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Category: Blog
[PH Credit Cards] Which World MasterCard is the best?
The Philippines has eight World MasterCards, each with their own range of benefits and features. Here, I discuss them one-by-one.
RCBC Bankard’s World MasterCard opens up a whole new World – but still has new horizons to pursue
I've been very blessed and privileged to be a cardholder of RCBC Bankard's World MasterCard for a few months now, and after having used it, and reading up on its benefits, vis-à-vis RCBC's other offerings old and new, I have some thoughts about this top-of-the-line card to share.
Pride Rice
I’m not gay. But I’m pro-Pride. More importantly, I am pro-person.
[UPDATED FOR 2019] The best travel credit cards in the Philippines + ranking (Part 2 of 2 – Non-airline-specific cards and verdicts)
Part two of this article on the best travel credit cards of 2019 in the Philippines covers the non-airline-branded cards, as well as my verdict and a summary.
[UPDATED FOR 2019] The best travel credit cards in the Philippines + ranking (Part 1 of 2 – Airline-specific/co-branded cards)
What are the best travel credit cards in the Philippines for 2019?
Part one of this article covers airline-branded cards.
Innovation vs. tradition: With Zelda Breath of the Wild’s sequel announced, I reflect on one aspect of an otherwise perfect game that disappoints me terribly
A direct sequel to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild has now been announced. While I haven't even perfected the game yet, there is one glaring flaw that completely ruins the otherwise epic experience.
6 reasons for my morning routine
I'm not always a morning person, but I have a routine I stick to - because I want to use my abilities to make life good for myself, for others, and even my things.
Why I’ve gone carry-on-only, and why you probably should too
Who knew that going carry-on-only has positive implications for yourself, for others, for the environment, and for your possessions and wealth too? Read more on my reflections on adopting this travel lifestyle!
YOLO revisited
We can go beyond seeking the experiences that grant us self-fulfillment, and seek the visions including others in them, beyond our loved ones. Now that's YOLO.
5 Credit Card Benefits That’ll Make You Want to Apply, Now
Reality: The financial system favors those with resources. Even a single credit card can work wonders for you.
4 Life Lessons I’ve Picked Up Binge-Watching The Try Guys
The Try Guys have taught me more about confidence in one month than twenty-six years of life.
Afraid.
Afraid.
[The Who Goat] Too young? Too old? No such thing
You're never too young or too old to make a difference and to live your purpose! What matters is that you are open to it when that time comes, now or later.
[The Who Goat] Late bloomer? So, what?
There will be early birds, and there will be late bloomers, especially in higher purpose. But late bloomers are no less worthy than others and can, in fact, bloom the most beautifully. This is essential in understanding purpose.
[The Who Goat] True service above positions
Anyone who truly wants to serve would do so regardless of their standing. True service and purpose transcend any kind of position, role, or responsibility: what truly matters is that you are responsible
5 ways to show someone love
The five love languages of Dr. Gary Chapman may not all be prominent in any one person, but they're all worth knowing and living out. They can be translated into five concrete ways to show your love to others.
Dragonair?
Yesterday, Cathay Pacific announced that it would be rebranding its sister airline and subsidiary, Dragonair, as Cathay Dragon, in what is apparently a unit-wide rebranding campaign (Cathay itself also simplified and posh-ed up its logo and livery). This is good news for our fantasy friend named Dragonair, the Dragon-type Pokémon that evolves from Dratini and into… Continue reading Dragonair?
[The Who Goat] How is it all about balance?
It's not always easy to remember that living a purposeful life entails balance. It's all about balance, keeping yourself in check, and keeping yourself grounded in your purpose. Otherwise, you risk taking things too far at the expense of others or of yourself.
Dry throat when you wake up?
Key Takeaway: Is a dry throat keeping you grumpy when you wake up? The air around you might be dry, and placing a glass of water by your bedside the night before could provide comfort. And of course, drink it when you get up! Have you woken up in the morning only to feel nauseous or… Continue reading Dry throat when you wake up?
[The Who Goat] How can I share more goodness this year?
Sharing goodness can be done in so many ways - and, in fact, when you live your true higher purpose, your entire life becomes goodness shared. How can you share more goodness this 2016?
5 “new” resolutions
For many people, New Year calls for New Year's resolutions. Here's an interesting way to look at it differently but purposefully: five "new" resolutions you might want to write down and act on.
[TDY Week] Beginnings
As we begin the new year, so too will TDY begin its 2016 with a series of posts related to beginnings and newness. Have a purposeful year!
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year! Our hopes for 2016 are that our community can really grow and be like a virus - infecting each other and others with goodness and the desire to live a truly purposeful life.
A purposeful and merry Christmas to you!
The Daily You wishes the daily "You" a purposeful and merry Christmas!
[The Who Goat] What is the multiple medium channel system?
Instead of the traditional one big channel supplemented by several tiny ones, consider looking at a system of multiple medium channels that work together to achieve a vibrant, cohesive bigger picture. This applies not just to your income streams but also in living purposefully in general.
[Books] How is the KonMari method related to purposeful living?
Kondo Marie, creator of the KonMari method of decluttering and organizing, has created not a cleaning method but a philosophy to live out. Her revolutionary discard-then-sort system is infused with the values of mindfulness, optimism, and simplicity, which then naturally overflow into one's everyday living.
What are the benefits of staying organized?
There are many benefits to being organized - more than just an organized space, having an organized life as well. Here, we list six such overarching benefits to living tidy and neat.
How is hoarding un-purposeful?
Hoarding can come in many different forms - physical, digital, emotional and financial. And they're all against the tenets of awareness, even if said hoards are supposedly tidy. True organization is simple and purposeful, and to truly deal with hoarding is to deal with the personal mindset and standards on things, vis-à-vis purposeful living.
TDY Week: Organizing
It's the Christmas rush, and we may be so caught up in something that we may be going all over the place. That's why this week, we're launching a series of posts all about organizing and keeping tidy - and this doesn't just apply to physical clutter from shopping. We'll discuss organizing across a broad spectrum, and apply it to purpose as well.
Can purpose be taken too far?
Living a purposeful life can have negative aspects or results - which is the result of taking things to the extreme. Everything should be kept in moderation, and there are times when we should "give it a rest": we ourselves should take the time to rest ourselves and the things we do.
[Books] Spirituality for all
Fr. James J. Martin, S.J.'s book, The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything, is a great read for anyone across all walks of life - not just Roman Catholics or Christians - wishing to explore spirituality more deeply. The truths taught by the Jesuit founder, St. Ignatius of Loyola, are universal, timeless, practical, and flexible: a recipe for reaching out to the entire world.
Your personal life bible
For us who like to read, there will be that one book that seems to have such an impact on our lives it's become our guidebook to living a meaningful life: our Personal Life Bible. What's yours?
#APEC2015: Potential misjudged
Notable issues aside, APEC is not, and should not, simply be hated or written off. It was established more than twenty years ago to do its part in the goal that we are commonly striving for, and there is progress being made. Let's give it a chance, and let's give ourselves as budding entrepreneurs a change as well.
Introducing: Shower Meditation in 6 easy steps
If you're having your own spa experience at home with, say, scrubs and aromatherapy, then it's but natural to include a meditation process in it! Here I introduce my Shower Meditation practice, and now you can do it too in six easy steps.
Getting out of your comfort zone: A key to true living
Get out of your comfort zone! For many of us, true purposeful living may and will entail a complete change of a way or two of how we do or see things. Do so. It might be very difficult at the start, but that's the point - you grow for the better in the process.
5 natural ways to beat a cold
It's hard to have a cold, but I wouldn't rely too much on medicine for it because my body might get dependent on it. Here are five natural ways to fight it off - but if it's still there, then you should take meds or see a doct
Staying healthy: Why and why?
It is important to stay healthy for various reasons obvious and not so. But it is even more important to remember why you are trying to stay healthy, and to keep your health habits in moderation - so that they become means towards an end and not an end in itself.
Higher purpose: Love beyond passing
True purpose isn't called "higher purpose" for no reason: it is greater than us and is beyond us, and will keep on going even long after we have gone - whether it's dying or simply leaving. It is most evident in how we remember someone, and what we do with that remembrance as we live our daily lives. It is, in a nutshell, love beyond passing.
[To Self] 4 ways to make hand-washing a habit more effectively
Global Handwashing Day, celebrated last Thursday, is meant to raise awareness on the importance of washing hands regularly and properly as a habit - mainly to prevent diseases. But it also reflects awareness for yourself and others. Here are four tips on how to make handwashing a habit more effectively.
Going Christmas shopping? Buy local or sustainable
Even the things you consume can reflect your state of awareness! Especially this Christmas season, why not be more mindful of the things you buy - where they come from and how they are made - for gifts to your loved ones? Not only would you make your loved one happy, you'd also make a small-time business and their stakeholders happy: the best Christmas gift you can give them.
The value of inter-faith dialogue and cooperation in higher purpose
I firmly believe that all religions are simply different cultures' ways to commune with the One God. But more importantly, I also believe that these different systems should not serve as barriers, but rather as opportunities for dialogue, mutual support, cooperation, and moving forward together in the name of higher purpose.
Personal social responsibility: A commitment
The Personal Social Responsibility Commitment (PSRC) by the Benita & Catalino Yap Foundation, which promotes making CSR a lifestyle, echoes TDA's own values. Click to read the Commitment in its entirety.
Coming home yet journeying again: Personal CSR at its finest
The 5th Philippine Conference on Research in CSR held last 28 September 2015 was the culmination of a five-part program by the Benita & Catalino Yap Foundation that formally launched the concept of CSR 3.0, or Personal Social Responsibility. In practicing CSR 3.0, we are called to undergo personal transformation and always do more than expected, down to and especially the smallest actions.
Why purpose is vital
It's not about what we do but why we do something. The key question to ask always is "WHY": It's always about the purpose for doing things. But this purpose has to be rooted in truly life-giving soil: the soil of consciousness and service.
[Self] Rest after eating meat for digestion purposes
In another simple way to help contribute to good health, consider reworking your schedule so that you don't do intensive work (or at all!) after eating a heavy meal, especially one with meat. The energy used to digest the meat - which may take longer than for other foods - would conflict with powering you for work, thereby taking longer to digest your food.
Away with disposables… plastic and paper, that is
Get out and good riddance, traditional disposables. These environmental hazards are now so ubiquitous establishments the world over are raising awareness one way or another. The popular solution nowadays is to provide incentives for using reusable things - but what if they themselves are environmental hazards? No fretting - there's sustainable disposables!
The Zygarde question: Is Pokémon Z now likely?
Ever since Pokémon X and Y hit the shelves almost exactly two years ago - and Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire after that - people have been wondering about the next installment in the former's line-up - whether there'll be a third, enhanced game called Pokémon Z, or perhaps an X2 and Y2. Some months back, I wrote an… Continue reading The Zygarde question: Is Pokémon Z now likely?
3 tips on making your soap bars last
It's possible and easy to make bars of natural soap last, thereby lessening frustrations that such things are either expensive or wear down quickly. Here are three tips on doing so, taken from Human Nature Marikina.
Dr. Benita S. Yap, Ed.D. (1925-2015)
TDA joins the Benita & Catalino Yap Foundation in mourning the death of its namesake and Honorary Chair, the educator Dr. Benita S. Yap, Ed.D., who joined the Lord on 12 September 2015. She was 90.
Why sharing fosters growth
In living your higher purpose, it's always about community and sharing - everyone exchanges their ideas, resources, and talents to help others and be helped in the name of mutual achievement of the one big goal of authentic development.
The truth about beauty
How did there come to be a standard of beauty - and who said it has to be thin and white? I believe in true beauty: when you are living out your purpose, when you are living a life of love and of service.
Two-way individuality
Individuality isn't confined just to how responsibility should start on the personal level. Growing or developing others is also on an individual basis - precisely because we are individuals. Social change should take this very seriously, as not doing so would cause more harm than good.
Reflection: Much needed, yet undervalued
Reflection is crucial for the purposeful liver - or for anyone, for that matter. It allows us to think deeply, to truly think beneath the surface and beyond ourselves, and to keep ourselves in check vis-à-vis our purposes - an extremely important thing to do especially in today’s hyper-paced world. And for Christians, it allows us to talk and commune with our God.
Care for money bills
Did you know that it also constitutes social responsibility to take physical care of your money’s bill denominations? Even a mild defacing of them will render them invalid, and thus needed to be destroyed, and thus needed to be reproduced, thereby ultimately adding financial and environmental costs to society just to keep the fiscal system running smoothly.
The first you, not the next someone
Your individuality is the key to your purpose, and it is uniquely you - while you cannot be like anyone else, nobody can be like you either. Don't strive to be like anyone else (except for Christ), but be an unbeatable you!
Dream on, and dream!
Your dreams may be one way God - or your Higher Being - is speaking to you, and thus one way you can realize and live out your higher purpose or your Reason. Take time to look at them, and more importantly, follow them.
A visionary’s flaw, or the relationship between principles and kindness
Living a conscious life of purpose involves high principles or standards, and adhering to them. However, we run the risk of alienating others - and even ourselves! - by too strict an adherence or enforcement of said standards. We have to remember to be kind and understanding in accommodating others - and even towards ourselves!
6 easy ways to combat stress
Stress, if not taken well, can be our undoing. It is what weakens the immune system and therefore makes us more susceptible to disease and illness. Fortunately, it can be managed very easily. Here are six ways how.
Nature, M.D.
The human body has - and even is - its own natural healing system, something that Western medicine takes for granted. This is ultimately rooted in amino acids, of which we need 20 different kinds to stay healthy. Amino acids are best found in food. Stay healthy therefore by eating a balanced diet and eating rightly!
Criticalness, reading, and the brain all go into a bar…
Not only can reading contribute to social responsibility and development, it's actually also physiologically good for you! This is especially when critical reading is applied - and it goes hand-in-hand with critical thinking!
[Site Announcement] Slowdown of Posts
Hello, TDA readers! You may notice that the site may have been experiencing some slow "news days" this week. This is due to terribly slow Internet connections in our area lately (of which the recent inclement weather is to blame) - and the fact that Bittersweet Faith (taken from the song of the same name by… Continue reading [Site Announcement] Slowdown of Posts
Why?
The key to understanding everything, especially about yourself, is all about asking WHY. It leads to a deeper appreciation of your thoughts, words, and actions - and thus empowers you to live a better life well anchored on something eternal. Our entire beings are put into perspective: our underlying reason and purpose.
Eat Well: Green Tea
Green tea is one of the world's healthiest drinks, and has been recognized as such for more than 4,000 years, with its powerful antioxidant properties and bitter yet soothing taste. Click to check out a simple infographic on it!
The year that defined me – and how it can define us all
2014 was the year that defined me, for it shaped my beliefs, and it did so for good. Much of it is rooted in my experiences in the Benita & Catalino Yap Foundation (BCYF), and here I present my reflections from them as an excerpt from the forthcoming book 'Conversations with the Chairman'.
Never forget: Contingency!
A key part of responsible planning - for anything from business to travel - involves contingency planning, or anticipating possible problems or deviations and formulating solutions addressing them. Since we are never fully in control of things - only God being so - it is reasonable and responsible to assume that things can and will not proceed according to plan - and that thus we as responsible persons must be prepared for that.
West Valley Fault Preparations Part 3: Kits and Plans
This third of three posts about preparing for the predicted Valley Fault earthquake that will devastate the Greater Metro Manila area discusses in more detail having your own emergency supply kit and detailed disaster plans for the family and workplace/school. I recommend assembling your own supply kit instead of a pre-made one that may lack some essentials or contain unimportant things relative to your own circumstances. Disaster plans must be mastered and practiced by all members.
Gratuitous wits, or the futility of letter debate
What is the use of arguing over something like sola fides when so many people out there need the help of humble and loving Christians who have the capabilities to grant said help whichever way they can? None. There is no point in debating about the letter of the law when the spirit of the law is clearly being taken for granted.
West Valley Fault Preparations Part 2: Pre-, During, and Post-Earthquake
This second of three posts about preparing for the predicted Valley Fault earthquake that will devastate the Greater Metro Manila area discusses the things that can be done in preparing for an earthquake - before, during, and after it strikes.
How Do I Love Thee?
How Do I Love Thee?: A Sonnet.
West Valley Fault Preparations Part 1: Maps and Home Safety Check
This first of three posts about preparing for the predicted Valley Fault earthquake that will devastate the Greater Metro Manila area discusses the fault system atlas launched by government agencies in May 2015 as well as affected settlements, and a 12-point checklist evaluating your home's integrity and safety launched in February 2014. If you live in Metro Manila, I recommend you download these documents and study them.
The race or the call
Would you choose to race, or to accept a call? And would the race be worth it, or not? I do know the call is worth it. I invite you to reflect on answering your vocation as opposed to being engaged in careerism.
6 ways to beat the summer heat naturally
Summer, especially nowadays, can kill if you're not careful, what with the intense temperatures and humidity. Here are six ways to keep cool and well in a natural, healthy, or responsible manner.
When the academe and non-profit collide: Part 2
In the second part of my take on the ugly but avoidable battle between Gawad Kalinga and the University of Hawaii, I discuss things that both sides did that I question for being overreactive.
When the academe and the non-profit collide: Part 1
The social media battle between the University of Hawaii and Gawad Kalinga should never have happened. In this first part, I talk about the incident itself and some of my own thoughts regarding the matter.
Symbiotic Relationships
Symbiotic Relationships: A Haiku.
The Gospel According to You
What is the Gospel According to You? Only you can say, for it is YOUR story of love and peace shaped uniquely through YOUR lens. You are you, and there never was, is, and will be anyone like you.
The wait is over: Goodness to smile about
The long wait is over as the product Human Nature has been beseeched for for so long is now here. Introducing the Human Nature Natural Toothpaste: 99.76% natural, 100% no harmful chemicals, and 100% good for the earth!
What Christians can learn from The Secret
The Secret is actually very Christian - and the author and her collaborators even say so themselves. Positive thinking and the attitude of gratitude are actually traits we are called to embody as true Christians, through living a life of love and service to God and to others as our way of expressing thanks for all God has done for us. We indeed have the freedom to think our ideal lives into existence - but also the duty to keep it rooted in God and His purposes.
Parking outside? Check for stuff… and children
Parking outside, even in relative coolness, can turn your car into a furnace with the sun shining on it. The risk of heatstroke greatly increases, so always be mindful if you have children and pets traveling with you in the car. Also be mindful of your things that can perish in extreme heat, such as foodstuffs. Especially this summer, be conscious of this!
Watch your electronics in humidity!
Take care of the humidity surrounding you and your electronics! Many electronics won't work well or even start breaking down if it's too humid or too dry. Also, using electronics immediately after transferring them from a cool place to a very humid one can cause them to short-circuit. Let it "cool down" for a short while before using it.
Have an umbrella with you all the time!
Have an umbrella, even a small one, at hand always, rain or shine. In rain, they keep you from getting wet; while if it's sunny and really hot, it can keep you protected from the heat.
Prayers requested
Dear readers, You may notice that the site has not been updated the past several days. This is because I have been sick since Saturday with an infection and need to fully rest so I can recover. With a high fever, terrible headache, and a dreadfully painful throat (the source of said infection), I have… Continue reading Prayers requested
Book Feature: The Purpose Driven Life
The Purpose Driven Life is a master in showing us the eternal truths God has laid out for us. Through a 40-day spiritual journey, it teaches us five Purposes that we are to always keep in mind while holding on to our God-given individuality. I invite you to embark on the same journey!
Remove batteries when not in use
Take seriously your electronic devices' instruction manuals telling you to remove the batteries if the product won't be used for a long time. They can corrode or leak in your device, potentially damaging it - and your skin if you touch it - and thus cutting its life short.
急速 (Haste)
Haste: A Haiku.
The importance of orderliness
Orderliness and being organized is important as opposed to chaos and disorder. God Himself is a God of order, and from a practical viewpoint, it makes things simpler and smoother for us and others.
4 ways to ensure punctuality
We've all been late for something at least once. Tardiness is actually not living out consciousness and responsibility because it wastes time and ruins schedules - of both the other parties and the tardy party. Here are four suggestions to be more punctual.
Tying shoelaces: An essential life skill
Know how to tie your shoelaces! Shoelaces are so ubiquitous that it has practically become a life skill to learn how to use them properly. They're a time-tested and time-honored way of lacing up shoes of all kinds, especially your office or dress shoes, boots, and athletic shoes.
Everything in moderation
It is dangerous to focus on perfection or to be perfectionist - dangerous to our health, to our growth, and even to our faith. Perfectionism is different from excellence, the latter of which is what we should strive for - and the key to that is moderation.
Beware of over-cleaning!
Using antibacterial agents too much, or being a neat freak - whether it's your body or your surroundings - can actually be harmful for you in the long run, as your body either loses the opportunity to learn how to defend itself, or gets introduced to potentially deadly chemicals. I invite you to moderate your hygienic practices - do it properly but do not be perfectionist about it.
Worrying vs. Meditating
Worrying is focused thinking on a problem, which brings anxious and troubled feelings. Meditation, on the other hand, is focused thinking on something good, something peaceful - one of the highest examples being the Word of God. I invite you to stop worrying and start meditating!
TDA turns one!
Today, The Daily Aloy celebrates its first anniversary. Thank you so much to you, my readers and commenters!
[BREAKING NEWS] TDA to close indefinitely and turn 180 degrees
The Daily Aloy is closing down indefinitely as its founder and blogger has garnered some insights that the things he advocates are actually unreasonable and illogical. Thank you for your reading and support!
Eat Well: Ayran
Tasty, refreshing, and healthy: the national drink of Turkey, ayran.
Lectione gaudium
There is much joy to be elicited from reading. It is a free and pleasurable (if you let it be) vacation and medicine - a vacation for mind and soul, and a medicine for soul and society. Today, many take it for granted, and correspondingly, the Social Cancer is still strong and spreading. Take up a book today, read, learn, and act!
Better Over Good
I invite you to contemplate on choosing the better option over the good option in everything you do. Knowing that one can live better should be reason enough to reflect on this. Furthermore, God left no stone unturned in sending His only Son to die for our sins so that we may be saved; in return, we, too, owe it to Him to consider Better Over Good.
Cathay Pacific Flight 872
Cathay Pacific Flight 872
Bring eco-bags with you when going shopping!
I invite you to bring canvas bags, or eco-bags, with you whenever you go shopping. They're more durable and useful than paper bags, which have replaced the plastic bags that are now banned in parts of Metro Manila.
What is to truly travel?
What does it mean to truly travel? It is adapting an open and mindful mind while staying true to yourself, as opposed to being unaware, intentionally or not, of the ways around you. The latter leads to a less-than-fulfilled experience, while the former makes you grow and appreciate more - one step closer to practicing true personal CSR.
Aloy Chua 