While issuing a travel ban (a.k.a. “Black Alert”) is HK’s call, it doesn’t mean that the Philippines is in the brink of collapse, that we’re a terrorist-infested territory. I just find it unacceptable that we share the ranks of Somalia and Iraq, we haven’t reach that mark yet. It is true that parts of Mindanao have been war-torn for decades, but most of these are results of clashing ideologies of people wanting change, of rebels with causes. And to date, we now have extremists infiltrating their ranks, government-sanctioned warlords (like the Ampatuans) and a police force that sorely lacks training. But these are issues all functioning governments in the world would like to address and resolve immediately. These are isolated cases that do not paralyze the lives of the rest of us in this sunny part of the world. We still can move freely – businesses in all forms likeForex training seminars, manang’s sari-sari store, and pirated dvd’s thrive, our babies grow, our students graduate, more families and friendships are formed and people can say whatever they want to say without getting shot, skinned or beheaded.

Let me end with this: Lightning could always strike anywhere – from Pentagon to the remotest parts of the world. Nothing in this world is really that secure. Airplanes crash. We get bombed. People die.

None of us planned to move out of Rizal, until late last year when Typhoon Ondoy flooded almost all of Rizal and sent everyone to their rooftops. There was widespread devastation everywhere and no way we can relieve the nightmare. That was what prompted us to go and live in the south. For our own peace of mind.

This is going to be our first family-owned house in a decent neighborhood in Cavite. The best thing about it is we can have our own mini-garden where we can set up outdoor electric grill for small barbecue parties, plant camote tops, and put up a resting place where I can do computer work.

And what I badly need right now is a bike that I can use to reach the village gate. I hope someone would give me a car to address my commuting worries from home to office.

I haven’t bought a house. But I almost did when we spotted this particular place near SM Taytay. I went to the PAGIBIG office only to find that I was 5th in line. It wasn’t meant to be mine.

Now you ask me, what did I learn from these extensive real estate trips? Let me share my top 3.

1. Choose your developer well.

If you’re going the route of buying a brand new house and lot, you’d better do a background check on the developer. Study their portfolio. Ask around. Buyers are often times lured by budget packages only to discover later on that their wallets are about to be slashed some more. Houses were poorly built, facilities were not ready, and the property sits on a landslide prone area. I’ve checked several public forums that had became sounding boards for disgruntled homeowners. But high praises were given to Avida, DMCI, Filinvest and Megaworld.

Always remember that you are investing a fortune here, 100 times the price of an insurance for ipads. So spend your money wisely on properties that won’t be a headache later on. Ask for warranties.

2. Use your PAGIBIG

Minimum interest is currently at 6% per annum. Not bad. If you’re a member, why not use the benefit? All you need is to go to PAGIBIG office in Makati and attend a housing seminar before scouting for a property. They also sell foreclosed properties, but be careful if they are still being occupied by the previous owner. It won’t be easy. The responsibility of driving them out falls squarely on your shoulders. So better find an unoccupied territory.

3. To see is to believe

Go on a real estate field trip! Don’t believe what the photos tell you. They have been whitewashed. See the place for yourself and have a mental checklist of the following – basic utilities, accessibility, transportation, land safety, security, etc. Try visiting the place at night or when it’s rainy. There you’d see what the property looks like in real life. It can be tad ugly.

I had a chance to see them again today in Alabang. I wasn’t expecting the entire family would take their lunch in the resto. Apparently, Kuya seemed to have gone addicted to CPK food. He will sure to miss the food when they go back to London next week, together with my other cousin who will soon attend classes in a medical assistant training school. I will miss the girls, but I am happy in knowing that I was able to spend time with them, no matter how short it was. It was something Bianca would remember. She’d probably tell everyone in her class how she spent her summer going to the beach, shopping in SM Mall of Asia and making her own pizza.

At Manila Memorial Park in Liloan, Cebu

The last time I was in this place was in 2004. The road to Manila Memorial Park Cemetery in Liloan, Cebu was long and dusty. I remember the heat, the exhaustion from lack of sleep, relatives I’ve never met before and wanting to go back home. Everyone around me grieved at the loss of someone they regarded so highly that made me blink more than twice. If you know my story, and the kind of life my family went through in the past, you’ll know why.

More than two weeks ago, I was back to the same spot, now more quiet and peaceful. Freshly cut grass covers the ground where withered flowers and candle-holder remain. Wounds have healed and I guess everyone has moved on.

Today marks my Dad’s 4th death anniversary.

It never crossed my mind that you could actually sell, and buy, houses on Ebay. My brother saw the all-must-go ad last week and inquired over the phone. Both of my brothers set out immediately to meet with the owners braving the weekday traffic from Pasig to the remote part of Rizal. It turned out that the owners, an old couple, would soon migrate to New Zealand where their children are waiting for them. I have cousins in Maryland who did the same thing, too. (By the way, if you’re planning to relocate somewhere in the East Coast, prepare Boston resumes and land on a job you love the most.)

My brothers were excited about the new find that we all went to see the place and decide whether we all agree on owning it or not. It’s a two-storey house with garage, four rooms and a basement. Plus a four-year-old car. And the best thing about it is we’re inside a village that sits on a quiet hill dotted by trees overlooking Laguna Bay.

I have never felt so relaxed; breathing fresh air and enjoying the sight of rugged green mountains. It so inspires creativity I think I could start writing a book there. I hope this is already it.

The house

Forgive this excited post. After days and weeks my mom and brother spent in massive house-hunt from north to south and east to west, they have finally found the one. It’s in a small village just a few minutes away from downtown Pasig City. We’re back to the city where we have spent 20 years of our lives.

Living room

For people like us who have never experienced living in a real house, we’re too excited about this one. It’s not a huge property but the house plan was carefully laid out to maximize the small space. It is a two-storey house with three bathrooms, three bedrooms, living room, dining room, kitchen, laundry room and a garage for the car and cats. Floors are all tiled. The house has slide glass windows, provision for air conditions and built-in cabinets. This is a huge improvement by millions of miles. My friends who have seen that shanty place we’ve lived in before knew what that means.

Toilet and bath

It’s my brother’s house actually. He bought it and my only contribution would be curtains, telephone, DSL and electricity bills (hehe). Papers are now in process. Hopelly, we’re in by next month.

I no longer have a father, but I do still feel and share the joy others have whenever the occasion comes. It warms the heart to know that once upon a time I had a father who made me feel safe from a hostile world. Dad wasn’t perfect. But today, I realized there a lot of things I should really be thanking him for. He taught us to live and stand on our own two feet. We’re better persons now than we were before. I know he is out there smiling down on us.

This Father’s Day, show dad your love. Take him to his favorite restaurant. Send him a card. Buy him one of those Festina watches. But then, living your dreams is the best gift you can give your dad. Go make him proud.

To Kleng-Kleng: I know you’re reading. Happy FATHER’S day. Pun intended. *winks* Hehe.

Mocha Blends’ Mocha Frost is sinfully delicious. I loved it except for that one disturbing sight – a blue straw. Was it really for a foamy frap?

My brother bought this plasma TV mount in a local appliance store. The mount was made of pure glass and steel and it can take even the weight of a huge 24” color TV and a collection of DVDs. He had been dreaming about owning one and now it’s there sitting in the living room.

Now his next project is the kitchen. And I beg not to disagree. Those pans badly need replacements. They’ve been with us since 2001 when I won a Teflon collection during a Christmas party raffle. It’s time to give them their precious retirement.