Then you can nominate her or him for the fifth BPInoy Awards of the Bank of the Philippine Islands. Any individual or organization can nominate by writing a short article about the nominee, describing:

• how the nominee has contributed to the improvement of the Filipino community abroad
• why the nominee deserves recognition
• what is unique or exceptional about the nominee’s achievements

Nominations must be submitted to bpinoyawards@bpi.com.ph on or before September 15, 2010, addressed to Ms. Athena G. Balleza, Marketing Department, Overseas Customers Segment, Bank of the Philippine Islands.

Last year, the BPInoy awardees were:

• White House executive chef Ms. Cristeta Pasia-Comerford
• Dr. Eli Remalona, chief representative for the Asia and the Pacific of the Bank for International Settlements
• painter Mrs. Anita Magsaysay-Ho

For more info, visit www.bpiexpressonline.com.

The applications I received prompted me to write this post, as I realized that some new freelancers still looking for writing gigs need some guidance. I’m still fairly new in the business — there are a lot more experienced and high-paid Pinoy freelancers out there — but I think I can give some useful tips.

1.  Follow the instructions of the clients on how to apply.

Clients are already testing your ability to write starting with the way you follow their application instructions.

Some clients want you to apply through a specified email; others want you to fill up a form on a certain website. For most Craigslist clients, you apply using the email created by Craigslist for the specific ad.

Some clients want only your letter and your writing samples, so don’t send your long resume. I’m certain they don’t have time to read resumes.  Include your resume only if asked.  There are others who like to see your blog or website.

If they ask you to send one or two writing samples, send one or two, not three or more. Mention also if these samples were already published by other clients, or are still to be published. If the client is asking for more than three samples, especially long articles, do a little sleuthing. Is the client serious, or just collecting samples? I’ve seen one ad on Craigslist in which the job poster was asking for six sample posts for every category, and there were 12 categories!

I’ve also received applications which are links only, and there are no accompanying letters. I clicked the links for curiosity, and they’re on Scribd or other online storage sites. Are these how they’re applying? And do clients like these?

2.  Apply only to the writing job that you know you can do well.

If one job ad says you need to be on the Internet for 8 hours every day for 5 days a week, and you’re looking only for a part-time job, the prudent thing is to ignore this ad. If the ad is looking for someone who knows a lot about  sports or stocks, and you’re not confident about your knowledge of these topics, the better decision is to again ignore this ad and look for another.

You can always research on these topics, but it will take you time. Worse, if you don’t enjoy writing about these topics, it will show in your articles.

3. Weigh the price if it’s worth your effort.

This is always a sensitive topic, as it concerns livelihood. If we advice other freelancers not to accept $1 to $2 jobs, those who are accepting these rates would argue they need the money. If we explain to them they’re pushing down writing rates, they would say give us the higher-paying jobs.

So, I’ll just say, if we can, let’s not accept the $1 and $2 dollar 400-word jobs. I’m sure the clients will increase their rates if there are no writers accepting these rates. They would try writers in other English-speaking countries, but as I’ve observed, most clients prefer Filipino writers.

Read the comments on my other article on freelance writing jobs, and you’ll read how one American writer condemned me for accepting $5 dollar articles. She explained that her freelancing rate has plunged by half because Third World writers are accepting low rates. In one article I wrote for another website, I said that the American clients paying low freelance writing rates are also to be blamed for their exploitation.

4.  Lastly, let’s lift up the image of the Filipino freelance writer.

If we agreed to write 5 articles a day and submit them before 8 pm everyday, then we should submit 5 articles before 8 pm everyday, not just 3 articles, and not after 8 pm. If we no longer like to write for the client, let’s inform formally the client in advance.

Most of the complaints I’ve read about some Pinoy writers point to lack of commitment — that they don’t submit on time.

We can sustain writing for a certain client if we like the price and if we like the topic, so it’s important that before we apply for a writing job and commit to it, we should be satisfied with the price and we be confident we can write about the subject easily.

Related Article:

UPS Uninterruptible Power Supply for Freelance Writers

Freelance Writers — $5 Per 400- to 500-Word Article

List of the 35 Insurance Companies in the Philippines Whose Licenses Were Renewed for the Year 2009 to 2010

1.  AsianLife and General Assurance Corp.
(formerly ATR Professional Life Assurance)
2.  AsianLife Financial Assurance Corp.
(formerly All Asia Life Assurance Corp.)
3.  Ayala Life Assurance Inc.
4. Beneficial Life Insurance
5.  BF Life Insurance Corp.
6.  BancLife Insurance Co.
7.  CAP Life Insurance Corp.
8.  Caritas Life Insurance Corp.
9.  Cooperative Insurance System of the Phil.
10.  Coop Life Insurance and Mutual Benefit Services
11.  Country Bankers Life Insurance Corp.
12.  First Life Financial Co.
(formerly First Guarantee Life Assurance Co.)
13.  Fortune Life Insurance Co.
14.  Generali Pilipinas Life Assurance Co.
15.  Great Pacific Life Assurance Corp.
16.  Great Life Financial Assurance Corp.
(formerly Nippon Life Insurance Co. of the Phil.)
17.  Insular Life Assurance Co.
18.  Manila Bankers Life Insurance Corp.
19.  Manufacturers Life Insurance Co. (Phil)
20.  Manufacturers Life Insurance Co. (Branch)
21.  Manulife Chinabank Life Assurance Corp.
(formerly Pramerica Life Insurance Co.)
22.  National Life Insurance Co. of the Phil.
23.  Paramount Life and General Insurance Corp.
24.  Philam Equitable Life Assurance Co.
25.  Philippine American Life and General Insurance Co.
26.  Philippine AXA Life Insurance Corp.
27.  Philippine Prudential Life Insurance Co.
28.  Philippines International Life Insurance Co.
29.  Pioneer Life Inc.
30.  PNB Life Insurance Inc.
31.  Pru Life Insurance Corp. of UK
32.  Sony Life Insurance (Phils.) Corp.
33.  Sun Life of Canada (Philippines) Inc.
34.  United Life Assurance Corp.
35.  United Coconut Planters Life Assurance Corp.

Based on paid-up capital as of Dec 31, 2009, the top ten firms are:

• Philam Life and Gen
• Sony
• BPI Philam Life (Philam and Ayala Life of BPI)
• United Cocolife
• Sunlife
• Great Life Financial
• Manulife Chinabank
• Manulife Phils
• Beneficial PNB (Beneficial Life and PNB Life Insurance)
• Grepalife Financial

Philippine Prudential Life is ranked 22nd among 35 insurance companies based on paid-up capital.

Based on net worth as of Dec 31, 2009,the top ten firms are:

• Philam Life Gen
• Insular Life
• Sunlife
• United Cocolife
• Manulife (Branch)
• Grepalife Financial
• Manulife (Phils)
• Phil. AXA
• Beneficial PNB
• BPI Philam Life

Philippine Prudential Life is ranked 28th among 35 insurance companies based on net worth.

Based on premium income as of December 31, 2009, the top ten firms are:

• Philam Life and Gen
• Sunlife
• Insular Life
• Phil AXA
• BPI Philam Life
• Pru Life
• Generali Pilipinas
• Manulife (Phils)
• Grepalife Financial
• United Cocolife

Philippine Prudential Life is ranked 17th among 35 insurance companies based on premium income.

I bought this one on the picture from CD-R King, where some of the cheapest electronic supplies are sold,  and it has been helpful.  It gives me up to 15 minutes of time to save my files or send a rush email before the PC finally gives out.

This UPS also has a voltage regulator, so it’s two-in-one. The white power strip beside it is also helpful and saves bits of electricity. PCs still use electricity even if they’re off but unplugged from the electric outlet. With the power strip, you don’t have to unplug anything everytime you stop working on your PC.

Related posts:

Freelance Writers — $5 Per 400- to 500-Word Article

Free HP Printer Scanner Copier with Smart Bro

Philippine Prudential is an insurance company; it is not a pre-need firm.

It is different from pre-need firm Prudential Life Plans Inc. whose license was revoked by the SEC in 2009. These two firms are not affiliated with each other.

Philippine Prudential is one of 35 life insurance firms  whose licenses have been renewed by the Insurance Commission every year for the past years.  Their newest licenses are for the license year 2009 to 2010.

Of the 35 life insurance firms, Philippine Prudential is:

• 17th in ranking based on premium income as of December 31, 2009
  640,144,183  pesos
• 17th in ranking based on first-year premium as of December 31, 2009
  207,613,865
• 22nd in ranking based on paid-up capital as of December 31, 2009
  123,807,730 pesos

As can be seen on both the websites of Philippine Prudential and Danvil Plans and in SM malls, the two firms use the same sales offices in SM Pampanga, SM Fairview, SM North Edsa, SM Megamall and SM Southmall.

If you’re a former OFW who paid membership fees when Philhealth was still called Medicare, most probably your record is no longer with Philhealth.  So when you want to be a member again, you will be applying as a new member.

You will use the new membership form, and you need to bring your birth certificate, your marriage certificate (so you can include your spouse as your dependent), and birth certificates (so your children will be enrolled as your dependents).  Bring original and xerox copies.

If your spouse is a former Philhealth member, he/she can’t be enrolled as your dependent even if he/she has not paid her membership fees for more than 12 months. This was my case. I was rejected as a dependent even if I haven’t paid for more than 12 months.

What I should do, according to Philhealth, is to write a letter informing them I haven’t paid my fees and asking them to allow me to accept me as a dependent.  I hope Philhealth will address this issue in the coming months, so this becomes automatic.

Here are the offices of Philhealth:

Main Office:
Citystate Centre,  709 Shaw Boulevard,
Pasig City
Trunkline:  637-9999
info@philhealth.gov.ph

Las Piñas Service Office

471 Editha Building, Alabang-Zapote Road,

Las Piñas City

Telephones:

5565374
5565687
8015256

Manila Service Office

Marc I Bldg., 1971 Taft Avenue,
Malate, Manila

Administrative – 5216776

Claims – 5232819
Collection – 5233959/5213610
Membership – 5217724/5239842

Caloocan Service Office

Remcor Bldg., Rizal Ave. Extension

between 10th & 11th Ave., Caloocan City

3652012

3652014

Quezon City Service Office

F.R. Estuar Bldg., 880 Quezon Avenue,
Quezon City

Office of the Branch Manager – 3323022
Collection Section – 3323024
Membership Section – 3323132
Rizal Service Office

The Brick Road Sta. Lucia East Grand Mall
Cainta, Rizal

6815111

Makati Service Office

ITC Building, 337 Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue,
Makati City

solp@philhealth.gov.ph

The minimum membership payment is 300 pesos (payment for one quarter, 100 pesos per month).  You can pay for 12 months or more.

For those in the Alabang area, the Philhealth office is near SM Southmall. If you’re coming from Alabang, it’s to your right, after passing Southmall.

Well, there are other choices:

• Nokia 1680C cellphone
• Smart Plug ‘N Talk
• Smart Bro Plug-it
• rebate of 160 a month or nearly 4,000 in savings over the 24-month period

Additionally, after 3 years, one has the option to apply for a plan downgrade to 799, apparently with the same features, so this means more savings.

As expected, I chose the HP printer, scanner and copier, since I’d be getting three gadgets, wow! And it has been working very well since its delivery.

Renew now and get one HP printer, scanner and copier too.

And I got this job through Craigslist just this May.  The only minus-point is that the workload is not that much.

But the good thing is, in this new project I earn in just two to three days what I’ve been earning in 6 days in the project I’ve been doing for the past 18 months.  Also, the new project does not have a lot of specifications and keywords, and it has prospects of increased workload.

Fellow Pinoy freelance writers have been asking others to accept only writing jobs for not less than $5 per article of 500 words, in order to improve Pinoy writing rates in general.  But it has not been easy finding these clients that really send the payments.

A lot of freelance writing jobs on Craigslist are bargain-priced.  Imagine getting paid for one dollar (that’s only 46 pesos!) for a 400-word original, researched article?  And others even require the articles to be ready for spinning or with some other attached tasks!

Lastly, I’m thankful that I found a  client that didn’t scam me.  Recently, a fellow freelance writer wrote a lot of articles for a certain website, which suddenly disappeared, and which didn’t pay him.  He got the client through Craigslist.

By the way, this is part of the screenshot of my advance Paypal payment for the first 15 articles.

Nevertheless, Adamson officials insist the rate of increase was among the lowest compared to increases in other universities and that the new tuition fee levels are among the lowest in Metro Manila.

Indeed, Adamson has among the lowest tuition fees in Metro Manila, one of the factors we considered in choosing the school for my daughter.  It was also very near the house of my sister-in-law.

I would have liked my daughter to continue studying at nearby TUP for economic reasons, but sadly, TUP does not approve course shifting, which my daughter had to do because of health reasons.

The tuition fee for the first semester of  BS in Accounting  (29 units) at Adamson is almost 33,000  pesos.  If paid in cash, the discount is 5 percent.  For installment payments, the initial payment is 5,000 pesos.  The rest — three payments of  9,200 plus — are paid before the prelims, midterm and finals.

Included in this nearly 33,000-peso payment are one set of school uniform and one set of PE uniform.

1.  First, find a copy or form of a Deed of Sale for real estate online.  There are a lot offered for free by certain Pinoy legal websites.  Some are short; the others are longer.  Choose the one which you think contain all the things you think should be included.

2. After copying the Deed of Sale form, change the details to suit your circumstances, such as name and address of seller and name and address of buyer.

Revise in Microsoft Word or Open Office so it would be ready for printing.

3. Remove phrases that make the title transfer process more complex.

In my case, I failed to remove the following phrase,  and I had to meet again with the buyer to sign again:

“as shown by my signatures on one side of every page of this document.”

4. Ask the buyer if he or she is married and if he/she wants the name of his/her
spouse included in the Deed of Sale.  Typically, the phrase “married to” is included in deeds of sale, but some buyers do not want it, just like in my case.

Nagtaka tuloy ako dahil, di ba, may right pa rin ang legal spouse sa property kahit hindi nakasulat sa deed of sale?   Sabi ng buyer, baka raw kasi mag-aaway sila in the future.

5. After printing the Deed of Sale for at least 4 copies, three for the buyer and one for you, have it signed, registered and sealed by a notary public.

If you ask notary public personnel to make the Deed of Sale, they’ll charge 2,000 pesos or more.  Some even base their charge on the sale price for the property (which is legal if the lawyer also handled the sale negotiations ).

But if you have the document ready, you can shop it around by asking immediately Magkano before handing them your document.  You can find someone to notarize it for only 200 to 500 pesos.  Pag pumunta ka sa lugar na tabi-tabi ang mga puesto ng mga notary, mas makamura ka kasi may competition.

6. Lastly, remember that the sale price you’re putting in the Deed of Sale is the basis for the  Capital Gains Tax,  Transfer Tax and  Documentary Tax.  Will post about these taxes soon.