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How I made the most of my ShopSM experience

Everybody has a secret. A few of my friends know mine and it’s actually not too hard to keep. I do it once a year and I’ve been doing it for the longest time. Gift giving is one of the oldest human activities and the most popular example can be traced back to the three wise men who went to the manger and presented gifts. However, giving shouldn’t be done only during the holidays. The truest form of such is charity and should be done all throughout the year especially when needed.

My most fond memory about gift giving is the first time I went to an orphanage alone with a large box of clothes and vitamins to donate and this was way back March of 2013. The nun who was in charge even gave me a tour of the facility and let me interact with the kids. It was an enriching and learning experience, the precious smiles and endless gratitude those kids showed made me realize it’s truly better to give than to receive.

That same year we almost lost everything to a house fire and receiving help from our friends and family taught me the value of helping others in need. Ever since, I give whenever I can because I know exactly how it feels to have absolutely nothing.

I moved to another city last year and this year I’ve decided to search for a charitable institution near me. I stumbled upon Hands of God charity works when I was browsing in Facebook. It is a group of private volunteers who share their time, talent and effort to serve others who is lead by a selfless, dedicated individual who happens to be a former classmate of a buddy of mine. I support their vision of caring and supporting through the help of rehabilitation medical missions, gift-giving, education and much more.

After months of filling my donation box with canned goods, a nebulizer machine, and hygiene kits, I felt the need to add more to it but going out to buy them can be bothersome for a person like me who is always busy. I just don’t have the time and patience with the long queue lines or even brave the worsening traffic situation in Manila.

Recently, I utilized the convenience of e-commerce stores in purchasing items to donate to the said charitable institution. For people on the go, shopping online is the wisest choice and the most convenient method is through smartphone apps.

The newest online store in town is from the mall that has it all, yes you’ve got it right, it’s SM! Shopsm.com is now an online and offline store. Who would have thought Shoemart which started out with selling shoes from its humble store in Carriedo has flourished into the most popular line of malls and is now joining the online bandwagon.

Shopping is easy-peasy. Signup using your Facebook or Google account or any email address.

At the top portion, the items are grouped into women, men, kids, home, beauty, sale, and new. At the left panel are the choices: brand, categories, and price.

From the item page, just add your choice of product to your shopping cart and click on checkout. Follow the simple, 3-step checkout process and you are good to go! Shipping fee costs P99 but as mentioned earlier, your orders can be sent for pickup at your preferred SM branch.

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Visiting ShopSM is like walking through their department store since you can pick out what you need online and collect it at The SM Store. Payment options are debit card, credit card, and cash on delivery which lets you pay cash for whatever you’ve ordered only once it’s delivered.

Here’s another reason to purchase an SM advantage card (SMAC). Your card can now earn points and take advantage of deals when shopping through the site. No need to worry about counterfeit items, get the authentic products you already love from the mall.

After successfully placing an order using the ShopSM app, I have received two emails: a confirmation of my order plus the time frame of the delivery and the other one provides an invoice of my order.

I received a text from 2Go the morning my package was about to be delivered at home, five days after I placed the order and received it in a big neat box sealed with the ShopSM adhesive tape.

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I shopped for these additional items to cater to the needs of the charity’s recipients:

SM Stationery Grade 4 All-in-One School Bag Pack – Red and Navy Blue

Who knew that I would find this gem at the Shop SM kids category. I bought this because Hands of God charity works also has project school support. It helps those indigent beneficiaries with their monthly school needs. Originally this set costs P299 but since it’s 33% off, I only got it for P199.75!

What this set includes are

1 x backpack
Made of canvas
Nylon lining
Single compartment interior
Front zip pocket
Top zip closure
Haul loop
Padded and adjustable shoulder straps
Measurements: L28 x W5 x H 34cm
1 x 10-piece short bond paper set
1 x long folder
2 x 80-leaves grade pad
5 x 80-leaves composition notebook
2 x ball pen
1 x ruler
1 x pair of scissors
1 x glue stick 9g

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SM Basics Boys 3-piece Little League Tank Set,Baby Dove Rich Moisture Hair to Toe Wash 200ml and Huggies Dry Pants Large 30 Pcs Plus 4 Free.

Most of what my chosen charity’s beneficiaries are children who are hospitalized so I bought them necessities like diapers, body wash and clothes.
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Daily Defense Keratin Shampoo 473 ml

I wanted to give a product that will not irritate and dry out the scalp so I included this Daily Defense Keratin Shampoo when I browsed under ShopSM Beauty. This is a moisturizing shampoo that has low sulfate content which helps protect the hair from breakage plus it adds shine.

To keep things in perspective, it’s not all roses and unicorns. They still have room for improvement such as the limited brands they have in store, lack of COD free shipping promos, and faster delivery time. In its initial stage, it’s perfectly understandable to have some tiny slip ups but I’m quite positive it will all work out in the end.

SM has been around for quite a while, thanks to its effective management and I’m pretty sure they’ll get better with their new endeavor as they listen to their customers’ opinions.

Eventually, I’ll get the chance to spend some time with them. The sick and the abandoned might need material things but knowing somebody’s there to hear their stories can be equally appealing to them. Helping others does not only benefit the needy but is also the perfect opportunity to do something great with our lives.

As the great Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.”

Interested parties may donate in kind and monetary pledges. Visit Hands of God FB page to know more.

Importance of Family Mealtime

If asked about the two best things associated with Filipinos, they are close family ties and good food. We value our family so much that we look out for one another and when a member of the family goes abroad to work for a better life, one never forgets to look back and support their loved ones. We definitely have a soft spot for our them.

We spend time together and treat meal times as the most valuable moments of the day. We share stories and catch up with each other over a hearty meal. It’s the perfect time to bond but with today’s technology, smartphones are getting the best of us. We are known the world over for our tasty dishes and we make sure to follow age-old recipes for food preparation. For me, nothing beats mom’s cooking, and as one who isn’t as good as her, I don’t take any chances. I’d stick with the easy dishes.

Recently, I came across a Youtube video about a father and his son exchanging opinions about various topics. It was Marcelo Santos III and his father discussing family values and sharing pieces of advice in a vlog entitled Mealtime Confessions. One thing I like most about his father’s advice is about chances. “Once is enough, two is too much, and three is a poison that can kill a person”. I agree that we have to set limits or else, we’ll be allowing other people to hurt us. On the other hand, his best advice for the youth is to respect their parents and listen to them, which made me miss my father who used to lift my spirits when I was in my lowest point in life.

I miss the old days when my father used to spice up family dinner with his antics and made sure to get everyone involved in the conversations. He made every member of the family feel accepted and loved. “Nobody gets left behind” as Lilo of the popular Lilo and Stitch animation always say. Going back to the vlog, Marcelo Santos III and his father brought up the role of sharing good food and how it makes our table talk more engaging.

Truly, a sumptuous home cooked meal can set the mood for a lively discussion and for a typical Filipino family, a perfectly cooked blistering hot Fried Chicken will do just that.

Cooking has never been my forte ever since I moved to my own place. This made me appreciate quick and easy recipes with minimal ingredients. Spending my time dining in with the family is my top priority whenever I go home on the weekends. My mom sometimes requests for me to cook for the family and one dish that has always been a favorite among my niece and nephew is fried chicken.

Since I was young, I was accustomed to this dish as a reward for being an obedient, studious kid. No wonder fried chicken is the best selling dish in restaurants all around the country. However, for it to capture the Filipino palate, it has to have the right level of saltiness, spiciness and crispiness to the bite.

I can definitely relate to Marcelo Santos III’s father. He said that cooking a dish is like courting; you just have to keep it simple. He also mentioned that he uses products that is already complete with herbs and spices like Crispy fry that saves time and makes family meal time worthwhile.

Whocan say that it doesn’t take a pro to prepare Fried chicken that will pass even Chef Gordon Ramsay’s standards? For a workaholic like me, serving dinner for my loved ones is now made easy. There can be no more excuses for take outs and pizza deliveries. Needless to say, preparing my favorite dish is more rewarding. Do you enjoy mealtime conversations too? Share your thoughts in the comment box.

Vacuuming Tips That Will Take You Back to Cleaning School

You turn it on and run it across your carpet and the job’s done, right?

Nope. Your floors are really, really dirty and using a vacuum cleaner properly is essential to keeping them as clean, and healthy, as possible.

You don’t have to go to school for it. There are actually schools for it, though. Yeah – I didn’t know that either. When they said education budgets were being cut I didn’t know they meant cut-a-rug! Ok, let me get my feet back on the floor…

All bad jokes aside, you need to take the vacuum cleaning process seriously to assure the best results. It’s not hard, but it’s important to do it right nonetheless.

“One Direction” Is a Boy Band, Not a Cleaning Technique
When you mow your lawn you follow a path and usually do so each time you’re out there. There are arguments on both sides of the proverbial fence that either say it doesn’t matter, or it matters a lot to the health of the grass. I’m on the side that “doesn’t care” because I have allergies and don’t cut grass. Vacuuming your carpets is another thing. Dirt and debris is small and can sink to the bottom of the carpet piles. Running your vacuum cleaner in one direction or on one path all the time just helps embed the that dirt and debris further into your floors. Vacuum in cross sections and always go back over what you just cleaned from a different direction. Each week you vacuum, start at a different spot as well. Your carpet will last longer, stay fresher and be easier to maintain if you don’t listen to “One Direction…” … I mean vacuum in several directions each time.

Are You a Half Empty or Half Full Person?
I remember being younger and more immature (emphasis on more) and being aggravated by all the older people who thought they knew more than I did. Ahem. It turns out it is better for your car to fill you gas tank up when the meter is at ¼ full. It turns out you really can run out of gas faster than you think. Vacuum cleaner bags need air to flow through them to work at maximum efficacy. Waiting until they are bursting full is a bad idea. Sure, it means you have to buy more bags, but that’s better than having to buy a new vacuum cleaner when the motor burns out from being overworked. Check your bags regularly and empty/replace them at ¾ full, max. Get the full picture about vacuum cleaners by reading reviews.

Don’t FilaBUSTer Your Filter
The other day a friend of mine asked me to look at her vacuum cleaner to see why it wasn’t picking up debris anymore. One look inside and I knew what had to be done. I put on my Hazmat suit and went to work. Filters need to be cleaned. And I don’t mean just to shake them off outside once in awhile. If they are not regularly and properly maintenance they will not do their jobs. Worse yet they will cause your vacuum cleaner to overwork, overheat, break down and spit dirt back into your rooms. Wear a dust mask (seriously) and shake or tap off as much loose dust and dirt from your filter as you can. Next, use a plastic spoon or knife and pry out all the gunk that’s stuck in the crevices of your filter. Use high water pressure and spray your filter with hot water repeatedly. You can also spray it with white vinegar mixed with water and an essential oil of your choice (Lavender is nice in vacuum cleaners) before and after hosing it down. Please: you must let the filter dry out thoroughly before re-installing it in your machine. Give it at least 24 hours and use a blow dryer on gentle heat is you must to be sure.

Sometimes It’s Good To Be Attached
In the esoteric world not binge attached to anything is a widely taught lesson. The concept of impermanence is a focal point. In the tangible world occupied by vacuum cleaners, you need to be attached to your attachments. The crevice tool is great for corners and between cushions. The brush tool is good for blinds and around box springs. The upholstery tool is good for, well…upholstery. You don’t really need to buy the .net or .mirror or .club domain for your mememe.com website. It’s fun, though, so no judgment. You also don’t need that extra warranty plan on your new purchase. But you do need to take advantage to the attachments that come with your vacuum cleaner to do the best job you can on your home.

A SNIP-pet of Good Advice
Pet owners know what this is about. But chances are, all of you do. Hair, string and other long, dangly things get wrapped around your roller brush and jam up you vacuum cleaner. Don’t pull on them. Get a scissors and snip them until they come free easily.

Guide Me Home, Scotty!
Retractable cords are great. But don’t let them just zip back in place unguided. It’s bad for the machine and worse, can cause injury. Hold on to them and guide them back in, slowly.

What Do You Mean You Didn’t Bring The Map?
It’s a road trip with a specific destination. You plan out a route so you get there the safest, fastest or most scenic. GPS’s have replaced most maps and are programmed to guide you around construction delays and accidents. You have to be the GPS for your vacuum cleaner. Clutter on the floor is annoying and time- consuming when you’re all set to start cleaning. Always pick things up off the floor and move furniture appropriately before you start vacuum cleaning.

Plan a Fun Summer Vacation with the Entire Family

The summer is the only time of year when you and your children can spend lots of time together, so why not make the most of it? One day, they will be grown up and will have their own lives to tend to. If you want to make the most of your summer this year and for all future years, then you need to plan ahead and ensure everything is budget friendly. There are plenty of things you can do without breaking the bank. Here are a few tips for putting together memorable summers with your children.

Plan a Camping Trip

It doesn’t matter where you live in the United States, you can find a place to camp out. The internet is a great resource for finding forest areas where citizens can camp out in tints and even RVs. Shop around for sleeping bags and durable tints for you and your family to enjoy a night under the stars. Make note of areas that have dangerous wildlife like coyotes, bears and wolves.

Go to Local Attractions

A lot of people ignore local attractions in their area, either because they’ve been to them multiple times or they simply overlook them. If there are places in your town that your children haven’t gone to, then consider taking them this summer. Some places you may want to check out include museums, theaters, parks and recreational facilities. The great thing about local attractions is you don’t have to pay much for gas and there’s no need for a hotel. Some spots may even offer discounts for residents.

Head to a Beach, Lake or River

Water fun is a must during the summertime. If you live along the coast, you can drive out to the beach, and if you don’t, you may be able to find a lake or river that’s safe to swim in. A picnic by the water sets a nice scene for family time. Just make sure to check the weather in advance, so you don’t end up dealing with rain, extreme heat or other hazardous conditions. It’s a good idea to bring umbrellas to help shield you from the sun.

Buy Outdoor Toys

You don’t have to go further than your backyard to have fun with your children. You can go to Toys R Us and pick up Nerf guns, water guns, sports gear and other outdoor toys everyone can enjoy. Get everyone’s input to see what type of toys and activities they would find engaging. If you don’t have yard space, you can opt for indoor toys, like board games, video games and other fun gadgets.

Go Abroad

If you have the funds, you can really shake things up and take everyone to a far away place. Get a passport for everyone and enjoy a trip to Italy, Japan or somewhere local like Canada and Mexico. Taking your children to different countries to see the various cultures and languages can be stimulating.

10 Reasons Why Moms Are The Best

Being a parent is a full-time job and I agree that mothers are considered as one of our modern-day superheroes. Aside from being the pillar that holds the peace and tranquility of any household, mothers are God-given gifts that nurture us from the time they carry us in their womb up until we age. So here is my list of why I think moms are simply the best.

1. Moms have superior multitasking skills

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Being a mother is a tough job, it takes a lot of strength and determination to raise kids. I have seen my mom a few times multitasking from one daughter to another, from the time she wakes up until she got home from work. Moms have a talent to juggle one task to another from cooking, cleaning, working, and attending awards and school events. Moms always make sure that by the end of the day all tasks have been fulfilled.

2.They always know the order of things in the house

I am quite guilty of always asking my mom where I placed my belongings. Mothers have great organizational skills that they usually know where anything and everything is, and when chaos ensues they can calmly tell you where it is.

3.Moms are super-patient

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Being a mom is a 24/7 job from changing diapers, not being able to complete 8 hours of sleep, feeding, and having the kids get ready for bed or school. Moms are amazing as they still guided us and remained calm, starting from our toddler and school years when the exploration and a lot of questions started, to dealing with the change of our attitude and preference during our pubescent stages.

4.Support System

Remember your first step, your first bike ride, or the time you asked to go for a trip to another city? Mothers, regardless of how old you are, will always have your back no matter what. Every step of the way, you are equipped with their guidance and values.

5.Moms cook amazing dishes or always have your favorite dish ready

No matter where I go or how much food I consume through my food adventures, I always go home to my mother’s homemade dishes. My dad and I used to visit my grandmother in another city and every time we do that, she always prepares my dad’s favorite dish or food. Wherever we are or how much we have outgrown our favorite dish, a hearty meal from our mom will always bring out our inner child.

6.Moms do not give up on us

Failed a test or was rejected in your job application? One of the people that I run to whenever I felt that I have failed on doing something is my mom. My mom has been a source of my inspiration and keeps me level-headed in times I doubt myself. Mothers have a way of helping us get back on our feet and use our failures as stepping stones.

7.Moms work hard to give what we need

In this modern day period, I can attest that both parents are already working to help out the family. Mothers are very generous as they work hard and give us what we need. They don’t spoil us with what we want but instead teach and inspire us that hard work can provide us with what we need.

8.Your mother is your first friend

I consider my mom as my best friend. She was the one who taught me the meaning of friendship, sharing, and caring. She listens with empathy and no judgment. She only gives me honest answers. She doesn’t spoil me with pretenses and yet she showers me with the truth that I needed to hear.

9.A Mother’s love is unconditional

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Mothers love us immeasurably and constantly. She is a person who would forgive, sacrifice her life, and stand by your side without asking anything in return.

10.Moms know best

My mom taught me a lot like getting back on my feet when my dad died. It was hard for me to accept that my dad was gone.After his death, I made sure that I was strong enough to take care of my mom. My mom has scoliosis and would often complain of severe back pain. It is hard when you see the woman who cradled you in her arms when you were little and dedicated her life to you, would get sick. That is why when I saw Unilab’s new video, I could quickly relate that it is quite chaotic when mom is sick. Good thing mothers know best with only trusting products under Unilab to maintain and promote our health.