Kabayang OFW, ano plano mo?

Mahirap ang maging OFW, lalo na ang maging domestic helper or DH.  Kadalasan they are exposed to danger, abuse and a lot of risks. I've never been an OFW myself, but I used to have three brothers who worked in the Middle East. 

I may not have experienced the horror stories of our fellow Filipinos but I have seen a lot of videos on the internet about women being physically abused by their employer, videos on Facebook of  domestic helpers crying and asking for help from the Philippine government to rescue them because they have been raped by their employer or they escaped and got nowhere to go. 

Despite of all these negative things that happened, some Filipinos especially the women are still taking the risk on the hope that they will be able to financially help their family in the Philippines.

Alam natin na gusto nilang makaahon sa hirap, kaya kahit na delikado ay umaalis pa rin sila. 

Pero hanggang kailan matatapos ito? Kung ikaw ay isang OFW, natanong mo ba sa sarili mo hanggang kailan ka mag-aabroad?  Are you going to work there for 5 years, 10 years or 15 years?

Dapat ay may goal ka, may plano ka.  Mahirap ang malayo sa pamilya, lalo na kung may anak ka. Iba pa rin kung kasama ang parehong magulang sa paglaki ng bata diba? Mahirap ang hindi makasama at maalagaan ang mga magulang sa kanilang pagtanda. 

Aminin mo man o hindi, mas masarap pa rin sa Pilipinas, may kalayaan ka dito, di gaya sa abroad lalo na sa Middle East. And I think I don't have to put too much details on that.

Habang nasa ibang bansa ka at kumikita ng mas malaki kaysa dito sa bansa natin, dapat may plano ka kung saan mo dadalhin ang pera mo. At bilinan ang pamilya na naiwan dito sa Pilipinas na huwag gastos ng gastos.

Magtipid at huwag maging one day millionaire. Na kakatanggap lang ng pera, ilang araw lang ubos na. Dapat may plano din ang buhay pinansyal mo.

Gusto mo bang magaya sa kakilala ko na tumanda na sa abroad, gusto nang umuwi kaso di pa tapos mag-aral mga anak niya. Di pa tapos bayaran ang bahay. Marami pang utang na kailangang bayaran. Hanggang sa doon na sya nagretire. Imagine kung ilang dekada nyang di nakasama mga anak at asawa nya. Ilang birthday at graduation ang di nya nadaluhan dahil kailangan nyang mangibang bansa.

Paano kabayan kung may sakit ka, matanda ka na. at alam kong gustong gusto mo nang makauwi pero wala kang ipon, walang trabaho pag dating ng Pinas?

Marami na rin akong nabasang success stories of OFW, merong iba na 4 years lang sya sa Saudi, nag-ipon. Nang umuwi ng Pilipinas akala ng mga kapitbahay, walang pera kasi hindi nakasuot ng mga gold galing Saudi. Parang di daw nag-abroad. Ilang buwan ang nakalipas, nagulat sila nagtayo ng grocery at bumili ng truck.

Meron naman akong alam, 7 years na sa Dubai. pero ganun pa rin. Wala pa ring ipon.

So saan mas maganda storya? Alin ang gusto mong gayahin kabayan?

Dapat ay pinagpaplanuhan at pinaghahandaan mo yan. Plan your financial life, set a limit kung hanggang kailan ka lang mag-aabroad. Saan mo balak dalhin kinita mo sa abroad?  Have a talk with your family before you leave the country, tell them about your goal. All of you should work together to achieve that goal of yours.  Mas madali kung magtutulungan kayo.

God bless you and your family kabayan.

How to Check SSS contributions and benefits online

If you are a member of SSS or Social Security System in the Philippines, going to their office is sometimes tiring as you have to be there early in the morning to avoid hassles. Especially if all you want to do is inquire whether you are qualified for a certain benefit or not.  And if that is your only reason of going there, most probably you'll end up neglecting it as it brings a lot of trouble and would take too much of your time.

But with the advancement and accessibility of the internet nowadays, almost everything is very convenient. You can now check your contributions as well as your benefits, whether you are qualified or not, and you can also check if how much is the amount you might get. Awesome right?

Aside from those things I mentioned above, loan balances, SSS static info and employment history can also be viewed and be printed.

Here are the instructions that you can do to check your contributions and benefits.

You need to go to their website of course which is  https://www.sss.gov.ph/

Select member and not employer as you will need to register as a member. Your personal information such as your name, birth date,  address etc is very important as well as your SSS number together with your latest payment receipt are essential upon registration.

Remember that registering covers Phase 1 and Phase 2. SSS will email you your log in username and password before you can sign in on your account. Complete all required fields as shown below.

 Check your inbox as SSS will email you the link for Phase 2 after you click on the Submit button.


Phase 2 of SSS online registration.

• ***SBR No./OTC (For Self-employed, Voluntary member, OFW, Househelper, and Non-working spouse)
• If your mode of payment is OTC or over-the-counter at SSS branch, type the 8-digit following the T# (eg: T#15000075)
• if paying at the bank, type the 6-digit SBR No. (Special Bank Receipt No.)
• If paying through SM Bayad Center, Remittance Center or I-Remit, Western Union, type the 6-digit OTC Validation Number
• If paying SSS by ADA (Auto-debit Arrangement) type 6 zeros (000000) in the SBR No./OTC box

Again, check carefully everything you have typed before proceeding. Don’t forget to check the“I accept the Terms and Conditions” message at the bottom.

SSS will email you. You’ll receive something like this: That means you have successfully registered your account and you can now log in. Congrats!

Again, check your inbox to see SSS email containing your username and password. Use these details to log in your SSS online account. Please do not forget to login as a Member not as an Employer. Congratulations! You made it!

Select Online Inquiry and log in using the password and username sent to you by SSS in your email and voila! you’ll be taken to your SSS Employee Static Info.  Keep your log in details so that it will be convenient for you to view your SSS  account anytime.

How to Check SSS Contributions and Monthly Premiums

Just select E-Services and go to Inquiry if you want to check your monthly contributions. See the example below.

Then select Actual Premiums. You will be able to view and check your SSS monthly contributions at the screen from the start up to the present time. You can print this out if you want.

Just remember that SSS password expires after 90 days, so make sure to change it every 90 days.  Keep a copy of your email address and login credentials together with your SSS username and password so you won’t forget them. Your email username and password are different from your SSS username and password.

P.S. I am not an employee of SSS nor I represent the institution by any means. Hope this article is helpful for you.

How to Save Money? A simple guide on how to spend money wisely.

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I’ve  heard that statement several times already. Paano ka nga ba makakapag-ipon kung minimum lang sweldo mo? And to be honest, that used to be my line before. Kulang yung sweldo, mahal ng bilihin, daming kailangang bilhin etc etc. Kaya paano nga ba makakapag-ipon?

I have been wanting to save money even when I was still single but struggled to do so. But thank God, one day I realized, kung puro lang ako pangarap, wala akong gagawing hakbang para makuha ko yung gusto ko, napakalabong matupad yung pangarap ko. So I told myself I need to do it now.

Here are some of the things I did which I think you can also apply or if not, at least modify according to your income. And I want to share it to you because I believe sharing is caring.

Have a goal. Before you save money, ask yourself first, why are you saving money? Ano ang dahilan bakit ka mag-iipon, dapat may goal ka. Your goal will be your driving force to save money. To achieve that dream of yours.

List all your expenses.  Now that you have a goal, write all your expenses. In my case, I make a list of my monthly expenses. Bills, transpo, food, groceries, savings at investments. As for the amount, kayo na bahala mag lagay, basta ang ilista mo lang eh yung mga "needs" mo at hindi "wants" lang.

Do it yourself or DIY – imbis na magpamanicure o pedicure sa salon which would cost 50 pesos or more, ikaw na lang mag manicure sa sarili mo. Kahit singkwenta pesos lang yun, pag naipon, hindi mo namamalayan ay malaki pala ang nakakain sa budget mo.

Wag bilhin ang hindi kailangan. Halimbawa kapag nagrocery ka, kung maari ay iwasan mo na ang mga junk foods. Mga chips, softdrinks at iba pa. Bukod sa hindi na maganda sa katawan ay hindi pa nakakabusog. Huwag pumunta sa mall nang gutom. Kumain muna bago umalis para iwas gastos. Madalas kahit wala sa plano ay napapakain ka sa mga fast food resto sa mall. Check your budget and see what difference will it bring to your monthly budget.

Mga gadgets. Kung meron ka pa namang cellphone na gumagana pa, yan na lang muna gamitin mo. Kung pag check lang naman sa facebook, pagtawag at pagtext lang naman ginagawa mo, makuntento kana muna jan. Kahit tag 2,000 pesos lang yang bibilhin mong cellphone eh malaking bagay din yun.

Kahit maliit lang ang sweldo mo, sabihin natin magbawas ka dun ng 10 percent for your savings. For example, if your salary is 10,000 pesos per month, magbukod ka ng 1,000 per month. Kung hindi kaya, gawin mong 5 percent. Ang malaki nagsisimula sa maliit. 


At lagi mong tatandaan, kahit alam mo na goal mo, naglilista ka na ng mga expenses mo kung wala kang disiplina sa sarili mo. Mahihirapan ka ring mag-ipon, so saving money takes a lot of self-discipline and determination. Look up to your goal.

Sa huli, ikaw din ang mag-aani nyan. 

Mahirap ang mazero balance. Yung tipong maysakit anak mo o kahit sa sino mang kapamilya mo ay wala kang magawa dahil wala kang pera. Kaya dapat pinaghahandaan ang mga yan.

If you have any other suggestions or tips about saving money, feel free to comment below.

The in-demand college courses in the Philippines

     The Philippines is a developing country with a fast growing economy. In fact, we are the second fastest growing economy in the world next to China according to economists. But despite of that, many are still jobless, a number of people are still unemployed. Job mismatch is one reason experts believe to be the cause of what seems to be an eternal problem in our country.

     Job or skills mismatch is the gap between individual's job skills and the demands of the market. For example, there are ten thousand nursing students who graduated this year, but hospitals or health institutions who really need nurses, offer only one hundred vacant positions for them. Obviously, it is not enough to accommodate these graduates who wants to work as a nurse.  As a result, some of them turn to Business Process Outsourcing (BPO)  for a job. They work in companies not even related to their courses. Some work in drugstores or pharmacies.

      To avoid this phenomena, the Philippine government actually released its lists of in-demand courses for this school year. The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) released on March 25, 2014 the official list of in-demand and priority college courses for A.Y. 2014-2015 and A.Y. 2017-2018.

The official list of in-demand college courses for 2014-2018:

1. Agriculture and Related Fields (15%)

• Agro-Forestry
• Veterinatry Medicine
• Agricultural Engineering
• Agribusiness/Management
• Agricultural Entrepreneurship
• Agricultural Technology
• Agriculture
• Fisheries
• BS Food Technology
• Agricultural Economics

2. Engineering (15%)

• Mechanical
• Electronics
• Communication
• Metallurgical/Mining
• Computer
• Biomedical
• Chemical
• Geodetic
• Electrical
• Meteorological
• Mining
• Goelogical
• Sanitary Engineering
• Chemical Engineering
• Industrial Engineering
• Civil Engineering
• Electronics and Communication Engineering
• Petroleum Engineering
• Bio Chemical Engineering

3. Science and Math (13%)

• BS Mathematics
• BS Physics
• BS Biology
• BS Chemistry
• BS Marine Biology/Science
• BS Applied Physics
• BS Geology
• BS Earth Science
• BS Applied Mathematics
• BS Statistics/Applied Statistics
• Atmospheric Science
• Environmental Science

4. Information Technology (10%)

• Information Technology and Computing Studies
• Multimedia
• Animation
• Programming
• Computer Science
• Information System Management
• Bachelor in Library Science & Information System Major in System Analysis

5. Teacher Education major in (10%)

• Mathematics
• Science
• Physics
• Chemistry
• Reading
• English
• Educational Media/Technology
• Special Education (SPED)
• Human Kinetics
• Physical Education and Sports Science
• Bachelor of Physical Education major in School PE
• Early Childhood Education
• Environmental Planning (for teachers)
• MAPEH
• Music Education
• Art Education
• Health Education

6. Health Sciences (10%)

• Pharmacy
• Radiology Technology
• Medical Technology
• Physical Therapy
• BS Nutrition

7. Arts and Humanities (5%)

• Creative and Performing Arts
• BS Religious Education
• BS Philosophy
• BS Theology

8. Social and Behavioral Sciences (5%)

• BS Psychology
• BS Social Work
• Human Development
• Guidance and Counseling

9. Business Administration and Related Courses (5%)

• BS Accountancy
• Business Data Outsourcing
• Business Process Outsourcing
• Construction Management
• Tourism

10. Architecture (5%)

• BS Architecture
• Landscape Architecture
• Interior Design
• Environmental Planning
• Fine Arts
• Urban Planning

11. Maritime (2%)

• BS Marine Transportation

12. Communication (2%)

• BA Communication
• BA Journalism
• BA Broadcasting
• BS Development Communication

13. Others (to be determined by each Regional Office)

Photo Credit: localpulse.net

Source: ched.gov.ph

Savings Account with Low Maintaining Balance - Philippines

     Most Filipinos wants to save money but some are hesitant due to lack of knowledge. I myself was a bit apprehensive since I had an experience before opening a savings account but ended up closing it since I was not able to meet the required maintaining balance.

     Below are list of banks in the Philippines that have very low maintaining balance and initial deposit.

1. BPI Family Bank

Account name: Easy savers account

• Maintaining Balance: "none" zero pesos

• Will earn Interest

• Easy to acquire, at only P200 Pesos Initial deposit

• With online banking facility, through BPI Online

• Pay bills from the comfort of your home.

• Requires only one I.D. to acquire one

2. BPI Direct (BPI Online Banking Family)

Account name: BPI Direct ATM Savings account

• Maintaining Balance: P500 pesos

• Earn high interest on all your funds

• Enjoy higher ATM withdrawal limit  bitof Php 50,000 a day.

• Transfer funds anytime, anywhere.

• Pay bills from the comfort of your home.

• Easy to acquire through internet

• Requires only one I.D. to claim the card

3. LANDBANK Land Bank of the Philippines

Account name: Basic Savings Account with ATM Access

• Maintaining Balance: 500 pesos

• Minimum amount to earn interest: 500 pesos

• Required Daily Balance to Earn Interest: P500 Pesos

• Interest Rate: 0.250% p.a.

• Maximum withdrawable amount/day: P50,000 Pesos

• Maximum EPS (card shopping) transactions/day: P100,000 Pesos

4. Security Bank

Account name: Peso Savings Cash Link ATM Card

• Maintaining Balance: 500 pesos

• Deposit and withdraw through ATM

• Minimum amount to earn interest: P2,000 pesos

• Interest Rate: 0.250% p.a.

• Online Banking through Security Bank online

5. China Bank Savings (CBS)

Account name: Easi-Save ATM

• Interest Rate: 0.75% p.a.

• Maintaining Balance: 500 pesos

• Initial Opening deposit: only P500 pesos

• Minimum Balance to earn interest: P1,000 Pesos

• Easi-Save ATM Card, Monthly Statement of Account

6. Bank of Commerce

Account name: Basic ATM Savings

• Maintaining balance: 500 pesos

• Min bal to earn interest: Not posted

• You can request for a statement for documentation

7. Maybank Philippines

Account name: Value Savings Account

• Maintaining balance: 500 pesos

• Min bal to earn interest: 10,000 pesos

• Over the counter withdrawal fee: 20 pesos

• Initial ATM card fee: 100 pesos

8. RCBC Savings Bank

Account name: Basic Savings Account with ATM Card

• Maintaining Balance: 500 pesos

• Min to Earn Interest: 25,000.00 pesos

• Account documentation is through an ATM or a Passbook

• Interest Rate: 0.5% p.a.

• Minimum balance to earn interest: P25,000 pesos

9. Citystate Savings Bank

Account name: Peso Passbook Savings Account with ATM Card

• Maintaining balance: 500 pesos

• Min bal to earn interest: 1,000 pesos

• Peso ATM Savings Account

• Maintaining balance: 500 pesos

• Minimum balance to earn interest: 1,000 pesos

10. GSIS Family Bank

Account name: Passbook Savings Account No ATM Card

• Maintaining balance: 500 pesos

• Min bal to earn interest: 1,000 pesos

• Deposit at any GSIS Family Bank branch, but withdraw only, over-the-counter, at the branch   where you opened your account.

Account name: ATM Savings Account

• Maintaining balance: 500 pesos

• Min bal to earn interest: 1,000 pesos

• You can withdraw up to 40,000 pesos per day

• You can request for a statement of account

11. Postal Bank ( Philippine Postal Savings Bank)

Account name: Peso Savings Account

• Maintaining Balance: 500 pesos

• Minimum Balance to Earn Interest: 1,000 pesos

Account name: PostalCash ATM

• Maintaining Balance: 500 pesos

• Minimum Balance to Earn Interest: 1,000 pesos

12. Bank of Makati

Account name: Regular Savings Deposit

• Maintaining balance: 500 pesos

• Min bal to earn interest: 1,000 pesos

• Below balance charge: 50 pesos per month

13. BPI Family Savings Bank

Account name: Express Teller Savings

• Maintaining Balance: 1,000 pesos

• Min Amount to Earn interest: 3,000 pesos

• International ATM Card through Cirrus International

• Enjoy higher ATM withdrawal limit of PhP 50,000 a day

• Go cashless, worry-free shopping via the Express Payment System (EPS)

• Withdraw cash from over 1 million Cirrus-affiliated ATMs in over 210 countries worlwide in the    currency of the country you are in.

• Charge for not maintaining balance

   for two consecutive months: 150 pesos per month

14. Chinabank Corp.

Account name: Statement Savings with ATM

• Maintaining Balance: 1,000 pesos

• Minimum Balance to Earn Interest: 1,000 pesos

• Choices between ATM or Passbook, same account

• Provides Monthly Statement of Account to your address

• Min Amount to Earn interest: P5,000 pesos

• Interest Rate: 0.25% per anum

• Initial deposit for opening the account: only P1,000 Pesos

• With Online Banking Facility through Chinabank Online

15. DBP Development Bank of the Philippines

Account name: Regular Savings

• Maintaining Balance: 1,000 pesos

• Choice of ATM Card, Passbook Only or Both

16. PHILTRUST Philippine Trust Co.

Account name: Peso Savings Account – Passbook Only, No ATM Card

• Maintaining Balance: 1,000 pesos

• Minimum Balance to Earn Interest: 1,000 pesos

• Charge for below balance: 100 per month after 2 months of falling below balance

• Charge for lost passbook: 100 pesos

17. Bank of Commerce

Account name: Passbook Savings Account with ATM

• Maintaining balance: 1,000 pesos

• Min bal to earn interest: Not posted

18. Philippine Veterans Bank

Account name: Regular Peso Savings for Non-Veterans

• Maintaining balance: 1,000 pesos

• Min Amt to Earn Interest: 1,000 pesos

• Choice of passbook and/or ATM

19. Asia Trust Bank

Account name: Cash Station Regular ATM

• Maintaining balance: 1,000 pesos

• Min bal to earn interest: 3,000

• Offers quarterly bank statement account.

20. Philippine Business Bank

Account name: Passbook Savings Account

• Maintaining Balance: 1,000 pesos

• Minimum Balance to Earn Interest: 1,000 pesos