The Week in Review from Feb 2 to 8

Another week, another handful of blog posts published across my little digital empire.

Six websites. Six different topics. Six different audiences.

It’s Sunday again and my son is playing with his makeshift planes and spaceships while I sit here on the couch typing away, reflecting on the work I managed to squeeze in between being a stay-at-home dad, walking 45 minutes every morning, and trying not to completely lose my mind.

Sometimes it pays to have a big belly, I guess—at least when you’re the designated landing area for toy aircraft.

This week brought a mix of heavy topics, product reviews, promotional content, and animal facts. And just so you won’t think I’m complaining or am ready to quit, despite this blogging thing being verryyyy exhausting, it is very much worth it.

Gaming Addiction: Probably My Last Word on the Subject

This one was personal.

I wrote about gaming addiction and how it destroys lives, careers, and families—specifically focusing on how the mobile game Last War: Survival has consumed my wife’s attention for the past year and a half.

It’s not easy admitting that your marriage is effectively over because your spouse cares more about alliance wars in a mobile game than their own child. But that’s the reality I’m living in.

I compared gaming addiction to substance abuse because the patterns are eerily similar: escapism, emotional disconnection, prioritizing the addiction over real life, lying about usage, irritability when interrupted.

The game itself is predatory by design—it demands constant presence, weaponizes social obligation through alliances, exploits the sunk cost fallacy, and operates as a pay-to-win money trap.

Writing this piece was cathartic but also draining. I said it’s probably one of the last pieces I’ll write about gaming addiction because honestly? There’s no point in continuing. The damage is done.

I’ve moved on.

This article wasn’t meant to change anyone’s mind.

It was meant to warn people who might be heading down the same path. If even one person reads it and decides to uninstall an addictive game, to look up from their phone and actually talk to their child, then it was worth writing.

Link: https://filipinowriters.com/is-gaming-addiction-ruining-your-career-and-home/

Metrobank Makes Money Transfers Cheaper

This week I also got some good news in my inbox: a PR request from Metrobank asking me to post about their new PHP8 InstaPay fee.

I said yes and published the article.

Here’s what makes this newsworthy: Metrobank reduced their InstaPay transfer fee from PHP25 to just PHP8—a 68% reduction. That’s significant for anyone who regularly sends money to family, pays small businesses, or splits bills with friends. InstaPay is a real-time electronic fund transfer service that operates 24/7, 365 days a year, supporting transactions up to PHP50,000.

The article explained what InstaPay is, why mobile banking apps matter (especially in a country where 88.5% of adults don’t have bank accounts), and how Metrobank’s new rate compares to competitors. I included tables showing fee comparisons across major banks and outlined the pros and cons of using InstaPay and mobile banking.

Why did I accept this PR request?

Because it’s genuinely useful information.

People in the Philippines rely heavily on InstaPay and digital banking. Lower fees mean more money stays in their pockets. Plus, Metrobank is a legitimate institution and the information could genuinely help readers save money.

This is the kind of sponsored content I don’t mind doing—when it aligns with my audience’s interests and provides real value.

More on that subject here: https://biyernes.com/metrobank-makes-everyday-lighter/

Valentine’s Day Content: Robust for Men Over 40

With Valentine’s Day approaching, I thought about what would be most relevant to men my age.

The answer? Male performance boosters.

Specifically, I wrote about Robust—a dietary supplement available in the Philippines marketed to support male vitality, stamina, energy, and sexual health. It’s not a medicine and carries no approved therapeutic claims, but it’s widely used by Filipino men.

I broke down the key ingredients (Epimedium extract, L-Arginine, Ginseng, Ginkgo Biloba, etc.), explained what each does, covered important safety considerations (including FDA warnings about undeclared drug analogs in some batches), and discussed dosage and availability.

But I also made it clear that supplements alone are not enough.

I shared my own health journey this year—stopping overeating, walking 45 minutes every morning, pushing past stage fright by recording singing covers for my band’s TikTok and Instagram, committing to publishing more content across all my websites, and building confidence for YouTube videos.

I also included simple exercises that boost stamina and energy: brisk walking, bodyweight squats, push-ups, planks, deep breathing.

These improve blood flow, cardiovascular health, energy levels, and recovery time—all of which directly impact physical and sexual stamina.

The message?

Aging doesn’t mean fading away. It means adjusting, adapting, and choosing to care. Intimacy in your 40s isn’t about performance—it’s about connection, emotional bonds, reducing stress, improving confidence, and showing up present and healthy for your partner and yourself.

This article is for men who need to hear that it’s okay to acknowledge that their bodies are changing, and that there are practical, responsible ways to address it.

Men, here you go: https://jectra.com/2026/02/03/is-robust-important-for-men-over-40/

Guitar Gear: The Sonicake Smart Box

I took a look at the Sonicake Smart Box—a budget multi-effects pedal that’s being marketed as an upgraded version of the Pocket Master (which I own and love).

Yeahhhh, it’s definitely a significant upgrade.

The Smart Box features proprietary white-box digital modeling technology, 130+ high-quality effects (compared to 100+ in the Pocket Master), and—here’s the game-changer—it supports third-party Neural Amp Modeler (NAM) profiles and impulse response (IR) files through 5 user slots.

This means you’re not limited to factory sounds. You can download professionally captured amp models and load them directly into the pedal. That level of customization wasn’t possible with the Pocket Master.

But what really makes the Smart Box stand out for live performance:

• True stereo outputs (unlike the Pocket Master’s single headphone output)
• Metal footswitches with LED rings for instant visual feedback
• Expression pedal and footswitch expansion support
• Wireless BT-MIDI for external controller integration
• 2000mAh battery (double the Pocket Master’s capacity)

For home recording and practice, it’s equally impressive with USB audio interface functionality, 2-in/2-out stereo streaming, loopback capability, re-amp support, OTG support for iOS and Android, 100 drum rhythms, a 20-second looper, and a built-in chromatic tuner.

At PHP5,000, the Smart Box represents Sonicake’s understanding of what users actually needed. It’s not just “more features”—it’s smarter features that address real workflow issues.

Am I tempted to get one even though I still have my Pocket Master? Absolutely. Will I? Probably not. But I’m never selling my Pocket Master anyway, so… will I?

Arghh! Decisions, decisions: https://musikawabad.com/is-the-sonicake-smart-box-the-improved-version-of-the-pocket-master/

Animal Content: African Pygmy Hedgehogs

Speaking of Sonic (the Sonicake reminded me), I started writing about hedgehogs.

Specifically, the African Pygmy Hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris).

I initially wrote a standard article but then scraped it and thought of a better way to present the information—something I could easily duplicate in the future.

Writing for all these blogs is taking a lot of my free time (not that I’m complaining), but I do want to have some free time.

So I created a stat sheet format that covers:

• Scientific classification
• Physical characteristics
• Habitat and distribution
• Diet and behavior
• Pet suitability assessment specifically for Davao City

I rated hedgehogs 1 out of 5 for Davao conditions because our tropical climate makes hedgehog ownership extremely difficult and expensive.

Hedgehogs need temperatures between 21-24°C (70-75°F) maintained 24/7. Davao averages 27-32°C (81-90°F) with 78-83% humidity year-round. You’d need to run an air conditioner constantly—costing PHP3,000-4,500 monthly in electricity alone. That’s PHP36,000-54,000 per year just to keep a hedgehog alive.

One power outage during Davao’s frequent brownouts could be fatal.

Plus, hedgehogs are exotic animals under Philippine law (RA 9147). You need a Certificate of Wildlife Registration from DENR. Cancer is extremely common in hedgehogs. Finding exotic animal vets in Davao is challenging and expensive. They’re nocturnal, so forget daytime interaction. And they’re not cuddly pets.

So, unless you’re prepared for massive electricity bills, have generator backup for power outages, can source exotic vet care, and have secured proper DENR permits, skip the hedgehog. Our climate alone makes this a poor choice for Davao residents.

Consider pets naturally adapted to tropical climates instead.

This format worked well and I’ll be using it for future animal profiles.

My Phone is Dying

Last but not least, my Samsung Galaxy A73 5G is about to give up on me.

The signs are there: battery drains faster, apps take longer to load, and now I have green lines on the screen.

I wrote about why a good phone matters to me (I run 6 blogs, shoot videos, record music, manage social media, take photos), what made the A73 5G great when it worked, and the problem I’m facing: I need something cheaper but still good.

I explored budget options including:

• Tecno Spark Go 2 and Spark Go 3
• Samsung Galaxy A07 4G
• Xiaomi/Redmi options (Redmi 14C, 15C, Note 14 SE)
• Realme options (C61, Note 60, Narzo 80 Lite 4G)

I laid out the pros and cons of leaving Samsung for budget Chinese brands, and admitted I don’t know what I’m going to do yet. Part of me wants to stick with Samsung. Another part is curious about these budget brands offering so much for so little money.

My plan? Test the Tecno Spark Go 2 that my wife has, buy a Samsung A07 to swap with her, research more Redmi and Realme options, wait for sales, and accept that I might need to compromise on screen quality and software experience.

The most important thing? The phone needs to handle video recording, work with my Maono Wave T1 Mini mic, run multiple apps without freezing, last all day on battery, and have a decent camera.

If a phone can do that for under PHP10,000, I’ll take it. Even if it means dealing with bloatware and a 720p screen.

Because I need a functional budget phone.

Check it out here: https://biyernes.com/time-to-get-a-new-phone/

Sunday Reflections

Right now I’m having a fun Sunday with my son as he plays with his toys. Sometimes it pays to have a big belly when you’re the landing area for makeshift planes and spaceships.

Every day I’m reminded that having a son with such a creative mind is a gift.

We practiced writing his name earlier and then had marshmallows for snacks. As usual, our breakfast consisted of eggs, meat, and rice. Plus milk.

It’s these moments—between blog posts, between video recordings, between walking sessions—that remind me why I do all this work.

The blogs aren’t just about earning money (though Google AdSense and Amazon Affiliate commissions help). They’re about mental exercise, staying sharp, building something for the future, and maintaining my identity as a writer and creator even while being a stay-at-home dad.

Why Blogging Matters: Mental Exercise and Earning

Why do I invest so much time and energy into maintaining multiple blogs?

Mental Exercise

Writing for six different blogs on six different topics keeps my mind engaged and prevents the mental stagnation that can come with being at home all day.

Each blog requires different research, different writing styles, different audiences:

• Filipino Writers demands thoughtful essays and personal narratives
• Biyernes requires product reviews and consumer-focused content
• Jectra.com needs health and lifestyle content for men
• Musika Wabad calls for music gear knowledge and industry awareness
• Hayop ETC requires animal science and pet care expertise
• And this blog, ChipCanonigo personal branding

This variety exercises different parts of my brain, forces me to learn constantly, and prevents my writing skills from getting rusty.

Research is a huge component.

For the Metrobank article, I had to understand InstaPay, mobile banking infrastructure, BSP regulations, and Philippine banking statistics.

For the Robust article, I researched supplement ingredients, FDA warnings, male health issues, and exercise physiology.

For the Sonicake article, I dove into guitar amp modeling technology, NAM profiles, and multi-effects pedal specifications. I also watched a ton of NAMM 2026 episodes on Youtube.

Every article helps me understand these things better.

Google AdSense: Passive Income from Content

Just to be clear, I wouldn’t do this if I wasn’t getting something out of it. Knowledge is good but I do still have to put food on the table, hence Google Adsense.

What is Google AdSense?

Google AdSense is an advertising program that allows website owners and bloggers to earn money by displaying targeted ads on their content. Here’s how it works:

1. You apply to AdSense and get approved (Google reviews your site to ensure it meets quality standards)
2. You add AdSense code to your website (usually simple snippets that create ad placements)
3. Google automatically displays relevant ads to your visitors based on your content and their browsing behavior
4. You earn money when visitors view ads (impressions) or click on them (clicks)

Payment Structure:

• Cost-per-click (CPC): You earn when someone clicks an ad
• Cost-per-thousand-impressions (CPM): You earn based on ad views
• Payments are made monthly once you reach the $100 threshold
• Money is deposited directly to your bank account

AdSense turns your content into a passive income stream. Every article you publish can continue earning money for years. A well-written, SEO-optimized blog post from 2020 can still generate AdSense revenue in 2026 if people continue finding it through Google search.

The key is volume and traffic.

More content + more visitors = more ad impressions and clicks = more income.

For someone like me maintaining six blogs, this creates multiple income streams that compound over time.

Amazon Affiliate Program: Earning Through Recommendations

What is Amazon Affiliate?

The Amazon Associates Program (also called Amazon Affiliate) allows content creators to earn commissions by recommending products. Here’s how it works:

1. You sign up for Amazon Associates and get approved
2. You create special affiliate links for products you want to recommend
3. You include these links in your blog posts, reviews, and recommendations
4. When readers click your link and purchase anything on Amazon within 24 hours, you earn a commission
5. Amazon pays you a percentage of the sale (typically 1-10% depending on product category)

Key Points:

• You don’t need to own or sell the product yourself
• You earn commission on the entire shopping cart, not just the product you linked
• It’s free to join and there’s no cost to your readers
• Full disclosure is required (which is why I always say “It won’t cost you extra and I get a commission”)

Product reviews and recommendations naturally fit into content. In my phone article, I linked to the Samsung A07, Tecno Spark Go phones, etc. If someone clicks that link and buys the phone (or adds a laptop and headphones to their cart), I earn commission on all of it.

It’s authentic monetization—I only recommend products I’ve researched or used myself, and readers appreciate having direct links to purchase items they’re interested in.

For blogs like Biyernes (product reviews), Musika Wabad (music gear), and Hayop ETC (pet supplies), Amazon Affiliate is a natural fit.

Combined Strategy

The real power comes from combining AdSense and Amazon Affiliate:

• AdSense generates passive income from traffic
• Amazon Affiliate generates commission-based income from recommendations
• Both benefit from the same content and traffic

A single blog post can earn money through:

1. AdSense impressions while people read the article
2. AdSense clicks if visitors click on ads
3. Amazon commissions if visitors click affiliate links and purchase products

This creates multiple revenue streams from the same work.

Pros and Cons of Writing for Multiple Blogs

There are pros and cons to maintaining six blogs with at least one entry per week for each:

PROS:

Diversified Income Streams
Six blogs mean six different AdSense accounts and six different affiliate opportunities. If one blog underperforms, others compensate.

Audience Building
Each blog attracts a different audience demographic, expanding overall reach and influence.

Skill Development
Writing on diverse topics (gaming addiction, banking, male health, music gear, animal care, tech reviews) builds broad expertise and versatility.

SEO Benefits
More content = more indexed pages = more chances to rank in Google search = more organic traffic.

Creative Freedom
Different blogs allow exploration of different interests without forcing everything into one niche.

Portfolio Building
Six active blogs demonstrate writing capability, consistency, and niche expertise to potential clients or employers.

Passive Income Potential
Old articles continue generating revenue years after publication through AdSense and affiliate links.

Mental Engagement
Constant research, writing, and publishing prevents mental stagnation and keeps skills sharp.

CONS:

Time Intensive
Six blogs minimum one post per week = six articles weekly = significant time commitment that eats into family time and personal projects.

Burnout Risk
Maintaining consistent publishing schedules across multiple platforms while managing other responsibilities (parenting, health goals, music projects) creates constant pressure.

Topic Fatigue
Sometimes you simply don’t have fresh ideas or energy for certain niches, but deadlines still exist.

Divided Focus
Spreading attention across six blogs means none receive the full concentrated effort that could maximize their potential.

Income Inconsistency
AdSense and affiliate income fluctuate based on traffic, seasons, and algorithm changes. Some weeks are lucrative, others barely cover hosting costs.

Platform Dependency
Relying on Google (AdSense) and Amazon means you’re subject to their policy changes, commission adjustments, and account suspensions.

Technical Maintenance
Six websites mean six sets of WordPress updates, plugin conflicts, security concerns, hosting issues, and technical problems to troubleshoot.

Quality vs Quantity Tension
Pressure to publish weekly can compromise article depth and quality when time or energy is limited.

Limited Social Life
Time spent writing, researching, and publishing is time not spent on hobbies, socializing, or simply relaxing.

Financial Reality
Despite consistent effort, blog income may not match a traditional job salary, making it difficult to justify the time investment purely financially.

This week I published six articles across six different blogs covering gaming addiction, mobile banking, male health supplements, guitar gear, exotic pets, and smartphone shopping.

I researched InstaPay infrastructure, supplement ingredients, amp modeling technology, hedgehog biology, and budget phone specifications.

I wrote in different voices for different audiences while maintaining my authentic personality.

I earned through AdSense impressions, potential affiliate commissions, and one paid PR placement.

And I did all this while being a stay-at-home dad to a creative 5-year-old, walking 45 minutes every morning, recording music for my band, and trying to build a YouTube presence.

Is it worth it?

Most days, yes.

The mental exercise keeps me sharp.

The income helps.

The creative freedom matters.

The portfolio builds.

The passive income potential exists.

But some days—when I’m exhausted, when articles feel forced, when I wonder if anyone even reads this stuff—I question whether maintaining six blogs is sustainable long-term.

For now, though, I’m committed.

Week in Review Summary:

• Gaming addiction article: https://filipinowriters.com/is-gaming-addiction-ruining-your-career-and-home/
• Metrobank InstaPay PR: https://biyernes.com/metrobank-makes-everyday-lighter/
• Robust supplement review: https://jectra.com/2026/02/03/is-robust-important-for-men-over-40/
• Sonicake Smart Box: https://musikawabad.com/is-the-sonicake-smart-box-the-improved-version-of-the-pocket-master/
• African Pygmy Hedgehog: https://hayopetc.com/african-pygmy-hedgehog/
• Phone replacement research: https://biyernes.com/time-to-get-a-new-phone/