Homemade crayons and organizing jewelry the Pinterest way

I just recently got bitten by the Pinterest bug and DIY crafts. Before this, I am adopting a greener lifestyle and thus kept items like toilet paper rolls, paper bags, old household items, plastics, etc., but never finding the time to repurpose them into worthwhile projects. A few months ago, I pinned several great ideas into my Pinterest boards and scheduled my weekends doing them. My first project were the homemade crayons I did with my 3-year-old niece. I've collected the bits of old crayons she had and put them into silicon molds I bought in a Japan surplus store. The mold comes in several shapes (heart, diamond, oval, etc.) I then put the molds in the oven toaster for less than 10 minutes and waited for them to cool. The result was, of course, a big hit! My niece loved it and I think the smile and sweet kisses I got made it all the more fun.

On to my next project: organizing my earrings and rings. One thing I truly like in Pinterest are the awesome ideas from people, which made you sigh and say, how come I never knew that? In fact, even the simplest item at home can end up as an interesting piece. I think most of us want to keep our homes as organized as possible, but this is always a daunting task because, let's be honest, we really have no idea how to go about it. So, I'm starting mine with a simple one: a jewelry box made out of an old beats by Dr. Dre box. I do not want to throw away this box and so kept it for a while until today. I decided to use the inner black-colored styro/plastic (?) and "pinned" my earrings into it. In the central circular space, I've put my rings.

These projects were really simple but I felt pride doing them because finally I'm not buying something straight from the mall and making use of what I have to organize and create simple treasures.

Philippines, second slowest in web page loading

The Philippines was listed as the world's second slowest in web page loading.  This is according to a Bloomberg report on Google's study of web page speeds for desktop computers and mobile devices in 50 countries with the fastest internet connections. This study is interesting because if you look at the list, you will find that the fastest average Web page loading time is that of Slovak Republic at 3.3 seconds. If it is the USA then it would not have caught my attention because one is expecting to see that.  They are technologically capable. From comments on the Bloomberg report, I searched Orange Slovenko's website and found that Fibernet household internet costs €14.99 per month (roughly 900 pesos) and it promises a 100Mbit/s download and upload speed while that of regular internet connection gives a 42Mbit/sec download and 1.8Mbit.sec upload. Mbit. mbps, kbps are foreign language to me. All I know is that with what I am paying, I should be getting more from my internet provider, PLDT. Look at my speed test. Another thing notable on the list is that of India. It is on the same bottom list as we are for desktop speeds (15.1 seconds) and I began to wonder as both the Philippines and India are into business process outsourcing, will this study impact the industry, if anything? I am glad that South Korea is second after Slovak Republic and first on mobile speeds.

Should I feel better that the Philippines is among the "50 countries with the fastest internet connection"?

See complete list here

A visit to Sto Nino de Providencia

Years ago, I have seen this footage of ABS-CBN reporter/anchor TJ Manotoc sharing his story about the Sto Niño de Providencia.  If I remember it correctly, he went to the Sto Niño to cover a story.  He might have prayed for something and got it miraculously.  I really forgot what it was that he asked for.  TJ also found out later that the place was located in a street named after his mother, Aurora Pijuan.  It was an interesting story, although I knew that in this country, miraculous claims are common.  I kept note of the address and promised to visit when I can.  But that of course happened only March of this year.  I was doing my “spring cleaning” when I found my old organizer and decided that I should see the place now.  I told my best friend about this and she and her hubby agreed to come with me.  Our first visit was March 10 of this year but as some errands were still needed to be done earlier that day, we reached the place very late and it was already close.  The three of us, however felt good that we found the place, though we still need to come back again to see the Sto Niño inside.  We had a bit of difficulty locating it because we were looking for a big church.  We found out that the image is housed in the Gonzales residence, in a small prayer room.  So we scheduled another trip to Paranaque, March 12.  This time, we got there early morning.  Except for us, the caretaker and another visitor, the prayer room is all ours.  I believe during Catholic holidays like Holy Week, the place is full.  The booklet we received shared a brief history of the Sto Niño’s miracles.  The Sto Niño is with the Gonzales family since 1988 and when one of the siblings, Lutgardo Rodrigo Gonzales, a medical intern, got into an accident it was placed in their sala.  The first miracle happened on January 27, 1992 when Lorna Gonzales, found the Sto Nino “shedding liquid profusely from His tantalizing eyes” which she then scooped and rubbed into his brother’s body.  His brother started to recover gradually since then.  Blessings and miracles has also been reported by devotees.  This I believe is all about faith.  For me, I just want to see the place and the Sto Niño.  I prayed my usual prayers as a Catholic.  As for miracles, I felt peaceful that day.  It was enough.

Sto Niño de Providencia is open Monday to Sunday 8:00 to 12:00 noon and 1:00 to 5:00 PM at 65 Aurora P. Juan St.  BF Resort Village, Las Piñas City

Philippine Monitoring Company/Greentop Marketing Scam

This afternoon, a call from Philippine Monitoring Company, a lady, woke me up. She said I need to claim my reward for subscribing to PLDT landline/DSL. Still very much sleepy, I listened anyway. She gave me an alphanumeric code(CH8048DLPA)with instructions that I need to pick up my reward right away at Greentop Marketing in Olivarez Plaza, Los Baños, Laguna. At the back of my mind, I am starting to get suspicious although I never got the chance to ask her what PLDT promo it is all about. I do not remember joining any PLDT promo. Anyway, I let her continue her spiel because I do not want to sound rude. She even provided me these numbers to call, 501-1379 and 552-9129 and look for Aileen Concepcion or Michelle Mendoza. I took notes while we were talking, just in case. I am by nature not very trustful! I began to doubt when she kept bugging me to get my reward. She sounds desperate. I kept my politeness (truth is I am rarely polite to cold callers) and to end our conversation, just said I will try. I went back to sleep afterwards.

Tonight, I googled the said company and found web pages of their scam. I felt relieved (!) that I was saved from trouble. I am sharing this to help and to warn. I am yet to call PLDT and DTI to report this incident which I am sure PLDT has nothing to do. For those victimized and soon-to-be victims, please click the links below. It pays to read and be informed.

PESO-Cainta
Greentop Scam
Greentop Ever-Gotesco
Greentop Ali Mall Cubao