Medical Vital Signs

This medical examination routinely done and monitored by healthcare professionals to help assess the general health of a person. Vital signs are useful in detecting or monitoring medical problems. The normal ranges vary with person to person, age, weight, gender, and overall health. The four primary vital signs includes:

• Body temperature
• Pulse rate (Heart rate)
• Respiration rate (rate of breathing)
• Blood pressure

I.  Body temperature

The temperature obtained through a thermometer.  The temperature measured in either degrees Celcius (C) or degrees Farenheit (F). Normal body temperature can range from 97.8 degrees Fahrenheit to 99 degrees F, equivalent to 36.5 degrees C to 37.2 degrees C. The normal body temperature of a healthy person varies depending on gender, recent activity or exercise, the time of the day, and during menstrual period in women. Usually an elevated temperature (in fever) indicates signs of systemic infection or inflammation. 
Body temperature taken in any of the following methods:

Orally

It is by mouth placed under the tongue using either a classic glass thermometer or a digital thermometer that use an electronic probe to measure body temperature. This method is the preferred among adults.

Rectal/Anal

The temperature taken rectally using a glass or a digital thermometer. The thermometer inserted in the anus about 1 inch. The anal reading is 1 degree higher because it is higher than the core temperature compared to the oral method. This method is the preferred among children.

Axillary

The thermometer placed under the arm using a glass or a digital thermometer. The axillary reading will be 1 degree lower than those temperatures taken by mouth because it is not a core temperature reading. 

Tympanic

A special thermometer used for this reading. It go inside the ear to obtain the body's core temperature. 

Temporal

A special thermometer used to quickly measure the temperature of the skin on the forehead and swiped along one side of the face . 

Skin

These are strips that measure the patient's temperature. This method used when there is no other way to get the temperature reading available because the accuracy in not good. 

II.  Pulse Rate

This measures the number of times the heart beats per minute (BPM). It is the physical expansion of the artery as the heart pushes blood to the arteries. Taking the pulse rate will also determine the strength of the pulse and the heart rhythm. Pulse rate increases with exercise, illness, injury, and emotions. It varies with age. Infants have higher beats per minutes compared to adults. Place the tips of your index and middle fingers just proximal to the patients wrist on the thumb side to measure radial pulse rate.

Normal Values

• Infant 100 to 130 bpm
• Child 80 to 100 bpm
• Adult 60 to 100 bpm

Pulse site

• Brachial
• Carotid
• Dorsal pedal
• Femoral popliteal
• Posterior tibial
• Radial
• Temporal
• Common sites: carotid and radial pulse sites

Related Terms

• Bradycardia is a condition of a heart rate consistently  below 100 bpm. Beating is too slow
• Tachycardia when the heart is above 100 bpm. Beating is too fast
• Strong/Regular pulse indicates that there is an adequate force and consistent beats
• Weak indicates a poor force contraction
• Irregular indicates arrhythmia. Out of normal rhythm

Peripheral Pulse Assessment Grading System

• 0-3 scale
• 0 absent
• 1+ weak/thready pulse
• 2+ normal
• 3+ full, firm pulse

Pulse Amplitude Classification

• 0 absent
• 1+ diminished
• 2+ normal
• 3+ moderately increased
• 4+ markedly increased

III. Respiratory Rate

The respiratory rate is the number of breaths a person takes per minute, that is inhalation-exhalation cycle. Respiration recorded as breaths per minute. It varies with age and increases with fever, illness, or other medical conditions.  Respiratory rate indicates a acidosis condition.

Inspiration - to breath air into the lungs
Expiration - to breath air out of the lungs

Normal Rate

• Infant 30 to 50 respiration per minute
• Adults 12 to 18 respiration per minute

IV.  Blood Pressure

Blood pressure is the force that moves blood through our circulatory system. 

http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/HighBloodPressure/Ab
outHighBloodPressure/Understanding-Blood-Pressure-
Readings_UCM_301764_Article.jsp

10 Guidelines in Shoe Fitting

A shoe is among the many products of footwear don on the foot basically for protection and comfort. Shoes are available in various classification such as style and design, specific function, sizes for adult and children, the gender of an individual, and others. They are either in a custom-made or in a ready-made items. Shoes can either create foot problem or help an individual with a foot problem. Instead of comfort and reason of use, an ill-fitted shoes develop or aggravate a foot deformity or add up to a pre-existing foot deformity, a poor blood circulation, a risk of musculoskeletal injuries, skin blisters and other serious medical conditions.

English: The foot of a person with Charcot-Marie-Tooth. The lack of muscle, high arch, and hammer toes are signs of the genetic disease. This patient was diagnosed with CMT-1A. Deutsch: atrophischer Hohlfuß bei hereditärer motosensibler Neuropathie I (Charcot-Marie-Tooth) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

1.  The best time to measure your feet is in the afternoon or at end of the day because as the day progresses your feet become larger/swollen from various activities

2.  Stand up straight and with feet flat on the ground and ask someone to take the measurements.

 3.  The toes should have enough room to wiggle or move approximately 3/8 inch to ½ inch between the end of your longest toe and the end of the toe box and about the size of your thumb for side clearance. A tight shoe can create foot problems such as callus formation, corns, painful neuromas, and deformed toes. 

4.  No two feet are the same so fit your shoe with the larger foot. Extra pads and inserts that can take up room inside the shoe if it is too big. 

5.  Select a shoe that matches the general shape of your feet.

6.  Don't go for a very tight shoes and hope that some day it will stretch and comfortable to wear

7.  The height of the heel should be no more than 1½ inches. Higher the heel alter posture and gait producing excessive muscle fatigue and strain at the end of the day.

8.  Laced shoes are easier to adjust and easier to keep on the feet compared to slip-ons. When lacing up the shoe, the width of the lace holes should be the same all the way to the top to obtain proper fitting.

9.  Consider the type of foot, whether one has flat feet, high arches, or neutral feet. A high arch foot needs a well-cushioned shoe to improve shock absorption while a flat-footed individual needs a motion control to help limit excessive pronation.

10. I highly recommend that you go to a medical professional for foot problems or to an orthotist for a personalized shoe fitting.

Related articles

• Best Shoes For People Who Suffer With Planter Fascitis(infobarrel.com)

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• How To Choose The Best Arch Support Orthotics(bestdailyentries.blogspot.com)

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Lenovo VIBE Shot Smartphone

Press Release
For Immediate National Release

Lenovo VIBE Shot Gives Consumers the Best of Both Worlds,
 to Launch with Lazada on July 31 
Combines uncompromising smartphone performance with a great camera photo enthusiasts will love 
 

Lenovo VIBE Shot

MANILA, Philippines – July 29, 2015 : Lenovo (HKSE: 992) (ADR: LNVGY) today announced the launch of the VIBE Shot smartphone in the Philippines, in partnership with Lazada, the Philippines’ One Stop Shopping and Selling Destination. The VIBE Shot, with a 16MP main camera and 5.0” Full HD screen, promises the best of both worlds, combining a fabulous camera with a premium smartphone, tailored specifically for both shutterbugs and savvy socials who love a good design. 

“The VIBE Shot is part of Lenovo’s new and vibrant VIBE ON brand promise which aims to empower individuals to go their own way, by providing smartphones with the latest technology and features that they care about, at a price they wouldn’t expect,” said Dino Romano, Country Lead, Lenovo Smartphones, Philippines. “It is a stylish and powerful smartphone that consumers want, and an advanced camera that budding and seasoned photographers will love to use.”

“Lazada is thrilled to be the first to launch the Lenovo VIBE Shot in Philippines, building on the partnership we started with the highly successful Lenovo A7000. With our market leadership and being able to reach millions of consumers in the Philippines and in Southeast Asia, we are confident that our partnership with Lenovo will contribute to their continued pursuit of innovation and success,” said Mr. Inanc Balci, Chief Executive Officer of Lazada Philippines. 
“Lenovo has found an excellent partner in Lazada, the biggest e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia,” said Romano. “The partnership extends our reach of customers beyond the usual and provide them with an alternative platform to buy our smartphones, ensuring that in places where we do not have an offline presence, we are still available for purchase.” 

  

 

Lenovo VIBE Shot

My Lenovo A10-70 A7600 Tablet

I was in abroad and started packing my stuff for a homecoming in the Philippines when my friend asked to buy a new tablet. I look around for a real deal until I find the Lenovo A10-70 A7600. The tablet features impress me as well as the reasonable tag price. I use it more often than my iPad.
The is an inexpensive 10.1-inch tablet has several impressive features that many other budget or high-end tablets don't have. Although camera is nothing special, it comes with a 5-megapixel front camera and 2.0-megapixel back camera.

     
It has an IPS LCD, a large and bright glass-covered display, and a thin and attractive body frame. The display, clearly this is not a retina screen, colors appear a bit blurred despite wider screen viewing and bright backlight. It looks fine on viewing films and gaming or in a day to day use despite the lack of resolution. I use a OTG cable to watch movies and view documents. Audio quality is good and has a Dolby app installed. I tried using a Razer headset and the sound was great. A recommendable low-cost tablet for users on-the-go. Good enough for its weight. Storage capacity is 16 GB with a Micro SD card slot to expand storage up to 32 GB. 

It has the advantage over the iPad because it can add more memory via the micro SD slot. I just have an issue on locating the side button because it appears to me too small. This tablet uses the very energy efficient Cortex A7 processor designed for both low power and rich performance while the other high-end tablets use the A15 processor designed to build  performance rather than low power. 

 

The Lenovo 10-inch tablet has 1 GB of RAM.  Web browsing is fast. Opening and switching between applications is fairly instant.The OS and firmware updates require several hundred of megabytes which is a factor if you have slow internet connection. Battery life lasts long. It lasted 7 hours with continuous wi-fi surfing. Lenovo mentioned it will last 9 hours. I don't know how they tested the battery life. There is a wider range of free applications and game emulators. The screen appears glossy and you can even see your fingerprints when you touch it. I had the hard time finding a casing in the Philippines until I find it at Lazada to be ordered online.

Personally, when I buy gadgets I always consider the quality, the design, the customer reviews, and the after sale service.




Tablet Specification:

• Brand and Model: Lenovo A7600-H
• Operating System: Android
• OS Version: v4.4.2 (KitKat)
• CPU: Mediatek MT8382 Quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A9
• Version: WLAN + 3G
• Network Technology: GSM / HSPA
• SIM Card: Regular/Single SIM
• Color: Blue/Black
• Memory: Internal 16 GB, 1 GB RAM                            
• Card Slot: MicroSD v2.0, up to 32 GB
• MicroUSB Port: Recognize USB sticks, mice, and keyboards as plug-and-play devices
• Camera Type: CMOS
• Camera: Dual-Camera (Front and Back) for Photo/Video

         Primary 5.0 MP
         Secondary 2.0 MP

• Battery: 6340 mAh Li-Ion, 9 hours of continuous WiFi usage
• Dimensions: 264.1 x 176.54 x 8.9 mm (Height X Width X Depth) 
• Display: 10.1 inches (diagonal)
• Resolution: 1280 x 800 pixels 
• Weight: 550 g (1.21 lb)
• Screen: IPS LCD Capacitive Touchscreen, 16M COLORS 
• Connectivity: Bluetooth v4.0,  WLAN 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct, Hotspot

Features:

• Geo-tagging
• Smart Side Bar
• Spell Checker
• Personal Dictionary
• Sound:Alert type Vibration; MP3, WAV Ringtones, 3.5mm Audio Jack,  Loudspeaker
• GPS: Yes, A-GPS
• Radio: FM radio
• Sensors: Accelerometer
• Messaging: SMS (threaded view), MMS, Email, Push Mail, IM
• Printing: Cloud Print
• Browser: HTML
• Java: Yes, via Java MIDP Emulator
• SNS Integration
• MP3/WAV/WMA/AAC player
• MP4/H.264 Player Document Viewer Photo Viewer/Editor
• Organizer
• Predictive Text Input 

Disclaimer: 

No none pay me to do this and all I want is to share my views.
I can not guarantee that the Tablet Specification is 100% correct. Everyone is advice to read more.

Dietary Supplements

There are a lot of food/dietary supplements available on the market now. Some supplements can play an important role in health because they contain concentrated sources of vitamins, minerals, fiber, fatty acids, or amino acids, and other substances. They are eaten or taken by mouth and are available as pills, capsules, powders, liquids, and energy bars.

These are not drugs and can not use to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.The product is labeled as a dietary supplement. From the meaning of the word itself, supplement products augment a person's diet and not as a meal replacement. If a person cannot consume sufficient quantities of nutrients in a normal diet, a supplement is added. Dietary supplements are unnecessary if one eats a balanced diet. 

Unlike pharmaceutical drugs, supplements do not have to go through government approval to make or sell dietary supplements. They are available for sale over the counter or online without a prescription. In the US, the FDA conduct a periodic inspection to facilities that manufacture dietary supplements. Actually, there are several independent organizations offering seals of approval to give assurance to the buying public that these products are quality controlled and safe for consumption.

What we need to do:

• Talk to your doctor about your current diet and health and about dietary supplements, if recommended, for proper medical guidance.
• Check the dietary supplement label of the product to determine the ingredients.
• Take the recommended dosage in the label or as prescribed by your doctor
• Read trustworthy information about the supplement product
• Always be alert of the possible adverse effects.
• Check the seal of approval for quality assurance of the product.
• Keep in mind that these are supplements only to your diet
• Keep in mind that these does not treat any diagnosed medical condition.

Further Reading:

EU - http://ec.europa.eu/food/safety/labelling_nutrition/supplements/index_en.htm
US - http://www.fda.gov/
PH - http://www.fda.gov.ph/


Related articles

• Blue/White Phentremine 37.5 - Advanced Weight Loss Diet Pills - Appetite Suppressant - (OTC) Over the Counter Non Prescription - 60 Capsules (1 Month Supply)(womenshealthwebsite.com)

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• What Does the FDA Have to Say About Supplements?(ubiquinol.org)

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• Vitamins & Health Supplements - Online Insights 2012(firstdigital.co.nz)

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Iligan City - My Hometown

Iligan City

The city, widely described as the City of Majestic Waterfalls, lies in the Cagayan-Iligan corridor in the Northern Mindanao (Region 10) region of the Philippines. A highly urbanized city situated within the province of Lanao del Norte though the government is independent in  the province. It represents a lone district in the House of Congress.

                                                                                                                                                                 English: Quezon Avenue in the city of Iligan, Mindanao (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

                     









Total land area                                                                                      

• 813.37 square kilometers (314.04 square miles) with 44 barangays.

Population 

• 322,821 persons (2010 census)

Boundaries

• South by the municipalities of Balo-I and Linamon of Lanao del Norte
• North by the municipalities of Lugait, Manticao, and Opol of Misamis Oriental
• East by Lanao del Sur and Bukidnon provinces 
• West by Iligan Bay. 

 Climate

• The city within the C type climate. Average annual temperature is 21.68° Celsius. Rain is evenly distributed throughout the year. No cold weather like winter. 

Time 

• Philippine Standard Time is eight hours ahead of Greenwich Meantime

Currency

• Philippine peso 
• Currency exchange: US dollar and other currencies are accepted by any banks or any authorized money changers

Religion

• Christianity is predominant religion on the whole population
• Catholics is the majority of the Christians 
• Islam is widely and openly practice.
• The city fiesta is held every September 29 in honor of the patron saint, Saint Michael

Business Hours

• Government agencies and offices: 8 am to 5 pm (Mondays to Fridays); Sundays is a legal holiday.
• Banks: 9 am to 4 pm (Mondays to Saturdays) - BDO open 'til 5:30 pm.
• Business establishments: 9 am to 7 pm, Monday to Saturday (others are open on Sundays)

Language

• Cebuano is widely spoken and understood among locals in the city. 
• Regional language, Tagalog, and other languages from other cultural minorities and immigrants from other places, is also spoken here.
• The English language is the medium of instruction in education.

Transportation

Travel by sea

• Port of Iligan 
• Passenger and cargo shipping lines sails to and from Manila, Cebu, Siquijor, Bohol, and other major ports in Mindanao.
• The alternate route is from the nearby Port of Cagayan de Oro City and the Port of Ozamiz City.

Travel by air

• Laguindingan International Airport in the Municipality of Laguindingan, Misamis Oriental is the nearest and operational airport. Philippine Airlines/PAL Express, Cebu Pacific, Tiger Asia, and Air Asia currently provides daily flights. Flights going to Manila is 1 hour and 20 minutes.

Travel by land            

• Jeepneys, Taxi cabs, Pedicabs, Tartanillas (horse-driven carriage), and Motorcycles (Habal-habal) are available for city transport
• City jeepneys regular fare PHP 7.00; PHP 5.50 for students/Senior Citizens and Persons with disabilities (PWD)
• Bus - Long distance travel
• Two major bus operator: Rural Transit and Super 5 Transport
• Two main bus terminals

1. The Integrated Bus and Jeepney Terminal (IBJT) - land trips to and from 
    Cagayan de Oro City and various parts of Misamis Oriental to as far as Davao City.
2. Southbound Bus and Jeepney Terminal  - land trips to and from Marawi City 
    and Dipolog City to as far as Zamboanga City.

• Passenger vans and jeeps - an alternative transport for long distance travel 

Telecommunications 

• PLDT-Maratel,Inc.
• Bayan Telecommunication,Inc.
• Smart Communication
• Globe Telecom
• Sun Cellular

Tourism 

• Waterfall hopping is  one of the popular activities in Iligan City.
• IBS Waterfall Adventure Tour is an annual event of the Iligan Bloggers' Society
• Diyandi Festival/Sayaw Saulog(Kasadya Merry Making and Street Dancing) - an annual event in time of the city fiesta, September 29           
• Anahaw Open Amphi-Theater - Brgy. Pala-o
• Iligan City Hall - Brgy. Pala-o; Seat of the City Government
• Maze Park and Resort
• Timoga Pool
• Delamar Resort
• Mt. Agad-agad
• Rizal Park/Public Plaza - Brgy. Poblacion; Famous for weekend night market
• Mimars Swimming Pool
• Tay-Tay Swimming Pool
• NPC- Nature's Park - Iligan City first zipline
• Tipanoy Golf Course - Brgy. Tipanoy
• Hindang Falls/Hindang Caves
• Centennial Park
• Paseo de Iligan
• Macaraeg-Macapagal Ancestral House

           List of Waterfalls

• Maria Cristina Falls - the most famous and the primary source of electric power of the city( Agus VI Hydroelectric Plant)
• Tinago Falls - Barangay Ditucalan
• Mimbalut Falls - Barangay Buru-un
• Abaga Falls - Barangay Suarez
• Dodiongan Falls - Barangay Bonbonon.
• Abaga Falls - Barangay Suarez 
• Dalipuga Falls - Barangay Dalipuga  
• Gata Falls - Barangay Rogongon 
• Guimbalolan Falls - Barangay Rogongon  
• Hindang Falls -Barangay Hindang  
• Ikog Falls. Bridal Veil Falls - Barangay Maria Cristina 
• Kalisaon Falls -  Barangay Mainit 
• Kamadahan Falls - Barangay Rogongon 
• Kibalang Falls - Barangay Rogongon  
• Languyon Falls - Barangay Puga-an
• Langilanon Falls - Barangay Puga-an  
• Limunsudan Falls - Barangay Rogongon
• Linanot Falls -Barangay Bunawan  
• Malaigang Falls - Barangay Mainit 
• Malapacan Falls - Barangay Mainit 
• Malinao Falls -  Barangay Kabacsanan 
• Pindarangahan Falls - Barangay Rogongon 
• Rogongon Falls - Barangay Rogongon

Dining

• 9 R's CAFE & RESTAURANT - Brgy. San Miguel
• AL FRESCO - Brgy. Tubod
• ARUMA COFFEE LOUNGE -Brgy. Poblacion 
• BAR-B-Q INN - Brgy. Poblacion
• BELLA'S CHICKEN ATI-ATIHAN -  Brgy. Tubod
• BIG BEN KITCHEN - Brgy. Poblacion
• BIG DIPPER - Brgy. Poblacion
• BREWS ALMIGHTY COFFEE SHOP - Brgy. Tibanga
• CAFE HERMOSO - Brgy. Mahayahay
• CALDA PIZZA - Brgy. Pala-o
• CHOMP CAFE - Brgy. Poblacion
• CHOWKING - Brgy. Tibanga and Brgy. Villaverde
• CHRISVEN RESTAURANT - Brgy. Pala-o
• COFFEE WORKS - Brgy. Bagong Silang
• DEAR MANOK - Brgy. Palao
• DELECTA - Brgy. Poblacion
• EL CANTO GRILL & SEAFOOD HOUSE - Brgy. Poblacion
• ENANG'S GRILL & SEAFOODS - Brgy. Hinaplanon
• EPAY'S LETCHON - Brgy. Poblacion
• FLAMOO - Brgy. Palao
• FONTINA - Brgy. Tibanga
• GAZPACHO'S FOOD HOUSE - Brgy. Pala-o
• GOLDIMIX FASTFOOD - Brgy. Poblacion
• GLORIA'S IHAW-IHAW - Brgy. Buru-un
• HOYOHOY RESTAURANT - Brgy. Dalipuga
• ILIGANON RESTOBAR - Brgy. Pala-o
• INJ RAI RACK SEAFOODS - Brgy. Pala-o
• JOLIBEE - Brgy. Vilaverde, Brgy. Poblacion, and Brgy. Tibanga
• JY DIMSUM - Brgy. Pala-o
• KUZINA ILIGANON - Brgy. Tibanga
• KYLA'S BISTRO - Brgy. Pala-o
• K-ZELS AVENUE GRILL - Brgy. Pala-o]
• LAI-LAI YEUNG CHOW RESTAURANT - Brgy. Poblacion
• ALBERTO'S PIZZA - Brgy. Tibanga
• GREENWICH - Brgy. Villaverde
• PIZZARELLA - Brgy. San Miguel
• PIZZA BYT - Brgy. San Miguel
• R. KELLY PIZZA HOUSE -Brgy. Tibanga
• Jaime's Lechon Bayug - Brgy. Poblacion

Delicacies/Specialties

• Cheding's Peanuts - Brgy. Poblacion
• Sukang Pinakurat

Where to stay

• MARIA CRISTINA HOTEL - Brgy. Poblacion
• ALYA VISTA INN - Brgy. Poblacion
• BED ASIA - Brgy. Pala-o
• CAPRICE INN - Brgy. Poblacion
• CASA ROYAL I - Brgy. Pala-o
• CASA ROYAL 2 - Brgy Tibanga
• CELADON PENSION HOUSE - Brgy. Pala-o
• CHERADEL SUITES - Brgy. Villaverde
• CORPORATE INN - Brgy. Pala-o
• CRYSTAL INN - Brgy. San MIguel
• D' MORVIE SUITES - Brgy. Saray
• ELENA TOWER INN - Brgy. Tibanga
• ESMERALDA - Brgy. Pala-o
• FAMOUS PENSION HOUSE 1 & 2 - Brgy. San Miguel
• FARRAH HOTEL - Brgy. Saray
• JALEXIS INN - Brgy. Poblacion
• KINGSWAY INN - Brgy. Saray
• MANGO TREE PENSION HOUSE - Brgy. Saray
• RENE'S DINER & PENSION HOUSE - Brgy. Mahayahay
• SMILER'S INN - Brgy. Bur-un
• STAY LITE PENSION HOUSE - Brgy. Pala-o
• TWILIGHT INN - Brgy. Pala-o
• UGN' S PLACE - Brgy. Ubaldo laya
• ZITRO GUEST HOUSE - Brgy. Pobalcion
• MSU-IIT HOSTEL - Brgy. Tibanga
• ST. MICHAEL'S COLLEGE MINI HOTEL - Brgy. Poblacion

City Nightlife

• ATMOSFERA - Brgy. Poblacion
• The Chic and cozy bar
• BAT-C - Brgy. Pala-o
• CLUB VILLAGE MART - Brgy. Pala-o
• ILIGANON BAR - Brgy. Pala-o
• NATURA - Brgy. Pala-o
• TWILIGHT RESTOBAR - Brgy. Poblacion
• Z RESTO BAR - Brgy. Bagong Silang

Related Stories:

• Northern Mindanao minimum wage up P12 a day by July 3(rappler.com)

• ---

• Peso weakest in nearly 17 months(manilatimes.net)

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• Iligan City - My Hometown(afast-movinglife.blogspot.com)

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• PHILIPPINES PRESS-Hitachi in talks for $4.4 bln railway project - BusinessWorld(dailymail.co.uk)

  ---

Body Mass Index (BMI)

It is a recognized and generally accepted measure utilized by physicians and health experts to determine weight status (underweight, overweight, and obesity). It measures body fat based on height and weight. An elevated or higher BMI are increased risk for the following diseases:

• Hypertension - high blood pressure
• Cardiovascular Disease - Stroke
• Coronary Heart Disease
• Gallbladder Disease
• Dyslipidemia/Hyperlipidemias - 
• Osteoarthritis
• Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
• Some cancers - endometrial, breast, and colon cancer
• Sleep Apnea
• Epidural Lipomatosis

International Classification of Adult Underweight, Overweight and Obesity according to BMI

Classification	BMI(kg/m2)
	Principal cut-off points	Additional cut-off points
Underweight	<18.50	<18.50
Severe thinness	<16.00	<16.00
Moderate thinness	16.00 - 16.99	16.00 - 16.99
Mild thinness	17.00 - 18.49	17.00 - 18.49
Normal range	18.50 - 24.99	18.50 - 22.99
		23.00 - 24.99
Overweight	≥25.00	≥25.00
Pre-obese	25.00 - 29.99	25.00 - 27.49
		27.50 - 29.99
Obese	≥30.00	≥30.00
Obese class I	30.00 - 34.99	30.00 - 32.49
		32.50 - 34.99
Obese class II	35.00 - 39.99	35.00 - 37.49
		37.50 - 39.99
Obese class III	≥40.00	≥40.00

Source: Adapted from WHO, 1995, WHO, 2000 and WHO 2004.

The BMI is calculated by the weight in kilograms divided by the square of the height in meters (kg/m²).

Visit these links to determine your BMI:
BMI3D
Center for Disease Control and Prevention

UK PBS Tier 4 (General) Student Visa for Philippine Applicants

Applying from outside the UK
Tier 4 (General) Student Visa



International students from the Philippines (outside the UK or EU) are required to apply for a student visa. Under a point-based system, you need 40 points to apply for a student visa. 


1. Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).

• This is issued to you to study from any college or university which has been granted a Tier 4(General) sponsor license(Highly Trusted Status)  by the UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI).This constitutes the 30 points of the PBS rule. Apply your visa n o more than 6 months after you received the CAS.

2. Funds

• You must have enough money to pay for both your course fees and your living expenses. You cannot get public funds. This is the 10 points of the PBS rule.

3. English Language

• You need to pass the Secure English Language Test (SELT) to test your English language knowledge.

4. Course

• A full-time course leading to Level 6 on the National Qualification Framework(NQF).
• A full-time course below degree level or at least NQF Level 3 with at least 15 hours per week daytime classroom study.
• An overseas degree level course equivalent to a UK higher education course.
• A recognized foundation program.

5.  Documents

• A current passport - a blank page for visa stamping.
• A passport-sized photo.
• A proof of funds.
• A parental or legal guardian consent -if below 18 years of age.
• A Tuberculosis Test - Only approved test clinic in the Philippines.

International Organization for Migration Health Centre
15/F, Units A and B Trafalgar Plaza
105 H.V. de la Costa St, Salcedo Village
Makati City 1227
Tel: (632)883-9339/(063)511-8771

Application

• Apply online and register an account.
• fill in the online application form and print it out.
• In most cases, payment for the visa is online. 
• Book and attend an appointment at a visa application centre.
• Bring all your original and a photocopy of all your supporting documents.
• Tuberculosis(TB) Test.
• Fingerprints and photograph will be taken at the visa application center for your Biometric Residence Permit. Collect your Biometric Residence Permit when you arrive in the UK.

Fees

• It will cost you GBP322. Pay GBP322 per person at any dependants.
• Pay for the Immigration Health Surcharge - GBP150 per year for the duration of the visa. Where part of a year is 6 months or less GBP75 is charged.

Visa Application Processing Time

• Within 60 days.
• Apply your visa 3 months before the start of your course.

Get Verified: Eastwest Visa Debit Card and Paypal

Paypal is gaining awareness now in the Philippines. It can be use to pay an items online, send and received payments here and in abroad. Few years back, maybe only a few knows about it and a handful is actually using it. I come to know Paypal maybe 8 years ago when I went to UK to work. I used it basically in paying items online particularly eBay. Transaction is secured and worry-free. Thank God, I never experience horrendous transaction. 

              

Here in the Philippines, quite a number of financial and communication companies offers products you can avail to verify your Paypal account. With so many option to choose from,you might start thinking which of them is most convenient, easy way and hassle-free. I think one of the best way is to ask anyone(not a mere stranger) who had done it before. Another thing, try to do a bit of effort to make some research on the internet. I did it initially and it helps a lot. Eventually, I made up my mind and choose Eastwest bank and find my way to the nearest bank branch. One thing I like is that when I entered the bank and go straight to a lady on the desk and told her politely that I need an account to be link to my Paypal . She nod her head courteously with a smile and gladly assist me all throughout the process .She handed to me the list of requirements. Luckily, I was able to bring them all and thanks to my online research I don't need to go home and come back again which is really tedious.. 

Unfortunately, though smiling, I was told to photocopy all the listed documents outside because they don't have a copy machine. I come back with the docs and she ask me to fill in the application papers and together submit the docs. I submitted 2 govt IDs (my passport and my SSS card), 2 pieces 2 x 2 picture, and a proof of billing address although it was not on my name. Lastly, she briefly narrate the product features. After which, I handed the PHP500 bill as my initial deposit and filled in the deposit slip and go straight ahead to the teller for validation.I went back to her desk and ask when will I get the card.It takes 7 to 12 banking days considering the branch is in Mindanao. I called up the bank the following week and the woman on the line told me they have it already and ask me to come anytime at my convenience. Without delay I went to the bank and there it is. I was instructed to wait for another 24 hrs validation period of my card after which I can check my balance and change my PIN. The whole process went smoothly and hassle-free.

After validating my bank card, I log in to my Paypal account which I previously set up while waiting for the card to arrive. Simply click the 'Get verified' button and you will be ask to enter the details of your bank card. Review the details patiently to make sure it's correct because any mismatch in the info will make the process unsuccessful. Next thing is to click the 'Add card' button. Another window will open asking you enter the 4-digit Paypal code. Skip it for now. Log out!

The following day I went to the bank for the 4-digit code. It wasn't available yet, maybe less than 24 hours since the time I did my verification. I was asked to leave my bank details and a mobile number to send it to me thru SMS. I received the 4-digit code after 3 hours. Log in to your Paypal account again and enter the 4-digit Paypal code and that's it. Congratulation! Your Paypal account is verified.

The process of opening a Paypal account and the verification process is quite easy. Just fill in the correct information required. You will be charge around $2.00 to verify your bank. It will be returned to your Paypal fund once they are done. Make sure you have enough fund in your account.