Our recent food trip to Porest View in Davilan, Carmona, Cavite, was something we had been looking forward to for quite some time. We’d always pass by this spot on our way to Tagaytay, and thanks to Facebook Reels and TikTok, our curiosity was piqued. With stunning views of the city, Laguna Lake, and Mt. Makiling, it seemed like the perfect place to enjoy a meal with a view. Nestled along the newly opened Davilan Road—a convenient shortcut from Carmona to Tagaytay—Porest View offers a simple yet inviting  karinderya-style  setup with an overlooking dining experience. We arrived around 9 AM, fresh from Sunday mass and with empty stomachs that were eagerly anticipating a hearty breakfast. I suggested we finally give this place a try, hoping for a delicious meal to st...

  The Sorteo Festival is a unique triennial tradition in Carmona, Cavite, deeply rooted in the town's agricultural heritage. Established in 1861, just four years after Carmona—formerly known as Barrio Latag—became an independent municipality (formerly part of Silang, Cavite), the festival's name derives from the Spanish word " sorteo ," meaning raffle or lottery . Historically, this event served as a public lottery to allocate communal agricultural lands to deserving farmers, ensuring equitable land distribution among residents. Over the years, the Sorteo Festival has evolved to remain relevant to the community's needs. While the original practice focused on raffling agricultural lands, recent developments have expanded to include substantial cash prizes. For instance, the 2025 festival offered 450 prizes of ₱50,000 each, 50 prizes of ₱100,000 each, five prizes of ₱200,000 each, and five prizes of ₱300,000 each. This shift reflects the local government's comm...

Have you ever found yourself thinking: 🤔 "Pogi/maganda naman ako, pero bakit walang nagkakagusto sa akin?" 😩 "Mas gwapo/maganda naman ako sa kanya, pero siya may jowa na!" 💔 "Nasa akin na ang lahat—jowa na lang ang kulang! Where na u?" Kung relate ka, baka isa ka sa mga naghihintay pa rin ng the one . Pero bago ka mag-emote, here are five possible reasons why you're still single: 12 years old ka pa lang—aral muna bago jowa. Love can wait, but your grades can’t. Priorities first! Either you’re too good for them, or you’ve set your standards too high. It’s okay to aim high, but love isn’t a checklist—it's about connection. You’re too serious with work or too focused on family. Love won’t knock if your door is always closed—find balance in work, life, and romance. Pero kung married ka na, magtigil ka—keep your eyes locked on your family! Your eyes are fixated on your crush, pero masakl...

Only in the Philippines will you hear about couples going to the barangay to enter in an agreement terminating their marriage and allowing each other to live with someone else—allegedly without violating any law. This long-standing practice has been an informal way for estranged spouses to part ways without going through legal proceedings. But is such an agreement valid? Does it have any legal effect on marriage? Since it’s the love month, let’s clarify the legal consequences of this arrangement and why it holds no weight under Philippine law. Marriage, as defined under Article 1 of the Family Code of the Philippines , is a special contract of permanent union between a man and a woman entered into in accordance with the law for the establishment of a conjugal and family life. It is the foundation of a basic and inviolable social institution whose nature, consequences, and incidents are governed by law and not subject to stipulations , except that marriage settlements may fix the prope...

Valentine’s Day is here again, and while couples are stressed about fully booked restaurants, overpriced flowers, and cheesy Instagram posts , tayo namang mga single? CHILL LANG. 😎 But let’s be real—every February, titas, lolas, at random kapitbahays come in full force with their favorite questions: 💬 "May boyfriend/girlfriend ka na ba?" 💬 "Kailan ka magpapakasal?" 💬 "Sayang ka, ang ganda/gwapo mo pa naman!" Pero relax lang, mga besh! Being single isn’t a tragedy—it’s actually a blessing in disguise! Let’s break it down and celebrate why #SingleAndThriving is the way to go. 💃🕺 💖 1️⃣ More Savings, Less Gastos Miley Cyrus Style! 🎶 No more mandatory gifts, date night expenses, or surprise plans that break the bank. Instead, follow Miley Cyrus’s golden rule: 🎶 "I can buy myself flowers…" 🎶 "Write my name in the sand…" Dahil walang jowa, walang gastos ! Instead of spending for someone else, you can: ✔ Book a solo staycat...

After a week of prepping for our kids' quarterly exams ( nothing too hardcore—just enough to keep them ready! ), my husband and I decided it was time for a well-deserved break. So, we packed up and headed to Y&L’s Crib, Tagaytay for a relaxing weekend staycation. Pre-Staycation Errands & Quick Stopovers Before heading to Tagaytay, we had an early morning dental appointment for our annual check-up and cleaning. By the time we were done (around 11:45 AM), we were already starving —so of course, the kids had one place in mind: Jollibee! 🍗🍟 After a quick lunch, we finally hit the road to Tagaytay. Aside from some much-needed downtime, I also had a business  meeting . Plus, I got to catch up with our friends/ neighbors, Shirley and Mike.   Dinner at Paragos, Tagaytay – First-Time Visit For dinner, we decided to try Paragos , a restaurant located in Brgy. Maitim 2nd East, Tagaytay City, just five minutes away from our condo. We’ve seen a lot of great reels and revi...

The real estate market in the Philippines is booming, with countless preselling properties available for aspiring homeowners and investors. But for many, the idea of purchasing a home before it's even built can be overwhelming—whether due to financial constraints or a lack of understanding of the pros and cons. I get it. When my husband and I first bought our first house in Cavite , we weren’t even married yet. At that time, our salaries barely covered our daily needs. But with marriage in mind, we took the risk and made our first real estate investment . Not everyone supported our decision—his family was skeptical because, at that point, there was no guarantee we’d end up together. Fast forward almost 15 years later , we’re happily married with two kids and three real estate investments —our first house in Cavite, a condo unit in Tagaytay , and a bigger house and lot also in Cavite. Looking back, buying a preselling unit was one of the best financial decisions we ever made. But...

Mga Ka-Barangay, mag-ingay!!! 🔥 The Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings are on the brink of another historic feat, inching closer to their 8th semifinal appearance after a thrilling 100-92 victory over the Meralco Bolts in Game 1 at the Araneta Coliseum. 🏀 Scottie "The Hustle Man" Thompson once again proved why he's one of the league’s top-tier players. The former MVP delivered an all-around masterclass with 23 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, and 4 steals , leading Ginebra to a pivotal 1-0 series lead in the best-of-three showdown. With their sights set on a sixth straight semifinal stint , the Gin Kings are locked in and ready to dominate the postseason. During the elimination round, Thompson played the ultimate playmaker role, racking up double-digit assist games ( 13, 11, and 10 assists ). But when it mattered most, he switched gears and turned into a scoring machine ! His 23-point explosion in Game 1 was a statement—his fifth double-digit scoring game this conference—...

Love is often spoken about in grand terms, but it's true essence lies in how it is expressed and received. Since it is love month, it is the perfect time to talk about love and how to express it meaningfully. Many family relationships suffer not from a lack of love, but from a lack of understanding how love is communicated. Dr. Gary Chapman, a renowned author, speaker, and counselor, introduced the concept of the Five Love Languages in his book The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love That Lasts . His work provides valuable insight into how people give and receive love differently. When applied within the family, these languages can bridge emotional gaps, strengthen relationships, and foster a deeper connection among family members. Understanding these love languages can help parents, spouses, and children appreciate each other’s way of showing affection. Rather than feeling unappreciated or misunderstood, families can learn to recognize and reciprocate love in a way that resonate...