To achieve a good community and successfully connect with your neighborhood, you must take small steps. Small steps that, if all combined, would be great in the bigger picture. These small steps lead to a better and more harmonious relationship with the community.

Taking small steps to better the community and successfully connect with your neighborhood may seem like a pointless and ineffective way to produce change; however, these individualized efforts are vital to maintaining a functional and thriving society. Every person has different talents and passions that they can use to contribute to their community uniquely. When everyone focuses on improving their corner of the world, the whole community benefits.

Furthermore, taking small steps also helps to build relationships between community members. By working together on common goals, people develop a sense of trust and cooperation that makes it more likely they will help each other out in the future.

In short, small steps may not seem like much, but they are actually essential for creating a strong and harmonious community.

“No act of kindness, no matter how big or small, is never wasted”

It’s hard to find acts of kindness in the world that can help successfully connect with your neighborhood. We see so many people being rude and self-centered that getting caught up in all the bad is easy. But what if we took a step back and looked at the situation from a different angle?

What if we tried to treat people better? It doesn’t take much effort to let someone go ahead of you in line or hold the door open for them. But those small acts of kindness can change someone’s day in a big way. And when we are kind to the people around us, we show others how to act.

No act of kindness, no matter how big or small, is never wasted

Maybe that nice thing they did for them will make them want to do something nice for someone else. Then that person might do the same thing. One act of kindness leads to another, and another, until suddenly, the world is a little bit brighter and better and you can successfully connect with your neighborhood.

Community Engagement | Target

Here are some ways to connect to your neighbors:

Support local businesses

Help out a friend. All businesses start with neighbors and friends supporting you. The suggestions and reviews from your neighbors and loved ones get the word around. There is no better way of marketing a product than a customer suggesting and recommending the product or service.

Here are some ways to connect to your neighbors | Support local businesses

First-hand experience of the goods should always be remarkable. There is really no harm in trying out your neighbors’ products since you’ll never know what experience you might get. You might like it and you were able to help out a new friend at the same time!

Sign up for clean up drives

Communities and a lot of small groups initiate clean-up drives not just within the streets of your residence but also outside your community. It is always interesting to join these types of programs because you get to help out mother earth while also fulfilling your social duties. With the experience you’ll gain with new people, you can also develop friendships while participating. This is also one way to bond with the members and get to know them more.

Participate in community meetings

Community meetings represent the best way for homeowners to connect with one another and build a strong community. By attending these meetings, residents can stay up-to-date on important news and developments, and they can also voice their opinion on key issues. In addition, community meetings provide an excellent opportunity to get to know your neighbors and create relationships of trust and mutual support.

In today’s fast-paced world, it’s more important than ever to take the time to connect with those who live nearby. Attendance at community meetings is one of the best ways to do just that.

Know their interests

Knowing your neighbor’s interests is a great way to gain a friend and connect with them. This way, you can engage in small talk and conversations. This could also be the way to know if there is anyone with the same interests as you do. For example, if you like doing yoga, you might just find your next yoga buddy.

Know their interests | woman in white tank top and pink leggings doing yoga

Furthermore, knowing your neighbor’s interests can help you plan activities that everyone can enjoy. For instance, if you know that your neighbors like to hike, you could plan a group hike on a nearby trail. In short, getting to know your neighbors’ interests is a great way to build relationships and create a sense of community.

Give small tokens and gifts

Giving gifts is a way to show your appreciation and affection to your loved ones. Gifts chosen with care and consideration will be treasured, no matter how modest or extravagant they may be. If you’re not sure what to give, start by thinking about the person’s hobbies, interests, or favorite things.

A gift doesn’t have to be expensive to be special – sometimes the simplest things can be the most meaningful. Whatever you choose, giving a gift is sure to put a smile on someone’s face.

Respect their time and Privacy

If you are holding a party that may end late and maybe a little loud, it is only right and just to inform your neighbors about it. If it’s already close to midnight, you might need to tone your party a bit to also give respect since your neighbors might already be sleeping.

As people who live next door, there may be times that you may overhear or witness some personal matters. As respect to your neighbors, sometimes you may need to keep a blind eye and give them some privacy.

Participate in your community programs

The homeowner association of the community you live in probably has programs and might conduct events to extend help to other people in need. Hosting a charity or donation drive, or contributing may it be your time or money, is already a big help to the less fortunate. It’ll actually give you double the benefit since you’ll be spreading kindness while also bonding with other community members.

Give them a smile and a nod

Giving out a smile won’t do you any harm. A simple smile and a nod may be a small thing to you but can be a turning point for someone. You’ll never know who might need a simple smile or nod to change their mood or day.

Now that we have gathered simple ways to connect with your neighbors, it is also important to choose what kind of community you would want to belong in. This would be the community your children would grow up in. The community you’ll see almost every day of your life.

The kind of community you want

Portofino Alabang gives you luxury living with the best experience possible handed over to you. From the house structure quality and aesthetic of the house, the proximity to everything you need, and most especially, the type of community you would want. Vista Land communities has their own active homeowners associations that handle and management decisions.

Portofino Alabang is the kind of community you would like

Aside from the community and the ability to successfully connect with your neighborhood, you will have, Portofino Alabang aims to give you upscale architectural design and interior finish, world-class facilities and amenities, proximity to malls, universities, hospitals, expressways, and 24/7 security.

 

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There are numerous factors of mental health. It can be genetics, personal history, diet, and way of life. When trying to figure out the cause of mental health problems, many overlooked one of the most important aspects of all: the home environment.

photo link: https://unsplash.com/photos/vXymirxr5ac

Home and home environment

Environmental psychology is a field of study that looks into how people’s surroundings affect mental health. It emphasizes that everything in one’s home can be affecting the mental state. For example, it may be from how one organizes their space to how much sunlight enters the room or more.

A home is a comfortable and safe place to live. It is typically a physical environment where a person or a family can rest and store personal belongings. While home environment refers to the parts of people’s daily life that affect their living situations.

Definitely, houses give more than just protection from the environment and outside threats. They’re also extensions of one’s personalities, families, and identities for example.

Most individuals are aware that their home environment has an impact on their health, but the link between emotional well-being and their home environment is frequently overlooked.

Ways Your Home Environment Impacts Your Mental Health

Here are some examples of how important it is to connect one’s home environment to one’s mental health. Hopefully, as a result, one will be able to invest in upgrading their home and make it more conducive to good mental health.

Clutter and Disarray

Clutter and disarray (or the absence thereof) in the home can have a big impact on how a person feels. Clutter is often a primary source of stress. It’s intellectually exhausting to account for all of the items one has and cope with the baggage they bring to the table.

Home environment and mental health: Clutter and Disarray

A crowded mentality is reflected in a cluttered environment. A stressful home atmosphere can make a person have mental health problems. Women who live in a busy environment create more cortisol, a stress hormone.

Home environment changes to improve mental health:

Improving mental health is removing the clutter

One can gain the upper hand and have a greater sense of calm and stability by minimizing the quantity of clutter that exists in the physical environment– and adopting a strategy for arranging the objects that one has.

Clutter removal and house organization can definitely feel liberating. It can help avoid dangerously high amounts of stress. A calm and pleasant home environment can provide a better sense of well-being.

Improving mental health is meditating

To assist with managing stress, try meditation and other medications in addition to decluttering. People who have mental health struggles are irritable, worry frequently, or have difficulties sleeping can benefit from regular meditation.

Improving mental health is meditating | woman in black shirt and gray pants sitting on brown wooden bench

People of all ages, including children and teenagers, benefit from mindfulness meditation for their mental health. Setting up a quiet nook or room in one’s home where one may practice mindfulness will help them feel less stressed and more at peace.

Meditation entails more than simply closing your eyes and sitting in silence. It helps one to ignore distractions and concentrate on the present moment. Meditation, according to long-term meditators, helps their mental health.

A luxury home that can provide solitude and quietness

A luxury home or luxury apartment might help achieve this for one’s mental health. Brittany Corporation only delivers their clients the finest houses. Because the location is so important when it comes to meditation, one should consider investing in a luxury home that can provide solitude and quietness.

If someone prefers meditating for their mental health, they undoubtedly value calmness and being surrounded by nature. Because of its immense flora and variety, Brittany’s Promenade is the place to be.

Paint Colors

Color can be used to convey action, alter emotion, and even influence physiological responses.

There’s plenty of evidence that the colors that a person is exposed to on a daily basis have an impact on their mental health. This is true in any situation, but in the home, the link between color and emotional well-being is amplified.

Improving mental health is choosing better paint colors

One may increase their pleasure, satisfaction, and productivity by intelligently choosing paint colors, especially in crucial spaces like the bedroom and kitchen. This guide delves deeper into which colors elicit certain feelings:

Improving mental health is choosing better paint colors

Warm Colors

Warm colors like red, yellow, and orange can evoke a wide range of feelings, from comfort and warmth to hatred and wrath. Warm color is associated with creating a stimulating environment or piquing people’s interests.

Improving mental health is choosing better paint colors | brown leather couch beside green potted plant

Cool colors

Cool colors, such as green, blue, and purple, can evoke feelings of both tranquility and grief. If a person wants to reflect their happier selves, they can consider painting their rooms a light and cheerful color.

Improving mental health is choosing better paint colors | blue couch and white armchairs

One can expect world-class interior design and colors throughout their home when they choose to live in one of Brittany Corporation’s house and lot properties.

Architecture and Layout

Architecture, floor plans, and housing layouts have changed over time. Walls and doors separate each room from the rest of the house. Homes used to be very segmented and stiff and it was not so good for one’s mental health. It’s a good thing this is no longer the case in today’s world of building and design.

Improving mental health is choosing an unrestricted environment

According to a research in the United States, an unrestricted home environment and open concepts are good for mental health since they allow the mind to construct numerous opinions about the environment. It might even improve cognitive ability.

Have a spot to sit and talk

Something as simple as the arrangement of living room furniture might make the setting feel like a place where people can be more (or less) social with one another.

Add comfortable seats that allow people to sit for a while and converse to make people feel at ease and comfortable enough to relax and communicate.

Be mindful of the layout

It is important to be mindful of the layout of the home environment. To encourage interaction, arrange sofas and chairs so that they face one other.

It is important to use soft textiles, such as throw cushions and soft blankets to make others feel more at ease in the home environment and allow them to let down their guard and speak honestly from a vulnerable place.

Lawrence's luxury home in Promenade Sta. Rosa Laguna

A warm and inviting setting at home will encourage open communication, whether socializing with visitors or at home alone and connecting with others electronically.

When designing a dream home or looking for a new home, it is important to consider the various architectural home designs available. And one will need to engage a respectable contractor to do so. It’s fortunate that Brittany Corporation exists to supply ideal luxury house and lot properties through its thematic initiatives.

Lawrence’s luxury home in Promenade Sta. Rosa Laguna may be just what you’re looking for if you’re looking for a warm and welcoming home.

Home environment and mental health: Natural Environment

According to a study in the United States, substandard and decaying housing can contribute to a variety of dangerous illnesses like respiratory ailments, lead poisoning, malignancies caused by toxic materials, neurological disorders, stress, and psychological, and behavioral dysfunction at home.

Home environment and mental health: Natural Environment

Up to 40% of asthma cases are caused by elements in the home, such as the presence of mold, rodents, or specific chemicals. These physical symptoms have an emotional consequence and can affect one’s mental health. It can cause tension, anxiety, and a sense of helplessness.

Choose a home that’s close to nature

Being able to continuously evaluate from a unique point of view is a highly valuable quality to learn. There has been a link established between green spaces, blue spaces (water), and reduced psychological distress. Having these sights available brings a sense of tranquility and helps to concentrate the soul and ultimately one’s mental health.

At Crosswinds Tagaytay, you may live near to nature.

Tagaytay is a magnificent city where there is lovely landscapes, wide-open spaces, and a rich environment. It’s great that Brittany Corporation has a resort development situated atop one of Tagaytay City’s highest peaks – Crosswinds Tagaytay.

 

At Crosswinds Tagaytay, you may live near to nature.

There is a possibility to live close to nature by being surrounded by 35,000 pine trees and live inspired in a community that offers a diverse selection of luxury properties, including ready-to-occupy condominiums, luxury pre-selling lots, luxury pre-selling condominiums, Tagaytay ready homes, and Tagaytay lot for sale packages.

Crosswinds Tagaytay is situated in the middle of the city. There is a difference though. People can spend their mornings in peaceful surroundings and pleasant temperatures.

The scent of pine trees can help to calm people down and make them feel better. It’s time to take advantage of the lovely surroundings of the neighborhood.

With its beautiful pine trees and calm and tranquil ambiance, Crosswinds by Brittany is the place to be. What a wonderful reason to construct a luxury home in Crosswinds Tagaytay.

Home environment changes to improve mental health: Housing Situation

Living circumstances have indeed a big impact on one s mental well-being. According to a policy brief published in How Housing Matters in 2015, there is a substantial link between inadequate rental housing and mental health issues including depression.

 

Home environment changes to improve mental health: Housing Situation

Poor housing conditions, according to the study, can give access to sadness and antagonism among residents, while perceived overpopulation has a similar effect.

Furthermore, the study found that neighborhood disorder – such as vacant lots, decaying homes, vandalism, trash, and so on gives access to sentiments of antagonism or more.

Live in an excellent neighborhood

A study also found that those who live in “excellent neighborhoods” have a greater sense of community, satisfaction, and stability.

It’s wonderful that Brittany offers these excellent neighborhoods through their thematic communities. One of them is Portofino Heights.

Portofino Heights

Portofino Heights is the first phase of Portofino Alabang, and it offers access to exquisite luxury houses and lots for families.

Portofino Heights is a 75-hectare residential community with a premium home environment that could help one’s mental health. It gives access to the elegance of cosmopolitan Italy that inspires this luxury house and lot projects for sale to be surrounded by beautifully planted gardens and walkways.

Portofino Heights is the first phase of Portofino Alabang

Brittany’s luxury property development in Portofino is associated with the most prominent address in the South.

It is a place where living in serenity meets the convenience of an urban landscape. It offers various developments that meet one’s desired lifestyle. Definitely, a place where one can improve physical, emotional, and mental health.

 

An image of a kid about to kick a soccer ball

 

Soccer is a fun sport that people of all ages can learn how to play. It can be an excellent way for parents to bond with their kids while encouraging an active and healthy lifestyle from a young age. Backyard games with the family can develop into a passionate interest in the sport.

You can get started in soccer from the comfort of your garden or backyard. When you have a grand and spacious home, such as the homes at Portofino at Vista Alabang, you have more than enough space to practice the different soccer skills needed to make you a better player. A luxury lifestyle is not complete without world-class interests, and getting started with soccer is the first step towards elevated living.

 

Things You Should Know Before You Get Started in Soccer

When starting a new hobby, you need to get background information first. Are there rules you need to be aware of? What things do you need to get started? What kind of space do you need for this new hobby? Can you do it alone, or is it better to learn with others?

All these are important considerations when trying something new. Asking straightforward questions can also help you get the best out of the beautiful things in life, such as when investing in a modern luxury house. Experience world-class Brittany was living when you choose a home at Portofino Alabang. This luxury gated community has vast open spaces perfect for practicing your soccer skills. And the best part is Portofino’s proximity to Palazzo Verde, a beautiful place where you can celebrate your biggest wins and milestones in life.

 

Learn the Rules

To begin playing soccer, the first thing you need to do is familiarize yourself with the game’s regulations. This involves learning about players’ positions in the game, the number of players, how points are scored, what can result in penalties, and how the game should be played.

When you first start playing soccer, it is highly beneficial to have this background information available to you since it gives you a much more excellent grasp of the game and the methods that can help you become a better player on a team.

Study the Different Kinds of Roles in a Soccer Team

When you first start playing soccer, you might have some general ideas about how a team works together as a unit throughout a game. However, these ideas might not be completely accurate. On the other hand, each player is tasked with performing one of a vast number of different positions and functions throughout the game. The goalkeeper is the position on the team that is considered to be the most essential, followed by the forwards, the midfielders, and finally, the defenders. These employees are accountable for a wide range of responsibilities and must possess a diverse set of skills for the collaboration to be successful.

Get the Right Equipment

Of course, it is impossible even to begin playing soccer if one does not have the necessary equipment and the right gear. It is impossible to go around this. Invest in a ball for soccer, as well as a high-quality set of shoes specifically designed for the sport. You should also consider purchasing shin protection so that you may avoid damaging your shins while you are learning how to play the game. Shin injuries can be very painful, especially if they occur during the learning process.

 

Getting Ready to Play Soccer

After you have completed all of the theoretical preparations that are necessary to get started with soccer, it is time to begin studying the practical abilities that you will need to have in order to be successful. These abilities include things like passing, shooting, dribbling, and defending. Skills such as dribbling, passing, shooting, and defending are included in this category of talents.

Any person who has aspirations of becoming a soccer player needs to first perfect a core set of talents that serve as the basis for the sport before moving on to playing with a team in games. These abilities serve as the foundation for the sport of soccer. This category encompasses a wide range of abilities, including dribbling, passing, shooting, and defending, among others.

 

Learn the basic skills

Drills of the various fundamental soccer maneuvers typically need to be practiced in order to get started in the sport of soccer. Controlling the ball, dribbling the ball, passing the ball, and shooting are the first four abilities that one must learn. Even if only these four abilities are known by the participants, they are still able to play an enjoyable and friendly game of soccer.

Practice skills one at a time

Concentrate on mastering one essential ability at a time, and work your way up from the ground up to full competency. Each new ability you acquire will assist lay the groundwork for the next new ability you put into practice. In addition to this, practicing one skill at a time provides you with a more focused orientation, which ultimately results in improved learning. Once you feel that you have achieved an adequate level of competence with one skill, it is time to move on to the next drill in your training.

Work on your fitness

The sport of soccer places a significant physical demand on its participants, and in contrast to the vast majority of other sports, there are no timeouts in soccer. Therefore, if you start playing soccer, you will also need to work on improving your overall fitness level in order to properly prepare for the sport. Train your body to have more stamina and strength so that whenever you start playing the game, you can make the most of what your body has to offer you.

Play for Fun

Playing unorganized or informal soccer games can be beneficial when you get started in soccer. As you are learning the skills, you get to apply them in a real-world game environment. It gives you a feel of how all your skills integrate as you play. It also teaches you to enhance your reflexes and quick-thinking skills, which you will need for a formal soccer match. Celebrate every new skill you unlock and every win you experience. Celebrating your wins in style fits well with the concept of Brittany living. To commemorate your biggest milestones, come celebrate at Palazzo Verde. A stunning venue at Vista Alabang, Palazzo Verde adds a touch of grandeur to your already impressive milestones.

Photo of a married couple in palazzo verde within the Itallian community of Portofino Alabang

Train with a Friend or a Coach

Photo of soccer players practicing on kicking the soccer ball

While practicing these skills can be done on your own, training with someone else can have additional benefits. As you get started with soccer, training with others helps you get used to the social aspect of the game. Soccer is a team sport, after all, and you need to learn how to communicate with your teammates when you begin playing the game. Training with others can also alert you to skills you may need to work on even further, skills you may have overlooked when practicing on your own.

Practice Consistently

When you begin playing soccer for the very first time, it is only the beginning of the journey—just like when you begin any other new hobby. If you want to become a better player and if you want to enjoy more games, you are going to need to keep practicing if you want to do either of those things. You should make sure that there is room in your schedule for daily practice, and you should give it even more attention on the weekends.

 

Conclusion

Find Italian-themed modern luxury homes at Portofino.

Make the most of your luxury lifestyle by learning how to play a world-class sport such as soccer. And when you invest in a modern luxury house at Portofino, you can live out your soccer dreams in your property’s spacious garden, or in this upscale community’s landscaped garden areas. Enjoy a taste of Brittany living with and purchase a modern luxury dream house for yourself and your family.

 

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During the pandemic, the majority of us have learned new hobbies as a way of coping with being stuck in the four corners of our houses. With limited resources and the help of the internet, most of us have developed new interests and hidden talents such as dancing to TikTok videos, learning an instrument, cooking, baking, and the likes. But have you ever thought of cutting calories during the days you are stuck at home?

Cutting Calories: How Many Calories Are in These Foods?

For some who most likely enjoyed trying out new recipes or experimenting with fresh pastries, it was inevitable to gain weight. Since the exercise and activities we could do were limited because of the space we could use, it was challenging to find other ways to sweat the calories we intake. Even now that the restrictions are slowly being lifted, some of us are still struggling with the “pandemic weight” we gained during our quarantine period.

Before cutting calories, you should know first what calories are

Calories are the basic unit of energy used for measuring the power of food. To be able to function well and to maintain the body’s vital functions, we all need a certain number of calories to keep or reach. Our body needs at least 1,400 calorie intake a day to achieve weight loss and at least 3,000 calories to gain weight.

Calories for processed foods can usually be seen at the back of the foods we buy. You can see the small box called Nutrition Label. We can see essential items we need to know, such as the serving size, the percentage of fat, cholesterol, sodium, carbohydrates, fiber, protein, and the food’s Calorie content. For some, you can also see here the ingredients used for the product, which is also vital for people who do calorie counts in order to check its inclusions.

It is essential when cutting your calories that you should know which foods are high and which are low so you know which ones are the types that you need to avoid. Though it is not advisable to skip these foods since they give different kinds of benefits to our bodies, eating a minimal amount can help us lose weight.

Examples of food high in calories are:

Proteins

Meats such as beef, hog, chicken, salmon, and other fatty fish are all excellent sources of protein and calories. Additionally, dairy products and beans are both excellent providers of protein.

If you want to increase your muscle mass, you must incorporate protein into your diet because it is necessary for the development and maintenance of muscle growth. However, if you are attempting to lose weight, you should probably cut back on your consumption of meals that are high in protein because these kinds of foods can also be high in fat. Salmon is an excellent source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids, both of which are beneficial to the overall health of your heart. Chicken is an additional option for lean protein that is low in calories.

Carbohydrates

There is a wide variety of food that falls under the category of having a high-calorie content. Candy, cakes, cookies, and ice cream are just a few examples of the foods under this category. If you are trying to reduce the number of calories you consume each day, you might consider consuming fewer of the foods listed here. Eliminating carbohydrates from your diet is another excellent strategy for lowering calorie consumption. You can assist yourself in losing weight or staying at a healthy weight by reducing the amount of high-calorie items you consume.

Fats

oily foods, nuts, olives, avocado, butter, salad dressings, mayonnaise, and high-fat cheeses. Calories are the essential thing to consider when it comes to food. And when it comes to foods that are high in calories, fat is frequently the element that takes center stage.

This is because fat is an exceptionally useful source of energy. Its effectiveness rivals that of proteins and carbs, just slightly less. This indicates that foods heavy in fat contain many calories despite their relatively modest size.

Eliminating fat from your diet might be an efficient method for people attempting to lose weight. Because there are nine calories in one gram of fat, reducing even a modest quantity of fat consumption can have a significant effect on the number of calories that you take in. You’ll still need to watch your portion sizes and make sure you don’t overeat in general, but reducing the amount of fat you consume can assist you in achieving your weight loss goals.

Photo of Avocado, fish, eggs, assorted nuts, and other healty foods placed in a wooden table

Calorie count and how it can help with weight loss

For people who don’t have enough time to go to the gym or exercise daily, it is definitely a must to control and monitor the number of calories per day they consume. There are actually pros and cons to limiting one’s calorie intake.

This isn’t something that you can switch to quickly. This method should be gradual to also make sure your body and health won’t be compromised. It is always best to consult a doctor first before doing any dietary program.

This is mainly the reason why people do calorie counting. It is very important to understand your body first to know how much to cut to lose weight. This is actually a type of diet that requires discipline and consistency. The reason why you gain weight is that you eat more calories than you burn. This applies vice versa, the reason behind a weight loss is that you eat fewer calories than what your body needs.

More than anything else, you should aim for a moderate amount of calorie intake rather than just cutting it or eating too much food high in calories. If you consume too many calories a day, this may lead to gaining weight, which causes a high risk of heart disease, type II diabetes, and cancer. While on the other hand, if you cut calorie intake, this may lead to weight loss, which may also cause a high risk of weakened immunity and organ failure.

How do you monitor your calorie intake?

As a result of living in the current day, there are already a lot of different ways to keep track of the calories you consume. There are currently applications that you can download on your mobile device that will allow you to keep track of the food you eat and the calories you consume.

One of the most popular applications now is MyFitnessPal, where you can track and monitor your diet. It gives you functions where you can log your weight, the exercises you do in a day, and the food you intake, which can all be used to generate your weekly or daily improvements. It generates charts and reports for the improvements you were able to do and the goals you were able to achieve. It also gives you motivation and a sense of progress and achievement, something you’ll lack if you’re just doing it without any records.

If your goal is to have a healthier lifestyle and a healthy body, it is not enough that you cut calories alone. You should also engage yourself in activities and exercise regularly.

When it comes to keeping track of the calories you consume, there are a few essential factors you need to keep in mind. To begin with, you should be certain that you are reducing the total number of calories that you consume. This implies consuming fewer calories during the day than you burn off through various activities. Second, you should place an emphasis on eating nutritious foods.

Even though you are limiting the number of calories you consume, these will help you feel full and content for longer. Last but not least, be sure to keep a close eye on how far you’ve come. This will make it easier for you to evaluate the efficacy of your plan to reduce your calorie intake and make any required adjustments.

If you follow these straightforward recommendations, you can be sure that you are doing everything in your power to lose weight in a manner that is both healthy and maintainable.

Healthy living is luxury living

In Portofino Alabang, the goal is to give you luxury living and convenience as well. To support this goal, there are actually readily available world-class facilities that residents can use to live an active lifestyle. Along Vista Alabang, there are designated bike lanes for people who opt to take the two wheels. There are also swimming pool facilities, jogging paths, and open spaces for you to utilize if you want to do outside activities.

World-class amenities within the luxury community of Portofino

Living in a community like Portofino Alabang gives you “The Life” everyone is dreaming of. Imagine yourself waking up in your master’s bedroom, getting yourself a cup of coffee and drinking it by your balcony, going out for a quick run over the village in the morning, then going to your office after. It is the luxury living you deserve.

With the technology that is provided today, going to your destination isn’t complicated anymore. First time going to a place? All you need now is a smartphone, the internet, and a satellite navigation app. One of the most popular applications used by drivers is the app called “Waze” powered by Google which provides turn-by-turn information, travel times, and route details to its users.

What do Philippines Highway Kilometer Markers Mean? | aerial photography of concrete roads

For convenience and safety of the driver, it even has an option for voice navigation, to help the driver avoid using the smartphone while driving. In the Philippines, you can already pin locations of cafes, restaurants, and even residential houses and it is already being used by public transportation and logistics for faster arrival to their destinations.

But what if these apps fail you?

We don’t want this to happen, but when worse comes to worst, your phone and GPS are not working as you planned, and you are not on your usual route, it would be best to know some alternatives. There is no harm in asking a passerby, but what if you are on a long drive and is away from the city? As drivers and responsible passengers, we should be knowledgeable of the road signs located on the side of the road. You should know the road as if it is your own runway.

Kilometer Markers

What are “kilometer markers” and what are they for? A Kilometer Marker is the cement pole we usually see along the side of the road. Like the lot monuments that can be seen when you buy a house, these kilometer markers are used to measure one point to another. They serve as markers on an end or a starting point.

These markers can usually be seen on a Philippine highway as indications and markers for travelers and drivers. Some people, such as cyclists, take pictures with these markers as proof of the milestones they were able to reach when going for a long ride.

Kilometer Markers | black and white stop sign on snow covered ground

Kilometer markers have letters and numbers engraved on them. Ever wonder what those are for? It would be best to know what these are for right?

We’ll be defining some terms and knowing their meanings first before we dive deeper. KM stands for “Kilometer” which is the basic measurement of distance while the set of numbers below it is your current distance (in KM) from what we call “Kilometer zero”. So if you see KM 79, that means you are 79 kilometers away from the Kilometer Zero marker.

Below these are another set of initials with 1-2 letters and another set of numbers again after. The letters stand for the initial of the next town or city while the number below it is the distance from where you are to the next town.

One more thing that we should keep in mind about kilometer markers is that it is placed for a reason. You may wonder if you are driving into or far from the kilometer zero. To help us better utilize these markers, you should remember that if it is installed on the right side, it means that you are driving away to KM 0 while if it’s on the left then you are driving to the opposite.

In the sample picture below, it simply means you are 190 km away from Kilometer Zero. “BP” stands for Bagong Pag-Asa city and you are currently 1 kilometer away from it.

Kilometer Marker | Retired? No way!

We might be wondering where in the Philippines might this be located. The Kilometer zero or KM 0 can be found in Luneta Park Manila across the Rizal monument. Many who are familiar with the nature of a kilometer marker, would have already known this information. What a lot of people don’t know is that there are actually multiple KM 0 in the country. The one in the Luneta Park is the KM 0 is only one of them. Other Philippine islands have their own KM 0 also, such as the islands of Cebu, Bataan, and Marawi in Mindanao.

As seen in the below picture, KM 0 is a bit different from what we can usually see. They designed KM 0 a little special since this represents the final point.

Kilometer 0 - Manila City

From the Zero Kilometer mark to our prestigious properties

Portofino Heights at Vista Alabang

From the Zero Kilometer mark to Portofino Alabang:
1 hr 3 min (30.6 km) via S Luzon Expy/Osmeña Hwy/R-3

33 kilometer away from Kilometer Zero, is Portofino Heights. One of the most important factors you should consider when finding a new home in the Philippines is its location. Portofino Alabang is located in the more peaceful part of the metro. Its prime location is near expressways and national roads, which gives you quick access to CBDs, Central Business Districts, and the like, while also experiencing luxury living away from the hustle and bustle.

Portofino Alabang at Vista Alabang

Portofino Alabang is part of the bigger picture which is Vista Alabang. Its prime location along Daang Hari Road gives its residents convenience and close proximity to malls such as SOMO and Evia Lifestyle Center, as well as to the south expressway through MCX, hospitals, universities, and schools, and it is only around a 20-minute ride to the airport. Aside from the location, the highlight of the project is that it aims to give you the luxury living you are dreaming of, with its world-class facilities and services.

Alpine Villas at Crosswinds Tagaytay

From the Zero Kilometer mark to Crosswinds Tagaytay:
1 hr 50 min (63.8 km) via S Luzon Expy/Pan-Philippine Hwy/R-3

Brittany Corporation’s Alpine Villas is a modern-day utopia that’s just far enough from the city to feel like a getaway. within the opulent 100-hectare Swiss-themed community of Crosswinds Tagaytay. There are eight-story, low-rise buildings resembling Swiss chalets clustered together in the Alpine Villas condominium.

Alpine Villas at Crosswinds Tagaytay

Alpine Villas feature stunning architectural designs, lush landscaping, and first-class amenities both inside and outside your chosen unit. As a result, it’s a viable option for those looking for a quiet retreat or a convenient getaway.

The modern conveniences of life aren’t lost in the Alpine Villas at Crosswinds. You’ll be close enough to the city center to keep up with the latest fashions and enjoy a taste of city life without being overwhelmed by it.

Georgia Club at Brittany Sta. Rosa

From the Zero Kilometer mark to Crosswinds Tagaytay:
1 hr 37 min (55.4 km) via S Luzon Expy/Pan-Philippine Hwy/R-3

Brittany Corporation’s Georgia Club in Sta. Rosa, Laguna offers a taste of the South in the midst of the city’s rapid expansion. Here, you can enjoy the benefits of urban living while being surrounded by trees and wildlife in a natural setting.

Georgia Club at Brittany Sta. Rosa

In addition to the added value provided by its prime location, residents of Georgia Club will benefit from the natural surroundings, which will make it easier to relax at home. Every day, you’ll be able to gaze out your window and see a beautiful scene of classic American homes surrounded by sturdy native trees.

The community has a guardhouse, a perimeter fence, and 24-hour security. Many native Narra and Acacia trees, plants, and birds can be found throughout the property’s common areas, which serve as a welcome respite from the bustle of the city.

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Recreational shooting is a fun activity, but rules of gun range have to be followed

When engaging in recreational or practical shooting, it is essential to understand and follow the rules of the gun range. Failing to do so can not only result in personal injury but can also damage the equipment and jeopardize the safety of others.

Some of the most important rules to remember are always to keep the gun pointed in a safe direction, to keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to shoot and to be aware of your target and what is beyond it. Additionally, it is essential to wear appropriate ear and eye protection, as well as follow all range commands. By adhering to these basic safety rules, shooters can ensure that they have a fun and safe experience at the gun range.

You can learn to shoot a gun and hit targets at a gun range. And because guns can cause harm when carelessly handled, all gun and recreational shooting enthusiasts need to learn about the safety procedures when handling firearms. A gun range is a safe place to practice shooting, and the rules of a gun range keep it a safe place for all guests, ensuring you have a fun day of shooting at the range.

Modern living has given rise to modern hobbies and interests. And although recreational shooting has been recognized as a sport for generations, it has developed to become an extreme sport that fits well with a luxury lifestyle. Where best to experience world-class Brittany living than at Vista Alabang? The enclaves at Vista Alabang, namely Portofino Heights, Portofino South, and Amore,  can give you your dream Italian lifestyle. Have a beautiful, multifaceted home that matches your personality and many interests.

Four Primary Rules of Gun Safety

Wherever you are in the world, there are four basic rules of gun safety that you should know before training with a firearm. Rules of the gun range are additional protocols that ensure safety, but these four primary rules are the foundation and the standard worldwide.

Brittany living views safety as a top priority. This is why Brittany designs their luxury communities with the best security features, such as roaming guard patrols, CCTV, and strict gate rules. Portofino Heights, Portofino South, and Amore are secure gated communities that keep you safe while building your luxury lifestyle. Rest easy in your modern luxury house, knowing that you and your family are safe.

Be careful when handling firearms and follow safety rules. Photo from Pexels.

  1. Treat All Guns as if They Are Loaded

You can never be sure whether a firearm you see is loaded or not. But it is always better to lean towards being overly cautious when handling guns. By treating a gun as loaded, you become more aware of your movements and surroundings, sharpening your focus and vigilance, ensuring that the weapon won’t suddenly misfire and hurt others or damage your surroundings.

  1. Point your Gun in a Safe Direction

Keep the gun pointed in a certain direction, away from yourself and others, to lessen the chances of it going off accidentally and hurting someone else. In most cases, this involves pointing it downward and away from both your body and other people in order to prevent any potential harm.

  1. Keep Your Finger Off The Trigger Until You are Ready to Shoot

When you are pulling the trigger, it is essential to keep your awareness and cautious levels high at all times. Make sure that your finger is not on the trigger when you are holding or positioning your pistol. Keep it straight and away from the trigger. Because of this, it will be far more difficult to pull the trigger prematurely or by accident. You should not squeeze the trigger on your firearm until you have correctly aligned the sights on your weapon with your target and are ready to make contact with your target.

  1. Be Sure of Your Target and Aware of Your Surroundings

When you are at the shooting range, you need to watch where you are aiming and make sure that you are only shooting at the targets that have been put up specifically for you. However, before you start firing, you need to make sure that there is no one behind or close to the target that you could accidentally hit. If there is, you should wait until you have confirmed that there is no one there. Also, be sure that there is nothing behind your target that could be damaged by your attacks, such as other items of personal property or objects. If there is, then you will need to move your target.

Know the Rules of Gun Range

You can learn how to shoot and perfect your skills at any one of the country’s plethora of various shooting ranges. You have the option of going to a shooting range that is either indoors or outdoors, one that is designed specifically for handguns, or one that allows larger rifles. The laws of the gun range may vary slightly from establishment to establishment or club to club, but in general, the rules of the gun range are there to safeguard the safety of all guests.

Listen to the Range Officer

When there are guests exercising their shooting skills at a gun range, the person in charge of ensuring their safety and wellbeing is known as a range officer. They are the ones who decide when it is safe to shoot, they are the ones who can help in the event that a firearm malfunctions, and they are the ones who, when necessary, call for a truce. They have been educated in the proper use of guns and are responsible for ensuring that everyone adheres to the range’s rules.

Load and Shoot Your Firearm at the Designated Area

Photo of a person shooting at the firing line

Gun ranges have a designated and marked firing line or the area where shooters should stand when handling their firearms. In indoor gun ranges, the firing line will be divided into several booths and lanes. Each booth will have a table where a guest can load their gun, and a barrier preventing them from going downrange or in the line of fire. Shooting should only be done in the firing line and only when the range officer announces that the range is ready.

Wear Protective Equipment

Eye and ear protection are vital when at the gun range

Firing a gun is loud, and hitting targets can cause fragments to ricochet. To keep yourself safe, gun range rules specify the need for protective equipment. These include safety glasses, hearing protection, and close-toed shoes.

Shoot Straight at Your Target

Only the target should be fired at.

At the back wall of any gun range, you will find a backstop. It is made to stop or re-direct bullets when you shoot at a target. Only shoot at the target in front of you. Shooting diagonally across lanes is not allowed, and can cause disruption at the range.

 

Obey When Someone Calls a Ceasefire

Leave firearm at the firing line when a ceasefire is called

Gun range rules allow anyone to call a ceasefire if they notice an unsafe situation at the range. Range Officers are also authorized to call a ceasefire. When this happens, everyone must stop shooting immediately. You will then unload your firearm, leave it on the table at the firing line, and step back behind the firing line.

Conclusion

Recreational shooting is an intense and extreme sport, and one needs to follow safety rules so nobody gets harmed while practicing. Recreational shooting at a gun range can add an edge of excitement to your luxury lifestyle, but when you are ready to kick back and relax, find your comforting refuge at Vista Alabang.

Experience the best Brittany living has to offer at Portofino Heights, Portofino South, and Amore. These Vista Alabang enclaves are Italian-inspired luxury communities. Find your dream modern luxury house with Italian architecture at Brittany. Invest in luxurious real estate and live your best life.

 

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A steady supply of blood is required in our community since it can only be preserved for a short period before being used. A sufficient number of healthy people must donate blood regularly to ensure that blood is always available whenever and wherever needed.

Photo of vials containing blood samples

If one plans to donate blood soon, it pays to know and understand blood types.

Importance of Blood Types

In 1901, an Austrian scientist named Karl Landsteiner identified blood kinds. Because doctors used to believe that all blood was the same, many individuals died due to blood transfusions.

According to physicians, blood from two people with different blood types might clump together, which is harmful. This is due to the fact that the person receiving the transfusion has antibodies that will attack the donor blood cells, causing a dangerous reaction.

Image of a scientist looking at a microscope

A blood transfusion must be safe and effective for both the donor and the recipient to have compatible blood types. Blood group A can safely receive group A blood, and blood group B can safely receive group B blood.

When a donor and recipient are an exact match and their blood through a process known as crossmatching, it’s optimal.

Suggested Read: Benefits of Donating Blood

 

How Blood Types or Blood Groups are determined

The ABO System

Blood groups are determined by whether or not specific antigens (designated A and B) are present on one’s red cells.

These are the four main blood groups based on the presence or lack of A or B antigens:

  1. Only A antigens are found on red blood cells in A-type blood.
  2. Only B antigens are found on red blood cells in B-type blood.
  3. On red blood cells, AB has both A and B antigens.
  4. On red blood cells, O has no antigens A or B.

    The presence of A and/or B type antigens on the surface of the red blood cells determine the ABO blood type.

    Photo of an old scientist looking on a microscope

The Rh System

The positive or negative component of one’s blood type, like the ABO system, refers to chemicals that are present or absent on the surface of the red blood cells.

Around 50 distinct red blood cell antigens make up the whole Rh blood group system, but the most crucial is a protein called RhD. Rh-positive means the red blood cells have the RhD protein. A person is Rh negative if they don’t have it.

 

Different blood types

It’s all about the antigens—the numerous carbohydrates and proteins on the surface of our cells, including our blood cells—when it comes to determining one’s blood type (or blood group).

Blood type is determined by the antigens present in a person’s red blood cells. Antigens are determined by genes, which are a combination of one’s parents’ genes.

Although there are numerous blood type systems, most people are familiar with the ABO and Rh (or Rhesus) systems. These approaches result in the eight most common blood types – A+, B+, AB +, A-, B-, AB-, O+, and O-.

A + blood type

This blood type is one of the most frequent. This person can only give blood to others who are A+ or AB +

A- blood type

People with this rare blood type can give blood to anyone with the A or AB blood types.

B+ blood type

People with this rare type can only give blood to B+ or AB+ people.

B- blood type

This extremely rare blood type can give blood to anyone with the B or AB blood types.

AB+ blood type

People with this uncommon blood type can receive any type of blood or plasma. “Universal recipients” are what they’re called.

AB- blood type

Because anyone can receive this type of plasma, someone with this blood type is known as a “universal plasma donor.”

O+ blood type

One of the most frequent blood types is O+. This person can donate blood to anyone who has a positive blood type.

O- blood type

People with this uncommon blood type can donate blood to people of any blood type.

 

Blood Type Analysis

A blood test can be used to determine a person’s blood type.

A healthcare provider will take a small sample of blood, generally from the person’s arm, to test it.

A technician in a lab mixes the person’s blood with three different drugs to see how they respond. A antibodies, B antibodies, or Rh factor will be present in each sample.

In each situation, the antibodies will elicit a distinct reaction. It will clump if the blood is incompatible. The technician can determine a person’s blood type by observing these reactions.

A technician will test the reaction by mixing a sample of the donor’s blood with that of the recipient before allowing the person to receive donated blood.

Before any blood or blood products are used, specialist technicians thoroughly test them.

Donate blood: Best Blood Type to Donate

Type O- red blood cells are the safest to give to someone in a life-threatening situation or when the exact matching blood type is in short supply. This is because type O- blood cells lack antibodies to A, B, and Rh antigens.

Photo of signange saying "Donate blood today"

Because type O is the most prevalent blood type and type O- blood is the universal blood type needed for emergency transfusions and immune-weak babies, type O is frequently in low supply and in great demand by hospitals. Minorities and different communities play an important role in meeting the ongoing demand for blood.

The O- and O+ personality types are in high demand. O- people account for only 7% of the population. However, O- blood is in high demand since it is frequently utilized in emergencies. O+ is in high demand too, because it is the most common blood type.

Donate blood: What to know before donating

If someone wishes to donate blood, they need to make sure that they match the standards and are adequately prepared.

To begin with, they need to locate a blood bank or blood drive and schedule an appointment. They also need to ask if there are any special requirements for donors, as well as what kind of identification they’ll need.

They’ll have to be:

To be in good health, it’s important to live in a community that encourages it. It’s simply Brittany Corporation’s specialty.

Photo of people exercising using the bench

Brittany Corporation is the crown jewel of Vista Land, the Philippines’ premier property developer. Brittany Corporation is raising and altering the notion of luxury living by curating a community of luxury residences in Laguna, Alabang, and Tagaytay.

Brittany Corporation is concerned about its clients’ physical well-being and attempts to provide the best amenities, such as gyms and activity areas. It is necessary to be more physically active, even in the most beautiful houses in the Philippines.

One of their communities is “Promenade”.

Promenade

Promenade is a master-planned luxury house and lot development in the English countryside, complete with walled cobblestone roads and comfortable homes.

Photo of Eliot Smart home within the luxury community of Promenade at Brittany Sta Rosa

The Clubhouse is a magnificent English country estate with function halls, a basketball court, and a hidden garden adjacent to it. Visitors to the clubhouse are greeted by a spectacular fountain, which promises many hours of relaxation and delight. It is surrounded by spectacular developments such as the greatest golf courses in the South, thanks to its location in a bustling city.

Brittany Living: A healthy and wonderful neighborhood

One can be in great shape while walking around the wonderful neighborhood. It can help one be inspired as well as start to seek and enjoy one’s purpose.

photo link: https://unsplash.com/photos/n5trbdfW7fM

Themes throughout Brittany Homes’ communities will remind homeowners of their favorite overseas trips on a regular basis. The community of Promenade is significantly influenced by the English countryside. From the architectural design of the luxury residences to the master-planned community, people will be transported to the historic landscapes of England.

Indeed, a wonderful place to live in health and luxury.

 

Eliot Luxury House for health and luxury lifestyle

One of the luxury house models in Promenade is “Eliot”.

Eliot luxury home is a ready-to-move-in luxury house and lot for sale with 697 square meters of living space and 302 square meters of floor space.

An Image of the Smart Home - Eliot, within the world-class community of Promenade at Brittany Sta Rosa

It has a two-car garage, three complete bedrooms and a master suite, large living and dining rooms, an attic, and an interior patio. It is also in a great location because it is closest to a majestic English country mansion and has a frontal view of the Promenade community’s fenced maze garden.

Living in a lovely home and walking around the wonderful neighborhood can help one be in good health and feel good. It can also assist in becoming inspired and beginning to seek and enjoy one’s purpose. It could be helping someone extend their life through donating.

Photo of a girl lying down in the ground full of colorful flowers

Brittany Corporation is a renowned luxury real estate developer that creates family-friendly and secure residential communities that adhere to tight health standards. It undoubtedly provides the best in luxury condominiums and homes in the Philippines.

 

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Based on the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) 2019 data, speeding remains one of the major causes of all traffic fatalities at 26%. In the Philippines, it has also been one of the biggest road problems over the years, and the solution is the implementation of the Philippine highway speedlimit.

One of the many factors that contribute to fatalities and accidents on the road is driving at an unsafe speed. Accidents can also be caused by driving while distracted, driving recklessly, having an incorrect knowledge of traffic signs and rules, and the most prevalent of these, driving while under the influence of alcohol.

Photo of a car speedometer

It is required that there be a maximum permitted highway speedlimit along the country’s city streets and municipal streets in accordance with Republic Act No. 4136, which is also commonly known as the Land Transportation and Traffic Code. This speedlimit applies to automobiles and motorbikes traveling on the country’s city streets and municipal streets.

The local government in the Philippines is in charge of determining the speed limit, which is segmented into a number of subcategories and ranges that vary depending on the type of vehicle that you are driving. Each of these ranges and subcategories has its own maximum allowable speed. Even interstates come in a broad number of different configurations to choose from. Because of this, it is necessary for us to have a comprehensive awareness of the laws and policies that govern the transportation industry.

Suggested Read: Philippine Highway Network: Everything You Need To Know

Highway Speed Limit in the Philippines

The speed limits that have been imposed can often be observed on any one of the numerous signs that have been positioned along the routes. These signs have been placed at consistent intervals around the area. The emblem for the speed limit sign is a dark red circle with white numerals printed inside it. This circle acts as the background for the sign itself. These figures represent the maximum speed that it is physically possible to travel at any particular moment in time.

The maximum speed limit along the streets is 30 kilometers per hour. Streets or boulevards are at 40 kilometers per hour. While we do have standards, these limits also vary on the location you are in. Cities also have their own speed limits that you would need to follow. Speed limits play along in the range of 30-50 kilometers per hour if driving through barangay or village roads. And speed limits for crowded streets, school zones, and the likes are only 20 kilometers per hour.

When you are driving on the freeways, the circumstances are considerably different from what they were before. On major highways, the highest legal speed limit is 80 kilometers per hour. However, on minor roadways, the limit is just 60 kilometers per hour.

Additionally, expressways are governed by their own set of speed limitations. Cavite Expressway (CAVITEx), the Alabang-Buendia Skyway, South Luzon Expressway (SLEx), and Muntinlupa Cavite Expressway (MCX) at 100 kilometers per hour, and Cavite Laguna Expressway (CALAX) at 80 kilometers per hour are some of the expressways that individuals who live in metropolitan regions like Portofino Alabang might use on a regular basis.

All are required to comply with these. The only exemptions on these limits are physicians, drivers, ambulances, fire trucks in an emergency, a law enforcement officer who is attempting to catch someone who is breaking the rules of the road, as well as members of the armed forces who are serving their country in times of civil unrest, revolt, or invasion.

Photo of a signage indicating the 30 kilometer per hour speed limit

Being knowledgeable of the dos and don’ts on the road is something that a responsible driver or even a passenger must do, not only because we are required to know the traffic rules and regulations, but it is also only fitting and just to do so. This is to lessen the risk of accidents and to avoid causing inconvenience on the road. Though no one really plans or wants an accident to happen, doing your part in knowing will still going to be your responsibility. The responsibility of learning.

Better be unborn than untaught, for ignorance is the root of misfortune.

It is never acceptable to plead ignorance of the law as an excuse, as it is our responsibility to get familiar with the law and to obey it. The laws, or rules and regulations imposed by the government, are not enacted only for the purpose of preventing people like you from engaging in particular activities; instead, they have been adopted due to worries over the welfare and safety of the general public. These laws have been imposed on you for your own protection.

The imposition of speed limits serves a useful function in our society. When you are in a moving vehicle of any kind, whether you are the driver, a passenger, or a pedestrian, there is always the possibility of being injured or becoming a cause of death.

This is true regardless of what your role is in the vehicle. The fundamental objective behind the introduction of Philippine highway speed limits was to reduce the likelihood of anyone being injured in a traffic accident.

There have been various studies made and circumstances considered by local government units and the Department of Transportation to be able to come up with these laws and rules.

You need to abide by them for our own safety, for the safety of other travelers, and also to avoid paying fines. Every violation comes with a ticket, a warning, and a fine. Let us all remember to be responsible drivers at all times.

It ought to be common knowledge that faster vehicles are more likely to be involved in accidents. This is due to the fact that drivers of faster vehicles are more likely to lose control of their vehicles when confronted with unforeseen obstacles, such as debris, impediments, pedestrians, other cars, or damaged roadways. However, if you have the appropriate amount of speed, you will have sufficient time to apply the brakes or move the steering wheel and avoid car accidents.

It is imperative that you never forget to keep in mind that the posted speed limits are not only thoughts or recommendations made by the local authorities; rather, the posted speeds are the legal maximums. These legally mandated maximum speeds were established by the legislature. You have the responsibility to obey, and you must follow instructions.

Living at Portofino Alabang, Your Safe Space

Even along residential streets, they have a maximum speed you need to follow. Living at Portofino Alabang gives you the assurance that speed limits are followed at all times. Your safety and security are always the top priority of Portofino Alabang.

They ensure that you experience luxury living in the most convenient and secure community possible. With that in mind, it can give you an assurance of your kids’ safety when playing along the streets and the whole family’s safety when driving or walking around the community.

Photo of the Evia lifetyle center at dawn located within the world-class community of Portofino alabang

Within Portofino Alabang, there are roving security guards to assist you, traffic enforcers stationed to monitor any traffic incidents, and along Vista Alabang, bike lanes are already provided along highways to also make sure of your safety if you choose to take your two wheels. In addition, there are traffic enforcers stationed to monitor any traffic incidents that may occur.

In spite of the fact that they are unavoidable, the number of fatalities in traffic accidents within the vicinity of Vista Alabang is remarkably low in comparison to those on other major highways. This is particularly remarkable when one considers the volume of traffic along Daang Hari road. Because it employs roaming guards to help and monitor, the likelihood of an accident occurring within the world-class communities of Portofino Alabang is extremely low, if not nonexistent.

 

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The world as we know it now is in the 21st century, sometimes known as the digital era. After the epidemic hit, nearly every industry, including the real estate sector, transitioned to using digital methods. Real estate in Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies has become a trend.

“When new things emerge in our world, it’s best to put some time into researching them and trying to gain an understanding. With that understanding, you’re then able to think about and plan for the new business applications for those things and the new ways in which your business may profit from them.”

One may wonder, how do real estate transactions become digital? Cryptocurrency.

Photo of the text "cryptocurrency"

According to Kaspersky, cryptocurrency is a digital payment system that does not depend on banks for transaction verification. It is a peer-to-peer payment system that permits anyone, anywhere to make transactions.

Cryptocurrency payments, such as Bitcoin and Ethereum, exist solely as virtual records to an online database describing specific transactions, rather than as physical money passed around and exchanged in the physical world.

Transactions involving cryptocurrency funds are recorded in the general ledger. Digital wallets are where cryptocurrency is kept.

Suggested Read: Cryptocurrency 101: An Introduction To Cryptocurrency

The cryptocurrencies Bitcoin and Ethereum are the most popular in the world, including in real estate.

Image of Bitcoin and etherium figures

Satoshi Nakamoto, a pseudonymous developer or perhaps a group of developers, presented Bitcoin to the public in the year 2009.

Investopedia describes bitcoin as a cryptocurrency, or digital money, that acts as money and a form of payment independent of any single person, group, or entity, thereby eliminating a need for a third-party involvement, such as banks, in financial transactions.

It is granted to blockchain miners in exchange for their efforts in verifying transactions and can be bought on many exchanges.

 

Furthermore, Ethereum’s inventor, Vitalik Buterin, began his blockchain journey way back in 2011, through an initial interest in Bitcoin.

He researched and attempted unsuccessfully to construct applications on top of the Bitcoin blockchain.

He came to the realization that building an application on the Bitcoin blockchain is only possible if one creates an entirely new blockchain for each application. However, because this is extremely difficult, he realized that core elements of the blockchain had to be changed.

As a result, the Ethereum blockchain was born.

Today, there are people who are already using cryptocurrencies for real estate.

Yes, there is an unpredictability to cryptocurrency that may create initial resistance to the already unpredictable (and sometimes volatile) world of real estate. So why do people around the world still use cryptocurrency? Why are people still investing in cryptocurrencies?

Because despite the risks, the rewards you can reap are indeed gratifying.

 

Advantages of the cryptocurrency Bitcoin

1.)Inexpensive Transfer Fee

Bitcoin transactions are significantly less expensive than fiat currency transactions.

When investing in real estate in bitcoin, you can save much more.

Illustration photo of hand putting a coin on a piggy bank

One of its factors is that, unlike bank exchanges, Bitcoin transactions do not encompass third parties.

Alternatively, the blockchain of Bitcoin independently validates and collates transaction data.

The transaction fee is typically just 1% of the transferable Bitcoin amount, which itself is significantly less than what you would pay with a credit card or traditional bank transfer.

This enables real estate developers and purchasers to significantly reduce the costs, resulting in considerable savings during real estate transactions.

 

2.) Buying Real Estate with Bitcoin is Safe.

With Bitcoin, it eradicates illegitimate property ownership, resulting in increased transparency and security for all the involved parties in each transaction.

Photo representation of Digitization

Its fundamental blockchain technology documents and verifies all the network transactions without the intervention of a third party.

Moreover,  it keeps the data on an electronic public ledger that only the users have access to.

The log is irreversible, and even the clients can not alter the information.

The shared digital ledger of Bitcoin is used to settle money-transfer conflicts among both real estate developers and buyers.

Moreover, it fosters trust as well among the parties, ensuring that both parties conduct business with complete transparency.

 

3.) Confidentiality Revamped in the future of real estate

Traditional methods of payment, like cash and credit cards, often include third parties, which makes it difficult to keep transaction confidentiality.

Thankfully, Bitcoin provides the best solution to such problems because users can transact discreetly without sharing their personal identities.

Furthermore, private keys guarantee that only the owners of digital wallets have access to their Bitcoin assets and transaction records.

Photo representation of confidentiality and security with digitization

If you desire to invest in real estate properties with confidentiality, bitcoin is definitely the way.

 

4.) Quicker processing of payment by the means of Bitcoin

The ways of the conventional financial system are vulnerable to a lot of government and statutory regulations, which typically lead to considerable delays in the processing of the real estate transactions.

To verify the money transfers, both of the parties involved in that process must be present physically.

When using bitcoin cryptocurrency, the money transactions are digital and often take only a few minutes to finish.

Furthermore, blockchain technology enables the swift transfer of the property title, having saved time for both parties.

 

5.) The transactions in real estate in Bitcoin are seamless

Previously, people investing in real estate could only buy properties with fiat currencies, such as bank transfers and cash.

Cryptocurrencies, such as bitcoin, provide an alternate solution, it allows people to purchase real estate directly with digital currency.

It really has elevated capital accessibility, letting even unbanked communities purchase real estate globally without the government-imposed constraints of cross-border money exchanges.

Photo illustration of using bitcoin in a transaction

Moreover, besides Bitcoin, another leading cryptocurrency is Ethereum.

Suggested Read: Cryptocurrency Hybrid: Luxury Home Trend

 

Benefits of the Ethereum cryptocurrency in Real Estate

1.)Tokenization in Real Estate

The virtual securitization of the real estate assets, or in short- tokenization, is among the most amazing advantages of the Ethereum in the industry.

Photo illustration of security in the digital world

The assets in the real world, including real estate, real estate funds, revenue streams, governance rights, and more can be represented by digital assets.

Once tokenized, these assets could be partitioned into more granular parts, made available to a larger number of investors, and can be leveraged to increase capital.

When tokenized, the configurable blockchain of Ethereum allows for the secure and compliant digitalization of the said assets’ transactions and processes, such as issuance, trading, and lifecycle management.

 

2.) Decentralized Applications in Real Estate when transacting

In more simple words,  Ethereum is a decentralized platform that offers all of the benefits of blockchain technology, while also allowing the development of decentralized applications (DApps).

Ethereum, like Bitcoin, does have its own currency, which is called Ether, that can be mined, bought, and sold.

Just like the cryptocurrency Bitcoin, it can be bought and sold. Although they appear to possess similar goals, purposes, and capabilities, they actually do not.

Bitcoin, for example, was invented as a digital currency that has the ultimate objective of replacing traditional fiat currency.

On the other hand,  Ether is so much more than just a digital currency; it allows developers to use smart contracts to establish decentralized applications.

 

Because it is thought to have long-term benefits, real estate land will never depreciate. Land, as property, is perhaps the most important asset because it is the only asset that cannot be depreciated. The land is priceless; like gold, it retains its luster and value over time.

But where can we find the perfect land?

In Alabang Vista, the perfect real estate awaits you.

In terms of buying real estate, location is one of the most crucial factors; for it is connected to the price appreciation of the property.

Image of a luxury home within the world-class community of Portofino Alabang

It is not surprising that the buyers are usually looking for properties that are close to and accessible to essential industries, including hospitals, schools, malls, grocery stores, and so on.

Properties in accessible locations are likely to command higher prices in the future. Buyers are willing to pay more to own homes in a specific location within a community.

Vista Alabang is in a strategic place near Evia Mall, which is a lifestyle center that has several restaurants, fashion outlets, grocery stores, a cinema, hardware stores, and so much more. There are nearby hospitals as well in Alabang Vista,  such as the South City Hospital and Medical Center, and transportation hubs.

The real estate in Vista Alabang has a higher market value, which is definitely worth investing

 

Photo within the luxury community of Portofino Alabang

Like what the quote in the introduction said, it is indeed best to do our research on the new things that come into our world. And one of those things is how cryptocurrencies work with real estate investment.

Once we are able to fully grasp those concepts, we can be able to profit from them.

 

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During the days of youth, bottles were flipped for fun. But today, adults are flipping high-end properties for money.

Photo of high-end property with swimming pool

In house flipping, one buys the property, holds it for a short period, and then sells it for a profit (thus the term house flipping).

Basically, you buy the property as a real estate investment rather than a place to live.

Flipping a house sometimes needs extensive repairs or improvements by the temporary owner, and other times it simply entails owning the property until you can sell it for far more than you got for it, plus whatever you spent to fix it up.

The goal is to buy at a low price and then sell it high, putting in your sweat equity to decrease costs and profit in a short period – typically a few months or a year.

Luxury properties are excellent for flipping

Luxury properties are excellent for flipping.

There are numerous benefits to flipping a high-end home rather than a lower-end home.

 

Advantages of luxury home real estate

1.) Potential to Make a Good Profit

One obvious benefit of purchasing property to rebuild and resale is that certain houses may be fixed and flipped rapidly, with significant profit potential.

Image of counting one thousand peso bills

For the average residential home, the profit margin on a good fix-and-flip can range from ₱2,000,000 to ₱5,000,000, which is a significant gain given the amount of work normally necessary. How much more for luxury homes?

Another advantage is completing a turnaround in under 90 days while earning a 20% profit margin on the property.

The more rehab work a home needs, the more potential it has, but it also takes more time to remodel.

 

2.) Good Promotion in the Press

A luxurious residence is eye-catching; it is indeed appealing. The luxurious homes look terrific and are exciting to flaunt.

Photo of Magazines in a book rack

Even if open houses don’t result in offers, you are most likely to receive an offer if the property is featured in an article or magazine about real estate or architecture. Having an article written about your house is a fantastic way to gain visibility.

 

A high-end property is precisely what you need to catch someone’s eye.

The prettier and more luxurious the house, the more the press will flock around it. With this said, it is easier for real estate agents to sell luxury homes and, in many circumstances, flip them faster.

 

3.) Better Market

When the real estate market gets uncertain for extended periods, luxury homes are the least affected. They are less prone to experiencing foreclosures and payment defaults.

Meanwhile,  when the real estate market improves, luxury residences are the first ones to get an appreciation in value. Indeed. High-end real estate performs well in the market.

There is less competition if you flip high-end properties.

Newer investors and significant funds concentrate on midrange rentals and low-end flips because there is less competition at the top, resulting in a higher return of income on time invested, more significant discounts, and more required to finish due diligence negotiation.

In this type of real estate, there is significantly less competition. When it comes to flipping “average homes,” there is a lot of competition from other real estate investors.

However, flipping luxury homes requires a unique type of real estate investor. You will have a larger market share than you’ll get from ordinary houses.

The better resale market in flipping high-end properties.

Significant growth in jumbo mortgage lending indicates that higher loans are becoming more accessible than their conventional counterparts. As a result, there will be a much larger buyer pool and faster flips, culminating in more straightforward deals and higher profits.

 

4.) Greater Communities

Luxury homes are usually located in more desirable neighborhoods than those other real estate properties.

 

The world-class community of the pristine Portofino Alabang.

It also means you can perform your transactions in more comfortable and secure areas of town.

High-end homes are more likely to attract buyers than other types of properties. There is a growing market for real estate that you can profit from by “flipping properties.”

 

5.) Mix and Match your preferred real estate

As a real estate investor, you could scout the market for your ideal flip house by considering certain number of things, such as location, the sale price, the financing, and the property type.

You can search for the right deals on the market because properties that need vast improvements are frequently priced far below their actual potential market value.

Furthermore, selecting a real estate that requires small cash down payment results in lower initial out-of-pocket expenses.

The wonderful thing about flipping houses is that you can select all of these considerations before embarking on a fix-and-flip project.

6.) Flipping High-End Properties is Fulfilling

It’s rewarding to renovate houses, especially luxury homes.

Once you redevelop and sell an old house, you give it a new lease on life.

You are transforming an obstruction into something unique for a family to create memories in. You could also enhance the quality of life on the street and in the surrounding neighborhood.

If you are doing it right, personality development occurs.

Buying houses and materials on a regular basis helps in developing your negotiating skills.

The skill to delegate tasks, manage the time, and hold others accountable will be valuable in all types of businesses.

You will, of course, learn about renovation and real estate.

 

If you want to know how to flip houses, here’s a guide!

1.) The location of the real estate is crucial.

Clearly, the house plays a major role. However, in the case of luxury homes, the location is even more vital. The neighborhood must be in accordance with the house you want to flip.

Image within the luxury community of Portofino Alabang

Consider this: you would not like a luxury home in the midst of ‘average homes,’ would you? If you plan to make a really good profit, you should look for luxury homes in a prime places.

Here is an extra tip: Search for real estate in the less densely populated areas. Since the demand is lower, there will be a big chance that the prices will be lower as well.

Just make sure that you are knowledgeable regarding the market for homes in the neighborhood. Once you have analyzed the factors, pursue them, especially if you have a persuasive real estate agent with a market of buyers seeking a luxury home in rural areas.

Still, having difficulty locating the neighborhood to flip houses?

Examine it again, and this time, look into the future area development plans.

Future area development projects can help us to identify “soon to be hot” areas, that can ultimately lead us to more cost-effective bargains.

In other words, you may have to find great areas of the city even before they become popular.

A single way to obtain this key info is to inquire at the city hall about the plans for the development of the area.

New establishments, such as restaurants, malls, and other businesses, may be coming to that same area. When all these plans are made public, you may be able to find them online.

Moreover, you can also discover more about the up and coming developments by joining community groups on Facebook and Reddit. It is good as well to read the daily news of the communities.

2.) Find your niche market.

In all honesty, not everyone wants a luxury home. This type of real estate is different from selling an average home.

If you want to pursue flipping luxury homes, keep in mind that your niche is small. Not all of the people you encounter are looking for a luxury home.

When selling a luxury home, you are going to deal with a much different kind of clientele. I In order to market to the right clients, it is a must to know the area; immerse yourself in the community.

3.) Get a professional inspection.

Always keep inside of your mind that you are not looking for a home inspector who turns mole hills into mountains. With a thousand pin holes, the inspector can deflate your bubble of optimism. Do not nitpick too much.

A house owner who sells a home at a loss frequently does so to avert the expenses and headaches of repairing or replacing.

If you become a nitpick, it can can ruin the chances of getting a fantastic piece of real estate.

Furthermore, do not hire your inspector as your contractor; because doing so will only try to entice your inspector/contractor to discover additional issues with the real estate.

4.) When attempting to make an offer on a property, make it dependent on the house passing inspection.

Afterward, have the house examined by a professional. In doing this, it will ensure you that you are not left holding the bag on most of the big-ticket items, such as the damage of the foundation as well as other structural flaws.

A professional inspector will also spot the electrical wiring problems, shoddy plumbing, and broken sewer lines.

If you hire a professional inspector it will be of great help to you, especially if the house has been abandoned for a long period of time.

5.) Make sure you have enough cash

To start a business in flipping high-end real estate, you will, of course, require a sizable quantity of liquid capital. You really need to make sure that you have enough cash on hand if you want to flip a house that is located in a premium location or a house that is located within a thematic or world-class community. Both of these types of neighborhoods are very desirable.

 

Flipping high end properties in Vista Alabang

If you plan to enter real estate investing in luxury homes, Vista Alabang is the perfect place for you.

Photo of a luxury house within the Italian-themed community of Portofino Alabang

In fact, as soon as you enter the gates of luxury real estate, you will feel like you are stepping into the dazzling country of Italy. You will be greeted by the fresh air since Brittany Corporation ensured that Vista Alabang has plenty of green spaces. Of course, the architecture is beautiful and Italian!

The luxury house and lots in Daang Hari reflect the Italian Renaissance style. In the neighborhood of Vista Alabang, all of the luxury homes would make you feel like you are in the exalted country of Italy.

 

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