Philippines Vacation and Long Term Stay

by: F.C. Irorita This July, why don’t you start a Marian pilgrimage in Manila? It’s always a great time to experience the affection of Mother Mary, and there are always places to stay in the Philippines for you. It is easy to find temporary housing or finding a transient house for vacation here, so it’s convenient to focus on partaking in the pilgrimage. You could start your journey with the oldest recognized Marian shrine in Manila, the Ermita Church in Antonia Flores Street, dedicated to Our Lady of Guidance. To get there, you could walk from SM North EDSA to the nearby North Avenue Station, and take a train until you reach Taft terminal station. You’ll switch lines here and ride the LRT-1 line and get off at United Nations Avenue station, where you could take a jeepney to Ermita Church. Malate Church, dedicated to Our Lady of Remedies, is your next destination, and can be reached by riding the same LRT-1 line until you reach Libertad station. You’ll have to ride the jeepneys here th

by: F.C. Irorita If you are into water falls and you have a lot of time to spare this summer, then the Philippines is the best place for you to go for your summer vacation. There is always affordable vacation rentals for transienthousing available for you, may it be a 2 bedroom furnished apartment or a 5bedroom furnished apartment for the whole family. Taking a break from all your troubles in the Philippines is never a bad idea, so let’s talk about how you could get to all the wonderful water falls coming from Manila. The Pinsal Falls in Ilocos Sur is a prime spot for an intimate encounter with nature, which is an ideal location for family picnics or small gatherings. Travel time is approximately ten hours, starting from Manila when you take the Florida bus to Ilocos. Ask the driver to drop you off at Sta. Maria, and the tricycle drivers there can then take you to the falls. A beautiful and very elegant waterfall, and also one of the most famous in the Philippines, next in our list is

by: F.C. Irorita Tracing its roots way back to the 16 th century, the Catholic Church and the Philippines go way, way back. One way to trace Catholicism’s history is by visiting its churches, and there are many, even in Manila alone. It might take a while before you could tour all of them, so be sure to be on a look-out for a transient housing if you’re planning to visit the Philippines to tour the churches I’m going to talk about. Let’s start with the center of the Catholic Faith in the Philippines; walled-in the famous Intramuros and the highest seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese in the country: the Manila Cathedral. It used to be just a parish under the diocese of Mexico when it was erected in 1571, until it became a separate diocese in 1579. You could reach Intramuros with the Baclaran/Mabini jeepney that passes by the Doroteo Jose station of the LRT-1 line. Also within the walls of Intramuros is the impervious San Agustin Church. What’s so fascinating about this church is tha

by: F. C. Irorita 1. Be prepared for a very erratic weather. The June to July season of the Philippines is usually marked both by searing heat from the sun and also rains. Always bring an umbrella and sunblock wherever you go. 2. Buy a map of the city. The Philippines have a lot of roads and streets that have many nicknames, so it might get confusing for a tourist. Don’t be afraid to ask for directions when you get lost. 3. Always stay hydrated. It’s always hot in the Philippines even when it’s raining. Bring a bottle with you, as prices for water could be really expensive depending on where you are. 4. Bring a camera. The Philippines is home to a lot of beautiful sceneries, beautiful people and colorful festivities. You would not want to miss the chance to take photos of these. 5. Travel with a friend. It’s always more fun with a friend. Even getting lost with a friend is much more fun than getting lost alone. 6. Get a comfortable place to stay in. Get a 2 bedroom furnished apa

by: F.C. Irorita All throughout the year, there are festivals being celebrated in all corners of the Philippines. This July, there are a lot of fiestas that you could attend to. Do not worry about lodging, because there are always a lot of places to stay in the Philippines. My suggestion is always to have a place to stay in Manila or near your relatives like renting a furnished apartment.  Let’s start with the Pagoda Festival that is celebrated every first Sunday of July. A Holy Cross of Wawa is paraded in a pagoda in a river procession in the Bocaue River in Bulacan. All the boats and as well as the pagoda carrying the Holy Cross are beautifully and grandiosely decorated, making a very beautiful sight. Up next is the Sublian Festival in Batangas. Children dance the subli to pay homage to Sto. Niño and to the Holy Cross of Bauan and Agoncillo. The festival, which is celebrated every year on July 23, also serves as a foundation day celebration of the City of Batangas. Pilgrims of Our La

by: F.C. Irorita 1. Be sure that you have a place to stay near the place where you’d like to swim. There are a lot of places to stay in the Philippines, and if you’re looking for a vacation apartment or temporary housing, it won’t be too hard to find. This is important just in case of emergencies. 2. If you’re a beginner, always stay close near the coast or the edges of the body of water. If you stray too far, you might go into deeper waters and get caught up in the tide of the water. You wouldn’t want that to happen to you. 3. Wear goggles so that the water would not get into your eyes. Sometimes, saltwater or even freshwater could have a lot of dirt in them and also bacteria, so wearing goggles are not only for allowing you to see underwater, it’s also for your protection. 4. Also, never drink the water you are swimming in. Aside from tasting bad, the water usually is very dirty and has a lot of bacteria regardless of how clear it seems to be. Be safe and avoid getting sick over

by: R. Vergara Seek, and You Shall Buy...When in the Philippines... see for yourself. You already have your list at hand, and the money in your pocket. The next question will be where you should buy all these gifts. It’s a discouraging feeling to have planned ahead on what you should buy, only to find out that these things can’t be found in your favorite mall, and it’s similarly disheartening to realize that you’re running short of your budget and you aren’t even halfway to your list. Buying in bulk compels you to think thrift, and being able to spare a reasonable amount after your shopping stint should be your goal. Of course, the quality of your gifts must never be compromised. Thus, the trick you have to muster is to know where to buy which and what. I got here three suggestions that might be of help if you’re still in the process of contemplating your steps. 1. Go Divisoria. For a wise buyer, this is heaven. I tell you, one of my wishes once I become a billionaire is to buy the wh

By: R. Vergara I know its July...but... my experience will never make me the same... It’s the 24th of December, and I was still at a store, trying to look for a gift in a panic mode, and that’s after being into malls and shops for more than three times. I didn’t know what has eaten me then, but those instances had been so irritating, not to mention tiring, since I still got to help in cooking the Noche Buena and attend the midnight Mass. Perhaps I was a little masochist at that time, enjoying the hassles of last-minute shopping, whilst I could have spent my time relaxing before the big Christmas event. And this year, I vowed something different. Never would I let myself succumb to last minute shopping jitters. Care to join me in my dream? Planning for a hassle-free gift buying this Christmas is never impossible. All you need is the will power to tame your urge to procrastinate. I made a list of my Christmas shopping resolution, praying that I won’t break any of them. Here are my simple

by: R. Vergara Football season has not yet ended...but while waiting for the new winner and vacationing ...consider making vacation crafts. As early as August (or even earlier) collect fancy things that might be good for your Christmas crafts, such twisted twigs and sticks, dried seeds, stones, plastic, glasses, etc. Clean them and store them neatly in containers. And when your artistic muse comes knocking by your heart, then it’s time for you to tinker some crafts. Here are some which I have done: Last year, I got addicted to gathering colorful bottle caps, so by the Christmas season, I was able to make a decorative hat for the school party competition. These caps may look worthless, or better fitted as checkers pieces, but then, when I glued them side by side to form patterns, I just realized that these caps can be turned into a masterpiece. Scratch papers can be turned into papier maches. I’ve seen paper pots and vases that make good decors at home, whether inside or outside the Chr

by: R. Vergara At work, we used to joke that the densest month is July, since it lacks any well-cherished holidays, compared to other months of the year. That’s why August becomes a special treat, more so this year…because August is typically the Sales Month in the Philippines. We call it strategy, others would call it economics, since such long treat boosts the local economy . Remember, Christmas is 3 months away... Expect malls to be filled with humongous crowd, with the bargain stalls becoming a lump of items and hands. Be extra careful with your belongings, especially in crowded areas. On the other hand, if you’re the type who is a little allergic to shelling out money, you might try a different trick to save and at the same time, prepare for Christmas. The long weekend is an opportune time to sit by your craft table and do worthwhile projects that might serve as your Christmas presents. Personally made knick knacks, decorative items, and Christmas adornments enable you to customiz

by: F.C.Irorita A whole week of activities is in store for Manileños starting on Manila Day on June 24 until June 30. As always, the city of Manila is prepared to celebrate their foundation day with a blast; this year’s line-up of activities include film showings, concerts and of course the most anticipated Miss Manila 2014 coronation. The laboratory play festival Virgin Labfest will also celebrate their tenth year with twelve experimental plays by emerging Filipino playwrights, appearing for their annual performance in the Cultural Center of the Philippines. They will perform every day from June 24 to the 30th, in the CCP Studio Center, Pasay City. 26 June 2014 is a Feast Day Mass for St. Josemaria at St. Therese of the Child Jesus, featuring a famous Russian Filipina Conductor Lala Kliachko, and Soprano Soloist from the University of the Philippines, Sherla Najera Sam Tsui and Kurt Hugo Schneider, internet personalities and Youtube celebrities will also perform for the first time in

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. 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 numbers or e-mails or even Facebook pages are good ways to keep in touch with your new-found friend. Filipinos are also known for being one of the top consumers of beer in the P

by Mary Ann Bolanos Corpus Christi Sunday is a big feast that all Catholic Christians celebrate today; 22 June 2014 Sunday.                                                                                         Corpus Christi Procession from fotografias.iglesia.cl The significance of the Corpus Christi Sunday is the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist, the body and blood of Jesus Christ, that is receive in Communion. The Sacrament of Love that unites all Christians. It also proclaims the great Love of God, who is willing to be with us in Person and to be with us till the end of time in the Holy Eucharist, uniting us from all over, as one family of God. In Europe and in North America the Corpus Christi Sunday is celebrated when the Sacred Host is venerated in the streets. Petals  of flowers are decorated on the streets where the Sacred Host passes. People kneel in adoration. In the Philippines, the Corpus Christi procession is celebrated in enclosed paveways where there is an enclosure bec

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 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 the province of Negros Oriental by visiting Apo Island. Its scenic lakes and beaches are truly breathtaking, and you won’t even have to worry about finding temporary housing because there is a resort on location. They also have diving rentals vacation packages that you could avail for. There is a

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 lan

by: F. C. Irorita 1. City map - Whether you're going alone or with a tour guide, it is best if you have a copy of the local city map just in case you get lost. Be sure you have the latest one because many new shops may open or old stores close down monthly. This will also help you in exploring the city on your own, and still get back to your hotel on time for dinner. 2. Water, lots of water - Summer time in the Philippines is one of the hottest times in the country, so always bring water with you to avoid dehydration. 3. Pocket umbrella - Even during the summer time, it might suddenly rain without warning in Manila, so be sure to always have an umbrella with you. 4. Toiletries - Although hotels usually have these provided in your room already, it will still be wise to have these with you on your trip to Manila. Sadly, not all public restrooms have the toiletries you would need, so it would be safe to bring your own in case of an emergency. 5. Music player - The busy streets of Mani

Pogi tips by Alvin Bolanos There was a time when my face was peppered with pesky pimples. It was one of the most horrendous moments of my life. I thought it must be the Philippine weather or the food that I was eating...until I discovered two fruits that helped me bust those pesky pimples. If you have problems of having one or two pimples this can help you too. Out of desperation...I really prayed hard to solve the problem...because even my dermatologist is having a hard time as well. One day, I was going around the herbal plants of the short term stay in Novaliches, I saw camias tree, full of camias...it was the season for the camias fruit, which is typically towards the last weeks of May. I decided to harvest 10 pieces of camias fruit and pound it to squeeze the juice. I washed my face with a baby soap, and applied the liquid of the camias fruit in my face. I also used the electric fan to dry it...it was prickly but not painful. When the camias juice dried, I washed it. I also starte

by: F. C. Irorita Under the tropical weather,  invest in turning on the air-conditioner in your room . All the electric fans will surely be directed at you, and yet you perspire a lot and feel so hot. In the Philippines it is okay to take a shower three times a day. So you ask me, what else can I do to keep yourself cool in the Philippines? 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 of the freer airway. Another thing that you can do is to clean up the filters of your air-conditioning

by: Mary Ann Bolanos June and July is the start of the cool season in the Philippines...the beach in the countryside are less crowded...this is your best time to swim and relax. Here are some nice places which you can easily visit from the furnished apartment in Novaliches: 1. Visit JT Resort in Binmaley Pangasinan.  This resort is just 3 hours drive away from the short term stay in Novaliches. Accommodation is affordable.  The beach has baby surf like waves, and you can even have a bonfire. If you liked to each fresh seafood, this beach is near the main city of Binmaley where you can easily get food stuff for your bonfire.  JT Resort is also surrounded by historical spots in Pangasinan. 2. Bolinao Beach Resort has white sands, you can choose an air conditioned cottage...if you liked. You may also opt to cook your own food, or have the staff cook your food. This resort is quite far from the main market, so it is best to bring the things you liked to eat. You may also order from the r

by: Mrs. Queenie T. Bolanos Here are sure fire tips on how to get rid of jet lag fast upon arriving at the furnished apartment:  1. When still on the plane, make sure you take a short walks in the aisle, to avoid blood clots. Massage your legs every 3 hours or so. Make a circular head turn exercise, and jerk your arms to your shoulders to keep the blood flow working. 2. When the time in the Philippines is exactly the opposite in your home country, and you feel sleepy even if the sun is shining...take a short nap of 1 1/2 hours, then wake up...to make sure you catch your sleep when the sun sets. 3. Avoid and better not to drink caffeine that will keep you awake. 4. Drink lemon grass tea 4 hours before sleeping time. 5. Have a warm bath to relax. 6. It is advisable not to advice your relatives and friends of your exact date of arrival so to give yourself time to rest and sleep. 7. Schedule visiting hours of friends and relatives...better visit them in their homes instead.

by: Mrs. Aileen B. Soriano 1. When you see yourself in Manila and had no place to stay, you may immediately call at +639175623143 for a walk in stay. Typically furnished apartments in Novaliches requests for a full booking cost of stay. This will allow the staff to prepare all the things you need.  The official time opening of the furnished short term stay is at 10 a.m. till 4 p.m. The staff may accept you in an early hour booking starting 7 a.m. 2. From the airport you can give the address at 9 L. Cleofas St. Franciscan Seminary Road. Call us at +639175623143 to reserve a place for you. Available houses will be offered for walk in guests, and an identification card and passport will be requested. 3. You may take Edsa route, turn to Mindanao Avenue, take Quirino Highway and locate 9 L. Cleofas St. Franciscan Seminary Road, V. Bernardino Rd. Novaliches, Q.C. Look for the signage "Our Lady of Angels Seminary College" turn right, and look for L. Cleofas, turn right again and loo