Our first bidding experience

Ron and I attended the bidding of foreclosed properties listed at Unionbank at Business Inn today. We are about to get married and planning where to build our love nest is in the bag. We are eyeing for 2 possible properties listed for bidding.

Note that a week before today, we have visited the site and we found that among the 6 properties listed in the same area, we like these two lots because of:

1. Lot size. The priority lot #1 is 600 sqm while priority lot #2 is 450 sqm. I think these are lot sizes spacious enough for me to have my garden.

2. Elevation. Among the lots listed both lots are unlikely to be flooded because it was away from the nearby stream. As you all now,  water would naturally flow to a body of water nearby.

3. Proximity. What I like most of these two lots is that it is close to the main road of the subdivision. As a matter of fact, Priority Lot #1 is alonh the main road of the subdivision.

Among others, we really want to acquire a lot in the said subdivision because the price per sqm is only at 1300Php. Comparing to other subdivisions, lots are already sky rocketing at 2000Php (minimum) while others could go as high as Php 7000 per square meter.

When we arrived at the venue, another couple was there as our competitor. The bidding officer waited for another 15minutes before starting to wait for other bidders to arriv but there was nobody else.

Funny about this bidding is that, both parties are after the same properties. I guess the other couple also did their due diligence. They auctioned property #2 first. We are fighting neck to neck with it while i was computing the price per sqm on the side. When the total property value reached a million we stopped and the other couple won.

I thought all the while that since they already got a property, they will no longer bid for Property #1 (600sqm). But we thought wrong. They once again bid against us. But good thing when the property value reached 930,000, they stopped bidding, saying they can't afford the monthly payments of two properties considering that the values have changed already. So we won the property.

Amidst the increase, I still think that we got a good deal at approximately 1500Php per sqm.  

So yeah, we are property owners now! Of course, after we finished off with our payments. 

Filipino, Wikang Pambansa

Below is a speech that I wrote for Buwan ng Wika Celebration of Bubog Elementary School.

Sa mga mag-aaral, guro, at opisyal ng Bubog Elementary School, isang Magandang Umaga sa inyong lahat!  Ako’y nagagalak at ako’y naimbitahan sa inyo selebrasyon ng Buwan ng Wika.

Wika, isang importanteng paraan para tayo ay makapaghatid ng ating alam, karunungan, balita at impormasyon, ang ating saloobin at damdamin.  Sa pamamagitan ng wika tayo ay nagkakaintindihan.  Ang pagkakaroon ng isang wika na naiinitindihan ng lahat ay nakakatulong upang tayo ay magkakaisa at upang magkaroon ng isang mapayapang kumunidad.  Ito rin ay nakakatulong upang umunlad bilang isang bansa.  Kung kaya’t nararapat na ating pahalagahan ang ating wikang Pambansa, ang Filipino.

Tayo ay isang bansang may iba’t ibang dialekto.  Tayo dito sa Negros ay nakakapagsalita at nakakaintindi ng wikang Hiligaynon.  Cebuano naman ang dialekto ng ating mga kapatid na taga Cebu, at ibang probinsiya sa Mindanao.  Ilokano naman ang salita ng mga taga Ilocos, at Waray naman ang salita ng mga taga Samar at Leyte.  Isa tayong bansa pero hindi natin naiintindihan at nabibigkas ang dialekto ng ating kapwa Pilipino.  Kung kaya, napakahalaga na magkaroon ng isang wikang Pambansa, ang wikang Filipino, upang mapag-isa at magkaintindihan tayong lahat. Ang wikang Filipino ang nag-uugnay sa atin upang tayo’y tumungo sa isang direksyon bilang isang bansa.

Ang Filipino, ang ating wikang Pambansa, ay isang pagpapatunay kung gaano katingkad ang kulay ng ating kasaysayan.  Ito ay kaluluwa ng ating bayan.  May maririnig tayong salitang Intsik, Malay, Espanyol, Ingles, gayon man ay Nihonggo at ang bagong uso ngayon ay gay lingo at Koreano.  Nagpapatunay ito ng ating kasaysayan at impluwensya.  Hindi ba’t tayo ay nakikipagkalakal sa mga Tsino at Malay gayun din ay sinakop ng mga Kastila, Americano at Hapon?  Natanggap na rin n gating lipunan ang mga bakla at tomboy kaya’t malaya na silang nakakapagsalita at nagkaroon pa nga ng gay lingo.  Ang ating wikang Pambansa, ang wikang Filipino ay hinubog ng panahon, at isang repleksyon kung paano tayo hinubog bilang isang bansa, isang mamayang Pilipino sa pagdaang ng maraming panahon.

Ang Wikang Filipino, higit kanino man, ay dapat bigyang halaga nating mga Pilipino.  Sabi nga ng ating pambansang bayani,  Jose Rizal, “Ang hindi magmahal sa sariling wika ay higit sa hayop at malansang isda; kaya ating pagyamaning kusa, gaya ng inang sa atin ay nagpala.”Ating  ipagmalaki at ipagbunyi ang ating pagiging Pilipino.  Mahalin at pagyamanin ang ating wikang Pambansa, ang wikang Filipino.

Success by Henry Sy

“There is no such thing as overnight success or easy money. If you fail, do not be discouraged; try again. When you do well, do not change your ways. Success is not just good luck: it is a combination of hard work, good credit standing, opportunity, readiness and timing. Success will not last if you do not take care of it.”  - Henry Sy

Henry Sy is the richest Filipino in the Philippines as to this writing and is an inspiration.  He is a true story of rags to riches.  

Tying the Knot

I'm getting married.

I can`t really remember how Ron and I agreed to settle and tie the knot. There was no sweet and heartfelt proposal, there was no youtube worthy bend on one knee guy asking girl, the latter saying the big yes. All I could remember the night at the crossing while we were waiting for my work transportation to pick me and he whispered the words, "Lets get married", and I replied, “Sure. If we ever get married, I want it on Nov 12. I think its cool to get married on 11-12-13.” I was just playing around. I never thought he gets serious about it.

Today, Ron is coming over dinner to ask for Mom's blessing. I HOPE SHE AGREES. 🍻

Quitter, I'm not a total Expert

Working at Coke is laborious in the true sense of work. Coming from a company where I was already delegating and managing people, it becomes a shocker in my part to be a beginner again.  Why do you ask did I agree to start all over again?

When I was starting at Manila Water, I was challenged everyday because there is so much to learn... work was never work because it was like a bigger school, your thirst for knowledge is quenched each day that you come in. I was a beginner at that time, it was my first job, and I was not over my scholarly attitude yet. LEARNING was my drive.

I brought that mentality to Coke, I took the challenge of learning the ropes so that some day, I could swing myself to higher grounds.  BUT in a manufacturing set-up, everything was a routine.  You do things the same way each day.  You bark the same bark, maybe louder, but yeah.. same bark. And it gets boring as day passes by.  And at my age and experience, it was a depressing note to do same tricks again.

I'm turning six months in the company doing the same routine week after week.  The only challenge I still was not able to conquer is getting my social life back likewise the travel bug seemed to evade me since I became a Tiger. So I'm in a dilemma again... should I stay and be consumed by the uncomforting routine or should I hang up the red shirt and jump into the unknown once more?

BPI gives 3% rebate to EPS users

One of my strategies in building my millions is maximizing what my bank could offer me.  Discounts and rebates equals savings which could add up to my purchasing power or my future retirement fund.  Discounts and rebates are usually small but for me, every peso counts.

Just recently, BPI announces that with using your ATM card, one could get 3% rebate with his purchase as long as it is of minimum of 2000Php.  In using their Easy Payment System (EPS), you could actually purchase without cash.  IT is like using your ATM card as a debit card. 

I use EPS in doing my grocery, in eat outs or paying my phone bills and often than not, I end up buying 2000Php worth of goods or even more.  So the 60Php (or more) rebate everytime I spend, is a trickle to my glass of millions.

The maximum rebate BPI gives is 600Php or paying 20000Php for a purchase in a single receipt.  I want to note that the spending should be for necessities and not just on the whim.  Just a tip, subdivide your purchase into different transaction receipts if your total is over 20000Php so you could have more rebates.

To claim your rebate, send a SMS with the following format MX ON EPS-REBATE (space) Card Number/Transaction Date (MMDDYYYY)/Transaction Amount and send to 2800 for Globe/Touch Mobile, 216 for Smart/Talk N' Text or 2288 for Sun Cellular.  Promo period is from March 15 - May 31, 2013 and you could redeem until to July 31, 2013.

Location, Location, Location

You may find this post as a cliché. But the right location is one factor you must consider in putting up your business for it to be successful.

IF you have a site found, equip yourself with these areas of concern.

Foot Traffic. How much passersby go to that site? Passersby, are potential customers. If a population frequents your site, they would be your customers in the future.

Competition. Research on the big and small players in your area. What is the advantage of your location? Is the site overpopulated with the same business as you wanted? It also helps if you are the only business in the area catering to such need. You could actually monopolize the market.

Accessibility to Transportation. Is there a terminal nearby for customers? Does the public transport go by your site? You wouldn't want your customers hire a taxi or a tricycle just to go to your store just to get what they need. And most of all, customers don't want to haul their bought goods from your place to the nearest street where there is public transport. You want your business to be convenient as possible to your customers.

Demography. Is your site located in a posh subdivision? In a public market? A mall or a school? Knowing these helps you understand the type of customers you will have, likewise their purchasing power.

Location plays big in a business especially for those who are still starting. Being in the right place gives you an edge. Get seen with just being there in the best location.

I am a Businesswoman

I have started a business just after I came home from Singapore.  It was timely because I was bumming around and I was desperate of finding my interest of what I really want to do.

I opened a grocery last June although I have no background with business nor have I taken business subjects in College. My experience is limited. I used to sell flowers every Sunday to Church goers when I was small when my mom was still growing roses and anthoriums. I opened my online shop with multiply a few years back. But that's about it.  So who would thought I would take on the challenge of opening business as complicated as a grocery?

But I didn't jump into the opportunity right away. I researched and consulted with friends who were in the business. I searched and read through websites regarding my project. I absorbed every info I could get to equip me with a new battle.

So I decided to open this blog to share with you some learnings I have gained over the past nine months.  I am not yet an expert and I am continuously learning. Join me in my journey.

I am now an entrepreneur. I AM NOW A BUSINESSWOMAN

Hot and Spicy Tuna Carbonara

One of the many things I love about my boyfie is his love for food and his love for cooking up good food. So for our 30th month, I requested that he cooks me his famous tuna carbona.

I was his assistant preparing ingredients and standing close by while he was cooking so somehow, I know his secret. I would like to share his big bite from his kitchen.



Ingredients
400 g pasta (fetuccini, linguine, etc)

500 ml all purpose cream
250 ml evaporated milk
2 cans of hot and spicy tuna flakes in oil
1 small can sliced bell button mushroom
1 stick butter
Salt to taste
1 big red onions, minced
6 cloves garlic, minced

Optional:
thyme
rosemary
pepper
Cheese

1. Cook pasta according to package instruction. Drain and set aside.

2. Suete onions and garlic in butter. Add mushrooms and saute for another 15-20 min or until mushroom is soft.

3. Add tuna, and cook until light brown. Add salt to add taste to the mixture.

4. Add cream and evaporated milk. Add salt, pepper, thyme and rosemary herbs to add in flavor and taste. And simmer for 5 minutes.  Remove mixture from fire.

5.  Fold in pasta into the carbona sauce and ensure pasta is well coated.

6. Sprinkle cheese before serving.

Homemade Choco Peanut Butter Cups

I grow up loving Reese's peanut butter cups. So after finding a recipe mimicking the famous dessert, I thought, why not do it and fulfill a craving.

So here goes the recipe:

Ingredients:
1/2 cup           peanut butter
2 tbsp             butter
1/2 cup           confectioner's sugar
1 1/2 cup        semisweet chocolate, chopped coarsely
1/4-1/2 cup     all purpose cream
1 tbsp              melted butter
Salt to taste

1. Combine peanut butter, butter and salt in a microwable bowl. Set the microwave on high and soften the mixture for 30 seconds. Make sure the mixture is not melted.

2. Stir in the confectioner's sugar and set aside.

3. Melt the chocolate in a double broiler. Add all purpose cream and the 1 tbsp butter.

4. Spoon melted chocolate into lined cupcake or macaroons tins, whichever size you wish. Follow with the peanut butter mixture and finish off with the chocolate.

5. Refrigerate until hard and ready to serve.

An Update

It has been awhile since I have made a post.. I have been lazy or should I say I find myself uninteresting all of a sudden.  BUT WHO CARES? I realized and remembered that I started blogging for myself. So that someday, I would read back through my life and relive every moment written.  If somebody takes notice, it is only secondary.

So I'm still in Smiletown, Bacolod. But I have joined the rat race again. I joined Coke last November 26th as a Quality Assurance Specialist in their Kanlaon Plant making Viva Natural Spring water and it has been 2 weeks now. So far so good.  Tiring but I'm learning. I think that was what I hungered for.

I was timely to join the company's Christmas Party with the Bacolod Plant and it was an experience to see the fun side of my new family.

Its too early to say really.  I look forward to oearning everyday.. But I don't know how long I would tolerate the long distance travel and I find the work very routinary.

Lets just wait and see.

Saph at 2!! Time Really is Fast!

Happy happy birthday to my nephew, Saph!  You are very much loved.

Ode to Manila

I miss Manila.  I want my life in the chaotic city back.  Minus the long stressful hours and maddening demands from work, I would like to think that my life in Manila is way BETTER than what I have today.

I miss the fact that I'm the boss of my own house.  Although there is no one to boss around at the very least, I make decisions that affects no one.  And I don't need to adjust with those I live with.

I would like to have chance to go back to Manila to attend all theater shows I have missed and will be missing just because I'm home.  I miss my friends and the eat outs that we do.  I miss going home in the wee hours of the night because there is always a place or an event up even on these ungodly hour.  And I surely miss looking through airlines' website because I still do holidays and vacations.  I surely hunger for another roadtrip or a 3-day getaway to the beach or a historic destination.

I'm getting bored.  I have a business that is taking most of my time but it is getting routinary that I could do it in my sleep.  Sometimes, I would want to vomit at my day to day activities because it is like eating the same food everyday.  It gets untasteful even if that food is your favorite.

The only thing that is enjoyable is going home to a jolly nephew which brings smile to you. I wonder how such a lovable kid came out from a rotten bitch.

Enough said.  I miss Manila.  And I need to come back.

Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies

I used to make choco chip oatmeal cookies even without an oven.  With just an oven toaster, I often whip this delectable treat for my family and friends.  So yesterday, because I miss munching on my favorite cookies, I made a batch to give into my cravings.

 

So here is the recipe of oatmeal cookies of which you could use to make for you friends and families.

Ingredients:
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup light brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/4 cups all purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
3 cups oats
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Directions
1.  Preheat oven to 325 F or 165 C.
2. Cream together butter, brown sugar and white sugar in a large bowl, until smooth.  Beat in eggs one at a time, and then stir in vanilla.
3.  In a separate bowl, sift and combine flour, baking soda and salt.
4.  Stir into the creamed butter-sugar mixture. Blend well.
5.  Add oats and chocolate chips.  Mix very well.
6.  With a spoon, drop a generous amount of the batter in an ungreased baking sheet.  Shape into flat circles.
8.  Bake for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown in the preheated oven.  Allow cookies to cool for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Home Again

I know, I have previously wrote that quitting is never an option.  I still believe that.  And even with my job applications in SG, quitting is not a solution for me.

But I am now home. I know it is contradicting.  I haven't quit on the dream of travelling the world even if it entails going abroad to work.  But I went home for a job opportunity.  I was invited to take an examination for a post in the government.  Because there's not much activity with my job applications I decided to grab on the opportunity.

So here I am still bumming around but now at home.  Still looking for an opportunity abroad and hoping to hit a jockpot.  If its working in the government is what the Lord's answer to my prayers, then let it be. I don't want to defy my fate.  I'll let things be.

Banana Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

When I went to Singapore, I have been craving to bake. I was so bored that I have been thinking of what to put into the oven for another delicious treat.

So when I arrived home, I am up and eager to have the oven on the loose. =) 

 

Banana Cupcakes
Ingredients:
1/2 cup butter
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 large eggs, beaten
2 cups flour, sifted
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup milk
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
3/4 teaspoon baking soda (add to pureed bananas)
3 pureed bananas, very ripe

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Place cupcake lids in the baking pan.
2. Cream butter, sugar and eggs. Sift flour several times, then add the salt and baking powder to the flour.
3. To the creamed butter mixture, add the milk and flour alternatly.
4. Add vanilla and mashed bananas (with the baking soda added to the bananas) to this mixture.
5. Bake for 25-40 minutes.

Cream Cheese Frosting:

Ingredients
1/2 stick butter, softened
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
1 box powdered sugar (1 lb.)
2 teaspoons vanilla extract


Frosting Directions:
1. Mix cream cheese and butter until smooth, add sugar and vanilla and blend well. Spread on cooled cake.  Sprinkle rainbow candies on top (optional).

When Bumming and Desperation Mix...

It has been a month and 5 days since I left work.  I'm officially bumming around for the same equivalent number of days.  For the first few weeks, I felt I was just on vacation.  And then I was back on my feet trying to finish some requirements for a scholarship in school and a board exam I'm trying to get my ass into taking even if I'm not sure I am qualified.  I just applied and let's see come June.

And then I flew here in Singapore to look for work.  And it has been 12 days of looking for an engineering job, applying to companies online, searching for vacancies in the classified ads and attending walk-in interviews and job fairs.  I feel tired and somewhat desperate.  I'm nearing two weeks yet I have not heard anything from the Immigration regarding my Long-Term Visa pass (allowing me to stay here for 3-12 months), giving me ample time to get a job.  So are the companies whom I have sent my resume to, they just gave me their silence.

When you have nothing to do day by day but waiting, it gets to you.  I get bored for awhile.  I entertain myself with helping out with the chores or do some errands but that becomes boring too that you feel  desperation. I cried yesterday because I feel helpless.  I just hope not to cross the border of insanity.

I'm not really afraid of not finding work because I could always return to the family and help out with the business but at the back of my mind, I don't want to feel defeated.  That I gave up right away..but then again..when should I say that it is enough and maybe its not for me?

I know 12 days is too early to say I quit.  I am not at that point yet.  We are left to wait.

Goodbye for now Phil

Today, I temporarily say goodbye to the Philippines.  I have a return ticket for today but I won’t use it.  I had it to show the Immigration that I am planning to return. 

But I would return to my beloved country.  In the near future perhaps but not today.

Moving on to the Next Adventure

I have walked away from the playground that I had for 4 years.  Today is my last day of work.  I'm sad but somewhat relieved.  My decision to resign from work is simply a plan that I kept on postponing only to let myself drown into the the routine and the self pity.  I was not totally happy but because of the day to day learnings I have picked up from time to time, it has held me for four years and more.  And then I got into a graduate program I have been praying for for years, in UP, a stone throw away from where I work so what better way to hang around while doing the program.

But then, when you come to the a point when you find yourself back into the routine of work, questioning whether or not you are growing, until you will just find the guts to say that, I am fine and I am done.  I'll move on to the next adventure.

And that's what I did exactly.  I moved on to the the next adventure life will be throwing at me.  I don't have a concrete plan just yet but I will surely figure it out soon. =)

2011's 11 Valuable Lessons

2011's 11 valuable lessons:

 Work smarter not harder.

 Kindness is not always a kindness and severity at times, is a kind of kindness.

 Assert yourself and do not let the fear of confrontation censor you. This is especially true on issues of great importance. Holding your silence when you should have spoken your mind forfeits any right to complain afterwards.

The best defense to have against people who like to stand on other people's shoulders and take credit for other people's hard work is to know your self-worth.

Some people love to portray themselves as the victim because it's their way of coping with realities they can't accept. Give them sympathy therefore because that is what they want to elicit but give them nothing else.

If you don't change something about yourself, nothing around you ever will.

All great changes are preceded by turmoil. Have the courage to embrace it however unknown. You can not grasp something better if you don't let go of what is currently in your grip.

Everyone has their version of the truth. It is after all everyone's prerogative. Some truths however, hold more true than others.

Do not call it YOUR dream if you are waiting for other people to realize it for you.

Let go and believe. It. Will. Be. Alright.

Love is love is love is love. It is not something that you should ever apologize for.

 -o0o-

This is a post, I lifted verbatim from a good friend, Therese Seares, which I believed made a lot of sense.

 -o0o-

One of my greatest lessons in 2011,is to take chances. Risk. Trust. Believe. Fight. And do it all over again. There is nothing but bold about doing and fulfilling your dreams and believing that YOU CAN DO IT Thank yoiu 2011! Thank you for the hard lessons learned, for the strengthend relationships, awesome travels and great opportunities. 2012 will be a good year. I claim it to be!