LifeSmartPH

Dahil lalabas na ang PERA sa 🐉 Dragonfi
(Dragonfi will soon become a PERA administrator)

Here is the list of Savings and Investments ranked based on tax advantages.

And we will be focusing on PERA

Benefits of investing in PERA
✅ Tax free investment (interest, dividends, capital gains)
✅ Tax credit equivalent to 5% of their total annual qualified PERA contributions.
Filipino resident: Max contribution limit of Php 200k per year
OFWs: Max contribution limit of Php 400k per year
✅ Tax free withdrawals
✅ Estate tax exemption
✅ Locked in until Age 55

🚫 Early withdrawal penalty before Age 55
🟥 Penalty on gross income: A penalty of 20% of the total income earned by your PERA from the time of its opening until the withdrawal.
🟥 Repayment of 5% tax credit: You must repay the 5% tax credit that you received annually on your contributions.

⭐ REIT shares and Dividend yield index stocks are available in PERA account.

More information about PERA 👇
https://help.dragonfi.ph/hc/en-us/articles/43346239446681-Intro-to-PERA-and-Frequently-Asked-Questions-PERA-FAQs

You can register in 🐉 Dragonfi using my referral code: 63BC2
You can get a reward using my code ✨

Cebu’s floods proved how fast “just rain” can turn deadly.
Hopefully it won’t happen again, but with approaching, it’s smart to prepare, especially for flash floods.
These are the survival tips most people never think about until it’s already too late. ⚓🌧️

FLASH FLOOD SURVIVAL GUIDE: THE TIPS PEOPLE ONLY LEARN AFTER A DISASTER ⚠️🌊
(Hopefully it won’t happen when hits, but if it does, this might save your life.)

1. Create a way to reach your roof.
If your house has no roof access, make one now. Prepare a ceiling hatch or an area you can break open easily. Once floodwater fills the stairs, you’re trapped.

2. Keep a real ladder nearby.
Not a chair, not a table, an actual ladder or sturdy wooden steps. Floods hit at night and in the dark. You won’t have time to improvise.

3. Keep basic rescue tools ready.
A hammer, axe, or crowbar within reach. You might need to break through a window, ceiling, or wooden wall to escape.

4. Freeze water in bottles early.
They keep your food cold when power’s out, and once melted, they’re safe drinking water. Freeze several bottles, don’t rely on one jug.

5. Seal floor drains and toilets.
Floodwater pushes up from pipes. Use thick rags, plastic, or tape. You’ll thank yourself when dirty water doesn’t bubble into your house.

6. Turn off and raise all electricals.
Unplug everything, move extension cords and appliances higher, and switch off the main breaker before floodwater arrives.

7. Keep your LPG tank high and secure.
Disconnect it, tighten the valve, and tie it upright in a safe corner. Gas leaks during floods are invisible killers.

8. Prepare DIY flotation aids.
Tie together sealed bottles, gallon jugs, or Styrofoam boxes with rope. Even a few can keep one person afloat. (anything that will float)

9. Secure pets with float support.
Use crates lined with sealed bottles or attach tied jugs to collars with rope. Don’t leave pets caged below, they panic and drown quickly.

10. Pack an “elevated survival kit.”
Store it high, near your escape route. Include flashlight, whistle, small radio, lighter, rope, first aid, dry snacks, and water.

11. Sleep in clothes you can escape in.
Wear warm, light, quick-dry clothe, something you can move in fast. Flash floods strike in seconds, often while people are asleep.

12. Charge and seal your essentials.
Keep your powerbanks, IDs, documents, and cash in waterproof bags. Store them near your grab bag, not in drawers.

13. Keep your car and pets on higher ground before it rains.
Don’t wait until the road turns into a river.

14. Store light sources in every room.
Headlamps, battery lamps, or candles inside jars (to prevent tipping). Floods always cut power first.

15. Fill your washing machine and tubs, or any container with water
For cleaning or flushing once the tap runs dry. Not drinking water, but still essential. ( if flash flood will not happen )

16. Prepare reflective signals on your roof.
Bright cloth, mirror, or flashlight ready. When trapped on a roof, visibility is life.

17. Keep ropes ready for tying and towing.
Tie yourself or others to sturdy points if current is strong, or use it to pull someone in safely.

18. Don’t rely on cars as shelter.
Cars float, flip, and trap. Once water reaches the tires, abandon it.

19. Memorize your neighborhood’s high points.
Know which buildings, schools, or hills are safe. GPS won’t help when the signal dies.

20. Have one “meeting point” for your family.
Choose a nearby high ground or relative’s home where everyone will regroup if separated.

21. Prepare garbage bags for waterproofing.
Large trash bags work as ponchos, dry storage, or makeshift flotation aids when sealed with air.

22. Bring pets and small children close during heavy rain.
Don’t assume you’ll have time to find them when floodwater rushes in.

23. And if it starts flooding fast, don’t wait. Just go up.
That’s why it’s called a flash flood, it happens in a flash. Your best chance is height and speed. Don’t wait for an official alert. Go up fast.

24. If water reaches your roof, stay calm, stay visible, conserve energy.
Make noise periodically, flash lights, or wave bright fabric. Rescue teams scan for motion and color first.

25. If rescue takes long, use floating debris wisely.
Plastic containers, foam, or coolers can support you. Stay near stable structures. Keep everyone together. (This is just a last resort )

𝗕𝗮𝗸𝗶𝘁 𝗸𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗻 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗻 𝗸𝘂𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗼 𝗻𝗮𝗴𝘄𝗼𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗛𝗜𝗟𝗛𝗘𝗔𝗟𝗧𝗛 𝗺𝗼?

Last May 2024, naoperahan ang wife ko due to ovarian cyst.
It was an ovarian cystectomy...isang surgery na tatanggalin ang bukol sa o***y

That's so unexpected.
Nakakapraning.

Salamat sa Diyos, successful ang operation

Pero eto na, nung dumating yung bill.

Total Bill: ₱170,613.20

Buti nalang, sabi ng staff:
“Covered po kayo ng PhilHealth.”

Akala namin laking ginhawa na 'yun.
Then we saw the bill.

📄 Total Bill: ₱170,613.20
📉 PhilHealth Coverage:
₱13,910.00 - Room for 4 days and Medicines
₱16,380.00 - Professional Fees

₱30,290.00 - Total Philhealth Coverage

Napakamot talaga ako sa ulo.

So I started digging. And here’s what I found. 😮
_____________

𝗙𝗜𝗥𝗦𝗧 𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗡𝗚: 𝗣𝗛𝗜𝗟𝗛𝗘𝗔𝗟𝗧𝗛 𝗗𝗢𝗘𝗦 𝗡𝗢𝗧 𝗖𝗢𝗩𝗘𝗥 𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗬𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗡𝗚

PhilHealth has a Case Rate system.
Every illness or procedure has a fixed coverage.

For example:

*Pneumonia (moderate risk): ₱29,250
*Dengue: ₱10,000
*Cesarean Section: ₱37,050
*Cholecystectomy: ₱60,450

You can check here for the actual case rate:
https://www.philhealth.gov.ph/services/acr/
*above mentioned are just examples (It depends on the case rate)

So kung bill mo ₱60,000 at ang case rate ay ₱15,000
That’s the max they’ll cover.

You shoulder the rest.

_____________

PhilHealth isn’t like a typical health card.
You don’t swipe and expect "fully covered".

It helps, YES.... pero kung ‘di mo alam paano siya nagwowork,
pwede kang ma-shock sa bayarin.

_____________

𝗧𝗢 𝗚𝗘𝗧 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗙𝗨𝗟𝗟 𝗕𝗘𝗡𝗘𝗙𝗜𝗧𝗦, 𝗗𝗜 𝗣𝗪𝗘𝗗𝗘 𝗟𝗔𝗡𝗚 𝗠𝗔𝗚𝗛𝗨𝗟𝗢𝗚 𝗞𝗔 𝗡𝗚𝗔𝗬𝗢𝗡

For employed or voluntary members:
You must have at least 9 months of contributions in the last 12 months before confinement.
Otherwise… sorry.

For senior citizens:
They can be automatic members, but they still need to register & submit docs to be eligible.

_____________

Here's what you can do today:
✅ Check your contributions sa PhilHealth Member Portal.
✅ Kung self-employed or OFW ka, consistently maghulog.
✅ Ask your HR kung updated ang remittance mo.
✅ Prepare a Member Data Record (MDR) and valid ID palagi.

_____________

Don't expect magic coverage. WALANG GANON.

PhilHealth is helpful, pero hindi sapat kung malaki ang bill.

You still need:
• Emergency fund
• HMO (if you can)
• Critical illness or health insurance

_____________

For years, I thought PhilHealth = peace of mind.
Pero now I know: PhilHealth = partial aid lang.

Still thankful… and still humbled.

Let’s share this with others, lalo na yung mga walang HMO or insurance.

Because financial preparedness is not just for saving money...
It’s about protecting your family when it matters most.

We all deserve peace of mind.

God bless sa mga taga-bayad sa ospital. 🙏

Stay strong!!!

_____________

*No Balance Billing not applicable.

You can also check here all DOH hospitals accredited by NBB
https://www.facebook.com/DOHgovPH/posts/tingnan-listahan-ng-mga-doh-hospitals-sa-bansasa-doh-hospitals-bayad-na-ang-bill/1203553008478136/

Why fatherlessness breaks the nation!

Read: https://randelltiongson.com/when-fatherlessness-breaks-the-nation/

‘WHAT WAS GSIS THINKING?'

Ito ang bwelta ni Senator Risa Hontiveros ukol sa mahigit P1 billion investment umano ng GSIS sa online gambling.

“‘Yung pondong inaasahan ng mga pampublikong manggagawa na magbunga sa takdang panahon, matapos itabi at hulugan, ay mistulang isinusugal at ipinapatalo ng mga opisyal ng GSIS,” saad ng senador sa kanyang privilege speech sa plenary session ng Senado nitong Martes, August 5, 2025.

Inilahad din ni Hontiveros ang pag-invest ang ahensya sa DigiPlus nang pumalo sa P65.30 ang shares nito sa ilalim ng pamumuno ni suspended GSIS President Jose Veloso.

“Those shares have since hit a low of P13.68. Lugi na! In the first place, what was GSIS thinking? Investing funds in online gambling?” saad niya.

Hontiveros, binatikos ang mahigit P1B investment ng GSIS sa online sugal ‘ANG PENSYON NG PAMPUBLIKONG SEKTOR, HINDI PANG-SUGAL’ Kwinestiyon ni Senator Risa Hontiveros ang mahigit P1 billion investment umano ng GSIS sa online gambl...

These are our Sunlife insurances' current fund value.

Disclaimer: Tatay & I came from a family that believes in insurance. Esp my mother who kept her Sunlife policy for 27 years before she withdrew it. Pero di pa nya pina-terminate and she's still insured until age 88. Pati pag-aaral ng mga kapatid ko nung college ay may tulong from their Philam Educ plans.

Inuna ko yung disclaimer so you'd know why educational plan ang inuna namin kesa mag-ipon. Before I continue, let me start with our purpose on getting insurance.

I mentioned before na we prioritize our peace of mind kesa sa luho - well, hanggang ngayon naman. At isa ang insurance that would give us that. Since our biggest fear ay bigla kaming mawala nang hindi pa tapos mag-aral si Waki.

We also wanted a security blanket before we save, invest & grow our money. Kasi nga in case of untimely death, siguro our savings would just be enough para maipalibing kami o pambayad sa hospital. Walang maiiwan kay Waki to go on living.

Yun LANG ang purpose ng insurance FOR US and we are willing to pay for that. Parang health card na binabayaran mo pero ayaw mong magamit.

Kaya I don't understand why people are expecting na their money would grow kapag sa insurance inilagay. Maybe it wasn't explained clearly ng FA? or people didn't do their own research? Not sure.

Kaya nga ang unang tanong lagi is "anong purpose mo in getting insurance?" There are a lot of products na pwedeng i-offer sayo ng FA depende sa sagot mo sa tanong na yan.

Term insurance
We didn't choose this kahit mas mura sya, KASI once you terminate it - wala na. Tapos na. If something happens to you, a day after you terminate it, wala na silang obligasyon sa'yo.

We got VUL - maliit lang ang coverage nito kasi this is what we can afford 6 years ago. Hindi na ito kailangan i-sugarcoat sa amin ng FA dahil kami mismo ang lumapit at nagtanong kung anong reco nya based on our purpose. BTW, our FA was a family friend. One of Tatay's groomsmen at ninong ni Waki.

I can't remember the other products, pero itong Maxilink Prime was the most straightforward. I read the T&C's and asked a few questions and then signed.

So why VUL?
Aside sa aligned sya sa aming purpose - meron sya fund value. It's lower than what you have paid for kasi nga you are paying for the "insurance". The fund value is the 'investment' part.

Let's take my account for example. I am paying 2k/month. In 6 years, I paid a total of 144k. So bakit 96k lang ang nasa fund value ko? Because the missing 48k is my payment for being insured for 6 years. Kung hihimayin mo, that would be around 700/month. HINDI PO LIBRE MA-INSURED.

Hindi money growth yung selling point ng VUL sa amin, its the 'extended security'. Knock on wood, na magkaroon kami ng financial struggles at hindi kami makapagbayad, they can use the fund value to cover for it. Hindi agad mate-terminate yung insurance.

Kung mapapansin nyo yung account ni Tatay, he renamed it as "retirement funds". It's because we plan to keep it until our 60's. Katulad nung kay Mama. We understand that we may need na mag 'top-up' dito from time to time and that's okay with us.

In fact, gusto pa nga ni Tatay dagdagan ang investment nya rito once we pay-off our house. Since he's into crypto trading at na-experience na nya to lose almost half a million - mas malakas na ang loob nya.

Sabi nga nya, "high risk, high reward". Pero syempre, that equates to high loss din. Tatay may have lost half a mill, pero dahil malaki ang investment nya - he got it back at sobra sobra pa sa losses nya.

Anyway, nalulungkot ako whenever I read posts on socmed on how they were scammed ng VUL. I wonder why they were expecting too much returns, wherein IF THEY READ the proposal (kahit gaano ka-liit ang font size 😅), they would see na all figures stated are just PROJECTIONS.

Hindi ko alam if they focused on the "returns" at nakalimutan na nila that, BONUS na lang kung may makuha kang returns sa ganitong product. Ang mindset kasi namin ni Tatay sa insurance ay parang electric bill - as long as gumagamit ka ng kuryente, naturally, may babayaran kang bill.

If you wanted money growth, don't look at insurances at VUL. Invest in MP2 or digital banks - anywhere else but NOT in insurance. Lalong wag ka kukuha if hindi mo kaya mag-commit sa long time financial responsibility.

HINDI PO AKO FA. At I am NOT related sa kahit anong insurance company. Everything written here are PURELY MY THOUGHTS as a client.

Kung matagal na kitang follower at nabasa mo yung mga post ko about this 6 years ago, yun yung time na hinihimay himay ko itong product na 'to. Mabusisi ako kapag sa finances. Nakita nyo naman ako mag-budget. Habang binabasa ko yung policy, naka-harap ako sa google dahil sa mga technical terms na dko maintindihan. 😆

I know I can ask our FA anytime, pero syempre bago ko gawin yun - I do my own research so I would know if tama ang intindi ko.

Anyways, just like last time I posted this - I got a lot of PM's. Positive, negative. Kaya I am expecting that, once this is posted. So go lang mga inays, share your thoughts & let's have a healthy discussions below. 😊