u/Mysterious_Yak_8621

Skin Type: Dry, acne-prone (mostly small bumps/closed comedones and a few whiteheads)

Age/Gender: 23/F

Current Skincare Routine:

None, HAHAHA. Used to not putting anything on my face other than soap.

(I'm still building a proper routine, so I'm currently looking for a sunscreen to add.)

Main Concern:

I've been researching a lot through TikTok and Reddit, and the two sunscreens I'm considering are Skin Aqua and Biore. I'm looking for something that won't clog my pores or worsen my acne, while still being hydrating enough for my dry skin. I also prefer something lightweight, without a white cast, and comfortable to wear in the Philippine heat.

For those with a similar skin type, which one worked better for you? If you've tried both, I'd love to know:

- Which variant did you use?

- Did it cause any breakouts?

- What was the finish like (dewy, natural, matte)?

- Which one would you repurchase?

I'm also open to other sunscreen recommendations within a similar price range if you think there's a better option.

Lifestyle Factors:

I work in a hybrid setup so most of the time with occasional outdoor commuting. I live in the Philippines, so the weather is usually hot and humid.

Budget:

Around ₱300–₱700.

Additional Info:

I don't have any known ingredient allergies, but I prefer products that are fragrance-free or have minimal fragrance if possible. I used to try Adorn since nakakaputi sya but I have heard they reformulated.

I'm in my Mid 20s, and I don't know if what I'm experiencing is trauma, should I seek medical help.

When I was a child, I witnessed one of my parents repeatedly cheating on the other. It wasn't a single incident, it happened throughout my childhood and into my teenage years. I was the only child who knew. I never told anyone because I was young, scared, and I was promised it would never happen again. I believed that promise and convinced myself things had finally changed.

Recently, I discovered it happened again, and somehow it's even worse than before.

Since then, I feel like everything I kept buried for years has come crashing back.

I can't even look that parent in the eyes anymore. It's not even a conscious decision. It's like my body reacts before my mind does. Whenever we're face to face, I instinctively look away because I physically can't bring myself to maintain eye contact. I don't know how to explain it, it feels like my brain immediately goes back to everything I witnessed growing up.

Then there's my other parent. Every time I see them, I'm immediately reminded of everything that was done to them. I look at them and all I can think about is the betrayal they never deserved. It's like my mind won't let me simply see them for who they are without replaying those memories.

The guilt is overwhelming.

Logically, I know I wasn't the one who cheated. I know I was just a kid. But emotionally, I keep wondering if I failed somehow by staying quiet all those years. I feel guilty toward both of them for completely different reasons.

For a while, I thought I was okay. I buried everything and convinced myself I had moved on. I became emotionally numb, almost like I couldn't feel anything at all. Then, out of nowhere, everything would hit me at once. I'd suddenly have a complete breakdown after pretending I was fine for so long. It's like I keep suppressing everything until my mind can't hold it anymore.

The nightmares have been the hardest part.

Almost every night, I dream that I finally tell my other parent the truth. It hasn't happened in real life, but it happens over and over again in my dreams. Every single time I wake up feeling anxious, exhausted, and emotionally drained. Sometimes I wake up feeling like it actually happened.

I've also started avoiding that parent because simply being around them brings everything back. I don't know if anyone else has experienced this, but it feels like my mind and body are reacting on their own before I even have a chance to think.

I also had thoughts of wanting to be gone.

I'm honestly wondering if I should see a psychologist or psychiatrist because this has been affecting my sleep, my emotions, and even how I interact with my own family.

Has anyone else grown up carrying a parent's infidelity in silence? Did it affect you years later like this? Did therapy actually help?

I just want to know if what I'm experiencing is something other people have gone through too, because right now I feel incredibly alone.

I'm honestly torn.

This is my first job. I started at 22k and got a raise to 25k after six months, which I'm genuinely grateful for. My manager saw potential in me when he hired me, and I feel like they gave me a chance when I was just starting my career.

But lately, things have changed.

Management has become more chaotic, the workload keeps increasing, and it feels like every time we finish one thing, more tasks get added. It also feels like the extra effort has become the expectation rather than something that's recognized. Tbh, other people gets recognized more than I do.

The hardest part is that I don't know when the "right time" to leave is.

Part of me feels guilty because this company believed in me first. Another part of me wonders if staying out of loyalty is holding back my career and earning potential.

For those who also started their first job earning around ₱20k–₱25k/month:

- How long did you stay before leaving?

- What made you realize it was time to move on?

- How much of a salary jump did you get after switching companies?

- Looking back, do you wish you had left sooner or stayed longer?

I'd really appreciate hearing your experiences, especially from those who started in the same salary range.

I'm a 23-year-old solo-living girlie started working September last year earning around a ₱25k basic salary.

My monthly expenses are relatively low:

- ₱3k rent

- Around ₱5k for food and transportation

- Around ₱1k for utilities and other essentials

I managed to save around ₱170k in 11 months by being extremely disciplined. I rarely buy things for myself, I think twice before going out, and I save aggressively. Some of my savings also came from graduation gifts and money I had while I was still a student.

On paper, it sounds like I'm doing okay. But mentally, I feel so stuck.

I graduated with high honors and spent years trying to live up to everyone's expectations. I thought that once I started working, life would finally feel a little lighter. Instead, it feels like I'm just surviving in an endless cycle.

Every payday is the same. No matter how hard I work, my salary stays fixed. I know budgeting is important, but it honestly feels like I've already optimized everything I can. At some point, it stops being a budgeting problem and starts feeling like an income problem.

I can't freely enjoy life without feeling guilty. I can't travel whenever I want. I can't say yes to spontaneous plans. Every expense feels like it needs to be justified.

The hardest part is feeling trapped. It's scary to leave because the job market isn't exactly overflowing with opportunities. But it's also exhausting to stay in a company where the compensation doesn't seem to match the effort you're putting in.

SOBRANG NAKAKAPAGOD.

Does anyone else in their early 20s feel this way? If you've been in this situation before, what helped you move forward? Was it changing jobs, upskilling, or is this just a normal phase of starting your career?

Hi everyone!

Can anyone recommend a good orthopedic doctor at St. Luke's BGC or anywhere in Taguig? My main concern is persistent upper back, shoulder, and arm pain from office work. It's been bothering me to the point that it sometimes keeps me awake at night.

I'm looking for a doctor who is thorough, explains things well, and doesn't rush consultations. Hopefully someone who can also assess if I need physical therapy.

Bonus if you know a doctor who accepts Avega HMO or if you've successfully used your Avega there.

Would really appreciate recommendations based on personal experience. Thank you!

Hi, I am planning to have a check up with and ENT doctor at St Lukes BGC. I have Avega HMO card and want to utilize it para no fees.

Do you have anyone na ma rreco na mabait and very comprehensive ang pag check sa patient? May mga doctors kasi na 5 mns tapos na consultations or di kaya mataray or uncomfy makausap.

Hi, I am planning to have a check up with and ENT doctor at St Lukes BGC. I have Avega HMO card and want to utilize it para no fees.

Do you have anyone na ma rreco na mabait and very comprehensive ang pag check sa patient? May mga doctors kasi na 5 mns tapos na consultations or di kaya mataray or uncomfy makausap.

Hi everyone.

I have an Avega HMO through my company, and I realized I haven't been maximizing it.

Aside from getting treated when you're sick, what checkups, specialists, or procedures do you usually use your HMO for?

So far, I'm planning to have:

- Specialized consultation

- Dental cleaning

Are there any other consultations or screenings you'd recommend, especially for someone in their early 20s? I'd love to make the most of my HMO while staying on top of my health.

Thanks!

I’m currently in my early 20s and sometimes I feel pressured to figure everything out as soon as possible. There are so many opinions online about what I should be doing with my career, finances, and life in general that it’s hard to know what’s actually important in the long run.

Looking back at your own journey, what lessons turned out to matter the most, and what things did you worry about that ended up not being a big deal?

Hi everyone,

I’m currently in my first corporate job and I’m trying to plan my career strategically. My goal is to increase my salary over time, but I also don’t want to be seen as a job hopper who leaves too quickly.

For those who left their first job for better pay:

How long did you stay in your first company?

Looking back, what would you do differently?

Thanks!