OFW: What Matters Most?

I believe that there is no parent who would want to leave their kids in the care of other people to go abroad so that they can give them a better life and a future. It is truly a SACRIFICE because of the love they have for their own children. 

I am writing this post because I am so stirred and disturbed upon reading an article from my newsfeed wherein an OFW mother returned home to bury her 2-year old son who was allegedly beaten to death by his guardians. You can read the whole story HERE.

Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) Trend really bothers me. I am really disturbed with the idea wherein the father or mother or both have to leave their home to work abroad so they can earn a greater amount of money which they believe they cannot earn when they work here in the Philippines. My husband and I were OFWs for 5 years and we were navigators (seafarers) sailing on board different ships. Two months after getting married, I joined my vessel and my husband was left alone waiting for his embarkation on board his ship. We celebrated our birthdays and Christmas away from each other, as in oceans apart! We really felt so sad during those times, if only we can be together. Yes, we have lucrative income and yes we can travel the world for FREE but we seldom see each other and we cannot enjoy the money we were earning from seafaring because most of the time, we were in the middle of the ocean with no network signals on our phone until finally, after almost 5 years of marriage ,we decided to quit sailing and have our own babies .We stopped sailing for 5 years now and God has blessed us with 2 cute kids. We are much happier today  because we are together and I know that God will blessed us with more great things. If God can do it to us, He can do it to you also! 


I am not against those people who go abroad to be OFW, I am against the idea of choosing it over your family. I interviewed seafarers and OFW's and here are the reasons why they are still forced to go abroad and leave their families despite the disadvantages: 

1. Economic Benefits - With the income earned abroad, their families are able to live more comfortably in the Philippines. But actually, wherever we are, as long as we work hard, God will bless us. " The LORD will open the heavens, the storehouse of his bounty, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands. You will lend to many nations but will borrow from none." - Deuteronomy 28:12

2. No Other Source of Income - Most of the wives of OFW are busy taking good care of their kids so they rely solely with their husband's income. But actually, wives can also earn extra income and help their husbands with the family cash flow even if they are busy managing their homes. " She goes to inspect a field and buys it; with her earnings she plants a vineyard." -Proverbs 16:31

3. To Live the Expectations of Other People from Them- OFWs are sometimes forced to leave the country because their immediate family and extended family have high expectation especially on earning dollars or euro. Some live the dream of other people for themselves. Your friends plan to go abroad, so you decided also to go abroad because it is the trend of the community. " The number of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) who worked abroad at anytime during the period April to September 2015 was estimated at 2.4 million." - https://psa.gov.ph/content/total-number-ofws-estimated-24-million-results-2015-survey-overseas-filipinos

4. Culture of the Environment - Sometimes in a community, people think that if you will not go abroad, you CANNOT: 

• Give a more comfortable life to your family
• Send your kids to great school
• Buy your own dream house
• Buy your own dream car
• etc. 

But what disturbed me are the effects of this OFW Program in our society especially in our own children. Below are some of them: 

1. Absence of Parental Role - When a parent is absent, there will be no one to play the father figure or the mother figure so the child will look for it outside the home. 

2. Feeling of Neglect -  The children will look for the love , care and support of their parents. If they did well, they want to be appreciated. If the parents are not around, they will feel abandoned and envious of the other kids who have their parents with them. 

3. Trauma - This is usually experienced by  toddlers when their parents will make them sleep before they leave them. And when they wake up, their parents are no longer with them and this will develop to a sleep trauma that children will be afraid to sleep because they know when they wake up, they will lose somebody they love. There are children also who blame themselves when their parents get divorced because they are constantly being reminded that " your mama or your papa works abroad for you". So they think that they are the reason why it happened. 

4. Abuse - When there are no parents looking after and protecting  their children, they can be prone to sexual abuse, mental abuse,verbal abuse, physical abuse and worst is death just like the 2-year old boy I was mentioning a while ago. 

5. Bad Company - Children will more likely fall to a bad company if there are no parents who will correct and guide them . 

6. Attitude Problem - When the parents are absent, there will no one to guide and discipline the children .

"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 

We should pray that God will show us His plan and let us be willing to cooperate with His plan. Our plan should not be an OFW forever and be away from our families for a longer period of time. We should pray for God to show us our "EXIT PLAN" and grant us wisdom so we can make our priorities in order: God first, family second and career third. 

Bible Verses I Cling to When I Am Frustrated

There have been a number of times in my life that I was pierced with the pain of frustrations I experienced with situations I was in,  people who did not do exactly what I tell them to do and with myself every time I miss a goal. 

I have learned in life that FRUSTRATION is actually a MISPLACED EXPECTATION. We are frustrated if what we expect did not happen. But I have learned also that this really happen because nobody is perfect. Everyone will surely commit a mistake. And during this time, we can ONLY achieve peace within ourselves if we FORGIVE and LET GO. I know that it is definitely a struggle but GOD is ABLE to do all things and He will help us if we will call unto Him. 

In the times of frustration and stress, I calm myself with God's Word so that even in the midst of these, I can still have the peace that comes only from God. 

Below are my favorite bible verses that deal with frustration: 

1. Jeremiah 29 :11 -  For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

2. Isaiah 61:7 - Instead of your shame you will receive a double portion,

and instead of disgrace you will rejoice in your inheritance. And so you will inherit a double portion in your land, and everlasting joy will be yours.

3. Romans 8:28-  And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[a] have been called according to his purpose.

4. Galatians 6:9 - Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

5. Isaiah 41:10 - So do not fear, for I am with you do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

6.  Joshua 1:9 - Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

7. 2 Corinthians 12:9 - But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

8. Deuteronomy 31:8 - The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

9. Philippians 4:6-7- Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

10. Psalm 56:3-4 - But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you I praise God for what he has promised. I trust in God, so why should I be afraid?

 What can mere mortals do to me?

Remember, when what you expect did not happen and you want to feel frustrated, God is in control. 

Earn Free Mary Kay Products Simply by Having Fun

Are you a skin care or make-up geek? Or someone who needs a pampering moment after your very long day? Ladies, I am Khorry, your Seniort Beauty Consultant with Mary Kay from Parañaque City.  YOU ARE INVITED to a FREE MARY KAY SKIN CARE and MAKE-UP CLASS!

What to Expect

During the  class, you will have the chance to try Mary Kay products for FREE as I guide you through the best techniques and with advanced tips for those who wants them. I can also teach you a basic personal make-up tutorial as you wish for it. 

"This is your event and your time to enjoy, play, laugh and catch up with friends – all while experiencing the must-have products Mary Kay has to offer." -MARY KAY

I understand that you need to fit in things in your schedule that is why you will be the one to pick the date and time of when I can hold a  class with you and your friends. 

Earn a Reward

Through our " Hosting Program" , you can earn the following rewards:

•  A gift by just inviting your friends and hosting the class at your place of convenience;  
• Personal make-over by yours truly;
• Get a 10% off if you purchase above P 2000 worth of products after the class;
• Get 20% off if you purchase above P 5000 worth of products after the class;
• Free Hand Spa if you purchase a product. 

If you have any question, you can contact me at 0998-884-7126/0917-457-5121 or visit my Facebook Page at The Make-up Geek Store. Please click the link .  

Contact me NOW, pick the date, pick the perks, invite your friends and let's get the party started. 

A Week Full of Love

"Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies. The heart of her husband safely trusts her; so he will have no lack of gain. she does him good not evil all the days of her life." 

-Proverbs 31:10-12-

As I am working on my goal for 2016, which is being intentional, I spent time to take a closer look at those areas in my life in which I want growth and betterment to occur; one of those is my marriage. This year, it is really my intention to take our marriage to the next level. I don't want an ordinary marriage. I want a strong and a happy one. I asked the Lord in prayer to help me make our marriage something He planned it to be. I talked to my husband about making our marriage stronger and happier by doing things that we have not yet done before. So, to spice up our love for each other, we come up with this idea of " A Week Full of Love" . We set a week when we do extraordinary things for each other like we did before when we were still courting. This is to bring back the "kilig" after all of the things we have undergone in our marriage life. God is so good to us and we would like also to show Him that we are taking good care of the marriage He created.

Below is the sample of our , "A Week Full of Love":

Day 1: In a day, tell your spouse 10 sweet-nothings .

Day 2: Make a heartfelt letter for your spouse.

Day 3:  In a day, tell your spouse 10 things in him or her that you are proud of.

Day 4: In a day, tell your spouse 10 things you love about your spouse.

Day 5: Dine-out with your spouse.

Day 6: Write 10 things you pray for your spouse ,put it inside a picture frame, put it somewhere you can always see and pray for those things every day.

Day 7: Give your spouse something he or she loves.

For those who want their marriage to "level up" , maybe you would like to try this as well. And for those who have suggestions on how to spice up a marriage, please leave us a comment, we would like to hear from you. Thank you very much. 

Make Time:Time Management Tips for Busy Moms

"For everything there is a season,  a time for every activity under heaven."

- Ecclesiastes 3:1-

For a busy mom like me,it can be very exhausting just thinking on how to joggle and stretch my time in order to cater to everything that needs to be done in a day. Sometimes, I feel that 24 hours is not enough for a day. I need to find time for all of my tasks at hand as a wife, mom of two, connect leader,employee, blogger, mompreneur,  home manager and financial manager of our household. Actually, I realized that I don't need to find time, I need to MAKE TIME. 

Well, for moms who are in a situation just like mine, maybe these tips can be of help to you.

1. Get Organized - Get yourself a nice planner wherein you can assess your time, write your to-dos and schedule your events and activities. Plan ahead and think how you can lessen the time to be spent on each task. 

2. Prioritize - While planning, assess and categorize your to-dos and think what needs to be done first. As for me, I learned the following sequence of prioritizing my tasks in a day.

         1st: Urgent and important things

         2nd: Not urgent but important things

         3rd: Urgent but not important things

         last: Not urgent and not important things

3. Multi-task - Women are multi-tasker. We can do multiple tasks at a time. So think of the things or tasks that you can multi-task. 

4. Sow Time  - The bible is telling us  in Galatians 6:7 "Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows." So if we sow our time, we shall also reap our time.  We sow our time when we spend our time doing God's works. We sow our time when we spend our time with people in need. 

5. Make Use of Internet - Check all your bills and see if you can pay them online so there is no need for you to spend your time going out from the house to pay the merchants. You can also buy stuffs from online stores which offer good deals and services. This can save your time as well. 

6. Get Help - If you can afford to get a house help, get one. Effectively delegate the other household chores to your house help so you can spend more time with your spouse and kids. 

7. Pray - In Matthew 21:22, it says, "If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer." So go ahead, ask God for wisdom on how to make time.

So, these are the things I do in order to make time for everything. How about you? Maybe you have something that you want to share with us regarding how to manage and make time for everything. Feel free to leave a comment. We also love to learn from you. 

Earn Your Money Back With BPI Debit Cards

Retrieved from: https://www.bpiexpressonline.com/

For those of you who are not aware of these promos, I want to share these to you so you can enjoy them as well until December 31, 2015. We still have 16 days to go , pals! Using your BPI Debit/ATM Cards , you can SHOP ANYWHERE for at least P2000  and enjoy a 3% MONEY BACK. Isn't it amazing? And for those of you who newly opened their BPI accounts starting  May 2015  and on wards, you can enjoy a 10% Rebate if you pay using your BPI Debit/ATM Card.

Please find below the details on how to avail and redeem the cash back and rebate rewards from BPI. 

3% Money Back ANYWHERE Promo Mechanics

1. The promo is open to all BPI, BPI Family Bank and BPI Direct Debit/ATM cardholders (Express Teller Blue, Express Teller Gold, Jumpstart, BPI Direct, BPInoy, BPI One Ayala and Ka-Negosyo).

2. Promo period is from September 1 – November 30, 2015. Extended until December 31, 2015* Redemption period is from September 1, 2015 to January 31, 2016. Extended until March 1, 2016*.

3. To qualify, cardholder should pay using his/her BPI, BPI Family Bank or BPI Direct Debit/ATM card via Express Payment System (E.P.S.) within the promo period for a minimum single receipt purchase of Php 2,000 anywhere.

4. Transaction should be approved through a point-of-sale (POS) card terminal.  Cash withdrawals through ATMs are NOT qualified to join the promo. 

5. To redeem the 3%, Debit cardholder must register ONCE his/her 16-digit Card Number through SMS using the following format:

     IM REG BPIDEBIT (space) <16-digit Card Number> and send to 09229996000 and/or 2256 for all telecommunication networks.

     Telecommunication charges worth Php 2.50 per SMS will apply.

Example: IM REG BPIDEBIT 5895591234567890

Note: 

- Card number as it appears on the face of the card. 

- Only one registration is required for joint accounts.

6. Cardholder will receive an SMS auto-reply to confirm receipt of his registration entry.

7. After validation of the registration entry, cardholder will receive an SMS within two (2) banking days from registration date:

     a. Successful registration

Cardholder will receive an SMS saying that the rebates earned on his/her qualified E.P.S. transactions will be automatically credited to his/her account within 2 banking days.  Rebate amount shall appear as “4360 Co. Credit” in cardholder’s statement of account.

     b. BPI will provide the reason for unsuccessful registration.

8. The maximum rebate a cardholder can get per month is Php 300. If rebate amount earned exceeds the maximum rebate cap, rebate amount will be dropped and will not be credited to cardholder’s account.

Note: Joint accounts will have shared rebate cap. The rebate cap counter covers transactions up to the last banking day of the month. It will automatically reset to zero the following day.

9. The rebate amount cannot be exchanged for other products or discounts.

10. In case of dispute, the decision of BPI with the concurrence of DTI shall be considered final. BPI has the right to reverse the credited rebate once transaction is found to be invalid.

11. For BPI / BPI Family Bank Easy Saver accounts, transaction fees on all debit transactions, including E.P.S., still apply.  Please refer to www.bpiexpressonline.com for complete list of service fees.

12. BPI is authorized to give necessary information to its third party contractor or agent to perform or complete the redemption process.

10% Rebate Promo Mechanics 

1. This promo is open to newly opened BPI, BPI Family Bank and BPI Direct accounts starting from May 2015.

2. To be eligible for the promo, a BPI, BPI Family Bank or BPI Direct Debit (ATM) cardholder (Express Teller Blue, Express Teller Gold, Jumpstart, BPI Direct, BPInoy, BPI One Ayala and Ka-Negosyo) should have first received an electronic coupon (eCoupon) via SMS from BPI.

3. The eCoupon entitles the cardholder to a one-time 10% Rebate, subject to a rebate cap of Php 200.00, on their first E.P.S. transaction after registration via SMS.

4. Registration period is from July 20, 2015 to October 15, 2015 only. Extended until December 31, 2015*.

5. Shopping period is from July 20, 2015 to December 31, 2015 only. Extended until January 31, 2016*.

6. Crediting period of 10% Rebate or Php200.00 rebate cap, whichever applies, is until January 8, 2016 only. Extended until February 8, 2016*.

7. To register, cardholder must reply via SMS using the same mobile number that received the eCoupon, with the appropriate syntax to 2256 (Globe) / 09229996000 (non-Globe).  

Details are as follows:

Syntax

IM ON EPSNOW (space) <16-digit Card Number >

Cardholder will receive an SMS confirming receipt of his/her registration entry. Telecommunication (VAS) charge worth Php 2.50 for each SMS will apply.

Example: IM ON EPSNOW 1234567891234567

*Note: 16-digit Card number as it appears in the front the card.

8. Each eCoupon is non-transferrable and each eligible mobile number that received the eCoupon can only register once.

9. A card number can only be used for registration to this promo once.

10. To avail of the 10% Rebate, cardholder must use his/her BPI, BPI Family Savings Bank and BPI Direct Debit (ATM) Card to pay through a Point of Sale (POS) terminal via the Express Payment System (E.P.S.). Cash withdrawals through ATMs are NOT qualified to join the promo.

11. The 10% rebate will only be applied to cardholder’s first E.P.S. transaction after the SMS confirmation of successful registration.

12. Cardholder will receive an SMS confirming his/her successful registration within 7 banking days.

13. The rebate amount cannot be exchanged for other products or discounts.

14. Rebate amount earned will be credited to the cardholder’s account within 30 banking days from the first eligible E.P.S. transaction. Client will receive an SMS from BPI should there be any delay in crediting of the rebate.

15. Cardholders may contest his/her rebate redemption (i.e. incorrect rebate amount credited, uncredited rebate amount, disqualified E.P.S. transaction) up to December 31, 2015. Extended until January 31, 2016*. For clarifications and complaints relative to this promo please call 89-100.

16. In case of dispute, the decision of BPI with the concurrence of DTI shall be considered final. BPI has the right to reverse the credited rebate once transaction is found to be invalid.

17. For BPI / BPI Family Bank Easy Saver accounts, transaction fees on all debit transactions, including E.P.S., still apply.  Please refer to www.bpiexpressonline.com for complete list of service fees.

18. BPI is authorized to give necessary information to its third party contractor or agent to perform or complete the redemption process.

That's it! Although P300 is  not that much, but who will give you such amount of money nowadays?

Remember, " Dishonest money dwindles away, but whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow." Proverbs 13:11

Merry Christmas!

My Biko with Latik Toppings Recipe

Today, I am going to share to you guys my recipe of one of my family's favorite merienda,  Biko with Latik Toppings. 

Recently, my hubby requested me to cook this and my whole household loved the outcome and so I decided to share the recipe to you so you and your family can enjoy this yummy biko as well. This is one of the recipes that I considered a " Labor of Love" since I sweat a bucket while I was cooking this. But because I love my asawa, I was willing to labor. Thus, called a Labor of Love. 

Ok, let's start!


Ingredients: 

• 3 cans (400 ml/can) coconut cream

• 1 sachet ( 50 g) coconut cream powder

• 1/2 kilogram  brown sugar

• 1 kilogram glutinous rice ( malagkit)

• water

Procedures:

1. Wash and cook 1 kilogram of glutinous rice ( malagkit) in a rice cooker or pot in the same way you cook your regular steamed rice. 

2. While waiting for the glutinous rice to be cooked, in a pan with medium heat, pour 1 can ( 400 ml) of coconut cream. Let it boil and don't stir. Once the coconut cream is already boiling, you lower the heat to low fire  and simmer it. If you already notice the curdling of the cream, stir it constantly to avoid burning of the cream. Stir it until such time that all of the water content of the cream has evaporated and the desired color (brown) is achieved. Turn off the heat. Drain the oil. Store the latik and oil in separate containers for later use. 

3. In a pan with medium heat, pour the remaining 2 cans of coconut cream, 1/2 kilogram of sugar and 1 sachet ( 50 g) coconut cream powder. Stir constantly until the mixture thickens. Reduce the heat to low and add the cooked glutinous rice to the mixture and stir constantly until such time that it is already very hard to stir and the mixture is incorporated evenly to the glutinous rice.

4. Grease the baking pan with the oil you collected from making the latik. Transfer the cooked biko into the greased baking pan and sprinkle it with latik toppings. 

5.Let it cool , slice it and serve it . You can serve it right away but I like the taste of biko best when it is eaten on the next day. Hehehe

That's it guys. Happy Cooking!!!