Saying Goodbye to Benj Punay

Benjie Punay passed away this morning at the ICU unit of the FEU hospital, Fairview, Quezon City.

Condolences to your family.  

May the love you have shown hold you fast until you are in the arms of our Creator.

We will miss you, Benjie.

You are one very nice man, if a trifle shy.

To use the words of Alice "ang bait, bait nya"

I remember you first as a classmate at our first year at the Philippine Science High School at Agham Road ..... when we were still using the Marcos-type classroom.  One of our projects that first year was the curtains to minimize the glare coming in from the bars.  Our homeroom teacher was Evaline Gerochi, and our first ever Christmas party was at home. My home in Kamias, Quezon City.

Those were the early days of being together at Sayans.

Our batch has managed to keep in touch with each other, periodically meeting at places like Lito's, Janet's or restos, and even at Science itself.

then we went to UP-Diliman, where we all went to our separate majors ........
Benj took BS Geology

I remember the jokes everytime there was a power outage ...

Bakit, Benjie, nabitawan mo ba yung cable?

referring to your work with Napocor and that power only surged because you were holding it together.

Bakit, Benjie, absent ka ba?

I saw you last, if not at Lito's house when Jimmy arrived from CA, was at the house.

we talked about the roof and the garage.

goodbye, Benj.

we will hold you in our hearts

Colossal pick

Mary, Mary, how does your garden grow ...

well, here's a camera garden i found as one of the Colossal picks
amazing.  i want a butterfly garden...... maybe i should invest in some wire and some colorful netting

click here for the camera garden selected by Colossal

Kasambahay Bill takes effect 3 June

so.  you must pay for the SSS contributions of your kasambahay.
BUT, did you know that you are required by SSS to pay for your kasambahay as early as 1993?
1 September 1993 to be exact

This was under the administration of   Renato Valencia , Circular 21-V and was backed up by RA7655.
i will be updating this with a link to a copy of  RA7655

So if you had a kasambahay then who is still your kasambahay now, then you are liable to pay for SSS since then.

anyway.

at present -
household employers must get their household employer SSS number.  the old system of using the household employer's personal SSS number is no longer correct.  however this is easy enough to do as the nearest SSS branch will give the householder their household employer SSS number by simply submitting SSS Form R-1, which is the Employer Registration Number.  technically, the householder should get a Registration Certificate as proof that he is paying for his or her kasambahay(s)


the kasambahay MUST have an SSS number. If he or she does not have a number then, then he must apply by accomplishing SSS Form E-1, which is the Personal Record Form, supported by a copy of 1 primary or 2 secondary documents to prove identity.  The original must be presented likewise.

Otherwise, the kasambahay cannot avail of benefits since his or her membership is only temporary until legal proof of identity is presented.  the burden of proof is ON the kasambahay, NOT the household employer.

however, the household employer can use the temporary number to report and pay for contributions.

Reporting and Paying for your kasambahay is easy - you as household employer need to use the SSS Form R1-A, called Employment Report Form.  You also need to submit an accomplished SSS Form L-501, or Specimen Signature Card.

The date of coverage should be the same as the start of service of your kasambahay.  If for some reason,  the date of coverage is after the start of service then you would have to also submit a Statement of the Monthly Salaries of your kasambahay(s).  This will be evaluated and you will be billed, with penalties at 3% per month..

payment....

SCHEDULE OF PAYMENT

If 10th digit of the 13-digit ER Number Ends in:	Payment Deadline (Following the applicable month)
1 or 2	10th day of the month
3 or 4	15th day of the month
5 or 6	20th day of the month
7 or 8	25th day of the month
9 or 0	Last day of the month

take note when your SSS Employer number is supposed to pay -

Use the Contributions Payment Return Form (SSS Form R-5) to pay monthly.

Remember, payment is monthly, reporting can be quarterly through 

Contributions Collection List (SSS Form R-3), together with a copy of the 

 SSS Form R-5 (machine-validated or with Special Bank Receipt).

 


Click here for the downable form page of the SS website

Colossal art Rec - shimmering fence

wanted to share this beautiful chain linked art

Click here for a look at shimmering-chain-link-fence-installation-by-soo-sunny-park/

Saint Theresa's Prayer

Saint Theresa's Prayer

May today there be peace within.
May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.
May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.
May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that
has been given to you.
May you be content knowing you are a child of God.
Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to
sing, dance, praise and love.
It is there for each and every one of us..

from my inbox

May 22, 2013 How to Stay Young Mary Southerland Today’s Truth The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy;  I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full (John 10:10, NIV). How to Stay Young 1. Throw out non-essential numbers such as your age, weight and height. 2. Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you down. If you really need a grouch,  there are probably family members to fill that need. 3. Keep learning. Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever.  Just never let the brain idle. 4. Enjoy the simple things.  When the children are young - that is all you can afford.  When they are in college that is all you can afford.  When they are grown, and you are on retirement, that is all you can afford. 5. Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath.  Laugh so much that you can be tracked in the store by your distinctive laughter. 6. The tears happen. Endure, grieve, and move on.  The only person that is with us our entire life is ourselves. 7. Surround yourself with what you love,  whether it is family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies or whatever.  Your home is your refuge. 8. Cherish your health. If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable, improve it.  If it is beyond what you can improve, get help. 9. Don't take guilt trips. Go to the mall, the next county, a foreign country - but not guilt. 10. Tell the people you love how much you love them every chance you get.  Never assume they know. 11. Don't worry about things you cannot change or do anything about.  Accept them and move on. 12. Read more and dust less. 13. Spend more time with your family and friends and less time working. 14. Whenever possible, life should be a pattern of experiences to savor, not to endure.  Recognize these moments now and cherish them. 15. Do not "save" anything.  Use your good china and crystal for every special event such as losing a pound,  getting the sink unstopped, or the next blossom of flowers you see. 16. Wear your best outfit to the market. 17. Don't save your good perfume for only special occasions.  Use it even if you are going shopping or just to the bank. 18. "Someday" and "one of these days" should vanish from your vocabulary.  Let’s Pray Father, I want to live life to the fullest. I want everything you have for me  and don’t want to miss a single blessing or trial that is for my good.  Please help me keep my eyes on You and celebrate every day  and all that it holds.  I trust You, Lord, to work all things together for my good and Your glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

A Colossal Rec : Iris Scott finger paintings

Colossal recommends this artist finger oil paints.
i particular like the fox because it reminds me of a story i read when i was in grade ....6 or 7 maybe?
It was about a fox and a saint, and this fox looks very much like the illustration in that book
if memory serves, the fox called himself Reynard .... but that was eons ago....

still the colors are as vibrant....


Click here to see iris scot tprints original-finger-paintings

Liquid Sculptures - a Colossal rec

A fascinating look at the waves - imagine them to be the waves in your life

CLICK HERE for liquid-sculptures-powerful-waves-photographed-by-pierre-carreau-seem-frozen-in-time/?src=footer

Are you disabled? or have a loved one who is?

if you are and you find it difficult to access government buildings, or if they do not provide sufficient access to the disabled, please report them.  by law, government buildings must provide access to the disabled.

also, if any employee of that institution ridicule or yell at disabled persons and you bear witness to this abuse, you may likewise report the employer.  i do think it is best to complain to the media, since - like he-man, they have the power. *grins*

i was at the North door of the SSS building.  Just in case you did not know it, this entrance/exit provides disabled access.  It has a ramp for those in wheelchairs.  Also, there are fewer steps up than the main entrance if the disabled person can manage the stairs.

at any rate, an SSS employee - she was in uniform - was screaming at the driver of a tricycle for letting off passengers by the stairs, and it seems that SSS issued a memorandum where passengers can disembark.  What this SSS employee ignored -  is that the person exiting the trike was disabled, managing by utilizing a cane.

i wanted to report this woman, this SSS employee for being discourteous, and for harassing a person, a member with disability. there is a disability law that disallows persons to harangue, abuse, or make fun of disabled persons.

it is unbecoming of a government employee to harass persons with disability as this person was certainly doing.  she should be censored by their human resource head.  Perhaps it is time for SSS to remind their employees to practice courteous behavior. 

as for this employee, i decided not to report her for one main reason - one day she will pay her debts, and i did not want to be responsible for her possible reprimand, or possible admin case .....

Hexing: Mind-over-Body

Mind-over-body.  The mind is one of the most powerful thing in the body.  It has the power to heal or destroy.  This is one of the articles that deal with negative thinking and its possible effects.  Conversely, one can almost hear the other side.  So, if you were to put the considerable power of your mind, put it to good use. Think positive.

i like Angelina Jolie (okay, so i like Brad Pitt more) but she seems to be the perfect foil for Brad Pitt.

Click here for Angelina Jolie's story on medically-hexed?

Post Office Blues

It takes forever for an overseas package to get delivered to recipients in MetroManila.
this particular fact highlights the fact that Service in the Philippines is NOT to International Standards
SAD, but true.

How can we market services and products by little intrepreneurs if our post office is slow?  Businesses require fast service to-and-from supplier/vendor.

For example, businesses in Mainland China and Hongkong offer free delivery.  They offer tracking services of parcels as well, for example i tracked a parcel that was sent off last April, it was enroute for delivery to the post office last April 13.

well, ladies and gentlemen, lapis and fountain pen, i have not yet received the package as of this date.
hello???? how efficient then is our post office? 

and this is not just for a single package.....

and guess what?  the post office uniformly charges 50 pesos for each and every parcel, no matter how small.
so is that further tax on us poor consumers?


not only this, but the post office loses packages.  good golly gee.
no wonder i have the post office blues

Happy Mother's Day....

to all moms, would-be moms, and those that are-were like moms

how do you show someone  you love them?

mainly by being there - to discuss things, to assist when needed, to argue when necessary, and to hug
i loved hugging my mom.  she was smaller than me and that made it just perfect for hugs

we filipinos arent into saying i love yous, we are more into doing ...

my mom is a great cook, and it gave me pleasure to treat her to great food she didnt cook
especially her  favorite kakanin
or buy a dress she would look good in but didnt need

she would say it especially on my birthday by cooking pancit palabok
her palabok is the best i have ever had - par excellance bar none - same as my lola's

Sharing the multi-uses of coconut

Learn how the coconut tree provides all-around benefits -- from its husks and roots to coconut oil -- through our infographic "Plant of Life: An Infographic on Various Coconut Uses." Use the embed code to share it on your website.

<img src="http://media.mercola.com/assets/images/infographic/coconut-uses.jpg" alt="coconut uses infographic" border="0" style="max-width:100%; min-width:300px; margin: 0 auto 20px auto; display:block;"><p style="max-width:800px; min-width:300px; margin:0 auto; text-align:center;">Learn how the coconut tree provides all-around benefits -- from its husks and roots to coconut oil -- through our infographic "<a href="http://www.mercola.com/infographics/coconut-uses.htm">Plant of Life: An Infographic on Various Coconut Uses</a>."</p>

2 Foodtrips at Maginhawa and a resto near SSS

we've had several visits to Maginhawa since then ...

we went to Krazy Tonkatsu - where they serve a rather limited Japanese menu, all of which were tasty.
well, we tasted each other's food, that is how we know.  but, if you have a hankering for sweets after meals, they dont really have desserts.

and just yesterday we had an early birthday celebration of a classmate at Sancho-Churreria, 122 Maginhawa.  we had paella (they have at least 2 sizes so it depends on the size of your party/group) and then we had beef stew, which i liked because i like the onions.  We also had lengua, a favorite of several members of the party, and then we had fish wish mash potatoes.  i've had better mash potatoes, but that was done at home, following rachel ray's recipe.

the resto near SSS was called Linkin' Pork
they had lemonade that tasted as if there was sukang paombong - very good for the throat it seems, but be careful - it is an acquired taste.
i had the thursday special ... which was Shish Kebab, which was rather good. my friend had the combination sausage and salad.  She tried the Cincinnati sausage.  it was not quite to my taste but the third member of our party put mustard (it came with the dish) and it was tons better.  So beware this sausage if you do not like mustard.  The salad was fresh, and crispy.  it was very good.
i plan to taste a few more things, but particularly their all-day breakfast fare with vigan and lukban sausages.

i just have to space out all these eating because it is very bad for my diet

A Prayer to ask for Financial Aid

Heavenly Father, most Gracious and Loving God, I pray to You that You abundantly bless my family and me. I know that You recognize, that a family is more than just a mother, father, sister, brother, cousin, husband and wife, but all who believe and  trust in You.

Dear GOD, I send up a prayer request for financial blessing for not only the person who gave me a copy of this prayer, but for me  and for all who read this prayer.

May the power of joint prayers by those who believe and trust in You is more powerful than anything! 

I thank you in advance for your blessings.  

God, deliver the person reading this right now from debt and debt burdens. Release Your Godly wisdom that I may be a good steward over all that You have given me.

GOD, for I know how wonderful and mighty You are and how if we just obey you and walk in Your Word and  have the faith of a mustard seed that You will pour out blessings.

I thank You now Lord for the recent blessings I have received and for the blessings yet to come, because I know You are not done with me  yet.

In Jesus name.  Amen...

A Prayer to God, our Father

A prayer to God, our Almighty Father - sent to me by Hermie.

Please pray for yourself, for your loved ones, and for all of us.

 Pray with me.

 

Heavenly Father; I come to you as humble as I know how. 

I Confess my Sins, those Known and Unknown. 

 

Lord, You know I'm not perfect & I fall short every day of my life. 

 

I just want to take time out to say Thank You.

Thank You for Your Love. 

Thank You for Your Mercy.

Thank You for Your Grace. 

Thank You for my home, car, food, Life, and Everything I do have. 

 

I realize that this Life I'm living is full of trials & tribulations But Thank You for not putting more on me than I can bear. 

 

The next time you get ready to complain, Tell The Devil you are A Blessed Child Of God & you have more to be thankful for than to worry about. 

 

 

 

We must go thru the storm to appreciate the Sunshine!

A lecture on Love

i have just received a missive- a lecture on love.

all i can say is that it comes from a selfish person who calls it love to call me names. bad names. *laughs*
the world he lives in is not real - it is make-believe to suit his needs.

he calls it love to raise a fist to my face - me - older, and unsteady on my feet -
and calls me a disappointment to my parents. yeah, right. only my parents can say ...
my mom said goodbye to me on her deathbed and no one else.

does that imply she was disappointed in me?

he called me gaga, because i trusted his nephew who stole from me- thereby supporting his nephew and giving tacit approval to the deed - he approves of stealing, apparently - and this person calls himself Godly.
do you think so?

so if you trust someone, you must be gaga too.

i live a quiet life - one they attempt to destroy my asking my assistance, and in the same vein, call me names - and i am the one who is hateful.  and they say i am at fault.  *sigh*

all my life i have financially supported my parents.  i am lucky enough to have a good job, and am single, and i have never regretted supporting my parents.  My mom even lost some of my jewelry.... and did i get angry, no.  we laughed about it.  to be accused of getting my parents worldly goods is a crass misstatement.

may the person who uttered this accusation eat his words alive. may he live to regret it for the rest of his life.

CORRECTION:  this sounds as if my father was unable to support us.  That is wrong, mea culpa.
My parents had lots of assets, just werent too liquid.  They were as my Mom and Dad put it, investments for us - their children.  And it was.

People like this are vexations to the spirit.
It is better to live without these kinds of people in my life

one of these days the truth will be free.


 

On Horace T. Templo's Manila Standard on the Poor

Click here for HTT's column on the poor


How can anyone deny one's poverty?  when all the signs are there ....

RA 10524

Wow.  Did i call it or what....didnt i just post something on this last April 30?  But the doing, or the teeth of such an Act depends on its implementing guidelines.  Filipinos are over-taxed because regular employees are taxed under the Gross Income Scheme, and yet, we pay real estate taxes with monies that have been already grossly taxed and poor working PWDs are even worse off, they are over-over-taxed. No additional benefit because they work and no VAT relief on the medicines they have to purchase, unlike the Seniors?

Burdens upon burdens indeed.

However, as they say, the proof of the pudding is in the eating, and this Act depends on the IRR that will be drawn up hopefully soon.

The agencies involved in drafting the IRR  are:
DOLE (Department of Labor and Employment)
CSC (Civil Service Commission)
NCDA (National Council on Disability Affairs)
GCG  (Governance Commission for Goverment-Owned or Government-Controlled Corporations
DOH (Department of Health)
DSWD  (Department of Social Welfare and Development)

and the most burdensome agency
BIR  (Bureau of Internal Revenue)