Buri Beach: The Unusual Puerto Galera Escapade

I remember my first time in Puerto Galera was spent on the White Beach for a company summer outing a few years back. But, my longtime friend, Ate Rita has been bugging me that she wanted to go to Puerto Galera, too. I told myself that, if I go on a trip with Ate Rita, I don't like to go to the crowded White Beach anymore. So, I made a little research on the prime beach spots in Puerto Galera, and my quest led me to this elegant beach resort, Buri Beach Resort. 

Buri Beach Resort in Puerto Galera is indeed an ideal place for relaxation. We visited the site around December so, traveling by sea was quite wavy. Plus, the way to Buri Beach Resort was the unusual route. To get to Buri Beach, they say that you really have to pass through the waviest part of Batangas-Mindoro sea. It was the longest 2-hour boat ride of my life! From Batangas pier, we hopped down to Muelle pier and then from Muelle pier, a private boat was waiting for us to reach Buri Beach Resort. Alternatively, we booked our boat tickets through the Sicat Bus Transport which was connected with a hotel in Ermita, Manila (sorry I forgot the name of the hotel). They ferry hotel guests by a private bus and then, book the boat tickets for the group. So, we settled for this kind of arrangement just to make sure that we get to Muelle pier in time. Also, during that time we were unsure if there are boats bound to Muelle pier if we are going by ourselves. 

Surprisingly, the short boat ride from Muelle pier to the resort was very peaceful. The scenery also reminded me of Coron, Palawan. 

When you get to the resort, this very cozy pool will welcome you. The accommodations are uphill so, you have to climb several steps to reach the villas. You will feel very close to nature with green surroundings, and it is really an excellent place to retreat from your busy schedule.

We got the Garden Villa which was priced at Php 6000 to 7000 per night and suitable for 2 persons. It was the exclusivity and peaceful time that we were after and so, we did not mind paying for the amount. The Garden Villa is a two-story apartment-like accommodation. There is a veranda, and the big sliding door leads you to the bed. At the back, you will see the outdoor bathroom and stairs leading up the second floor, which can still accommodate 2 more persons but for an additional charge.

We decided to avail of the massage services, which was a bit pricey. Prices range from Php 450 to 1500, depending on the type of massage. We availed of the foot spa/massage as it was the cheapest just to try out what it was like. We were led to the spa area, and it was like a herbal treatment where leaves were applied to the legs.

spa area

view of the villas from the pool area

Buri Beach Resort can be considered really one of the best resorts in Puerto Galera. However, I didn't find anything unique in their restaurant. The ambiance was very nice but food was a bit expensive. Every meal would cost Php 200 per person and it was the usual dishes like roasted chicken, seafood, fish, barbecue, sisig and all the typical food you can think of. We didn't have much choice but to eat in the restaurant because bringing of food (from other establishments) is not allowed in the resort.

Restaurant

dinner

watermelon shake

This was one of the most expensive villas.

Overall, Buri Beach Resort is indeed a good weekend getaway to refresh your mind and body. It is an ideal place for friends, family, and couples. I loved it because it is far from the usual crowded Puerto Galera beach. This is the place where you get pure peace and relaxation at its finest. 

Weekend Getaway at Acuatico Beach Resort Batangas

I have been very blessed to travel in different places around the Philippines, more specifically the pristine white beaches. Traveling is even more exciting when it is shared with great people, to catch up and to simply have fun. This trip to Acuatico Beach Resort - Batangas, I must say, is one of the short-distance trips where we splurged a lot. It was a long-planned trip, so we had time to save up for it and enjoy our hard-earned money. 

Acuatico Beach Resort is one of the prime beach resorts in Laiya, Batangas. The moment we set foot in the place, we were able to say to ourselves that every penny we spent was truly worth it. 

                                                                                                                  

This is what will welcome you as you enter the lobby of Acuatico Beach Resort.

                                                                 

Laiya is quite tricky but to reach if you do not have a private transportation. In our case, we took the commute route. There were four of us who travelled from Manila and then, we hopped down at Lipa City. There was this bus and fx terminal just across Robinsons Mall Lipa City. Then, from there take the van going to Laiya. 

In our case we just added a few more bucks as the driver agreed to take us directly to Acuatico Beach Resort. I think we spent around Php 400 to 500 from Manila to Acuatico.

I don't have the full room details but, we got the Php 12,500 room (good for 4 persons). Yes, it was costly for an overnight stay but, as I've said you will just get the total value for your money and the well-deserved relaxation time. Acuatico Beach Resort will make you feel like you are in a really exclusive place, peaceful and employees were friendly. This is one corner of the room. It was like a two-story small house/villa. When you enter the door, it was like a mini lobby, area for drying clothes and  shared bathroom. Located on the second floor is the bedroom. There were 2 double beds, cable tv and air condition. The interior was minimalist and very dainty. You may also check out Acuatico's website for the accommodation details: http://www.acuaticoresort.com.ph/accommodation.php

I think this picturesque view of the pool and villas is the Acuatico Beach Resort trademark. Everything seemed so perfect, if it weren't for the rainy weather. 

the pool

the bar in the middle of the pool (at night)

the bar in the middle of the pool

the view from our villa

The next pictures will showcase the Acuatico Resort restaurant. Take note, everything is buffet. And every buffet meal costs Php 500 per person. They have ala carte meals for children, though. We actually thought it was way too costly but, once you taste the food they serve, you won't regret every single centavo you spent. There were a lot of food options, mostly are Filipino dishes. Desserts were very yummy! It was one of the things I really enjoyed. Excuse my bias for desserts. :) 

The Kare-Kare was exceptional. And they don't repeat the same dish over and over. So, you are guaranteed of an excellent quality, sumptuous meal. 

Overall, Acuatico Beach Resort can be quite far to be reached by public transportation. The room and food can be pricey but, I do not mind repeating it all over again that, you really get your money's worth. The exclusivity, class, luxury and treatment due to a king and queen are all part of this perfect weekend getaway. The resort is very ideal for family, friends and couples. If I had enough money to splurge, I'd stay here perhaps twice a year just to unwind and get a breath of fresh air. Two thumbs up for Acuatico Beach Resort!

How to Get Approval for Google Adsense - My Personal Experience

Way back my college years between 2000 to 2004, I attempted to construct a blog site but I ended up writing one entry only for every new blog site that is introduced. The routine has always been like that, signing up for a new account for whatever blog site is most popular and blogging about stuff reaching up to only one page and then no more. 

When I started reading Bo Sanchez's blogs, I was exposed to different ways on how to earn money through the internet. Then, I stumbled upon names of people I have no idea of (back then) like the Philippine's Online Marketing Guru Mr. Jomar Hilario. I read about his blogs and participated in the free webinars he would give from time to time. In other words, I was convinced that I can really earn extra money through the internet. Back in the early 2000, I was reading all about how to make money from blogging and stuff. Then, I researched more on the topic and eventually learned about Google Adsense. When I started out taking jobs on oDesk, I had several projects wherein I was tasked to blog for different websites. Now, I get the whole picture why people from all over the world would take time publishing different articles online. 

I'd post about how to get approval for Google Adsense based on my own personal experience. As I have mentioned, it was several years back when I tried blogging but it did not work out. In 2011, along with my several applications on oDesk, I revived my blogging habit. I was thinking of keeping a blog site as a personal portfolio ONLY and not for public consumption. But, my hopes to get paid for blogging was rekindled. Day by day, I tried to fill up pages of my blogger account with different entries that I can think of. I mean, that was one tip I got --- for beginners who do not know what to blog about, just write anything under the sun; your experiences for the day, your favorite tv show, what you ate for lunch, an inspiring message or childhood memories. It can be about anything. In my case, I love to blog about my travel adventures and experiences from oDesk projects. 


However, if you are applying for Google Adsense, here are a few of my personal tips:

1. Your blog site should have a catchy title. The title/subtitle should reflect what the reader is about to read or what the site is all about.

2. The "About Me" section is critical for readers to know who is behind every article they are reading.

3. Start blogging NOW! Remember that your blog entries should point out a particular theme. There are many blogs on "How To's" and these are usually the ones who gain attention from readers. Actually, you can blog about anything as long as your site has a specific theme that caters to a particular audience. 

4. Avoid grammatical errors. Proofread your work before publishing it. Your site will increase more credibility if it appears to be professionally done and with limited mistakes.

5. Blog everyday for the rest of your life. This is something I had difficulty doing. But, I tried my best to maintain the site and write as often as I can. 

6. Keep your site as clean as possible. Include "gadgets" which are only crucial like email catcher and share buttons (i.e. facebook, twitter and other social media sites) to gain popularity. Do not include those that will just make your site appear confusing. 

7. On a more technical aspect, when you apply for google adsense, it is most likely that you are going to fill-up forms. Make sure that you declare information that pertains to yourself as correctly as possible.

8. If it is your first time to apply, most likely you will get denied of your application (just like me!). Do not lose hope, just continue writing and posting blogs!

9. Take note that your blog contents should tackle a particular theme and should keep up with google adsense guidelines.

10. Be PATIENT in trying to apply and re-apply (only if you get disapproved). 

It took me one year before my blog site was finally approved for adsense. I think the key is to keep on blogging and be patient with the procedures. Now, I can finally say that Adsense has inspired me to write more meaningful blogs. 

Tips on Time Management Especially for those Working at Home

I must admit that taking projects on oDesk can be a bit overwhelming because you would want to earn as much as you can. However, if you are working at home on a part time basis (like me), you should be able to efficiently assess how many projects you can do. This can help you build up a good track record that you can finish projects on time rather than take on several jobs which you cannot complete. It is both a frustration for you and for the client. When I was just new to oDesk, I tried to engage in several projects but it did not work out well because I was thinking that I had to work double time to submit on time. It was too late when I realized that I have taken too much work and neglected some projects already. Hence, I was unable to produce the expected output for one of my clients. There were times when I took one project after the other because I felt that I CAN STILL handle it but, unfortunately I can only do so much. From then on, I learned my lessons well. I took projects which are appropriate for my skills so, I can give the best for my clients. Luckily, many of my oDesk clients have been satisfied with what I submit to them.

But, one of the most important things that I realized too is time management. I am not an expert on the topic but, I must say that I have learned my lessons the hard way. As an independent contractor in oDesk, TIME MANAGEMENT is essential. It is not wrong to take on several projects all at the same time as long as you know how to prioritize which task must be prioritized (considering the deadline). In this way, you will not sacrifice the quality of your work and at the same time, satisfy your clients by submitting quality work right on schedule.

If you are still struggling with time management, here are a few tips that I can share with you (especially for those working at home/oDesk):

1. Make a list of your "Things to do"

The typical employee always have a list of the things to accomplish for the day. Even if you are working at home, maintaining a line up of tasks that needs to be done will be helpful to identify what projects are needed ASAP and which ones can wait. By doing this, you save yourself from the stress of thinking about the projects all at the same time.

2. Avoid the feeling of panic. Just focus on one task at a time.

When you have enlisted what task needs priority, then put all your concentration on that job alone. Do not be anxious that there are numerous works waiting. Yes, there are multiple projects to be accomplished but you have to stick with what you have on hand --- the one that needs to be done ASAP.

3. Set a time frame for each project.

Think of how much time you need to finish one project and stick to the set schedule. This will enable you to make use of the time properly.  You know yourself well, so only you can tell how much time is needed or how quick of a worker you are.

4. Always aim to finish ahead of the deadline.

There will always be demanding clients especially for those working at home (oDesk, in my case). Whether you are working by the hour or working at a fixed-price contract, always aim to finish ahead of the deadline. This will provide opportunity for you to have spare time relaxing for a while and then, take on additional tasks which means more income.

5. Do not procrastinate.

This is usually the problem for those working at home. You have a lot of temptation to delay the job. Your bed is easily accessible for a quick nap (which ends up extending your sleeping hours); internet is just in front of you to check what's new on facebook; magazines and newspapers at your home to read; the television can be easily turned on and tune in to your favorite tv show. There are plenty of reasons to procrastinate and delay the accomplishment of your projects. So, try to be strong and well-disciplined as possible in getting things done (especially the most important ones).

I am glad to share with you my personal struggles ever since I started working on oDesk. I know I have a long way to go before I can make it my full time job. But, time management especially for those working at home, is one key to be successful in this unique career path.

oDesk Withdrawal Method - My Personal Dilemma

I was due to withdraw my odesk earnings today, July 18. Ever since I started withdrawing funds from my odesk account, I always use the LFT or Local Funds Transfer wherein I directly receive payment through my Metrobank ATM. Unfortunately today, I admittedly was kind of thinking it was like a default setting that when I click "withdraw", it will be just the same. In short, I was not in my proper frame of mind (hehe!). However, when I checked the transaction history on odesk, I withdrew funds and transferred it to my PayPal account! I was angry at myself for being so absent-minded. I registered my Paypal account as a backup payment plan just in case clients would ask if I have such thing. But, to actually transfer fund from odesk to Paypal, I must say is such a hassle for a newbie like me.

My Paypal account is linked to my Union Bank EON Card. I have separately set up my Paypal and EON Card accounts since last year but have not really tried if it actually works. Now, I finally got a taste of how tedious this process is. It was a few months back since I last visited my Paypal account because I do not really use it that often. Good thing I was able to retrieve my password and saw that my odesk money was instantly transferred. The problem now is when I was trying to transfer fund to my EON Card (debit card), I could not push through with the transaction because Paypal system was asking me to verify my debit card through a 4-digit number. Unfortunately, I did not have my EON Card with me and could not check these magic numbers being asked from me to successfully transfer my money from Paypal to EON Card.

Nevertheless, here are the realizations I ended up with:

1. oDesk charges a bit higher amount when you withdraw earnings through Paypal as compared to LFT (Local Fund Transfer). If you withdraw through Paypal, odesk costs $1 whereas LFT is only $0.99. You might say that there is not much difference, anyway. But, if you are going to withdraw a large amount, the decimal point does matter.

2. Paypal's money conversion seemed a bit lower as compared to the dollar-peso rate applied through LFT. Usually, when I withdraw funds from oDesk to my Metrobank account, exchange rate is around $1 equivalent to Php 41 - 42. On the other hand, I noticed that Paypal's conversion rate is a dollar lower thus, $1 is equivalent to Php 40. Apart from this, you will be deducted of the respective remittance charge from your respective bank, like in my case, Metrobank that charges roughly around Php 75 to 80 once money is transmitted to my ATM. In Paypal, different charges apply for different banks too, but the lowest  rate is Union Bank which is Php 50 based on what I have read in other blogs. For other banks connected to your Paypal it may cost to above Php100.

3. For the price that you are going to pay, I would recommend the oDesk LFT withdrawal since the end result gives you a slightly lower odesk charge and remittance fee which in my case is Metrobank. I think the deducted amount is fine since I get to receive payment after 2 to 3 days only. Say for example, I withdraw my odesk money on a Wednesday therefore, I would receive it by Saturday of the same week.  Paypal has a 5 to 7 day allowance before your money is transferred to your debit card which is a bit longer waiting time.


Lessons learned: Withdraw my oDesk fund through LFT, ALWAYS! And most of all, always double check on what you are clicking before finalizing any withdrawal transaction.

Goodluck to others (out there) who are experimenting on oDesk withdrawal methods!

Subic Bay Weekend Get Away

It's been quite a while since my last entry. Since the Philippines is a tropical country, I think it is still worth-sharing what I have been up to and the places I have been to last summer season.

Subic is probably one of the most ideal places to go to for a weekend getaway. When I was searching for a sample Subic Bay itinerary, I got a bit confused that one part of Subic is in Zambales and the other one is the business district, Subic Bay Freeport Zone (SBMA). For this weekend vacay, we visited the SBMA area.


Transportation

Going to Subic is not as difficult to reach via public transport.  All you have to do is book a trip with Victory Liner (fare is around Php 280 one way). They have several trips from as early as 5:30am onwards. You do not have to make an advance booking which was what I had in mind. You can check Victory Liner's website for the trip schedules. However, another option would be the Saulog Bus Transit but, I am not really sure where the bus terminal is because we rode on this Saulog Bus (Subic bound) by accident. We were actually in Magallanes waiting for a cab that will take us to Victory Liner in Cubao. It would be more comfortable that way since Victory Liner Bus passes through SCTEX which will save us travel time. However, while waiting for the cab along Magallanes, a Saulog Bus stopped by, and the dispatcher was calling for Northbound passengers. I saw the signboard that says "Olongapo." Then, I asked the driver if it is headed to SBMA. He nodded and said that Saulog terminal is near SM Olongapo which is about 2-minute walk from SBMA Gate. However, one downside of riding this bus is that Saulog had several bus stops and passes through the traditional Pampanga route which took a bit longer. Good thing though that it was a Sunday and traffic was really not a problem.

When we arrived in Olongapo, we were dropped off at SM Olongapo; and we saw color-coded jeepneys. The streets are filled with Pinays partnered with foreigners, which is understandable because Subic is a dock area for US marine vessels. We left our backpacks at SM Luggage Counter and explored the mall and tried to ask around as to where we is the Entrance Gate going to SBMA. It was actually near China Bank, just walk a little farther, and you will be able to see SBMA Entrance Gate. It was literally a 2-minute walk. However, due to the summer heat, I was actually thinking that we can take the taxi going to our hotel inside SBMA despite the many comments that SBMA taxis charge passengers a little over the top. Oh yes, there were cabs in SM Olongapo that will take you to your route inside SBMA. From SM to our hotel (Poco A Poco Hotel), the driver charged Php 80. They do not have a metered taxi but fixed rate based on destination.


Poco A Poco Hotel  in Subic Bay

Poco A Poco Hotel was just near the Bay area. It will take about five minutes for you to get to the beach area. It was very near the public beach where a lot of people hang out. In fact, it reminded me of Baywalk in Manila, but Subic's version was more like a place to chill with far way cleaner surroundings and beach area.  The humid weather makes you want to take a dip in the sea, but unfortunately, we don't have swimming clothes. There were hotels along the beachfront area, restaurants, bar and shopping spots. One sad thing though is that the marina area seemed like a prostitution site full of US Navy men hanging out in bars and restaurants with Pinays.

Anyway, our hotel was just near the restaurants so, we walked along the shore trying to explore the restaurants, but there were only the usual ones like Gerry's Grill, Pier One and Giligan's Island. But, it was definitely a scenic location for photo ops.

If I were to rate Poco A Poco Hotel, I would give it a 4 out of 5. It's probably one of the most reasonable hotels in the area but just be careful in the published fees because it may appear as discounted rate, but we were actually charged for a 500-peso processing fee. 



But, the room was spacious, it was very neat, they had cable tv, bathroom was clean and the attendants were also nice.

clean and very cozy parts of the room

Ocean Adventure in Subic

The highlight of our tour in Subic is the Ocean Adventure trip. It is a wildlife park that showcases four parts of a show. We caught the 1:30pm show and paid around Php 600 each person. Going to Ocean Adventure is quite far a distance. We took the cab from our hotel and paid around Php 400. Luckily, the taxi driver was friendly and gave us some little chit chat like a tourist guide. As we travel the highway, we saw some monkeys on the sidewalk and stopped a bit to take a photo of the fruit bats quietly hanging on the trees. Ocean Adventure was like 1 hour away from Poco a Poco hotel. Soon as we arrived, we got our tickets and proceeded to the cafeteria. Food was quite pricey ranging from Php 200 to 300 per meal. It was generally of average quality so, we just opted to order burger and fruit shake which cost around Php 220.  And then, at exactly 1:30pm we rushed to the first show which was the Sea Lion show. After that, we proceeded to the Divers show and then, transferred to another part of the park which showcased wildlife animals -- monkeys, snake, Philippine eagle and even the dog popularly known as "askal." The last show that we watched was the Dolphin show. All of which were very entertaining, educational and the animals were so much fun to watch. It was also an eye-opener for those who lack concern for animals and the environment as well. I think it is one good way for students to learn interactively and entertainingly.

Here are some of the photos we took:

fruit bats

monkeys we saw along the way

dolphins in the air

more of them

divers

sea lion show with a man who volunteered to imitate the sea lion but ended up sliding down the pool

Overall, Subic is another good way to unwind and relax although it would be better to stay in beachfront accommodation. Nevertheless, I had fun exploring and learning more about Subic. You oughta go there, too!

                          

How I Started as a Virtual Assistant

It was in October 2011 when I started my first online jobs through odesk.com. With my frustration and stress in the office routine, I turned to attend a series of webinars hosted by Mr. Jomar Hilario, a well-renowned online marketing guru in the Philippines. There were days when I wanted to participate in one of his live seminars/workshops on how to become a virtual assistant, but my schedule does not permit me to do so. Good thing he offered an audio version of his How to Become a Virtual Assistant seminar and I quickly purchased it online. After I finished the audio seminar and after I have read blogs of people who had the similar dilemma as mine, I got so inspired and confident that I can change my life 360 degrees and become a full-time Virtual Assistant.

Soon as I learned about odesk.com in 2011, I started out my profile but never really paid attention to how to improve it. I was not that determined. Thus, I left it hanging incomplete for quite some time. When I learned more about how to boost my "marketability" in odesk, I quickly overhauled my odesk profile and took the tests which will reflect my expertise in writing. Writing is my passion, and I was thinking that I ought to make a career out of it if I am going to pursue my Virtual Assistant career. 

My first gig as a Virtual Assistant (online writer) was to blog about a variety of topics. It was for an American client who is maintaining a sort of Wikipedia website (Usenet) hence, I started with the work in October 2011, and up until now, I am still writing articles for this client. Then, I realized I can manage to handle some more work perhaps, try out the fixed-price contract available in odesk. I did get a few and found it very fulfilling when clients are very pleased with the articles that I submit, and some would even pay me a bonus. Opportunities and job offer came in one by one, and I was definitely happy about how things are working out for me as a newbie Virtual Assistant. I admit that starting at a lower rate per hour was a stepping stone. So, as I gained more experience and confidence, I eventually increased my hourly rate. 

Now, I am happy to be working on a part-time basis for several clients whom I am writing articles for website content and some as a research assistant. What I even appreciated more is the fact that I can use my background in Psychology for some projects I handled. I also get to have my fair share of demanding clients, and when they ask too much of my effort which I know I cannot accommodate, I just end the contract rather than carrying on with the project which I cannot deliver on their expected schedule. But overall, my Virtual Assistant experience is indeed an eye-opener that I can actually start a career by working at home as long I have the determination, motivation, and yearning for change. It is just a matter of time to hone my skills and brave the world of becoming a full-time Virtual Assistant.