Sharing all things about pet-friendly travels and full-time work from home setup

My SEO Lead Generation Conference Review

Photo source: Janette Toral
When Ms Janette Toral sent me a message of invitation via Facebook for this SEO Lead Generation Conference, I was in the middle of vacation in my hometown in Bicol. I already booked a flight Legapzi – Manila route and it is going to be on Aug. 3rd.   

I am not even expecting to be invited by her personally because I don’t even know if she still recognizes me.  I have been to a number of events she organizes but I could not remember I had the chance to talk to her one – on – one in person that can make her remember me.

Ramadan or Eid'l Fitr is on July 29, 2014 declared as National Holiday by the President of the Philippines

The President of the Philippines has signed the Proclamation N. 826, s. 2014, has declared July 29, 2014 as a regular holiday nationwide to observe the Feast of Ramadhan or the Eid'l Fitr. 

As per the proclamation, it aims "to promote cultural understanding and integration, the entire Filipino nation should have the full opportunity to join their Muslim brothers and sisters in the observance and celebration of Eid'l Fitr" and "in order to bring the religious and cultural significance of the Eid’l Fitr to the fore of national consciousness, it is necessary to declare Tuesday, 29 July 2014, as a regular holiday throughout the country."

Happy Ramadan to our Muslim brothers and sisters!  For the complete list of 2014 Philippine Holidays, you may click here.

FREE: Cebu Internatl Travel Expo Series 2014 at Waterfront

FREE entrance to Cebu Internatl Travel Expo Series 2014 at Waterfront Hotel and Casino

The 5th  International Exhibition on Inbound and Outbound Travel, Travel and Leisure Products and Services Exhibition will happen on July 24 - 26 this year at Waterfront Hotel and Casino. You can pre - register by logging in at www.globallinkmp.com

Schedule
July 24 - 25  10:30AM - 6:30PM
July 26        10:30AM - 6:00PM

For more information you may contact 750 - 8588 to 92 via landline or email info@globallinkmp.com or check their official Facebook Fan page.

Win A 3N stay in Bali, Indonesia at Alila Villas Soori

Alila Villas Soori is a private and luxurious retreat located in Bali, Indonesia.  You can win a  a three-night stay in a one-bedroom Mountain Pool Villa there!

It is surrounded by UNESCO's world heritage protected rice fields. One can see also see the incredible volcanic sand plus the nearby coastline. 

Mechanics:
Just like the official Facebook Fan Page of Alila Villas Soori. Please click here.  Then you just need to enter your emmail, name, country etc... Easy peasy!

Deadline:
July 31, 2014

The Truth About Freelance Work in the Philippines

A freelancer working on his laptop Source here
In 1989, British computer scientist Tim Berners-Lee invented the world wide web, which the world would later dub as the Internet. This innovation enabled people to share electronic data from computer to computer, and greatly revolutionised the way people communicate and do business. However, it wasn't until around 1994 that the internet came to the Philippines. In fact, the country just celebrated the 20th anniversary of the internet's arrival on March 28. 

August is Fertility Awareness Month

In 2013, a survey commissioned by pharmaceutical group Merck Serono and conducted by Synovate in 100 households in the Philippines revealed that one in 10 couples have infertility problems.

Ironically, awareness of fertility is moderate to low among Asian women. Barriers to seeking treatment include poor knowledge of fertility risk factors and facts about fertility.

But did you know that infertility is not just a women’s issue? Up to 80 percent of women do not suspect that their husband may have a fertility problem. Age is a major factor for infertility. Only 36 percent of women realize that a woman in her 40s has a lower chance of getting pregnant as a woman in her 30s.

Couples delay seeking medical help because of the fear and stigma associated with being infertile. But what if it’s already too late?


Geeks on A Plane in Manila: Exploring Technopreneurship Ecosystems

July 24, 2014 9AM - 12MN
Asian Institute of Management
Makati

The brains behind the Geeks on a plane is having a tour around SE Asia. This is a free event but they want to give more priorities to those who really need to be here like startup enthusiasts and the likes. All you need to apply for an invitation is to answer 2 questions.

1. How can this forum add value to your startup / organization / initiative? *
2. Tell us what you specifically would want to learn from the panelists, participants and organizers. This will help us curate the questions based on what you are keen on learning. You may list your questions below as well. *

Here's the link. Good luck!


How to Use Google Adwords and Google Partners for your Business

Without Google Adwords, my business is dead. To confess that using Adwords changed my life is exaggerated but I stand for what I say… up to the end.  I cannot think of any word that can describe how it helped my online shop acquire unprecedented sales for a bootstrapping online entrepreneur like me.  However I prefer not to divulge any numerical figures to support my statement because I want to protect the interests of my travel business partners and mine as well.  There will be a right time and a right place to do that.  

For the meantime, just picture it this way: I gave up my 8-year old very stable job to pursue an online career. .. all because of Google Adwords.  Now call it serendipity because I also found another path worth taking –   the world of online advertising. In fact I am readying myself when the time comes that I need to give up my online shop which is my only bread and butter from the start to become an online advertising professional.  I know it is going to be really hard. It’s like breaking up with your first love because you have finally found your true love. .. even if it meant losing everything you have and starting all over again.


Free Entrance to Ayala Museum on July 19th, Free Museum Day

July 19th is a Free Museum Day. Ayala Museum would like to share the celebration with everyone by giving a free admission inclusive of all galleries, activities and performances from 9AM - 6PM.

When you get there, you may also drop by at the nearest Greenbelt Chapel if you are Catholic and check Greenbelt for shopping, coffee shops and movies.  I have been to Ayala Museum for a many times. This is really place that should not be missed when visiting Makati.  

Check my related posts happened in Ayala Museum below:

For more information, you may visit http://www.ayalamuseum.org/



FREE: SEO Lead Generation Conference on July 12th (Invite only basis)

This is the reason why I am cutting my one month vacation trip short, I want to be part of the SEO Lead Generation Conference and Competition this July 12th, so tomorrow I'm taking a 12 - hour butt - numbing (that's ok) bus ride from Bicol to Manila.
  
Since I run an online shop, I am always very curious how ranking in search engine results are done by different search engines.  I believe joining this give me so much knowledge I need to run a business online.  


The Halsema Highroad Point, the highest point in the Philippine Highway System

Sagada, Mountain Province, Philippines
On our way back to Manila from a 3-day trip to Banaue, Sagada and Baguio last December of 2013, 
we made a very quick stopover to a long and winding road somewhere in Benguet. It has been almost half a year since we travelled there, but still my memory longs for that heavenly view that took my heart away for about twenty minutes. I wished we could have stayed longer there. 

The view is way, way majestic that I decided this deserves a blog post of its own. What I am talking about is the Halsema Highroad Point, the highest point in the Philippine highway system. This is located in Cattubo, Atok Benguet with an elevation of 7, 400 feet above sea level and a two-hour ride from La Trinidad, the capital town of Benguet.

World Nomad's Win A Trip of a Lifetime Contest

Last year, World Nomads sent 4 persons to India, Brazil, Iceland and Namibia for a trip of a lifetime adventure.

Now they are giving one person a chance to do the same then get the following:

Return flights to your chosen destination
$5,000 AUD spending money to cover your trip costs
Travel insurance from World Nomads

To do:

1. You just need to watch the video below and answer the following question: What do you think Andre had rubbed all over him in India?

2. In 100 words or less tell us where in the world you want to pack your bags and… Just Go!

For more information, you may check this link.

FREE TrulyRichMakers Club's Financial Literacy and Coaching Seminar

 
Bro. Bo Sanchez, the braind behind Truly Rich Makers Seminar, is organizing a free event entitled Financial Literary and Coaching seminar. This is perfect for those thinking of getting out the rat race and starting out a journey of owning a business.


Available Dates and Schedules
July 8 (Tuesday) at 10:15 AM or 2:00 PM
July 10 (Thursday) at 10:15 AM or 7:00 PM
July 12 (Saturday) at 7:00 PM
July 15 (Tuesday) at 10:15 AM or 2:00 PM
July 17 (Thursday) at 10:15 AM or 7:00 PM

Venue: Room 901, 9th floor, Kingscourt 1, Chino Roces corner Dela Rosa st, Makati City

All you need is enter your name, occupation, email address, age, chosen date/time of seminar and mobile phone in this link here.

Business Sense: Practical Pursuits for Filipino Women in 2014

Image source here
The year is almost halfway done and many may be wondering "Why now?" But the truth is, it is never too late to start pursuing your dream. In the past few years, many in the nation have decided to leave their regular jobs and start businesses. In a third world country such as the Philippines, being your own boss is as big a dream as being able to work abroad. And now that the PH economy is doing quite well in the world market, you'll probably witness more people joining the entrepreneurial bandwagon in the coming years.

Setting up a business, however, is no walk in the park. You need capital, a sound business plan, a ton of determination, and most importantly, an amazing business idea. If you're planning to go through the conventional route, you would also need to rent an office spaceIf you're a parent, you'll also need superb organisational skills. Out of all these though, it's probably the "idea" part that you should first get a hold of. After all, according to American author Earl Nightingale, "Everything begins with an idea."