PHLPost Participates in 2019 Brigada Eskwela

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost) together with Government and Private Partners joined the National Brigada Eskwela Kick-off ceremony which marked the start of the Nationwide School Maintenance Week held at the Alfonso Central School in Alfonso, Cavite.

With the theme “Matatag na Bayan para sa Maunlad na Paaralan,” the 2019 Brigada Eskwela is in preparation for the nationwide school opening in June. Through the participation of personnel from different agencies, the true meaning of bayanihan and the power of unity is being showcased in this activity spearheaded by the Department of Education (DepEd).

PHLPost held the Nationwide “Salamat Po Teacher” Grand Raffle draw and announced the winners in the presence of representatives from the Department of Education. Three winners from Luzon namely; Mary June Bantoc of Quezon, Joren Allorde of Albay, and Julia Andrea Vera no of Tarmac won P10,000 each while Jasmine Disso of Iloilo City and Maria Alexi Gahuman of Surgeon Del Norte also won P10,000 in the Visayas and Mindanao respectively.

Aside from disseminating the program’s information and mission, PHLPost donated pencils and Salamat Po Cards to the teachers and other guests. The activity also conducted orientations and advocacy campaigns such as Anti-Illegal Drug Campaign, Wash in Schools Campaign, Disaster Resiliency Campaign, and Laki sa Tibay Nutrition Educational Campaign.

Alfonso, Cavite Mayor Virgilio Varias attended the event and thanked all Government and Private Partners who helped and participated the Brigada Eskwela.

Debt Consolidation – Know Your Options

Wazzup Pilipinas!

If you have ever got into debt, you know how frustrating it is till the time you do not come out of it. Your financial stability is at stake and you eventually, you lose your peace of mind. However, there are many solutions you can opt for, debt consolidation being one of them.

In this write-up, let us discuss more about the same that will cover the following topics-

What is debt consolidation?

Self-evaluation of your debt status

Mistakes related to a debt you must avoid

Best options to deal with debt

Role of credit score

Let us take a look at each of these topics one by one so that you can get out of debt by adopting a few reasonable and realistic steps.

What is debt consolidation?

Debt consolidation is the process in which you consolidate or “collate” all your financial liabilities as one and pay off your debt by taking out a loan that will be equal to the amount of all loans taken together.

In other words, you make it easier for you to handle your debts and pay off one creditor instead of dealing with multiple creditors at terms that will benefit you. The favorable terms usually include a lower rate of interest and provision to pay off your debt every month so that you can tackle the debt payment better.

However, just make sure that debt consolidation will be a good option in your case. Only then it makes sense. 

Self-evaluation of your debt status

Before taking any major step towards becoming debt free, evaluate your debts and their status. Generally speaking, you can be in debt for the following-

Credit card debt

Plastic card debt is one of the fastest piling debt that can go out of your hand. Even if you promise not to keep any balance on your credit card debt, most of the time, you fail to pay off in full, and it piles up.

Student loans

Not everyone is lucky enough to land themselves a job with a great salary right in the beginning. And this is when the trouble starts, when you have to pay off your student loan and also make ends meet.

Unsecured loans

You will come across many people that will look for quick fixes to solve their unexpected financial problems. For instance, payday loans are a classic example where you can get one easily without collateral, and you can avail them promptly.

Try to assess such loans that can prevent you from becoming debt free.

Utility bills, cellphone loans, medical bills

Paying off utility bills and medical bills out taking out loans makes sense. But if you have to be in debt for paying your cell phone bills, it indicates that you require better financial planning.

Planning your finances is of utmost importance as you can avoid taking out loans for expenses that you can curb or defer.

Mistakes related to debt settlement/consolidation you must avoid

Debt consolidation or debt settlement is always a good option provided they are meant for you. Also, if you are not confident about settling your debts on your own, you can seek the assistance of expert professionals that offer help as in Nationaldebtrelief.com.

Do not try to consolidate your debts with the help of these options-

Hard Money Loan

You will come across many types of loans that will attract high rates of interest but will bail you out of debt. Also, you will not require any credit check. These are again traps and will draw you into a vicious cycle of debt. You are already in debt, and due to these high-interest rate loans, if you fall behind on a payment, you will lose your financial stability to juggle the payment of this loan.

Avoid credit card transfers

If you have many credit cards and you have been paying off your bills on time, many credit card companies will prefer working with you. And if you fall behind on payment once, these companies will offer you plastic cards offering you zero percent interest rate for transferring the outstanding balance.

However, chances of escalating rates are high that usually takes place over a period of time and quite quickly. So, avoid transferring your existing credit card debts to a fresh card.

Best options to deal with debt

Check out the best debt consolidation options that you can opt for-

Refinance

One of the tapping into your home’s equity is to pay off debt is by refinancing. It is basically a new mortgage altogether. The amount you will be able to avail against refinancing depends on how much equity is in your home.

It is a good option if the rates of interest you are getting suits your repayment requirement.

HELOC

Home equity line of credit (HELOC), is an arrangement in which you use your house as collateral for taking out a loan. The difference between refinancing and HELOC is that in the case of the former, you pay a lower rate of interest as compared to HELOC that attracts a higher interest rate. The best part about HELOC is that you can enjoy tax deductibles on it of fees associated with this loan.

Role of credit score

Regardless of the type of loan you are planning to avail, if you have a good credit score to boast about, you can enjoy better terms on your loan. Check out the following-

You can call a score between 750 and 850 excellent

You can call your score good if it is between 700 and 750

The range between 650 and 700 is fair

If it is between 560 and 650, it is bad

You can call it Very bad if it between 560 and 300.

You can maintain a good credit score by being regular with your debt payments. Your financial behavior shows in the credit report that also helps lenders assess whether you are responsible enough to make repayments of any loan that you avail.

Philippine Pageantry Welcomes A New Mover

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Now officially joining the ranks of pageant organizers in the Philippines is the husband and wife team of Carlo and Irene Montemayor of ICSM Infinity Pageants, a new organization consisting of professionals from the posh pageant industry and other businesses. Irene will hold the position of National Director for Operations and Corporate Development, while her husband Carlos takes the role of Managing Director.

At an intimate gathering on May 24. 2019 with members of the media at one of the luxurious pavilion rooms of Shangri-La at the Fort in Bonifacio Global City of Taguig, Irene and her husband formally announced the newest organization to now belong among the groups handling beauty pageants in the country, and sending their winners to compete in corresponding international counterparts.

The other members of the organizations are Ton Lao as Director for Creative Affairs, Jace Chiong as Director for Corporate Communication and Norman Tinio as Director for Media Relations and Publicity.

Everyone was also treated to a Peruvian cuisine lunch personally attended to by resident head Chef Carlo Huerta of Samba, one of the restaurants that are part of the Shangri-La the Fort. It was an amazing array of specialty dishes of the restaurant which also included their various cocktails creatively presented in eye-catching containers.

Philippine Global Queens, the title of the new pageant was formally launched last May 24 at the same venue where six US-based international titles were revealed namely, Miss Cosmos International, Miss Regency International, Miss Global United, Miss Continents and Miss United International. Aside from the six titles, there will be two runners-up. Fabulous prizes and opportunities will await the winners.

The nationwide search is said to begin on the latter part of June, while the pre-pageant events will start sometime August. The grand coronation will be happening on October at the Grand Ballroom of Shangri-La The Fort, also announced as among the brands who are partnering with ICSM Infinity Pageants. For the inaugural year, the organization is expecting fifty (50) qualified applicants to be named as official candidates.

ICSM is also holding a pageant for bonafide college and university students, the Mr. and Miss College University. If initial plan will push thru, the pageant will be held in the last quarter of the year or early next year.

The Montemayors acquired franchises from Cosmos and Regency International Pageants, a US based firms producing and organizing pageants for Miss, Teens, Pre-Teens and Married Women. But for their initial venture, ICSM is focusing on pageants for single women. The eventual winners of the inaugural search will be competing next year in their respective international pageants.

Congratulations and Best of luck to the endeavors of Irene and Carlo!


Photography by Collin Yap