This is just Another Day in Paradise

10 Endangered Treasures to see before they say goodbye

2011-08-02T16:02:00.000-07:00

With the ongoing alteration of our ecosystem, one thing or another will be lost from our eyesight. I am talking about the wonders in this world that are continually destroyed either humane act or nature. Please join me in our journey to see the top 10 on the list and I warn you to see it closely before this wonders vanish till the end.

1. Glacier National Park- Montana, US

100 years ago there were a total of 150 glaciers strewn in the park, but on 2005's counting only 75 glaciers remained.

2. Venice, Italy

This is in St. Mark's Square Venice, a city that oftentimes flooded. Just Nov 2009 water levels reached 131 cm, the frequency of floods conserves the assumption to how long can the city remain above water.

3. Great Barrier Reef-Australia

Slowly disappearing because of climate change. Factors such as water pollution, ocean acidification, and cyclones continually bleaching the corals. It is possible that these old nature can be replaced by a blank one.

4. Saharan- Africa

With its continually growing rate of 0.5 miles per month, the largest desert can eat all Northern Africa causing big alteration of the continent.

5. Maldives

My favorite. This is a group of islands located in Indian Ocean. This is one of the 3 best island destinations (Maldives, Seychelles, Mauritius). Being the lowest lying country with 2.3 m ground level and 1.5 m sea level, no wonder it will become the first nation to be engulfed by global warming.

6. Patagonia- Republic of Argentina and Chile

Because of global warming the beautified landscape started to melt. This might not melt entirely but the results are really unlovely.

7. Bangladesh

Low lying Ganges Brahmaputra River, a country always affected by floods and storms almost every year. Better wear your boots to prepare for flood exposures.

8. Alaskan Tundra- Alaska

Because of global warming, can heat up Arctic twice as fast as the entire world, so Alaska's northern tundra could diminish if temperature continues to rise. If this continues, no wonder this tundra is threatened most.

9. South Australia

Desertification, that is the threat of this global warming. It causes drying up of supply water in the region thereby affecting natural resources. Fires may result as well.

10. The European Alps

By the prediction of specialists targeting at 2050 that this alps will diminish, it's safe to say that until 2049 we can still see them.

So there you go. Top 10 destinations you should note of, else you won't see them anymore. Let us hope that we can manage this natural calamity and an individuals motive to nature is really a nationalistic hope for all of us.

Source: http://www.mnn.com/lifestyle/eco-tourism/photos/10-places-to-visit-before-they-vanish

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Booking.com - please be wary!

2011-08-02T06:01:00.000-07:00

When it comes to booking, several online engines arise from within. But before confirming your booking you need to have some checklist to avoid misunderstanding.

Nowadays, booking.com is very popular. I'm not saying only this but several (expedia, travelocity, orbitz) and many others. And if you compare the prices then you will say that booking.com has really the best rate on the net today.

So let's take a closer look for one upcoming booking to Dubai. I tested booking.com and I have my own checklist which I'll reveal later.

On the top image, I have simulated a booking for one hotel in Dubai using booking.com and selected the date of October. Then it showed me this detail once I have selected the option from the beginning. Truly it says AED 1440(dirhams) for 1 night. But look closely...See inside the red box, it give you a small text detail regarding the taxes as well as service charges. Generally, hotel rates given from a property (direct hotel) always shows like this, but to avoid confusion a Travel Agency will combine all the details into one thereby giving you the total rate of the booking.

In some cities there are also city taxes (especially Europe) so we really need to focus on asking the breakdown of the rate given. Now, on the above example it clearly states 10% service charge is not included. Also there is a confusing line just below it saying 10% city tax excluded.

And check out this,when you click on BOOKING CONDITIONS the page below will show.

So therefore we can conclude the following:

Base Rate: 1440 (inc city tax)
Service charge: 10% of the base rate which is 144
City Tax: 10% of the base rate which is 144

*Then, the total amount of the booking is 1440+144+144=1728

Always remember to be wary. Do not rush, have patience, coz at he end of it you can make it surely.

Tips in booking:
1. Set preference
2. Prepare the budget
3. Choose the source (online, direct travel agency)
4. Compare prices but ask for the breakdown
5. Examine the rate closely (low rates are usually non refundable ones)
6. Take your time (although you are rushing, have presence of mind)
7. Go ahead and confirm (but please ask for receipt!)

Alright, so the next time you book you will be considered the wizard of Oz. Yayks!

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Nursing Board Exam: July 2011- The real challenge

2011-08-02T02:02:00.000-07:00

Philippines—The July 2011 Nursing Board Exam held July 2 and 3, is still heating up the heads of all Filipino nurses. Obviously, most of them are armored with gained knowledge from the review to battle the 2 day exam series. But reality really bites, as they cannot take off the employment issues after they took the exam. The real challenge is how to drive your way to land a job.

I freshly remembered when I was in CDO (Cagayan De Oro) City for my board exam. Come listen to my story.

That was June 2009 boards. I went day before the exam and relaxed. I did not read any books nor study as the tip goes from most of the Reviewers. I have my review in Phoenix and that was really great with reputable reviewers. I envied my classmates because they were staying in luxurious apartments and others are with the provided apartment from the review center. I went alone to my grandma's house and spent the rest of the time until the exam was over. The night before the exam, I only have 4 hour sleep because of mosquitoes in my grandma's room. I went early and have myself prepared. Part 1 was Foundations, then Part 2-CHN, Part 3,4-MedSurge, and Part 5-Psyche. On the first day Parts 1-3 were taken and on the second day followed parts 4 and 5.

I slept on the second part answering 3/4's of it and i have made 2 erasures (with rumors not to erase). I am afraid but I need to risk that 2 items because I am pretty sure of my answer. I erased the front page and the back page of it so to keep it unelevated (nurses, you know what I mean). Then the rest of the exam goes well. When I left the room on the first day, I remembered what one of my reviewer told me. "You will know if you pass once you leave the room", and that is really true. I left the room with that feeling. But not to the extent of overconfidence, I remained calm and humble. After all struggles I finally got the result on August and passed the boards with a rating of 78.4. Not bad at all.

So that was my board story then.

Today I worked as a consultant for travel here in Dammam, Saudi Arabia. I switched to this because there is really nothing that you can gain in our beloved country the Philippines. I praised all those nursing individuals who strive and did not stick to nursing only. For me, do whatever you want in respect to your priorities.

With the advisement from our health sectors to avoid nursing course there are still many who wants the same and that is with the same reason--a greener pasture. In relation to this a project came up from the government to send rural nurses with a monthly allowance of P 8,000. This is actually good but this cannot cater all RN's in the Philippines. So my best suggestion is really to think out of the basket and improve yourself. There are lots of opportunities, you can go for contact centers, IT, abroad with a different profession as long as you can take care of yourself then go and strive hard for it.

The exam for July 2011 has finished and we all are waiting for its result. I will post the results here for everybody's reference.

Please stay tuned for the July 2011 results.

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Travel Destinations: 2011

2011-08-01T15:16:00.000-07:00

Get ready this Fall...

For all travelers around the globe, these places are the recommended ones for you. Can be your vacation, honeymoon, family trip, or just a solemn time away from home.

1. New York, USA

2. New Zealand

3. Peruvian Amazon

4. Barcelona, Spain

5. Norway

6. Albania

7. Japan

8. Guatamela

9. Bulgaria

10. Malaysia

Pack up your things and get ready to travel! But do not forget the important documents. Your VISA (if necessary), passport, itinerary, and reconfirm your trip 48-72 hours before departure to make sure everything is well plotted.

Von Voyage!

Source: cnn.com

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A Magnitude 5.1 Earthquake hits North Sumatra, Indonesia

2011-08-01T12:55:00.000-07:00

An earhquake hit Northern Sumatra in Indonesia. It struck the region at 79 kms NE of North Sumatra's Tanamahsa Island, at a depth of 81.5km on Monday morning at 07:00 hrs, August 1 2011 posing a tsunami threat. There were no immediate casualties, injuries or damages.

With the given threat, all tour activities within Sumatra and other parts of Indonesia are operating as normal.

Location: 0.052°N, 99.135°E

Depth: 81.5 km (50.6 miles)

Region: North Sumatra, Indonesia

Distances:

147 km (91 miles) S of Padangsidempuan, Sumatra, Indonesia

174 km (108 miles) NW of Padang, Sumatra, Indonesia

447 km (277 miles) SW of KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia

1097 km (681 miles) NW of JAKARTA, Java, Indonesia

Parameters: NST= 59, Nph= 60, Dmin=213.7 km, Rmss=0.76 sec, Gp= 97°,

M-type=body wave magnitude (Mb), Version=4

Source: Magnitude: USGS NEIC (WDCS-D)/Location: USGS NEIC (WDCS-D)

Source: http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/recenteqsww/Quakes/usc000570l.php

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30 days or 31 days? - A Fist of Fury

2011-08-01T10:16:00.000-07:00

Have you ever wondered why number of days in a month fluctuates? Could either be 30,31 or even 28 (for February only). Then if you want to have an idea to simply have a cheat sheet to remember to exactly how many days in each month then you have found the best answer because seconds from now, I am going to reveal.

I am not in the position to explain the why's for now as if the first sentence of this article was saying. I will left it as your assignment. Now let us take a look at the photo below.

It's not a bird, neither a plane, but a fist. Yes, a bare fist. How would we connect this fist to remembering the exact number of days in each month? Then let's follow.

Instead of encoding, people are visual learners as what scientists have proclaimed. All of us prefer images rather than simple texts. So what we are going to do now is to make a simple mnemonic using the bare fist. Please see below.

You can observe that the bony part labels were Jan, Mar, May, and July. These bony parts corresponds to 31 days in the calendar. Whilst the rest which lies on the space in between the bony parts are 30 days (except for Feb, because it has only 28 or 29 days, leap year).

The main trick here is the second batch of months. How would we continue if the next month is Aug and then we don't have a space anymore. Well, lets take the plan below. This is the remarkable trick for this.

We will go back to our rendezvous point so we can complete our pattern. Since there are 31 days in August then we go back counting to the bony parts and from there the cycle will be complete. Aug, Oct, and Dec are 31 days and Sep and Nov are just 30 days. We will then end our cycle since we have completed the months now, or if you have your self calendar then you can continue creating months with your preference. (hehe)

Alright, so the nex time your teacher or someone asks you, how many days is April? Without memorizing all days and exact days, go with this simple mnemonic! I am sure you cannot afford to try this. Keep well!

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Working Abroad- Do not become another VICTIM!

2011-08-01T06:29:00.000-07:00

You might have come here as a stranger, accidentally clicked your mouse somewhere, or you were surprised because this page exist. But I will give you an exciting point to ponder whenever starting a new job offer. Because of the global recession most of us are hoping for better jobs that suits our financial needs. If you have planned to apply a new job, or if you are a fresh graduate and is planning to work as soon as you can then I commend you for doing such. Planning is 50% of your goal to be accomplished. So, 50% of the work is done, and the other 50? The rest will always depend on how you do your angle.

Here are 5 points that you need to consider whenever you are offered a job ABROAD.

1. Back up- Always play around with the options. Do not stick with option A as there are still 25 English letters left as back up options. (letters B, C, D, etc)

2. Instinct- Always consider your own instinct. Although some do not believe on this but this is basically true because this is nature given technique. Whenever you feel someone isn't loyal to you can always feel that something is unknowingly happening.

3. Motivation- If your motivation is money then go for it. Anybody who refuses to accept that money is the most important motivation then call him/her a plastic (just kidding though). Always think of your family, your loved ones, friends and your core support group because they are the sources of your strength and dedication. If you are living along, you still have God with you always to abide to whichever road you may tackle.

4. Keen Observation- Once the offer has arrived, scrutinize it to the extent so you can weigh the disadvantages and the advantages. Your choice should be Win Win and not Lose Lose (these are types of situations). Study the country which has been offered and ask everything to the interviewer, do not hesitate to ask question as that is your right to raise up. If you have been given the offer then recall the what you knew about that so you can either accept (if amenable) or you can play with the given rate. PLEASE think of better option and think out of the basket. There are clients who are really good in the job offer and you may submerge yourself to whatever they say but always and always consider it one by one. Do not rush, instead give yourself a time. You can eat chocolate just to feel better or do whatever you like as you need time to decide.

The biggest no no in accepting an offer is the so called "blind one". This happens when you do not care about what is offered and you just want to go and push and then plan on investing something there in the future. You really need to plan as I have said before so do not rush into your decisions. A perfect opportunity always have a time for recollection. You would not want being abroad biting a low cost offer and end up starving or unworthy feeling.

5. Back up- Again, you need to take extra batteries as the world is a playful environment for risks and situations. You cannot expect all stories will be like the Disney ones, but you need to consider alternative ones just in case this current offer of your might fail.

That's a whole lot of explanation, huh. :), anyways. What my point here is to always have something for yourself. If you want to succeed then you should be willing to sacrifice. With the motivation that you have this will enable you to do risk management and succeed in every decision in your life. In this borrowed world, you can only rely to yourself as others are just instrument of support. But truly consider yourself as the Commander, where you can command and Conquer! If you have this spirit, then no way that you cannot be considered a successful one.

Again, remember of the back up thing.

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A quick tip for US Seasonality- a simple mnemonic remedy

2011-08-01T01:06:00.000-07:00

You've got a friend. Having heard about this famous song from artist James Taylor? Here's how it goes...

When you're down and troubled

and you need a helping hand, and nothing, whoa nothing is going right,

Ooops, sorry to cut you off. I know that you are singing now as this song is truly a bizarre one. Let's get into the chorus now...

You just call out my name,

and you know wherever I am

I'll come running, oh yeah baby to see you again.

Winter, spring, summer, or fall,

all you got to do is call and I'll be there,

yeah, yeah, yeah.

...and you got a friend like me! Now, lets get into the mnemonics part. I have used this song as a melody and is easy to remember. If you are confused with US seasons, to when their summer starts or when is winter then this is the solution of your unwanted confusion.

Remember the bold letters in the chorus. WINTER, SPRING, SUMMER, FALL. Then it goes like this. Remember that WINTER months are December, January, and February. Now the same pattern will go with SPRING, months of March, April, and May. So on and so forth. The below structure will take its summary.

WINTER-Dec, Jan, Feb

SPRING-Mar, Apr, May

SUMMER-Jun, Jul, Aug

FALL-Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec

The key here is just to remember Winter (which is the first season mentioned in the song) and December as the start of winter. So if you have this, anywhere, anytime so can always recall.

For the US citizens this is just nothing, but with other nationalities which are willing to go, visit, study or even FYI's at least we have figured it out.

So the next time you are caught in the middle of a clueless act, then you can rebut easily.

Cheers!

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Happy Birthday Pareng John!!!

2011-07-31T14:47:00.000-07:00

from all of us...Doctor's Apartment. Godbless you !and more more blessings!

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A Case Study of President Arroyo - what lies beneath?

2011-07-31T14:33:00.000-07:00

A breaking news came to the media when former Pres. Arroyo was diagnosed with Multi Level Cervical Spondylosis last Thursday (28 Jul, 2011) at St. Luke's Clinic in Quezon City. An operation was scheduled for her the following day which is a cervical spine surgery (5 hour surgery). The operation went successful proving our Filipino doctors that they can still manage such complicated surgery.

Cervical Spondylosis- is a disorder in which the cervical spine wears on the
cartilage and bones of the neck

To track down the history of the disease process we will discuss all about the disease patterns that Pres. Arroyo experienced.

Causes:

Possible past neck surgery

Age (old aged individual aer susceptible to this)

Lack/over neck activity

Symptoms:

Neck pain

Neck stiffness

Loss of sensation (upper extremities, and breathing pattern)

Weakness

Loss of control over the bowel and bladder

Signs and Tests:

CT Scan

Spine or Neck X ray

Myelogram

Treatment:

NSAID's

Antibiotic

Anti Depressants

Operation (Cervical Operation)

Provided with all the details above we can imagine what Pres. Arroyo was undergoing with the entire ill period. She have said on the interview that she managed to escape the truth of the illness by having physical therapy and the original signs and symptoms are felt last 8 years ago. For such case, having this kind of disorder, the major fact that we can consider as the main cause if the work related pattern that she has. Being a President and having served congress for years she have been used to sitting position like those in the offices (principals, long term teachers).

Those kind of profession are actually dependent on rest positions and may forget to execute such activities voluntarily. The case was worsened because of successive political issues coming by which precipitates the condition because of several mental activities. I will show my patho physiology as

below.

Pathophysiology:

Causes-->

weakening of cervical spine-->

herniated disk (cervical disks)-->

squeezed nerve endings (mainly affected are the nerve for breathing and the control of the upper extremities)-->

Symptoms presented

The good part is she has a complete financial support that is why she have gone for the surgery. We all know for a fact that there are anti and pro Arroyo in the country but we should not held the justice in our own hands. Let other's be free and respect other's right to live. For our analysis and words of absorption, the main challenge of the disease process the the aging of ones physical body as well as stress tolerance.

Hope that this will serve as a learning as well a good point to ponder.

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Ramadan Kareem! NPO time...

2011-07-31T12:53:00.000-07:00

Greetings to the highest for all our Muslim brothers and sisters!

Today was a typical day for me. Took a bath, prepared for work and arrived exactly 8am (working hours in our office). I was delighted with very warm greetings from my fellow Muslim brother (Egyptian Nationality) shook my hand and gave their "Salam mua lay kum" greeting. "Alaykum a Salam" I responded with full of grace and sincerity. We went to ourr individual stations and to my
surprise he gave me a very sweet brown nourished with sugar candy. The taste was really good. It's like having breakfast+dinner with only 2 inch size candy. Then the greeting of Ramadan Kareem was given to all fellow officemates. I was really happy to see them and I gave my warm sympathy to their major celebration in each year, the Ramadan month.

As we are going to celebrate the month long Ramadan season may peace and enlightenment be with all our hearts. Peace be with you and God always bless you! Ramadan is the ninth month in Islamic calendar and this is the only month where the English and the Islamic calendar moves on the same days (as they normally have fluctuations of 2 or 3 days). They consider this as a month of fasting (no food and no water from dawn to sunset) and this is what NPO means on the title. NPO is a medical term for "nothing per orem" or "nothing per mouth" basically means no food and water because of some certain health conditions. But to make it clear, this NPO thing is just a simple mnemonic for me so I will not forget to fast special in public places. This is my first year in the Kingdom so I need to be wary and be very vigilant to their customs and traditions.

For everyones FYI, the root word of Ramadan is "ramida" which denotes intense heat, scorched ground, and shortness of supply. The activities are fasting, prayer and reading of Quran, Iftar (evening food), charity (food giving in the evening), and Eid ul-Fitr (final day of Ramadan and marks the solemn giving of food to the needy). We can also expect successive decorations (lanterns and series lights depending on each country). The remarkable thing is the increase in digestive disorders because of the said fasting as compared to the other months of the year.

As this is my first time having Ramadan in the Kingdom, I am curious and will truly abide to their customs as a sign of respect and hoping that I can somehow join on their offerings in the evening.

To everyone, may this season of Ramadan be an instrument of loving and continued peace within each hearts. A world away of anger and tension is a world that we deserve. Peace be with you all!

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Saudization - Why should you fear?

2011-07-31T11:47:00.000-07:00

To all my Filipino comrade...

The Saudization program which comes effect last month (June 11, 2011) has implicated a great impact to the whole world, mainly to all Filipinos. Saudization (also known as "Nitaaqat"), is designed for private sectors inside the Kingdom to abide with its Ministry of Labor as part of utilizing manpower within the country. With the ongoing recession of the First World countries, nationals here are going to move and will maximize the usage to save the economy. The goal is to keep the number of Saudi nationals in proportion to the number of employees (all other nationalities such as Egyptian, Indian, Filipino, Bangladesh, Pakistani, etc).

In line to this, private sectors/companies are classified as follows.

Saudi Nationalization

EXCELLENT

They will be granted the most privileges in visa requests and operations for Non Saudi nationals.

GREEN

They will be granted with better privileges in terms of visa and operations with only minimal restrictions.

YELLOW

They will be given a period of nine (9) months from the date of effectivity to improve their rate of nationalization. They will soon be barred if not able to achieve the target.

RED

They will be given a period of six (6) months from the date of effectivity to improve their rate of nationalization. Likewise, they will be barred if they are unable to achieve the same goal and will suffer loss of business as maximum implementation will be adhered.

Given this kind of implementation posses a great threat to all expatriates working inside the Kingdom. And this was actually prompted because of a statistic report that 27% of Saudis below 30 years old are unemployed. Come to think of this fact that it is just this year that the policy is implemented where our government (Philippines) did not even manage to come up with a better structure. Its pathetic to say that since 1980's we have had sent Filipinos abroad (specifically Middle East) with a basic reason of survival. For decades, we haven't realized that our Filipina kababayans are actually mistreated and were still tolerated by our own government.

As far as my stay in the kingdom is concerned, I have spoke to many Saudis and most (80%) of them revealed that they made their maids do unlawful things which is obviously sex slaves. Knowing the fact the this Nationalization is implemented, for me this will be considered as ironic. Ironic wise because if this will be truly implemented then the rate of sexual abuse will be decreased and the manpower pooling will be decreased. Come to think of this, would someone risk his/her integrity in exchange with the gain that you have behind those sacrifices. Im pointing out the advantages and the disadvantages of the said Nationalization. It is for us to think of and realize, not just wasting our time doing nothing.

Further, may this article enlighten those who are seeking better pasture.

Sources:

Saudi Gazette/SPA

inquirer.net

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Welcome to Saudi Arabia! (Marhaba!)

2011-07-31T07:22:00.000-07:00

The Kingdom

Cowardness, a thing that nobody can escape. But for me all things are just within one’s perception. I am a filipino nurse who dared to be here in the land of Riyals. I came here as a Travel Consultant, so much away from my said profession. I got my PRC license back then on 2009 after passing the Boards in June of same year. I have several contributions to the travel industry that is why i have a special skill in this field.

I am writing this as a source of FYI to everyone that believed in success rather than failures. At the age of 24 i have already got 1 million php total since working from 21 years of age. Though getting
my first million is a pretty tough one considering the hunger/starvation in the Philippines, I still manage to survive and keep my family supported.

At this moment, I am now working for 8 months in Dammam, Saudi Arabia. Yet I still have 4 months for me to finish my contract and the rest will be objectively and subjectively the decision of the management to keep me here. I am enjoying the life here, away from nothing, and away from home. I freshly remembered when I took my first International flight with Gulf Air, that was so nerve wracking. All perceptions from the Philippines that Saudi Arabia will be a really tough contry to visit with. But in God’s grace I was able to surpass the fear and lived happily here.

I flew from Manila to Bahrain to Dammam. The worst experience started from the immigration area in Dammam. 10 minutes before arrival to Dammam, stewardees gave a special paper (entry visa) and is like a death note. Once you practice illegal things in their country the punishment is death. My heart pounded hard after signing that paper, then we arrived at 845pm in Dammam Airport. This is the worst immigration I’ve encountered. We have waited for long time because the personnel just stares at the people for some time doing nothing. Until we have manage to pass the immigration, and luckily I was fetched by our management and arrived in our staff’s house at 1230am.

Working here in the Kingdom is just the same in the Philippines. You have Indian bosses, Egyptian ones and of course the local nationals living. The cost of living is perfect for saving because you can manage to survive just like how you spend money in the Philippines. The key to saving here is the surrounding. You won’t be tempted to buy anything because the only available ones in the market are limited. Secondly, your salary compared to the Philippines is doubled/tripled/quadrupoled depending on your job title. Mine is well and good if I am to consider. Im happy and satisfied with what I have here, despite of the fears from most of us in the Philippines. The structure is simple here, low height buildings because of low foundation (sand country), people have different traits, and most of them are arrogant. No church for you to go with but there are malls that are not so huge to visit. Parks are everywhere, but np shorts allowed for most places.

You might be wondering why I have written this, but my point of view is just to let somebody know that this Kingdom only differs in location but not the entire thing. If your motive is to work hard for a living then you are perfect here. But if the eagerness to sacrify isn’ yet in your heart please do not go for it as you would just end up being frustrated.

To my fellow kabayans, may this be a help somehow to enlighted the image of the Kingdom that made some filipinos become successful, both insight and resources. Keep striving and keep believing that’s the key of life. And that you should stick with.

Godbless you.

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