1500km Island-hopping Trip--only in the Philippines! Byahe na!

There's more to tell than just the picturesque backdrop in this travel that spans 1500 kilometers across the three islands of Luzon, Vizayas and Mindanao.

Despite apprehensions as first-time long-distance travelers, daughter and me went ahead with our road trip, armed only with excitement and prayers.  The long road and travel time seemed unimaginable at first, but surprisingly it was an untiring journey from Taguig City to Samal Island, Davao Del Norte in Mindanao, the southern tip of the Philippine archipelago. Got here some tips for first-timers of this 3-island route including time travel and cost, sleeping options, and most importantly, the dangers that may be lurking in the dark...so watch out!

Day1. Departed Taguig at 12:20am, gassed up full tank in shell C5 then drove straight ahead to SLEX to kick off our midnight drive. At a speed of 80-100km/hr in the expressway, we hit the long and winding road in Atimonan, Quezon--coined bitukang manok by motorists, at past 3:00 am. The road is indeed scary as it is notoriously dark and no single soul in sight! It was zero visibility due to fogs when we passed by--good thing daughter Kara was sleeping-- or else she'll freak out! My fears were heightened when I saw two figures flashings ahead as if signaling us to stop (told myself never to stop, as if I have a choice!) but only to find out they were some kindhearted locals who endured the cold and darkness up the mountain, just to give the motorists direction as the road is dangerously curvy and tricky. Some tips for you if you intend to use this route: 1) Timing your trip to pass along bitukang manok when it is daybreak already; 2) Keep something to give away (food or anything) for those who give assistance in the road (I must confess I did not give any, I was scared to even open windows! 😰)

At 5:00am, we passed by Gumaca, would have wanted to breakfast here but it's too early for my IF (intermittent fasting) meal so we drove ahead after a quick stop at the bayside. Still a bit dark when we entered Camarines Norte, the gateway to Bicolandia, and finally had a full stop for coffee at a roadside cafeteria inTabugon, a barangay in Sta. Elena. That was all you can ask for an early morning coffee with that beautiful church across the road.

At 10am, I was blown away to see for the first time, her highness Mt. Mayon! Standing tall and majestic, the legendary beauty is mesmerizing. Indeed what a sight to behold! We had quick lunch in Albay shortly, and finally reached the end of our first island tour in Matnog, Sorsogon at 1:33pm, the tip of south Luzon where you board a ferry to take you to the island of Visayas. We boarded Fastcat at about 3pm and disembarked in Allen Samar by 5pm the same day, about a 2hour boat ride across San Bernardino Strait. Called it a day and slept in a beachside hotel in Allen. Tips: 1) bring food as no fast foods around, no bbq stations waiting for you in the pier, no cafeteria, maybe due to pandemic? 2) Gas up -- there is a gas station at the port, so gas up full tank whenever you can as they close at 5pm and you never know when you see another gas station on the road. 

Day2. Took breakfast leisurely in a cafeteria that is surrounded by seawater on both sides! Started our Samar trip at past 7am, drove nonstop till Catbalogan for another coffee in Jolibee, and shorty reached the most awaited part of the trip-- my driving the San Juanico Bridge! dream come true hah! 

Reached Tacloban at past 12noon where a sumptuous lunch at Yolanda awaits us-- a most refreshing treat by ka-TROPA from Dubai- God bless you Rex Maray, wishing more abundance in your farm! Yolanda is a seaside eatery that defied the brutal storm, quite literally. It stood proudly to manifest the resilience of Tacloban, rising from the debris of the catastrophe and now feeding the hungry souls especially of travelers like us. After the superlicious freshcatch seafoods, Rexie took us on a brief tour, pictures here and there then off we went to the other end of the island, in Liloan Leyte for the next Ferry boat that will take us to the island of Mindanao. I am always in awe whenever driving along coastal roads, but the mountain drive to Liloan is a great adventure in itself. I was particularly spellbound by one bridge that is seemingly floating at a mountaintop due to heavy fogs, almost in heaven na ang feeling. That was pretty much like a movie scene in Avatar where down there, the ravine is so deep it is like a bottomless pit! Then I learned later (dashcam was on) that the bridge name is Agas Agas, it's actually the highest bridge in the country, how lucky me! 

We managed to get on board a ferry the same day and finally left the Visayas at 8pm. Arrived Lipata, Surigao city at 12midnight, again with no foods in sight. So please bring your own baon, kahit skyflakes oks na 😍 or else gutom abot nyo sa daan. We cannot afford to be hungry po kasi nag-iibang anyo kaming mag-ina pag gutom 😆 

Drove 2hours and a half to Butuan for a sleepover.

Day3 Butuan to Davao city is 5hrs and Davao-Samal Island is a 10minutes ferry boat. 

Total approx time-travel: 36hrs (pag sa ferry na kayo matulog) 

Luzon - 13hrs + 2hr boat 

Vizayas - 9hrs+ 4hr boat 

Mindanao - 8hrs 

Travel Date: Nov 2020 

Approx Cost of travel: Php 12,000 (+ -) inclusive of gas, toll, ferry rides, 1night hotel, foods & drinks.

There you have it folks, hope to inspire you to travel more to the hinterlands, and see what pleasant surprises and secret treasures await you!

Bon Voyage!

From: Mom Wilma & Kara

How to get your refund when Developer cancels your condo

Due to difficult times, many condominium owners suffered a financial crisis and subsequently defaulted in paying monthly obligations which resulted in the forfeiture of their property.

If this is your case, then read on.

NO downpayment, low monthly payments, zero interest in 3years, or Lease to Own, are just some of the teasers that bewitch buyers into property investment.  And some are just too excited to rush, thinking they hit a jackpot and without much research and preparation, plungged into the trap.  

Must admit that I myself was entrapped at one time or another, so that makes me a sort of authority to talk about this critical issue--I walk the talk-- ika nga! 😀

              

Say, you invested a posh condo in Bonifacio Global City in Taguig.."ahh my OFW dreamhouse finally!" you beam with pride.  And without further ado signed a Contract to Sell for a PHP 4m condo because the 20% down payment is payable zero interest in 3 years.  Basically, you will be paying only P11k+ per month for your lifelong dream home, so san ka pa?! kaya go na! or so you happily thought.

Now comes the sad reality of life.  Your office is downsizing or business is down due to global financial and health crisis and you are as badly affected.  Then you started missing monthly payments, or about to complete paying your 3yr zero interest instalment plan, as turnover of the property looms in the coming month.  But banks or other lending institutions will no longer approve your loan application as you are now in the league of the chosen jobless, or has bankrupted (don't worry marami po tayo in the same league)  😁

Ergo your beloved condo that you have painstakingly paid every single month for the last two or three years, is taken away from you, period.

So where to go now?  What options do you have?

First, don't cry out loud.  Just relax sit down and read your terms and conditions in the contract and try to look for some grey areas where your developer may have faulted too.  Oftentimes, they miss delivering the unit on the stated date, so dyan may alas ka na.   Here you may seek a full refund and if they refuse then go run to HLURB now DHSUD, our knight in shimmering armor.

At any rate, you are protected by RA 6552 known as the Realty Installment Buyer Act or simply known as MACEDA LAW.  This law entitles you to a 50% refund of your payments if you have already paid installments for at least  two (2) years.  Other important items to note in Maceda law:

-- if paid installment for 5years then additional 5% refund for every year thereafter;

-- if paid installment for less than 2years, you have no cash surrender value but have rights to:                           a) a grace period of not less than 60days; b) to be notified of cancellation; c) to sell or assign                       d) to reinstate your contract before actual cancellation;   

Please note that notification of cancellation means you as the buyer/owner must receive and acknowledge a duly notarized notice of cancellation or demand for rescission of contract.  Hindi po pwede na basta na lang sabihin ni project owner na "hoy Juan/Juana, pack up ka na kay kanselado na kontrata mo!"  Nah no! 

In another case where buyer already fulfills (almost) complete payment of say three (3) year DP (down payment) where the unit is supposed to be delivered on the final payment of your DP, but the said property is nowhere in sight--meaning not even a single post was erected-- then what now?

Ahh, gotcha!

You can ask for full refund in this case.   Most probably, project owner will offer you other promises which you may consider, but if all things fail, do not renounce your rights to full refund.  How to do this? Give the project owner the courtesy of writing them your intent, but, with a time frame.  It must within a reasonable timeframe.  Else, you'd be waiting for many Christmases to come and go, whilst they are buying their sweet time caused by your indolence, so to speak.  

If that action or non-action proves futile, then seek legal help from the authority or from any other experts or your broker for that matter.

So there, hope this helps those who are currently griping their investment state while grappling with pandemic realities.  Don't feel down, just have faith at kaya natin to!

And if all your efforts fail, just dial a friend, Im just a call away 😍

Keep safe folks.  God bless us 🙏

Wilma B Villanueva, MBA-Bldg & Property Mngt

License Real Estate Broker

License Real Estate Appraiser

Property Manager-Dubai Certified

      

                                                                                                                             

                                                                         

How to Transfer a Condo Title in Philippines

So, property in PH is not about location location location.  It's about tax tax tax :)

But hey, it's okay.. let's pay!

This is the least we can do to enrich the rich err, our conscience and feed the fed ups..haha let's get positive oki?

Olrayt, to those of yah who are newbies in condo investment, here are Tips to guide you on how to transfer your Condo Title, just don’t forget to give me a $tip when you’re done :)

It is vital that before you bungee jump on your dream home, you must exert due diligence to know the basic facts in buying a property in the Philippines.  Else, Internal Rev may slap you with penalties for ignorance.  

The first thing to note apart from the documents needed to transfer the Title, is the timeframe in paying the taxes and other dues from different government agencies, particularly the BIR (Bureau of Internal Revenue).

After notarization of the DOAS (Deed of Absolute Sale),  the clock starts clicking for

DST (Documentary Stamp Tax) - must be paid on or before the 5th of the following month

CGT (Capital Gains Tax) - within 30days after notarial

If you miss the deadline, please know that mercy is not Tita Kim’s name (Kim Henares, BIR Commissioner).

To Transfer the CCT (Condominium Certificate of Title) @RD (Registry of Deeds), the following are required:

1.  Notarized DOAS (Deed of Absolute Sale) 
2. CAR (Certificate Authorizing Registration) @BIR
3. DST Receipt@BIR
4. Tax Declaration - certified true copy @Assessors
5. Owners Duplicate Copy of CCT 
6. Real Property Tax Clearance@City Hall 
7. Transfer Tax Receipt@City Hall
8. Management Certificate @Condo Administration
9. Payment of Registration Fees @RD
1. 0.25% of Selling Price
2. Miscellaneous fees
10. Submit all documents to RD Officer and wait for processing time.
11. WAITING PERIOD:  3 weeks to 1month (may vary in other cities)

To secure CAR @BIR 

1.  Notarized DOAS
2. Tax Declaration - certified true copy
3. CCT- Owners duplicate copy / certified true copy
4. Previous CAR from Seller
5. Affidavit/Certificate of Non-rental
6. TIN of both Seller/s and Buyer/s
7. BIR computation sheet for CGT, DST 
1. CGT = 6% of Selling Price or Zonal Value whichever is higher
2. DST = 1.5% of Selling Price
3. Payment Forms - P100/- or more 
8. Payment to accredited Banks.  
1. If in Taguig, the nearest Bank is BPI.  Take note the Bank's cut-off time is 2pm 
1. Other branches accept payment up to 3pm
9. Submit all documents to BIR Officer and wait.
10. WAITING PERIOD:  Min10 Days.  Max-unknown

To pay your Local Transfer Tax@City Hall

1.  Notarized DOAS
2. Tax Declaration - certified true copy
3. Local Transfer Tax = 0.50% up to 0.75% of Selling Price or Zonal or Fair Market Value whichever is higher
4. Some cities also collect City Tax

While faithful and diligent Real Estate Brokers can help in many ways to guide you in property transactions, it is always in the Buyer’s best interest to know the procedures, requirements as well as payments due in perfecting the ownership of your newly purchased property.  So be in the know.

I am sharing this guide to help others who may need first-hand information and the latest update on Condominium Titling and related subjects.  Facts and figures are based on my recent transactions in Taguig City, Philippines in June 2015.

Thank you BIR, RD, City Treasury .. I love my Taguig!

WilmaBV

Property Mgr-Dubai certified

Licensed Real Estate Broker

Licensed Real Estate Appraiser 

eto ang eksena ng byahe ko from tupi to general santos city via yellow bus, ang bus liner na andyan na yata simula ipanganak ako..

" aah taga dubai pero nag yellow bus padung dyangas!" pang-asar na salubong sa akin ng nakatayo sa estribo, na sinabayan ng tawanan ng mga kumag pati na driver at konduktor. may tag kasing emirates air ang trolley ko kaya nya nasabing taga-dubai ako. ginawa ba akong source of laughter sa miserableng siksikan?

hay naku manoy, panu na lang natin isulong ang platapormang pangkapayapaan nyan hinawayon kaayo mo?

anyhow, di man state of the art ang byahe gaya ng dubai metro, at least maaliwalas naman ang state of mind mo dahil sa picture perfect na tanawin. at may bonus ka pang "mani day?" "itlog?"

Ps from 'Postscripts to Blood bath'

Did the end justify the means? Or did the means justify his end?
I’m just as confused.
While I deplore a murderous act of any man whatever his cause, I’m just as sadden what fate awaits his family. And in a society where the blame easily rests on others except us, where do they go from here?
We all can fall victims of unjust circumstances, and If so, seek justice your way. But our legacy to family should be foremost in our head!
Not too long ago, I thought deeply of what legacy I can leave my daughter when I figured I don’t have that much money to leave behind when its time to go.
I found out there was something more important and lasting than just money.
It is the legacy of Honor. Goodwill. A name.
So I self published a book.

The Heart of Photography

"I like the sensation of being able to freeze time, and have absolute control with what I want people to see in my images." That’s not me talking, but Dino Kintanar on his photography.

This guy, who is nutty in experimenting settings, and gritty at risky exposures and angles, could spend a hell of a time under the scorching Arabic sun; composing, angling, changing lens, etc.. just to capture that one perfect shot. Ako? Di siguro!

Honestly, getting to know some Pros, ahead of you getting to know your basic photography, would certainly cause you insecurity if not discomfort. Especially if you have already published an imagery coffee table book, that you have launched across 3 continents, e nakakahiya na talaga magtanong some basics as to your camera settings or to ask how deep is the depth of field?

Soo time con-fusing, getting to know the technical aspects of photography.

If you have neither time nor patience in understanding the manuals of your camera, that you need to know how aperture and focusing distance defines your depth of field, that bouncing your flash towards a wall is a lighting technique (as I learnt from assisting Dino on his portrait shots)or even knowing the difference between Nikon d90 or canon d400 is too complex for you, as I do, then sit back and relax, because the very heart of photography lies not in its complicated technicalities...
It lies nowhere else but only, and only in the heart of the photographer.

So get your digicam, go point and shoot!

swiss bretz vs american pretzel

authentic american blueberry pancake, paghahanap nyan ang una kong misyon pagdating sa new york. back in dubai, pancakes - of all varieties: oatmeal w/ almonds; banana w walnuts; sweet corn; plain pumpkin; chunky cheez; choco & nuts; black and/or yellow raisins & almond n pecan nuts (ganyan ako ka-nutty sa aking pancakes); have always been a weekend treat for myself and friends, to try my delightful recipes..kasi mind you, when it comes to my kitchen, i break all the rules and have it my way!

thats why when i embarked on US tour last month, american SIZE pancake lang ang nasa isip kong kainin for the rest of my 2week breakfasts..

but i found out pretzels pala ang kinalolokohan ng mga new yorker. so di na ako nag-aksaya ng panahon at nakigaya me na palakad-lakad sa streets of NY na kumakain ng pretzels (yes totoo ang nakikita mo sa pelikula na ang mga kano kebir kahit naka coat n tie basta kakain yan ng burger or pretzel kahit pa tatawid ng kalsada) oh by the way, speaking of pagtawid, lam nyo bang wala din silang paki sa traffic signals? gosh yours truly lang ang the only traffic law abiding crossing citizen in new york when i first arrived there..opo and i mean both pedestrian at motorist! pero thats another story..

back to my food expo, di ko man type ang pretzels (mabibili mo to sa mga street vendors) nila at super alat ang una kong natikman? di gaya ng bretzels sa switzerland na unang tikim pa lang..woww ang sarap!

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