My legs still hurt. I went on a window shopping yesterday after meeting my friends.

I spent almost 3 hours checking items that I need to have for our reunion and for our house. And when we headed home, a heavy rain suddenly poured when we were in Claveria. So as expected, the multicab was stucked in the flood (Bajada area) and all the passengers were advised to transfer to another public transportation. And the water was already knee level.

I should have went home early. But since I was already in the mall that time, I took the chance to get ideas on what to buy so I can budget my money well.

Although I was able to get to see and touch how an item looks, the window shopping was just time-consuming and tiring. Unlike shopping online, I can just do it in a few clicks. Thus, finding an item is made easier and faster. Like if I am searching for a spanx shapewear, la perla bras or simone perele bras I can just type in these keywords into the search bar of the online store. Immediately after, I get results and I can just do it at the comfort of my own home.

Last August 26, I received a wondeful news. My Pag-ibig Housing Loan is finally approved and our house in DECA Homes is already finished. Yay! I just need to find money and work on the application for water and electricity  including our hollow block fench and gate so we can finally transfer there. We've been renting for more than 20 years already and we never have our own house here in Davao. I'm just so happy that I've been able to do this. Getting a housing loan is a good alternative than renting for like years without having the chance of owning it.

Anyway, if you are interested to invest or to apply in DECA Homes, here are the requirements for Employed, Self-Employed, OFW and In-House Financing. I believe almost the same requirements apply to other subdivisons also.

EMPLOYED: 

    1. MSVS or Membership Status Verification Slip - you need to attend the Pag-ibig seminar to get this. This is every Friday 8:30am-11:30am and 2:00-5:00pm at Pag-ibig Office in LandCo bldg. You will  definitely learn a lot of things.

    2. At least 24 months of monthly contribution to Pag-ibig. (For my case, I paid the 2 years contribution so I can qualify right away. Minimum contribution is P200/month)

    3. photocopy of Residence Certificate (husband and wife - if married)

    4. Marriage Contract (if married), birth certificate (if single)

    5. 3 pcs 1x1 ID picture (husband and wife - if married)

    6. photocopy of Cedula (get this from your Barangay office)

    7. Certificate of Employment and Compensation

    8. Latest Income Tax Return or Form 2316

    9. Latest 1 month pay slip 

    10. Checking account to cover 2 years of monthly deposit amortization (I've issued 26 post dated checks for this. The other 2 checks are for the payment on the equity. After 2 years, the payment will be made to Pag-ibig.)

    11. Proof of Billing Address (mails, water and light bills - my name is not written on the water and light bills since we are just renting. So I've included my telephone and internet bills)

    12. photocopy of TIN Card, SSS Card or two valid ID's

I first learned this beautiful song from the tweet of Bubbles Paraiso, a sexy celebrity here in the Philippines who is also a blogger.  And she's right, this is damn cheesy and I just love the lyrics and the melody soooooooooooo much. How I also wish, someone (soon) will sing this song for me. Check-out the video and sing the song with the lyrics below.

Oh, her eyes, her eyes, make the stars look like they’re not shining
Her hair, her hair, falls perfectly without her trying
She’s so beautiful, and I tell her every day

Yeah, I know, I know, when I compliment her she won’t believe me
And it’s so, it’s so, sad to think that she don’t see what I see
But every time she asks me do I look ok, I say

When I see your face, there’s not a thing that I would change
Because you’re amazing, just the way you are
And when you smile, the whole world stops and stares for a while

Because girl you’re amazing, just the way you are
Her lips, her lips, I could kiss them all day if she let me
Her laugh, her laugh, she hates but I think it’s so sexy

She’s so beautiful, and I tell her every day
Oh, you know, you know, you know, I’d never ask you to change
If perfect’s what you’re searching for then just stay the same

So, don’t even bother asking if you look ok
You know I’ll say
When I see your face, there’s not a thing that I would change

Because you’re amazing, just the way you are
And when you smile, the whole world stops and stares for a while
Because girl you’re amazing, just the way you are

The way you are, the way you are
Girl you’re amazing, just the way you are
When I see your face, there’s not a thing that I would change

Because you’re amazing, just the way you are
And when you smile, the whole world stops and stares for a while
Because girl you’re amazing, just the way you are. Yeah

Photo taken from the Official FB of Bruno Mars

But there's a good alternative and it was to rent a van. We paid P3,000 for whole day of travelling and gas and driver's fee are already inclusive. Worth it right? My only little comment is only in the aircon. I hope it was working properly. Hehehe...

Nevertheless, I am still amazed with this kind of business. Your main cost will only be filling up the gas. And you can charge a flat fee for a job depending on the amount of work involved and then charge an amount per mile that takes into account how much gas you will use as a result.

In fact, our neighbor is starting this business. They've made their pick-up truck to look good as possible and have even bought tonneau cover for it. And few days ago, I also learned that Henry (my blogger friend) has this business too. Bongga! How I wish I also have a pick-up truck or other vehicle so I can venture into this business.

It's the time of the year where bloggers from the Philippines nominate their Top 10 Emerging Influential Blogs. This is the 4th year of this writing project and this is my first time to join. Below are my favorites and nominees:

1. www.gandaeversomuch.com - The best personal blog for me. I just enjoy reading his blog posts. According to Orman Manansala, there is rumor and humor in events and everything. If you are bored and lonely you might would want to visit this blog - basahin niyo ito Mga Dapat Iwasan Kapag Broken Hearted Ka", nakakatuwa talaga. Favorite ko iyan sa mga posts niya.

2. www.raphaelbanta.com - official blog or website of Raphael Gregor Banta, a college classmate or ka-Clan B. We didn't know that he is into photography. He discovered this new passion. He said it is something that he can express his talent, views and hopes in life. It is a passion where he always find joy with. And we are just so proud of him. Kudos to you Rap and keep up the good job!

3. www.teacompletely.com - it's because I love iced tea so much that I wanted to discover and learn more about teas. Tea Completely is own by Andrew dela Serna and Aileen Apolo who are both tea connoisseurs.

4. www.avatar.ph - official blog of Avatar Media - a new media outfit in Davao City that aims to bridge the gap between the Internet and Business Intelligence. They are a group of awesomely talented individuals who is also behind Davao Blogs and My Davao Jobs.

5. www.davaobloggers.net - I am proud member of Davao Bloggers, a blogging community here in Davao. They have lots of projects and events for us and I super love it! The most recent event I've joined was Creative Writing Workshop. And it's the first writing seminar that I have attended. Whew! Thank you so much Davao Bloggers and for all the inspiration.

It probably takes you years saving money to finally have the amount to buy your dream car Hyundai Tuscon. Or perhaps, you just got an approval from the bank of your car loan which sooner or later will be a deduction to your monthly salary. Or if you’re well off enough, you can just buy a car anytime.

But still, they are hard earned money. And you wouldn't want to invest it into something that you will soon regret right?

Parang ang sarap kumain ng pizza ngayon. Namiss ko tuloy itong Philly Cheese Stick na natikman namin sa Old Spaghetti House sa SM Cebu. Pagod na pagod kami that time after a long walk from Taoist Temple kasi hapon na ng dumating kami at hindi kaagad kami nakahanap ng taxi pauwi. So naisipan naming magdrop by muna sa SM at kumain. Naghanap kami ng makakainan na hindi namin nakikita sa Davao at hayon, napunta kami sa The Old Spaghetti House. 

Isa ito sa mga inorder namin at ito ang pinakamasarap. Ito ay 255 pesos at good for 2-3 persons.

Aspiring teen stars of Davao, hurry and prepare yourself now! Because TV5, the country's fastest growing network will have an audition this coming August 1, 2010 (Sunday) at SM Davao's Event Center from 10pm-9pm for their reality-based talent search Star Factor.

If you have the total package of good looks, exceptional talent and charm, and the all important star quality and of course 13-18 years old - then this is the perfect opportunity for you. It is even more exciting and interesting because the winner will soon belong to Kapatid network's talent management and development division called Talent 5.

According to Audie Gemora (Talent Head),

So guys, what are you waiting for? This is your time to shine! Just don't forget to follow the requirements  okay? And if you are below 18, make sure you have your parents consent too.

a. a copy of your birth certificate
b. two passport size and two full body pictures and
c. fill up the Star Factor registration form at the audition venue

By the way, Star Factor will be hosted by Ruffa Gutierrez and will soon air this coming September. And the Star Makers (Star Factor's panel of judges) are composed of acclaimed stage actor and director and Talent 5 head Audie Gemora as the chairman, with multi-awarded writer and director Joey Reyes, photographer of the stars Raymond Isaac, maestro of Philippine Music Ryan Cayabyab and popular talent manager Annabelle Rama.

Good luck to everyone! Umaarangkada na talaga ang TV 5 noh? Bongga!

Photo taken from the Fashion Pulis Website

I have a phobia for water which was brought by a childhood experience of almost drowning. That's why every beach getaway that we have, you can always see me swimming just near the shoreline. And every water sports competition that I am invited to, I always declined. But still, I want to overcome this fear especially that I am not getting any younger.

So now, I am planning to enroll in swimming lessons already and try water related sports like scuba diving. The latter, it's my dream that I experience it in Sharm El Sheikh Holidays. I've learned that the said place is the most extraordinary diving destination in Red Sea, Egypt. And you can find a lot of amazing coral reefs and shipwrecks also. 

Are you feeling tired, stressed-out and irritable lately? Are you having problems with you concentration and now performing uncommon errors? Or have you noticed the general drop in your work performance? Do you always yawn and feel that you need the urge to stretch and move about?

Then you need to take a break and relax. If you ignore these early signs, it could impact heavily not only in yourself but also of the people around you. So, it is necessary that you find time and space to relax even 20-30minutes per day. (Preferred is two or three times a day).

There are lots of ways on how to do it, just find what works best for you. As for me, here's what I do:

a. sleeping or taking a nap

b. taking a shower/bath

c. watching movies/tv series

Of the three, I find taking a shower/bath - the most relaxing. I spend more than an hour everyday doing it. It would even be better if I have my own hot tubs spas.