Happy New Year!!! 2019 is finally here, now what?

My daughter Lauren and I during the 2018 Holiday Season - South Tampa 2018 

Hi everyone! I hope that everyone is getting started right in 2019 =)

As I am sitting here writing this post, I can't begin to tell you how happy and blessed I feel just to be here. A few days ago I was a wreck, and this is why.

Over the past weekend, there was a typhoon (Usman) that damaged the Bicol Region of the Philippines, and this is where my fiancé and newborn baby were staying. I did not hear from them for TWO DAYS, and I can't tell you what I felt inside. It was the most horrifying experience! Just the unknown about the whereabouts and the condition of my fiancé and newborn was enough to drive me mad. I was in tears for hours on end.

Long story short, after a few days, I finally got word from my fiancé Arlene that she and my baby Penelope was all good, they were alive and well. This happened the night before New Years Eve. And I received the message from Arlene early morning on NYE, and all I can say is that "God is good".

This was my post on my facebook in regards to what happened:

When Typhoon Usman devastated Bicol Philippines

Watch the Birth of Penelope 

Thank you to all of my friends who supported me through this very difficult time leading up to the New Year. Thank you for all the prayers, and the love that you showed for my family. I am so blessed to have the best friends in the world. 

Video Clip from "The Guardian" Let us all pray for all the victims and families affected by Typhoon Usman. The death toll continues. 

How you can help the victims of Typhoon Usman

So this is basically what happened right before bringing in the New Year.  Crazy right!

Just a few hours after the good news from Arlene, I hopped on a plane from Florida to Las Vegas to spend NYE with my brother's family gradually working my way back to the Philippines. I made it just in time before the countdown, and was able to ring in the New Year safe and sound at my brother's house with some non-alcoholic sparking grape wine and some vegan pie, it was good a good feeling ringing in the New Year with family, but also knowing that my fiancé and baby was all good and waiting for me safely in the Philippines. I could not ask for more =)

Now as I am sitting up on my bed the next day, New Years Day....the first day of 2019, I am having visions of what will happen, or the things that I will have to tackle this coming year. Lot's of things to do, lot's of goals to accomplish, lot's of places to see, and lot's of love to give!

The four points are the things that I will be focusing on the most, and although that may seem so simple to some people, it really is.

My four points of focus for 2019 as posted on my facebook page:

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Other than the four points of focus, the challenge will be the things that will be happening in between. Here are just some of the challenges that I will be facing, but excited to conquer:

-  Raising my new baby in the Philippines 
-  Being consistent with work in order to continue to support my family
-  Keeping strong relationships with my business partners at a place that is not known for the best internet in Asia
-  Staying in contact with my daughter in the USA from thousands of miles away in the Philippines, and making sure that I still remain the best father to her, so important to me! 
-  Traveling for my OCRTUBE media projects which means I will be in and out of the Philippines and leaving my family. 
-  Working on eventually taking my fiancé and newborn to the USA to visit, lots of paperwork involved 
-  Starting another business in the Philippines to help supplement my projects and support my family, this takes a lot of time, and doing this in between everything else will be tricky
-  Getting married to my Queen. This isn't really a challenge, but I guess I just want to make sure that I can always provide for her, and show her how much I love and care for her and my baby while I am traveling for work. 
-  To eventually be able to take my family with me on my work travels, this is a financial challenge

Watch our 2018 Disney Holiday Vacation with family here

So these are just a string of things that 2019 will bring for me. I look forward to the new year, and what it will bring for me and my new family. Am I scared? Absolutely! But just like the incident that happened just a few days ago, I was shown that things will happen with or without me, so I have to continue setting goals and keep moving forward, have faith because God is always good, He always has a plan for me.

Anyways, just a quick share post. I hope that all of you have an amazing year, and I hope to run into some of you soon!

ONE MORE THING

This year as in past years has always been all about helping others, so just wanted to put this out here, if you are needing some health and fitness accountability or advice, please don't hesitiate to message me. I am by no means perfect when it comes to health and fitness, but two people "or more" helping each other towards a common goal is always better than just one.

Start the New Year off right, workout with me!

(14 Day Free Trial Offer, message me to be added to my free mobile app group too!)

Also, entrepreneurism is also something that I love. If you feel stuck in a rut, and need help with getting your finances in check for 2019, let's help each other. I don't have all the answers, but I would love to share some business ideas with you, and maybe both of us can take our situations, our future to a much better place in 2019, especially for our families =).

Connect with me on Facebook!

Happy New Year to all of you, let's rock it! =)

Subscribe to my Youtube Channels:

- Lagalag Mafia, my family life and travels in the Philippines and more.

- OCRTUBE, my mission to grow the sport of obstacle course racing around the world while giving back to the community.

Having Multiple Streams of Income - My Little Story

I'm a World Juggler

IS VERY IMPORTANT AS AN ENTREPRENEUR.

I remember growing up in a small Florida town, and watching my Dad work so hard. I often wondered how he was able to support all six of his children because my Mom didn't work, well she did....taking care of six kids is no small feat, but you know what I mean =)

As I grew older, I began to notice that my Dad worked on multiple projects, he was always busy! He would wake up bright and early, and come home late at night. He was also in the US Navy, but that was just the tip of the iceberg compared to what he really had going on. My Dad has always been a workhorse, and always believed in having multiple streams of income, and that's where my entrepreneurial journey began.

GROWING UP

I always knew that I wanted to be like my father. What I mean by that, I knew that I wanted to be in business for myself. The idea behind someone telling me what to do just didn't fit in with my mindset, it just didn't. During my adolescent years, I worked with my Dad at his restaurants, catering and concession companies. I learned so much as a kid, and by the time I became an adult, I was managing my father's companies.

My Dad and daughter Lauren

PARTING WAYS

As time progressed and I became more and more independent, I wanted to venture out and try things out on my own, I wanted to explore outside of the family business. I went to culinary school and did a culinary apprenticeship at the Walt Disney World Resort and worked at the finest hotels and resorts. I began to learn more about the hospitality industry and thought that this was the place for me.

Working as a Chef at 5 Star Restaurant Victoria and Alberts - Walt Disney World

I worked in the hospitality industry for a decade I would say, and while working, I was woken up by something bigger when I backpacked Europe for a month in the early 2000's. It was nothing that I ever experienced and I knew right then and there that I wanted to do something that would allow me to keep exploring the world we all live in. Travel was now my ultimate dream.

Get Cash Back every time you book your travels like me!

"I grew up reading my Mom's National Geographic magazines, that's where my itch to travel originated"

BUT, BUT HOW?

The internet bubble was just coming in full circle and I bought my first Web TV, some of you might remember that, but unfortunately, the company failed. I started learning about how the internet works early on, but I never found my place it it. I did everything from online casinos, to travel sites, to Amway, and even tried the infamous chain letter lol. Nothing ever brought me success, but I never quit. I was always juggling, exploring, and trying new things.

AND THEN

Finally, after years of working odd jobs, countless business fails, I found internet affiliate marketing, it was the beginning of a new life, and an eye-opener to what I can really achieve online as an entrepreneur.

TODAY

Marks almost 10 years that I have been in the industry. And for those of you who are not familiar with online affiliate marketing, it's kinda like eCommerce, well.....it all works hand in hand. ECommerce and Affiliate Marketing is a very broad thing to say because there is so much that you can do within the field. Let's just say that I partner with companies who already have a strong infrastructure. They take care of my research and development, drop-shipping, customer service, and technical issues. So what do I have to do? Well, I simply market their products and services and earn weekly paychecks. It sounds simple right, but trust me, it took me years to create a full time income!

Hustle and flow at my Airbnb in Cyberjaya, Malaysia

AM I RICH?

Hmmm, that is all based on what you call success. For me, I don't need much as a minimalist, but I still work hard. Heck, the richest man in the world still works hard day in and day out, it's no wonder why Jeff Bezos is worth billions, oh and by the way....his business is eCommerce =)

SO WHAT ARE MY STREAMS OF INCOME?

Glad you asked, and I'm surprised that you made it this far =). I just have a thing about giving people a little bit of history before getting into the dirt. If you want to know what I do, here goes:

1.  Online Affiliate Marketing - this all ties in with everything that I do with eCommerce, Network Marketing. I market everything from health and fitness, lifestyle products, and online travel services, but only market things that I use =) I have to believe in what I share with my friends, that's important.

How I Workout When I Travel

2.  Video Media and YouTube - I run a small youtube based media business where I film obstacle racing events, adventure travel, and cause-related non profit organizations. This is not really a business, but I tend to get companies and individuals asking me for my video services, so if I believe in their mission, I will help them out. As far as non-profit organizations and charities, I create content for them for free, it's just my way of giving back to the community.

Morzine, France to film the Spartan European Championships

3.  Airbnb - I found this business model while traveling all over the world on video projects and decided to give it a shot. I am currently working on a few properties that will also include local tours and experiences. It's what I love to do when I am stationary and not traveling. By the way, I'm a Super Host =)

Get $40 off your next Airbnb Travel Accommodation!

4.  Restaurant - Well, I am not technically doing this at the moment (but planning and re-designing is in the works), but I am trying to encourage my Dad to retire so that he can relax and enjoy his life that he worked so hard for. Once this happens, if it ever does =) I will be taking over the family business that I left many years ago. Many people ask me why I would do such a thing and run a bricks and mortar type of business, and this is what I say, "it's where it all started for me", I want to continue my father's legacy. For as long as I am here, I will help my parents, because I am so grateful for what they have done for me. Taking over the family business is an honor, and I will cherish it forever.

My Dad and I at a Spartan Race in Tampa, FL.

So I don't know what you thought you would be getting by reading this blog post. I guess the main thing that I wanted to point out is that, if you really want success in life, it's not about just doing one thing. I would not be who I am today if I didn't juggle my whole life. Life is not about monetary things for me, it's all about the experiences. Today's society is moving so fast, and trust me, I know how difficult it is to keep up. My little piece of advice should you choose to take it is, no matter what you do, make sure that you love dong it, and helping people along the way.

What are your streams of income? What is your story? I'd love to hear from you. And if you are looking for another stream of income, please feel free to connect with me, I'm sure that together we can find a solution to help you get to the next level of your life.

Working multiple streams while filming adventures in Nepal

Have an amazing day! =)

Subscribe to my Youtube Channels:
- OCRTUBE.com, Obstacle Course Racing
- Lagalag Mafia, my personal family adventures

Get CASH BACK on your Travels.....like me =)

So I've been getting a lot of questions about how I find the best travel deals when I am exploring this vast planet. As most of you all know, I am a budget traveler, so I am always looking for the best prices, not necessarily the cheapest (because cheapest isn't always the best, trust me on this one).

With that being said, just because I am a budget traveler doesn't mean that I don't enjoy nice places either. If you do your homework like I do, you can find some really nice places for great rates, I've done this many times during my travels at over 40 countries. It's really all about knowing when and where to book to find amazing deals!

THAT'S WHAT THIS BLOG POST IS FOR

My purpose for this blog is to share with you where I book my travels, and why. With almost 20 years of travel experience, I have found what platforms have yielded me the best deals, and now it's time to share them with you, only because messaging all of you every week on this matter is just very time consuming =).

BEFORE YOU BOOK TRAVEL

It's important for you to know that I only use a handful or platforms. I may find a good deal at one place but book somewhere else because I may get a kickback, or incentive from my travels, so loyalty is also important in the world of travel. It's all about taking care of the people, or company who takes care of you....again, cheapest isn't always the best.

MY TOP PLACES TO BOOK TRAVEL, and get cash back:

- FLIGHTS

1.  www.CashBack4Travel.com - this is where I book flights and get cash back. They also have a free membership program so if you refer other fellow friends and travelers to the search engine, you can either receive cash back or even commissions on their travel. There isn't any other travel site that does that.

Also, if you have a concierge business, or any hospitality type of business, you can use this platform to offer free travel services to your clients and get cash back or commissions towards your business. Not a bad deal!

2.  Kayak.com - I tend to find the cheapest tickets on this search engine, but I have also had the most terrible experiences with the booking from doing it the cheap way. For example, extra fees on baggages and getting charged for not checking in via web etc. Again, cheapest from the beginning doesn't mean cheap, they will get you somewhere along your travels.

3.  Skyscanner.com - I enjoy using this platform mostly during my European travels. But just like Kayak, I do not ever get cash back.

How I Workout When I Travel

- HOTELS and ACCOMMODATIONS

1.  Airbnb.com - I have been using Airbnb for plenty years now, and I am also an Airbnb Host, a SUPER HOST at that =). Airbnb isn't for everyone, but it is a great place to find great deals and local people to hang out with. I'll include some links to help you get up to $55 usd off your next booking, and if you decide to become a host, I'll include that link too. If you decide to host, you can earn as much as $1,000 and more, of course this all depends on your location and service.

Get up to $55 off your next Airbnb Booking, click here!

Become an Airbnb Host, make extra income!

2. CashBack4Travel.com - I rank this up there with Airbnb because there are times that I would rather stay at a hotel. This platform works with companies like Priceline, Booking.com, and Agoda, so with that combined inventory, there are thousands of hotels at really good prices, and on top of that, you will always get cash back every time you book. You won't get this anywhere else on the web.

3.  Kayak.com - Again, a great app for flights, hotels and even car rentals. Just beware of the cheapest rates, they can give you the biggest headaches when you are finally on your vacation. Spend the extra bucks to ensure a better trip, so for this, I would go for CashBack4Travel.com first, and then Kayak.

4. HostelWorld.com - No brainer here, this is where I go when I am traveling alone and on a really tight budget. It's also a good way to meet other travelers too.

5. FreeCampSites.net - I use this site on my long road trips. Most of the campsites listed are all FREE, but you must make a reservation far in advance. The site isn't that great, but the savings is all worth it. Great for the outdoor traveler =)

How I Travel 7+ Months Per Year!

- CAR RENTALS

1. Turo.com - This is really the only place that I rent cars. Turo is like the Airbnb for car rentals, and the rates are very comparable to all the other car agencies out there, but I enjoy bypassing the car rental counter. Also, by using Turo, there are no hidden fees like the other car rental agencies tag you for just for a commission. The downside is that Turo doesn't really allow unlimited mileage, so if you are going to use the car for a long time, then just go with booking on Kayak.com to find the best rate =).

2.  CashBack4Travel.com - If you want cash back every time you rent a car, then this is a no brainer =) This platform has better rates than Turo.com most of the time, but you still have to deal with the counter services and annoying car agents trying to make a commission from you.

Get $25 of your next car rental with Turo

Hope this helps! I like to keep things simple, I've found that these platforms yield me the best travel deals. If you have an suggestions, or would like to ask me anything, please feel free to contact with me anytime!

Mount Mayon Viewpoint - Legazpi City, Philippines

Youtube: Lagalag Mafia

I took my parents and Arlene's niece's on a road trip to Legazpi City, Philippines. One of the most spectacular sights to see there was the Mount Mayon Volcano which was visible as we were driving from miles away. We had an amazing time at the Quituinan Hills Ranch where I believe is the best place to view the volcano. Another place that we enjoyed was the Cagsawa Ruins, I'll post the links of the places that we stayed =)

Quituinan Hills Ranch Mt Mayon Viewpoint

Cagsawa Ruins Church Tower

Links:

Quituinan Ranch

Cagsawa Ruins

Places we stayed:

Sleepadz Naga City (Get 10% Cash Reward when booking - click here)

Sweet Haven in Legazpi City (Get $40 off your next travel accommodation with Airbnb - click here)

GET PAID TO TRAVEL THE WORLD

Enjoy my video, and happy travels!

The Birth of My Baby Girl Penelope

Video below =)

Just in case you missed my video posting on this via facebook, I decided to post it here on my blog.

October 27th, 2018 was a very memorable day for Arlene and I. It was like when my first daughter Lauren was born, my life was forever changed! Now I have 2 Princess's =)

Check out my daughter Lauren's Youtube Channel

I cannot begin to tell you how excited I am for the adventures that we are about to embark on, I literally cannot sleep just thinking about it!

So trust me, I can go on and on about family and my daughter's and you probably don't want that, so why not just watch this QUICK VIDEO of my baby girl being welcomed to this beautiful world that we live in =)

The Birth of Penelope Mari Javines Banawa

Watch more!

It's That Time of the Year Again - BLACK FRIDAY FITNESS DEALS!

Warning, these deals may save you  A LOT money =)

Sale dates: 11/20 - 11/26, 2018

ARNEL, "you're being a salesman!!!" What? No, I'm not lol....I'm sharing the same deals that I would if I found a hidden gem in the Philippine mountains or, explored a new cliff jump spot in Costa Rica, I'm just sharing, I promise! =). But if I was selling, you probably would want to buy, just saying =)

BUT aren't you a Beachbody Coach and you market fitness products right!??? LOL, well yes I do, for over 8 years now and people love it =), I would say that I am getting ppl off of their butts and getting them crazy SEXY (which reminds me, I need to do my workout today!!!) =) NOT ONLY THAT, I'm saving people LOADS!!!, so if you're not into saving cash then you can stop reading =) But I know you are as thrifty as I am!! =)

SO.........

If you're a shopper, or better yet, someone who just wants to SAVE MONEY shopping for things that can make your life way more meaningful and happy, then I have something to share with you that won't last long. All items are limited, so don't procrastinate like I normally would, don't do it!!

So as I'm sitting here in a co working space in Manila, Philippines (watching youtube videos, oh and working ha ha), I am bringing you some awesome deals that can literally help you have more money to spend during the holiday season, so without further ado, here you go my friends!!! =)

WARNING

by shopping here, YOU MAY SAVE MONEY!!!!!

SHOP HERE NOW

UK RESIDENTS

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UK RESIDENTS

SALE STARTS NOVEMBER 20, 2018 AND ENDS NOVEMBER 26, 2018 

I don't like shopping, I just want to workout - click here!

For other news, hop over to my new youtube channel "Lagalag Mafia" and watch some of my family adventures in the Philippines and all over. Videos added every week, or when I can find internet! =)

For a Free Online Fitness Assessment, message me!

I'm Moving to the Philippines!!!

If you've been following some of my posts on facebook, I'm sure that you have seen that I met a special someone in the Philippines while I was working on video projects in Asia. Long story short, she turned out to be my life partner, and not only that, we have a baby girl on the way!! How exciting right =)

I'm not going to write a long post about this, but in a nutshell, I started a new youtube channel to document my new life in the Philippines. My random videos will be focused on my travels, my daily life, getting back in shape LOL, raising a new baby in a different country, volunteering, and working remotely as a Digital Nomad.

What I use to workout when I travel around the world

I will continue to travel the world and work online during the process, but we plan to spend our time in between Asia and the USA. I've always traveled by myself, so the challenge now is about taking my family with me, and/or how I often I can and will be home to be a new husband and father. It will be interesting, but I am looking forward to this new journey!

GET PAID TO TRAVEL THE WORLD

You will be able to follow all of my updates and my weekly activities on my NEW youtube channel here. I will also be posting on my facebook, IG, as well as this blog. Social media can get a bit overwhelming sometimes, so I will do my best to stay on point, I promise =).

Subscribe to our Youtube here

To answer a lot of questions that` I've been getting lately, please kindly read the following posts below:

1.  I am still, and always be an Online Beachbody Coach, so I will be consistently coaching and consulting with people who need assistance with their health and fitness, as well as, accountability for better ways to become an entrepreneur in today's society. Contact me for a Free Fitness Assessment, and/or my advice on entrepreneurship and becoming a business partner.

2.  I will continue to travel and expand my cause-related OCRTUBE media project. To learn more or support my global media project, please click here.

3.  We plan to spend our time living in both the Philippines and the USA. My time the USA will mostly be spent with my daughter Lauren, and my family =) During this time, I will still be traveling the world on video projects.

Lauren and I

(Subscribe to Lauren's Youtube here)

4.  Baby shower and support donations can be made here <--------<<


Hope to see you all soon, and please don't forget to subscribe to my new Youtube, I will try my best to become better in front of the camera, vlogging tips and advice greatly appreciated!! =)