Wednesday, January 31, 2018

Filstop Review- A Filipino Online Store

Today, I finally received my online order from Filstop. I chanced upon this online store through a Facebook ad. 

Today, I finally received my online order from Filstop. I chanced upon this online store through a Facebook ad. I’ve been looking for a more convenient way of shopping for Filipino foods and Filstop was the answer. For somebody who lives thousands of miles away from familiar cuisine, it’s a joy to find this. I used to shop at the Asian store about 35 minutes from where we live but the number of Filipino products at Filstop was just amazing. Here’s a review about my first order!

Web Usability:
The presentation of information and choices was clear and concise. The buttons for ordering were easy to understand and there’s no ambiguity since they also provide information about the products. Check- out was also stress-free and I was able to navigate the whole process without difficulty. Several clicks and I was done.


Product Price and Availability:
I personally think that price of the products was fair enough. Comparing some of their products to Amazon, it shows that Filstop is way cheaper. In terms of product availability, I guess it exceeded my expectation. Who would have thought that I'd find ‘itlog maalat’, ‘alamang’, ‘Bagoong Balayan’, and even ‘Quizon pancit’? I was too excited whenever I type the name of the product and they have several choices available. There are some products marked out of stock but it also happens even in other online stores. I removed my frozen products order when I saw that there’s a charge for special frozen package.

Delivery Process:
I placed my order January 22 and received an email confirmation the same night that my order was completed. Several days after that, I tried checking for an update but heeded no info when I tried typing the order number. On January 27, I received an email informing me that a ‘Fedex label was printed and order awaiting pick-up’. Expected delivery was late in the afternoon of Wednesday. Using the tracking number, I was finally able to check for updates of my package until I received it though FedEx today, January 31, Wednesday, 9:40 a.m.

Packing and Completeness of Ordered Items:

Packing was excellent. There were no broken bottles and all my items were in perfect condition. I received all my ordered items and the arrangement was meticulously done. I am a bit disappointed that some products like Argentina corned beef and sandwich spread were not made from the Philippines but I think it’s not really a big deal.

Is it worth the wait (January 22-31)? I think it is. Nothing beats the taste of food which reminds me of the Philippines. After enjoying my pork ‘binagoongan’ tonight, I am definitely going to have my monthly order.

Note: Filstop is more than an online store. Check their website here for more info. 

Sunday, January 28, 2018

Life’s Greatest Lessons from the Preschool

Choosing the path to be with the four and five-year-olds could be full of plethora of challenges but it’s definitely refreshing to listen to their words and experience their sweetest gestures. Almost 14 years of teaching and here in their small world, I learned life’s greatest lessons from little people with big hearts.

On Being Different

Five months of working at the preschool, not one kid asked me why I look different or why do I have an accent. There was only one time that my being ‘different’ was mentioned. I was reading the book entitled ‘It’s Okay to be Different’ to a five-year-old kid, when I pointed to myself and said, “Your hair is blond and mine is black. We’re different.” He looked at my eyes and told me with all the sincerity he could muster, “I like you because you’re different.”

On Friendship and Forgiveness

A kid screamed and I asked what happened. She said that her best friend told her that ‘She’s breaking up with her and they’re no longer friends’. I tried to explain that when she says those words, she hurts her friend’s feelings. She answered me, “It’s okay. I only said it but I still love her.” After a while, they were playing happily again. For them, forgiveness comes easy.


On Marriage
For being small, they could be very persistent.
1st Kid to the 2nd Kid: I love you and I will marry you.
2nd Kid: I will marry you, too!
3rd Kid to the 2nd Kid: No, I will marry you!
4th Kid to the 1st Kid: What about me? I will marry you!
5th Kid: My mom and dad got married yesterday. I will marry, Ms. Nina!
Me: I’m already married.
5th Kid: I don’t care. I will marry you.


On Love
The purest love that you could ever receive will come from these little people with big hearts.

A five-year-old boy almost asleep takes my hand, puts it on his heart, and hugs it, “I love you and you’re my family.”

A five-year-old girl was talking excitedly about going to her grandma’s house, “My grandma has the best house! Can I bring you with me, please?”

On Settling an Argument
Three kids were talking after an argument.
Kid 1 to Kid 2: You hurt my feelings. That was not so nice.
Kid 2: No, you hurt my feelings!
Kid 3 to Kid 2: Stop it. You’re hurting her feelings. You’re being mean.
Kid 2: No, you’re being mean.
Kid 1: I’m sorry. Let’s just play.


On Death
Death is simple. It's about losing but looking at the brighter side of things.

Kid: Ms. Nina, you have four dogs, right?
Me: No, we have three.
Kid: So, if one dies it's okay. You will still have two.

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