Winter Time

Red orange leaves of the trees
Blown by the wind, now scattered on the ground
Beautiful scenery of snow covered mountain
Seen only on winter time.
Softly falling raindrops
Even when the sun is peeking over the mountain
I dreams of these
Every winter time comes

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Merry Christmas everyone
May you and your family have a blessed Christmas season
and a prosperous New Year ahaed

Expiring EON UnionBank VISA Card

It’s been about 3 years since I started using EON card for my online accounts and transactions. The expiry date on the card is set this month, December 2008. So as not to have any problems with my transactions, I requested that the card be replaced in time for the renewal. This is what I thought it is supposed to be. Once the EON card expiry date is reached, the EON card will be eventually replaced free of charge.

Unfortunately, I was advised that the I need to pay a replacement fee of P150.00 in addition to the annual/renewal fee of P350.00. I was told that the EON Card is given free of charge when a new account is opened. In my confused mind, what is the difference between a new account wherein a payment of P350.00 is paid and that of requesting a replacement for the expiring ecard when it is about to renew but needs additional payment?

According to the information desk, the date embossed in the ecard is just a protocol. The date is set in anticipation that after 2 to 3 years, the card will be unusable due to wear and tear. So? If the card is unusable and has reached its expiry date, isn’t it supposed to be replaced free of charge?

Again, their answer is no. The bank is charging an additional fee aside from the annual fee because, according to them, the EON account is a zero-maintaining balance. So? Isn’t this the reason why an annual fee of P350.00 is being charge?

Here’s another thing. I was told I can still use the ecard even it is past the expiry date as long as it is still usable. It was even compared to a medicine or food that even if it is past the expiration date, it doesn’t mean it can not be used anymore. Is this supposed to be the advice given to a client? If I am to pay using my expired EON card, and you are the recipient, would you accept the payment?

I also discovered another thing. EON account can not be closed so easily over the counter unless you are again willing to pay. For ordinary savings accounts, the depositor will just go to the bank, withdraw all the money and inform the bank that the account will be closed. For EON account, in order to zero balance your account, you need to pay the over the counter withdrawal fee of P100.00.

To avoid the payment of withdrawal fee, the cashier advised that instead of withdrawing, I would rather deposit an amount just enough for the whole amount to be withdrawn at an ATM machine. When the account does not have any balance, the bank can not charge the annual fee and will eventually close the account.

Every peso counts especially with our current economic situation. If you really need to save, here are some tips to save on your EON fees.

1. If the expiry date is met, instead of replacing your ecard, apply for a new account. You will be filling-up application forms and submit requirements again but it will save you P150.00.
2. If you need to zero balance your account, do not withdraw over the counter. Transfer the remaining balance to someone’s else account, use it for purchasing goods online or deposit just enough amount for ATM withdrawal. This will save you P100.00
3. Since most of us uses EON for Paypal, it will help you also save on Paypal fees if you withdraw Paypal in bulk. This will save you on Paypal fees.

Misa de Gallo Brings Back Memories

December 16 marks the traditional Christmas dawn mass more popularly known as misa de gallo. And as the bells ring to wake up everyone, memories of the high school days just came flooding back as always. Those were the times I had so much fun and very much devoted to attend with friends. It’s a sentimental feeling to reminisce practicing the songs with the choir, waking up early so as not to be late and end of standing, then write reflection notes. Back then, all of these seemed to be some chores.

Talking about friends, some never fail to remember whatever day it was. Just today, I received this beautiful Christmas greeting and it warms the heart.

Last year’s Christmas Eve had been wonderful. It’s the first time since after I got married that the whole family spent the Christmas Eve at my mother’s house. My brothers’ and sister’s family were there too. But there was a mix of sadness since my mother-in-law passed away few days after Christmas making me wish we spent the Christmas Eve the way we used to.

Christmas and New Year’s Eve this year will be surely be different from the previous years since it’s my first time to be on duty. Maybe, we can still enjoy watching the fireworks being on a higher ground. For sure, some food will be there to accompany us.

Health Risks for Japan Workers

When summer was about to end, I decided to do something that might lend me a job in Japan. Unfortunately, it did not end well because my string is too short for the year-long training.  When I visited Japan, what I noticed was that they do really have a fast-pace way of life. They walk fast, they act fast, they follow the schedule and others including foreigners are expected to do the same or they will be left behind. Among our group, our Japanese coordinator who was more than 50 years old walked really fast and always end up waiting at the train station.

Just today, I read an article from Telegraph.co.uk that says

Japan is least healthy place in the world to work

The workaholic nation of Japan has been crowned the most unhealthy country in the world to be an employee.

A survey conducted from 115,000 participants in 33 countries ranked Japan as the highest in terms of workers with the most work-related health problems. Canada ranked second. Both countries have only ten (10) days leave annually. Karoshi (death from overworking) is one of the problems that Japan is currently experiencing. Japan also has a high rate of work-related fatalities.

If Japan and Canada ranked as the least healthy place to work, New Zealand, India and Australia emerged the healthiest place to work having the fewest complaints of work-related ill health.

Sometimes, even when not in Japan or in Canada, people without realizing tend to sacrifice health when it comes to work. I do sometimes (but mostly home-based projects ).

Am I still hoping to work in Japan? Maybe, but I will always prefer to work at home than anywhere else given the same financial benefits.  But I would really like to go back there in the future especially during winter. I like to watch the colorful leaves and the trees covered with snow.

Loopholes In The Promotion System

What will you do if the promotion you’ve been waiting for was so close yet it was snatched away from you? Worse, you are even accused of manipulating the ratings. Worst, you are not aware what you’ve been accused of and nobody have told you or nobody planned to tell you.

I know someone should be promoted ahead of me and as a form of respect, I submitted my bid for promotion only to fulfill my responsibility to myself, to take every opportunity and act on it.  The bid was submitted 6 months ago and the results have already been released also months ago.

Some rumors always come out. It’s been a hell for two days. I have known I should have been the one promoted based on the official promotion criteria. My opponent’s ratings were changed (an old practice I have known being carried out long ago) so I will not get the position. But I am not angry over. I feel worst because I have been accused unknowingly of manipulating my own ratings.

To have an idea of how performance ratings are done, these are done twice a year. When a promotion process is at hand, previous two ratings are used to evaluate the employee’s chance of being promoted. Take note that promotions are not being done regularly. It is not also advised ahead of time. It can take years before another promotion process is advertised. This is true for our division.

The issue is I was accused of manipulating the ratings since I got a higher rating. Such a child’s play. Have I foreseen or known a year ago that there will be a promotion this year? The papers are signed by superiors. Didn’t they read what they are putting their signatures at? If my superiors have known I have done such thing, why have they not confronted me? Is that a quality of a good superior or manager?

I still have few days before my next tour of duty and I am not sure how will I act infront of them. Should I be ashamed for an act I have not done, go after the promotion, request for transfer to another facility or just act as if nothing happened?