A beginners guide to Cheltenham

With Cheltenham Festival coming up we have a few tips for the new and casual punter. All major boomakers are offering incredible bonuses during the festival week work £1,000s we have them listed in our Cheltenham Festival Bonus Diary A Day At The Races: Growing up in Baltimore, home of the famous Pimlico and its Preakness Stakes, I spent a childhood filled with trips to the races. The 1970s were not exactly the glory days of racing, but there was still considerable fanfare about the Sport of Kings. Everyone in my extended family had some “secret” to picking a winning horse. My grandfather insistently studied the pedigrees of the horses in each race; my mother opted for a more down-to-earth approach: she went to look at the horses in the paddock right before each race, and placed her bet on whichever horse relieved itself in the paddock. I, still in the single-digit ages, had a “lucky” pair of purple socks.

“Picking a winner” can be an exacting science, and the amount of effort you decide to put into it should probably reflect your own goal when you’re at the track. If you’re really just out at the track for a day of fun, you’re probably safe with the “lucky sock” approach. Let’s say you really want to make some money, though–or maybe you just really like to analyze things. You’ll want to put a bit more thought into your picks. Look at the information in the Daily Racing Form (it’s for sale at the track). It gives you what you need to make an informed decision, especially the horse’s past performance, and how the horse has done with this particular jockey. Once you get used to using this kind of information, you’ll do better at making a good bet.

Things you’ll want to consider when you look at the racing form: Does the horse seem to prefer a specific track condition? If the horse has performed consistently well on a dirt track, but not well on an artificial surface or turf, you’ll want to think about the kind of surface your track has before you bet. How about the jockey? The racing form will give you this, too. If a horse has always done well with this particular jockey, your bet stands a good chance. And what about the odds on your horse? If the odds are high, then you can win a lot more–but the horse’s chances of winning aren’t as high. For a pretty safe bet, pick the horse with the lowest odds–the favorite–to show. (This means your horse can come in first, second OR third.)

Racing has come to be seen as a little old-fashioned in the past twenty years, but it’s being rediscovered as a fun way to spend an afternoon. Remember the old saying that it takes money to make money–if you want to win big, you’ll probably have to put down a bigger bet–but you don’t have to break your budget, either. For your first time out, restrict yourself to the two dollar bets on the favorites. You’ll be excited if you do win, and you won’t be too disappointed if you don’t. After a couple of weekend outings to the track, you might have your own pair of lucky socks.

A beginners guide to Cheltenham

What is the Best Salon in Manila?

The hair is a woman’s crowning glory.

We’ve heard of that saying long before time without even bothering to learn where that saying even came from. To the many who are concerned with their hairs or their hairstyles, the crowning glory deserves as much pampering and attention as any of the other parts of the body.

Would you have noticed how a mere change in hairstyle or hair color changes the aura or the overall look of a person? There is something about a hairstyle, a good one, that boosts the confidence of a person, or uplifts his spirits and his moods.

Look like a star, like a Roman or Grecian goddess, like Beyoncè or Zooey Deschanel or whomever style star you like, by just simply copying their hairstyles. Look your best.

It is only fitting that in order to achieve that desired look, save up your cash and invest it in a good hair salon and a great hair stylist. So, you ask, what is the best salon in Manila? Worry no more as we present to you not only one, but three of the leading and trusted hair salons in Manila.

Jing Monis Salon

Feeling like a star? The Jing Monis Salon is the ultimate it-girl place to be. Stars and other elites are just a few of the high profile clientele of Jing Monis. They offer first rate services that are at par of course with what you’re paying.

Jing Monis is renowned as one of the best hairstylists in Manila. He’s well-traveled, expanding his knowledge and nurturing his skill in hairstyling and haircutting. Aside from that, the salon in itself is posh among all levels so that you feel no less like a real celebrity as soon as you step into the salon.

Come in with a dream look, and step out with a boosted confidence while donning that dreamed hairstyle.

Visit the Jing Monis Salon at the Greenbelt Mall, Paseo de Roxas, Makati City.

 

Emphasis Salon

Its’ not called Emphasis for nothing. Put an emphasis to your crowning glory that is taken good care of at the Emphasis salon. Feel like a princess when you visit this elegant and luxurious salon that is out to give you a real royal treatment. They sure do understand what crowns mean to their princesses and queens. So, let their experts polish and bejewel those crowns so that you not only look like a princess, but a regal and shining beauty.

 

 

Bench Fix Salon

While most of the elite and the upper class might not reserve a chance to visit Bench Fix salon, this is a great salon especially for the many of us who have just enough or above average budget for a hair redo, updo, and everything else. Bench Fix is already competitive on its own, affordable, trusted, reliable, and most of all, it is very accessible wherever you are in the Metro.

So whether you are on a tight budget or just simply need a quick fix, then drop by the nearest Bench Fix salon without having to doubt or worry about the results.

What is the Best Salon in Manila?

House and Lot for Sale in Manila

Real estate is rising to become one of the top businesses of today. Perhaps, on your own you might have wondered where’d all the grassy places go? Where once there had been green fields or green grasses, or hills and ponds, now there are already columns of metal, cement and other materials on which shall rise the newly developed condominiums or house and lots.

Real estate agents also abound today. Ever wondered about an old classmate or acquaintance on where he or she might be now? You’d be surprised one day if they’d plague your Facebook feed with their posts about real estate, and a notification for you to like their real estate Facebook page. There is nothing wrong with this, just in case you might mistake me. All of these simply suggest how much real estate is developing as a leading business in today’s market.

You might be interested to know that most of the real estate patronage and agents are today’s millenials, the generation with the age bracket of between 20-34 years old. They are the leading customers of real estate. This is a news we should all be glad about because it suggests that today’s millenials are really investing their money on something of value rather than just wasting it on bars, booze, among other things.

So, when considering to buy a house and lot for sale in Manila, what are the things to keep in mind? Here are just a few tips to keep in mind:

• Location. Though a real estate property, this property will now be your home. Thus, it is always important to keep in mind whether you see yourself fit or thrive in that particular community. Would you feel safe? Is it accessible? Whether it is in the metro or in a quiet subdivision, always consider that this is going to be the place you are going to settle in, so see to it that you can settle, and not be restless on your stay.

• Transact Business with a Trusted and Licensed Developer or Broker. You can read all you can about real estate, but there would always be something that would be beyond your reach. These are access and connections. A real estate broker would have connections that might make the transactions easier for you, more manageable, but of course, in a very legal and uncompromising way. They would also have more up-to-date knowledge when it comes to the goingabouts in the real estate industry, and can and should give you wise advice on the steps you should take. These transactions really require an amount of trust so it is always best for you to get to know your broker well.

• Consider the quality of the property. Because of the high demand for properties to date, you’d have room to doubt and reconsider whether the quality is still praiseworthy. A property is and investment, and it would always be wise to invest in high quality property. You can be talked through, but research is a good key. The materials used in the property must always be considered. Consult experts if you must, so that you can be rest assured with the value of the property you will be acquiring.

House and Lot for Sale in Manila

Broadband Options in the Philippines

The internet is perhaps one of the commodities that have slowly become a basic or staple tool and yes, even a necessity. In the Philippines, with which majority of its population frequent social media sites, and gaming networks, circles, or clans, a fast and reliable internet connection is absolutely of high demand.

An article published in the Inquirer web page on April 2014 stirred a lot of Filipinos because of the news that the Philippines actually has the slowest internet connectivity speed in the southeast region. The Philippines also has an internet connection that is among the slowest in the world. This new is much to the dismay of most of the digitized Filipinos.

But setting that news aside, and attending to your need of acquiring an internet connection, here is a list of top broadband options in the Philippines:

Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT)

The Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT) is the largest telecommunications company in the Philippines. It remains to be a top contender even with emerging cellular or mobile communications networks and companies.

PLDT offers myDSL internet service, which has a large following of subscribers, reaching up to about 800, 000 in 2012. DSL or Digital Subscriber Line is already considered as high-speed internet performing at higher and faster rates of reliable data transfer.

PLDT offers a number of plans, depending on the budgets of its subscribers. Most of their plans already include a land line. The plans, depending on the budget, also correspond to a speed of data transfer. For example, PLDT’s Plan 999 reached up to 3 Mbps while Plan 4000 reaches up to 10 Mbps.

Personally, we have PLDT connection at home and am able to attest to the reliability and stability of the internet connection from PLDT.

 

Smart Broadband, Inc.

Smart Broadband offers wireless internet broadband service through SmartBroadband (SmartBro). Smart Broadband is a subsidiary of Smart Communications, Inc, which is also a subsidiary of PLDT.

Smart is a top-favorite among the wireless subscribers because of its reliability in internet connection and its affordable data plans. Millions of subscribers patronize Smart Broadband, and its pocket router continues to be a top-seller in the market.

Smart now offers LTE to its subscribers for even faster internet speed at still affordable rates. Whether it’s limited or unlimited internet surfing, Smart continues to improve at its service to its millions of internet subscribers.

Globe Telecom

Globe Telecom features Globe Tattoo as its forefront in offering high-speed prepaid or postpaid wireless internet broadband connection. Globe also offers DSL connections with subscriber plans that include a land line.

Globe Tattoo creates a lot of buzz in the social networks because of their creative and varied promos that especially cater to all walks of life. There are plans suited for the yuppies and the youths who’d prefer to stream music from Spotify, or just post photos at Instagram, and several other promotions that help increase the span of its target market.

Globe Telecom though faces a lot of concerns from its subscribers because of its internet’s instability, especially during calamities. But then, Globe rose up to the occasion and improved the quality of its service, and thus was able to be the only network provider that handled communications during the recent earthquake and typhoons that hit Cebu, Bohol, and Leyte last year.

Broadband Options in the Philippines

Philippine Historical Buildings

We humans always have the habit of preserving something from the past, to ensure that the future generation would get a glimpse of it, of what it was like living from the old days. This is part of our instinct. Every country has preserved something, even the most littlest artifact (such as an old coin) as a memoir of how the preceding lived out their lives. The country Philippines is no exception. There are lots of Philippine historical buildings in every part of the country. But there are the main ones that really stand out. The buildings that have stood for years, even before the Spaniards, Americans, and Japanese have colonized the country, and thereafter. Here are some:        

1. Malacañang Palace
   

   The Palace is built during the 1500s and is located in San Miguel, Metro Manila. It has a Spanish Colonial style to it which shows that the building was built during the Spanish era. This is where the previous and incumbent Philippine Presidents reside during their presidential term.

   
   


2. Rizal Shrine
   

   Located in Intramuros, Manila, the Shrine holds Jose Rizal’s memorabilia. It is also where Rizal lived his last days before he was shot to death. This is the site where he wrote his last piece of work entitled “Mi Ultimo Adios” r “The Last Farewell.

   
   


3. Vigan
   

   This city doesn’t seem to have changed over the years. Visit this place and you’ll see how well-preserved the buildings are! It has Spanish colonial buildings and the place would definitely take you back to the Spanish era! Vigan still has the Kalesa (Horse drawn Carriage), which is an old mode of transportation of early Filipinos. The cobblestoned pathways and the decent, remarkable buildings will surely take your breath away.

   
   


4. Corregidor
   

   This is located in Manila Bay. It served as a headquarters for the Allied Filipino and American Forces against the invasion of the Japanese army during World War II. The big guns used during the war are still preserved inside the building, as well as war memorabilia. The place also served as a hospital and food storage. Corregidor is also known as “the Rock”. 

   
   


5. Zapote Bridge
   

   The bridge connects Las Piñas and Bacoor. This is where the battle between the Filipinos and Americans during the Filipino-American war took place on February 16, 1897. Monuments have been built and the bridge has been well-preserved.

   
   


6. Basilica minore del Santo Niño
   

   This is the oldest Roman Catholic Church ever built in the Philippines, 1565. It is located in Cebu City. It is said that the spot where the church was built is the site where the image of Santo Niño was found by Spanish Explorer Miguel de Legazpi. This is the same image that Ferdinand Magellan offered Rajah Humabon’s (early warrior/leader of a tribe in Cebu before it was Christianized by Magellan) wife, which served as a gift after Humabon was baptized and Christianized. The image was later named as “the symbol of birth and growth of Christianity in the Philippines”

These are just some of the many historical buildings and artifacts that represent the rich history of the Philippines. The names mentioned above have stood through time and are still very well-preserved.

Philippine Historical Buildings

Philippine Dating Customs

Formally courting someone is part of the Philippine tradition. In the early days, Filipino men court women by showing the woman and her family what he is capable of doing. For instance, the man should know to do light bulb fixtures, farming, fetch water from the well, do carpentry, and the most important of all, the capability of supporting the woman financially and show her family that he genuinely loves the woman. However, just like any other country, Philippine dating customs have also changed through time. Younger generations just text each other some “cheesy” and “kilig” pick-up lines and that’s it. You have yourself a boyfriend or a girlfriend. But, this article will focus more on the traditional way of how Filipinos win the heart of a Filipina.

1. Going to church with a Filipina and hearing the mass with her is a good indication that you are really serious about going out with her, and you want more from her than just dating for fun and excitement.


2. Filipino men and women are known to have a great sense of humor despite of the harsh problems they are facing. Filipinos are good with jokes and doing fun and silly things. Be fun and outgoing yourself can help boost both of your moods and prevent awkwardness.


3. If both of you are still in the get-to-know-each-other phase, do NOT talk to her about sex! Despite the changing world, there are still lots of Filipinas who are conservative and are not open to such conversations. They will only see you as a pervert and that you are only after lust, not love.


4. When dating a Filipina, men should make sure they give them a ride home safely. It’s not really necessary that you should own a car. Philippines have lots of jeepneys and taxis, as long as the girl is with and you make her feel safe, then everything’s good!


5. Also, Filipinas can be frugal as well. It can be a bonus if you take her out on expensive dates and dinners, but don’t do this too often. Some girls might be impressed, but others don’t want you to lavish your savings on them, especially when you are not official yet. They prefer simple dates such as a picnic in the park, or strolling, and hanging out in the mall and watch movies.


6. Introducing you to his/her family could mean that they are serious in having a relationship with you. So be sure you make a good impression when meeting up with her family. Filipinos like to have lots of gatherings, so be prepared in meeting the family and make sure you remember all the names!


7. Last but not the least, SERENADING. This is the oldest form of dating custom in the Philippines. In the early generations, men would sing a long song along with his friends or “barkada” while playing the guitar and the woman witness them from her balcony. Now, anyone can do it just about anywhere. Many have witnessed a formal courtship and serenading in malls and parks with all the balloons and flowers. Truly, Filipinos have a unique way of courting a fellow Filipino woman!

Philippine Dating Customs

Long Haul Travel With Toddler Tips

Traveling for long periods of time can be quite tedious and really tiring. What more if you have a toddler with you, it could be a catastrophe! You need to sort out and plan what you need to bring with you, and at the same time figure out how to appease and satisfy your child. Long haul travel with toddlers can be easy if you follow these tips and do it right.

Long Haul Travel With Toddler Tips

1. Of course, toddlers have a short attention span. They can be really annoying and unruly, especially if they don’t get what they want. But here’s a tip, don’t pack all of their toys in a luggage bag. It is better to put them in a carry-on bag where you can keep it inside the airplane, for example. Or better yet, let them have their own cutie backpacks with lots of goodies inside (if they are old enough to carry one). Consider the type of toys they want. If, for instance, your child loves toy cars, don’t just pack one, but two or three of any variety so they wouldn’t get bored. Read them books or provide some coloring books to keep their hands busy. Don’t forget the teddy bears! Every kid needs one.


2. When toddlers get cranky, they can be really noisy! And it would surely disturb and annoy other passengers. You can apologize to the ones sitting in front of your child because he/she would probably have a back pain after that long haul flight. Apologies in advance, or give them something to compensate for the disturbance your child may have caused.


3. Be sure to pack some extra clothes in your carry-on bags. There are kids who feel ill during long travels. And also, it might be good if you pack up some plastic or paper bags.


4. Pack up some first aid, medical kit. No need to explain further. We all know what this is for.


5. Stash up some of their favorite food, but make sure they are healthy! Fruits like grapes and sliced apples are a good way to go because they are not messy. Cereals are good, too.


6. Filipinos tend to warn their children about a certain “police officer that admonishes naughty children”. It’s not like you should scare them about such, but this technique will really make the behave and prevent themselves from standing on the seat and kicking the seat in front of them, and making a fuss in the middle of the trip.


7. Though many parents deem this unhealthy for their growing child, other adults rely on techno gadgets to keep their kids busy. Some people will object leaving the kids to play games on a tablet, and some prefer the old-style parenting technique by giving them coloring books, reading books, crayons, and such.


8. Don’t forget to take care of yourself! You can’t possibly take care of your kids if you neglect your own health! Be sure you have enough rest before the trip and make sure you’re not stressed and everything else will fall into place.

Long Haul Travel With Toddler Tips