Best Cashback Credit Card in the Philippines 2024

For someone like me who often forgets to redeem credit card rewards points or perhaps unable to do so due to high redemption requirement, I opt to have an immediate return via cash back for the use of credit card. It took a while for me to make the switch since I didn't know what will be a good credit card option in the Philippines. We have the annual fee charges that most banks charge so always check if your credit card use will be worth it. There's also the capping of cashback you can get on a monthly basis and restricted to certain purchases such as intended only for dining, groceries, shopping, travel, and so forth. So what did I find? BDO American Express Cashback Credit Card.

It automatically gave me 1% for all local purchases and 2% for overseas purchases. It's immediately credited to my statement of account (SOA) every billing period and there's also no annual fee if I meet a certain monthly purchase value which I always exceed. I beleive it's PHP15,000 per month. What's more is there's no maximum cashback restriction. Others say 1-2% is not much but if you have a high credit limit and say quite a spender, then that 1-2% can be a lot after cumulative spending.

You might want to take advantage of HSBC Gold Visa Cashback Credit Card as well since they have an ongoing promo if you're a new customer. It will be a waived annual fee for life. The credit card gives you 5% cashback for dining and 0.5% for the rest of your purchases but will have a capping of PHP1,200 on a monthly basis. But you're not really paying any annual fee so might as well go give it a try.

The HSBC cashback card can be used for your dining until you reach the maximum cashback then use BDO Amex Cashback other than dining. HSBC 5% cash rebate is also applicable to Foodpanda.

Why is it so difficult to get rid of a cold?

Viruses are evolving, this one changed so swiftly that it was able to outwit years of study and development in a matter of days.

Although viruses are always evolving, this one changed so swiftly that it was able to outwit years of study and development in a matter of days.

This is a genuine risk, unfortunately, for the millions of people across the world who have immune systems that aren't completely functioning or who take immunosuppressant medications. "Minor" infections can develop into serious or even fatal conditions.

However, if you're fortunate enough to have a healthy immune system, a cold will generally only cause you to experience a few minor symptoms. Over the course of their lives, adults often contract more than 150 colds.

At least eight separate virus families, each of which can have its own species and subtypes, are responsible for causing the common cold.

How can the same illness be brought on by so many distinct viruses?

There are just a few methods for viruses to enter our bodies, one of which is through breathing. Since we must breathe, our immune system deploys a number of frontline defenses, which are also what cause many of the cold's symptoms. Your immune system traps and flushes away viruses through your mucus-filled, runny nose. Your immune system is raising your body temperature to stave off virus replication when you have a fever.

It is challenging to create a chemical that is harmful to the virus without also being dangerous to humans since viruses require the cellular machinery of humans to proliferate and propagate. And even if you are successful, the virus could evolve so that the medication is no longer effective.

Viruses are cunning creatures. However, we have achieved some remarkable triumphs, such as the eradication of smallpox due to a potent vaccine, the disease's inability to hide in other species, and the disease's relatively low mutation rate. Contrarily, HIV mutates so swiftly that, in theory, any single single-letter mutation in the virus' genetic coding might be created in a single day in an untreated individual.

Despite decades of effort, we still lack a vaccine.

This article inspired from a Ted Talk.

Thoughts about work

1. When praying for that job, also pray for a working environment that won't lead to burnout, depression and regret.

2. Appreciation can change your life. The willingness to put into words is all that is necessary.

3. Take a deep breath. Just because no one else can heal or do your inner work for you doesn't mean you can, should, or need to do it alone.

4. In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.

5. Burnout is nature's way of telling you you've been going through the motions your soul has departed.

6. The best way to enjoy your job is to imagine yourself without one.

7. Choose a job that you love and you will never have to work a day in your life.

8. You didn't come this far to only come this far.

9. Teamwork makes the dream work.

10. Start by doing what's necessary then do what's possible and suddenly you'll be doing the impossible.

Boundaries in Remote Work

It's been an ideal setup for most people to work from home instead of going into an office. Some companies don't even offer this opportunity. But as some of us know, it also comes with its own set of boundary issues.

There's a whole new set of possible distractions, greater need for self-discipline, and making sure we give time for ourselves. We end up getting more messages and questions via email or other platforms while working remotely.

So have a reason to leave your home and get some fresh air. Learn to put your work down. Even if you're at home which also acts your place of work, it's okay to take time off. We have enough work distractions when we should be relaxing. 

We need to be conscious that working remotely also requires making space for ourselves in and around work. This need to be a conversation with our coworkers to ensure that our boundaries are understood and respected.

Beware of Burnout

We can be fulfilled, motivated, and enthusiastic about our jobs and still get burned out. The additional challenge makes it simpler for people to justify the long hours as a result of we have a tendency to take pride and realize purpose in what we’re acting on.

But let's be honest... that drive, that perseverance, that passion you get isn’t doing anyone any favors if you will be left with health issues in the long run. 

When we’re so into what we're doing, it’s easy to forget on what’s really important. When we’re held to think about never-ending deadlines, we have to consider the long-term effects of always being the hardworking person in the room. So take a break. Recharge. And live life.

DigitalApp: PayMaya launched as Maya

PayMaya is a first of an online payment app that allows users to shop online, send money, book flight tickets, buy games, tickets, pay bills and even stream music. It is basically a mobile app through which a user will be given a virtual prepaid card.

But they have rebranded and is now called Maya. This is a new look and go-to money app that lets people save, spend, grow, and master your money. Even adding crypto. As they call it: Maya is everything and a bank.

The rebranding comes on the successful launch in April 2022 when demand for digital wallet and banking services peaked.

It features payment acceptance solutions, business-to-business, and business-to-government payments. It also comes with digital banking services powered by Maya Bank, which includes a high-interest business deposit account and a range of credit products for businesses and their customers.

It's creating the future of the enterprise, unleashing digital transactions at a faster speed and on a broader scale.

The need to accelerate digital transformation of businesses as critical parts of economic growth and financial inclusion and it is creating the right environment as these efforts contribute to expand financing options for  micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

Looking forward to Maya in providing fast and secure financial transaction platform for businesses and consumers.

Axie Infinity: Server Down?

Not quite sure if it's just me or the whole Axie Infinity server is down. I was withdrawing my SLP then suddenly after logging in my account, the wallet just kept loading. 

Tried opening Mavis Hub a while ago I kept getting a 'Request Timeout' notif. This eventually became a grey window after multiple tries. It looks like the below.

Either it's an update or there's cyberattack. Or both. Not the latter please. I just joined.