The bahay kubo is one of the pride of the Philippines. It is a symbol of Philippine culture as it depicts the value of “bayanihan”. It is an attribute of the collective unity or effort to achieve an objective.
Summer or dry season in the Philippines is just around the corner and it is time to prepare your home for one of the most-awaited seasons of the year. Here are some preparation tips that will make your home look cool and awesome during summer.
By this time, the walkway may be filled with dust and clutter from the previous events and celebrations. Wash the walkway then replace damaged pavers or bricks. For concrete walkways, fill in cracks with a masonry crack filler that blends with the color of the concrete.
Fill in any gaps in the frames and check if the mechanics are working. Have them fixed if you see any defect or damage. Wash windows with a vinegar-ammonia solution first then with water. Dry the windows with a squeegee.
A quick inspection of the roof, as well as the exterior of your home, may reveal some damages that have been brought about by the rainy season. Hae them repaired immediately before the damage worsens. Check for misalignments, cracks, or missing parts. These can easily let water in during the rainy season. Also, check for rust as well as the pipes or skylights to be sure that they are free from any cracks or any other damages.
Over the years, the paint of the house exterior may already have worn off. Note, repainting your home is quite challenging and may require manpower and time to accomplish your paint job. You also need to choose the right color that will personalize your home.
Clean leaves and other debris from the gutters. Check the gutters for leaks or breaks during the next rain.
Clean off furniture pieces that are in the storage. Inspect its parts and replace any pieces that may be missing. Repairing them may be cheaper than buying new ones.
Replace any rotten pickets or posts. Check them again and make sure that they are sturdy in the ground.
Bring the summer vibe to your home by decorating the walls of your home. There are many ways and decors that can transform the overall appearance of your walls. One of the easiest ways is to display personalized framed posters. There are many themes and designs available and choosing the right one will help you achieve the appearance that you like.
Valentine’s Day is one of the most awaited days by almost all individuals. This is celebrated in the name of Saint Valentine, the mysterious saint who is known to have defied the Roman emperor in service of the people. Saint Valentine performed secret marriages for young lovers. It was the belief of emperor Claudius II that single men made better soldiers than those who are already married. As such, Saint Valentine performed the sacrament of matrimony for young soldiers. Over the years, with his story and along with other tales, couples across the world started celebrating Valentine’s Day as the day of love. Read on to know more about how different countries celebrate the special day.
Valentine’s Day in the country is not celebrated in February but in July. They call it, “the week of sweetness”. This is the time when lovers exchange kisses and receive sweet treats. It used to be a commercial activity, but later on, became a tradition.
Did you know that the first-ever Valentine’s Day card originated in France? This was when Charles, the Duke of Orleans, sent love letters to his wife from the prison in 1415. There is also a French village called, Valentine, which is known to be the center of romance on the 12th and 14th of February. Homes are decorated with love cards, roses, and proposals for marriage flakes.
Valentine’s Day in the Philippines is a perfect day for young couples to get married in a mass wedding ceremony that is sponsored by the government. This is done as a form of public service. The day is considered to be special by many young couples.
February 14 in Ghana is known as the “National Chocolate Day”. Ghana is known to be one of the largest cocoa-producing countries in the world. This is celebrated to increase tourism in the country. As such, couples or even those without dates on the said day can attend various events like performances, music events, and restaurants.
On February 14, the country celebrates the San Trifon Zartan or the “day of winemakers”. Couples celebrate their love with a glass of local wine.
In Wales, Valentine’s Day is celebrated on January 25. This is called the “day of the San Dwynwen”. Lovers exchange gifts in the form of handcrafted wooden spoons. Interestingly, this has been the practice since the 16th century.
In Valencia, Spain, the day of love is celebrated on October 9. This is known as the feast of Saint Dionysius. Macadora or marzipan figurines are made by men as a gift to their female partners. Parades are also done as part of the celebration.
In Denmark, the 14th of February is celebrated by giving chocolates and roses. In addition to these, they also give handmade cards with pressed white flowers, called snowdrops.
Valentine’s Day is celebrated on February 14 and women buy gifts for their male partners. Men can’t return gifts until the 14th of March and this is called the “white day”.
Lovers day or Dia dos Namorados in Brazil is celebrated by exchanging chocolates, cards, and by watching music festivals, and dance performances. Family dinners are also common on that day.
Jade vine is one of the extraordinary plants in the Philippines. Its claw-shaped flowers have the color of jade and attract bats to pollinated. A lovely art to display in your home by Karla Pascual.
The Philippines is rich in natural resources and tourist destinations. Batanes is one of the favorite travel destinations in the world. Some of the famous landmarks of Batanes are its lighthouses. There are several lighthouses known to exist in the province. All of them are important functionally as well as to the tourism industry of the country. Read on to learn more about these colossal landmarks.
Lighthouses have been in existence since ancient times. A little trivia that is good to know. IN fact, the first known lighthouse was the Pharos of Alexandria, Egypt. This was constructed by Ptolemy I and his son Ptolemy II in 300 and 280 BC. This was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Eventually, this was destroyed by natural disasters and wars.
A lighthouse is a tower with a bright light on the top. Its main purpose is to help sailors in locating dangerous areas and likewise serves as a navigational aid that helps to keep ships and boats safe. A lighthouse station is usually composed of the lighthouse, the keeper’s house, and other structures.
The country is known for a number of tourist destinations and Batanes is on the top of the list. Batanes was shaped by nature millions of years ago. It is well-known for its rugged and scenic views. Green, rolling pastures, orange sunsets, crisp, clean art are some of the things that you will experience in the province.
If you want to experience fresh, clean air and a peaceful vibe, then Batanes is the place to visit. These are also the reasons why many local and foreign travelers go to the province. It is known for its rock formations, impressive lighthouses, and wild horses that freely roam in the vast pasture.
There are a lot of good things to say about lighthouses. By just staring at them, you can see that they are full of charm and enigma. What makes them more appealing is that they always have the best view. Especially those that stand in the hills of Batanes. These structures are often visited by tourists and photographs of them have been used for various reasons.
Now, Batanes has three existing lighthouses and are quite similar in many ways. These structures are part of a project that was headed by Rep. Abad in the early 2000s. They were erected to guide seafarers across dangerous waters of the Pacific Ocean and the West Philippines Sea. Interestingly, these lighthouses also act as tourist attractions. The three are all capped with a red-painted concrete lantern room with narrow storm panes. The main tower is made of rubble masonry.
This lighthouse was first lit in 2003 and the first to be completed. Basco Lighthouse is located in Naidi Hills where the old telegraph facility was during the American era. The lighthouse is white in color and crowned with a red lantern room. It is a 6-story structure allowing a majestic view of the West Philippine Sea, Mt. Iraya, and the Basco Town Proper.
Tayid lighthouse was erected on a hill on Batan Island. Just like its counterpart in Basco, it is also capped with a red lantern room and roof. The base bears rubble masonry, similar to the other lighthouses of Batanes. Tayid faces the Pacific Ocean and can be seen from Marlboro Country and Diura Fishing Village.
It stands on a cliff just beside the port. This lighthouse is the first man-made structure that you will see while you are on approach Sabtang island. It is a round tower with a rubble masonry finish all the way to the gallery deck. This gives the lighthouse an organic appeal. It also has a red lantern room, just like the other lighthouses mentioned earlier.
The lighthouse of Basco, Batanes is one of the famous landmarks in the Philippines, Admire the majestic structure as it guides travelers and seafarers. An impressive photo captured by Michelle Quezon.
After seeing all the awesome photos from our participants, artdesign has finally chosen the winners of the 2021 Photo Competition. With the theme “Beautify Your Walls with Natures of the Philippines”, a total of 385 original photos were submitted by our patrons from all over the country. From these, the top 20 entries were based on the number of online votes they have gathered. Among the 20 finalists, the top 3 were decided by the members of the jury of artdesign. Thank you for joining & see you again next time for this year’s competition!!!
Finally, after months of waiting, the winners of the 2021 Photo Competition are out! Who would have known that this contest will be successful? It started with a simple idea, a smooth plan, and open communication. Inspired by the natural beauty of the Philippines, Artdesign decided to have the theme, “Beautify Your Walls with Natures of the Philippines”. Why not? Contrary to what many think about the country, the Philippines is rich in natural resources and tourist destinations.
It is at many surprises that a total of 385 original photos have been submitted from all parts of the country. All entries feature the wonders of nature that are seen in the different parts of the Philippines. From different landscapes and seascapes to the majestic sunset view, you will surely be amazed at how these photos were taken at the right moment.
We know that the photo entries submitted were given much thought and effort. From the 385 participants, the top 20 photos were chosen based on the total online votes that they garnered. The top three photos of nature were carefully and meticulously chosen by the jury from Artdesign who have keen eyes and taste when it comes to art. The final selection process was not easy. All entries are remarkable and truly fit the goal of Artdesign in giving WOW to the walls of every Filipino home.
We are proud to present the top three entries that have made a difference in creating wall art. Seeing the images will surely leave a smile on your face. The prizes for the winners are as follows:
The winners are:
Other entries who have made it to the final 20 are:
Artdesign is in deep gratitude to all participants. Not only that you have shown your talent and skills in photography, but you also have shown the world that the Philippines is a great place to visit. Until next time. Congratulations everyone and many thanks!
With the different events that happened in our lives throughout the year, we are now prepared to face another year. A year that we hope to be full of hope and optimism. Celebrating the New Year is also filled with traditions and beliefs. At least in the Philippines. History tells us that we have been greatly influenced by different cultures, such as the Chinese, Americans, and Spanish.
The addition of colors is during the New Year’s Eve celebration is also important to many families. Certain colors are believed to bring good luck. Over the years, color psychology has captured the interests of many experts. Studies have shown that colors have significant effects on the mind and body. That is the reason why the colors we add to our rooms are important as these may affect the mood as well as our behavior. When it comes to the New Year celebration, there are some colors that are considered lucky when they are seen around or when we wear them.
White has many symbolism. It represents innocence, purity, hygiene. It is also associated with religious traditions and certain works of art.
One of the events that have been celebrated for many years is the Lunar New Year. In fact, this has been observed for thousands of years and celebrated in many Asian countries. The color red is used to scare off a hungry beast that was believed to terrorize villages every New year. These days, red is associated with good luck and good fortune by the Chinese and other Asian cultures.
Purple is associated with wealth and that is the reason why the color is only seen in monarchs in Europe and Asia. The reason is that the original vibrant purple dye that was made in ancient Phoenicia, needed around 250,000 rare sea snails. Do note also that the number of sea snails only produces about an ounce of the dye. This makes the color expensive that only the wealthy people can afford it.
One of the cool colors in color psychology. Blue is associated with religious traditions and serenity in art. Blue is also believed to have mystical properties due to its rarity. Make your home look serene with blue for a more peaceful New Year.
Silver is one of the precious metals in the world. In fact, it was mined more than 5000 years ago. The shiny hue is associated with all the precious opportunities this New Year.
Studies have shown that the color green leads to better physical and mental health. The reason is that the color is associated with nature. Green also increases positive emotions and vibes. This is why you have to bring the color to your home this year.
Get the chance to win Php 25,000 and have your photo be featured as the next trendy poster of Artdesign. Show your skills in photography and showcase the beauty of the Philippines. Love nature and let your work be adored by many.
Regardless of what you have heard over the news about the Philippines, it is still one of the favorite destinations of tourists from around the globe. Why not? There are many places to visit, food to taste, events and happenings to experience, and others. With more than 7,000 islands to see and experience, the country is gifted with the beauty and richness of nature.
The beaches located in Boracay, Palawan, and Siargao are among the places that are featured in many travel magazines and vlogs. For sure, the Philippines is gifted with stretches of pristine white sand beaches surrounded by clear blue waters. Of course, island hopping is not only the reason why the country is featured in many publications. Here are the reasons why many tourists keep coming back and why many Filipinos love to visit different places in the country.
Looking for a perfect getaway from winter? Only two seasons are experienced in the country: wet and dry. If you are longing for the heat of the sun on your skin, then we have the weather that you will surely love. The dry season starts from November to May, while the wet season is usually from June to October. It is ideal to go to the beach to have that sun-kissed look during the months of March to May. This is also the time when most beach resorts are packed with tourists.
In addition to the view, Filipinos are also known for their hospitality. In fact, we are ranked as the friendliest country in Asia. While still in the airport, you will be greeted with a smile by Filipinos. Probably, we are just proud of our country and culture, that is why we treat tourists with warmth and joy.
Pinoys always treat their guests special. Do not be surprised if a feast is prepared when you visit their place. You get the chance to choose from various Filipino dishes on the table. The sentence “Make yourself at home” will truly be felt whenever you visit your Pinoy friend.
It is a fact that money is the greatest factor when you travel. Fear not as traveling in the Philippines and enjoying the wonders of nature is affordable. For instance, in just Php 1,000, you will be experiencing non-stop fun and excitement within a chosen place. Food is affordable as well, as long as you know where to go and order Filipino dishes.
Beaches in the Philippines have constantly been featured by international publications like CNN, HuffPost, and Conde Nast Traveler. The country is truly gifted with the magic of nature. It is no surprise why many people choose the country for vacation and other activities. Get the opportunity to enjoy the sand and crystal clear water in a number of spots. Some of the places to visit are Boracay, Palawan, and Siargao.
The country is also blessed with wonders of nature. Visit the Puerto Princesa Underground River and be in awe of its beauty. This trip will also take you to the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park. This is the longest underground river in the world and part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature.
Another important landmark is the Chocolate Hills in Bohol. Here you will see thousands of hills that look like giant chocolate Kisses. However, they may turn green during the wet season. Go north and visit the Cordilleras. See the Rice Terraces of the Ifugao. This is an impressive man-made rice field that can be traced back to the pre-colonial Philippines.
