I had an unexpected surprise early this week. I did not realize I had readers who thoroughly enjoyed my thoughts on the article last Saturday about the online gaming industry in which Solaire Online is the best-in-class market leader.

Much of the feedback overwhelmed me, to my great surprise and delight. One reader, a 65-year-old who dabbles in online gaming, shared, "Now I feel better because my occasional playing online contributes to nation-building."

Another reader said she "felt good that a distinguished and accomplished woman like me was open-minded and could share about the benefits of online gaming to pass the time away."

I have even better news for everyone. The integrated resort industry, which has gaming as a major part of its business, is feeding thousands of families by creating employment, helping and making entrepreneurs of ordinary people with the ancillary businesses that were borne solely to support the communities where these integrated resorts operate.

Some integrated resorts, like Solaire in 2013, were opened in places where there was not much commercial development at the time. Because of this need, it was imperative to build restaurants, bars, beauty parlors, spas, fitness centers, laundromats, and the like which gave job opportunities to many people and food on the table.

At the end of the day, this is what's most important, putting food on the table for our fellow Filipinos. It gave life to the communities that otherwise would not have existed.
As a social historian and a graduate of the National Defense College of the Philippines, I have become interested in this sociocultural phenomenon of daily life which becomes significant as it impacts the way we view online gaming.

A timely reminder to my readers is to ensure you only play on platforms that are officially licensed by PAGCOR. Please always be mindful this is a pastime, not a full-time preoccupation.

Be a responsible gamer. If you want to be sure, PAGCOR has a list of regulated online gaming sites on its website which includes industry leader Solaire Resort Entertainment City's Solaire Online. It is also the first to launch and operate among the integrated resorts in the country. You can go to www.SolaireOnlineCasino.com to check it out.

For my friends who play, I always tell them that when they win, part of their winnings should be donated to their favorite advocacies such as buying books for poor children, giving scholarships to deserving students, and providing food to orphanages. We should always pay it forward because this is what makes the world go round.
I welcome more comments from my readers, and I hope you all heed my advice. We need to remember that life is short and every moment in our lives must count.