Keep Calm and Watch Movies

Photo source: Wikipedia

We aim for happiness from the things that we like to do and we  expect joy from the people we truly love.

Photo source: Wikipedia

I love science fiction movies and documentaries. Tron Legacy made me smitten. The wonder of technology that it depicts a modern-day IT-surrounded environment only to end up in a somewhat unbelievable reality - being taken by the system that the player himself has developed. I value the message of love between father and son. Leaving, finding, letting go and understanding revolved round a real familial love that technology should not take away from modern-day families.

Avatar made me realize that we may never be together in our lifetime. Chances are we could be transferred in another world without the awareness of the people we care about. We may undergo hardships but we have to rely on our own. Only a few will care and he who cares till the end bears the real love in his heart.

Photo source: Wikipedia

The Notebook made my eyes pour pails of tears. It made my worry about my future. I feared that I might end up settling down with the person I don't love at all. As a result, I have not yet settled down until now; and perhaps I may never will.

I almost thought of giving up watching movies because it gives a lot of pain in me. I thought that life should be easier, lighter, funnier, happier. Well, that is what scriptwriters, director and writers are made for. We watch movies and think about the real lesson that it portrays for us.

Now that I have a growing kid, saying "no" to watching movies and children's shows is a taboo. I have to watch cartoon characters. I ask questions like, "why did they allow Dora to leave her parents at a young age?" 

I have to enjoy watching my favorite "androids" again in DragonballZ or laugh like what I did about 12 years ago as Sakuragi aims for that Slam Dunk . I also have to obtain a copy of the lyrics of that famous themesong of Frozen so that I don't end up like humming all the words repeatedly as "let it go..."

Photo source: Wikipedia

Movies became part of our lives. Screens - be it flat, touched, big, small - are like ingredients in our kitchen. We can live without them before or prefer a bland taste. However, why stay that way if we can spice our foods or make our lives more meaningful?

Today, everyone is in a hurry. Whenever I have to watch a movie, I am so tired of long queues. I had to exert lots of efforts before being able to finally decide on what film to watch. I surf the net and do a lot of questioning. I ask friends and office mates as if everyone becomes aware that I am about to watch a movie.

From mere online to mobile, transactions are becoming paperless.

Previews are important to me because these will serve as my deciding factor whether to watch a particular movie on that period of time. Inevitably, I had to open the net and so on. 

I thought it was only yesterday when I presumed that the world is becoming online. Then all of a sudden, being online is no longer enough. Nowadays, the trend is "mobile" and I say - everything is becoming "mobile."

Indispensable, my smart phone is loaded with apps including GMovies.

I do a lot of things through mobile now. I buy cellphone load.  I order and pay for products and services. I obtain coupons. I post updates. I browse my mails. I find my location. I post ads. I organize things from files, pictures to travels. I do all these through mobile already. That makes my smart phone so indispensable.

From needs to wants, everything is becoming mobile. Germany already offers a prostitution app, which is so intriguing to me. Booking for plane is now through an application. Catching up for a taxi is already mobile too. Then here comes a new experience worth doing. The first mobile app that allows me to begin my movie going experience anytime, anywhere. Well, that is indeed amazing. 

I am referring to GMovies mobile application. Previews will no longer be a problem to me then because GMovies makes the ultimate pocket app for my movie fix. 

Why GMovies?

A first and the only one of its kind in the country, the GMovies mobile app features services that allows me to stay updated on the current and upcoming movie releases in cinemas nationwide, check daily showtimes, reserve the best seats and book movie tickets straight from my mobile phone.

What about the payment options? 

GMovies is currently in partnership with Ayala Malls Cinemas and offers payment options using MasterCard or Visa credit cards, GCash, MyRewards, Charge to Post Paid Bill for Globe subscribers, Promo Code and Ayala Malls' MPass card.

Time-Saving

For me who gets tired of long queues and surfing the net for the previews, GMovies will work at its best. I can now plan ahead my movie date without even setting foot on the cinema. This new experience provides convenience to anyone (including me) who dreads long ticket booth queues or running out of good seats especially during blockbuster openings. With GMovies, one can now just head straight to the movie theater's door, pull out the e-ticket from the app and present it to the cinema porter. That's simple as that!

Community

Still can't get enough of movies even outside the cinema doors? GMovies offers an avenue for both movie lovers and movie goers, and places the spotlight on you. In its belief that movies are shared experiences through the feel life and from this passion, their (GMovies') dream of creating a community of movie lovers by movie lovers sprouted and materialized. Both the app and GMovies official website, www.gmovies.ph, are online havens to anything and everything about movies and lets one voice out his musings, rants and realizations through the reviews section. Anyone can be a Greeler (pronounced as gri-lers) and be part of Gmovies' circle of movie critics, participate in exciting promos and grow one's network of friends through his or her love for movies.

Front Seat

A front seat awaits you. GMovies is a truly filmtastic all-in-one pocket app to satisfy your movie cravings and takes you to the front and center of the film entertainment buzz. With GMovies, one is being brought a click closer to the silver screen and given a voice in the movie scene.

Download the app and start the fun. Go to the AppStore or Google Play to download or text GMOVIES to 8888. To fully enjoy GMovies experience, follow GMovies on Facebook, Twittter, Instagram and Youtube.

So what are you waiting for? With the GMovies mobile app, you will always be updated. Enjoy to watch movies. Ask yourself the same question I asked myself: What movie did you fall in love with watching movies?

Sources: 

Nuffnang Blogpost on Keep Calm and Watch Movies contest

About GMovies from its homepage, www.gmovies.ph

Special thanks to Nuffnang Philippines

If there is one thing you can give to the Philippines, what is that gift?

"Every second of volunteering, every peso, every drop of perspiration counts. But no matter how much we give, there is always a feeling that it does not seem enough. There is a dream to give bigger and to make a difference."

In January, Globe Telecom gives an early gift to bloggers for an opportunity to express what they think of under #GLOBEProjectWonderful2014. It seeks to answer the question:

"If there is one thing you can give to the Philippines, what is that gift?"

In my own little way, let me answer the beauty-queen  question. However, I do not have to be a beauty queen to be able to answer the question. I only have to be a simple working single mom to dream of impossibility of giving a huge gift for the Philippines as what foreign countries had given for Yolanda victims. I only have a dream that you too might dream of one day in the future.

If there is one thing that I can give to the Philippines, that is an insurance policy contract for every family's breadwinner from a reputable insurance company. Sounds funny? I don't care but that is my dream.

To be able to have a solid financial foundation, one must have healthcare and insurance. Insurance serves as replacement in case the breadwinner is gone. Unluckily not every sane Filipino is aware of the importance of insurance. Others are simply cynical about it including my most beloved brother. 

While each breadwinner is striving to work, earn and increase cash flow;  he or she must be protected by insurance. Thanks that the government have a healthcare program for every Filipino under the Philhealth. However, not every family is protected by Philhealth because not everyone is employed - others, underemployed or unemployed. 

I, for myself, am employed which makes me and my kid qualified for Philhealth. Since I cannot have my parents as among my dependents then, I had to pay monthly voluntarily their premium for Philhealth. For this year, the premium has increased and luckily, I paid it in cash until the end of December 2014. While having this as basic protection, it is never enough. The rest, I have to prepare for an emergency fund for obvious reasons - emergencies.

Insurance seems like a wheel chock lock in case the breadwinner dies. On the other hand, while rich people also buy insurance, there are more reasons for the middle income earners like me to obtain an insurance policy. If the middle income earners have to leave for their family a parcel of lot, who will pay for estate tax? Good if the breadwinner is protected by insurance.

We have a lot (or few?) financial advisors in the land. They keep on saying that we should have insurance. Have you read Pisobilities: Gabay sa Buhay Pinansyal by Francisco J. Colayco? Written in Filipino, I find it as the cheapest yet most comprehensive practical guide to financial planning. Or have you heard about a maid or family driver who invests in the stock market? There is one like that, ask Bo Sanchez about it. 

Supposing someone have five thousand pesos, wants to invest in the stock market and then he opens an account. Yes, it is good to invest and at the same time buy shares in mutual fund companies and reputable companies that trade with the Philippine Stock Exchange. Yet it is not good to sell shares when the market is down. What if after six months of investing, the investor breadwinner dies of an accident, what will the family receive? Isn't it five thousand pesos? Had he bought an insurance, his or her family will receive not just five thousand pesos but more than that. 

Photo source: Rappler (see full article here)

"...and if according to my fate, I am to lose my life
please bless with your protecting hand,
my loving family from strife." - Fireman's Prayer

I for myself have more than three life insurance including an accident insurance. However, these are not yet enough to serve as replacement for my income in case I die too soon. Aside from that, while others may think that being a member of the Red Cross means sharing a part some money, they may not be aware that each member is already protected. Apart from helping the needy, a Red Cross member is at the same time protected by insurance.

From having protection of healthcare and insurance, one can move forward to getting out of the debt trap. I thank those banks for disapproving all my application for credit card. It taught me to live a life of cash and e-purse - not a life of monthly credit card bills. With debt management, it is good to set aside emergency fund and then proceed to investment.

We invest for long term or short term reasons. For long term purposes, my ultimate reasons are retirement and child's college education. Others belong to want list - brand new car or house and lot.

With all these things in mind, financial freedom is a dream. Having a solid financial foundation is a key for having peace of mind. Ask me more. If I'd have a dream, I would dream that every breadwinner in every Filipino family be protected by insurance. If there is one thing that I can give to the Philippines, then that gift would be an insurance policy for every person who earns money to support a family.

We may have distinct roles to play in life. You may be a mother, a father, a daughter, son or a single mom like me. You too have dreams that you want to achieve. Having goals in life does not limit your imagination to aim high and dream once for your native land. It does not hinder you from doing little acts of thoughtfulness that contribute to massive acts of love for our country. What if confronted with the same question: if there is one thing you can give to the Philippines, what is that gift?

Bob Ong has a new book

#NBSfinds ABA! NAG-REVIEW KA NA BA? by Bob Ong (@sibobpo). Available for P600 in National Book Store. pic.twitter.com/bViMjcvcKV
— National Book Store (@nbsalert) January 3, 2014

We Too Shed Tears

“The pen is mightier than the sword.” Literally, the sword might be mightier than an enemy. Yet no sword is mightier than its handler because its fate can be controlled by a human being. How about being stronger than a human being? Who else more is tougher than nature?

Typhoon Yolanda proved to be one of the strongest ever. No great boxer or wrestler can ever control or counter it. When nature punishes, its impact is indeed immeasurable. No one will ever think of that media-portrayed anarchy fighting for food and water will ever take place. For hardly hit areas, we can't imagine how they struggled on the first few days after the typhoon.

Then what about the firemen? Firefighters, rescuers, emergency responders – name it. We are one in the fire service. We lost firemen to Haiyan. Some of them cannot be seen until now. Bureau of Fire Protection personnel also lost a family member, a relative and even own children. One fire non-officer was at the fire scene during the onslaught of the typhoon. While responding team was busy putting out fire that engulfed a residential area, she had no idea that storm surge already took her children away in downtown Tacloban City. She ended up receiving hugs from her commander without knowing why at that moment.

Amidst grief, we had to work. Faced with the massive problem of water supply and basic needs for own family, we had to leave. With a home that lost its GI sheets and trusses, we have to report to duty. Because it is our duty to serve. It is in our hearts that we serve our country. As far as Albay, ARMM, Cagayan de Oro or Surigao; we had to be in Tacloban City to assist our colleagues who can barely sleep. Eating was difficult now matter how good the food is – adobo, chicken, vegetables – name them. Swallowing even our own saliva was hard as our rescue uniform was soaked with decomposing human fluid and skin. Being members of the Task Force Cadaver, we recover as many dead bodies as we could see and smell. We patrol on foot just to locate those missing and hidden bodies from debris. Our latex gloves break after carrying a few corpses.

There was no time for excuses. We cannot complain. We cannot call anyone to replace us to do what we were doing. Work must go on because we are your firemen.

We are your firefighters. We save lives, we retrieve bodies and bury them even when it rains. While no one else had to cry for the unidentified victims, we too shed tears for them. We are deeply saddened. When heaven darkens we too make river of tears without you noticing it.

As we remember the demise of our firemen in the great Rockwell fire in December 14, let us continue the tradition of honoring our Filipino firefighters. This is to remember not a river of tears that we too shed as human beings but perhaps the ability and discipline in the fire service to keep most of those tears in our pockets, suppressing our own emotions and feelings of grief and tiredness just to let you know and see that we are your firefighters – strong and ready to serve the Filipino people.

What I Buy These Days

To buy or not to buy? A question that needs to qualify an answer.

I am a working single mom striving to care for my parents and my kid. Salary is never enough. No one can even evade inflation. I'm hardly trying to achieve financial freedom but it's indeed difficult. It cannot be achieved overnight. I am not a Napoles either and I don't dream of becoming one ending in jail for a criminal charge or in the halls of Senate for an inquiry. I don't want fame.

As a breadwinner, I am thinking of a replacement income. I think ahead and I think of a lot of "what if's" in life. What if I die too soon? What if I live too long? What if...and many more what if's.

I am grateful for my IMG Wealth Academy family. My friends and mentors in IMG showed me the way. It introduced me to the right peers. I belong to a group of frugal people in IMG. Some of them have already earned their millions but they are still frugal and meek until now. They give tithes regularly and they go to the feast. I am not feast goer though. Even so, some of them belong to top level corporate positions yet they still manage to prepare daily "baon" for work instead of buying somewhere or dining out. I'm impressed with one IMG colleague who cooks kamote and saging na saba at home as his snacks for the day and brings his day's water consumption in his car instead of buying  a daily bottled water.

I love the discipline that I'm learning in IMG WA. For now, I am telling what are the things that I'm buying. It may sound stupid for people who do not believe in insurance but as of today I have five life insurance plans. I also have an accident insurance separate from those plans. I have a long-term health care plan aside from Philhealth. In fact, I am also a holder of a memorial plan and my payment period is about to end. Sounds weird but I believe in having plans in the absence of a big emergency fund. I believe in insurance. I'm computing the total cost of all my insurance plans and these are not yet enough to cover my replacement income in case I die too soon. 

Since I am a single mom, I know I can never be a Warren Buffet anymore. Too late for me. Perhaps I cannot even be like that of Bo Sanchez' household help and driver who have gone a long way investing in the stock market too much ahead of me.

So, I am buying shares for me and my kid. It is in a trust account in conjunction to one of my "what if's" in life. Quarterly, since I cannot make it a point to buy on  monthly basis, I try my best to buy minimum of ten shares from a reputable food and beverage company. Aside from that, I also buy shares in mutual fund companies. For now, I maintain two equity fund accounts - equity funds being the most aggressive - in two top performing mutual fund companies in the country. I cannot boast anything on my investments in mutual funds because these are just too small. In fact, I find it difficult to add more investments after opening an account. So far, you may now have an idea how much it is.

I dream to get out of the debt trap. As of now, I am still in debt. Being single, I may not have a vow of "till death do us part" however, at least a dream of "till debt do us part" will be enough for me. I tried to apply for a credit card few years ago but all of them got disapproved. Now, I am thankful for all those disapproval. I presently maintain a debit card instead of a credit card. Renewal fee is just 350 pesos yearly without interest rates to boggle up my mind.

Instead of buying signature clothes, I buy from bargains and ukay ukay. For me, ukay ukay is better than patronizing an imitation. In this case, after wearing those clothes for a certain period of time, it's not heavy to the heart to give them to victims of natural calamities. I am also a recipient of used and old stuff (clothes, wallet, etc) from relatives and office mates. Still sounds weird? I don't care. I have to, otherwise, who else will care?