After opening several stores in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Sharjah and Ajman, Jollibee launches the first Filipino restaurant in a food truck concept in Dubai. The truck called, “Jollibee on Wheels,” is located at Dubai Marina promenade, where the community is dominated by non-Filipinos.
This presents a great opportunity to introduce the taste we love to other nationalities – especially these days many people are more curious to experience what’s in a food truck than what’s in a typical restaurant.
Spotify finally enters the Middle East and North Africa region offering free and premium subscriptions.
Basic functions like playing music are totally free. But you can choose to upgrade to premium for AED 19.99 per month for better audio quality, offline listening and an ads-free experience.
For those who are new to Spotify, here’s what you can do:
Choose what you want to listen to with Browse and Search
Get recommendations from personalized features
Create your own playlist – library of music (artists and albums)
See what friends, artists and celebrities listen to
Stay free. The audio quality of the free version is not bad at all. The ads are not that intrusive as well.
What does it mean for OFWs?
If you are a big follower of Filipino music like me, this is big for us.
These days, artists are releasing their new singles on Spotify ahead of Youtube, Facebook or even radio – especially the budding indie musicians. With Spotify, we have quicker access to these new music and EPs.
Top Filipino artists of this generation such as Ben&Ben, Autotelic, IV of Spades and Moira lead the way.
If audio book is your thing, there are also interesting podcasts like my favorite Simon Sinek.
Here’s some of what I’ve been listening to and exploring lately:
Spotify also gives us access to key milestones in the industry such as this remastered edition of Ultraelectromagneticpop digital release:
According to an article from Daily Dot, data use depends on the quality you are streaming from.
Normal quality- 96 kilobits, which lets you stream 40 megabytes per hour
High quality- 160 kilobits, which lets you stream 70 megabytes per hour
Extreme quality- 302 kilobits, which lets you stream 150 megabytes per hour
Automatic quality- this option configures your streaming quality based on your connection
These rates are not fixed. Spotify remembers songs you previously listened to, or caches them, so you won’t use as much data the next time you play them.
And, unlike Youtube, you can keep playing music while switching to different apps.
It is the group’s first time to perform in Dubai or anywhere else than the Philippines. Here’s what they had to say about the show, the crowd and their music:
It’s great to know that the simple activities I do at work allows me to stay fit and become healthier.
All of us spend more than half our day in the office – most of our lives actually, so it is just fair to make our body feel good when we’re in the workplace.
Dubai Fitness Challenge inspires me everyday to take small practical changes that bring big results. This program, happening on Octobe 26 to November 24, aims to turn Dubai into the most active city in the world. There’s a month-long calendar of exciting events. DFC is all about motivating and involving Dubai’s residents to commit to 30 minutes of continuous exercise a day for 30 days.
But if you are “TOO BUSY” and can’t allocate 30 minutes for it everyday, check our my list below. These are my recent health and fitness routines that helps me keep that zest, happiness and mental power at work. You can do them too.
GET PHYSICAL
1. Stand up and move from your workstation If some can have cigarette breaks and caffeine lovers have coffee breaks, why not have an exercise break?
Here’s what you can do:
1.1. Staircase walk. Climb up at the fire exit staircase. I do 100 steps up and down every 2 hours, 2nd floor to 6th floor. It only takes 2 minutes to complete one round. It’s not just plain walk – I use it to ignite thought processes too.
1.2 Outdoor walk. In cooler months, stroll around the work vicinity few hours after lunch, not only to burn calories, but also to unwind and de-stress with fresh air under the sun.
1.3 10 squats every hour. That’s a total of 80 squats a day – do you think it will not do good to your body? If you can’t do it in your cubicle, go to the washroom.
If you really can’t leave your place, thy these stretching exercises you can do at your desk:
I’ve heard one fitness guru (forgot the name) saying, if you exercise before going to office but spend more than two hours sitting, your workout is negated. 2. Do not use lifts If you’re only going 1 – 2 floor levels up, use the stairs. Your body will thank you.
3. Park few blocks away from your building If you have no parking space in the building, park about a block or 2 away so you’ll have to take extra few minutes walk to your office.
The Daniel Plan encourages us to move more than we do yesterday.
WATCH YOUR DIET
3. Drink 2-3 liters of water at work We don’t usually drink too much at home, so make it a habit to consume 2 to 3 liters of water at work. Have a 1L bottle (or other measurable tumbler) so you could count your intake. Yes it will make you pee more often, but you can do it along with your hourly stretching breaks.
Hydration also saves us from headache attacks from work-related stress.
4. Munch on nuts and dried fruits for your snacks If you can’t avoid snacking, replace your chips and cookies with almonds, cashew nuts, walnuts or dried figs, prunes or fresh fruits. You don’t have to deprive yourself of eating. Just replace the junk with the right food.
5. Have healthy and light lunches If you eat breakfast like a king, you can lunch like a prince. Gradually change your diet.
I used to bring “rice cooker” at work. I’m an extra rice guy. I started the change by replacing it with brown rice and with quinoa until I learned and managed not to have rice at all – very non-Filipino you’d say.
Salads don’t have to be boring. My wife is good at adding life to salads. She mixes it with grilled chicken or beef, prawns or fish in it. It’s not costly if prepared at home.
6. Avoid, or at least limit coffee and sodas Coffee is the staple office hot beverage everywhere. It is believed to keep us alert and battle sleepiness. But it can cause you to crash hard later on. If you have dependency on coffee, time to moderate a bit.
7. Wash your hands often Did you know that your computer keyboard have hundreds of times more bacteria than the toilet seat? Your mobile phone too. So it is advisable to wash your hands before and after food. Keep a hand sanitizer at your desk for that in between snacks.
Wash when you reach office – especially if you’re taking public transport – the hand rails of the bus and metro is the favorite hangout of virus and bacteria.
DEALING WITH WORK
8. Work ergonomically Your posture, your seat and the way you position your devices – especially the height of your monitor towards your eyes – play a significant part in reducing your body strain. It is essential to feel comfortable at work.
9. Manage stress Work-related stress is unavoidable. But it pays to know yourself and know your limits. Say no if you have to. If you let stress into your body, you’ll start getting headaches that will soon grow into sickness. Ans when your sick, your fitness habits stop.
Take a nap to recharge.
SOCIALIZE
10. Have a team or a buddy Having partners in crime at work who shares the same health and fitness goals with you is truly helpful in keeping on track. Look for somebody who will tap you in case that sugar cravings come along. Somebody who’ll walk with you outdoors and who’ll agree not to use the elevator. Somebody who’ll share a salad with you.
Also, conversations with like-minded people develops your emotional and mental health further. Two are better than one.
It helps to set health and fitness goals to get yourself that extra push to make these 10 a habit.
Depth is subjective. I think the film was intentionally not done to be too profound, and neither flat. The movie aimed to connect to most of the real life situation of ex-lovers, and it’s a huge success. As Carlo said, this could be everyone’s story.
Here’s more of our review of Exes Baggage Middle East version, using the simplest and fewest words :). Also featuring the Q&A with Angelica and Carlo.
Another family day out, another great moment created. For a family like ours who loves the outdoors and long walks, it is important to feel comfortable all the time while sporting the simplest casual look. I’m happy to influence my family with a style that values function over form.
Aya fancies the graphic lights on her Crocband clog. And we love the extra softness and even lighter feel of our Literide.
Raqz who is 6 months pregnant now finds it really comfortable to wear for longer strolls indoor and outdoor.
Durability is one of the many features you can find with Crocs. It’s okay to pay more for something that you can wear for a longer time. It saves you money.
Watch our little one as she finds what fits her style:
What does it feel like to stay in the world’s tallest hotel? You’re just up there. Literally.
Veiled in golden facade and shimmering lobby, I was surprised to learn this is just a 4-star hotel. But after we experienced the rooms, I knew why.
Don’t get wrong. It’s not bad at all. Our room at 72nd level is very spacious. Like a typical hotel-apartment, it’s complete with a big fridge, electric stove, microwave and a kitchen cupboard with utensils.
At few times they are slow, but service is good.
The pool and the view is amazing.
Since they are boasting of a prestige Guinness World Record, they could have done some things better – like the breakfast.
At the end of the day, your experience depends on your idea of having fun regardless of what or where you are anyway.
Anyway, here’s the rest of our experience in my daughter’s vlog:
The “Filipino time” is a waste of time. Are we really just gonna live with it forever?
Too bad this attitude has been running in the blood for ages – probably for the lack of unified solution. A tolerated bad action becomes an embarrassing habit. Unfortunately, people spend more efforts finding excuses than finding solutions.
For somebody like me who plans everything in a properly-timed manner, every second is valuable. I always want to be productive in anything I do – whether at work or in personal matters. An activity that starts late will definitely impact my succeeding activities.
Once, I suggested that late comers in a group pay a hefty AED100 fine. It seemed to work. They arrived on time in the first 2 meetings; ONLY on those first 2 meetings.
“Filipino time” is an abuse.
It is rude to keep others waiting. It’s not nice to make a person stretch his personal time to accommodate your tardiness. If I have 5 appointments and you are the first and you are late, it’s a shame to adjust the 4 other meetings because of you.
Too bad we’ve settled to inviting people way ahead so we could give allowance for the “expected” Filipino time. We easily take people for granted. It has gone that bad.
The Only Solution
RESPECT.
Time is life. If we respect others, we value their lives.
Whether at meetings, work or personal events, a person who arrives late disrespects another’s effort to be on time.
RESPECT.
Your time consciousness reflects your efficiency. People who are consistently on time easily gains my trust.
RESPECT.
If you respect people, you will not fill your calendar with unrealistic schedule that will impact other’s time with you.
RESPECT.
If you respect people, you will know the traffic situation ahead of travel and you’ll plan accordingly.
RESPECT.
If you respect people, you’ll figure out solutions, not excuses. You’ll be considerate.
Status Update Saves The Day
Being time conscious, I always strive to make it ahead of agreed time. Yes I do get late and its disappointing if other people cause it; frustrating if I cause it. But before it happens, people would know ahead of time.
If I get caught up on some unexpected circumstances, I take a conscious effort to update the concerned people right away. It is annoying to be left guessing.
I am not entitled to keep people waiting for me.
Renew Your Mindset
It’s all in the mind. Kill the thought of ‘Filipino time.’ If no one will change his personal culture, the community culture will not be changed.
My daughter is a gem. At a very young age, she encourages me in everything. She’s beyond inspiration. The words, actions and mere presence of the little one reminds me about a lot of values, virtues and even principles.
Here are 12 of them:
1. Keep a high regard for everyone
She never fails to say hello to the supermarket cashier, to the guard, the waitress, janitor… to anybody. And when she does, it makes their day.
“Hi ate!, Hi kuya! Hi amigo!”
2. Don’t just take advice, create opportunities
She wants to be a chef. She don’t just take instructions or advice from us. She makes sure to learn it directly from the person she looks up to – her mom. So whenever the mom does something in the kitchen, she pulls a small chair and stand on it to see what mommy does. Most of the time, she really helps in the preparation.
4. Focus on what you love, not on what to gain.
Other than being a chef, she also wants to become a waitress. She loves the idea of bringing someone’s order to the table because it makes them happy. She’s a people person. Innocent of how much a waitress gets paid, she chooses what’s dear to her heart, and the one where she can make others happy.
5. Call people by name and brighten up their day
She always ask for people’s name. When we’re in a restaurant, she will read the name badge of the waiter and will call them by name. It’s a sure way to brighten up their day.
6. True contentment
Whenever she needs something, she don’t ask for more than one. When she wants a cupcake, a toy or a candy, even if we’re giving her 2 pieces or more, she’d say, “No thank you, I only need one.”
One day, ate Adlene brought her to a store to buy some sweets. Ate Adlene was giving her 2 or 3 lollipops. She said, “Tita Adlene don’t buy all 3 ‘coz one is enough.”
7. Thinking out of the box
She’s extremely creative. Once, I brought a popcorn home, she setup the living room with rows of chairs from the dining, turned off the lights and voila, a make-shift theater, “because there’s a popcorn.”
8. Being precise on contracts and agreements
We have a deal – and she initiated it. Every morning, before she wakes up, there must be a greeting card from daddy next to her pillow. She’s very specific – it must be handwritten, must contain more than 2 colors, should have a heart and 3 kisses – drawings are negotiable.
2. Step up the marketing
Her shameless plugging of her Youtube channel to anybody often catches me off-guard. The confidence in saying, “I have a Youtube channel and I have 5 subscribers!” is out of this world.
8. Making great things from small stuffs
Everything that happens to a child is big deal. The way she tells the story of a fallen bird in the balcony and how we could help the poor birdie (medics, care, looking for the bird’s family) is beyond my comprehension.
9. Sticking to budget, sticking to the list
We have a rule, if something is expensive and not really needed, don’t buy it. She happily sticks to the rule, even if she really wants something badly and we say it’s expensive, she’s okay with it.
In a grocery, before she put something on the shopping cart, she’ll ask, “Is that on the list daddy?”
10. Forget the looks, but not what empowers
She wants to have a cell phone ‘at the right age.’ And whenever she reminds us that she wants one, the highlight is, “and don’t forget the CHARGER daddy!”
11. Willingness to wait
Every time we’re in a store and she find something nice, she’ll just tell us. “Daddy can we buy this next time?”
12. Don’t be crazy to stress yourself at work
When she learns that I had a bad day at work, she would ask me not to go to office the next day to avoid stress and my “fighting” officemates.
She’s my superhero! What a lovely blessing to have a daughter!
Parents, this is something that we need to sustain. Always pray for more wisdom to be guided in this ever challenging world of parenting.
