The Girl Behind the Pen

The past year might have been challenging but, if there's a silver lining on it, 2020 is a meaningful one. Last year, the pandemic dared us to be connected even amid the pandemic. Thus, Lumina Homes conducted this year's annual awards through another virtual event this 2021 to prioritize health and safety.

Gawad Lumina is the annual sales awarding event that aims to express gratitude to partner networks and recognize top sales performers that delivered outstanding results by going beyond expectation yearly.

In its second year of celebrating the event virtually, over 500 performing Bida Lumina Sellers registered and joined "Gawad Lumina 2020: Digi-Connect" last March 19, 2021, via Zoom.

Lumina Homes awarded top-performing Bida Lumina Sellers per categories such as salespersons, sales managers, and brokers in each cluster of North and East Luzon, South Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

The highlight of the virtual event is awarding the overall top performers nationwide.

For Lumina Homes, the seller's experience is as important as that of the buyers. Amid this pandemic, Lumina continuously strives to help its partner sales network adjust to the changing landscape of real estate selling. Lumina ensures that Bida Lumina Sellers remain proactive and persistent in their shared mission of providing affordable homes.

To ensure safety, Lumina Homes built a way to make "virtual tripping" and online reservation possible. With the use of 360-degree virtual house tours, sellers can discuss the features of Lumina Home Models, a hassle-free way to explore and avail house and lot unit using a computer or smartphone.

"Lumina Online University" was also launched, dedicated to being a web-based teaching platform that offers sales courses on selling Lumina Homes. Lumina Online University will soon include free webinars and specific courses about Lumina properties so sellers will become more familiar with the house and lot offers of Lumina Homes.

To spice up the virtual event, Lumina Homes also announced its biggest Annual Incentives for the year 2021. All its Bida Lumina Sellers may receive "CASHing! CASHing! Cash Sales Incentives" depending on their sales performance. A salesperson can receive as much as 100,000 pesos, and a broker can have as much as 500,000 pesos worth of cash and digital support. And the jaw-dropping "Bonggang House and Lot Promo" was also launched. Every performing partner sales network can have the chance to own a brand new house and lot via raffle to be done in the next Gawad Lumina for the sales year 2021.

Gawad Lumina 2020: Digi-Connect ended with a fun live raffle where 50,000 worth of prizes were given away! 50 participants won 300 pesos; 5 lucky winners of 3,000 pesos; 1 winner of 5,000 pesos, 1 winner of 10,000 pesos; and 1 winner of 20,000 pesos!

Lumina Homes being an all-digital real estate developer and equipped with future-ready innovation believes that the key to success in the industry will always be its connection with every dedicated salesperson. And the connection that binds them is the mission of providing affordable house and lot for every Filipino family.

Being home to more than 7,000 beautiful islands, the Philippines surely never disappoints. From the pristine beaches and jaw-dropping lagoons to the breathtaking rolling hills, there's something for every traveler, and that will make you want to come back for more. 

Of all the Philippine destinations I've been to, one of the places that left a mark on me was Batanes. With its lush greenery everywhere that will make you sing the hills are alive and socializing with the kindest people you'd ever meet, how can you not love Batanes?

Must-read: Batanes Through the Eyes of a First-Timer

But did you know that there is a place near Manila that almost looks like Batanes? Read on to find out where this place is.

Behold, Tanay in Rizal Province, just one to two hours away from the metro. We just saw this accidentally when we decided to pass by the Marilaque Road. Marilaque stands for Marikina (Ma), Rizal (Ri), Laguna (La), and Quezon Province (Que). It's a famous road for riders who are coming from Manila and traveling to Rizal or Quezon provinces. 

The moment I saw it, I already thought it's really like Batanes. Wherever you look (at least in the part of Tanay in Marilaque) is a mountain range and rolling hills. But it was almost dark so we didn't stop. I told myself, I have to come back and see it again. And when we did, my jaw dropped just like when I saw this road in South of Batan Island in Batanes.

Sure, it's not really 100% look-a-like but there is a resemblance. My point is, in Batanes, hills and mountains are the usual sights on the road. And in Rizal lies a somehow similar spot where you can see beautiful landscapes as you drive along the road.

And just like taking a photo in Batanes' road, it's also not easy playing patintero with the cars passing by so, in case you're planning to take a photo, be extra careful because vehicles there are fast and they wouldn't stop for your photoshoot. Luckily, the cars passing by that time were only a few.

Being a Rizal resident, I was really surprised that there is actually a place like this in our province. Even restaurants have overlooking views of the Sierra Madre Mountain Range. It's pure, divine, and breathtaking.

How to get to Marilaque Highway

Ricardo's Vista del Cielo

To travel to new destinations is to absorb the beauty and history of a place, but some places truly take us back in time and allow us to get a glimpse of another world in a different era—Sulyap Gallery Cafe, Boutique Hotels and Restaurant is one proof.

Our tour guide said the property was originally named as Sulyap sa Pamana because the owner inherited the land (if I remember correctly) from his father. However, since there are lots of establishments named Pamana, they decided to rename it to Sulyap instead. Sulyap is a Filipino word meaning to glance, to see something just for a moment. 

As we set our feet on its ground, we were greeted by old traditional Filipino houses-turned-hotel and restaurant. The traditional Filipino homes may have dwindled but echoes of its presence can be seen and experienced at Sulyap Gallery Cafe in San Pablo, Laguna. 

These houses were brought from various provinces in the Philippines. The owner rebuilt the old houses and worked hard to maintain each house's original materials. He said he didn't really change much of it and about 90% of the houses have their original parts. 

Photos from Sulyap Gallery Cafe, Boutique Hotels & Restaurant

There's also a museum across the restaurant where you can see a whole floor full of the owner's antique collection. 

And as for the food, I really can't say much except that it was undeniably good. All the dishes we ordered were fit to any person's taste. I love their sinigang na liempo (PHP 430), bistek tagalog (PHP 450), lechong kawali (PHP 430), and my favorite, the sizzling mixed seafoods (PHP 495). Best of all, it won't let you break the bank as its prices are reasonable. The crew also deserves a credit because everyone was very accommodating — giving you a complete Filipino experience because of their good traits.

More than being a restaurant and boutique hotel, Sulyap Gallery Cafe is a bridge to the past letting us in to an old world charm to experience the Filipino culture in all its glory.

Sulyap Gallery Cafe, Boutique Hotels & Restaurant

Address: Brgy. Del Remedio, Cocoland Compound 4000 San Pablo City, Laguna, Philippines

Operation hours: 10am to 6pm

Budget for meals: PHP 1,000 for two

Sulyap Gallery Cafe Room Rates:

With Breakfast

• 4 guests in a room - PHP 5,800
• 5 guests in a room - PHP 7,000
• 6 guests in a room - PHP 8,100

Extra Bed - PHP 1,000

Without Breakfast

• 4 guests in a room - PHP 5,100
• 5 guests in a room - PHP 6,125
• 6 guests in a room - PHP 7,050

Extra Bed - PHP 825

Black is usually not my go-to color but I broke the norm and tried it at least once in a while. And you know what, it really doesn't hurt to go out of your comfort zone. In this case, wearing an all-black and white outfit.

To be really honest, I try to avoid blacks because it's too far from my personality and it's like the color of evil (I know, I think like a crazy gal sometimes). But when I tried it, I finally understood why many women love wearing black—it's simple yet chic.

Here I'll decode the all-black and white outfit trend by providing some tips on how to wear it the right way.

1. Go with good-fitting pieces

As many would say, black makes you look sexier. While it's true, it doesn't mean an all black outfit guarantees you the look you're expecting. The secret is to choose pieces that compliment your body.

2. Don't be over the top from head to toe

3. Wear a chic accessory

1. Always stay a student

2. Think that you're not the best at your craft

3. Take small steps

4. Go for the menial job

5. Get out of social media. For awhile. 

6. Beat resistance into submission

7. It's okay to fail

Spending money, even for "smart" investments, can make anyone think twice especially with the situation now. But one thing you could put your hard-earned money on without making your blood run cold is a real estate property. 

Experts say that it's one of those investments that don't depreciate easily as it continues to hold value. Sounds promising, right? However, I have just one teeny-tiny problem that's holding me back—budget.

I'm a millennial earning less than a six-figure salary monthly and thinking of buying an affordable house and lot at such a young age. With this setup, it's like I'm diving head-first. Because seriously, how could a 20-something five-figure earner afford to buy a house at this time, especially now that my side hustles as a freelance writer and a blogger have been affected (less to no events, fewer promotions).

But then I discovered this local real estate developer and in an instant, my heart skipped a beat. Lumina Homes is the affordable housing arm of Vista Land, the Philippines’ largest homebuilder known for housing brands including Camella, Lessandra, and Vista Residences among others.

It offers an affordable yet exclusive subdivision lifestyle featuring 24/7 guarded entrance, roving security, and shuttle service. You can also enjoy cool amenities like a play area, gazebo, mini gardens, and more. 

Since 2012, Lumina Homes was able to expand in over 50 locations including Rizal, Cavite, Batangas, Laguna, Bulacan, Pampanga, Bataan, Zambales, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Pangasinan, La Union, Cagayan, Isabela, Quezon, Camarines Norte, Albay, Sorsogon, Iloilo, Capiz, Cebu, Negros Occidental, Agusan del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Bukidnon, Misamis Occidental, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, and South Cotabato. 

Lumina Homes Affordable House and Lots

• Anna Rowhouse (24 sqm house on 36 sqm lot with provision for 1 bedroom)
• Angelique Townhouse (35 sqm house on 36 sqm lot with provision for 2 bedrooms and carport)
• Angeli Duplex (42 sqm house on 54 sqm lot with provision for 3 bedrooms and carport)
• Athena Single Firewall (53 sqm house on 63 sqm lot, with provision for 3 bedrooms, family area, and carport)

Owning a house and lot at such a young age should not be an achievement but should be achievable for everyone and Lumina is making that possible. Whether you're retiring or a young professional, you can totally get your dream house with Lumina's affordability. It's never too late or too early to invest in your dream house.

Check them out on Facebook and their website lumina.com.ph