As many of the countries are opening their boundaries to international tourists, there’s still some that have travel guidelines at restrictions but they are open for tourism. It may be hard for these countries to fully widen their restrictions. Here are some of the countries that have different guidelines and restrictions to quarantine rules.
Since February 21, 2022, Australia has opened its doors for international tourism and you must be double vaccinated in order for you to be qualified for medical exemption.
Entry Restrictions
All travelers must present proof of vaccination as well as a negative PCR test result taken within 72 hours of departure. If you arrive by plane, you should be able to complete an Australian Travel Declaration (ATD) available online. Everyone going in and out of Australia should wear face masks during the flight and in Australian airports.
Quarantine rules
Quarantine guidelines are determined at a state level. Reduced quarantine may occur depending on the state or territory the visitor is traveling to because most states require them to take the PCR test within 24 hours of arriving in Australia.
Cambodia reopened their boundaries last November 15, 2021, and fully vaccinated visitors can enter the country quarantine – free if they present a negative COVID 19 test before boarding and perform a free rapid antigen test. However, Cambodia – Laos, Cambodia – Thailand, and Cambodia – Vietnam land borders have been closed for foreigners as of now until further notice.
Visas
You’ll have to work on your visa in advance before arrival for now, and they can be applied through the Cambodian’s official portal evisa.gov.kh or through a Cambodian embassy/consulate.
Travel Requirements
All vaccinated travelers need to demonstrate their vaccination status upon arrival. Additionally, when you want to enter the premise of Cambodia, you must:
For unvaccinated travelers, they must:
Quarantine rules
Fiji is open to foreign tourists from December 1, 2021, and there are no quarantine restrictions for those arriving from Travel Partner countries. But all tourists must follow the guidelines that are laid out by CareFiji’s plan.
Entry Restrictions
All vaccinated visitors and tourists are required to show proof of a negative result from a PCR test or a rapid antigen test in order to enter the country and must participate in an additional test for 48 hours. Tourists can be accompanied with their unvaccinated children, and there should also be an accommodation booking requirement (3 nights minimum) at a CareFiji Commitment certified property so that they can be allowed to visit the country.
Quarantine Rules
If you’re traveling to Fiji from a non – Travel Partner country, you are required to stay at a Managed Hotel Quarantine Facility for 10 days.
It’s safe to say that Indonesia is gradually reopening its doors to international tourism. Visitors can enter through the airports of Jakarta, Bali, Batam, and Tanjung Pinang.
Entry restrictions
Proof of vaccination (whether if it’s physical or digital), an obtained negative COVID – 19 PCR test within 72 hours, and a completed electronic Indonesia Health Alert Certificate (e – IHAC) must be presented prior to departure and arrival to Indonesia and another PCR test shall be done at the airport.
Visas
Quarantine rules
Everyone will have to undergo quarantine for 3 to 7 days in an Indonesian government approved hotel (unless you’re in one of the 23 countries who no longer require you to go quarantine). This quarantine is free for Indonesian locals, but foreign travelers have to do this at their own cost with a PCR test that will be administered on the 4th day, and it must be negative for them to be released.
Laos opened its doors for international air travel in January 2022, and fully vaccinated foreign nationals are allowed to visit “green tourism areas” and must stay in LaoSafe accredited hotels.
Visas
In place of the visa suspension until further notice, foreign passengers can fill out an eVisa form online under the Green Tourism Plan.
Entry Restrictions
All visitors arriving in Laos must present a medical certificate with a negative COVID 19 test result and a completed health declaration form within 72 hours. In addition, visitors must show a COVID vaccination certificate if they want to enter in “green tourism areas.”
Quarantine Rules
A PCR test must be taken upon arriving in Laos, and other visitors must undergo quarantine for 14 days at designated locations with expenses covered by the visitors.
This country is set to open its borders for international travel in the second quarter of 2022 without the mandatory quarantine.
Entry Requirements
Quarantine Rules
Being with the European Union, Nepal is officially open for tourism. Many hiking routes have been opened and trekking and mountaineering permits have resumed.
Visas
Issuance of entrance tourist visas have resumed, and foreign nationals should apply at Nepali embassies and diplomatic missions in their home countries.
Entry Restrictions
Everyone entering Nepal must have the following documents:
Quarantine Rules
There is no mandatory quarantine for fully vaccinated visitors traveled by air or land. Unvaccinated visitors must undergo quarantine for 10 days in an assigned hotel.
Rules for Vaccinated Travelers
COVID vaccination passports or certificates, negative PCR test results, and quarantine aren’t required to fully vaccinated travelers.
The Sri Lankan government decided to open the country last June 1, 2021 after ten months of closure.
Travel Requirements
Quarantine Rules
There is no COVID – 19 test upon arrival for vaccinated visitors. Additionally, unvaccinated visitors must have a hotel reservation for quarantine and undergo a COVID – 19 test upon arrival. Travelers who are partially vaccinated will have a ‘protection’ under the Tourism Bio Bubble which allows them to undergo a lenient quarantine for 7 days.
This country has reopened its borders to international tourism and the number of limited commercial flights that have been lifted since February 15 is expected to be restored to pre – pandemic level for vaccinated travelers. But recently, a proposal has been issued by Vietnam’s tourism industry to fully reopen the country and lift all travel restrictions from March 15.
Entry Requirements
Quarantine measures
Looking for an affordable property? Contact us today
A lot of Filipinos dream of owning their first apartment or house and lot. With today’s booming real estate opportunities, there are so many options to choose from.
Here at Vistaland International, we have a roster of affordable property listings from several locations across the country. Whether you’re looking for a place to live in Manila, Cebu, Davao and etc, we’ve got you covered. So contact our real estate agents today!
Vistaland International was primarily created to bring OFW closer to their dream of finally acquiring a home in the Philippines. And with the rising cost of living in the country, OFWs and their families are looking for ways to earn extra cash flow to support their daily needs. Luckily, you can also join the global network of Vistaland International as a real estate professional and earn a commission!
Vistaland International Marketing, Inc. (VIMI) is the international marketing division of Vista Land. Aiming to provide OFWs and migrant Filipinos a home in the Philippines, VIMI has established long-lasting relationships with brokers and clients around the world.
Get started with your property investments! Contact us today and follow our social media accounts: Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Let’s admit it, maintaining and cleaning our home can be such a gruesome and tiring task. And what’s more frustrating is that some of the common household problems are just hiding in plain sight! You thought you’ve already got everything covered, but are you really sure?
We’ve compiled a list of clever home hacks from the people of the internet who are generous enough to share their wonderful– and surprising discoveries of making household cleaning and maintenance a breeze.
You may think that you’ve already wiped your countertop sparkly clean, but take a second look! Your surface may appear spotless but take a good look at an angle with a good light and you will see the water stain splattered around. You can opt to use porous materials like paper towels or newspaper dipped in ammonia or peroxide to wipe away these irritating marks.
You may think cleaning your windows is just an easy task but doing the wrong way will leave unappealing streaks and marks. Fill in a spray bottle with vinegar and spray it on your window. You can leave them on for a few minutes to ensure you get rid of those tough marks. Wipe it clean with a microfiber cloth or newspaper.
Ready to take window cleaning on a higher level? Try this genius hack!
Wrap both tips of a tong with a microfiber cloth, using rubber band to prevent them from sliding out. Put a small amount of cleaner on your tong and wipe clean those horizontal blinds! This mechanism will also help you clean hard to reach places.
After disposing your trash, try putting old newspaper or paper bag at the bottom of the trash can. This will catch and absorb liquid leaks from broken trash bags.
Running late to the office and got no time to smoothen out those creases and wrinkles? Fret no more as you can hang your clothes in the bathroom (make sure it’s far enough so it won’t get wet while you take a bath). The steam coming from the shower will help smoothen out the wrinkles, so you can skip the ironing part– or at least shortening the time in doing the task.
Over time, your kitchen cupboards and closet doors may create a noisy, squeaking sound when opening or closing them. This is a sign that you may need to fix or replace your cabinet door. On the other hand, if your kitchen drawers are creating that loud noise when closing them, you can try putting hot glue or tape along the edges to minimize the irritating sound upon impact.
Sliding mats could be very dangerous as they may cause accidents and injuries if not addressed immediately. Put some hot glue on the back of the mat and press it down the floor. This should help the mat stay in place.
You are hosting an amazing dinner party but one of your guests accidentally spills wine on your freshly-vacuumed carpet. Lift off the stain immediately because once the stain is set, it becomes more difficult to remove. Wipe the stain with a damp cloth to absorb any excess wine. Pour cold water directly on the spill area and continue wiping until all the stain is eliminated.
You can also use baking soda to lift off the wine stain. Simply let it dry and finish it off with a good vacuum.
Aside from wine spills, the fur coming from your pets is another thing that can make your carpet look dirty. Aside from using a vacuum, you can also use a rubber squeegee to collect all fur and pet hair.
Another frustrating thing in your household is a clogged drain. You can solve this by pouring boiling water down the drain.
Albeit most of them are stainless, rust can still accumulate on our beloved knives, forks, and other silverware over time due to repeated washing. Soak them into lemon juice and let it some for some time before wiping them clean with a sponge.
Pour your favorite cleaner into the toilet brush holder to keep your toilet and bathroom smelling fresh.
Place a couple of marshmallows inside the bag or container before sealing it tight. This will keep the sugar from hardening.
Having a hard time identifying which is which in your tangled up cords and cables? Use labeled bread tags or masking tapes to sort these wires on a power strip.
Your kids’ creativity can sometimes go beyond their papers and extend up to the walls of the house, using them as a big canvas. Erase these drawings by squeezing a generous amount of toothpaste on the brush and rub it briskly into the walls. It will help loosen up the marker stains, making them easier to wipe out using a damp cloth.
Now that we’ve identified the most common household problems and their solution, take a look at this list of clever home hacks to make life at home effortless for you and your family!
Food splatters is very common in the kitchen especially when preparing food. Wipe the stove surface clean and put a wooden spoon on top the pot to prevent liquid from overflowing from the pot.
Having a hard time fitting two bowls inside your microwave? Try placing one bowl on top of a mug to create more space. Also, have you encountered heating up your food in the microwave just to find out there are some cold spots? This is such a bummer especially when you are in a rush of enjoying that leftover noodles. Carve a hole in the middle of your food, resembling that of a donut. In this way, heat will be distributed evenly, eliminating those cold spots.
Turn an empty jug or gallon into a paint tray by cutting the front portion of the jug, leaving the handle intact. This DIY project is especially handy when you are doing your paint job on a ladder.
Trying to hang up a photo but it’s constantly falling off because you can’t find your way to see the screws at the back? Try putting a small glob of toothpaste on the four corners of the frame and press it against the wall. The toothpaste should leave marks which will help you indicate where you’ll drill the screw.
Plastic packaging, especially the clamshell ones, will give you some challenge first before giving you access to what’s inside. Cut a slit on one side of the shell and slide a knife in between, gliding across and effectively opening up the packaging.
Keep your cabinets and closets organized by putting a magnetic strip on the back of the cabinet door. This will help storing small items like nail cutters and tweezers easy. Plus you don’t have to worry about lost bobby pins and hair clips!
With these life-saving, clever home hacks, we hope this will make your home life a comfortable and easy one.
A lot of Filipinos dream of owning their first apartment or house and lot. With today’s booming real estate opportunities, there are so many options to choose from.
Here at Vistaland International, we have a roster of affordable property listings from several locations across the country. Whether you’re looking for a place to live in Manila, Cebu, Davao and etc, we’ve got you covered. So contact our real estate agents today!
Vistaland International was primarily created to bring OFW closer to their dream of finally acquiring a home in the Philippines. And with the rising cost of living in the country, OFWs and their families are looking for ways to earn extra cash flow to support their daily needs. Luckily, you can also join the global network of Vistaland International as a real estate professional and earn a commission!
Vistaland International Marketing, Inc. (VIMI) is the international marketing division of Vista Land. Aiming to provide OFWs and migrant Filipinos a home in the Philippines, VIMI has established long-lasting relationships with brokers and clients around the world.
Get started with your property investments! Contact us today and follow our social media accounts: Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
With COVID – 19 restrictions below the belt, people are excited to travel again after almost two years of lockdowns and quarantine restrictions. But then again, it’s better to be safe than sorry when protecting yourself and your loved ones from COVID – 19, especially if you like traveling by having and doing the necessary requirements that are needed.
As of October 15, 2021, this country is open for tourism for vaccinated travelers arriving at India’s borders.
Quarantine Rules
The Maldives was completely open for tourism last June 2020, making it the most lenient country in opening policies globally for international travelers as most of their hotels and resorts are located in isolated islands. But you should be prepared when you want to move about as movements between resorts and islands are subject to authorization from their local authorities.
Entry Restrictions
Like India, there is no mandatory quarantine period when you arrive in the Maldives. But travelers will have to present proof of vaccination and a negative PCR test result 96 hours prior to departure as well as filling up a Traveler Health Declaration form and they must wear face masks in all indoor public places.
Visas
A 30 – day tourist visa will be issued upon arrival to the country.
Quarantine Rules
In case travelers show signs of COVID – 19, they must do a RT – PCR test and in case if it’s positive, they must do the mandatory quarantine period of 14 days upon arrival.
Reopened during the first few months of 2021, the Philippines have opened its borders for international flights, foreign visitors who are fully vaccinated, and nationals of 157 countries to enjoy visa – free short visits up to three weeks. But this is banned for unvaccinated travelers.
Travel Requirements
All foreign visitors must present the following requirements before entering the Philippines:
**Children who are below 18 years old are exempted from the full vaccination requirement.
Quarantine Regulations
On February 1, 2022, the Thai government launched the Test and Go Program where vaccinated international travelers can visit the country without quarantine.
Entry Regulations
All visitors must have two PCR tests — one upon arriving in the country and the other one after the 5th day (which is switched to the Self Rapid Antigen Test from March 7, 2022). They must also book day 1 and 5 stays at a Safety and Health Administration (SHA) approved hotel which has a RT – PCR test included and a health insurance with a minimum medical coverage of at least $50,000 or more to COVID – 19 treatment/medical expenses and hospitalization are required.
Visas
Long Stay Special Tourist Visa (STV): Allows visitors to stay up to 90 days (which can be extended twice) each time for another 90 days (9 months total of the duration of stay). The issuance of this visa costs around 2000 THB and this same fee applies for every extension.
Regular Day Tourist Visa (TR): Allows visitors to stay up to 60 days, and it costs around 1900 THB.
Both of these require a Certificate of Entry (CoE) which can be granted after applying on the official website of the Thai Government and approved by the Thai embassy/consulate in the traveler’s home country. They must have a bank statement of at least $700 per person ($1500 per family), an agreement for the 14 – day quarantine period upon arrival (at the visitor’s own expense), and proof of Alternative State Quarantine reservation. In addition, visitors who opt for the STV must present proof of payment of accommodation for 90 days.
Quarantine Regulations
Fully vaccinated tourists arriving in Thailand are released from quarantine.
The UAE is open for tourism to fully vaccinated travelers who want to travel to the Middle East.
Entry Restrictions
Quarantine Rules
If you travel with your family this pandemic season, making sure that a negative result from the mandatory rapid test and the PCR test is necessary to make sure your family is safe from COVID – 19 for non essential travel regardless of the travel restrictions imposed for domestic and international flights especially for countries like South Korea, Japan, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, European countries such as North Macedonia, and South America. More importantly, it’s essential to make sure all of your family members are fully vaccinated before going in and out of the country before everything goes back to normal so that it’s a reminder for people to travel responsibly.
While strict health protocols ensure our safety from the pandemic, it’s still important to feel secure with flight restrictions for our safety as well as having the final vaccine dose and a lot of prayers to God for you to enjoy life at its fullest.
A lot of Filipinos dream of owning their first apartment or house and lot. With today’s booming real estate opportunities, there are so many options to choose from.
Here at Vistaland International, we have a roster of affordable property listings from several locations across the country. Whether you’re looking for a place to live in Manila, Cebu, Davao and etc, we’ve got you covered. So contact our real estate agents today!
Vistaland International was primarily created to bring OFW closer to their dream of finally acquiring a home in the Philippines. And with the rising cost of living in the country, OFWs and their families are looking for ways to earn extra cash flow to support their daily needs. Luckily, you can also join the global network of Vistaland International as a real estate professional and earn a commission!
Vistaland International Marketing, Inc. (VIMI) is the international marketing division of Vista Land. Aiming to provide OFWs and migrant Filipinos a home in the Philippines, VIMI has established long-lasting relationships with brokers and clients around the world.
Get started with your property investments! Contact us today and follow our social media accounts: Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Why do Filipinos go abroad more nowadays? In more recent decades, more and more Filipinos have opted to move to other countries whether for personal or career reasons. If they have overseas jobs, they are more commonly referred to as Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs). The process of applying for overseas jobs may take a while but many agree that it is worth it.
Today, millions of Filipino overseas contract workers are in different parts of the world. Despite the increasingly competitive market, it is evident that many Filipinos still dream of finding work overseas and perhaps even moving there permanently. These aspiring OFWs have their reasons and most of them are leaving not out of choice but necessity. In fact, it is not their love of country that is lacking but the country’s love for them.
A long time ago, people used to work for one employer for the rest of their lives and usually somewhere near where they were born and raised. Migration was only done if the resources of the land were not enough to provide for the family. Nowadays, however, skilled workers look for the highest paying jobs even if it is halfway across the world from where they currently are.
There are plenty of high paid jobs that can be found in a foreign country outside of the Philippines. The best thing about it is that there are opportunities for practically everyone, including those who do not consider themselves as highly skilled workers. There are so many courses and certifications that are available for you to reach those dream jobs abroad. Here are the Top 10 countries that has the most job opportunities:
If you simply look at the numbers of Filipinos who live outside the country, it can paint you a confusing map. These statistics can include Filipinos who were born in a foreign country; those who are only moving there for short-term like a month or more; those who are there now but planning on moving back home, and many other factors considered by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).
In any case, the DFA has continued to monitor the number of OFWs in countries that have the most and highest paying jobs for Filipino citizens. Below are the Top 10 Countries with the most number of Filipinos who work overseas as of the year 2015.
Migration became a trend in the 1960s where the term “American dream” was coined. At a time of great prosperity, everyone wanted to go to the US and Filipinos were no exception. Foreign laborers were needed and this continued on decades later until today. A typical Filipino household would most likely have one member of the family who is an OFW, usually the breadwinner.
If not a family member, perhaps a direct relative or a close family friend. The point is, the majority of Filipinos either know an OFW or are planning to become one. There are millions of OFWs who are seeking for greener pastures and are after the highest paying jobs their professions and skills can give them. They may also want to move their families abroad. Nevertheless, there could be several reasons why a Filipino would want to work abroad and some are listed below.
If you’re a Filipino worker currently residing in the country but is considering becoming an OFW, you want to look for better opportunities. While getting the highest salaries the market can offer is great, bagging the job can be a bit more difficult. The top three countries that pay the highest money for professionals are the United States, the United Arab Emirates or the Middle East region, and the Asia Pacific.
In the United States, sea-based engineers are in demand and paid a lot of money. Blue collar workers like electricians, fitters, able seamen, cooks, waiters/waitresses, and stewards are also in-demand. A Ship Master can earn as much as PHP 99,000 or more a month while medical workers like nurses and nursing aids can earn PHP 80,000 or more.
Overseas Filipino Workers who are engineers, doctors, nurses, and IT professionals are some of the Middle East region’s most sought-after workers. They are also the most well-compensated, especially healthcare practitioners, including doctors, pediatricians, nurses, and veterinarians. They can earn up to PHP 86,000 and above. Those who don’t belong in these industries can still find job opportunities in the retail and food industry.
If going halfway across the world doesn’t sound so appealing to you, countries in the Asia Pacific can also be a good place to start your OFW journey. Malaysia, Indonesia, SIngapore, Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea are looking for skilled workers. Household service workers, caretakers, IT professionals, technical operators, and engineering-related skills are always in-demand. Depending on your skill and industry, you can earn up to PHP 59,000 and more.
There are many obvious reasons for Filipinos to wish to go abroad. Many of our countrymen would rather change their entire career path in exchange for the financial security an employment abroad can offer. These hardworking OFWs are also helping boost the economy. However, in the long run, the country’s systems and laws for laborers should be amended so that Filipinos no longer go abroad out of necessity but solely by choice.
Want to read more of the latest trending topics? Visit www.vistalandinternational.com, home to the Philippines’ biggest home and real estate developer. Trusted by millions of Filipinos here and worldwide, Vista Land International just might help you find your new home.
A lot of Filipinos dream of owning their first apartment or house and lot. With today’s booming real estate opportunities, there are so many options to choose from.
Here at Vistaland International, we have a roster of affordable property listings from several locations across the country. Whether you’re looking for a place to live in Manila, Cebu, Davao and etc, we’ve got you covered. So contact our real estate agents today!
Vistaland International was primarily created to bring OFW closer to their dream of finally acquiring a home in the Philippines. And with the rising cost of living in the country, OFWs and their families are looking for ways to earn extra cash flow to support their daily needs. Luckily, you can also join the global network of Vistaland International as a real estate professional and earn a commission!
Vistaland International Marketing, Inc. (VIMI) is the international marketing division of Vista Land. Aiming to provide OFWs and migrant Filipinos a home in the Philippines, VIMI has established long-lasting relationships with brokers and clients around the world.
Get started with your property investments! Contact us today and follow our social media accounts: Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
A lot of times, we think that buying a house and lot or land alone will just take a nick of time. But realistically speaking, the million peso question is: What is more practical, buying an existing house and lot or just land? The answer to this question lies in the real estate industry.
So you want to make your dream house come true after months (or years) in planning it, but not sure if you want to start from scratch like one of those success stories from people who have worked hard in building their own houses? Here are a few things to ponder before buying land prior to having a house instead of buying an existing house and lot.
Before you put action from your blueprints, here are some things to consider before buying land in the Philippines:
For Filipino citizens who want to buy land, you need to be at least 18 years old to handle contracts and to have some credible identification and documents such as BIR, Proof of Billing, and Proof of Income if you’ll apply for a loan (though a Filipino citizen who is a minor can secure real estate with their own finances provided that a legal parent or guardian is present beside you in managing contracts). For foreigners, it’s either you’re acquiring land through inheritance or a lease for a land that is good for 50 years and another 25 years for renewal.
The good thing about it is that you’re in charge of what kind of house or business that you’re aiming for. That means you’re in charge of how you want to go with the construction as well as the builder you’re working with! But you need to consider also the knowledge you need to have so that you can evaluate the land properly. Most landowners don’t exactly know the background information of the land causing unnecessary preparations and headache estimations that they make, causing problems even when you’re about to start building your own house!
Location and size of your land is so important because you want to know where you want to be accessible to (municipal hall, police station, hospital, grocery, mall, etc.) because when you want to put important stuff such as a septic system and many other utilities such as water pipes and electrical wirings, it’ll be much easier for you to move around and install those (especially when you hit the jackpot of a big land) and buying land to build later on can help you find and secure in the location you love to stand on (plus it’s a bonus when the land is big)!
While we’re on a reality check, you really need to find land that suits your needs and wants instead what home builders can recommend because you need to build what your land can allow, meaning you have to estimate how much it would cost for you to fit everything in the land you’re going to build on, limiting on what you can put and what you can design.
With many flexible financing options such as negotiating with real estate developers give you a safe number for the down payment from the purchase price of the land you’re going to buy and interest rates that are committable, you can enjoy and make the most out of your land when it serves you as one of the best ways to earn passive income from multiple buyers and a land partnership when the selling price of your land appreciates for the long run from a fair market value! Plus it can help you secure more promising construction loans for the bank! Talk about an investment, right?
On the other hand, it can be a drag as it can bite off more than you can chew when you’re going to pay for it and look for a builder later when you buy land in the Philippines. We know that you want to save that land for your future house, but maybe it’s better to reserve your land first before actually buying it, okay?
Land acquisition means a lot of taxes and documents to deal with authorizing registration. Aside from having government IDs and other proof of money, you also need some certificate authorizing registration. For couples who are married, they can bring up their marriage certificate. For individuals who are separated through annulment, they can either show a certificate of annulment or any document that can prove the marriage’s finality.
For those who are widowed, you need to bring up a death certificate. Whatever the situation you have, be sure to contact legit real estate agents that you know so that everything you do is 100% legit. When you buy land, you can have the notarized and signed deed of sale of the land you bought, the land title, property title, and the property ownership (plus you become an instant land owner)!
The only downfall of this is that you have to settle a lot of taxes from the Internal Revenue such as the property tax, transfer tax, and the capital gains tax and you also need to deal with the transfer fee and the registration fee and also securing the latest tax declaration with a documentary stamp tax and deal with other property taxes. Plus, you also need to deal in securing a tax clearance. Talk about a number and permit game, right?
A builder can be your best friend in dealing with a house that you want to start from scratch because you can draw up your plans for the perfect estate you want to build then find a piece of land that you need for that plan (and you can alter those plans later on and save you the headache from estimating costs on the materials that you need because they have knowledge on the fluctuating prices and the best quality items you need).
They can also help you in evaluating lots that you’re about to purchase and they can help you understand the important things you need such as zoning, titles and deeds like land title, title transfer, and so much more! They can also help you with your specifications for subdivision requirements as they have wide knowledge on where to place the things you need for your usual utilities such as a septic system, drainage, and electric wiring. In short, they can walk you through the entire process of having your own dream house and life!
Although we’ll give you a heads up: Once you hire a builder, you also need to adjust to the slight restrictions that he/she will establish on construction options and land choices because they’re the ones who’ll save you the headache of everything. After all, you want an easy life, right?
Understanding what kind of house you have in mind is the most important step in building your house, especially when you want to start from scratch. But as you go up the ladder in what you want, the costs go up as well. Here are the common types of houses that are built in the Philippines:
This is the most common type of house you’ll find in the Philippines if you’re planning to build a house on a staggered basis and an economically fair choice of P8,000 – 10,000 a square per meter (which will cost you around P1,320,000 for a two – story house). The only downside of it is that since it’s just a rough draft of what you want in a house, you would still find that the flooring is uneven and the walls are bare with cement and it only has a doorway, a bunch of windows, a sink, and a bathroom. Besides, you don’t want to live in a house that’s unfinished, right?
You would find that the walls are painted and the basic floor tiles of granite and wood are already there like an existing house that you normally see in a regular house and lot. This type of house gets you in the groove in personalizing a place that you can call your own! It can cost you around P10,000 – P13,000 per square meter, adding everything up to the labor and materials will give you an approximate total of P1,716,000 (excluding the makeover that you’re going to do).
When you want to go big for your dream home, then this is your best bet. A semi – elegant house is already a complete house personalized for you! The flooring would either have ceramic, homogenous, or vinyl tiles, and some of the furniture such as the cabinets are installed and painted for you! The only thing that’s missing? A bunch of other furniture such as a bed, appliances, and many others that you want to put in! There would be multiple divisions that can serve you multiple bedrooms (or you can reserve one for a guest room or a playroom, your call), sliding windows, and even more sophisticated details that you can’t find in a normal standard house!
The only thing you need to know is that it can be around P14,000 – P18,000 per square meter and this project can take you up to around P2,376,000.
And this is where everyone gets crazy when budget is out of the question and you have saved more than enough to build a house in the Philippines. Whether you’re going for that Avant Garde looking house or a luxurious mansion with everything you want in it, this property type has more than what you need. The square meter can be around P18,000 – P25,000, and it can go up to P3,300,000 for a project like this!
Of course you’re working with architects, real estate agents, lawyers, and the current property owner, but what you’re going to need are the big guns which are your contractors and subcontractors. When you work with the right contractors and subcontractors, you can negotiate how you want your terms for mortgage and other expenses as well as repairs and renovations that you need in order to live that comfortable life you’ve been dreaming of! If you have no idea who your contractor and subcontractor should be, then you should contact your real estate agent for you to have an idea who should write down the terms so that it’s a win -win situation!
Of course buying land isn’t as easy as a snap of a finger (that is, unless you have a lot of money). You need to slow down and take these important steps in not only acquiring your desired land, but in making your dream place come true:
This includes location, topography, and an area that is measured a square per meter, so you make sure that you find a vacant land for sale that you can make the most out of! Besides, the right property can come into your view when you imagine things with it!
Talk about payment terms and owner financing in the treasurer’s office of that property. Besides, it’s a 50 – 50 situation when you and your real estate agent talk about the terms, especially when it comes to money, right?
Of course with special power comes special responsibilities. You also need to consider road access and traffic flow while making your dream place come true because there are factors that you need to consider in terms of the time you’re building your house and in having a couple of finishing touches with them. After all, you wouldn’t want neighbors to complain about all the noise you’re making and finish that house in one piece peacefully.
Checking the land’s quality and in terms of foundation and soil condition is the most important thing you need to consider because you wouldn’t want to build a house on poor and unfinished quality land and so that it can withstand any natural disaster that can happen! And you need to make the most out of your land, so it’s also important for you to make sure that what you’re building is also suitable for the land that you’ve bought.
Whether you’re going to snake through electrical wires or install some pipes to connect to the drainage, it’s important for you to consider the passageways of your utilities so that it doesn’t crossover with water quality (and so that you won’t get electrocuted).
Since homebuilders are like your financial managers for your home, you can get a second (or a third opinion) from other homebuilders so that you can get a reasonable price that can fit right with your pocket depending on the agreement that you guys have!
Of course when you’re buying land, you have to make sure it’s prepared for you to build your dream place on! So consider these steps so that you can not only put up your property to live in and so that you can thank your land purchase for it!
In any undeveloped land, you need to conduct background checks so that you can not only make the most out of your land and make a deal out of it, but you’ll also know what you’re signing up for before buying that land.
Unless you think that the soil is already good and running, it’s a good thing to excavate and to have a rough grading to establish a foundation for your future home. After all, it’s a good idea to make sure that everything is in great condition before we can work on anything.
From the rooms to the pipe and electric works to the paint job and other works that need to be done, you need to know which is which and where to put the other in and out of your dream home!
Now that you know what you want in your dream house, it’s time to grab a pen (or pencil) and work on the floor plan of your place! It’s always a good time to plan and draw things out in order to manifest your dream home! You can always go back to alter the design if there are any changes that you have thought of later on.
Remove any weed, stones, or anything that will stand in the way of your construction before you build your own place. Besides, you don’t need to have more distractions and problems while building your dream haven, right?
Yes, we all want our dream house to be done, but you can never be too safe to remove debris so that you won’t have falling debris (and the risk of killing someone just because something is falling overhead).
There are other things to reflect on before you can acquire your very own promise land. But nevertheless, we want to make sure that you have the best land that you need to achieve your dream haven.
One of the most important dates to remember is when we celebrate women’s empowerment all over the world! On this special day, we celebrate women’s achievements from famous women around the globe to local women who constantly fight for an equal future for all. More women around the world are constantly making a difference for various causes that are not only important to them, but also important for all, especially for generation equality!
Ever wonder what makes International Womens Day an official holiday and how it creates a more sustainable future? Well, here are some things that you should know all about International Women’s Day!
Three colors represent International Women’s Day, which are purple, green, and white. Purple symbolizes justice and dignity which women and girls constantly fight for while green signifies hope and white represents purity. These colors were officially declared by the Women’s Social and Political Union (WPU) that took place in 1908 in the United Kingdom.
Did you know that International Women’s Day didn’t actually have a date initially? Well…
…the first International Women’s Day was also known as National Women’s Day in the 1900s where the rise of radical ideologies, population expansion, and a considerable amount of turmoil took place in an industrialized period. The drive of this socialist movement started out when women and girls became more vocal about gender gaps, gender inequality, and persecution that they reformed in 1908. Around 15,000 working women and girls all over New York marched and demanded shorter working hours, equal pay, and women’s suffrage.
A year later on February 28, 1909, the first ever National Women’s Day was celebrated all over America according to a declaration by the Socialist Party of America where women constantly commemorated this Women’s Day on the last Sunday of February. In between all of this, Copenhagen hosted its second International Conference of Working Women were Clara Zetkin, a German Marxist theorist and activist, officially proposed the idea of International Women’s Day where she recommended that it should be a celebration where we should honor every woman’s fight for the gender equality today every year in every country that they are in.
Over 100 women representing unions, socialist parties, and working women’s organizations from 17 countries along with the first three women who were elected for the Finnish Parliament were all in favor of Zetkin’s proposal, and that was how International Women’s Day came to be when it was first observed in Austria, Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland in 1911.
It was followed by Russia in 1917 when Bolsheviks Alexandra Kollentai and Vladimir Lenin made International Women’s Day on March 8, 1965 where the USSR Presidium of the Supreme Soviet officially declared it as a non – working communist holiday. The Chinese first observed this movement in 1922 which became a widespread propaganda to certain parts in China such as in Guangzhou where they saw 25,000 women and men marching for human rights which included Kuomintang and YWCA’s representatives as well as people from various labor organizations.
On December 23, the State Council proclaimed a decree that the official date for International Women’s Day is March 8 where it would be an official holiday where women would be given a half day from work.
It remained a communist holiday until the appear of the second wave feminists where activism re – emerged and is also known as the International Women’s Day of Struggle in Europe where women joined by leftists and labor organizations to call out for equal pay, equal economic opportunity, equal legal rights, reproductive rights, subsidized child care, and the prevention of women’s violence in achieving gender equality.
This is where the United Nations adopted this holiday in 1975 which has also been proclaimed as the International Women’s Year. In 1977, the United Nations General Assembly gathered member states to officially declare March 8 as an UN official holiday for women’s rights and world peace and as a women’s history month.
Women empowerment can be defined as a way of promoting women’s equality in terms of self worth, decision making, and their right to influence social change for themselves and other people. It is aligned with female empowerment — one of the fundamental human rights that can also be a key to a more peaceful and prosperous world where women’s empowerment and women’s rights have emerged as a part of a major global propaganda and is constantly breaking new grounds throughout the years.
Despite the great progress that was seen, women and girls are still facing a gender gap in terms of violence and discrimination all over the world, and that’s where these principles come in to remind you that gender does not have boundaries.
These seven principles remind us that not only women and men fight together side by side for these rights, but to also ensure that each and every woman is properly taken care of by instilling these principles into everyone.
Nowadays, more and more women and men empower each other in order to create a gender equal world and to advance gender equality in order to promote more ways to have equal rights regardless of each country’s history. There are less gender gaps as more women run for public office, mark IWD not only on March but all year long, and promote for social development when President Barack Obama started calling Americans to appreciate women more aside from official holidays such as Mother’s Day and Daughter’s Day and since there are more women in the workforce, people are giving equal work to these women especially in the civil society.
Over a million people celebrate extraordinary accomplishments and achievements of women by giving small gifts of appreciation all over the world, whether they are big or small.
This International Women’s Day 2022, we are celebrating gender equality for a sustainable tomorrow where women are aware of the climate crisis that contributes to the constant climate change that is happening around the world as they are more vulnerable to these climate changes than men.
Women and girls across the globe are stepping up their game in organizing sustainable initiatives in order to make the world a better place to live with women leaders changing the way we see sustainability and making them powerful and effective leaders for climate change adaptation and mitigation. Without gender equality today, a sustainable future and an equal future for all remains a reach for the stars for disaster risk reduction and natural resources conservation seminars and conferences such as the World Economic Forum that are led by women.
With more people promoting gender equality today, it isn’t safe to say when discrimination, violence, and racism are still present as gender bias and gender parity promote gender gaps in terms of societal status, class, color of skin, and economical status. Nonetheless, to promote gender equality is to promote a peaceful world to live in for developing countries.
But in getting a clear picture of women empowerment, it’s to best to say that it doesn’t mean that women should overpower men, but it means that women and men should be equal with each other and women should empower other women regardless of class, race, and status in not only for a sustainable development in the environment we live in, but to continue in being proactive and valiant in the injustices that constantly happen worldwide.
Nowadays, people start small businesses and slowly (but surely) make it on top of its best and other people invest in stocks and in cryptocurrency to fluctuate the economy all over the world, especially in countries that have suffered severely because of the pandemic. But have you ever wondered where your money goes whenever you open a business or start investing and have considered whether you should be starting up your own business or start investing?
Well, don’t worry! We’ll give you a crash course about the difference between a business and investing (as well as the pros and cons of the two) and what we think you should start first! After all, you want to keep your dollar bills falling for you, right?
Before we can give you the pros and cons of each one, we’ll give you a refresher about the difference between having a business and investing through online channels.
Opening up a business is when you become an entrepreneur and factor all of the things you need to put up for your startup (location, labor, supplies, taxes, etc.). You control where the money goes, manage your business hours, and you’ll have unlimited income. It has risks involved, but most of them are low to average due to competition and profits that are at stake when you have a business to run.
On the other hand, investing (especially in the stock market and in cryptocurrency), is when money controls you based on the performance of stocks. It serves as passive income, and you wouldn’t even lift a finger (except for shelling out money) when you see how your money is growing. It bases on the level of your risk appetite which are:
These investments can be in forms of:
But both of them involve money because in opening a business, you need to have capital (especially if it’s a micro business using your own money) while for investing, you only need a portion of your hard earned money on the line in order for you to start investing in stocks.
Now that we’ve got you covered in a bite – sized nugget refresher, we’re going to tell you the pros and cons of having a business and investing your money anywhere.
Opening and running a business can be a reward with the right marketing strategies and some good pitches, here are some of the things you need to know if you’re considering opening a business (especially a startup company or a small business):
Aside from having unlimited income, you can also control the quantity of products you want to sell and the price of the products or services that you offer for some profit. With low to average risks, it’s slower to lose money than when you earn money because when the demand is high, the profit is also high. Aside from those, you can open a micro mini business for as low as around P10,000 in the Philippines. When your business is booming, you can actually expand it (you can actually open up your own company or join a big corporation along with a string of businesses they handle)! P
lus, since entrepreneurs are on the rise especially during the pandemic season, you can either have a sole proprietor or a partnership for your business ownership, meaning you and your friends (or family) can actually own the business and be your own boss! How cool is that?
Okay, so you think managing and running a business is easy? Well, it’s not. For one, you need to do some massive work before you actually open your business (meaning you lose money first before you earn money, especially if you’re planning on a new business). A business takes a lot of documentation of permits, contracts, and registration papers. More importantly, when your business opens, you actually won’t start earning as much initially because people will have first impressions on your business.
Next is competition because here’s the reality of it: Most people have your skills in order for them to start a business (especially when you’re opening a food business because that’s where people would have a wrestling match). The million dollar question for every person opening a business is:
What’s your unique selling point?
Meaning you have to come up with what stands out from all of the existing businesses that are out there in less than ten to fifteen minutes (kind of like an elevator pitch).
The third that you have to consider are the bills (utilities like electricity and water) as well as other taxes that you need to pay from DTI and BIR. This can affect your profit because if you have huge taxes to pay, chances are that the loss can be more than what you actually earn.
Lastly, you need people involved. We’re not talking about employees this time, but business partners, especially if you’re about to become a small business owner. Relating to the second point of competition, you should know who you should have as your investors because good investors ask the right questions (and bad ones are just window shopping, okay?)
Investing is open to everyone (whether you’re a student, a working professional, a small business owner, or a big shot CEO) with a few clicks and swipes, but here are some things you need to know when you invest anywhere in the web:
You’re beating inflation. Investing in stocks, bonds, mutual funds, cryptocurrency, and many others in the stock market, there are higher returns when the inflation is good wherever you are. It’s also a good asset to add to your financial portfolio based on the performance of the stocks that are present in the stock market, putting a good word in the price fluctuations because who knows — the goods that you know and buy that are expensive now, can be made more affordable with a good inflation rate!
Another one is that there are fund managers and brokers who manage the stock market in various online platforms (meaning you can invest anywhere from GInvest, Coins.ph, Axie, etc.). So for example, if you’re buying stocks from JFC, there is a fund manager who can see the price fluctuations for you to know what’s going on in the market. A good fund manager can not only tell you when it’s a good time to invest and how much you should invest, but also when to pull out your money and sell your stocks.
For those investing in insurance, good financial advisors can tell you when it’s okay to pull out your money and help you plan your future (and even your retirement and death) because by then, you’ll have enough money to last for several years to go!
As mentioned earlier, there are various online investment platforms for every investment strategy that you’re gearing up for. If you want to play it safe first, we suggest that you should go for Axie or GInvest from GCash. However, if you’re willing to step up your game, then we can suggest that you should go for Coins.ph, GoTrade, and so much more on your app store! You can even go big and actually invest in the Philippine Stock Exchange where millions of brokers and fund managers can actually tell you which stocks you can invest in!
Another is that when stock prices are low (especially during crises), there are more people who buy stocks from these companies so that they’ll increase their investment stock portfolio based on the stocks that are bought (and sold after) online!
Finally, you can relax as it is a good source of passive income and the interest rates of investing are mostly higher than in most banks because the compound returns can actually be more rewarding, especially if you start investing earlier! You can also save time and stay ahead of the game with investing!
Between having a business and investing in stocks, investment risk is always average to high. For one, your financial security is at risk since your money is the one controlling you based on the stock prices that are fluctuating in a few years and investing in stocks (and in bonds and in mutual funds) can be volatile because you can’t be too sure whether you’re really investing or not. Aside from having a risk for your assets, you need to also have knowledge in the basics of investing (whether you’re planning to do stocks, bonds, or mutual funds) because one wrong move is critical for your money as an investor.
On the other hand, there are many companies that have been affected by the pandemic and other crises, so chances are that the investments that you’ve made have lowered their stock prices causing investors to lose more money than when you’re starting a business.
If you’re planning to invest online, you have to make sure that your investment platform is credible and legit because many online investment platforms require risks, and if you put them in the wrong places, then you’re financially messed up.
If you’re asking owners of small companies, it’s actually a threat because this can mean losing a lot of manpower and operations to run the business (especially if it’s sustainable for you). A lot of people, especially business owners, want to keep the business up and running as much as possible to keep customers ringing in for profit, especially if you’re starting a business from scratch (and possibly to change the image of the business, especially for business hinges).
But for investors, it’s an opportunity for them because they already have the knowledge about the market research this business has (plus minimal risk), and there’s a chance for a breakeven especially if it’s bought from big corporations because they would split the money (and a win – win situation) for some business owners!
For most people who are practical with earning money (and in changing the world), opening a business can be the most conventional option (especially if you want to be successful in life aside from working your usual nine to five job) because if you want to invest, you should focus on starting a business first. But if you want to have higher chances of success for the long run, you should invest. It’s how you strategize your own finances that matters in life because with all the knowledge the world can give you, it’s all up to you whether you can value your assets or gamble it all up just because not every risk is rewarding.
It’s that time of the year again when we’re commemorating the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. And it’s also that time when everyone prepares for the traditional (and eggs – citing) Easter egg hunt from making some colorful Easter eggs (and hiding delicious and delightful surprises in them) and putting them all over the place to letting the kids hunt all the eggs with their Easter baskets and discovering all of the surprises you’ve put in those Easter eggs for everyone to enjoy!
Aside from that, you also decorate your Easter egg scavenger hunt with some chicks, bunnies, marshmallows, chocolates, bunny tracks, and everything sweet and nice (and dress up as the Easter Bunny) all in one special day, which is Easter Sunday!
But it gets to a point where it’s a notion that even adults and teenagers get to have their own Easter egg hunt and they only make it for kids (especially for younger ones), and it’s a routine where younger kids have all the fun while the grown ups sit back and wonder if there’s more to Easter than just the usual.
Well, fret no more! We have a bunch of Easter egg hunt ideas (with a couple of fun twists) for everyone to join in the fun for every age group and to have an Easter celebration like no other! So grab an Easter basket and let the scavenger hunt begin!
The most basic egg hunt of all to get your kids collect all of the hidden eggs around the place, and all you need is to have an egg hunt checklist (look for a free printable or make a checklist of your own) of different kinds of Easter eggs that you need to find in your own place with different candy prizes to have a fun Easter.
However, there are other versions of this with fun twists for this traditional hunt for the entire family and age group to have fun!
We have the Easter Egg Treasure Hunt where you have to write clues and tasks and hide them in plastic eggs (and put them all over the house) for kids to follow in order for them to find a bigger prize such as a big box of Easter goodies!
You can get an easy puzzle for kids to solve (or you can buy a blank puzzle set so that you can make your own puzzle) and hide one or two puzzle pieces inside each plastic egg and scatter them all over your place so that you and your kids can complete the puzzle the fun way!
All you have to do is to follow the bunny tracks to find some colorful eggs on your checklist, and who knows? Maybe you’ll find yourselves for an Easter surprise at the end of the hunt!
If your kids are Lego fans, hide Lego pieces into eggs instead of candy so that it’ll be more fun and challenging, especially for older kids!
Looks like the Easter Bunny has turned into Willy Wonka with this fun game! All you have to is hide a bunch of golden tickets into some of the plastic eggs (not all, okay?) and put all of them around the house (or in your backyard) for little kids to find! It’s also good to add some gold stickers such as a star so that these little kids would know that they’ve seen a ‘golden egg.’ A word of advice — make sure you shouldn’t only have one golden ticket for one egg because it’ll ruin the fun!
If you’re the type of person who reserves his/her energy during the day, you can organize an Easter egg hunt at night with glow in the dark Easter eggs! Perfect for adults and older kids suck as preteens and teenagers, this Easter egg hunt idea will make you wish that Easter happens at night!
All you need are a bunch of medium or large size plastic eggs, some rolls of tape, a bunch of glow sticks, a handful of candy and other prizes, and a creative mind to hide eggs all over the place, and you’re good to go! Now all you need is that Easter spirit after the sun is down and x – ray vision for you to spot those plastic eggs filled with surprises that will definitely make a night to remember with your friends!
If you want to a creative Easter egg hunt idea for your kids to learn their basic counting skills, you should find some kid – friendly Math printables on the internet (or create your own) for them to know how many eggs your kids should fill up in their Easter baskets and a bunch of plastic eggs for you to hide around the place! This Easter egg hunt idea will not only spice up your traditional Easter egg hunt by simply collecting eggs, but this is also a creative idea for younger kids to learn basic counting skills! Who knew that there’s fun in counting?
This is your traditional relay race with a fun twist — with Easter eggs! Split the kids into two teams, and make the first kid find the first egg when you say go. Keep the relay going until one team of kids fill up their Easter basket with a specified number of eggs (ie. 20, 30, and so on) as a team. This game is for older and younger kids, so the fun shouldn’t stop from there!
Not only that you’ll get your kids entertained with all of the colorful Easter eggs and backyard creatures decorated all over the place, it’s important that most eggs are in excellent condition before actually hiding them and to have a party plan so that everyone wins with surprises such as little notes indicating rewards for the kids (and adults) and to have a candy overload with everyone to enjoy!
You can come up with your own fun activities for your Easter egg hunt so that everyone can join in the fun! All you need to do is to buy eggs (plastic and real), grab some art supplies, head over to some studio DIY websites, go according to your party plan, and let the egg hunting begin!
Philippines is undeniably one of the countries with the greatest number of Catholics—just coming behind Mexico and Brazil. For the majority of religious Filipino devotees, Holy Week is a sacred time to think and reflect about the sacrifices of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and ask penance for the sins they intentionally or unintentionally committed. It is also a great time to renew their faith and strengthen their relationship with God.
Holy Week or Semana Santa in Spanish, starts on Palm Sunday and lasts up to Easter Sunday or Pasko ng Pagkabuhay. This 2022, Mahal na Araw, as how we call it, will fall on the following dates:
April 10- Palm Sunday
April 11- Holy Monday
April 12- Holy Tuesday
April 13- Holy Wednesday
April 14- Maundy Thursday
April 15- Good Friday
April 16- Black Saturday
April 17- Easter Sunday
As the country’s quarantine measure transitions into Alert Level 1— interzonal and intrazonal travels are finally allowed, as well as operations of commercial establishments, we are hopeful to revisit various religious sites and pilgrimage destinations—of course, with the continuous wearing of facemasks and observing health and safety protocols.
And what’s the best pilgrimage destination other than the pilgrimage capital of the Philippines– Antipolo City?
Nestled atop a plateau a hundred meters above sea level, the City of Antipolo offers a breathtaking view of the metropolis as it lies East of Manila. The largest city in Calabarzon in terms of population, Antipolo City is a city with fascinating historical origins littered with religious sites and stunning wonders of nature.
The city’s name was coined after a type of breadfruit tree locally known as ‘tipolo,’ which grows abundantly around the region. In 1975, it became the capital city of Rizal after the former capital, Pasig City, became part of Metro Manila.
Historically, Antipolo City contributed a lot to the country’s strife for freedom and sovereignty, even becoming a center for guerilla resistance movement during the Japanese occupation in 1898 during World War II.
On the other hand, Antipolo’s religious roots can be traced back in the 1570s, when Franciscan missionaries erected a church in Boso boso. In 1626, Governor-General Juan Nino de Tabora bestowed the then growing community an image of the blessed Virgin Mary which he brought all the way from Acapulco, Mexico. According to accounts, this image of the Virgin Mary was often ‘lost’ and the people of the rural town will always find it sitting atop of the Antipolo tree.
Following the string of these unusual incidents, the people of Antipolo erected a church under the supervision of Fr. Juan de Salazar.
In 1639, the villagers a held a protest against the increase of tax price collection. In retaliation, the Chinese burned down the village, including the old Antipolo church where the virgin’s image was placed. Miraculously, the image was recovered from the debris unscratched. Ten years later, the image was renamed as Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage.
During Holy Week, numerous devotees from Manila and nearby provinces traverse through the slopes of Antipolo to attend mass at the Antipolo Cathedral. Those who wish for a safe travel and journey can ask guidance and protection from Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage.
On the evening of April 30th, pilgrims gather to start a journey on foot called Alay Lakad. The usual starting point of this march is from Quiapo Church in Manila. They travel through the path leading to the shrine where they attend mass at the wake of the sun the following day.
This annual scene earned the city’s title, Pilgrimage Capital of the Philippines.
One spectacle of the pilgrimage city is the scene of a woman wearing her Maria Clara dress lying in a hammock. According to the Filipino novelist Nick Joaquin, as mentioned in the blog, Traveler on Foot, the hammock is a reminder of how Filipinos travel in Antipolo during the old days. Back then, there were no available road to traverse Antipolo, and the best way to trek through the footpaths is by riding these hammocks.
If you are planning to visit pilgrimage sites, it is important to bring only the essential items with you. You will be venturing out on a possibly long walk and carrying a large bag full of unimportant stuff will just add burden and may ruin your holy week spirit.
Also, don’t forget to wear comfortable shoes and clothes. Pilgrimage usually happens during summer, so make sure to bring extra protection from the heat of the sun such as umbrellas and hats. Apply sunblock lotion for that extra layer of protection. Lastly, bring water bottles to keep yourself hydrated throughout the walk. Also, don’t forget to bring extra cash for out of the blue expenses.
And the most important thing to all, is to pack yourself spiritually.
There a lots various scenic spots you can check out at Antipolo City after your pilgrimage. Albeit lacking the sandy beaches or surf-worthy waves of other travel destinations, the breathtaking scenery and natural attractions make up for it.
Undeniably the city’s most well-known tourist attraction, Hinulugang Taktak is a wonderland of waterfalls surrounded by picnic groves and cottages, swimming pools and pathways that offer breathtaking views of the falls. The entrance fee to the National Park is 8 pesos, just add in 15 pesos if you want to take a nice dip in the pool.
Inday Deles, an Iloilo native, scoured the country in search of a mystical cave that kept appearing in her dreams and visions since she was seven years old. And that is the Mystical Cave in Antipolo.
Another peak pilgrimage destination, this underground rock formation is especially famous during Lenten Season for its stalactite and stalagmite limestone formations that resembles religious images. For a cheap price of 30 pesos, you can explore this wonderful cave with a tour guide’s company.
When we heard of the word ‘succulent’, the image of a single, lonely plant filled with thorns sitting in the middle of a hot desert pops into our mind. Though partly correct, succulents aren’t just limited to our prickly friends. So what really are succulent plants?
Succulents are plants that have thick stems or leaves that store water, making them drought-resistant. Succulents thrive in deserts and places with arid seasons. Some species are cultivated as ornamentals and houseplants.
Contrary to popular belief, succulents don’t only survive in the harsh conditions of the sandy kingdom. In fact, you can bring them inside the comfort of your houses and condominiums, all ready to receive your deepest care and attention.
Indoor succulent plants are very low maintenance, but choosing the right plant depending on your home condition should be taken into consideration.
If your house or condominium have few windows and minimal amount of sunlight streams through those curtains, this doesn’t mean that you can’t house a succulent of your own! Go choose what planter to grow from this list of low-light succulent!
If you’re a notorious indoor plant serial killer before, it’s time to turn over a new leaf with the help of snake plants! Also known as mother-in-law’s tongue, snake plants are considered one of the toughest low-light indoor plants, and one of the easiest succulents to maintain. They grow relatively smaller, about 4 inches in height– a perfect addition for small spaces like desk and tabletops! Snake plants got their names from the distinct markings on their long, pointy leaves that resembles that of, you guessed it right, snakes!
This indoor plant basically has zero maintenance as it does not require much water and can survive even in little amounts of sunlight.
Placement Suggestions: Balcony, Deck or patio, doorway, desk and tabletops (for smaller ones)
These succulents are famous for their rose-like appearance that comes in many shades of color—green, pink, purple, gray, and even blue! They are closely-related with Sempervivum—also known as Hens-and-Chicks due to how their leaves form rosettes. The main difference is that Echeveria forms rosettes with rounded-edges while Hens-and-Chicks tend to grow flat and pointed.
However, these indoor plants share the same needs when it comes to maintenance and care. It’s best to place them near windows where they can receive bright indirect light. Turn the pot occasionally so that sunlight is distributed evenly—this way, the growth of the leaves will be even. Be careful in watering them as too much moisture will cause their stems and leaves to rot. It’s best to just water them once a day and they will thank you for not drowning them!
Placement suggestions: Near windows, terrace, table tops (just make sure you put them out in the sun for a couple of hours)
A Madagascar native, Panda plants are known for their soft, fuzzy leaves that are irresistible to the touch! (Just make sure you don’t pick on them too much or they’ll die, which is a sad thing). They grow relatively slower than other succulents but can reach a height of up to two feet tall.
Like other indoor succulents in this list, panda plants require less sun. Just watch out for their leaves as watering them directly will cause their beautiful leaves to rot.
Placement suggestions: Balcony, doorways, patio
Aloe vera is one of the easiest plants to grow. It is also famous for being a medicinal plant as extracts from its fleshy leaves can be used to treat burns or you just can apply them to your hair. Aloe vera has long, serrated stems so be careful in handling them so you don’t cut yourself.
While they prefer direct sunlight, putting them out suddenly under the full sun might burn their leaves.
Placement suggestions: Near windows, kitchen counters
If your plant parenting skills is at beginner level, Zebra haworthia plant is the best choice for you! Commonly known as the zebra plant, these succulents grow to up to only 5 inches tall, which makes them perfect as neighbors to other indoor plants inside a terrarium. They look like mini aloe vera with green and white stripes.
It’s best if you put Zebra plants near windows for an indirect sunlight kiss. You don’t need to worry about forgetting to water them as they only need to drink once a month.
Placement suggestions: Near windows, table tops
Want to go a little extra with your house ornaments? Try growing these low-maintenance hanging succulents!
True to its name, this indoor plant literally has heart-shaped leaves entwined in string-like stems that threads down beautifully into a vine. Also known as rosary vine, this succulent can grow up to three feet in length—you can literally hang up a waterfall of hearts!
Allow the soil to completely dry in between watering. This plant may reward you with cute brown or pink tiny flowers if given enough and proper amount of indirect light.
Drape those shelves or ledges with the green, fleshy leaves of Burro’s Tail. Another succulent enthusiast classic, this planter can grow up to three feet long if watered sparingly paired with ample amount of sunlight.
Be careful! Burro’s Tail leaves are incredibly fragile so be a bit gentler when handling this rockstar. But the good thing is you can pick up those leaves that fell off and propagate them without breaking any sweat.
Also nicknamed as Hoya plant, wax plants boast their thick green foliage that stands out inside the room. But the most striking feature of Hoyas is their star-shaped, porcelain-textured flowers that fills the room with fragrance.
Low-maintenance vines, Hoyas have moderate watering needs. However, prepare a potting soil mix of pine bark, perlite and peat.
Despite having cactus in its name, this low-light succulent doesn’t have any sharp thorns. Instead, Christmas cactus has flat, segmented stems with no leaves. They usually bloom around Christmas time, hence the name. Thanksgiving cactus is its counterpart, which produces flowers during Thanksgiving season.
Not all succulents require little water. These planters prefer more water but not to the point of overwatering it.
Though generally considered low-maintenance, succulents still need your proper care and attention for them to grow beautifully inside your homes.
Genetically, they are still desert dwellers at heart, so they will always love the direct sun. They would need about 6 hours of sun exposure per day. It is best to place your succulents near a sunny window. Newborns may wither under the outdoor sunlight, so it is advisable to put them under sheer curtains, gradually introducing them to the sun as they grow.
Succulents will naturally lean towards the sun, so it is advisable to rotate them occasionally to prevent one side from outgrowing the other side. Leaning may also indicate that they need a spot where sunlight is distributed evenly.
One important rule: only water your succulent when the soil is dry.
Also, water your succulent according to season. Give plenty amounts during summer season and tone watering down during the rainy months. Overwatering may cause your favorite succulents to drop leaves, and what’s worse, kill them.
Pests in your indoor succulents isn’t usually a frequent encounter, but you might have to deal with them once in a while. Overwatering and improper drainage are the main causes of bugs. Dilute 70% isopropyl alcohol in water and spray them into your plants for an effective counter attack. Also, isolate infected plants to keep the pests from spreading.
Although soil types varies for each kind of succulent, the common formula for a good planting soil is One-third garden soil, one third compost, one third pumice. It is important to do a research on what type and combination of soil your succulent really needs.
Terra cottas are the best for your indoor succulent for they allow the roots to breathe. Glass containers are commonly used for terrariums.
Plant succulents in pots or containers that has a drainage hole to help keep your soil dry. A well drained soil will make your succulent extremely happy!
Whether you have a green thumb or a first time plant parent, there’s a succulent that’s a perfect match for you! Plus, having plants in your home comes along with a ton of benefits! So, get your gardening tools and green thumb ready for these indoor succulent plants!
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