by Ginnie Faustino-Galgana | Jan 12, 2022 | Kasuy Chronicles
The resident incapacitated tandem is now bonafide members of the new contemplative order of Omicron. Our vocal cords are currently malfunctioning. So I guess it is a good thing that technology affords us to be expressive by text and chat and squeaks. My throat is still a war zone, suffice it to say.
The sentient clouds did not know how to deal with my squeaking though. When I opened my door to get my food. FatBacon ran towards my door, paused, and rocked back and forth not knowing how to interpret my squeaky “No, baby boy.” and the sight of my door’s gate. He just gave me a quizzical look, puzzled at the odd noise I was making. FiestyArya watched the whole thing with the same confused look, her head tilted to one side and a paw suspended halfway up.
Now, I miss my sexy bedroom voice.
Sometime later, Pogi reclaimed his throne near my door. The fluffball greeted me with a sad meow and extended a paw. I gave him a quick scrootch before he got distracted by YemaNaMakulit who tried to rush into my cave through the gate (she’s small enough to fit through). My loyal fluffball took notice and promptly pawed her into stopping. I wish I could hug him to thank him. Pogi is now my Fluffy Sentinel.
by Ginnie Faustino-Galgana | Jan 11, 2022 | Kasuy Chronicles
Since Kimi’s throat started to itch this morning, I anticipated the progression to fever. So I gave her my contactless thermometer (that looks like a gun) to sterilize and to use for self-monitoring.
Right before heading back to her room to be isolated too, she started “shooting” at the available felines, trying to get their temperature. The always RegalAdele got startled and ran away. FatBacon ducked at first but then got curious so Kimi got the temperature of his wet nose. It was 36.2. FiestyArya watched the whole thing go down and promptly scampered away when Kimi turned to her. PogiAndHeKnowsIt was nowhere to be found. YemaNaMakulit was also nowhere to be found. AragonTheLorge was watching from too far away. And that was the last time I saw her.
So for now, two rooms are isolation enclaves for the mother-daughter tandem. We both have stocks of meds and fluids, with the occasional delivery of food and other supplies at our doors.
Tomorrow is Day 5 of my Fling with Mr. O. I can feel him slipping away slowly. Apparently, he has set his sights on my daughter. I hope we have armed her enough to kick him out even sooner than I am. Please pray for her. She’s feeling pretty bad right now.
I am also hoping Day 5 will be the day I get that call for the swab test.
by Ginnie Faustino-Galgana | Jan 11, 2022 | Kasuy Chronicles
Yup, a home test kit said I’m positive. Now, before you say I shouldn’t have spent on that, let me just reiterate that I am still waiting for the Pasig City Public Information Office or the CESU to contact me for the RT-PCR test which is the more definitive test. All this home test kit is telling me is that I need to stay isolated for at least 10 days even if my symptoms go away before that.
I’m calling this my fling with Mr. O — yup, it felt hot and heavy for a while (and not in a good way), but it has to end. And it’s totally because it’s him, not me. hehehe.
We’ve stocked up on Difflam lozenges and Camilosan throat spray. At this point, I don’t need paracetamol anymore. It’s the nuclear war in my throat that has to end. I’m hoping these reinforcements will stop the bombings and give me peace. This has to work now. Aside from spending on it, strawberry-flavored Difflam (the only one available) tastes awful.
So, on this fourth day of my fling with Mr. O, I am often greeted by the vision of our sentient clouds at my door. That’s Pogi on the stool, and Bacon on the floor. Don’t let Bacon’s seemingly calm demeanor fool you. Bacon had successfully infiltrated my cave earlier, hence the gate was put in place along with the stool (formerly known as a delivery portal, now a.k.a. Pogi’s new throne to be near mommy). When the feline populace is active, the delivery of supplies to my cave of recuperation becomes a grand production with Kimi playing carry-as-many-cats-as-I-can while Ester clears the stool for my supplies. Kimi cannot stop playing until I have retrieved said supplies.
And Kimi has started showing symptoms as of today. This means that only the pets have been spared so far. The poor babies will need to cope without human harassment for quite a while.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Jan 11, 2022 | Business
AXA Philippines, in partnership with the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP) recently organized the “Road to Net-Zero: The look inside China’s quest to champion climate action” forum, hosted and moderated by Zaid Alrifai, Head of Architas Asia. Architas is a global asset manager under the AXA Group that manages investments on behalf of institutional and retail clients. This is the last installment of a three-part webinar series that advocates responsible investing.
Clockwise from top left: Aidan Yao, Senior Emerging Asia Economist of AXA Investment Managers; Zaid Alrifai, Head of Architas Asia; and Dexter Agcaoili, AXA Philippines Investment Solutions Director.
During this Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) webinar, Aidan Yao, Senior Emerging Asia Economist of AXA Investment Managers (AXA IM) talked about how achieving the Paris Accord’s aim for carbon-neutrality can be a challenge without the immediate action of countries with high carbon dioxide emissions.
The good news is that China, the top carbon emitter, last year announced the country’s commitment to reach carbon neutrality before 2060. Their first step is to flatten the emission curve from now until 2030. Then, the transition from the peak of carbon emission to net-zero emission by the end of 2060. This undertaking comes with the need to reallocate resources from some parts of the economy and society.
“In China, green bonds helped to finance wide areas of industries that are consistent towards carbon neutrality such as the renewables, the electric vehicles, batteries, green building, and water conservation,” Yao said. Green bonds finance new or existing projects that benefit the environment and foster net-zero emissions.
China’s burgeoning green bonds market presents enormous investment opportunities for companies like AXA who have been following the principles of ESG.
As a long long-term global investor, AXA has a duty to act in the best interest of its policyholders and stakeholders. With the help of its global fund managers, Architas and AXA IM, AXA is committed to aligning its investments with the principles of ESG and integrating these factors in its investment decisions that over time would influence positive change in the companies it invests in.
As responsible investors, AXA aims to reach 25 billion euros in green investments by 2023, reduce its own carbon footprint of AXA’s general account by 20 percent by 2025. As an insurer, it is also developing insurance products that cater specifically to the needs of the vulnerable population. As an organization, it will promote awareness on climate change and the knowledge on ESG through training and further education of its employees and stakeholders.
Through the recent webinars, AXA and the ECCP hope to provide an informative platform where local investors can equip themselves with the knowledge needed to become more responsible in their investment decisions and for the fund managers to be their partners and effectively guide them through the whole process.
For more information on Responsible Investing topics, visit https://www.axa-im.com/responsible-investing or https://www.architas.com/responsible-investing/.
by Ginnie Faustino-Galgana | Jan 11, 2022 | Kasuy Chronicles
I had another dream last night and it woke me up with palpitations.
We were playing a game. In it, one has to make a list of answers to a category. At the end of 2 minutes, you share answers. If your answer isn’t on their list, you get a point. Our category was: kalokang reasons sa sick calls. My answers as I woke up:
- na-CPR ako
- nakalulon ng battery
- nilalagnat pero nasa mall
- takot mag-zoom dahil may covid
hehehe… I didn’t make that up. That’s a real dream.
by Ginnie Faustino-Galgana | Jan 11, 2022 | Kasuy Chronicles
I woke up at 5 am because there seems to be a nuclear war on the left side of my throat. The battle has been producing coughing fits and clear phlegm.
I also had a weird dream. My sister was dancing a very suggestive lesbian dance to the old jingle of Ancona Chicken — “Ancona chicken dressed so fine, oh Ancona mine, Ancona chicken dressed so fine, Ancona turn around…” Sorry sis, please blame the nuclear war in my throat for that.
On the upside, my first entry in this Omicron Saga gathered a number of prayers, healing vibes, and well wishes. I am grateful, you guys, but the struggle is real and still going… so we fight on!
Waking up this early helped me discover that the sentient clouds (the fearsome felines) have restored to actually knocking at my door. The scratching is quickly followed by a soft meow. My poor babies, I miss you too!
by Ginnie Faustino-Galgana | Jan 11, 2022 | Kasuy Chronicles
It’s day 3 actually. I was just feeling very bad yesterday– headache, itchy throat, malaise, and the dreaded fever.
Day 1
Day 1 started with headaches, an itchy throat, and a feeling that I had a fever but my temp was only 36.7. So I put up a brave face and attended the online review classes. No session in the afternoon meant I had a chance to rest. That night I had a restless sleep. I kept waking up because I was audibly groaning.
Day 2
Day 2 was the day I got my fever, only 37.8 but my body felt heavy. I still attended the online review class but I nodded off on occasion because I could not keep it up anymore. I also had no appetite at all.
I tried calling the Pasig health hotlines but only got “The number you have dialed is now unattended.” Well, it was a Sunday…
That second night was still restless and I was still groaning.
Day 3
Day 3: No more fever and the feeling of fever inside was almost gone. I even had an appetite. BUT, my throat was getting worse– the itch is now pain on the left side. At least I know my body is fighting whatever this is. I’m also sneezing; yes, even with the purifier on all the time. Again, I tried the Pasig hotlines, and I got the same recorded message. So I sought help from the ever-helpful Bunny Manera, the village homeowners association president. She’s helping get through to the CESO. Thanks, Bunny!
Apparently, a few friends and my brother are down too. I searched for an affordable antigen test kit and found a cousin that sells them. I’m getting my order tomorrow. Hopefully, it will say it’s negative!!!
So it has been a couple of days since I’ve hugged, cuddled, and harassed the cats. Today, apparently, they have been missing me… or my room, whatever. So they’ve been setting vigil outside my door, trying to come into my room. Tonight, #Pogiandheknowsit, planted himself on the stool we use for my food and stuff from outside. When I opened the door, he looked at me plaintively with those sky blue eyes and meowed his soulful meow. I could only reply with, “Sorry, baby boy. I can’t let you in. I’m sick.” To which he replied with another sad meow, squinting slowly at me. He even reached out a paw towards the small opening I made at the door. Sigh…
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Jan 8, 2022 | Food & Beverage
Meal preparation may seemingly be a daunting task year on year but have no fear. There’s always room for new food discoveries and hacks. Foodies and homemakers alike are always on the lookout for something different yet easy to prepare and definitely, palate and tummy pleasers. A great break from having delivered meals! Make part of your New Year’s resolution to try out these new, life-easing products in the market by San Miguel Foods.
Go Veega
For vegans, try familiar comforts such as Veega’s meat-free Tapa and Tocino, which are fully cooked and completely free of animal meat and by-products. For flexitarians, there are Korean-inspired faves such as Meat-free and ready-to-eat Bulgogi and Spicy Soy Garlic Balls. You’ll never miss out on flavor with these meat-free wonders.
Breakfast thy will be done.
Purefoods Deli Breakfast and Purefoods Beef Bacon
Rethink about skipping breakfast with perfect breakfast mates: Purefoods Deli Breakfast Sausage and Purefoods Beef Bacon. They are so good, you’ll truly want more. And beyond breakfast, these delicious products can also be served in a lot of ways.
Create “chicken’’ na chicken meals.
Make meal preparation a breeze in 2022 with freshly marinated and ready-to-cook Chicken Timplados. Prepping meals can be done in minutes with any of these easy chicken sarap variants: Magnolia Ready-to-Cook Fried Chicken, BBQ, Tocino, Teriyaki, Spicy Fried Chicken, Oriental Wings, Spicy Wings, Inasal and Roasters (marinated whole chicken) in Lemon Herb and Smoked Pepper. The menu will never be boring with the selection of variants cooked as is or leveled up with some twists.
Develop a Pasta-stic Habit.
Purefoods Spaghetti Sauce
Have pasta anytime with Purefoods Spaghetti Sauce. Just reheat and toss in cooked noodles or level up with the addition of some ingredients. Either way, you’ll get consistent, satisfying pasta sauce each time.
Make meal preparation and dining with the family an enjoyable food adventure, even allowing enough “me time” in-between with these new discoveries.
Also, check out www.homefoodie.com for recipe ideas with these products!
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Jan 6, 2022 | Lifestyle
Surely, you still have a holiday hangover. There’s something about being able to spend time (albeit online or in small groups) with friends and loved ones in this cuddle weather that allows us to have restful minds and peaceful hearts even just for a moment.
At this moment, you’re probably high on natural endorphins and have a renewed sense of clarity. Don’t you just want to hold on to that feeling as you walk into a brand new year?
We’re approaching 12 months of endless opportunities; 52 weeks and ways to be better; and 365 days of unknown possibilities. The power to right our wrongs is upon us!
photo credit to Josiah Go
“COVID-19 has left many feeling displaced. ‘I’m stuck. What can I do? How do I move forward?’ The pandemic has affected us in so many ways, bringing up fear, worry, and even languishing. We, at Viviamo, want to reassure Filipinos that these feelings of hopelessness and despair can be replaced with hope and positivity. That is why we offer you the tools to help you switch from that mindset of ‘simply surviving’ to thriving! We have the power to rewrite our own stories,” shares Viviamo CEO Darlyn Ty-Nilo.
For 16 years now, Viviamo, makers of the Belle de Jour Power Planner, have been creating empowering products. Scratch that – more like, Dreampowering products – Dreampowerment is an advocacy that is so close to the core of Viviamo’s purpose and has grown a 10,000+ strong community through The Bella Tribe, BDJ Plan With Me and You Got This Facebook Groups that ultimately help Filipinos desire a life full of love and joy through mindfulness, journaling with love, planning with courage and this year, coaching for abundance.
Literally, turn a new page in your life with any of these products from Viviamo’s 2022 Collection:
The Belle de Jour Power Planner (P599, P699, P1,199) is not a planner with empty pages. It’s a LIFE PLAN. BDJ believes in you even when you don’t believe in yourself. The 2022 edition is the support you didn’t know you need that will allow you to declare your purpose in life.
It gives you the space to remember who you are in 4 stylish designs that suit your personality and are packed with lifestyle coupons from over 40 brands; free mobile and desktop wallpaper downloadables, Spotify playlists, and NEW features this year include free virtual reality meditation videos and 12 Coaching Experiences led by 12 world-renowned experts in the field of Neuro-Linguistic Programming, Strengths Finding, Reiki Masters, Holistic Aromatherapists, Business and Beauty Experts, Energy Healers, Positive Psychologists, Motivational and Image Training Professionals in the BDJ Coach Quenza App that you can access from the pages of the BDJ Planner.
“I wasn’t much of a journaling person and was satisfied with simply writing my schedules on sticky notes. However, last year was highly toxic for me and I was in an identity crisis. When I was scrolling through Facebook, I saw an advertisement for the 2021 Journal and was intrigued with the design –the girl on the cover is beautiful and she looked confident. I liked the design, the content, and the marketing strategy so I decided to give journaling a try. A year has passed and I don’t think I can ever live without your journal; I don’t think I can ever use another journal if it’s not the BDJ version. I’ve imprinted my soul into it and I will continue to support you as your journal has with its owners.” shares Trisha Manao, one of the many users of the BDJ Power Planner.
The Navi Journal (P599), on the other hand, invites you to embark on your own journey of self-discovery and features 12 magnificent staircases around the world that you can virtually explore through the exclusive I Am Cardboard virtual reality videos embedded in the QR codes of the monthly dividers throughout the year. Despite their grandeur and intricacies, these captivating staircases are still just a small representation of what your mind can create. And yes, it has a coupon booklet too!
You might be thinking, “You never know what will happen in life. There are things that are out of your control.” This is why you struggle with using a planner. The 2022 Everything is Possible Planner (P599) is inspired by phases of the moon that embody inspiration, renewal, and unwavering energy, this year’s EIP Planner is what you’ve been waiting for. Featuring 13 Monthly Calendars (covering Dec 2021 to Dec 2022), special Pages that help you achieve your goals and open possibilities, and a vertical weekly layout with timestamps, EIP has been helping people achieve their big and small goals for a decade now. It’s a planner that’s designed for go-getters like you who know exactly what they want and will do anything it takes to make those dreams happen. Now is the right time to finally stop feeling like a victim of circumstance and start living the life you want. It’s not too late. It never is. Just as the moon transitions, so will you.
And finally, The Focus 2022 Journal (P550) is a guide to help you accept your life as it unfolds. With each phase, chapter, or stage of life comes new challenges and experiences that make up the fabric of our lives. It’s a great tool to inspire you to shove the distractions aside and put your goals to the forefront. With its dedicated weekly grid layout and unique worksheet pages, you will be able to start building the tomorrow you want with laser-like clarity.
Viviamo also has beautiful leather Quest Journals (P280, P499, P699, P999) in 4 sizes that you can switch out fillers and create a journaling system with, along with calendar pads and other productivity tools! Who says you only need one notebook? Get a journal for every aspect of your life, every piece of your brain to start rewriting your story.
Pour out your worries, visualize your dreams and turn them into actionable plans with these exciting journals from Viviamo! Choose all or any from www.shop.ilovebdj.com and www.crazyaboutpaper.com.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Dec 14, 2021 | Governance
Hon. Atty Cheryl P. Deloso-Montalla
Rep. Cheryl P. Deloso-Montalla, Chairman of the House Committee on Revision of Laws, hails the ratification today by the House of Representatives of the bicameral conference committee report on the disagreeing provisions of Senate Bill No. 2332 and House Bill No. 7836 on increasing the age in determining statutory rape.
“In the report, we determined that the age of statutory rape be set to under 16 years of age in view of the global standard on statutory rape age,” Rep. Deloso-Montalla explained. “We also aligned with this bill the age of consent in other crimes under the criminal code and other anti-child abuse and exploitation laws like the R.A. No. 7610,” she added.
The Sweetheart Clause
The Representative of the 2nd District of Zambales also said that the Committee “… also provided a “close-in relationship” or “sweetheart clause” to recognize the legitimate relationship between 2 teenagers… that is in consonance with the age of criminal liability under RA 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act and the Juvenile Justice Welfare Act or RA No. 9344, as amended by RA No. 10630. Most importantly, rape and other acts of sexual exploitation, under this bill, is now applicable to a man, woman, or child.”
Rape Cases in the Philippines
“The enactment of this bill is long overdue as the data scream loudly and clearly speak that the crime of rape remains rampant in the country. What we know are the reported cases but the true statistics may be higher considering that there are a lot of unreported and unaccounted cases of rape and other forms of sexual abuse and exploitation that are happening,” Rep. Deloso-Montalla further said.
“Now that we have ratified the Bi-Cam report on the anti-stat rape bill, it is now a step closer to becoming a law! We will always endure ascertaining that our children are given optimum protection under our laws and within the bounds of the democratic society that we have,” she averred.
Initially, 9 bills were referred to the Committee on Revision of Laws relating to the amendments to Anti-Rape Law with specific provisions on increasing the age of consent on statutory rape. There were similar bills that were referred to the Committee on Welfare of Children Chaired by Rep. Yedda K. Romualdez. The 2 committees jointly heard and deliberated exhaustively on the proposed measures and came up with a substitute bill – HB 7836 or An Act Providing for Stronger Protection Against Rape and Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, Including Increasing the Age for Determining the Commission of Statutory Rape.
The bill was approved on Third Reading by the House of Representatives on December 1, 2020.
Make meal preparation a breeze in 2022 with freshly marinated and ready-to-cook Chicken Timplados. Prepping meals can be done in minutes with any of these easy chicken sarap variants: Magnolia Ready-to-Cook Fried Chicken, BBQ, Tocino, Teriyaki, Spicy Fried Chicken, Oriental Wings, Spicy Wings, Inasal and Roasters (marinated whole chicken) in Lemon Herb and Smoked Pepper. The menu will never be boring with the selection of variants cooked as is or leveled up with some twists.
The Belle de Jour Power Planner (P599, P699, P1,199) is not a planner with empty pages. It’s a LIFE PLAN. BDJ believes in you even when you don’t believe in yourself. The 2022 edition is the support you didn’t know you need that will allow you to declare your purpose in life.
The Representative of the 2nd District of Zambales also said that the Committee “… also provided a “close-in relationship” or “sweetheart clause” to recognize the legitimate relationship between 2 teenagers… that is in consonance with the age of criminal liability under 
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