When you’re planning a holiday it can feel like there’s just one cost after another. Even after you’ve booked your trip, whether it’s a package or a DIY holiday, you’ve then got to arrange local currency, airport parking, perhaps transfers to the hotel, maybe a local guidebook, sun cream, and the obligatory pair of new holiday shoes. Another cost to add to the list is travel insurance. But as any savvy holidaymaker knows, the importance of the other costs (aside from your actual booking of course) pales into significance compared to holiday insurance.

It’s certainly not something you should scrimp on, because it could protect you from paying the price of an accident, falling ill or requiring medical attention which, when abroad, can cost hundreds, even thousands of pounds.

So how do you ensure you’re getting the right travel insurance without paying more than you need to? One of the best ways to find the right level of holiday insurance is to use a comparison website. Opt for a reputable site and use it to compare policies and prices online, as this can help you to understand exactly what’s included, whether it’s right for you, and how it compares in terms of price.

Naturally, you’ll need to make sure your policy equates to your style of holiday. If you’re opting for a week on the beach, you probably won’t need winter sports cover. Similarly, don’t buy multi or annual travel insurance if you’re only likely to go abroad once this year. Single trip travel insurance will cover you for one trip and can be significantly cheaper than an annual policy, which typically covers you for a 12-month period.Similarly, if you are likely to travel abroad more than once this year, an annual or multi trip policy will probably be more suitable, and much more cost-effective too.

Shop around, compare prices and make sure you’re only buying what you need. It will help ensure you get the right level of cover and it could save you some money too.

And here’s what I’ve been wanting to share with everyone since I heard that Ferns Tosco will be releasing a self-titled album under Star Records. I’d also want to apologize for the delay because I had to deal with some business projects these past few weeks and I’m just happy that everything is “back to regular programming now”.

So here it is, see how Ferns Tosco captures the magic of Boracay Island in her music video of the song “Island Called Boracay” which like I said before – is a song that she wrote. And let me quote the description of the video – “See the breathtaking snippets of one of the world’s best beach resorts with the island sunset, indigenous crafts, water sports and its most significant treasure – its people!”

And another good news! Ferns is coming back to Iloilo! The Department of Tourism Region VI will celebrate the 115th Philippine Independence Day on June 12, 2013 4:00pm with the theme “Kalayaan 2013: Ambagan Tungo sa Malawakang Kaunlaran”. Ferns is one of the artists who were invited to perform  along with Michelle Luna, Tumandok of IRecords and Irong-irong Dance Company to be held at Event Center, SM City Iloilo.

So if you haven’t seen Ferns perform live this is your chance. Check out Boracay’s first international singing sensation at SM City Iloilo.

Through this blog, Ferns would also like to that everyone for the never ending support. For those who haven’t yet, you can still download Ferns Tosco’s self-titled debut album under Star Records digital on iTunes, mymusicstore, & AmazonMP3. If you want the physical CDs, they are available ONLY in the Island called Boracay!

See you June 12^th at SM City Iloilo Event Center!

Once you have had a few more French ski holidays under your belt and you consider yourself a little more advanced, it may be time for you to venture away from the groomed pistes and into the realms of off-piste terrain. It is here, that you will need to know how to ride the powder if you plan on staying on your feet as you glide down the mountain in style.

The deep snow beyond the groomed runs is completely different to anything you have tried on the slopes so you will need a different set of skis. These can be hired from the shops in the resort, so you don’t need to invest in another pair just yet. Wide skis are ideal for skiing deep snow, giving you added balance and stability which you’ll inevitably need. If you’re hiring, ask for advice on rockered skis – i.e. those that have a little more bend at the tip and tail.

One top tip you should bear in mind when riding the powder for the first time, is don’t lean back in your skis, because you shouldn’t have to! The skis will help you to tackle any rough bits without you worrying about it – you just have to trust the skis more than you would necessarily have to on the slopes. By not leaning back, you will have better manoeuvrability and it’ll mean your stance will improve as a result.

Powder skiing is incredibly exhilarating and will give you the chance to step away from the groomed runs to experience something a little more challenging. Take a look at the French ski holidays on offer in the upcoming winter season and get ready for the powder action!

There are many places on this planet where you can take a holiday and each one has its own appeal. There are the last minute getaways which provide a great, low-cost trip to Spain, Greece, Egypt and even further afield. Or you could choose a romantic few days away in Paris or Rome. But where do you go if you want something really special – a once in a lifetime holiday that totally transforms your outlook? Somewhere that offers you a peep at a culture and way of life so very different from our own, yet without leaving the obligatory seaside and hot sunshine? Cuba holidays should give you everything you could ever wish for, and more. Quite a few of the larger tour operators, such as Thomas Cook offer reasonably priced package breaks to this beautiful island.

Cuba holidays serve up a typically Caribbean experience. Swathes of soft white sand slope into a crystal clear sea, coconut-laden palms rustle gently overhead – right from the start it’s a magical holiday. However, as you travel away from the beaches the dream state only deepens as you listen to the salsa rhythms floating across the breeze and the 1950’s American cars chugging by. The entire island swings along with a relaxed atmosphere and a chilled vibe, inviting you to kick back and party along with them. During the daytime you can while away the hours sipping cocktails underneath the shady palms and watching the tide roll in, taking the odd dip in the clear waters to cool off. You can also explore some of the fascinating history of the island and look deeper into the cultures that have shaped the nation.

Then as the sun starts to set the atmosphere really heats up. You will need your energy as the beat starts to pick up, and the relaxed atmosphere turns into a bouncing party vibe. Be prepared to get carried along until the early hours of the morning, dancing, laughing and making wonderful holiday memories that will last a lifetime.

But today, an amazing Sunday, I want to remind everyone this – do not let money rule your life.

Look around you, I’m sure you see a lot of people busy with their “high profile jobs” or businesses that provide a good source of income. Unfortunately though, the power of money has increased to such a great extent that it has started ruling over the lives of some of them.

Well, this is not the fault of money, but the fault of man himself. The importance and value of money was there since time immemorial, but today, man is completely controlled by money in every possible ways. He completely fails to realize that this has already started creating a great impact not only in his life, but also in the life of others.

Money is only a means to survive..

We must not forget that money is only a means to survive, and thus, money is of course required. In the current economic situation, it is very essential to earn well, so that it can help fill up all the daily necessities that we need along with some luxuries as well. Without money, you will have to compromise a lot on your living standards and style. Not only will you have to forego luxuries like cars or gadgets, but you will find it very difficult to meet your basic needs of food, clothing and shelter. Therefore, earning money is very important.

Do not give excess importance to money..

Never give excess importance to money because if you do that, then it will start ruling and controlling your life. Sometimes having lots of money is not good, because it can completely change a person. (I know a couple of people like this). Money is like a drug, because it can make you powerful. But just remember to make use of this power in positive ways. Money will make you feel that you are living a better life and then you tend to ‘forget’ your principles, and will also make you believe that it is more important than who you really are. So never forget your principles. Never forget your faith too.

Money should not be your reason for living..

Money should only be a part of your life because in these current times you need it to survive. However it should not be the only thing ruling your life, because there’s a big possibility that you will forget everything else. It is you who should take control of money, and not the other way around. It is up to you to decide how much you will earn and how much you will spend instead of compromising on the quality and standard of your life.

Don’t get me wrong – money is important..

Don’t get me wrong, I myself have an awesome business that provides me and my loved ones everything that we need plus the occasional luxuries. But like I said earlier I don’t let money rule my life. That’s just not healthy and it goes against my principles.

If money can make you humble, that’s great, but in a lot of cases, that’s not happening at all. I see people with fat egos who are going gaga over money and how to get more of it. I don’t know what goes on in their minds. Or if they realize that what they’re doing is so not healthy anymore.

Speaking of health, now this is a big issue, do not forget your health while earning a living. What will you do with your wealth if you’re not healthy anymore? I know what – spend your money regaining your health back. I don’t know about you but I don’t want that to happen to me.

The whole game changes when you are the one who controls money. You become smart about how you spend and in bringing income your way. You make better choices. You gain the confidence to say no to the bad choices. And you don’t let the bills get the best of you. You cut expenses and stop wasting time. You move forward with your life goals – which is ultimately, freedom.

So the more money you have and you learn how to control it, then the more goals you can achieve. And the more goals you achieve with the money you have, the more you can help other people achieve their goals. You accomplish everything you set out to accomplish without worrying about money controlling you at all.

I hope this blog post helps you realize not to let money rule over your life. And I hope my scattered thoughts today makes sense. And that you learned a thing or two. Have a beautiful Sunday with your loved ones!

I’m writing this blog post to celebrate our 10th year of being in love.
Because no one else in this world understands me the way my Nonoy Tim does.

Here’s for more years of creating precious memories together.
More years to discover new things to enjoy about each other.

And of course for more years to strengthen our marriage that defines forever.
After all this time, you are still amazing to me.
Because what was, still is.

Like I always say: just simplify and savor your life.

And it made me think of this too..

A lot of people are always busy proving themselves to someone or to everyone.  For example, an employee always tries to prove himself the best in front of his boss, while a student always tries to prove himself the best in front of his teacher. Well, again, these are absolutely useless; you need to know the basic and the simplest truth of life – you don’t need to prove yourself to anyone. You only have to answer to yourself. Never ever try to prove yourself to anyone.

It’s a waste of time and energy..

When you are desperately trying to prove yourself, then surely you must have put lots of effort into it. What if you don’t succeed in proving yourself in whatever it is that you’re trying to prove? Then you’ve simply wasted time and energy.

It all comes down to self-confidence..

Sometimes, when you want to impress, it is mainly out of the desire to be treated better. But it just doesn’t work out that way. Only by keeping calm and developing self-confidence will you have peace of mind. This will bring out a different vibe from you, and you will get that positive response from people. You don’t have to put much effort just to impress others. You just have to be true to yourself and have that positive attitude.

Stick to your values..

Now one of the most important things to remember is that you should always stick to your values. Getting diverted from your values will not help you in anyway. Develop a goal in life, and try to find the right track to reach it while sticking to your values and ideals.

Have faith in yourself..

Never ever lose faith in yourself, or lose control of your life. You are the ruler of your life, and it is ultimately you who have to decide what you want to do with it. Just mind your own business, and things will automatically become clear and fall into place. Develop a simple attitude towards life so that it is not difficult for you to follow them.

The combination of all these things will give you the impression and a solid understanding of why you only have to answer to yourself. And remember, for you to reach your goal, you don’t have to prove yourself to anyone.

At the end of the day, your family will always be there for you (not because you’re popular), and certainly not the people you’ve “influenced”.

Here are more of my blog posts about LIFE.

Negativity in individuals is a behavioral trait that develops over time. However, this trait is harmful not just to the individual himself but to those that surround him as well. Negativity in humans is a difficult subject and it must be dealt with tact and patience. While you may be a positive and strong individual, the negativity of another person may drain you of your positive attitude making you feel depressed and exhausted. However, there are ways that can help you deal with negative people. How you ask? Well continue reading below.

Identify the negative people

It is crucial to identify the negative people around you. While it is easy to say this, identifying the negative is not very easy in the first place. You have to look out for signs like being tense in their company, the urge to get away, the feeling of being constricted or having your energy fizzle out. You have to look at whether such people are always complaining about the way things are. Are they doing anything to improve their situation or are they just complaining. The answers to these questions will help you identify the negative people around you.

Stay optimistic

You must never forget your optimism. The negative vibes intend to overpower your positive thinking but you have to be vigilant and try to remain detached so that your optimism is not harmed.

Think Positive

Negative people often try to motivate you to think the way they do. They will try to tell you all sorts of tragic and sob stories to seek a reaction from you. However, you must remain static and always think positively so that you are not caught in the negativity of that person.

Motivate

Motivating the negative person to tell you something positive is a good way to deal with negative people. Such individuals are always complaining of something or the other. The idea is to make them speak about something positive. This step could have two benefits. One of this is that the person would start thinking on positive lines and secondly, he or she might stop telling you their sob stories.

You have to learn to deal with negative people to stay happy and contended. Because simply avoiding them won’t work. I hope the steps I shared can help you maintain your optimism. Maintain that smile!

From Spain to Italy, Malta to the Balearic Islands, France to North Africa, the Med is full of so many different cultures and personalities. So one of the best ways to soak up a real Mediterranean experience is to try a little bit of each – and what better way to do this than a Mediterranean cruise?

Just take a look at some of the itineraries on offer. You could take a non-flight itinerary departing from Southampton that stops first at the north-western port of La Coruna in Spain, before moving on to the iconic North African city of Casablanca in Morocco. You’ll have a day to explore this fascinating city and the chance to take one of several organised tours, then it’s back onboard ready to sail to Seville in southern Spain, and afterwards Gibraltar. Finally you’ll visit the Portuguese capital of Lisbon before heading back to your UK port.

Or you could experience a different side of the Medand take in the vibrant culture of the French Riviera, visiting such A-list locations as Cannes, St Tropez and Nice, as well as the lively city of Marseille – famous for its bustling ports and the classic seafood dish, bouillabaisse.

Whatever Med experience is on your menu, there’s a thrilling array of itineraries on offer all year round, promising plenty of unforgettable experiences and lashings of fun in the sun.

I know you guys have smart phones and you use Apps every day. And do you know how much money these app makers make? You want to know? Then keep on reading!

I would like to share an opportunity to play a game to track and monetize your ripple effect all over the world.  And get paid simply by sharing free apps with your friends. Awesome right?

I know most of you know me. And you know that I definitely am not a fan of hype. I have not posted anything like this before in my social media profiles or blogs. I don’t get involved with every latest and greatest hot new shiny object or business opportunity that’s out there – at all. In fact I am the opposite. I am very very selective in what I get involved with. I value my friends and followers in my social media profiles and blogs and I am committed to sharing things that I truly believe in 100%.

And Rippln is absolutely one of them – hence my excitement!

So this is an opportunity for all of us to come together and play a bigger game – together. I have not seen anything like this in our industry here in the Philippines – or anywhere for that matter – ever launched online before. This is something that I truly believe in and I’m so ready to run with!

So if you’re ready and excited to learn more about how you can get in, here is what I want you to do… Leave me a comment below and tell me about yourself and your leadership skills and experiences in a sentence or two.  If it’s a good fit, I’m going to send you an invitation to get inside the ripple. Talk to you soon!