To Renovate or To Beautify? What Does Your House Need?

Being in a continuous community quarantine due to the pandemic, many families now have a lot of free time to beautify and renovate their houses. Consultation and appointments with the top architects in the Philippines through video calls or personal visits are made. Probably you’ve seen several posts on social media of your friends featuring their #DIYprojects #RoomTransformation #DreamHouse #HouseConstruction as a result. Finally, all those projects put on hold are now shining into the spotlight. 

If you’re also planning to do some changes to enhance your space and make your home a better place to live, it’s time to ask yourself: What does your house truly need? Is it to renovate or to beautify? 

Renovation means altering your floor plan, remodeling your spaces, and upgrading or adding house extensions. It’s a total property transformation that increases your property value and changes your living experience. Say, you plan on renovating from scratch, such as adding a balcony, changing your interior walls, widening open areas, and increasing the curb appeal, working with reliable architects in the Philippines is a must. Not only do you get innovative modern layouts that match your requirements, but you are also assured through using quality materials and prioritizing your family’s safety. There are no design errors but only art, creativity, and beauty just as you imagined.

Beautification means designing your house through adding decorations, using a different color palette, rearranging furniture, displaying artworks, and modifying existing materials according to your liking. You can take the lead in beautifying your house, even without help from an expert. But of course, interior designers and architects in the Philippines can make a significant change in creating cost-effective and lasting beautification. Call your trusted professionals and discuss the designs you’ve imagined. They have a great understanding of your wants and have good stewards of resources. Some even offer custom furniture, planters, benches, and artworks.

Who says you can’t turn your simple home into your dream property? Call your trusted architects in the Philippines and start your house renovation or beautification today!

5 Reasons to Raid your Nearest Hardware Store - Philippine Home Renovation Trends for 2020

This pandemic has changed is in so many ways, and today we are particularly interested in looking at how it will change how we want to change our homes. Having the longest quarantine period of any other Asian country, the Philippines and the Filipinos has seen so much of their homes but still might not know what renovations are needed. Get your masks and face shields ready because we are about to give you a rundown of new normal trends we think might be in this 2020 and beyond.

Sanitation is Everything

Hygiene has been given new emphasis in this pandemic. With everything we don’t know about the pandemic, what we do know is that staying clean and sanitized can literally keep as safe. A trend that we might see emerge is houses having a sanitation station complete with sanitizing mats, misting machines, maybe even a mini shower room.

Calamity Proofing

So far, we’ve experienced the changing of season in the Philippines in the isolation of our homes. We’ve experienced a scorching summer as well as a handful of typhoons and heavy rainfall. We may already know the ins and outs of our home but this quarantine might have revealed to us vulnerabilities in our home like leaky ceilings, clogged drains, cracks on the walls and so on. There are hardware stores in the Philippines that can over you a variety of climate proofing options for roofing, windows, paint, awning, and more.

Colors are Always In

When it comes to any renovation, paint will always be popular. It’s one of the simplest renovation but also the most apparent and beautifying. Used to be, repainting the house only meant changing colors but with technology, you can now use paints that eliminate odors, kill germs, and are eco-friendly.

DIY through and through

Since social distancing is the primary and overall best method of keeping the pandemic at bay, DIY project, including home renovation, is where it’s at. People are going to YouTube to learn how to finish projects themselves. With the hinged capabilities of public transportation, it’s also in your best interest to order hardware in the Philippines online. Research renovation projects you plan on doing on the internet, order your materials and tools online, and get building. You aren’t only making your home better in a safe way, you also get to discover or hone your craftsmanship.

We can’t say for certain how long we’ll need to keep on staying indoors but one things is for sure, we’ll always be at home. That’s reason enough to get it maintained and renovated to fit your needs and to answer to the crisis at hand.

Tips on Managing Debts and Paying Your Loans On Time

 

Loans even the ones with the lowest interest rate can be overwhelming especially after you miss a payment or two. You often hear advice about paying them early but why? As per finance experts, not being able to pay your loan on time results in penalties, additional interest rates, and credit score damages. It “pays” to pay your debt early to stop the accumulating interest. Doing so saves you more money in the long run, improves your financial strength, and gives you peace of mind. And how will you do that? Read on and find tips on how to clear out those loans as soon as possible!

1. Choose the right loan facility.

First things first, stay away from loan sharks, scammers, and other illegitimate companies. No matter how good their offers might seem, avoid them to protect your personal information and money. Only borrow from a well-established and reliable financial institution that is authorized by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and is endorsed by well-known organizations. Take the time to research and read reviews online to ensure that you’re dealing with a legit bank or savings and loans association. Remember, borrowing from the right loan facility not only gives you a loan with the lowest interest rate, but also provides good payment flexibility, protects your information, and helps you in the best ways possible. 

2. Do not loan more than you’re able to earn.

Even if you’re eligible to apply for a higher loan amount, only borrow what you need. Loaning more than you can afford to pay increases your risks to be buried in debt, as well as tempting you to do unnecessary and unplanned purchases. Keep in mind that the bigger you borrow, the higher the interests are. The larger the loan amount, the longer you’ll most likely pay. We highly suggest you check your budget first and see how much you can comfortably afford to pay every month. Work within your current income and loan wisely. Practice discipline especially on your finances!

3. Enroll in autopay.

Enrolling in autopay means your selected loan facility will automatically deduct payments from your bank account per month or depending on your agreed repayment terms to clear your loan. Choosing this option allows you to set spending limits for yourself and helps you to be committed to paying your loan on time. No need to worry about potentially skimping on payments and suffering from penalties as your payments are already scheduled. Setting monthly reminders and regularly checking your loan balance are also smart moves to not miss any important updates.

4. Budget and pay more than the monthly minimum.

Budget your money. It helps when you align your monthly repayments with your income cycle – allowing you to plan your household expenses and loan payments accordingly. Paying more than the monthly minimum requirement, but not more than you can afford to repay comfortably also goes a long way. Say, you’ve got your salary, paying a little extra each month won’t hurt your wallet and will reduce the overall length of your loan repayment plan. This will help clear your loan on time or earlier, and also lower the amount of interest you owe, saving you more money in the long run.

Selecting the right financial institution, availing a loan with the lowest interest rate, keeping track of your balance and expenses, and taking responsibility to pay will place you ahead of your repayment term and clear your loan in no time. Just put in that discipline and commitment for you to manage your loans, stress-free!

Pandemic Factors that may Affect your House Renovation Cost More than you Know

This pandemic has affected all of us and we all have something to say about it on a personal level. In an economic and industrial scale, it has affected so many businesses which in turn affected plans like getting house renovations, construct ructions, housing, and more. We don’t know exactly how the house renovation and construction costs will change in the Philippines but we do know that the follow factors will affected them.

Jobs

With the massive loss of jobs across the country, it can be argued that there might be more supply than there is demand. For example, because of the transport ban, tricycle, jeepney, UV van, and bus personnel might be looking for jobs and because housing construction has been deemed as a necessary service, manpower might not come in short supply. Opportunities might really

Transportation

Transportation in the context of construction is affected in multiple ways. Manpower transportation for example is limited to private transport especially in areas where community quarantine measures are more stringent. Another transportation factor that can affect construction or house renovation cost is transporting materials all over Philippines.

Operations

While there and industries that did not stop functioning, all industries are required to uphold public safety and thus must operate under “new normal” guidelines. While it does not feel that corporate decision like cost cutting, downsizing and reallocation might not be something that you can affect, they will certainly affect you. 

Funding

Job displacement, economic stability, and other current factors affect the capabilities as well as approval rating of private funding institutions especially banks. Some private builder might find funding difficult since some banks may avoid lending firms that have been made unstable by the pandemic. The same might be true for individual borrowers.



Like it or not, your house renovation cost has already been affected by certain circumstance that are already at play in the Philippines. While we can’t say for sure because of lack of day by how much these factors have raised or lowered costs, it should not dampen your spirits from still getting your much needed home renovations.

How Should You Wash Your Eyewear and How Often Should You be Doing It?

‘Tis the season to be always washing our hands as per “new normal” standards but also, ‘tis the season to wash everything on our person especially if we wear them to public spaces. During these trying times, our eyeglasses, sunglasses and other products for sale in the Philippines that we recently purchased should be disinfected vigilantly.

How to Wash

First of all, if your eyewear is dusty, do not wipe it with a cloth. With the right amount of pressure, a wiping cloth can turn into sand paper if there are sediments in between your cloth and your lenses.

Having glasses that are coated with UV protection, anti-radiation, anti-fog, and more will damage the coating this way.



To properly wash your glasses, first gently rinse them in water. Slightly warm water will help to dissolve oil. You can use a soft sponge and lotion- or moisturizer-free dishwashing detergent that are available for sale in the Philippines to lather your sunglasses or eyeglasses. Rinse them thoroughly after. Next important step is to shake out excess water AND wipe it with a soft cotton towel. Do not let the water droplets dry out because they can leave waters stains that might never wash out or damage your lens coating.

As Needed if Staying At Home

When it comes to how frequent you should wash your eyewear if you’re just staying at home, wash them as needed. There are some instances where you can wipe off water from your glasses or small smudges. If you happen to get your thumb print on there, you can try to wipe it off with your lens fabric but that might just smear the oil more. Wash your lenses if there’s too much oil on the surface to manage with just a lens fabric.

As Frequent as You Go Out

When you come home after heading out, wash up—no “ifs,” “ands,” or “buts.” It doesn’t matter if you feel that your glasses are still clean, wash them when you get home and avoid touching them or taking them on and off while you are out and if your hands aren’t sanitized. As per World Health Organization, COVID-19 can penetrate your body through your eyes so pay close attention not to touch your eyes nor your glasses. If you are buying new eyeglasses or sunglasses for sale in the Philippines, try to wipe them with alcohol on the contact points like the nose pads and stems if you are going to try them on and proceed to washing them with water and detergent.



The “new normal” way of living is not something we can avoid anymore; it is, in its core, a method of keeping ourselves safe. While we need our eyewear to see, we also have to pay close attention to keeping them clean.

Easy Construction Projects while you #StayAtHome: Surfaces

With the uncertain lockdown condition we have in the Philippines, most of us who hold office jobs are working from home(WFH). While it’s environmentally different from being in the office, WFH setups are still sedentary life. In this series, we try to explore building object from simple construction materials that are easily available in the Philippines. We tackle only guiding principles so you can experiment and situationally adjust with what you have a home. We start of this series with surfaces.



Surfaces are very basic in that they are anything that you put something else. They come in many shapes and sizes like countertops, shelves, and tables of sizes and purposes.

Materials

You want surfaces to properly carry the weight you put on them. Choose materials that are right for the job. If you will be using lightweight materials, best to install them as surfaces that are permanently affixed like a book or display shelf or a kitchen rack. Otherwise, go for strong and sturdy materials, preferably hard wood. There are a lot of nice hard wood endemic in the Philippines making so you can easily find a construction material that’s perfect for what you want. If it’s moveable, chances are it will be mounted by someone once or twice so pick materials accordingly.

Tools

If you have a saw, a tape measure, and connectors such as nails, you can start building a surface however, your end result might be rough around the edges. To make good clean cuts and if you want tapered legs, you can use a circular saw. For cleaner binds, you can use drills and screws or carve the wood into pegged parts that mate. Wood glue is also important for added hold. If you’re really after precision, you can use a level to make sure the surface is completely flat.



Tables and other surfaces are a good start if you want to try your hand at building something. After a couple of projects, you might even find yourself getting good at it. Who knows; with the right tools and construction materials, this is a hobby that could end up being a business for you in the Philippines!

Your Guide To Loan With The Lowest Interest Rate | PSSLAI

When our country is put under the state of calamity due to COVID-19, many Filipino families aren't ready mentally, emotionally, and of course, financially. The pandemic caused companies and businesses to operate minimally or close completely. As a result, millions of Filipinos lost their livelihood, spent their hard-earned savings, and are left with zero balance. After all the unexpected expenses that this pandemic has caused, achieving financial stability became more and more challenging. Thus, obtaining a loan with the lowest interest rate has become an option for many. While there are a lot of savings and loan associations in the Philippines, and choosing one that you can trust can be tricky.


That's why we've created this guide to help you find the savings and loan association that best fits your financial needs through loans with guaranteed low interest rates. Follow these steps and secure a loan today!

1. Choose Where To Loan Wisely

First, be careful with loan sharks that only care about their profit and not your welfare. These companies provide easy loaning processes but give a whopping 20% interest rate minimum. Not to mention, there are hidden fees they collect, too. They will only make it harder for you to pay back. Instead, secure a loan in a trusted savings and loan association in the Philippines that is known to provide a loan with the lowest interest rate. An institution that is supervised and authorized by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas to conduct business will do. On that note, we highly suggest you be a member of the Public Safety Savings and Loan Association Inc. (PSSLAI). It is endorsed by the PNP, BFP, and PPSC leadership and has been in service for years.

2. Know What Type of Loan You Should Get

Savings and loan associations in the Philippines offer different kinds of loans and it might be tempting to loan more than you can handle. However, do not loan more than what you can pay to enjoy easy repayment. Remember, the loan amount, interest rates, processing fees, payment terms, and late payment fees vary, so be sure to apply for the one that best fits your needs. Here are several loans with the guaranteed lowest interest rates at PSSLAI.

• Salary Loan
• Emergency Loan
• Universal Loan
• Real Estate Loan
• Buy-Out Loan
• Back-To-Back Loan
• AffordaLoan
• Pension Loan
• Vehicle Loan
• Pre-Owned Vehicle Loan

3. Shorten Your Repayment Period

The longer your payment term is, the higher the loan interest rate is. Shortening the duration of your loan goes a long way in lowering interest rates, avoiding late payment fees, and saving more money. Keep in mind that your loan type, loan amount, interest rates, and repayment periods can be adjusted when you are with a reliable savings and loan association. As for PSSLAI, they even let you negotiate according to your preferences before and after the loan is released. Plus, you can also apply for their Loan Amnesty Program that lets you repay your loan with no interest at all!


Loan interest is the interest rate applied to the total amount of money you borrowed (including unpaid charges). Borrowers pay for this until they have paid their loan in full and it's the biggest burden a borrower carries especially when it is too high. Fortunately, there are ways you can take to secure a loan with the lowest interest rate. Follow the steps above and inquire at https://www.psslai.com/loan-application-inquiry/ today!

Protecting the Police and Other Frontliners During COVID-19

The whole country is under the state of calamity, and all concerned government agencies (such as DOH, DSWD, and DOLE), law enforcement agencies (PNP and AFP), private and public hospitals, and local government units are being mobilized to respond and fight against the COVID-19 threat.


Several Filipinos can work from home during this health crisis, while police officers serve as frontliners on keeping the public safe. Since President Rodrigo R. Duterte imposed an enhanced community quarantine, the police are performing their critical jobs to ensure that Filipinos are practicing social and physical distancing. Checkpoints are placed in every province and municipality down to the barangay in efforts to prevent the spread of the virus. Being one of the first responders during this outbreak, this leaves the police at a higher risk for catching the said virus. So how do the government, organizations, and the public support and protect the police and other crucial professions during the pandemic? It's through protective measures, social benefits, and long-term plans such as shelter-in-place, hazard pay, PPEs, and police loan.

Ensuring Police Officers' Health and Safety

Like health professionals, the police and other frontliners will most likely encounter an infected individual. They are facing the potential hazards of contracting the novel coronavirus themselves. Government officials and even the citizens understand the risk that the police are in. Hence, government officials and several Filipinos continue to provide and donate basic needs, accommodations, and PPEs to law enforcement officers. Currently, front liners are also prioritized and given a broad consideration when it comes to transportation, supermarkets, and banks. In line with this, alternative staffing methods are also practiced to effectively cover essential duties.

Supporting Their Families' Needs

In the name of service, police officers sacrifice a lot. Many are required to be away from their families for extended periods. There are obligations inside and outside of work like thinking about the potential of their family members falling ill, and lack of funds create fear and anxiety for police officers. Currently, the staff members who have been asked to report for duty are now receiving hazard pay. Meanwhile, savings and loan associations in the Philippines, such as the PSSLAI, offer hassle-free and low-interest police loans to instantly provide extra funds to support their families. Loan applications are made online for faster approval and easier fund transfer.

The critical role that our police and other first responders play shapes the effectiveness of the government's plans to slow down the spread and eliminate COVID-19. Aside from providing and offering shelter-in-place, hazard pay, PPEs, and police loan to ensure police officers' health and safety and support their families' needs, let's hope that our government will also develop a better contingency plan that will also serve those who protect: our frontliners.

4 Team-Building Summer Party Ideas

The summer season is just around the corner and it’s the perfect time to organize a team-building with your co-workers! Skip the city’s hustle and bustle, and beat the heat with a refreshing party in a hotel events venue in Quezon City. This way, you can decorate and manage a party the laid-back way and save yourself from breaking a sweat (until you start dancing, of course)! Come, take note of these hotel summer party themes and ideas and start planning with your team.

Island Luau: A Party Full of Island-inspired Authenticity

Just a reminder, you don’t have to splurge for a grand summer getaway with your co-workers, especially when your company budget is tight. With a hotel events venue in Quezon City, you can save a lot of money and time on long flights and organizing your team building. Competent hotel staff can prepare an Island Luau-themed party for you along with their resort-like pools! No need to worry about decorations, food, drinks, programs, and accommodations. All of your summer party requirements are covered for an affordable price!

Speakeasy: A Roaring Twenties Party

If your team is a lover of glitz and glamour, a Great Gatsby-themed party might be the experience you are looking for. Bring back the 1920’s by asking your hotel party coordinator to serve deviled eggs, shrimp cocktails, cheese platters, mixed nuts, and unlimited drinks. Spread the fun spirit and shake it up through good music rich in electro and dance sounds. You can also play a 1920 movie on the background or invite unexpected performers such as bands and dancers! Remember, everyone likes surprises! Just properly coordinate with staff and your party would be a blast!

Summer Olympics: Sports, Fun, and Games

Several hotel events venues can also host an outdoor party. Their gardens, pools and halls can serve as your play area for your sporty team building activities. Walk, run, jump, climb, crawl, swim and ride all you can! You can also play fun games and be ready for tons of laughter. Not to mention that several hotels also have indoor courts and gyms. You can book this and have the staff decorate it with a touch of Olympics’ elements. From simple party games to complex water sports, hotels in Quezon City got you!

Rooftop Party: Be on The Top of The World

Where else can you enjoy uninterrupted views and cool breezes to wind down from hot sticky days? On a hotel rooftop, of course! A rooftop party never goes out of style especially for city dwellers who love nights with hot bands, cool drinks, and sky-high views of the sun setting over tall buildings. Look for a hotel events venue in Quezon that caters rooftop parties so you can gather your crew, head upstairs, and eat, drink and dance the night away.

There are many hotel events venues in Quezon City that can give you and your co-workers the best team building and summer party ever! What are you waiting for? Bring these themes and ideas to life. Start planning today!

Hotel Staycation: 4 Valentine’s Barkada Date Ideas for SIngles

Who says Valentine’s day is only for couples? As much as Valentine’s is known as a romantic holiday for red hearts, pink flowers, and indulgent sweets, it doesn’t mean singles can’t celebrate! In this era of self-love and girl power, you and your squad can turn up V-day into a memorable party while deepening your long-lasting relationships. How? With a hotel staycation for barkada package, of course!

Hotels in Quezon City have offerings that make the day more inclusive - showing love to the singles and barkada by offering a bunch of super fun ideas. Check them below and share them with your group chat!

UNLI PIZZA + ROM-COM MARATHON = HEAVEN

Restaurants will be filled with couples for sure. Some will even propose and make grand gestures to their significant other. If you’re not into the dine-in scene but want to eat your favorite food with your barkada, why not have your snacks delivered in front of your hotel door? Yes, the hotel concierge can bring you your favorite food such as pizzas, nachos, chicken wings, and fries with drinks upon your request! Satisfy those cravings by filling your appetite with scrumptious meals and delightful sweets. Plus, have a swoon-fest by putting your favorite Netflix rom-com movie on the screen. Feel the kilig and channel your inner romantic!

GET MAKEOVERS TOGETHER.

Remember when you’re too obsessed with dressing up your Barbie dolls? Now that you’ve become a little older, why not doll up with your girlfriends instead? Hotel staycation for barkada packages now include a makeover for you and your friends with their in-house salon. It’s time to accentuate those pretty face and get the hairstyle you’ve always wanted to try! Being kikay doesn’t end there as you can top your #BalikAlindogProgram with a manicure, pedicure, waxing session, and body spa treatment. How empowering it is to feel at your best beautiful!

WORK. WORK. WORK.

Nope, we don’t mean spending your Valentine’s Day in front of your computer screen and getting caught up with office works, but rather working that body out through a healthy gym session. Working out with your barkada boosts motivation, burn more calories and make exercises (such as boxing, yoga, Zumba, cardio classes) more fun! The greater news is that several hotels now have an in-house gym perfect for team workouts – giving you a fun staycation and a quick fitness sesh!

DANCE, SING AND DRINK THE NIGHT AWAY.

Hugot songs written for kiligs and heartbreaks are a part of singles’ playlist indeed. That’s why we go to bars to belt our favorite songs, dance through our favorite tunes, and drink our favorite beverages. Fortunately, most hotels now have their own bars for an unforgettable girls’ night out. Since V-day falls on a Friday, you are guaranteed to catch the performance of exclusive bands and DJs. What a great way to enjoy a weeknight jaunt with your gals!

Celebrate the joys of being with your friends with a hotel staycation for barkada package this Valentine’s Day! Share these ideas to your group chat and start booking a hotel near you.