How did the celebration of Halloween begin? Celebrated every 31st of October, Halloween is the 1st day of the 3-day celebration called “Allhallowtide.” It is then followed by All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day on November 1 and November 2 respectively which are intended as a moment of remembering all the souls of deceased loved ones, martyrs, and the saints. Today, the traditional celebration of candles lit up in the cemeteries and families gathering to pray for the souls of relatives who have already passed away are mashed up with parties and other Halloween events.

The Origin

Halloween came from the word “Hallowe’en” which is the contracted form of Hallows’ Evening. It also goes in several terms such as All Hallows’ Eve, Allhalloween, or All Saints’ Eve. Its origin can be traced back to the festivals of Celtics during harvest such as the Gaelic festival called Samhain.

It is the first day of the “Allhallowtide” which is also known as the Hallowmas season. It was established during the Roman times carried throughout the reign of the Frankish Empire. At the turn of the 11th century, the modern celebration dates of Allhallowtide were popularized headed by Abbot Odilo. Monks and other monasteries, on these days, pray for those who have already passed away.

The Practices Before

Halloween was celebrated first as an adaptation of the Samhain which marks the end of a harvest season and the start of the winter or the year’s “darker half.” This is to make the conversion of Celtics to Christianity easier. The observance of Halloween then runs through several countries all over the world as Christianized by the early churches.

There are some beliefs though which indicates that Halloween did not originate from Samhain. It was also the belief of others that this was the time when the barrier between the real world and the afterlife thinned out. Masks were also worn so people will remain unrecognized by souls. This is where the wearing of costumes originated which popularly symbolizes Halloween in the modern age.

In Poland, for example, the holiday is celebrated by people praying aloud walking in the middle of the forest to comfort the souls of the dead. Spain also commemorates it by ringing the church bells as a signal for its congregation in having a moment to remember the souls.
England celebrated Halloween during the medieval period until the year 1930 wherein groups of Catholic and Protestant “soulers” visit one parish after the other begging rich people soul cakes and they’ll pray for these people’s souls in return. It was only during the 1930s that Halloween became popular in the U.S. when it was first mentioned in a publication nationwide.

The Christian Church, as a whole, celebrated Hallowe’en by having prayer vigils and fasting before the day of the feast. The church service conducted during this moment is called Vigil of All Hallows or Vigil of All Saints. Then, entertainments and other festivities appropriate for the occasion follow and accompanied by visits to the cemetery.

The Practices Now

Today’s celebration of Halloween is always associated with costumes, concerts, events, and a whole lot more of fun festivities that involve both the young and the old. The signature of Halloween for children is the “trick or treating.” It was believed to have originated during the medieval times where “trick” means doing a “threat” in the form of mischievous acts to homeowners who won’t give treats.

There’s also another variant of “trick-or-treating” that is becoming popular called “trunk-or-treating.” In “trunk-or-treating,” children can get treats through an automobile’s trunk. These cars are parked outside of a church or a school and some parents thought of it as safer compared if children will go to one house after the other to collect treats.

As time goes by, Halloween has become the biggest costume party of the year celebrated all over the world. It isn’t limited to the “scary” costumes but it also includes imitations of the famous Hollywood actors, actresses, and singers of all time. Some of these public figures are very popular for adult costumes such as Audrey Hepburn and Elvis Presley. Marvel and DC heroes are the kids’ favorites.

So, the semestral break is upon you, and you and your barkada have already started making plans for an epic getaway. You’re already sharing links of travel blogs with potential destinations over on your Facebook group chat. You’re glossing over hotel and resort listings in between your busy acads.

Because after all the classes, all-nighters, long group meetings, project deadlines, and studying for finals, a fun group vacation is just what you deserve. It’s perfectly understandable that you’d be itching to book that perfect place and hit the road.

With the availability of so many options, it can be overwhelming to choose the ideal spot for your barkada getaway. Is it the right time to go to a beach? Should you go for a place with outdoor sports? Is a staycation better? Then there’s also the logistics of planning a trip—you have to find a schedule that fits everyone, figure out the transportation and routes, and of course, make a budget plan. But don’t dismay. Here are a few easy lodging options to help your barkada decide better for the getaway that will definitely make all your hard work worth it—and for a 20K and under budget at that:

The Vessel Hostel (San Juan, La Union)

If your barkada is game for it, a hostel will be a more cost-efficient way to go. You can each stay in a bed in Vessel Hostel’s gender-neutral dorm rooms, chill in the common areas, and enjoy the beach together. Just a few steps away from La Union’s iconic waves, this beautiful hostel made of upcycled shipping containers is a gem in La Union’s surf town.

The fee for a bed per night is Php 1,200.

Eco Saddle Resort (Caliraya, Lumban, Laguna)

If you want a proper getaway that’s still close to the metro, accommodations around Caliraya Lake is sure to give you a great experience. This huge, pristine manmade lake is home to several resorts with water sports and outdoor recreational activities–perfect for any barkada outing. Apart from quaint cottage-style villas, Eco Saddle even has floating cottages you can stay in!

You can book a cottage starting at Php 3,600 for four people.

Momarco Forest Cove Resort and Hotel (Tanay, Rizal)
If your barkada is looking to spend your outing surrounded by Mother Nature, this resort and hotel in Tanay is a great option. This sprawling resort is equipped with top amenities, a mini zoo, sports center, forest trails, and a manmade waterfall. Tucked away in Rizal, Momarco Forest Cove Resort and Hotel is both a fun and relaxing way to spend your sem break.

Regular rooms for four start at Php 3, 400, but you may also avail their barracks-style accommodation at Php 425 per head or go camping with your own tent (or the resort can provide you one) for a minimal fee.

Halo Dive Anilao Resort (Anilao, Batangas)
If diving is your thing, look no further than Anilao for your next barkada destination. Located in Mabini, this quiet resort at the front of Balayan Bay is a great spot for enjoying the beach while still relaxing in an intimate environment. Experience only the most amazing diving with the diverse coral ecosystem found on the beach.

For around Php 6,000, you can book a villa which can accommodate up to four people.

An Oasis in Tagaytay (Tagaytay, Cavite)
Since AirBNB’s are all the rage, why not try one out for your barkada and make it the best post-sem staycation place? There are many serviced units being marketed for staycations in cool and breezy Tagaytay, and an excellent one in An Oasis located in Tagaytay Prime Residences. Just a few steps away from many of Tagaytay’s most loved attractions,  An Oasis is a great choice for your barkada.

At around Php 6,900, you get an entire apartment which can accommodate up to four people.

With just these five options, you already have a wide range of activities and locations to choose from. But whichever you choose, it is still up to you and your friends to make the experience worth it. After all, what makes a getaway memorable is just as much the people you’re with as the place you’re going. So hit your friends up, choose a destination, and start planning for your ideal sem break getaway.

Now that November is fast-approaching, what do you look forward to the most? The Halloween parties? The spooky movie marathons on TV? Or simply reuniting with the rest of your family to pay respects to the departed?

With all these yearly traditions, how did we come to celebrate All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day the way we do in the present?

History of All Saints’ Day

Let’s start with All Saints’ Day that fall on November 1. People in different parts of the globe have been celebrating this day since the 4th century as a commemoration of saints and martyrs. It was, however, only made official as the ‘Feast of All Holy Martyrs’ by Pope Boniface IV in 609 AD. He moved the feast to May 13 until Pope Gregory IV changed it back to November 1 in 837 AD. The latter also renamed it the ‘Feast of All Saints,’ so as not to make it unexclusive to a few martyrs.

What It Means Today

So, it began as a celebration for martyrs, then all saints, and now, interestingly, All Saints’ Day has been extended to all Christians. From those that lived in the time of Christ, the great prophets you’ve read about, to spiritual mentors who inspire you to better. “We are all saints in a biblical sense,” said Mark Wood at ‘Christian Today.’ This was his answer to the evangelical Protestants who expressed discomfort with how saints are ranked more highly than other Christians. Thus, November 1 or All Saints’ Day is now a celebration of people sharing the same faith in God and commitment to do good.

About All Souls’ Day

As the name suggests, November 2 or All Souls’ Day is when you pray for the souls of loved ones who already passed away. It is a day dedicated to praying for God’s mercy to let their soul ascend to heaven peacefully. In some countries, they open a ‘Book of the Dead’ in the altar of churches where you can write names of departed relatives. You remember them through a prayer and a mass is held if the day falls on a Sunday. This practice is common among European Catholic churches.

Global Counterparts

The Chinese Hungry Ghost Festival is the ‘All Souls’ Day’ counterpart in China, although it doesn’t happen on the first day of November. This Buddhist and Taoist festival held every August 15 is believed to be a day for the deceased to visit their living loved ones. It is almost the same with Mexico’s ‘Dia Delos Muertos’ if you’ve seen Pixar’s animation, ‘Coco,’ except that it is celebrated on November 1.

What About Halloween?

Halloween began in the pagan times and literally means ‘holy evening.’ Its origin dates back to the festival of Samhain – end of harvest season or summer. Pagans believe that on this day, spirits can pass through the land of the living and destroy their crops in the coming season. As a response, they make bonfires, set up dinner tables, and offer food to calm the spirits. Strange how the living fear the dead, right?

Now you know the real essence of both All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day began. You’ve also learned the difference between how Europeans and Asians remember their loved ones. You probably don’t share the same beliefs, claim they don’t apply to the present, or even find them strange.

However, you can’t deny it’s always interesting to uncover traditions, right? At the end of the day, you’d realize they aren’t merely unreasonable practices – since the beginning, traditions add meaning to life and bring families closer.

Realistically speaking, there is a limited amount of open space left in the sprawling metropolis for people to comfortably stroll about. Long stretches of unobstructed sidewalks are also difficult to come by. Yet, they still exist. They are an ideal place to take your dog for some much-needed exercise. This makes these particular parcels of real estate a welcome sight for joggers, pet lovers or those who simply enjoy outdoor activities.

Below are a list of some dog-friendly areas, playing facilities and dog care professional services.

Makati weekend markets

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These are fun activities for you and your dog to enjoy. Bring along your family and friends as well as to appreciate these places even more. The Salcedo Market has been operating since 2005. Held every Saturday, it is set-up in the parking lot of the Jaime Velasquez Park by the Women of Bel-Air Foundation, Inc. You can expect to encounter a diverse group of concessionaires offering an international selection of food, fresh produce, handicrafts, and plants.

If you miss out on its energetic vibe, there is nothing to worry. The following day is the Legazpi Sunday Market which is held at the parking area beside the Legazpi Active Park and Washington Sycip Park. It is essentially similar in atmosphere to the Salcedo Market though with a slight variation in what its line-up of vendors is selling. Both places, however, will allow you to walk around with your dog after having your fill of yummy treats and shopping. They are excellent opportunities to relax and spend your day frolicking around with your pooch under the shade of its trees.

Ayala Triangle Gardens

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If you live and work in Makati, then you do not need to wait for the weekend to enjoy one of its long-standing landmarks. The Ayala Triangle Gardens is about 20,000 sq.m. of tree-lined open space in the heart of the CBD. It is where the iconic Nielson Field Tower is located which was used to oversee the very first landing strip in the Philippines. The park is open from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM daily. You and your trusty canine can stroll about unhindered by the bustling vehicular traffic that regularly plies along the city’s main thoroughfares.

Bonifacio Global City

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This master-planned CBD is perhaps one of the most ideal places for joggers in Metro Manila because of its clear sidewalks and selection of parks. That also makes it a safe place to take your pet for a walk as well. Among its most popular areas is Bonifacio High Street. It is comprised of eight buildings divided into four on each side. Cutting through its center is a wide grassy field accented by sculptures and some sitting areas. It is a fine mix of retail, dining, and leisure. A branch of Pet City can also be conveniently found here.

Within Bonifacio High Street’s immediate proximity, however, are other dog-friendly places of interest. To the east is upscale Serendra which has pet stores such as Bark & Wag as well as Dogs and the City. Going west is Bonifacio High Street Central, where your pet can enjoy more open spaces and exercise on its large steps. Situated to its north is Track 30th which occasionally has canines cheerfully trotting alongside some joggers, on a leash of course. Terra 28th occupies its southern portion which is great for kids and their cute mutts to amuse themselves among some art installations.

BGC is certainly a great place for canines and other pets. Bonifacio High Street and its immediate vicinity, however, is not the only area where they are welcome. Even the somewhat secluded though inviting De Jesus Oval is also a venue you can take your pet to. Join occasional play sessions along with other dog lovers during My Sunday Dogpark events. Choose a date you can register in so that your pet can experience a full day’s worth of activities.

Eastwood City

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There are still other notable locations in Metro Manila that are conducive for your canine. One place however that should not be missed is this pioneering township community. Eastwood City also happens to be first to accommodate pet lovers into its mixed-use expanse. Continuing its trailblazing tradition is Bark Central. It is located in Eastwood Mall and is the initial “indoor off-leash dog park” not only in the metropolis but in the country as well. This is a full-service facility which can provide professional grooming for your pet as well as physical and behavioral training courses. Your dog can safely and comfortably walk about in this establishment.

The concept of house flipping is relatively simple: you buy a house at a bargain, refurbish it, then sell it for a profit. It will, however, entail costs. Let’s look at some of the standard expenses you have to consider.

Property Acquisition Cost

You need to have the means to acquire the property. If taking out a bank loan, factor in interest payments, appraisal fees, handling fees, mortgage redemption insurance, and fire insurance to your house flipping expenses. As a buyer, there will also be a documentary stamp tax, transfer tax, registration fees, and notarial fees to take note of.

Renovation Costs

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As a house flipper, you would definitely want to spruce up the house to a certain extent to make the property more appealing to potential buyers. To come up with a ballpark figure of how much you’ll need to do renovation work, here’s a simple rule of thumb: get the average price per square meter where the property is located. Multiply that figure by the total size of the area that has to be fixed. So if the average price per square meter is Php25,000 and the area to be renovated is 10 square meters, renovation cost will be roughly Php250,000. Note that this is just a starting estimate.

There will be labor costs and materials costs; should you pay for materials through credit card, consider interest payments as well.

Carrying Costs   

These will be the recurring expenses from the time you acquire the property to the time it is sold. This will cover utilities, insurance payments, and association dues, among others.

Marketing Costs

So the property is now ready to be placed on the market; the next important step is to get the word out. When selling a flipped property through a broker, you would have to pay the broker a commission, which ranges from 3 to 6 percent. The rate of the commission will depend on the size of the property and will be deducted from the home’s sale price.

How does one check if you’re not going overboard with house flipping costs and are still on track to making a profit?

Before shelling out anything, it’s important to determine the After Repair Value (ARV), or the estimate of how much the property will be worth after all the planned renovations have been completed. You can gauge the ARV of a property by doing a quick check of similar properties that have been sold (and not just up for sale) in the same area as the house in question within the last three months. If you don’t see any properties sold, let that be a red flag and do some further research; there might be issues with the location and property demand might be low.

Let the ARV be your starting point as you compute for all house flipping costs; work backward from there. In this way, you more or less have an idea if you’re getting your money’s worth.

Tips to keep your costs in check

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Monitor your expenses. Be conscientious in tracking every peso to check if there are areas where you are spending more or less than expected, then adjust accordingly.

Mind your timelines. The timeline starts when you acquire the property and ends when it is sold. The shorter the timeline, the lower the carrying costs, the bigger the profit at the end of the day.

Seek professional advice.  Get a reputable contractor to work with you on your house flipping projects, especially if you’re just getting your feet wet, so to speak. This will help you avoid costly mistakes in the long run.

House flipping, just like any other business venture, will require you to invest time, money, and effort. It also has its risks. But with adequate research and planning, the rewards will be worth it.

There is no indication that the Philippine economy will be slowing down anytime soon. Parañaque will be among the cities that will continue to thrive along with it. The World Bank projects the Philippine economy to grow by 6.7 percent throughout 2018 to 2019. It is calculated to dip slightly to 6.6 percent in 2020 though it will remain strong, nonetheless. Investing in progressive cities such as Parañaque would be a smart business move.

Modernization marvel
One of the reasons why the city’s economy is growing is that it forms part of the massive Bay City project. The entire expanse is estimated to be well over 600 hectares of premium reclaimed property being developed along Manila Bay’s coastline. Bay City is comprised of Pasay as well as Manila on its northern portions and Parañaque takes up its southern end. The latter is mainly divided into Aseana City, Entertainment City, Asia World and Cyber Bay City.

Of the four mentioned, it is only Cyber Bay City that is currently pending development. The other three however have been rapidly constructing a variety of projects. There are residential, office, leisure and retail buildings that have been completed in the area. More improvements are presently on the way or are waiting to be implemented. Taken together, these business will give a significant boost to the Parañaque economy in the form of jobs, tourism and tax revenue.

Places of interest are:

● Okada Manila
● Solaire Resorts & Casino
● City of Dreams Manila
● Neo-Chinatown
● Singapore School Manila
● Department of Foreign Affairs

Infrastructure support
The private sector is not alone in this push nor is the city the only government agency that is creating growth. President Duterte’s administration is doing what it can to implement his countrywide “Build, Build, Build” initiative. There are 75 Flagship Projects in total that are set to upgrade the infrastructure system of the Philippines which has been under years of neglect. They are under different stages of review, development, implementation and completion. Combined with decreasing debt shares in GDP, higher investment grade ratings and strong labor market, the ADB sees the country entering a golden age of growth.

Parañaque itself could indirectly benefit from one Flagship Project and a series of other developments. Mobility is the key to get commuters efficiently to their destinations which saves time, money and improves the city’s business outlook. The Metro Manila BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) – Phase 3 (BGC to NAIA Segment) will cut travel time by 15 minutes. This will potentially ease the flow of traffic going into and out of Parañaque City. Next is the ongoing Manila Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT-1) Cavite Extension project which will have eight additional stations. Five of these will be situated in Parañaque. Finally, there will be the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) which will reduce the number of provincial buses coming into Metro Manila.

A good example
Such key developments are poised to boost the city’s economy. Investing in it is definitely something to consider. A good way to do this is through pre-selling properties. Its value will definitely rise along with Parañaque City’s economy. Note however that it is not inextricably tied to it. The worth of this investment appreciates mainly because of its low buy-in price. There is no tangible unit yet when it comes to pre-selling condominiums though its value would naturally increase as the project nears completion. Smart buyers should pick a good developer combined with an excellent location.

One such project is Alpina Heights. It is being developed by the Alpina Heights Properties, Corp. (AHPC) at one of the most accessible areas of Parañaque City. Getting there is easy from the SLEX. Take the Sucat Exit and it is about 1.5 kilometers away using the West Service Road. Its attractive location makes it convenient to get to multiple places of interest.

Among them are the following:

● Ninoy Aquino International Airport, 8 kilometers
● Makati CBD, 10 kilometers
● Paref Southridge School, 2.1 kilometers
● San Beda Alabang, 6 kilometers
● SM BF Parañaque, 2.3 kilometers

Great development
Its accessibility is not the only reason why Alpina Heights is such an attractive investment choice. The project itself comes with a multitude of amenities and features that are not ordinarily available with other pre-selling condominiums. AHPC has devoted at least 50% to open spaces for the development. Its residential towers will be low-density, measuring only 6 to 7-storeys in height. Alpina Heights will be surrounded by pine trees and will have solar powered as well as water treatment sustainable features for its residents to benefit from.

With Tower 1 almost sold out, potential investors could consider getting into Tower 2 as another option. Units at Alpina Heights measure about 25 sq.m. for the one bedroom type and these could be combined to create two bedroom tandem units. There will be some units with 2 sq.m. alloted for a balcony though all will come as pre-furnished. This means that unit owners or their tenants will literally only need a mattress to move in. It will already come with an air-conditioning unit, stove, lighting fixtures and a refrigerator.