Top 5 Books You Should Read in your Lifetime

Choosing the top 5 books to read is not easy. After all, we have varying interests and preferences; not to mention that there are so many great books available. In fact, it is estimated that there are more than 1 million new books published annually making it quite impossible to choose. 

Anyway, I am happy to share the top five (5) books from various genres. These books have had such a significant impact on literature and culture that at least everyone should read them at least in their lifetime. 

1. "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee - This classic novel about a young girl's coming-of-age story and it explores themes of racism, prejudice, and justice in the American South during the 1930s. It's a thought-provoking and beautifully written story that continues to be relevant today as it probes how good and evil can coexist in a single community or individual.

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2. "1984" by George Orwell - A dystopian novel that explores the dangers of totalitarianism and the loss of individual freedom as it controls the actions, thoughts, and even emotions of its citizens, exercising power through control of language and history. It's a chilling, thought-provoking work  and is a passionate political warning for today

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3. "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald - This novel captures the decadence and disillusionment of the Jazz Age in New Year. It's a beautifully crafted story about wealth, ambition, and the American Dream.

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4. "The Catcher in the Rye" by J.D. Salinger - A coming-of-age novel that follows the adventures of Holden Caulfield as he navigates the challenges of adolescence and adulthood. It's a timeless exploration of youth and alienation.

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5. "One Hundred Years of Solitude" by Gabriel García Márquez - A masterpiece of magical realism, this novel tells the multi-generational saga of the Buendía family in the fictional town of Macondo. It's a rich and imaginative exploration of Latin American culture and history.

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These books cover a range of themes and writing styles, so you can choose one that aligns with your interests and reading preferences. Remember that what makes a book "the best" often depends on individual tastes and what you're looking to gain from your reading experience.

Samsung’s Galaxy Watch6 : Unlocking a heart healthier lifestyle on your wrist

The Galaxy Watch6 series has BP and ECG tracking to help you monitor your heart health

Unlock a healthier lifestyle with Samsung's latest smartwatch! The Galaxy Watch6 series is taking wellness to the next level with blood pressure and ECG monitoring and other features that help you monitor your heart health.

With heart disease being the country’s leading cause of death in 2022, there’s no time to waste when it comes to taking care of your health. Samsung Electronics is committed to helping Filipinos achieve better heart health through its groundbreaking Galaxy Watch6 and Watch6 Classic, which comes with a slew of new heart-friendly and fitness features designed to improve your overall wellness. Let’s check them out!

Blood Pressure & ECG Monitoring

Lessen your worries with a heart monitoring package that allows you to have peace of mind. The Galaxy Watch6 series has a built-in PPG sensor that periodically measures your heart rate and heart rhythm while you wear it.

You can also add a quick blood pressure check with no added equipment required using your Galaxy Watch6. To enable the blood pressure monitoring feature, install the Samsung Health Monitor application onto your Galaxy smartphone and connect it to your compatible Galaxy Watch then calibrate it with a traditional cuff. They will then be able to tap to “measure” the blood pressure anytime, anywhere.

The Galaxy Watch6 measures blood pressure through pulse wave analysis, which is tracked with the Heart Rate Monitoring sensors. The program then records the relationship between the calibration value and the blood pressure change to determine the blood pressure. Once the calibration and set-up process are completed, users can access this information and export measurements to PDF.

The Galaxy Watch6 also includes an electrocardiogram (ECG) function that works by recording the heart’s electrical activity via a sensor on the compatible Galaxy Watch. All you need to do is open your Samsung Health Monitor app while seated comfortably, and ensure the watch is fitted firmly to your wrist. Next, rest your forearm on a flat surface and lightly place a fingertip from the opposite hand on the top button on the smartwatch for 30 seconds.

The app will then measure your heart rate and rhythm, which will be displayed as either a Sinus Rhythm (a normal, regular heartbeat) or AFib (when the heart beats irregularly). You can also export this data to PDF.

Achieve Better Heart Health through Customized Workouts

The Galaxy Watch6 also offers a ton of exercise features to help you create your own unique fitness journey. Start things off by checking your Body Composition - the Galaxy Watch6 can actually measure skeletal muscle, basal metabolic rate, body water, and body fat percentage, to help give you a baseline for your fitness goals and to track your progress. Get more guidance from the new Personalized Heart Rate Zone, which will measure your heart rate based on your fitness capacity and define five optimal running intensity levels to help users set their own goals based on what fits them – from burning fat to high-intensity workouts.

In addition to over 100 existing workout trackers, the newly added Track Run records the user’s runs on a track, while Custom Workout allows users to build and track their personalized workout routine.

Elevated Design

The Galaxy Watch6 and Watch6 Classic also sport key upgrades like a bigger display, a more powerful processor and battery, and even more customizable options in watch faces and bands.

The Galaxy Watch6 series now offers a 20% larger display to make reading and typing easier and delivers smoother and faster interactions with its new Exynos W930 Dual-Core 1.4GHz processor, resulting in 18% faster processing.

You can also make your Galaxy Watch6 uniquely your own. Choose from a wide collection of bands in different styles and materials from feather, leather and even metal bands that can take you from day to night. Switching is easy - simply press the band release button to detach your watch straps then swap them out to change from workout to go-out styles with just one click. You can also customize your watch face with your favorite colors, designs - or even photos of your pet!

Galaxy Watch6 series comes with a larger battery and reduced battery consumption to support its larger and brighter display. With just eight minutes of quick charge, users can add an additional eight hours, perfect for tracking their sleep during the night.

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Start a heart-healthy lifestyle with the Galaxy Watch6 Series! The Galaxy Watch6 retails for PHP 16,990 (40mm) and PHP 18,990 (44 mm) while the Watch6 Classic is available at PHP 22,990 (43mm) and PHP 24,990 (47mm).

For more information on the Galaxy Watch6, visit https://www.samsung.com.ph

iPhone 11, Now Within Your Reach with Home Credit’s 0% Interest Promo

No More Breaking the Bank: Experience iPhone 11 with Home Credit’s 0% Interest Promo - Extended by popular demand, you can enjoy this incredible deal until September 30!

As we continue to embrace the digital lifestyle, we rely more than ever on our gadgets, especially smartphones. From the moment we wake up, these devices are our constant companions that enable us to stay updated on relevant happenings, connect with our loved ones and colleagues, work through our everyday tasks, relax and unwind in our downtime, and many more.

Because of this, choosing the right smartphone is crucial to ensure that your go-to gadget companion can keep up with your day-to-day needs. With an array of options that boast powerful features and capabilities, selecting a smartphone can be a challenge but, of course, it pays to opt for trusted brands like Apple.

For years, Apple has delivered numerous quality devices built with outstanding cameras, seamless performance, and other cutting-edge specs that empower your lifestyle, particularly its iPhone line. However, how can you get such incredible devices without breaking the bank?

Experience iPhone 11 with Home Credit!

Fortunately, owning an iPhone is now within reach, thanks to the leading consumer finance company, Home Credit. With its limited-period offer, you can now get the iPhone 11’s 128GB or 64GB variant in 6-, 9-, or 12-month installment plans with 0% interest, allowing you to choose the one that best fits your budget.

If you are curious about how the iPhone 11 will perform in your everyday needs, here are the specs and features of this remarkable device, which you can easily get your hands on with Home Credit’s amazing deal extended by popular demand until September 30.

Features effortless performance to support daily activities

Equipped with a powerful A13 Bionic chip, the iPhone 11 is a powerhouse that makes multitasking seem effortless every day. Thanks to this processor, you can seamlessly switch between apps, play graphically demanding games, and stream videos without lag. It ensures you stay ahead of the curve as it is built to handle the demands of modern life.

The iOS 13 operating system complements this chip for a remarkable user experience. Aside from that, it also boasts longer battery life, making your daily moves unstoppable. It has a 3110mAh battery capacity, providing at least 65 hours of music playback or 17 hours of video viewing to give you enough power for your daily activities.

Showcases a powerful dual-camera system to capture life’s best moments

In addition to its outstanding features, the iPhone 11's camera system is like a magical lens that turns moments into memories. Packed with 12MP Ultra-Wide and Wide cameras, you can easily shoot gorgeous portraits and landscape photos to document every OOTD, occasion, celebration, or even simple achievement in your life. Its cameras also support a 4K feature to allow you to record crystal-clear videos.

Exhibits incredible display, design for leveled-up usage

To deliver an incredible experience whenever you are using the device, the iPhone 11 features a 6.1-inch Liquid Retina display exhibiting a 1792x828 resolution for better viewing. Its screen is accompanied by a water-resistant design rated IP68 to ensure protection from accidental spills or water immersions up to two meters for 30 minutes. This makes sure that the iPhone 11 can last for a long time. This design is available in six eye-catching colors: Black, Green, Yellow, Purple, Red, and White.

What are you waiting for? Do not let this chance slip your fingers! Purchase the iPhone 11 now via Home Credit and experience a powerful device that can easily conquer your day-to-day demands!

To know more about the latest updates from Home Credit Philippines, visit its official website, www.homecredit.ph. You may also follow its official Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok accounts. Customers are also encouraged to download the My Home Credit App on Google Play to learn more about the latest promos and see what’s new in the Marketplace.

Home Credit Philippines is a financing company duly licensed and supervised by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

Cancelled Flight: What will happen to me?

Originally posted on July 2016. Updated on August 18, 2023

This post is not about ranting about canceled flights. Instead, let me just share with you the things that normally happen to canceled flights and to their passengers.

When I went to Cebu last June for my mom's birthday, my flight going back to Bacolod got canceled due to aircraft trouble. Since Cebu Pacific only have 2 flights per day with the CEB-BAC route and I had the later flight, we really did not have the option to be transferred to the next flight on that day. We were informed that we had to stay overnight and wait for the first flight the next day.

Source: www.cebupacificair.com

The announcement came around 10 minutes before boarding time. All passengers were asked to go to Cebu Pacific's check-in counters for assistance. Thus, it is very important to listen and be mindful of the announcements while waiting to board the plane. 

Here's what you should expect and some tips on what you need to do when your flight gets canceled. 

1. You need to choose an option to either rebook the flight (whether you would like the next available flight or any other preferred schedule), ask for a refund, or have it refunded and stored as a travel fund with Cebu Pacific. During my recent trip, most of the passengers opted to be rebooked for the first flight the next day.

2. Contact your family and/or friend. More likely, you have to contact someone, especially the person who's picking you up at the airport, and inform them about flight cancellation. If you have no load (for prepaid users) or if your phone runs out of battery, you can ask assistance from the airline's personnel and you may use the phone in their office. Part of the Passenger's Bill of Rights is to be entitled to a free phone call or assistance in communication if necessary. 

3. If the flight is canceled and your flight is moved the next day, they should provide food, accommodation, and hotel transfers. This is absolutely free and all arrangements will be done by the airline. Just to manage your expectations, this may take some time and will test your patience as there are no chairs near the check-in counters so you'll end up standing for an hour or more while waiting.

With our experience, we were billeted in Crown Regency Mactan. Buffet dinner and breakfast were served. If you are traveling alone, there might be instances when the airline would ask you to share a room with another passenger. You can definitely decline and ask them to book individual rooms for you.

4. Don't forget to claim your check-in baggage before leaving the airport to go to the hotel. They won't be keeping it for you. You still need to check in your baggage again the next day.

5. Get the airport office's contact number. Even though they would be completing all arrangements, it would be very hard for you to contact them should there be any problems. Calling Cebu Pacific's hotline will be useless as they do not have specifics about your arrangements. So, it would be best if you have a way to call the local staff of the airline.

6. They normally give some sort of compensation (e.g. free one-way ticket). Aside from rebooking our flight for free, they also gave all passengers a free one-way ticket for domestic travel that we can use within 180 days. It can be redeemed online or by calling their hotline.

August 2023 UPDATE: We had another flight canceled and we were moved to another flight the same day. This time, they gave us two one-way tickets as compensation. We can use it in the next 18 months. 

Generally, my experience of a canceled flight was not that dreadful. It was definitely tiring and it led to some cancelled appointments the next day but I can say that Cebu Pacific has done their part in taking care of our needs and making it up to their passengers.