Preparing Your Kid for College Far from Home

Sending your child off to college can be a bittersweet experience, especially when it's far from home. As a parent, it's natural to feel a mix of emotions - pride, excitement, and a hint of sadness. To ensure a smooth transition for your kid, it's essential to prepare them for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

Emotional Preparation

Open Communication: Talk to your child about their feelings, expectations, and concerns. Listen attentively to their responses and offer guidance without being overly intrusive.
Independence: Encourage your child to take ownership of their daily routines, such as managing their time, finances, and personal care.
Coping Mechanisms: Teach your child healthy ways to manage stress, anxiety, and homesickness, such as exercise, meditation, or creative pursuits.

Practical Preparation

College Research: Familiarize your child with the college's culture, policies, and resources. Discuss academic programs, extracurricular activities, and support services.
Time Management: Help your child develop a schedule that balances academics, social life, and personal responsibilities.
Financial Literacy: Teach your child how to manage their finances, including budgeting, saving, and responsible spending.
Essential Skills: Ensure your child has basic life skills, such as cooking, laundry, and household chores.

Staying Connected

Regular Check-Ins: Establish a communication routine that works for both you and your child, such as weekly phone calls or video chats.
Respect Boundaries: Give your child space to navigate their new environment and relationships. Avoid being overly clingy or controlling.
Support Network: Encourage your child to build a support network of friends, mentors, and college resources.

Final Tips

Trust Your Child: Have faith in your child's abilities and preparation. Trust that they've grown into a capable and resilient individual.
Stay Positive: Focus on the excitement and opportunities that college brings. Celebrate your child's achievements and milestones.
Be Patient: Adjusting to college life takes time. Be patient with your child as they navigate challenges and learn from experiences.

By following these guidelines, you'll help your child develop the skills, confidence, and resilience needed to thrive in college, even from afar. Remember to stay supportive, yet hands-off, and trust that your child will grow into a capable and independent individual.

 

Allianz PNB Life Extends Availability of Wealth Building Product STEP UP 7

Wealth building and wealth protection are two important aspects to consider given the current economic situation in the country. It is important for Filipinos to boost their savings and ensure that their assets grow, so that they are protected for their future needs.

Allianz PNB Life (AZPNBL) remains committed to its purpose of securing more Filipinos by helping them build wealth as their protection and legacy to their families through its STEP UP 7 financial product. STEP UP 7 stands for Short-Term Endowment Plan with Uniform Payouts. It is a single-pay, non-participating endowment life insurance plan that matures in 7 years.

Stable income stream
The STEP UP 7 is ideal for individuals who want to add another stable and guaranteed stream of income to boost their savings while enjoying the benefits of insurance coverage. The plan offers guaranteed protection, maturity benefits, and an additional annual payout of 3.25% for 7 years.

Since its launch in 2019, it has garnered the attention of customers becoming one of the most availed products of AZPNBL. Its popularity among customers led to the roll-out of the product’s third tranche with an allocation of 2 billion pesos.

AZPNBL opened the third tranche in May 2023 with an adjusted coupon rate to adapt to current market trends and prevailing yield rates. It garnered even faster sales due to the attractive coupon rate offered to both new and repeat customers.

Opportunity to build a legacy
Given its success, AZPNBL has decided to extend the STEP UP 7 offer starting January 15, 2024, until supplies last. This extension allows more customers to avail of this plan and take advantage of its benefits of boosting their savings.

Allianz PNB Life Chief Product Provider Officer Leo Tan, Jr. says, “I am immensely proud and excited to reintroduce our special proposition, STEP UP 7. It is tailored specifically to the unique financial needs and preferences of Filipinos and is designed to provide guaranteed savings and protection for those seeking medium to long-term financial solutions.

Our proposition includes a guaranteed payout feature that allows customers to save up over time with the additional payout every year, while providing a level of protection with insurance coverage. This ensures that Filipinos can achieve financial stability and security while they work towards their financial goals. We understand the importance of financial security for Filipinos, and we have designed the STEP UP 7 propositions with this in mind. We take into account the long-term outlook and affinity of Filipinos towards financial planning, ensuring that our proposition aligns perfectly with their needs.”

The STEP UP 7 product is exclusively available to PNB customers. Find out more about the product through AZPNBL Life Changers by visiting the nearest PNB branch.

 

160-km Freedom March Resumes to Honor Heroes and Commemorate History

 

Descendants of our World War II Filipino and US veterans along with military personnel, representatives from the local and national government, diplomatic community, students, families, and more, will once again walk in the footsteps of our heroes at the Bataan Death March Commemmorative Walk to mark the 82nd anniversary of the Battle of Bataan. 

 

Philippine Veterans Bank (PVB), in partnership with Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO) and the Department of National Defense (DND), will hold the annual Freedom March, a 160-kilometer commemorative walk for the heroes of WWII, this coming March 16 and 17, 2024. 

 

Freedom March will trace the actual historical route of the Death March, which will start in Mariveles, Bataan and will conclude in Capas, Tarlac. The public is invited to join the solemn tribute which commemorates the valor and sacrifice of Filipino and American heroes of the Battle of Bataan during one of history's most poignant chapters. 

 

"The Freedom March isn't just a journey over land; it's a journey through time, honoring the undying spirit of those who walked before us," Mike Villa-Real, PVB first vice president for marketing and communications, said. "This year, as we walk, we don't just tread on the ground; we walk alongside the echoes of bravery and resilience that resonate through our nation's history." 

 

The Freedom March encapsulates the route taken by approximately 66,000 Filipino and 10,000 American POWs. It stretches from Mariveles and Saysain Point in Bagac town, Bataan province, to Camp O’Donnell in Capas town, Tarlac province. This path, steeped in history, offers a tangible connection to the past, turning every step into a personal encounter with history. This act of remembrance reinforces the narratives of endurance and resilience that form the bedrock of our heritage. 

 

According to Villa-Real, the 2024 Freedom March is designed to be a powerful educational experience, providing participants with an opportunity to connect deeply with history. Unlike the original Death March's grueling journey, the event features a symbolic 10-kilometer walk, making it accessible for more individuals who wish to participate in this act of remembrance. 

 

Participants may opt to join certain segments of the walk that may start in a location nearest and most convenient for them. The march symbolizes a united front in honoring the sacrifices made for our nation's freedom. "Each step taken in the Freedom March is a step of gratitude, a step of understanding, and a step towards ensuring that the legacy of our heroes endures," added Villa-Real. 

 

The Freedom March extends an open invitation to everyone, a call to gather not just to walk but to immerse in the deep lessons of history. 

 

Interested participants may register at https://bit.ly/freedom-march-2024. Registration is free. 

 

"As we march, we do more than remember; we pledge to carry the torch of their legacy forward, shining a light for future generations," concludes Villa-Real. 

 

For more information about the event, follow https://www.facebook.com/veteransbankmarch.