My Pro-Friends Review: August 2013

Friday 30 August 2013

Profriends: Organizing A Housewarming Party

So we were invited to a housewarming party. No, it’s not a neighbor from Lancaster (Pro Friends project). Our relative in Cainta, Rizal bought a home (second hand though) and decided to throw a house party. It was a nice celebration and I am now inspired to write on how to organize a successful one.

Invites

Send invites to friends and new neighbors. Save paper and send it via text or email. You can also make an e-card or digital invite to really show that you are really preparing well for this event. Print these for new neighbors since you still don’t have their email or mobile numbers yet. Be sure to have all the details in your invitation like date, time, attire (if it’s a themed party), and complete address of your home so that guests won’t get lost along the way.

Here’s a nice idea: If you’re lucky enough to have generous guests, you may write down on the card to not bring housewarming gifts and instead, bring canned goods, for example, or whatever you want to be donated to charity.

Food

If you have a themed housewarming party, best think about delicious food that could be in-line with your theme. Pinterest is a good source of ideas. You may also request a potluck to save on time, money, and effort. Just be sure to brief your guests about it and keep track of whose bringing what to avoid duplicates (my mom made good ol’ spaghetti once and our aunt arrived with spaghetti, too) unless you want that.

Decor

Of course, this is based on your party theme as well. But try not to overdo it so that guests can really see the grandeur of your new home. There are lots of nice DIY ideas for party decors. Just google it!

Entertainment

Rather than the same old karaoke or videoke (this may also disturb your new neighborhood. You wouldn’t want that, right?) or playing cards, how about some nice games? Here are some:

Scavenger Hunt

This is great if you have lots of quirky décor and knick knacks in the house. Make a rough sketch and insert some clues for your guests (let them form into teams). Treat the winning team to an awesome prize.

DreamHouse

Give paper and pen to participants and ask them to draw their dream home. They will present it to the homeowner and he/she chooses the winner. Allot time for them to create their “artworks”. The less-talented they are at drawing, the better (‘cause its funnier).

Pinoy Henyo

Just download a free app to avoid having to write down on paper. Let players guess home-related words like “bathtub,” “mortgage,” “house loan,” “handyman,” and so on.

Souvenirs

If you still have time and effort to do so, give your guests some souvenirs to commemorate such a joyous occasion. It doesn’t have to be something grand. It could be a simple keychain with a note saying “Here’s to you having your own home soon, too! Thanks for coming!” Or a thank you card that looks like a ticket that says “This ticket grants the holder a warm welcome to our home forever. Thanks for coming!” Just be creative!

Thursday 29 August 2013

Commuting To and From Lancaster

I decided to write about this topic since not everyone at Lancaster New City (formerly Lancaster Estates) own a private car. Commuting can be haggardous to the health sometimes. Learning about it can be confusing at times, too, so here’s the lowdown on how to go to and from the said ProFriends’ residential project.

There’s a shuttle service that roams around the village. If you’re lucky enough to spot one right after you step out of your home’s door, then you can hitch a ride for a certain fee (Php8). I think it’s free for house viewers or buyers who have not yet moved to their home though.

Here’s the directions stated on the Pro-Friends’ Lancaster website:

Accessibility in Going to Lancaster New City

ACCESS 1: From Cubao, Starmall Edsa, or Makati

Take a bus to COASTAL MALL BACLARAN. Ride on a bus to LANCASTER NEW CITY passing thru CAVITEX (Cavite Expressway). Get off at LANCASTER NEW CITY transport terminal. Estimated fare from Baclaran is Php 25.00.

ACCESS 2: From Lawton, Manila

Take a bus with LANCASTER NEW CITY signboard that will pass thru CAVITEX route. Get off at LANCASTER NEW CITY transport terminal. Estimated fare from Lawton is Php 35.00

ACCESS 3: From Alabang, Muntinlupa

From Alabang, ride a jeepney to Zapote, Las Pinas. Transfer to a mini bus or jeepney going to LANCASTER NEW CITY passing thru Tirona Highway route. Get off at LANCASTER NEW CITY. Estimated fare from Alabang is Php 30.00.

ACCESS 4: From Tagaytay, Dasmarinas and Imus Cavite

From Tagaytay, ride a bus going to Manila. Get off at Imus Transport Terminal. Take a jeepney going to Bucandala. Get off at Bucandala. A shuttle from LANCASTER NEW CITY will take you from there. Estimated fare from Imus Transport Terminal is Php 20.00.

For Ayala CBD (my experience):

To Ayala, ride a bus bound for Lawton on Centennial Highway and step off at Coastal Mall and ride Ayala-bound bus or EDSA-bound bus.

From Ayala, ride a bus to Baclaran. From Baclaran, ride a baby bus or jeep to Naic/Tanza, with signboard with CAVITEX written on it. Ask to be dropped off at Kalayaan. From there, shuttles to and from the villages are there at certain times. You may also ride a tricycle to Lancaster.

The commute to and from Makati CBD/Ayala can take up to 2 hours during rush hour. But when traffic is light especially during weekends, it may take only 40 minutes. Best install some good reads, music, or movies on your tablet device or smartphone to kill time.

Finally, don’t take a cab as much as possible. You know how some greedy taxi drivers are. They will charge you for the toll and the fare when they head back after dropping you off since they will claim that they may not get any passenger when they go back. Annoying, right?

If there are fellow Lancaster residents who are offering carpooling, why not go for it? It’s faster and easier. Just don’t forget to insist on sharing for gas money.

Sources: lancastercavite.com, personal experience