a CCD party on the 18 of December 2015

Happy Holidays 2015

Happy Christmas and a Healthy 2016!

May you realize your dreams.....

on ACOP

Forgot to do your annual ACOP?

Well, once your pension gets suspended - you have to go visit the nearest SS branch.  Why? 

The nearest SSS branch is a better choice than the bank because you would not have to contend with the bank's schedule (whenever that would be) of informing SSS.

Now, if you finally get to do your ACOP, it will take a minimum of 2 months to reinstate this.  

The reason for the apparent length of time is SSS processes pensions a month ahead of time.  Thus, March pensions are generated and deposited to the banks by February.  So, if you do your ACOP say in January, the earliest your pension will be reinstated is March, and that is - if you are lucky enough to make the cut-off for encoding transactions prior to the processing.

Nothing will make this faster, not even if you complain.  It is a matter of batch processing and cut-offs.  Not even if you call SSS every hour. 

The 8th Lagablab Awards 28th November 2015, Unilab Bayanihan Center

Batch 75 of the Philippine Science High School congratulates all the 8th Lagablab Awardees, and in particular our batchmate, Ma. Asuncion A. Silvestre, MD, FPSNbM for Social Upliftment.

Her advocacy is reflected in Unang Yakap, and this highlights the importance of nursing an infant, importantly, mother's milk for the newborns.

She joins the rest of the batch 75 awardees:

For the 4th Lagablab Awards in 2002
Roselmo Z. Doval-Santos,  MD for Community Service

6th Lagablab Awards in 2008
Ma. Amihan V. Abueva  for Children's Protection Advocacy
Joselito H. Sibayan for Industry - Banking and Finance

7th Lagablab Awards in 2011
Benita S. Padilla, MD for Medicine - Nephrology


The nominations are usually made and seconded by batchmates, which are then reviewed and evaluated by a committee.

Advisory on SSS IDs once again - for Taiwan bound OFWs

just in case you didnt know ....

A Goodreads quote from Agatha Christie

It has been some time ago since i last put in a Goodreads quote.  I've read every Agatha Christie book that has been published.  Here's a quote from her that resonates with me.  

The missing eleven days was a subject of a Doctor Who episode starring David Tennant, my favorite Doc Who.  I still like that episode.  If you get a chance, see it.

Very few of us are what we seem. 

Agatha Christie

December 3, 1926: On this day, Agatha Christie said goodnight to her daughter, left home, and disappeared for eleven days. When she was eventually found at a hotel, she could offer no explanation. The mystery has yet to be solved.

Reminders for New Pensioners

If you recently retired at age 60, please remember that if you get employed, even just part-time, your pension will be stopped for the duration of your employment.

However, at age 65 - it does not matter. You can work but your pension will continue.  Just make sure your employer no longer will deduct for your SSS.

Loans for Lando

Just in case you havent heard, members affected by Lando as defined by the Disaster unit can avail of early renewal of loans for members and 3 months advanced pensions for pensioners.

Go to your nearest SSS office with proof that your area is affected.  Usually a barangay report/certification is sufficient.

Service fees are waived.

Colossal Art - Dongyang woodcarving

it has been some time since i posted something on art
beautiful pieces of art, carved with finess

a sample, then click below to see more

classical art here

Keeping members informed - 30 day sick leave filing extension for OFWs

The SSS Commission has issued this circular to benefit OFWs.
Please take note of the effectivity, 18 August 2015.

Saying goodbye to a cousin, Florencio O. Nepomuceno

Florencio O. Nepomuceno, or Nepo as he was called by some classmates was born in Manila, on the 23rd of February 1933, the second son of Melencio Nepomuceno and Loreto Ongchangco.

He worked at Goodyear Philippines, his first and last job.  There he met Edgar H. Sarte, whom i met and became friends later.  Through him I met Israel, Efren, Felix, and Rey - brothers from Lukban, Quezon.

Manong Enggoy, as he was called by family, was an easy-going and very religious man.  He easily forgave those who cheated him, reviled him, and called him names. He went to mass every Tuesdays and Sundays.  Tuesdays he went to St. Anthony, right beside Loreto Church there in Sampaloc, Manila.

He passed away in the evening of Tuesday, the 7th of October, 2015 at the age of 82.
He will be missed.

Reminders for SSS Members

This is just to remind SSS members what to do NOW, not later

If this sounds "what, not again ......", it is because I think it necessary.

It is only because people tend to let things slide and then have to scurry to accomplish things when the need comes upon them.  Dont wait for that time. Do it now, and at your leisure, and do it at one time.

1. Make sure you have only one SSS number and make sure you have it memorized.

If you have more than one, go to SSS NOW and start the process of combining contributions in each of the SSS number to just one.  SSS usually picks the "oldest" SSS number.  You should memorize your SS number because this is the main number for transacting with SSS.  

2. Ensure that your heirs, whoever they may be, can have access to it should the need arise.

I suggest that you have an envelope, preferably a thick plastic one (so it will last for a bit), and put your legal papers in it.  For example, policy information if you have insurance policies, life plans, and memorial plans.  If you have a will, you can put this is in the same place.  If you are ultra rich, make sure you have a backup copy of your will and all your wills should be dated.  I digressed a bit, but i hope it was helpful.

3. Make sure that your FULL name is correct and is supportable by either a live (active) passport or an NSO-issued birth certificate.

This measure is supposed to prevent/minimize fraud so SSS is quite strict about the matter.

4. Make sure that your DOC - Date of Cover - is CORRECT.

The DOC is the date wherein you first registered in the SSS database, via the initial contribution.

Problems with this will delay processing of your benefits.

5. Take note of all your employers.  Check that all employers are accounted and properly "logged".

This also means that there are no "stray" employers and that all your employers are registered in the database.  This will assist in making your life simpler.  Also, be sure to remember who these are - because, upon retirement you will be asked to write/list them down.  Also check that all contributions of each employer are posted.  Do this now, not tomorrow.

Coloring for Adults - a new? craze? fad?

I was one of those kids who loved to color.

i remember asking for the super duper, double stacked crayons - trademark crayola - for the coloring superiority.  Only crayola provided the best colors then.  i remember this fondly.  i am a little too mature for crayolas now, except when i do the melt-the-crayola-thing on a glass plane for more art work.

i love colors.  you should see my art materials - i have watercolor paints, acrylics, pastels, and oils, and of course, color pencils.  what i dont have is - the time to really indulge.  To do oils, i have to be in a specific frame of mind, and have good light

With the recent coloring craze or fad (how nice for me!), i was steered towards COLORFY, a coloring thingo in the internet. SSS VP Susie Bugante  was the person who showed me how and where.  Fascinating really.  The application is free, but i am feeling inclined to pay to get access to the complex illustrations and additional color.  I have to think about it though.

I just had a debate with my friend Dale from high school who said this application is soo simple - just point and point.  I said it is a beautiful way to stop thinking or to channel thinking into some ... positive thoughts.  I mentioned that coloring manually is fulfilling - of course, you mix the colors manually, overlaying the colors if need be. but you'd have to bring so much stuff.  You need to bring your coloring book (or pad or paper or sketch), your colors, your sharpener, and what not... I also use markers.  Too much equipment to lug around.  I told my friend that in COLORFY - you only need your tablet.

my color stuff in COLORFY is posted in FB but i'll see if i can post some over here.

If you are worried, tense, and need to relax.  I suggest you try this app.  it is a nice one.

Two posts related to SSS in the Philippine Star. Did you read?

One post relates to assets - Here's the link to Philstar 2015/09/26 - sss-has-p18-b-idle-assets-coa

Essentially COA talks about condominiums that SSS owns.

SSS did not buy those condos; they were dacion-en-pago, perhaps from ,,,,
I have friends who rent out their condominiums - and they are very picky about their tenants

market for condos is a tad depressed now.  all this talk of earthquakes, for example.
also, there is a glut of condos in the market



The other post is related to pensioners -Here's the link - Philstar - 2015/09/26 -> sss-underpaid-171-pensioners-p3.4-m-2014-coa

Why make an issue of this now?  SSS is trying to settle these accounts bit-by-bit and has recently undertaken a project to address all pensioner concerns on this issue. The project target?  End of 2015


more-later

The O2 Sibs, with Angie and Dino, AND with Jap and Patti

Taken 31 August 2015
on special leave from the hospital

US

Philippine Science Foundation day and Homecoming - 5 September 2015 Saturday

T'was batch 75's 40th but the silver jubilarians were batch 90.  Batch 90 catered.

However, our batch had already learnt its lessons and we brought food and drinks so were not dependent on their food.  I dont know who, if any, queued for food.  I wish to thank the group of Benita, Inday, Janet and whoever else brought food for the batch.  The guys, as usual, brought liquor, wine, brandy, and beer.  When Benita told me of their plan, I told myself I would bring some pica-pica food like lumpiang shanghai .... but i got hospitalized and didnt have enough time to make arrangements.  Besides, my brother was returning to the USA soon after i was released from the hospital (but i had to continue meds at home).

i just edited a few things first, i havent fully recovered - that's for sure... am making gross mistakes...

I wish to thank our waiter who brought several platefuls of food from batch 90's bounty/largesse.

i had plans about buying food from the stations but as late as past 6, there was still no food.  why?
i have no idea.

They ran out of ice, and the heat was stifling.  I had my Tshirt in my bag, but was happy i was wearing a cool blouse.  They also ran out of cold non-alcoholic drinks like water (yes, even water)

and much, much later, some of the guys had met a batch....90? lady who was wearing a black sexy blouse with her midriff showing.  I always did say that the guys had an eye for the ladies....

more later....

present from batch 75 - in no particular order ---

Judy Uy Holt, Mianne Silvestre (Unang Yakap), Benita Padilla (Kidney Friends), Inday dela Fuente Dans, Amihan Abueva, Kay Uichanco, Janet Calalang Santos, Nimfa Mendoza, Joan Albito-xx, Joy Masanga-xx, Terry Paccarangan, Lerma
Andrew Dimacali, Sonchy Asuncion, Gardee Estacio, Cris Cabalu, Albert Eufemio, Doy Santos, Xen Yazon, Joey Dumandan, Leo Peter Gonzales, Jo Marcelo, Art Morado, Bobby Reyes, Lino Villacastin

the dancers - Dale Amor Villamor, Vee Dulay Perez, Beth San Agustin Yazon, Lito Sibayan and Min, Rosel Doval-Santos and Tess, Sandy Sales, Jason Mayordomo, Jimmy Valena, Alice and Manny Lim

the xx-stand for the married names of the woman.  i dont remember their married name at the time of posting

Familiar steps, maybe?

Standing: Joan, Joy, Inday, Alice (speaking with a hidden Andrew), Jimmy, Vee, Jason, Cris and Seated: Mianne, Judy, me, Amihan, Dale

The batch performers - the finale

The SSS Anniversary, 1 SEPTEMBER 2015

For the first time, in the longest while - SSS had no real announcement on its 58th anniversary.
Many waited for the possible announcement of the additional 2K in pension, but there was dead silence about this from the institution.

Normally, if you are an SSS-watcher like me - you would know that SSS always announces something on their anniversary.  For example, when Neri was president - he opted to give all pensioners a one-time 500-peso gift.

Pension increases are always announced on the SSS anniversary.

But wait, SSS did announce something this year - the increase in funeral benefit - although not everyone would get 40K.



and oh, gsis announced 30k as their new funeral benefit

Monte Vista at Sariaya, Quezon

A 3-day weekend trip.  21-23 August 2015.  There were three cars, my car - which our eldest drove.  our youngest crv which she drove, and my sister-in-law's van which our nephew drove.

We occupied two adjoining cottages, enjoying the shared back veranda that overlooked what we laughingly called a moat.  There was a small romantic hut (well, we were a family group - but a honeymooning couple might enjoy it) and there was a swing - like the ones we had at College of the Holy Spirit (Mendiola) back in my grade school days.

We went to Sariaya, Quezon for a spot of the beach.  It was short walk - about 10 steps - to the beach.

Very nice place, i definitely recommend it. Twas a windy and rainy weekend (Ineng was battering Luzon), and i enjoyed the sound of the waves crashing against the shoreline.  As usual, it reminded me of the poem of John Masefield ...." I must go down to the seas again....", and in fact, i recited it as the waves lapped against the shore.

The rooms were clean, the decor Filipino, and there was cable. The a/c was in excellent condition and there is only one thing i have to suggest - and that is that they equip the cottage with faucets near the stairs so that the sand does not track into the cottage.

The food was delish, and very Filipino. The veggies were fresh, in fact - they were freshly picked from their gardens.  You could taste the freshness - simply cooked food was great!

You ought to go, and enjoy the beach, the sun, and the local sites, and local delicacies - and if you were into cooking, you could play at cooking.

My brothers and nephews played poker several nights, with the winnings changing each night.

I caught up with prayers and meditations, and generally rested.

We were able to visit 2 churches.  The cathedral and a local church.

We bought lukban sausages, of course!

And though there was breakfast, we also bought delicious tapa. yummy.

and i didnt know how sick i really was ............

pics to follow......

Corregidor: A Trip to the Past

I encourage you to visit Corregidor.  It is an unspoilt beauty, very rough edges - with weapons of war.  Nature and men. Juxtapositions.

Battery. Huge guns.  Heavy artillery.  Caves of the Dead.  Forests.  Monkeys.  Lizards.
Skittering animals.

Memorials.  Honors.  Agonies Remembered.

The white altar was the only one i remembered from the past.  It seemed I had visited that place with my Dad, who was a WWII veteran.  The white dome, the shaft of sunlight.  that stung my memory.

Visit.
Remember the past. Remember the price of freedom.

Enjoy the beach.  Have a barbeque.  Enjoy the pool, too.
and if you are into it, there's a zip line.

the only thing i have to suggest - make it more friendly to individuals who are disabled.
soldiers may want to visit, and see the weapons of war then....

Pictures to follow.  (i have to download from my cameras).

Answers to some questions to a post

for some people who do not pay attention to instructions:

someone asked if they can continue the payments of a deceased member so his wife can have a pension.

No. If the member is deceased, no payments are allowed after death.  The member is already dead.

There should be funeral benefits - 20 thousand, and since the member had payments, there would be death benefits.  The person asking the question did not say how many payments had been made so I cannot say if the widow is entitled to a pension just the same.

Someone asked about gaps in contribution payments

Let me stress again that SSS does not accept retroactive payments. Once a payment is delayed, it creates a gap. It is called a gap because there is a space instead of a payment.  Ergo, a gap is at least one month and can be as long as several months (or years for that matter).  There are no SE or VM late payments except those for OFWs.  OFWs can pay the entire year before the year is up.

On quesions on penalty and interest on loans -

There is already a post on this.  However.  Note that all delayed payments are charged penalties, which is 1% per month - so if a payment is skipped, that payment will have penalties charged until it is paid.

Someone mentioned migrating payments to VM and selecting lower payments

There is no such banana in SSS. Payments are NOT migrated.  Payments are simply recorded as dictated by the status.  So payments made as an employee stay are reflected as employee-employer payments and voluntary payments are recorded as is.  As previously mentioned, do NOT decrease payments as it will affect pension computations to a lower amount.

a Robert Frost quote

A poem begins as a lump in the throat, a sense of wrong, a homesickness, a lovesickness. 

Robert Frost

August 1, 1915: Robert Frost's The Road Not Taken was first published in the Atlantic Monthly 100 years ago today. While the poem works as a metaphor for the weight we put on turning points in our lives, Frost later insisted the verses were simply inspired by a literal walk in the woods.

i love a lot of Robert Frost's poems, 

Mending Wall, 
The Road Not Taken, 
Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening

 - to name three favorites.

stop asking questions on post dated 13 SEPTEMBER 2012

I DONT KNOW WHY SOME PEOPLE CANNOT FOLLOW DIRECTIONS.

STOP ASKING QUESTIONS ON THAT POST BECAUSE I HAVE ANOTHER POST, SAME TOPIC.  POST THERE.

TOO MANY QUESTIONS ON THAT POST.

Amadeo, Cavite: 1 August

Amadeo, Cavite.

a place of childhood memories.

My cousins have a place there where Ama (Dr. Bibiano Angkaw, MD (+)) had his practice.

In the days of my youth, there was a loom, where Aling Isay did her weaving - and where i learnt to do a bit.  It was an experience - there was a method, and the tinny patch i was able to weave will remain in my memory.

We spent summers there when we were small, and the Church seemed miles away .... and there was a bakery right beside the house,. i remember Sundays (we had to wake up early to go to church) and the smell of baking would waft though our noses as we walked past it to go to church - making us doubly eager to finish the mass and mess with the baking.  And yes, we were allowed to bake a few loaves.

The Church now is just a few steps away.  Truly, a child's perspective is quire different from an adult's view.

my cousins had a farm and summers came with the fruits - supsupins, or small delish mangoes would come in bushes or kaengs, as we call it.  And each of us would get one kaeng each (which i suppose would contain about 100 small mangoes) and we would commence to have an eating contest - first one to finish the kaeng's contents.  Not a single one of us finished one bushelful, but it was not for the lack of trying.  those mangoes were delicious.  they still are.

i wanted the windows open (it was cold so some of us felt the windows should be closed) because i like the wind to blow in and freshen the room.

they had a pump and a water tower, so when the water flowed in, someone would have to pump the water into the tower.  i remember a particular warm day when my cousins and i thought we would do the duty.  we all got wet, but we did the job.  One of my cousins who did the duty now lives in Canada and the other cousin is a physician, like his father before him.  He practices here in MetroManila. 

more later....

Reminder only: Always use your SS Number when transacting with SS

Actually, this is a repeat of a reminder post here.

When transacting with any agency or entity, it is always wise to use your ID number.

Thus, with SSS - you need to always use your SS number.

On the other hand, do not publicly reveal your SS number.

So hope this reminder helps you transact with SSS

An important thing to also remember is that the SSS frontline will NOT entertain you without an SSS number, unless you dont know your SS number and in fact, wish to know.
If that is your problem, make sure you bring at least 2 government-issued identification cards (of course, with picture), and your birth certificate.

Do you wish to complain your employer for non-remittance of SSS premiums?

many employees are afraid to report their employer to SSS
the reason?  they may get laid off as a consequence of reporting the non-remittance


what you need to do is bring copies of your payslip showing that your employer has deducted sss contributions and ask sss for a print of your contributions that would show no contributions for that period.

that is sufficient proof for non-remittance.

****

Have you forgotten your SSS Number?

If you have stopped paying a ways before, and you have forgotten your SSS number and you want to know how to continue paying ....

very easy, go to the SSS office most convenient or nearest to you, armed with 2 IDs, preferably those issued by the government (driver's license, voter's ...) and ask for your SS number.  You might want to bring an NSO-issued birth certificate as well - since birthdays can be used as tie-breaker if you have a popular name.

otherwise, the SSS front line will not give you your SSS number.

if you are asking someone else to do it for you, make sure the person has 2 government issued IDs as well and proper authorization from you

ALSO, go ahead and get your UMID ID.  If this is first UMID ID, it is free - otherwise there is a fee. Last I heard it was 350.oo pesos for reissuance of ID

Doing SSS transactions at the MALL

Below is a list of SSS Offices at the Malls and the services they offer

for OVERSEAS PENSIONER

Just a little update.... but i think i need to get a bigger version.  will repost

Other SSS Loans

Did you know that there are other SSS Loans ?
Business Loans - for the entrepreneurs among you
Direct Housing - for OFWs
House Repairs - Direct and through Financial Partners


I will present these if there are any browsers interested -
let me know if there is any interest

Alab - Chef Tatung's new place near Shakey's Morato

We finally got to try Chef Tatung's new resto near Tomas Morato last night.  I had eaten at Chef Tatung's place in Sikatuna several times before and liked his food but found his BGC place to far so regretfully, we dropped eating at his place.  We - my close friends - are Kyusi kids and dont like driving through endless traffic just to eat out.  There are, of course, exceptions.

 My balikbayan cousins, Baby Pilar and hubby Phil - chose 2 unusual dishes, one with chicken, the other with shrimps and coconut noodles. twas very good.  i will try to cook a reasonable facsimile sometime and see if i can approach the flavor.

Our chosen appetizer was ampy (short for ampalaya, that is, bitter lemons), with radish, red onions, and thinly sliced tomatoes, and a very good blend of vinegar.  really very good vinegar.  i will try and blend my vinegar similarly.  this was an excellent appetizer indeed.

my choice -- morcon and crispy pata. let me tell you about it.....

i have to say that the family recipe for morcon beats his by a mile, at least.
but then, ours is a classic recipe and his was meat with a boiled egg inside and tomato-based sauce.
very tender though.

his crispy pata had lemon grass  cooked with it, which reduced the "umay" factor but also changed its classic favor.

the bibingka was fine and his chocnut cake was the same - as when he was in Sikatuna,,,, same recipe no doubt.

Good news - SSS increases Funeral Benefit effective for contingencies on or after 1 August 2015

The new computation of the funeral grant is as follows

Examples:

if your AMSC is 15,000 and you have worked for 300 months, then the funeral grant for you would be:

20,000 + (0.5%  x  300 x 15,000 )  = 20,000.00 + 22,500 = 40,000. because the maximum is 40,000.00

wondering about the delay in the delivery of the SSS UMID id?

Yes.  Well, yes. SSS stopped production last 16 March due to negotiation failure/breakdown.

They recently resumed production 16 June 

They are scheduled to finish their backlog by August.

So for example, you had your picture captured last April 16, you should get your ID released this week.

i hope they keep to their schedule.

PNB loans for SSS pensioners.

here's the Star take on this piece of news

Interest and Penalty Answer on SSS Salary Loan Question

There have been many questions on interest and penalty on SSS Loans
Instead of answering these questions individually, i have decided to post this little tidbit for their information.

If there are specific questions on this answer, please comment -

Answer taken from the SSS Website


INTEREST AND PENALTY

The loan shall be charged an interest rate of 10% per annum based on diminishing principal balance, and shall be amortized over a period of 24 months.

Interest of 10% shall continue to be charged on the outstanding principal balance until fully paid

Any excess in the amortization payment shall be applied to the outstanding principal balance.

Loan amortization not remitted on due date shall bear a penalty of 1% per month until the loan is fully paid.

***********************************************************************

you can also find this at the back page of the salary loan application form

register as an online member so you can request for a SOA

interest and penalties change on a daily basis, on a straight-line method

If you wish to read more on salary loan, read more on the SSS website
if you have problems reaching the sss website, drop a comment so i can inform the sss

click here to access loans on the sss website

more about the SSS Pensioner loan from PNB

here's a follow-up story regarding the PNB loan
this is from Businessmirror, page b2, 18 June 2015

Apocalypse Now? some viral post evidence....................

you dont think so?

some visual proofs that the end may be nearer than what we think if we DO NOT CHANGE

click here

TABULAR SUMMARY OF SSS BENEFITS

Just a simple tabular summary of SSS benefits -  as released by CCD, PASED

This table will allow you, the readers to look at the benefits at a glance.

All computations are based on the MSC or monthly salary credit.

It must be remembered that SSS does not allow huge jumps in the MSC from one period to the other so that the ANC coverage is very misleading and rather irresponsible (from minimum to maximum was the example) - but this is simply my personal opinion.  This is already discussed in another post and will not be repeated here.

Some members who think they are very hip in mathematics and finances often demand interest payments on contributions.  May I ask these members to please temper their arrogance and think about not being too da*n selfish.  They should also think about trying to get a private insurance policy - on retirement - and see if they can get a rate as good as that of the SSS.

Most people think that SSS exists for themselves.  They demand huge increases without thinking of the consequences.

Wake up people.
SSS is a form of social taxation.  The higher paying members subsidize the lower paying members.

Friends and acquaintances who are rich and famous shrug off SSS pensions, calling it useless.
Money, my dear friends, is never useless

note:  there is an increase in funeral grant that is not yet reflected in this summary

you can find this same table on the sss website


click here to view the table on the sss website

The weight of a soul

very simple. 21 grams

the info source

Did you hear about the SSS Pensioner loans - from PNB?

Here is the relevant press data or should i say picture
Basically, this loan is being offered by PNB so only pensioners whose pension accounts are with PNB can avail of this loan.  So please apply to PNB directly.

Pensioners who wish to transfer their pensions accounts to PNB must first inform SSS, get the new forms, open an account, inform SSS of the new account, and leave the old account open until SSS deposits to the new account.

Requesting things from the SSS

Like any other government office, transacting with SSS requires knowledge of procedures, forms, and locations.  It is rare that SSS makes announcements to the public regarding changes in their forms so in this blog, i try to update my readers on forms that have changed, in the belief that knowing which or what forms to use may assist them in transacting with the institution.

Here is the new form:

A meeting of friends, Friday 5 June 2015

Ofelia Templo treated us - Mamu (Emily Ferrer),  Ronnie Pingol, Hermie Bungay, Ging dela Paz, and myself to dinner at Chili's at Tomas Morato last Friday.

It was also a good luck/farewell dinner for Ronnie who is migrating to Canada this June.

Ofie told us about their trip to Europe, and that was great.

Makes me wonder when i can go off on a European tour (i wish it need not be after retirement, and instead be .................. next year if not this year).

We saw a  bit of the pictures  and heard about their food trip, pizzas in Italy, for example - because of Jutes or Junjun.

We also touched a bit on politics ... Grace Poe, for example

As for food, Ofie hit all my faves - fajitas (shrimps, steak, chicken), quesadillas, salsa

An SSS Offer: Did you know that you can have SS sell your shares of stock?

You might have missed the SS announcement a while back about selling your stock shares that you obtained through the SSS stock loan investment program ....

well, you can - here's the announcement again

*****************************************************************************

SSS offers members option to sell shares for delinquent stock investment and privatization fund loans

12 February 2015

The Social Security System (SSS) is calling on members with outstanding loans under the Stock Investment Loan Program (SILP) and the Privatization Fund Loan Program (PFLP) to avail themselves of the option to sell their shares of stocks under the two programs.

“Despite loan condonation programs that we have offered in the past, there are still quite a number of SSS members who have let their unpaid SILP and PFLP loans balloon into staggering amounts due to penalties and interest,” said SSS Senior Vice President and concurrent Officer-In-Charge for Lending and Asset Management May Catherine Ciriaco. As of 31 December 2014, there are 3,037 delinquent SILP loan accounts, amounting to P304.44 million, inclusive of penalties and interest. There are also 5,755 delinquent PFLP loan accounts, totaling P304.19 million, with penalties and interest. The Social Security Commission in September 2014 approved the Option to Sell Shares of Stocks, as a way to lessen these delinquent accounts that total over P608.63 million. In the late 1980s, SSS offered the SILP to give its members an opportunity to invest in the stock market. Similarly, it offered PFLP in 1994 to enable its members to participate in the initial public offering of Petron shares which at that time was owned entirely by the government. The PFLP was also open to SSS members who were interested in buying shares of stock of Meralco that it was disposing at that time. Under the option to sell shares, the member-borrower will execute a Special Power of Attorney authorizing the SSS to sell his shares of stocks at the prevailing market price, based on the quotation of an accredited broker and subject to the usual broker’s commission, taxes and other fees. The net proceeds from the sale of the shares of stocks will then be applied to the member’s outstanding SILP or PFLP loan balance. “Any excess amount after application to the outstanding SILP/PFLP loan balance will be applied to his delinquent salary or housing loan, if any,” Ciriaco explained. “If none, or if there is still excess amount, then this will be refunded to the member-borrower.” However, if the net proceeds from the sale of the member-borrower’s shares of stock are not sufficient to cover the outstanding SILP or PFLP loan balance, then the member shall be required to pay the remaining amount either in cash, from a salary loan renewal, or from the final benefits (total disability, retirement, and death). However, the remaining balance will continue to be charged with interest and penalties until fully paid. “While this is not the condonation program that members are waiting for, the Option to Sell program is the next best way for members to finally pay off their outstanding loans under the SILP and PFLP to ensure that they fully enjoy their SSS benefits without deductions,” Ciriaco said. Members interested to apply for the Option to Sell Shares Program may contact Teresita Badiola or Ma. Divina Cadorna at the SILP Section of the SSS Member Loans Department, 11/F of the SSS Main Office, or call 435-9862 and 920-6401 locals 5887 and 5915 for further details. **************************************************************************** Here is the form to be used

Cuties galore - a look at a viral post

I remember when i saw Beastmaster starring Marc Singer in the title role
my favorite guys were the little ferrets

so take a look at these ferrets

Read about the House Bill on new Philippine ID? What about the UMID ID?

New Philippine ID? i say what? again, please.
Wasnt all the fuss about the Unfied Multi-IDentification id?  the UMID id, remember?

Didnt everyone go through all the fuss of lining up again, some even looking a bit haggard but following directives ...... and orders, and complying.

here we go again, is that it?
or perhaps producing ids are a lucrative business......

PENSIONERS: Your pension account must contain only your pension

Some pensioners keep tons of money in their pension account.
First of all, i would like to suggest that your pension account be an ATM account, the easier to withdraw if you, as a pensioner, become incapacitated - for whatever reason.

make sure whoever you entrust your atm card with is a person of integrity. something that is in short supply these days.

did you know that SSS can get the monies in your pension account?
well, the institution can, so be alert.

better to keep a separate account where you accumulate your funds.
Just a suggestion.

Need smiles in this crazy world? take a look at some of these Viral post pics

cutsies  ---click here

grumpy cutsies --->  click here as well

more cutsies ------>  click


.............. made me smile .....

Here is a directed post to make you smile

i cannot help but smile when i see this cat ....... prancing
he is just the cutest cat ever .... see that reference horse - a photo in the olympics

click here to see the cat and to put a smile on your face

More on the SSS-PESO Fund --- here's the brochure

 Read about the SSS Provident Fund.
SSS calls it SPF, not to be confused with SPA.

.. as for me, i'm going for the Pag-ibig fund. why, there are less restrictions
to be frank with you, readers - the return is supposed to be greater under the SPF than Pag-ibig 2

SSS Media Advisory - passing it on to my readers ... a Help Desk

Museo Orlina at Tagaytay, Sunday - 17 May

Alice had been telling me about Museo Orlina located in Tagaytay for some time now.

And Reality came last Sunday, 17 May when we set off to finally take our look-see

A champagne "flute", designed by Orlina, owned by Lagdameo

at the lobby, other art works - Orlina in the video

lovebirds - Alice and Manny

Manny, in the lower grounds, admiring the Pilita art

Jhong

at Starbucks

King One Hot Pot - Saturday, 16 May 2015

I availed of one of these promo thingamabobs and bought 3 vouchers.

The place is on the second floor - right opposite chili's (a place i know very well as i love their fajitas), nice, relatively new and the staff are polite and courteous, and not just that, but eager to serve.  It was equipped with an elevator, which was a plus for me since i am disabled.  stairs can be difficult for me, particularly narrow, steep ones.

The winner in the appetizer section was the fresh ampalaya.  It had a dash of salt and garlic, some acetic acid (vinegar, that is).  The adobo eggs were alright but some were a tad burnt.  The tofu was fine, but my bro's fried tofu is much better.

We had a choice of soup, so we got the split version - but neither one satisfied me the way Luk Foo's soup did.  The viands were fine - the shrimps (my nephew who is allergic to shrimps was not with us) were small, but was okay.  The meats were not as interesting.

They were billed as the best hotpot.  not quite, not for me.
but it wasnt bad.

i'd have to vote Luk Foo still.
i must remember to eat at David's Tea House. I think i already forgot the taste - that is, if it is better than Luk Foo's or not.

An SSS information post - being passed to my readers for your edification

Bradley's Bulalo at Tagaytay, near the Rotonda

well, so we had bulalo at Bradley's.

so we had Bulalo.  which is really nothing but bone marrow, beef and some veggies
since bulalo soup normally cooks all day, it is usually ready when one does order
always good with patis, red sili (crushed for the spice), and the tartness of calamansi

we had 2 salads - ensaladang ampalaya -- which had too much water, and tamed the taste too much
the mango salad - which almost had the same ingredients - tomatoes, onions, and bagoong, of course

then for an ender - we had inihaw na pusit, not as good as Muang Thai's but it was ok

then we had a lively debate about the real-or-fake-sunflowers that served as decor
since they were very far, we werent quite sure.

i was sure i had seen real sunflowers even bigger than those
but was not quite sure if what was on display was on real

finally, we asked someone to go over and look

.... shhhhh. it was fake

May 10 - Mother's Day

We spent Mother's Day with Mama Orencia, the mother of our Sakonit friend and Sayans batchmate, Paeng Orencia.  She had just turned 99 last May 6 but their celebration was on the Sunday.

She was sitting in bed, having lunch when i arrived, my cake - i chose Chocolate Mousse from Red Ribbon because she wanted something soft, not so sweet - and that was the Mousse for me.

The food was good, as usual - but there was lechon this time, and maki. i liked the 2, and the shanghai.  The shanghai was thin but delicious. Nice for pika-pika.

I missed Tita Cherry, Tito Billy Abueva's wife.  She and Mama Orencia are best buds, but she wasnt there this time.  I figured Amihan was out of town.  Apparently Butch didnt have a driver for the today so he was home-locked, and i dont know where Jerry and Liza were.  Manny and Alice had just deplaned from Canada so i thought they wouldnt be able to make it.

So twas me, Joey Dumandan, and Dale Villamor who joined Paeng .........

Kickstarter's a SOLAR PUFF Lantern

It folds - and wow, solar powered

i love kickstarter projects.  if you have funds to burn, instead of just spending it all on recreational drugs or good times, spare a little for projects such as these.... and thus imagine dark places in the world lit with light, with your help - as you sit there enjoying your martini or your champagne and your canapes with Russian caviar


take a look at this WOW project by Kickstarter

SSS Advisory to Pensioners

Just keeping you abreast of news in the Social Security System

SSS Peso-Fund has started

Just wanted give a heads-up to members

The Peso-fund has started yesterday for some branches.  ASK TODAY.
Same rules.

HERE IS A COPY OF THE NEWS RELEASE;  with slight editing for readability purposes only

SSS voluntary provident fund opens enrollment

6 May 2015

SSS is now accepting enrollment applications for the Personal Equity and Savings Option (SSS-PESO) Fund program, a provident-fund scheme that aims to increase savings among SSS members, particularly for building their retirement fund.

The program is open to all members who are 54 years old and below, and have at least six consecutive contributions under the SSS regular program within the last 12 months prior to enrollment. The member’s effective date of membership commences at the month a contribution is first made to the SSS-PESO fund. “They can participate for an initial contribution of P1,000 with succeeding contributions of at least P1,000, in multiples of P100. An SSS-PESO member can contribute up to a maximum P100,000 per year,” SSS Vice President for Benefits Administration Division Agnes San Jose said. For the pilot implementation of the SSS-PESO Fund, interested members may apply at the following branches in the National Capital Region: Diliman, Cubao, San Francisco Del Monte, Pasig-Shaw, Mandaluyong, Taguig, Makati-Gil Puyat, Alabang, Legarda, Pasay-Roxas Boulevard. Members are required to personally appear before an SSS authorized representative to sign the accomplished forms for confirmation. “This procedure allows us to verify the authenticity of the document and the identity of the applicant,” San Jose explained. By September 2015, all SSS branches nationwide will accept applications to the SSS-PESO Fund. Eventually, enrollment may be done online through the My.SSS portal. The program’s guidelines which came out recently, stated that employed members, regardless of the amount of their current monthly contributions, could join the SSS-PESO Fund while self-employed, voluntary and OFW members should be paying the maximum SSS contribution to be able to contribute in the SSS-PESO Fund. The guidelines further explained that there has to be a corresponding SSS contribution on the month the member will make contributions to the SSS-PESO Fund account. Refunds, withdrawals or benefit claims will be credited to the member’s single savings or current account with an SSS depository bank. Early termination of membership is not allowed. In a previous statement, the SSS said members can enjoy higher return on their savings under the tax-free fund, which offers guaranteed earnings that are based on rates higher than those offered in a savings account or bank deposit. According to San Jose, SSS-PESO Fund contributions are invested in government securities to ensure safety and liquidity and are guaranteed to earn based on prevailing Treasury bill rates. SSS-PESO Fund savings are allocated to three accounts namely, retirement, medical, and general purpose, which covers education, housing, livelihood, and unemployment. Only the portions allotted for medical and general purpose can be withdrawn before the member’s date of retirement. A corresponding management fee will be charged for each SSS-PESO account while penalties will be charged for any withdrawals made before the fifth year of membership in the SSS-PESO Fund. SSS-PESO Fund members may also receive additional earnings depending on the actual income of the fund at the end of each year.

A Goodreads quote on Books, one of my favorite things!

Do you remember the movie, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

I remember that Elizabeth Taylor starred in that movie with Richard Burton, and i think she was nominated for an Oscar there (i have to google to know for sure) but if she was, indeed, she didnt win because i remember she got the Oscar for Butterfield 8, where she played a lady of the night.

Virginia Woolf is of course, an author.  And i liked this particular verse ...

Books are the mirrors of the soul. 

Virginia Woolf

May 4, 1928: On this day, Virginia Woolf declared she found her fame "vulgar and a nuisance."