Philippine economy, recession and OFW (s)

I was so happy to know that my beloved Philippines is not in recession. For the year 2008, it posted 4.6% economic growth, though compared to year 2007's 7.3%, it's slightly lower.

The world is in recession and most economies that the Philippines is dependent on are in this economic turmoil, it's still a good thing that the Philippines is not joining the bandwagon.

I am an OFW and a little worrying scenario, is the devaluation of the Singapore dollar. Last week, 1SGD is equal to 31.35PHP and two weeks ago it was 31.40PHP. When I had my lunch today at Fusionopolis, my mates were discussing about the exchange rates and an office mate told us that the exchange rate right now is 1SGD = 31.15PHP. The fact that the Singapore government is planning to weaken the SGD will make this worse.

I am not sure how many OFWs who are here in Singapore, but this turn of events will generally affect us and our families. The Japan economy is in recession but the Japan yen is still strong and I haven't heard or seen on print and TV that they are planning to weaken the yen. Haven't heard of the US weakening their dollar. Is that legal for a country to actually control their monetary strength? Anyway, if things would really get worse and these rich countries which are in recession will weaken their currencies, then the OFW will be in slaughter. So sad but I am hoping this will not happen and also hoping that this recession will be over soon.

My First Session at Fitness First

Okay, I have planned to actually have my first session last Saturday but, when I called them up, they told me that they were fully booked. Fitness First was supposedly be the one to call me and I did not received any call from them last week. Even so, I decided to agree with their proposal to have it today.

I was late in the office and the task that I have is to read and read and read. I am always getting sleepy while doing it the whole day. Good thing I finished the whole technical specifications with in the day. Though it was hard to remember everything, I managed to at least understood it in a snap. Hopefully it will proved useful to what I am doing.

Anyway, I was excited for the office hours to finish. I am planning to go out from the office at around 7pm. When the clock ticked at 6:55PM I just prepared and went out of the office. I walked around 7 minutes going to Fitness First which was just at Fusionopolis. The staff from the gym called me and was checking where was I already. I just told her that I was on my way. When I arrived at the gym, the personal trainer introduced himself. I went to the locker room to changed clothes and secure my things. After that, I had my physical examinations. The exercises then started. I had the warm up first with the tread mill then the weights. I had some crunches and some curl ups. After that, he explained to me the programs that I should take. It was very inviting at first but it was just too expensive for me. So I told him, that I will think it over. So that was it. I will be in my own in determining what to do or the routines to do. I think I will just do some reading and stuff.

I went home. Took my dinner and thanks to Olga for cooking dinner for us. After dinner, I went to a hot bath. It was very refreshing. I think I'm gonna have new routines and set of activities for the whole year round. Hope it won't be boring me and hoping that it will improve my health and achieve my desired finess.

I have enrolled at Fitness First

I have been wanting to join a fitness club or something and today I have decided.

Fusionopolis is about 5-8 minutes walk from the office. So I searched online of what fitness club was in that building since I've heard that there is a fitness gym there. So I then found out that its Fitness First. After office hours, Olga and I decided to go to this gym and check things for ourselves. It was located at the north wing of the build and is at the 23rd floor. We got to the reception and check their pamphlets. After checking the available services I had to check with the receptionist as to the price of their services. The staff had me sign a log form then requested me to sit at their available guest area. While waiting, I got to see the place from the outside and it was a great view of the area. Well after a minute or two of waiting, another staff approached us and she introduced herself as Azlina. She then began the tour and guide us to the second floor where main facility was located. Then she showed us the yoga room. Well it was kind of exciting to try yoga. After the yoga room, she showed us the third floor which was the rooftop already and it has the swimming pool. After the pool area, we went down to the second floor then checked the looker and changing area. After that, she showed us the stretching area then the cycling area. It wasn't spacious but it was really clean. After the whole tour, Azlani had to talk to us about the dues and stuff. Well, good enough since we come from Gemalto and they have this promo and the fees were waived. Basically, I did not have to pay the membership fee, the Admin fee stayed the same and the monthly due was also slashed. Well I will be paying only 98SG dollars a month which is more or less the same in the Philippines. So I was convinced and I signed up. They gave me a back-pack, a headphone then a face towel. They also gave me a 14day free of charge use of the facilities. I just thought again that its a good thing to invest in my health and stuff.

I'm so excited to start my first gym day! Hurray I'm gonna dance and flex my body and then tone my muscles and become more fit.