept secrets: What synthetic detergents don’t want you to know

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perla laundry soap

Each Perla laundry soap is 50% Coconut Oil (CNO), while the synthetic counterparts are petroleum-based. CNO contains lauric which is an excellent natural cleaning agent. Lauric traps oil and dirt and makes it easy to wash away.

While covering a Perla event a few weeks ago, I posed a question on my facebook wall.

Did you know each Perla bar is around 50% coconut oil ? Who uses Perla laundry bar ?

The feedback and engagement was amazing . I have been using Perla soap for delicate fabrics but I was not aware that the soap can be used for the face and body. It is that good. No matter what a brand  says about its products, it is the testimonials of friends and relatives that make it more believable. Let the comments of my friends and relative speak for itself.

1. It is what I have been using to wash my face, the past 40yrs or so. It is the secret of my clear, smooth skin. (an auntie)

– It was my mom’s secret to her beautiful skin. It was also recommended by my OB for washing my delicates. Love it.
– Back in High School, i even used that to wash my face ???? I was going thru a bad skin phase
– My face bestfriend 🙂 mura na maganda pa
– I like Perla because my skin doesn’t react badly to it. Wish they’d come up with a powder or flake version for washing machines, though.

2. Last time I went to an Ecowaste presscon. They said we shouldn’t be using “antibacterial” soap because of the chemicals. Off cam they said Perla is a good alternative (not just for the laundry). (A journalist)

– Oh, awesome. Coconut based, so friendlier to the ecosystem…

3. We dermas recommend Perla for the laundry of patients with irritant contact dermatitis to other laundry detergents. We know it to be the mildest detergent bar:) more Eco friendly too:) (My sister, a dermatologist)

4. Me, for my delicates that needs hand washing. (My sister-in-law)

– I use it for hand washed delicate items!
– I use Perla for delicate clothes and white
– Use it for my son’s clothes
– For baby clothes, sya!
– Kaya nga maliban sa ginagamit for delicate fabrics at baby clothes, diba ang iba ginagamit yan sa katawan .

5. I use it as my white floof dog’s pre-shampoo soap to get his coat super clean!

– We initially use Perla to bathe our dogs before applying anti flea soap/shampoo.
– I use it on my dog every time I bathe him…nawawala ang amoy ng aso
– Used it before to bathe our then maltese; made his coat really clean and shiny.

6. I love Perla, too! Gentle on the hands saka mabula.

– I do. Different from other detergent. It doesn’t dry my hands when I hand wash.

7. We do. And I wash my greasy mechanic hands with Perla.

8. I use it to pre-wash whites.

– We use it before perla and papaya leaves effective whitening soap
– Me! Still use it to wash white clothes and undies

9. Bath soap ko iyan dati. Buhay pa pala.

– Sometimes, I use it as body soap. An uncle prescribed it to my sister who had pimples.
– I’m using Perla as bath and laundry soap
– My dad uses it as bath soap though haha
– Actually, in my mom’s province, I remember women using Perla as bath soap.
– Perla pampaligo ko paminsan-minsan

11. We do. I use it to wash my swim gears.

Some didn’t know Perla is made from 50% coconut oil “Oh wow didn’t know that Perla is 50% coconut oil! Will buy it now instead of Perwoll for our delicate clothes” and one asked “Why don’t they just create powder for machine wash use?” I found out you can grate Perla laundry bar (60 grams or 1/2 bar for a 2-2.5 kgs load ) for washing machines.

perla laundry soap

Here are Perla 5 care signs

Now you have read the comments from my facebook post. Indeed, Perla laundry bar soap is made from coconut oil and other natural ingredients that are excellent in cleaning clothes without the harmful chemicals. I didn’t even know Perla is composed of 50% coconut oil. Now you know, Perla is the premium laundry soap that cares for your clothes and skin. There are five good reasons on why Perla is such a premium brand

1. Perla is made from PURE COCONUT OIL

Each Perla bar is 50% Coconut Oil (CNO), while the synthetic counterparts are petroleum-based. CNO contains lauric which is an excellent natural cleaning agent. Lauric traps oil and dirt and makes it easy to wash away.

Recent studies also show that coconut oil has strong antibacterial properties. Studies have also shown that coconut oil has potent antifungal capabilities

2. Perla is made from natural ingredients and has NO harmful ingredients, which are found in its synthetic counterparts

Laundry soaps have a much higher PH, and are less acidic and therefore gentler. Synthetic detergents (syndets) contain substances designed for cost effective cleaning that can be harsh to the skin. Syndet bars are made rougher and more abrasive, while Perla is soft and smooth to the hands.

3. Perla cares for your skin too!

Each bar contains glycerins – natural moisturizers! Perla makes clothes much softer. The perfume in Perla, made from essential oils like Lavender, is very minimal compared with much more fragrant syndets. Syndets have anti-redeposition agents which can be harmful to
the skin. Perla does not.

Did you know that Dermatologists actually recommend Perla?

4.  Perla is a brand built on decades of trust.

The caring Perla experience has been passed on from our grandmothers to mothers to us. Perla is the first and oldest laundry brand in the country. It has helped our grandmothers and mothers take care of our clothes.

5.  Perla supports Filipino farmers! Proudly Pinoy!

Perla supports the Philippine Coconut Oil industry (The Philippines is second-largest coconut-producing country, next to Indonesia). Every bar of Perla sold helps provide livelihood to Filipino farmers. There are no plans to alter the unique Perla formulation It is ONLY AVAILABLE IN THE PHILIPPINES.

Would you believe, I am now using Perla soap to wash my face?

How to join the Save the Children #LahatSanta campaign

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Be a hero, wear a Santa sombrero. #LahatSanta is  giving everyone an exciting opportunity to become Santa to poor kids.

Santa Claus is so much a part of my childhood memories as it reminds me so much of my father who played the role of Santa Claus. Dad is not around now. He died 14 years ago on a Holiday season of all months. Perhaps he wanted to remind me about the spirit of Santa Claus. I don’t know if you believe in Santa Claus but I believe Santa Claus lives in each one of us to make a difference.

Santa Claus is anyone who loves another and seeks to make them happy;
who gives himself by thought or word or deed in every gift
that he bestows;
who shares his joys with those who are sad;
whose hand is never closed against the needy;
whose arm is ever outstretched to aid the week; whose sympathy is quick and genuine
in time of trouble;
who recognizes a comrade and brother in every man he meets upon life’s common road;
who lives his life throughout
the entire year in the Christmas spirit. –

EDWIN OSGOOD GROVER, Vicki Howard’s The Book of Santa Claus

We can all be a Santa Claus through the Save the Children new Christmas campaign #LahatSanta giving everyone an exciting opportunity to become Santa to poor kids.

What is the #LahatSanta campaign?

Be a hero, wear a Santa sombrero

Lahat Santa is a new fun way to celebrate Christmas. Save the Children encourages individuals , schools and companies to wear their Santa hats, raise funds in their own creative way and make the holidays much more meaningful by donating to Save the Children programs.

Upon signing up on www.lahatsanta.ph, participants get a free fundraising kit , which includes a coin bank, Christmas poster and a Santa hat. The Kit includes ways you can fundraise, from bake sale to the good old Christmas caroling– it is up to the participants how they’ll spread the cheer.

With every Lahat Santa hat comes great responsibility. A commitment to Lahat Santa campaign could mean life-saving support for a child. A donation can provide treatment to babies suffering from malnutrition  and help expand their programs that could impact their lives in the long run.

Steps to join #LahatSanta campaign

  1. Sign up on www.lahatsanta.ph to receive a FREE fundraising pack which includes your coin bank, Christmas poster and your Santa hat for December 15. Tips and ideas are included there too.

2. Plan your fundraising activity and gather your family and friends from work and school to help you out. Whether this is through a garage sake, good old caroling, selling artwork and doing Christmas dares, Because you are the Santa, be as creative as possible.

 

3. SEND your donations to Save the Children, The sooner they receive it, the sooner they can put it to good use.

4. Wear your Santa hat on December 14 and have a shout out post or selfie, using the hashtag #LahatSanta selfie to show us how you are fundraising for children.

Save the Children believes that all children have the right to fair and equal access to nutritious food. We know that the rate of stunting of 33% is largely due to inequality of access to nutritious food, long periods of hunger and a lack of nutrition during the first 1,000 days.

60 things I wish I could tell my 19 year old self

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My mother died when I was 19 years old.  I wished she were around to give me nuggets of wisdom. I ended up praying to my mom asking for guidance whenever I stumbled along the way. Most of the time, I was on my own with the help of my siblings. We often talked among ourselves and try to resolve our challenges. Most importantly, I learned to nurture my inner child. I learned the art of loving my inner child after I realized that there were many aspects of my life that were left unresolved. Now, that I am older and wiser, I look back and talk to my 19 year old self because it was the year before I met my husband. I guess I would have been a better me, if I knew all this then.

19 year old

1. Build your skills. Don’t rely on your college education.

2. Your ‘re beautiful

3. They didn’t know any better.

4. You ‘re smart

5. Keep dreaming

6. When you are caught in a gossip, it is possible they gossip behind your back

7. Prayers are helpful.

8. Envision your future.

9. Love yourself more.

10. Don’t be trapped in labels.

11. In recovery , it’s usually two steps forward , one step (or giant step) backward.

12. Love never dies .

13. Life gives you a second chance .

14. Cats are stress busters.

15. One is never too old to start a new career or change paths

16. Have an interest in people. Learn small talk.

17. Get involved with a community project

18. Volunteer . It’s a wonderful feeling to get involved on something higher than yourself.

19. Intern . Work at the bakeshop, the family business

20. Watch your diet.

21. Exercise daily. Join a sport like volleyball

22. Read more

23. Write more.

24. Build communication skills.

25. Study a foreign language.

26. Feelings are never wrong. Know how to transform it to something positive .

27. There is always a choice. Sad or glad?

28. Though Love is unconditional , there is a time for tough love.

29. Practice as if

30. Communicate with your parents and reach a compromise.

31. A crush is fleeting. Hormones are responsible

32. Nurture your inner child.

33. Value your time with your family of origin. They won’t be with you forever.

34. Save more. Spend money on experiences and education, not material things.

35. Stop smoking

36. Keep in touch with your best friends.

37. Reach out to your first cousins on your mother side.

38. Your life does not revolve around your boyfriend. Socialize more.

39. Drop your course in BS Food Technology and take that Business course you have always wanted.

40. Grades are a good start in getting a job, but it is not an assurance you’ll be successful in real life. However, your biggest assets in the real world will not be your grades but the fact that you’re personable and you know a lot of people.

41. Everything is going to be okay.

42. Don’t worry too much about what other people think about you

43. Explore the islands around the Philippines.

44. Be more adventurous. Go past your curfew.

45. Sit alone in silence for at least ten minutes every day.

46. Don’t wait all day for your boyfriend to visit.

47. Take more pictures.

48. You are not going to marry your first boyfriend.

49. Time will heal the loss and pain of a broken heart.

50.  If you fall, pick yourself up, and keep moving forward.

51. Unresolved hurts tend to haunt you back in future relationships. Learn to forgive and let go.

52. Don’t be afraid to fail because you will always learn something.

53. Spend more time with dad. This is one thing I wished I did more. I chose to live away from him after college graduation because he was a strict dad. But now looking bad, I miss him a lot.

54. Take care of your teeth.

55. Wear sunscreen.

56.You will not end up  going to work in the field you studied, and that’s okay.

57. You do not need a relationship to feel complete. Love yourself first.

58. Invest in quality wardrobe pieces.

59. Be open to trying new things.

60. Mom was right. Your siblings are your best friends for life.

Want to add to this list? What is one thing you would tell your nineteen-year-old self?

Digital Transformation: Your brand is defined by those who experience it.

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The Second Digital Congress is so relevant to me as a blogger and my brand “momblogger”. The Congress focused on the culture envisioned to aid marketers in adapting to digitalization as reflected in the theme, “DX: The Culture of Digital Transformation” but I looked at how it  continues to transform me as a blogger.

The best part of the Digital Congress was meeting Brian Solis  who I have been following for the past seven years.   He is a principal analyst studying disruptive technology and its impact on business at Altimeter Group.

The question I had was is blogging still relevant? Brian says he still blogs.  His advice is blogging more and publishing more to stay relevant.

Genuine useful content.

Utility is the new viral.

I have been blogging for close to twelve years and my objectives in 2006 (grief recovery) is not the same as today which is to use technology for social good. I find myself blogging less especially in the long form content. My main platform is Twitter.  I guess I want to give immediate feedback on twitter.

As a blogger, am I headed in the right direction of digital transformation? Let’s look at part of the presentation given by Brian Solis.

Digital Transformation

Brian Solis defines digital transformation in six stages:

  • Business as Usual
  • Present and Active
  • Formalized
  • Strategic
  • Converged
  • Innovative and Adaptive

The future of work is all about digital transformation that will require careful collaboration, and thoughtful planning. The sixth stage, “Innovate and Adaptive” is when a culture of innovation becomes top priority.

As a blogger, I know I constantly need to innovate my strategy. How?

Your brand is defined by those who experience it.

This reminds me of a course I took on Content Strategy where four audience experiences are best summarized as follows:

The first one, is it makes me smarter
about things that I care about.

The second is that it looks out for
my interests.

The third is that it’s convenient.
By that I mean that it’s easy to access.
It’s readily available.
I don’t have to work hard to get it.

And the fourth one is,
it gives me something to talk about and
share with others.
What we call the social

I believe I give all four audience experiences but it can still be improved by publishing more.

Brian Solis gives a tip:

Close your eyes for a moment and think about the last time you had a truly great experience…an experience that moved you…that captured your heart, mind and spirit. What about it was so special? Now, bring it to life for someone else.

Experience is something you feel, something you sense and interpret…it’s measured by how you react.

Life is about experiences,

Technology brigs to life new experiences

Relationships are made through shared experiences.

Great brands are the assemblage of great experiences.

As I think about how it relates to my “MomBlogger” brand, I remember my goals a year ago.

My focus as a citizen advocate allows me to bring out underplayed stories, fight for women and family issues which are close to my heart. That is who I am. It makes me happy to be of help to others and at the same time it allows me to leave my digital footprints behind.

Are my goals still relevant? What digital transformation is needed?

The first I need to do continue the form of narrative storytelling in the ways that my audience wants to successfully build a relationship with me.

Look: RCBC’s EMV upgrade extended to November 15, 2017

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RCBC is now in the final stages of upgrading its clients’ cards with EMV chip-enabled cards. Visit your branch of account during the recarding period which has been extended to November 15, 2017. Starting November 16, 2017, all remaining RCBC magstripe cards will be automatically deactivated 

RCBC EMV card

The announcement for the availability of the new design for the RCBC MyDebit MasterCard will be at their Official Facebook Fan Page.

Nobody likes to think that their card is being secretly used by someone else.  I remember the time my other debit card still had this magnetic strip. Around 3,000 pesos was siphoned by someone buying software online. I only found out about the loss the following day. It is not easy recovering the money. It took over a month for the money to be redeposited back to my account. The skimming and cloning needs to stop.

It makes sense to upgrade to Europay Mastercard Visa (EMV) chip enabled card.  BSP (Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas) mandated all banks to make the shift to Europay Mastercard Visa (EMV) chip enabled cards. EMV is a global standard for cards equipped with computer chips and the technology used to authenticate chip-card transactions whether debit, prepaid and credit card. It’s that small, metallic gold square you’ll see on new cards. It’s a computer chip, and it’s what sets it apart the new generation of cards.

Who doesn’t want to feel secure in their  transactions? It’s great to know  that shifting to EMV cards is part of RCBC’s thrust to ensure safe and secure transactions for its clients. Did you know magnetic stripes on cards contain unchanging data, which makes it easy for anyone to replicate the data?

It is one reason the old magnetic strip cards are prime targets for counterfeiters, who use stolen card data to withdraw or purchase. There is a level of comfort knowing it is difficult to counterfeit EMV cards. Unlike the magstripe technology, every time an EMV card is used for payment, the EMV chip creates a unique transaction code that cannot be used again. It ensures safer transactions by authenticating each card and generating one-time codes for each payment. This makes it difficult for anyone to steal the cardholder’s account information.

To enjoy the new EMV technology and its enhanced security features, RCBC clients can easily upgrade by going to their branch of account during the recarding period which has been extended to November 15, 2017. The upgrade to the EMV chip enabled card is free. All you need to do is present only one (1) valid photo-bearing Government ID to upgrade their ATM Debit or their MyWallet cards completely, for free. Upon receipt of their new EMV card, RCBC clients can proceed to the nearest RCBC or RCBC Savings Bank ATM to activate their card.

Starting November 16, 2017, all remaining RCBC magstripe cards will be automatically deactivated and can no longer be used in any transactions.

Drop by soon so you can make the shift before the deadline to enjoy more secure card transactions.

On blogs, blogging, bloggers in the Philippines

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Bloggers have been quiet for the longest time. I think the last time was 2012 when the anti-cybercrime law was passed.  When Rappler raised the issue of the 14 bloggers getting accredited at the ASEAN 50th celebration in early August, bloggers are now back in the limelight. Sadly, the recent Senate hearing on Fake News was unfair to bloggers by putting the  blogging community in a bad light and focusing on the worst practices of the two partisan camps.

Here are my recent thoughts on the blogosphere.

philippine bloggers

Bloggers are not journalists

Bloggers are not journalists but it doesn’t mean I am not accountable for my writings. As a blogger (and because my husband is a lawyer), I am aware of the libel laws even before the CyberCrime Prevention Act of 2012 . I respect people’s privacy even before the effectivity of the Data Privacy Act.  It’s just following the norms which govern ordinary human relations. If I wouldn’t say it to that person over a cup of coffee, I don’t post it. The best defense against anything that would curtail our freedom of expression, be it online or offline, is to express ourselves in words and deeds that are thoughtful, truthful and honest.

That is why, bloggers should know the relevant laws on Data Privacy Act of 2012 or the Republic Act No. 10173; The Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 or Republic Act No. 10175 ; Anti-Photo and Video Voyeurism Act of 2009 or Republic Act 9995

´Bloggers and Social Media Users as Personal Information Processors

´Bloggers and Social Media Users Obligation to Respect and Accountability on the Privacy of Others

´Bloggers and Social Media Users on Hacking, Anonymous Comments and Publishing

´Libel issues concerning bloggers and social media users

´Copyright Issues vs. Online Content

Bloggers are, like it or not, part of the world at large. They are not immune from political and societal forces. Neither are they exempt from the norms which govern ordinary human relations. Shouldn’t bloggers abide by the same high standards to which they hold others?  You are who you appear to be. Bloggers should do their best to rely on accountable sources. If those sources were/are not accurate, admit it. Disagree without being disagreeable. I believe in always staying on the higher ground without resulting to name calling. If it is incendiary, don’t post it. Respect the privacy of the people you write about especially their personal information. Just because personal information is in the public domain, there is no implication much less a grant of consent to process such publicly available data.

Though I believe in dissenting views, I enforce a commentary policy where “I reserve the right to remove comments, words or phrases that are defamatory, abusive, incite hatred and advertise an email address or commercial services or just plain spammy. I also reserve the right to remove posts that to my opinion are off-topic, irrelevant, ad-hominem, personal attacks and or just plain rude.”

Serious thoughts on blogging

My daughter was tagged by fellow blogger, Tonyo Cruz a few months ago. Allow me to share her thoughts on blogging.

As with anything in life, it’s important for bloggers to be able to answer (or at least give serious thought to) these questions:

1. Why am I doing this?
2. What ideas or values do I stand for?

philippine bloggers

I started blogging as a way to connect with people, and to share what I thought were my unique insights into dating, fashion, and being a fiercely independent woman in the world. In that respect, I’ve been rather successful. I may never have had a million pageviews, but I met some really amazing people I would have never otherwise encountered. Many of them are still very good friends to this day (and as you know, good friends are hard to find!).

But I stopped blogging when I lost my focus. At some point, blogging became less about the community and became this aspirational, commercial activity. There is nothing wrong with wanting to project an ideal self into the internet or desiring some form of compensation for your work (and blogging IS hard work). But this was not what I wanted for myself. This fake, aspirational self that I was presenting is not what I want to bring to the world. And at the time that I stopped blogging, I had no clue who I was or what I stood for. I had no business foisting my half-baked ideas onto an audience until I was sure about what I had to say.

I have no opinions over the latest blogging drama in the Philippines because I really don’t know much about what’s going on. But I do know that anyone with a platform and a voice has a responsibility to their readers, to the blogging community, to the brands they work with, and to the rest of the world. As a public personality, your words and actions carry more weight than you realize. Like it or not, you have to be your best self. You owe it to your brand partners to be a good representative who embodies their values. You owe it to your readers to be some sort of role model for them.

Otherwise, all you are creating is a lot of empty, self-serving noise. The world doesn’t need any more of that.

This is why reasons I stopped, too: being a role model was too much pressure. Being a “personal brand” felt dehumanizing. I didn’t want to live up to some aspirational ideal in exchange for freebies and a few sponsored posts. I just wanted to be me, away from the eyes of strangers.
So really, if you have a blog or are some sort of influential Internet personality, you would do yourself and everyone a huge service with a bit of self-reflection. Why are you here? Why are you doing this? What ideas or values do you stand for?
I’m still figuring these out for myself.

On a National Bloggers Association

While I do agree with a collective set of ethical standards for bloggers , I am not convinced on the establishment of a national blogging organization. Bloggers are so diverse and may not want to belong to one big group for one reason or another. A blogger told me “if bloggers in the Philippines feel that this is necessary given the circumstances (i.e. for political bloggers to differentiate themselves from rabid Duterte supporters), then by all means they should. However, a national blogging association is not something I want to be a formal member of, nor would I want it to define my identity as a (semi-retired?) blogger.” She added that “just because you have a blog, and I have a blog, doesn’t mean we stand for the same things. I would not want to be part of some organization and be loosely associated with anyone who held very divergent political and moral beliefs from mine”

Before the establishment of an organization, a set of ethical standards should first be deliberated and agreed upon in a conference or summit, then the rest can follow.

It is good to have guidelines and let’s start from there.

The mean-spirited blogger

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Update: I wrote this post on April 11, 2008 because there were  mean comments supposedly written by my husband, my daughter or myself. Yes, someone assumed the name of my husband, or my daughter. The mean spirited bloggers and commenters have been around since the internet started. I want to share what it was like in 2008 when facebook was not yet that big as it is today . There are now 50 million facebook users in the Philippines.

mean spirited blogger

I just read nasty comments attacking a friend of mine. That blog is not a healthy place. Once you go against the negative mentality of the community, you are attacked. Unhealthy people gravitate towards negative energy. That same negative energy attracts more negative energy at such exponential rate, than positive attracts positive. Where there is negative energy in abundance, a gang is created. Once formed, they support each other to target anyone who are not within their frame of mind.

Group meanness is even more fun because of the team spirit.

Do you think these mean-spirited last long in the blogosphere? (By definition, mean-spirited means Having or characterized by a malicious or petty spirit.) Unless they have nothing better to do, have lots of energy and motivation behind them, the mean spirits tend to fizzle out one day. Most mean-spirited folks get the thrill of hurting people by posting nasty comments and the occasional mean blog post. I’ve had my share of being called “demonic” names. I tried to settle amicably with this person but instead my email was posted on their blog leaving out a teensy significant detail why my daughter got mixed up in her tirades towards me. I thought by now it’s been settled but six months has elapsed and what do I discover? My monicker is being used in blog comments trying to make it appear that I posted “nasty” comments. How malicious and petty! Move on, shall we?

Let’s not bother why these people act the way they do. I just know that Hurt people hurt people.

So how do you respond to the mean-spirited blogger or commenter? Lorelle lists down tips on how to deal with these mean spirits in her entry, Mean Spirited Comments and Blogging

There are two choices when faced with a mean-spirited blogger: Respond or Not Respond. Both have risks.

Whichever choice you decide, do not move on your first impulse.

There’s something else you need to consider before you make a decision. Many hateful bloggers want your reaction. If they get a strong enough reaction, you might blog about them. Some trolls use inflammatory comments to attract attention to themselves and their blog. I think of this as the ““Howard Stern Effect”. The more outrageous people are, the more curious people are about them. If you feel their actions are just a device to get your attention and the attention of others, for good or bad reasons, put that into the formula before you decide which way you want to respond.

To my dear friend. There is no place to hide from nasty people in the blogosphere. Bloggers address varied opinions and wisdom to the world but negative responses are bound to happen from such entries. I told you that bloggers agree to disagree in a healthy manner. These come in the form of criticisms, but others come out mean-spirited, malicious and petty. I know you are discouraged now to blog. It’s quite disheartening to think about the dark side of blogging, but if you intend to be a serious blogger, you need a thick skin to last a lifetime of blogging.

See my thick skin?

As Lorelle said “Don’t let them beat you down. Stay focused and clear headed. If you purposely inspire negative reactions, then run with it. Enjoy getting what you asked for. If you don’t and get smacked, think it through, respond with care, and keep on blogging.”

Remember there are more people who care about you than that mean spirited community. You don’t want to be mixing with them.

Have you been the target of mean-spirited bloggers? What did you do about it?

 

6 steps to curb your child’s electronic device appetite

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tech_savvy_kidBack in the old days, you can keep kids settled down by giving them toys to play with, pen and paper to draw, storybooks to read, and box of crayons and coloring books to color. Those days are long gone.  Nowadays, if you want a restless child to sit back and relax, you would probably need an electronic device to come to the rescue.

Exposure to gadgets at young ages created a voracious appetite for all sorts of digital media and hi-tech gadgets. Even education has tapped into technology by integrating it in classroom learning. Many schools have realized that technology is essential in helping kids acquire necessary skills and knowledge to cope in a technological driven society.

Today’s young generation have access to different electronic devices for their entertainment. There’s TV, tablets, smartphones, video game consoles.  Tech-savvy kids have technology at the tips of their fingers.

Modern technology has changed the way of life of many people including the way kids entertain themselves and interact with others. Some say that electronic devices have created “anti-social” generation. People may have different notions about so-called “anti-social” behavior exhibited by today’s young generation. If you want a concrete example, all you have to do is make an observation the next time to go to a restaurant.

In most restaurants, you are bound to see kids using their parents’ smart phones or tablets.  You might also see other children playing with their game consoles or listening to music players. There are parents who find electronic devices helpful in keeping their kids entertained over long periods of time. Some say that many kids today spend more time on gadgets and less time talking to other people.  Sad but true.

Bianca, a mother of a seven year old girl was a little sad when she realized how kids bond with each other nowadays.  During a recent family reunion, she saw her daughter and her cousins sitting beside each other. It would have been a nice scene if only they were interacting with one another. Sadly, instead of talking, they were holding their respective iPads and playing different games. They would occasionally ask each other about game moves but conversations were kept to a minimum.

If you’re worried about your child’s insatiable appetite for online browsing, movie streaming, gaming, instant messaging, social media interacting, and so on, then perhaps, it’s time to think of ways to circumvent excessive usage of electronic gadgets.

With summer vacation just around the corner, many kids will have a lot of free time at home.  When there’s no homework and school projects looming in the background, kids can spend more time watching television, playing video games, messaging their friends, and posting on social media networks. Avoid letting electronic devices dominate your child’s summer vacation.

Here are ways that might help curb your child’s inclination for electronic devices.

Set a limit for electronic use. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), kids today spend an average of seven hours a day on entertainment media. Studies have shown that too much use of electronic media can lead to health issues such as attention problems, behavior issues, learning difficulties, sleeping problems, eating disorders, and obesity.  It is recommended that you limit your child’s usage of electronic devices to one to two hours a day. Teach your child about self-discipline in using gadgets.

Monitor children’s media use. It is also important to monitor usage.  Prevent your child from exposure to violence and sexual content by supervising what he or she watches on television and DVDs. Talk to your child about Internet safety rules. In this modern age, it is vital that you protect your child from the risk of cyberbullying. An innocent kid can become a potential target of online predators. Cyber bullies and online predators can hide behind a blanket of anonymity.

Talk to your child about websites that are safe to visit and those that are potentially dangerous and off limits. Explore provisions for parental controls to help you monitor what your child is doing online. When it comes to gaming, make sure that the video games that your child is playing are age appropriate.

It is recommend that you set up your computer, television, and video consoles in a central area in your home such as the living room, where members of the household often pass for easier monitoring.

Establish “no technology zones”.  Designate certain areas in your home where electronic devices are not allowed. For instance, you can make it a rule not to bring gadgets to the dining room so that the family can enjoy meal times.

Be a good example to your child.Set a good example to your child by limiting your use of electronic devices when the family is together.  For instance, refrain from texting or accepting calls during meals.

Promote real play time. Encourage your child to interact with other children through traditional games. When your kid has reached the allotted time limit for gadget use, give him or her other fun options to do.  Invite your child to go outside where he or she can play with other kids. Introduce your kid to games that you used to play when you were a child like piko (hopscotch), taguan (hide and seek), habulan (tag), patintero, agawan base, tumbang preso, and so on.

For indoor activities, teach your child to play board games. Make it more fun by playing board games with the whole family. You can also enjoy putting together a jigsaw puzzle.

Leave gadgets when spending time with the family. Leave gadgets behind when you out with the family.  The absence of gadgets can help encourage family conversations especially when dining or going out.  Use gadget-free time to talk about things that are happening at work or in school. It will give you an opportunity to strengthen family ties.

 

 

Photo: “Alessi’s turn on the iPad” by Marcus Kwan, c/o Flickr. Some Rights Reserved.

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Rachel Yapchiongco, also known as Rach to her friends, is a Psychology and Marketing Management graduate of De La Salle University.  Rachel is a chocolate lover, full-time mom to a charming young boy and married to an entrepreneur who has a passion for cooking. She shares parenting experiences and slices of everyday life on her personal blog calledHeart of Rachel.

 

by Ma. Rachel R. Yapchiongco , originally posted at the Philippine Online Chronicles , How to curb your child’s electronic device appetite

What the RCBC “We believe in you” philosophy means

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“We believe in you” is not just a tagline for RCBC. “We Believe in you” is “a battle cry to show our unwavering support and trust to the indomitable Filipino spirit. 

I believe in many things. I believe in dreams. I believe in the power of love. I believe affirmations fill my life with abundance.  I believe balance is not something I find, rather it is in something I create.

My husband and I believe in being together on dates every weekend. This is the balance I create. I look forward to Saturdays as it is our usual lunch date or a time to visit Salcedo market to buy our regular stock of organic vegetables and fruits. One Saturday, I needed to drop by the RCBC ATM machine to withdraw some cash before proceeding to the market. That’s when I spotted the new RCBC logo behind the closed doors of the bank.

RCBC rebranding

I nudged at my husband to point out the new logo with the tagline “We believe in you”.  Its previous dark blue color is now replaced with a light refreshing sky blue that lifts my spirit . It is interesting to see the traditional elements remain, particularly the prominent hexagon which distinguishes the Yuchengco Group of Companies. My husband and I know this too well because RCBC has been our bank for many years now.

It was a few days later at the launch of the RCBC rebranding that I got to understand that “We believe in you” is not just a tagline for RCBC.

RCBC we believe in you

RCBC President and CEO Gil A. Buenaventura stressed that “We Believe in you” is “a battle cry to show our unwavering support and trust to the indomitable Filipino spirit. At the same time, this new corporate thrust is meant to encourage Filipinos not only to dream, but to pursue their passions and dreams, and turn them into reality – whether it’s traveling to your dream destination, venturing into a new business, or purchasing a new home or car”.

RCBC we believe in you

I like RCBC’s positive tagline because it is an affirmation.   Dreams give me something to hold on to, while I work towards them. “We believe in you” sparked a light inside our head and got us thinking about our financial future during our lunch date.

My husband and I took a fresh look at our dreams and even dared to dream big. The challenging part is transforming those dreams into financial goals.

What do I want to happen in our financial future? What financial problems would I like to solve? What bills would I like to be rid of? What would I like to be earning at the end of this year? The end of next year? Five years from now? Ten years from now?

My husband and I dream to continue working with a passion till we croak ; save enough and continue building our health fund . But most importantly, we envision travelling and visiting our two daughters who are working abroad.  It is one reason we are planning to embark on a Camino de Santiago tour in 2018 and meet up with my daughters in Europe.   All of this will entail a lot of planning but our bank believes in us and will be our partner to help us succeed.

RCBC we believe in you

The tagline, “We Believe In You”, is not just a positive and personalized message to bank clients like myself. The message resonates to a wider and more diverse audience, particularly millennials who now comprise a third of the Philippine population and about 25% of the entire Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). This tech-savvy generation is also financially knowledgeable and expect varied and individually-tailored banking products and services which RCBC is poised to deliver.  With its new logo and tagline, RCBC wants to show that it offers an easier, more accessible and rewarding banking experience for its present and future clients.

Start believing today.

RCBC we believe in you