Category Archives: Education

Doomsday Prepper Or Not, Do You Have What It Takes To Survive?

Posted on by

I did promise to keep this blog as “light” as possible. But since it’s also my intent to inform and share my day-to-day experiences, I would like to raise a topic that some might find a little offensive and controversial – doomsday survival.

I do not intend to share this post to instill fear, but our reality now is that governments are scrambling to find ways to address climate emergency. Once again, it is my intent to inform and hopefully help people prepare as the world combats climate change.

Climate Emergency Now

As climate change drastically affects biodiversity and ecosystems, it will trigger migration of every species including humans. Food chains will be disrupted. New disease outbreaks will be on the rise. There will be an imbalance in the law of demand and supply. Job losses will peak at their highest. Riots will increase. Money will have no value. Food shortages will be rampant, and nations will be fighting over resources.

(2021) Completed UP Open University’s Non-Formal Course “Responding to Climate Risk in Agriculture and Natural Resources Management,” which is part of their Continuing Education Program.
To God be the glory. 🙏

Earth Is Dying

Unfortunately, this is the part where I will say that we only have a very small chance of averting the damages inflicted on our environment. It’s already too late. Yes, climate scientists are already feeling desperate. But they are trying their best to mitigate the risks and protect what is still left of the earth. You might want to watch “Don’t Look Up” on Netflix if you haven’t watched it yet. I have a hunch the movie is a 100% portrayal of our current situation.

Earth’s deterioration is already inevitable, and mankind’s survival is already at stake. It is now up to us how we deal with the effects of climate change and survive. There are those of us who say that we don’t have to resist what is already bound to happen.

They say that if it’s our time to die, then we die. I want to believe this. That dying is this easy. But what if it is not yet your time to die according to God’s timeline, and you did not prepare when God asked you to, you can imagine the extent of pain, suffering, and struggle you will go through just to survive.

And no, suicide is not an option. Because if inaction is a sin when God asks you to do something and you don’t do it, suicide is an even greater sin. So we choose neither – WE ACT.

Preparation Is Key

Think of Noah and other disciples in the Bible who were called by God to prepare for upcoming tragedies that will affect the human population on a wider scale. Have you watched the Netflix series “The 100?” It is by far the best sci-fi series for me because it speaks volumes about mankind’s survival amidst the proliferation of advanced technology such as AI (artificial intelligence).

When I asked ChatGPT out of curiosity if it can come up with a survival rate for mankind against climate change and if science and technology can prevent climate change, AI answered that sadly, nothing can stop the earth from deteriorating.

Learning To Adapt

Yes, I wanted to unleash my anger on AI. lol To be honest, that was my initial reaction when I read its answer. Because I was like, what’s the use of all of these scientific discoveries and innovative technologies that were all designed and created to make man’s life more convenient if they can’t do anything to protect the earth and make it more habitable for future generations?

Am I a climate activist? No, I do not want to protest. I have already resigned to the fact that all we can do now is not blame anyone – we all have contributed to the destruction of earth one way or the other. But we should learn how to cope with our changing environment, adapt as much as we can, and survive when extreme weather events of all sorts come.

7 Things You Need To Know To Survive A Changing World

So, let’s get to the basic survival skills that I believe each one of us should know whether you are a doomsday prepper or not. 👊

1. Have a BOL, BOV, and BOB.

BOL (Bug Out Location), BOV (Bug Out Vehicle), and BOB (Bug Out Bag) are the 3 important things on your survival list. However, the BOB is the most important because your BOL can be overrun, and your BOV can be destroyed. But your BOB is your lifeline. You can still live without a BOL or BOV, but without a BOB, it’s extremely difficult to survive. Here’s what should be in your BOL, BOV, and BOB.

BOL

a. Make sure you have a month’s worth of supplies (food and medical supplies).

b. Make it intruder-safe.

c. Set up alarm systems around the perimeter.

d. Choose a location outside the city.

e. Create emergency exits.

f. Limit entry points.

g. Have designated spots to hide your weapons.

h. Place your BOB nearby.

BOV

a. Make sure you have extra supplies.

b. The vehicle should be able to traverse any type of terrain.

c. Choose a less eye-catching vehicle.

d. Customize the vehicle if needed.

e. Don’t forget to put your BOB in your BOV.

BOB

a. Food supplies that are good for at least 3 days (MRE packs are a great choice, but you have to get used to the taste first).

b. First-aid kit.

c. Survival tool kit (emergency mirrors, ropes, knives, fishing line, eating utensils, flint, etc.)

There are mixed reactions to this survival tool kit. Some say they are of low quality, some say they are good enough, and some say they are the most compact, all-inclusive survival kit that won’t take so much space in your BOB, but will come in handy once needed. If you’re undecided about trying this, you may use this video as your guide for the list of survival tool must-haves and just purchase the items from stores of your choosing. 👍

d. Clothes good for at least 3 days.

e. Emergency blanket or thermal blanket.

f. Water that is good for at least 3 days.

g. Waterproof backpack (should not weigh more than your body weight).

h. Add extra supplies if with a baby or small children i.e. diapers, milk, meds for children, etc.

i. Two-way radios.

Thanks to my bro, who’s a military officer, for these. 👍👍

2. Learn martial arts.

I admire parents who have taken the initiative to enroll their kids, especially those who have young girls, in self-defense and martial arts classes like jiu-jitsu. In every disaster, women and children are the most afflicted and the most vulnerable.

We have already seen in history how the fate of the women and children became the collateral. When men can no longer protect, women and children must learn to protect themselves. I am actually willing to shave my head if needed, so I look like one of the guys. Tho better if I could act like Kenshin Himura of Rurouni Kenshin, my favorite anime. But sadly, I can only copy Kaoru.

Tin Ginete
Reliving my PE “arnis” days way back in college. If only looks could really kill, I wonder how many kills can I do with a stare like this? 🤔

3. Research, research, and research.

Always be on the lookout for new survival tips. Let’s keep in mind that climate change effects will be unpredictable but one thing’s for sure, they will worsen. So, we have to make sure our survival methods are well adapted to the ever changing climate.

Using these flints is easy, you just have to have lots of patience.

You can also play strategy games on Apple and Google Play Store to learn a few survival strategies. Survival movies and series like “The 100” also provide various survival scenarios that we can all learn from.

4. Join prepper groups.

I’ve learned such a great deal from prepper groups I have joined on Facebook and other social media sites. But then again, be very discerning and double-check the info being shared. Let’s not be a victim of disinformation and fake news. Always verify the credibility of the sources where you’re getting information from.

5. Prepare your family.

Your family will think you are a worrier, an overthinker, and downright crazy. 😀 Let them. But still, inform them and prepare them. They will thank you for that later on. At least, on your end, you did your part. Now, it’s up to them if they will do theirs.

You might say that learning survival tips in theory requires putting them into practice often. I will agree on that. What is important is that we have the basic knowledge which will come in handy once the need arises.

Try camping activities with your family first. This will give them a glimpse into how it is to survive in the wild. It’s a subtle way of conditioning, an educational psychology theory I learned from my graduate study. Fishing lessons will also be a great idea especially if they’re having fun. You and your family can also explore different foraging techniques.

1st Camping Lesson Learned: Never ever set camp on a slope. lol Unless you have no other choice like what happened here because the camping site, much to our dismay, was full.
I don’t know how to caption this. 😂

For self-defense, I think the body will have a natural reflex to defend itself during fight or flight mode. So it’s best that we know how to identify the critical areas in an assailant’s body where we can inflict much damage to disarm the attacker or escape successfully.

6. Get the best survival equipment and tools.

My advice is to do a lot of research before deciding to purchase. Look for items that have positive reviews and feedback. Also, choose according to your needs and your skills, and make sure you know how to use all of the survival tools you purchased.

Because it’s not enough to know how to point and shoot. Learn how to load them guns, too.

7. Seek for God’s wisdom, discernment, and guidance.

Pray and be actively still. I’ve read the phrase “actively still” from my Our Daily Bread devo, and I was very intrigued because it is an irony. You cannot be still and yet be active at the same time. But this is exactly what we should do once we’re all done with steps 1 to 6.

Praying requires action. And yet you can pray with a heart that is calm because you did what God asked you to do. Now, His peace transcends over your understanding of everything helping you to be still in all circumstances.

Moreover, having a calm attitude when emergencies come will help us think clearly. Another way to be proactive while waiting is to stay updated with environmental news.

I hope you were able to gain valuable insights from this article though this was short. I am thinking about making an expanded version of this, but for now, you may ask me questions, give suggestions, and make clarifications if you have any. Always keep in mind that the 3 basic needs – food, clothing, and shelter, are all that we need to survive in this world. And of course, lots of prayers. So, make that 4. 🙂

I’m praying for everyone’s safety and protection as we all move forward despite the looming dangers of climate change. God will never allow anything to happen to us more than what we can handle. If you can’t trust me, just trust God. 🙏

“Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for You are close beside me. Your rod and Your staff protect and comfort me.” – Psalm 23:4

Plugin Integration For Your Website: MailerLite Or Mailchimp?

Posted on by

It’s 2:35 am, and I’m still wide awake tinkering with my laptop. I was supposed to write a new blog post about a different topic today but found out that the Mailchimp widget for my subscriber popup form was disabled.

Why was it disabled? When I logged in on my Mailchimp account, it says I need to upgrade my website to a business plan to be able to place the code for the Mailchimp subscriber popup form on my website’s header. I’m currently running a free domain, so it no longer works for my site.

Mailchimp Subscriber Popup Form Website Integration 

There’s another way though for your followers to join your mailing list using Mailchimp and that’s through the Mailchimp block. This can only integrated, however, inside a particular post or a page.

Here’s how to do it: https://wordpress.com/support/wordpress-editor/blocks/mailchimp-block/.

Mailerlite Subscriber Popup Form Website Integration

But fret not if you find it difficult to integrate a Mailchimp block. We still have another alternative to create a subscriber popup form – MailerLite. Generating the codes using Mailerlite for your subscriber popup form is easy. All you need to do is create an account for free, then follow the instructions provided.

Here’s the guide to do it: https://wordpress.com/support/widgets/mailerlite/.

I was able to create mine in just a couple of minutes and integrate it with my website’s settings. This time, I opted for a simpler interface. My previous subscriber pop-up form contains a photo, but the problem with it is that it doesn’t show up when you’re viewing on mobile mode.

Mailchimp vs. MailerLite

If you’re going to ask me which one is better, I must say that both are great plugins for your site. They only differ according to where you want your subscriber popup form to appear. If you want it to appear on the whole site, go for MailerLite. If you want it to pop up on a specific post or page, you can use Mailchimp.

I opted for the whole site appearance, and this is how my new subscriber popup form looks like now. Make it simpler, but clearer.

Screen Shot 2020-08-15 at 2.09.10 AM

Tinkering with codes every now and then,

Blog Signature

 

Paano Ba Ang Tamang Pagpapatawad? | Relationship Goals

Posted on by

To my non-Filipino readers, I wrote this article in the vernacular because I felt the message will go through much better in this medium. But you may use the Google translate button below or at the sidebar of this page. I just hope Google will do a fine job of translating it. *wink*

“Paano Ba Ang Tamang Pagpapatawad?”

Noong nakaraang buwan, may isa akong status update na ni-post sa Facebook. Ito ay tungkol sa kasong adultery at concubinage. Hindi namin pinagdaanan ito ng asawa ko kaya sa mga nagtataka bakit nga ba bigla lang akong nag-post tungkol doon, wala akong ibang maisagot kundi dahil sa naramdaman ko lamang na kailangan ko syang i-post.

Infidelity: Kasong Concubinage at Adultery

Ang infidelity o pagkakaroon ng kabit o karelasyong babae/lalaki maliban sa iyong asawa ay isang sensitibong usapan pagdating sa ating lipunan. Madalas natin itong napapanood sa mga pelikulang Pinoy at teleserye. Ngunit sa totoong sitwasyon, ito ay itinuturing bilang isang kahihiyan. Kaya hindi nakapagtataka kung bakit maraming mga biktima ang piniling manahimik na lamang at indahin ang sakit at mga pasakit na dulot nito.

Ito ang isa sa mga dahilan kung bakit naisipan kong i-post ang tungkol sa adultery at concubinage case. Dahil nakita ko ang dalamhati nila, ang sakit na dinaranas bawat araw, at kanilang mga sakripisyo sa pamamagitan ng pagiging matatag sa kabila ng lahat alang-alang sa kanilang mga anak at ikatatahimik ng lahat.

Ang iba naman ay nagpaubaya na lamang dahil hindi sapat ang kanilang impormasyon tungkol sa infidelity at sa mga batas na nangangalaga sa mga karapatan ng isang asawa. Kahit saang bansa sagrado ang tingin ng batas at ng lipunan sa isang kasal o pagsasama ng isang mag-asawa.

Ang adultery case ay iba sa concubinage case. Ang una ay kaso ng isang asawang lalaki laban sa kanyang asawang babae at ang kabit nito. Ang huli ay kaso ng isang babaeng asawa laban sa kanyang asawang lalaki at ang kabit nito.

Para sa karagdagang kaalaman tungkol dito, maaari ninyong basahin itong artikulo:

“A Brief Discussion on Infidelity, Concubinage, Adultery, and Bigamy”

Hindi ko inakala na maraming kababaihan ang dumaraan sa ganitong mahirap na sitwasyon ngayon at walang alam kung paano ito resolbahan. Nakita ko ang mga komento ng iba’t-ibang kababaihan na naglahad ng kanilang mga kanya-kanyang sitwasyon. Hindi ko rin napaghandaan na ganito ang magiging kalalabasan ng post na iyon na ni-share ng mga kaibigan at ng mga kaibigan nila.

Ngunit ipinanalangin ko sa Panginoon na gabayan Nya ako kung paano makakatulong sa aking mga kapatid na kinakaharap ang ganitong masalimuot na sitwasyon. Ang itinuro sa akin ng Dios ay ang website ng Public Attorneys Office at ang mga numero kung paano ito kontakin. Ito ang kasagutang aking naibigay dahil hindi ko masasagot ang mga katanungan nila at hindi naman ako abogado.

Ano Ang Iyong Gagawin Bilang Isang Kristyano?

Marahil sa puntong iyon ng pag-post ko, marami sa mga kaibigan ko ang nagtaka lalo na sa konteksto ng pagiging isa kong Kristyano. Dahil ang utos sa Bibliya ay magpatawad at huwag maghiganti sa isang maling gawain na ginawa saiyo.

Mga minamahal, huwag kayong maghihiganti; ipaubaya ninyo iyon sa Dios. Sapagkat nasusulat, “Akin ang paghihiganti, ako ang gaganti,” sabi ni Panginoon. – Mga Taga-Roma 12:19

Ngunit ayon din naman sa aking pananaliksik, ang pagpapatawad daw ay laging may kaakibat na kondisyon. Dahil ganoon din ang hiningi ng Dios sa atin kapalit ng ating pagkakaligtas – tanggapin si Hesus bilang iyong tagapagligtas at talikuran ang masamang nakaraan. Pero meron din namang nagsasabi na sa anumang uri ng pagkakamali, palaging maging handa magpatawad.

Naisip ko na may rason ang Dios bakit Nya pinagawa ang sampung kautusan kay Moses noon na ‘yun ang naging basehan ng ating mga batas upang mapanatili ang katahimikan sa lipunan ngayon. Lahat ng ito ay naglalayon na mapangalagaan ang karapatan ng bawat isa sa ating mga mamamayan at mamuhay kasama ang iba ng tahimik at may respeto sa kapwa.


Sa usapang infidelity, and katanungan ng karamihan ay paano ba magpatawad at nararapat bang kasuhan ang iyong nagkasalang asawa? O patawarin ko na sya kaagad at ibaon ang lahat sa limot?

Kung walang nangyaring paghingi ng kapatawaran, para sa akin, mas pipiliin ko pa ring magpatawad. At sa ilang beses na naging bigo sa pagtupad ng kanyang pangako ang iyong asawa ngunit patuloy pa rin na gumagawa ng kasamaan at patuloy ding humihingi ng iyong kapatawaran, mas nakakabuting hingin mo ang payo ng Dios sa kung ano ang nararapat gawin.

Nakasaad sa Bibliya na ang adultery/concubinage ay isang sapat na rason para iwan mo ang iyong asawa. Ngunit nakasaad din dito na ang tunay na pagmamahal ay handang magpatawad sa lahat ng oras, sa anumang pagkakamali, at hindi basta-basta sumusuko.

Ang mga batas natin ay hinayaan ng Panginoon na maisakatuparan dahil ito ay may magandang pakay para sa lipunan at sa mga mamamayan. Hindi ito ginawa para lamang panakot kundi magsilbing gabay sa mga tao para gawin kung ano ang tama at maturuan ang mga may sala na talikuran ang paggawa ng masama at mag-bagong buhay.

God Is Always With you

Para saiyo kapatid na patuloy na nagdadalamhati sa sakit at pait na dulot ng infidelity, ito lamang ang aking maipapayo:

  • Hindi na mahalaga na tanungin mo ang iyong sarili kung saan ka ba nagkulang at nagawa ito saiyo ng iyong asawa. Lahat tayo ay may kakulangan. Pero kung totoong mahal ka nya, kaya nyang tanggapin ano mang pagkukulang mo at kung mahal mo rin sya, kaya mo ring tanggapin ang buo nyang pagkatao.
  • Hilingin mo sa Panginoon ano ang dapat mong gawin sa sitwasyon ninyo ng inyong asawa. Tanungin mo Sya kung nararapat bang kasuhan ang iyong asawa ng adultery o concubinage case o patawarin mo na lamang sya, talikuran ang mga nangyari, at hayaan na lamang na panahon ang maghilom ng lahat.
  • Dios ang palaging nagtatama ng lahat. Ngunit tayo ang kikilos ayon sa Kanyang mga utos. Ika nga nila, “Nasa Dios ang awa, nasa tao ang gawa.”
  • Huwag kang panghinaan ng loob, hindi lamang ikaw ang nagdurusa at nasasadlak sa ganitong kalagayan. At lalo na, hindi ka nag-iisa. Maraming tao ang handang tumulong saiyo sa anumang paraan na alam nila para ikaw ay makabangon muli.
  • Patatagin mo ang iyong kalooban dahil karamay mo kami at ang Dios. Sa Dios pa lang, panalo ka na. Hayaan mo Syang igabay ka sa mga tamang taong tutulong sayo at gagabay din sayo sa tamang daan.
  • Lahat ng bagay may simula at katapusan. Ang paghihirap mong ito ay matatapos din. Ang unos ay titila at ang araw ay lalabas din. Madilim man itong dinaraanan mo ngayon pero liliwanag din sa huli. Manalig ka na lahat ng mga nangyayari sa mundong ito ay nakikita ng Dios. Dios ang pinakahukom kung saan lahat ng bawat kilos natin ay ating pananagutan at sisingilin Nya sa atin pagdating ng tamang panahon.
  • Bumangon ka kapatid. Harapin mo ang bawat umaga ng may tapang at lakas. Na sa kabila ng pinagdaraanan mo, mananatili kang matatag. Isa kang magiting na sundalo na sa bawat laban, ang bandila mo ay patuloy na mamamayagpag. Higit sa lahat, isa kang magiting na mandirigma dahil kakampi mo ang Dios. At ito sana ang panghawakan mo palagi:

“Tinutulungan Niya ang mga nagdurusa at ‘di binibigo ang walang pag-asa.” – Mga Awit 34:18

Patuloy na nananalangin ng taimtim para saiyo, kapatid,

How Social Media Is Shaping Our Lives: Is It For The Better?

Posted on by

I am “hibernating” on social media lately although not entirely because I still log in daily to check my messages and browse through newsfeeds. But compared to my regular social media habit the past months, I’ve been posting fewer updates recently.

I Was Gently Reminded

Last Christmas, I was excitedly capturing photos of the moments shared with my family from the food to the presents, to the activities that we did, to a whole lot more of fun-filled memories.

When my Mom saw what I was doing, she told me one thing that I’ll never forget:

“So you’re taking photos and will most probably post them on Facebook to show people the things that you have or done, which some of them might not have or can’t do.”

glen-carrie-773789-unsplash

Ever since the Facebook revolution started, Mom has always been cynical about it. At first, I contradicted her by saying that Facebook and all other social media channels (she doesn’t know IG, yet 😀 ) are beneficial, too, in some ways. She relented but with a gentle reminder to be wise when sharing on social media.

I must admit I had moments back then when I felt that my Mom was right. As what they say on Facebook, always “think before you click.” But it was her very recent reminder about social media that cut deeper through me – the “why” of my social media hibernation except here on WordPress.

Is It Good?

I love Science and Technology so much that I am always excited about every new discovery and invention out there. And yet, we all know, too, that every single one of them has its own pros and cons. When it comes to social media, I was wondering to what extent can it affect our lives? Is it more on the pros or the cons?

I observed one negative side of social media, what study experts call as “humblebragging.” I never even knew the term existed until I encountered it while reading a couple of articles. These write-ups describe the studies conducted to observe the effects of social media on human psychology.

Research revealed that one of the most notable effects social media has on users is depression. To connect this to what my Mom said, more often than not social media posts can breed feelings of misery, discontentment, disappointment, and discouragement, which will eventually lead to depression. If we are to trace what is causing this, the root of the evil so to speak, it is this – envy.

I have a lot of photos and a lot of status updates to share on Facebook and Instagram, but what my Mom told me last year made me think twice whether I really should go ahead and post them or not. I want to share them BUT I know what my Mom is really telling me is to be responsible for what I will share. In other words, if it isn’t beneficial to others, then leave it unshared.

My social media hibernation isn’t because I won’t post anymore. Rather, I am thinking of ways how to share to people the things that I know, the things that I did, and the things that I have that won’t elicit any feelings of jealousy and disappointment on their part.

It is not my intent for my newsfeed followers to have the wrong notion that my life is way perfect and better than theirs because it is not just true. That’s why I make it a point to share a couple of bad news, even sensitive ones, just to bring light on my weaknesses and my lack of certain things and abilities, too. This is to affirm that we are all equal and go through different circumstances but the same seasons of drought and bountiful harvest.

Yes, Facebook and Instagram have become a “bragging wall.” This is becoming a deadly trend, and I really mean deadly because it can kill someone through depression. This is the deadly trend that portrays perfection on social media and it is encouraging everyone to have a false and pretentious lifestyle just to keep up with the game.

What if you can’t keep up?

Then this now becomes the problem. This is how people start feeling less about themselves, the inadequacy around them, the hopelessness, and ultimately, the unhappiness.

So I struggle.

What should I post? Will my post make me look like a humblebrag? Will it help other people feel good about themselves? Or should I not post anything at all?

Hmmm, I think I’m humblebragging in this post. So now I’m at a loss on what I should write about. 😀

Seriously, I’m going to end this article with a prayer asking for guidance and discernment to know the right actions when sharing about our daily lives to others. And my next article will be related to this, if God wills it, entitled “Humblebragging in Christianity: A Study.”

I am guilty of humblebragging one way or the other and I want to make up for all those feelings of misery and discontentment that I have caused on other people through my past social media posts. So yes, may the Lord give us new ways to make up for these mistakes made unknowingly. ❤

Asking for the Spirit’s guidance always,

NewBlogSignature_edited_edited

5 Wrong Attitudes When Writing | The Journeyman’s Moments

Posted on by

“To err is human; to forgive, divine.” – Alexander Pope

We all make mistakes every single day, big and small. That’s the norm. If we don’t make mistakes, then I suppose that makes us an extraterrestrial with exceptional IQ and perfect capabilities. 😉

Seriously, there are mistakes that can be corrected right away, there are those that take time or practice to do them right, there are those that can be avoided, and there are those that will forever remain irreparable.

It’s a good thing that writing falls in the first and second categories. Yes, practicing always is the key to honing your writing skills close to perfect and eliminate mistakes. But it usually takes time so patience is necessary.

It is also a rule of thumb to make room for mistakes when writing because this is where improvements come in. So far, I haven’t committed a writing mistake that’s difficult to correct.

Some of the writing mistakes though were made by having the wrong mindset when it comes to writing. In the succeeding paragraphs, I’ll be giving a rundown of the wrong attitudes to avoid if you want to be a better writer.

nick-morrison-325805-unsplash

Photo credit: Unsplash

Mistakes Make You Write Better, But The Right Attitude Makes You Write Excellently

1. “Never mind the grammar as long as I can submit it on time.”

This has to be avoided first and foremost. Why? We cannot sacrifice quality over quantity just because we’re on a tight deadline or we still have to finish other tasks. Grammatical errors usually happen on my end when I change a particular sentence, edit the latter or first part, and skip rereading the entire sentence because of time constraints.

This habit of mine is “okay” if I write here on my blog where I do multiple revisions before and after publishing my articles (I still overlook some errors though). But for work-related write-ups, this is critical.

Again, never sacrifice quality over quantity. I’ve read some formal write-ups with multiple grammatical errors and when I checked out the profile, the writer has a Ph.D. It somehow made me doubt about the credibility of the write-up. No offense here though, but I believe having a good grasp of grammar also speaks so much about professionalism.

If we’re going to say that it’s just grammar and committing grammar errors is okay as long as the idea is there, unfortunately, it is not. Grammatical errors oftentimes confuse or mislead readers. They make the text difficult for the audience to understand because the ideas are in shambles.

2. “Memorizing new words is hard so I’ll stick with what I already know.”

This is not a proper mindset if you want to improve your writing skills. Better yet, make it a habit to learn new words every day. Every time I learn an unfamiliar term, I use it in context by including it in my writing asap, thus, retaining the word in my vocabulary bank. I’ve been exposed to different writing disciplines which require I learn and adopt a certain lingo/jargon in my writing, so this comes as a necessity for me.

Your vocabulary bank will enable you to deliver high-quality output and allow your writing style to be on par with the company/client’s brand voice. If it is about real estate, read up on all real estate-related terms. If it is about technology, you also have to be familiar with technical terms. If it is news writing, choose strong words that will have an impact on your readers and so on and so forth.

The same goes even for personal blogging. There are specific terms which best describe your thoughts and portray the emotions that you want your reader to feel. If your vocabulary is limited, it’ll be difficult to choose the appropriate words in conveying your ideas.

3. “I don’t see how my area of expertise can benefit from other disciplines.”

It’s best to read across several disciplines and not just in your area of expertise or topics you’re interested in. I also derive other interesting ideas from non-literary discourses (I have a bachelor’s degree in Literature), which can sometimes be the next topic of my story or become a useful piece of information for my future articles.

LinkedIn is one of my go-to reading platforms for technical learning. For more on personal experiences and journals, I usually browse WordPress. You may also include online news publications to stay updated with the current trends and issues happening locally and globally.

The more informed you are, the more ideas you have which will be relevant in your profession as a writer. As they say, you cannot write about something you do not know. So all the more that your knowledge bank has to be interdisciplinary. In a sense, it is like studying a new course but on your own pacing and the facilitator is yourself.

The lack of pertinent details is sometimes what causes a writer’s block. Unless you also space out easily, like me, which is why I prefer working at home where I can eliminate all distractions and avoid “the blockage.”

4. “I know better than them.”

Thanks to my former and current editors for some of these nuggets of wisdom and thank God for mentors in the writing industry. I’ve only been in this industry for 2 years after a career shift. But I felt like I already learned a whole 4-year-course-worth of knowledge that I can only acquire not in the academe, but by infiltrating the mainstream of writers, editors, and the digital publishing arena.

I am grateful I was given opportunities to explore several writing industries from business writing, technical writing, news writing, to feature writing. Because for every industry, there is a myriad of takeaways that I now apply in my writing in general.

Mentors are essential. Don’t take it personally when they review or criticize your work. You need their valuable insights so you can improve the quality of your output.

I always see it as a favor to make me better. When working with clients, it also allows transparency for clearer communications and well-met expectations resulting in a satisfying deliverable and performance.

5. “I have poor writing skills, thus, I should refrain from writing.”

There’s no better way to apply what you’ve learned than to keep on writing. The more you make writing as an integral part of your lifestyle, the more that it’ll become more flawless, more fun, and more fulfilling.

In writing, I don’t believe that you get stuck with where you first started. With each passing year, with every writing opportunity presented to you, and with each writing experience you’ve had, you’re now better than the writer you once were.

How would I know if I really improved?

I have here a couple of points to share with you, a checklist I came up with to monitor my progress:

– How long did it take me to finish this write-up compared to my previous articles?

– After writing the first draft, how many times did I revise it?

– How many words, sentences, and ideas require a major overhaul?

– Do I love to read my article again and again or I got bored in the middle of it and just wanted to stop (this is basically what your reader will feel, too)?

– Will my reader learn something from my write-up? If yes, what is it and if no, what can I include to make it useful and informative?

– Am I satisfied with my work? If yes, it means a job well done. If you’re half-satisfied, then something is lacking and you need to tweak the article a little bit (your writer gut feeling is always right, trust it always).

– Does the article contain one solid thought from the beginning until the end or it has too many misplaced ideas?

The last point is my waterloo which is what I am currently working on. I can write a 2,000-word article and when I reread it, it’s as if I am literally talking about “everything under the sun.”

This is a bad habit when it comes to writing. You’ll bore your readers after just a few paragraphs. I address this by cutting the article in chunks and classifying them according to the main idea. I list them either as new topics for my next articles or I find a way to relate it to my current topic.

So that’s it, my beloved readers. I hope I encouraged the writer in you and to be good (if not, the best) in what you’re passionate about. Always remember that we are all a work in progress. But keep in mind, too, that improvements do come with consistency, diligence, and lots of prayers.

“I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” – Philippians 4:13

I’d love to hear your thoughts and learn from you, too. Please don’t hesitate to leave a comment below. ☺

Have a blessed writing day, everyone! ❤

Your every Friday writer (I’m back to my Friday stint),

NewBlogSignature_edited_edited

P.S.

Do revisit this page for my last-minute changes. 😉

Practicing Humility: Start Early

Posted on by

Practicing humility has never been a hard task or rule for us in the family, to begin with. Our parents taught us life through humble beginnings. They never brought up the value of money, titles, and possessions until we were old enough to understand the power it can yield, good or bad, depending on how and where we will use it.

Thus, my repentance and salvation when I became a born-again Christian back in 2013 weren’t much of a struggle. Though I am strong-willed by nature, I surrendered willingly and made a conscious effort to pursue God.

Why is humility very important?

We need it in every single day of our lives – at work, in school, at home, basically everywhere. What, you might ask, will happen if there is no humility?

The very obvious answer is this: pride. And with pride comes arrogance. With arrogance comes self-sufficiency. And self-sufficiency denies the truth that God exists.

So what if we believe there is no God?

Where there is no God, then everyone will try to reign as the greatest – all superlatives you can think of. Like the love of money, where there is power, there is all sort of sin – greed, envy, discontentment, murder, etc. Everyone is trying to outplay everyone. Everyone is clamoring to the top.

Now that becomes the problem. Where there is no Supreme Being that governs all, no human being will consider himself below another human being. It is man’s very instinct and nature to survive. That is, if the flesh is allowed to rule. But what separates us from other living creatures is this – the soul.

(Side topic: Do other living creatures have a soul? Next article topic, perhaps? 😉 )

Do you believe humans have a soul? Who created it? So what is a soul?

If your answer to the first question is a “yes” then I presume you have an answer to the next question and can thus define the meaning of a soul.

If you answered there is “someone” who created it, then you acknowledge there is a higher being who has the ability to do things that are beyond the control of man.

Now this is humility – the acceptance of the fact that we are not the strongest creatures in this planet. Nor the smartest in this universe because we haven’t even discovered the vastness of space beyond our solar system.

dsc_0810361047216.jpg

Do you have questions such as:

– How vast is the space beyond our solar system?

– What is still out there?

– Are there more to be discovered out there?

Yes, I love Sci-fi movies. I love Science. I love how our imagination can spark brilliant ideas, questions, possibilities, and opportunities that are endless.

If you asked those questions, too, then perhaps you know by now that they will remain as questions. Because no one can give us the answers. It is these never-ending questions and my quest for answers that brought me to God.

I asked and He answered – the Scripture says it all. They may not be specific answers to my questions but I got a deeper understanding of life. A deeper appreciation which led me to ultimately knowing who is that Someone behind everything – the Source.

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” – John 14:6

Science, with all its complexities, can’t explain it all. But the Bible can. Again, not the specific answers we are looking for and yet they pacified us in other ways.

“For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.” – Isaiah 55:9

The more you know God, the more that humility sinks in. The more you become immersed in going through His blueprint day by day, the more that your curiosity fades. Then the more that peace comes in, the more your restlessness slows down, and the more content you become.

We all need humility. It will keep us grounded and steady. It will bring peace and not chaos. It will earn you respect and not disdain. It will give you honor, maybe not in the sight of man, but in the sight of God.

Can you practice humility today? Start early – this generation and the coming generations need it. Be that change in your school, in your workplace, in your home, and in your community. ❤

fb_img_15492141500951509760548.jpg

Copyright: Reyner G.

fb_img_1549214194715657156794.jpg

Copyright: Mimi A.

fb_img_1549214057057622337029.jpg

“And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep His love is.” – Ephesians 3:18

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,…” – Philippians 2:3

We need not look further – Christ’s humility is example enough. 🙂

In awe of God’s works always through humility,

NewBlogSignature_edited_edited

Farmers & Traders: What Really Goes On In The Rice Farming Industry

Posted on by

How the agribusiness industry fared throughout the years can be attributed from the bargaining that takes place between the farmer and the trader even before the products leave the farm gate. My family and I have been in the agribusiness, palay production in particular, for decades already. But it was only just recently that I ran a thorough analysis of the business processes involved in farming from the particulars in expenses to the actual farm tasks done.

20190103_180055_edited

I asked Dad to give us a rundown of all the marketing processes involved but he told us we’ll learn along the way. I guess this is his way of saying that we conduct due diligence as far as agribusiness is concerned. 😉

From the data I gathered on Dad’s documents, what caught my attention is the market price of palay listed in one of the receipts (16.50php/kg). I asked Dad who dictates the market price and how did it arrive at that figure. He only smiled and said, “The traders dictate the market price.” My follow-up question was, “Based on what?” He answered, “Based on the market trends.”

20190103_175335_edited

So, this is just like stock trading on a certain level. But here, if you’re a trader, you have the market power to set the price you desire. Depending on how you conduct your dealings as a businessman, this can either be a good thing or a bad thing as far as fair agricultural trade is concerned. Are traders really fair in dictating the market price for a particular agri product in the region? Does it follow regional market rates or the national market rates?

I haven’t taken any business education courses but I really would love to and if God wills it, I plan to take up a short course on Market Research. For the meantime, I’ve been doing my homework on farmers and middlemen and how the theory of bargaining works in the farming industry. These are the questions I came up with:

  • Are farmers actually getting the profit they should earn from the entire production?
  • Can a digital economy change the agricultural landscape in the coming years and provide better marketing opportunities both for the farmers and traders?
  • Will agricultural innovations and agritech industries promote a brighter future for the farming sector i.e. lower transportation costs, high-yield production, etc.?
  • How can a government-mandated price ceiling affect the overall trading setup between the middlemen and farmers?
  • Can contract farming and direct selling be viable marketing alternatives?
  • How can we prevent the exercise of “monopsony” in marketing rice/palay?

If you’re in the agribusiness industry and are interested to venture in palay/rice production or any crop production, these articles can provide some insights on the current market setup of farming and agriculture in the country:

https://business.mb.com.ph/2017/10/30/pinol-wants-to-liberate-farmers-from-middlemen/

https://ageconsearch.umn.edu/bitstream/174795/2/agec1999v020i002a001.pdf

https://businessmirror.com.ph/government-needs-to-increase-its-palay-support-price-but-by-how-much/

https://www.untvweb.com/news/dti-da-to-impose-price-ceiling-for-traders-middle-men/

https://psa.gov.ph/content/costs-and-returns-palay-production-0

I’ll be sharing more information as I go along with my market research/business analytics during my free time. Please bear with me if I’ll confuse you a bit with some of my questions since I am also on “tabula rasa” mode when it comes to business developments and the likes. 😀

But if you have any insights to share, please don’t hesitate to drop me a message. I’d love to hear your feedback/suggestion. Thanks in advance and for reading this article. ❤

“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” – Jeremiah 29:11

How God Fills Up Your Love Tank

Posted on by

This article is a summary of the events that transpired a few weeks back. Thank God for the Grace to be able to write this down despite a hectic schedule but only for the last couple of weeks. Yes, everything is all about His Grace every day. 😉

Only God Can Refill Your Love Tank Again and Again

“Farm For Profit” Seminar

Last weekend, my brother and I attended Sir Dodong Cacanando’s “Farm For Profit” seminar held at Harbest’s building in Taytay, Rizal. It was a very insightful seminar which focused on traditional and conventional ways of farming to achieve greater sustainability in agriculture. What makes this seminar very different from other agribusiness seminars is how the business processes are guided by Biblical principles.

20181117_1548351494816457.jpg

Sir Dodong reinforced the traditional farming method, a concept that my grandpa also lived out. They both shared similar stories about butchering a pig during special occasions, for example, or harvesting of vegetables straight from the farm for daily consumption.

20181117_2127531400211123.jpg

Indeed, we can only agree that the natural way of farming will still remain as the best process towards sustainable agriculture – how to maintain balance in the ecosystem and at the same time benefit from the resources that are readily available.

20181117_2115311042738637.jpg

In my next article, I’d like to explore deeper on sustainable agriculture and local food movement – two advocacies that I’d like to promote through the proposed family project. I also had the privilege to attend a previous online finance seminar hosted by Bro. Bo Sanchez and he also shared the same guiding principles when it comes to being good stewards of God-given provisions. Here are some of my takeaways from the said seminar:

20180927_191254208721431.jpg

20180927_1859431628592771.jpg

Daisy Reyes Salon

Last week, I also had my self-care routine and pampering time which happens once a year. 😀 Yep, that’s how seldom I visit the salon. Quite extraordinary for a woman, you might say. But yes, it’s so definitely true. That’s why I make sure, too, that it’s all worth it.

Since we recently transferred homes, I only got to explore what the neighborhood can offer just now. I found one salon near our place and it’s owned by actress Daisy Reyes. I was able to check out her salon but I was still undecided so I kept on looking for other salons.

20181121_1622071287514500.jpg

20181121_1625041655264115.jpg

It was my husband who urged me to try it and I also agreed. The day before I went to the salon, I checked out the flyer they gave me previously. Voila! I saw a very familiar Bible verse stamped at the back which was what I needed for the current situation I’m in. A sign and reminder, perhaps? 😀

20181116_200648156205963.jpg

Very, very timely. ❤

When I got inside the place the following day, the music being played in the background was a line-up of Christian songs and the staff was singing along with it (including me). One very memorable experience too was when they offered to share their snacks with me during their break time. I kindly refused the offer, however, they insisted so I humbly accepted it accompanied by words of gratitude. ❤

20181121_1625201975526938.jpg

20181121_1629451271359120.jpg

Food and water nourishment from the awesome staff: empty plate and water bottle after. 😉

New and Great Things Up Ahead

2018-11-26-21-41-0446441774.jpg

Thank You, Lord, for answering my prayer! ❤

New Spiritual Family

This last one was sort of a miracle for me and not a coincidence. For the last couple of weeks, I was going through extreme times of testing that I was sure at one point I’ll lose it all to the enemy. But, God intervened.

I felt the urge to attend Worship Night in a nearby church close to where we live. I have been trying to connect with a Bible study group for almost 2 months now but to no avail.

Until that Worship Night where I ended up seating beside a pretty lady (Hi, Reign!) who asked me out of the blue if I’m interested in volunteering for the music ministry as an acoustic guitarist. She went on by sharing that she normally doesn’t talk to strangers but something compelled her to do so at that time.

I was just overwhelmed when I heard her say it. Because I think she has a gift of prophecy asking me if I want to volunteer for the music ministry when I never even mentioned that I do sing and play an acoustic guitar at home. Goosebumps, anyone? 😀

I also mentioned that I was looking for a VG or Bible study group. She excitedly shared that she has a mentor who’s also married. She is also a soon-to-be bride, by the way.

So last Sunday they texted me to join their Bible study group but I could not attend unfortunately. I was all smiles, though, when I told them I’ll be joining this coming Sunday. Ah yes, God and His ways never ever fail to amaze me. 🙂

New Masterpieces

I also would like to honor in this article my brother’s father-in-law for being one of the most talented artisans I know. I understood now why we’ve all been gifted with special skills and talents that we incorporate in our professions to serve God and others as a unified body of Christ.

dsc_0554523304824.jpg

A refurbished 20-year old cabinet.

20181121_2352521492037055.jpg

A new cabinet was installed to match an old black dresser and achieve a one whole set design.

This is the new set of additional furniture for my sister’s place and each one is a by-product of Papa Boyet’s ideas which we normally can’t imagine, thus, makes every masterpiece anw extra special work of art. I was able to witness how he crafted some of these projects and I can attest that it was indeed all done with a labor of love. 🙂

Love Tank: Replenished and Overflowing

With all these testimonies, we can surmise that they’re all God’s work which refilled my love tank in the process. I believe wecan admit that we arrive at that point where we are sucked dry by life’s never-ending demands. But God always finds a way to reassure us that His love is overflowing – He is our only source of it. How?

1. He will bring you to the right people at just the right time.

2. Those prayers you have silently prayed in between your tears, sadness, sorrow, and despair, God hears them all.

3. God brings healing through things that He knows will nourish you spiritually first and foremost.

4. He will let you see that your world doesn’t revolve on your problems alone, there is more out there in the world to explore.

5. He will remind you of His purpose why He called you (altar call) and gave you a task to fulfill.

6. He will show you that no one and nothing can separate you from His love come what may.

7. The complete trust you have given Him through the tough circumstances you’re in, He will return it in full and even more.

Sometimes sticking with our end of the deal when we got saved can be very heart-wrenching. Our still worldly selves will rely on our human efforts and human knowledge about how to endure the sacrifices we need to make. But then, with God-sent mentors, they will help us to once again walk the path that God called us to walk no matter how difficult that road is.

So that afterward, we can proclaim with conviction the following verses (they came right on time during my devotion):

I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all the marvelous things you have done. – Psalms 9:1 NLT

Enter His gates with thanksgiving; go into His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him and praise His name. – Psalms 100:4 NLT

The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you. – Psalms 32:8 NLT

P.S.

I am not sure if this photo will have any bearing at all in this article. 😀 But I just want to share it to say that these filters sometimes (I seldom take selfies) do come pretty handy when you’re looking stressed and all and you want to come up with a decent photo without all the hassle of making up your face.

But with all honesty, this photo has the following false details: eyelashes, pupils, poreless skin, and eyeglasses. And no, I am not a teenager just in case this photo deceived you. I’m already near the mid-30s bracket. 😀

Ciao! ❤

snapchat-2090267448920281371.jpg

It Is Not Labor Day But I’ll Honor Them Anyway

Posted on by

So I’ve been honoring our beloved and trusted farm workers over IG. I thought why not honor them on WordPress, too. 😉 I’ve known them since I was a kid and they are Dad’s best team. Farm work and copra production won’t be made possible without them and their loyalty to my Dad. ❤

It’s my Dad and Mom’s commitment when they were still working professionals that the families of all our coconut and palay heroes receive their annual Christmas Eve package as an appreciation for their hard work. And now that my parents are both retired professionals, my second sister and brother took over in upholding the family’s commitment to them.

We already regard them as a part of our extended family, too. I am praying that the future family project (if God wills it) will help them not just by receiving Christmas packages from us, but in giving opportunities for a better future to their kids, grand kids, and the entire community if possible. 🙏

I’d rather not have a better life if there are many who can’t have it. Better together as always. 😉

“And may the Lord our God show us His approval and make our efforts successful. Yes, make our efforts successful!” – Psalms 90:17

If you and your family are into this type of business or you’d like to venture in on one, please also support these causes I am promoting: #sustainableagriculture and #localfoodmovement.

Also called to serve others,

P.S.

When they all saw me carrying a camera, they attempted to hide. lol They teased me that they don’t want to be discovered by a talent search. 😂 Ah yes, I love these people. ❤

Paperwork How-Tos: Land Titles & Business Registration | Agribusiness

Posted on by

I’ll be temporarily lifting my #everyFridayblogpost rule for now because there are a lot of things that I’d like to share with you. I am no longer following my own editorial calendar because there are some topics that I need to insert in-between. I need to share these topics asap otherwise the thought will “expire.” 😉

Today, I’ll be sharing with you what I gathered from my research when it comes to land titles and business registration paperwork. If you’ve been browsing my previous articles, my family and I are on to this new project which is utilizing a piece of property on a wider scale for agribusiness. We are currently preparing the paperwork requirements for legalities’ purposes and equipping ourselves with all the information and knowledge we can gather about agribusiness.

I have high hopes that even if this family project will not push through (if God wills it), may this help you prepare if God has called you to venture into this endeavor. So while waiting, I thought it best to write this article. 🙂

“Seek His will in all you do and He will show you which path to take.” – Proverbs 3:6

rawpixel-665368-unsplash

Land Titles and Business Registration in the Philippines

1. Land Titles: Transfer and Registration

Whether you have acquired a piece of land by inheritance or you’re planning to buy one, these resources are very helpful to guide you in managing your land assets. I won’t include a step-by-step guide as these reliable sources will explain everything in detail. The online resources are as follows:

http://www.lra.gov.ph/frequently-asked-questions.html

https://www.rocketlawyer.com/article/whats-the-difference-between-a-property-deed-and-a-title-ps.rl

https://www.lamudi.com.ph/journal/land-titles-transferred-philippines/

https://www.lamudi.com.ph/journal/qa-how-much-does-it-cost-to-transfer-a-land-title-in-the-philippines/

http://filipinohomes.com/blog/transfer-title-deceased-parents/

https://www.rappler.com/move-ph/issues/corruption/155998-notonmywatch-steps-land-ownership-philippines

2. New Business Registration: SEC and BIR

The next step is registering your business. If opportunities don’t allow you to purchase a piece of land, you still have the option to lease a property. You may check out the following links on how to register your business with the Security and Exchange Commission as well as with the Bureau of Internal Revenue:

http://www.sec.gov.ph/services-2/company-2/registration/

https://philippinesbusinessregistration.com/company-registration/requirements/

**I also included the following resources just in case you will be venturing into agribusiness with a group of people or with your family as well:

https://fitsmallbusiness.com/what-is-a-corporation/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corporation

https://mpm.ph/how-to-register-a-corporation/https://www.sec.gov.ph/services-2/company-2/registration/

http://www.pna.gov.ph/categories/agri-business

These land titles and business registration resources may provide varying information and some may not be applicable in your case. But you may further conduct due diligence or seek professional advice with an expert. They can properly address your situation and give you the appropriate help. If you also wish to get in touch with me for other business-related concerns, you may contact me on my social media channels located on the sidebar or footer of this website. 🙂

Lastly, I am praying for God’s leading over this endeavor that I believe will impact the community for the better in the coming years. ❤

“You can make many plans, but the LORD’s purpose will prevail.” – Proverbs 19:21

Always at your service,

Blog Signature