Hong Kong Domestic Helper: 8 Things You Should Do On Weekends

Buong linggo ka nang nagta-trabaho. Mag-enjoy ka naman! Your days off are perfect to spend time taking care of your well-being. Ang pagpapahinga mo ay kailangan for a healthy mind and a healthy body. Dahil dito, we’ve made a list of things you can do on the days you aren’t working.

Pero teka muna! Before getting ready for the weekend, make sure you’ve already done the tasks you need to do. Naayos mo na ba ang mga gamit mo? Nakapamili ka na ba ng mga kailangan mo? Nakapag-send ka na ba ng BeamAndGo Digital Gift Certificates sa pamilya mo? These are a few of the things you need to do that won’t take up much of your time – lalong-lalo na ang pagpapadala using www.BeamAndGo.com. Within a few minutes, you can already send Supermarket GCs for your family’s grocery shopping! It’s an easy way to take care of your family in the Philippines, even when abroad. Kaya naman proud na proud kami ibahagi sa inyo ang kwento ni Juliet Lindo na taga Compostela Valley, a proud na proud na NCCC and GMall customer ng Pacific Ace!

 

As soon as you have some free time, gawin mo na ang mga ito para naman madagdagan ang oras mo to take care of yourself. Here are 10 things you can do during the weekend or during your time-off, enjoy!

1. Just relax and unwind!

Unang-una, kailangan mong mag-relax. Hindi ka robot! Try to take a walk near the bay, mag yoga ka katulad ni Ms. Juliet Lindo na taga Hong Kong. Watch one of your favorite shows, and slow down for a while. Hindi mo kailangang magmadali. Makakatulong pa ang pag-relax para makaipon ka ng energy for the work week ahead.

2. Exercise

May tendency tayong kalimutan na we need exercise to stay fit and healthy. This helps us improve our immune system to prevent us from getting sick. Exercising also helps us improve our mood – dopamine effect yan para happy tayo! It’s good to have at least 30 minutes of physical activity everyday. So kapag hinahatid mo yung alaga mo sa school, counted narin yun! On weekends naman, mag sign up kayo ng yoga, taekwondo, zumba, or hiphop dancing! There’s so many OFW groups to join! Hindi naman kailangang kumuha pa ng gym membership o lumayo kung nasaan ka. You can simply jog around your area or follow an exercise routine on YouTube.

3. Learn a new skill!

If your body needs it, your mind needs it too! Studying is your way to exercise your mind. Marami kang pagpilian: novels, online articles, blogs, news, at para naman kay Juliet Lindo, otherwise known as “Sweetify” in Facebook, dapat matuto mag sulat ng Chinese at mag converse sa local Cantonese para maging competitive at maging effective sa communication with Hong Kong locals. Basta ang punto ay never stop learning! Bawal ang tamad-tamaran.

4. Go out

Just because you’re working there, doesn’t mean you can’t be a tourist. Ang mga araw na wala kang trabaho ang oras mo para magpaka-turista! Siguradong marami pang lugar na hindi mo pa napupuntahan d’yan – malls, parks, landmarks, and other tourist destinations. Imagine niyo, may mga magagandang beach pala sa Hong Kong! Makakakuha ka pa ng mga selfie na ipapadala mo sa mga kapamilya mo sa Pilipinas! Disneyland, check! Bida ka pa sa mga anak mo!

5. Eat good food

DimDimSum is the personal favorite of Juliet Lindo! It’s a unique restaurant and surprisingly easy on the pocket! Once in a while, we all deserve to eat good food! Photo taken from scandinaviantraveler.com

 

Paborito nating mga Pinoy ‘to! Although nothing can compare to genuine Filipino cooking, why don’t you try local foods and delicacies where you are? Para maiba naman, diba? Whether those are dumplings in Hong Kong, laksa in Singapore, pasta in Italy or paella in Spain, makakahanap ka ng masarap na pagkain at an affordable price. Since local food is frequently found in each country, siguradong may mga mura kang options para hindi masakit sa iyong bulsa.

6. Go shopping

Whether it’s for you or or your loved ones, masarap mag-shopping. Kaya nga dito sa Pilipinas, hilig talaga natin ang magpunta sa mga mall. The weekend is perfect for you and your friends to go out and buy stuff (know the differenc between Needs and Wants!). Ang needs ang mga kailangan mo talaga at wants ay pang libangan lang kapag may extra sa budget. But of course, don’t forget to stick to your budget. Minsan may mga manloloko diyan sa Central! Huwag magpaloko sa mga nagtitinda ng fake na mga alahas! Maganda na kayo kahit walang mga mamahaling ari-arihan. Always look for finds na sulit at swak sa inyong budget!

For grocery shopping advice, click here.

7. Start a small business (Hindi ito impossible!)

Hindi kailangang maging magastos ang weekend mo! This can also be a time for you to work on things you can earn money from. Gaano man kaliit o kalaki ang iyong naipon, siguradong may sideline o negosyong pwede mong pasukan. Pwede kang mag sideline na magbenta ng mga damit, accessories, o kaya naman mag bukas ng maliit na tindahan o sari-sari store. Don’t forget to check your country’s labor laws first and your employer if he or she will allow it! We advice that you consult your respective labor authorities before pursuing a business. If puwede, then go ahead na! Mas maganda kung ang business na sisimulan mo ay hilig mo rin, para natutuwa ka habang ginagawa mo ito. Si Juliet naman ang ginawa ay naging zumba instructor! Sa susunod, baka maging taekwondo instructor narin siya!

8. As a parent, don’t forget to contact your loved ones!

Dahil busy ka buong linggo, sa weekend lang kayo magkakaroon ng mahaba-habang usapan with your family and friends in the Philippines. May time ka dapat to catch up with your loved ones’ lives and to share your experiences with them. Mahalagang mapanatili ang open communication with your family. Kasama sa responsibilidad mo ang maging teacher, cheerleader, best friend, at disciplinarian kung kinakailangan – tulungan ang anak sa pag-aaral, siguraduhin na nagpapaalam sila kapag may pupuntahan, at mag celebrate kapag may mga big achievements!

Kahit malayo ka sa pamilya mo, maraming paraan para maging present pa rin sa mga buhay nila. Sa paggamit mo ng BeamAndGo madadalian kang ipakita sa kanila na mahal mo sila.

You can send Supermarket GCs, gift packages, and more!

 

Let us help you support your family! Sign up now!

Si Juliet natuklasan niya ang BeamAndGo sa Facebook at mula nuon, every month na siya nagpapadala sa mga anak niya sa Compostela Valley. Nagbabayad siya sa Pacific Ace tuwing katapusan ng buwan.

Kayapag ikaw naman ay nasa ibang bansa, marami pong paraan ang pagbayad sa BeamAndGo. Si Juliet, all she needed was to try it once! And now, she is able to budget her family’s grocery and department store expenses, all because of BeamAndGo

 

 

Mag-Noche Buena kasama ang pamilya even while you’re abroad

When you live far away from your loved ones, any form of communication is vital. Bilang mga OFW, we consider technology as our best friend. Ito kasi ang gamit natin to keep in touch with our loved ones sa ‘Pinas! Gamit na gamit natin ito, especially during the moments we can’t make it back home. Kaya para sa ating mga kababayang OFW na hindi makakauwi sa papalapit na Pasko, don’t worry! Heto ang mga paraan para maka-bonding ang ating mga mahal sa buhay, even when we are miles away:

Mag-chat

If there is no need to make a call, sending a text or chat is the most convenient way to relay your message to your friends and family. Hindi mo din kailangan gumastos ng malaki para mag-text sa mga kaibigan at kapamilya mo! Basta may wifi or data connection ka, makakausap mo sila. Okay ito, especially kung iba ang time-zone ng kausap mo. Kung tulog man siya, siguradong mababasa niya ang message mo pagbukas niya ng kanyang cellphone.

Isang paraan para maging updated sa buhay ng mga kapamilya mo ay ang paggamit ng social media. Kapag friends kayo sa Facebook, Twitter, at Instagram, makikita mo ang mga updates sa buhay nila. Pwede mo pang gamitin ito para maka-chat sila, tulad ni Kassy at ng kanyang mommy. They use social media to keep in touch and maintain constant communication. Kaya nga close pa rin sila, kahit nasa Dubai si mommy at siya ay nasa Pilipinas.

Aside from social media, there are a ton of messaging apps you can choose from. Ilan sa mga ito ay Viber, Line, WeChat, at WhatsApp. Iba-iba sila ng special features pero lahat ng ito ay pwede mong gamitin to chat with your friends and family.

Pero teka muna, may gagamitin na ba ang mga mahal mo sa buhay para maka-chat mo sila? Kung wala pa, you can send a Kata i3L using BeamAndGo as a gift to your loved one this Christmas! Perfect ito to for chatting and mobile browsing. With a 16 GB Storage + 1 GB RAM, you can download your favorite social media and chat apps and see them on the 5-inch IPS super HD display. It has an 8 megapixel front camera and 13 megapixel back camera para makapagsend ka ng pictures sa mga mahal mo sa buhay!

 

Send a Kata i3L to your loved one today!

Tumawag

Para sa mahaba-habang kwentuhan, itawag mo na lang yan! You can even subscribe to your network’s most affordable IDD promos to call your friends and family. Pero mas madali nang tumawag, basta may internet ka. Most messaging apps already have a voice call feature. Kahit nasaan ka man sa mundo, pwede kang tumawag. Convenient diba?

Syempre, dapat may load ang mga kapamilya mo, para maka-subscribe sila sa iba’t ibang promos ng kanilang networks. Just visit your network’s website or call their hotline to inquire about their different promos. Ang iba pa nga ay may free Facebook at Viber!

Send eLoad using BeamAndGo!

Mag-Video Call

Ang pag-video call na marahil ang pinaka-magandang paraan to keep in touch. 10 years ago, naririnig lang natin ang mga kausap natin using our phones. Ngayon, pwede na rin natin silang makita sa screens gamit ang ating computer, phone, o tablet.

Ngayong Pasko, send a Kata T mini 3 to your family! Sino man sa inyong bahay ay maaaring gumamit nito para makatawag sa iyo:

Choose between the RAM 1GB + ROM 8GB version or RAM 2GB + ROM 16GB version, kung kailangan niyo ng mas malaking memory. May 3000 mAh battery ito na tatagal kung gagamitin niyo itong pang-video call. Kitang-kita niyo pa ang inyong kausap sa 6.95″ HD display nito at kitang-kita ka din nila dahil may 5 megapixel front camera ito at 8 megapixel back camera.

For other Christmas gift ideas for your parents, click here.

Ilan sa mga paboritong video calling apps ay ang Skype, Google Hangouts at Facebook. Kung computer o laptop ang gamit mo, you just have to open the website of your chosen video calling app using your browser, register, and make the call! Ang dali lang! Skype and Google Hangouts are known for their reliability. Facebook, on the other hand, is an all around platform. Besides being a social media platform, magagamit mo ito sa pag-chat at pagtawag. With just a few clicks, makikita mo na ang ngiti ng iyong pamilya habang sinasabi nila na miss ka na nila.

Ano man ang gamitin mo to stay connected with your loved ones, ang importante ay nadadalian kayo sa paggamit nito.  Hindi mo man nakakasama ang inyong pamilya, nakikita at nakaka usap niyo naman sila. These advancements in technology make it easier and cheaper keep in touch.

Now, it’s even easier and cheaper to send love to your family using BeamAndGo! Click here to know more. 

Balik-Pilipinas 2: Kain Tayo Dito!

Tunay ngang malaking bahagi ang pagkain sa ating culture dito sa Pilipinas. A lot of our kababayans abroad, or even Filipinos simply away from their hometowns miss the food and the memories that come with it. Food is one of the things that brings us together. Dahil dito, tinanong namin kay Malou, Joelyn, Monica at Francis kung ano ang mga namimiss nilang mga ulam at delicacy sa kani-kanilang mga hometown.

Para sa mga ingredients ng mga paborito mong ulam (at iba pa), nandito ang ating mga partner supermarkets, Beamer!

Magpadala na sa iyong mga mahal sa buhay ng mga Supermarket GCs:

Malou, Ilocos Sur

“Ang puso ko ay nasa Ilocos talaga kasi nandoon ang mga mahal ko sa buhay,” Malou tells us. Her mom is from Davao, where she spent 3 years to study. Lagi siyang nasa Manila, but her heart is in Vigan, where her papa is from. Kaya as soon as she had a chance, she bought a small property in Ilocos Sur. Sabi niya, isa sa mga paborito niyang memory ay ang pagluto ng kanyang papa para sa kanilang pamilya:

“Namimiss ko talaga yung sariling recipe ng father ko, ginisang tahong. Pwedeng ma-preserve ito, kaso matrabaho ang pagluluto. After he passed away, ‘yung brother-in-law ko na ang laging nagluluto. As in sobrang sarap niya magluto! Specialty niya ang sinigang na bagnet at lomo-lomo (soup made with pork and other internal organs). ‘Pag nauwi ako sa Vigan, gusto kong matikman agad yung Vigan longganisa. Halos araw-araw kong almusal yun!”

Antique shop in Vigan

Carayan River

Sinigang na Bagnet

Aside from these, madami pang food and delicacies ang mahahanap mo sa Ilocos. Malou also loves to eat what they call jumping salad, fresh live shrimp with tomatoes and salt. “Bubuksan mo nang maigi, tapos kakainin mo ng buhay pa!” Naliligo pa nga sila Malou sa Carayan river, where you can catch the shrimp. Their other delicacies include sinigang na bagnet, puki-puki, and the famous Vigan empanada. You can find delicacies in public markets, roadside stores, and even supermarkets in Ilocos, like Johnson’s Supermart. 

Kung taga-Ilocos Sur ka, sign up na sa BeamAndGo! We’ll be offering Supermarket GCs for establishments near you soon.

Since Malou lives alone in Manila, what she misses the most is her family. “Mas masaya ang kainan, ‘pag kasama ko ang pamilya ko.” Whenever she misses Vigan, she can always cook Vigan longganisa to remind her of her hometown.

Related: Balik-Pilipinas: What Makes You Miss Home?

Joelyn, Pampanga

Joelyn at Sandbox, Porac, Pampanga

Si Joelyn naman, taga-San Fernando, Pampanga. Tumira din ang kaniyang pamilya sa Middle East dahil doon nagtrabaho ang kanilang ama. Pero hindi nila matiis at bumalik din sila, lalong-lalo na when they remember her mother’s cooking. Joelyn’s mom usually cooks adobo or sinigang. “Sa amin, we add gabi (taro) and  tamarind seeds as part of the ingredients. The soup is more gooey and it tastes better. My mom is a Bisaya so she doesn’t really cook Kapampangan food that much. My dad is the real Kapampangan rockstar.” We asked Joelyn how it’s like to live in the culinary capital of the Philippines. Hinding-hindi ka raw magugutom doon! Madaming restaurants, turista ka man o local. Kahit nga sa kapit-bahay ka lang pumunta, siguradong masarap ang nakahain!

“Nothing beats the original sisig of Pampanga! This recipe is made from pig ears, cheeks, snout, and liver. Whenever we have guests to tour around, we bring them at Aling Lucing located in Angeles City. You can taste the best ever tasting sisig served in a sizzling plate. This delicious dish which was traced as early as 1732.

You can also try eating frogs here! It’s called Batute Tugak, and it tastes just like fried chicken. Another exotic dish, Camaru or cricket is also a must try! It’s a crunchy delicacy like chicharon. And who wouldn’t miss the chance to eat bringhe—a savory rice dish comparable to paella. Pampanga is also widely known for having the best tocino because of Pampanga’s best.”

Camaru (fried crickets)

Sisig

Susie’s Kakanin

Susies’ Palabok

Joelyn’s family loves to eat. Lagi itong kasama sa kanilang bonding experience. They visit restaurants that offer familiar dishes, like Susie’s palabok and kakanin. She tells us that most of her favorites are just simple, but it reminds them of a lot of memories they have together. The moments with family are what matters — whether at home, at a restaurant, or shopping for ingredients at Jumbo Jenra. Sabi pa nga niya, “what will always make me miss home is the peace of mind I get when I’m with my family in a place that binds us together. The delicious food is just a bonus.”

Monica, Metro Manila

Monica having dinner with her family

Growing up in the capital of the Philippines gave Monica a chance to try out different food. Since Metro Manila is the hub of the country, lahat ata ng ulam at pagkain mahahanap mo dito! Pero syempre, wala talagang tatalo sa masarap na home-cooked meal. Her family’s specialty is a dish cooked with red beans and pork or beef. We asked if there’s a secret ingredient and she laughingly said, “yes, but that’s a secret!”

Ingredients for Filipino dishes are easy to find! Wherever you go, may wet market o bilihan ng mga ito. Kung gusto mo ng isahang bilihan, dumiretso ka na sa Super 8. All branches offer a wide variety of offerings, from household items, to clothing, and groceries. Pero bago ka mamili ng groceries, basahin mo muna ang aming tips para siguradong kasya ang budget mo. 

Manila offers a wide variety of delicacies, which are specialties of some provinces but can be widely found around the metro. Some of Malou’s favorites are suman, sapin-sapin, banana chips, and pancit malabon. Whenever she has relatives or friends who visit Manila, sinasamahan pa niya ang mga ito para bumili ng pasalubong.

Francis, Davao

Sikat ang Durian na galing sa Davao. Isa ito sa mga hinahanap-hanap na prutas ng mga turistang bumibisita. Francis shares with us how easy it is to find it in Davao, especially during Durian season.

“If its durian season, you don’t need to make an effort to find Durian. To be precise, you can smell it everywhere in Davao which actually what durian is famous for, aside from its heavenly taste. And even if it’s not Durian sason, you can still find a few at Magsaysay Park, one of the places in the city where it is always available.”

Durian, a must-try in Davao

NCCC, Davao is one of our partner Supermarkets at BeamAndGo. You can send Supermarket GCs to your family members in just a few clicks. Hindi ka na mahihirapang magpadala!

Kung wala ka pang BeamAndGo account, sign up na dito!

Francis’ dad usually cooks for their family. Ang paborito niyang ulam ay ang kinapasayan (whole chicken soup). Para siyang tinola, but with a twist — the secret ingredient: slices of bananas! “It adds a little sweet taste to the usual tinola. It completely changes the general taste of the dish.” Another tip from Francis, when cooking kinapasayan, you should use organic chicken.

Kinapasayan

“This is the core of the dish. If it’s not then, it will not taste as good as the organic chicken. I’m not sure if others will like it too, but what I’m sure of is that it’s worth trying!

I remember when I was young, my father and I went out of town just to get the organic chicken. By the time we got home, we prepared everything we needed for the dish. He asked me to slice the chicken’s neck but I said “I don’t want to do it because I pity the chicken” My father then said, “Son, this is the chicken’s purpose, to be eaten by mankind. If we eat it, it will achieve its purpose. Then the chicken will be happy, so I did it. As we ate our dinner, I surely knew that I liked the chicken alive but I realized I liked it even better on my plate.”

The food we have been accustomed to is a very significant part of our lives as Filipinos. Pero kung titignan mo, mahalaga ang pagkain natin because it brings us together. We love eating with the people close to our hearts. Kaya sa susunod mong kagat ng paborito mong ulam, remember the fond memories you have eating it with your loved ones. And remember how BeamAndGo is one of the ways you can show them how much you love them.

Hanggang sa uulitin, Beamers!

Balik-Pilipinas: What Makes You Miss Home?

Missing home is a feeling we often experience, especially as an OFW living far away. Home is where the heart is, ‘ika nga nila. At para maiparamdam na mahal mo ang pamilya mo sa iyong hometown, subukan mong magpadala gamit ang BeamAndGo.

To learn more about BeamAndGo and our services, click here.

Tinanong namin ang ilan sa mga Beamers what it’s like to live in each of their hometowns — from their simple experiences to the memories they cherish the most. Ito ang kwento ni Raizza, Tom, Angela, at Shelly.

Raizza, Bicol

Raizza is from Albay, Bicol, home of the infamous Mayon Volcano. The last time she’s been there was a year ago, October 2016. Swerte raw kapag nakikita mo ang Mayon ng buo. Kadalasan kasi, natatakpan ito ng mga ulap. Fortunately, Raizza always gets to see Mayon’s true beauty every time she visits.

For someone who spends so much time in the city, Raizza enjoys the slow pace in Bicol — yung feeling na hindi nagmamadali o minamadali. She says it makes one appreciate the little things that go by your day even more. Here’s how she describes coming back to her hometown of Albay:

“As cliché as it sounds, maririnig mo sa umaga ang mga tumitilaok na manok. I’d still be half

Raizza’s favorite: tablea chocolate & binugtong

asleep by then, but I’ll always remember that my provincial home would be alive and bustling as early as 4:30 am. Maghahanda si Lolo at Lola para sa 5 AM mass at para mamalengke. ‘Pag 7 AM na, halos lahat ng nasa bahay ay gising na upang magsalu-salo. Siguradong nakahanda ang paborito kong tablea tsokolate at binugtong, a Bicolano delicacy made of glutinous rice with coconut cream wrapped in a banana leaf. Very similar to suman, only creamier.

After breakfast, I’d usually have somewhere to be in the city. Either bibisita ako ng mga friends ko from childhood or iikot lang ako para magliwaliw. Ang masaya diyan is there’s barely any traffic. I prefer going around the area via tricycle or jeep.

Raizza’s family at Biggs

‘Pag in the mood si Lolo at Lola, lalabas rin sila kasama ang rest of the family. Usually, in the afternoon mamamasyal kami sa LCC Mall in Legazpi. Sasamahan ko ang Mommy ko at Lola ko na mamili sa department store. Kapag dinner, walang tatalo sa iconic Biggs food chain. Meron nito sa LCC Mall kaya it’s good narin na nandun kami. Biggs is a famous diner (and the biggest fast food chain in Bicol) that serves western food with a Bicolano twist.

 

Maaga natatapos ang araw kapag nasa probinsiya. By 7 or 8 pm, handa na ang lahat na matulog at mapahinga para sa susunod na araw.  No pressure at all thoughout the day, kaya you always feel so relaxed.”

We also asked her what she misses the most. Sabi niya, it’s being around with her grandparents. Besides the satisfaction of having her favorite people around, the calmness and serenity of the environment. Fresh na fresh and hangin at hindi masyadong mainit dahil sagana ang mga pananim at puno sa paligid, as she would say.

Tom, Iloilo

Tom is from Jaro, Iloilo City. Ang huli niyang punta doon ay noong May 2016. Iloilo is known for it’s virgin beaches, batchoy,  heritage sites, and modern jeepneys that roam around the city. Coming back to his hometown always excites him. And whenever he does, he makes sure to spend a lot of time with his family and friends.

“Every time I visit Iloilo, I always make sure that I’m doing something each day. In the morning, Its either I try new restaurants, maybe visit the beaches or maybe just chill outside my home and enjoy the fresh air. At night, we go out and drink because the night life scene in Iloilo’s crazy.”

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Tom remembers how delicious the food is in his hometown, especially the seafood. He even says, “you can never go wrong with the seafood in Iloilo. They’re huge and you can get them for a very cheap price.”

Angela, Negros Occidental

Angela was born in Escalante City, Negros Occidental. The last time she visited was three years ago before she entered college. The province of Negros is quite known for their festivals: Pintaflores at San Carlos City, Panaad and Masskara at Bacolod, Manlambus Festival sa Escalante City, and a lot more.

Angela shares with us her favorite memories in Negros:

“I feel happy whenever I’m on a vacation in my hometown because I get to see my family and friends. Nakakapag-bonding kami. Catch up catch up, ganon. Andun ‘yung nostalgic feeling everytime uuwi ako. Ang sarap sa pakiramdam.

Simple lang ang buhay sa probinsya. Doon, kapag may vegetable garden ka, mabubuhay ka na! Ang hanapbuhay ng mga tao ay simple lang din, kumakasya lang ang kinikita nila sa pang araw-araw na pangangailangan. Laging kumakayod, bawal magpahinga. ‘Yung iba, umalis na papuntang ibang bansa para magtrabaho, tinitiis nilang malayo  sa kanilang pamilya para lang mabigyan sila ng magandang buhay. Kaya saludo ako sa mga mahal nating OFWs na kinkaya lahat matustusan lang ang pangangailangan ng kanilang pamilya. Mabuhay po kayong lahat!”

Para makatulong sa mga OFWs with families in Western Visayas, may partner merchants ang BeamAndGo sa regions na ito. Kasama na dito ang Gaisano Capital, Iloilo Supermart, at Prince Retail.

Marami ka pang ibang puwedeng pagpipilian dito!

Ang pagpapadala mo ng BeamAndGo Supermarket GC ay isa sa paraan ng pagpapakita ng pagmamahal sa pamilya mong, miss na miss mo na. Here’s what Angela misses most about her hometown:

“The spirit of Bayanihan. Sa probinsiya, madaling lapitan ang mga tao, lalo na sa panahon ng pangangailangan. Namimiss ko na din ang fiestas doon. May sayawan kasi doon sa ilalim ng buwan at mga niyog kapag fiesta, dito wala kasi di naman uso ang maingay na fiesta, at wala namang puno ng niyog dito sa Maynila, haha! One of the memories I cherish is nung nagpunta ako ng Panaad Festival sa Bacolod City, kasama ang kaibigan at pinsan ko. Pakiramdam ko halos nalibot ko na ang buong Negros Occidental!

Siguro kung may namimiss man ako ng sobra sa probinsya ay ang pamilya ko. Naalala ko, bago matulog ay ang pagdadasal namin ng sabay-sabay. Pag-gising naman sa umaga ang routine namin ng mama at mga kapatid ko is magwalis sa bakuran. Iba kasi talaga kapag kapiling ang pamilya, lahat gumagaan.”

Shelly, Davao

Shelly at GMall, Davao City

Shelly is a proud Davaoeña. Her hometown is in Davao City, a coastal commercial center near Mt. Apo, the Philippine’s highest peak. It is also notably famous for Philippine Eagle and a place where you can get a lot of fruits and crops. Shelly tells us that aside from the numerous beaches and resorts, maraming mall sa Davao: Abreeza Ayala, SM, NCCC and the famous GMall. We also asked Shelly how it’s like in living in her hometown. Ito ang sinabi niya:

“Waking up in the Land of Promise is a great feeling. You are truly home safe with the people you spend everyday with. You can just go around and plan what you need to do for the day without worrying too much because the city has friendly beautiful men and women who love peace.

A typical day for me would be waking up with my coffee, doing routines at home, going to the mall. I actually like going to GMall, the place has variety of items from their supermarkets, food chains, to department stores. It’s a one-stop shop. And this mall really has a lot of affordable things to offer. Jeepneys pass by the mall making it convenient for commuters and shoppers. Taxis are everywhere too. It’s amazing to be here and every place is definitely accessible in the city.

Sleeping at night is one of my favorite things. Karaoke is limited to 10 PM so you can sleep soundly, hearing the chirping birds and animal friends in the background. And yes, I am living in an urban city but I can still feel like I’m in the countryside too. That is what most of us desire, I guess.”

Shelly misses the peaceful environment in Davao the most — how people treat you kindly, how they follow rules, and the lovely weather to match.

Ito ang mga namimiss nila sa mga lugar na kanilang kinalakihan. It’s such a good feeling to look back on those moments and places that have significant places in our hearts. And just because we don’t come back regularly, doesn’t mean we can’t show the people we miss how much we care for them. Sending Supermarket GCs using BeamAndGo is one of the ways to do so. Kahit saan pa man ang hometown mo, siguradong may option ka dito!

Send Supermarket GCs now!

 

8 Things OFWs Can Do on Weekends

Buong linggo ka nang nagta-trabaho. Mag-enjoy ka naman! Your days off are perfect to spend time taking care of your well-being. Ang pagpapahinga mo ay kailangan for a healthy mind and a healthy body. Dahil dito, we’ve made a list of things you can do on the days you aren’t working.

Pero teka muna! Before getting ready for the weekend, make sure you’ve already done the tasks you need to do. Naayos mo na ba ang mga gamit mo? Nakapamili ka na ba ng mga kailangan mo? Nakapag-send ka na ba ng BeamAndGo Supermarket GCs sa pamilya mo? These are a few of the things you need to do that won’t take up much of your time – lalong-lalo na ang pagpapadala using BeamAndGo. Within a few minutes, you can already send Supermarket GCs for your family’s grocery shopping! It’s an easy way to take care of your family in the Philippines, even when abroad.

Click here to send Supermarket GCs now!

As soon as you have some free time, gawin mo na ang mga ito para naman madagdagan ang oras mo to take care of yourself. Here are 10 things you can do during the weekend or during your time-off, enjoy!

1. Just relax

Unang-una, kailangan mong mag-relax. Hindi ka robot! Try to sleep longer, take a soothing shower, watch one of your favorite shows, and slow down for a while. Hindi mo kailangang magmadali. Makakatulong pa ang pag-relax para makaipon ka ng energy for the work week ahead.

2. Exercise

May tendency tayong kalimutan na we need exercise to stay fit and healthy. This helps us improve our immune system to prevent us from getting sick. It’s good to have at least 30 minutes of physical activity everyday. Pero kung hindi mo ito nagagawa, it’s good to set a time during the weekend for your work out. Hindi naman kailangang kumuha pa ng gym membership o lumayo kung nasaan ka. You can simply jog around your area or follow an exercise routine on YouTube.

3. Read

If your body needs it, your mind needs it too! Reading is your way to exercise your mind. Maraming kang pagpilian: novels, online articles, blogs, news, o iba pa. Ito rin ang paraan para maging updated ka sa mga pangyayari sa Pilipinas.

4. Go out

Just because you’re working there, doesn’t mean you can’t be a tourist. Ang mga araw na wala kang trabaho ang oras mo para magpaka-turista! Siguradong marami pang lugar na hindi mo pa napupuntahan d’yan – malls, parks, landmarks, and other tourist destinations. Makakakuha ka pa ng mga selfie na ipapadala mo sa mga kapamilya mo sa Pilipinas!

5. Eat good food

Paborito nating mga Pinoy ‘to! Although nothing can compare to genuine Filipino cooking, why don’t you try local foods and delicacies where you are? Para maiba naman, diba? Whether those are dumplings in Hong Kong, laksa in Singapore, pasta in Italy or paella in Spain, makakahanap ka ng masarap na pagkain at an affordable price. Since local food is frequently found in each country, siguradong may mga mura kang options para hindi masakit sa iyong bulsa.

6. Go shopping

Whether it’s for you or or your loved ones, masarap mag-shopping. Kaya nga dito sa Pilipinas, hilig talaga natin ang magpunta sa mga mall. The weekend is perfect for you and your friends to go out and buy stuff. But of course, don’t forget that you have a budget, which you have to stick to. Always look for finds na sulit at swak sa inyong budget!

For grocery shopping advice, click here.

7. Start a business

Hindi kailangang maging magastos ang weekend mo! This can also be a time for you to work on things you can earn money from. Gaano man kaliit o kalaki ang iyong naipon, siguradong may sideline o negosyong pwede mong pasukan. Pwede kang magsimula ng online store, mag-invest sa stock market, maghanap ng franchise business, o iba pa. Mas maganda kung ang business na sisimulan mo ay hilig mo rin, para natutuwa ka habang ginagawa mo ito.

8. Call your loved ones

Dahil busy ka buong linggo, sa weekend lang kayo magkakaroon ng mahaba-habang usapan with your family and friends in the Philippines. May time ka dapat to catch up with your loved ones’ lives and to share your experiences with them. Mahalagang mapanatili ang open communication with your family. Ito ang napamahagi ni Kassy at Mommy Ailen sa post na ito.

Kahit malayo ka sa pamilya mo, maraming paraan para maging present pa rin sa mga buhay nila. Sa paggamit mo ng BeamAndGo, madadalian kang ipakita sa kanila na mahal mo sila. You can send Supermarket GCs, gift packages, and more!

Let us help you support your family! Sign up now!

 

Masubukan nga! OFWs buy their groceries in Pampanga!

Sa BeamAndGo, we make sure that our partner supermarkets provide a convenient and pleasurable experience for your loved ones wherever they are, here in the Philippines. Kaya naman binibisita namin ang mga supermarkets na ito, para ma-experience din ang grocery shopping ng iyong mga kapamilya dito.

Kakadating palang. Nag selfie na agad si Albert sa BeamAndGo Jenra banner!

Before you can send Supermarket GCs to your loved ones, kailangan mo munang mag-register sa BeamAndGo! Libre lang ang pag-register para makapag-padala ka sa iyong mga mahal sa buhay sa Pilipinas kaya register na!.

Today, we will feature a supermarket in Dau, Mabalacat, ang Jumbo Jenra. Our SVP, Albert Christian Go, together with Aica, a BeamAndGo customer and volunteer, headed to Pampanga to check out what Jumbo Jenra has to offer! Tara, samahan kami sa pag-discover!

Albert was immediately greeted by our friends from Jumbo Jenra. Everyone in this store seems to be happy serving their customers kaya naman good vibes ang pamimili. Pag pasok palang, makikita na ito ay isang one-stop shop for everything you need!

Ang Pampanga ay tinaguriang “Culinary Capital of the Philippines,” dahil sa dami ng masasarap magluto sa lugar na ito. Ilan lang sa mga sikat na Kapampangan dishes ay Tocino, Sisig, Halo-Halo at Pancit Palabok. Kaya naman pag naisipang lutuin ng inyong pamilya ang ilan sa mga sikat pagkaing Kapampangan, kailangan lamang nila gamitin ang kanilang BeamAndGo gift certificates upang bilhin ang mga ingredients sa Jumbo Jenra. Makasisigurado ka pang fresh at kumpleto ang mga tinda!

Gaya ng sabi namin sa aming OFW Shopping Advice, dapat unahin ang mga pangangailangan sa household. Albert and Aica roamed around the spacious aisles of Jumbo Jenra to shop for the necessities for their stay in Pampanga. Rice, water, snacks, fruits, and fresh meat — kumpleto sila! Siguradong hindi ka magugutom dito!

Murang mura ang mga damit! Hindi kailangan ng branded at imported!

Sa Jumbo Jenra, pwede rin mag shopping ng mga damit. They make sure to stock up on variety kaya naman siguradong may makikita ang bawat miyembro ng iyong pamilya. Ang mga kapampangan rin ay kilala sa pagiging mahilig sa shopping. This is evident in the number of shopping malls and mall goers in the area. Pero hindi dapat mag alala dahil ang mga damit sa Jumbo Jenra ay siguradong swak pa rin sa budget niyo.  
Kung kailangan mo ng mga budgeting tips, click here.

Hindi natatapos sa necessities ang grocery shopping ni Albert at Aica. They also looked for different items your family may need. Kung kailangan nila ng brand-new appliances at iba pang mga kagamitan sa bahay, dito rin nila ito mahahanap. Hindi na mahihirapan ang inyong mga mahal sa buhay na maghanap ng kanilang mga pangangailangan. Madali na, enjoy pa! Nakapag-karaoke pa nga si Albert, while grocery shopping dito eh!

Nagtapos ang enjoyable shopping trip nila by using BeamAndGo’s supermarket GCs. It’s easy and hassle free! Tulad ng experience ni Albert at Aica, your family won’t have a difficult time grocery shopping in Jumbo Jenra. Para sa mga katanungan tungkol sa BeamAndGo digital gift certificates, you may contact us at customerservice@beamandgo.com.

Ano pang hinihintay mo? Tara na at mamili sa Jumbo Jenra! You can choose among the three branches in Pampanga: Dau, Angeles, and San Fernando (Sindalan.) Click here to see the full list of branches, their store hours, and full address. Kung walang Jumbo Jenra sa area niyo, ‘wag kang mag-alala! Sa BeamAndGo, we make sure that we cover all areas in the Philippines para sa inyong mga kapamilya. There are many supermarkets to choose from!

You can pay via credit card, debit card (PayPal), online bank transfer, at any remittance centers that accepts BDO deposit and through our partners, Pacific Ace, Payremit and iRemit!