All I Can Handle

In an age where QR codes, e-wallets, and cashless payments are everywhere, many Filipinos may have probably experienced being told, “Cashless Payments only”. At the Land Transportation Office (LTO), for instance, several applicants recently complained that they were required to use GCash and even charged a “convenience fee” for doing so. The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) have made it clear that this is not allowed. In a recent advisory, the DTI reminded all merchants and establishments that cash remains legal tender in the Philippines and must be accepted without discrimination. While digital payments are encouraged for convenience, consumers still have the right to choose to pay in cash. Why this matters Even as cashless options like GCash, Maya, and QR Ph have become more common in recent times, many Filipinos still rely on physical money. Refusing cash payments excludes these consumers and goes against both consumer protection and f...

Step back into the Philippines’ so-called golden era under King Ferdinand and Queen Imelda with this vintage bronze inauguration medal, a true relic of history, politics, and pageantry. The back boldly declares “This Nation Can Be Great Again”, words that sound strikingly familiar in today’s world (👀 yes, long before Trump said it!). In fact, I wonder what time they were alluding to. Were we a great nation before the Spanish invasion in the 1500s? Condition: Good overall vintage condition with visible age-related wear and patina consistent with its age. Some surface marks and light oxidation in recessed areas, particularly around the lettering and design details, but both obverse and reverse remain clearly legible and well-defined. The medal retains a warm bronze tone and a pleasing aged character that reflects its history. Available via Carousell: Check out 'VINTAGE 1965 Ferdinand Marcos Inauguration Bronze Medal', available at PHP 1,350 on #Carousell: https://carousell.com/p...

There was a time when collecting stamps was one of the most popular hobbies in the world. It connected people across countries, cultures, and even generations. Each small square of paper carried a story, a piece of history, or a face that once symbolized a nation’s pride. Today, with the rise of digital communication and online marketplaces, the world of philately has quietly transformed. When my father gave me some stamps as a kid, stamp collecting was already a dying hobby. It was very hard to grow a collection because the only time I could get my hands on stamps was when someone received mail.  When I started collecting stamps, exchanging stamps with other collectors was no longer a thing. It wasn't until my father studied in a different country where they had hobby shops that sold stamps that I was able to grow my collection significantly. Perhaps things were different in Manila, because I remember seeing used stamps for sale at some antique shops in SM Megamall, as well a...

"Guardia sereno! A las doce han dado.” That’s a line from Nick Joaquin’s May Day Eve. A year after moving here, I woke up in the middle of the night to find a cat walking toward me like it owned the place. My first thought was that it was a shape-shifter that would probably eat me. But when it saw me wake up, it quickly headed for the locked door and slipped out through the open window (which I assumed was where it had come in). Several days later, I woke up in the middle of the night to find a fat cat (literally) crying in the kitchen. It was terrified of me and ended up crashing into my oregano plants. I had to clean up the mess right then and there. For several nights in a row, different cats have been trying to get in through my window. But tonight, it seems like they (or at least one of them) finally got the message. At first, I thought I was imagining a cat sitting by my window. Upon closer inspection, there really was one. I even managed to take a photo. I don’t know if it’...

Today, I realized that there is now an entire generation of Zamboangueños who never experienced the constant bomb threats and rumors of rebel attacks that my generation did. I recently met a 17-year-old from Zamboanga City through my Chavacano blog, and he asked me if we also experienced class suspensions due to weather disturbances (maybe the climate change programming is finally working for this generation). He was surprised when I told him about class suspensions caused by bomb threats.  Of course, there were class suspensions due to rains and flooding, but they only happened when I was in elementary school. By high school and college, I never experienced flooding on our school premises. Perhaps it had more to do with the school's location or maybe there was La Niña when I was in elementary school (oh no, there goes MY climate change programming). It boggles the mind that there is now an entire generation of Zamboangueños who never experienced constant bomb threats as a way of l...