How to create “More Fun” in the Philippines this 2020

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Anyoung haseyo, Hěn gāoxìng rènshì nǐ.

Hey! You’re here, too?

Mabuhay! Welcome to the 7, 107 islands of the Philippines!

If you pass by people talking in four different languages like this, you might be shaking your head. How could they understand each other, right?

But no worries, in the Philippines, it is possible.

Filipino can easily adapt to your languages.

Akin to their culture of being hospitable is their ability to adjust their speaking language based on who the visitor is.

And in case they fail with their mouth talking, their emotionally-driven sign language and their smiles will surely save you away from misunderstanding. Indeed, it is more fun in the Philippines!

Sustainable tourism is the main objective of the refreshed “More Fun” campaign of the Department of Tourism (DOT).

This means tourism that strikes for balance in the ability to generate a good economy while preserving the culture and the environment.

With the 7.1 million foreign visitors recorded in 2018, this sounds like a positive investment.

The Philippines continues to gain winning streaks in the tourism industry.

Recently, it earned the 8th spot on the 20 Most Favorite Countries in the World of the Condé Nast Traveler (CNT) Readers’ Choice Awards with 90.63 score.

Bloggers around the world continue to share how much they love staying in the Philippines.

According to Statista.com, the average stay of visitors in the Philippines is about nine nights. This is enough to make them decide if they will go back again or invest in the country.

If you have not visited the Philippines and are torn in your decisions due to negative news in the international scene, the next section is for you.

We have sourced out the top five reasons why you should include the Philippines in your business plans this 2020.

1.               People

A warm smile to greet you every day. This is one of your best perks of choosing to stay in the country.  Filipinos are popular with their hospitable way of welcoming foreigners. Not a day will pass that you will not see a Filipino smiling at you. The steadfastness of the people amidst adversities brings positivity at work.

Filipinos demonstrate strong family ties. The love for their families extends at work as they mostly value colleagues like their own family. Whatever work calls for them, they give their hundred percent to complete it. They find a way to help their teammates, too. These traits are essential to building a solid workforce.

Filipinos also pride themselves on their flexibility in adapting to other’s cultures and languages. English is the second language in the country coming from the era of US influence during the World War years. Although there has been a reported decline in English proficiency, the Philippines still joins the Top 20 of the 2019 English Proficiency Index released this October with its 60.14 high proficiency grade.

With global economic progress, Filipinos prove even more how well they can play on the battlefield. Popular among youth nowadays is a mix of Korean, Japanese, and Chinese influences.

2.               Strategic Location

The Philippines is strategically in the heart of Asia. It opens avenues for both the Asian and Western countries in any transportation and communications channels. It has been the trade and travel landmark in world history, and probably one reason why the Philippines is known as the melting pot of cultures. No wonder this country has a rich culture.

3.               Low Cost of Living

Got a $100,000 - $200,000? Pack your bag and go to the Philippines! Live like a Filipino, and you’re on your best 10 years of freedom and fun. A lot of blogs say that retiring in the Philippines is one of their best decisions. With over 7, 107 islands to enjoy, warm people, and tropical days, who wouldn’t agree? In fact, there are 64, 512 foreign retirees in the Philippines according to the Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA).

The cost of living in the Philippines will highly depend on whether you are in urban or rural areas. You can live comfortably with $1,000 in the province outside the city center. While in the metro, set a budget from $2,000-$5,000 to enjoy the weekend fun with your family or friends.

4.               Business Provisions

        The Philippine government has been aggressive in pursuing foreign investments to grow the economy. Two notable policies which align with foreign policies are the Republic Act (RA) No. 11232, and the Executive Order (EO) No. 65.

The RA 11232 was released in February 2019 to facilitate the ease of doing business. It embodies the changes in the legal framework for the registration and operation of private corporations in the Philippines.

In October 2018, EO 65 was signed to allow a new list of investment areas and activities where foreigners can own it 100%. These are:

(1)      internet business (access providers not content creators),

(2)      teaching at higher education levels, provided the subject being taught is not a professional subject (included in bar or board examination),

(3)      training centers engaged in short-term, high-level skills development not part of the formal education system,

(4)      lending companies, financing companies, and investment house, adjustment companies, and

(5)      wellness centers

Other business provisions for foreign equity are also included in EO 65.

These are only a few of the business guidelines in the Philippines.

Foreign investors are also enjoying the economic zone accreditation for tax incentives. Check the policies with your legal group to meet the compliance requirement.

Should you decide to establish a business in the Philippines but requires a place to stay tha’s within the metropolitan area, you can rent or buy the best property in Philippines with the help of Property Online Philippines. To attract good fortune and better opportunities for your business, there are also Feng Shui experts which can consult for your commercial or residential property.

5.               Amazing Tourism

The “More Fun” campaign was successful in drawing more visitors each year in the Philippines. There has been a steady growth in the tourism statistics, with Koreans retaining the top list this 2019.

From pristine beaches to the popularly revived Boracay island, you will never run out of adventures.

The Philippines offers a wide variety of experiences. Have a taste of delicious and exotic food in every place.

There is the famous lechon from Cebu, adobo, kare-kare with bagoong, sinigang, kinilaw, tapsilog, halo-halo, and to complete the list, get your taste bud ready for balut! Awesome feast, dancing, and singing await you on each island.

The list is as endless as your imagination can think of. You can have it on land, via seas and rivers, or up into the air. The Philippines got it all to make your stay unforgettable.

The Philippine government is putting its trust in the investment reasons cited. An Investment Portfolio has been initiated to encourage the participation of foreign investors in raising the socio-economic status of the nation. Check out this page if you would you like to be part of it.

References:

·         https://www.rappler.com/business/221918-philippines-2019-more-fun-slogan-focus-sustainable-tourism

·         https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tourism_in_the_Philippines

·         https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2019/11/09/1967250/tourist-arrivals-hit-6-million-q3

·         https://www.statista.com/statistics/1053935/philippines-average-length-of-stay-by-foreign-tourists/

·         https://owlcation.com/social-sciences/Filipino-Traits-and-Characteristics

·         https://www.7stonesboracay.com/15-filipino-traits-that-make-the-philippines-fun-to-visit/

·         https://cyrusdiaz88.wordpress.com/2018/09/06/reasons-why-filipinos-english-proficiency-is-gradually-deteriorating/

·         https://www.msn.com/en-ph/news/national/pinoys-losing-edge-in-english-proficiency/ar-BBVCnLY

·         https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EF_English_Proficiency_Index

·         https://travelandculture.expertscolumn.com/advantage-and-disadvantage-philippines-geographical-location

·         https://prezi.com/zrirwov21wcj/location-of-the-philippines-and-its-significance/

·         https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melting_pot

·         https://www.schumachercargo.com/retire-philippines-100000/

·       https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3023446/retirement-philippines-why-its-attractive-and-four-places

·         https://www.rappler.com/business/215642-40-percent-foreign-ownership-public-works-foreign-investment-negative-list

·         https://www.philembassy.no/doing-business/revised-corporation-code-of-the-philippines

·         http://www.tourism.gov.ph/

How to Fix a Sink that is Not Draining

Wazzup World!

Having a sink that is not draining can be a real problem. It effectively makes the sink unusable. When you have a blocked sink it can also smell bad. However, the good news is that, like a hot water system, in most cases you can fix yourself without the help of a professional plumber.  

The Best Methods to Unclog a Kitchen Sink

As long as it is done right, using a plunger to clear a sink is the best and quickest way, and that is true for any type of sink. To begin, the correct plunger is needed; it is important to note that for sink plungers, they will be smaller and dome-shaped, while toilet plungers are larger and shaped like a bell.

Secondly, plunging will work best if there is some water in the sink. For sinks that are not draining at all, you will simply need to begin to fill it with water. However, if it is draining albeit slowly, then you may need to place a sink stopper in before attempting to fill with water. After the sink has roughly 2 inches of standing water, you can now begin to start to plunge it.

To do so, simply grab the plunger and position it at a slight angle to allow for bubbles to escape while you're plunging with the help of air. Once the plunger is in the right position and you are confident, cover the drain opening with the plunger and start to pump until the sink starts to drain.

While this will take care of most sink clogs, in some cases the issue won't be resolved in this way, and other methods may need to be used.

Pull out the Clog Manually

If your sink is still not draining correctly after plunging, it may be a large object or a group of objects that are causing the issue. In this case, you will now need to dislodge or remove what is clogging the drain manually. Because of the size of kitchen drains and plumbing, you won't be able to do this by hand, so you will need some sort of tool to help.

Most of the time, this will be done using an auger or plumbing snake. However, if you are in a hurry and don't have the time to find one, then you can try to straighten out a wire coat hanger to do the same thing. You will want to push the snake into the drain and try to reach down as far as you can.

This will either push whatever is clogging the sink through the pipes and resolve the issue or bring it to the surface so you can easily grab it and dispose of it.

Baking Soda and Vinegar

A drain volcano refers to the chemical reaction that happens when you mix vinegar and baking soda, and this is a great method that is an alternative to chemical drain cleaners.

Before using this method, make sure to run the garbage disposal to ensure that it is not the issue. After, simply pour 1/2 cup of baking soda down the drain and follow it up with 1/2 a gallon of vinegar and boiling water (the ratio for this is 1:1).

This will allow a cleansing action to take place that will, in theory, allow for most debris and food residue to be washed away when followed up with more boiling water in around 10-15 minutes after the baking soda and vinegar mixture has been used.

Next Step

If your sink is still not draining correctly after trying all methods listed above, it is time to disassemble the P-trap and clean it by hand. This can be messy, but in most cases, it will fix the issue, and you can do it at home without calling in a plumber.

You will want to make sure that the cabinet under the sink has been cleared, and that you have a bucket handy to catch the water and debris that will come out during this process.

Making Health a Family Affair: Simple Steps To Future Proof Your Health

Wazzup Pilipinas!

When you have a family, every step you take is observed and even adopted. Kids learn based on the model, and parents are their role models during the formative childhood years. Healthy habits are developed and adopted over time and the entire family plays an important role. So, if you want to make health a family affair and instill some good habits into your children, do it as a team.


They know the importance of quality time

Healthy families know the value of doing things together. You can’t just tell your kids to go out and play, you should set up an example instead. Since, kids these days are inclined to spend all of their time indoors, create a healthier routine. Pick at least three days a week and spend 30 minutes to an hour on a fun outdoor activity. You can easily use this to your own advantage as well. When you skip your regular workout, but you still need that post-exercise thrill, go for a speedy walk with your kids. You can even challenge them to race you. This way you’ll bond, spend time outside and take up a regular physical activity.


Never skip breakfast

If a parent skips breakfast in the morning, the kid won’t be so hungry in the morning as well. Kids repeat our motions because they want to be all grown up. So, give a good example of never skipping breakfast in the morning. Breakfasts are essential to our morning routine because they fuel our body right after an all-night fast. Eating during an hour after waking up jumpstarts the metabolism and gives us the right energy we need. Even for your kids’ meals, stick to healthy unprocessed food like oatmeal decorated with fruit or scrambled eggs decorated with pieces of colorful veggies. If your kids are picky eaters, break this bad habit by decorating their breakfast with pieces of fresh fruit or veggies.


Share meals together

Mealtime brings family close and strengthens their bond. You will get an opportunity to discuss their day while you also influence their healthy eating habits. When you sit at a table together without your phones and without any time limits, you get to truly enjoy the meal and each others presence. Even if you can’t sit together through every meal, aim to share at least one together.

When you do this, you model healthy behavior to your kids and get to control their portion size. You can also invite your kids to suggest some meals and you can even cook them together. To make sure that your kids eat enough veggies and fruit, make sure each meal is based on it.


Healthy snacking is an option

Kids love to snack because snacks are too tasty and easy to consume. But, the point of a snack is the fuel you up between meals so you won’t starve until lunch or dinner. Since a bag of chips or a chocolate bar is a source of empty calories you need to explain the difference first to your kids. Then, offer a healthy snacking option like carrot slices, apples, bananas, greek yogurt, nuts or dried plums. Make sure your kids have these options available to them when you’re not home. Stock up your fridge or pantry with a variety of healthy snacks and remind your kids that an apple a day keeps the doctor away.


They are also creative together

This is especially important if you have younger children - spend time on creative projects together. Parents will use this as stress relief, while kids will boost their imagination, problem-solving skills, and creative thinking. For example, you can both color together. Parents can express their artistic side while coloring an adult coloring book. Whereas, kids can color their own age-appropriate coloring book. This way you’ll both enjoy a moment of peace, while also engaging in a great activity together.

If your kids are teenagers, you can find a DIY project like sewing or a pottery class. Cooking together is also a creative activity and kids of all ages can participate. All you have to do is give them a suitable activity they can master with confidence.


They do one fitness activity together

It goes without saying that healthy parents create the environment for their kids to be healthy as well. SO, if you as a parent prioritize exercise as an integral part of your lifestyle, your kids should follow as well. You should definitely sign your kid up for a fitn=tness class appropriate for their age. You can both sign up for a martial arts class at the same fitness center. This way your kid will be proud that you are doing the same type of activity at the same place and most likely fall in love with it more easily.

Also, do one fitness activity together. You can go running around the block or cycling on the weekends. Find a suitable bicycle for your kid at Bicycles Online and embark on weekend cycling adventures.


They also embrace mental health activities

In the age of video games and YouTubers, you can’t expect your kid to pick up a book on their own. Reading is a forgotten activity among adults as well. So, in order to inspire your kids to seek an adventure hidden within pages of a book and foster their creativity, thinking skills, imagination and increase brain power, set up a family book club. You can all join a public library and make reading a family affair. You can catch up on the classics while your kids explore the adventure series The Famous Five or the Harry Potter books. This will increase the chances of your kids reading later in life. Furthermore, they will improve their concentration, communication, exercise the brain and also explore an alternative way to have fun.

When you do it as a family, you can discuss your current reads on a weekly basis and exchange your views and thoughts on various topics.


They talk

A family book club is a great way to work on your communication skills. Even if you don’t prioritize reading, you should prioritize talking and this feeling of trust in your kids. This is yet another trait of healthy families because communication is a sign of a healthy atmosphere at home full of love and trust. Your kids shouldn’t be afraid to approach you when they have problems, issues or other dilemmas.

Don’t just rely on eating together to get a chance to talk with your kids and share experiences. Turn it into a weekly date. This will further strengthen your bond and create a healthy atmosphere for your kid to confide and share.


Put a limit on screen time

If your kid is old enough to have their phone, you need to set up some boundaries. Life happens when you are present in the moment, not glued to the screen. Moreover, kids who spend too much time on their phones or in front of a screen have a short attention span, struggle with obesity, and also affect their behavior and development.

When you put a daily limit on screen time, you’re doing your kid a favor, even though they might protest it. Moreover, you should also put a limit to your own screen time to lead by example. Create no-phone zones in the house, like at the table or during homework time. Don’t let your kids take their phone to bed, because there’s a risk of them using it during the night. Instead, create a charging zone in the living room where everyone is expected to put their phone at 8 pm in the evening. The phone should remain there until the morning.


Prioritize proactive health care

Regular health checkups are important especially when your child is growing up. You should teach your kids the importance of dental hygiene and regular visits to the dentist. This way, you’ll stop any dental issue from turning into a cavity or a lost tooth and teach your kids that they are responsible for their health.


Create a schedule together

You should plan all healthy family activities together and put them on a calendar. Plan daily, weekly and monthly schedules. Put this schedule somewhere where everyone can see it and be reminded of an upcoming activity. Consult this schedule when you need to make some impromptu changes to your routine. Regular practice turns a healthy activity into a healthy habit so make sure to respect this schedule and enjoy the fun activities together.

With a bit of planning, creativity, and effort, the entire family can make health a family affair. This will also leave room for some indulgences and turn them from guilty snacks into earned treats.