by Penny Angeles-Tan | May 25, 2016 | Health Tips
Did you know that aside from your toilet bowl, kitchen counter, and pet cage, there are other germ-infested spots and things inside your home – such as makeup, yoga mat, and headphones? It is crucial to keep these things clean and dirt-free to have a healthy body and prevent sickness.
“Contact with dirty everyday items such as mobile phones, kitchen sponges, and sinks increase your risk of having illness-causing bacteria such as Salmonella, E. coli, and Staphylococcus and influenza virus, which might cause diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps,” says MediCard President Dr. Nicky Montoya.
Here are some of the most germ-infested places and personal belongings that you must clean:
Dish sponge
The irony here is that sponges are supposed to ‘clean’ dishes and countertops, yet they are the dirtiest thing in most homes. According to a study, 77% harbored coliform bacteria, 86% contained yeast and mold, and 18% had staph bacteria.
To disinfect a sponge, soak it in water then heat it in the microwave for one to two minutes, or pour boiling water over it. It is also best to replace your dish sponge every two weeks.
Kitchen sink
Did you know that the kitchen sink is dirtier than most bathrooms? It typically has more than 500,000 bacteria per square inch in the drain. Clean your sink with an antibacterial product after preparing or cleansing food such as raw meat, fruits, and vegetables.
Headphones
Using headphones or earphones for one hour has been shown to coat them with bacteria from the ear and increase the germ level in your ears by nearly 700 times.
Keep your earphones dirt-free by simply cleaning your earbuds using a soap solution or replacing detachable silicone covers.
Makeup and makeup brushes
Imagine putting on grimy makeup and brushes on your face. Numerous studies found that approximately half of all makeup brushes and mascara tubes are harboring germs.
Make sure to keep and use makeup for about 6 months maximum and clean brushes frequently using a disinfectant cleaner.
Yoga mat
Practicing yoga is a relief for those who want to relax and calm their mind and body. However, yoga mats, especially communal ones, harbor sweat and microbes that can linger for days if unwashed. It is best to invest in a yoga towel to keep sweat off the mat itself or occasionally scrub mats with a bit of dish soap and water.
Cell phone
Cellular phones have been considered a necessity for people. But did you know that mobile phones are one of the risk factors for infection?
According to a study, 1 in 6 cell phones is contaminated with fecal matter. That is why it is advised to shut down your device once a week and clean or wipe it with a disinfectant cloth.
Awareness of the dirty spots inside and outside your home and getting check-ups are important in preventing diseases.
MediCard has 13 free-standing clinics located in key cities nationwide that offer consultations, diagnostic tests and specialty medical services.
Visit a MediCard clinic near you or check out their website at www.medicardphils.com for more information.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Jan 14, 2016 | Lifestyle Tips
What’s the next big thing that you want to achieve, now that you’re starting your career, and earning your own money? Do you have a plan on how you are going to spend your hard-earned cash? Are you thinking of buying a new phone, a laptop, or a new wardrobe? While these may be tempting, for sure you are also dreaming of having your own car in the future.
The biggest question you might have is, “Kaya ko na kayang magkaroon ng sariling kotse?” Now don’t you worry because we have an answer for you! As you are earning your own money now, this could be your way to start saving up for your dream car.
And since New Year just ushered in, it would be best to add this on your bucket list this 2016! Always remember that it’s never too early to reach your dreams. So better start saving up!
“Looking for a car that matches your need and budget is an exciting experience, especially for a first-timer. Before deciding to bring home that dream car, a number of things have to be considered. Below are a few tips that may guide you, young dreamers, in making wise use of your hard-earned money to help make that dream come true,” says Pepe Carlos, VP and head of BPI Family Auto Loan Division.
Yes, at this point in your life, it may seem intimidating just thinking about how to get your own car, but with proper guidance and advice from the experts, you can make your dream come true!
Here are three tips that can help you in planning, saving up and finally bringing home that dream car.
Know which car is right for you.
Determine what kind of car you really need. It is quite challenging, so you need to carefully study your options. Whether you’re a businessman, an architect, an engineer, a call center employee, a social media specialist, a sales and marketing executive, etc., choose the car that is best suited for your daily use.
When choosing your car, several things such as car brand, model, price, and your budget should be well thought off. You may visit www.bpiloans.com, a virtual car showroom, where people looking for a brand new car can view and compare the vehicles that are available in the market today. It has a comprehensive car buyer’s guide, a user-friendly auto loan calculator, an easy to use self-assessment test and a simple online application form.
Plan your budget well.
In getting a brand new car, your budget may be the most important concern that you have to think about. You need to ask yourself, “What can I really afford?”
Before you decide on making that purchase, list down your expenses. Check out how much you spend for your daily commute; see which part of your daily/monthly budget you can cut down or save.
There are other incidental expenses related to the purchase of a car that you also need to take care of like car insurance, chattel mortgage, and registration fees, among others. Some banks offer FREE insurance for the first year, so it’s important to check what offers are out there too. You can take a portion of your mid-year bonus and other monetary incentives you’ll get to add to your savings so you can allot it for the down payment of your dream car. It is typically at least 20% of the car price.
With these penned down, you can now calculate how much your monthly amortization will be, given a certain down payment via www.bpiloans.com. You can take the 60-Second Online Loan Pre-Qualification tool found in the website to see if you’re already qualified to apply for BPI Family Auto Loan. It’s easy, convenient and hassle-free!
Ask the experts
Reach out to the experts who know about bank financing for your Auto Loan. Seek a conversation with a BPI Family Bank representative to help you make the right decision and get the best deal. You may visit any BPI branch or drop by 102 Paseo in Makati to have a chat and learn more about your options.
So what are you waiting for? Getting your dream car is possible!
Pepe Carlos concludes, “A lot of people think that the process of buying a car can be a challenging one. But as long as you are informed and prepared, it doesn’t have to be.”
With BPI Family Auto Loan, let’s make your dream happen!
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Oct 12, 2012 | Tech Tutorials
Last Monday’s lesson was about search engine optimization or SEO. In my opinion, this is, perhaps, the most important thing that bloggers need to know when it comes to internet marketing.
If you read what other people say online you will see more than a handful of seo-haters saying how it is a waste of time and does not do what it says.
Heres the truth of it: those people had expectations that were not met. Perhaps they thought that applying SEO guarantees them a listing on the first page of search engines. That is not an unreasonable assumption, is it?
But one thing that novice SEO practitioners forget to take into account is that MONEY TALKS.
What do I mean by that? In a nutshell, what it means it that these search engines give companies (and individuals) the option to appear on the first page of every search by paying a premium which they often charge in a monthly or annual basis.
That aside, though, they say that the proof of the pudding is in the eating so I decided to give my students an opportunity to get their feet wet in the SEO sea.
I started the class by showing them this video by Common Craft.
After the video I discussed the importance of keywords, metadata, categories, and tags at some length before having them proceed to the days activity.
For the activity I decided to make it fun. I tasked my students to reminisce about high school in their blog. The requirements were:
- 500 words minimum
- use images
- apply SEO
Afterwards, I asked them to write a learning journal that will reflect what they have learned that day about SEO. These are what they had to say.
- Joanna Empit – Search Engine Optimization: Black, White
- Jen Gaba – Optimized Blog Writing
- Yssa Garcia – Searching for the Right One
- Kriz Laurente – Be Specific
- Tiff Lu – The Power of Search Engine Optimization
- Mike Mendoza – SEO: The Race To The Top!
- Lexie Nino – You should know… It is not ENOUGH
I think that other people who want information about SEO may find their journals a good source of information. In the coming weeks we will dive deeper into the SEO sea. Hope they know how to swim. 😀
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Sep 28, 2012 | Tech Tutorials
Tomorrow I will be teaching web design principles in SPACE for the new term. SPACE is an acronym for the School of Professional and Continuing Education of the De La Salle College of St. Benilde. Given my experience last term with SPACE students (most or all of whom have regular jobs and are just enrolled for additional knowledge) I have decided to simplify the syllabus some more.
This is a modular class we only meet for 6 consecutive Saturdays. Teaching web design principles in space for six hours in six consecutive Saturdays is not an easy thing to do. For one thing, there is only so much information the normal human mind is able to process in a day. Ever since I was informed two days ago that I was going to be assigned this class I have spent a lot of time adjusting the lectures and activities to give the SPACE students the most information in a manner that they would be able to absorb better and, at the end of the day, they will feel that they have learned something useful and, they will not feel frustrated that they are unable to do the work required.
More or less I will be dividing the lectures and activities this way where each number will stand for the week/meeting:
- web basics and design principles
- designing with tables
- designing with css and divs
- content writing and assembling assets
- applying css navigation and spry assets
- using image viewers
Although the class is just 6 meetings I will request for a 7th meeting where my students will be required to present their final project to a panel. Last term I had 4 students. 2 passed, 1 gave up, and 1 failed miserably. I hope the statistics will be better this term and that we have better numbers.
fingers crossed
Did you know that aside from your toilet bowl, kitchen counter, and pet cage, there are other germ-infested spots and things inside your home – such as makeup, yoga mat, and headphones? It is crucial to keep these things clean and dirt-free to have a healthy body and prevent sickness.
The irony here is that sponges are supposed to ‘clean’ dishes and countertops, yet they are the dirtiest thing in most homes. According to a study, 77% harbored coliform bacteria, 86% contained yeast and mold, and 18% had staph bacteria.
Did you know that the kitchen sink is dirtier than most bathrooms? It typically has more than 500,000 bacteria per square inch in the drain. Clean your sink with an antibacterial product after preparing or cleansing food such as raw meat, fruits, and vegetables.
Using headphones or earphones for one hour has been shown to coat them with bacteria from the ear and increase the germ level in your ears by nearly 700 times.
Imagine putting on grimy makeup and brushes on your face. Numerous studies found that approximately half of all makeup brushes and mascara tubes are harboring germs.
Practicing yoga is a relief for those who want to relax and calm their mind and body. However, yoga mats, especially communal ones, harbor sweat and microbes that can linger for days if unwashed. It is best to invest in a yoga towel to keep sweat off the mat itself or occasionally scrub mats with a bit of dish soap and water.
MediCard has 13 free-standing clinics located in key cities nationwide that offer consultations, diagnostic tests and specialty medical services.
But one thing that novice SEO practitioners forget to take into account is that MONEY TALKS.
You must be logged in to post a comment.