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The 2016 Philippine Presidential Elections

In less than a year, Pres. Benigno “Noynoy” Aguino III’s reign will come to its end. His “daang matuwid” will be left as his legacy. The question is “Who will be there to keep this up?” Or “Who will be able to upgrade it to “daang matuwid 2.0?”

At the present time, three officials had already shared their plans and preparations for the coming elections. They are Binay, Poe and Roxas; they have officially accepted the challenge of being the nation’s next president.

 With just a few months left in the Aquino administration, the three candidates have started making their presences known to the public and gathering trustworthy people that will help and accompany their future administration.

                                                                                                                                                     The Aspiring Candidates                                                                                  

Jejomar Binay: The Volunteer

  Back in 2011, Binay had already expressed his plans of running for the 2016 Presidential Elections. He’s been very vocal and open about his intentions of becoming the country’s president.

 It was on July 1 that United Nationalist Alliance or UNA had officially launched his presidential campaign at the Makati Coliseum. He is now the official presidential candidate of UNA for the coming 2016 Elections.

 Binay had resigned from the Aquino cabinet but still performs his role as the nation’s vice president. After his resignation, he branded the administration as “manhid at palpak” in one of his public appearances.

 "Ang sigaw ng UNA at ng taumbayan sawa na tayo sa kahirapan, sawa na tayo sa kawalan ng hanapbuhay, sawa na tayo sa kriminalidad at ilegal na droga. Sawa na tayo sa kakulangan ng basic

services...hirap na tayo sa manhid at palpak na pamahalaan," Binay said.

 His statement gathered different reactions from both the administration and the public. But isn’t he also part of the said administration? Does that mean that he is “manhid at palpak” too?

 Issues about his performance as a government official continue to rise and spread along the public making him one of the most targeted politicians by the media and even by the administration.

 The alleged overprice construction of the Makati City Hall Building II is one of those issues but Binay denied being involved in it. He said that the issues and previous allegations on him are just tactics to bring him down since he has a notable performance in different surveys for the 2016 Elections.

 Even with these issues, Binay’s works are still commendable especially in his home turf. During his time as Makati City’s mayor, he was able to improve the quality of education of students by giving scholarships and sponsorships and enhance the livelihood of the people.

 At present time, Binay’s rating is 19 percent which is lower than his last rating of 22 percent based on Pulse Asia’s Ulat ng Bayan: Presidential Preferrences.

 Grace Poe: The Neophyte

   Last September 16, Poe officially declared her candidacy for the presidential position at the Bahay ng Alumni, University of the Philippines (Diliman, Quezon City).

 In her speech she said that “No one person or group has a monopoly on a straight path advocacy." She made it clear that she has the intention to continue the “daang matuwid” by doing it her own way together with her future administration.

 Poe has been topping the different presidential surveys since she announced her presidential candidacy. She has been receiving positive reviews by the masses.

 Base on Pulse Asia’s Ulat ng Bayan: Presidential Preferrences, Poe got a 26 percent rating in the latest survey. On the previous months, she got 30 percent rating from the people.

 Although she has high ratings, issues about her citizenship and residency is still a hot topic in the government. The controversy arose due to Poe’s certificate of candidacy (COC) for senator in 2012, in which she had stated that she had been a resident of the Philippines for six years and six months.

 Poe is known as the adopted daughter of late Fernando Poe Jr. and Susan Roces; her being adopted and staying in the United States had added sparks to the issues about her citizenship.

 On the other hand, some people are saying that Poe is yet another “PNoy” who had the sympathy votes of the people. Being the daughter of FPJ who has been a role model to many Filipinos will help her gain the trust and votes of the people.

 Even with this assumption, her work as a senator is still impressive. She was one of the key people during the Mamasapano case and she never had issues about her DAP (Disbursement Acceleration Program).

 Mar Roxas: The Successor

On the last presidential elections, Roxas gave way for PNoy’s candidacy and became PNoy’s running mate as his vice president. Now, for the 2016 Elections, Roxas is the official candidate of the Liberal Party for presidency.

 Last July 31, Roxas formally accepted LP’s nomination after he was officially endorsed by PNoy in the presence of their political allies at the Club Filipino. Soon after the event, he resigned as Secretary of the Interior and Local Government in order to focus on his presidential campaign.

 The Liberal Party believes that through his leadership, the “daang matuwid” will be kept and will continue to grow and develop in the country.

 PNoy praised his abilities as Secretary of the Interior and Local Government, and credited him with the creation of the Negros Island Region. His endorsement of Roxas had made the people thinking about how good he is in his job.

 In the Pulse Asia’s Ulat ng Bayan: Presidential Preferences, Roxas got 20 percent rating in the September survey which increased from his 10 percent rating last May-June.

 So who’s gonna get your deserving vote? Is it the Volunteer, the Neophyte, the Successor or will there be another man to join the list? We still have time to think things further and re-evaluate our judgments. Once again, we are going to choose our leader, we are going to choose our nation’s father/mother.

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Slain victims continue to rise amidst AIDG operations’ suspension

Despite President Duterte’s suspension on all anti-illegal drug group (AIDG) of Philippine National Police (PNP) last January 30, bodies of slain victims continue to rise in Quezon City which highly alarmed the Quezon City Police District (QCPD), a police official said.

 As of February 16, 250 crime incidents which resulted to 270 deaths were reported by QCPD since the start of President Duterte’s administration.

 "Kailangan nating imbestigahan, kaso ito kahit sino mang may gawa nito, kung scalawag man o vigilante or whoever na nagtatake advantage," QCPD director Chief Superintendent Guillermo Eleazar said. 

 More than half of the said 250 crimes were suspected drug related cases based on police reports while 36 were non-drug related and 46 were identified as drug related cases.

 Furthermore, last Wednesday night, seven people were killed in separate shooting incidents in less than three hours around the city.

 Eleazar added that even when there was double barrel, several killings have been reported in the city but has significantly increased after they stopped the drug operations.

 In less than a month since the suspension of drug operations, at least 40 people were killed. 

 Police operatives were still investigating these cases and are looking into other causes or motives behind the deaths. 

 Moreover, with a huge amount of slain victims, cases of killings in the city also continue to pile up.

 Police reported that among the 250 incidents, only two cases were solved and 25 were cleared (!ask for the meaning!).

 According to Eleazar, police authorities will be exerting extra efforts on investigating and resolving these killing cases.

 "Madami kaming leads na gustong tumbukin. Sa station 6, dati na ‘yang sa mga depressed areas, may mga kumakatay na talaga ng alleged criminal,” Eleazar added.

 Eleazar believes that those groups who are involved in killing alleged criminals are still secretly active in its operations.

 Eleazar also said that they still need the results from the tests during investigation before they can start digging deeper into the cases.

 “Sa ngayon mas makakapagfocus tayo sa investigation kasi lessened na ‘yung operation,” Eleazar added.

 Eleazar is confident that police will be more focused on the investigations and eventually get more leads regarding the killings. 

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“All this time I figured he’d been searching for Neverland, trying to find a ways to cling to his youth and not grow up, and I’d been doing the same. But in the end, we both realized that growing up wasn’t so bad, as long as you did it with the right person."

-Josh Nolan

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“Some see a weed, some see a wish.”

-Anonymous

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Salute to the Great Fallen 44

Being a police is one of the hardest job any person could have. As a police, you have to put yourself in the shoes of our nation and people...always securing their safety and their good will.

 And when the nation needed you to be of service, there will be sufferings- physically and emotionally and sometimes even your own life may be put in danger.

 Just like what recently happened to Oplan Exodus, an operation by the Special Action Force to capture an international terrorist, Zulkifli bin Hir also known as Marwan where 44 of our men were brutally slaughtered.

 Yesterday, January 30, a heart melting necrological service was given to our heroes, the "Fallen 44" at Camp Bagong Diwa's Multi-purpose Hall in Bicutan, Taguig. In memory of their sacrifice, January 30 was said to be the day of National Mourning.

 Pres. Benigno Aquino III, DILG Mar Roxas, PNP Deputy Dir. Gen. Leonardo Espina and many other government officials were present for the service to give respect and sympathy for the Fallen 44.

 "Sa ngalan ng buong pangkat ng Special Action Force, ako ay nakikiramay sa mga pamilya ng 44 na magigiting na mandirigma na nasawi sa pakikipaglaban sa mga masasamang elemento sa Mamasapano, Maguindanao," Noli Taliño, acting chief of SAF said in his speech.

 He recalled that through a text message, they had known that the mission was accomplished...that Marwan had been captured.

 "A joyful moment was felt knowing that the mission was accomplished. And I clearly heard Police Dir. Getulio Napañes, 'Para sa inyo ito,' meaning, 'Para sa bayan,'" he added.

 But before they could return and celebrate this victory, they were caught off guard and killed by the troops of MILF and BIFF. They asked for reinforcements, for help unfortunately they were not able to penetrate the enemies.

 He expressed his feeling of guilt over what happened to the Fallen 44. He thought that their efforts weren't enough to help them but they did their best to help save our men.

 "Is it worth it? One international terrorist, equivalent to 44 SAF troopers? I am sure, if you will ask them, it is worth it. Dahil mas maraming buhay ang maisasalba at maililigtas nung nawala Si Marwan," he explained.

 He sent his deepest apologies and sincerest thanks to the families and loved ones of the Fallen 44 for all the things they had done to serve and protect the nation and people.

 "To the families of our fallen comrades: Don't quit, don't give up. To the SAF troopers, let us not quit, let us not give up. Let us continue the fight. Ngayon, we request, for the 44 gallant men of SAF, tulungan po natin sila, let us take care, help, and protect their families. Let us also take care and protect the special action force," he said.

This was his last message for the family members and loved ones of the Fallen 44, other SAF troops, government and for all of us, that they may attain justice and protect all of our men and people.

 Indeed as our police men live by their motto, "Tagapagligtas", may this incident strengthen our love for our country and our people and be always in our hearts and minds and be remembered that there were men who sacrificed their lives for our well-being.

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“You can’t control everything. You can’t control how someone feels about you. Or what makes them tick. You can only control how you react, how you act, how you think and feel.”

-Mia Crestwell

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For the Nation's Fallen Heroes

During the Monday’s flag-raising ceremony, February 2, PNP OIC Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina gave his sincerest speech for justice for the Fallen 44 at the PNP headquarters in Camp Crame.

 It was few days after the necrological service given at Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City for our great heroes and also the celebration of Criminal Investigation and Detection Group's 62nd Founding Anniversary.

 “I took this opportunity to talk to all of you because of the present need for me to address all of you during these very trying times for the Philippine National Police. I did not mention that 44 of our people perished in the encounter in Mamasapano, Maguindanao last Sunday," he shared.

 Despite of such sorrowful incident, Espina courageously faced his fellows and discussed the seek for justice for the Fallen 44's tragic and brutal deaths.

 "Sana, ako, personally ay nabigyan ng opportunity to lead that encounter itself because it will be an honor for me to be lying in a casket and reporting to all of you," he said upon remembering the heroes' wake.

 It was definitely supposed to be a happy ending until a sudden attack of the MILF and BIFF took the innocent lives of our 44 policemen.

 "’Sir, Madam, mission accomplished.' It would be my deepest honor to during that time reporting to the nation, 'I have served well,’" he added.

 Unfortunately, Espina was not given that chance, all that is left from the encounter are questions that needs answers...that needs the truth.

 The PNP formed the Board of Inquiry or BOI to know the full account about the Mamasapano case. It is headed by Dir. Benjamin Magalong, Atty. John Sosito, and Dir. Catalino Rodriguez.

 "This is one way we are giving the people the justice that they need, and it is only through proper investigation of all evidence that we gathered that we can fully appreciate a factual and determinate appreciation of what happened," he said.

 While waiting for the results of the investigations, he told his colleagues to continuously do their jobs. They should all be professionals and prevent the occurrence of crimes because people may take advantage of this incident.

 "Serbisyong totoo, serbisyong tapat. Inaalay ang buhay dahil sa serbisyo. Let us all work together, let us help each other. Seek justice for our fallen comrades. Wag natin pababayaan ang mga agam agam, yung mga maling balita, na mamagitan sa ating professionalism. Let us give justice to what our fallen comrades died for," he added.

 He ended his speech emphasizing that working wholeheartedly and professionally is a way which they can give justice for the nation's fallen heroes.

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AlDub: Iba 'to!

God gave me you to show me what's real There's more to life than just how I feel And all that I'm worth is right before my eyes And all that I live for though I didn't know why Now I do, 'cause God gave me you…

 And darling I will be loving you 'til we're 70 And baby my heart could still fall as hard at 23 And I'm thinking 'bout how people fall in love in mysterious ways Maybe just the touch of a hand Oh me I fall in love with you every single day And I just wanna tell you I am…

                              Sa iyong ngiti ako'y nahuhumaling At sa tuwing ikaw ay gagalaw Ang mundo ko'y tumitigil Para lang sayo Ang awit ng aking puso Sana'y mapansin mo rin Ang lihim kong pagtingin…

And the songs just go on. Kilig di ba? Lyrics palang ‘yan, paano nalang kung i-dudubsmash na ‘yan ni Alden Richards? Baka makalimutan niyo nang huminga. Chill lang and stand by Red Cross.

Kasi naman, sino ba naman ang hindi kikiligin kay Alden? Pogi na, matangkad pa, tapos tisoy pa,  dagdag mo pa yung maamo niyang mukha, plus factor pa na mabait at humble siya, saan ka pa? (Di ba noh, Yaya Dub?)

Tuwing tanghalian, hindi na lamang siesta time ang hinihintay nating mga manunuod kundi pati ang #KiligPaMore na hatid ng Eat Bulaga sa kanilang “KalyeSerye” segment tuwing Juan for All, All for Juan kung saan matinding kilig ang dala ng tambalang AlDub.

Ang AlDub ay binubuo nina Alden Richards at Maine Mendoza also known as “Yaya Dub”. Bukod sa kanila, kasama rin sa KalyeSerye sina Lola Nidora, Lola Tidora, Lola Tinidora, Frankie Arenoli, Duhrizz, Don Franing, the Rogelios, the Bernardos, the Quandos, Barbara Sastre at marami pang iba.

Nagsimula ang AlDub love story nang minsan ipinakita sa split screen ang mukha ni Alden habang busy si Yaya Dub sa pag-dubsmash. Kitang-kita na biglang napangiti at nahiya si Yaya nang masilayan si Alden sa split screen kaya naman todo tukso ang inabot nya sa mga Dabarkads.

Ang mga television viewers at netizens naman ay naki-ride sa kilig na nadama ni Yaya Dub. Agad nilang napansin na bagay ang dalawa at may matinding chemistry between Alden and Yaya Dub.

Pagkabuo ng tambalang AlDub ay siya ring pagdating ng pabebe wave hanggang sa dumami na nang dumami ang mga pabebe moves tulad ng pabebe wink, pabebe tongue, at pabebe swear. Isama mo pa ang mga pangaral na sinasabi ni Lola Nidora tungkol sa pag-ibig.

Mula noon, todo support na ang mga viewers at netizens pati ang Dabarkads sa pangunguna ni Allan K., Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, at Joey De Leon sa KalyeSerye lalo na sa tambalang AlDub.

Tuwing tanghali, ang lahat ng mga manunuod ay tutok na tutok at naghihintay sa pagdating ng KalyeSerye episode. Hinihintay nila ang mahiwagang split screen kung saan lalabas sina Alden at Yaya Dub.

Dahil sa kasikatan ng AlDub, halos tumitigil sa kanilang mga gawain ang mga viewers at kahit mga tindahan at business establishments ay panandaliang napapasara para lamang manuod ng KalyeSerye at huwag silang maistorbo habang kilig na kilig sila sa mga pangyayaring nagaganap dito.

Kahit sa social media ay hindi maipagkakaila ang kasikatan ng AlDub, ang mga fans nila ay palaging beast mode sa pagti-tweet ng kani-kanilang mga kilig feels sa Twitter. Sila rin ang palaging nagpapatrend ng milyon-milyon sa bawat episode ng Kalyeserye online.

Halos araw-araw na nakaka-isang milyong tweets ang AlDub Nation kaya naman lubos ang pasasalamat ng Eat Bulaga Dabarkads at nina Alden At Yaya Dub sa lahat ng kanilang mga fans.

Naging kabi-kabila rin ang pagsulpot ng mga fans at supporters ng AlDub mapa-local or international man. Sila ay kinilala ng Eat Bulaga bilang “AlDub Nation”.

Pero bakit nga ba sikat na sikat at patok na patok ang AlDub?...

1.       Unexpected ang pagkakabuo ng kanilang loveteam

Bago pa magsimula ang #KiligPaMore ng AlDub, kasama na sa “Problem Solving” segment ng Juan For All, All For Juan si Yaya Dub. At wala siyang ginawa kundi magtaray, magsungit at magdubsmash habang nagpapayo ang comedic trio nina Jose Manalo, Wally Bayola at Paolo Ballesteros.

Ayon sa mga chika online, napagtripan lamang ng staff at crew na ipakita si Alden habang si Yaya ay nagdudubsmash at hindi nila inasahan ang naging reaksyon ni Yaya. Napangiti, naging conscious at nagpabebe si Yaya.

And the rest is history; basta tuloy ang forever ng AlDub.

2.       The kilig feels of Alden and Yaya Dub are genuine.

Kung ang mga viewers at netizens nga kinikilig, paano pa kaya silang dalawa, di ba?

Si Alden, alam mong kinikilig na kapag lumalalim ang dimples at sumisingkit ang mga mata. Si Yaya naman, naiiba ang twinkle ng mga mata pati butas ng ilong lumalaki sa kilig at minsan naglulupasay pa siya sa kalye.

Kahit ang mga Dabarkads damang-dama ang tunay na kilig sa Broadway Centrum. Sabi nga ni Allan K, “Uy! Si Yaya totoo nang kinikilig.”

 3.       Cinderella lang ang peg.

Sinong nagsabi na ang fairytale ay para lamang sa mga bata? Uy! Hindi noh! Marami pa rin ang may gusto ng fairytale kahit sa pagtanda nila at marami ang may gusto ng isang prince charming at ng happily ever after.

Pinatunayan ng AlDub na walang makakapigil sa kanila kahit magkaiba ang kanilang mga karakter. Sa itsura palang ni Alden, mala-prince charming na tapos artista pa samantalang si Yaya Dub, isang simpleng babae lang… parte siya ng mga common people.

Pinakita nila na kahit magkaiba ang kani-kanilang mundo, all is fair in love. Artista ka man o hindi, basta kapag tumibok ang puso, wala ka nang magagawa kundi sundin ito.  

4.       Spontaneous ang acting.

‘Yun na ‘yun. No need to explain. Basta walang take 2 na nagaganap kaya lahat ng reaction nila ay totoo sa kung ano talaga ang naramdaman nila nung panahon na ‘yun. Magkamali sila, ade nagkamali… #AdlibPaMore nalang.

5.       Hindi lang sila puro kilig, may pa-lesson pa galing kay Lola Nidora.

Oo, hindi sila puro kilig kasi once na sinabi na ni Lola Nidora ang mga katagang, “Uy! Ano ba? Nang-aano kayo eh ha! Ano kayo eh!” ay kusa naman silang titigil sa kanilang #KiligPaMore.

Kapag tumigil na ang AlDub, sabay pasok ni Lola ng words of wisdom tungkol sa buhay, pag-ibig at sa TAMANG PANAHON.

Ilan lamang ito sa mga WOW (Words of Wisdom) ni Lola:

“Ano ito? Fan sign lang, love na? Text, text lang, kayo na? Lahat ng bagay ay nasa tamang panahon.

 “Lahat may karapatan magmahal; lahat may dahilan.”

“Ang pag-ibig ay pinaghihirapan, pinagsususmikapan.”

“Mahalaga ang pagtitiwala. ‘Di ‘yan nababayaran ng salapi.”

“Pwedeng gamitin ang puso pero huwag kalimutan ang utak. Huwag puro tibok ng puso. Kaya nga tayo binigyan ng utak para gamitin.”

6.       What you see is what you get. That simple.

Sabi nga ni Joey De Leon sa kanyang tweet, “Wala talagang formula sa success ng ALDUB. Two words lang---DIMPLE & SIMPLE. #AIDubTrueLoveWaits @EatBulaga #EatBulaga #BulagaPaMore.”

“Dimple” referring to Alden at “Simple” para kay Yaya Dub. Ano pa man ang gawin nilang dalawa, ginagawa nila ‘yun bilang sila. End of story.

Oh? Ano pa hinihintay nyo? Makisabay na sa AlDub Fever/Mania/ Phenomenon, etc. #KiligPaMore tayong lahat, kilig lang naman eh… there’s no harm. A little kilig will make you happy at make your day.

Mamaya na ang first date nila… marami na naman ang titigil upang tumawa at kiligin sa episode ng KalyeSerye. Makapagset kaya ng bagong record sa Twitter ang AlDub Nation? Stand by Red Cross, baka hindi nila kayanin ang mga magaganap mamaya. *to the tune of Gasgas Abelgas*

*pabebe wink*

#ALDUBMostAwaitedDate

Fan Arts from: 

https://twitter.com/artsofran/status/632719503701381120

http://enjelia.tumblr.com/post/126905432340/aldub-pa-more-fan-art-150817-kalyeserye

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Media Ownership and Objectivity in Journalism

Introduction

Media, where journalism belongs to, has four purposes, namely, a) to educate people by giving factual information, b) to express an opinion or point of view, c) to persuade its audience (readers, viewers and/or listeners), and d) to entertain its audience. 

Media, where journalism belongs to, has four purposes, namely, a) to educate people by giving factual information, b) to express an opinion or point of view, c) to persuade its audience (readers, viewers and/or listeners), and d) to entertain its audience.

Educating the people is always on top of the media’s list of priority and in educating people, media practitioners should be objective. Broadcasters and news correspondents should always base their reports and stories on truthful facts.

Media ownership and objectivity have a strong relationship with each other since there are many things that influence objectivity in media especially in journalism.

Just think that if a single incorporation owns several businesses in media and telecommunications, it would be easy for this incorporation to manipulate what goes out of its businesses. It will have a powerful control over the reports and stories that will reach the people.

The aim of this essay is to analyze how and why media ownership influences objectivity in journalism. It also aims to know the other factors that influence objectivity and if objective journalism is still present in media today.

(Click hyperlink or source to continue reading)

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“It is during our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light.”

-Aristotle Onassis

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Digital Marketing 101

Gone are the days when your customers would walk straight into your shop to check or buy something they want. Your customers are now online, is your business online too?

Through digital marketing, everything was made convenient for the customers (and marketers, too!). They have easier access to different products and services available in the market.

 Digital marketing is the promotion of products or brands using one or more forms of electronic media. It is an umbrella term for the targeted, measurable, and interactive  of products or services via digital technologies to reach and convert leads into customers.

 Today, many big and small businesses are engaging in digital marketing. North Sea Marine Services (NSMS) is one of those who experienced the benefits of digital marketing.

NSMS’ goal is to be recognized as the first choice global supplier in the Philippines and other countries. With the help of SEO (Search Engine Optimization), they were able to reach their untouchable market online.

NSMS’ website enjoys being on the first page (for their respective keywords) both for local and global search engines in less than a year of optimization. Their website also garners at 69.64% new visits per month (the website being promoted organically).

According to Gartner.com, 28% of marketers have reduced their advertising budget to fund more digital marketing. 

 One of the reasons why businesses are moving their marketing online is because digital media is so pervasive that consumers have access to information any time and any place they want it.

 Digital marketing also offers powerful benefits such as:

o   Broad reach – Digital marketing campaigns have the potential to reach Internet users anywhere.

o   Cost-effectiveness – Many digital channels have low entry costs while other digital mediums, such as creating and maintaining social media accounts, only require an investment of time.

o   Flexibility – Since it is in digital formats, it is easy to make changes or update campaigns and content.

o   Speed of execution – It takes shorter time to prepare and launch a digital campaign than a print campaign.

o   Share ability – It makes sharing of content easier for your customers. It also extends your marketing reach even further.

o   Improved engagement – Because digital marketing is a two-way street, it allows you to promote your brand and gather feedback from your customers.

Digital marketing is generally utilized in the Internet and other digital channel including wireless text messaging, mobile instant messaging, mobile apps, podcasts, electronic billboards, digital television, radio channels, etc.

In digital marketing, it is very easy to create a strong network with the help of a strong brand so you must be identified by your brand in order to succeed in this field.

It is good to have a well-designed and user-friendly website to build a positive online presence in digital marketing. You should also develop a social-media brand because this will allow businesses to connect directly with customers and build relationships.

Since your business is in the Internet, your website, campaign or promotion should not only contain text but also have photos, graphics and videos. These are greatly appreciated by your visitors and possible customers.  

Search engine optimization (SEO) is also useful in digital marketing because this is where your business ends up in organic search results. Having custom articles written for your website or content marketing will also help your business by the increase SEO.

To further raise awareness of your product, service, brand or business, social media optimization or using of different social media outlets will be helpful. This will not only help you own sharing your own content but also on engaging with your network.

Email marketing is directly marketing a commercial message to a group of people using email. It usually involves using email to send ads, request business, or solicit sales or donations, and is meant to build loyalty, trust, or brand awareness.

Depending on your business, email marketing can both produce positive and negative results in promoting your business. It is a targeted, shareable, credible, measurable, and cost-effective tool when utilized in digital marketing.

If a poorly designed email campaign was sent to the wrong prospects, it can adversely affect credibility and alienate customers. Being flagged as a spammer, prospects opting-out because of too many emails or content that is uninteresting, incorrectly targeted or redundant are all risks that marketers face.

On the other hand, mobile applications are rising in the field of digital marketing since all potential customers have their own mobile phones and tablets. Apart from creating a website, a mobile application of your business will also be beneficial especially to those consumers that are always on the go.

Based on the 2014 survey of Gigaom Research Digital Marketers, email marketing is the mostly used tactic of marketers. It also shows that social media marketing, content marketing and email marketing are tactics on the rise with increasing budgets.

Since the Internet has changed how people make decisions about the products and services they buy, social media marketing is a good way on selling your products and services online. Social media outlets also let you to communicate to your customers.

Digital marketing heavily relies on content because through the content, a marketing message is relayed to your customers. Furthermore, email marketing is a core pillar in digital world and there is a lot of power in distributing mails to your connections anytime you have a new product in the market.

In digital marketing, it is good to strategize and use a range of tactics in order to help your business and transform possible customers into regular ones. If the right strategies are used, you will be able to take advantage of all the avenues that can help you maximize the chances of your sales in the digital world.

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“I don’t need to check she’s real. As long as my heart keeps beating, I’ll know that she is. End of.”

-Jesse Ward

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Love without Borders and Boundaries

John Galsworthy, an English novelist and playwright once said, “Love has no age, no limit, and no death.”  This is what Lolo Antonio Soriano and Lola Rosario have proven in their 37 years of marriage.

 “Mas bata ako kay Lolo, 10 years ang age gap namin pero kahit ganoon, alam ko naman na mahal namin ang isa’t isa kaya maaga din akong kinasal sa kanya,” Lola Rosario said.

 They met in a store owned by Lolo Antonio’s uncle where she used to work. At that time, Lolo Antonio helped his uncle in running his business.

 Lolo Antonio was from a rich family, his father is an attorney. Their family runs different businesses before while Lola Rosario came from the lower class of the society and has been working to support their family.

 “Sa totoo lang, tinanan ko siya noon. Ayaw kasi ng mga magulang ko sa kanya dahil noon, isa kami sa may kaya sa Hagonoy,” Lolo Antonio pointed out.

 Being the first born son of the Soriano family, his parents expected him to marry a woman similar to their status to keep the success of their business but he did the total opposite of it, he married a woman that made his heart flutter endlessly.

 “Noong tinanan niya ako, walang sinabi ang Inang ko siguro dahil alam niya na kaya naman niya akong buhayin at panindigan kahit anong mangyari,” Lola Rosario added.

 They had a civil wedding on September 17, 1977 in Hagonoy, Bulacan and lived there for a few years. But because his family cannot accept her, they decided to move to Malolos City.

 “Kinailangan naming lumipat kasi nahihirapan kami dahil hindi nila ako matanggap sa pamilya…hindi nila matanggap na ako ang napangasawa ng anak nila,” Lola Rosario shared.

 Their marriage had been blessed with four wonderful children – Maria Consuelo, Jack Benedict, Maria Rosario and Maria Socorro.

 Maria Consuelo, the eldest, finished her course, Electrical and Computer Engineering at Bulacan State University and had worked abroad for some years. She is currently working at IBM Corporation.

 The only son, Jack Benedict graduated from a special course of automotive and now has his own car repair and restoration shop. He is already married and a father to one.

 Maria Rosario was the first one to marry among the four of them and the first one to have a son. She finished BS Math and also took up Political Science to become a lawyer. She took the last bar exams and is still waiting for the results.

 Their youngest, Maria Socorro graduated from her Pharmacy course at University of the Philippines- Diliman. She is currently working as a medical representative and recently got engaged to her boyfriend of two years.  

 “Masaya ako sa mga naging achievements ng mga anak namin. Hindi man ako nakatapos ng pag-aaral ko dahil pinili ko na magpakasal agad, mas okay na ‘yung mga anak ko naman ang nakatapos, masarap sa pakiramdam,” Lolo Antonio said.

 “Hindi man kami nakatapos mag-asawa, masaya kami kasi nabigyan naming ng magandang kinabukasan ‘yung mga anak namin at napalaki namin silang mabuti,” Lola Rosario added.

 As the time passed, Lolo Antonio’s family had learned to accept that Lola Rosario is part of the family. Lolo Antonio said that his family took a long journey with time before finally accepting and welcoming her to their family.  

Then after some time, Lolo Antonio and Lola Rosario decided to have a simple church wedding. They got married at the historical church of Barasoain on March 20, 2001.

But a few years later, their marriage and family had been tested. Lolo Antonio suffered from a stroke. Because of this, they needed to stay in the hospital for a long time.

“Natakot ako noong mga panahon na ‘yon. Kung wala siguro ang mga anak namin, hindi ko alam kung anong gagawin ko. Ayaw ko siyang mawala sa akin, sabi ko ‘Lord, huwag po muna, hindi pa ako handa’,” Lola Rosario shared.

 Thankfully, they were able to overcome this problem. Lolo Antonio made it thru and took necessary therapies to help his recovery. Now, he manages to walk comfortably with the help of his cane.

 “Ipinagpapasalamat ko sa Diyos na kahit ganito na ako ngayon, nandiyan pa rin siya at ang mga anak ako na nandidito ako sa lugar na inaasam ko noon,” Lolo Antonio said.

At the present time, Lolo Antonio and Lola Rosario are happily living with their family. And just last 2012, they were able to build their own house with the help of their four children.

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“The Lesson of the Falling Leaves”

The leaves believe:   such letting go is love,   such love is faith,   such faith is grace,   such grace is god. I agree with the leaves.

― Lucille Clifton

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“You know I want to be a director, but you could never truly see the movies in my head and that, Ed, is why we broke up.”

-Min Green

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“Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.”

-Albert Einstein