It's 25th anniversary

Happy 25th birthday 🎂 to Google. 🤗

Theater Acting

I started to venture in acting in July 2022 under various productions. On August 19, 2023, I decided to enroll Theater Arts class to further enhance my acting skills in protraying my role, my charactere in a stage play, movie, series, etc. There were eight sessions of class administered by PETA Inc.

For those who want to pursue acting, I highly recommend you to enroll for you to develop the foundation of acting. Certainly, theater arts will widen your world from multiple perspectives, while developing artistic skills and cultivating your capacities for collaboration, critical-thinking, creative problem-solving, and effective communication.

Off-load avoidance this 2023

Reposting this from a Facebook group.

‼️𝐈𝐖𝐀𝐒 𝐎𝐅𝐅𝐋𝐎𝐀𝐃 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣3️⃣‼️ 

Prepare all requirements! ⬇️⬇️⬇️ 

❓What are the 𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐜 𝐫𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬?

There are two levels of inspection for internationally-bound Filipinos, both conducted by an immigration officer (IO).

In primary inspection, passengers must present basic travel documents:

✅Passport, valid at least six months from the departure date;

✅Valid visa, depending on the destination;

✅ Boarding pass; and

✅ Confirmed return or roundtrip ticket, when necessary

❓What are the 𝐚𝐝𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐝𝐨𝐜𝐮𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬?

There are other documents a traveler may need to show to their IOs, which will vary depending on travel purpose, age, and other details.

Tourists

🙋🏻‍♀️Self-funded travels

1️⃣Proof of accommodation

2️⃣Document showing financial capacity or source of income, and 

3️⃣ Proof of employment

🙋 Sponsored travels

👩‍👦‍👦 Sponsored by 1st degree relatives (spouse, parents, or children) abroad

1️⃣Original Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA)-issued birth or marriage certificate

2️⃣Confirmed roundtrip ticket

Copies of sponsor’s:

3️⃣Valid passport

4️⃣Valid work visa/permit or an equivalent document

👯‍♀️Sponsored by other relatives abroad

1️⃣Notarized original Affidavit of Support and Guarantee (AOSG)

2️⃣Confirmed roundtrip ticket

3️⃣Original PSA-issued birth or marriage certificate

🙋🏼‍♂️Sponsored by an unrelated foreign national

1️⃣ Notarized original AOSG

2️⃣ Substantial proof of relationship

3️⃣ Confirmed roundtrip 

4️⃣ If a judicial entry, sponsor’s registration paper

🙋🏾‍♂️Traveling with an unrelated local sponsor

1️⃣Notarized original AOSG

2️⃣ Substantial proof of relationship

3️⃣ Copy of sponsor’s return ticket

❓Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs)

✅ OFWs departing for the first time 

1️⃣ Overseas employment certificate (OEC), or OFW Clearance issued by the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW)

2️⃣Valid and appropriate employment visa, work permit, or any equivalent document 

3️⃣ Employment contract

4️⃣ Visa Usage Undertaking, or Manpower Request specifying visa usage approved or verified by the DMW or Migrant Workers Office (MWO), if applicable

✅ Balik-Manggagawa (BM)

1️⃣Valid and appropriate employment visa, work permit, or any equivalent document

2️⃣OFW Clearance, OEC issued on-site by MWO or Migrant Workers Airport Assistance Center (DMW-MWAAC), or Online BM OEC Exemption, or manually issued OEC

3️⃣Proof of employment, as necessary

✅Direct hires

1️⃣ OEC, e-receipt, or valid OFW Clearance, and

2️⃣ Valid and appropriate employment visa, work permit, or any equivalent document

👦🏻 Minors

👩‍👦‍👦 With married parents, while the mother is accompanying

1️⃣Original Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA)-issued birth certificate or report of birth

👨‍👧‍👦 With married parents, while the mother is not accompanying

1️⃣ Original PSA-issued birth certificate or report of birth

2️⃣ Original PSA-issued marriage certificate

The following are scenarios where travel will require Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Certificates of Clearance or Exemption:

✅ DSWD Travel Clearance Certificate (TCC), if:

    * The parents are unmarried and the minor’s mother is not traveling

    * The minor is accompanied by anyone other than their parents

    * The passenger is over 18 but unable to fully care or protect themselves because of a physical or mental disability or condition

    * The minor is above 13 years old and traveling alone (minors below 13 are prohibited from traveling alone

✅DSWD Certificate of Exemption from TCC, if:

    * The parents are unmarried and the minor is traveling with their biological father who has sole parental authority or legal custody over them

    * The companion is their legal guardian

    * Orphans of married parents traveling with substitute parent/s

    * Orphans of non-married parents and traveling with substitute parent/s or closest maternal relative

✅𝐎𝐅𝐖 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬, 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬, 𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞

👨‍👧‍👦Dependent family members joining an OFW at the host country

1️⃣Valid dependent visa or any equivalent document, and

2️⃣Copies of the OFW’s valid visa and OEC, e-receipt, or OFW clearance

👩‍🎓Students under the International Student Affairs Program or Student Internship Abroad Program of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED)

    * CHED endorsement

🧑‍🎓Students or scholars

    * Acceptance letter from the school or institution abroad

    * Duly notarized affidavit executed by the student or scholar indicating the educational institution, and the duration of the course or program of study

    * Confirmed return or roundtrip ticket consistent with the program duration, if practicable

    * Proof of financial capacity or scholarship

    * Endorsement from the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) for Arabic language scholars, if applicable

    * Certification from the school division superintendent for basic education students under an international exchange program, or joining a competition abroad

        * Minors under this category also need a DSWD Travel Clearance Certificate

🙋🏼‍♂️ Passengers with prospective employers abroad

    * Confirmed return or roundtrip ticket consistent with travel duration

    * Documents relevant to the purpose of travel, and

    * Duly notarized affidavit executed by the passenger indicating the purpose and duration of travel

🙋🏻‍♀️ Passengers traveling abroad for compassionate or humanitarian visit to an overseas Filipino

    * Certification from the DMW or the Department of Foreign Affairs specifying the purpose of travel

🙋 Passengers traveling for company transfers or trainings

    * Intra-company transferees

        * Proof of local employment, as certified by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)

        * Secondment agreement between the local company and foreign host company, as necessary

    * Intra- or inter-company trainees

        * Proof of local employment, as certified by the DOLE, and

        * Traineeship agreement authenticated by the Philippine embassy or consulate where the training will be conducted, as necessary

🙋🏾‍♂️Volunteer workers

    * Endorsement from the Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency

* Hajj pilgrims to Mecca

    * Endorsement or list of pilgrims from the NCMF

* Donor traveling for organ donation or transplantation

    * Department of Health clearance approving the organ donation or transplantation

The following are passengers who may be required to present a CFO clearance:

* Filipino spouse, fiancé/e, or partner (described as someone who is in a “genuine” heterosexual or same-sex relationship) of a foreign national, with an immigrant, resident, spouse, long-term, partner, prospective marriage, family reunification visa, or other similar visas

* First-time Filipino emigrants and resident visa holders registering with the CFO for the first time

* J1 visa holders, or exchange visitors bound for the United States

* Au Pair visa holders

#ChriszysTravelTips #DiyTravelSg #DiytTravelSingapore

Repost end.

I'm entitled to my opinion

This is to re-post this good article to read from Facebook page Thinking Is Power.

DEFINITION AND EXPLANATION: It is true that everyone is (legally) entitled to their opinion. However, “I’m entitled to my opinion,” is often used to shield an unsupported position. And being entitled to your opinion doesn’t mean you’re right, or that anyone needs to take your opinion seriously.

There are several problems with this fallacy. 

1. An opinion doesn’t mean what they think it means. Opinions are subjective judgements or viewpoints. When someone claims they are “entitled to their opinion,” it’s often because they are trying to shield factually incorrect assertions.  

2. All opinions aren’t equal. Expert opinions are interpretations of evidence based on years of study and experience, and are significantly more robust and reliable than non-expert opinions. “I’m entitled to my opinion” suggests that their opinion is just as good as anyone else’s.

3. We should all be open to changing our minds if the evidence suggests we should. “I’m entitled to my opinion” is essentially an admission that they can’t justify their position… but yet they’re unwilling to entertain contradictory evidence or other points of view. 

In the face of facts that contradict a belief, especially one central to our identity or values, we use motivated reasoning to reduce the cognitive dissonance that arises when reality and our beliefs are in conflict. When that fails, our Get Out of Jail Free Card is to defend the belief by rendering it unfalsifiable and therefore immune to evidence. We move the goalposts. Discount sources or deny evidence. Proclaim that it’s our opinion.

It’s important to remember that the purpose of arguing isn’t to be right, it’s to get it right. “I’m entitled to my opinion” shuts down any further disagreement. We simply don’t want to be wrong.

HOW TO COUNTER: I tell my students on the first day of class that they are not entitled to their opinions. (At least not in class!) They are only entitled to what they can support with evidence. 

It’s a bit trickier in the “real world.” Remember that people are often unfamiliar with the basics of critical thinking, so they may not be used to having to support their positions with evidence. Consider explaining why “I’m entitled to my opinion” is fallacious, and the benefits of healthy disagreement. The best approach is probably to ask them why they hold this particular opinion, and why they think they’re “entitled” to it.

MORE ABOUT THIS AND OTHER FALLACIES: thinkingispower.com/logical-fallacies/

Support TIP on Patreon!: www.patreon.com/ThinkingIsPower

Scams in the local entertainment

I have been for so many various production companies. This is article is about my experience in the local entertainment industry. You name it: shorts, movies, series and shows.

How to spot scammers in the acting business? Let me provide you some tips.

1. Some productions collects payment. Just make sure you get official receipts the first time you pay. If not, that's a red flag. A legitimate acting workshop must be a business registered and that any money you pay should be issued an official receipts.
2. Others don't ask you to pay for anything and that's a pro-bono. It means there's no talent fee. That's fine for the sake of exposure to the public viewing. May it be on YouTube or Facebook. Just go for this. Change it to your experience.
3. Make sure that the production company you're thinking or planning to join has connections with people who are already in the industry. It is a must that the company should be able to produce a good set of setcards for your with a VTR and that you have a copy of these.
4. Since I have been for over  a year, make sure that they good camera not smartphones when shooting a scene for your project. Branded camera adds legitamcy of the production.
5. Regardless of gender or sex, if a talent scouts ask you to send nude photos, that's a no-no.

Having these things said, make sure to join Facebook groups about acting in the Philippines and do your research for these production companies. I have a list of them but I keep it a secret for me.

Downfall of Tagalog language in the Philippines

In June 2023, this Facebook page posted about Tagalog language. It is being the third most widely spoken language in three states in the USA. I posted comments about it on Facebook comment section similar to the screenshot below.

After few hours, out of nowhere, this person who claims intelligent lambasted my comment saying I am fool and being foolish. His name is Balon Hpesram, appears to be a kakampink. We exchanged comments until the latter resorted to maligning my person, calling me names. Which is abviously one of the toxic attitudes of being a Filipino. But some Filipinos remain professional when interacting online. Freedom of expression is a fundamental right and people should learn how to respect and be so civil when disagreeing comments in social media.

On the other hand, Tagalog is bound to fall sooner or later. Why? Filipino including Panitkan subjects are no longer mandatory in colleges and universities in the Philippines. Hence, it is no longer required. After all, K to 12 education should be enough to equip students in their future careers! Another thing is teaching maters are not enough to continue teaching Filipino and Panitikan subjects.

Out sight, out of mind

I'm sorry to hear that you're going through a hard time. Moving on can be challenging, but it's possible with some patience and self-care. Here are some tips that might help you:

Give yourself permission to feel sad. It's normal and healthy to grieve the loss of a relationship or a situation that mattered to you. Don't suppress your emotions or judge yourself for having them. Instead, acknowledge what you feel and find healthy ways to express it, such as writing, talking, or crying.

Reflect on the relationship realistically. Don't idealize the past or dwell on the negative aspects. Try to see the relationship as it was, with its strengths and weaknesses, and learn from the experience. Think about what you gained from it, what you learned about yourself and others, and what you want in the future².

Get closure by distancing yourself from your ex. If you're trying to move on from a romantic breakup, it's important to cut off contact with your ex until you're healed. This means unfollowing them on social media, deleting their number, and avoiding places where you might run into them. This will help you break the emotional attachment and focus on yourself¹.

Identify lessons you've learned that you can use in future relationships. Every relationship teaches us something valuable, even if it ends badly. Think about what you discovered about your needs, preferences, boundaries, and communication style. Use this knowledge to improve your relationship with yourself and others².

Keep yourself busy and do things you enjoy. Don't let your life revolve around your past. Find activities that make you happy and fulfilled, such as hobbies, sports, volunteering, or learning something new. These will help you boost your mood, distract yourself from negative thoughts, and build your confidence³.

Practice self-care and spend plenty of time with friends. Moving on can be stressful and exhausting, so make sure you take good care of yourself physically and mentally. Eat well, sleep enough, exercise regularly, and relax often. Surround yourself with supportive people who love you and make you laugh. Don't isolate yourself or bottle up your feelings³.

Source: Conversation with Bing, 6/9/2023
(1) How To Move On When You Still Love Him: 15 Ways Move ... - Love Strategies. https://lovestrategies.com/how-to-move-on/.
(2) How to Move On: 15-Steps to Help You Feel Better Move On - PsychAlive. https://www.psychalive.org/how-to-move-on/.
(3) How to Move On: Letting Go & Moving Forward After a Breakup - wikiHow. https://www.wikihow.com/Move-On.
(4) 3 Ways to Move on in Life - wikiHow. https://www.wikihow.com/Move-on-in-Life.

If tomorrow never comes, vlogs and more...

Last July 2022, after resigning my employment with Sutherland, I decided to explore the world of entertainment. So I did attend basic acting workship in Makati City under a certain production.

I also luckily got one of the casts of If tomorrow never comes, a BL series under the direction of DCTV production based in San Rita, Pampanga.We did tapings almost every weekend to make sure we have enough stories to tell to the audience. Most of the audiences are outside the Philippines.

Fast forward to August 2022, I met new people at another production for almost a month under A S production. Where I starred one of the shows.

With the Social Media house, KSMBPI in Quezon City, I was luckily being a member of it, until something fishy happened in November 30, 2022 during a show.

In December 2022, I meet new people who do vlogs and shorts on Facebook under Papatiks Entertainment. I got two-year contract but immediately abolished for some reason.

If you plan to join showbiz, make sure you're full equip with lots of acting workship and beware of scammers!

Trying to calorie deficit diet today

A balanced diet is necessary for both good nutrition and health. You are shielded from a variety of degenerative, non-communicable diseases, including cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. A healthy diet must include a variety of foods and be low in salt, sugar, saturated fats, and trans fats made in factories. As part of a balanced diet, experts from all around the world urge people to eat a range of foods. A well-balanced diet gives your body the energy it needs to function properly. Without a healthy diet, your body is more vulnerable to conditions like cancer, diabetes, and heart disease.

Here are some foods that are low in calories and can help you maintain a calorie deficit:

• Apples
• Arugula
• Asparagus
• Bell peppers
• Broccoli
• Brussels sprouts
• Cabbage
• Carrots
• Cauliflower
• Celery
• Cucumber
• Grapefruit
• Green beans
• Kale
• Leeks
• Lettuce
• Mushrooms
• Onions
• Oranges
• Papaya
• Pineapple
• Radishes
• Spinach
• Strawberries
• Tomatoes

A nutritious diet helps reduce the chance of developing chronic and dangerous conditions like heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and some types of cancer. Additionally, it can help the immune system, digestive system, bones and teeth, muscles, and even the brain. Maintaining a healthy weight and avoiding obesity are both possible with a good diet. By experimenting with new foods, a healthy diet can also increase energy and enhance life. Infants should nurse as part of a nutritious diet that begins early in life.

I have some colleagues who died just because they don't do diet.

Just trying to get connected with old bosses

Last month, I did search for old bosses and colleagues through social media. I messaged them through Facebook. It's really good to know how a former employee like me reaching out to them.

Before I proceed, let me tell you something about this:

• Verify the contract information first;
• Make sure to keep your tone professional and friendly during the interaction;
• Remind them of your past work history. Doing so, will rekindle new opportunities'
• I am sure you did some accomplishments, mention it anyway since you work together;
• Make it personal;
• If you can, setup a meeting.

I did reach out to Bernard Piedad and Nestor Antonio via Facebook. There were my bosses during my first job at STI Ilagan from 2003 until 2008.

Trying to add friend request to Piedad on Facebook, a couple for christ member, but the latter declined. For some reason, I do not know. There may be something but I don't want to speculate.

I added Antonio as well, luckily he accepted it. Last time I heard about Antonio, he was listening to the program Ang Dating Daan in 2005.

I did reach out as well to Epigemio Roxas but no response at all. Good thing he accepted my friend request. But I am happy that Elmer Cadiz is a good one.

Also, I reached out to Dolly Aguilar on Facebook but still got no reply as of this writing. Dolly was my teacher in Database Management subject during my college days. She is now a school principal.