Rural Impact Sourcing Program – Changing Lives, Improving Community

Jan 3, 2019 | Coffee Break

Good news! The Rural Impact Sourcing Program (RIS) has been shortlisted as one of the nominated projects for the UN-ITU’s World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Prizes under the Capability Development Category.

RIS, is a project of digitalPH, that aims to provide access to economic opportunities to Filipinos in rural communities by introducing them to ICT-enabled jobs, and help them participate in high-value economic activities by providing them with inclusive lifelong learning opportunities. These individuals are typically people who lack access to traditional employment.

The Rural Impact Sourcing program provides selected individuals a technical training that develops/improves their ICT skills and capabilities and uses what they learned not only to find employment but even into entrepreneurship.

Last year, I was given the opportunity to be one of the RIS Trainers in the province of Talavera, Nueva Ecija and Mabalacat, Pampanga. The RISTT Scholars were trained on E-commerce and Digital Marketing for 10 days. The RIS Scholars are trained for 10 days to help them find freelancing jobs and help the local business owners set up their website and generate sales through digital marketing.

Happy to share with you the websites trainees setup:

Tala Pasalubong Center

Healthwise and Bakeshop

Finally, after going through rigid training, their fruit of labor !

What’s next for them? Their freelancing and entrepreneurial journey begins. It’s up to them on how they will maximize the skills and the learnings they got during the training. They are ready and equipped to soar high on whatever path they choose to continue. Some choose the freelancing path, others the entrepreneurial journey. Whatever it is, what matters most is their desire to take action.

Taking on the next step some of our graduates moves forward by giving back to the community what they have learned and share to others as well.

There’s still a lot of things to do but my excitement to see these graduates achieve their goal through freelancing and entrepreneurship is worth pursuing and supporting them in their journey. Changing lives, improving community is what Rural Impact Sourcing Program is all about.

Affordable Health Care Option for Freelancers – MaxiCare EReady Prepaid Health Card

Aug 16, 2018 | Coffee Break

Affordable Health Care Option for Freelancers

Maxicare EReady Prepaid Health Card

Transitioning from the corporate world into a home-based career can sometimes be scary because there are no health benefits. Unlike when you are in the corporate world you get health benefits with the HMO plans provided by the company but that’s okay because you can actually get one even as a freelancer. I was looking for an affordable HMO plan that suits my financial capacity and I was able to come across with a prepaid health insurance, MaxiCare Prepaid Health Cards with no requirements for approval.

The MaxiCare EReady Prepaid Health Cards is a one-time medical emergency prepaid health card that covers injuries and illnesses that require immediate medical assistance. There are 2 plan types Titanium Php549 and Platinum Php749 and I opted to purchase the Titanium Php549.

Here are some of Getting a Maxicare EReady Card Titanium Php549 of the features, benefits, and coverage:

Some of the features, benefits, and coverage of Maxicare ERady Card Titanium Php includes

One-time coverage of Php15000 for medical-related emergency cases but you can get 2 subscriptions for a year for 1 person.
The card is valid up to 1 year upon activation and eligible from 15 days old to 65 years old

If you want to know more about MaxiCare EReady, check out the MaxiCare website here.

For the registration process, I registered through text, and here’s what I got. This can be used for emergency purposes but as always, I don’t want to use it 🙂

Getting a MaxiCare EReady Card for Php549 for a value of Php15000 coverage is worth buying for :).

P.S. By the way, I can’t help but share that I won the Php5,000 gift certificate Maxicare EReady Balik Eskwela.

How about you? Want to try the Maxicare Prepaid Heath Card?

It has been 5 years since I won the raffle Maxicare prepaid health cards, and today it has become increasingly popular in recent years.

Winning a raffle from Maxicare was an excellent opportunity to experience the benefits of a prepaid emergency health card. If you need a budget for a comprehensive HMO plan, a prepaid HMO card is a great option. Let’s check the details about Maxicare prepaid health card.

Here are the different Maxicare prepaid plans as of January 16, 2023.

Maxicard Eready Titanium

One-time payment, one-time use card on emergency-related cases in all Maxicare Eready accredited hospitals.

✅ Age Eligibility: 15 days old to 65 years old

✅ Benefit Limit: Php 15,000.00

✅ Features:

Life with Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD & D) up to P50,000
24/7 Maxicare TeleConsult service and Maxicare HealthHub
10% discount from all Metro Dental branches on published rates of all basic dental services.
15% discount from My Health Clinic services.

✅ Network Access ( Maxicare Lifestyle Partners)

Access to all 1,500+ accredited hospitals

EXCLUDING the six (6) major hospitals

Asian Hospital Medical Center (AHMC)
Cardinal Santos Medical Center (CSMC)
Makati Medical Center (MMC)
St. Luke’s Medical Center – Global City (SLMC – GC)
St. Luke’s Medical Center – Quezon City (SLMC – QC)
The Medical City – Ortigas (TMC).

✅ Benefits:

Outpatient Emergency Coverage includes:
1. Doctor’s services for emergency treatments.
2. Emergency room fees.
3. Medicines used for immediate relief and during treatment.
4. Oxygen, IV fluids, whole blood, and human blood products.
5. Dressings, casts, sutures.
6. X–ray, laboratory and diagnostics exams.

Freelancers, protect yourself and your loved ones with Maxicare EReady Titanium prepaid health card. Access their high-quality medical services, discounts on medicines and lab tests, 24/7 emergency assistance, and more.

Where to buy Maxicare Eready Titanium?

Maxicare Eready Platinum

One-time payment, one-time use card on emergency-related cases in all Maxicare accredited hospitals, including 6 major hospitals in Metro Manila.

✅ Age Eligibility: 15 days old to 65 years old

✅ Benefit Limit: Php 15,000.00

✅ Features

Life with Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD & D) up to P50,000
24/7 Maxicare TeleConsult service and Maxicare HealthHub.
10% discount from all Metro Dental branches on published rates of all basic dental services.
15% discount from My Health Clinic services.

✅ Network Access ( Maxicare Lifestyle Partners)

Access to all 1,500+ accredited hospitals, including the six (6) major hospitals

Asian Hospital Medical Center (AHMC)
Cardinal Santos Medical Center (CSMC)
Makati Medical Center (MMC)
St. Luke’s Medical Center – Global City (SLMC – GC)
St. Luke’s Medical Center – Quezon City (SLMC – QC)
The Medical City – Ortigas (TMC).

✅ Benefits:

Outpatient Emergency Coverage includes:

Doctor’s services for emergency treatments.
Emergency room fees
Medicines used for immediate relief and during treatment.
Oxygen, IV fluids, whole blood and human blood products.
Dressings, casts, sutures.
X – ray, laboratory and diagnostics exams.

Get access to high-quality healthcare with Maxicare EReady Platinum prepaid health card.

Where to Buy Maxicare Eready Platinum ?

Maxicare Eready Advance Platinum

Features and Benefits of the card:

✅ Unlimited Consultation ,Lab Tests and Diagnostics at all stand-alone Maxicare Primary Care Centers (PCC’s) & My Health Clinic

✅ Emergency Room Coverage of P20,000

✅ Dental Services – single use per type of dental service at Metro Dental

✅ Eligible Age -60 years old and above

✅ Validity – 1 year from activation date

✅ Pre-existing Conditions – Covered

✅ TeleConsult – Access to 24/7 TeleConsult Service

❌Excludes – * Hospital admission or confinement

❌ Not needed – Preliminary checkup and Paperwork

Be prepared for unexpected medical emergencies with Maxicare EReady Advance Platinum emergency card.

Where to buy Maxicare Eready Advance Platinum ?

Maxicare PRIMA Gold

✅ Unlimited lab tests, diagnostics, and consultations for seniors 60 and up

✅ Highlights

Unlimited prescribed lab tests and diagnostics
Unlimited consultations
Valid at any Maxicare Primary Care Clinic (PCC) and MyHealth Clinics
Annual emergency room coverage of up to ₱20,000 across Maxicare-affiliated hospitals
Single usage per type of dental service
Eligible for 60 years old and up
Valid for one year from activation date
No preliminary checkup and paperwork needed

If you are a senior citizen looking for a reliable and comprehensive healthcare solution? Look no further than the Maxicare EReady prepaid health card, now available through Maxicare Prima Gold.

Where to buy Maxicare PRIMA Gold ?

As freelancers, we understand the importance of being financially savvy and carefully budgeting your money. However, protecting our health and the health of our loved ones should not be compromised due to budget constraints. If you are looking for an affordable way to protect yourself and your loved ones from medical related emergency conditions, start with Prepaid HMO Cards or Comprehensive HMO Plans.

LEARN MORE ABOUT A COMPREHENSIVE HMO PLAN

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What To Do When Your Faith is Being Tested

Oct 25, 2017 | Coffee Break

It’s already 33 days with no freelance project! With consistent applications, lowered the rate and even shortlisted, still, no project closed. If I think about it, I have qualified skills and have a lot of value to offer to clients, but at this moment there are no projects coming.

As we go through this season, a new trial comes in, my mother-in-law is fighting for her life. Oh, how she loves to sleep; she has been sleeping for 5 days.

Facing trials can be frustrating, tiring, painful and we tend to ask “Why Lord”, we tend to ask for answers. But in this moment, how should we really respond to such circumstance?

Let me share how I responded to endure the tests and trials through God’s grace:

I cry out to God to ask for more strength. I know for a fact that trials will help develop my character and that he desires for me to have that strong dependence on him.For me to fully learn how to depend on him and that he alone is the source of my strength.
Give thanks. Yes, I still praise God and thankful to him that even in our difficult situation he has never left us. God has given us favours to our day to day living and even provision on my mother-in-law’s hospitalization. Yes, it may be difficult to give thanks but through his grace, I am still able to say thank you, Lord.

I continue to TRUST in HIM. I may not understand the reason behind it but I am still believing in God’s goodness.

In this season of our lives, I have a God who is my refuge, a God of Comfort and a God who will not forsake me.

A righteous man may have many troubles but the Lord delivers him from them all. – Psalm 34: 19

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. – Psalm 46: 1

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous hand. – Isaiah 41:10

In this season of our lives, trials are not meaningless and God will always remind us that he is a big God.

Give thanks in all circumstances, for this God’s will for you in Christ Jesus- 1 Thessalonians 5: 18

Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. – James 1:2-4

For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. – 2 Corinthians 4:17

Be still, and know that I am God. – Psalm 46:10

My friend, if you are reading this and you are going through something, Cheer up :). Even when life is difficult, there’s always a big reason to smile because of God’s love to you and me. His love for us is so great that he sent his son Jesus Christ, to die for our sins. Isn’t that great?

My Freelancing Story

Jan 26, 2017 | Coffee Break

I am prompted to write my freelancing story because there is $50 waiting for me! I am not kidding, lol, but more than that, it’s about a changed life. My life changed, and I am thankful I learned freelancing 8 years ago.

HOW I STARTED

I came to know the freelancing industry through Femalenetwork.com. I saw posts from a group of ladies discussing Odesk (now Upwork). I was curious, and then I just tried, and bingo, I hit it; I was so excited that Odesk was paying in $$$$$$.

MY FIRST PROJECT

I registered in Odesk (now Upwork) on August 23, 2008, and got my first project on October 6, 2008. That’s more than a month of applying for jobs. Guess what! The test project was $5.55 to research and create one Chapter (10 each ) of Algebra questions, and I needed to provide the solution.
Wait, copying was not allowed ???? If I do well, I will be hired for an hourly contract. And yes, after a week, I got my first hourly contract.

I can still remember the feeling when I got hired. I was so happy why because I was earning $$$$. Who wouldn’t, right? The bad news is that I had no internet and computer from home, and an hourly contract requires a tracker.

What I did was talk to the owner of a computer shop and ask if I could have a dedicated computer to use, and thank them I was able to work on that hourly project. One more thing, I work on it after office hours, between 9:00 pm to 11:30 pm, and I travel from Ortigas to Imus, Cavite.

Can you imagine the difficult times? But it paid off. Finally, I could apply for an internet connection and had a used computer (the one in the horizontal model) for Php3000.00.

SUCCEEDING PROJECTS

I thought it was going well after the first one, yes, I was hired, but I was scammed. I was not paid $16.67! I waited again for over a month until I got the big break. I had a couple clients and worked for them for three years.

Contract Details2

TAKING THE LEAP

After two years of working part-time, I resigned from the corporate world. Yes, I was brave enough to challenge becoming a full-time work-at-home mom. The journey was not easy, but the fact that I’m writing my story today is good enough to know that it was worth it.

Eight years is good enough to tell that freelancing rocks. I don’t have benefits, no government benefits, health cards, sick and vacation leaves, but I survived.

MY PAYOUT PARTNER

So, after working hard, I deserve to be paid, right ? Payoneer’s Prepaid Mastercard has been my partner ever since I started freelancing, and that is almost 8 years now. Note: The charge is higher for the debit card vs. local bank withdrawal (connect Payoneer to local bank).

One thing I love most about Payoneer’s Prepaid Mastercard is that I can get my funds quickly and within 30 minutes after it is transferred.

BEYOND FREELANCING

Where am I now? I decided to go beyond freelancing and step out in faith on a different level, still with Payoneer. I’m slowly transitioning as a business owner and on my way to helping create jobs for the countryside through a homegrown BPO.

Yes, I DREAM BIG, START SMALL in pursuit of a life of FREEDOM, FLEXIBILITY, and FULFILLMENT.

Payoneer3

Payoneer

There’s so much to discuss, but I’ll end it here. ???? But if there’s something I can help you with, email me at [email protected], and I will see how I can help you.

Before I forget, if you wish to use Payoneer, kindly sign up HERE.

An Interview with Kristine Ohagan

Jul 16, 2015 | Coffee Break

An Interview with Kristine Ohagan

Today, I am featuring a young mom, who despite her young age and an undergraduate is able to make it successful online. Truly, work from home success is all about attitude, skills and knowledge. Be inspired with her story! If she can, you too can do it!

The Wahm Coach: How long have you been a work at home mom?

I’ve been a work at home mom for 2 years-3 months and counting.

The Wahm Coach: What did you do before you became a work at home mom?

I was once a 4^th year college student but due to some important reasons, I stopped studying. From that, I shifted to selling munchkins, barbecue, fried bananas, biscuits and more in order to support my baby who is inside my tummy that time.

The Wahm Coach: Why did you decide to pursue this path?

I really don’t have an idea on what online work is. I just thought of the fact that this might be my winning streak in life. Without hesitations, I went to internet cafes to read about oDesk(now Upwork). From there, I learned many things which helped me grow as a person. I pursue this path because I knew I can do it. I believe that this opportunity is life-changing and knocks only once. God guided me to where I am now and I am so much thankful to Him for, without Him, I can’t survive this online world that is full of competition and challenges.

The Wahm Coach: Working from home is either getting an online job or having a home-based business. Which path are you now?

I started to find my luck in oDesk. I applied into different jobs and later on, I found out that I can also do online selling while working. I started to balance my time properly specially that my baby was born already. As of now, I am more focused on doing online jobs because this is my heart’s desire. Aside from that, I am very blessed by God because of the opportunities that are coming my way as a freelancer.

The Wahm Coach: How is business/online jobs so far?

Online jobs really changed my life. I am just a plain young girl yet I am full of dreams. I can’t even afford to buy yummy foods because we’re really poor that time. I am also a product of a broken family and only my grandparents were there for me. I am very much thankful to God because of the amazing opportunities. Online field is really full of surprises. As of now, I was given a chance to be a part of a growing HBPO company here in our place. Despite the fact that I am an undergraduate student, I still stood up and was able to provide the needs of our family. What amazes me more is the fact that I was able to help the poor in my own little way because I am earning more than what I deserve as God’s child.

The Wahm Coach: Can you tell us how you get started?

My life is full of twists. My father has his family first before me and my mother. We learned about it after 3 years so they didn’t work out. My mother got married to another man and they had 2 sons.

My father is with his true family already that is why my grandparents are taking care of me. It’s been a very hard situation for us. I went to school with 10pesos in my pocket. I even cried a lot before because I can’t pay my projects on time. My aunt sent me to college.

However, I need to stop because of some important matters. I have a boyfriend that time and his parents sent me to school. We were living together and I got pregnant. I stopped studying and thought of some livelihood projects to raise some funds. We sell munchkins, barbecues, bananas, biscuits and more so that we can save.

I remembered my college friend who told me that he is working while studying. I tried to search in the web about oDesk and from there, I learned many things. I borrowed cash from my mother-in-law so that I can avail for a laptop installment. Out of the money that we saved from selling, I was able to avail for internet connection plan. Successfully, in not more than 1 month, I was able to work as a writer in oDesk.

I really did my best in whatever I do because my baby, husband, family and God are my inspirations. I want to work because I want to give my son a brighter future. I don’t want him to experience what I’ve been through before. I also want to fulfill my promise to my family that I will do all my best even if I didn’t finish my studies so that they’ll be proud of me. I also want God to be proud of me because I am His child.

I also want to help those who are in need even in my own little way. My journey in online work is not really that simple yet it is memorable. I am in my 2 years and 3 months of working online and I must say that I learned a lot from it. I am looking forward to work with my bosses in the many more years to come. By the way, I am just 19 when I started working. I am now 21 years old and I am slowly reaching my dreams not only for me but for my family as well.

The Wahm Coach: What are the challenges you face as a work at home mom?

As a working mom at home, I really need to set my schedules accordingly specially that I am still breastfeeding my baby. There are pauses in my time while working but I see to it that I am transparent when it comes to my time tracking submission. Aside from that, it is really inevitable to meet bosses that are mad specially if they encountered problems with their business. What I do is to simply understand them and see to it that I met their targets, expectations and deadlines so that I can revive their sadness. Another main challenge that we must face if we’re working at home is the fact that there might be electrical and internet connection interruptions so it is better to have a back-up. I am still planning to buy a generator and hopefully I can pursue it in the following year.

The Wahm Coach: Any tips for moms who aspires to be a work at home mom?

For those moms out there who aspires to be a work at home mom, just do your best and pray. Everything is possible if you have faith in God. You must persevere, must have determination, and must have organization and passion towards work in order for you to successfully achieve your goals in life.

The Wahm Coach: How can people connect with you?

People can connect with me through:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kristineparaderoohagan

Skype: [email protected]

Email: [email protected]

Phone #: +93-916-9076-382

Journey to Death

Jul 13, 2015 | Coffee Break

My Journey To Death

Today, I take a moment to ponder all that journey to death has taught me.

On June 29,2015, that was the longest day for me as I went home to catch up with my mom who was in a comatose stage. She was 61 and had a fight with chronic kidney failure and liver cirrhosis. We knew it was coming but have never thought that it was only for 4 months.

I arrived at around 11:50 pm, my mom lying on the bed, catching her breath so fast, so thin, so pale, with her pupil almost gone and just the white part of her eyes. I just closed my eyes and prayed aloud.

I hugged her and whispered that I love her and it’s okay for her to leave us. Telling things in a manner of a joke was all I did. I need to be brave in front of her because I know she does not want me to cry.

No words, no reactions, nothing at all but a hard and catching breathing. On June 30 at around 1:02 am, her eyes suddenly opened, looked up for my father and slowly raised her hand towards my father, saliva coming out and eyes slowly closed.

Having witnessed as she drew her last breath was so painful. My mom is gone and there is nothing that we can do but to face her death.

Being on this 4 months journey with my mom’s journey was so difficult. It’s a mixture of emotions and even financial struggle.

When she was diagnosed with her condition, I know it was difficult for her and struggled with it.

During those times, there was nothing that I could do but only see how she suffered and how she was in pain.

All I could do was to talk to her, encourage her and make her smile. And most importantly this journey is all about surrendering everything to God.

During this season, there are important lessons I learned in life.

1. Life is too short. Make the most out of it to honor, love and take care our parents no matter how busy we are.

2. God always chooses the best for us. While I want my mom to be alive but it is more painful to see her suffering.

3. Surrender and Being Strong are two big words but we should learn how to fully embrace the real meaning of it.

Thank you, Ma for helping me how to be strong and for teaching the most important lesson. I love you Ma.Just as you said before you die, that I should learn to accept things, be strong and continue to live life the way it is.