Monday, December 5, 2011

OFW remittances at an all-time high: social remittances as new currency from Global Pinoys

Remittances from Filipinos working overseas are at an all-time high. And no, it’s not just because they’re sending back US dollars, Saudi Riyals, Euros or Japanese Yen; but because our modern-day heroes are sending back what’s known as social remittances.

Social remittances refer to ideas, practices, identities and social capital that flow from receiving to sending country communities. It was coined by sociologist Peggy Levitt in her book “The Transnational Villagers and she describes social remittances being transferred by migrants and refugees that are exchanged by letters or other forms of communication that includes phone, fax, the internet or video. She suggested that social remittance affects family relations, gender roles, class and race identity, as well as have a substantial impact on political, economic and religious participation.

This concept isn’t something new for the Philippines. In the 1800s, this was already seen through the newspaper La Solidaridad and the novels of Jose Rizal. Like them whose ideas paved . In the 21st century, blogging is the new form of social remittance of Filipinos working and living abroad. Through their blogs they are publishing their stories online to inspire others. They also advocate for causes, help others and muster support from their readers to help effect change in their own little ways.

With globalization, Filipino migrants are beginning to realize the power of harnessing the potential of social remittance. They may be students pursuing a higher education, a professional with a white-collar job or a migrant working as house help; but all of them have something in common: an economic goal and aspiration.

This year the Pinoy Expat/OFW Blog Awards or PEBA 2011 is geared to recognize the contributions of Filipino bloggers abroad. This year’s theme is dubbed as "Ako'y Magbabalik, Hatid Ko'y Pagbabago." (I Will Return, I Will Bring Change) as Balikbayans not only send back their monetary remittances; but social remittances as well.

For this year PEBA opens a new blog search called PEBA’s Any Blogger, Anywhere for all Filipino bloggers in various categories, at home or abroad. This year’s blog contest will look into narratives as to how returning Expats/OFW will make use and share their social remittance or their talents, skills and fortunes to bring change to their families, communities and country. Expats/OFW bloggers who will be joining the contest will be required to write a blog entry on the said theme. There is also an ongoing blog contest for OFW supporters.

For 2011, VIPinoy, a service and perks for overseas Filipinos and OFWs offered by Ayala Malls is the biggest sponsor of PEBA. Ayala Mall is providing Trinoma Activity Center as the venue for the awards nights on December 9, 2011 and Market Market as venue for its photo exhibit from December 9, 2011. PEBA is equally supported by one of its long time partner NOKIA and communication giant Globe Telecom.


PEBA will exclusively invite some 200 guests who can make their reservation and confirmation/RSVP of their attendance through VIPinoy Lounges in the different Ayala Malls and the awarding will be watched by a thousand or more and will be telecast live for OFWs to watch.



For more information regarding PEBA, please visit http://www.pinoyblogawards.com/.

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Budgeting: Every Finance Manager's Headache

Every year-end, all companies do their budgeting for the coming year. This means, actual expenses as of the cut-off date are collated, evaluated and then a budget for the following year is drawn from the proposed projects and actual operating expenses as assessed previously.

It just so happened that our company first gives all department heads to "propose" their own budgets. But then, these are subject to checking and revising and correcting, of course, by the Corporate Officers, before it gets approved.

So how come I'm writing these down? Because I'm irked. Annoyed. Irritated. That some of the department heads think that once they have proposed something, it becomes law. Hello?! What's so hard to understand that we still have to go through the checking process and the approval? Our budget cannot be approved if it didn't pass the qualifications or limits set by the authorized "approvers" - who in this case is the Corporate Finance Officer. How come you all sound so irritated that your proposed budget went down? Tell me, would you rather have the same budget as last year because we didn't budge and accepted the limits set by Management? Or will you be willing to accept the new proposed budget and stop blaming me because the figures you're seeing now are significantly lower than what you proposed beforehand?

I know. It's law that everyone should hate the Finance Manager. But hey, is this YOUR money we're talking about? Isn't this the company's? Isn't this the owners' money you're planning to spend relentlessly?

Gimme a friggin' break...

Friday, November 11, 2011

I miss Blogging!

I do. I miss blogging. Not the deadlines or the research, but just jotting down, typing away... Just like that.. I kinda lost the touch after giving birth since my Phoenix is a handful, but I totally want to go back to blogging again. For one because it just loosens up my brain a bit just enough to get me going with my tasks again. Two, it kinda gives a little jiggle to my head just so the creative juices will keep on seeping through the tiny little cracks so I don't lose it at all.

Hmmm.

And I also miss the cha-ching I sometimes get from blogging. *smirk*


Don't mind me though. I'm just bored.

Saturday, October 29, 2011

Finally.. Passed 1st Batch of Docs for the BIR Audit

Hoorah, we're being audited. Again. (Sarcasm intended)

Apparently BIR's targeting hotels for their 2010 audits and behold, we're a
hotel. *facepalm*

I thought what we first submitted to the boss had mistakes, but lo, there
were only interchanged columns in our excel file. Haha! But still, it had
to be corrected to be "correct".

Anyway, I'm way too sleepy, and our pc's mouse surrendered and wouldn't
move, so I'm ticking away using my mobile phone. And if you're reading
this, then blogging via email in Blogger still works. :)

Cheers!

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Profit? or Loss?

Hmm, based on the impromptu calculations that were not the normal thingys asked for during these types of meetings, it's a BIG loss.


At least we profited in terms of calories. Thanks to F&B. Haha!

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

He's Not Perfect... Don't Analyze!

I just saw a nice post from Leo Lastimosa's google+ profile, and I found it intriguing that a person with a misunderstood reputation such as Bob Marley can be capable of saying such things...


Here's a very good example..

"He’s not perfect. You aren’t either, and the two of you will never be perfect. But if he can make you laugh at least once, causes you to think twice, and if he admits to being human and making mistakes, hold onto him and give him the most you can. He isn’t going to quote poetry, he’s not thinking about you every moment, but he will give you a part of him that he knows you could break. Don’t hurt him, don’t change him, and don’t expect for more than he can give. Don’t analyze. Smile when he makes you happy, yell when he makes you mad, and miss him when he’s not there. Love hard when there is love to be had. Because perfect guys don’t exist, but there’s always one guy that is perfect for you." — Bob Marley

I have been thinking of writing something for Tom for the last 2 days... We had just passed by our 2nd wedding anniversary and so far, things have been going greatly. We haven't had any big problems by the grace of God, and also, we now have a sweat pea baby Phoenix who occupies most of our time nowadays...  :)

But setting all these aside, including the fact that he also posted something on his wall that almost made me cry, the above quote would most probably engulf all what I had to say about him for more than 9 years of being together (okay, I didn't count the break! :> )..


He's that ONE guy...


:-*


ps: for other quotes from Bob Marley, try visiting this link.

Friday, September 2, 2011

After the Game..

After a tiring basketball game (which of course he didn't play full time for, because of leg cramps), he passes the time updating his fb and stalking others'...

And by the way, January, I already saw the pics.. ;)

Thursday, September 1, 2011

Hey You! How's Everything?!

Hey, hey, hey!

How's everybody?! I know it's been ages since my last post.... And to fill everybody in on the developments, here are some bits and pieces (and what a good time to update, it's the first day of September!):


  1. Phoenix is already 6 months old (there she is!).
  2. I was assigned to a new office, holding a new position, having new challenges, and facing new people. Hearing new and fantastic blog-gable bloopers... ;)
  3. We're now past our 2nd wedding anniversary. Yay!
  4. I still don't like seaweeds. Blech!


So anyway, hopefully I can juggle in a few more posts every now and then to keep you all up and running (duh, as if you stopped! Lol!), and maybe persuade another person to continue blogging after her 1st post, haha!

So there. Toodles!

Monday, January 31, 2011

What's in my Diaper Bag?!

I'm actually due on February 12, but we're really just waiting for labor pains right now since Doc Cyd told us during our last check-up that Phoenix's head is already engaged so we just prepared the diaper bag we're ready to haul over to the hospital just in case it happens (labor!) all of a sudden.

I didn't think I needed to take pictures, so bad of me, since actual pictures of the contents of the diaper bag and the bag itself can help you visualize it more.

Anyway, I'll just enumerate them so you, whether you're the one pregnant or a friend, or a sister, or maybe even your mother, would have an idea what to bring to the hospital for the big day!

  • Diapers. lots of them. Because newborns will pee and poop almost every hour after birth. It's sorta their cleansing thing. So bring lots and lots of diapers since hospitals here in the Philippines might provide only 2-3 pieces for your baby.
  • Hooded towel or a hooded receiving blanket. I'd like to believe the baby would like a comfy and warm blanket with a hood so his/her head will not be cold too.
  • Soft blanket/covered mat for the baby to lie on.
  • Wet wipes and cotton balls. To clean up that chubby butt after pooing or peeing.
  • 70% Ethyl alcohol. Maybe to disinfect the chord stump or something, it's the nurses that ask for this though.
  • Cotton buds/ear buds. This too, the nurses will ask for this, together with the,
  • Baby wash. Because they will give your baby a bath before giving him/her to you.
  • Baby clothes. Be sure to bring those white cotton newborn baby clothes and some others of your choice. Something he/she will be comfortable in. Make sure they're not so thick, so the baby won't be soaked in sweat.
  • Socks, mitts, cap. For protection and comfort. Make sure you've removed the stray threads, just bring scissors with you so you can trim them off just to make sure.
  • Wash cloths, bibs, burping cloths. Of course, for wiping off milk for the chin or cheeks, protection for burping or from accidental spills/vomiting.
Well, basically, those are the essential things to bring to the hospital for THE big day. Don't forget mom, you have to pack a bag of your own too. Don't forget to bring extra undies, sanitary napkins or adult diapers (whichever you prefer, I'm bringing napkins with me), comb, toiletries like a toothbrush, deodorant, perfume/cologne, toothpaste, soap and/or shampoo (it's a hospital, so better be ready than sorry), change of clothes - those that are comfortable for during and after labor and birth (Tom and I suggest for moms planning to breastfeed, bring something with buttons so the baby can have easy access to milk) and also clothes for going home.

Don't forget to bring slippers too, include socks if you're the type who gets cold easily. For walking around during labor and also while you're inside the room after birth and for going home. You should even bring a towel or washcloth for of course, freshening up. You can also bring extra pillows and blankets for you to be comfortable after giving birth, and also for your husband or partner or guardian - whoever's going to be with you - to use at night or while waiting for the baby to be brought to you inside the room.

**Anyway, here's a photo of some of the stuff we've gotten from Ate Jovie, I've packed most of them into my diaper bag, except for the pump. I'll have to remember to bring that.


Hi, Still Alive. How’re you?

 So I decided to visit my blog. Just because. And of course, since I didn’t delete it, it’s still here. Stagnant. Just observing. Doing noth...