LRA Focuses on Going Digital

The vulnerability of paper, the security of A2A, and the peace of mind it offers

 

The digital wave has taken over almost every aspect of society, causing a lot of shift in the way we do things. It makes distance a non-issue, simplifies once complicated processes, and enables us to access what we need with a click of a button or a swipe of a finger. The digitalization of government systems in the Philippines is no doubt still a work in progress, but the country has made significant improvements ever since a digital strategy was formally established to help these offices shift to an e-Government-focused system.

 

The vulnerability of paper

 

One of the most pressing concerns about relying on physical papers is the inconvenience they bring to its stakeholders–in this case, the citizens who need them. For example, those who need to authenticate their documents used to deal with long queues and wait for hours just to get the papers they need. Documents that can only be accessed in specified offices also put the individual at an inconvenience because of the time and money that they have to spend traveling to a specific government office branch.

 

These delays in transactions can be painful for individuals who need their official papers for important businesses. Often, people are forced to dedicate a certain amount of time in their schedule just to take care of them, and leave some extra room for all the possibilities of being delayed. An example is when a request for a document gets denied because of insufficient requirements or a mistake in details. Such situations can further stretch the process, causing the person to waste more time in obtaining official papers.

 

Going digital

 

To date, a number of government agencies have made leaps in shifting to digital processes. One remarkable example is the Land Registration Authority’s (LRA) Anywhere-to-Anywhere or A2A Program. Launched in 2012, it allows landowners to apply for the Certified True Copies (CTC) of their properties at any Registry of Deeds near them.

 

The A2A Program is focusing on providing faster and better service in response to the common concern of landowners having to travel to far-flung places where the Registry of Deeds office handling their titles are located. To address the problem, the LRA focused on digitizing the CTCs of land titles and focused on widening their network of offices where people can access them regardless of where their original document is listed.

 

All land titles are managed in a computerized and centralized registry, which enables any Registry of Deeds office to access and create copies of them. Moreover, landowners are also assured that they will not face any delays in retrieving their titles because of the pre-scheduled time set for the pick-up of their papers. It also makes the CTCs less prone to fraudulent activities by minimizing the human element of processing them.

 

The process of application is simple. The property owner simply needs to submit a letter of request or transaction application form and claim their CTC of property title at the nearest LRA Registry of Deeds office. At present, the department has 164 satellite offices, including extension offices across all islands. There are a total of 159 live offices that are ready to accommodate landowners.

 

The A2A Program is just one of the groundbreaking digital moves of the LRA. The department is now set on expanding their reach nationwide to give landowners a smoother experience in processing their documents. Also in the pipeline of their digital plans are projects like the LRA Aksyon Agad Center, Lot Location Service, and Parcel Verification Service. For more information about the A2A program, visit the LRA website by clicking here. You can also access the list of Registry of Deeds offices using this link.

Advertisements

LIST: Vivo’s trailblazing smartphone developments that stunned the tech world

The competition in the mobile industry can be very stiff with new technology coming out one right after the next. But global smartphone brand Vivo has outplayed its competitors with innovations that made a mark in the mobile industry.

1. Over 20-MP front cameras

The world has been obsessed with taking selfies to document one’s everyday life or the most cherished moments. But for years, not all smartphone brands took a special interest in developing their front cameras. Vivo, working hard to understand its patrons, revolutionized the selfie game when it came out with a 20-megapixel dual front camera in V5 Plus. It is the first smartphone brand to do so, and now others are trying hard to catch up.

Taking better selfies and photos has never been easier with Vivo phones.

It was then followed up by the whopping 24-MP front camera in V7, V7+, and the V9, proving that Vivo never stops pushing the limits in perfecting the features that matter most to its patrons. In fact, Vivo V7+ was hailed as the best selfie phone in 2017 by many tech blogs and sites.

2. Bezel-less screens

Aside from its selfie-centric developments, Vivo is also a leader in enhancing every patron’s screen display experience.

Vivo at the Mobile World Congress 2018 in Barcelona, Spain last February revealed a concept phone called the APEX™ FullView™. It features a typical 5.99-inch screen, but its screen-to-body ratio nearly reaches 100%. This proves that Vivo is committed to producing a genuine bezel-less smartphone in the market.

In fact, its newest flagship smartphone, the V9, is getting closer to Vivo’s ultimate goal—it boasts of a 90% screen-to-body ratio with its 6.3-inch FullView™ Display.

3. In-display fingerprint scanner

These innovative developments may be enough for some but Vivo does not want to be the second best. It is also a pioneer in developing ultramodern yet convenient unlocking methods. Vivo has recently revealed that it has advanced the fingerprint scanning method by making the technology available on a screen. It debuted the first ready-to-produce in-display fingerprint scanning solution at the Consumer Electronics Show 2018 in Las Vegas last January.

Vivo is also the first ever smartphone brand that dedicated a Hi-Fi quality audio chip in its models, making it the first brand that gave proper attention to its handsets’ sound quality.

This is quite a lot of achievements for Vivo, especially in an industry that is unforgiving to those slow to innovate. In fact, these developments Vivo introduced have earned the smartphone brand a spot among the trailblazers. And, it seems like the global smartphone company will not slow down on its pursuit of perfection anytime soon.

About Vivo

A global smartphone brand focused on introducing perfect sound quality and ultimate photography with cutting-edge technology, Vivo develops innovative and stylish products for young people. We now have over two hundred million users and are one of the preferred brands of young people around the world. As an Official Sponsor of the FIFA World Cup™, Vivo believes in the importance of encouraging young people to embrace self-expression and an energetic lifestyle. In the Philippines, Vivo is the top 3 smartphone brand in terms of market share with 1.5 million users nationwide.

For inquiries about Vivo, visit the Vivo website at vivoglobal.ph or check out their Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/vivophil), Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/vivo_philippines/), and Twitter (https://twitter.com/vivo_phil) accounts.

 

 

 

LOOK: Vivo V9 stuns in elegant Velvet Red

Calling red as a head-turner is an understatement. No color has the same impact as red. Red represents a myriad of emotions and occasions from both ends of the spectrum. But global smartphone brand Vivo owns the color by highlighting its elegance that transcends trends.

Vivo has released its flagship smartphone, the V9, in Velvet Red.

outfits in green, blue, yellow, orange, and earthy hues. If you are feeling a bit more adventurous, you can wear any color you wish with your Velvet Red in hand.

Vivo Philippines Vice President for Sales Hazel Bascon explained that the Velvet Red represents the youthful vibe of the global smartphone brand.

“Red is for the bold, for the adventurous, for the youthful, for the fashion-forward, for the energetic. Our ardent users are mostly young, hip, and spirited and the Vivo V9 in Velvet Red is a fitting nod to them,” she said.

The Vivo V9 Velvet Red is also retailed at Php17,990 at authorized shops nationwide.

About Vivo

A global smartphone brand focused on introducing perfect sound quality and ultimate photography with cutting-edge technology, Vivo develops innovative and stylish products for young people. We now have over two hundred million users and are one of the preferred brands of young people around the world. As an Official Sponsor of the FIFA World Cup™, Vivo believes in the importance of encouraging young people to embrace self-expression and an energetic lifestyle. In the Philippines, Vivo is the top 3 smartphone brand in terms of market share with 1.5 million users nationwide.

For inquiries about Vivo, visit the Vivo website at vivoglobal.ph or check out their Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/vivophil), Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/vivo_philippines/), and Twitter (https://twitter.com/vivo_phil) accounts.

 

Vivo continues to usher the industry to the future with its forward-looking tech

When young global smartphone brand Vivo entered the mobile industry, the market was dominated by two or three names. But in a matter of years, Vivo changed the game.

Vivo has been determined to break barriers and introduce technology that ushered the industry into the future. After all, it was Vivo that introduced a 20-megapixel dual front camera in V5 Plus and a 24MP front camera in V7, V7+, and V9.

Aside from the selfie camera, Vivo also paid attention to the users’ need for a bigger screen. Earlier this year, Vivo released the ultimate iteration of a concept smartphone, the APEX™ FullView™, which nearly has a 100% screen-to-body display. The V9, Vivo’s newest flagship, is getting closer to goal with its 90% screen-to-body ratio.

Vivo is also the first to introduce the in-display fingerprint scanner that gives users another method to unlock their smartphones.

It is still a wonder what Vivo will do next. For instance, it wowed the tech world with its bezel-less APEX concept smartphone because of its pop-up selfie camera to achieve the 100% screen-to-body ratio.

Helping the brand unlock the next best thing in the mobile industry are 2,200 dedicated research and development personnel in several R&D centers worldwide—in San Diego, United States and in China, specifically in Shenzhen, Dongguan, Nanjing, Hangzhou, and Beijing.

With all its development, it is no doubt that the young smartphone brand is already leading the pack to the future.

About Vivo

A global smartphone brand focused on introducing perfect sound quality and ultimate photography with cutting-edge technology, Vivo develops innovative and stylish products for young people. We now have over two hundred million users and are one of the preferred brands of young people around the world. As an Official Sponsor of the FIFA World Cup™, Vivo believes in the importance of encouraging young people to embrace self-expression and an energetic lifestyle. In the Philippines, Vivo is the top 3 smartphone brand in terms of market share with 1.5 million users nationwide.

For inquiries about Vivo, visit the Vivo website at vivoglobal.ph or check out their Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/vivophil), Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/vivo_philippines/), and Twitter (https://twitter.com/vivo_phil) accounts.

 

 

 

Rice the Right Way

Rice trivia, cooking methods, and other things every rice lover should know

Rice is an everyday part of our lives as Filipinos. We love it so much that even after rice consumption decreased in the Asian region, our per capita consumption of it grew.

The crop has a very long and rich background, so naturally it has become a big part of Asian culture. Did you know that rice has been feeding mankind for the past 5,000 years? The first known account of using rice was traced back to China in 2,800 BC, making it the oldest known food still being consumed today. Rice ranks second to corn as the most highly produced crop in the word for human consumption.

In the Philippines, our love for the crop transcends necessity. A number of our festivals are dedicated to it such as the Panagyaman Festival celebrating a good harvest and the Ani Festival in Ilocos Norte. We even have a National Rice Awareness Month celebrated every November.

In the culinary side of things, the Filipinos’ creativity and love for food have found a variety of uses for rice. We turn it into a snack like our favorite steaming bowl of champorado or even as a dessert like sapin-sapin. But did you also know that there are different ways to cook rice depending on their variety?

Using the stove top is how many of us cook rice.  Rinse the rice till water runs clear and put it into the pot. Pour water on top of it. When it comes to measuring water, one very common technique to do is the “finger method” where the water can be measured one finger tip above the rice level. If you want to be specific with proportions, however, you can also follow the 1 cup rice: 1 1/4 cup water proportion, or simply adjust the amount of water to your liking. Once water is added, cover the pot, bring it to a boil, reduce heat, and cook till done.  This method is preferred for white and other long grain rice. Rice of the aromatic varieties also work well with this method of cooking because it better seals in the aroma.

Healthy, unpolished rice such as Black rice, for example, can be cooked using the stove top method. To prepare it, rinse and then soak in water (1 cup rice: 2 ½ cups water as guide) for 30 minutes. Turn on stove to bring to a boil and reduce heat and cook till done allowing cooked rice to absorb all the steam in the pot.  Fluff and serve.

A rice cooker/steamer makes cooking rice a bit simpler because after putting in the rinsed rice and right amount of water, you flip it on and it shuts down and keeps on “warm” automatically.

Not known to many is cooking rice using a microwave. Yes, you can use your microwave to cook rice. This is most ideal for those who want their meal fast and in smaller quantities. Combine a cup of rice with 2 ½ cups of water in a microwave-safe bowl, cover it with a glass lid, and cook in high power for five minutes. Keep the bowl covered for three to four minutes before finally serving. Long grain and medium grain white rice can be cooked using a microwave.

Burnt rice a problem?  It may be caused by the pot.  Go for a heavy-based pot to keep the bottom of your rice from scorching and use a tight-fitting lid to keep the steam in. You can also place a clean kitchen cloth between the pot and the lid to better seal it.

We often overlook the proper storage of rice.  Uncooked rice should be stored in a clean container with a tight lid and placed in a cool and dry place. For unpolished rice, Sunnywood Superfoods Corp., the distributor of Jordan Farms Black, Red and Brown Rice, strongly advices that this type of rice be refrigerated to keep the rice fresh and free from rice weevils.

Leftover cooked rice, on the other hand, should be refrigerated to avoid spoilage. When it’s time to reheat, simply add a bit of water to it before popping it into the microwave.

To get the most out of your meals, choose rice varieties that are packed with flavor, nutrients, and are easy to cook. Harvester’s and Jordan Farms offer a wide variety of rice, from your favorite Dinorado to a wide variety of special rice such as short grain Japanese rice, Thai Jasmine and Basmati. Being healthy a priority for you?  Then go for organically grown unpolished Black, Red and Brown.  These have more antioxidants, fiber and multivitamins to help build a strong immune system for the body.

There is no doubt about rice being serious business for us Filipinos. Level-up your love for it by trying the above cooking methods as well as new varieties to add to your shopping list.

For more information about Harvester’s and Jordan Farms rice, head to their website.

 

How Busy, Hardworking Moms Create #PocketFullofFun Moments with their Kids

For these superwomen, finding the best sidekick is key.

Moms nowadays are such multifaceted individuals. On top of managing housework, their careers, and their kids, they also have to make sure that their parenting styles are not overshadowed by their hectic schedules.

These superwomen may be masters at multitasking, but sometimes, they do reach their limits. That’s why they need extra help when it comes to making sure that they take care for their little ones well.

Take for example Pearl Paguio, a mother of three kids who also works as a freelance writer. As a woman who also has to balance her career with her other responsibilities, it is the little parenting details that she has to worry about sometimes. “One of my constant concerns is what to give them for baon or snack time,” she shared on one blog entry.

Stay-at-home Serene Shikukeza behind the blog “The Super Momma” has the same concerns. The mother of three shared, “Being a mom to three children with no help is really a challenge for me. Every day I have to think of ways on how to manage time in between household chores and feeding them properly, [as well as] giving them the best and healthy food there is.”

However, she started feeling more of the pressures of motherhood when her eldest started going to school. “It was a big challenge for all of us. I had to adjust everything since we were just laid-back and not having to worry [about what] we do here at home before. Things suddenly changed when I had to wake up early every day to prepare him to school. Time is fast-paced.”

For these moms, time constraint is the primary problem. Combine it with the pickiness of children when it comes to their ‘meriendas’ and it is not surprising for these superwomen to feel challenged sometimes.

These challenges are exactly what Gardenia’s Pocket Sandwiches cater to. The new pocket snack from the household bread brand is a handy, nutritious sandwich perfect for kids’ snacks every day!

“The most challenging part…of being a mom of a school-aged kid is to prepare him healthy food [for] school. My son, who became a picky eater has limited food choices. Good thing he likes bread so much,” explains Mommy Serene.

Mommy Pearl and Mommy Serene were both delighted by the pocket sandwiches not only because of its kid-friendly and all-time favourite flavours —  they come in peanut butter, chocolate, cheese and strawberry pastillas — but because of the time they save from having to prepare their little ones’ meriendas.

The cheese and strawberry pastillas flavours are actually new! Like the peanut butter and chocolate variants, these additional variants are made with soft and creamy fresh-baked white bread sealed with rich, luscious fillings.

Pocket Sandwich Cheese and Strawberry Pastillas are both high in Vitamin B1 and contain Vitamin B3 which may help release energy from proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. They also have Vitamin A which is essential for the functioning of eyes, Calcium that is needed in maintenance of normal teeth and bones, and Iron which contributes to the normal formation of red blood cells and hemoglobin.

On the other hand, the Peanut Butter and Chocolate variants are high in Iron and have vitamins A, B1, and B2.

Mommy Serene shares, “I am up for anything that will make life easier, especially [one] that is a healthy choice for my my children. [The Pocket Sandwich] saves me a lot of time when preparing sandwiches because I just have to stuff it inside his bag.”

Moreover, saving time opens a whole new world of bonding opportunities for these mommies. “With the new Gardenia Pocket Sandwich, I spend less time preparing their snack and spend more fun times with my kids. It… allows us to enjoy our favorite sandwich anytime and anywhere!” said Mommy Pearl.

She specifically shared how it saved her from thinking of snacks to give her children in between playtime and school break. She even shared how she sometimes enjoys a pack herself whenever she goes around doing her own activities.

Mommy Serene agrees. For her, it is the perfect snack for families like them who are always on-the-go. “We will just open a pack and enjoy our activities together with it. We don’t have to worry where to stop next just in case we get hungry along the road. That means more time for stories and bonding with the kids without all of us getting hungry.”

There is no doubt that mothers can be superwomen. But as Mommy Serene puts it, “No matter how I try to be on top of everything, I always fail at some point.” Failure in one thing, however, does not necessarily mean failure as a parent.

After all, just like the superheroes we love, they also need efficient partners. And this time, it can very well be found in a pocket of Gardenia sandwich.

 

Cool Kidz On the University Block: Keep Your Calm at the End of the Academic Season with Fisherman’s Friend

Ah, university life. It’s that stage where you are old enough to make big decisions—like deciding on your course that will kick off your future career—yet young still to be free from life’s biggest responsibilities. Still, one should never underestimate the pressures that college brings. Think: juggling tests with org activities PLUS trying to keep an active social life is no easy thing.

If you were to be asked about the meaning of what a cool student is, how would you describe it?  Would you define it by the many impromptu hangout sessions with your blockmates? Or perhaps you feel more fulfilled by making sure you stay in the honors list and executing meaningful programs with your student organization?

The thing is, any student’s success (and enjoyment) is all about balance. College is meant to teach you something knowledge- and experience-wise, after all.  So how do you do this? Simple: by approaching the most stressful parts of college as cool as you can be, so you can enjoy the rest of your experiences.

But how do you do this during an especially hectic time like the tail end of the academic season? Below are a few tips to keep cool despite the overwhelming requirements:

Give yourself a break.

Studying hard is a must-do, but remember to give yourself break times, no matter how quick they are. This is to make sure that you can refresh your mind and keep yourself from suffering from information overload. Even resting your eyes for fifteen minutes for every hour of studying can help.

Moreover, giving yourself a break and taking extra care of yourself can actually prepare you more for your other requirements. Got a thesis defense or other big presentation coming up? Even something as simple as taking lozenges, which can help give you comfort during the strenuous parts of your preparation, can do you some good. An extra perk: having a modulated voice during your presentation will earn you extra brownie points from your professor for being confident and well-prepared.

Involve your friends.

Sure, your weekly hangout should be on the down low during this season, but you don’t need to always go out to enjoy with your friends! Involve them in a study session instead. It might be easier for you to remember and understand things if you have other people you can banter with about a subject.

Treat yourself.

Just because it’s hell week, it doesn’t mean you should torture yourself. Giving yourself a treat, even with the smallest things, like eating out or popping a soothing mint candy like Fisherman’s Friend lozenges after long hours of rehearsing your presentation can help a lot. These lozenges, which come in a variety of flavors like Original, Strong Mint, Sugar Free Lemon, Sugar Free Mint, Sugar Free Mandarin, Sugar Free Cherry and Sugar Free Spearmint, can help calm your throat and also give you something to thoughtfully nibble on, in case you are the type of student who prefers eating something while studying.

Grab a pack of Fisherman’s Friend from leading drugstores, convenience stores, and supermarkets nationwide for as low as Php44.75. You can also check their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/FishermansFriendPH.