Let’s take a look at this infographic from Any Pest about house spiders in our homes. It’s important to keep them spiders out of your home – 75% of people are either mildly or severely afraid of house spiders. Although house spiders won’t do you or your home any harm, very few people are happy to see a spider running across their floor!

Luckily, there are simple things you can do that will make a big difference in reducing the amount of spiders in your home. For example, spiders love hiding in any clutter that builds up – so keeping your home tidy is crucial.

Although we would love for spiders to never come into our home, it's never going to possible to keep every spider out. If they do get in, clearing up some spider myths may put your mind at ease. A common myth is that we all swallow a certain amount of spiders per year. This is not true! Find out more in the infographic below.

With more than 7,100 islands, surely, there are also thousands of reasons you must go to the Philippines. Here are the first ten.

THE LOCALS

No list of the world's hospitable countries is complete without mentioning the Philippines. The Filipinos are the kindest and nicest people that you'll ever meet. They love to smile and sing, too, especially during their town fiesta.




THE BEACHES

As an archipelago, the country is one of the largest island groups worldwide. There are widely famous white sand beaches like Boracay and then, there are hidden islands such as those in Palawan.




THE SHOPS

The Philippines is also a shopping mecca, with some of the biggest shopping malls in Asia and the world. Apart from the gigantic malls, there are also flea markets, boutiques, souvenir shops, supermarkets, handicraft centers, etc.




THE WILDLIFE

The Philippines takes pride in its widely diversified wildlife. In fact, some of the world's smallest animals are here like the tarsier and pandaca pygmea, smallest primate and fish in the world, respectively. There are also 600 bird, 300 reptile and amphibian, and 200 mammal species spread throughout the country.




THE NATURE

Aside from the animals, the country is a haven for the nature junkies, too. From the Chocolate Hills in Bohol to Banaue Rice Terraces, there is always something to discover in each province. There are also lakes, waterfalls, and caves that you may explore if you want.




THE CLIMATE

Flora and fauna thrive because of the favorable climate. The average temperature 26.6 degree Celsius throughout the year. So, no extreme weathers. It's a tropical country after all.




THE FOOD

While there is no such thing as the Filipino cuisine, every province seems to have its own distinct cuisine. Case in point: the Pampangan cuisine. Likewise, the country and its people are proud of its halo-halo, sinigang, adobo, and lechon, among others. World-renowned chef Anthony Bourdain even dubbed lechon as the “best pig ever.”

THE LANGUAGE

Perhaps, the biggest advantage of the Philippines compared to other Asian countries is the fact that more than 90% of the population can speak and understand the English language. Even the bystanders know basic English mainly because it is the language of the government and other institutions like schools and businesses.

THE LOGISTICS

Traveling around the country is easy and the fares are very cheap. Through riding a jeepney, for instance, you may explore a town or city like the locals. Ride a ferry if you want to island hop. There are also low-cost carriers that serve domestically and internationally.

THE ACTIVITIES

Aside from being a scuba diving and surfing paradise, the Philippines also houses the longest zipline at over 1,300 meters and the first roller coaster zipline in Asia. These are found in Butuan City and Pampanga, respectively.



There you have it! These are some of the reasons that make the Philippines a great travel destination.


Author Bio

Mark Justine DeMesa is a Filipino Blogger and a freelance writer. He currently writes and blogs for Alviera Country Club, a high-end country club in the Philippines with one-of-a-kind amenities and facilities to offer a memorable family recreational activities and bonding!

Our homes are a sanctuary we find refuge when the outside world becomes overwhelming to take. Colors are a critical backdrop, giving each room a unique feel everyone someone walks in. Painting your wall is rather easy. However, choosing the right paint color can frustrate homeowners. Save yourself the headache by referring to these ten colors that experts themselves considered the best ones there is.

BLUE

Blue has a cooling and calming effect mainly because it is reminiscent of the expansive ocean with blue sky above. This is particularly true for a room that is painted with lighter shades of blue and which receives a lot of natural light. On the other hand, dark blues can be used as wall accents as some would dismiss it as too dark or ominous.

GREEN

Green is the most versatile color; it can be painted in any room. Because it is often likened to nature, it has the ability to bring out the best in any given space. Lighter shades of green create a cozy and warm and yet playful environment. Deep greens can be used as accent colors, too, especially for the tiles. For the best effect, blue-green shades can be used.

YELLOW

Yellow is a welcoming color since it reminds people of sunshine and summer. However, certain shades of yellow create a sense of emptiness, so this should be used sparingly. To be safe, choose the lighter, happier shades of yellow. Stay away from chromatic yellows because it might be too intense.

ORANGE AND RED

Orange and red can be used separately or its combination (red-orange). They seem to exude the best effects when taken at the same time, creating a festive and vibrant atmosphere. These hues work well in places where people gather such as the kitchen.

GRAY

Gray is increasingly gaining popularity as the go-to wall color. Various shades of gray conform to the urban chic appeal. For a modern home, darker shades of gray will emphasize the contemporary pieces of furniture and furnishings. However, for a traditional home, light grays will be perfect especially those that border in bluish shades.

BROWN

Brown can also exude the warmth that we long for when the right shades are used. Dark browns, for instance, create a homey feel if used as an accent color. If these will be used as the overall room color, they should be paired with neutral colors to create a subtle warmth effect.

BEIGE

Beige is the second most popular color for the house exterior; the most popular being white. This color is very conservative and yet can make any other surrounding colors pop. Nonetheless, muted colors are not as flexible as you might think. If the home has several interesting architectural detailing, choose any other color but beige.

WHITE

White is also the safest color when painting the house exterior. No one can go wrong with a white. It is clean-looking and makes a room appear bigger that it is. Even white has its own shades too – from pearl white to powder white.

EARTH TONES

Earth tones are more of a color scheme which basically includes flat and muted earth-associated colors. Examples of these colors are shades of brown, shades of green like moss, tan, warm gray, terracotta, brick red, burnt sienna, and yellow ochre. These colors are warm, inviting and relaxing. These colors are good for houses with a lot of wood and stone accents.

NATURAL COLORS

Neutral colors such as cream, ivory, beige, taupe and specific shades of gray are the safest colors to paint your house. They mostly blend with any type of furnishings, perfect for any structure and architecture.

Before you decide the color of your house's interior and exterior, you need to plan ahead to make sure that the overall color scheme is well put-together. Above are some of your choices of colors towards a more vibrant living.

  

AUTHOR BIO

Raphael Zamora is a Filipino Blogger and Freelance Writer that blogs for Arca South. The newest central business and lifestyle district south of the metro, Taguig City.

With the holidays just looming around the corner, a lot of us are already looking for nice gifts to get for ourselves or for our loved ones. With technology playing a huge part in our lives these, tech products such as mobile phone and tablet accessories are an easy and convenient choice especially if you’re planning to do your shopping online.

For instance, American consumer electronics manufacturer Belkin has a wide selection of mobile device accessories that are offered on Lazada, making them readily accessible and easy to order in case you don’t have the time to go to malls to hunt for the products you want to purchase.

Here are our top picks from Belkin’s roster in Lazada, which we think you’ll really like as well:

5. Belkin Mixit 4 Feet 90 Degrees Lightning to USB cable

One of the most common complaints about Apple products is that their cables are not that built well. In fact, the cable has a rating of just 1.5 stars on the Apple store and there are a bunch of discussions regarding the product (mostly complaints) on the company’s website.

The usual issue with Apple’s own cable is that it can easily break near the connectors causing the wires to fray. The Belkin Mixit cable avoids this dilemma by using a 90-degree angle for the lightning connector, protecting the tip and lessening the stress on the cable.

The cable is also four times longer than the standard lightning to USB cable and yet it offers the same fast charging and data transfer rates as the one made by Apple and comes in 7 different colors. Belkin is also offering a 2-year limited warranty for this cable ensuring that you’ll be able to use it for a long time.

Price: Php 1,190 (Get it here)

4. Belkin Micro USB Cable with Lightning Connector adapter

Another nifty accessory you might want to consider is the Micro USB cable with lightning connector. The product extends the functionality of the Mixit cable but adds a micro USB cable adaptor so you can charge other devices.

The cable is perfect as a travel companion as it eliminates the need to bring multiple cables to charge different devices. The adapter is connected to the cable via a durable yet flexible rubber strip so you don’t have to worry of losing it when it’s not in use.

Just like the Mixit version, this cable is also 4ft long, comes in a slew of colors and if offered with 2 years limited warranty.

Price: Php 1,490 (Get it here)

3. Belkin Family RockStar 4-port USB Charger

Another handy accessory for people who own multiple devices is the Belkin Family RockStar 4-port USB charger. The device features four USB ports that delivers a total of 5.4 Amp of power allowing users to charge multiple devices at the same time.

The charger also comes with an intelligent smart chip that regulates the flow of electricity to each port depending on how many devices are being charged. The charger is also wall-mountable and sports a 10-foot cable for convenient placement.

Price: Php 3,290 (Get it here)

2. Belkin Stylus for Tablets

For those looking to do some productive work during the holidays or those who delve in the field of arts and design, a great gift idea would be this Belkin Stylus for tablets.

The stylus features a rubber tip that glides smoothly over any tablet screen allowing users to easily jot down notes or sketch illustrations. The stylus looks very much like a standard pen and even comes with a clip so you can attach it easily and securely to a folio.

Price: Php 325 (discounted by 50% - Get it here)

1. Belkin QODE Thin Type Keyboard case for iPad Air

If you’re looking to do more work on your iPad, the Belkin QODE Thin Type keyboard case for the iPad Air is the perfect product for you.

Despite its slim 4mm profile, the keyboard case’s aluminum construction gives a feeling of durability and strength to the user. The case features well-spaced TruType keys that are designed for accurate typing as well as tactile response thanks to the spring mechanism placed underneath each key.

The Thin Type cover uses Bluetooth technology to connect to the iPad and uses Smart Sensing technology that automatically turns the keyboard on or off when the tablet is placed on the slot. The keyboard also boasts function-specific keys that provides shortcuts for different functions.

Price: Php 4,990 (Get it here)

This holidays, give yourself or your loved ones, one of the most awesome gift they can get with these great finds from Belkin. You can get all these stuff by ordering online from Lazada. 

You can also create your own wish list on Lazada and ask your friends and family to give these items (or other products from Belkin) to you as a gift this Christmas.

The country’s top Apple product retailer recently launch its Pixelworx campaign that advocates the use of technology in the creation of arts.  The launch of the campaign was initiated through the introduction of PMC’s art ambassadors and the announcement of its multimedia awards winners.

The four ambassadors that were introduced during the event were Jay Contreras for photography, Nikki Luna for visual arts, Electrolychee (Marcus and Bru Nada) for graphic design and Leeroy New for sculpture. The four art ambassadors conducted free workshops and live demonstrations at PMC classrooms for the past two months.

The event was also the venue where PMC awarded the winners of its multimedia competition wherein 6 winners were chosen from the 20 finalists who submitted their work a few months back. The winners were given prizes including iPads, Wacom tablets and PMC gift certificates.

The country’s biggest book fair is back for all book worms near Pasay City. Now on its 36th year, the Manila International Book fair is setting up shop at the SMX Convention center to bring the largest and most diverse collection of literature whether it’s for leisure or for academics. The MIBF will be held on Sept 16-20 and will feature various publication companies as exhibitors.

To know more details about these event, do check out the PR materials sent to us by MIBF’s organizer Primetrade Asia, Inc.

PRESS RELEASE

One of the country’s most awaited events for book lovers is back as the Manila International Book Fair (MIBF) is set on Sept. 16-20, at SMX Convention Center, Pasay City.

Now on its 36th year, the MIBF showcases the largest and most varied collection of literature for leisure and academic reading, including bestselling novels, to textbooks, to graphic novels, to religious publications, to stationery and school supplies. The MIBF is also the go-to event for this year’s biggest book launches, signings, contests, dialogues with readers, and other literary events. It has also been providing a venue for the exchange of ideas amongst players in the publishing and academic industry.

Joining this year’s book fair are Abiva Publishing House, Inc. Academic Book Sales, Inc, Adarna House, Inc., Adbox Book Distributors, Alexan Commercial, Alpha Stream Marketing, Anvil Publishing, Inc., Asia Pacific Publishers Association (APPA), Asia/Pacific Circulation Exponents, Inc. (APCEI), Ateneo de Manila University Press, Bantay OCW Foundation, Inc., Bayard Assumption Media Foundation, Belview Co., Inc., Book Trends Enterprises, Bridge Publications, Inc., Brilliant Creations Publishing, Inc., C & E Publishing, Inc., Catholic Book Center , CD Books International, Inc., Cengage Learning , Central Books , Christian Growth Ministries, Inc. (CGM) , Christian Literature Crusade , Church Strengthening Ministry, Inc. , Claretian Communications Foundation, Inc. , Creative Mind Books Center , CRW Marketing Services for Publishers , Cunanan Map House , Data Science and Technology Corporation , and Edcrisch International, Inc.

Also participating at the book fair are Elsevier Science and Technology , Emerald Headway Distributors, Inc. , F & J de Jesus, Inc. , Far Eastern University Publications , Fastbooks Educational Supply Inc. , Felta Multi-Media, Inc. , Filway Marketing, Inc. , Forefront Book Co., Inc. , Fujian Publishing Industry, Fully Booked (Sketch Books, Inc.) , Global International Education Link, Grolier International- Cyclophil Division, Goethe-Institut Philippinen , Golden Books Services, Inc. , Great Books Trading , Gunnar Lie & Associates Ltd , Heartshaper/Lighthouse Educational Corporation , High Access Line Phils. Corp., IBC Book Consolidators, Inc., IBON Foundation, Inc., iGroup , Ilaw ng Tahanan Publishing Corporation , IRH Press Co., Jesuit Communications Foundation, Inc. , Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino, Lighthouse Inspirational Books and Gifts, Inc. , Linar Educational Materials, Inc. , Logos Publications, Inc. , Lyric Piano and Organ Corp. , Maxcor Publishing House, Inc. , Meganon Comics Publishing House , Megatexts Phil., Inc. , Megaviz Publishing, Mind Mover Publishing House, Inc. , MSA Publishing House , and National Book Store, Inc.

Meanwhile, the National Historical Commission of the Phils. (NHCP) , Navigator Ministries, Inc. , New Century Books , New Day Publishers , OMF Literature Inc. , Overseas Publishers' Rep. Assn of the Phils. (OPRAP) , Paulines Publishing House , Perbadanan Kota Buku, Periplus Editions, Philippine Bible Society , Philippine Christian Book Store (PCBS) , Phoenix Educational Systems, Inc. , Precious Pages Corp. , Publishers Group West , Readers Knowledge Bookstore , Rex Book Store, Inc. , Shepherd House Publishers, Inc. , Shepherd's Voice Publications, Inc. , Sinag-Tala Publishers , St Pauls , St. Mary's Publishing Corporation , St. Matthew's Publishing Corporation , Summit Publishing Co., Inc. , The Bookmark, Inc. , The Ramakrishna Society of the Philippines, Inc. , Touchlife Global Foundation Inc. , Tradewinds Books , University of Santo Tomas Publishing House , University of the Philippines Press, Vibal Group , Viva PSICOM Publishing Corp. , Wiseman's Books Trading, Inc. , Word & Life Publications , and WS Pacific Publications, Inc., Blue Silver and Black Marketing, Cosmos Bazaar, Gentle Star, Jevzam’s Enterprise, LPI Rack Range Philippines, Merr-C Society of the Word Foundation, and Mindwerks are also joining.

Aside from the varied list of exhibitors, the MIBF will also host two co-located events. The latest trends in technology will be discussed at the Digitech Manila Conference and Expo on September 17-18. Meanwhile, one of the most awaited events for anime lovers and cosplayers, the Best of Anime 2015, is slated on September 19-20.

Face it: money is definitely one of the most important things in the world. And because it is important, it’s just imperative that it should be used well and must be taken care of—unless you want to go broke and end up living in misery.

Well, with the economic status of the Philippines these days, saving money and making practical budget could sometimes be a problem. But, it doesn’t mean that your financial troubles can no longer be solved. Here are some financial problems and simple solutions that can be done.

1. Overspending 
The Solution: Control yourself and cut back on your expenses.

Sometimes, when you have all this money on hand, you feel like it’s endless and that you can spend it all right away, and you just buy whatever you see in the mall.

Well, you can control your expenses by making a list of what exactly you need to buy and by going where you know you can buy these things instead of going to each and every shop in the mall. This way, you won’t be tempted to pick up and buy the very first thing you see.

2. High Bills
The Solution: Review your bills and see why they’re that high.

The problem with most people is that they don’t try to understand the root of the problem. So, the electric bills have reached an all-time high. Why don’t you ask yourself and your family why?

Maybe, you have the electric fans and the air-conditioners on the whole day, or none of you turns off the television even when no one is watching. Or, maybe the water bill is high because some of you spend 1 to 2 hours in the bathroom. Realizing what you’re doing will help you see how much you really have been spending—and will help you decide that you need not only save money, you need to save water and electricity, as well.

3. Debt
The Solution: Take care of the necessities first.

Sometimes, debts happen because people think that they don’t have enough money and that they need more just so they could buy whatever it is that they want to buy, but the thing is that you can actually make use of what you have with you instead of resorting to other people for financial help.

Credit Cards are also big sources of temptations—and debt. The thing is, when you have a credit card, you tend to buy more than you should. But just imagine, without that credit card, you’d know exactly how much you have with you and how much you could spend—so you wouldn’t have to pay for anything else later.

If you have debts, make sure that you address them rather than escape from them. Paying little by little is so much better than not paying at all.

4. Source of income is not enough
The Solution: Try online jobs.

And finally, if you feel like your income is not enough or your husband’s income can no longer fit the family’s needs, remember that it’s okay to take online jobs. These days, so many opportunities are available online. You can work as a copywriter, a translator, or an ESL teacher, among others, while in the comfort of your own home. Taking other jobs would definitely get you on the road to financial freedom.

Remember, for every problem, there is a solution. You can work through your financial problems—this guide is the perfect start. Good Luck!

Author Bio: eCompareMo is the country’s leading and complete comparison portal intended for Filipinos looking for quick, secure, and complete banking and insurance products in the Philippines. We streamline the comparison and application products to help Filipinos make informed decisions when it comes to their finances. Like us on facebook or follow us on twitter to get more financial tips.

If you’re a fan of M. Night Shyamalan’s works, then Universal Pictures’ VIY: The Spirit of Evil will definitely be your cup of tea. This dark fantasy film based on a Nikolai Gogol story of the same name will be opening this week in theatres in Manila starting October 22.

The movie was produced by Russian Film Group and Marins Group and stars Jason Flemyng from the film The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. The production was set in 17^th century Eastern Europe in a small town in Ukraine allegedly plagued by an evil spirit called Viy who has the ability to murder and takes the soul of his victim with just a gaze of his many eyes.

Jason Flemying plays the part of cartographer Jonathan Greene and the story of his arrival and stay at the small village, where he meets several characters that all played a part in the mystery surrounding the myths about Viy and the unexplained things happening in the village.

The film was shot in Prague and became a certified hit when it was released in Russia earlier this year taking in $17 million on its first week.

As we’ve mentioned earlier, the movie will be shown starting October 22 in 3D in select theatres in Metro Manila and in 2D movie houses nationwide. Those who will watch the movie will also get a chance to win an iPhone 6 via the film’s Facebook competition.

To be eligible for the prize, participants simply need to writer their name and signature on their movie ticket (the side where the movie title is visible) and then take a selfie with their ticket and post it on the movie’s official Facebook page. Users must like the page and click the “Watch and Win iPhone 6 promo logo” for the next steps and for them to enter their complete details.

There will be three winners of an iPhone 6 unit, which will be drawn on October 25, 28, and 31. Winners will be announced on different communication channels including the VIY Facebook page, the Futuretainment Facebook page, the Futuretainment Instagram page (@futureupdate) and of course the winners’ registered emails.

Do note that participants can only enter once during the entire promo.

Are you one of those hoteliers who are finding it difficult to keep track of your operations? Are you lost when it comes to managing your inventory and resources? It's time to get management software for hotels in the Philippines. Read through this article to know how this software redefines your process and takes you a step ahead in business.

Automated Reservation

The front office interface dealing with reservations and check-in/check-outs is automated which makes the whole process a lot accurate and hassle free. The software is designed to capture the smallest required detail about every guest who is expected to come or is already residing. This facilitates faster processing when allocating rooms to guests and even helps in answering room change requests more efficiently.

Photo Source: www.etravel.ph

Smooth Billing

The system stores precise information about the guest’s check in/checkout date and time. Apart from this it also keeps track of the paid and complimentary services availed by the guest. The bill generated by the system is presented with all these details to avoid trouble to the clients and front office staff in the later stages. Digital payment options are linked to the system for facilitating quicker payment process.

Accuracy in Data

Data is caught in the system as when any change or payment is made. The credit and debit details can be accessed to understand the money management in the hotel. The software provides configurability of user rights which restricts certain operations depending on the access levels assigned. This ensures that designated and authoritative users are only allowed to update the details in the system which improves the exactness of the information present in the system.

Inventory Management

The software provides inventory details and allows effective management of the available stocks. It also gives you an idea of how many guests you can host with the available inventory. This facilitates timely ordering of the required stocks before running out of things in the storehouse. You also get to know which of the items are consumed faster than the others and plan accordingly.

Employee Work Allocation

With the management software you get to view the staffs working in each department and plan reallocations whenever required. You also get to track the work done by each of them giving you a fair understanding on how well the resources are being utilized.

Integrated to Microsoft Office

The software is designed to provide seamless integration to Microsoft office excel and word files. This is specially planned for users involved in the financial reporting and mail merging activities.

Photo Source: www.pearlgardenhotel.net

Efficient Data Management

The software is configurable to schedule back-up jobs for specific date and time. You may also set periodic jobs which will be repeated at regular intervals. This is undeniably the most important part of keeping your records intact. In the event of any technical issue amounting to data losses you will be able to recover your system with last saved backup file.

Reporting and Auditing

The system is designed to produce a set of reports with specifiable parameters. This is exportable and can be printed anytime you wish to view the status of different processes in the hotel. The account details are recorded accurately in the system which facilitates a hassle free auditing process. It gives you an edge over the others when maintaining transparency and genuineness.

Better Business Decisions

You get to view all the details about the different aspects of your business in a very structured format which enables better marketing analysis and decision making. Your managers and employees are also informed about their targets with system generated reports. This allows everyone in the system to understand their expectations and act aptly for the effective growth of the hotel.

Photo Source: www.heraldsuitesmakati.com

In Control Anywhere

Now this is the icing on the cake! The software allows you to define more than one hotel site in a single application instance. And you get to monitor all the operations and progress in all the locations and departments from the comforts of your office. You no longer require wasting your precious time travelling between your hotels but instead use your time for the furtherance of your realm.