Easy Ways To Increase Natural Light at Home

Natural light will always be a good choice than the artificial one. Not to mention it has a lot of advantages when used at home. It gives your room a rich, full spectrum hue that light bulbs can't duplicate. Moreover, natural light increases your serotonin levels, which would give you a pleasant or good feeling. Sad to say, not all homeowners can realize how important natural light is at home. Whether you are living in Nuvali, Alviera, any Ayala Land estate or any real estates in the Philippines, it is advisable for you to use natural light.

Fret not if your home is not designed with natural light in mind since there are simple ways on how you can achieve such light at home. To give you an idea, we list down some easy ways to increase natural light.

Paint your eaves white

The overhangs created by your roof outside your windows are the eaves. They are either left open or covered up with a horizontal soffit. Regardless, you can make increase natural light in every room of your home by painting it white. When you do, the painted eaves will reflect the light into your room. Moreover, since most eaves are angled toward the house, the curb-side appearance will bot be affected.

Use lighter, brighter interior wall and ceiling paints

If you think that light colors are boring, then you better think again. If you want to reflect natural light at home, then it is best for you to use bright colors. One of the best ways to increase a natural light at home is to paint your walls since Light Reflectance Value (LRV) can range from 100% for pure white down to 0% for black. And most importantly, try to avoid dark colors, it would only give a darker ambiance in your room.

Turn your walls into mirrors with higher gloss paint

Choosing the right color is crucial when it comes to increasing natural light at home. That means, you have to make sure to choose colors that would help reflect the light into your room, For many homeowners, they prefer to use glossy paint for their walls, since it gives them a mirror-like effect. And as we all know, mirrors reflect light.

Use glass or highly reflective tiles in your kitchen or bathroom backsplashes

Glass tiles are also one way you can do since it reflects natural light back into your home. Perhaps, you can install highly glossy ceramic tiles for a nearly equal reflective effect. However, never install these glasses if you do not know what and what not to do with it. If you are planning to go for glass tiles, make sure to seek help from home services or any professionals to install the tiles to make sure that it would be fitted properly.

Replace wall space with glass

This project may not be that easy to fix, but this is one of the most efficient ways to increase natural light at home. Through replacing sections of your exterior wall with glass block, it would bring in a fair amount of natural light than not having it replaced. Since glass block is not a structural replacement for a wall stud system, the headers must be installed over the block sections to ensure it would work out.

Install skylights in your ceiling

Skylights are an ideal and practical way of increasing natural light. In fact, skylights or "windows for roof" are not only they give us the light that we needed, but it also adds beauty to the interior design of your home.

See? Homeowners who do not have enough natural light at home can already achieve a desirable outcome through following these tips mentioned above.

Inspiring Nature Quotes - How to Invite Nature Into Your Life

Have you been in any homes in Laguna? Have you seen how these homes are so close to nature you can literally breathe it? Indeed, there are several perks to being one with nature. Perhaps, the nature quotes below will inspire you in inviting nature into your life.

The purpose of life is undoubtedly to know oneself. We cannot do it unless we learn to identify ourselves with all that lives. The sum-total of that life is God. ~Mahatma Gandhi

Just living is not enough... one must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower. ~Hans Christian Andersen

On earth there is no heaven, but there are pieces of it. ~Jules Renard

Nature holds the key to our aesthetic, intellectual, cognitive and even spiritual satisfaction. ~E. O. Wilson

Nature always wears the colors of the spirit. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

One of the most tragic things I know about human nature is that all of us tend to put off living. We are all dreaming of some magical rose garden over the horizon instead of enjoying the roses that are blooming outside our windows today. ~Dale Carnegie

Every flower is a soul blossoming in nature. ~Gerard De Nerval

Green is the prime color of the world, and that from which its loveliness arises. ~Pedro Calderon de la Barca

To me a lush carpet of pine needles or spongy grass is more welcome than the most luxurious Persian rug. ~Helen Keller

An early morning walk is a blessing for the whole day. ~Henry David Thoreau

I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order. ~John Burroughs

I will be the gladdest thing under the sun. I will touch a hundred flowers and not pick one. ~Edna St. Vincent Millay

To sit in the shade on a fine day and look upon the verdant green hills is the most perfect refreshment. ~Jane Austin

I myself am quite absorbed by the delicate yellow, delicate soft green, delicate violet of a ploughed and weeded piece of soil. ~Vincent van Gogh

I am in love with the green earth. ~Charles Lamb

Sounds of the wind or sounds of the sea make me happy just to be. ~June Polis

Nature is the art of God. ~Dante Alighieri

Man is not himself only... He is all that he sees; all that flows to him from a thousand sources... He is the land, the lift of its mountain lines, the reach of its valleys. ~Mary Austin

We inter-breath with the rain forests, we drink from the oceans. They are part of our own body. ~Thich Nhat Hanh

One touch of nature makes the whole world kin. ~William Shakespeare

Your deepest roots are in nature. No matter who you are, where you live, or what kind of life you lead, you remain irrevocably linked with the rest of creation. ~Charles Cook

There is something of the marvelous in all things of nature. ~Aristotle

The world is mud-luscious and puddle-wonderful. ~E.E. Cummings

And forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair. ~Kahlil Gibran

It was in the forest that I found "the peace that passeth understanding." ~Jane Goodall

Wisdom begins in wonder. ~Socrates

Now I see the secret of the making of the best persons. It is to grow in the open air, and to eat and sleep with the earth. ~Walt Whitman

I want to realize brotherhood or identity not merely with the beings called human, but I want to realize identity with all life, even with such beings as crawl on earth. ~Mahatma Gandhi

Never a day passes but that I do myself the honor to commune with some of nature's varied forms. ~George Washington Carver

As long as I live, I'll hear waterfalls and birds and winds sing. I'll interpret the rocks, learn the language of flood, storm, and the avalanche. I'll acquaint myself with the glaciers and wild gardens, and get as near the heart of the world as I can. ~John Muir

3 Famous Bike Trails Near Manila

Mountain biking Philippines is common nowadays especially during weekends. Unsurprisingly, bike trails within the metro started to sprout. Within the metro, La Mesa Nature Reserve and UP Diliman are among the bikers’ favorites. However, if you been riding for a while and looking for more challenging trails and yet you don’t want to go far, then biking near Manila is the next best thing. Here are some of the famous bike trails just a few pedals away from the metropolis.

1) Timberland in San Mateo, Rizal

Timberland has SWIMBA-type bike trails. Some bikers call it the Maarat trail which was categorized into Timberland Basic, Timberland Blue, Timberland Green and Pestano. Of the four, Blue is the most famous. Timberland Blue is not the easiest trail to ride because of its flows, techs and bamboo bridges. For more experienced bikers, you can try the Wall, Antenna and Patiis trails. Biking up the Wall is a brutally fun ride, climbing up about 2 kilometers until you reach Timberland Clubhouse. 

Going there is easy. Turn to Commonwealth Avenue. Along the avenue are signs instructing you on how to go to Timberland Heights. Upon reaching the Sandiganbayan building, turn right. Turn right once more upon reaching Batasan. Go straight ahead to Timberland Heights.

2) Marilaque

Marilaque stands for Manila, Rizal, Laguna and Quezon. This expansive track is for those bikers who are itching to put on the miles. The best part is, after passing through Cogeo in lower Antipolo, you will enjoy the scenery especially from Boso-Boso to Tanay to Laguna.

There are many trails along the way a biker may get confused as to which one to take. Nonetheless, the best one is Sta. Ines. Part of Sta. Ines is in Antipolo, and another part is in Tanay. If you are riding from Antipolo, you need to ride along Marcos Highway and then, turn left at Sta. Ines Road. If you are coming from Tanay, you may bike along Boso-Boso Road and just turn right at Sta. Ines Road.

The trail ends at a waterfall. It will take about 20 kilometers from the main road to the falls. Along the way, you will need to cross shallow watercourses at least twelve times before you get there. Don’t ride if heavy rains are expected as flashfloods may occur.

3) Nuvali in Sta. Rosa, Laguna

Nuvali is a mixed-used development just 1 to 1.5 hours away from Metro Manila. Nuvali offers off-road and leisure biking. The first one is a 50-kilometer course intended for the pro. Nonetheless, for the beginners who enjoy the scenic view while biking, the second one is more appropriate. The leisure bike trail is only 30 kilometers in length.

Nuvali encourages bikers to bring their own bike especially for off-road biking. However, gears and bikes are available for rent (Php60/hour) within the premises. Leisure bikers will pass along the other attractions at Nuvali such as a man-made lake where you can feed kois and the sanctuary where you can do bird watching. You will also see lush greeneries and feel the cool air on your face while biking.

The environment is biker-friendly, and the trails are 100% newbie-friendly. You can go solo although bike tours can be arranged at the Fields Clubhouse. Registration is required at the Clubhouse.  

If you are seriously into mountain biking, why don’t you join local bikers’ groups. These groups organize both formal and informal rides. Some groups require a small membership fee, but that’s all worth it because you get to ride in different places within and outside Metro Manila. Anyhow, if you frequent Heroes Trail (Taguig), La Mesa, UP Diliman and Camp Aguinaldo trails, the three trails mentioned above will surely give you a boost to ride outside the metro.

Image credit: MTBR.com | BeyondOutdoorAdventures.com

More Reasons Why You Should Join Running Events

Participating in running events has immense and long-term benefits. Even those who constantly join these events do not sure for sure what are the specific benefits of participating on such activities. Well, they join fun runs, for instance, because their friends ask them to join. At times, a club or association forces them to participate in the said activity. Would it be nice to know what you are running for exactly? Here are some of the reasons for joining these events.

1) Running events are for a good cause.

Many a times the activities are organized to support a great cause or advocacy. In some instances, the beneficiaries are the most vulnerable groups in our society. These are often the people, groups and communities who badly need seed funds, reinforcements and awareness. When you join, you are not only improving your physicality, but also are also contributing to a worthy cause.

2) Running events are great for bonding.

These events are fun because you get to do it with family, friends, co-workers, etc. Some events are even categorized into tandem and relay categories. Evidently, the fun part is not solely because of running together, but more in strategizing together to finish the race. Remember? Running is not all about winning, but finishing. READ SOMEWHERE: The family that runs together, stays together. Indeed.

3) Running events are complete with perks and freebies.

Upon paying the registration fee, you will be entitled to the custom-designed shirt and other running paraphernalia that the organizers prepare to come with the fee. That’s not all, however, because on race day itself, runners will be handed lots of freebies from water jugs to towels to slippers.

4) Running events are good for your health.

This should be the first, but for obvious reasons, it was put last. Running helps in building stronger bones and strengthening muscles. Aside from helping in maintaining a healthy weight, running also improves the person’s cardiovascular fitness. It raises the levels of good cholesterol and decreases that of the bad cholesterol. Running thereby improves the overall health.

Further, there are those who prefer to run alone since running is their ultimate ‘me’ time. Let me say that joining the events could be the best thing that a runner can do. Running along with co-runners instigate an overall improvement in one’s performance. Not to mention, running with others provide enduring companionship that running alone cannot necessarily provide. The motivation to run will not be there always. But knowing that others will be there to run with you, you’ll surely get yourself out the door quick.

Running activities are complete with a plethora of sub-events that can get the competitive juices continuously flowing. The moral support of your family and friends alone can be the unyielding difference that separates a great run from a good run despite competing with higher level runners than you are. The opportunity of running itself with the big wigs in the running community is a pride in itself. What more when you win the race? Even when you are not running to compete, the freedom of doing it whenever and wherever you want is enough motivation.

Each participant’s reason for running is diverse. Whatever your reason may be in wearing that trainers and hitting the trails, there are compelling reasons why running in group helps in making the running experience itself much better. Running is encouraged to improve one’s physical health. Nonetheless, it is one way of supporting an advocacy. The best part is you get to do it with your loved ones and each one of you will not go home empty handed.

Image credit: RunMania.ph

Finding an Eco-Friendly Office Space for Rent in the Philippines

In establishing and projecting a professional image, a professional environment is required more so for frequent meetings with prospective clients. Regrettably, there are pitfalls to finding and renting office spaces that you should avoid as much as possible. Consider the following factors when choosing eco-friendly office space for rent Philippines.

Logically, finding the most appropriate office space is not without difficulties. What more if your office is an active figure in the green movement? There are not as many choices when it comes to finding environmentally-friendly offices. Here’s a simple SPACE test to guide you in the finding the right office.

S – Savings

Savings on the rental costs is possible. For instance, you may start by negotiating the upfront deposit especially if you are going to pay a year’s lease in advance. You can save further by opting for office spaces with ready-to-work workstations equipped with the required furnishing and equipment. The best office space is the one that takes care of the maintenance services.

Nonetheless, you can save more if the office rental business prioritizes energy-efficient systems. For example, there are not many elevators in the office building since it promotes the use of stairs. Some eco-friendly office has stairs logistically facing the open spaces or overlooking greeneries.

P – Productivity

Traditional offices help in bolstering staff’s motivation, drive and productivity. Telecommute is an ideal way to save on overhead costs. However, if you prefer to have your staff in-house, then might as well choose an office that can contribute greatly to the staff productivity.

Anyhow, working in a green office and environment alone can boost the productivity levels of the staff. A research showed that employees working in an eco-friendly company are 16% more productive than those working in a conventional firm.   

A – Address

Office address in locations like Makati establishes prestige. However, setting up the corporate office in this location may be cost-prohibitive. Alternatively, you can choose cheaper locations but bring the same level of prestige. Just make sure that the location is still accessible to your prospects and clients, so they too can shrink their carbon footprint. On the other hand, make sure that the services that your business needs and will need in the future are also close to your location.

A great example is Evotech in Nuvali Laguna. Nuvali is an eco-community with mixed-use purposes. Laguna is known for its techno-parks and Evotech is not an exemption. Thus, Evotech is an ideal place for business process outsourcing and information technology/information technology-enabled services (IT/ITES) companies.

C – Clauses

Office rental businesses have their respective stipulations. As always, when renting, read the fine print before signing the lease contract. Make sure that you understand each and every clause in the contract.

Going back to the previous example, Nuvali, specifically Lakeside Evozone, is a PEZA zone. PEZA stands for Philippine Economic Zone Authority. There are certain design restrictions that must be followed diligently if you want to be eligible for tax exemptions. Yes, that’s more savings for you!

E – Expansion

In the future, you might need to expand the office space. Determine if this is allowed or not. Make sure that there are provisions for expansion otherwise you might need to transfer to a new location. Oppositely, if you need to downsize, make sure that the office rental management allows sub-leasing the excess spaces.

Renting an eco-friendly office space not only raises your business profile. Instead, it lets other stakeholders know of your business advocacies early on. It highlights the fact that you mean business and yet without causing too much strain on Mother Earth. Nonetheless, it should be a genuine commitment on your part; not just for show off!

Image credits: Jitwave.com | CubeMe.com | RatestoGo.com

PEZA Zones - What You Need to Know About Them

PEZA, which stands for Philippine Economic Zone Authority, is the implementing agency established in helping promote investments in the manufacturing industry. The agency assists investors from the registration to facilitation of the business. It also provides tax incentives for businesses that will embrace the establishment of a presence here in the Philippines specifically on PEZA zones. We’ll dig deeper on what PEZA is, its features and benefits.

Overview

The basic philosophy behind import and export is import is inward and export is outward. The Philippines is a customs territory that imports and exports goods. In eco-zones, anything going outside of the zones are considered as exports and anything going inside are imports.

Nonetheless, the philosophy behind PEZA eco-zones is not just merely about encouraging foreign direct investments. Instead, the eco-zones are created to reflect sustainable development in the Philippines like that of Lakeside EvoZone in Laguna. Operating on PEZA zones are not only about reducing operating costs, it is also about improving occupant productivity, enhancing asset, boosting profits and optimizing economic performance lifecycle.

Aside from PEZA zones, there are also PEZA approved companies and PEZA approved buildings. The companies and buildings go through a rigorous process of accreditation before it can be declared as PEZA approved. The President is the one to proclaim if an area (or zone) is an eco-zone, but the agency will declare if the company or building is approved. As of June 30, 2013, there are 289 economic zones in the country:

• 2 medical tourism parks/centers
• 17 tourism economic zones
• 18 agroindustrial economic zones
• 65 manufacturing economic zones
• 187 IT parks/centers

Evidently, not all kinds of businesses are registrable. PEZA chooses which among the business operations may register as an eco-zone. If your business falls in any of these categories, then you should consider registering with PEZA and reap the benefits of doing such.

Prior registration

The establishment of the business operations is not automatic. There are two ways a business by which a business can register. First, it can file application papers during incorporation with SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) and second, after SEC registration. Upon registration, various documents will be required depending on the nature of operation and approval. Aside from SEC documents, business plans and maps may be required. The business must establish its operation in a PEZA zone or PEZA building to qualify.

Upon registration, the business activities that an entity engages into are registered and not necessarily the entity. If a firm engages in more than one business activity, separate registrations for each activity are required. This means the firm will not qualify to the incentives for its non-registered business activities.

One-stop and non-stop shops

As a one-stop shop, PEZA issues:

1. Building and occupancy permit
2. Import and export permit
3. Non-immigrant visa
4. Environment clearance

PEZA also employs harmonized customs processes since it has a memorandum of agreement with the Bureau of Customs. It also has a memorandum of agreement with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. Business permits are waived for companies operating in PEZA zones.
As a non-stop shop, PEZA provides 24/7 continuous service to companies. All officials are on-call 24/7.

Fiscal and non-fiscal incentives

A certificate of registration will be provided by PEZA for those business activities that are deemed compliant with the requirements. The terms and conditions including the incentives are detailed on the certificate. Fiscal incentives include:

• Income tax holiday

Tax holidays are provided in specific durations such as 3, 4 and 6 years. The tax holiday is also subject to extension under specific circumstances. PEZA registered companies are not liable to pay 30% income tax.

• Special income tax

Upon the tax holiday expiration, PEZA registered companies are liable to pay 5% special income tax. The percentage is based on the company’s defined gross income wherein only specific expenses (as enumerated) are deductible from gross sales.

• Value added tax

Purchases of goods and services required for the utility of the registered activities receive 0% VAT.

• Exemptions

PEZA registered companies are exempted from withholding taxes on payments of the local buyers from the otherwise customs territory. These are also exempted from paying government fees including permits and licenses.

• Duty free import

Further, the non-fiscal incentives include simplified import-export procedures, employment of foreign nationals and issuance of special non-immigrant visas to the employees. Apart from state-of-the-art building and facilities, the eco-zones are fully-secured and with adequate, un-interrupted power and water supplies.


Economic growth and development has a huge impact on the natural environment. The Earth’s ecosystem is now approaching a critical stage if it is not at it already. Our government, including all of us, must do its share. Urbanization is challenging, but we can always look for ways to conserve our resources. If it means operating businesses on eco-zones where consumption is strictly regulated, then so be it.

Tree Planting 101: It Takes More Than Just Digging Holes on the Ground (Part 1)

If there is one activity that coincides with Earth Day that would be tree planting. Billions of trees are planted every year to compensate the unfortunate fact that billions of decade-old trees are uprooted to make way for buildings, malls, parking lots, etc. Tree planting in the Philippines is a common practice especially among the local industries, but do we really know the essence of tree planting per se?

Planting is simple, and yet organizing a tree planting activity that transcends beyond gender, age, class and even industry is no easy feat.  Here are the basics on how to organize the activity and make it a success. Before we proceed, however, let’s understand what tree planting really is, its benefits, importance etc.

What is tree planting?

Tree planting is an act of planting seedlings. It can form part of reforestation activities involving the community and the local, national or international government. Participants of a tree planting activity, for instance, are usually volunteers.  

What are its benefits?

The mere act of planting helps Mother Earth in many ways. Here are some of the benefits of planting trees.

- Filtering air pollution

- Aiding in water recycling

- Preventing soil loss

- Creating shade

- Providing animal homes

- Making food for both humans and animals

Why tree planting is important?

Without trees, there will be no life. FACT: Trees provide the air we breathe. A tree can produce about 260 lbs. of oxygen in a year enough to support 2 people. Essentially, we – humans – must ensure that we make up for the trees we cut and uproot. Planting trees, therefore, is our responsibility since we consume the biggest benefit of such!

Who can plant trees?

Anyone can be a tree planter. It’ll only take 5 to 10 minutes to learn how to plant a tree properly. Some organizers are distributing learning materials long before the actual date of the activity. Some chose to create a video and post on their social media profiles.

If performed correctly, we can restore deforested areas and thus create ecologically-sustainable resources to use today and in the future.

When should trees be planted?

Trees can be planted any time of the year. However, the right time may depend on the type of trees that you want to plant. In the Philippines, the planting season is from June to January when the climate is not too hot and not too cold.

If you are going to plant a tree alone, you might as well do it on an important date such as your birthday, your parents’ anniversary, etc. if you want, you may do it with a loved one. Through this, you can make the activity more memorable. Just always consider the weather. You don’t want your sapling to drown from excessive rainfall. Saplings do best when they are exposed to mild to moderate temperature.

Where trees should be planted?

The right planting sites generally differ although the most common areas are personal gardens, parks, schools, church grounds and workplaces. You might have to ask for the property managers or caretakers before you may plant a tree on that area.

For organized tree planting activities, it is the responsibility of the organizers to scout for locations and accomplish documents of approval before proceeding to plant. In most cases, however, organizers already have a place in mind, and the vastness of the area dictates how many saplings and volunteers are needed to plant the whole area.

In the Philippines, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon are the most common choices of tree planting sites. Nonetheless, there are organizers who prefer conducting the activity in the city where volunteers can plant trees on roadsides, river banks, etc.

That’s pretty much the basics of tree planting. In the second part, we will discuss how you can go about organizing a tree planting activity.