Top 5 Tips to Make Your Smartphone Last Longer

When it comes to the latest smart phone, The Philippines’s consumer base certainly won’t be left behind. Practically everyone keeps up with the latest tech news, with retailers and telecommunications companies alike offering great deals as soon as the latest models arrive.

Of course, this doesn’t take away the fact that most smartphones cost thousands of pesos. Indeed, they can be considerable investments; some smartphone models cost as much or even more than a laptop for sale online! As such, practical-minded Filipinos prefer to keep their smartphones in tip-top shape for as long as possible.

Fortunately, keeping your smartphone in good shape is pretty straightforward. Here are some tips:

Download OS and App Updates ASAP

Both smartphone manufacturers and app developers release periodic updates. Make sure you download these as soon as you can to keep your smartphone running as smoothly as possible. That’s because these updates are designed for performance optimization. They fix bugs, bring new features, and improve security, among many other functions.

Fortunately, you can set your phone to download automatic updates of the operating system (OS), as well as all the apps you currently have installed. Just activate this setting and you’ll be all set. To save on data, select the option to download the updates only when connected to WiFi. Remember as well that some major OS updates may not be automatically installed unless your device is plugged in and charging.

Get a Protective Case

No matter how careful you are, you’ll probably accidentally drop your phone once or twice. To keep it safe and free from dents and cracks, it’s best to get a protective case for it. Some styles may admittedly be bulky, but they can also offer the most protection. There are also plenty of cases that have a slim design; while they may not be as sturdy, they nevertheless prevent your phone from getting damaged at the slightest fall.

What’s great about using a case for your phone is that if you ever decide to sell it in the future, you can get a higher price for it!

Keep It Clean

Whenever you hold your phone, you inadvertently transfer some natural body oils onto it. After a while, these oils will accumulate, attract dust, and result in a buildup of dirt and greasy smudges. Yuck!

To keep your smartphone in good shape, you need to keep it clean. Make it a habit to wipe the screen and back panel every so often. Use a soft cloth, like the ones you use for cleaning eyeglasses or microfiber. If there’s a bit of stubborn grime, dampen the cloth with a bit of water before wiping. There are also plenty of disinfecting wipes you can use; just make sure to get the moisture away from the ports.

Speaking of ports, you should also give the charging port, headphone jack, speaker grilles, and mic clean. You can use a soft brush to get rid of dust before they accumulate on the ports. There are some rubber plugs or covers you can buy, but they can be difficult to put on and replace if you’re using a cover.

Keep It Cool and Dry

Aside from keeping your phone clean, you should also keep it cool and dry. Keep it at room temperature or lower, since extreme heat can affect the battery and fry the circuits. When charging your smartphone, try to keep it away from other gadgets such as your laptop. All kinds of electronics emit heat when they’re running; when you keep them close together, the heat and ambient temperature can accumulate and rise.

At the same time, you should also keep your phone dry. Avoid bringing it with you to the bathroom—you don’t want your phone to accidentally fall into the toilet bowl, do you?—as well as near deep water. There are waterproof smartphones, of course, but it’s better not to risk it dropping into the sea or swimming pool for a selfie.

If you absolutely must bring your phone near the water, for whatever reason, get a waterproof case or bag to put your phone in.

Maintain the Battery

Last but certainly not least, to keep your phone in good shape, you need to take care of its battery. After all, if your smartphone doesn’t have a healthy battery, it can’t run properly or at all.

The number one thing you should do is keep its charge cycles low. You can do this by not fully charging up your phone every time, and not letting it get drained fully as well. Ideally, you should keep your phone charged between 40% and 80%. You should also avoid using your phone while it’s charging. This can generate extra heat and put additional strain on the battery.

If your phone is still working well and the only problem is the battery life, consider getting a genuine replacement battery. In most cases, this is more affordable than getting a brand new phone.

When you keep your smartphone in good shape, you’ll be able to make the most of its capabilities. More importantly, you can save a lot of money! Keep these tips in mind to maximize your smartphone and maintain its good quality for years.

 PAWS LAUNCHES “KAPON FOR ALL PETS” TO SOLVE STRAY PROBLEM

THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM: NOT SPAYING YOUR PETS

Many communities all over the country have long dealt with the issue of stray dogs and cats. For many years, the only programs that the local government units (LGUs) have in place are impounding activities and vaccination drives. Unfortunately, these measures only scratch the surface of the issue and do not preventively address the problem of homeless animals at its root.

Strays come from owned pets. Pets get pregnant or get other pets pregnant and once they give birth, people give the puppies and kittens away. There are always takers for the puppies but when they are all grown up, sometimes they end up on the streets. Spay-Neuter (SN) programs for stray dogs also do not address the problem of stray dogs who end up sick, with a contagious skin problem, or with transmissible venereal tumor since no one really brings them to the vet. The SN groups for stray dogs quickly realize that they are to run as "mini-shelters" themselves, and so they end up bringing the sick dogs to the vet. The SN groups for stray dogs will eventually run out of steam, enthusiasm, manpower, and funding, especially as long as owned pets keep reproducing. Owned pets, therefore, must be spayed or neutered to solve the problem of pet homelessness for the long term. 

As part of its mission to prevent cruelty to animals and to offer sustainable solutions to the issue of stray dogs and cats in communities, the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) has long promoted Spay-Neuter (Kapon) programs for companion animals. Since 2009, PAWS operates a low-cost spay-neuter clinic in Quezon City and gives free spay-neuter to indigent pet owners. In addition, its “KabaliCAT” project implements Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-and-Release (TNR) activities for managing stray cats in neighborhoods. Also, all dogs and cats that are available for adoption from PAWS’ animal shelter are spayed/neutered.

photo from Wikimedia

PAWS’ NEWEST INITIATIVE: “KAPON FOR ALL PETS”

PAWS’ newest campaign is its “Kapon for All Pets” program which proposes incentives to be offered by local government units to veterinary clinics operating within their cities and municipalities. A three-way partnership between PAWS and participating LGUs, the program seeks to provide free or affordable kapon procedures for pets owned by the LGUs’ constituents. 

Participating veterinary clinics within the city or municipality will be working alongside the local government to implement the program. The LGUs that will take part in the program will be included on PAWS’ List of Progressive Kapon-friendly Cities and Municipalities, a list that the organization will be putting out on all of their social media channels in celebration of World Spay Day on February 22, 2022.  The first ten (10) LGUs to implement the Kapon for All Pets fiscal and non-fiscal incentives will receive P50,000 worth of surgery materials from PAWS and a plaque of recognition as a “Pioneer KAPON FOR ALL PETS LGU Partner”.

PAWS believes that providing free or affordable kapon for pets is the long-term and sustainable solution to pet homelessness. It is not having bigger pounds, turning pounds into shelters, or putting up new signages proclaiming that a building is now an ‘animal rehabilitation center’. “Kapon for All Pets” is proof that private-public partnerships can promote animal welfare, which is directly connected to public health issues and the eradication of rabies. LGUs that are interested to work with PAWS to implement the “Kapon for All Pets” campaign within their jurisdiction may email PAWS’ Executive Director, Anna Cabrera at kapon@paws.org.ph. 

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The Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) is a non-profit, non-government, volunteer-based organization dedicated to the promotion of kind treatment to animals and the prevention of animal cruelty through humane education. PAWS is the organization that lobbied for the country’s first Animal Welfare Act (RA 8485) and its amendment in 2013 to RA 10631. PAWS is an institutional member of the Department of Agriculture - Committee on Animal Welfare, which draws up rules and regulations on the proper treatment of animals.

Weddings are oftentimes a big occasion, with hundreds of guests and a lot of relatives in attendance. The bride is always the center of attention for the guests at any wedding ceremony. Every single guest is hoping to get a glimpse of the bride. This is why it is even more important for brides to look absolutely lovely on their big day. There are numerous considerations that would-be brides must make to maintain the best appearance on their big day. Choosing the best bridal makeup artist is usually the first step.

Hiring a bridal makeup artist during the wedding season can be a difficult task. Many reputable and skilled artists are booked two to three months ahead. This means that you have to act fast when it comes to selecting the finest bridal makeup artist. It is also important that you do not make a mistake while you are searching for one. To walk through this stage successfully, you may need a guide.

Fortunately, this article will discuss tips to help you choose the best bridal makeup and hair packages to help you look beautiful on your big day. Please continue reading as we explain more.

Features of the Best Bridal Makeup and Hair Packages

The following are some attributes to look out for:

All-in-one Solution 

When discussing bridal makeup packages, various services such as manicure, pedicure, hair straightening, and others should be included. With this, you wouldn't need to worry about working with different service providers on your big day. A good step would be to work with a company that provides a wide range of makeup and hair services.

Experience

In other situations, it is fine to try out an inexperienced makeup artist. However, when it comes to your wedding, you must select someone with a lot of experience. Even when working and performing under duress, experienced hair stylists and artists have the ability to deliver. Experience helps them to know which actions can make things go wrong, making them remain vigilant.

On the other hand, if you want to handle your makeup and you need a step-by-step guide, you can check here: https://www.wikihow.com/Apply-Makeup-for-Beginners

Offers you a Free Trial

The best hairstylists and makeup artists will gladly offer you at least one free trial. This free trial allows you to visit their salon once you have agreed to work with them on your big day. The trial should be at least four weeks before the wedding.

Proper Care

Wedding rites can take several hours to complete in some parts of the world. It might be difficult for a woman to maintain her makeup look and hairstyle for a long time. A makeup of poor quality has a negative impact on the skin but you wouldn’t get this with a good service taking care of your skin and hair on your wedding day. You can also watch this video to get more insights on suitable bridal makeup and hairstyles. 

How to Find the Best Bridal Makeup and Hair Service

The following are some tips to guide you: 

Use Referrals

You can ask close relatives and friends who have had celebrations recently to recommend a good beauty service. You will be provided with some names that you can easily choose the best from. One rule of thumb when using referrals is to conduct personal research. This way, you will be able to confirm some of the claims made by these people. 

Check Online

There are a variety of beauty services that have websites where prospective clients can reach them. You can visit their websites to see the services they render. With this, you can decide whether or not they can meet your needs. While you are checking out their website, ensure to read comments and reviews from old clients. If they do not have positive reviews about their services, move on to the next option.

Another important thing to know is that reviews can be manipulated by website owners to paint a picture of their services. Keep an eye out for reviews that seem too good to be true. You can also read articles explaining how to identify fake reviews for assistance.

Conclusion

Looking good on your wedding day isn’t up for debate. From your hair down to your skin, you need to get your looks right. We recommend that you reach out to a good beauty service to get the best bridal makeup package that will make you look beautiful on your big day.  

Ever since I was young, whenever they asked me what my dreams were, one of the things that I always tell them is to be able to have a very nice house for my family. It was not easy to achieve this since we are not really wealthy but we are trying our best to have a property that we can call our own and that we will be proud to live in. 

We already started our way to reach this dream as we mortgaged a house under my name and slowly but surely, we are making renovations and upgrades to make it a beautiful home. I'm very happy that I am able to provide more than what I can before as I began to work abroad and while me and my sister were browsing as to what great ideas we can incorporate to our house, we stumbled upon making eco-friendly upgrades.

Just to share to you what it means to upgrade your home to be eco-friendly, it means that you make your household emit less carbon footprint (amount of carbon dioxide/other carbon compounds emitted due to consumption of fossil fuels such as coal and petroleum), have an adequate lighting/ventilation and consume less energy and water. In short, it means that your home should care for the environment. To be able to do this, you will need a lot of money at first, but in the long run, you will be saving money and saving the earth, too. 

I've come across a site that contains real estate for sale in Whistler and they have amazing homes that I had the chance to be made as inspirations as to how I would upgrade my own home to be eco-friendly. 

The first upgrade that we are planning to do is to convert to smart technology. From lighting, to ventilation, to appliances, we intend to purchase what we can afford one step at a time. For example, there are smart motion light sensors that automatically turns off the lighting when no one is in the room and adjusts the brightness depending on the natural lighting present. Another one is the smart thermostat that would regulate your home's heating, ventilation and air conditioning. Smart appliances also contribute to lesser energy consumption.

photo grabbed from Walmart

photo grabbed from Service Champions

photo grabbed from American Trust Escrow

photo grabbed from Quora

Pantene pumps up the Salontastic experience for Malag-KATEs this holiday season

The holidays are officially here! It's that time of the year again where reunions are held as festive traditions are celebrated with your loved ones. Aside from it being a season of love, joy, and peace, it's also the time for positive change. What better way to celebrate and welcome the positive holiday mood than when you look your Salontastic best and without a hint of being a malag-KATE with oily, sticky, greasy, and frizzy hair?

Your Salontastic Journey starts with Pantene

Stay Salontastic throughout your holiday celebrations with the new Pantene 3 Minute Conditioners that now also come in 480ml pump bottles! You can now experience consistent smoothness that's inspired by salon treatments in each pump, and after every use with the Pantene 3 Minute Miracle Conditioners.

Leave frizzy, stubborn, and brittle hair behind with the Pantene 3 Minute Miracle Keratin Silky Smooth Conditioner that helps repair 3 months' worth of damage done to the hair, in just 3 minutes. Every pump and wash can transform your locks from dry and damaged to visibly healthy, shiny, and strong strands with an ultra-rich moisture to achieve that Keratin-smooth hair you've been dreaming of.

You've stayed strong this year, so your hair deserves a boost of strength too from the Pantene 3 Minute Miracle Biotin Strength Conditioner. This conditioner gives lasting strength that reduces hair fall due to breakage by penetrating deeper within, from root to tip to nourish and strengthen hair.

This year may have been tough, but you've pushed through. Just like how you deal with challenges, it's never too late to rise above from being a malag-KATE and look forward to a Salontastic holiday! Look your very best with salon-like treated hair in each celebration to come when you use Pantene.

Make Salontastic a part of your 2022 hair goals by treating yourself with a salon-at-home experience! Shop the new Pantene 3 Minute Miracle Conditioners in 480ml pump bottles now through Lazada or Shopee.

What to Expect From a Reputable Large Format UV Printing Service

What makes a successful work output? Newer technology and greater work input are essential elements that can bring about this success. One aspect in a business that newer technology can greatly help is the printing of materials. A state-of-the-art large format UV printer is a technology that can improve this aspect, making business work easier and better.

This large-format UV printer is one that allows you to digitally print by using UV light to dry and cure adhesive coatings and ink immediately it touches any material you choose. This printer allows you to print out 3D objects or 2D images on any material like paper, PVC board, leather, fabrics, and wood. With this industrial equipment, you can increase your business’ output.

Due to its high luxury cost, you might prefer to rent this printer or hire a printing service that uses the equipment rather than buy it. If you choose to do so, you must make sure that you choose the right firm for the service. You need to take your time and select the best large format UV printing service in your business location. This will give you access to the printer at an affordable price.

Before you make this decision, however, you need to know the reasons why UV printing is the best for you. You also need to know the factors to keep in mind when choosing a UV printing service.

Benefits of a Large Format UV Printing

Here are some benefits of these printing:

You Can Print on Any Material

One of the foremost benefits of this is that it allows you to print on any non-porous material. Whether it is glass, metal, or PVC, you can use any of these objects. Its ribbon allows the materials to fit into it and then it uses UV light to dry and cure the ink on the objects.

It is Environmental Friendly

Ultraviolet printing is very environmentally friendly. Unlike other methods, there are no solvents involved when using UV rays. This will help your company reduce industrial emissions as there is no toner dust or ink exposed into the air every day.

It is Faster than the Traditional Type

For the conventional method, you will have to wait for the paper to leave the ribbon and the ink to dry. But this is not the case when using UV light. You would not have to wait for the toner or ink to dry, the ultraviolet light dries up the ink by using a process called photo-mechanical. This takes place within seconds. If you would like to know what photo-mechanical is, read this article.

It is Cost-Effective

Another benefit of this is its cost-efficiency. Although the price of the printer is expensive, it will save you a lot of money in the long run. This industrial equipment dries ink on objects faster than any other equipment that serves the same purpose.

Also, you will save on aqueous coatings which you must always have to buy for the conventional printers. This equipment doesn’t need a toner or aqueous coatings.

It Gives a Vibrant Finish

When you use this machine to duplicate objects, you will get a photorealistic finish. The ultraviolet rays allow the ink to photocopy or scan words or drawings onto a material surface. So whether you are printing a business card or logo sticker, the resulting finish will please your customers.

Factors to Keep in Mind When Choosing a Large Format Printing Service

The following are some of the important factors to have in mind to make an informed choice:

Quality

If you want to receive quality printings, you need to be sure that the innovation solution firm you choose is known for top quality services. This firm must know how important a well-working UV printer is to your business growth and success. It must also know your company’s line of business so that it can tailor its services to meet your needs.

The reputation and experience of this service firm can greatly affect how it treats clients. Whether you decide to rent the equipment or employ the services of a printing company, you must make sure to choose a firm that has a good reputation among its competitors.

Large Inventory

You will surely want a service that will quickly attend to your needs. If the firm has a large inventory, it will have enough manpower that will offer top quality services to you. If it doesn’t, your work might be neglected and this will affect your business success.

Experience and Knowledge

A good printing firm must ensure that it knows how to maintain and take care of its printer so that it keeps functioning properly. It must have a team of experienced professionals that understand this equipment and how it works. For reasons why experience and knowledge are necessary to business, check here:https://www.quora.com/What-is-important-in-business-knowledge-or-experience

Price

You must also keep the price in mind when choosing this service. You want a firm that is affordable yet offers quality services. So take your time and compare the prices of printing services in your area. Keep in mind their reputation and experience when doing this comparison.

Conclusion

This industrial equipment makes your printing work better. Although it is expensive, it is still highly cost-effective. If you decide to rent or hire a service that uses UV printing, make sure to keep the above-mentioned factors in mind and make the right choice.

It's been a while since I made a blog, and of course, it will be another cafe review here in Najran KSA because I just love eating and trying out different places wherever I may be. Although there are just a few food spots here as of the moment, I am very happy that Najran is one of the fastest-growing cities in the kingdom with a lot of establishments opening every now and then. So if you are here, you might want to read on as I share our gastronomic experience at True Cafe.

Just a month ago, me and my friend decided to try a cafe I've been passing by for a few times but never tried before since it was a bit far from my home. True Cafe is along King Abdullah Road just beside Donut Land. It is very plain outside but once we entered, the cafe had a very beautiful ambiance or maybe because they designed it for their National Day last September. But nevertheless, I loved how it looked inside.

Once you go to the second floor, you will find an alfresco dining area. Actually, I learned about this cafe from a colleague and I wanted to try this place to experience this setup. To be under the night sky, with good music and great food with the company of good friends, just like in the Philippines. 

There are only a few places here in Najran where you can hang out freely like this, because it is still a bit conservative in this part of the Kingdom. Usually, ladies occupy rooms in the family area with closed doors but here in True Cafe, only a small partition is used to separate you from other guests. But take note that only men with family members are allowed to come in this area.

When it comes to food, they serve the usual choices that you can find in any other cafes here in Najran. They have appetizers such as fries, chicken fingers and dynamite shrimps and they also offer salads, sandwiches, pastas, pastries and desserts. For drinks, you can choose from hot and cold coffees, tea, soft drinks, juices and milkshakes. When it comes to pricing, it is on the average side and the servings are quite generous. 

Quesadilla - 22sar

Pasta Alfredo - 25sar

I love pasta so and I always order this in every restaurant I try. Their pasta was very creamy and tasty. Although there was nothing special about it. One serving is good for two people.

True Crepe (Nutella + Kinder) - 26sar

Favorite part of any meal, dessert. Nothing will ever go wrong with a combination of nutella and kinder on my crepe. Love this pair. Serving size: 2 pax. Or if you are a sweet tooth like me, I can finish this all by myself. Haha

Strawberry Milkshake - 16sar

There was a hint of sourness, but all in all I liked my strawberry milkshake. But my problem with drinks here in Najran are always very small and the price, if compared to the Philippines, is already for a big sized drink. 

Spanish Latte with Saffron - 17sar

This is what I usually order, Spanish Latte, my favorite ever since I tried it for the first time last year. But this time, my friend is the one who ordered this drink. I haven't tried Spanish Latte with Saffron before but according to my friend, it was a great coffee, not too sweet and not too bitter. I will definitely try this next time.