GAME | Landlord Real Estate Tycoon App Guide, Problems, Bugs, Tips, Review

I recently downloaded this app or game called Landlord Real Estate Tycoon, created by Reality Games. With versions in both the iOS and Android platforms, this simulation game has got me hooked! 

And I've just been on my fifth (5th) day in Landlord! Well, you may ask what Landlord really is all about. Seen on the image shown on the left, Landlord allows you to simulate the world of real estate investing. This means you can start practicing before venturing into real estate business. What actually happens in the game is that you start off with $50,000 and in the process, you get to purchase from a list of properties within your designated area.

Generally, Landlord is quite a good game, if not for the bugs and glitches which I'll be mentioning in this article as well.

PROPERTIES WITHIN REACH

Yes, Landlord actually capitalizes on information that's accessible through an online map. So wherever you are, the Landlord properties that you can buy are right just near you waiting to be bought. These come in share or percentage/portion of the property you can own at a given cash balance and level.

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Glitch/Bug/Problem: It seems like the database of properties don't really necessary reflect that of what you found in online maps such as Google Map. Only a few properties get to show up in your Properties tab.

EASY ACCESS

It's really easy to access the game. All you need to have is a Facebook or Gmail account. You'd also receive free coins which can be used to fill cash into your purse up to the designated storage limit (depending on your level which then is affected by your total net worth).

Glitch/Bug/Problem: There is a noticeable issue with Landlord and that is "Network Error" which is probably due to an overload in the servers, hence, making it hard to access its tabs in some instances.

Tip: I would suggest that you use a separate Gmail account haha, so that you're friends won't know you're procrastinating! Haha!

RENT, COST, MARKET VALUE

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Each property, per level, will have rent (which, some say, is somehow linked to how social media perceive your property), cost, and market value. The market value may increase or decrease given some factors, and may dictate the price of your property at the Marketplace.

Glitch/Bug/Problem: Sometimes, the rent and cost values nullify or become zero (0). I don't understand how this happens, but I do hope the developers will come up with a fix for this asap.

Tip: There seems to be a fixed return on investment (ROI) for each property at each level. Thus, it would be better if you really compare and buy properties based on how you perceive them to be popular or appealing. Game pros may opt to correct me on this, if I am wrong.

MARKETPLACE

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The Marketplace is like a global market where all players can see your property and bid on it if they like it. The most actively bid property that I see is usually Starbucks. I don't understand why, but perhaps it's the hype associated with it as it really gives good returns. This hype won't last long though.

Images Courtesy: Player Alberto B.

Glitch/Bug/Problem: There are instances when you're truly unlucky that after you send your property to the Marketplace for bidding, your property's market value drops to as much as 1%. This happened to a fellow Landlord player of mine who placed his property for $1 billion for 100 percent. And l and behold, after several minutes, the market value fell to $10 million for 100 percent which caused bidders to fight for it.

The Marketplace is where buyers look for good properties unavailable within their area. It could stretch from all areas across the globe where there are landlords. So, if your property isn't unappealing (or is losing market value) for you anymore, then you can sell it in the Marketplace for 5 coins.

Once you've placed your Landlord property up for bids in the Marketplace, your property will be on queue for four (4) hours. Only then when it reaches the last hour will it start showing up in the Marketplace list and players will start making their bids.

Tip: Buy properties you perceive are worth owning so that even if these lose their market values, you'd still appreciate them. Just keep hustling and selling (flipping) properties that you think would be a good target for bidders out there. As for me, when I started out I bought clinics and hospital near my place and in the marketplace. :)

COINS, DOLLARS, NET WORTH

The digital currency being used in Landlord is in terms of US $, but some properties require a certain amount of coins in order to buy them. And you can refill with cash up to your level's storage limit through coins. This is the reason why some players really pay real money to get lots of coins so that they could increase their net worth (total empire's worth) faster.

Also, sums of coins may be used to increase your earnings or boosting your skills. I haven't actually tried increasing any of the skills, the benefits of which are enlisted below.

• Tycoon - increase property slots (default is 10 slots)
• Lawyer - increase properties waiting for paperwork (default is 1 property transaction processed at a time)
• Innovator - reduce property costs (default is 0%)
• Landlord - increase property rent (default is 0%)
• Accountant - reduce taxes (default is 0%)
• Speculator - increase property valuations (default is 0%)

Tip: These will be of great help once you've reach the multi-million or multi-billion net worth rankings. For now, focus on using your coins to refill cash and buy property. When you refill cash, make sure that the least amount of coins will be used to refill your purse, as being austere with your coins usage can be effective in getting to the millionaires hub within four (4) days.

ACTIVITY, PORTFOLIO, PROPERTY OFFERS, BANK, LEADER BOARDS

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Your sidebar will contain an Activity tab which actually details down the time you have done transactions (property sale or purchase), have made new friends, have received property offers, etc.

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A list of your properties may be viewed through your Portfolio tab. Here, you will see how much you are earning, how much you have earned in total, and what the properties' individual worth are. Some players if they want your property so bad or if they want to have fun would offer you more money more than the market value of your property through the Property Offers tab.

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Meanwhile, the Bank is where you get to purchase coins through your debit/credit card, remove ads, and fill your cash storage with the aid of coins. The leader boards will show you how you fare well vs your peers in the local, national, and global stage.

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Tip: At the bottom of the sidebar, you'll see an Invite Friends tab. Click on it and you'll see a unique code which you can share to your friends. When they punch in that code into the Enter box, you and they will get an additional $50,000. You may also check out the About Landlord tab if you need more help.

FINAL SAY

I guess I have contributed as much as I could in this article about Landlord, the real estate tycoon app. If I were to rate this, it would be a 2.99/5 as there is still much space for the game's growth and improvement especially on the part of the intermittent errors and value glitches that are happening. Landlord is a highly recommended game and one of the best tycoon games so far for tablets and smartphones.

If you need further support, join this community/group of Landlord players on Facebook: Landlord Real Estate Tycoon. See you there!

MUSIC | Shawn Mendes concert at SM Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena

Photo Courtesy: Facebook Page Shawn Mendes

Heads up everyone! As part of his 2016 World Tour, international artist Shawn Mendes will be performing here in the Philippines on October 26 at the SM Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena. This was confirmed by concert promoter Music Management International last March 18.

In 2015, 17-year-old singer-songwriter Mend debuted with his album “Handwritten” in 2015. It reached no. 1 on the Billboard 200 charts. The album included hit singles “Stitches,” “Something Big,” “Life of the Party,” and “I Know What You Did Last Summer.”

Shawn Mendes has been included in Forbes’ 30 Under 30 in 2016 and in Time magazine’s Most Influential Teens of 2014 and 2015. 

Tickets to Mendes’ MOA concert may be availed on the pre-sale today (March 19) until 10 PM. Log on to www.ShawnAccess.com to get the code. Log on to smtickets.com to purchase your tickets.

You may also buy Shawn Mendes' concert tickets on May 21 starting at 4 PM. For details, follow #MMILive (on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter); log on to SM Tickets, www.smtickets.com; or call 470-2222.

So, mark your calendars guys! Shawn's music is way better than what we hear today!

ALERT | Hacker group hacks, defaces PH websites

Hacker group Pinoy Hackers started making noise online as it defaced websites and sent a message to all voters. They aren't coming to sow chaos; instead, they are asking for something else.

The group called for all voters not to believe in black propaganda, to seek advice from people who know other candidates, and to vote those who deal with issues, not personalities. Lastly, the group sought for weariness and vigilance this coming election. 

The websites hacked include the following: 

1. http://braulioedujali.gov.ph/
2. http://drhtagum.gov.ph/
3. http://spda.gov.ph/
4. http://pinamungajan.gov.ph/up!oad/
5. http://www.fliptoplines.com/
6. http://www.tesda11.com/
7. http://www.abccenterphilippines.com.ph/
8. http://davaotourism.com/
9. http://pylon.asia/
10. http://careers.pylon.asia/
11. http://digitalfilipinos.com
12. http://www.skyrocket.ph/
13. http://bikeridemaps.com/
14. http://careers.skyrocket.ph/
15. http://godivephilippines.org/
16. http://geronimobdelosreyesjr.com/
17. http://www.abv.ph/
18. http://www.manillarose.com/
19. http://www.bevtools.com
20. http://blog.skyrocket.ph/

LOOK | How important is religion to Filipinos?

Holy Week in the Philippines has already begun. This period of significant religious observance starts from Palm Sunday (March 20) and ends on an Easter Sunday (March 27); this week is a bit earlier than previous years of the commemoration of Jesus Christ's last steps to crucifixion, central to the country's dominantly Roman Catholic and Protestant populace. For some, this week serves as a period to confess and repent for all sins committed; for others, it's a way to go to the beach and unwind with loved ones.

With all religious Filipino practices and rituals bore in mind, a question does beg for an answer. How important is religion in the lives of Filipinos? Is it still vital to Filipino survival? 

According to Pew Research Center data, 87% of Filipinos surveyed say religion is very important in their lives. This only means that religion is still central to Pinoy culture and tradition.

Image Source: Statista

Do the data then infer that 13 percent of Filipinos take religion as not important to them? Probably not, for it's possible that among the 13 percent who don't see religion as very crucial in their day-to-day living, some might have also considered religion as somewhat important or not too important. Hence, it doesn't necessarily say that more than 1 in 10 Filipinos are already atheists; this shouldn't be a big deal at all since everyone deserves to be respected regardless of their spiritual inclination. 

However, it should be noted that looking at the international arena, religion seemed to be more important to people in the developing world, with the world's biggest economies taking in much lower percentages, except for the United States.

HEALTH | (VIDEO) How vitamins work

For sure, there was at least one point in your life where you asked what vitamins are for. Or simply put, how do vitamins work? Why do some people take multivitamins? What vitamins are important in our everyday lives?

Image ScreenCap: Youtube channel TED-Ed

Well, this animation brought to you by Youtube channel TED-Ed explains the answers to your questions. In this video, you will understand the ways in which vitamins work. Mas maiintindihan mo kung papaano gumagana ang mga vitamins sa katawan. Ano nga ba ang role ng mga vitamins na ito?

Just watch the cool science video below. And don't forget to share it with your friends too!

Video Courtesy: Youtube channel TED-Ed, Ginnie Trinh Nguyen

A Youtube commenter ZestyManifesto listed down some of the general roles of certain vitamins (A, B, C, D, E, and K). Here are what each vitamin is for.

Water Soluble (dissolves in water)

Vitamin B Complex - Convert food to Fuel 

Vitamin C - Healing Wounds and Forming Scar Tissue 

Lipid (Fat) Soluble (can pass through lipid membranes)

Vitamin A - Makes White Blood Cells for Defense 

Vitamin D - Gathers Calcium and Phosphorus for Bones 

Vitamin E - Antioxidant for Damaged Cells 

Vitamin K - Score ability to Clot Blood

Hope you learned something new today! Araw-araw, binibigyan tayo ng pagkakataon na matutunan ang mga bagay na hindi pa natin alam. For the love of learning!

MUSIC | 12 OPM love songs you might want to include in your playlist

The world we know today is rich in cultures that have continuously fused and brought about more individuality in us. People now have more In the Philippines, Original Pinoy Music or OPM as it is called has again found itself back in the airwaves after losing steam since the 2000s. Today, a lot of OPM pop songs have emerged --- thanks to events like Philippine POP Music Festival, Himig Handog P-Pop Love Songs and other competitions, singers and songwriters out there are able to come up with really good, upbeat songs.

Image ScreenCap: No Erase

Here is a list of 12 of the most feel-good OPM pop (PPop) songs that you should have in your playlist. The list also details the singer/s and the year the music video for each was released. All video credits go to the respective Youtube channels. Enjoy listening!

1. Triangulo by Thyro and Yumi (2015)



2.Kilometro by Sarah Geronimo (2014)



3.Dati by Sam Concepcion (2013)



4. Mahal Kita Pero by Janella Salvador (2014)



5. Gayuma by Abra (2012)



6. No Erase by James Reid and Nadine Lustre (2014)



7. Hanap-Hanap by James Reid and Nadine Lustre (2015)



8. Ikot-ikot by Sarah Geronimo (2013)



9. Tayo by Sarah Geronimo (2013)



10. Akin Ka Na Lang by Morisette Amon (2015)



11. Simpleng Tulad Mo by Daniel Padilla (2015)



12. Mahal na Mahal by Sam Concepcion (2013)

LIST | Five (5) crowdfunding websites every Filipino should check out

Are you an idea machine fully capable of transforming what's in your mind into actions that would benefit, not only yourself, but other groups of people too? Are you a passionate, goal-driver dreamer capable of creating viable solutions out of real-life Filipino problems? 

Image Source: CauseVox.co

Are you a successful person who'd like to give back to the people behind your triumph by supporting budding entrepreneurs from different fields? Is altruism imbibed in your character?

Then, this article is what you are looking for. In this post, we list down some of the sites which serve as venues for someone to pitch your ideas in, raise funds, and deliver what you have promised for the benefit of the people whose lives can be changed by your vision. Besides this, it also allows wealthy individuals to effectively use their money for certain causes and support startups and thriving businesses that will go big and change the world.

People commonly refer to this way of seeking for or giving support to projects, products or events as crowdfunding.

WHAT IS CROWDFUNDING?

Wikipedia defines crowdfunding as:

"the practice of funding a project or venture by raising monetary contributions from a large number of people, today often performed via internet-mediated registries, but the concept can also be executed through mail-order subscriptions, benefit events, and other methods."

For a financially wealth person, it means you, yourself, will give a specific amount of money toyou fund a project (event, product, idea), and usually, the project initiators give you something in return. For the project initiators or organizers, you are given an opportunity to present your possible solutions to the online public.

Of course, Filipinos have had their fair share of financing and/or support seeking through crowdfunding platforms. Here is a list of some crowdfunding websites where projects/events created and/or supported by fellow Pinoys and foreigners have become successful.

1. PhilAmTHropy (PATH) : Get funded!

Image Source: http://www.philamthropy.com/

Its founder Georgina Lee envisioned it to be similar to Kickstarter; however, PhilAmTHropy or PATH targets Filipino-oriented projects that have a huge potential. And so, these receive financial assistance from PATH. PATH also focuses on high quality and viability projects, helping the project owners with their marketing campaign.

PhilAmTHropy (PATH) is a crowd funding site for projects made for or made by Filipinos. We coined the name "PhilAmTHropy" by combining the word "philanthropy" (love of humanity) with "PhilAm," our abbreviation of "Philippine Ambassadors".

Image Source: Called to Rescue

One of the projects it supports is Called to Rescue which is a non-profit organization aiming to fight child sex trafficking, violence and abuse in the country. Check out the Philippine chapter here.

2. Artiste Connect : Get funded!

Artiste Connect is a crowdfunding platform for talented artists and creative individuals to help them finance the production of their projects.

Image Source: Artiste Connect

Artiste Connect is not just about project productions. It’s about bridging the gap between the artist and the fan, as well as the artist and the businessman. Our goal is to connect and support both the artist and the fan. Know more about Artiste Connect here.

One specific interesting Filipino group featured in Artiste Connect is Color It Red - Facebook.

Image Source: Color It Red, Artiste Connect

The Filipino pop-rock band that was formed in 1989 had gained funding through Artiste Connect was able to record its fifth studio album “Silver” for its 25th Anniversary. Support them by checking out this link.


3. Crowdo: Get funded! Invest!

Crowdo (formerly Crowdonomic) caters to entrepreneurs in Asia seeking funding and visibility. It is based in Singapore and targets start up businesses not just individual projects. Leo Shimada, founder, said that their ultimate goal was to help entrepreneurs by addressing a key pain point – the funding gap.

Image Source: Crowdo

Crowdo is Southeast Asia's biggest crowdfunding company with a mission to empower Innovators and Entrepreneurs in Asia. We are leading the way in Asia with a comprehensive portfolio of Finance 2.0 solutions and services. Know more about Crowdo here.

Image Source: Earth Hour, Tumblr

One particular Pinoy project on Crowdo worthy of your support is Bancas for the Philippines which was raised by the WWF through Earth Hour Blue campaigns on the crowdfunding site. The project was successful it was able to get 18 Filipino fishing boats back on the water. The recipients were those fishermen who lost their livelihood due to typhoon Haiyan (local name Yolanda).

4: Kickstarter: 

Kickstarter, a large global community built around creativity and creative projects, has served as an avenue for at least 10 million individuals to back projects that matter.

Image Source: Kickstarter.com

Kickstarter helps artists, musicians, filmmakers, designers, and other creators find the resources and support they need to make their ideas a reality. To date, tens of thousands of creative projects — big and small — have come to life with the support of the Kickstarter community.

Image ScreenCap: Kim Komenich video on Kickstarter.com

Pulitizer Prize awardee, photojournalist Kim Komenich has launched a Kickstarter campaign for a $25,000-goal that will allow for the release of his new book detailing the fall of the Marcos regime in the Philippines during the 1986 "People Power" EDSA revolution. The release is in celebration of the 30th anniversary of the revolution. As of posting date, the campaign has already received the $14,000. If you wish to support this, here is the link. Other projects are available too.

5. Indiegogo: Together Do Anything

Just like Kickstarter and other crowdfunding websites, Indiegogo gives entrepreneurs, makers, movers, and shakers the chance to dream big and affect lives without the pressure of having to capitalist investors' demands. It gives entrepreneurs the self-determination they need and empowers them to go for their passion. 

Image Source: Indiegogo.com

Because every inventive idea should have its shot, and every creative entrepreneur should have their moment. When there’s more freedom in the funding of ideas, there’s simply more freedom, period.

Image Source: IQube on Indiegogo

Who says learning about electronics at a young age can't be simple and fun? A Makati-based four-man team created the IQube which teaches kids the basics of electronics by letting them connect cubes together, each of which makes a significant part of the electric circuit. This, thereby, allows kids to explore and understand part by part the circuit. Check out other Indiegogo campaigns here.