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.

Haven't you ever wanted to just pack your bags and go travel? You read stories of budget adventurers who leave their 9 to 5 jobs behind for a life on the road, roughing out odd chores for dinner and a place to stay for the night. Or perhaps you dream of embarking on a luxurious Caribbean cruise, or multi-city tour around Europe. However, you worry that you don't have the resources to simply indulge in the vacation of your dreams.

What if we tell you that you can take that trip to Venice, Japan, or Harry Potter Land! And you can fly there for free.

Want to know how?

Your credit card could be your ticket to your next vacation. It's a matter of proper planning and knowing which type of travel credit cards can take you there. There are Metrobank, BPI and BDO credit cards that cater to the budding jet-setter, for example, BDO's Cathay Pacific American Express, BPI's Delta SkyMiles Classic Card, and Metrobank's World MasterCard allows cardholders to collect or be exchanged to flyer points.

Simply use your credit card like you normally would, and earn points while doing so. Charge everything to your card (but make sure to pay it off immediately or before the deadline). Collect enough points and you may just have your plane ticket for free.

We've compiled a list of credit cards in the Philippines to get you those flyer perks:

How to earn points: Earn 1 Asia Mile for every ₱42.00 spent

Minimum points to fly: 10,000

Partner Airlines: Cathay Pacific, Dragonair, British Airways, Qantas Airways, and Qatar Airways

How to earn points: Receive 1 mile for every ₱45.00

Minimum points to fly: 10,000

Partner Airlines: Delta Airways, Thai AirAsia, Jetstar, Skymark Airlines and more

How to earn points: Earn 1 point for every ₱20.00 you spend

Minimum points to fly: 3,500 for local flights, 9,500 for international flights

Partner Airlines: Philippine Airlines, Cathay Pacific Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Silk Air, Etihad Airways, All Nippon Airways, Adria Airways, Aegean Airlines, Air Canada, Air China, Air India, Air New Zealand, Asiana Airlines, Autrian, Aviance Brazil, Avianca-TACA, Brussels Airlines, Copa Airlines, Croatia Airlines, EgyptAir, Ethiopian Airlines, EVA Air, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines, South African Airways, SWISS, TAP Portugal, THAI, Turkish Airlines, United, Virgin America, Virgin Atlantic, Virgin Australia, Vistara, Dragonair, British Airways, Qantas Airways, and Qatar Airways

How to earn points: Earn one Fly Point for every ₱200.00 spend

Minimum points to fly: 3,500

Partner Airlines: Cebu Pacific

How to earn points: Earn 1 Premier Mile for every P40.00 spent

Minimum points to fly: 3,500 for local flights, 9,500 for international flights

Partner Airlines: Aer Lingus, Air China, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific Airways, China Eastern Airlines, Dragonair, Finnair, Gulf Air, Iberia, Japan Airlines, Jet Airways, Kingfisher Airlines, LAN, Malév Hungarian Airlines, Mexicana Airlines, Qantas Airways, Royal Brunei Airlines, Royal Jordanian Airlines, S7 Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Silk Air, Adria Airways, Aegean, Air Canada, Air New Zealand, All Nippon Airways, Asiana Airlines, Austrian Airlines, Blue 1, British Midland International, Brussels Airlines, Continental Airlines, Croatia Airlines, Egyptair, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines, South African Airways, Spanair, SWISS International Airlines,  TAM Airlines, TAP Portugal, Thai Airways, Turkish Airlines, United Airlines, US Airways, Philippine Airlines, PAL Express, Delta Air Lines, Aeroflot Russian Airlines,  AeroMexico, Avianca, AirEuropa, Air France, GOL, Hawaiian Airlines, China Southern, Czech Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Olympic Air, Kenya Airways, V Australia, Korean Air, Tarom, Vietnam Airlines, Etihad, Airberlin, Air Seychelles, Virgin Australia, Eva Air, Copa Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Garuda Indonesia, Aerolineas Argentinas, Middle East Airlines, Saudi Arabian Airlines, China Airlines, Xiamen Air, Alitalia, MAS Wings, Sri Lankan Airways, Virgin Atlantic, and Firefly

How to earn points: Earn one Mabuhay Mile for every ₱33 spent

Minimum points to fly: 3,500 for local flights, 9,500 for international flights

Partner Airlines: Philippine Airlines, Etihad Airways, and All Nippon Airways

How to earn points: Earn 1 point for every P25 spend

Minimum points to fly: 3,500 for local flights, 9,500 for international flights

Partner Airlines: Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific, Etihad Airways, and All Nippon Airways

Points are not only limited to travel. Citibank's Premiere Miles credit card also allows you to exchange points for accommodation at Hilton and Intercontinental hotel brands.

What are you waiting for? Start planning and earning your dream vacation today.

Didn't find what you're looking for? iMoney helps you pick through various credit cards for travel that matches your needs.

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.

Filipinos are natural food lovers, so when you add discounts on restaurants into the mix, it becomes a sure recipe for success. One particular company that’s trying to try this brew for success is Makati-based Gourmet Society Philippines.

Basically, the company partnered with over a hundred restaurants in Metro Manila to offer their community with up to 20% discount on when they dine in without the need to present coupons, GCs or QR codes. On top of this, the company has partnered with ABS-CBN Foundation’s Bantay Bata to provide feeding programs for malnourished children in Manila using proceeds from membership fees.

For more information about Gourmet Society Philippines, you can check the press release below.

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Gourmet Society Philippines simplifies restaurant privileges by giving its members 20% off their bill at over 150 partner restaurants in Metro Manila. Members just have to present their Gourmet Society card when paying their bill in order to get their discount, eliminating the need for printing coupons or the need for scanning QR codes. Diners can avail of discounts without minimum spend and use the card as many times as they want.

Filipinos love food, and Filipinos love discounts. You’ll get all of that with Gourmet Society -Joost Boer, co-founder and CEO of Gourmet Society Philippines. 

After observing different restaurant discount programs in the country, Joost believes that there is a much simpler way of availing discounts while bringing value to diners and restaurants alike. “It makes dining out more affordable for people, and at the same time, it helps restaurants gain new customers while decreasing their marketing costs.”

Gourmet Society is offering its membership card for a special introductory price of Php 999, offering discounts for one year at over 150 restaurants. Partner restaurants include popular chains such as Burgoo, Gumbo and Mrs. Fields. In addition, independent restaurants such as the popular One Way Restaurant, Corner Tree Café, Aracama, Tapeo, Lulu and the acclaimed My Kitchen By Chef Chris are also part of Gourmet Society. There are also some gastropubs and bars such as celebrity owned The Hungry Hound and Niner Ichi Nana. Gourmet Society is continuously expanding within Metro Manila and is expecting to reach 250 restaurant partners by the end of the year.

Gourmet Society Philippines is more than just restaurant privileges

Aside from restaurant discounts, Gourmet Society is contributing to the wellbeing of local communities through a partnership with ABS CBN Foundation, Bantay Bata that will support a feeding program for malnourished children in Manila. 

Meanwhile, Gourmet Society’s blog contains articles delving into the background stories of several Gourmet Society restaurant partners. It also helps people navigate through Manila’s dining scene, and provide insightful infographic content such as foreign dining etiquette guides.

Gourmet Society Philippines has also partnered with Viber Public Chats, to create FoodTalkPH: a public chat which brings together chefs, such as Chef Laudico, Chris Locher, Philip Golding and Chef Boy Logro as well as restaurateurs and food lovers to discuss recipes, share delicious food photos and videos as well as discussing the latest news in the buzzing Manila food scene.

Exciting growth plans

The company has some very exciting growth plans for the coming year and expect to see some great new features in our app. We are also staging a very exciting food awards concept in February 2016, so watch this space!

Gourmet Society Philippines is redefining restaurant discounts in the country by giving 20% off your bill at over 150 restaurants in Manila. Members just have to present their Gourmet Society card. Aside from a physical card it is also possible to display a digital card on the Gourmet Society app, which is available for the iPhone on the App Store and Android on the Google Play Store.