Five simple rules for building the ultimate man cave

Not sure how to begin creating your personal lair? Here’s your guide to setting up the perfect testosterone-powered chamber.

To dads who toil away at the office and at home most of the time, Father’s Day is a welcome respite from the fray. It’s also one of those days when you can get away with a lot of things, like finally working on the man cave you’ve always dreamed of.

A man cave is a guy’s getaway; his own zone away from the fuss and frills of the entire home. It’s the place where he can hole up and hibernate for as long as he can, and is pretty much a wife- and children-free spot where he can do what he wants (within reason, of course).

Sounds like a dream, right? If you think it’s time to cash in your get-away-with-something card and put together your private hideaway, here are five things to keep in mind before you start.

Choose a room in the house

It can be your house’s basement or attic, or even half of (or the entire) garage. Whichever room you want to transform, consider how big it is and what you plan on turning it into. And make sure it’s actually an available space you won’t be using anymore; it’s going to be a hassle when you finally set up your man cave, only to dismantle it because you need the area for storage.

Decide on a theme

Are you a sports nut, a gaming enthusiast, or a movie buff? Your hangout can be anything you want—it’s your sanctuary, after all. You can turn it into a sports bar, a video-game arena, a mini-theater, or even an old-fashioned gentleman’s club where you can swill scotch and talk about the weather with friends all day. Picking a theme early on will help you go into the nitty-gritty, from choosing between a pool table and a juke box, as well as the color scheme and furniture.

Map out your idea

Before taking a sledgehammer to your walls, you need a plan of attack. Start by measuring the dimensions of the room and plotting it out on graphing paper. Section off the space and determine what to put or build into each corner or side, and be as detailed as you can. Be sure to create a timeline of the things you have to do so you don’t take too long on one particular step.

Work out your spending

Itemize what your man cave needs and set a certain amount you’re willing to spend for them. Add about 15 percent to that amount to cover any unexpected spending because you can bet there will be. And be realistic; it’s easy to go overboard and lose track of your expenses in the process, so if your budget won’t permit that massive Jacuzzi with a built-in TV, don’t push it. Also, consider second-hand items from friends and family, thrift shops, garage sales, and online selling sites to stay within your budget.

Get help

Unless you’re a true-blue Jack-of-all-trades, you can’t do absolutely everything yourself. And if your design involves electrical and plumbing work and you don’t have the skills for them, Google and YouTube can only get you so far. Contact a professional for each phase of the work you need assistance on. Want to save money? Find friends with construction skills who are willing to work for pizza and beer.

Being able to put your feet up in your home within a home takes careful planning and hard work, so don’t jump into it without a thought-out strategy. Once everything’s in place, you’ll have an escape, a place where you and your buddies can be yourselves and, ultimately, the happiest place on earth.

ENDS

Established in September 2010, MyProperty.ph is the leading Philippine real estate online and magazine brand that brings property buyers and sellers together. The website's main offerings are listings of pre-selling properties and properties for sale and for rent, as well as relevant and updated industry news and practical tips for its clients and consumers.

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Amaia Scapes Cavite gives basketball clinic for kids from PBA stars

True to its promise of uplifting the living standards of many more Filipinos, Amaia Scapes Cavite basketball court and village pavilion was blessed last May 16 and is already for turn over to homeowners.

The event just got way more fun with the free basketball clinic for kids from some of today’s PBA stars. Thirty kids aged seven to 15 years old experienced pro basketball coaching from Rain or Shine’s Beau Belga and Ryan Arana together with Chig Manalo of Amaia Sparrows.

After the clinic, Amaia Scapes Cavite homeowners had the chance to meet and greet two of today’s best PBA players.

Participants of the Amaia Scapes Cavite free basketball clinic were given a certificate of completion by Amaia Coach Chig Manalo, and Rain or Shine’s Beau Belga and Ryan Arana.

“It’s our promise to our homeowners! These features help Amaia to create a more enjoyable and comfortable community for our residents,” said Rodney Reyes Project Strategic Management Group Head for South Luzon

Rain or Shine’s Ryan Arana teaches the kids some basic basketball techniques during the free basketball clinic last May 16 at the Amaia Scapes Cavite basketball court.

Kids ages 7 to 15 years old listens carefully to the instructions of Coach Chig and Rain or Shine’s Beau Belga during the free basketball clinic last May 16 at the Amaia Scapes Cavite basketball court.

“Meanwhile, the basketball clinic and meet and greet with PBA stars are just one of our many future projects. Simple activity like this is our way of giving back to our homeowners,” Reyes added.

All Amaia Scapes projects provide a village patio which comes with a pavilion, swimming pool, basketball court, and landscaped garden. A patio green which serves as extension of one’s home is also available for a fresher environment for the family. These features allow homeowners to have a time for leisure without going too far and spending so much.

Amaia Scapes officials turns over the basketball court and pavilion to its residents. (From L-R: Doris Salengua Customer Care Group for South Luzon Operations, Rodney Reyes Project Strategic Management Group Head for South Luzon, Eric Ganaden Home Owners Association President, Aurea Viray Regional Sales Director for South Luzon)

Amaia Scapes projects are wholly managed by the Makati Development Corp. BuildPlus (MDC) and Ayala Property Management Corp (APMC). A 24-hour security, guarded entrance and exits, and a perimeter fence so you can assure that your family is safe.

Amaia Land is the country’s leader when it comes to economic housing, which is designed with quality, affordability, and security in mind.

For inquiries, visit www.amaialand.com or like www.facebook/AmaiaLand.

Amaia brings another community in Batangas

After a couple of projects launched last year, Ayala Land’s economic housing arm, Amaia, is launching another   community in Lipa City, Batangas as part of its mission to give every Filipino the opportunity to have better homes.

There is no stopping to what Amaia has set out to do, which is to provide quality homes   at a very affordable price.

Its newest development, Amaia Scapes Batangas, is the third horizontal development of Amaia Land Corp. in the province, which is located in Barangay Anilao-Labac, Lipa City.

Batangas is a first class province located on the southwestern part of Luzon in the CALABARZON region. The province is among the most popular destinations near Metro Manila because it is home to some of the famous tourists’ spots like Taal Volcano and Taal Heritage town—a small picturesque town that has ancestral houses and structures dating back to the 19th century.

Ayala Land’s economic housing arm, Amaia Land, opens another community in Lipa City, Batangas.

The province also has many excellent beaches and diving spots including Anilao in Mabini, Sombrero Island in Tingloy, Ligpo Island in Bauan, Matabungkay in Lian, Punta Fuego in Nasugbu, Calatagan and Laiya in San Juan.

Also, Batangas is not only famous for their production and market of the 'Balisong' or Filipino Butterfly knife but also as a booming industrial hub.  The identification of Lipa City as an industrial growth center in the region and being the focal point of the CALABARZON program resulted to the increasing number of business establishments in the city's Central Business District as well as numerous industries operating at the province's industrial parks.

The Patio Green is an extension of one’s home for a fresher environment

With these facts to consider, it is very ideal to purchase an Amaia Scapes Batangas property since it offers not only a safe and secure community but also a location that will open doors of opportunity for you and your family.

The location of this new Amaia development is very beneficial to its future residents because of its strategic location. It is home to some of major commercial establishments which are essential to day-to-day living. Other establishments such as government offices, hospitals, and restaurants are also near Amaia.

Schools like De La Salle, Lipa City Colleges, and other elementary and high school institutions are just few minutes away from the   community, which is very convenient when raising your children.

Aside from the good location, Amaia Scapes takes pride of its unique community concepts, innovative house designs, and spacious area.   Each Amaia community is designed with guarded entrance and exits, a perimeter fence, and tree-lined spine road for ensuring the safety of its residents.

Promoting not only   quality homes but   balanced lifestyle as well, Amaia provides a Village Patio that has a pavilion, swimming pool, basketball court, and landscaped garden. A Patio Green   which serves as an extension of one’s home is also available for a fresher environment for the family.

The Village Pavilion

Continuing its promise of combining affordability and quality, the project occupies approximately 10 hectares of land with 630 residential units. Future residents can choose from six house types namely Bungalow Pod, Twin Pod, Single Home, Twin Home, Multi Pod, and Carriage Pod. Buying an Amaia home is made easy   with various   payment schemes such as   cash payment, deferred, PAG-IBIG, Bank and In-house financing.

Rest assured that Amaia Scapes Batangas is of top quality since it is backed by Makati Development Corporation BuildPlus and by Ayala Property Management Corporation, both trusted for securing a liveable community.

With Amaia Scapes Batangas, your dream home is within your reach.

For inquiries, visit www.amaialand.com or like www.facebook/AmaiaLand.

AQUABEST TO LAUNCH NEW STORE FORMAT IN FRANCHISE ASIA

Aquabest, the country’s leading water refilling franchise is poised to launch its new condominium store format at the upcoming 2015 Franchise Asia Philippines.

The company is a long-time member of the Philippine Franchise Association and is considered to be among the leading players in the water franchising industry. The company recently developed a new condominium centric store format in response to the changing trends in the market.

The company recently opened two condominium based stores in SMDC developments namely SM Sea Residences and SM Blue Residences. These stores have a combined water station and laundromat setup.

Compared to conventional Aquabest stores the condominium store format has a larger floor area and has an increased emphasis on the laundry business. Prospective franchisees also have reduced delivery expenses since there is a large captive market available in the respective developments that house the stores.

The company has launched the new store format in response to the changing market trends. The strong growth of the Philippine property market has fuelled the growth of high density high rise vertical developments which has transformed the market.

Jardine Distribution Inc. BiyahEdukasyon goes to Panay with Mango Growers

True to its commitment to partnering Filipino farmers, Jardine Distribution, Inc. (JDI) recently organized another “BiyahEdukasyon” bringing Mango growers to Iloilo City, Guimaras and Boracay, in the bustling island of Panay. 

“BiyahEdukasyon,” literally translated as educational trip, is an institutionalized program of JDI that is exclusively offered to its partner farmers who have been loyal customers for years. 

Participants of this year’s “BiyahEdukasyon” attend an Integrated Pest Management Seminar organized by JDI and its different sponsors.

“Byahedukasyon has been our way of pursuing continued education for our partners outside of their farms.  Aside from providing farmers solutions through the products that we offer, we believe that by providing them opportunities to learn more about their crop and exposing them to other income-generating ideas, we are able to help them in their business.  This in tern ensures that the partnerships we have with them are sustained,” says Kaye Aguilan, JDI product manager.

JDI and sponsors hold an Integrated Pest Management Seminar during this year’s “BiyahEdukasyon” to give back to the company’s loyal customers. (From L-R: David Lobo of Sumitomo Chemicals, Minako Nakatani of Nihon Nohyaku, Lawrence Yu of Sumitomo Chemicals, JDI President Edwin Hernandez, and resource speaker and BPI-NMRDC Senior Agriculturist Yondre Yonder.)

A total of 90  participants from the provinces of Pangasinan, Batangas, Davao, North Cotabato, Saranggani, and Cagayan De Oro took part in the trip.

The event included a seminar on integrated pest management and an actual demonstration of bagging mango fruits to prevent damage from pests at the National Research and Development Center Guimaras.  This was followed by a tour of the  MacNester Food Products, a food processing facility using Mangoes as one of its main ingredients for many food products; The participants were treated to an island hopping tour at Boracay and capped by a dinner by the beach courtesy of  Summit Agro International, one of JDI’s partners for its Mango brands.

JDI’s loyal customers who participated in this year’s “BiyahEdukasyon.”

Key Mango customers were also recognized during the trip.

“It was a fun and meaningful trip for the participants. We made sure that they would not only learn but also enjoy the activities held throughout the trip. After all, our loyal customers only deserve the best—like our products and this trip,” said Aguilan.

This year’s “BiyahEdukasyon,” with a theme “Mango Gilas sa Guimaras,” is composed of different activities including a seminar on integrated pest management, an actual bagging demo, a tour of the MC Nester Food Products, Boracay Island Hopping, and Applaud Night.

 JDI, a member company of Jardine Matheson Group, represents a number of leading brands in crop protection, local and foreign-made pesticides, plant growth regulators, hybrid rice seeds, and vegetable seeds.

AQUABEST ANNOUNCES NEW BATCH OF SCHOLARS

Aquabest the country’s leading water franchise is pleased to announce the awarding of its new batch of scholars under its Corporate Shared Values (CSV) program.

Under its CSV program the company offers scholarships to the children of its deserving employees.The company has always placed an emphasis in the welfare of its employees and their families. This is driven by the company's realization that its people are its prime assets and as part of its Christian values. 

 Every year the company sets aside funds to help with the education of its employees in good schools that offer quality education. With the scholarship grants, the children of its employees get to realize their dreams and reach their full potential. 

Since its inception the scholarship program has assisted dozens of children in getting the good education needed to succeed in their life. This year's scholars are: Fitz Geralde Palomar, Grade 2 at Creative Learning Center Educational Foundation Inc., Danica Marie Boton, 2nd year high school at Fortunato F. Halili Agricultural School and Scarleth Jane Cayetano, Grade 3 at Merry Mount Preparatory School.

Amaia Land celebrates 5th year of providing quality homes to more Filipinos

Aiming to help hardworking Filipino families have a house they can call their own, Amaia Land continues making those dreams come true as the company celebrates its 5^th year in the industry.

Amaia was borne out of the vision of its mother company, Ayala Land (ALI), to broaden its residential product line to cater to the wider Philippine population.  In 2010, this came into fruition with the incorporation of Amaia Land and its subsequent launch of the first Amaia Scapes economic housing project, thereby reinforcing ALI’s thrust of “enhancing land, enriching lives for more people.”

Amaia celebrates its fifth year of providing Filipino families quality yet affordable homes in an event last Feb. 6 at the Acacia Hotel Manila.

The company’s maiden project, Amaia Scapes Laguna established Amaia as a competitive brand in the real estate industry.   Amaia’s “Scapes” house-and-lot product line, which now consists of 16 communities, has revolutionized the economic housing segment. Some features that homeowners love about the community are its cluster type development, patio greens and full complement of shared amenities. Meanwhile, housing units are sought after for their attractive facades, modern design and efficient space planning.

he team heads of Amaia Land who work hard to give more families quality yet affordable homes during the company’s fifth anniversary at the Acacia Hotel Manila last Feb. 6. (From L-R: Francis Mallari, Amaia Land Human Resource Department Head; Bobby Dy, Ayala Land President and CEO; Ricky Celis, Amaia Land President; Nikie Lingad, Amaia Land Project Strategic  Management Group Head; Petes Gamboa, Innovation and Design Group Head)

In 2011, Amaia launched its condominium product lines: the mid-rise Amaia “Steps” and high-rise Amaia “Skies”.  Amaia Steps now boasts a total of nine communities. These homes are ideal for those who aspire for bigger living spaces within city limits. Meanwhile, there are now four Amaia Skies developments, which offer private abodes for urban dwellers and on-the-go working individuals desiring a balanced work-play lifestyle.

Amaia Scapes Cabanatuan’s model for its village patio.

Last year, Amaia introduced Amaia “Series”, a pure townhouse development designed for families with growing need for space, and Amaia “Square”, shophouses made for entrepreneurs who want their home and store in one convenient address.

Amaia Scapes San Fernando promises a dream home within your reach.

So far, Amaia has served over 12,000 families across the country.  The brand is present in key locations in North Luzon (Bulacan, Pampanga, Tarlac, Urdaneta), Metro Manila (Quezon City, Paranaque, Manila, Caloocan, Pasig, Mandaluyong and soon Las Pinas), South Luzon (Laguna, Cavite, Batangas, Quezon and soon Bicol) and the Visayas (Bacolod, Cebu and soon Iloilo). This year, it will venture to CDO, Mindanao.  Homes are made affordable by easy-on-the-pocket paying options such as cash, deferred, bank financing, Pag-ibig and in-house financing. 

The village patio of Amaia Scapes San Fernando is where families can do recreational activities.

The company opened a significant numer of jobs for Filipinos including a 17,000-man sales force in 18 growth centers and sales offices nationwide.  Its online followers has soared and includes over 500,000 facebook fans, propelling the brand’s dominance in the digital platform.

Amaia Scapes San Pablo offers an affordable yet picturesque home in Laguna.

“Our fifth year anniversary marks Amaia’s success over the years and the company’s mission in the years to come,” says Amaia Land president Ricky Celis. “We will continue to contribute to nation building by serving thousands of families with quality yet affordable homes in more locations nationwide.”

Amaia Scapes San Pablo is a horizontal development situated in Brgy. San Lucas 2—a site that gives homeowners a picturesque environment.

For inquiries, visit www.amaialand.com or like www.facebook/AmaiaLand.