The Largest Bank in the Philippines

The following is the list of largest bank in the Philippines as of end 2016:

• BDO with P2.2 Trillion Assets.
  
• Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co. with P1.55 Trillion Assets.
  
• Bank of Philippine Island with P1.45 Trillion Assets.
  
• Land Bank of the Philippines with P1.39 Billion Assets.
  
• Philippine National Bank with P711.28 Billion Assets.
  

PHILHEALTH Deadline of Payments

Payment deadline for contribution of self-employed and OFW.

QUARTERLY │ Amount: 600
1st Quarter (Jan-Mar) Deadline: Last working day of March
2nd Quarter (Apr-Jun) Deadline: Last working day of June
3rd Quarter (Jul-Sep) Deadline: Last working day of September
4th Quarter (Oct-Dec) Deadline: Last working day of December

SEMI-ANNUALLY │ Amount: 1,200
1st Half (Jan-Jun) Deadline: Last working day of June
2nd Half (Jul-Dec) Deadline: Last working day of December

ANNUALLY │ Amount: 2,400
January to December Deadline: Last working day of December

Feng Shui Tips

Here are some of the Feng Shui Tips from the expert:

The main entrance should not lead directly to a window or lanai as this will deplete the household's savings. If damage has already been done, put a curtain instead.

Never put a ceiling fan directly over the bed. The grinding motion of the blades connotes surgical operations.

Don't hang wedding picture on the master's bedroom. This is a taboo in feng shui. If the couple insist on having this in the bedroom, they should avoid placing behind the headboard of in front of the bed.

Don't put a pair of lions inside the house because these creatures are said to be tomb guardians. Therefore, they bring illness and death.

The sound created by wind chimes attracts evil spirits, so better think twice before hanging one.

Aesthetics aside, putting pebbles along the pathway or beside the main door sets off quarrels and arguments.

Contrary to popular notion, fortune plants are no replacement for lucky charms. In fact, these plants attracts ghosts and widely used in temples.

Did Lapu-Lapu really killed Ferdinand Magellan?

Yes and no. It is true that it was Lapu-Lapu's attacking forces that killed Magellan's group but it was never specified nor recorded that the Datu of Mactan personally made the killing blow to Magellan. By all accounts, it was a gang of tribesmen in the heat of battle that finished off the Portuguese Captain. Yes, Magellan was Portuguese but he sailed under the flag of Spain.

"Facts that are not true", The Philippine Star, July 29, 2012, H-11.

Some Kitchen Helpful Tips From Top Chefs

Grilling
When grilling burger or steak, it's best to flip meat multiple times as it will reduce chances that the meat will be overcooked. In doing so, the meat will cook evenly. -- Chef Gilbert Pangilinan of Kai and Cerveseria

Pasta
Adding oil to the water when boiling pasta will not prevent the pasta from sticking. It's the process of boiling that prevents the pasta from sticking because of the constant movement. The oil will prevent it from boiling over. But the oil also makes it harder for the pasta to absorb the sauce. --- Gilbert Pangilinan

If you plan on adding salt to boiling water for pasta, you must wait until the water boils before adding it. Salted water takes time to boil. --- Heny Sison

The best way to enjoy pasta is to eat it immediately after it is prepared, when the noodle is just done and strained from the pasta water and merged with its sauce. --- Chef Gaita Fores

Shellfish such as clams and mussels that don't open during cooking should be discarded. The ideal time for cooking shellfish is not more than 10 minutes, otherwise it tends to rubbery when overcooked. --- Chef Claude Tayag of Bale Dutung

Pineapple tenderize meat. Put pineapple or pineapple peels when cooking bulalo or beef nilaga. It it's beek steak, rub massage the meat wit it. Pineapple has an enzyme called bromelain, which helps degrade the meat's tough fibers. --- Florabel Co

Store unripe fruits in the rice box to speed up ripening. --- Jessie Sinsioco

When cooking vinegar, don't stir at once. Let it boil for a couple of minutes first. Or else, it will taste hilaw. Letting the mixture boil first moderates the astringency of the vinegar, and during the process, the molecules should not be disturbed. --- Chef Vicky Pacheco of Chateau 1771

Lai S. Reyes. "Top Chefs share 26 kitchen facts and fiction", The Philippine Star, July 29, 2012, F-11.

Who are PhilHealth's IPP Members?

IPP (Individually Paying Program) members pertain to self-employed individuals; those who have been previously employed and are currently without means of income; employees of international organizations and foreign governments based in the Philippines that do not have prior agreement with PhilHealth for the coverage of their Filipino employees; and unemployed individuals who are not qualified as indigents.

Also covered are parents who are not qualified as legal dependents, indigents or retirees/pensioners; retirees who did not meet the minimum of 120 monthly premium contributions to qualify as non-paying members; and children who are not qualified as legal dependents.

Israeli-Philippine Relations

Ties between the two countries go as far back as the open door policy implemented by President Manuel Quezon in 1939. This policy allowed Jews escaping persecution in Europe to avail Philippine visa.

In 1947, with the support of President Manuel Roxas, the Philippines voted in favor of the UN Resolution which paved the way for the establishment of the state of Israel in 1948.

Darren G. Yu. "Open doors, open hearts". The Philippine Starweek, July 31, 2011, 9.

Trivia About Circus Elephant

Have you ever wondered why the elephants - the strongest and largest animals in the circus - don't just walk out of the arena to their freedom? It's because their trainers have convinced them that they're helpless.

It takes only about two weeks for a newborn elephant to become strong enough to break standard circus chains. But circus trainers use this time to their advantage. As soon as they could, the trainers chain the baby elephant to the tree. The baby elephant naturally makes many, many attempts to break free. But he fails each time because he's still to young and weak. He will eventually give up, and that will be the end of all his attempts ever. Although he grows larger and stronger later on, in his mind, the chain is still stronger that he is. In effect, he imprison himself. The chain is a constant reminder for the elephants that they are helpless.

---
Francis J. Kong. "Face the facts not your stories". The Philippine Star, July 3, 2011. B-2.