Category: Work

January 2020: National Zero-Waste Month

Presidential Proclamation no. 760 declaring January as the National Zero Waste Month was signed by President Benigno S. Aquino on May 15, 2014. This declaration has a purpose to remind Filipinos and the rest of the country to be mindful of waste generated.

The said proclamation was also pursuant to the Republic Act (RA) 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000. One of the highlight provisions of the RA is the proper segregation, collection, transport, storage, treatment including disposal of solid waste.

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These decrees aim to encourage appropriate management of rubbish due to various crises the country faces in terms of garbage disposal.

The Philippines is the third-largest contributor to ocean pollution.

The Philippines is known to be the third-largest ocean pollutant after Indonesia as it produces two million tons of plastic waste per year. Approximate 800,000 tons of this said waste goes directly to the ocean.
Daily, the Philippines generates 43,684 tons of garbage and 4,609 tons of it is plastic waste. Such plastic dross came majorly from single-use plastics like sachets and those tetra packs. These product packagings are influenced largely by the country’s penchant for ‘tingi’ that has become its current market culture.

To recount, there are only 139 operational sanitary landfills in the Philippines. These landfills are servicing only 308 of the nation’s 1,634 Local Government Units (LGUs). At least 425 illegal dumpsites are operating in the country; moreover, only 24 percent of the entire nation’s 42,036 villages had its functioning Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) – such given capacity or lack thereof are one of the causes of waste problems and health hazards.

 

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What we are doing:

We, at Happy Shift, are aware of the current implications of solid waste to our environment most especially to our oceans and marine species. In 2019, all our deliveries throughout the Metro is plastic-free. Our parcels are recycled brown papers and we do not use plastic bubble wraps, even shredded papers. The latter, while made of recycled materials cannot be re-used any more.
We also refrain from using plastic tapes and shifted to using masking tape instead. Masking tapes are made from thin paper with adhesives. Currently, we are still looking for other and better ways to keep all purchased items secured without compromising our clients and the environment.
For orders outside Metro Manila, we are using cartons or boxes to deliver instead of the usual plastic parcel. We are in negotiation with our couriers to handle deliveries with extra care since we are emitting plastics entirely.
We still have a long way to go in our #plasticfree and #zerowaste journey. We are still improving deliveries as we do not want soaps to dent and get damaged in transit to our clients.

What we can do more:

We encourage everyone to dispose of their waste properly. Waste segregation and recycling or upcycling are highly supported. Let us not stop the yearning to learn more about how we can live sustainably and how we can further help our environment and our country in combatting the challenges regarding waste management.
We also believe that businesses especially huge firms or corporations should take a leap from using and producing single-use plastics to more sustainable packaging.
Together, we can make a difference. Let’s continue the #zerowaste journey.

References:

 

DENR (2014). January is National Zero-Waste Month: Time to do away with our “Throwaway Culture”. [Article] Retrieved from http://ncr.denr.gov.ph/index.php/about-us/history/87-regional-articles-default/349-national-zero-waste-month

National Solid Waste Management Commission (2017). 17th Anniversary of R.A. 9003 and Zero Waste Management Celebration. [Article] Retrieved from http://nswmc.emb.gov.ph/?p=1065

Romulo, R. (2019, July 5). Philippines: A Leader in Garbage. [News Article] Retrieved from https://www.philstar.com/business/2019/07/05/1932006/philippines-leader-garbage

My Vision of A Social Enterprise: Happy Shift

In this class, I gained an in-depth understanding of social entrepreneurship and I have learned how it was aligned with what I was doing since 2016. Before I ventured to put up a business and actually having a cause, I was an active volunteer of various movements for the environment. Subsequently graduating with a business degree, I initially thought of putting my own business apart from my endeavor in the academic field.

August-September 2019 Collection
happy-shift.com

Somehow, it already dawned on me to craft something for a larger cause – a cause bigger than myself, the recognition, and my desired profit. Being an advocate for the environment, I was exposed to different challenges that our country and our nature, for that matter, face.

Being a tiny fish in the sea of entrepreneurship, I braved the field to create even a slight difference. By which, looking back, I know I am not there yet; however, I am glad that I have already started and have quite spread the word on how we could be able to help with our own little effort.

Background: The Happy ‘Shift’

In 2016, I was a struggling young professional spending nearly a decade in both the academe and corporate fields. It was also the time that I have celebrated a year in graduate school.  I was juggling studies with all these jobs feeling that there was still a void I need to fill.

I have started crafting my vision of a business – not labeling yet if it will be a commercialized one or a social enterprise. Back then, I just thought that I need to be able to do something – mostly for myself. But doing it only for myself was not fulfilling. It will not fill the void. More so, it will only make it worse.

When I was starting to tap various manufacturers and suppliers for a business focus and offering still unknown then, I have recognized marginalized workers who give businesses affordable products that are being sold way too expensive in the market. These workers get an estimate of 0.03 percent of the total retail price and sometimes even lower, almost for free.

I could not help but empathize and I felt that ‘need’ to do something. That was the exact time I knew that I need to get going. Happy Shift PH was born.

Rationale

 Happy Shift is a passion project to empower and support the local community in the many how to’s of all-natural, sustainable, and green living.

Happy Shift went through different positive changes throughout its early years. Today, it is a retail online shop promoting and supporting all-natural items that are sustainable, cruelty-free, vegan-friendly, and made affordable for everyone.

We, at Happy Shift, advocate for the environment and livelihood supporting the local market. Our online presence is a venue to learn more about the environment, its struggles, and viable solutions to preserve it and uplift it.

We provide a ‘shift’ to usual consumed products with the commitment to delivering an unceasing contribution to the benefit of our environment and our homeland.

Product Offerings and Benefits

Happy Shift offers a range of products from makeup, bath, face & body items, products for home & living, and continue expanding to novelty and other artisan collections. All are made from all-natural and sustainable materials.

These products benefit stakeholders – mainly local manufacturers (marginalized workers), local businesses (for other supply needs), and consumers. Happy Shift assures that all products are safe-to-use and made affordable for consumption.

Happy Shift products, while do not have approved therapeutic claims, are mostly derived from real and natural ingredients. We refuse to put chemicals on our products as to not cause harm to consumers.

In the long run, we aim to be a one-stop-shop for the daily needs of the Filipino people. We are for everyone. Currently, our markets are mainly from the masses and middle-income earners. We aim to turn every customer to be an advocate for the environment and help us with our mission and vision to help the local community and provide all-natural and sustainable products for the nation.

Our Value Proposition

We aim to maintain financial sustainability in the long run, but we believe that putting a huge margin will not help one of our main stakeholders, our consumers. We, therefore, adjusted how to manage finances and how we spend it; thus, not to make our customers suffer by purchasing costly products. We want to venture that supporting our local products are better and more affordable. After all, we are making the products in the Philippines for the Filipinos.

While we, after all, is an enterprise, we do not want to be known to be high-priced. We offer premium products at the most available price as possible. We want to have a share in the social market.

We aim for social change. We want the market to help the environment and gain traction of effort through word-of-mouth in terms of promotions.

21st Century Education: Digital Learning

It is true that we cannot de-industrialize. As such, moving forward, embracing changes – no matter how awful it gets sometimes, and engaging ourselves to incorporate internet data opened different horizons of not only how we transmit information but on how we also learn.

New Horizon

The internet has been around for years – even more than we could imagine. It is one, if not the best evidence that we have improved through the time of learning. Engaging in the process to shift from traditional to digital is a new move. On the other hand, it did not come easy for everyone. As we go through years subsequent the year 2010, we are pacing through the substantial light of phasing out traditional media and deviating to digital or new media.

Communication has been easy. People around the world connect in a deemed direct manner. Everything seems to be digitalized; information is more comfortable to create and share; thus, everyone becomes media creators.

The prowess of the internet and its advantages indeed overcome its cons. Learning has never been this easy. Data are available for everyone to consume, revise, or devise. Educators have more option to share what they know and add to what they currently identify.

Some consider this century a gift. While it is high time for any industry, the government, education, and communication, experts on the field do not stop yet to cultivate a friendlier sphere of information and know-how.

Digital Learning 

Selected performers of the academe have already shifted to digital learning. Some combined traditional and the latter; and others are on their transition to explore the opportunity that the digital world or the ‘cyberspace’ can offer.

Universities and Colleges around the globe have expanded their admissions and program offerings through digital platforms like Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs). They are also utilizing Learning Management Systems (LMS) to cater to students worldwide without them leaving their homelands and even their home for that matter. Many students have taken this path to higher learning because it does not disrupt their time for work, family, and socialization. Thus, they see it as an opportunity to be flexible, collaborate more with other people (regardless of distance), and be available for more data.

Digital Learners are those who utilize online platforms to learn and engage; thus, eventually, earn degrees. The convenience that the 21s Century Learning give these learners the control over what they want to know and achieve in their professional career and life per se. Students have gained a new balance and remarkably more fulfilled compared to those who learned traditionally.

In the book An Intelligent Career: Taking Ownership of Your Work and Your Life by Michael B. Arthur, Svetlana N. Khapova, and Julia Richardson, they showcased the new balance between the Digital Learner (21st Century Education) and Traditional Education.

IMG_7704
A “New Balance” Between Traditional and 21st Century Education from the Book An Intelligent Career: Taking Ownership of Your Work and Your Life (Arthur, M.B., et.al)

The figure above presents the comparison between traditional and digital education. Evidently, digital learners are considered more adaptable and self-paced than those who learned in the traditional way. The digital experience has also given them the newfound purpose of learning for life and a chance to apply what they learned to a real-time task.

The mix of traditional and digital learning also manifest the new balance. Its combination arranges adaptability and versatility to what is available and useful. Moreover, it teaches students a better perspective in life and career and how they could be able to ace and furnish learnings in two different manners.

Digital natives could also be labeled as new media dependents. For educational institutions, setting up a digital platform catered to these audience gives better feedback than those that are still traditionally-inclined. While the latter might not consider inappropriate, they are perceived as a more difficult and bootless errand to conform to.

The Digital Age is happening and constantly improving. It continuously gives a brand-new perspective not only to digital learners but also to leaders – whether of industry or a country.

Featured Image from creativedigest.net

Is the Future Really Sustainable?

Issues in the environment are not all new. In fact, such problems surfaced since the 19th century – the aftermath of the industrial revolution.

Technology and nature, on some levels, do not coincide. Coals have been utilized to support power supply that also supports types of machinery.

At some point (at least not so much in the current aspect), innovation or development equates to pollution.

As early as the 1950s, there were already attempts to raise awareness and spread information about the adverse impact of technological innovation on the environment.

The price people have to pay for the advancement of technology is increasing. Not that innovation cannot do humanity any good; however, development should not be at the expense of the existing natural resources and the entire community that relies on it.

Changes are evident in the seasons. Natural disasters, while inevitable, are extremely destructive and even getting far worse – putting many lives and resources at stake. The nation cannot seem to handle such extremity anymore. Hence, the attempt and will to advance the various disaster and risk reduction programs.

The national initiative of the government is vital to encourage people to engage and be informed of what they can do to abate the effects of climate change. While these initiatives are deemed essential, promotion of sustainability and environmental protection shall be participated by local businesses and big corporations.

Tapping businesses to participate is necessary because they are the ones who produce massive supplies and in control of a heavy production for public or market consumption. In simple terms, they have the power to influence people. Thus, getting them to be more aware of the implications and existing atrocities of generating materials that can batter the environment is not only essential but should also be mandatory.

In return, businesses can also gain adherence from the market in promoting and achieving sustainability. Hence, it can empower their venture in the long run while influencing more and more people to participate. Many startups today leverage by promoting and encouraging the market to shift to using sustainable products on its excellent cause.

One hindrance why businesses cannot or would not power through sustainability and eco-friendly initiatives because it could mean more expense from their end. What these companies do not see yet is the ‘good cause’ that makes them more preferable by the market while in bequeath to support sustainability.

More often than not, businesses have more competence and power to influence people even more than how the government has done. Thus, sustainability and the potential to help the environment combat its issues could rely on enterprises (primarily, but not solely).

The future is indeed sustainable. It is not (at least not yet) a hopeless case. The government, business (whether big or small), together with the community should work hand-in-hand towards the goal of a sustainable future.

Technology-centered or -driven companies could make use of the opportunities to lead business sustainability by making wise choices on how they consume energy and where they generate it.

Retailers and Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) companies can support this effort by averting the use of single-use plastics in their packaging.

Culling better alternatives to what was usually the best resort due to its economic advantages could be overwhelming at some point. The community should also realize that what is economical sometimes does not duly equate to being environmental and sustainable. Therefore, it can result in drawbacks and other complications – whether in health, finances, ecological, etc.

Featured Image Source: City of Phoenix http://www.phoenix.gov

How to Handle Your Finances Properly

In the past, I also had a fair share of handling finances improperly. As an adult, bills are inevitable and totally overwhelming at some point. One thing I learned through the years is that it is not how much you earn, it is how much you save and invest.

When I was in my early 20s, saving is part of my monthly/bi-monthly plans. I save at least 10 to 20 percent of my salary. I know this could be ideal, but I also know that it was not enough. I enrolled myself in graduate studies in a state university – though it is not that expensive compared to other private universities, it also needed planning.

Apartment rent took a big chunk of my budget, especially in Manila. The rate is too steep, but the convenience is priceless since it is near where I was working and accessible whenever I need to attend meetings, conferences, or the like.

I was a struggling millennial. I was living to pay the bills. Aren’t we all are? Continuously, I have learned what could work from what could not. Here are some of the tips on how we could all handle our finances properly:

Find a more affordable alternative
Ladies would understand. It is almost impossible not to splurge on things even a bit. Shopping could be therapeutic. If you cannot duly put a halt on shopping, then at least find a cheaper or a more affordable alternative.

If you like to shop for cosmetics like brand new lipsticks, face powder, and the like, then shift to less pricey items. Happy Shift is a go-to brand! Items are not more than Php300.00. (Yey! Nakapag-plug pa). Hehe. But seriously, you should be more cautious about how much you spend especially if you are saving for something big.

Save and Invest
Saving is essential, yet it is not enough. If you want your money to grow, you must invest. Nowadays, there are many ways on how you can double or triple your resources. You may opt to start your own business, buy stocks, get non-traditional insurance, and the like.

Such ways can ensure that you would be able to sustain your preferred lifestyle by the time you retire.
In addition, there is no fear of crossing the streets anymore because you are insured should you encounter accidents. Hehe.

Don’t bite more than you can chew
It is applicable in every instance of life. Don’t buy things you know you cannot afford or if you know that it will be a pain to pay for it. Don’t go to places where your budget could not fit in – maybe your personality can, but your pocket cannot.

Don’t go on dates you cannot afford and put a halt on purchasing items just because they are trendy. Life is about making the most out of everything you have and not chasing things or people who cannot see you as a feasible confidant.

Depending on your circumstances, you can enjoy your stay here on Earth without much of an expense.

Rumaket
Raket is the best way to jumpstart your earnings and your savings. If you have free time and you tend to be bored, why not look for things that you can enjoy and you can earn at the same time? When I was a fresh graduate and moved out early from my grandparents’ home, I looked for many different opportunities I can do during weekends that can pay. I copywrite, proofread articles, write blogs, and even stories for films.

It pays just right for the time I shell out to do it. I went to teach kids voluntarily and later on hired as a part-time teacher. With those, I can afford travels around the Philippines and internationally.

I know these things are hard to do for some, but it is more difficult to just be ‘surviving.’ It is nice to afford ‘living’ and having fun while you still can. I always believe that money is not everything, but it is essential. Working and saving for it is not wrong, just know when to rest and renew yourself from time-to-time.



2019 and still a long long way to go

2018 was one hella challenging year for me. The depression, the questionable life, and other challenges. I went to a whirlwind of emotions and workaholism. LOL. I have managed to survive, anyway.

Business was good in 2018, and I hope it continues. I have discovered so many things about myself, too. Things that I did not even notice even way before.

I think that was what reflection can do for you. My experiences are humbling. I was always being reminded to remain simple, get my feet to stay on the ground, and cherish people who want to be part of my life. I have managed to eliminate people who only remember me because they needed something or purely bored and I was the nearest person whom they can bug and willing to entertain. I have had enough. Bahala na kayo sa buhay niyo! Hahaha!

I started 2019 with flu. I thought 2018 would spare me from any form of sickness, but NO. The universe has its own way of reminding me that I am only human and I need rest, too. I worked non-stop for the past year. Mondays to Sundays. It was always discovering new things. It was fun, but you know, tiring.

2019 seems quite good of a year to me. Finally, I can meet my thesis adviser again to have my manuscript re-check and ready for my final defense. I am crossing all my fingers to ace this year with flying colors.

I am working extra hard this year because I want to calibrate my life. Hahaha! You know, I always blame myself for my life choices. I have had so many mistakes in the past. I cannot tweak any of it though, what I can do is to do better in the present and the next. Ganun talaga. You win some, you learn some.

2019 is also big for my friends, too! Some shifted careers, some will have kids, and I (together with other friends) will celebrate their life advancement as I also advance with mine. I have come to know who my real friends are. I have waved goodbye to toxic ones because they are plain toxic. They do not contribute to my growth and like I have said, only remembers me whenever they needed something.

I know that I still have a long looooong way to go and I am nowhere near where I wanted to be, but at least I have taken the first few steps to reach my desired destination.

I am also not thinking of love for this year. It had disappointed me some ways, and I would like to believe that it is the universe saying, ‘slow down.’ Hahaha! BUT, all is good in the hood!

I would not own 2019, and it is not entirely mine, okay? I just like to do better this time around.

Media And The Social Welfare: Access To The Juvenile Dependency Courts

Photo from: jcomp/Freepik

The common point of complaint regarding the communication between public agencies serving children and the media has always been the fear, mistrust, and subsequent misinformation.

On one side, you have a child welfare system burdened with the nearly impossible task of mitigating the worst effects of societal dysfunction: child abuse, neglect, and child death. On the other side, you have a cast of overwhelmingly well-intentioned journalists, working under a strict deadline, who are met with a foster care system practically and – in more than half of the states – legally cloaked in obscurity.

The system’s culture of confidentiality invariably erodes the news media’s confidence in it, resulting in a more sensationalist coverage that the foster care professionals are scared about. It is a case, which has showcased us the current warped public perception of a broken foster care system. The logical result is that myriad opportunities to engender civil and political will are missed, and children suffer as a result.

In those jurisdictions, where media has been granted to sensitive juvenile dependency hearings, positive change has resulted.

The Responsibility Of The Media

 In this era, media has a huge role in communication – delivering news, telling opinions, and revealing more profound ideas and information for the public’s knowledge, by which, in a nutshell, has a higher responsibility with proceedings and social issues no matter how sensitive those might be.

In the articles of Karen de Sa in Mercury News about broken families and courts, different situations have been cited:


Marquita Jackson, 20, a young mother, who reportedly had her baby allegedly shaken by the father that caused brain hemorrhage to the infant had lead to some stir in court. The case was considered public and was handled by Juvenile Defenders’ Attorneys, it had not looked upon thoroughly or deliberately out of focus. In most cases, when inadequate time and resources were given to the victims and case filers, representations in the court system tend to be poor. 
In the discussion of Jackson’s case, a reporter was warned in one interview to not overestimate the importance of due process. Thus, the instance applies to the parents the Juvenile Defenders’ represent; hence, things might sometimes be out of control during the initial hearings: difficulties in getting a social worker to report early and track down some transient clients. 
In sensitive cases like Jackson’s, where events weren’t entirely recorded, and evidence wasn’t sufficiently blown presented – due to the complexity of data; including the parents’ emotional standing, personal relationship with the suspect, and the current status of the child – getting more concrete information has been challenging. 


“If we deny youth the opportunity to participate, we really have set up a system that perpetuates injustice.” – Jennifer Rodriguez, a foster youth. 

Traditionally, having children in court to attend hearings and proceedings are not usual and inappropriate. The jury believes that having them to participate in susceptible situations are more likely to add to their traumatic insight; hence, don’t contribute to their speedy recovery and emotional healing.

In the case of Zairon Frazier, 14, who got whacked with a belt by his mother: it seems that the case was going towards defending that he is abused. In the mind of Frazier, this could be more than just child abuse. Getting beaten by his own mother could affect not only his physical state but as well as his emotional being – the feeling of belongingness and appreciation by his own biological parent could be considered stained in his mind.

In the circumstance of the prohibition of children to attend court proceedings can make any case more inaccessible and too sensitive. In fact, a reporter who won the court’s approval to observe confidential proceedings in Santa Clara Court in California for more than two weeks has reportedly observed children in only a fraction of hearings.

In The Name Of Responsible Reporting

Media must observe all situations and conditions given: the due process, the consideration of behavior, sensitivity, and perception most specifically of the answering party especially in case of children.

No matter how fearful and nearing the deadlines are, it is essential to observe the proper ways of getting and handling statements or appropriate stories, and more exclusively the unbiased and objective reporting to not affect and feud-up the issue.

It is the journalists’ duty and responsibility to connect personally with the victims and to the witnesses to get a piece of their head without a form of abuse in the name of reporting. In fact, it is part of their sworn obligation to perform their jobs in the most socially responsible way. Understanding the pedagogy of cases shall be dealt with grace by the journalist.

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 Hostalero, A.L. (2015). A Social Welfare Activity Report for J4SC101 – Journalism for Social Change, the University of California Berkeley via edX. 

References:

De Sa, K. (2016, August 14). Part II: A timid advocate for parents’ rights. Retrieved from https://www.mercurynews.com/2008/02/10/part-ii-a-timid-advocate-for-parents-rights/

De Sa, K. (2016, August 14). Part III: ‘If it was about me, why didn’t they ask me?’ Retrieved from https://www.mercurynews.com/2008/02/11/part-iii-if-it-was-about-me-why-didnt-they-ask-me/

A Fostering Media Connections. (2012). Watched System Forum [PDF]. California: BerkeleyLaw University of California

Threat Inside The Home

Photo from: mindandi / Freepik

“I was feeling a little anxious and worried, scared,” said Heather, 13, while sitting inside the courtroom. Her wide-shaped expressive eyes were looking down at the floor at first, turning her eyesight to everybody in the courtroom – she must be observing. The incident happened that night when her father threatened her life. As a teen, this should not be the kind of thing Heather must be experiencing.

“I was feeling really shy and it was hard enough for me to make friends on a normal day. “

She feels discomfort during her stay in the courtroom. “When I was waiting to be called up, first I was thinking, like I said, how I was really uncomfortable there. As a really awkward 13-year old, I was feeling really shy, and it was hard enough for me to make friends on a normal day. That lonely day, I was feeling really anxious and overwhelmed, and there are all these kids running around doing whatever. I felt like that was my first time there, and all these kids have been through this before,” she said.

“I was mainly thinking about what would it be like to see my parents, what would it be like to sit in the courtroom, what would it look like…”

Heather, still feeling all the awkwardness continued, “They seemed to know where to go to do stuff like the computers, they knew how work is done. I was mainly thinking about what would it be like to see my parents, what would it be like to sit in the courtroom, what would it look like. I really know it tweaks back, so I have a lot of thoughts around that.”

A few days ago, she was removed from the custody of her parents after her father threatened her life. One of her teachers took her in so she won’t end up in a foster care. It was Friday, the County sent a van to pick her up and take her to Los Angeles County’s Edelman Courthouse in Monterey Park where thousands of children are processed every year to enter foster care.

“I knew it wasn’t going to be a fun time.”

As a young lady, it worries Heather that she has to undergo this kind of situation. It was traumatic and very confusing for her. Expressive as her eyes were, she continued, “the night before I’ve gotten taken away it was obviously really a bad night – my dad was trying to kill me and my mom, so I didn’t know what to expect as far as seeing him would go. I guess, I knew I’d be safe because there would be so many people around but the thought of seeing him really… I was really scared and my mom. I knew it wasn’t going to be a fun time.”

Heather, despite all the trials, remained grateful. It made her feel safer being around with people whom she knew she can still trust after the said night.

She is now recovering from the incident. However, the memory might still be there, but she is fighting her hardest to remain strong and live through life. She is bound to be taken into the custody of Los Angeles County, to face not the end but a new beginning.

__________________________________________________________

Hostalero, A. L. (2015).
A narrative report for J4SC101 – Journalism for Social Change, the University of California Berkeley via edX. 

Living the Indie Life: 5 Things I’ve Learned the Hard Way

One of the most memorable years of my life are the years I spent living alone, independently. I had the whole time to discover myself, to finally connect with my being, my strengths, and my weaknesses, and to do all the things I want to do without any approval, only myself.

On the other hand, it was sad to be away from family, too, but it was all-happy at the same time. I answer only to myself, who by the way, is not too hard to please, if I may say. I’m not high-maintenance. Simple things drive me. 
I had the time to know more what I want in life, what I surely cry about, or what can hurt me. I protected myself at all times because no one can do it for me. Sure, there were a lot of lessons there, trial and errors, too. But with all the lessons I’ve learned, I learned it through the hardest way possible:
1. You are only accountable for yourself, so stop being a baby
My career was sure a whirlwind of an experience. It was ups and downs, and it had mostly downs at some point. I go home every night without someone to ask how my day went. It went on ticking me. It was a sad life, I may say so to myself way back.  
But a lot changed when I stopped being a baby and have been more responsible for my actions. It made me learn new things, be with a lot of different people from different creations of living, and it made me know what I was really capable of.

Stop treating it like the world owe you one because, in reality, the world doesn’t owe you anything. It is your duty to make your life wonderful and happy.

2. Value your relationships with people


Since you are living alone and you are far from the people whom you call family, it is best to value even the tiniest relationship with others. I was friends with my landlady, I talked to the security guard down my building, and I was in acquaintance with most of my neighbors. They kept me entertained and feeling alive at all times.

I’ve gone through a lot of phasing out with the people whom cannot serve me well anymore and vice versa. I cut-out toxic people in my life and I couldn’t be any happier to do so. I know they are also happy that I’m already out of their system because I can’t serve them better anymore.

3. Take care of your funds, with all your might

Woohoo! Millennials! Hahaha! Living solo is like living the dream. You are not to answer to anybody but yourself. So, you must, in all might, take care of your funds. I pay my own rent, utilities, food, and everything I need. Imagine how was that stressful for the most part? Haha! But, I’ve learned a lot about money how to actually keep up.

4. Heartbreaks everywhere

I swear that I won’t be in any relationship because I was not ‘that’ person who prefer it. But, that doesn’t mean that I can’t feel anything for someone. Of course, I have gotten my heart broken so many times, reasons may vary, yet… heartbroken.

You are your own confidant and it’s normal if you get your heartbroken from time to time. Don’t ever feel you’re a loser for feeling such pain, it happens. Guarding your heart too much can even lead to more heartbreak you’re sometimes too late to know of.

5. Investing too many emotions can lead to too much pain

It’s true! Sometimes, as women, tend to be more emotional. We cry and feel so much at work and at play that we forget the most important things are. The tendency, we feel so much and by feeling so much it also gives us too much pain.

Feeling emotions can be a form of strength and also a weakness. So, use it wisely.

MHAP: Share-a-Snack Project

Since 2014, I have been active in supporting different causes especially about the environment. Since then, I have been an environmental activist and advocate on reducing the use of plastics and other materials that could have a long-term effect on the environment.

I donate, I support, I volunteer, and more importantly, I voice out my opinion, thoughts, and generally what I know to influence and inspire others to make a move. Safe to say, I support every cause close to my heart. In this growing enigmatic world, we should try to make a difference.

Mental Health Awareness Philippines (MHAP)

In our society, having some mental health issues are being frowned upon. There is a stigma that if we, at any time discuss something about it, we will be called out labels like baliw, sira ang ulo, or sira ang bait.

Mental health awareness should be on point. Keeping it healthy is fundamental so we can go on our daily lives in our best real self. There are many circumstances why our mental health could be affected – stress, problems, challenges, environment, and hunger to name a few.

In support of keeping a healthy mind and helping out those who are under the dilemma, I support the group Mental Health Awareness Philippines (MHAP) and the program Share-a-Snack Project.

The group advocates on informing the public about mental health and the many problems involve it and how we can effectively help each other by reaching out.

To begin understanding, according to MHAP:

Food insecurity not only affects individuals’ physical health, but also has negative impacts on mental and behavioral health.

This could all across and no exceptions – infants, children, adolescents, adults, and seniors.

Hunger can indeed increase the rate of mental illness, most common is depression. It can lead to poor performance and inability to assess information and the situation hence taking the better part of the person when not immediately cured or solved.

In accordance with MHAP movement to reach out to those who suffer to mental illness – especially the ones who are homeless and have nothing to regularly eat on a daily basis – Share-a-Snack Project was born.

The said project aims to give packs of food to street dwellers along Kalaw, Manila. The goal of the project is to relieve or lessen their hunger for them to continuously live normally.

Share-a-Snack Project will be on February 4, 2018, Sunday at Kalaw, Manila. This is its first this new year.

To support the project, the MHAP and I are calling on yoMHAP’s official Facebook Page.
ur good hearts! If you want to donate snacks and volunteer on giving out the packs, please coordinate with the

Photo from Mental Health Awareness Philippines’s
official Facebook Page

There will be a meeting on January 21, 2018, 10AM at Bonifacio High Street, BGC, Taguig City. If you wish to know more about the details, please send a message to the group and address it to MH
AP’s founder, Ms. Amor Ranosa.

For the snacks, preferred ones are the following:

  • Biscuits
  • Cupcakes
  • Mamon
  • Juice
  • Milk
  • Water

Kindly take note of the following that the snack pack should NOT contain:

  • Chocolates
  • Mocha-flavored snacks
  • Energy Drinks
  • Iced Tea
  • Coffee
  • Flavored Foods

In this little way, we can help everyone who are suffering.

Let us STOP THE STIGMA. Change lives. Get Involved.

Be informed. Be aware. Reach out.

For more information, please reach out on the MHAP’s official Facebook Page or leave comments below. Thank you!