Philippines Vacation and Long Term Stay

by: Kira Chan Church wedding is actually a lady's dream, because of the abundance of grace and blessings when you are married at Church for your family and children. When you plan your Church wedding, you need preparation not only financially, emotionally, physically, socially but also spiritually. The best is to attend a retreat in preparation for this big event. It is best to have your spouse attend one too. You may also attend courses like "Before I do" and later on... "After I do"  seminars. Then the next big phase of a "Catholic Wedding" is the leg work: Here are the steps: 1.) Visit the Parish Church or Church you want your wedding to be officiated. 2.) Block of a date for your wedding. 3.) You may already hire a choir, photo shoot, make-up artist, interior decorator of your Church Wedding. The people in the Parish Church facilitate all the arrangement and thus all you need to do is reserve and pay the group you want to hire. Submit the follow

By Kira Chan is writing at the Furnished Apartment in Novaliches Quezon City Getting married in the Philippines usually involves a church ceremony. If you and your fiancée however wish to work on your papers fast, you may opt for both Church and legal wedding. Costs are lessened by holding legal and Church wedding on the same day ... It is best to  have the Church wedding in the morning and legal wedding immediately afterwards. Though typically a Church wedding also covers Philippine legal wedding, some opt to have both so, the legal papers are easily processed which can be used for working abroad as a couple, migrating to another country and or when petitioning the members of your family. There are  fewer documents to fill in legal wedding,  you need a marriage license. For the marriage license you need to submit the application form, a birth certificate, a certificate of no marriage, a residence certificate, and a passport sized picture. You also need to attend a seminar given by t

by: Ronan Vergara Ber months is when the traffic jams are quite normal in Manila, because this is when people start preparing for their Christmas gifts. Yes...not even before all Souls Day. The good thing about this is there are malls who actually have their sale by August which is really half the price. So its good to shop in the Philippines this upcoming August. During the Christmas season, people seem to get more and more excited over their Christmas shopping that they get to stay out in the malls more often than usual. Hence, traffic jams ensue, and you’d be left with nothing else to do but sulk in the bus or in your private vehicle. Once I had to endure six hours of travel in a route that normally takes two hours to finish, and I got to brush up on softening my short temperament amidst the traffic congestion and my filled up bladder. The streets are terrifyingly congested, aren’t; they? As long as overly excited mallers traveling all over Manila mix up with the mayhem caused by ro

by: Ronan Vergara If you plan to visit the Philippines this Christmas 2014, I am sure you have everything laid out as early as May 2014. What Christmas could ever be more colorful than one which is celebrated as early as the onset of the “ber” months? Yes, Christmas carols can be heard as early as September, and more so at the beginning of December, when you can expect hoards of children and sometimes adults caroling you in front of your houses, and even at the sides of your car during traffic, asking for some “Talent Fee” for their impromptu Christmas concert. Then, starting December 15, the Catholic Church begins the “Simbang Gabi” – a series of nine Masses is held before the break of Dawn, thus giving it the name “Misa de Gallo.” (Spanish for “Mass of the Rooster) Christmas lanterns adorn every place, coming in different shapes and sizes, from a little tasseled star to a gigantic supernova. Surely, these images would bring forth memories of your home, the Philippines, and the more y

by: Ronan Vergara I am writing in advance so in case you plan to visit this November, you can already foresee what you are going to see. Being Orientals, the Filipinos commemorate “Araw ng Mga Patay” (November 1) in a very colorful fashion. As a child, I recalled tagging along with my friends to sing the “Pangangaluwa” (a folk song about souls asking for alms) in front of households on evenings prior to November 1. We’d get coins, and if we’re lucky, some “suman” (glutinous rice cake) as a reward for singing. So, this is typically the same as the Western “Trick or Treat”, except that we don’t wear fancy Halloween costumes that make us cute instead of scary. Due to the American influence in the country, Trick or Treat is also practiced, especially in malls and posh villages. Unfortunately, the “Pangangaluluwa” tradition is dying already at the onset of modernization, but the tradition of visiting the dead during November 1 remains one Filipino trademark All Saints Day is a venue for reu

by: Ronan Vergara Reserve your tickets ahead whether you are going to the Philippines through airplane, or you plan to visit the provinces. October 29 till November 2 are blocked dates for visiting the faithful departed. The Filipinos pay high respect to their deceased loved ones, and the year wouldn’t pass without them visiting their departed relatives. And so November 1 (All Saints Day) is a special non-working holiday in the country. Normally, the holiday is extended a day before (October 31) and sometimes, even the day after (November 2 or All Souls Day) to give time to the people in traveling to their provinces for a visit to the cemeteries. If you think staying with  your relatives will make things very uncomfortable, why not plan to rent a short term stay furnished apartment nearby which is just 5 to 10 minutes away from your Mom and Dad? This is especially advisable if you have a family of your own. This will make life easier especially when visiting the cemetery at Holy Cross

by: Ronan Vergara I got two sisters and a nephew working in Canada who regularly send huge gift boxes during December. But what’s more exciting is having them with us during the holidays, wherein we’d feel much more a complete family. I know that this is one feeling shared by all Balikbayans who long to be back for Christmas, and if you’re that Balikbayan, you would expect a good number of hands stretching out before you for some imported items. But I know you’d agree with me that it’s more practical to buy the gifts here in the Philippines, and if this is your preference, you have to think of the most practical place for you to do your most practical shopping. Since malls (including duty-free shops) would care less in giving discounts during the Christmas rush, you may want to visit some other shops that offer more for less. A classic place is Divisoria, although you have to brace yourself for some elbow pushing as the crowd there inconveniently swells during Christmas season too. The

Nothing can ever exceed the joy of coming back home. This is very much true for our “Balikbayans,” who would love revisiting the Philippines after being away for some time in different places around the world. And of the twelve months in a year, the influx of Balikbayans happens in December. If you’re planning to return to the Philippines for the holidays, here is one very simple tip: avoid the Christmas rush. It is advisable to book for a plane ticket months before December so as to save money for the air fare and ensure available seats. Some Filipinos overseas do this too late an instance that they fail to go back home right before December 25. Take note too that December is a peak season for businesses in the Philippines, and this includes hotels and resorts, so expect to pay a little more than the usual rate in hotels. If you’re the type who cries “save” rather than “splurge,” then cut of the idea of staying in a hotel for some days. Staying at the house of your relatives is also v

by: Ronan Vergara The Philippines is a well known summer destination, with the combination of the blazing sun and the beautiful beaches being a certified temptation for tourists local and foreign alike. But this just lasts for half a year, for, as the country has only two season, rainy days are sure to come. Well, this year’s rainy season may be a little quirky – having arrived late due to El Niño – but it sure won’t make your Philippine stay all drenched down to disappointment. The good thing about touring the Philippines during the wet season is that accommodations are affordable, and swimming resorts all over the country remain available. More so, expect lesser traffic jam on the way out of Manila, and consequently, faster travel time to the country’s vacation hotspots. The downside here is that, ironically, Manila and its neighbors are experiencing water shortage, still due to the El Niño. But then, the beaches hold abundant supply of water, not counting its vast sea kissing the sa

by: Ronan Vergara Call it a blessing. The Philippines is one country you’d be pleased to visit three hundred and sixty five days in a year (except for twenty or so stormy days.) Summers are not scorching, and rains are never freezing, and perhaps the only thing that you’d combat is humidity, which, when mixed up with urban air, can leave you feeling uneasy. So, if you have placed the Philippines as your destination, you got to brace yourself for good tropical weather all throughout the year. By the way: the Philippines has only the wet and the dry season, and it is located in the northern hemisphere, meaning, it gets cool here while America and Europe are enjoying their winter. Well, that’s the overview. Let’s go to specifics. The Dry Season Beginning December, rains start to taper down its level, and the wind gets colder as Siberia experiences winter. Despite this, the weather remains sunny and consequently warm. Towards the end of February, as winter snow begins to melt, the temperat

by: Ronan Vergara There was a point in my life when I was so vain yet so ignorant that I applied astringent in my face three times a day just to ward off dirt and speed up the bursting of my miserable pimples. Then came my Biology teacher to the rescue. She explained that doing so would only strip off the protective layer of my skin that I need so much, since I spent most of the time playing outdoor soccer. Indeed, we need to ask ourselves a battery of questions if we decide to apply facial toner or go to a facial clinic. Is my skin oily or dry? Do my day-to-day activities expose me to the sun often or not? Do I have allergies or am I immune to all sorts of allergens? Do I have vices or not? All of the answers guide us to the proper facial toning that we need. Remember that as we cleanse our skin, we also make it vulnerable to the elements, so we better take good caution. Regarding skin types, choose a hydrating solution if you have dry skin, and oil-regulating solutions otherwise. Be

by: Ronan Vergara Healthy sleep takes seven to eight hours; sad to say, with my kind of lifestyle (and others’ as well, I believe), seven hours of sleep is a rare luxury. Due to this, not only do I feel heavy and cranky, I can also feel the effects of sleep deprivation in my skin, most prominently in my dark-circled eyes. I really got to do my health homework this time. We all need to rest to give ample time for our body to regain its spent energy in preparation for another busy day. Spent energy here doesn’t pertain to our internal functions, for even our skin also needs sufficient energy to remain firm and fair-looking. For many, including myself, the skin around the eyes indicates a lack of energy, and with our eyes being the window to our being, a mere look at us is enough to know that we lack rest. Add up the effects of too much alcohol and nicotine intake, and you could look more haggard than before. We do not want to show our youthfulness with a face that seems to bid sayonara t

by: Ronan Vergara Just recently, my wife and I have mustered enough political will to lose some pounds that we have woefully accumulated during years of neglect. So we bought an exercise DVD. I was a bit skeptical though, for I preferred my abs-shaping crunches that I wrongly did, resulting to nightmarish days of aching muscles. Then I tried doing the aerobic exercise, and Eureka! I discovered that not only did aerobics tone my body; it also allowed me to sweat a lot from head to toe, and having perspired so much, my skin felt smoother than before. Exercise, when done the right way, allows us to intake sufficient oxygen and to expel unwanted carbon dioxide and other toxins all over our body, including those in our skin. In my case, perspiration washed off in my skin the unwanted particles that remained since I seldom perspire due to my air-conditioned working environment. All the while, I thought a good shower would do the job, but then, I found out that as we clean our body externally

by. Ronan Vergara I got a vice as a teen-ager. It wasn’t on booze or cigarettes; it’s standing in front of the mirror, squeezing my new-born pimple in my face. It’s silly, but I just couldn’t take the presence of awful yellow spots. I could have gotten rid of this stuff, but the aftermath was so enduring, that I now carry the marks of my adolescent quirks. I don’t resemble a Greek sponge, but I don’t have perfectly smooth skin. A trip to a facial clinic for some extensive peeling procedure could do me wonders, but I find it costly and impractical. Do you share the same situation? Better try some home-tested tips on getting smooth skin the simple way. The most basic tip of all is so common, your mom could have thought you that as she potty-trained you: wash your face thoroughly. Now, what do you mean by “thoroughly?” Use only mild soap and water to cleanse your face. Simply use your hand to lather the soap; otherwise, gently rub your face with soft bath sponge. For whiteheads and stubbo

by: F. C. Irorita If you live very far away from the Philippines and decide to come visit our country, then you may have already experienced jet lag. Jet lag is a sleeping disorder caused by traveling to a different time zone and your body’s sleeping pattern gets messed up because your body clock hasn’t adapted yet to the shift in the hours of the day. To counteract jet lag, it is best to be prepared before traveling. The best way to deal with jet lag is to go to your destination a few days earlier before your intended arrival to give your body time to adjust to the new environment. Look for places to stay in the Philippines or find a vacation apartment so that you will have a temporary housing while you let your body recuperate. Additionally, you should refrain from consuming alcoholic or caffeinated beverages; instead you should give your body lots of water and keep it hydrated all the time. You could also try taking melatonin and then sleeping for around ten hours right after you la

Veteran travelers may have already visited the more famous destinations in the Philippines like Boracay and Palawan. However, our country has much more in store for you, especially if you’re after the less discovered, less commercialized beach which are easily the best places to stay in the Philippines. The province of Binmaley has Binmaley beach. Enjoy the find gray sand and the fresh sea food! Visit the white sands of Bolinao Beach, and wade in the river beach, and have cool deep. Clean white beach. You may also visit one hundred islands in one stop... the 100 islands in Alaminos Pangasinan! The province of Zambales has an undiscovered place that you could visit called Anawangin Cove. A family of locals serves as the care-takers of the place and will bring you to the island on a boat during the weekdays, and leave the cove for you and your family. There isn’t a vacation apartment there but the place is ideal for camping and soul-searching. You could also go snorkeling and diving in t

by: F.C. Irorita The Philippines is full of very friendly and hospitable people. Interestingly, they are also very approachable and always ready to help people who are in need. Don’t be afraid to make friends with Filipinos! The best way to meet Filipinos is to learn their mother tongue, Tagalog. Most Filipinos speak Tagalog and not a lot speak English fluently, so it is going to be easier for you to make friends if you know how to speak Tagalog. There are also a lot of other dialects in the Philippines for those living in the provinces, and you might want to learn them as well. It is best that you have a family or relative introducing to another friend or relative in the Philippines. This is the surest way to get good friends in the Philippines. Making friends is as simple as walking up to a person and introducing yourself properly, and talking to them about your stay in the Philippines. They will appreciate it when you also show interest on what they’re doing. Exchanging phone number

by. F. C. Irorita Do you like looking at waterfalls but wonder if they are safe to swim under? This list will show which of the Philippine’s hundreds of falls are the best waterfalls to swim under. 1.) The Mag-aso Falls in Bohol is one of the safest waterfalls in the Philippines, being only 25 feet high and falling on a beautiful spring that you could swim in while being mesmerized with the scenic surrounding. 2.) The Twin Maria Cristina Falls in Lanao del Norte is a breathtaking sight sure to inspire awe to everyone visiting. 3.) Busay Falls is also another safe choice, although not for swimming. This runs on Loboc River in Bohol where you ride a small boat and wade through the river, enjoying the view. 4.) Hinulugang Taktak in Antipolo is the closest waterfall from Metro Manila, being just an hour-ride away. Taktak means water droplets, and you could see that Hinulugang Taktak is a kind of waterfall you’ve never seen before. 5.) Katibawasan Falls in Camiguin Island has a very co

By: K. Chan Quezon City is known throughout the Philippines for having great schools, a thriving business center, and housing one of the strongholds of the national government, Batasang Pambansa. Most people are unaware though, of the rich culture that thrives within Quezon City. This June to August vacation, expose yourself to different forms of art in Quezon City! There are various offerings in those months, and the events listed below are but a tasty sample. The first event occurring in Quezon City this June to August is the Hillsong United concert! They will perform live in the Smart Araneta Coliseum on June 13.  Hillsong United is a popular Christian worship band hailing from Sydney, Australia. The band originated from the Hillsong church, but have grown to tour internationally. Their latest single,  Oceans (Where My Feet May Fail),  was number one on the American Billboard Christian Songs chart. Tickets range from P300 for general admission to P1500 for patron seats. Another sho

By: K. Chan For the upcoming June to August vacation, you may be thinking of travelling to a new place to realize your dream, to bond with your loved ones, or merely just a break. No matter what the reason is, do travel, and keep the following tips in mind. 1. Do your research. Before going on holiday, learn more about your chosen tourist destination. A quick Google search will easily acquaint you with the customs, tour places, and budget deals in that vacation place. If you’d like to have more in-depth knowledge, you could also purchase e-books from Unanchor.com . By researching, you are able to create a proper itinerary for your vacation and even if you are a more relaxed traveller, you benefit by knowing how to travel around the area and where to go. 2. Book in advance. As exciting as it may seem to go on a spontaneous trip, you get more benefits by planning ahead. You have a better chance of availing vacation apartment promos, cheaper airfare, and other bargain deals. You are al

By: K. Chan Novaliches Quezon City, located in National Capital Region, Philippines is a place where education, business, and recreation combine to form a vibrant and exciting city. This 2014, Quezon City should be on your list of places to go to while you are on vacation! Let me take you around your future destination and show you why. Summer Events in the Philippines Quezon City at March to early June according to the national academic calendar is when you have a chance to meet young people with their families. As a result, families are inclined to travel and hang out together more during the summer. Even with these factors, you will still have a good time at Quezon City. If you happen to visit the Philippines at this time, you are in luck, because even if you are in Q.C. you will be invited to go along to the beach and some nice vacation hopping around the country. Just bring enough budget so you can take advantage of the situation. Starting April and May, a lot of festivities are i

Undiscovered Philippines: Island Hopping By F. Recto For the typical tourist, an ideal vacation in the Philippines would be either relaxing at a beach or cooling off in the mountains. While all these vacations are enjoyable, we forget that the Philippines has more islands that have yet to be discovered. If you want to have better ideas for a vacation here in the Philippines, here are some examples you may want to inclue in your itinerary while staying at the furnished apartment in Novaliches: Catanduanes is one island that still remains untouched by tourists. Puaran Beach, home of the “majestic waves”, is one of Catanduanes’ prized attractions. The island also has diving spots for snorkeling, and beautiful waterfalls like the Sulong Falls. The fastest way to get to Catanduanes is a direct flight from Manila to Virac, Catanduanes. Romblon is made up of twenty different islands. Several beaches line the coasts of the Romblon islands, like the Tablas beach. Other natural attractions inclu

by: Mrs. Aileen Soriano North Luzon is a beautiful place, not much people visit this island, except the Balikbayans who actually know how homey and relaxing the place is. 1. Pangasinan is two hours drive away from the furnished apartment in Novaliches if you plan to make a stop over at the vegetable basket of the Philippines, Villasis Pangasinan. Take advantage of eating at the market resto all around, taste their tasty tupig and the famous Halo – Halo. 2. Another one hour drive will take you to Binmaley Beach , known as the cleanest beach in North Luzon because of its eco-habitat. Unfortunately, you have to reserve one year ahead before you get a slot during peak time from February, March, April and May. 3. Experience the 100 islands hopping in Alaminos Pangasinan , another  1 ½ drive away from Binmaley. See the ranging rainbow colors at sea while you eat along white sand beach. 4. Then if you want to really reach far, and do cave hopping and a picnic along water falls and the l

by: K. Chan Quezon City is known throughout the Philippines for having great schools, a thriving business center, and housing one of the strongholds of the national government, Batasang Pambansa. Most people are unaware though, of the rich culture that thrives within Quezon City. This June to August vacation, expose yourself to different forms of art in Quezon City! There are various offerings in those months, and the events listed below are but a tasty sample. The first event occurring in Quezon City this June to August is the Hillsong United concert! They will perform live in the Smart Araneta Coliseum on June 13.  Hillsong United is a popular Christian worship band hailing from Sydney, Australia. The band originated from the Hillsong church, but have grown to tour internationally. Their latest single,  Oceans (Where My Feet May Fail),  was number one on the American Billboard Christian Songs chart. Tickets range from P300 for general admission to P1500 for patron seats. Another sho

by: F.C.  Irorita Under this hot searing heat of the sun, it is a no-brainer that the air-conditioner in your room should be left on. All the electric fans will surely be directed at you, and yet you perspire a lot and feel so hot. You take a shower three times a day, but the moment you leave the bathroom the drops of water you bathed in quickly become beads of sweat. So you ask me, what else can I do to keep myself cool during the summer? Fortunately for you, my friend, you asked the right person. Here is how you could cool yourself while you are enjoying your vacation in the Philippines. Let’s start first with the hard stuff. To keep everything in high efficiency and in good order, you will have to clean up everything in the house. The dust that accumulates in the house blocks the airways, making the house hot. You might think that cleaning the house would just make you feel even hotter because of the work you’re doing, but once the house is clean you will feel a lot cooler because o

by: F.C.  Irorita As we all return to our homes after a long vacation, we also return to our daily lives and routines. But as Christians, we should also bring home with us the things we learned this past Holy Week and Easter. Whether you are on vacation in the Philippines or a permanent resident in the country, if you’re a Christian, it is important that we reflect on the importance of the Holy Week and of Easter. What is the Holy Week and Easter for you? Many people consider this as a time for vacation and relaxation, and they tend to forget the true meaning of these events. We get our holidays on these days so that we would be able to reflect on their meaning, but sadly people do not. The Holy Week should be celebrated with the sacrifice of our Lord in our minds. We should always remember that we continue to live and that we still have hope for salvation because of God’s love for us. Jesus’s sacrifice through His death should always be commemorated and seen as a Holy reminder of His

by: F.C. Irorita The summer time is the best time to visit the small islands in the Philippines. This is because it is harder to travel and to navigate when you go there during the rainy season, so the hot and dry weather of the summer will give you trips with minimal delays, not to mention the good view when the sky is clear and the sun shining on everything nicely. So this coming May, it would be a good idea to visit the following places. Hundred Islands National park – The Hundred Islands National Park is best visited this season when there is not much rain and the sun is always up to illuminate the sea. With the sun shining down upon the sea, you would be able to see the diverse marine fauna here. Plus, since it’s summer, there’s no hassle about delayed or cancelled trips due to rain. Boat all you like, there won’t be any limit! Chocolate Hills – It is almost impossible to enjoy the 1260 Chocolate Hills when it is raining because it only shows its chocolatey color when it is being

by: Mary Ann Bolanos Sore throat or Laryngitis can hit you anywhere. It is commonly  called  "sore throat". Common symptoms are: 1. Itchy throat. 2. Onset of headache, migraine, fever. 3. You can only whisper because the throat is swelling.  You are highly infectious at this stage.  The common cause of laryngitis is virus. You can feel very weak during the height of the virus attack. Typically it is not advisable to take antibiotics. On the third day, you will loose your voice. The virus typically lasts for a week if properly managed.  Here is what I usually do when I get laryngitis and I am traveling: 1. Upon arriving on site, eat hot chicken soup with l bulb of onion, half bulb of garlic, 2 whole American pepper, salt and pepper.   I drink lots of fluids and calamansi juice. Calamansi is the lemon version in the Philippines. Calamansi is small and green and shape like an orange, but its diameter is close to a penny.  Calamansi juice is best drank with wild honey, and lukewa

by: F.C. Irorita Summer gives families the opportunity to bond together while the young people don’t have classes. It also gives families the time to visit relatives who live in the provinces. Sometimes the relatives from abroad will come visit Manila for a family reunion, and finally relatives from abroad also find this as the perfect time to come back home. But a better way to celebrate the summer with the family is by going on a vacation together. Our family and our cousins all around the Philippines together before and it was a great bonding moment! Even though it was May and it is the summer season We rented a furnished apartment where we stayed for the three days we had our vacation there. The short term rent wasn’t costly and vacation rentals are usually cheaper by the month, especially if you pay in full and if you reserve early. There was also a time when our relatives who live in Hawaii came to visit us for a long term vacation. Since it was also during the summer season, th