Photo Wanders | Chasing Sunset in San Jose, Tarlac

Sunset at San Jose, Tarlac

“Because the sunset, like survival, exists only on the verge of its own disappearing. To be gorgeous, you must first be seen, but to be seen allows you to be hunted.” ~Ocean Vuong



These photos where also taken during our Monasterio de Tarlac roadtrip last 2015. These were taken, if I'm not mistaken, along Lubigan Road in San Jose, Tarlac. We were passing by a road with empty open field everywhere when I saw the beautiful sunset. It's kinda late so we're literally chasing sunsets here. Shortly after we stopped, a truck came by with men aboard that somehow made me a bit nervous. We're in the middle of nowhere with no houses nor people nearby so I can't help but feel a bit scared. Thankfully, nothing happened and we reached home safe.

If you're going to Monasterio de Tarlac, make time for sunset photography in Lubigan Road, it's really beautiful (not my photos, though :P). It's worth the stop, just be careful and be mindful of the environment around you. If you're alone, be in a hurry if you still wanna stop and take photos; or better yet, don't stop at all. Don't take unnecessary risks. :)


Photo Wanders | Monasterio de Tarlac: Statue of the Risen Christ

Photo Wanders will be a new section of this blog. It will consist of photos I took during my travels that I haven't posted in this blog yet. It may contain a short description of the photo and the place where I took it. I'll try to do this weekly, whenever I don't have a full-blown article to post. I hope you'll still enjoy it.


~ oo00oo ~

The Risen Christ at Monasterio de Tarlac
The Risen Christ at Monasterio de Tarlac
Monasterio de Tarlac, Church of the Risen Christ
The Risen Christ at the Monasterio de Tarlac
tourists admiring the view at Monasterio de Tarlac

These photos were taken during our road trip to Monasterio de Tarlac in San Jose, Tarlac last 2015. I just started my new job then so I wasn't able to create a post about it. Anyways, in the photos is a 30-foot statue of The Risen Christ, the most-photographed part of the Monasterio de Tarlac and the view around the Monastery. Aside from the famed colossal statue, Monasterio de Tarlac houses the Relic of the True Cross, a remnant of the physical cross where Jesus was crucified. Monasterio de Tarlac, located on a hill overlooking Tarlac, surrounded by greens and hills, is a beautiful and peaceful place to be. I hope to be back here again, someday.

What about you dear readers, have you been to Monasterio de Tarlac? Share your thoughts in the comment section below. I'll be waiting... ^_^

Financial Wanders | Easy Investing For As Low 50 Pesos with GCASH Invest

GCASH Invest
from GCASH Invest

My GCASH journey started as a game with office friends last year (2019). Although I'm a GCASH subscriber years ago, I didn't actually use it. Last March 2019, we chanced upon this GCASH promo wherein you just have to send 1 peso to 2 of your GCASH friends and you could win a cash prize (currently on-going Ang Pao promo has 202,000 Php as major prize). Actually, every subscriber who joined this promo is already a winner because GCASH gives you 3 pesos as the minimum prize for every successful Ang Pao transaction. Anyway, my GCASH investment journey started that way. 

Since then, I continued using GCASH and availed most of its services, mostly those that would give me savings and/or investment. One of the services I availed of is the GCASH Invest facility. GCASH Invest is a GCASH feature that allows its subscribers to make an investment with its partner provider for as low as 50 Php. By the way, GCASH and ATRAM (investment product provider) are both authorized/supervised by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas to offer financial investments. In case you're interested to start your investment journey, too, download the GCASH app, available on IOS App and Android Play stores.

In order to avail the GCASH Invest facility, GCASH subscribers MUST BE a fully verified subscriber. In case your account isn't fully verified yet, follow this instruction from GCASH on how to make your account fully verified. Once your account is fully verified, you may now start using GCASH Invest. To start GCASH Invest, look for the Invest Money icon/button on your GCASH app and register.

How to Register to GCASH Invest

1. Click the Invest Money icon/button to register. You will then be prompted to confirm your personal details (extracted from GCASH profile). Confirm and submit your details.

2. After confirming your personal details, you will then be asked to answer a survey/questions regarding your risk profile. This step is a must. Your answers to this questionnaire will determine what type of investor you are - conservative, moderate or aggressive. Conservative investors are those who prioritize security and liquidity of their investments. Conservative types of investment are low risks but poses lower returns. Moderate and aggressive investments poses higher risks (possibility of losing money) but also has the greater chance of earning more from the investments. Currently though, GCASH Invest only offers conservative type of investment which is ATRAM Peso Money Market Fund.

Once done with step 2 above, please wait for the approval of your GCASH Invest registration. You will be notified via SMS and email when registration is approved. Once approved, you may now start funding your GCASH Invest.

How to Fund GCASH Invest

1. Click the 'Invest Money' icon.
2. Click 'View Investment Products' button (currently, it only has one product available which is the ATRAM Peso Money Market Fund).
3. Click 'View Details' of your chosen product.
4. Click 'Subscribe' button.
5. Enter amount (50 Php minimum) to be invested then click 'Next'.
6. You will then be prompted to confirm your agreement on the product's Terms and Conditions. Click the checkbox beside 'I agree' then click 'Confirm'. You will then receive a text message confirming your subscription transaction.

I haven't yet done withdrawal or redemption of my investments but in case you want to redeem or withdraw your money, choose and click 'Redeem' instead of 'Subscribe' and then follow the app instructions. 

As of this date, my GCASH Invest money earning is around 1.4% of my investment, better than bank savings which is usually around 0.25%. Considering that I only made small investments every payday, 1.4% is already a good return for me. ATRAM's rate of return on Peso Money Market Fund is 3.2%, year on year.


~ oo00oo ~

This post was triggered by a gift I received from GCASH last Wednesday. Earlier that day, I got a text message from Entrego (a logistics company) informing me that my package will be delivered that same day. I've never purchased or ordered anything so I'm not expecting any package to be delivered to me. I then called Entrego and inquired them about the text message. The CSR told me I got the correct message and that I do have a package for delivery. I asked who the sender was but the CSR couldn't provide me an answer. I went out that same day and when I got back, the guard handed me the package, no sender information outside. When I opened it, I was surprised it came from GCASH. A simple gift; but it encourages me more to continue saving/investing and work my way towards my dream of financial freedom. Thank you GCASH! 

2020 GCASH Invest gift
2020 GCASH Invest gift,
yes, I'm a certified GCASH investor! :)

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