Category: Work

Know how intentional cable-cutting disrupts your life

Intentional cable cutting and theft have been a rampant issue nationwide affecting thousands of Filipino households, depriving them of internet service, cable TV connection, , and at times, power supply.

With households affected from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, this malicious crime has been a major concern of telco and power utilities providers and the LGUs, that jeopardize customers’ access to news, information and entertainment crucial for their day-to-day activities.

Among its effects is how it disrupts the steady and seamless internet connection very much needed by professionals with remote set-up or online business owners. With disruptions affecting their connection, productivity halts, and attending to urgent tasks and clientele are disturbed.

Kontra Putol

Apart from the adverse impact to work, disruptions caused by illegal cable cutting can take a toll on the academic performance of students in hybrid learning set-up as they rely heavily on stable and reliable internet connectivity for timely submission of school work, taking online quizzes and examinations, and attending day-to-day classes. When the disruptions continue due to these illegal acts, this may lead to students having poor performance in school.

Kontra Putol

Intentional cable cuts also disrupt TV reception, which is still vital in getting the latest news and information, and providing quality bonding moments for the whole family in watching entertaining shows and movies in the comfort of their homes.

Kontra Putol

Aside from TV and internet disruption, illegal cable cutting puts the safety of individuals and the environment at risk. There have been reports that perpetrators have been electrocuted trying to cut live wirings that also resulted in fire in the neighborhood. Sometimes perpetrators also burn the non-profitable stolen wires producing harmful gas that pollute the environment and affects the health of individuals when inhaled.

In an effort to address these malicious acts and hold violators accountable by legal action, SKY partnered with other telcos and cable operators, power utilities providers, and more local government units in the country to strengthen its Oplan Kontra Putol initiative.

Oplan Kontra Putol takes prompt action to restore affected lines, to continuously monitor the situation by working closely with local authorities, and to observe the strict implementation of RA 10515, also known as the Cable Theft Law.

Those found guilty of violating the Cable Theft Law may face imprisonment from two to five years or pay hefty fines imposed by the court.

With the help of corresponding telco partners, barangay units, and local officials, SKY has filed legal charges against various perpetrators involved.

Through Oplan Kontra Putol, SKY continues to heed the call for immediate action and urges the public to join the nationwide initiative by being more alert as well as reporting related incidents to SKY’s official hotlines and their respective local authorities.

Concerned citizens can report suspected illegal cable cutting activities through http://www.mysky.com.ph/kontraputol, via Security Hotline number 34499111 (for Metro Manila, Rizal, Cavite, Laguna and Bulacan only), or by messaging SKY’s 24/7 messaging platform KYLA on Viber, Facebook Messenger, and SKY’s official website.

For updates regarding SKY’s efforts to restore services in areas affected by cable cutting, subscribers can check mysky.com.ph/help-service-advisories. They may also follow SKY’s social media accounts on Facebook or Twitter.

Disclosure: I work for SKY and part of my job is promoting its initiatives to improve services to its subscribers.

Pinoy hosts recognized among top Airbnb Hosts under 30 across Asia Pacific

While Airbnb Hosts span the age spectrum, Airbnb is celebrating International Youth Day (12 August) this year by shining a light on its most successful, innovative and tenacious Airbnb Hosts in Asia Pacific under 30. 

Airbnb is recognizing twelve outstanding young Airbnb Hosts across the APAC region* with an average rating of 4.9 and over 4,300 guest check-ins collectively, including two Hosts from the Philippines – Dwyane Yra Dinglasan, 23, and Deo Dia, 26.

“A new world of opportunities has been unlocked for the younger generation through their access to and adeptness with modern technology. We are seeing more young Filipinos discovering Airbnb and sharing about it with their families and friends. They are not only traveling with us domestically and overseas but also becoming tourism entrepreneurs by helping their families generate new streams of income through hosting,” shared Amanpreet Bajaj, Airbnb’s General Manager for Southeast Asia, India, Hong Kong and Taiwan.

More Hosts under 30 like Dwayne and Deo are now helping their families unlock new economic opportunities while spreading the Philippines’ tuloy ka hospitality with their guests and contributing to the tourism economy. As these two Hosts show, age is truly just a number. 

A standout Spanish-style summer home in Batangas

Airbnb hosts under 30
Image from Airbnb
Airbnb hosts under 30
Image from Airbnb
Airbnb hosts under 30
Image from Airbnb
Airbnb hosts under 30
Dwayne, host of Tali Vacation Home

At the young age of 23, Host Dwyane has been hosting her family’s vacation home in Nasugbu Tali Vacation Home on Airbnb for nearly four years. 

“I realized there was an interest in beach home vacations, and in 2018, my family and I decided to open up our vacation home on Airbnb for extra income,” Dwayne said. The property, a Spanish colonial summer home, sits in Batangas and is well loved by guests for its amenities and seaside and sunset views. Dwayne found their home’s unique architecture to be a compelling reason  to entice guests to book a stay. “There weren’t many homes in the area with the same architectural style and I figured it would be a great way to stand out,” she shared.

When asked what tips she would provide aspiring Hosts, Dwayne shared,  “Have a niche! It’s important to research the other properties in the same market so you can stand out. Do not be afraid to be different in your taste and style.”

A home away from home in Tagaytay 

Airbnb hosts under 30
Image from Airbnb
Airbnb hosts under 30
Image from Airbnb
Airbnb hosts under 30
Image from Airbnb
Airbnb hosts under 30
Deo, host of Spacious house near Breakfast at Antonio’s

Also situated in South Luzon is a home away from home that has welcomed many travellers, hosted by another young Pinoy. Deo Dia, 26, is the owner of Spacious house near Breakfast at Antonio’s guest house in Tagaytay that boasts a 4.93 overall rating.

Deo, a businessman, shared that through his local and international travels, he learned about Airbnb and the opportunity it provided for economic empowerment and guests who seek alternative accommodation. This led to him listing his vacation home on the platform.

“When my dad passed away, he left me with a vacation house which I barely got to use. To help me financially with its recurring maintenance costs, I decided to share this special place with others through the help of Airbnb,” shared Deo. “Today, I continue to host because of the joy and fulfillment it brings. I didn’t expect to enjoy hosting as I actually do — connecting with others, doing the little things to ensure a relaxing stay, and most of all, being a part of their precious moments.”

To learn more about hosting on Airbnb, visit airbnb.com/host.

* According to internal Airbnb data of Hosts under 30 in APAC with the best percentage of five-star reviews for Cleanliness, Communication and Check-in.

About Airbnb

Airbnb was born in 2007 when two Hosts welcomed three guests to their San Francisco home, and has since grown to 4 million Hosts who have welcomed more than 1 billion guest arrivals in almost every country across the globe. Every day, Hosts offer one-of-a-kind stays and unique Experiences that make it possible for guests to experience the world in a more authentic, connected way.

How small businesses can tap the power of micro-influencers

So now you’ve launched your own business, congratulations!

I’m sure you’re all excited to bring your particular brand of products and services to customers who need it.

The challenge is how to let them know that it exists, right?

As a small business owner, you might already find your hands full handling the day-to-day operations of your enterprise as well as coming up with long-term strategies to grow your business.

Promoting your business consistently and effectively may be quite beyond your bandwidth at the moment.

Also, while the proliferation of various social media platforms may provide a myriad of possibilities in increasing your business’ visibility, mastering how to use these digital outlets will entail a lot of time and effort that might be better used for your core business.

Man-Woman Pics on Freepik

Why not secure the help of people who are already adept at using these platforms?

Tapping top-tier social media influencers to promote your brand may not be within your budget, but take heart: you can opt to partner with a category of social media mavens who can bring the most bang for your bucks.

I’m referring to, of course, micro-influencers.

A 2021 Forbes article by Kelly Ehlers posits that brands who want to work with any level of influencers should consider several factors which include the following:

  • Cost. Influencers with high follower counts command hefty fees which may limit the actual output that can be negotiated with them but the number of followers who actually make purchase decisions based on their recommendations may not be as high as expected. This would bring your brand’s return on investment (ROI) into question when working with macro-influencers. In contrast, micro-influencers with a smaller follower base may be more affordable for brands to tap and may tend to bring more into the collaboration in terms of additional posts or other services as a way of building a long-term partnership.
  • Authenticity. Social media users follow influencers because the lifestyle and views depicted in the influencers’ content resonate with them. A seemingly off-brand collaboration may prove to be off-putting, not just to the influencers’ followers, but also to the brands’ existing customers. Micro-influencers, on the other hand, often reach out to brands that they actually love and want to support, or brands that they feel can resonate with their audience.
  • Reach. While an individual micro-influencer’s follower count may limit the reach of a single sponsored post, working with various micro-influencers of varying ages, geographic locations and other demographics can allow you to expand your brand’s reach across different market segments. Furthermore, micro-influencers also have the potential to engage with niche audiences, especially if they specialize in a particular topic or interest.
Man-Woman Pics on Freepik

So are you now ready to work with micro-influencers to grow your business?

The next challenge is how to go about finding and engaging them.

Intellifluence is an influencer marketing service that helps brands and influencers collaborate to achieve their respective goals.

Its roster of influencers include celebrities, niche authorities as well as peer-level micro-influencers which can be tapped for campaigns aimed at increasing social sales, pre-launch product testing, branding, amplification of communications and search engine optimization (SEO). Its covered platforms run the gamut of popular social media sites such as Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, Tiktok, Twitter and LinkedIn, as well as custom marketplaces, Amazon, and blogs.

Sign up here for more details and to get 50% off your first month at Intellifluence.

Photo credits: Header and in-article photos by freepik on Freepik

DTI-CITEM’s Creative Futures 2022 to present what’s next for the Philippine creative economy

CREATEPhilippines once again gathers local and international creatives to discuss the future of the Philippine creative economy via the digital conference Creative Futures 2022. On its second run, the conference, to be staged using digital platform Hopin from July 28 to 29, 2022, includes an expo, knowledge sharing sessions, and business development and networking opportunities among creative professionals, policymakers, business leaders, and potential clients.

CREATEPhilippines, run by DTI’s export promotions agency Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), is the country’s flagship trade promotions program that champions the Philippines’ creative industries as a high-potential export sector and driver of economic growth. 

In 2021, the program first staged Creative Futures and launched CREATEPhilippines.com, the country’s first government-led digital content and community platform for Filipino creatives. The site features a directory where local talents can upload their portfolios for a global audience. 

This year, Creative Futures will highlight the immediate future of local creative industries. “Our lineup of speakers, resource persons, and partners will present what tomorrow could look like for the Filipino creative. The event is all about possibilities, not in the distant future, but now, like in the next 5 minutes,” said Erwin Romulo, CREATEPhilippines creative director, and Creative Futures Program Director. 

creative futures 2
creative futures 3
creative futures 4
creative futures 5

The theme of this year’s Creative Futures is “Tomorrow” and will include discussions on current developments and industry trends as well as projections for the creative sectors.

The two-day conference will include presentations on Creative Governance, Gastronomy, Advertising, Design, Film, Tourism, Dance, Game Development, Fashion, and Communication Design. 

“Creative Futures 2022 is particularly designed to take advantage of the latest opportunities brought about by recent developments in the local creative landscape, particularly the Congress approval of the consolidated version of Senate Bill 2455 and House Bill 10107, or the Creative Industries Development Act. To support the country’s thrust toward a robust creative economy, we’re putting forward practices, strategies, and programs that creatives can immediately capitalize on and incorporate into their respective fields in order to become more globally competitive,” said CITEM Executive Director Pauline Suaco-Juan.

Creative governance at the forefront 

Creative Futures puts the spotlight on creative governance after the pandemic hastened the need to institutionalize protection in the creative sectors. 

“CITEM consistently advocates for institutional support which we believe is crucial to the growth of our local talents and the creative economy at large. Through efforts like Creative Futures, under our signature program CREATEPhilippines, we aim to foster an environment where creatives can thrive, taking us closer to our vision of the Philippines as the leading creative hub in the ASEAN region,” added Suaco-Juan.

Returning as a guest speaker is Hon. Christopher “Toff” De Venecia, principal author of the House version of the Creative Industries Act, who will discuss the immediate impact of the law in a presentation. 

Creative Industries Act proponents and policymakers are also expected to attend. DTI Secretary Alfredo Pascual and DTI-Trade Promotions Group Officer-in-Charge Glenn Peñaranda will discuss the role of the public sector in the advancement of the Philippine creative economy.

Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto and US-based design firm Alao Design will present a vision of how design can renew public spaces. Arch. Aya Maceda and designers Kristian Henson and Monica Ramos will discuss their design process, doing historical research, on-ground mapping, and immersion, and how they collaborated with the Pasig City LGU.

No creative left behind

A new documentary by Martika Ramirez Escobar will premiere at the event. A live Q & A with the director of Sundance-winning feature film Leonor Will Never Die will follow the screening. 

A new P-pop web series featuring Mon Abrea, Chairman and Chief Tax Advisor of Asian Consulting Group, is also set to premiere at Creative Futures 2022. Written and directed by Joel Ferrer, it stars Kat Galang and Jal Galang as local creatives dealing with life, love, and their taxes. In a related session, the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) will tackle copyright and other intellectual property rights-related issues in a presentation.

The conference also has on-demand sessions streamed throughout the two days, including the Department of Tourism’s ASMR series featuring spots from across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao and the 360-degree interactive video series Across the Archipelago along the Pan-Philippine Highway. There will also be replays of the different presentations and sessions following the event.

To learn more about Creative Future’s growing list of presentations, including advertising and communication design, visit our registration page.

Digital expo of Philippine creatives and FAME+ e-tailers

Another key event component is the expo, which will showcase creatives from the CREATEPhilippines directory. Participants can also discover and shop Filipino home, fashion, and lifestyle products by e-tailers from digital sourcing and storytelling platform FAME+.

Creative Futures 2022 is organized by DTI-CITEM in partnership with the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB), an attached agency of the Department of Tourism. 

Register at: https://hopin.com/events/creative-futures-2022/registration and take part in shaping the Philippine creative economy. To learn more about CREATEPhilippines, visit https://createphilippines.com/. Follow us on our social media platforms to get updates on Creative Futures 2022 and know the latest trends and news about local creative sectors.

About CITEM

The Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) is the Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) export promotions arm committed to nurturing the global competitiveness of Philippine micro, small, and medium scale enterprises (MSMEs), exporters, designers, and manufacturers. The agency aspires toward the highest standards of creativity and innovation, spanning industries including home, fashion, lifestyle, food, and creative sectors.

About CREATE Philippines

CREATEPhilippines is the country’s flagship trade promotions program that showcases the Philippines’ creative industries as a high-potential export sector and driver of economic growth.

It brings together the creative industries and champions local talent by organizing events that provide opportunities to learn, network, and seize opportunities in the Philippines and beyond.

As a content and community platform, it houses stories that promote Filipino creatives and offers a directory to help them expand their online presence and share their portfolio to a global audience.

CREATEPhilippines is led by the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM).

Design studio photo created by DCStudio – www.freepik.com

13 Business books to fire up your inner spark at work

The first half of the year is already done, and if you’re doubting your effectiveness at your job or your impact to your work, maybe you should set aside some time for reading and re-motivating yourself.

Check out these books that will provide you with fresh knowledge and insights to get you all fired up and raring to work!

Developing the Leader Within You 2.0 by John C. Maxwell

Much of any business’ success depend upon its leaders. By outlining the principles for empowered and empowering leadership, John C. Maxwell’s book has changed the way leaders see themselves.

This thoroughly revised and updated edition packs in new leadership insights and best practices that he has gathered since the first edition was published in 1993 to help guide and inspire a new generation of leaders on their challenging but ultimately rewarding journey.

Shop Now
What Are Your Blind Spots? by Jim Haudan and Rich Berens

Even the most well-intentioned and competent leaders can be led astray by seemingly benign assumptions that can ultimately harm or derail the enterprise.

Authors Jim Haudan and Rich Berens refer to these old ways of thinking as “blind spots.” By identifying and overcoming blind spots identified in the book, leaders can learn to welcome and adopt new and forward-thinking practices that will propel their organizations towards growth.

Shop Now
Growing Influence by Ron Price and Stacey Ennis

This is a how-to book disguised as a fable.

In a series of transformative meetings between a career-driven young woman and her wise respectable mentor, mirroring and building on the interactions between the co-authors Ron Price and Stacey Ennis, arise lessons on cultivating influence fed by both character and competence.

Interestingly, the fable also tackles gender dynamics in the workplace.

Shop Now
Iterate by Ed Muzio

To keep up with today’s fast-changing and fast-charging world, companies must learn and adapt fast.

Central to this agile quality is the ability, whenever faced with a problem, to make the next most reasonable step from there, i.e, to iterate.

Author Ed Muzio lays down a research-based guide to help leaders equip their teams to do just that.

Shop Now
The Innovation Navigator by Tucker J. Marion and Sebastian Fixson

Business leaders agree that innovation is the key to survival and further growth and in many companies, it is a top strategic priority.

Tucker J. Marion and Sebastian Fixson showcases the different modes that innovation can take and guides readers on how to take advantage of each mode’s inherent pros and cons. The book also walks through ways to effectively shift between modes or employ multi-mode strategies to foster innovation.

Shop Now
Your Invisible Toolbox by Rowena Crosbie and Deborah Rinner

According to authors Rowena Crosbie and Deborah Rinner, we all have two sets of the tools: while the first toolbox contains the technical skills, devices and equipment necessary to perform our roles, the second one – the invisible toolbox – contains the tools necessary for human interactions.

The contents of the second toolbox figure prominently in many workplaces, especially now that the business environment is not only a global one, but a multi-generational one as well.

Shop Now
B State by Mark Samuel

Oftentimes, in business, the path from Point A to Point B is not as simple or straightforward as we would like.

To be able to move forward, Mark Samuel encourages readers to engage themselves in a true transformation, removing old mindsets and replacing inefficient behaviors with new ways of thinking and more desirable habits to bring about a highly productive culture that breeds business success.

Shop Now
Leading Loyalty by Sandy Rogers, Leena Rinne and Shawn Moone

Customer loyalty does oftentimes seem like an unreachable dream given today’s volatile market situation.

Authors Sandy Rogers, Leena Rinne and Shawn Moone dove into the results of the Franklin Covey studies that show how “campfire stores” achieve revenue and profitability goals thanks to fiercely loyal customers and the employees that prioritize the happiness of those customers.

Shop Now
Wise Guy by Guy Kawasaki

Technopreneur Guy Kawasaki reflects upon his life and his many adventures (or misadventures) in the a series of vignettes.

Some may be light-hearted, others may recall actions with lasting consequences, but all served to inspire and build him up to the person that he is today.

Shop Now
Scramble by Marty Neumeier

Marty Neumeier tells the story of a young CEO as he is faced with the demand to turn the company around, otherwise he loses his job.

As the story progresses, his journey illustrates the principles of agile strategy, a way of building business that is more collaborative and produces quicker results.

Shop Now
Built to Suck by Joseph Jaffe

We see it more and more often: large companies – behemoth enterprises – are crumbling to the ground in light of declining revenues and business growth.

In this book, Joseph Jaffe outlines the four key pillars that will transform ailing companies from ailing to thriving, from obsolescence to relevance.

Shop Now
The Art of Preventing Stupid by Matthew Neill Davis

Matthew Neill Davis’ Preventing Stupid Method is all about solving common problems before they become insurmountable roadblocks.

By quickly identifying, categorizing and prioritizing the business’ threats and weaknesses – forward-thinking risk management – business leaders can devote more energy towards maximizing opportunities as they appear.

Shop Now
Sticks and Stones by Nick Powills

Author Nick Powills showcases how his childhood experiences of struggling with his weight and getting bullied by his peers all propelled him towards being a successful entrepreneur later in life.

While the old wisdom is to keep personal and professional lives separate, the author instead proposes transforming painful memories, harsh lessons and old disappointment into motivation, coupled with the strong foundation of family and friends, into the strength and courage to pursue business success and personal fulfillment.

Shop Now

Enjoy reading with Kindle

With a wealth of enriching and informative books waiting for you, I’m sure you’re raring to get into reading them. However, if you are concerned about the space you will need to store your growing library, or being able to bring your books wherever you go, getting a Kindle just may be the perfect solution for you.

Kindle is a line of portable and wireless electronic reading devices (e-readers) produced by online retailer Amazon.com. They make use of a display technology called electronic paper which produces a sharp screen image that resembles text printed on paper, ensuring an easy and comfortable read.

It is advisable to have a Kindle, specifically for reading, instead of relying on your other personal mobile devices because:

  • It is purpose-built for reading with a glare-free display that reads real paper, even in direct sunlight. You can also adjust its brightness to let you read comfortably – indoors and outdoors, day and night.
  • A single battery charge lasts weeks, not hours.
  • You get less distractions as you can highlight passages, look up definitions, translate words, and adjust text size—without ever leaving the page.

Ready to get this new nifty reading device for yourself? Check out your various options below!

Kindle
Shop Now
Kindle Paperwhite
Shop Now
Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition
Shop Now
Kindle Oasis
Shop Now

Take advantage of Amazon Prime Day deals

Ready to shop for your books and Kindle devices? The good news is that you can enjoy great discounts on your Amazon.com purchases during Amazon Prime Day!

On July 12 and 13, 2022, Amazon.com will hold a mega summer sale offering lots of deals on its myriad of products, exclusively to Amazon Prime members.

To take advantage of the awesome deals that await you during Amazon Prime Day, you need to be an Amazon Prime member.

You can also enjoy these exclusive benefits:

  • Fast and free delivery. Get two-day, next-day or same-day delivery to a US address for millions of items.
  • Prime Video. Get access to fresh movies releases and original award-winning Amazon productions.
  • Prime Reading. Get access to a rotating catalogue of e-books and audio books including one free pre-release book every month from editor’s picks.
  • and more!
Try Amazon Prime 30-Day FREE Trial

Header photo by cottonbro on Pexels

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers Level C Media, Penguin Group Portfolio, Harper Collins, Business Publications Corporation, Inc., Ideapress Publishing, Greenleaf Book Group, University of Toronto Press and McGraw Hill Education for the advanced copies of the books mentioned here.

This post contains affiliate links.

Working your way to a better posture is easy with Curble Chair

Back pain does have a way of preventing you from getting up and about, as well as derailing your activities for the day, right?

While back pain my be caused by sports injuries, accidents, hormonal imbalances, or congenital conditions, oftentimes, back pains are the result of our day-to-day actions. Repetitive activities such as sitting all day in front of the computer, slouching as you drive your car and hunching over as you use your mobile phone may produce tightness and tension in your back muscles which result to backaches.

One way to prevent this kind of back pain is to improve your posture, making sure that the bones of your spine are correctly aligned and the spinal curves are balanced as you perform your daily tasks.

Curble Chair
Curble Chair
Curble Chair
Curble Chair

Maintaining a good posture requires less effort from your body than maintaining a bad one but, especially for those working with computers, you might still need some help correcting what years of getting used to the wrong posture has done.

Fortunately, there’s Curble Chair.

Did you know that sitting puts more pressure on our spine than any other action, and having a bad posture further exacerbates this effect?

While ergonomic and posture-correcting furniture have been around for quite some time, they do tend to be pricey, way beyond the means of typical office workers and stufents.

Curble Chair
Curble Chair
Curble Chair
Curble Chair

Not so with Curble Chair. This nifty posture-correcting support helps you maintain correct posture while sitting through the leverage effect of its backrest naturally pushing against your back as your weight pushes its bottom surface downward. Its design helps create a hip rise and distributes the pressure on the waist, thereby preventing strain on the rest of the body. Its air hallway system and fabric pattern also helps to disperse body heat so that you can stay cool as you use it.

Check out various Curble Chair models and see which one suits you best.

Curble Chair
Curble Comfy. Has a flexible backrest and helps lift the tailbone as you sit. Suitable for correcting posture when sitting for long periods.
Curble Chair
Curble Wider. Has a more rigid backrest that supports the waist, and wider chair body and bottom surface that hugs user’s sides and lifts pelvis.
Curble Chair
Curble Grand. Increased support capacity and increased thickness of separated upper and lower cushions for improved dispersion of body pressure and stability while sitting.
Curble Chair
Curble Kids. Posture correcting chair developed for children 12 years old and younger. Recommended for kids who have difficulty concentrating or show growth delay.

Curble Chair is recommended for the following:

  • those with little flexibility due to lack of exercise
  • office workers and students who spend most of their day sitting at a desk with few breaks
  • those who play computer games for long periods of time while in an incorrect posture
  • those who enjoy reading or meditating while sitting
  • patients who need to correct their posture because they are experiencing signs of herniated cervical or lumbar disc
  • those who want to maintain their corrected posture after receiving spinal manipulation
Curble Chair
Curble Chair
Curble Chair
Curble Chair

You will find many uses for your Curble Chair as it’s quite handy and portable so it helps you correct your sitting posture when you are:

  • at your desk, studying, working in front of your computer or doing arts and crafts
  • in the living room, whether you’re on the couch watching TV or on the floor while meditating
  • in your car while driving or riding as a passenger
  • outdoors while camping, watching sports events or on picnics
Curble Chair
Curble Chair

Grab your Curble Chair at its kiosk at 2nd Floor, Main Building, SM North EDSA, North Avenue corner EDSA, Quezon City or order online at The Laptop Lifestyle (use my code JELLYB to get 5% off upon checkout).

Disclosure: A product sample was provided to facilitate this feature.

#AmazonPrimeDay finds for your home office

One of the few positive outcomes brought about by the global pandemic is the realization that working from home is a viable option for many office workers.

Aside from allowing you to keep yourself safe by practicing social distancing, it also eliminated the costs and stresses of the daily commute, maintaining a work wardrobe and office meals. This setup also made for a smoother integration of your work life into your home life and vice versa.

As you may have already discovered, having a suitable work space at home is crucial to making a success of your WFH arrangement. Setting up your home office as a space for productivity and efficiency, while still imbuing your space with your personality, will help you perform in this kind of system.

In setting up your home office, you might want to keep these tips in mind:

  • Optimize your workspace. Your work area at home may not be as spacious as the one you had back in your office, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be as hardworking. This can be achieved by ensuing that all you need for the day’s tasks are within easy reach and then neatly stored when not in use.
  • Plan to be mobile. The best part of working from home is the flexibility, right? Who says you can’t work on that report while still in bed, or attend that meeting while also meeting your daily steps in the treadmill? Try to envision what you will need to be able to work anywhere in your home.
  • Consider your comfort and ergonomics. Your comfort level can greatly affect your concentration and creativity. Maintaining proper posture and having appropriate lighting as you work will help you get your work done more efficiently.

Excited to furnish your home office with items to spur your productivity? Take advantage of Amazon Prime Day!

What is Amazon Prime Day?

On July 12 and 13, 2022, e-commerce giant Amazon.com will hold a mega summer sale offering lots of deals on its myriad of products, exclusively to Amazon Prime members.

Whether you’re transitioning from an on-site arrangement or upgrading your existing work-from-home setup, shopping on Amazon Prime Day will let you score a haul that get you ready and raring to work!

Add these must-have home office accessories to your cart in preparation for the big sale:

Standing Desk. Also called a “stand-up desk,” this home office furniture allow for greater movement and circulation for your lower body, thus easing aches and pains. You may opt for one that can be adjusted if you do want to take a sitting position.

Klvied Mobile Standing Desk
SHOP NOW
Urban Deco Adjustable Standing Desk
SHOP NOW

Side Table Laptop Desk. Hunching over your laptop while on your bed is a no-no so if your home office is your bedroom, get a desk that can be slid into place when you need it and stowed to the side when not in use.

LASZOLA Side Table
SHOP NOW
Micoe Side Table
SHOP NOW

Lap Desk. If you don’t have space for a table or if you prefer to work while sitting on the couch, bed or rug, then a lap desk should be just right for you. Aside from helping you maintain a good posture and supporting your wrists as you type, a lap desk could also minimize the heat coming from the laptop towards you.

HUANUO Lap Desk
SHOP NOW
Gimars Home Office Lap Desk
SHOP NOW

Laptop Stand. If you do have a desk at home, it may be positioned too low for you to work on your laptop comfortably for extended periods of time. Something to raise your laptop screen to eye level will prevent strain on your back and neck muscles.

LIFELONG Portable Laptop Stand
SHOP NOW
SOUNDANCE Adjustable Laptop Stand
SHOP NOW

Desk Organizer. You do need other things for work aside from your laptop. However, if these knick-knacks are cluttered around your desk, they could hamper your focus. Tidying them up into a desk organizer will give you a neater work space that will do wonders for your concentration.

VEDETT Office Supplies Desk Organizer Caddy
SHOP NOW
AUPSEN Mesh Office Supplies Desk Organizer
SHOP NOW

Desk Pad. Far from being just a cosmetic touch to your workspace, a desk pad will prevent damages to your table surface from imprints by pen marks and also provides a non-slip surface for papers and small items.

Gallaway Leather Desk Pad
SHOP NOW
ITZELYICHAN Leather Desk Pad
SHOP NOW

So, are you now excited to shop for these items on Amazon Prime Day? Be sure to mark July 12 and 13 on your calendars!

Not yet an Amazon Prime member?

To take advantage of the awesome deals that await you during Amazon Prime Day, you need to be an Amazon Prime member.

You can also enjoy these exclusive benefits:

  • Fast and free delivery. Get two-day, next-day or same-day delivery to a US address for millions of items.
  • Prime Video. Get access to fresh movies releases and original award-winning Amazon productions.
  • Prime Reading. Get access to a rotating catalogue of e-books and audio books including one free pre-release book every month from editor’s picks.
  • and more!
Sign Up Now

Happy shopping!

This post contains affiliate links.

Header photo by tirachardz on freepik

Great Reads for Working Moms

We working moms have quite a lot on our plate, don’t we?

Juggling our myriad of responsibilities at work and at home does not leave us with so much free time for some well-deserved rest, much less for reading.

However, we should always make the effort to improve ourselves, especially in how we manage our careers and our family life, and taking in well-formulated advice from the experts will surely help us in being more effective in both important spheres in our lives.

So check out these books and see what insights they can impart to your work and parenting styles.

Books for Rocking It at Work

Bring Your Human to Work by Erica Keswin

Since the start of our careers, we have been taught to maintain a clear separation between our work and our personal lives.

Workplace strategist and business coach Erica Keswin debunks this myth by emphasizing the importance of relationships in the workplace and citing examples of leaders who embody human qualities of authenticity, openness and empathy, who still manage to be successful in their respective fields.

Bring Your Human to Work shows us how to break away from our idea of a cold and impersonal work environment and instead foster a sense of joy and loyalty to the workplace.

Shop Now
Kick Some Glass: 10 Ways Women Succeed at Work on Their Own Terms by Jennifer Martineau and Portia Mount

It’s one of the most dreaded concepts for many career women: the glass ceiling. Its the concept that, despite all your natural talent, all the skills that you’ve developed and all the work you have done and will ever do, you can only go so far in your career.

In Kick Some Glass, authors Jennifer Martineau and Portia Mount dissects the barriers that women face during their climb up the corporate ladder -from both past and present perspectives as well as external and internal orientations – to enable budding women leaders to break through and make their mark in their fields.

Shop Now
Don’t Pay for Your MBA: The Faster, Cheaper, Better Way to Get the Business Education You Need by Laurie Pickard

Sometimes, in the corporate world, having an MBA can open a lot of doors and move a lot of careers forward.

However, getting your graduate business degree can be a very expensive endeavor.

Businesswoman Laurie Pickard enjoins readers of Don’t Pay for Your MBA to skip this costly step and instead shares practical advice on how to take advantage of online education to obtain the knowledge they need to get ahead.

Shop Now
Cowgirl Power: How to Kick Ass in Business and Life by Gail Gaddis

For many women, getting ahead in the workplace can be a very daunting task.

However, advertising CEO Gay Gaddis takes inspiration from other trailblazing women, risk takers who developed their power through knowledge, hard work, excellence and good will, and owned their power to face their challenges as leaders in their families, workplace and communities.

She also shares her own experiences and recommends an action plan for more women to attain that same Cowgirl Power and showcase their mettle in both their work and personal lives.

Shop Now
Glambition: Knocking Down Walls in Heels by Dee Rivera

It’s an uncomfortable truth that women tend to settle at work: they accept responsibilities that are not exciting for them or acquiesce to situations that may not be to their advantage. Glambition author and entrepreneur Dee Rivera refers to this behavior of settling for less than what you’re worth as “shrinking to fit.”

In her book, Rivera shares her personal journey towards self-empowerment as well as real-world advice in order to achieve this.

The book also contains real-life testimonies of women leaders to serve as examples for women int heir journey towards self-confidence and competency.

Shop Now
Lunching with Lions: Strategies for the Networking-Averse by Katherine McGraw Patterson

There are times in business wherein success is not so much a matter of what you know but of who you know.

Networking – interacting with others to exchange information or to form connections with people who can help in your profession – is one of the most hated business activities.

Author Katherine McGraw Patterson puts this down to people not being taught how to network. To remedy this, she shares a Four-Step Beginner’s Guide for the Networking-Averse that will help professionals learn to love and harness the power of networking, and not feel like they are, she calls it, Lunching with Lions.

Shop Now

Books for Rocking it at Home

The Kindness Advantage: Cultivating Compassion and Connected Children by Dale Atkins and Amanda Salzhauer

We hear it more and more these days: if you can be anything, start by being kind.

More and more, the calls for unity, respect and compassion in our daily lives is growing while research shows that being connected and engaged socially are keys to successful and fulfilling lives.

Authors Dale Atkins and Amanda Salzhauer recognize that equipping children with the skills they need to have a positive in the world starts at home. In their book, they outline ways to guide children towards the value of kindness as well as share stories of people who achieved fulfillment through living The Kindness Advantage.

Shop Now
You Can Stay Home with Your Kids!: 100 Tips, Tricks, and Ways to Make It Work on a Budget by Erin Odom

As a working mom, you may find much fulfillment in your career. However, you might also be considering leaving the corporate world in order to be more present in your kids’ lives.

The Humbled Homemaker Erin Odom sheds some light on how You Can Stay Home with Your Kids by dispelling fears on being able to give your children while living on a single income. This may involve sticking to a budget, getting some side hustles, being creative on how to enrich and supplement your kids lives and connect with your spouse without breaking the bank, and more.

For career women who want get out of the rat race and into a more family-centered existence, this is an essential read.

Shop Now
Understanding your Child’s and Teen’s Behavior: Simple Steps and Resources to Guide You Through the Journey by Angie Rumaldo

Adolescence is a rite of passage. For children, it is a time to test their boundaries. For us parents, it is a time to guide them towards being responsible and productive adults.

However, the period of your child’s adolescence is rife with struggle and misunderstanding.

Licensed clinical psychologist and psychiatric nurse practitioner Dr. Angie Rumaldo presents readers with a series of action plans to help correct common behavioral problems and sheds light on typical issues that children face at different phases in their growth and development.

With Dr. Rumaldo’s groundbreaking resource, you will have the essential help you need in Understanding Your Child’s and Teen’s Behavior.

Shop Now
Answering Why: Unleashing Passion, Purpose and Performance in Younger Generations by Mark C. Perna

As parents, we may be at our wits’ end in trying to bring out the best in our kids and preparing them to become productive members of society.

However, this Why Generation is inundated with a lot of challenges: from the gap between the skills they developed over the years through their education and the ones that employers are actually looking for, their lack of knowledge on the rewarding career opportunities they can take or their disengagement from the modes of learning available to them.

Mark C. Perna illustrates how Answering Why can help engage, motivate and inspire the younger generation to achieve.

Shop Now

Enjoy reading with Kindle

With a wealth of enriching and informative books waiting for you, I’m sure you’re raring to get into reading them. However, if you are concerned about the space you will need to store your growing library, or being able to bring your books wherever you go, getting a Kindle just may be the perfect solution for you.

Kindle is a line of portable and wireless electronic reading devices (e-readers) produced by online retailer Amazon.com. They make use of a display technology called electronic paper which produces a sharp screen image that resembles text printed on paper, ensuring an easy and comfortable read.

It is advisable to have a Kindle, specifically for reading, instead of relying on your other personal mobile devices because:

  • It is purpose-built for reading with a glare-free display that reads real paper, even in direct sunlight. You can also adjust its brightness to let you read comfortably – indoors and outdoors, day and night.
  • A single battery charge lasts weeks, not hours.
  • You get less distractions as you can highlight passages, look up definitions, translate words, and adjust text size—without ever leaving the page.

Ready to get this new nifty reading device for yourself. Check out your various options below!

Kindle
Shop Now
Kindle Paperwhite
Shop Now
Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition
Shop Now
Kindle Oasis
Shop Now

Take advantage of Amazon Prime Day deals

Ready to shop for your books and Kindle devices? The good news is that you can enjoy great discounts on your Amazon.com purchases during Amazon Prime Day!

On July 12 and 13, 2022, Amazon.com will hold a mega summer sale offering lots of deals on its myriad of products, exclusively to Amazon Prime members.

To take advantage of the awesome deals that await you during Amazon Prime Day, you need to be an Amazon Prime member.

You can also enjoy these exclusive benefits:

  • Fast and free delivery. Get two-day, next-day or same-day delivery to a US address for millions of items.
  • Prime Video. Get access to fresh movies releases and original award-winning Amazon productions.
  • Prime Reading. Get access to a rotating catalogue of e-books and audio books including one free pre-release book every month from editor’s picks.
  • and more!
Sign Up Now

Header photo by Ketut Subiyanto on Pexels

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers McGraw-Hill Education, HarperCollins Leadership, CenterStreet, Two Chickens Press, HCI Books, Zondervan GIFT and BooksGoSocial for the advanced copies of the books mentioned here.

This post contains affiliate links.

Will debt consolidation ease your money worries?

Like it or not, the state of your finances can and will affect your physical and mental well-being.

If you are experiencing chronic financial anxiety – the near-constant state of worry, stress or emotional disturbance over the state of your financial affairs – you might also be prone to disorders and behaviors that can negatively affect your body and mind.

Sufferers of financial anxiety are also likely exhibiting sleep disorders, weight fluctuations and disruptions from normal eating habits, unexplained aches and pains, as well as physical health concerns such as headaches, heart and blood pressure problems, and stomach issues.

Financial anxiety can also affect mental health. Feeling burdened by money worries could lead to the waning of self-confidence or sense of competence, as well as exacerbating the feeling of isolation.

With such worrying effects arising from financial anxiety, it is clearly a condition that needs to be avoided or immediately addressed if one is a afflicted by it.

Debt Consolidation Pics from Pexels

A recent CNBC article cites the aside from job loss, the continually rising cost of living and the lack of knowledge regarding personal finance, financial anxiety is also commonly caused by money missteps.

One such misstep is getting into quite a lot of debt. Whether this situation came about due to abusing your credit card, falling back on your payments to previous financial obligations, or other actions or lack thereof to put yourself in a better financial state, knowing that you owe a big sum of money can feel quite stressful.

If you find yourself in this situation, experts advise not to beat yourself up about it. The best recourse is to clear your mind and make a sound plan of action.

A step that you can take is to consider debt consolidation. As discussed in this 2021 Forbes.com article, combining multiple debts into one with a single monthly payment and usually with a lower interest rate through a personal loan or a balance transfer credit card helps to streamline your finances and speed up paying off your obligations, thereby getting you closer to being debt-free.

Debt Consolidation Pics from Pexels

With that said, you would still need to think carefully on whether debt consolidation is the best option for you. The same article posits that debt consolidation may come with added costs – such as origination fees, balance transfer fees, closing costs and annual fees – and does not resolve underlying financial issues such as lousy spending habits which may lead you to getting into more debt.

Debt consolidation may be your best bet if your total debt amount is high enough to justify the additional fees and efforts involved in getting a new loan, if you are set on working to improve your finances through positive changes in your money habits and if your current cash flow is sufficient cover the new monthly payments. Having a credit score high enough to qualify for a lower interest rate will also go a long way towards making debt consolidation work for you.

Debt Consolidation Pics from Pexels

At the heart of this issue is the need to have a thorough understanding of yourself and your financial habits, your current financial standing and your future financial prospects to be able to gauge whether debt consolidation is the right course of action for you.

It also helps to read more about debt consolidation so you can take the first important steps towards your financial freedom and, hopefully, to a better physical and mental state.

Photo credits:

4 things to expect at the #PMC2MillionStrong celebration

Power Mac Center (PMC) recently hit another milestone after its online community on Facebook reached two million followers. To celebrate, the premier Apple partner is hosting a fun shopping weekend in gratitude to its patrons and loyal Apple enthusiasts in the country.

“The community we’ve built on Facebook has been instrumental in helping Power Mac Center grow into what it is today. With every engagement and interaction that we get on our social media pages, we are inspired to push harder in our mission of bringing world-class technology to Filipinos. This celebration is also our way of letting our patrons know how we’re thankful for our online community, as they help us improve how we serve their Apple needs. We look forward to more years of touching lives, sharing joy, and connecting with more people through technology and innovation,” said Joey Alvarez, PMC Director of Product Management, Marketing, and Space Planning.

PMC’s Facebook community serves as an avenue to inspire Apple users to showcase their creativity, simply have fun, and also work together for worthy causes. To celebrate its monumental growth, PMC prepared special surprises for customers and lucky fans.

…but first, a trip down memory lane

PMC joined Facebook on January 4, 2009. Back then, it was cool to “poke” your friends and status updates can only begin with “is.”

Over the years, it has built a lot of moments that led to the 2-million-strong PMC online community today. Among the most notable memories are the 20th anniversary celebration, which also coincided with the launch of 1 Infinite Access (then 1 Infinite Card) – PMC’s loyalty program; the successful blasting off into cyberspace of the Power Mac Center Web Store in 2019; and the much-anticipated annual launch of the latest iPhone series, particularly the “Journey to iPhone 13” livestream last year – PMC’s first-ever full online iPhone launch event. In all of these initiatives, fans generously shared their thoughts and their time to connect with fellow Apple lovers.

See some of PMC’s monumental Facebook memories at Power Mac Center’s official Facebook page.

Let’s take 5 (percent off)

Now, this is the fun part! As a simple treat to all customers and Facebook followers, ALL devices and accessories can be purchased at any Power Mac Center store nationwide at 5% off from May 27 to 29, 2022. Take home the latest iPhone 13 in 256GB for only P56,990.50 from the original price of P59,990, or get as much as P10,000 off on the 16-inch MacBook Pro Apple M1 max chip 1TB Space Gray.

Power Mac Center 2M Strong
Power Mac Center 2M Strong

The promotion is valid for cash and straight transactions, including straight credit card, debit card, bank transfer, check, HomeCredit, GCash, GrabPay, WeChat, AliPay, PayMaya, Hello Money, UnionPay, BDO Pay, ShopeePay, QRPH, Power Mac Center gift certificate, and trade-in value. No vaccination card or 1 Infinite Access membership required, but other terms and conditions will apply.

That shipping has sailed

Should you prefer to do your shopping online, PMC is also offering FREE shipping nationwide for a minimum purchase worth P2,500 on its official Web Store and Viber Store from May 27 to 29, 2022. Choose from a wide variety of devices and accessories, including iPhone, iPad, Watch, and Mac in a few clicks or taps on your device.

Join the fun online!

Stay updated on the latest announcements on deals, discounts, promos, and keep on visiting Power Mac Center’s Facebook page for more surprises in the coming weeks! Invite your family and friends to also like and follow PMC on Facebook so they can join the #PMC2MillionStrong celebration.

Established in 1994, PMC was born at a time when people didn’t think it was wise to invest in the Apple business. PMC’s founders embraced Steve Jobs’ “Think Different” mentality and built today’s largest network of Apple authorized retail stores, repair and service centers, and education resellers in the Philippines. It carries the entire Apple line in its stores, as well as a variety of premium products from partner brands.

Even better, PMC allows payments via installments with zero interest and no down payment to partner major banks and non-credit card installment options such as Home Credit to cater to all customers and enable them to invest in the quality of Apple devices that are easy on the pocket.

Join the growing community and be updated on the latest announcements, deals, and discounts! Follow Power Mac Center on Facebook,Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok.

DTI Fair Trade Permit No. FTEB-143655 Series of 2022

About Power Mac Center

Power Mac Center is a recognized Apple Premium Reseller, Apple Authorized Education Reseller, Apple Authorized Training Provider, and Apple Authorized Service Provider in the Philippines. Power Mac Center has become a reliable retail shop and service provider of Apple products to the Filipino consumer.

The company has grown to over 80 branches nationwide, with stores located in Greenbelt 3, Glorietta 5, The Annex at SM City North EDSA, SM City Fairview, TriNoma, Robinsons Magnolia,  SM Megamall, The Podium, SM Mall of Asia, SM Aura Premier, Festival Supermall, Cash and Carry Mall, Abreeza Mall, SM Lanang Premier, SM City Marikina, Power Plant Mall, SM City BF Parañaque, Harbor Point, SM City Southmall, SM City Pampanga, SM City Bacoor, SM City Lipa, SM City Sta. Rosa, SM City Batangas, SM City Dasmariñas, Circuit Makati, Vista Mall Sta. Rosa, SM East Ortigas,  KCC Mall de Zamboanga, Vista Mall Bataan, SM City San Pablo, SM City Trece Martires, Robinsons Galleria Cebu, Ayala Malls Cloverleaf, Ayala Malls Vertis North, SM City Urdaneta Central, SM City Clark, SM City Puerto Princesa, SM City Telabastagan, SM CDO Downtown Premier, SM City Legazpi, Fora Tagaytay, Festive Walk Mall Iloilo, Robinsons Place Butuan, SM City Lucena, SM City San Lazaro, SM City Olongapo Central, Ayala Malls Manila Bay, Robinsons Place Tuguegarao, Eastwood City, Neo Plaza Bldg. Ongpin, SM City Grand Central, and SM City Butuan.

The Loop by Power Mac Center stores are located in Ayala Malls Feliz, U.P. Town Center, Ayala Malls the 30th, Uptown Mall, Venice Grand Canal Mall, Lucky Chinatown Mall, De La Salle – College of Saint Benilde, SM Mall of Asia, Xentro Mall Vigan, SM Center Dagupan, Southwoods Mall, SM City Calamba, SM City San Mateo, D’Mall Boracay, Ayala Center Cebu, Ayala Malls Capitol Central, SM City CDO, SM City Davao, and SM City General Santos.

Visit a Power Mac Center store near you and find more online: 

powermaccenter.com Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube TikTok

The Loop Ph Facebook The Loop Ph Instagram