COVID-19 and What Should You Expect During This Time as an Employee

This year marks my 7th year working as a Digital Marketing professional in the Philippines but this day too, marks one of the most frightening days not only in the Philippines but in the world’s history because of the rising cases of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Corona Virus Disease or COVID-19 which was discovered in Wuhan, China’s wet market last December 2019 was still prevalent up to this day infecting thousands of people where large cases were found in China, Korea, Italy, Philippines and other nations which reached to a total of approximately 125,000 cases as per WHO’s report.

As of March 17, 2020, 142 cases of COVID 19 are already in the Philippines as per ABS-CBN news monitoring. And as far as everyone is concerned, an Enhanced Community Quarantine was already in place for Luzon as declared by the president to further isolate the cases and stop the community transmission of the virus where: home quarantine would be implemented, no mass transport would be available, land, air and sea travel would be restricted, food supplies would be regulated and last but not the least Mayors can now implement laws that would fit to their needs in their respective places.

Since lockdown was implemented, what should employees expect from this event? For employers, it is expected of them to be compassionate by imposing work from home arrangements that would benefit their employees and would in turn help the government to mitigate or control this Pandemic. This would be the most ideal arrangement since it would certainly help the employees and the government but since we are in a lockdown, a small business would definitely suffer since it is difficult to solicit collections for projects.

For employees, if you have been given the chance to do work from home job, it is your duty to be grateful to your employer as they are trying to help you in this crisis by making sure that you are safe by giving you the option to stay away from crowd, be at home, do your job as an employee.



What Are Your Rights During This Period?

As per Article 5 of the Labor Code of the Philippines, under R.A. 11058 from GMA news article:

In a statement, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III cited Article 5 of the Labor Code of the Philippines that says, “[e]except as provided for by law or appropriate proclamation, employers in the private sector shall, in the exercise of management prerogative and in coordination with the safety and health committee, or safety officer, or any other responsible company officer, suspend work to ensure the safety and health of their employees during natural or man-made calamity.”

“If unworked - No pay, unless there is a favorable company policy, practice, or collective bargaining agreement granting payment of wages on said day.”

Meaning, during calamities/disasters, employers have the right to suspend work to ensure the safety of its employees. While employees’ wages would be on a no-work, no-pay basis and their pay would be equivalent to their day’s work.

As per the government’s request of giving the 13th month pay, there isn’t any law that applies to it to be distributed now. It is under the company’s discretion to do so as long as it is given not later than December 24th of the year.

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4 International Schools around Parañaque City That You Should Consider Sending Your Kids to

The booming city that is Parañaque is an ideal place to buy a house and lot for sale in the Philippines. Upscale city living brought about by thriving establishments and institutions makes it the perfect setting for building families and creating memories.

It’s back-to-school season. Deciding which school to send your kids is essential because it can make or break their path toward long-term learning, holistic formation and overall successful career.

For your kids to have memorable moments and get the best academic courses from well-qualified instructors, here are the best international schools that Parañaque has to offer:


The King’s School Manila

Bradco Avenue, Aseana Business Park, Parañaque

(primer.com,ph)

King’s School Manila provides world class education to children aged 3 to 14 (Year 9). The institution also offers personalized learning that combines academic rigor with a strong focus on personal development and the nurture of a broad range of talents, from sports to arts, languages or technology. It is a part of The British Schools Foundation, one of the leading international schools organizations. An institution built to provide the holistic education for your child, KSM’s education is based on the English National Curriculum, a structure that schools use to make sure teaching and learning are balanced and consistent.


Singapore School Manila

Roxas Blvd, Parañaque

(singaporeschoolmanila.com)

(Facebook / Singapore School Manila)

The SSM experience includes pre-school and grades 1 to 12 replete with trilingual education (British English, Filipino and Mandarin), energetic and highly trained instructors, clean and child-safe facilities among many other noteworthy features. They also implement the “Positive Approach”, a program designed to teach students to become responsible, respectful and resourceful members of the communities. The academy also lives out this uplifting motto: "If you study to remember, you will forget. But if you study to understand, you will remember."


International Christian Academy

4505 Extra Ext., Fourth Estate Subd.

(Facebook / International Christian Academy)

The International Christian Academy is the first Philippine Christian School accredited by ACSI (Association of Christian Schools International). Founded in 1957, ICA is an Christian school offering Pre K-12 education for the children of Christian workers as well as other national and international students.

The school also has an extensive collection of programs that include ballet, music, home schooling and even robotics. If you’re looking for a diverse set of courses near your home in Parañaque, you could check this out along with your kids.


Greatstart International School Manila

187 Dona Soledad Ave. Ext., Better Living, Paranaque

(Facebook / Greatstart International School Manila)

Greatstart International School specializes in the G.R.A.C.E Learning Program. The Greatstart Academic Curriculum for Excellence is their exclusive propriety curriculum based on the award-winning comprehensive solution, The Creative Curriculum for Preschool, which enables children to hone their confidence, creativity and critical thinking skills.

They go beyond the traditional definition of education because they let their students succeed through exciting ventures. It fosters a fun environment where students can go on field trips, carnivals and club activities to initiate creative learning!

Before sending your child to an international school, it’s best to sort out your finances first. International school presents state-of-the-art facilities, well-equipped teachers and a top-notch learning environment but of course, these come at a price.

A city filled with the Philippines’ leading learning centers and bordered by the best municipalities in the country, who wouldn’t want to buy a house and lot for sale in Parañaque?

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6 Back-to-School Tips for Maritime Senior High Schoolers

(pntc.edu.ph)

You may study in the same school for years but every school year poses a different kind of adventure. Since you’re opening another chapter in your life, it’s important to face it head-on, equipped with the right tools to guide you along the way.

Here are some tips to get you prepared for the maritime school year ahead: 

1. Set Goals – Goal setting is a very vital ingredient to achieving long-term success. Goals help students to focus upon the journey to a collection of set achievements.  However, it’s important that you update these goals as you go through school. For maritime students, goals ensure accountability ― this makes them more attuned with their strengths and weaknesses resulting to self-awareness and greater productivity.  

2. Research the curriculum and accord it with your plans– A core curriculum is a set of educational goals that is necessary for education. The Senior High School covers the last two years of the K-12 program so this stage is crucial to help you choose the line of work you’d like to pursue in the future. You can choose from career-specific strands like Business, Accountancy, Management (BAM), Humanities, Education, Social Sciences (HESS), Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) and General Academic Strand (GAS). Assess the school’s core curriculum and academic strands; decide on what career you’d pursue and set your goals alongside the school’s programs as well.

3. Review school policies – Maritime schools expect senior high school students to have high disciplinary aptitude. Aside from the intense physical training, every student should uphold competence, discipline and responsibility. Review the school’s uniform and hair policies as well as their regimen guidelines. These are more than just rules; these will aid you in being globally competitive with the seafarers’ standards.


4. Adjust your sleeping habits – During vacations, high schoolers tend to stay up late. This may lead to difficulty in transition when school starts. To prevent this, you should set your alarm appropriately. If you got used to sleeping at around 3 a.m., set it one hour earlier the next day and add another 1 hour increment on the following day until you reach around 11 or 10 p.m. Set your waking time at around 5 or 6 a.m. to attain the deal hours of sleep. Do this at least two weeks before school resumes. Once you’ve established this sleeping pattern, stick with it.


5. Limit use of gadgets at night– In order to properly adjust your sleeping habits, limit the use of Social Media before going to bed. As detailed by Business Insider, studies have shown that being exposed to the blue-and-white light given off by phones, laptops, and other electronic gadgets at night prevents our brains from releasing melatonin, a hormone that tells our bodies it's nighttime. This would take you longer to fall asleep. Get as much sleep as a student because you’ll be missing out on it as a shipmate.

6. Get Organized – Reinforcing the importance of being organized helps you experience success in everything you do. One way to do this is by designating a well-organized study space. This area should serve as a haven where your mind needs to focus.

These are only some of the ideal back-to-school hacks for a maritime senior high school student like you.  According to Bobby Unser, success is where preparation and opportunity meet. With the right determination, you can see every opportunity that comes your way as a chapter in your next adventure.

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4 Considerations on Rent to Own Houses If You’re Newlyweds

(firstdigitalghana.com)

After the exchange of ‘I dos’ comes the next chapter of you and your partner’s life―the hunt for your dream house. It’s one of the toughest and most expensive decisions that the both of you will make so careful planning should be implemented at all costs. For the first step, always consider the location. How about Parañaque, a city of accessibility?

Everything is within reach: business districts, shopping malls, churches, hospitals and schools among many other establishments are right at your doorstep. It’s no question that the thriving city is one of the key municipalities in Metro Manila.

Now, it’s time to think about whether to rent or buy. Securing a loan is quite challenging so maybe you should consider a rent to own house and lot in Parañaque. Here are some factors why: 

 

Immediate Move-in

You and your significant other should first go on a tour around the neighborhood. Are the streets safe? How about the house itself, are there parts that need repairs? Also get an appraisal. Make sure that the house is worth the price. When you have these in order, you can now sign the contract and move into your new home right away. 

Contingency Plan

Most rent to own houses work this way: you rent the house for a certain amount of time and then you are guaranteed the option to purchase it in the future. You will pay a slightly higher rent because a part of it will go to the down payment for the property if ever you decide to buy the house. However, there are cases where you can also decide to walk away from the property if you decide that you don’t want to grab it after all. Either way, you won’t be empty-handed. 

Flexibility

One of the biggest perks of investing in a rent to own house and lot for sale in Parañaque is to improve credit profiles. If your credit evaluation is too low to secure a loan, RTO is the match for you. While repairing your credit ratings, a portion of the rent you pay each month is credited against the down payment. This means that the rental period of the contract not only gives you time to save money, but actually helps you pay down some of the initial costs of buying the home.

A fair warning though: contracts usually do not accept late rent payments as a credit so be responsible in paying your monthly dues. 

Win-Win for Both Buyer and Seller

In this type of arrangement, both parties benefit. Buyers are able to acquire a home immediately and are given time to rebuild their credit. Sellers, whose property has been sitting in the market for a while, are able to generate income to pay off their mortgage and property taxes, as detailed by Zipmatch. This relationship should work well between a trustworthy seller and a responsible buyer.

Before setting out on your most exciting endeavor yet, make sure that you have your finances in order. Sure, it’s easy to move into a rent to own house and lot in Parañaque, but it always pays to have foresight. It’s the key to making an investment well worth every peso.

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Miss Universe 2017 Candidates Rode a Multi-Million Dollar Yacht to Batangas

Just 2 weeks before the Miss Universe Coronation night, several candidates of the Miss Universe 2017 are already experiencing Queen-like treatment in the Philippines as they rode a yacht going to Pico De Loro, Nasugbu Batangas named “My Happy Life”. This yacht was owned by Gov. Chavit Singson and it costs about 600 million pesos. For its amenities, it has 3 Dining Area, 16 Executive Rooms, Karaoke, Master Suite and the viewing deck.

Batangas is such a beautiful sight to behold which makes even international beauty organizations took notice of.

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Eyeglass Care for Kids

Eyeglasses Frame

Eyeglasses frame and lenses are considered the vulnerable parts of a kid’s glasses. They could warp or crack them in their sleep or break them while playing. It doesn’t only cause a chink on your wallet but it poses danger for your kid’s safety as well. Shards of lenses or an eyeglasses frame snapped in two are little but serious hazards.

Parents should guide and train their children on how to take care of their glasses. Choosing the right eyeglasses for your kids is an easy task based on an article from Executive Optical. However, prolonging its use is a different matter. We’re going to give you some tips to help your kids on how to take care of their glasses:

How to clean itAdults are guilty of not doing this one as well. Spare your kids and teach them how to do it right. It is as simple as using a microfiber cloth to clean the eyeglasses frame and lenses instead of the hem of clothes, or worse, spit.

How to keep it safeAs a parent, you need to look out for your kids. The same goes with their glasses. Remind them not to shove it inside their school bag without slipping it inside its case. When they put it down, tell them eyeglasses frame should touch the surface and not the lenses.

How to wear itKids are spontaneous individuals and their eyeglasses are the victims of this behavior. Understand first that they are newbies when it comes to wearing specs. Patiently teach them the proper way of putting on and taking off their glasses. Vision Service Plan says, “Have them grip both side arms and pull eyeglass frames straight off of their face, rather than using only one hand.”

These are practical tips your kids can apply for first time eyeglass wearers. However, we can’t turn a blind eye to the sad reality of children who wears specs. They could earn hurtful nicknames because of their appearance (with glasses on) like “nerd” or “four eyes.”

They can be ridiculed, bullied and made fun of because of their glasses. For that reason, their social life and self-esteem are affected. Their performance and development at school could be held back as well. Are they really comfortable with it or do they wish they could live without it? Worst is you’re might never be even made aware of these.

An article at Goal Setting Guide provided tips to help your kids with this kind of dilemma as follows:

The freedom of buying glasses

We know that you only want what is best for your kids. But let them have the freedom of buying their own glasses based on their preference or taste. In this way, they are inclined to wear it because they like what they chose.

Show how cool wearing glasses are

Show to them they are not the only ones who wear it. What we mean by “show” is show pictures of famous people, teen celebrities and cartoon characters with glasses. By using this technique, you can portray the cool side of wearing specs.

Lift their spiritsBoost their self-esteem and self-confidence by pointing out to them what they excel at. Goal Setting Guide puts it this way:

As a parent, you must take it upon yourself to show your child that he is special and that his talents and personality are what shine through… Focus on skill, talents and abilities, not appearance.

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7 Handy Tips When Buying a House and Lot For Sale in Batangas

Buying a house and lot for sale in Batangas is not something you do instantaneously. It requires thoughtful decision-making skills for you to get the most out of your purchase. This process can either make or break one of the most important decisions in your life. Before taking that big leap, here are seven things you need to know to help you make a smart buy:

1) Enough Money

One of the most important things to consider when buying a house and lot for sale in Batangas is having enough money to purchase it now, not later. Sure, that beautiful house may look amazing but always remember all the other factors such as property taxes and homeowners association dues. If you are confident that you can pay it all off in the coming years then buy it. If not, there will always be a more suited home for you and your family that is well within your price range.



2) Home Features

Now that you have your finances in order, it’s time to think of the specific features of your ideal home. Do you like an overlooking view of the wondrous mountains of Batangas or do you like the stunning sight of the beaches? Either way, it should be a place in ideal size for you and your family. How many bathrooms and bedrooms do you need? Is the kitchen size adequate for your family? Is the ceiling too low or too high? These key home features may seem unimportant at first but may probably affect your home life in the long run.



3) Hire a Real Estate Agent

You might probably think: why would I pay for something I can do on my own? Yes, information can be easily obtained online but a professional knows every nook and cranny of the real estate sphere. They can also negotiate for you. Real estate agents also deal with contracts and conditions and protect you if ever issues arise. According to Forbes, the process isn’t as simple as it seems. When you get into a difficult situation, it can pay to have a professional on your side so hire someone you trust.



4) Location

Batangas is a great location because it has been voted as a clean city and even won a gold medal in an international environmental competition back in 2013. Imagine waking up to the cool gust of the mountains and the inviting tides of the sea.



5) Great Neighborhood

Safety is a primary thing to look for when assessing a great neighborhood. Be sure the community has a sense of fellowship. Is it safe during day and night? Are the drainage systems properly maintained? Is it accessible to stores, schools, shops, hospitals and banks?



6) Home Inspection

Before purchasing that house and lot for sale in Batangas, ensure that there are no leaky faucets, busted pipelines, holes in the walls and on the roof. The last thing you’d want to know after purchasing and spending thousands on your house is a disaster-ridden spot. Yikes.



7) Think Logically

If you fall in love with the wrong house, you might end up having financial complications. Involving your emotions will make you consumed by small and minor things like the size of the backyard or the paint color. Instinct, however; is being practical and seeing the house as a good value for an investment.


The bottom line is: you need to research and plan. If you have these factors in order, the perfect home will fall right into your hands.

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