athenas first haircut

athena's first haircut by Justice Magdanggal Elma

athena making fruit salad

athena doing her chore

World Robot Olympiad

The 2010 World Robot Olympiad (WRO) at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City, marking the first time for the Philippines to host the global science competition for young people involved in robotics.

furniture arrangement basics

Functionality First

"Think first about how you use a room when you arrange the furniture,"  it is more important to allow for (play) space for kids."

Conversation Starters

"The conversation zone should be contained within an eight-foot diameter," Smith says. Koplovitz advises determining the comfortable arrangement is based on both cultural and personal preferences. "Some people simply feel more comfortable closer than others. The best way to determine what is right for you is to set up folding chairs, move existing furniture around, test it out to see what feels right for you." Photo Credit: Greg Premru

Furniture that Lasts

Koplovitz says a classic seating area of two sofas and a chair and ottoman that are not too large are likely to find a place not only where you are now, but also in your future homes. 

The Trick With TVs

Make sure that your TV is the right size for the distance from where you will sit, advises Koplovitz. "Bigger is not always better and there's nothing worse than a TV that overpowers the space or feels so close that you cannot focus on the picture.

Bedroom Basics

"For kids rooms, it's fine to put a bed in a corner," Koplovitz advises, "but for couples, each sleeper needs his or her own side of the bed with nightstand for lamp, medication, a glass of water or simply a book." No one wants to get in and out via the foot of the bed, so make sure to leave a minimum of 20" walkway along each side of the bed, Koplovitz suggests. Photo Credit: Greg Premru

Survivorship

Survivorship

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When a member or pensioner dies, his or her beneficiaries are entitled to cash and/or pension benefits, Beneficiaries who qualify for survivorship pension are entitled fifty percent (50%) of the basic monthly pension of the member or pensioner.

The following are qualified to receive survivorship benefits, and their corresponding benefits:

The survivors of deceased members who have been in the service for 15 years or more of creditable service:

For members who died while in the service, the survivorship benefit shall be the survivorship pension and cash payment equivalent to 18 times the basic monthly pension (BMP).

For those who died with the status of an inactive member, the survivorship benefit shall be the survivorship pension only.

The survivors of deceased members who have less than 15 years of creditable service:

For those who died while in the service, the cash payment/benefit shall be an amount equivalent to 100% of the average monthly compensation for every year of creditable service.

For those who died with the status of an inactive member and was less than 60 years old at time of death, the cash payment/benefit shall be an amount equivalent to 100% of the average monthly compensation for every year of creditable service, but not less than P12,000. The deceased member must have had at least 3 years of creditable service.

Here are the types of pensioners, their pension entitlements, and the conditions wherein the monthly pension is terminated, stopped, or suspended:

Type of Pensioner	When to Terminate/Stop/Suspend Monthly Pension
Survivorship Pensioner – Dependent Spouse (Monthly pension for life)	For the Spouse: Monthly pension shall be stopped if the pensioner: is employed, engaged in business or economic activity, or receiving any other form of pension whether from GSIS or other local or foreign institution or organization. passes away is living-in, separated, remarries within the Philippines and/or later annulled; remarries outside the Philippines and/or later divorced (per GSIS Legal Opinion 13-02 dated August 8, 2002)
Survivorship Pensioner – Child/Children (Monthly pension continuous until the child reaches age of majority)	For the Children: Monthly pension shall be stopped upon: The child’s reaching the age of majority (21 under R.A. 660, P.D. 1146; 18 under R.A. 8291) Marriage of the child Employment of the child Death of the child

It's very sad that the GSIS is not a "pro employee institution".... instead of being an ally for the government employees it becomes their major problem.... my father served the government for so long... he was a nurse in manila health department...he had a stroke and it happened in his office... but he recovered then when he was supposed to go back to service they told him he was not fit to work....so he went to this institution to file  his retirement disability and he was denied....so thinking that this was good because  he might be accepted to work again....he went back to manila health department ...but instead they told him to apply for retirement...so he applied for retirement.... my mother would always accompany my father for follow-up but everytime they go to GSIS they have documents lacking because of the system.... after 2 or 3 months my father had another attack....while we were in the hospital one of the benefits of the GSIS is some dicsounts on laboratory procedures wherein we were also declined of....then after a few days my father passed away.... we went to gsis to follow up his benefits....but until now what my mother got was 20,000.00 pesos....and we learned that if my mother has a source of income she would not receive a pension.... very depressing.... can anyone tell me where we can go so that we could appeal on this?  

First International Ayurveda Convention

No Time for the Gym? Workout You Can Do @ Home!

No more excuses! You can't go to the gym, because of whatever reason... but what's stopping you from investing a few minutes of your time to your HEALTH!?

 

Here's a workout suggestion that you can do at the comfort of your home (No equipment needed - how cool is that?). It's a circuit of few exercises targeting the major muscles of your body (thighs, chest, back, arms, etc). You need to perform this circuit, by completing the prescribed number of repetitions of each exercise without resting. Once you've done one set of each exercise, rest for two minutes, then repeat the entire circuit one to two more times.

1. Body Weight Squat (15-20 repetitions) - (Works your lower body and core)

■Stand as tall as you can with your feet spread slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.

■Hold your arms straight out in front of your body at shoulder level, so that your arms parallel to the floor.

■Keep your torso as upright as you can for the entire movement, with your lower back slightly arched. Brace your abs, and lower your body as far as you can by pushing your hips back and bending your knees. Pause, then push yourself back to the starting position. That's one repetition.

■Visual Tip: Imagine you at a public restroom and you need to use the bowl but you don't want to touch it with you butt. You try to sit back as far as you can and extend your butt (in a sitting position). Make sure your knees will not pass through your toes.

 

■Progression: If you have a dumbbell or canned goods, use them as added resistance and move your arms up and down (shoulder level) when performing the squat.

2. Inclined Push-up (12 to 15 repetitions) - (Works your chest, shoulder, and arms)

 

■Assume a push-up position, but place your hands placed on a raised surface—such as a box, bench, ottoman or one of the steps of your stairs—instead of the floor. Your body should form a straight line from your ankles to your head

 

■Keeping your body rigid, lower your body until your upper arms dip below your elbows. Pause, and then push yourself back to the starting position as quickly as possible.

 

■The higher the surface on which you place your hands, the easier the exercise becomes—you can even lean against a wall if you need to.

 

■Visual Tip: If the incline push-up is too easy, do it the old-fashioned way, with your hands on the floor. You can also vary the placement of your hands during floor push-ups (diagonal, shoulder-width, wide, etc.)

 

3. Hip Raise (10 to 12 repetitions) - (Works your lower back, hamstrings, core)

 

■Lie on your back on the floor with your knees bent and your feet flat on the floor. Place your arms out to your sides at a 45-degree

angle, your palms facing up.

■Now try to press your bellybutton to your spine as close as possible and hold it that way—this gives you a tight core—while breathing normally. That's the starting position.

 

■Keeping your core tight, squeeze your butt/glutes and raise your hips so your body forms a straight line from your shoulders to your knees. Pause for five seconds—squeezing your butt/glutes tightly the entire time—then lower body back to the starting position.

 

■Visual Tip: Avoid hyper-extending your lower back. If you feel any discomfort or pain, try to lift your lower back about an inch away from the floor, or discontinue this exercise.

 

■Progression: Try perform this with one leg off the ground and holding it for a few breaths.

 

4. Side Plank (30 seconds hold) - (Works your core)

 

■Lie on your right side with your knees straight. Prop your upper body on your right elbow and forearm, which should be directly below your right shoulder. Place your left hand on your left hip.

 

■Try press your bellybutton to your spine as close as possible and hold it that way—this gives you a tight core—while breathing normally.

■Then raise your hips until your body forms a straight line from your ankles to your shoulders. With your core tight, hold this position for 30 seconds.

 

■Roll onto your other side and repeat.

 

■Modification #1: If the side plank is too difficult, hold for five seconds, rest for five seconds, and repeat as many times as needed to total 30 seconds. Each time you perform the exercise, try to hold each repetition a little longer, so that you reach

your 30-second goal with fewer repetitions.

■Modification #2: If that's still too hard, bend your knees 90 degrees and allow your lower legs to rest on the floor as you do the exercise. (Your body will now form a straight line from your knees to your shoulders.)

 

5. Back Extensions: Floor Y-T-I Raises (8 to 10 repetitions) - (Works your back muscles)

This is a three-exercise combination move. You'll simply perform 8 to 12 repetitions of each exercise, one after the other without resting. So do 8 to 12 reps of the Floor Y raise, followed immediately by 8 to 12 reps of the Floor T raise, followed immediately by 8 to 12 reps of the Floor I raise.

 

■Floor Y Raise

■Lie face-down on the floor with your arms resting on the floor, completely straight and at a 30-degree angle to your body, so they form a "Y." Your palms should be facing each other, so that the thumb side of your hand points up and raise them as high as you comfortably can.

 

■Floor T Raise

■Perform this like the Y raise, only move your arms so that they're out to your sides—perpendicular to your body with the thumb side of your hand pointing up and raise them as high as you comfortably can.

 

■Floor I Raise

■This time, move your arms so that your body forms a straight line from your feet to your fingertips. Your palms should be facing each

other, with the thumb side of your hand pointing up. Raise your arms as high as you comfortably can.

Notes:

It's always good to consult your physician before starting any exercise program.

Do this workout at least 2-3 times per week, and you'll be stronger, leaner, and healthier than before.

Remember to warm-up for at least 8-10 minutes before doing this workout.

Stretch at the end of the workout holding each stretch for about 15-30 seconds.

Drink water to keep your body hydrated.

Eat sensibly, Live consciously, and Rest to rejuvenate.

Always have fun and enjoy what you are doing... regardless of what you are doing.

 

~got this from one of my friends in fb

Fathers Day

We had a blast during fathers day...pepper and his family went to the clinic for carls dental treatment then my kids rode with them going to fairview....had a sumptous lunch with the tabora's and lola beth...and of course the kids enjoyed the nursery...lola beth and bianca did some musical bonding...lola played the piano and bianca played the violin and promised to play again next week =) then said our goodbyes for more than 30 minutes.....then visited papa at holy cross....life would never be perfect again papa...we miss you so much!

then had our last minute school shopping had an early dinner then went to mass at mt. carmel....stayed at lolo nilo's and ninangs place while waiting for the boys having their haircut, then zapped the night with buko tarts....thank you Lord for this special day....we enjoyed every minute of it.

summer 2010

A very fulfilling summer for us...

Life is great

Thank you Lord for my kids &  my husband...

For the people who are with us thru thick and thin...

and for providing everything...

God Bless us all!

Splash Island

Celebrated our 12th year wedding anniversary at splash island located at Laguna just a few minutes away from Makati. We enjoyed our mini adventure and the kids had a blast!