Month: February 2021

“Never leave for tomorrow what you can accomplish today.” You may have heard of that quotation and its various versions before. It’s very true, especially in our society today, when the proper authorities are taking their time in processing projects and items that are meant to be for the good of their constituents. Even we are guilty of this at times. The act of procrastination is something that everyone experiences in their life, at least more than a dozen times. You may have seen high school students putting off their school projects until its deadline comes around the corner, You may even see office workers leaving off their paper work, until the very last day of the week, when it’s almost rest day. And then there are your local officials on the evening news, being berated for a public service that was supposedly done and delivered last year, and yet the project still hasn’t broken ground.

Indeed, we all like to put off our tasks at a much later time, only to finish it until the very last moment. Perhaps it has been rewired within the human brain, perhaps people are intimidated by the “high risk, high reward” system, perhaps people prefer an easier time frame than the usual, whatever it may be, it definitely slows down progress and spends a lot of otherwise well-utilized opportunities. This is very critical nowadays, due to the fact that everyone’s running against time. If the pandemic has taught us one thing, it’s that we should all be spending our time wisely. Many of our kababayans were hit with COVID-19, and unfortunately weren’t even able to make it through 2020. As tragic as it is, that is not even the whole story, as they are currently survived by their families, friends, and loved ones, the people who would miss them the most, and would surely love to spend time with them all over again, yet due, to their untimely passing, that is no longer possible. Let us all learn a value lesson from them, as the pandemic isn’t over yet, and there is definitely more to do and to accomplish.

In lieu of that, you may have a few unfinished businesses that you were not able to accomplish until now due to the current pandemic. It is only understandable that you’ve postponed it last year, as our government implemented strict measures before things got out of hand with the virus. There were lockdowns and varying community quarantine guidelines which limited all of our daily activities and planned tasks. Since then, many of us weren’t able to leave our homes and were confined within our own barangays. However, it is now 2021 and some of these safety measures have been relaxed in order to allow everyone (or at least a select few) to accomplish their tasks. Of course, the “new normal” introduced a couple of new procedures for us to follow, in terms of processing government documents, for example, yet, these changes aren’t really that different from the ones practiced before, with the minor tweaks being that all should wear their mask and face shield, and that everyone should follow social distancing guidelines.

With these new guidelines in place, should I still travel?

It depends. You see, if you’re on your way to process important documents such as government requirements and work files, then by all means, feel free to join the queue of anxious people hoping to get their files done on time. You’ve been leaving it off since last year as you’re trying to avoid the virus overall, which is the right thing to do. No amount of paperwork is justifiable enough for you to risk your health, after all. The thing is, you may have been oriented about the safety measures by now, well enough for you to know the dos and don’ts.

What are these dos and don’ts specifically?

There is no simple answer to this, since different barangays and regions within the Philippines are currently implementing their own set of community quarantine guidelines. You may know these guidelines as:

• Enhanced Community Quarantine or ECQ
  Localities under an enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) are generally ordered to stay at home, with its residents restricted from traveling to other cities or barangays. Barangay governments can issue quarantine passes allowing residents to buy essential goods outside curfew hours and within the issuing barangays’ jurisdiction.

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• General Community Quarantine or GCQ
  The general community quarantine (GCQ), which was introduced on May 1, is generally less stringent than ECQ. Public transportation is allowed at a reduced capacity and select businesses are allowed to operate at 50 to 100 percent of their regular capacity depending on their industry. Shopping malls are also allowed to operate, although only select stalls and stores are allowed to open.

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• Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine or MECQ
  Similar to ECQ, however, this time people will be allowed to leave their homes only to obtain essential goods and go to work in industries allowed to resume by the government.

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• Modified General Community Quarantine or MGCQ
  Similar to GCQ, as the movement goes back to normal, but mask-wearing, physical distancing, and other health protocols will still be enforced.

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Depending on the number of positive cases within their barangay, a region may either implement a much stricter or a more relaxed selection from the four choices above. No worries, as your local LGUs are currently working with the Department of Health (DOH) to initiate these quarantine procedures, with the safety and well-being of the people as their top priority.

What should I do whenever I’d go outdoors to process important paperwork?

• Prepare everything the night before, just to make sure that you wouldn’t have to go back and forth due to forgotten requirements.
• Bring your very own pen. Avoid sharing any items with other people on the queue.
• Take the shorter route. You’ll reach your destination faster that way. Just make sure to follow proper social distancing and all of the strict traffic rules in place.
• If you’re going to commute, be sure to provide the exact amount. Receiving change from the driver or conductor would be risky, as COVID-19 may also be transmitted via contaminated money.
• Do all of your paper works in one go. Do it all in one day if you can, so that you wouldn’t need to go out every once in a while just to process separate documents. The lesser you’d go outdoors, the safer you’ll be from the virus.
• Bring a small bottle of alcohol to disinfect your hands every once in a while during the commute or travel.

Now, one of the main transactions and paper work that you may be planning to do while outdoors would be to remit money to your loved ones in the province. While it may seem nerve-wracking to do this activity due to the current pandemic, you shouldn’t worry, as there is a well-trusted establishment that would definitely look out for your well-being from beginning to end. Cebuana Lhuillier has put in place a couple of procedures and restrictions when it comes to protecting their customers against the virus. With the frequent disinfection, sanitation, and queuing rules set in place, no other place is safer than Cebuana Lhuillier branches. They’ve also made it convenient for all their patrons to process their transactions without any hassle. Time well-spent outdoors is equivalent to money well-spent as well, and at this point, every centavo counts, and no other remittance center would value your time and safety more than Cebuana Lhuillier, with their most reliable Money Remittance service ever. Be sure to visit the nearest branch now for more information.

The sudden occurrence of the COVID-19 virus caught everyone off guard during the first quarter of 2020. Just when you thought it was going to be another “walk in the park,” things took a sudden turn and eventually, the world found itself running up against a new threat that we would have never foreseen, at least for the past few decades. While there were a couple of viruses which made waves throughout the years, COVID-19 took one step further and made a significant shift all around the globe. People lost their jobs, people lost their loved ones, and everything was left in shambles. Even if you were able to retain your employment, you may have family members, friends, or loved ones who were not so lucky, and you may have probably seen their suffering and struggle throughout the whole ordeal. There were those who were able to find a job even before 2020 ended, but the same can’t be said for those who are still searching through the classified ads, hoping to find a way to feed their family, even during the pandemic.

Understandably, these hardships created a limitation that somehow tried to protect everyone from the rampant virus, and indeed, the number of people who contracted COVID-19 decreased overtime. Yes, we have more than 400,000 positive cases, but just imagine if these limitations were not set in place, the numbers would have been more catastrophic. Now that we’ve entered 2021, you may be wondering about our current status, where we are right now, and the direction that our country is heading towards to. There were various implementations since the outbreak of COVID-19 in the Philippines last year, and from the very first guidelines released, there were changes made to ensure that we’d remain safe and free from the virus as much as possible. Coming into 2021, perhaps you may need a refresher, with regards to these guidelines and policies. Well, look no further than the following highlights straight from our LGUs.

First of all, what were these implementations?

The following were and are still implemented within Philippines as of today. Keep in mind that these implementations vary, depending on the cities and the barangays, so be sure to inquire about each of them before visiting a certain location far from home:

• Enhanced Community Quarantine or ECQ
  Localities under an enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) are generally ordered to stay at home, with its residents restricted from traveling to other cities or barangays. Barangay governments can issue quarantine passes allowing residents to buy essential goods outside curfew hours and within the issuing barangays’ jurisdiction.
• General Community Quarantine or GCQ
  The general community quarantine (GCQ), which was introduced on May 1, is generally less stringent than ECQ. Public transportation is allowed at a reduced capacity and select businesses are allowed to operate at 50 to 100 percent of their regular capacity depending on their industry. Shopping malls are also allowed to operate, although only select stalls and stores are allowed to open.
• Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine or MECQ
  Similar to ECQ, however, this time people will be allowed to leave their homes only to obtain essential goods and go to work in industries allowed to resume by the government.
• Modified General Community Quarantine or MGCQ
  Similar to GCQ, as the movement goes back to normal, but mask-wearing, physical distancing and other health protocols will still be enforced.

How were these implemented within the different aspects of our society?

As strictly as they were implemented, people were confused about the context of these community quarantines, which is why the government clarified further on the matter. The following summaries were the main implementations of these community quarantines, as segregated by the context of our daily activities:

1) With Regards to the Movement of the People:

ECQ:

• 100% stay at home
• Exception for workers in offices or industries permitted to operate

MECQ:

• 100% stay at home
• Restricted movement, only for accessing essential goods and services
• Exception for workers in offices or industries permitted to operate
• Persons below twenty-one (21) years old, sixty (60) years old and above or those at high risk for contracting the COVID-19 disease are required to stay home

GCQ:

• Persons below twenty-one (21) years old, sixty (60) years old and above or those at high risk for contracting the COVID-19 disease are required to stay home

MGCQ:

• Persons below twenty-one (21) years old, sixty (60) years old and above or those at high risk for contracting the COVID-19 disease are required to stay home

2) With Regards to Travel & Transportation:
Motorcycle barriers are required for pillion riding or back-riding.

ECQ:

• No domestic flights, with limited international flights
• Public transportation is not allowed
• Shuttle services for employees of permitted offices or establishments, as well as point-to-point transport service, granted permission to operate by the government, with healthcare workers and other frontliners given priority

MECQ:

• No domestic flights, with limited international flights
• Controlled inbound flights
• No inter-island travel
• Public transportation is not allowed
• Private transportation such as company shuttles and personal vehicles allowed subject to the guidelines provided by the Department of Transportation (DOTr)
• Biking and non-motorized transport encouraged

GCQ:

• Public transport is allowed with strict social distancing
• Inter-island travel from GCQ to GCQ allowed with safety protocols.

MGCQ:

• Public transport is allowed with strict social distancing
• Inter-island travel from GCQ to GCQ allowed with safety protocols.

3) With Regards to Gatherings:

ECQ:

• Mass gatherings are not allowed
• Only mass gatherings that are essential for the provision of government services or authorized humanitarian activities permitted

MECQ:

• Highly restricted (maximum of 5)
• Non-essential work gatherings are prohibited

GCQ:

• Gatherings are limited to not more than ten (10) persons
• Non-essential work gatherings are prohibited

MGCQ:

• Fifty percent (50%) of the seating or venue capacity for movie screenings, concerts, sporting events, and other entertainment activities, religious services, and work conferences

4) With Regards to School:

ECQ:

• School premises are closed

MECQ:

• School premises are closed

GCQ:

• Skeletal workforce permitted in schools
• Face-to-face or in-person classes are suspended

MGCQ:

• Limited face-to-face or in-person classes may be conducted; strict compliance with minimum public health standards and consultations with local government units (LGUs) and guidelines set by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED)

5) With Regards to Work and Employment:

ECQ:

• Select industry workers permitted

MECQ:

• Essential industries permitted to work at full capacity, with others operating at a fifty percent (50%) capacity
• Work-from-home and other flexible work arrangements encouraged

GCQ:

• Alternative work arrangements

MGCQ:

• Full operating capacity for work in all public and private offices
• Alternative work arrangements for persons who are sixty (60) years old and above, or those with other health risks

6) With Regards to Government Services:

ECQ:

• Skeletal workforce onsite
• Work from home arrangements

MECQ:

• Skeletal workforce onsite
• Work from home arrangements

GCQ:

• Work in all government offices under alternative work arrangements

MGCQ:

• Work in government offices may be at full operational capacity, or under alternative work arrangements

7) With Regards to Exercise and Sports:

ECQ:

• Outdoor exercise not allowed

MECQ:

• Limited outdoor exercise (Outdoor walk, Jog/run, Bike) with face mask
• 2-meter physical distancing

GCQ:

• Indoor and non-contact sports allowed
• Walking, jogging, running, biking, golf, swimming, tennis, badminton, equestrian, range shooting, and skateboarding
• Minimum public health standards such as the wearing of masks and the maintenance of social distancing protocols, and no sharing of equipment where applicable, are observed
• Spectators in all non-contact sports and exercises are still prohibited

MGCQ:

• Indoor and non-contact sports allowed
• Walking, jogging, running, biking, golf, swimming, tennis, badminton, equestrian, range shooting, and skateboarding
• Minimum public health standards such as the wearing of masks and the maintenance of social distancing protocols, and no sharing of equipment where applicable, are observed
• Spectators in all non-contact sports and exercises are still prohibited

Take note that these may have been changed overtime, so feel free to contact your local Barangay for more information. These guidelines, as limiting as they are, simply uphold the safety and well-being of the people, which is why you should:

• Always wear a face mask and a face shield when going outdoors.
• Always wash your hands.
• Bring a small bottle of alcohol with you, at all times.
• Strictly follow social distancing guidelines as much as you can.
• Be vigilant about the number of people in a certain space.
• Avoid going to public places if you do not have any important business to conduct within the said location.
• Make sure to full out your contact tracing forms with the complete details.
• Bring your own pen.
• If you were to conduct business or process a couple of important documents within a government facility or agency, do everything in a timely manner and immediately be on your way.

These are just some of the safety tips for the modified quarantine period. There may still be other guidelines from the LGUs, in such case, feel free to coordinate with your local government and barangays for more information. With all of these in mind, it may be no surprise that you’re looking for ways to further protect your family’s future. The current pandemic has taught us to be vigilant and prepared, and indeed, it is a lesson we will abide put to heart even when the pandemic is over. If you’re still weighing your options, then look no further than Cebuana Lhuillier’s Microinsurance Services. It offers affordable insurance products that enable Filipinos to avail financial services and privileges that higher-income earners have easy access to. Aside from that, it also

The COVID-19 vaccine is finally on its way, albeit, without any exact date. Since the first quarter of 2020, we’ve all been wondering about the existence of this wonder drug which would finally treat the high-risk virus that is COVID-19. Most of 2020 has been allocated towards the safety and protection of people around the globe, with various implementations of community quarantines within the different states and regions. While there may have been varying results among the countries, it is understandable that these quarantine measures could only do so much. There are many of us who still prefer to go outdoors, often ignoring the safety measures and going on to regret that decision once the swab test results have returned. It is quite difficult to discipline very sociable and active people, after all. In such cases, the government and LGUs have taken the extra step to lockdown any barangay that incurred an alarming amount of positive cases, and while there were some positive cases that got through the cracks, it was still somewhat of a success, slowing down the transmission while waiting for the formulation of the vaccines.

Now that the news about the vaccines had broken out, you may think that things may go smoothly from then on. Well, as much as we wouldn’t want to burst the bubble, it still wouldn’t be that simple. You see, these vaccines would still have to go through various processes and paper works in order for them to be shipped towards the Philippines. The best case scenario is that these vaccines will reach Philippine shores by the first quarter of this year. It’s either that or we’d have to wait until the third or last quarter of 2021. You may ask, “How come it would take that long? We are currently in a pandemic, everyone would need that vaccine.” Yes, you are right about that. But just think about it, even the simplest cough medicine would have to undergo various tests and paper work before it could even see the light of day and be shipped towards your local pharmacy branches. In short, we still have to wait for a while.

Of course, such delays don’t mean we’re doomed. For now, the best that we could do is to prepare our bodies for this vaccine. It may sound strange at first, but yes, before even accepting these vaccines, we should at least be aware of its side effects. As of this writing there aren’t any official word on the possible side effects yet, however, we should still be vigilant, we should still do our best to keep our body strong and healthy. Be in the know and maintain a good health, until such time that the COVID-19 vaccines would be distributed within our country. Here are just a few suggestions:

1. Exercise
   As simple as that. We often underestimate the positive effects of exercise in our body, however, we should always remember that our blood flow should be continuous, so as our oxygen intake. Exercise would not only help us loose the pounds, it would also help us be fit. COVID-19 is fought mainly by our immune system, and as much as we’d like to reply heavily on the upcoming vaccines, it is good to know as early as now that those vaccines would only do so much. If you were to take a peek at the current count of COVID-19 cases within the country, you’ll find out that more than 400,000 people had already recovered from the dreaded virus, and that was even before the vaccines rolled out. What does that tell you? Simply put, it says so much about the wonders of our body, it says so much about our natural defenses, it says so much about how we are able to fight off the virus on our own. Of course, the number of deaths can’t be and shouldn’t be ignored, unless we want to make the same mistakes again. And we shouldn’t ignore about the treatments done by our brave doctors and nurses as well, a main reason why hospital beds are almost fully occupied nowadays. The thing is, these treatments can only assist the immune system in fighting off the virus, but just like the incoming COVID-19 vaccines, they could only do so much. Just imagine if your immune system was already compromised long before the virus even entered the country, your chances of surviving would drastically go down once it finally reaches Philippine waters, and indeed, the numbers and data doesn’t lie. Be fit, be strong, and exercise.

   

2. Eat Healthy Meals
   This may sound like an elementary school lesson, but keep in mind that there’s a reason why we’ve been taught to eat our vegetables and fruits since our younger years. Even the scolding that we got from our parents due to us fending off our healthy servings of green, leafy vegetables actually has a very practical reason behind it. Vegetables have always been the main instigator of good health, add fruits to that and you’ve got a powerful tag-team that would serve as an armor for your immune system. The best thing about fruits and vegetables is that they can often be mixed and matched, depending on the delicacy that you are about to prepare. You can even add a couple of sauces and dressings to emphasize the taste of these wonderful root crops and leaves. You can cook them or eat them raw, it doesn’t matter, as long as you wouldn’t ignore or cross them out of your daily intake.
3. Follow All the Safety Protocols
   Prevention will always be better than cure. A couple of news outlets are already estimating the vaccine prices, and so far, their estimates haven’t come cheap. In such case, why not save yourself (and your budget) from predicament by following all of the social distancing and quarantine rules. Yes, they are very limiting, yes, they aren’t fun to follow at all, but just because they have both of those qualities doesn’t mean that they would do you any harm. It’s the complete opposite, as a matter of fact. These safety measure and implementations are here to stay in order to save you from the virus, and they will remain to stay until such time that the virus has finally been eradicated. For now, sit tight, be safe, and do your best to stay healthy.

And that’s about it. Of course, these are just some of the suggestions, with regards to preparing your body for the vaccine. The government may have more guidelines and tips for the foreseeable future, so keep your eyes peeled for now. With all of these in mind, it may be no surprise that you’re looking for ways to further protect your family’s future and well-being while waiting for the vaccine. The current pandemic has taught us to be vigilant and prepared, and indeed, it is a lesson we will put to heart. If you’re still weighing your options, then look no further than Cebuana Lhuillier’s Microinsurance Services. It offers affordable insurance products that enable Filipinos to avail financial services and privileges that higher-income earners have easy access to. Aside from that, it also features innovative microinsurance products and services that promise to minimize the impact of distress and misfortune on one’s financial position. Feel free to visit the nearest Cebuana Lhuillier branch near you for more information.

It’s now the second month of the year. While January 2021 may have been the doorway we’ve all been waiting to enter since the first quarter of 2020, February 2021 may very well be the empty hall that comes after the doorway. Now, before entering the other rooms within this year (March, April, May, etc.), let us take a moment to analyze the events of January 2021. You may ask, “Why would I even need to do that? Is that even necessary?” The straight answer would be a resounding “Yes!” You see, the first month of every year is usually the one that would orient us about the possible outcome of the whole year, which is why it is often called the “doorway.” You may argue that this is not an accurate way of sorting out the year, since 2020 broke all of our expectations within its first quarter, giving us all a false sense of security and redundancy within the first month, until COVID-19 hit and we’ve all been caught off guard. That is correct, you are definitely right in thinking the same thing can be applied within the next few years, but here’s the thing, the start of every year is a call for preparation.

Turning back the clock, COVID-19 has been reported since the end of 2019, and it only made its presence felt within the Philippines during March 2020, in such case, we all had the opportunity to prepare, but understandably, the less it was talked about at first, the less informed we were during the first few months, until it was already too late. Now that we have a current pandemic on our hands, it would be safe to say that January 2021 is already a call-for-action, in terms of trying to find our financial footing. Forget about your typical resolutions, this is more serious and vital since it would dictate your possible budget for the months to come. In such case, evaluating your budget as early as now would not only prepare you for any sudden occurrences this year, it may also save you from debt.

Where do we currently stand?

To rephrase the question above, how are we doing now? What is the current situation in our country? Well, COVID-19 still runs rampant within our society. Due to the new strain of the virus, we’ve been given tighter implementations than last year. You may have heard of the flight bans last month. Well, that is only one slice from the whole cake, the other slices are vital to ensure that the virus does not spread further. If you were fortunate enough to find a new job after being laid-off last month, then congratulations! Do your best to maintain that source of income. No matter how much you are earning right now, feel free to save up for the future. Do whatever you can to set aside certain amounts, not only for you, but also for your family. Count how many family members you have within the household, include yourself in the count, then your wife, your kids, and even your parents (if they happen to reside with you), then divide your savings among the count. You may ask, “Well, I’m already paying the bills. I’m able to provide food on the table. Isn’t that enough?” Well, here’s another reason why you may need to save…

The vaccines are about to roll out this year… hopefully.

During January 2021, news broke about the various vaccines that the Philippine government will be importing from other countries. While it may be good to assume that these will all be given for free, it may not be the case for many of us. These vaccines took a lot of time to make, and it definitely required a huge amount of funding to make as well, so you can just imagine the price tag applied on each of these vaccines. If you think an average medicine already cost too much, then you might be more surprised once the vaccines reach our shores. Be sure to prepare until then, and find an extra source of income as much as you can. Costly as they may seem, these vaccines are vital for the survival of your loved ones. Not everything may return to normal at once, but being injected with this extra armor of defense would definitely help you in the long run.

Is there anything I can do to prepare for the future?

Yes, there is always a way to earn more. You may even begin to save up as early as now for a small business, then, use that small capital to create a start-up at the comfort of your home. You may find various business suggestions online (some coming from us) which may inspire you to go beyond the limits and rise up from the crisis caused by this pandemic. Of course, vigilance is always your friend, analyze your every step when it comes to your financials and practice all of the COVID-19 guidelines whenever you’d need to process business paperwork outdoors. Feel free to improvise, as not everything may go according to plan, nonetheless, prayers will always be your greatest weapon when facing the unknown. Do your own research before reaching a decision and feel free to ask for help when things are getting hectic. Your family would be more than happy to assist you all throughout.

Is there any establishment that would secure my hard-earned money and savings during the pandemic?

Yes, as a matter of fact, there is a well-trusted name that would do all of that for you without the hassle of applying for a new bank account. At its core, Cebuana Lhuillier’s Micro Savings product aims to provide easier banking access to all Filipinos. The product is almost the same with any regular savings account in the Philippines, but doesn’t require a maintaining balance. It is also streamlined across all Cebuana Lhuillier branches, so you’d be able to experience the same wonderful Micro Savings product without missing a beat. For more information, feel free to visit the nearest Cebuana Lhuillier now!

Business ideas usually come and go, and yet, there are those which would stick with you for the most part. Do you ever find yourself randomly thinking about opening up your own venture? Do you ever wonder about having an extra source of income? Do you ever expect to add more to your monthly savings? Then perhaps, this write-up’s for you.

Let’s first talk about the recent year known as 2020. Understandably, many would prefer to just forget about that past year, owing to the fact that it may just be one of the darkest that we’ve ever faced in our lives. Due to the sudden occurrence of the pandemic, many lost their jobs, many lost their way of life, and most tragic of all, many lost their loved ones. Indeed, 2020 is a year that we would all like to just wipe away from our memories. However, the thing about tragedies and disappointments is that there will always be silver linings originating from that very same void. What may seem like a pile of dirt and dust may just be carrying a valuable jewel beneath the surface. For every problem, there will always be a solution, and while these solutions may not be able to bring back what was already long gone, it may provide us a new path, a new road towards success and full recovery.

The same thing can be said about our livelihood. Countless people around the globe lost their jobs due to the closing down and bankruptcy of many businesses, brought about by the pandemic. While there are some who were able to find new jobs from the long list of classified ads circulated online, there are still many who were not able to find their footing. Well, worry no more, as we have a few suggestions for you, with regards to opening up your very own business. Take note that some of these may not work for you due to other circumstances, but still, take these tips in stride. Who knows? You might be able to develop a better business idea from these suggestions.

1. A business fit for the taste buds.
   Food – Everyone loves them and no one would ever want to be away from them. Everyone eats, everyone needs their daily sustenance, and what better way to do that than to gobble down some delicious delicacies. As a matter of fact, this is one of the main shortages that some of our fellow Filipinos were able to experience, due to the pandemic and the continuous storms near the end of 2020, hence, why it is a valuable commodity that we’d all like to be abundant of. Now, if you happen to be skilled at the kitchen, it is only natural for you share your knowledge and skills, but instead of posting your recipes online, you can make a business out of it by creating your masterpiece in the kitchen and selling your specialties through a food delivery app. The food business (in spite of the pandemic) was able to sustain its momentum through the never-ending love of Pinoys towards home-cooked meals. Of course, there were concerns about the cleanliness and sanitation of the menu items online, as people were skeptical about the preparation processes, but as long as you were able to exhibit the quality of your cooking and the way your own personal menu was safely prepared, then you would have no problem selling your packed meals. If solid food really isn’t your thing, then perhaps you may join the ranks of the “milk tea” connoisseurs online. The competition is tight, but if you happen to have a unique recipe with you, then you already have an edge.

   

2. Getting in touch with your inner “plantito/plantita.”
   While everyone was locked in during the pandemic, people needed a new type of hobby to amuse themselves. We as humans need to be active, we need to be pre-occupied, otherwise, we will “go mad,” we will get anxious, and the pandemic isn’t going to help make things easier as well. It’s easy to assume that everyone’s been looking at their “screens” throughout the whole duration of the lockdown, and for many that is exactly the case, as during the early days of COVID-19, people were already isolated in their homes, consuming their daily dose of the internet through their laptops, their cellphones, and even through their smart TVs. However, this trend did not last long, due to the fact that we Filipinos are very sociable and active people. The need to be away from our screens in order to do something outdoors outweighs the strict implementations that we have, which is why you would find many violators in the evening news, party dinners included. In such case, people proceeded to tend to their gardens. If we aren’t allowed to go to our favorite diners for an outdoor meal and sniff of fresh air, then we may instead walk to our backyard and tend to our plants. This activity seemed to have gained traction over the months, as you may find many sellers of rare and beautiful plants all over your social media feed. If you feel like joining them, then feel free to do so. Share your knowledge of being a “plantito/plantita” and let others develop their green thumb as well.
3. Inspiring fashionistas… at home.
   Well, the pandemic may have gotten in the way of our favorite “public runways,” (in short, the mall) but it would not stop people from showing off their flashy attires. This is all made easy through various social media channels, with many influencers showing off their apparels through their many poses and snapshots. In such case, why not take the opportunity to instigate the inner-fashionistas of others as well? You may sell off dresses and apparels from the comfort of your home. Skirts, spaghetti straps, and even neon-sandals, anything that happens to be trending right now.

Now, with these business ideas, you may probably be looking for an establishment that would take good care of your hard-earned money. Well, no need to look further than Cebuana Lhuillier’s Micro Savings product. At its core, it aims to provide easier banking access to all Filipinos. The product is almost the same with any regular savings account in the Philippines, and it doesn’t require a maintaining balance! It is also streamlined across all Cebuana Lhuillier branches, so you’d be able to experience the same wonderful Micro Savings product without missing a beat. For more information, feel free to visit the nearest Cebuana Lhuillier branch now!

The Valentine’s season is among us. In spite of the ongoing pandemic, we Filipinos still find a way to lighten up the mood of our loved ones. After all, we are known to be naturally expressive about our feelings towards our partners, our other half, our significant other (whatever your current status may be). The thing is, only our daily activities were limited by the community guidelines which were implemented since the early months of COVID-19’s infamy, but from then on, we all found a way to adapt and adjust to our “new normal,” hence the cheerful outlook of people around you despite the challenges they face. Aren’t we known around the globe as one of the most resilient people to ever walk this earth? In a way, we all live up to that reputation, due to the fact that even a no pandemic, no matter how deadly it is, could stop us from living our lives and standing up from the huge blow that COVID-19 had given us.

Yes, we’ve all experienced hardships this past 2020, and even then, we are always hopeful for a better tomorrow, a better future, and a greater opportunity to be better people all around. 2021 would be a perfect starting point for us to turn over a new leaf and come back stronger than ever from this pandemic. Yes, COVID-19 is still running rampant as of now, but as long as we follow all of the strict prohibitions and regulations, we are all set towards the road of recovery and success. What better way to establish a strong start than with this year’s Valentine’s Day? And rightfully so, as it is a day of love, a day of showing your appreciation towards those who are most important to you. Not only would it be all about intimacy and cuddles, it would also be about showing your appreciation towards the people who’ve helped you get through the ordeal that was 2020. You may have lost your job, your way of life, and most tragically, a loved one, but the most important thing is you were able to get through 2020 with the help of the people who’ve stood by your side through thick and thin.

You may ask, “How would I best show my significant other that I care for them?” Well, if you have the budget for it, you may let a shiny, glittery gift do all the talking for you. Women always love their diamonds and jewels, and Valentine’s Day would be an opportunity that you shouldn’t miss. Show the woman in your life that you greatly care for her, and this is where a valuable gem would be nothing short of amazing as a gift for the occasion. There are many types of jewelries that you may gift your significant other, but if ever you’re still undecided, here are just a few valuable suggestions:

1. A Pair of Glittering Earrings
   Well, we are all isolated indoors due to the pandemic, but that doesn’t mean that your significant other would be trapped all throughout. No, she would still be allowed to go outdoors and flaunt her new earrings due to the new MECQ. Earrings will never go out of style, as a matter of fact, they are one of the bestsellers when it comes to jewelries. Here’s a certain online tip, in terms of choosing the right one: “If your Valentine prefers subtle jewelry styles, find a pair that is round, short, and a solid metal such as sterling silver or gold. For those who like their jewelry to pop, choose designs that feature sparkle, length, and vibrant colors.”
2. A Heart-Shaped Ring
   A certain movie franchise once focused on the concept of “one ring to rule them all.” While buying a ring in real life wouldn’t really bring you on an epic adventure which would span three to five books, it’s still quite an ordeal, due to the fact that you should have an idea about the type of fashion that your significant other indulges in. It’s not just about choosing a ring which has the most diamonds on it. No, it also involves the right instinct to choose a ring which your loved one would like. Perhaps you’d like to stick to the occasion, hence, why purchasing a heart-shaped ring may just be right up your alley. According to an online jewelry website, you should “envelop her finger with a sterling silver, diamond, or precious stone in the shape of love. Sizing and style are both important, so determine her ring size and find a design that she can love wearing for years to come.” Take note that heart-shaped rings also comes in various colors, so wisely choose the one which is closer to your loved one’s fashion taste and preference.
3. A Heart-Shaped Necklace
   If rings aren’t really up to your significant other’s taste, then perhaps she would enjoy a necklace better. You may even apply the very same concept, in terms of the heart shape. The same principle as the heart-shaped ring may be applied, albeit, a small tweak in the design. “Heart-shaped necklaces styles vary by metal, stone, and setting, and prices range from affordable to high-end. Some common designs include pendants and chains, and they come in different lengths such as choker, mid-length princess, and extra-long opera.” Feel free to look for other colors if you aren’t satisfied with the current choices. An ornately decorated pendant may do wonders if she really wants to look fancy in her social media photos.
4. Jewel Watches
   Not to be mistaken for a normal watch, jewel watches are those wristwatches which are ornamentally covered in jewels, which are usually diamonds or gold. You wouldn’t even have to look far to find these types of watches, as your main options are jewelry stores and watch shops. Both may carry the same variety, but others may also be exclusive to one of each store, so feel free to widen your options.

   

5. Pearl Jewelries
   We are not just talking about pearl necklaces, as there are also rings with a smooth, shiny pearl on the top, not to mention, a necklace with a pearl pendant, appropriately finished with a gold frame. If you think that description alone garners an amazing view into the world of pearl jewelries, you might be astonished by the countless examples you’d find online. So feel free to take a look.

Okay, so you’ve finally found a way to show your appreciation towards your loved one, however, you find yourself wondering about the upcoming expenses that you wish to pay off already. You plan on paying them all off, but your budget is cut short due to the pandemic, so what do you do? Simple, the answer has been at your fingertips from the very beginning. You have your extra jewelries to pawn off, and pawn them off you shall (especially since you’re going to purchase a new one, time to get rid of the old ones). At this point, Cebuana Lhuillier has you covered. With their Pawning Service you never go wrong, because they accept an array of items, from jewelry to gadgets, as collaterals. They also lead the pawning industry by offering safety and the highest appraisal rate in the industry in its more than 2,500 branches nationwide. And did we mention that they implement some of the most secure and safest way to transact during the pandemic? Proper social distancing and disinfection procedures are followed in all branches of Cebuana Lhuillier at all times, prioritizing their customer’s health and well-being above all. Visit the nearest Cebuana Lhuillier branch to you now! we assure fast, easy and secure transactions!