Financial Ignorance, Financial Literacy. Wait, what?

It's a well-known fact that financial ignorance is very common amongst my countrymen - the Filipinos. Compared to other people in other countries, finance matters serve as an off-topic and we usually correlate it to some sort of networking pyramid schemes so we tend to avoid it for good. This should not be the case. Finance literacy should be one of the main things that our brain must be fully equipped with.

Looking a little bit backward, it seems on of the main reasons why we think this way, is because of the  environment type we had when we were still children developing our minds. Filipino parents usually tell their children to study hard in order to have a good job someday when we grow up. I might be wrong but I have heard this from a lot of friends and even to my own parents as well. This is our culture and this is the truth. Even teachers and professionals agree with this. I have no intention to sound like questioning our parents and their parents. What they did is good but it would have been better if they also added the financial aspect. You know, exposing our young and developing minds to engaging ourselves into management and creation of any sort of business when we grow up will surely add a big difference rather than just planting this phrase to our brains “study hard to get a good work when we grow up”. Even our schools do not implement clear class subjects about this except for those who took Business Administration courses (which are just few by the way).

Welcome to a brighter life!

We cannot change what has been done. We cannot go back to our childhood days and demand for financial trainings or things similar to that, but we can move on forward and take trainings on our own. We are the in-charge of our own lives after all especially now that we are grown ups.

I was invited last last October 18, 2017 to a #LiveBrighter forum organized by Sun Life Philippines in Parklane International Hotel, Cebu City. The forum was a great portal for learning how a career in Sun Life as an advisor makes a difference. It was also a decent opportunity for me to listen various discussions from successful financial advisors as well as their success stories in the financial road. I was really moved since that time and until now.

Sunlife is giving Cebuanos an opportunity to become a Sun Life advisor and help fight financial ignorance once for all, ganern!  A high performing Sun Life advisor will be well-compensated and are granted opportunities to see the world. The company has been the number one and longest-standing life insurance company in the country.  It has survived the World War II. The company has been operating in the Philippines since 1895.

Live a Brighter Life now. Wink, wink.

1. Balance your time work and passion.

2. Get in the business of helping people.

3. Fulfill your dreams and look forward to a brighter future.

4. Be a Sun Life advisor.

Why Be a Sun Life Advisor?

1. Rewarding in compensation and generous in time. Earning potential is limitless. Enjoy time flexibility.

2. See the world. How about trips to the word as a reward for a job well done? Yes!

3. Noble and fulfilling profession. Make a positive difference in the lives of others by helping them fulfill their financial goals.

4. Professional agency with a bright legacy. Good company, good people. Sun Life is the longest-standing life insurance company in the Philippines.

"Embrace the Brighter Life. Be a Sun Life Advisor. Get an insurance that’s best for you."

Visit sunlife.com.ph to know more valuable information.

Call: (02) 849-9888 or 1800-10-SUNLIFE (PLDT domestic toll-free)

Email: Phil_AgencyRecruitment@sunlife.com

The look! Bouquet's not mine. Just borrowed it.

It's final! I will have a retreat in Sumilon Island in the next few days! After a long time of hiatus when it comes to the word "vacation", here I am ready to hit the white beach and clear water of Sumilon Island. Ugh, I am so excited even with just the thought of it and can't wait any longer.

Sumilon Island is a 24-hectare coral island, located on the southeastern tip of Cebu. This is a must-go-to destination especially if you want to calm down, destress and breakfree from city life, daily challenges and everyday work. Although I am just living here in Cebu, Philippines, I must admit that I have never been to this island just yet due to so much excuses and incidents that are not worth mentioning in this post, hehehe. I will be with a close friend of course and we will stay at Bluewater Sumilon Island Resort for 3 days and 2 nights. A separate travel guide and stay experience will be up real soon so stay tuned.

This post is actually very personal, lol. I am just excited. You know that feeling?!

For ladies out there (or for some men too) who happen to be planning to stay in this island, you might want to read until the end of this post because I will list some very important Fashion Essentials that I must never forget. Who knows you can relate too. 

1. Hair coats and serum

“Salt in the air, sand in my hair.” What a nice rhyme, right? But, have you ever wondered what it is really to be on a beach? Well, the salty water can damage our hair and possibly lead to breakage and frizziness especially if you are like me who can stay in the water all day! (Hello tan lines and sunburn). With that, I will be bringing my hair buddies from Vitress so that it will be a no-worry-hair-days for me there. Vitress Classic is the number one hair cuticle coat we’ve been using with my sister on a daily basis right after taking a shower and before starting each of our day. Trust me, it has proven us its effectiveness in taking good care of our long mane. 

Vitress has Heat Protect variant which is perfect for my Sumilon Island getaway! Of course, I will also be using the Hair Polish Long Lasting Fragrance variant for an added class, charrr. Vitress Cuticle Coat in variants Hair Repair and Instant Relax will be used as well especially after the stay.

Thanks to Cebu Finest and Saladbox for sending me Vitress’s set of products plus Kolours’s Dual Conditioning Hair Color. The hair color in Balinese brown will be used after my vacation, hehe. It also has Vitress After-Treatment conditioner. Gosh, ain’t it perfect?

2. Sunblock

I know we always hear this from our mom, titas, friends or even strangers “Pagdala ug sunblock” or “Naa kay sunblock?”. Yes, right! This is the holy grail and the secret to combat those painful sunburns and harsh tanlines. It’s funny that I still have the weird bikini tanline I got from my diving experience. I forgot to put sunblock on my hipline and until now, the weird line that resembles milk (lower hip near butt) and chocolate (upper hip) colors are still there. It’s totally uneven and it’s too funny to look at in the mirror, lol.

Use sunblock lotions/creams that are higher in SFP to really guard the skin from allow UV/UVA rays to enter. I have here sunblock products with SPF 30 so that means I need to apply these every 2 hours. I will buy with higher SPF tomorrow.

3. Bikinis and swimwear

Of course time to wear these pieces of cloths hidden in the drawer! We can choose from one piece, two piece or no piece (joke!) and this really depends on our style preference. 

4. Hair ties, headband and hat

Beaches have strong fresh air blowing all over. I have long hair so I need ties to lock them up. I don’t want my hair to cover my face during outdoor stay in the island. Fixing them is just an added responsibility, lol. How about going for messy buns? Alright! Hats also protect the face from sun rays and these can also spice up the pictures. So why not put one on? 

5. Camera and monopod. Cash, too!

Okay, this is mandatory you guys especially for a blogger like me who wants to document every good thing happening in my life. We take pictures because we want to preserve memories, don’t we? I have two phones with good quality cameras and there is really no need for me to buy DSLR or GoPro just yet. I am quite happy with these two here. 

My friend for sure will be busy enjoying the place as well so I need to have a monopod buddy (this is also called “selfie stick”). Click here, click there, click everywhere. It will be fun!

And of course extra cash for some beers, foods and anything else. Withdrawing from the ATM in the city is a good choice rather than credit cards.  Allthough the resort might accept credit card, it is still a wise decision to bring cash. know you get it.

6. Stuffs from dermatologist

I am currently using products and following a tiring nightly regimen from my dermatologist. I must not forget this to totally cure my pimples. Ugh, that Kojic Acid soap really triggers the bullet. Just a piece of advice, don’t use Kojic Acid soap on your face especially if you have a sensitive skin.

Noticeably, clothes and flipflops are not mentioned in the list because that are already given by default.

I know there are still a lot to bring but I just choose the most important items. Feel free add your fashion essentials in the comment section below when going to any beach. 

Blog post about my travel experience in Sumilon Island will be up soon. Yay!

No, this post is not going to be about ghosts or bad spirits as the “Black Lady” words enunciate in the title. That is just far too scary, isn’t it? This is about my sweet and happy experience at Purple Bee Café of course in my wonderful over slit black dress.

Our pregnant blogger mommy friend, her name is Pam, invited us to have a chitchat over sweet treats. She found this new café located at Bridges Town Square, Mandaue City called Purple Bee Shop and Cafe. Since I liked chitchats and sweets, you know what’s next, I said “Yes, count me in”. The name sounded cute and attractive to my ears as well so major plus points! 

It was a hot afternoon and I must not cover my whole self with long thick clothes. I was also on the mood for some outfit twist that day so I opted to wear my favorite black dress with a twist – yes, the slit. It’s always funny and entertaining everytime I wore it because right after the moment I stepped out of my house, most people would look at me from head to toe. I guessed this piece of cloth seemed to be rare in the eyes of many.

It was 4 PM when I arrived to the destination. I was clearly late. I should be there by 3:30PM but ooops shoulder shrugged. I saw my friends having really great time over sweets and conversations. I joined right away without any further ado. Haha!

Purple Bee Shop and Café is a cool and convenient shop with purple and yellow as the main motif located at Bridges Town Square, Alang-Alang,, 143 Plaridel St, Alang-Alang, Mandaue City, 6014 Cebu. It is open daily 8:00AM - 10:00PM serving foods that range from brewed coffee, cakes, frappes, pastries, sandwhiches, wines to native delicacies. One thing that makes it stand out is the HONEY in their menu.  Not only that, you can also avail their natural & organic Purple Bee cosmetic product displayed in a particular corner inside the shop for healthy skin and hair plus various beauty regimen with a touch of honey in each of them. Yes, you read it right. Beauty products in a cafe.

The owner and the staff were very friendly. We were toured inside the shop. We were served with sandwiches, cakes, wines and my favorite – honey (baby so sweet, lol). Our bellies and sweet tooth were properly taken care of.

Yummy as me. Hahaha joke!

Frappe as cold as your feelings, lol.

Cakes for the bitter souls. Huhu.

Wine for the broken hearted. Yay!

It was a two-storey shop and we managed to play card and brick games at the second floor after we ate. Pam brought her smart little girl Asha who just made our moment up there very exciting and fun. She spoke english and I loved talking to her eventhough she would just told me to go away. I was a bit of a naggy tita. Well, I couldn’t blame myself to be drowned by the little girl’s charm.

We also got to bring home some natural cosmetic products such soaps, sunscreen and lip balms.

Soaps that look like candies.

For more information and inquiries, visit them in Facebook and Instagram.
Call (032) 272-9799 / 09088185685 / 09178792968 / 09198317746
Cafe is open 8:00AM - 10:00PM