What a True Public Servant Should Be

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Enough with the mudslinging, and pitiful are those who attack the physical attributes of someone they despise because it only makes their logic and reasoning too weak to stand on their own.

This administration is not perfect. There has never been one free of scrutiny....and though there are obvious irregularities, corruption and double standards happening, the past administrations were never clean as well.

We have been exerting all efforts to choose the lesser evil, but we keep on failing since I believe most of them just got too greedy during their "reign".

6 years is just like only 6 months when you are enjoying the luxurious life being at the center of too much power and affluence. It truly corrupts even the noblest of angels...and Duterte was never even an inkling of an angel. He was clearly identified as responsible for the Davao Death Squad yet we still put him in the Presidency, and are constantly shocked with his words and actions.

Why have our government officials gone to the deep end? Because we have pampered them with VIP treatment instead of inculcating in their minds that they are public servants who are supposed to be serving us.

What is happening is the other way around.

As public servants, they should be mingling with the people they serve, and experiencing what ordinary people have to deal with on a daily basis and not having their own chauffered and police-escorted high-end air-conditioned vehicles.

They shouldn't be given the best seats in the house. We are their bosses so they should either sit with us for equality or given the last priority on the seats since they should give way for us.

They shouldn't be getting a high salary. It only further attracted crooks to the position, add to it the additional perks and privileges they are constantly getting.

These are just some of the reasons why these top government positions are sought by those who have the wrong motivations.

Will you still run for office and spend millions on your campaign and propagandas if you follow these new arrangements?

Lessons from the Philippines' Failure Against Covid-19

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Under the Uncertainties of COVID-19

The deadly widespread COVID-19 has presented the world unprecedented challenges. It is not only a global public health emergency that has claimed thousands of hundreds of people’s lives, but also causes immediate and long-term economic impacts which have devastating effects on billions of households. Philippine becomes the second hardest-hit country by COVID-19 in Southeast Asia. As of early July, there are 51,754 confirmed cases and 1,314 fatalities reported . The number of confirmed cases has been increasing rapidly since June.

The most marginalized across the country– the 33 million children who make up around one-third population of Philippine[i] – are likely to be hit the hardest. Too many children have been denied healthcare, been torn out of school, or left in abusive homes without access to protection.

But in crisis there is also opportunity. The pandemic is a chance for regional governments to build back better, safer and greener. In July, Save the Children set out a post-pandemic agenda for the Asia Pacific region as well as Philippine – a road map for how we can use the disruption of Covid-19 to create fairer and more inclusive societies. We believe that the virus must lead to a fundamentally different world – a new social contract between governments and people, drawing on lessons from the pandemic’s impact on all of our lives.

With the COVID-19 fatality rate of 3.37%, Philippine has the second-highest fatality rate in Southeast Asia[ii]. The rapid spread and relative high death ratio of COVID-19 have shown the inefficiency of the healthcare system as well as insufficient public health management capacity of Philippine. Broadly speaking, countries with well-functioning hospitals and stockpiles of crucial supplies including Personal Protective Equipment have done better in protecting their populations from the pandemic. Philippine’s low healthcare expenditure mainly explains the low efficiency. The healthcare expenditure of Philippine as part of the GDP has been around 4.4% for several years, much lower than the world’s average level of 9.89%[iii]. Philippine also has faced a shortage of vital medical supplies. “The average number of ventilators in small hospitals around the Philippines is very small compared to what is really needed.” According to media report[iv]. While countries with better-resourced healthcare systems such as Thailand and Vietnam have done much better. For example, Thailand could provide 10,000 ventilators for a population of 70 million. The pandemic is a wake-up call for governments to target at least five percent of their GDP spending on healthcare moving forward.

The education sector has also been disrupted on an unprecedented scale, with 28,451,212 students affected in Philippine due to the nation-wide school closures[v]. To stem the spread of coronavirus, in early March, all educational institutions were enforced to close schools and classes have been shifted online[vi]. Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte recently says he will not allow students to go back to school until a coronavirus vaccine is available, even as some other countries resume in-person classes[vii]. However, virtual classrooms are inaccessible to those without internet connections. The pandemic has exposed the sharp digital divide in Philippine, where most children living in rural and remote areas and have no access to the internet. Philippine’s network readiness index scores only 47.7, ranking 71 worldwide, compared with Singapore’s 82.13[viii], which shows the most of Filipino children are not technically prepared for long-term online learning.

Internet access is becoming more than just a daily necessity but is also crucial to fulfilling a number of children’s human rights – including access to education and information. With online education likely here to stay, the Philippine government must redouble efforts to ensure that everyone can access the internet, including in marginalized and rural communities.

The combination of lockdown and school closure has also heightened the risks of increased Violence Against Children (VAC), particularly online sexual exploitation in Philippine. The financial and psychological pressures brought about by the pandemic have increased tensions in the home, resulting in huge spikes in calls to domestic violence hotlines in Philippine. Children have been particularly hard hit by what the UN has called a “shadow pandemic”, as they have been unable to access the protection services they normally would or find sanctuary and safety in schools. The Department of Justice (DOJ) Office of Cybercrime said 279,166 child sexual abuse cases have been reported from March 1 to May 24 this year, compared to 76,561 cases over the same period in 2019. The cases of internet-based sexual exploitation of children this year was an increase up to 264 percent, the Philippine’s DOJ pointed out[ix].

The government leaders must use the pandemic to strengthen systems protecting children from domestic violence and other forms of abuse. They must invest in remote monitoring systems that can better detect violence against children behind closed doors in family homes. The virus has also shown that social service workers who play a crucial role in protecting children from harm must be deemed “essential” in the same way that medical doctors and nurses are.

The pandemic has wrought havoc across war-torn and wealthy societies worldwide. In Philippine, the situation is not any better with 33 million children facing different forms of issues associated healthcare, learning and violence on different levels. We owe it to children to learn our lessons from the virus and create a world where they can not only stay alive with their families, but also grow and thrive.

Could Republic Act 6735 Save ABS-CBN?

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Hey ABS-CBN ( In The Service of the Filipino), have you considered this?

Republic Act 6735 otherwise known as "The Initiative and Referendum Act" was approved on August 4, 1989 to provide for system of initiative and referendum to directly propose, enact, approve or reject, in whole or in part, the Constitution, laws, ordinances, or resolutions passed by any legislative body.

How come nobody significant or in position is talking about this option?

Pustahan, hindi man lang masisimulan itong Republic Act 6735 dahil karamihan lang naman ng ingay sa social media ay hanggang dito lang talaga.

Maraming matapang lang online. Puro satsat, reklamo at bash, pero mga takot din ang mga yan kumontra sa gobyerno dahil no one in  government plays clean especially these traditional politicians.

The numbers might not even reach 11k which is supposedly the number of ABS-CBN employees. Iba na kasi usapan kapag identified na sila. Baka maidagdag pa names nila sa War on Drugs list.

Yang mga pabidang Senators at artistang react to the max, hindi na magpaparamdam mga yan. Mananahimik na lang sila.

Seryosong usapan, I'm sure the TV network's team of lawyers have exhausted all possible options to regain its franchise, even to the point of getting the public's sympathy so the people could in turn influence the decision of their congressmen. Kaso there must be too little a commotion. The effort was not enough to get a favorable decision.

It's a sign it must be undeserving. Huwag ipagpilitan ang sarili sa ayaw sa iyo. Tutal American citizen rin naman si Lopez, he could setup his new TV network in the US instead....isama nya yung 11k na empleyado nila. At least away from a menacing Duterte. By the way, meet Trump, the US version of the Davao mayor.

E-commerce Portals Lazada and Shopee: Leading in the Philippines

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Lazada and Shopee are founded in Singapore. But the products sold at their sites are mostly made in China.

Sadly China-made products are still the cheapest especially when compared to Philippine-made.

Shopee is a Singaporean e-commerce platform headquartered under Sea Group (previously known as Garena), which is a global consumer internet company founded in 2015 by Forrest Li.

Lazada Group is another e-commerce company founded by American Maximilian Bittner in Singapore with the backing of Rocket Internet in 2012, and now owned by the Alibaba Group.

The two companies are merely portals that conveniently gives you access, and also a platform to sell, several products from different vendors. They are online malls or shopping centers.

Aside from the two, there are a few more similar e-commerce sites out there also not free from mischievous sellers, and buyers.

We still have to be extra careful in dealing with the sellers, or buyers, on these sites as there are several complaints and irregularities that have been documented.

Does ABS-CBN Deserve to Lose Its Franchise?

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"They’re supposed to be voices of the people they represent, but all they do is protect their personal interests. "

Do you firmly believe that the 70 Congressmen voted without any conscience?

We followed thru the hearing and we have drawn our own conclusions. Unfortunately, the only votes that can be counted are from these representatives.

Eventhough all allegations against ABS-CBN were debunked by the representatives of government agencies who acted as resource persons, the final decision still lies with each Congressman.

Is it true that the testimonies of government agencies clearing ABS-CBN of any violations and attesting to its compliance to law provisions were set aside and ignored in the franchise committee hearings? Instead, it embarked into phishing expedition for networks alleged violations?

Cayetano must realize that it is not just the decision of the House panel but the horrendous and obnoxious ways they conducted the hearing that enraged the public. This fellow is so clueless.

"I think the government is way more entertaining compared to ABS-CBN whose primary business is "entertainment" and not news and public service as the management prominently tries to point out"

Seriously, we are easily entertained by their "slapstick, insult-throwing and pabebe comedy" and emotionally touched by those tear-jerker segments added to almost all parts of their shows, even talent searches.

It's high-time we elevate our standards....and maybe to those who lost their jobs because they let these type of entertainment prevail in their TV network, have a voice to tell your management that they should stop dumbing down the masses.

Many kids out there want to be an entertainer instead of choosing careers from fields that could give our country a better chance to become first world.

Thus the Philippines is known mostly for it's performers that provide entertainment in and out of the country, and not because of its engineering or scientific achievements.

Media greatly affects our decisions in life. It shapes a great part of our psyche. Thus we need more responsible people to share more significant content or information to help us shape the nation and not turn it into a circus just like what the government is doing.

If you were to ask me. Enough with media like ABS-CBN which is nothing more but just an entertainment network. Even their news are funny as it is mostly neither fair or relevant in sharing news.

The bulk of its business is in providing entertainment, sadly dumbing down the masses, only.

Lahat naman may pinag iinteresan. Do we even know the details on how the TV network was returned to the Lopezes after the Aquinos took over the Presidency of Marcos?

Aside from ABS-CBN, the Lopezes have other businesses too. Our government officials have other businesses or source of income as well kahit bawal for them. Karamihan undeclared or may dummy owners.

Both just use different means to gain what they do not really deserve if they will follow the law. Kaso, kaya nilang magbayad ng mga abugado para paikutan ang mga loopholes. Maraming bawal pero nagagawa dahil sadyang sakim karamihan sa atin.

But Karma balances all inequalities. We just do not know when it will even the playing field. All evil could conspire to bring us down, but if we do not really deserve the downfall, we will eventually rise up again like the phoenix.

Both sides are not revealing everything. Pareho lang may mga skeletons in their closets. Yet since we made it a rule that the majority vote wins, the 70 who voted Yes to the ABS-CBN shutdown naturally caused the death of the TV network, just as how the biggest vote last 2016 election made someone the president of this country.

It is about time to change that rule. The majority is not always right because majority of us are not equipped to decide properly. We could not go beyond the traditional thinking. We are always getting manipulated easily by PR campaigns. Immediately getting impressed with just witty statements proliferated unknowingly by PR practitioners through media willing to post anything as long as there are corresponding compensations.

Unless government officials are made to act appropriately as public servants that receive salary commensurate to their actual degree, career background, achievements and work performance they will forever be seen as corrupt only interested in accumulating more wealth.

Unless media becomes a non-profit organization, they will forever be seen as nothing more but a PR agency for the people that can pay their price.

Maybe this will in turn shape up the rest of the media outfits out there.

Huwag na rin ninyo ipasara mga shabu laboratories, logging, dynamite fishing, endangered animals poaching, online scamming, cybersex dens, carnapping, pirated products manufacturers, and other syndicates,, kasi kawawa naman mga libo-libong mawawalan ng trabaho, at least kahit during this pandemic...

Seriously, where do we set the line to allow our conscience to ignore the discrepancies and irregularities in favor of the welfare of others?

Politically motivated maybe, but 70 congressmen couldn't be all wrong and evil to purposely bring down a TV network and let thousands of people suffer the consequence without weighing the pros and cons.

Sa mga nalulungkot sa pagkawala sa TV ng ABS-CBN, gantihan ninyo sa online.

Create better shows and news programs online that will turn people away from TV, radio and print. Make the other forms of media extinct.

If you are really good, people will seek you out and find ways to listen or watch your shows.

The bigger you get, the more jobs you will eventually create and thus able to rehire those you had to lay off.

But knowing the government, you may have to rebrand, improve your employment structure,  and change your programming concepts...Enough of the biased newscasters, stop the slapstick comedies of third sex comedians promoting immorality on national TV, innovate the plots and storylines of your teleseryes, etc., otherwise, they will just go after you again.

Chilling effect my ass! If I was the President and wanted to threaten media to stop posting negative stories about me, I will not start by going after only the big players. I will go after all. So it's unfair for both Rappler and ABS-CBN to yell this as an attack on press freedom.

Seriously, both have been coming out with truly biased news and tabloid-like treatment of features. We deserve better.

PHLPost honors Covid-19 frontline workers with new stamps

Wazzup Pilipinas!

On July 13, the Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost) will release special stamps honoring frontline workers who have been involved in the battle against Covid-19.

Under the theme “We fight for you, Frontline Heroes, fighting against coronavirus”, the colorful stamps illustrate Filipino workers involved in the battle against Covid-19 which include doctors, medical staff, military, police, delivery, supermarket and food personnel.

PHLPost pays tribute to our frontline heroes for doing their jobs even if they are at risk of being inflicted with the virus.

Likewise, the souvenir stamps feature the iconic artwork depicting our modern day “masked super heroes” in blue color which symbolizes stability and responsibility.

“This postage stamp is our simple way of uplifting and boosting their morals and making them feel that their sacrifices are not left unnoticed”, Postmaster General Joel Otarra said.

PHLPost has printed 200,000 pieces of eight (8) different frontline heroes featured in the regular stamps to be sold at 12 pesos each. The stamps were designed by in-house graphic artist Rodine Teodoro.

A special 5,000 pieces of the limited collector’s edition of the souvenir stamps with a denomination of P55 each will also be released.

PHLPost has also prioritized the safety of stamp collectors and employees during this difficult time by accepting stamp orders from home and delivered right at the doorstep through its innovative “Stamp on Wheels”.

PHLPost will have a live Facebook event on the date of issuance of the said stamp on July 13 at 2pm.There will be a discussion on the future stamp issues and projects of Pilipinas Philately.

For inquiries, please call 8527-01-08 or 8527-01-32 or follow/like the facebook page https://www.facebook.com/PilipinasPhilately/ for updates.

Stamps and Official First Day Covers are also available at the Philatelic Counter, Manila Central Post Office and other post offices soon.

Power Couple’ Pia Wurtzbach and Jeremy Jauncey to fundraise for environmental frontliner communities

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In an effort to raise funds to support World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Philippines’ environmental front liners and partner communities, Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach and WWF-US Ambassador Jeremy Jauncey are set to host the latest installment of the organization’s Digital Fundraising Hour, streaming live this Wednesday, July 15, 8:00 PM PHT and 8:00 AM EST on WWF-Philippines’ official Facebook page.

For their first fundraising livestream together, the power couple will be talking about sustainability, how we can practice this in our communities and our homes, and how we can all do our part for the planet, one individual act at a time.

The two have been known to be passionate for their advocacies long before they came out as a couple, with Jauncey actively championing ‘smart conservation’ and sustainable tourism as a WWF-US Ambassador since 2018, and Wurtzbach supporting WWF-PH’s recent fundraising initiatives over the summer under the “Supporting The Lives of Those Who Support Ours” campaign.

Digital Fundraising Hour is WWF-PH’s one-hour livestream program where celebrities, changemakers, and public figures come together to spread awareness on pressing environmental issues and encourage viewers to practice and contribute to the organization’s conservation efforts. Originally launched as a series of physical mall events headlined by WWF-PH ambassadors and advocates, the organization has shifted the campaign to digital platforms to continue advocating for conservation even during these challenging times.

WWF-Philippines is set to launch more online campaigns, events, and programs to support our communities and our conservation work in the months to come. Stay tuned to WWF-Philippines’ official social media pages for the complete lineup and schedule, and to find out how you can help #ChangeTheEnding for the environment.

How can you get SoundCloud more likes and plays?

Wazzup Pilipinas!

As many of us are familiar with, SoundCloud is one of the biggest online music distribution platforms that help independent and aspiring music artists to showcase their talent through DIY music promotion. The brand has changed the outlook of the online music distributing industry and has helped quite many budding artists to gain recognition.

There are several methods for you to use on SoundCloud by which you can increase your plays and likes and actually get “heard” by people. Some people also buy soundcloud likes cheap to increase the number of plays but that is one of the several tricks to follow.

Here are some other tips that you can follow to get results. These ways have proven themselves to be useful and effective and are a must follow if you are looking to increase your likes and plays.

Tag your track

One of the best ways to get new fans to listen to your music is by tagging your music. Tagging allows your track to appear when someone searches for the genre on SoundCloud. Sticking to one main genre is advisable because if you just go crazy and tag your music with a bunch of genres, it is most likely that your track won’t appear in any of them. Make your tags concise and precise, you can add location or moods associated with your music, keep in mind that the more accurate your tags are, the more discoverable your music is going to be for people who want to listen to it.


Buy link

Getting more plays and likes is good, but it won’t get you through the month or get you that headset that you were looking forward to buying. This can be resolved as SoundCloud lets you make a ‘Buy’ link t0 your track when you upload it. This can drastically increase the traffic to your track and also lets you earn some money from your music. Adding the right links like Bandcamp, Juno, iTunes or whichever platform you prefer to sell your music on can be an effective way of reaching out and also make some cash while you are on it.

Tell a story with your waveform

SoundCloud has a feature that allows fans to comment on your waveform, but another method to promote your music is to comment on the waveform yourself. You can use the waveform to communicate with your fans and inform them about the process of how you made your music. The best way to make your fan base increase is to take feedback from existing ones and finding out what exactly you lack to offer them the best experience they listen to your tracks.

Getting your album art right

One of the key factors for music to grow and be recognised is the artwork that is associated with it and appears on the cover. Anywhere you share, be it on Facebook or a blog, the first thing that anyone will see when they look up your track is the album art. Make sure the art can be connected to the music, which enables your album to stand out among a hundred others.

These are a few of the ways that you can get significantly more likes and plays in SoundCloud and even make some money while following your passion.

The final tip for the icing on the cake would be to share more, share regularly and share smartly.

Bubonic Plague: After Covid-19, Are We Threatened by Another Virus from China?

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"How many more disease we need to wake up from the truth?"

Is the food so insufficient there that Chinese people literally have to eat anything and everything! The day isn't far when they will start eating their own family members!

Different culture and ideology to the West... How much more evidence do they need that the way they choose to live and eat are destroying themselves and others??

China is literally testing our patience, it should make everyone think that why every disease is spread through only one country and then can start raising this questions to China! It is really frustrating now and getting on our nerves!

China's mindset is "we are the superior among all and we can do or eat whatever we want." They don't mind on the consequences.. They are only focused on taking advantages of everything that they can get in their hands on.. I dont know anymore what to expect.

In my view, there is only one solution to this problem and that is that the whole world should form an association that completely expel China. The same thing should be done with any country which does not agree to this until China agrees to establish a democratic government there. Only then you can solve this problem and many other problems together.

China is a large country with a huge population. They has many cultures and several sub-culture inside. The country has many tribes and each tribe has passed their beliefs through generations to family members. That's why we've seen a girl who is dressed with modern outfit but eats bats!

A new case of bubonic plague was recently detected in a herdsman in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region of China.

Misleading claims were shared on social media that a recent case of the bubonic plague detected in China would trigger a "severe epidemic" and that the plague can be spread through cough droplets.

The World Health Organization has said the bubonic plague case is not high-risk and is “being well managed."

The bubonic plague is caused by bacterial infection, usually transmitted from animals to humans by fleas, and was responsible for the Black Death, which killed around 50 million people across the world in the 14th century.


Bubonic plague is carried by rats and mice. It has been found in the American SouthWest. And it is easily treatable with antibiotics. It has always been in the states.   Just well controlled.  The plague resides in rodents, and prairie dogs.  Calling it the Black Death is a great eye catcher, but it’s no where near as bad as you say it is.

Regarding Bubonic Plague, it’s perfectly treatable nowadays. It has never gone away. Pops up all the time all over the world. Simple hygiene will combat the plague, there is nothing to worry about. It is spread mainly by fleas on rats and pest control will handle that. There are people all around the world that are infected with bubonic plague every year and have been for every year before anyone paid attention. Bubonic is not spread by eating wild animals and it occurs fairly often but it is just easily cured now. It is no longer a threat to humanity at this point.

Additionally leprosy is carried by armadillos, which are in the American South. But it too is easily treatable with antibiotics.

Bacterial infections can be treated by antibiotics. And as long as we don't over-use antibiotics they will still be effective in these treatments. Viruses are more difficult to treat. They are not living organisms. However they enter living cells, and basically take over the cell.

Actually we are risking ourselves each day to survive. How much can one prevent ourselves from such pandemics. Us being angry is justified, as we humans have gone nuts.

It's more a question of respecting the fact that we aren't as "superior" as we think we are. We're just as vulnerable to the laws of nature and we absolutely have to respect every being we share this planet with.

If the people on our planet decide to be vegetarian more than half of the deadly diseases will vanish forever! China has such a huge population to feed and that is probably a reason that exotic breeds and wildlife is being consumed. This does not excuse it. If more people adopted a plant based diet we could save our planet.

I really want to rename china as the "Capital of Viruses." For real though, those Chinese people don't actually care about some people or animals, just that they can get many money, that's fine for them.

The way the Chinese government is trying to divert the world's attention from their Covid mis-handling by creating unrest in Tibet, Taiwan and Hong Kong shows they could go to any length to hide their nefarious designs. I am not anti-China. Just anti- covert political agenda of their ruling Party. Their scientific research labs with bio-hazardous germ-warheads are what scares me the most.

It's easy for all the political leaders out there to cut ties from China and block all the communications, but the greed of trading and importing Chinese products are stopping them from doing so.
                   

Practical Tips on How to Trade Cryptocurrencies

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For some time now, I have been closely monitoring the performance of crypto currencies to get an idea of ​​the market direction. The routine my primary school teacher taught me - was to wake up, pray, brush your teeth, and have breakfast - has changed a little to wake you up, pray, and then go online (starting with coinmarketcap) to find out in which position the cryptographic assets are in red.

The beginning of 2018 was not a good time for altcoins and recognizable assets. Their performance was paralyzed by the bankers' frequent opinion that the crypto bubble would burst shortly. Nevertheless, the cryptocurrency's passionate supporters are always "HODLing," and they are reaping great.

Bitcoin has recently returned to almost $ 5,000. Bitcoin Cash came close to $ 500, while Ethereum found peace for $ 300. Almost every piece was hit by newcomers who were still in the exciting phase. At the moment, Bitcoin is back on track and is selling for $ 8,900. Many other cryptos have doubled since the upward trend began, and the market cap is $ 400 billion, compared to the recent high of $ 250 billion.

If you are slowly warming up to cryptocurrencies and want to become a good trader, the tips below will help.

Practical tips for exchanging crypto currencies

• Start modestly

You've already heard that crypto currency prices are skyrocketing. You have probably also learned that this upward trend might not last long. Some opponents usually valued bankers and economists, generally call them fast, prosperous regimes with no stable foundation.

Such messages can cause you to hurry up, invest, and avoid moderation. A little analysis of market trends and the good currencies you can invest in can guarantee you a good return. Whatever you do, don't invest all your hard-earned money in these assets.

• Understand how the exchange works

I recently saw a friend who sent a Facebook feed to one of their friends who wanted to trade on the stock exchange. He didn't know how it works. It is a dangerous decision. Always check the website you want to use before signing up, or at least before you start trading. If you have a dummy account to play with, take the opportunity to learn what the dashboard looks like.

• Don't insist on exchanging everything

There are over 1,400 crypto currencies to trade, but you can't tackle all of them. Spreading your portfolio over a large number of cryptos than you can effectively manage will minimize your profits. Pick a few; learn more about how to get your trading signals.

• Stay sober

Crypto currencies are volatile. It is both her curse and her blessing. As a trade with bitcoin storm, you need to understand that wild price fluctuations are inevitable. The uncertainty of when to do it makes someone an ineffective trader. Use hard data and other research methods to know when to act.

Successful traders belong to several online forums, in which crypto currency discussions about market trends and signals are discussed. Of course, your knowledge may be enough, but you have to trust other traders to get more relevant data.

• Clearly diversify

Almost everyone will tell you to expand your portfolio, but no one will remind you to manage real-life currencies. There are some worthless coins that you can use to make money quickly, but the best crypts to deal with are the ones that solve existing problems. Coins used in the real world are generally less volatile.

Don't diversify too early or too late. Before you decide to buy a crypto asset, you should know the market capitalization, price changes, and daily trading volume. If you keep a healthy wallet, you can make the most of these digital resources.

Do you have a website that needs to be invested or that needs technological content? Having trouble finding a writer who understands your needs? Contact me on Twitter or LinkedIn, and I will help you more!

Learn About the Bitcoin Trading

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Bitcoins are the new form of digital currency that is used by many traders and investors. Any currency market can trade bitcoins, but it's risky because you can lose your hard-earned money. You have to be

very careful before proceeding.

About Bitcoin:

A Bitcoin is identical to currency, although it has a digital form: you can save, invest, and spend it.

Cryptocurrency is already in circulation in the market that leads to Bitcoin. It started in 2009 with an anonymous person named Satoshi Nakamoto.

Became popular this year when the price dropped from $ 2 to $ 266. This happened in February and April.

A process known as mining would generate

Bitcoin using powerful computer algorithms called blocks. Once a block is decrypted, you will earn about

50 bitcoins.

Typically, solving a single problem takes a long time, maybe a year or so. If you can't do this, there is another way to get these bitcoins. That is, you buy it.

Working with Bitcoin:

When you buy Bitcoin, you exchange your real money and receive digital currency in Bitcoin.

It is very easy; if you want to exchange currency, you have to pay to get that currency. The same applies to

bitcoins.

You pay the current Bitcoin rate. Let's say its $ 200, and then you spend $ 200 and get Bitcoin. It is a kind of product. Most of the market exchanges make a lot of money by moving the currency in the market.

You get US dollars from donating these bitcoins and get rich instantly. However, the fact is that these exchanges lose money easily, as it seems easy to make money crypto online trading by converting

bitcoins to dollars.

Become a market participant:

There are many ways to become a player in the Bitcoin market. The easiest is to buy a dedicated computer, install the Bitcoin mining software, and decode the blocks. This process would be the easiest way, but it is slow.

If you want to make money faster, you need to form a team. You need to organize a Bitcoin pool with four to five members.

Then you can build a mining pool and decrypt blocks faster than one person. You could potentially decrypt multiple blocks at the same time.

The fastest way to make money with bitcoins is to go straight to the markets. Opt for reliable and reliable bitcoin exchanges that operate in the market.

You have to register first. Sign in and create an account. You then have to react to confirmations accordingly. This way, you stay informed about all Bitcoin work stocks.

You can trade bitcoins on any online trading platform. Some companies even accept Bitcoin payments.

Smart Asset Managers Founder Believes Filipinos Should Benefit From Filipino-Owned Businesses

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Who else should primarily benefit from businesses owned by Filipinos but their own fellow Filipinos. Thus, many should be excited about this new firm that is about to launch as well in the Philippines.

As the saying goes, love local - prioritizing every Filipino-made brand, product or service, to primarily patronize the brands made in the Philippines. Thus it goes the same for entrepreneurs or businessmen to put into consideration giving the Filipinos the most opportunity  to gain the best possible benefits out of Philippine-owned firms.

Rommel Santos is Philippine-born and he may be Australia-based but the Smart Asset Managers (SAM) founder and entrepreneur, said that his company, is a subscription-based firm that aims to revert to the conventional method of entrepreneurial journey through sharing economy, and this means that he also pushes for the creation of a cooperative wherein every subscriber automatically becomes a member of a coop.

"…… the State shall recognize cooperatives as associations organized for the economic and social betterment of their members, operating business enterprises based on mutual aid, and founded upon internationally accepted cooperative principles and practices” as per Republic Act 6939 that created the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA).

Santos wants SAM subscribers to be covered by a cooperative so Filipinos will benefit from whatever profit SAM will gain.

For now, a subscriber of 300USD gets rewarded of up to 15% monthly distributed daily to his SAM E-wallet account. It entails pre-development capital raising.

With a subscriber’s coop membership, he then has the sense of ownership or belongingness. Another is for Filipinos to have the income opportunity or beneficiaries are the general public.

AsTAs mentioned, the Melbourne, Australia-registered firm will soon have a grand launch in the country after settling all its amenabilities and formalities with the Philippine government.

Santos says that Smart Asset Managers Project Developments (SAMPD), wants to disrupt a long-going business practice of some foreign companies operating in the Philippines “where they write off or deduct their taxes by bringing out money from the Philippines to avoid paying appropriate local taxes should which should not be the case. "Let the benefit go where it should,” he explains. “We are not after any tax holidays, tax breaks or tax reliefs.” Santos has long announced that he wanted to contribute to bring positive changes to Filipinos’ financial state.

Especially now that the Philippine economy needs a big boost during the Covid-19 Pandemic when many businesses have either closed down or laid-off their employees, we have to commend the founder for such an honorable endeavor.

5 Best Times to Get a Bank Loan in the Philippines

Wazzup Pilipinas!

There are many reasons to get a bank loan in the Philippines, whether it’s for personal or business purposes. The problem is that sometimes, you might be borrowing at the wrong time. When you take out a loan at inopportune moments, you might end up buried in debts. In short, before getting any loans Philippines-based banks are offering, you should get the timing right. This way, you can create more opportunities and ensure that you’re getting the most value out of the money you borrow.
That being said, here are five best times when you should definitely consider getting a bank loan in the Philippines:
When You Want to Consolidate Your Debts
If you have multiple active loans (with different due dates, no less), it’s a good idea to get a personal loan and consolidate your debts. Doing so will not only be more convenient but can also help you save more money in the long run. For one, consolidating your debts means you only have one due date to worry about. Thus, you’re less likely to miss a payment deadline and in turn eliminate the need to pay overdue fees.
When you take out a loan for debt consolidation, you also end up with lower interest rates. This is especially beneficial if one or more of your active loans have higher interest rates. In addition, consolidating your debts can make it easier for you to budget your money. You’ll be able to choose more flexible payment terms, which can further make money management more convenient.
When You Have Emergency Expenses
First, let’s set things straight: the best way to deal with emergency expenses is to still have an emergency fund. This fund should ideally be worth 3 to 6 months of your income so that you don’t have to stretch your budget too tight. That said, there are times when your emergency fund still isn’t enough to cover your sudden expenses. In this case, getting a personal loan is a viable solution.
Obviously, you have to qualify what truly constitutes an emergency. Don’t take a loan for the purpose of buying new gadgets or traveling to your dream destination; these are expenses that you can save up for. Instead, evaluate the consequences of a situation. If the price of not shelling out money is too steep, then it’s probably a good idea to consider a personal loan.
When You Want to Make More Money
Investing in things like online courses or certifications is a worthwhile cause, especially if it opens more opportunities for you to advance your career. Obviously, you have to do your research and make sure that such opportunities will work out in the end. Otherwise, you’ll be stuck with a debt that you can’t pay.
You may also want to consider money to invest in stocks or properties to accelerate wealth building. Again, however, you have to do your research. Remember that the more money you invest, the more money you can also make. On the other hand, borrowing money to make an investment is a high-risk strategy. You may end up making a lot of money or losing a lot of it. Make sure that you understand these risks before deciding on getting a loan.
When You Want More Capital for Your Business
If you’re running a small business, you’re going to need money to sustain your daily operations. This money is called the working capital and not having enough of it to go around might cost you significant losses. As such, you may want to take out a bank loan that’s specifically for micro-entrepreneurs or small businesses. Different banks have different requirements, but most will need your business to be registered with the proper authorities.
With more working capital, you’ll have a little more peace of mind and you can then focus on growing your business. You might even soon be borrowing more money for the next reason that will be discussed below.
When You Want to Expand Your Business
If your business is already doing well and you want to expand your operations, you might want to consider taking out a loan. You can then use the money to acquire new property, invest in new equipment, or develop new products. Do note that there are different kinds of business loans, such as secured and unsecured loans (non-collateral and collateral). Depending on your business’s needs, as well as your capacity to pay, there are certain advantages of one over the other. Study them thoroughly before you make a decision.

What you have to remember is that not all loans are bad. Indeed, you’ll find that even the richest people and most successful businessmen still borrow money from banks. The key is to be strategic. Don’t just take out a loan on a whim, but rather have a solid plan for the money you will borrow.

5 Comfort Food for Rainy Days

Wazzup Pilipinas!

June marks the start of the rainy season in the Philippines. It’s also a strange time that makes us feel like cozying up at home and grabbing a bite of our comfort food. Luckily, Filipino food culture is booming with delicious meals that will surely satisfy you during the La Nina season.

Craving for comfort food? Check out these foods below!

Lomi

Nothing warms up the belly like a hot bowl of Lomi. Lomi is a kind of Filipino soup that shares its origins in Batangas. It is best known for its thick and rich broth that goes hand in hand with egg-based noodles and other savory toppings such as chicharon or liver pieces. Other provinces have made their own versions, but either way, it’s a must-have for the cold weather!

Arroz Caldo

You can never go wrong with ordering Arroz Caldo any day. It means warm rice in Spanish and is a bright yellow congee flavored by ginger and chicken stock. Arroz Caldo has shredded chicken meat that will surely fill up your tummy with delight compared to plain porridge. Garnish it with toasted garlic for an extra crunch or pair it with fried tokwa for a complete meal!

Sopas

Sopas is one of those meals that you can get whether you’re sick, craving, or just hungry. Originating from the Spanish term sopa, our rendition of chicken noodle soup uses elbow macaroni swamped in a creamy, broth-infused soup. Its main ingredients are usually choice vegetables and shredded chicken breast. Some would also use hotdog slices or corned beef as their choice of meat.

Ginataang Bilo-Bilo

Sweet and creamy bilo-bilo is the perfect dessert, especially on sweater weather. Inspired by the Chinese treat Tang Yuan, this snack is mainly composed of glutinous rice balls and sago pearls swimming in warm, coconut-flavored soup. You can also add taro, sweet potatoes, jackfruit slices, and saba to spruce up your bowl!

Nilaga

You can’t mention comfort food without Nilaga in mind! Probably the best companion for the rainy days ahead, this is a simple beef stew that uses choice cuts of beef and crisp veggies with some spices thrown in for a hearty meal. It is also commonly paired with fish sauce for dipping to balance out the flavor.

There’s still more meals that we can cover, but these dishes are by far some of the people’s top choices for the rainy weather.

Is your comfort food on the list? Share us what your top rainy-day meals are down in the comments!

TipidTanim challenges households to grow own food

Wazzup Pilipinas!

As the ‘new normal’ looms after the lifting of community quarantines throughout the country, a group of advocates are pushing for backyard farming for sustainable food security and self-sufficiency.

In March, Nasrudin “Naz” Buisan, an agriculturist from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) founded TipidTanim Challenge to encourage families to plant their own food in their backyards.

“The severity of COVID-19 pandemic has affected the movement and distribution of food because of the lockdowns and community quarantines. So how do we solve this? Let us plant our own food!” he said in a podcast interview.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, a worldwide food crisis threatens as countries battle the spread of the pandemic. And local food production, particularly of vegetables, will be one of the steps to combat a future food crisis. (http://www.fao.org/2019-ncov/q-and-a/impact-on-food-and-agriculture/en/)

“May mga groups na nagexpress ng support nila, they said, okay, let’s start home gardening, pero sinabi din nila na hindi kami makalabas, hindi kami makabili ng seeds, that is why we thought, how about we distribute seeds?” Naz added.

Seed distribution

Eventually, the government, private organizations, and individuals supported TipidTanim challenge by donating funds to raise seedlings such as kangkong, ampalaya, pipino, and okra.

Naz narrated how the seed distribution started in just two pick-up points: Cotabato City and Datu Odin Sinsuat and grew to more than 18 pick-up points in Maguindano and ten outside the province, bringing the advocacy to Regions 10 and 12, and as far as Cebu.

“Sa ngayon, 3,000 na ang nabigyan natin ng seeds. Kung susumahin natin ang lahat ng mga seeds na naipamahagi natin, ito ay nagkakahalaga na ng PHP 200,000 na din,” Naz said.

Empowering communities to be self-reliant through social media

According to Naz, a lot of families have already started their home gardens proving that their advocacy continues to gain traction.

“Marami tayong nahikayat gawin ito kahit hindi naman natin sila nabigyan ng seeds. Yun talaga ang advocacy natin na bawat pamilya ay makapagsimulang magtanim.” he said.

TipidTanim’s social media page not only features the basic home gardening tips, but also answers inquiries on backyard farming. Agriculturists from Mindanao State University and Cotabato City Polytechnic College provide helpful tips to those interested.

“Naging parte na din ng TipidTanim challenge ang hikayatin ang mga komunidad na magtanim ng sarili nilang pagkain. Kung ang bawat household ay may kakayanan nang gawin ito, hindi na nila kailangan pang umasa sa iba,” he said.


Support from PEF

PEF supported this initiative for its vegetable seed distribution project.

“Since the start of the lockdown, PEF has assisted a number of relief efforts in collaboration with other civil society organizations, but we also wanted to look for initiatives that promote sustainable recovery from the effects of the pandemic,” PEF Social Enterprise Institute Manager Merlyn Francisco said.

She added that encouraging backyard vegetable gardening can bring immediate support from the communities in the area.

“We think the project can be scaled up and replicated in many other areas,” she added.

24/7 construction of Bicol International Airport to start in July; priority facilities to be completed within the year

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Round-the-clock construction work on the Bicol International Airport (BIA) is set to start this July to meet its target completion date within the year for priority facilities set by Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur Tugade.

Although the construction of the airport development project at present is in full swing, construction work will be done 24/7 starting this July.

The Bicol International Airport originally started in 1996 (pre feasibility study), while the Notice to Proceed was issued in July 2009. Meanwhile, construction works for the runway, taxiway, apron and fences were mostly left uncompleted in 2012, and budget was reverted to the national treasury.

It was only when the Duterte Administration came in 2016 that the construction of Landside Facilities (Project 2A) began. Runway Extension and the construction of the Passenger Terminal Building (Project 2B) commenced in 2017.

As of 24 June 2020, Package 2A of the airport development project, which is handled by Sunwest Construction, is already 81% complete. This covers the landside facilities, such as the Administration Building, Air Traffic Control Building, Crash Fire Rescue Building, and the Maintenance Building.

Meanwhile, Package 2B, which covers the construction of the Passenger Terminal Building (PTB) and the runway, is 34% complete. Its project contractor, E.M. Cuerpo committed to provide additional manpower to finish said priority facilities within the year.

Overall, the completion rate of the Bicol International Airport now stands at 66.61%.

Hailed as the country’s ‘Most Scenic Gateway,’ the BIA features the iconic Mayon Volcano as its magnificent backdrop. Once completed, the BIA is expected to strategically boost air traffic and tourist arrivals in Albay province and spur regional growth in the Bicol region, making it an economic powerhouse.

Secretary Tugade said the continuous development of transport infrastructure is vital during this time, as the country starts recovering from the impact of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

“It can’t be denied that the aviation sector has been one of the hardest hit by the pandemic. That’s why it is important that we finish the airport at the soonest possible time as this will absolutely give the economy a boost. Gusto ko matapos ‘yan within the year dahil gusto na natin itong agad na mapakinabangan ng ating mga kababayan. As we ready for take-off, kung baga, dapat all systems go,” the transportation chief stressed.

Meanwhile, DOTr Assistant Secretary for Procurement and Project Implementation Giovanni Lopez said that the expedited construction work for the airport is a way to offset the period of work suspension and unnecessary delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“To recall, we have initially targeted to finish the airport by July this year. Unfortunately, we encountered delays that have hampered the early completion of the Bicol International Airport. But, as committed by our contractors, we will work triple time and meet the deadline set by Secretary Tugade by the end of the year. Rest assured that although we are expediting the airport’s completion, we will still follow the allowable budget costs without sacrificing the quality,” Asec. Lopez said.

Asec. Lopez and Asec. for Aviation Jim Melo conducted an unannounced inspection on the construction site last Sunday, June 28.

For its part, construction company E.M. Cuerpo said it is committed to the directive of Secretary Tugade to finish the airport project within the year.

"Ang amin pong commitment kay Secretary Tugade, tatapusin namin ang extension ng runway at ang PTB shell ng Setyembre habang ‘yung mga ibang gawain para tuluyan nang matapos ang mga priority facilities ng ating paliparan ay tatapusin natin hanggang Disyembre. Sana makisama rin ang panahon. Kaya naman po tumugon kami sa kautusan ni Secretary Tugade na tuluy-tuloy ang trabaho hanggang gabi. Sa katunayan nga po, pagdating ng unang linggo ng Hulyo, kami po ay magdadagdag ng 100 workers para magawa nating 24/7 ang pagtrabaho sa airport. Iba kung si Secretary Tugade ang nag-utos, kailangan tumupad.” E.M. Cuerpo President and Chief Executive Officer Architect Rene Cuerpo said.

Youth Blitz campaigns for Urban and Home Gardening

Wazzup Pilipinas!

On June 2020, The Sigaw ng Kabataan Coalition (SKC Philippines), a nonpartisan, non-governmental organization and a national consortium of youth organizations aimed at amplifying youth voices in the Philippines, together with 24 Partner-Organizations all around the Philippines have launched an online campaign for Urban and Home Gardening titled “Youth Gardening Blitz” as part of the Philippine Environment Month.

The online campaign is in support of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Department of Agriculture (DA)’s pre-existing efforts. It is the second annual inception of SKC Philippines’s National Tree Planting Blitz which planted more than 24,000 trees in its first installment on June 2019 but due to limited mobility and restricted public gathering brought by numerous quarantine and lockdown measures in response to the COVID-19 Pandemic, the main environmental consciousness campaign of SKC Philippines has moved online with relevant modifications such as a mental health advocacy component.

#YouthGardeningBlitzPH took form in two parts: 

1. Through information dissemination on environmental consciousness and how gardening can help alleviate mental health suffering especially in the middle of a pandemic that is continuous beyond June 2020 until the next inception of an environmental blitz campaign; and 

2. A month-long online contest for June 2020 whereby it engaged young people into urban/home gardening by encouraging them to showcase their creativity in developing innovative ideas on upcycling/reusing household materials in their gardening activities which were shared through social media.

The online contest was joined by many participants who submitted their garden entries but only three stood out from the rest due to creativity on their photoshoots and captioning, clarity of narration on how gardening has helped them get through on this COVID-19 Pandemic, faithful adherence to the provided mechanics such as the usage of official hashtags in post captioning, and concise description of what and how the materials are used in a ‘do-it-yourself’ manner, especially if recycling or upcycling are practiced. On July 2nd of 2020, SKC Philippines announced three winners from the month-long online contest.


https://www.facebook.com/sigawko/posts/4010980038943862

Top 3 goes to Vanessa Joy Dela Cruz of Aklan province where she wittingly described the process of gardening like having a “jowa” or to care for a significant other with love and passion. She also provided a realization “that farming is the most essential in this world” by having an impactful opening providing a quote saying “Imagine a day without a farmer.” especially in the middle of various forms of community quarantines and lockdowns, amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic where it is most recommendable to be self-sustaining through edible gardening to keep ourselves at home where it is safer and more secured from local virus transmissions.

https://www.facebook.com/vanessajoydc/posts/2723770721201161

Meanwhile, Top 2 goes to Jake Flores of Ilocos Sur province where he shared how tedious he has been tending to his indoor garden located in his bedroom by checking his plants “one by one, leaf by leaf, stem by stem and watch every progress they make”, as he said. He also provided that he used recycled materials for his indoor garden by using a scrap wood plank, and a PVC pipe. He has indeed not only surrounded himself by people who make him happy but also by plants! He has provided the benefits of gardening that has done to his mental health by boosting his mood during this COVID-19 Pandemic. He then ends his post by encouraging people by giving an “effort to make ourselves to be more productive and creative”. He then continued by saying that effort shows you are interested and that by looking after plants, we can reap all of its rewards.

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=142367487440434&id=100050015497119

Lastly, but not least, Top 1 goes to Neljoy Nobleza Galigao of Capiz province. She began her submission by providing a quote from Wendell Berry saying “The Earth is what we all have in common.”, she has narrated well how the COVID-19 Pandemic brought devastation and distress that can influence the mental health of each one of us. She provided information on how SKC Philippines’s environmental and mental health advocacies through the Youth Gardening Blitz was timely and relevant to both World Environment Day which is celebrated on June 5th of every year, and the coinciding Philippine Environment Month as it isgiven force under Proclamation No. 237 signed by then-President Corazon Aquino on April 4th of 1988 which highlights the government’s advocacy to spread environmental consciousness among Filipinos.


She then provided each one of her plants with bits of information such as their common names and even their scientific names, these include Cucumber also known as Cucumis Sativus, Pole Sitao which is also known as Vigna unquiculata subsp. Sesquipedales (L.) Verdc., Mango with a scientific name of Mangifera indica, Rambutan that is known in its scientific name as Nephelium lappaceum, Guava which is known scientifically as Psidium guajava, Gmelina Tree which is also known as Gmelina Arborea, Ampalaya which is also known scientifically as Momordica charantia, Eggplant also is scientifically known as Solanum melangena, and Mung beans with a scientific name of Vigna radiata. She ended her submission by saying that it is better to plant a tree and be productive than by pondering on negative possibilities, which means that gardening has helped her keep distracted from the dire effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic.


https://www.facebook.com/neljoy.galigao/posts/2755300604756944


The online campaign is done with warm support from these 24 organizations as partners:

1. Akeanon - Aklanon sa West Organization
2. Abra Youth Organizations Society
3. Interact Club of Zamboanga City West
4. Kids Who Farm
5. Online SDG Youth Action Forum
6. Rotaract Club of Fort Bonifacio Global City, District 3830
7. Rotaract Club of Zamboanga City West
8. Rotaract Club of Rizal Centro
9. Sangguniang Kabataan ng Barangay Basak, Lapu-Lapu, Cebu
10. Sangguniang Kabataan ng Barangay Barangobong, Villasis, Pangasinan
11. YouthResist
12. 2030 Youth Force in the Philippines Inc.
13. Interact Club of La Consolacion College- Metro Bacolod
14. Interact Club of Negros Occidental High School-Metro Bacolod
15. Lacub Organization for Unity and Development - LOUD
16. Rotaract Club of Metro Bacolod - Community Based
17. Rotaract Club of University of St. La Salle - Metro Bacolod
18. Sangguniang Kabataan ng Barangay Tinajeros, Malabon City
19. Buhangin Stake Primary Organization - TCJCLDS
20. Youth for Mental Health Coalition, Inc.
21. Pangasinan Youth for Disaster Risk Reduction and Management
22. ROTARACT CLUB of MAKATI
23. Rotaract Club of Miraculous Medal - Sucat
24. Youlead Initiative


Gardening has been seen to have positive effects on mental health according to numerous studies. It can reduce the risks of depression, anxiety, stress, and mood disturbance. It also leads to increases in quality of life, sense of community, physical activity levels, and cognitive function. It is given evidence through the numerous submissions to the Youth Gardening Blitz online contest especially by the Top 3 winners as provided above. With numerous quarantine and lockdown measures being put in place in reaction to the COVID-19 Pandemic that has led to many restrictions on many of the regular social routines that people are used to such as physical socialization and other activities, tending a small garden while locked up at home can alleviate mental health sufferings.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1_Ql44HIamBpI-2b3V_jLC_9wjYf8klXl1CUvIVBZJmo/edit?usp=sharing