Look at the brighter side: My tips for positivity

With the pandemic getting longer in the Philippines sometimes I get sad and anxious. I feel I am not the only one who experience this and maybe others feel worse specially those who lost their jobs or business.

Here are some of my advices. I think this is applicable not only during pandemic.

🌻 Focus on the love from God and people who loves you and not on the wrong accusations or bullying. Pray and release your stresses to God. 

💖 Avoid looking at social media accounts that main intention is to show off riches to avoid comparison in your current state. I do understand that people work hard to be richer but if their current post is not reality plus if the intention is to get people envious and not to inspire people to work smarter and harder then avoid those accounts. 

📝 Do more journaling. If no one is available to talk to, write your feelings on a paper or type them using your laptop.

🎨 Create. Even drawing and coloring in a sketch pad will do. I love doing DIYs because it is like a de-stressor. You can also mend clothes that  have little tears or repair a broken table. Or do some chores. Sometimes I find sweeping the floor relaxing. It is like dusting off the negativities in the house.

🌹Display more inspiring quotes on the wall of your room or desk. This helps you to get reminded to look in the positive things. 

📖 Read more inspiring books. It is as if a person is counseling you. Highlight words that made an impact to you or place a bookmark so you can go back to those pages. 

🎶 Listen to inspiring music. I read in an article that music lessens stress by 15%,

📺 Avoid watching shows or movies with violence. Sometimes the scenes get into our subconscious. I don't watch horror films because it gets into my dream.

👦👵Talk with loved ones. Have a fun time with them. Even 1-2 minutes of light moments and simple chats. Eat with them if you have time. Have a confidante.

🎯 Schedule your day. Even freelancers and work from home employees should take care of themselves. Set alarms like time to eat, time to sleep, exercise a little bit. To avoid eyestrain exercise your eyes every 20 minutes. 

🍎 Eat healthy. Eat more vegetables. I read in an article that vegetables and fruits help decrease stress and detoxifies the body.

🍸Drink plenty of water so you won't get dehydrated or have urinary tract infection.

😊 Have enough sleep so your body can repair tissues and you will be more energized for the next day. 

👍 Have time for yourself. Do some pampering. I consider it 'me time' even a short time of clipping and cleaning my nails. 

🌸 Walk around the house or look at the sky (just like the picture I took and uploaded in this article) Breathe fresh air. Do some exercise for better blood circulation.

🍀 Do something new. Do some plant or cat photography using your phone. Plant vegetables or take care of ornamental plants. For me the thought of keeping a plant alive which is also a living things makes me happy. It is like your a creator and manager. Ahahaha 😂😂

🎥 Learn new things. Attend free webinars or youtube tutorials like cooking, DIY, etc.

💻 Avoid long screen time specially when sleeping time is about to come because short wave radiation in phones and computers prevent us to sleep immediately.

💝 Install apps that give daily inspiring quotes or help mental health.

👧 You may consider going to a mental health professional, psychiatrist or psychologist and maybe you also need medications to cure brain chemical imbalances.

I hope I was able to help you in some ways.

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Thoughts this pandemic

It scares me now many are asymptomatic and there are more people in the streets. I hope the government and private companies conduct mass testing, disinfection of offices, provide shuttles for workers, disinfect shuttles and people should practice hygiene and sanitation and social distancing.

Before I am not scared but it is taking too long. New Zealand, Vietnam and Thailand said they are covid free. A lot of people are jobless and want to earn money but there is fear that they will acquire the virus if they go out of the house. But how are they suppose to eat? There seems to be no distribution of foodpacks anymore and SAP second trance distribution has long been delayed. Bills and house rental still continue. An added burden is the increase in electricity bill. Unlike in other countries there is sufficient food packs given and bills and rentals are onhold.

The Philippine government should do something. If all voters will be gone. No one will vote them in 2022.

The world is also watching on how we deal with this pandemic. The numbers of new cases just continue to increase and there is no declared available or subsidized medicine for covid treatment for the poor or masses.

The grocery cashiers and courier riders who are risking their lives just to earn little amount of money everyday, trying to make ends meet even if they know they might catch the virus from different customers. They too become vectors of the virus.

The medical professionals can also get tired knowing the quarantine began March. It seems like this is just survival of the fittest, 'matira matibay'. It is 'kanya kanya' method on how to protect themselves and survive.

I pray that God will help us. May sincere, genuine and reliable leaders arise. I hope God will give the officials passion to help the poor and a heart to feel the pain and struggles of their people. 

#Covid19ph #masstestingnowPh

EDM artist Dylan House releases new single 'Wonder'

Dylan Housewright's new single Wonder is out now! You can listen to Apple music, Spotify, Deezer, Itunes, Amazon music. 🎶😊

It is written by Dylan himself, produced and mixed by Aaron Brohman and mastered by Drew Lavyne. 

The chorus is catchy. I noticed it has less bass and effects are dry. It is a Christian EDM so expect the lyrics are talking about God.

Click the video below to here a part of the chorus.

Help Quezon city jeepney drivers

Tsuper Tulong para sa Tsuper Hero, a donation drive for affected jeepney drivers living in Barangay UP Campus. In addition to our ongoing project with UP CHK, this donation drive will benefit the non UP Route jeepney drivers living in Barangay UP Campus. These drivers are among those greatly affected by the pandemic and on-going crisis in our country. They have been asking for help along CP Garcia from cars passing by and hoping to receive any form of help from kind hearts. With this, we are reaching out to your kind hearts to help our jeepney drivers.

This donation drive aims to provide basic grocery items for them and their families. We humbly ask for your support by donating any amount to these accounts:

BPI - Susan C. Lara : 8309064276

GCASH - Alyssa Nicole Pogiongko : 09270534987 

Pay Maya - Alyssa Nicole Pogiongko : 09270534987

To also support the donation drive for our UP Diliman jeepney drivers, please check this link from UP CHK Student Council page - https://www.facebook.com/updchksc/posts/3182169455151814

PhilPop goes global with #MusicBreakingBorders

PhilPop has always been a reliable and trusted platform in fostering appreciation for quality and original compositions that reflect Filipino culture, experience, and identity. This year, the country’s premier songwriting competition plans to continue its mission of promoting homegrown music on a scale that’s never done before: by going global and forging regional ties.

With #MusicBreakingBorders as its newest tagline, PhilPop is committed to celebrating and showcasing the diverse appeal of Filipino music through its Songwriting Festival.

This also serves as an opportunity to empower underrated music talents from the Philippines to harness their potential in the international music arena, and give them the necessary support to widen their reach and adapt to various challenges and trends in the industry.

Music Breaking Borders

National Artist and PhilPop Music Fest Foundation Board Member and Bootcamp Master Ryan Cayabyab puts into perspective the fascinating story and direction for original Pilipino music for which PhilPop dares to achieve. “Filipino music and songs become more meaningful, more colorful and more diverse when we tear down the barriers that separate us. The color that each language brings, the unique stories that each music creator conjures or creates, and the diversity of possible creations to choose from makes for a more exciting direction for Philippine popular music to take. Hence, we in Philpop has adopted the theme, Music Breaking Borders to achieve what we have set out. The other facet of Philpop’s #MusicBreakingBorders is, you probably have guessed – the task of Philippine pop music to break barriers in the international scene,” Cayabyab shares in a statement. 

PhilPop Boot Camp coach and folk icon Noel Cabangon also emphasizes the importance of giving voice to new, original Filipino pop songs from different parts of the country, and that an overwhelming number of aspiring songwriters outside Metropolitan Manila, have produced and written material that deserves to be heard on the mainstage. “The idea of breaking borders is to somehow break the “monopoly’ of music emanating from the National Capital Region (NCR).”

Cabangon explains, “We have to admit that there is a diverse musical sound of diverse influences from the regions. Music has been one of the popular art forms that expresses the culture and way of life of the people from the region. I’m not just talking about indigenous sound and ideas but distinct people’s character and sensibility. #MusicBreakingBorders is also not just an accommodation of music from the other parts of the country, but the idea being inclusive, in the sense of original Filipino music. We somehow want to break the wall of confinement in the center and allow/open the arena, and create a broader stream. Somehow this broader stream can lead all of us to the sea and to the ocean, where borders are opening up to new ideas.”

Overwhelming response

The 2020 PhilPop Music Festival started accepting entries last April 25, 2020 from all over the country in 5 different clusters: Northern Luzon, Southern Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao, the National Capital Region.

More than a thousand entries have already been submitted, with original and unpublished compositions not restricted to any genre, and written in various languages—from English to Filipino, from Bicolano to Ilocano, from Cebuano to Waray, and more.

Submission of entries is still ongoing until July 4, 2020. For more details on how to join, feel free to register online via their official website.

To date, PhilPop has produced some of the biggest songs of the last two decades, including massive streaming and radio hits performed, composed and written by Ben&Ben, Thyro and Yumi, The Itchyworms, Sam Concepcion, Johnoy Danao, Kyla, and Joey Ayala—to name a few.

The respected music institution has also created a world-class and sustainable curriculum for its annual workshops and seminars, facilitated only by the best in the Philippine music industry.

This year alone, PhilPop conducted several talks and performances online through its banner showcase, Q&A + Kwentuhan Songwriting and PhilPop Live, which can be streamed on its Facebook page.

According to PhilPop 2020 President Ricky Vargas, the country’s biggest songwriting competition aims to strengthen its presence by “coming up with digital initiatives and strategies to engage future music industry professionals with different approaches in songwriting, production, and other modes of creative expression that are at par with international standards.” He adds, “Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, we remain as a stabilizing force in discovering world-class songwriters and composers, and making sure that their work stands out in terms of innovation, cultural pride, and global appeal.

Advice to aspiring composers

When asked about his advice to new and upcoming composers and songwriters, Ryan Cayabyab shares a few important reminders to achieve their goals of making it to the international stage. “The balance to be original and to be universal all at the same time is the key that anyone aspiring for global recognition needs to achieve. It also means that a careful balance between science and art should be the direction to take. This will entail a lot of observation and experimentation and a lot of creative spirit and practice to get to that point where one is ready to take flight! Like all types of experiments, there will be a lot of failures along the way, so we need to be prepared for the long haul: prepared physically, mentally and emotionally.”

Noel Cabangon encourages everyone to focus on honing the talent and turning the process into a habit. “Get inspired, keep on writing, open your ears and eyes to new ideas and transform and them your own.”

PhilPop Songwriting Festival 2020 is an initiative of the PhilPop Music Foundation, chaired by Mr. Manny V. Pangilinan. This year's PhilPop is co-presented by SMART, MERALCO, and MAYNILAD.

Splash Corp. Makes Nationwide Donation as Hospitals Continue to Battle COVID-19

The fight against COVID-19 is far from over. Until a safe and effective vaccine is found for COVID-19, Splash Corporation believes the private corporate sector should continue to help the government curb the spread of this disease and keep people safe.

As part of their continuing COVID-19 initiative, Splash Corporation has been supplying medical institutions and frontliners in Metro Manila, Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao with Hygienix alcohol and Hygienix soap to ensure that their disinfectant requirements are sufficient. These donations are coursed through Splash sales personnel on the field and delivered with the help of Splash official distributors. Splash’s target is to finish delivering 80 gallons of alcohol and 5 cases of soap to each of the 40 hospitals in their list this July.

Splash Corporation also donated Hygienix alcohol and Hygienix soap to several Manila based civic organizations. Splash Corporation hopes that their donations to ABS CBN Foundation, I am Hope, Safe Shelter, and World Vision will help these organizations in their respective campaigns and programs in the fight against COVID-19.

According to Mr. Marco Nieto, Splash Corporation SVP and General Manager of Philippine Operations and International Operations, “Splash Corporation donated Hygienix alcohol and soaps to the hospitals and organizations as our way of helping prevent the spread of the virus by protecting our frontliners who are tirelessly working to save those who are afflicted by COVID-19.” The battle against the pandemic may not be over but if frontliners continue to receive the help and support they deserve from businesses and private individuals, their fight could be easier––and may soon be won.

Youtube views count even when using same wifi connection

Views can still count even using the same IP address or wifi connection when you refresh the video. As for me, I finish the song then refresh the vid. Kpop fans also do this when their idols/artist release new music videos. Some of them are diligent enough to go to other coffee shops so wifi connection or IP address are different then they remove history afterwards, They also use different accounts and different devices or gadgets. 

If there are many people viewing the vid simultaneously then more likely the count will freeze and the real count will be shown hours later. 

Sharing the link to your friends and relatives for me is ok because you are happy when your loved ones support you. We rewatch videos and or subscribe because we are entertained by the person or learn from the videos. Same in instagram, we follow people because we like their feed.

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EDM artist Nevada new single Lie To Me is out now!

Visuals & Artwork By Jonathan Swinney

The New Single features Mopiano and ORKID. It is available in Apple Music, Amazon music, Spotify, Deezer, Pandora, youtube, Kkbox, Anghami, and Soundcloud.

Nevada says in his youtube channel, "I wrote this about relationships that are built on a lie. We become so numb to the pain that we begin to believe it is normal and ‘ok’. It may be the only thing you know but I promise, there is better out there than the struggle you’re going through right now. Break The Chain!"⁣.

Stream now people! I find the chorus catchy and the melody is so good. 

Watch audio video:

About Nevada

Nevada is a 29-year-old Stockholm-based American artist, DJ, producer, and songwriter. Having spent his formative years perfecting his skills in Nashville, Tennessee, he became influenced by the House and Hip Hop/Trap scenes and developed a passion for electronic music. He's produced for many artists, contributing to achieving RIAA Gold status and Grammy award-winning albums.

From there, he evolved into a rare breed of artist - one who writes and produces all of his material. Nevada combines elements from electronic pop, house, trap, and acoustic instrumentation along with his finely tuned songwriting skills to create a sound that is instantly accessible and refreshingly unique.

Nevada is well known after climbing the charts with his debut single 'The Mack' on its 20th-anniversary. The house rework of English R&B artist Mark Morrison's 1996 hit featured Mark Morrison and special guest Fetty Wap on vocals. The track has since amassed over 380 million streams globally and climbed the Top-10 charts in multiple countries (Top-50 in 27x and Top-100 in 41x).

Following the success of 'The Mack' and his official remixes of several high-profile artists, such as Liam Payne, Charli XCX, and Benjamin Ingrosso, Nevada has become an exciting artist to watch.

Now with a brand-new team, Nevada is finally back releasing his much-anticipated 2020 singles. The first one out this year is 'Lie To Me' featuring Mopiano and ORKID on vocals. (source: Bio in Spotify)

Nevada is former vocalist of hit EDM duo Capital Kings.

You can find his socials at:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nevadamusic Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nevadamusic Twitter: https://twitter.com/nevadamusic Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/nevadamusic Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/nevadaofficial

Doña Elena Tower Adds Life to Manila’s Thriving Property Market

The City of Manila has definitely had a resurgence under the leadership of Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso. When Mayor Isko removed unlawful obstructions and cleared illegal vendors off of Manila’s streets and sidewalks, he effectively changed how the city looked and how it moved. By cleaning up the city and bringing order to chaos, the determined mayor gave the City of Manila a fresh new feel that continues to inspire business confidence and draw consumer interest. And this hasn’t changed despite the COVID pandemic.

According to Lobien Realty Group (LRG), the City of Manila has a total of 99,874.29 square meters (sqm) of gross leasable office space and only 5,650.63 square meters (sqm) are currently vacant. LRG pointed out that this translates to a single digit vacancy rate of 6%, which is very low and signifies that in Manila, there is demand for office spaces and what is supplied in the market is being taken up. One of the most highly anticipated real estate developments in Manila is the Doña Elena Tower, a mixed-use building developed by Happy Coral Way Realty Corporation. This 11-storey building will soon rise in the busy district of Sta. Mesa Manila near the boundary of Mandaluyong City. The Doña Elena Tower, which has LRG as its sole leasing agent, will provide Manila with 19,051 sqm of gross leasable area. Built at an accessible location that’s surrounded by a wide variety of businesses and essential institutions, the Doña Elena Tower offers its tenants the chance to work in a community where most of what they may want or need is readily available. Situated close to the entry and exit ramps of the on-going Skyway Stage 3 project and within the public transport system that connects EDSA through Shaw, LRG says Doña Elena Tower gives the added benefit of having quick access to Mandaluyong’s burgeoning business and residential areas, without having to deal with the hustle and bustle of the already crowded central business districts of Makati, BGC or Ortigas. LRG believes that the office space market is a good barometer for the state of the economy because when office spaces are in demand and supply is being taken up, it means that businesses are expanding, jobs are being generated and money is being spent. Based on the high demand for office spaces in Manila, LRG expects that finding tenants to occupy Doña Elena Tower will not be difficult. Judging by LRG’s optimism, it can be said that Happy Coral Way Realty Corporation made an excellent decision to build the Doña Elena Tower in the City of Manila.

BPI celebrates “Migrant Workers' Day”, provides easy access to relevant financial services

It remains unclear when the world will find a cure against the coronavirus, but what appears to be clear these days is the new-found respect for frontline Overseas Filipino workers who are bravely helping other countries fight the COVID-19 pandemic.

This Migrant Workers’ Day, it’s not enough to honor Overseas Filipino healthcare workers by calling them noble frontliners. They are modern-day heroes. Take the case of Jessica Lamela, a Filipino caregiver who is currently in Israel. Other than being a caregiver, she is also looking for ways to help other Filipinos who lost their jobs due to the global health crisis.

“Because I am a nurse by profession, I am called to serve during this pandemic. But I am also helping other Filipinos in times of need. Daming workers na nawalan ng work. Ayaw na kasi ng employer nila na may magdadala ng virus. I help them because member ako ng Filipino organization, called NAFILCO, by giving them support and food in times like this,” Lamela said.

According to the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO), the number of Overseas Filipinos who worked abroad was estimated at 10.2 million. But on May 6, the COVID-19 National Task Force informed the Filipino public that close to 70,000 OFs are to be brought home due to the global economic effects of the pandemic. These heroes are hurting, to say the least.

“Since 2009 po, wala akong uwian, nung una for two years. Dati po akong construction worker and now sa factory naman ako nagta-trabaho. At dahil po sa COVID-19, wala na kami ng overtime. Kaya nagbebenta-benta na rin po ako ng ulam dito,” said Dennis Pascual Maala, an OF in South Korea.

For his part, Cesar Cosep, who is working as a Project Manager of a railway system in Jeddah, was fortunate enough to keep his job, but other OFs in Jeddahwere not as lucky as him.

“May mga tao sa Jeddah na nagka-cut sa salary nila. Nag-stop yung project nila because of the lockdown. Their company was forced to shut down,” Cosep said. But the Filipino community in other countries remain solid and strong for their families back home. They continue to work for them, while contributing to the country’s slowing economy by keeping remittances coming.

Remittance Cushion

Although economists expect the country’s remittances will suffer due to the pandemic, OFs like Lamela, Maala, and Cosep still continue to send money from abroad through the remittance tie-ups of BPI with online remittance services.

“Kahit anong oras po at gusto kong magpadala sa mommy ko or sa mga kapatid ko or sa tita ko, through mobile banking, nakakapagpadala ako. May BPI Representative na pumunta sa Korea to introduce the ‘Pamana Padala’ offering, oramismo natatanggap,”explained Maala.
 

Cosep agrees. “I’ve been using online remittance because I don’t have the time to fall in line and go to the physical branch. This is to be safe also. I send money to my family for their necessity. Ang important is they have food, medicine, and face masks this time,” he said. 

Valuable contribution

BPI continues to initiate opportunities to drive digital services for the benefit of OFs and their families back home. This is also the Bank’s way to show recognition for their valuable contributions to the country.

“Even in the face of this global pandemic, and even when our OFs are far from home, they can still take a hands-on approach to providing for their families in the Philippines. They can still manage their accounts online and take full control of their finances, despite the threat of an economic downturn,” said Aileen Lamasuta, head of BPI Retail Segments.

“But as we recognize the fact that there may be challenges in remittances due to COVID-19, BPI is still committed to strengthen our offerings for our brave OFs. We have a strong network of remittance partners worldwide and a remittance solution, BPI Pamana Padala, to give OFs peace of mind while away from their loved ones. These will allow them to sustain the support they are sending their families back home,” explained Reggie Cariaso, Head of BPI Corporate Banking Strategy, Products, and Support.

Lamela, the caregiver, attests to this. “BPI played a big help for us at this time, because very safe and secure ang transaction and alam kong makakarating sa family ko ‘yung remittance. Big help ang digital services nila.”

Through digital banking, BPI continues to provide easy access to relevant financial services for the modern-day heroes—the OFs who remain selfless even in the face of a global pandemic. And every year, on June 7, the Philippines marks "Migrants Workers' Day" to celebrate the signing of Republic Act 8042 or the Migrant Workers Act of 1995.

While he doesn’t regard himself as a hero, Cosep has an apt description of one. “A hero is a person who does something out of his way and does brave things. But during these trying times, sila yung mga taong they go out of their houses for the people in need, I consider them as heroes. You don’t have to kill to become a hero. Gone were the days when we define heroes as someone who dies for the country,” he said.

“Sila ‘yung may takot sa Diyos. Iniisip ‘yung makabubuti para sa nakararami,” Maala added.