Finding our perfect home involved different emotions INSIDE OUT!

Relocating to a new place and finding our perfect home in Bacolod brought Val and me different emotions. 

Source: Disney Pixar

There was JOY and excitement for a new adventure. I was thrilled about getting our perfect home and ecstatic to start decorating.  A new neighborhood to meet new friends and a lot of places to explore. 

Though we were able to visit this city a couple of times, there are so much things we are looking forward to. 

Source: Disney Pixar

However, moving away also brought us SADNESS. It means that we're going to miss our old house, our friends and family. I am going to miss the events in Metro Manila, our favorite restaurants, food and stores. 

Source: Disney Pixar

There was also FEAR that what if we can't find our perfect home.  We were also scared that maybe it was not a right decision to relocate. What if life is going to be difficult and opportunities would be so few. There was FEAR of the unknown and the possibilities that might happen. 

Source: Disney Pixar

Regardless of the mixed emotions, we are bound to make the decision. First, we need to look for a house where we could stay. Initially, we relied on buy and sell groups in facebook. Unfortunately, this brought me DISGUST. Some sellers are so unprofessional, they don't reply  nor provide information about the property. We kept on waiting and realized we were just wasting our time. 

Source: Disney Pixar 

I was so angry that I realized that we need more options. We need to get in touch with different sellers and check out their properties as soon as possible because we are just left a few weeks before the move. 

And Thank God, I found about Property24. It is the fastest growing property portal in the Philippines and it was very helpful in finding our #PerfectHome. Now, let me share to you some of the properties we saw. 

1. 4 Bedroom House and Lot in Brgy. Tangub - It was a foreclosed property priced at Php1,130,000 with a lot area of 350 sq. meters and 165 sq meter floor area. I love that is really near my husband's workplace and price is within our budget. More details here: http://bit.ly/1LzoHKK 

2.  Lot at Glenwood Park Subdivision - It is a 200 sq meter property for only Php 601,000. This is not our primary option but we were thinking just renting out first during house construction. We are interested with Glenwood Park because this is one of the most secured subdivisions in the city. More details here: http://bit.ly/1MS4z8r 

3. Lot at Brgy. Alijis - It is a 300 sq meter property which is near to my dad's place but would take some time to have our home built. We like that this place is not yet to crowded plus price is way below the market value so, it's a big discount. More details here: http://bit.ly/1JBhcUd 

4. 4 Bedroom House and Lot in Brgy. Mandalagan - This is such a beautiful and big property featuring a 2-storey house with a fascinating design. Its location is just perfect but price is way above our budget. The house is so beautiful and aircon is centralized. It also has its own filtration system which is important because of the water condition in the city.  More details here: http://bit.ly/1NKSVNo 

5. Lot at Ayala North Point - I really love this location since it's near to malls and the airport. They have several options here in terms of area from 350-1000 sq meters. More details here: http://bit.ly/1JBhivb

Other things I like about Property 24 is capability to filter minimum and maximum prices. This makes the search faster because you can directly work with your budget and you can also Apply for Home Finance where they can assist you in home financing and you can just send out an inquiry through the website. 

So, can you guess which property we got? Are you also looking for your perfect home?

Visit http://www.property24.com.ph/ because finding your perfect home just got easier  and possible without going crazy with your emotions inside and out. #PerfectHome  #Property24  #Property24PH 

Vikings Bags Awards at WOFEX 2015 and Guess Where is Their Next Branch?

I have always believed that behind every delicious dish is an excellent cook. With my favorite buffet restaurant that offers widest selection of sumptuous cuisine then there must more an just an excellent cook. 

Vikings Group Chefs Jonathan Jota, Anton Abad, Mark Wilhelm Ragudos, Jennifer Gumboc, Don Aries Jerome Duenas, Joel Mondelo, Mark Reyes, Charles Andrei Santos and Raphael De Jesus won top honors for the country and their restaurants Vikings, Niu by Vikings and Four Seasons Hotpot City. 

Yes, award winning chefs are behind the incredible feast we enjoy whenever we visit. The chefs spent four days battling the best of the best at the Philippine Culinary Cup (PCC) of the World Food Expo 2015 (WOFEX) which is the only World Association of Chef’s Society (WACS) endorsed competition in the country. This competition is an avenue for Filipino chefs to gauge their skills against chefs from other countries, and gain international recognition for their culinary expertise. 

They received a total of 13 medals across different categories. Chef Jonathan Jota won a gold medal for the Quick Fire Salad Category, winning Silver Medal is Chef Anton Abad for the US Beef category, Chef Mark Wilhelm Ragudos for the US Poultry category and Chef Don Aries Jerome Duenas for the Creative Breakfast Challenge category.

According to Over-all Coach Chef Jonathan Jota, "The Vikings Team placed 3^rd on overall performance for the Professional Category at the PCC 2015, beating international competitors from Korea, Malaysia, Hong Kong and other Local Hotels and De Luxe Restaurants." 

With over 1,200 competitors from more than 15 countries, we couldn't be more proud for our awesome Filipino Chefs and all-time favorite Vikings who took home the  “People’s Choice Award for Favorite Buffet” 

Vikings is one of the places I truly miss in Metro Manila because they have always been a part of our special occasions. But can you guess where is their next branch? 

Yes, they will be opening a branch here in SM Bacolod. Yipee! Tentative opening date is sometime in September. I am just so excited and definitely, we know where to celebrate the coming birthday of Val. 

Bacolod Blog Series: You've never been to Bacolod if you've never been here!

I have always believed that every place has one iconic spot that almost all tourists visit. One where you should take the "mandatory" shots. Places such as Merlion Monument in Singapore, Chocolate Hills in Bohol, Magellan's Cross in Cebu and The Ruins for Bacolod.

The Ruins in Bacolod was a mansion built in the early 1900s by the Lacson family, one of the famous clans in the sugar industry here in Negros Occidental. The largest structure in the area that has a beautifully landscaped garden and a 4-tier fountain that added to its majestic view.

Photo by Jeric Tancontian

For more than 100 years, this structure in a 900+ sq meter property still stands firm and provides a picture perfect background to all visitors. They are also one of the favorite venues for a prenuptial shoots. Aside from taking pictures and enjoying its rich history, one can also relax and have coffee in their Mediterranean cafe. 

TIP: The best time to visit is actually around 5pm or early in the evening when the lights have been lit up. 

So, whenever you visit Bacolod, make sure to drop by at The Ruins. The roads are already cemented and it is very accessible even if you don't have private transportation. There are tricycles at Brgy. Bata that can bring you there. Entrance starts at Php 40 for students and senior citizens and it Php 95 for adults.

5 Things Why You Need to Experience Subic Bay Yacht Club

Subic is one of the easy escapes from the busy and crowded Metro Manila. It approximately takes a 3 hour drive via NLEX. Whenever we hear about Subic, we immediately think of Ocean Adventure and Zoobic Safari as our primary destinations. Definitely, those two should be part of your itinerary however, I would highly suggest that you also experience the Subic Bay Yacht Club. 

Subic Bay Yacht Club is all about experiencing the good life. A luxurious and elite experience that even if we don't get to do it everyday, it would definitely be a memorable once-in-a-lifetime experience. 

For years, this place was a membership only facility which means that it was exclusive to those who have the 6 digits for the fee. The luxury and exceptional experience were only limited to those with fortunes. However, today, the premiere marina is extending their membership to non members to feel, enjoy, eat and have the a great experience at the club. 

It is located North West of Manila and is set with Zambales Mountain range on the Eastern part and the tranquil Subic Bay that opens to the South China Sea on the west. A perfect paradise with safe harbors and pristine flat waters. A vacation destination with elegant design. An exquisite service and warm hospitality.

Now, let me give you 5 reasons why you should visit the Subic Bay Yacht Club:

1. It's a paradise

In the hustle and bustle of city life, whether you're from Manila or in any parts of the world, Subic Bay Yacht Club offers the million dollar view of the bay and surrounded by mountains. We love to escape stress and just to look at the pristine and relaxing view gave us that moment that we all need, the feeling of rejuvenation.

2. Accommodation

The different choices of rooms with the options based on your budget and need. They have rooms for as Php 6,000 per night. They also have a variety of accommodation at Subic Bay Yacht Club. All are spacious and elegantly designed to satisfy the discriminating taste of every member and guest. Each room and suite offers a balcony, with selected suites having a marina vista.

3. Food

Breakfast is always grand at Subic Bay Yacht Club. The variety of dishes in a buffet set up makes one likes to go back and to start the morning right. (This is my top reason to visit them) 

4. Pool and Jacuzzi

The elegantly designed swimming pools are just part of the complete package. Everyone who checked in can use this facility. You can just relax in this place while checking out the different yachts over the bay which is just 20 feet or less away from the pool.

All rooms are equipped with a jacuzzi in case you want complete privacy relaxing in our own room.

5. Hospitality

The Subic Bay Yacht Club take pride on superb customer service. You can feel how friendly, professionally trained and naturally accommodating all the personnel from the bell boy to the managers on duty.

For more information:

Subic Bay Yacht Club

Rizal Highway corner Burgos Street

Subic Bay Freeport Zone

047 252 5211- 047 252 6586

marketing@subicbayyachtclub.ph

www.subicbayyachtclub.ph