Custom wood furniture is one of the best investment pieces you can add to your luxury home to make it shine and stand the test of time. Wooden furniture that is custom-built for your beautiful home is special, as it is made specifically with you and your needs in mind. Well made furniture will last for generations, and your favorite wood pieces can very well be heirlooms that you get to pass on to your children and grandchildren.

Wood furniture is popular in the Philippines, especially if you are looking for furniture pieces for your world-class luxury home. Well-made custom wood furniture is a stunning addition to your luxury home, and we have compiled the best places in the Philippines that offer custom furniture. Luxury is found in the quality of your home and furniture pieces, so make the smart choice by investing in solid wood furniture for your luxury home.

What wood is used for furniture in the Philippines?

The Philippines has a robust wood furniture industry with thousands of skilled workers and craftsmen creating beautiful wooden furniture that can last for several generations. The country is also abundant in different types of wood that are strong and beautiful when transformed into furniture pieces.

Narra

Most old families will have several pieces of wooden furniture made from narra. Narra is also known as the national tree of the country and is often referred to as heirloom wood as furniture made from narra is passed down to the next generation like heirloom pieces due to its solidity and durability.

Narra trees are slow-growing, and its wood can range from rosy to reddish hues. Narra is also termite-resistant, making it an attractive option for wood furniture in the Philippines.

However, because narra trees are so rare nowadays, it is now included in the list of protected trees. This makes the production of furniture and other things from narra a highly controlled industry requiring special permits to limit the over-harvesting and logging of the slow-growing and rare narra trees.

Acacia

The acacia tree is native to the Philippines and many other South East Asian countries as it thrives in a tropical climate. The acacia is a type of hardwood that can grow up to 40 feet in just six years. It is a fast-growing tree and its wood is of good quality, which makes it ideal for sustainable farming and harvesting for the production of Philippine furniture.

Acacia is a hardwood that is water-resistant, high-heat-resistant and has antibacterial properties. Color-wise, the acacia can range from light to dark brown, with varied graining. This appealing visual quality makes acacia wooden furniture perfect for any luxury homes as it can blend well to different color palettes.

Kamagong

The kamagong tree provides high-quality wood that is often called “iron wood” because of its rich dark brown color. “Iron wood” can also refer to kamagong’s qualities as a hardwood. Found growing in low- and medium-altitude forests in the Philippines, kamagong is farmed for both its wood and its fruit.

Because of its robust qualities and rich coloring, kamagong is an ideal wood for creating custom wooden furniture that will stand the test of time in your beautiful luxury home.

Where to Buy the Best Custom Wood Furniture in the Philippines

There are many places in the country that you can turn to for bespoke, quality furniture that is easy to style and made to last. Here is a list of the best companies that will make your wood furniture dreams come true.

Albero

Albero is a furniture manufacturer that creates quality and aesthetically beautiful furniture statement pieces that artfully merge craftsmanship, style, and function. Each piece that Albero produces has a purpose and is inspired by various design influences. The hallmark traits of their furniture are clean lines, subtle beauty, and letting the beauty of wood shine through.

Albero’s custom wood furniture always feels organic, classy, and timeless, even with their unique curves and subtle details. You can work with Albero designers to create a fully customized piece of furniture. Choose the colors, fabric, size and from different woods like walnut, ash, and beech wood to a piece that is perfectly yours.

Oliohaus

Oliohaus is a company that specializes in creating bespoke furniture from wood, stone, metal, and other indigenous materials that capture the design visions and aesthetics of their clientele. Oliohause creates durable and high quality pieces that will perfectly fit into your lifestyle.

Oliohaus can make you custom wooden bed frames, dining tables, chairs, coffee tables and cabinets. You can also add some Philippine luxury touches with their top-quality rattan pieces like chairs and tables. They work with expert artisans in Pampangga who are highly-skilled in wood working traditions that have been passed down from generation to generation.

Dedipo Furniture Depot

If you are not sure what type of furniture you want custom-made, then Dedipo Furniture Depot is the place for you. Dedipo has a wide array of furniture options that you can choose from, and may of them can be customized to your exact tastes.

Dedipo likes to offer clients “furniture art” which means that their bespoke wood furniture is so beautifully made that each piece can also double as an art piece and a display item that can serve as a visual focal point in any room.

Choose from a wide array of designs to find the perfect furniture for your living room, dining room, and bedroom. Dedipo also offers custom cabinetry and built-ins for all your home storage needs. Rest assured that when you buy furniture pieces from Dedipo, you get durable and high quality pieces that are also beautiful and artistic

Cozier

Cozier is another furniture company you can get custom pieces from, especially if you are looking for more sophisticated and modern styles. Cozier prides itself in creating custom wood furniture that exudes elegance and grace through simple lines, high-quality materials, and top-notch craftsmanship. Each piece they create is timeless and elegant, and most importantly, their pieces make your luxury home feel chic and effortlessly classy.

They work primarily with wood, creating chairs, tables, beds, cabinets, and various seating solutions. They also work using materials like metal, natural fiber, leather, and fabric to create more dynamic pieces. The result of their work is always a cozier home for you and your family.

Celebrate Wood Furniture in Your Tagaytay Home

Wood furniture is one of the best purchases you can make to elevate your home as these pieces will last for a lifetime. When made well and with high-quality solid wood, furniture becomes more beautiful as the years go by. They age with grace and add a sense of sophistication and elegance to your luxury home.

Living in a luxury condominium in Tagaytay should not stop you from investing in the best wood furniture pieces. Have your furniture custom built so they are easy to fit and style into your luxury condominium. Having wooden furniture in your luxury home is a grounding element that can connect you with nature. But what is even better is connecting with nature through a luxury home in the pine tree-filled estate of Crosswinds Tagaytay.

Crosswinds Tagaytay is a beautiful Swiss-inspired luxury enclave, filled with acres of pine trees that give of a refreshing and calming scent all year. Relax in your own home up in the hills of Tagyatay surrounded by lush trees that can serve as your refuge away from the busy city.

At Crosswinds Tagaytay, you can find the luxury condominium of your dreams. Inspired by rustic and idyllic Swiss chalets, your Crosswinds luxury condominium will make you appreciate all the beauty and warmth that wood has to offer. The luxury condo units at Alpine Villas and The Grand Quartier will make the perfect spot for a mountain home base for you and your family.

Check out the charming condominiums of Crosswinds for your next luxury home! Browse the Brittany website for more information, and don’t forget to follow us on Youtube and LinkedIn to stay updated!

While many people are curious about the vegan diet and lifestyle, some might find it too rigorous to follow. If you’re someone who wants to change their diet into something that is healthier, then a plant based diet is something you must try. Less strict than a vegan diet, plant based diets allow you to have more flexibility in your diet options.

Having a majority plant based diet is gaining in popularity, both from a health perspective and an environmentalism point of view. One of the reasons switching to plant based diets is encouraged by many is that this type of diet is beneficial to you as well as to the environment. Not only are you living a healthier lifestyle through your diet, you also decrease your negative impact on the environment when you reduce the amount of animal products you buy and consume.

What is a Plant Based Diet?

Simply put, a plant based diet is a type of diet that focuses on food that comes from plants. Animal products such as meat, fish, poultry, eggs, dairy, or honey are not completely off-limits, but the extent to which someone includes them in their plant based diet varies from person to person.

What foods do you eat on a plant-based diet?

As a whole, plant based diets emphasize focusing on whole, minimally processed foods. People who follow a plant based diet may consume small amounts animal products and dairy products, though it is often avoided. Plant based diets include vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, seeds, and nuts.

Many people who follow plant based diets also consider the quality of the food they consume. Most prefer to buy locally sourced organic food when possible.

Processed vegetarian or vegan alternative such as vegan meat and cheese may be plant based, but the amount of processing involved in making it makes some plant based inidivduals avoid it, as they prefer food that is fresh or minimally processed to reap the best health benefits of a plant based diet.

Is plant based a new trend

While the plant based diet is becoming popular now, it has been around for decades. A study in the 80s found  evidence that a diet that is low in animal protein and fat, and high in plant foods, could reduce the incidence of several diseases. Thus the plant based diet as we know it today was brought into the mainstream.

With innovations in food technology as well as a wealth of information has made plant based diets more accessible to everyone. A quick search on the internet can give you hundreds of plant based recipes that you can try, as well as advice on how to get started on your plant based diets.

Five Trends That Take Plant Based Diet to the Mainstream

More and more people are deciding to switch to a plant based diet, or at the very least, incorporate more plant based recipes into their weekly meals. But there are five recent market trends that are placing plant based diets into the mainstream consciousness.

Climate and Environmental Considerations That Influence Diet

There is a global push to live a more sustainable lifestyle, and that includes following a more earth-friendly diet, such as vegan, vegetarian, or plant based diets. The farming and harvesting of food, as well as the production of meat has an impact on the climate and the environment.

By decreasing meat consumption and focusing on a plant based diet, people can lower their carbon footprint and make less of a negative impact on the environment.

More consumers are also increasingly conscious of product transparency. They seek out information about the sustainable practices of the brands they buy from. The more sustainable a company’s practices and sources are, the more likely plant based consumers will buy from them.

Convenient Plant Based Food Options

Switching from a typical meat diet to a plant based diet is a huge lifestyle shift that can overwhelm many people. To offset that, it is important that plant based foods become more accessible to individuals who want to switch to a plant based diet.

An abundance of plant based food options in markets and groceries will help make more people switch to a plant based lifestyle. Having several affordable plant based foods will also make it accessible to more families who want to change their diets.

Finding more plant based food and meal inspirations from recipes or online posts will also increase the likelihood of more people switching to a plant based diet. Ultimately, people love to share what they are cooking online on social media. And when their plant based recipe looks interesting and promises to be healthy and taste delicious, then more people are expected to experiment and try plant based foods and recipes.

For people who subscribe to a meal delivery service, following a plant based diet maybe easier when others prepare the meals for you. When meal subscriptions offer plant based meal plans, they are able to reach a demographic of individuals who want to try a plant based diet but are too busy to shop and prepare their meals.

Restaurants Offering More Plant Based Menu Options

If you follow a plant based diet, then you have probably experience the difficulty of finding a suitable restaurant for you and your meat-eating companions. Luckily, more mainstream dining establishments now offer plant based foods.

This trend is not only seen in restaurants, but in fast food joints as well. By introducing new plan based foods alongside their regular menu, restaurants can influence people into trying more plant based foods.

And while the best solution would be to go to a dining establishment that serves all plant based foods, that may not always be possible. And so a plant based option at a regular restaurant can be a good compromise when dining out with other people.

Creative Flavor Profiles

Part of the appeal of a plant based diet is that it opens up a whole new world of flavor and experimentation with cooking and meal options. Plant based diets need not stick to the stereotypical salad, as there are many creative ways to create a fully plant based meal.

High quality ingredients can be combined to create an exciting flavor that can become one of your staple meals as you continue with your plant based diet.

Another great way to incorporate more fruits and vegetables into your plant based diet is to add them as hidden ingredients to your favorite recipes. Adding grated vegetables to your wraps and pasta dishes can add a whole host of nutrients to your meal.

Another way of experimenting with flavor is trying out plant based alternatives to your favorite meat-based dishes. Vegetable lasagna comes to mind, as well as cauliflower “chicken” wings. And in general, just adding more vegetables to your favorite recipes is a great way start integrating a more plant based diet into your lifestyle.

Established Brands Offering Plant Based Choices

Most people have particular brands they go to when buying food items. So when switching to a plant based diet, families often look for the brands they know. Seeing a trusted brand offering a plant based alternative for their usual products goes a long way into encouraging more people to adopt a plant based diet for their family.

As more people decide to practice plant based diets, they expect to see more brands release plant based foods and alternatives for their traditional products. More brands may also emerge to serve the plant based community, specifically. These brands can offer an entirely plant based product line.

What is the Future of Plant Based Diet?

As the plant-based eating gains popularity among more people, industry experts see the plant based diet and lifestyle go mainstream. With more viable plant based foods to choose from, consumers are more likely to try and stick to their newfound plant based diet.

Plant based diets can also be a good lifestyle option for more people who want to be more sustainable and eco-conscious.

Plant based mock meats and dairy products will also continue to grow as an industry, as people look towards recreating their favorite meat dishes with plant based meat alternatives.

While there are already several plant based meat alternatives available, experts predict that more companies will work towards improving current formulation with better ingredients that result in better taste, texture, and nutritional value for their plant based food alternatives.

Practice Your Plant Based Lifestyle in Your New Luxury Home at Forresta

Plant foods are super foods, and by practicing a plant based diet you take charge of your health while practicing sustainability. Plant based eating is a healthy lifestyle change for you and your family, and the perfect pairing for this is a luxury lifestyle in your Forresta luxury home.

Forresta creates an environment that encourages a healthy lifestyle for its residents. Parks, jogging paths, open spaces, and numerous trees are all planned in this luxury community so residents can enjoy a healthy lifestyle outdoors.

Located in Daang Hari, Forresta is the latest luxury real estate project of Brittany Corporation. Nestled in one of the future central business districts of the country, Forresta is the perfect place to escape into nature while maintaining a connection with modern amenities and establishments.

Build your dream home at Forresta! Visit the Brittany website for more information this newest luxury real estate community. Follow us on Youtube and LinkedIn for more updates!

Technology has progressed so far in the past several years that it has become possible for people to wear their devices. Gone are the big, clunky, or cumbersome gadgets. Devices today can be small or thin enough to sit unobtrusively over a patch of skin, to be worn on the wrist, and can even be incorporated into the fabric that makes up clothing to be worn in sports or as a staple fashion piece.

Wearable technology has been around for several years now. Today, it is estimated that there are over 700 million wearable devices in use around the world, and that number is expected to rise as technology gets better and the benefits of devices increase or improve. Wearable devices that track vital signs such as heart rate, respiratory rate, or the number of steps a person takes in a day have risen in popularity, especially within fitness circles but also among the general population who use these devices in an effort to take better care of their health.

This development springs a new trend: the use of wearable devices in the healthcare and medical context. While there exist several wearable technologies for medical use, this industry is still emerging. The concept of refining technology for healthcare is rapidly gaining traction as investors believe this to be the next big trend. A new wave of healthcare revolution is within sight with the rise of wearable technology specifically made for healthcare use.

What is wearable technology?

To put it simply, wearable technology is the umbrella term that refers to devices that are designed to be worn throughout the day. Common examples of wearable devices include fitness trackers and smartwatches, both usually worn on the user’s body such as the wrists. In tech spheres, these are called “wearables” for short.

What is the purpose and uses of wearable devices?

Current wearables usually connect with other devices, such as your smartphone or computer to transmit data in real-time.

Health and Fitness Trackers

For fitness trackers, these can include information such as the user’s heart rate, blood pressure, hours of sleep, breathing rate, and physical activity.

Some smartwatches also have the capacity to track fitness parameters, but they can also be used to view notifications from your phone, listen to music, give yourself reminders, and of course tell you the time. Smartwatches can also help the user control their smart home or other automated devices in their luxury home.

When connected to your phone or laptop through an app, these wearable devices can help you track important data about your general fitness parameters.

Sports and the Gaming Industry

Smart clothing is also emerging one of the types of wearable technology. Smart jackets have been designed to allow the user to charge their mobile devices through the jacket.

Professional athletes are also known to wear smart clothing that tracks the data such as heart rate and respiratory rate, but it can also track their speed, direction, physical activity and the way they move. The data recorded by wearable technology can be used by athletes and their coaches to analyze athletic performance in an objective way, telling them where they are doing well and where they need to improve.

Wearable technology also includes electronic devices that can be used for virtual reality and augmented reality games. VR or AR headsets are examples of wearable technology in this industry, but these devices for gaming is also growing to include devices such as jackets and handheld consoles that give haptic feedback on the user’s body for a more immersive gaming experience.

Are wearables the future of healthcare?

Interestingly, because fitness tracking was one of the first popularized examples of wearable technology, it has also impacted the healthcare sector. For example, a huge percentage of the population uses wearable technology to track their health, fitness, and well-being. Often, the users of wearables use them in order to track health symptoms such as blood pressure, sleep quality, or heart rate. Then these users use the data they gathered with these devices during their next doctor’s appointment.

By having a wearable device tracking the user’s different symptoms or vital signs, it helps them paint a clearer picture of their health which can help them communicate better with doctors and develop better treatment plans. This type of information may be beneficial for those with chronic illnesses as well, as the continuous tracking of their symptoms can help them manage their condition in a more informed way.

However, there have been some cases where wearable devices have not been accurate in their readings of the user’s vital signs. Tech giants are the top names in the wearable device industry, with medical device companies coming in behind them. As such, there is a push for medical companies to improve their technology in order to create wearables that can be much more beneficial for users who want more healthcare-centric wearable devices.

Tech companies are also working to continuously improve the features of their wearables. Since their products are more widely available on the market, they are often the consumer’s first choice when it comes to wearable technology for health or other reasons.

How wearable technology promises to revolutionize healthcare

Wearable devices developed for healthcare can be beneficial for patients as well as their medical teal. Wearable devices can help healthcare professionals monitor the condition of their patients remotely. This remote access to their real-time symptoms can help make healthcare much more accurate and personalized to each patient.

Wearable technology is also one way to help patients have more autonomy with their medical interventions. While fitness trackers can give a general picture of their health and other physiological symptoms, dedicated medical wearable technology can be designed to be a more in-depth source of data.

Blood pressure sensors and cardiac wearable devices comprise the bulk of medical wearables in the industry today. Sensors on these devices that are in contact with the skin allow them to read this information on the body. But there are many other avenues for medical wearables, such as blood sugar monitoring, or even AI-powered analytics where patients and doctors can track and analyze the data collected by wearable devices.

Medically-focused wearable technology is an emerging market, and there are many avenues which can be profitable for investors. With better medical wearables, it can change the way healthcare can be perceived. Healthcare, monitoring, and disease prevention can be more accessible, improving the quality of life for many individuals.

Prioritize your health with a home in the luxury community Forresta

While wearable devices can help you monitor vital information about your health, the best way to prioritize your health is to live in an environment that has an abundance of space, fresh air, and sunshine. Forresta Villar Land can offer you and your family this type of peaceful and calming environment.

Forresta is Brittany Corporation’s newest luxury real estate development. This community, located in the thriving Daang Hari area, will be a beautiful place to raise a family away from the stress of big city living. Forresta will give you space to appreciate the outdoors and the beauty of nature, but it will still be conveniently located to the sights and comforts of the city.

Give yourself the gift of health with a luxury home in one of the best luxury lots in Daang Hari. Let Forresta be your gateway to a healthier and stress-free lifestyle.

For more information about luxury living with Brittany Corporation, feel free to browse our website. And follow us on LinkedIn and Youtube for the latest updates on luxury real estate and world-class living.

As more people find the importance of doing their part to combat climate change, sustainability has become a guiding principle in their lives. From sustainably sourced clothing and food to practicing more recycling and repurposing, everyone is doing their small part in becoming more sustainable.

But individuals with a flair for luxury living can take it one step further and set out to build a sustainable home. By building a sustainable home in a luxury community like Forresta Villar Land, you help decrease your negative impact on the environment while creating sustainable homes that are energy-efficient and long-lasting.

What is a sustainable home?

There are many kinds of sustainable homes, including tiny homes, Earthships, straw bale homes, and zero-carbon homes. But in general, sustainable home architecture is a home that is designed and built through sustainable and eco friendly practices. In every step of the building process, sustainability is prioritized. Sustainable homes require low to zero energy to build, and requires low energy to heat and cool.

A sustainable home takes into account the materials used, the method of construction, the natural environment, and the native flora and fauna present in the home’s location. Each of these factors plays a part in sustainable house design plans.

What are the two types of sustainable home design?

There are many ways to practice sustainable home architecture, but they are generally classified into two types: active sustainable design or passive sustainable design. These are different methods that are used to achieve the same goal of creating sustainable homes that are luxurious, comfortable, environmentally friendly, energy-efficient, and climate-resilient.

Active Sustainable Homes

An active sustainable design makes use of energy sources like gas or electricity to optimize energy consumption. Active sustainable home architecture strategies include using smart home automation, Energy Star appliances, solar panels for electrical input, heated flooring, and high-efficiency HVAC systems.

Passive Sustainable Homes

On the other end of the scale sits passive sustainable design. This strategy of sustainable home design plans makes use of natural elements to make a home eco-conscious and sustainable. During the design process, factors like wind direction and sun orientation on the luxury lot are taken into account. Other passive sustainability strategies include cross-ventilation, higher-efficiency windows, using recycled materials, and creating rainwater collection systems.

How to Create Sustainable Home Design Plans

Sustainable homes can be your next dream luxury home project! If you want to get started on planning your sustainable home design plans, then this is a complete guide to everything you need to build your very own luxury sustainable home.

Location

Location is everything when it comes to your dream luxury home, and there is no better choice than Forresta Villar Land. This luxury community is located in a breathable environment that retains its connection to nature and green spaces.

Aside from a green and open luxury location, consider notable weather patterns like flooding or earthquakes. Building a home in places prone to these phenomena may not be the best sustainable choice. Also look for locations with ample sunlight or wind movement as a suitable option for renewable energy.

Transportation

Lowering your carbon footprint also includes transportation. If you build your sustainable home in an area that is close to your workplace or your children’s school, then you can decrease your carbon footprint. Access to mass public transit can also help you lower your overall environmental impact.

House Size

The size of your home can also affect how eco friendly and energy efficient your sustainable home is. In building a smaller home, you use fewer materials and energy. And when your sustainable home is finished, it would also consume less electricity and energy for heating and cooling, leading to lower energy costs for you.

House Orientation

Sustainable housing highlights being an energy efficient home. To maximize your energy consumption, be mindful of your house orientation when you develop your sustainable home design plans. Placing windows in key directions in your home can help you naturally heat and cool your home during the change from dry season to wet season. South-facing windows will give your home ample sunlight throughout the day, lowering the need for electric lighting.

Too many west-facing windows, however, will bring in too much light during the summer.  This excess in sunlight will heat up your house which may mean higher AC usage and higher electrical bills.

Recycled Materials

Using recycled materials for a sustainable home is another design strategy you can use. Using recycled materials and building blocks reduces the waste that ends up in landfills, and it can also lower construction costs for you. Some example of recycled materials you can use include reclaimed wood, bricks, stones, recycled glass, reused steel, and plastic products in the form of eco bricks.

Efficient Windows and Doors

Efficient windows and doors are an important addition to your sustainable house. When your windows and doors have proper weather stripping, they become very efficient at keeping the elements from entering and damaging your house. Good windows and doors also offer airtight seals that prevent air-conditioned air from escaping your home.

Double-paned windows are the popular choice when it comes to energy efficient windows, but there are also triple-paned windows that offer an even better airtight seal for your home.

LED Lights

LED lights have long been known to reduce your energy consumption because they use less power compared to other types of bulbs. They are also more durable and last longer, which means you replace them less often which saves you money.

In using LED lights for your home, you make it more sustainable because you will be consuming less energy in the long run. LED technology has also evolved to now include an array of colored LED lighting. If you want to design your home with colorful mood lighting but still wish to be sustainable, LED lights are the way to go.

Energy Star Appliances

Electric appliances can be another way for you to be more efficient. When appliances, devices, and electronics are rated under Energy Star, they have been tested and certified to use less energy compared to typical models on the market. By swapping your old and outdated appliances with more energy efficient Energy Star replacements, you make your home more sustainable.

Renewable Energy

If your home environment has ample supplies of renewable energy, then make full use of it. Solar panels are but one way to utilize renewable energy. You can also check for the viability of using wind or even geothermal energy in your area. These renewable energy sources will produce less carbon emissions, making your home a green space that has a good impact on the environment.

Rainwater Collection

Rainwater collection is another way to make your house design more sustainable. Rainwater collection involves collecting the excess water from rain, either through spouts and gutters, for future use. To do this, you can install spouts that redirect your run-off water to a collection tank. You can then use this collected water to water your garden and houseplants or flush the toilets so you lessen your demand for fresh water.

Create Your Dream Sustainable Luxury Home at Forresta

Luxury homes can be sustainable and eco friendly, especially when you build your dream home on a luxury lot in Forresta Villar Land. This sprawling 5.1 hectare luxury community is the perfect place to build a sustainable luxury home for you and your family.

At Forresta, nature is preserved and celebrated. Build a home in an exclusive luxury community that gives you access to a beautiful and calm natural environment while also connecting you to the best amenities that will complete your luxury lifestyle.

Green spaces will be highlighted in this beautiful community, but Forresta will also be in a prime location in the next central business district to rise in Daang Hari. Sustainability, natural environment, technology, and business will coexist beautifully in this new development by Brittany Corporation.

Build a future you deserve at Forresta with Brittany Corporation. As onne of the biggest names in luxury real estate, Brittany Corporation takes care of every detail so your dream luxury home lives up to your high standards. For more information on Forresta and Brittany Corporation, feel free to check our website. And don’t forget to follow us on Youtube and LinkedIn so you don’t miss the latest updates from us!

Kitchen is an essential part of a living space. This is the powerhouse of a home, where people gather, talk, make and consume food. So, with that in mind, organizing your own kitchen space, especially for people who have a strong passion for the culinary pleasures of feasting and entertaining is a must!

A taste of how important these amenities were obvious to early home owners and may be seen in the impressive walk-in pantries (with various pantry design!) offered in older homes. There are many ways to re-implement this enduring necessity, even though the modern arrangement might not provide the pantry quite as much room and attention as it deserves. The modern pantry can be designed with basic floor-to-ceiling cabinetry or free-standing units to house your abundance while taking any unique requirements into account. Today’s pantries frequently smartly make use of underutilized nooks, corners, and closets, while bigger ones function as an extension of the kitchen.

How to put your pantry into order?

A pantry can be arranged and organized in different ways. There is no specific rule for this, but you must focus on its aim, which is to it should function as a tool more than a decor.

In order to do this, you must first take out everything then organized it to how do you use it or group it according to what you commonly use at the kitchen, to save time searching or restocking. For example you may put cereals, oats, cookies nd biscuits on a drawer where kids can easily access it, or put the least used utensils or plates on the top of the cabinet.

If you’re looking for more pantry design ideas, you are free to read more of this article!

1. Small Pantry Storage

By combining several storage designs, this small kitchen pantry design cleverly makes the most of available space. The key is to have an organized kitchen pantry cabinet.

You can opt to do it this way: Wine glasses are kept on racks attached beneath the lowest shelf, while spices and dishware are kept on custom-fit top shelves that are easily accessible. Oil, vinegar, and wine bottles are kept on thin shelves that are affixed to the backs of the double doors.

This pantry design is ideal for people staying on a condominium such as Alpine Villas at Crosswinds, Tagaytay. These are vertical condo units that make optimal use of space and would be ideal for a weekend trip or even as a location you could call home permanently.

2. Reach-In Pantry Design

Keeping your kitchen pantry organized will help you keep food goods accessible and fresh. Access to and storage of canned and dried goods, small appliances, and tableware are made simple by the inventive reach-in pantry designs.

Food products may be easily viewed on shallow, angled pantry shelves, which also keep tiny objects organized rather than becoming lost amid larger appliances. Meal planning and grocery lists can be written on the whiteboard surface that is located on the inside of the door.

This design is perfect for homebuyers with little starting family and even big family. This design is convenient in terms of monitoring the to-buy list for weekly shopping at the nearest local malls and grocery stores, such as the Crosswinds Tagaytay by Brittany Philippines.

3. Built-In Pantry Design

Slide drawers in place of traditional shelves for simpler access to your culinary necessities. Pullout drawers below and deep shelves on top provide plenty of storage in a small package and provide quick visual inventories.

This design is very functional and neat because it is not bare (because its a built-in drawer!), and is ideal for people who like to keep their homes looking neat, tidy and guest ready, perfect for the aesthetic offered by Crosswinds Tagaytay!

4. Closed-Door Pantry Ideas

Tall cabinet doors conceal food storage while maintaining the kitchen’s orderly and modern appearance. The deep shelves behind these panel-style doors are ideal for storing dry, tinned, and jarred items. The pantry and refrigerator are both concealed behind the doors, allowing all of the food to be housed in one location.

This kitchen pantry idea allows homebuyers to practice their minimalist lifestyle, that is trendy and popular to you adults living in a luxury condominium!

5. Do-It-Yourself Pantry Ideas

The best way to make a home your own is to do everything by yourself. Be free and creative, think out of the box, experiment and see what will work for you and your family!

In your own kitchen, you may repurposed a closet and turn it into a do-it-yourself pantry. For simple access to the storage area, the pantry doors roll open. Rows of deep shelves with glass doors offer plenty of space for storing food as well as other kitchen necessities like a microwave or garbage can.

If you want to put an extra mile, you may also DIY the extra shelves that you want to add as many shelves as possible to hold everything you may need to tuck away from sight. You can find tutorials from YouTube and Google on how you can do this, especially if you have a little bit of experience with simple woodworking and basic wall mounting techniques.

What is the best way to organize a kitchen pantry?

A kitchen pantry can be organized in any way. The above ideas are just suggestions that you can do!

Even the smallest kitchen may have pantry storage with a little imagination. Use shelves, repurpose a closet, or break a wall open to insert recessed shelving between the studs. In the vicinity of the kitchen, look for empty nooks and spaces (such as mudrooms, stairwells, or corridors) where you may install shelving to keep canned foods, dried items, and less-used kitchen appliances.

A well-organized pantry is essentially one that is well-organized in terms of being neatly arranged. Things would become misplaced and by the time you found them, they would be well past their expiration date if the pantry were used as a place to haphazardly store items. As a result, avoid treating your pantry like a simple storage space where you can stockpile items; instead, keep it well-organized.

Conclusion

The most common room in modern interiors is the pantry. The pantry offers space that ranges from being a little cabinet room to a mini-dining area where you can enjoy having casual meals with friends and family. It serves as an accommodating space to handle the additional utensils, food products, and storage goods.

A kitchen pantry can be organized, and designed specifically to your own liking and personality! Just like a home itself, a kitchen can showcase the homebuyers wants and life, so organizing and getting some ideas on the above list is a good move!

It has been noted that one of the top preferences in the new home and remodeling markets is an open floor plan. Open floor plans are often categorized by the way they make use of the large spaces in a house and minimize as well the use of enclosed areas. An open concept like this is enormously appreciated among homebuyers who want to live in a more casual way where space is maximized by multifunctional rooms to accommodate daily activities. Moreover, an open plan creates a smooth flow from room to room which is loved by homeowners since entertaining guests is more enjoyable and convenient.

However, homeowners and buyers are starting to reconsider putting partitions on an open floor plan layout due to the threat of diseases brought by any form of close contact, especially now that the entire world is trying to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic. Having said that, we curated the ways how you can create separation in the open floor plan.

1. Putting an area rug in the living room

Creating a partition in an open floor plan starts with the basic. The easiest you can go for is placing an area rug in the biggest area of your house. If the floor plan you have is the one where the living room is directly connected to the dining room and the kitchen, an area rug will help you create a separation distinctly. Consider placing it underneath furniture such as a sofa or a coffee table. Take note of purchasing an area rug that fits the furniture you will place on it. A typical area rug has a size of 8×10 and 9×12. The said area rug is appropriate for large spaces. To make it more creative, you can go for customized area rugs to complement the interior design of your living room.

2. Placement of furniture

Another easiest and most cost-effective way to create a separation in an open floor plan is by placing furniture. For example, you can turn your sofa at a different angle where the back is facing the dining room or the kitchen. Or if you have a dining set, you can also turn it to a different position where the back is facing the living room and the kitchen. You can also accessories to create a partition in your space.

3. Use beautiful curtains

Curtains are good companions when it comes to creating separation in the house. This is perfect for the part of the house where you want to make a partition but make it subtle. Start with installing rods toward the ceiling and use drapes to separate rooms. Make sure to use a fabric or material that is not fully opaque so the light can still pass through and avoid blocking out the rooms that you want to separate.

4. Use bookshelves

If you want a partition that will serve as a division and storage, consider using bookshelves. Whether you have a small or colossal space, bookshelves will always serve their purpose. Consider a bookshelf that is sturdy so it will stand as a definitive separation between two rooms in your home. Avoid cluttering it. You may also leave some shelves empty so the light can still pass through. For a great room like the living room, you may put other accessories or objects on the shelves to highlight them.

5. Install a Kitchen Island

If you love entertaining guests while doing your thing in the kitchen but do not want to be interrupted or distracted by the coming in and out of guests, consider installing a kitchen island which is the best line of demarcation between the living room and the kitchen. Aside from the functionality of a kitchen island, it also visually denotes separation. You may put counter stools to accommodate guests while cooking and decorate it with treats and accessories to be enjoyed by your guests.

For more ways of creating separation in an open floor layout, check out this list:

Another distinctive way of creating separation in an open floor layout is to use designated colors for the rooms you have in your house. Picking a color and weaving it into your furniture, area rugs, and other decorations for each room is the most creative partition to use. Consider using subtle accents and not solid colors to avoid unnecessary blasting of colors.

Consider organic screens just like the one that is featured in the photo above. Screens can be moved anywhere in the house so they are flexible and handy.

Use indoor plants to fill the space in your home that you want to portray as distinctively different from the rest of the rooms in the house. In this way, you can create a division neatly.

Lighting sources can also be used for dividing spaces in your home. To make it noticeable, consider a pendant light for your dining area, task lighting in the kitchen, and table lighting in the porch or lounge area.

Creating a focal point for any room, a two-sided fireplace is perfect for large spaces. The said furniture can also distribute evenly the ambiance and heat for two rooms being separated.

Other ways include designing an artistic feature or art installation, building another wall, installing a glass-made partition, putting up a stylish screen divider with geometric pieces and architectural elements, and construction level changes at home.

Conclusion

An open floor layout is as good as you make it to be. And while many like it for its openness, light ambiance, and the perks of maximizing spaces, nothing is also wrong if you would like to put some privacy by creating separation in an open floor plan. After all, there are also a handful of cons to open floor layouts such as not being able to hide the mess when you are preparing to accommodate your guests or when you are in the midst of certain craft projects. Not to mention the lack of a sound barrier and the limitation on decorating your space.

Good thing, there are luxury houses nowadays that give you the best of both worlds: enormous space and privacy. One of which is Brittany Sta. Rosa in Laguna. The said master-planned development by Brittany Corporation is known for American-themed luxury houses. It is also classified by four enclaves namely Georgia Club known for its beauty and tranquility since luxury houses situated here will take you closer to nature; Promenade is a luxury community patterned after the quaint English countryside; Augusta is a luxury house and lot community that exudes Southern American lifestyle; and Belle Reve which literally means “beautiful dream” where luxury houses are patterned after French-Mediterranean ambiance.

At Brittany, your need for enormous space while at the same time keeping your privacy is a priority. With a wide selection of luxury houses you can choose from the enclaves in Brittany Sta. Rosa, rest assured that your expectations for quality and luxurious living are met. Consider scheduling an appointment now to know more.

The Super Bowl is one of the biggest events in American sports. It is an annual championship game of the National Football League (NFL), which is the highest level of professional American football in the United States. This is not just a game, but a huge event that features halftime shows, commercials, and other activities that have become a part of the event’s culture.

Is it your first time hearing about The Super Bowl? If you want to catch the latest at home, here are some interesting things you need to know about the upcoming sporting spectacle.

When did the Super Bowl begin?

The origin of the name “Super Bowl” is somewhat unclear, but it came shortly after the NFL merged with the AFL in 1966. The contest between the league winners was originally referred to as “the AFL-NFL World Championship Game,” but the NFL needed a catchier name. One popular legend is that Lamar Hunt, the founder of the Chiefs, suggested the “Super Bowl” because his children loved the Super Ball, a popular toy of the time.

The first Super Bowl was played on January 15, 1967, between the National Football League (NFL) and the American Football League (AFL). The NFL and the AFL merged in 1970 and the Super Bowl became the championship game of the newly formed NFL. Since then, it has become one of the biggest annual events in the United States and has been played every year.

The Super Bowl is not only the championship game for the NFL but also a major cultural event in the United States. It has become a symbol of American sports and entertainment and is watched by millions of people worldwide. The game has become so popular that it is not only a major event for sports fans but also for advertisers and businesses, who see it as an opportunity to reach a large audience.

How did the Super Bowl Commercials Become a Thing?

Super Bowl commercials have become a staple of the game, attracting millions of viewers and generating significant revenue for advertisers. Commercials during the Super Bowl have become increasingly expensive over the years, with a 30-second spot during this year’s game costing an estimated $5.5 million. Despite the high cost, advertisers continue to see the value in reaching such a large and engaged audience during the Super Bowl.

What are the Memorable Halftime Shows?

The Super Bowl halftime show is always a highly anticipated event and some performances have truly stood the test of time. Here are some of the most memorable halftime shows in Super Bowl history:

Prince (2007) – The Prince closed out Super Bowl XLI with a mashup of his own hits and songs by Bob Dylan, Queen, and Foo Fighters, ending with a stunning performance of “Purple Rain” in the rain. This performance remains one of the greatest of all time, even more so after Prince’s death in 2016.

Michael Jackson (1993) – The King of Pop’s 1993 performance marked the end of the marching band era and established him as the first star to perform at the Super Bowl. He performed “We Are the World” with a children’s choir, “Heal the World,” “Billie Jean,” and even moonwalked across the stage. Jackson remains one of the most memorable Super Bowl halftime performers.

Beyoncé & Destiny’s Child (2013) – At Super Bowl XLVII, Beyoncé, Kelly Rowland, and Michelle Williams reunited as Destiny’s Child and performed some of their greatest hits, including “Bootylicious,” “Single Ladies,” and “Independent Women.” The extravagant production was so memorable that a 33-minute blackout occurred shortly after.

When Will This Year’s Super Bowl Take Place?

This year’s Super Bowl will take place on Sunday, February 12th, and the kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 PM Eastern time. The game will be played at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, for the third time, and the first time since 2015.

The Super Bowl will be televised by Fox and will also be streamed on the Fox Sports app and website, along with the NFL app in the United States. The point spread and total for the game are currently 1.5 points in favor of the Eagles, with an over-under total of 51.

Who Will Compete?

The Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles have earned their way to the Super Bowl by having successful regular seasons, with both teams posting 14-3 records. The Chiefs won the AFC West and received a first-round playoff bye, while the Eagles won the NFC East and also received a first-round bye. The Chiefs have reached the Super Bowl three times in the past four seasons and are playing in the Super Bowl for the fifth time overall. The Eagles, on the other hand, are making their fourth Super Bowl appearance.

Why is the Battle Between Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles Historic?

Super Bowl LVII will be the first occasion that starting quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes from Kansas and Jalen Hurts from Philadelphia will face off.

Mahomes was a part of Kansas’ Super Bowl win in 2020 and should the Chiefs come out on top again, he will become the first African-American quarterback to claim two Super Bowl victories. If the Eagles are crowned champions, Hurts will join the ranks of Doug Williams of the Washington Redskins (1988) and Russell Wilson of the Seattle Seahawks (2014) as the fourth African-American starting quarterback to win.

Eagles assistant coach Autumn Lockwood is also making history as she will become the first African-American and fourth woman to coach in the Super Bowl.

Kansas’ head coach Andy Reid is seeking his third ring, having previously won as an assistant with the Green Bay Packers and as head coach with the Chiefs in 2019.

Philadelphia’s head coach Nick Sirianni, on the other hand, is in search of his first-ever championship at any level. In his two years with the Eagles, he has a 23-11 regular-season record (.676) and is 2-1 in the postseason (.667).

The biggest question surrounding the game is the health of key offensive players for the Chiefs, particularly Mahomes, who played with a high-ankle sprain in the AFC championship game. Additionally, several Chiefs wide receivers were forced to leave the game against the Bengals due to injury.

Another storyline of note is the Kelce brothers: Chiefs all-pro tight end Travis Kelce and Eagles all-pro center Jason Kelce. They will become the first set of brothers to play each other in the Super Bowl. Both of them have rings with their current squads.

Who Will Perform in The Super Bowl LVII?

Country singer Chris Stapleton will sing “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

And of course, a Super Bowl will not be complete without the halftime show. The Super Bowl halftime show will be performed by Rihanna. “Abbott Elementary” actor Sheryl Lee Ralph will also perform “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” and Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds will sing “America the Beautiful.”

What Will the Super Bowl Winner Receive?

The winner of the Super Bowl is awarded the Vince Lombardi Trophy, a 22-inch-tall, seven-pound, sterling silver football on a stand. Additionally, players on the winning team receive $157,000, while players on the losing team receive $82,000.

Which Teams Have Never Won the Super Bowl?

Of the 32 NFL teams, 12 have yet to win a Super Bowl. There are 8 teams that have made it to the Super Bowl but came up short: the Minnesota Vikings (who have made it to the big game four times), the Buffalo Bills (four times), the Cincinnati Bengals (three times), the Carolina Panthers (two times), the Atlanta Falcons (two times), the Los Angeles Chargers (once), the Tennessee Titans (once), and the Arizona Cardinals (once).

On the other hand, there are four teams that have never had the chance to play in a Super Bowl: the Cleveland Browns, the Detroit Lions, the Houston Texans, and the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Where Can I Watch The Super Bowl in the Philippines?

Filipinos can watch the much-awaited Super Bowl LVII in their homes at 7:30 am, February 13 (Monday) on the Premier Sports Channel on Skycable and Cignal and on TapGo TV Streaming App.

Enjoy The Game with Brittany Homes

This year’s match between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles is historic for several reasons, making it a must-watch for all football fans wherever they are in the world.

To make the experience even more memorable, consider watching it from the comfort of luxury homes by Brittany Corporation. With their world-class homes, you are guaranteed a top-notch viewing experience. Don’t miss out on this exciting match. Visit Brittany Corporation’s LinkedIn, YouTube, and website for more information.

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Cottages and houses on the beach are just as charming as they seem, especially here in the Philippines. They combine the beachy ambiance with the humble elegance of a cottage that recreates the breezy mood of the seaside, which you can easily feel the moment you go through the front door and into the spacious, light-filled room. It might be the salty air and calming sounds of the waves, but don’t ignore the design, which features a casual layering of simple furnishings made of natural materials, vibrant color bursts, and gathered natural objects.

Beach cottages can take many different forms because there are many different methods to create a beach house and just as many different ways to decorate a cottage. They can be rustic in a way that feels authentically oceanic, classically domestic, or casually cozy. The benefit of all that variation is that you’ll have lots of beach cottage design ideas to draw inspiration from as you put together the seaside cottage of your dreams.

To help you build your own beach house that will emblem your ideal home vacation, here are 48 chic beach house design suggestions for sprucing up your own beach house. Whether you already own one and need to decorate it appropriately or simply wish to one day include one in your real estate portfolio, this list will be your guide!

1. Dining With A View

Because a beach house gives its owners a relaxing ambiance, designing their dining area facing the seaside view is a good idea! You might try to put in a wall of sliding doors and floor-to-ceiling windows to give the impression that the dining area is looking out onto the sea. You can add airy tie-top curtains in the color of your choice to add tenderness. Instead of a chandelier, a lightweight but handsome lantern can be hung above the large dining table to make it appear cozier and more informal. Natural wicker chairs are given a feminine pattern by pillows created from old bark cloth fabric.

2. Retro Charm

Just like in any other house, retro is a classic! If you are looking for a beach house decor idea that will never go out of style, retro is the key. You may add patterned wallpaper, hang paintings and posh posters, or use a vintage color palette such ah orange, yellow, turquoise, and white, with a tiny bit of pink, to mimic the colors of the ’60s.

If you want to go maximalist, you may add bright vibrant colors to your walls, ceiling, or even floor tiles! In this way, the happy vibes of retro may combine with the relaxing ambiance of the sea during summer!

3. Mix of Old and New

Mix and match of the old and new designs are becoming popular once again. This is because homeowners are seeking an open and airy vibe that feels more vacation-like. To peg this idea, all you have to do is keep it light. Being light, using earthy tones with accents of color, but also keeping color palettes minimal and playing with textures for added depth and feel to coastal living, will turn your beach house into a mix of classic and contemporary design.

Combining old and new design might include layering a space with the ideal piece of antique furniture or a vintage art collection, an indoor or outdoor wicker chair, slipcovered seats, and a manufacturing dolly turned the coffee table to make for a cozy seating arrangement.

4. Cheerful Pops of Color

Adding to the list of decor ideas you can incorporate into your beach house is using bright colors in an all-white room. Beach houses are known for their all-white rooms and while beach houses vary in size, most of which are small in structure but with white paintings, the space becomes enormous and spacious. To make it more appealing and playful, use bright colors or high-contrast colors to complement it with soft hues of white. A perfect color palette to use is azure and terracotta.

5. Rustic Wood Floors and Accents

To make a home on the beach more beachy, try not to use materials that are associated with modern and industrial styles. Use old-fashioned and rustic touches instead to make your beach house cozy. Consider having hardwood flooring and wooden seating to add a dash of personality to your living room or wooden dressers to your bedroom.

6. A Mix of Blue Hues

A beach home in harmony with a coastal scheme wrapped in a modern twist is what makes a beach home look beachy. Paint the walls of your beach home with marine blues. Then, complement it with furniture coated in other shades of blue. Layer the room with pale tones and warm neutrals to make it timeless and cozy.

7. Live Plants for a Tropical Island Feature

With live plants such as palm trees and bamboo plants, your beach home will instantly become reminiscent of tropical islands making any space look brighter and fresher. Moreover, most indoor live plants are low maintenance which will not cause any convenience to you just in case you forget to tend to them. You may also add other beachy plants such as hibiscus flowers, beach grass, succulents, and your favorite flowers.

How can I make my house look beachy?

Following these inspirations will help you as you pattern your house to a beachy design or if you have a cottage or beach home and you want to make it more beachy. Remember to not overdo it. The key is using the right color shades that reflect the ocean, tropical island, and beach plants. Then, soften the aesthetic by using rattan furniture and wooden accents wrapped in modern style. To add depth and texture, use natural materials and accessorize using seascape artworks. Moreover, in beach home decor, the trick is less is more. Focus on what makes a beach home calm and fresh. Do not forget to maximize the natural light and breeze to promote natural cross-ventilation in your home. Above all else, consider the longevity and functionality of the decor designs you will be using so in this way you do not have to renovate every now and then. Look for durable furniture that can withstand the rigors of indoor and outside living. If you are planning to own a cottage, consider your proximity to the waters so you can select a safe area to build it.

Doing so will make you love your cozy abode instead of traveling from time to time to beautiful islands like Boracay just so you can get a grasp of that beachy ambiance. With these tips and decor ideas, you can now bring closer to yourself the seascape atmosphere.

Filipino workers will receive a higher take-home pay this 2023 under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion or the TRAIN Law. This means that middle-class Filipino consumers will have increased savings and can spend more.

If your want to know more about the updated income tax rates, continue reading this article.

What is the TRAIN LAW Philippines?

Republic Act No. 10963 or the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) law under the Comprehensive Tax Reform Program is one of the tax reforms to the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended or the Tax Code. This tax reform package introduced changes in personal income tax (PIT), estate tax, donor’s tax, value-added tax (VAT), documentary stamp tax (DST), and excise tax on sweetened beverages, tobacco products, mineral products, petroleum, automobiles, sweetened beverages, and cosmetic procedures. Thus, it is a law seeking to correct deficiencies in the Philippines’ tax system to have a simpler, more efficient, and effective tax system.

The TRAIN law corrected the inequity of the tax system by the reduction of income taxes and by giving relief to income taxpayers after 20 years of non-adjustment of the tax rates. This law also raises revenues to fund the President’s priority infrastructure programs to reduce poverty incidents from 21.6% in 2014 to 14% by 2022.

The incremental revenues of the TRAIN law will be allotted to the Philippines’ “Build, Build, Build Program,” and the balance will go to social service programs.

What is an Income Tax?

An Income Tax is a tax on a person’s income, emoluments, profits from property, the practice of profession, the action of doing business, or on the pertinent items of gross income provided in the Tax Code of 1997, as amended, less the deduction by the Tax Code or special laws.

Who are Required to File Income Tax Returns?

Individuals

• Individuals who receive pure compensation income from two or more employers, either at the same time or at different times within the taxable year.
• Individuals who receive pure compensation income, regardless of the amount, from one or multiple employers during the calendar year, where the income tax was not correctly withheld resulting in a collectible or refundable return.
• Self-employed individuals who earn income from conducting trade or business and/or practicing a profession.
• Individuals who receive mixed income, which includes compensation income and income from conducting trade or business and/or practicing a profession.
• Individuals who receive other non-business or non-professional-related income in addition to compensation income, which is not subject to a final tax.
• Individuals who receive purely compensation income from one employer, even if the income was correctly withheld, but their spouse is not entitled to substituted filing.
• People who are non-resident citizens and receive income from sources within the Philippines.
• Aliens, whether they are residents or not, who receive income from sources within the Philippines.

Non-Individuals

• All corporations, including partnerships, regardless of how they were created or organized.
• Domestic corporations that receive income from sources in and outside the Philippines.
• Foreign corporations that receive income from sources within the Philippines.
• Estates and trusts that are engaged in trade or business.

What are the salient provisions of the TRAIN Law?

The prominent features of the TRAIN Law are lower PIT and higher consumption tax. As introduced by the law, individual taxpayers with an annual income tax not exceeding Php 250,000 are exempted from income tax. The law introduced consumption taxes in the form of higher excise tax on sweetened beverages, petroleum production, invasive cosmetic procedure, and non-essentials. The TRAIN Law also repealed exemption provisions in several special laws, thereby expanding the VAT Base.

What are the New Income Tax Rates?

Those earning Php 250,000 are still exempted from paying taxes. But those earning more than Php 250,000 to over Php 8 million will pay taxes based on the new income tax rates for 2023:

• 15% of the excess of Php 250,000 for those who earn over Php 250,000 to Php 400,000
• Php 22,500 + 20% of the excess over Php 400,000 for those who earn Php 400,000 to Php 800,000
• Php 102,500 + 25% of the excess over Php 800,000 for those who earn over Php 800,000 to Php 2 million
• Php 402,500 + 30% of the excess over Php 2 million for those who earn over Php 2 million to Php 8 million
• Php 2,202,500 + 35% of the excess over Php 8 million for those who earn over Php 8 million

The TRAIN Law will lower the personal income tax (PIT) to around five percent for those who earn between Php 250,000 and Php 2 million yearly. According to Manila Bulletin’s report, Rep. Joey Salceda, the chairman of the House Committee on Ways and Means, reported that the tax cuts will provide higher disposable income for Filipino families by an estimated Php 32 billion. He added that the tax cut will result in more consumer spending and more savings.

However, the top individual taxpayers in the country, or those earning more than Php 8 million, will have a higher tax rate of 35% from the previous 32%. Despite this increase, tax experts pointed out that the government can bring in more revenues for the country’s post-pandemic recovery plan.

Proper observance of the new withholding tax rates is required and subject to strict compliance by the Bureau of Internal Revenue. Employers who used the old tax rates from the NIRC are required to return excess deductions incurred from the old rates to their employees. Otherwise, they can be prosecuted if their employees file complaints for incorrect or wrongful deductions or non-compliance with the new mandate.

What is the Effect of the New Tax Rate?

According to Salceda, the TRAIN PIT cuts will serve as a cushion for workers from the contribution hikes. For one, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (Philhealth) will adjust its contribution rate from 4% to 4.5%. The increase serves as the agency’s primary care benefit package, which should provide free consultation, laboratory tests, medicines, and health risk screening.

Another agency that will have a contribution hike will be Social Security System (SSS). Beginning January 2023, SSS members will face a higher contribution rate of 14% from the previous 13%. This contribution will be beneficial for SSS members as they will have higher benefits. SSS President and CEO Michael Regino said that the four-stage contribution hike allows the SSS to be funded for the future needs of its members. The Social Security Act of 2018 also provides that a raise of contribution to 15% is mandated by 2050.

PhilHealth will also make contribution adjustments until 2025 pursuant to the Universal Health Care Law.

Other Tax Updates and Modernized BIR

The filing and payment of VAT returns shall be done on a quarterly basis under the TRAIN Law. Thus, the filing of the monthly Value Added Tax Returns is not required anymore starting January 2023. Rappler reports that VAT taxpayers need to file four Quarterly Value Added Tax Returns due within 25 days following the close of each taxable quarter.

Electronic invoicing is another provision the TRAIN Law will implement this year. The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) established the Electronic Invoicing/Receipting System (EIS) to help taxpayers to report sales data to the BIR electronically.

The EIS will be only used by taxpayers who must issue e-receipts or e-invoices. These businesses are those involved in the exportation of goods and services, e-commerce, and those under the jurisdiction of the Large Taxypayer’s Service (LTS).

The BIR also launched the Online Registration and Update System (ORUS) last year. This system allows taxpayers to register or update personal information. ORUS can be also used to issue Tax Identification Numbers (TIN) to foreign individuals, security authority to print receipts, and register books of accounts starting in 2023.

Get the Latest Updates from Brittany Corporation

Visit Brittany Corporation’s website, LinkedIn, and Youtube accounts to get the latest updates on the Philippines.

If you are interested in acquiring real estate properties in the Philippines, Brittany Corporation has house and lot properties for sale that are worth the price. You may contact us at 55-8BRITT loc. 0335-36 to know more about our luxury homes.

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Who does not love travelling? Going from one place to another. May it be for work, personal agenda, vacation, or else, we love getting to new places! But after the pandemic, travel restrictions have been lifted to ensure that the health of every Filipino and even visitors from other countries will be safe and ensured.

Last December 05, 2022, the Philippine government in response to the guidelines of the IATF, has introduced a new system that will be used by people traveling to the Philippines. In replacement to the previous system called the One Health Pass, the E-Travel is a convenient way to get hold of the necessary requirements and organize them as they expect for more international tourists in the coming years.

What is the purpose of E-Travel?

The sole purpose of E-Travel Philippines is to simplify contact tracing. It is an electronic travel registration system that helps travelers to fill out personal information and health declaration. With the help of the databases, the system will easily detect if travelers have been afflicted to specific illnesses or diseases prior to their flight to the Philippines.

What is the requirement for E-Travel Philippines?

You must need to know that the registration in E-travel is individually done. Here are some of the requirements you need to fill out upon your arrival:

• First, you will need to enter your personal or biographical information.
• Second, you have to fill out your travel details. The country of origin, boarding tickets, and the like.
• Thirdly, you will be attaching some supporting documents of your vaccination status. Whether you have received a booster or not. You are also to attach a negative test result of your rapid antigen. This is for the health declaration purposes.

E-Travel QR Codes

After filling out the required information, you will then receive a QR code. QR codes may be green or red. For those who will receive a green QR, they are granted an express entry to the country where your Green QR Code will be scanned and marked with your arrival time and date. There might not be a need for a second interview or the filing of any paperwork.

While for those who will receive a red QR, if any prerequisites are missing, a Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ) employee will interview you when you arrive at the airport to manually check your information and decide if you need to submit to facility-based quarantine and RT-PCR testing.

How to Register for E-Travel Card Philippines

You have to fill out your personal information and travel details not more than 72 hours prior to your departure to the Philippines. If in case you are not able to do so, staffs of the Bureau of Quarantine or airport personnels are there to assist you with the completion of your E-travel registration. The step-by-step process is this:

Check out etravel.gov.ph.

1. Depending on your nationality, choose “Philippine passport holder” or “Foreign passport holder.”
2. Press “Continue” after providing your trip information and email address.
3. To finish registration, enter your personal information and sign a health declaration form.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the most important function that the e-Travel platform is supposed to serve?

In keeping with a determination by Filipino health authorities to streamline the arrival procedure, the e-Travel Registration will likewise be simpler to complete and require less information. The new platform will soon be integrated with the system requirements of the Immigration and Customs agencies and feature a more user-friendly interface.

• Why should I bother to sign up for e-Travel?

Completing the e-Travel Registration within 72 hours before departing from your country of origin will guarantee you to avoid standing in long lineups at the airport. It also simplifies the access procedure for both visitors and authorities, requiring less time and effort from visitors to get the needed entry requirements and less labor from authorities to monitor and enforce these requirements.

Also, it offers up-to-date information on quarantine procedures, COVID-19 testing requirements, and other critical details regarding their destination so that visitors are always informed and ready for their journey.

• Who has high probable cause to get a Red QR code?

If you fall under one of the following categories, you will need to go through quarantine:

1. If you have not received the COVID-19 vaccine in its whole;
2. If you have received all of your recommended vaccinations, but your most recent dose was given fewer than 14 days before your trip to the Philippines; or
3. If you have had a COVID-19 vaccination in part;
4. If you display symptoms or indicators of COVID-19; or
5. If you are a minor and one of the aforementioned individuals is your guardian or parent,

• Is the installation of an app required to use the e-Travel platform in any capacity?

No, E-Travel is a web-based online platform and information system that is adaptable to mobile devices. All you need is a smartphone, tablet, laptop, or desktop computer. An internet browser on a PC or mobile device can be used to access the e-Travel.

• Is it possible for me to register a couple of days before my flight (that is, before I leave)?

Yes. Only three days (or 72 hours) before arriving in the Philippines are allowed for registration. Before boarding a flight, passengers are required to show identification that is a valid record of their e-Travel registration. Your most recent statement of health must have been made no more than 72 hours before arrival.

• Is it required that all of the information that E-Travel requests be provided, such as in the Health Declaration Checklist?

Yes. Despite the fact that additional questions about your age, traveler classification, itinerary, etc. were added, the system still categorizes you according to the IATF standards so that you can be helped or led by the health border officials when you arrive at the airport or harbor.

• I made an error. Will I still be able to make changes to my profile after successfully completing the registration?

You can still make changes to some of your information in the e-Travel through the “Access My Profile” link on the website as long as you haven’t been processed, validated, and labeled as arrived by the border health authorities (BOQ) in the e-Travel. Once you’ve been verified as having arrived and labeled as such by the quarantine officer, you won’t be able to alter your data. The data required for the issuance of your quarantine certificate is the majority of the editable information (i.e. arrival date, address, other personal info).

E-Travel System for Your Convenience

For visitors to the Philippines, the e-Travel app simplifies the procedure for fulfilling entrance criteria. The app’s registration process is easy to follow and includes step-by-step instructions that ask users for their passport details and a travel schedule. All tourists must fulfill the appropriate entrance requirements on the app, which include filling out their personal information, confirming their vaccination status or providing negative findings from a quick antigen test, and keeping track of quarantine conditions and procedures. All connected fees, including the price of COVID-19 tests and the methods for paying them, are also detailed in the e-Travel app.

By providing a one-stop system for entrance criteria and health/safety procedures, the e-Travel app streamlines travel to the Philippines. It improves the travel experience for visitors and promotes the expansion of tourism in the nation. To ensure a secure and enjoyable vacation, it’s critical for tourists to adhere to entrance rules and make use of the app.

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