Moshi Manju: Pinipilahan!

Sa tuwing magagawi kami sa SM Megamall, di namin nakakalimutang bumili ng masarap na merienda na Moshi Manju. Isang Philippine based store na nagtitinda ng freshly-made na small hot bread na may palaman sa loob (chocolate man o caramel/yema).

Ang "Moshi" ay galing sa Japanese greeting (moshi moshi), at ang "Manju" ay tumutukoy sa traditional Japanese sweet buns.

Photo Credits to Moshi Manju Official FB Page

Madalas namin bilhin ay yung chocolate-flavored. Ang aroma nito ay kalat na kalat sa paligid at langhap na langhap ito ng mga taong namimili sa Supermarket Building B.

Pagkatapos namin mag-grocery ay direcho na ang aking asawa upang bumili ng masarap, fluffy at tasty na Moshi Manju. 130 pesos lang ang isang box na may 24 pcs. na. Tinitipid namin iyun at kinakain tuwing almusal at merienda.

Tatlong beses palang namin nae-encounter ang store branch nila. Bukod sa SM Megamall Supermarket Building B, ay meron din sa may Market Market Taguig at Robinsons Galleria Ortigas.

Tara at tikman nyo na rin mga kaibigan. Kung natikman nyo na at suki rin kayong kagaya namin, alin sa mga flavor ang pinakagusto at pasado sa panlasa nyo?

Watsons at Amber: Tamang Pangalan at Pagbigkas

Madalas kong marinig at bumili sa mga store outlets, kumpanya o bilihan ng pagkain.

Napapansin ko na madalas mali, may kulang o minsan sobra ng letra ang pangalan ng kanilang kumpanya.

Kagaya na lamang ng Watsons at hindi Watson; Amber at hindi Ambers.

Kahit ako madalas malito at magkamali sa tuwing binibigkas ko ang pangalan nila.

Kaya heto at minabuti kong gumawa ng blogpost nang sa gayun ay hindi ko malimutan at para maging aware na rin kayo.

Ang tinutukoy ko palang Watsons ay yung pharmacy na madalas nating nakikita sa loob ng SM Malls at Amber naman yung kilala sa kanilang pitchi-pitchi at masarap na pancit at spaghetti.

Sana ay may napulot uli kayong aral sa blog entry kong ito.

Importance of Beep Card

Ang laki ng benepisyo ng pagkakaroon ng Beep card para sa aming mag-asawa.

Lalo ngayon na nakatira kami dito sa Boni, Mandaluyong ay kitang-kita ang dulot nitong ginhawa sa amin.

Gamit na gamit namin ito sa pagsakay ng MRT patungo sa aming pupuntahan (Ayala Station, Taft Station o Shaw Station).

Dati pumipila pa ko para bumili ng single-journey card doon mismo sa loob ng MRT Station subalit may mga times na sobrang haba ng pila at napapansin ko na bakit ang iba dire-diretso lang sa pagpasok at pagtap ng kanilang kulay asul na card.

Doon ako nagpasya at naimpluwensyahan ng asawa ko na kumuha na rin ng sarili kong Beep card (sya kasi may sarili at hinihintay pa nya kong makabili ng single-journey card).

Hindi lang sa MRT nagagamit ang Beep card, kundi pati sa pagsakay sa BGC Bus.

Sana mas lumawak pa ang sakop nito nang sa ganun cashless na ang lahat ng transaksyon at napaka-convenient na rin.

Sa mga Beep card users, sumasang-ayon ba kayo sa blog post kong ito?

Pamasahe 2026

Ang blog post na ito ay para maalala ko kung magkano ang pamasahe sa mga karaniwang pampublikong sasakyan o transportasyon na madalas naming sakyan.

- MRT Boni to MRT Shaw Boulevard: 6 pesos

- MRT Boni to MRT Ayala: 8 pesos

- MRT Quezon Ave. to MRT Boni: 10 pesos

- Ayala BGC Bus (to St. Lukes): 15 pesos

- One Ayala Bus Alabang (Direcho): 50 pesos

- One Ayala Bus to Sucat: 35 pesos

- Alabang (Vista Terminal Exchange / VTX) Bus to One Ayala: 50 pesos

- MRT Boni to MRT Taft: 10 pesos

- LRT Taft to LRT Carriedo: 27 pesos

- Jeep Carriedo to Musa: 13 pesos

- Tricycle Musa to Espana: 40 pesos (Special)

- Jeep Espana to MRT Quezon Ave: 16 pesos

- LRT Taft to LRT PITX: 22 pesos

- LRT Taft to LRT Dr. Santos Ave (Sucat): 27 pesos

- Bus PITX to SM Bacoor: 30 pesos

Note: Ang pamasahe na inilatag ko sa itaas patungkol sa MRT at LRT ay kung may Beep card ka. Not sure kung magkano pag yung single-journey card ang binili at ginamit.

Patuloy kong ia-update ang post na ito para sa iba pang pamasahe.

Maraming salamat sa iyong pagbabasa.

Shakey's to Potato Corner - Magkaano-ano Nga Ba?

• Shakey's
• Peri-Peri Chicken
• Potato Corner
• R&B
• Project Pie

Di ko alam na related at sister company pala ang mga ito. Nakita ko lang ang mga pangalan nila sa likod ng Supercard na inavail ko sa Peri-Peri Chicken (sa una) at Shakey's (sa pangalawang taon).

Tatlo palang sa kanila ang nasubukan at nakainan ko na (Shakey's, Peri-Peri Chicken at Potato Corner). Dun sa dalawa (R&B at Project Pie) ay hindi pa at kung may pagkakataon ay ita-try ko. Ang kaso hindi ko alam kung saan ba meron at saang parte ng lugar sila matatagpuan.

Hanggang dito na lang muna at maraming salamat sa iyong pagbabasa kaibigan.

Murang Promo, Pero May Hidden Agenda

Ang dami sa Facebook na ads na nagpapakita ng promo sa ganito sa ganyan lalong lalo na sa beauty treatment like facial or hair. Maeengganyo ka na mag-avail at pumunta tapos pag andun ka na, ang serbisyong ibibigay sayo hindi kaparehas nung serbisyo pag regular rate. Nakakatawa at nakakatakot kasi habang ginagawa pa lang ang serbisyo, bigla ka nang ino-offeran ng sobrang mahal na package. Sasabihin na discounted pa pero wag ka 12 months or 1 year na facial or treatment, tumataginting na lagpas 100k+ in pesos.

Natuto na kami at napasubo dun sa isang facial salon sa may Makati. Nadenggoy kami at ngayon nagbabayad ng monthly amortization na 10k+. Kaya pag may nakita ulit kami at gusto lang namin masubukan eh ginagrab pa rin namin pero pag yung offer part na eh mariin naming sinasabi na pag iisipan pa.

Never again na sa mga ganitong scheme. May time pa nga na na-offer-an pa kami ng products na pagkamahal-mahal. Lesson learned na lang at charge to experience. Magagamit pa rin naman namin yung mga products at yung services na na-avail namin. May walong buwan pa kami para bayaran sa bangko yung na-avail namin, chinarge ko kasi sa credit card ko at bayad na straight sa kanila yung presyo.

Kahit gaano ka pa kaingat sa pera, may mga scheme talaga na nakaka-loko. Diyan sila kumikita.

Kaya ingat sa mga promo na parang too good to be true—madalas pera lang ang habol. Lesson learned na namin, at sana magsilbing babala na rin ito sa iba.

Not An Instagram User...

Dati nacurious ako ano bang meron sa Instagram kasi bukambibig at nababasa ko online. Nalaman ko na para pala ito sa mga taong mahilig magpicture at magcapture ng videos tapos pwedeng i-upload at maview ng ibang tao.

Gumawa ako ng account dati pero until now eh bihira or once in a blue moon ko lang ata yun naopen. Patok eto sa mga Gen Z at Millenials.

Anyway, sa mga interesado, i-click ang link ng Instagram. 

By the way, bago ko makalimutan, ang Instagram is owned by Facebook (now Meta).

Happy uploading and sharing!

What is .gitkeep and can I safely remove it once folder has files?

I recently encountered this when analyzing a template or boilerplate code in my workplace.

I noticed this weird .gitkeep file and I am curious on what that file is. So I went ahead to Microsoft Edge browser and used CoPilot AI.

I typed a question and immediately received answers.

---

Here are the questions I asked:

"What is .gitkeep? Can I safely remove it once folder has files?"

CoPilot answered me with this:

"Great question! The .gitkeep file is often used as a placeholder in empty directories within a Git repository. Since Git doesn't track empty folders by default, adding a .gitkeep file forces Git to recognize and commit the directory.

Once the folder has actual files in it, you can safely remove the .gitkeep file—its only purpose was to ensure the directory was committed when it was empty. Removing it won’t affect anything as long as there are other files present."

---

Another follow-up question I had is:

"Is .gitkeep a conventional file to commit empty directory?"

CoPilot responded to me with this:

"Yes, .gitkeep is a widely used convention for committing empty directories to a Git repository. Since Git does not track empty directories by default, developers often add a .gitkeep file inside an otherwise empty folder to ensure it remains in version control.

Although .gitkeep isn't an official Git feature, it's a common practice among developers for maintaining necessary directory structures. Alternatively, some teams may use other placeholder files like .gitignore with a comment inside, but .gitkeep is the more intuitive choice."

---

That's it! I hope you find this useful esp. when you get a chance to see a .gitkeep file in your code repo.

Happy coding and programming!

How to Turn on Keyboard Backlight on Lenovo LOQ 15IRX9

I rarely use my brand new laptop that I bought last year but recently, I decided to use it while my room lights is turned off.

I am sure that this laptop has a feature to turn on keyboard backlight and I wonder how.

I googled it and watched in YouTube how it was done.

Basically, you need to press and hold: Fn + Space.

And that solved my problem and I can now type on my keyboard without difficulty even though the room lights is off.

I know it is different in other laptops but the idea is there. You usually use the function key plus the key that has a light icon on it.

Hope it really helps you in some way. Happy blogging!

When Buying or Availing Services, Use ShopBack

I always do this, and I get cashback whenever I do. You spend and get a little money in return—how cool is that?

Where can you get cashback?

• Udemy
• LinkedIn Learning
• AVG Technologies
• Agoda
• Klook
• Cebu Pacific
• Shopee
• Food Panda
• Lazada

Please use my referral code when signing up for ShopBack. Create an account, and both of us will get free money!

Keep using ShopBack and save more.

How to View HEIC Images on Windows

I once encountered difficulties opening HEIC images captured on iPhones or any Apple devices running iOS 11 on my Windows PC.

After searching online, I discovered a tool called CopyTrans HEIC, available at: CopyTrans HEIC.

This solution worked perfectly for me, enabling me to view all my HEIC images effortlessly. I highly recommend giving it a try—it might just be the answer you're looking for!

Napaka-useful nitong AI Tools na ito

Dalawa sa AI tools ang madalas kong gamitin, ang ChatGPT sa cellphone ko at ang CoPilot sa pc ko.

Dadali ang mga tasks na ginagawa mo pag ginamit mo ang mga AI tools na ito. Tara at iyo ng tignan isa isa.

• ChatGPT (by OpenAI)
• CoPilot (by GitHub, now part of Microsoft)
• Gemini (by Google)
• Claude (by Anthropic AI)
• Grok (by xAl, twitter now X own by Elon Musk)

Enjoy!

Nasaan Na Kaya Ang Mga Financial at Business Guru Na Makukulit?

Naglilinis ako ng mga emails sa inbox ko at napansin ko na ang mga dating aktibo at mga guru na nagtuturo dati ay tila nawala, huminto, at naglahong parang bula.

Ang dami ng financial guru na nagtuturo dati na tuluyan ng nawala sa internet at maging mga official websites nila ay non-existent na.

Mukang sa simula lang sila mahusay at matapos dumaan ang mahabang panahon ay tuluyan na nilang tinalikuran ang kanilang advocacy to help other people become rich.

Napansin mo rin ba at napatanong nasaan na ba sila?

Goodbye eToro Copy Trades

Dahil sa di na allowed ang eToro to operate in the Philippine market and pinagbawalan na ng SEC ang eToro for allowing Filipinos who are based here in the Philippines to invest and trade in the eToro platform, I decided to withdraw and close my account.

Thanks eToro for the journey and the profits I received by copy trading in your platform.

Here's a video I watched from YouTube so you learn more about this action.

Mga Solusyong Naiisip Ko

Ang mga solusyong mababasa mo sa ibaba ay hindi lang applicable sa Bagumbayan, Taguig kung saan ako lumaki. Pwede rin i-apply at i-adapt sa ibang lugar sa Pilipinas. Pwedeng baguhin lang ng kaunti at i-adjust.

----------------------------

1. Solusyon sa Traffic?

- Lagyan ng Jeepney stop para doon lang allowed magbaba at magsakay ng mga pasahero. Gayahin ang sistema sa Hong Kong. Para matuto naman ang mga tao na maglakad at mag-exercise.

- Kung maaari ay bawasan ang mga pribadong sasakyan na bumibiyahe (dito pumapasok ang coding o number coding). Pag walang garahe ay huwag hayaang makabili ng sasakyan pero kung sakaling nakabili na at walang garahe ay dapat ay maghanap sila ng pwedeng pag-parking-an ng kanilang sasakyan at di maaring sa harapan ng kanilang bahay. Sapagkat kung hahayaan ng ganun ay makakadagdag ito sa pagsikip ng kalsada at magdudulot ng pagsikip ng daloy ng traffic. Ang mga lumang jeep ay palitan ng mas mahabang jeep o e-jeep. Ang mga tricycle, motor, bike at e-bike ay dapat lagyan ng sariling lane (sa gilid ng kalsada).

2. Solusyon sa Crossing?

(Bicutan to C6)

(near SM Bicutan)

- Ang mga traffic enforcer ay dapat palitan na ng traffic lights. Ang traffic lights na ito ay dapat naka-sistema. Ang reason ay para patas at walang kinikilingan kung kelan ba dapat papasulungin ang isang linya ng sasakyan. Para di na rin maghintay ng sobrang tagal ng mga pasahero bago bumaba sa tamang babaan at sumakay sa tamang sakayan. Napapansin ko kasi parang inaabot ng 10 to 20 minutes bago pasulungin ang mga sasakyan pag galing North papuntang South (Magallanes to Sucat).

3. Solusyon sa Tulay na Palaging may Basura?

- Ang mga taong mahuhuling magtatapon sa kalsada basta-basta ay dapat magmulta (either may CCTV o kaya yung makakita ay pwedeng magsumbong at bibigyang pabuya basta may ebidensya). Kapag sa loob ng sasakyan o bus nanggaling ang basura ay huhulihin at pipigilan yung bus mismo ng alagad ng batas at pagmumultahin. Dapat lang maging disiplinado ang mga tao.

- Yung mga malalapit sa tulay, dapat may CCTV.

  1. Kapag may basura, may pananagutan ang mga bahay na nakatira sa palibot nito.

  2. Ang mahuhuling nagtatapon ang dapat magmulta.

  3. Ang mga makakapagturo ay papabuyaan basta may patunay.

SSS Voluntary Contributions

Pag pala lagpas na sa due date yung PRN na nagenerate mo ay di ka na pwedeng humabol at magbayad pa.

Sayang at nakalimutan ko na may kailangan pala akong bayaran sa mga buwan na August at September na due date na nito lang October 31, 2024.

Gusto ko pa sanang ihabol at bayaran kaya lang mukang alanganin na matapos ang marami kong pagsasaliksik (nagbrowse sa Google, nanood ng mga videos sa YouTube, nag-email sa customer support nila subalit parang templated na ang reply at hindi sinagot ang concern ko).

Hindi pala posible. Kesa masayang lang at magkaproblema pa kung itutuloy at ipipilit ko eh sisiguraduhin ko na lang na sa mga susunod na pagbabayad eh advance at on time na.

Masasabi ko na lang na lesson learned at move on na.

Ikaw kung freelancer ka o self-employed, wag kalimutan ang mga obligasyon sa pagbabayad.

Maya Is Very Generous

Thanks Maya (or Paymaya as its former name; a digital bank here in the Philippines) for the frequent giving of 10 peso voucher!

I always transfer that money by depositing from my Maya Wallet to my Maya Savings Account. It's a free money that can actually earn an interest.

Good job Maya!

Note:

Maya has a referral system and if you want to be part of it, feel free to create an account and sign up using your smartphone. Here's my referral message for you:

"Get banked with Maya using my invite code, upgrade your account and complete your first transaction at least ₱50. Enjoy FREE Instapay Cash-in and transfer PLUS up to 15% interest p.a. Learn more at https://maya.ph/switchtomaya

My invite code is PJ6KQQOJE6KY

or click here to create an account now: https://www.maya.ph/app/registration?invite=PJ6KQQOJE6KY"

Paano Pa Nga Ba Ako Kikita Ng Pera?

I have a full-time job and despite the COVID-19, the company I work for allows the work from home setup. But how am I going to earn more?

I guess I should start promoting my eBooks or getting more side hustles that are related to computer programming. I am also thinking of the passive income vehicles I have like buying more shares in the Philippine Stock market. I can buy big companies and accumulate more shares since the stock prices are more affordable and much cheaper.

Anyway, money is just a medium we use for buying and getting things we need and want. Without it, I don't know how we are going to live and how long we will last. But I am not saying that this is the most important thing in the world. The way you live in this world right at this moment and how you relate and give significance to others are what matters. God is with us if we do good deeds to our brothers and sisters. I'm sure you will be surprised and shocking about how time really flies quickly without even realizing it.

Time to move on and do what you want without stepping on others. Your age is just a number so don't make a big deal out of it at all. Don't let others (according to them) pressure you on things that you should do and must have. Your priorities are not theirs and theirs are not yours. Just mind your own business because in the end, what matters is your own happiness.

That's it.

Posted way back Pandemic times (2020-2022)

Expenses that Drain Your Wallet

 

• Bank charges or fees (online transfer or withdrawing at a different ATM than your bank's ATM).

• If your smartphone still works, don't replace and buy a new one. Maximize its potential and use it until it is no longer working.

• As much as possible, avoid buying goods at convenience stores. The prices there are more expensive than buying them in supermarkets or retail stores.

• Credit card interests (when the balance has not been paid in full) or when your credit card has an annual membership fee. Please opt for or switch to no annual membership fee for life.

• Avoid eating too many sugary foods, drinks, and products. Aside from we spend more, it will definitely not be good for our health.

• When eating out, use apps like Eatigo and book for a breakfast, lunch, or dinner visit in the app to save money.

• When going out and the place is just nearby, walk to get there, and don't spend money on riding a tricycle. Aside from the fact that you can save money, it is good for our health too.

• When wandering around a mall, make sure that you eat at home beforehand, as there is a tendency that when you're hungry, you will eat out and order a lot of food. Also, if you eat out, just order enough food that you can only consume. It can save you from spending more, and your future self will thank you for it.

• Always compare the prices of similar products. Don't just go for cheaper ones, as sometimes the quality of them is not good. Just choose what's in the middle, as long as you believe that the brand you will buy has a good reputation.

• Plan before shopping. Always make a plan for what to buy beforehand. Chances are, if you don't, you'll buy more, and there's a chance of spoiling what you bought, which will go to waste. Plus, having a plan will hinder us from impulse buying (a great sign of being a wise spender).

Are You Planning for Your Big Day?

Are you planning for your big day, which is your wedding?

Are you also clueless on whom who will become part of your entourage? Then worry no more as I will share a site that talks about it.

I actually used it as my guide before when I was about to marry my fiancée (now, my wife).

I hope you find it useful. Have fun and enjoy your preparation! :)

Everything You Need To Know About Your Entourage