World’s 10 Most Influential CEOs and Leaders

Can you not find enough reason to stir yourself while you chase your career goals or at least brighten up your day? Maybe you need stories on people who caused a positive impact on others’ lives and changed the world better.

Listed below are the most powerful modern-day business people and leaders (in any order) and their vital global contributions.

1)   Bill Gates, Co-founder and former Microsoft CEO

He formed the world’s largest computer software firm. Aside from this, he writes books and gives to many charitable activities worldwide. Microsoft products and his kind acts continue to touch and change people’s lives.

2)   Pope Francis, Pontiff of the Catholic Church

Leading a religious sect with over 1.2 billion believers is a huge task. As pope, he set many firsts, but such did not go beyond Catholic teachings. He does good works that make him a good leader and a fearless reformer. He listens to people, reaches out to the faithful, befriends non-Catholics, and leads by example.

3)   Mark Zuckerberg, Co-founder and CEO of Facebook

Despite his young age, he has influenced the world so much by creating a social networking site. Despite being a college dropout, he strove hard to make his dreams come true. His impact is obvious on Facebook as netizens go abuzz on the Internet.

4)   Warren Buffett, CEO of Berkshire Hathaway 

He is one of the richest persons on the planet. A philanthropist, too, he once pledged to give 99 percent of his wealth to philanthropic causes. As a leader, he is popular for his values and philosophy on good communication, passion, workforce and time management, planning, patience, transparency, and fairness.

5)   Steve Jobs, Co-founder and former CEO of Apple, Inc. – He was a college dropout, yet this did not hamper his skill and passion for innovation and technology. His products affected today’s way of living and remained his legacy.

Other influential leaders and entrepreneurs are:

6)   Jeff Bezos, CEO of Amazon.com

7)   Bill Clinton, Founder of The Clinton Foundation

8)   Malala Yousafzai, Advocate for education rights

9)   Barack Obama, US President

10)     Sam Walton, Former CEO of Wal-Mart

Top 7 Places to Spend Family Weekend Getaways near The Metro

Photo Credit: www.weekendgetawaysfrombangalore.com

Are you planning for a family getaway but only got a weekend to spend? Check out these top 7 sweet escapes near Metro Manila where you can bond and relax with your loved ones.

1. Tagaytay

If you want to escape from the hot weather in Manila, Tagaytay is the nearest and the most budget-friendly alternative to Baguio. In less than two hours, you can feel the cold weather, eat good food, and enjoy leisure activities with your family or friends.

2. Zambales

For adventure-seekers and nature lovers, you can go hiking at Anawangin Cove or swim your hearts out at the white beach of Capones Island. There’s no electricity in Anawangin so be ready if you want to spend a night here.

3. Laguna

Please your eyes with lush greenery and artistic architecture. You can also enjoy various activities like biking, wakeboarding, shopping, and bird watching all in one place, Nuvali. It’s just an hour away from Manila via SLEX.

4. Corregidor

Learn history while travelling with your family. Corregidor is just a ferry away from Manila. Aside from the historical tour, you can also enjoy hiking, kayaking, bird watching, zip line, night lateral visit of the tunnels, and ghost hunting.

5. Bulacan

Challenge yourself for a weekend of eco-adventure at Biak na Bato National Park. Famous attractions include the Aguinaldo Cave, Bahay Paniki Cave, Madlum Cave and River, Tanggapan Cave, Tilandong Falls, and many more.

6. Batangas

If you want a peaceful escape, try Burot Beach along the shores of Calatagan, Batangas. First timers can indulge in its pristine waters, semi-fine sand, and stunning rock formations.

7. Nueva Ecija

Visit Minalungao National Park and be amazed at the towering limestone formations along Penaranda River. Fun activities include fishing, swimming, camping, spelunking, cliff diving.

Do you know other weekend getaways near Metro Manila? You can share your fun adventures at the comments section below.

Ways to Achieve and Maintain a Work-Life Balance

Image source: theguardian.com

Proper prioritization between personal and professional lives is but a challenge for many workers, much greater for those having their own family. While some may just think that this is an elusive goal that is rarely achieved, some consider it an impossible thing to happen. What’s bad about the challenge of the so-called “work-life balance” is that workers should not give up either of them.

Sure you are working to live and not the other way around—living to work. If you’re having a hard time achieving equal time for your career and loved ones (or just yourself), heed the following tips:

1. Know your personal circumstance. Try to answer these questions. Are you a “morning person?” Are you flexible enough to work in various working conditions and schedules? Your answers to these questions will determine your flexibility, focus, commitment, and productivity.

2. Start your day right. Upon getting up from bed, do the things that put you into a good mood. Drink what you prefer: coffee, tea, juice, or just plain water. Talk with someone. Sing while taking a bath. Smile a lot. All these things will help inspire you throughout the day.

3. Say your mantra. Set your goal for the day or at least the things that you want to do and fulfill before the end of the day.

4. Manage your time wisely. Don’t waste a single minute doing nothing. As your clock alarms, open your eyes and do not go back to sleep for some more minutes. Prepare a checklist or a to-do list so that you will be guided on what to do first and what to do next. Always bring with you a handy calendar or a planner.

5. Come on time and go home on time. At the start of the day, think of what your day will be like. Anticipate some problems that may affect your schedule and do some adjustments to avoid them.

6. Befriend your officemates. Simple smile and courteous greeting will surely help you draw a friendly atmosphere inside your workplace.

7. Enjoy your work. Learn to love your profession. Develop the skills that you want to possess and learn to acquire much more to make you a versatile worker.

Here are some other tips for you to maximize your time leading you to achievement of work-life balance:

8. Do not procrastinate.
9. Follow set rules and policies.
10. Communicate with appropriate people: bosses and loved ones.
11. Get the most out of social media.
12. Learn to say “no” and state your reason(s).
13. Stay away from someone or something that can ruin your relationship with other people.
14. Seek help from others.
15. Appreciate good things around you.
16. Socialize more.
17. De-stress during day-off.

Follow these tips and do them repeatedly for you to maintain a good lifestyle that does not ask for additional hours to accomplish daily tasks. Truly, work-life balance leads to the achievement of happiness.

Top 6 List of Valid IDs Every Filipino Should Have

Photo Credits: www.wbfj.fm

A valid ID is any document or card that proves or verifies the identity of a person. It is required whenever you transact in government or private institutions. You will also need valid IDs to get requirements for employment. To help you be prepared, here’s the list of valid IDs in the Philippines and the steps to get them:

1. Student ID

It is issued by your school and acceptable only until you graduate from high school or college.

2. Company ID

It is issued by the company where you work and acceptable only as long as you’re employed in this firm.

3. Postal ID

• Download, print, and fill up the application form.
• Submit the completed form to any of the 260 capture-sites together with:
  - Original and photocopy of your NSO birth certificate
  - Original and photocopy of proof of address (barangay clearance or utility bill showing your name and address)
• Pay a total of ₱ 414.40 (inclusive of the ID card, delivery fee, and 12% VAT).
• Wait for the delivery.

4. Voter’s ID

• Log on to COMELEC’s iRehistro
• Click on new registration
• Fill out the required fields
• Schedule your personal appearance at your district office for your biometrics capture
• Save and print your application form
• Appear at the district office with 2 valid IDs
• Wait for approval of COMELEC

5. Unified Multi-Purpose ID (UMID)

• Download, print, and fill up the application form.
• Submit completed form to the nearest SSS or GSIS branch together with 2 valid IDs (original and photocopy)
• They will verify your eligibility and refer you the data capture section.
• After data capture, they will give your UMID application stab with the date when you’ll receive it.
• Wait for the delivery.

6. PhilHealth

For Newly Hired and Existing Employees without PIN Yet

• Fill out two (2) copies of the PhilHealth Member Registration Form (PMRF)
• Submit PMRF to the HR Department of employer
• Await Member Data Record and PhilHealth ID card from employer

For Newly Hired Employees with PIN

• Report your PIN to your employer for them to indicate the same in their ER2.

Four Lessons Filipinos Can Learn from 10 Dreadful Typhoons

Photo credit: newsinfo.inquirer.net

Of the many countries in the world, Philippines is the most exposed to typhoons. This is because of its location in the Pacific region, where many tropical cyclones develop and move westward towards the Pearl of the Orient.

While Filipinos have a mindset to experience up to 20 typhoons each year, it always comes as a surprise whenever one landfalls and batters certain areas. The saddest thing is that these natural disasters claim many lives and damage properties and infrastructures.

Let’s look back at the most devastating typhoons to ever hit the country in its history.

1. September 1881 typhoon (Haiphong)

Records show that this event was the deadliest tropical cyclone to impact the country at least since documentation began. Reportedly, it killed 20,000 people as it crossed Southern Luzon areas.

2. Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan)

Known as the deadliest typhoon in recent history, Haiyan became the thirtieth named storm that originated in the Pacific in 2013. It impacted the Pacific islands of Micronesia and Palau and other Asian nations (Vietnam, Taiwan, and southern China) but hit the Philippines the worst. The NDRRMC said it claimed 6,300 lives, injured 28,689 people, and left 1,061 still missing.

3. Tropical storm Uring (Thelma)

Uring struck just five months after Mount Pinatubo erupted in 1991. Although categorized only as a tropical storm, Uring brought torrential rains and caused massive flooding in most of the Visayas region. It killed 5,081 people.

4. Super typhoon Pablo (Bopha)

It was the strongest cyclone of 2012 and the strongest to ever hit Mindanao. It caused power outages, flooding, and landslides in many provinces in southern Mindanao. Super typhoon Pablo claimed 1,067 lives and left 834 people missing.

5. Typhoon Nitang (Ike)

Typhoon Nitang intensified its strength shortly before it approached the Philippines, through northeastern Mindanao. It caused 1,492 fatalities and displaced up to 400,000 people.

6. Tropical storm Sendong (Washi)

The storm hit the country during 2011’s Christmas season. It triggered massive evacuation efforts, leptospirosis outbreak in certain area, and declaration of state of national calamity (in the affected provinces). The number of fatalities remained uncertain and was pegged between 1,268 and 2,546.

7. Typhoon Yoyong (Amy)

It struck the Visayas region in December 1951. This typhoon triggered the eruption of Mount Hibok-hibok for six times and declaration of state of public calamity in 11 provinces. At least 569 lives were lost during its devastation and aftermath.

Other devastating typhoons that hit the Philippines were:

8. Typhoon Rosing (Angela) – 1995; claimed 882 lives
9. Typhoon Sisang (Nina) – 1987; claimed 808 lives
10. Typhoon Frank (Fengshen) – 2008; claimed 598 lives 

While many lives were lost in these calamities, Pinoys remain grateful for learning the best lessons in life: resiliency, preparedness, cooperation, and positivity.

Typhoon Season Essential: Keeping Survival Kit at Home

Photo credit: manilarules.com

It’s typhoon season in the Philippines once again and it’s time to take extra precaution and be prepared every single second. Knowing what’s happening in your surrounding really matters.

Are you safe enough at home when a typhoon lashes in your area? What if torrential rains and massive flooding hit and force you and your family to stay indoors for days?

Well, the best way to keep safe and stay alive is to keep a survival kit—one that you can carry, use at home, and take with you in case evacuation is inevitable.

What should you have in your kit for you to survive during and after the onslaught of the storm?

Must-Haves

Allot a space in your home which can be accessible at any time. This place can store the most useful stuff during cool weather.

Here’s what you should prepare as a storm survival kit:

Tools

Power supply is often cut during heavy downpour. Hence, it is wise if you store these tools:

• Flashlight
• Extra batteries
• Battery-powered radio
• Fully charged cellphone
• Candles
• Matches 

Food items and consumables

Staying indoors for a number of days will surely make you hungry and thirsty. Also, cool weather often triggers illness. Hence, you should have these items:

• Bottled water
• Nonperishable foods (canned goods, etc.)
• Medicine

Things with surprising uses

People’s creativity can save lives during massive flooding. Know how “trivial” things can help you survive when disaster strikes.

• Empty water container – You can hold on to this when water level rises. Make sure it is sealed and it will serve as a floating aid.
• Block of polystyrene (styropor, Styrofoam) – Like empty water storage, it can serve as a floatation device, which can save human and animal lives.
• Rope – Tying one or both ends of a rope to a stable structure can help you during strong current of floodwaters.
• Duct tape – This seems to be the most versatile of all inventions. It can be used for a variety of purposes before, during, and after a catastrophic event.

Other essentials

• First aid kit
• Swiss knife
• Manual can opener
• Plastic utensils
• Garbage bags
• Whistle

Benefits to Enjoy

You must ensure that you’re keeping a survival kit with these things all-year round. Don’t wait for a storm to come before you have them inside your home.

All these stuff will keep you safe and help you survive when no other people are there to reach out.

What’s your thought about this article? Share them by writing in the comments section below.

How Can You Benefit from DOST’s Project NOAH?

Photo credit: noah.dost.gov.ph

During his third State of the Nation Address (SONA) in 2012, President Benigno Simeon Aquino III made a special mention of Project NOAH. He said, this initiative would save families during disastrous events.

Three years had passed since the launching of this groundbreaking project, but many Filipinos are still unaware of it. Well, it’s rainy season once again and we’re starting to hear and read about this project in various media outlets and platforms.

Before the next SONA unfolds and PNoy boasts about Project NOAH for the very last time, it counts that you know something about it.

In case you are not familiar with Project NOAH or know so little about it, it’s time to feed your mind.

What should you know about this high-tech program? Why and how should you use it to save your own life and other people’s lives?

What Is It?

The devastation of powerful typhoons Ondoy, Pepeng, and Sendong inspired the creation of Project NOAH—an acronym for Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards.

It is a collaborative project among various governmental agencies and the University of the Philippines but was initiated and launched by the Department of Science and Technology. It has a goal to “promote and integrate advanced science and technology to enhance disaster management and prevention capacity of the Philippine government.”

A web-based project, NOAH expands weather forecasting systems at their very best. It offers early warnings for typhoons and other disasters (e.g., landslides, flooding, etc.) through the use of an IT network. Its official web site includes many features that all offer updated info—from weather outlook, to amount of rainfall, to water level monitoring, and up to 3D mapping of flooded areas.

Well, it’s a “view-one-know-all” thing.

How to Use It

Filipinos and any web user who is concerned about the current situation in the Philippines can just go online and visit the web site, www.noah.dost.gov.ph.

The web site features a hazard map, various sections representing NOAH tools (overview, weather outlook, Doppler, weather stations, flood map, and health), search bar, measuring tools, and map visualization options. It also has newsfeeds and allows flood reporting. The site is so useful for it contains updated details and even real-time updates on many current disaster-related events.

Perks of Using It

During the launching of Project NOAH, PNoy said that Project NOAH aimed at giving people enough time to prepare, especially those living in communities near 18 major river basins.

As the country lies across the typhoon belt and on the so-called “ring of fire,” the project wants all Filipinos to always stay safe. Through this project, the government hopes to achieve zero casualties whenever catastrophes strike.

Eight Important Things to Bring When You Travel

Photo credit: news.com.au

Taking trips far from home restricts you to bring lot of stuffs. You can only carry few things, or else, pull a heavy load.

If you have to travel out of the country, cut your pack. Here are the essential things to bring:

1.   Passport. When travelling abroad, don’t forget your passport. It is your key to get out of the country. Some people carry with them their passport as they travel and some do not. This depends on how safe or how high crime rate is in the place you will visit. Also, you may have your passport photocopied, and bring the duplicate anywhere you go. make sure that you protect this document. place it in a plastic case

2.   Tickets, itinerary, visa, and other documents. Airport’s immigration will ask for supporting documents that permit you travel. So keep these things inside your pack. Also, protect it by placing it in a plastic bag and in a secure area in your carry-on baggage.

3.   Cash. Never go out with empty wallet. Ample amount of money will help you survive. It is always advisable to bring dollars or the currency of the country you will visit.

4.   Credit card and ATM. These cards harness your spending when you have to tighten your cash expenses. Also, your credit card is a handy tool when you want to book a flight to another country.

5.   Cellphone. Communication is very important while travelling. This will aid you to find your way or to inform others. Now, everywhere you go there is an access to internet. Just google the place and you will not be lost. Another good thing about your mobile phone, it has a camera. You don’t have to carry another pocket cam, right.

6.   Guide book or map. Yes, this is internet age, but you still need a map to be on track. Keep one so that you can visualize the whole country in one look.

7.   Vitamins and medicines. If you have health conditions, take your pills and supplements with you. But there are countries who have strict rules on medicines. Be sure that you tag along the prescription and a doctor’s letter.

8.   Clean clothes. Pack clean and appropriate clothes. They must be enough to the length of your stay. Jeans, shirts, shorts, underwear, and extra pair of shoes are common things to pack. If you were going to tropical countries, light garments are useful. A travel to cold country entails you to bring thick jackets and clothes.

Keep these tips and unload excessive pounds on your luggage. Have a safe and light trip.

Dubai Getaway: Seven Places to Explore

Photo credit: www.emirates.com

Dubai brags few of the world’s best: architecture, modern amenities, amazing scenes, shopping centers, and inexpensive oil. But this progressive emirate country does not get much of its wealth from oil. It came from tourism.

Discover why tourists layover in Dubai. Here are the country’s hot spots that you will love to explore:

Photo credit: www.constructionweekonline.com

1. Burj Khalifa

The more than 828 meters Burj Khalifa is the world’s tallest building. A trip on the 124th floor will bring you to the observation deck.  The viewing platform gives you a good sight of the country’s desert and ocean. During night, be amazed by the city’s glittering lights. Around the hotel are fascinating gardens with winding walkways. Also, be entertained by the Dubai Fountain, the tallest performing water in the world.

Photo credit: theluxtraveller.com

2. Burj Al Arab

The 7-star hotel that resembles a sail is a must-visit place.  The Burj Al Arab or Tower of the Arabs is an architectural and engineering feat. It has a height of 321 meters, making it the world’s fourth tallest hotel.

Photo credit: dubaimalls.blogspot.com

3. Dubai Mall

The city’s prime mall gives you an entry to the Burj Khalifa and Dubai Aquarium. Visit the aquarium that hubs 140 species of sea creatures. Have fun on its ice skating rink, gaming zone, and cinemas. Live music, fashion shows, endless shopping, and fine eating will entertain you. It holds annual Dubai Shopping Festival in January and February. While the Dubai Summer Surprises Festival is in July and August.

Photo credit: hotpopular.wordpress.com

4. Dubai Fountain

Every day, the largest dancing fountain in the world enchants thousands of tourists. The 902 feet wide fountain shoots up 22,000 gallons of water at 500 feet high. Moreover, 6,600 lights and 25 colored projectors complete the light and music show.

Photo credit: www.mindomo.com

5. The Palm Jumeirah

Located along the Dubai coastline, this man-made archipelago resembles a palm leaf in an aerial view. Its hotels, theme park, spas, shopping malls, beach resorts, and many more will complete your break.

Photo credit: www.thousandwonders.net

6. Jumeirah Beach

If you want fun, white sand, and sun, the Jumeirah Beach is a place to go. Enjoy different water activities, sun loungers, and restaurants.

Photo credit: www.reddit.com

7. Dubai Marina

This man-made marina is another tourist attraction that offers great views, walkways, boat rides, and a mall. Yachtsmen will love the place as it offers the best docking place for yachts.

With all these pretty spots, you will not ask why Dubai is a tourist destination. It is one of the best places you could ever visit. From attraction, nightlife, and dining, get a good getaway here.