In your journey through life, finding the perfect home can be tedious and requires doing some research or background check on the perfect location. This article will in some way help you in deciding if you want to settle in Manila, the Capital of the Republic of the Philippines.

There are so many considerations when buying real estate in Manila and anywhere else in the world. Why stay or buy a real estate in Metro Manila? Well, the Philippines is not called Pearl of the Orient for nothing. It has vast natural resources and manpower ideal for putting up business and living your life comfortably in the heart of Metro Manila.

In Makati alone, there is a rise of the outsourcing titans, so to speak, as more and more foreign investors merge with local business entities to develop the call center industry, creating more jobs, more work opportunities in the Metro making it necessary to build and develop more residential units. Makati has been known to be the Wall Street because the Philippine Stock Exchange is located there as well as the head offices of big businesses put their money in real estate to build their own posh offices.

There is also the Fort Bonifacio Global City which is quickly picking up the pace into becoming another financial center in the Metro Manila. It is also a good site for BPO or IT companies setting up business, there are buildings that are leased, making it convenient for investors who don't want to invest much on the real estate.

Alabang, Libis and Ortigas are also good places to buy real estate because the place is accessible to almost everything, from office spaces, IT Cyber park and shopping malls.

Metro Manila is a huge area where you can find the best buys in real estate at your most convenient budget. Buying real estate in Manila has become a trend for the developing country. Navigating through the Metro may not be that easy because of the current landscape of housing structures and other issues that must be dealt with. What are the necessities in life that must be accessible?

1. Water- this is simply a must! When choosing the right house in the Metro, do not fret, this necessity is very much available through Maynilad (provides water service) which uses pipelines that extends to 5,000 kilometers that delivers potable, drinking water to the households of Metro Manila including the condominium buildings, apartments and houses.
2. Electricity- this is also a very important factor in finding the perfect house and is accessible to the residents of Metro Manila through Meralco or The Manila Electric Company because they provide the power supply throughout the Metro. Occasional power interruptions may be caused by the yearly tropical storms that hit the Philippines.
3. Telephone Lines- they are also available in real estate areas in Manila. When you buy a house, or condominium unit in the Philippines, you can be assured that there is a phone line available as well as signal from the cellular sites all over the Metro.
4. Internet- this has become a necessity for most of us, for those who have businesses, for students and for personal use, the Internet is an important tool of communication, marketing, strategy and many more. In choosing your Manila Condo, you might as well check if there is a DSL or Digital subscriber line in the location or see if it can be easily serviced by the internet providers.
5. Another important thing that has become a necessity is the cable TV. This is a source of information as well as entertainment. After a long day of work or school, it is always nice to prop up that pillow and hold on to that remote control and flip through the channels.

Aside from the household necessities, you should also look into the security of the place. Condominiums always have security guards in the entrance and exit areas, they have a strict policy regarding visitors requiring identification cards and logging information in a record book as to who are you going to visit and purpose. They will even call you up and ask if you would do know the person visiting.

In most subdivisions or townhouses, there are also security guards at the gates as well as roving guards. These roving guards will patrol the whole subdivision, day and night and anyone trying to jump over the walls will surely be caught. Non- residents also need to present their I.D. to assure the homeowners the security that they sought.

For a growing family or anyone who is still eager to further develop their educational attainment, Manila real estate also has the luxury of having nearby schools within the Condominium units or townhouses. The schools may be walking distance when they are within the subdivision like the De La Salle Santiago Zobel school in Ayala, Alabang. Metro Manila offers its residents a number of quality schools, especially within the university belt.

Another great consideration is the hospitals; Manila has a number of it that cater to its residents. Hospitals are in the immediate vicinity of Manila townhouses or condominiums. Makati Medical Center, Asian Hospital, St. Luke's Medical Center and others have advocacy to preserve and save lives and they are accessible from wherever point you are in Metro Manila.

Whatever your reason for coming over to the Philippines, buying a house, a condominium or a townhouse could mean convenience and in the long run would mean lots of savings rather than just spend your money in leasing or renting.

Philippines is the Pearl of the Orient giving you almost everything in a big platter, so grab the chance to become a real estate owner in Manila.

More info about Philippines on www.dfa.gov.ph; www.gov.ph

Davao City is known for a lot of things. This city is the largest city in the Mindanao Island of the Philippines, and is also one of the largest cities in the world. Davao City has bagged several awards and recognitions such as the "Most Peaceful City in East and Southeast Asia" and has been awarded as having the "Best Police Office in the Country". Davao is also recognized by a popular magazine in Asia which is Asiaweek as one the Best 20 Cities in Asia. This city offers both seclusion and urban living.

Davao City used the tagline from Highlands to the Islands since it has a backdrop of lush green mountains that overlooks the beauty of the sea. The city is typhoon free and people living here enjoy a tropical climate. You can enjoy summer down at the beaches in and near the city. If you want to feel a rush of cold air, you can visit the top mountain resorts located in and around Davao.

When you compare the cost of living in Davao with other progressive cities in the Philippines, Davao is really cheaper. You can find inexpensive rental for houses, apartments and dormitories. Students living in the city can find a bedroom for only Php500 while a family can rent a house with 2 bedrooms for only Php3000.The city has a booming economy and finding a decent job is easy. The transportation offers several options, and you can find tricycles and motorellas in almost all villages and also minimum fare for jeeps and taxis. You can find that most of the drivers of these public transportation utilities are honest and courteous. The traffic is not as heavy when compared to Manila and there is lesser air pollution.

Davao offers several options for entertainment. You can enjoy shopping in different malls and shops. If you are looking for a bargain, you can shop at the cheap shopping centers located in Uyanguren. Upscale shopping is also available in Chimes. Davao will soon open its first Ayala Lifestyle Mall in Bajada. Nightlife in Davao is alive with all the clubs and bars. Visit Torres Street, Rizal Street, Autoshop Compound and Matina Town Square for different bars and clubs.

Eco-tourism is another way to enjoy the city. There are several parks and resorts that bring you close to nature. You can go trekking, mountain climbing and even feel the rush and thrill of zip line. These places are located on the highlands of Davao such as Eden Nature Park, Philippine Eagle Park and Zip City.

Dining in Davao City is far from ordinary. There are different restaurants and eateries in Davao that offers delectable meals and dishes. You can find several cuisines such as Chinese, Korean, Thai, Italian and Spanish. Exotic dishes can be found in restaurants located in hotels and resorts. The ingredients in these meals are guaranteed fresh and top quality.

More about Davao City on www.davaocity.gov.ph

When asked about the top tourist destinations in the Philippines, Boracay will always be included on the list. This is probably the most famous and popular summer destination for both Filipinos and foreigners. The powdery white sand beach with its aqua blue clear water is truly enticing.

Boracay is located at the tip of the Panay Island in the Western Visayas Region. It is bone-shaped and has four beach attractions namely White Beach, Bulabog Beach, Diniwid and Puka Beach. The White Beach is the main tourist attraction with several hotels, bars, shopping centers and restaurants for the people. Bulabog Beach is located on the other side of the island and is great for wind surfing, kite boarding and sailing. The Diniwid is located north of White Beach and has a large cove. The Puka Beach is near a marine sanctuary and a long and empty strip of white sand and clear waters.

A visit to this summer tourist destination should be tried by the Filipinos. If you love the beaches and the sun, then you will surely get loads of fun staying in this island. There are different activities that can make your vacation a lot more fun than planned. The souvenir items are worth purchasing and the different nightly activities can keep you up all night long.

When you visit Boracay, it is advisable to go in groups like maybe you and your family or with friends. You can save money on some tours and packages and watch out for airfare promos for Boracay. If you have plans of going to this island anytime soon, this itinerary for 4 days and 3 nights stay in Boracay for a group of 4-5.

Day 1

Accommodation

The best place to stay in Boracay especially if this is your first time to visit the island is in the White Beach area. This beach has 3 stations to choose from. Station 1 has hotels, bars and inns for the rich and some are even exclusive. This means that Station 1 is expensive and pricey. Station 2 is for the middle class and in Station 3 is for the super tight budget.

If you don't have any problem in spending money, you can stay at Shangri La's Boracay Resort and Spa. This is located in the northern part of Boracay Island. The room rates vary from Php17000 per night to Php35000 per night. Enjoy meals at Sirena, Rima, Vintana or Cielo. Stay pampered and feel invigorated with the hotel's spa that offers massage and other spa treatments. Their rates start from Php5800 to Php9800 for massage, other services can go up to Php42000. These spa treatments can last from 1 hour and 30 minutes to 2 hours. The rates are expensive but the quality of service, location and amenities are worth the money spent.

There are still resorts and accommodations in Stations 1 and 2 that are budget friendly. The Isla Gecko located in Station 2 is a budget friendly hotel. If there are 4-5 of you going to Boracay, you can find a great deal for your accommodation in this hotel. Their family room which can accommodate 4 persons and maximum of 6 with extra mattresses is very affordable compared to the other hotels. The rate per night is approximately Php3600 and if you divide it into four, each person will contribute Php900 a night.

The room is air-conditioned with cable TV and a private bath and shower. There is 1 double bed, 2 single beds, and a double deck. If you are a family on a vacation, a kid under 10 years of age is free of charge when staying in the same room with the parents or guardians. The hotel serves typical Filipino breakfast, and every day you will be provided with a new set of towels. Check-in time to this hotel is at 2:00PM and check out time is at 12:00NN.

This hotel is strategically located in the heart of Boracay with the D'Mall just a few steps away as well as restaurants and bars. After you have checked-in to this hotel and secured your things, it is advisable to take a tour of Boracay. There is really not much left to do since the check-in time is at 2:00PM, but you can stroll around the shoreline of Boracay and explore the different shops in it. If this is your first time to visit the island then you would definitely love to stroll around the island of Boracay. Just a reminder, you would want to apply sunblock and wear sunglasses and even hats. This is a great time to take photos of the beach and the surrounding area. There are also sand castles almost everywhere created by the locals. You'll meet several locals offering tour packages, you can check the rates now and maybe reserve one for tomorrow. Take a swim on the beach and enjoy its cool, clear waters. Dinner is not a problem as there are several restaurants nearby and since you are located in Station 2, finding a good restaurant with good food is easy. Since Isla Gecko is near D'Mall you can try several restaurants there like Cyma, Ole, Aria, Lemon Café and Hama. If you want to enjoy the night, you can ask the locals or your hotel staff for any events or concerts in the area. If you can't find one, no worry since Boracay will always have a party at night. It is almost always that you will feel tired by the end of the day, which is due to your trip and the stroll.

Day 2

Island Hopping Tour – this is probably one of the most popular tours in Boracay. You get to explore the different beaches and parts of Boracay while riding in a Bangka boat. You can swim in the clear water, snorkel and simply enjoy the scenery. You could even see a boatman who is selling refreshments to the tourists. These can be ice cream, buko juice, mineral water and other drinks. A tour for a group of 1-6 persons can cost Php2500 and you will be out on the sea for three hours. There is also an option of a four hour tour which includes a seafood lunch and alcoholic drinks like rum and beer. This costs Php1500 per person.

Just a reminder, you should know what time your tour will start so you can have an early breakfast. You will have to inform the hotel staff of your early breakfast so they can cook in advance. Enjoy lunch at Fridays with rates of Php400 per person. This is located in Station 1 and you can enjoy a buffet with salads, pasta and 8 main dishes. The rate of Fridays can be expensive but it is worth it since their restaurant is located beachfront allowing you to feel the cool air of the sea. They have different international theme nights and great ala carte options of steak, seafood, pasta and more. Their famous barbecue and grill buffet is held every Friday. Helmet Diving – ever heard of the underwater wedding? The helmet diving or reef walking makes it possible for people to get married under the water. You can experience this here in Boracay without having to get a marriage license. Helmet diving is a famous activity in Boracay. This is a safe way to dive and marvel the beauty of underwater. You can go down as deep to 10 feet and walk freely. There is a supply of fresh oxygen and a dive master will be at your aid all the time. Helmet diving is actually a cheaper alternative to scuba diving. You can even rent an underwater camera to capture the moment. The rate per person ranges from Php500- Php600 with a speedboat ride from the shoreline of Boracay to the helmet diving spot and back to the shoreline. These activities can be really tiring and can drain your energy. A quick snack at Jonah's Fruit Shake and Snack Bar can quench your thirst. This is located in Station 1 and they drinks and meals are reasonably priced. A massage is a good way to pamper yourself and relieve your sore muscles. This service is not hard to find in Boracay, you can even request one from your hotel. The beachfront also has several roaming massage therapists on beach chairs and will give you a massage right on the beach. A whole body massage can cost Php300. If you still have some energy left, you can visit D'Talipapa and buy some fresh seafood like shrimp and crabs. You can request your hotel to cook the food for you with an additional fee. This can be a cheaper alternative when compared to dining out in restaurants. If you are not yet ready to call it a night, you can go out clubbing in different bars of Boracay. Club Paraw parties all night long with hip hop and house music. This bar is located in Station 1 of the Boracay Island. Day 3 Beach lovers can't get enough of the water activities in Boracay. There are still many activities that can fill your day with fun and excitement. Banana Boat Ride - Banana Boat Ride is a 15 minute ride on an inflatable banana like raft. The boat is pulled by a motorboat at high speeds, but the passengers are safe with a lifejacket in case they fell off the boat. This is exhilarating and fun and can cost around Php150 per person for a minimum of 4. This is a great water activity for the whole family as kids will love the thrill of high speed banana boat. There are so many water sports activities that you, your family and friends will truly enjoy. Parasailing is just one of them. Jet Ski and flying fish are also great activities in the beach. You will also enjoy kayaking especially during the sunset since sunset in Boracay is fabulous. This is even romantic for a couple to do while they are in Boracay. You can eat lunch at Steakhouse Boracay. They offer good food at reasonable prices and you can eat on their veranda and feel the rush of cold air. Aside from water activities, there are land-based activities that can be found in Boracay. The new activity which is Zorb makes you the feel the rush of an amusement ride. You will be strapped into a giant inflated ball and roll down to the White Beach. This is located in Yapak and can cost Php400 per person. Aside from water activities, there are land-based activities that can be found in Boracay. The new activity which is Zorb makes you the feel the rush of an amusement ride. You will be strapped into a giant inflated ball and roll down to the White Beach. This is located in Yapak and can cost Php400 per person. There are activities both land and water based that spells luxury. If you have the funds for these luxury and quite expensive activities, then you should try them. The Dive Safari is not just a normal scuba diving, here you can discover and explore the underwater. You will also get to be a certified PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors). The rates can range from Php1600 to Php20000 per person. Luxury sailing is also another activity that you can try. Their packages range from Php2500 to Php5000 per person. Indiana Jones Eco-Tour will take you to the other parts of Boracay aside from the beach and white sand. You will get to enter and explore Nabas which is believed as the longest cave in the Philippines. Then take a dip in the Natural Cold Springs of Hurom-Hurom. Unwind and relax in this natural setting with lush rainforest as the backdrop. Lunch is a feast of barbecue dishes and cold refreshments. Back to White Beach, you can make your stay unforgettable by having a henna tattoo. This is a temporary tattoo on any part of your body and usually comes off in 2 weeks time. Noel's Studio Tattoo is a famous tattoo studio in Boracay. For dinner, you can try the Indian cuisine at True Food. This is located Station 2 just south of D'Mall. A good Indian meal in a warm and cozy environment can make you feel relaxed after a long day of activities. A Sri Lankan master chef will make sure that the food you order is cooked to perfection. Just sit back and relax in their soft pillows, enjoy your dinner with Indian music playing in the background. Your last night in Boracay can be spent perfectly by watching the fire dancers perform. This is a group of artists that use fire pois and perform awesome stunts. Day 4 Your last day in Boracay can be spent shopping in different stalls located at D'Mall. Here you can find great souvenirs for you and your family. If you have good haggling skills, you can get the products at a lower price. Boracay is truly a place to enjoy, relax and unwind. Their different activities are geared into making the vacation of their tourists memorable. When staying Boracay, you must have extra cash with you aside from your budget. On your next visit to Boracay, you must try other locations and activities to explore and get to know the island.