Transparency

Disclosures

Last updated: September 23, 2026

LifestyleBucket is a verdict-first review site covering Places, Gear and Eats, written and produced by Rey Belen. A recommendation only means something if the same person is willing to tell you when something isn't worth it — so here is exactly how this site works and how it makes money.

The Standing Rules

  • Most trips, meals and gear are paid for out of my own pocket, anonymously where I can manage it.
  • When something is gifted, hosted or loaned, the page says so above the article — never in the footer.
  • Affiliate links are labelled, and they never change a verdict.
  • No brand has been shown a review before publication, and none will be.
  • A verdict is not for sale, and a Skip It is not taken down.
  • No brand, agency or advertiser has approval rights over any content, at any stage.

Affiliate Links

Some links on this site are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase — at no extra cost to you. Affiliate links are labelled where they appear, and the affiliate note is kept separate from any partnership disclosure. A commission never changes a verdict: a Skip It can carry a link to a better alternative, and a Worth It earns its call whether or not a link exists. Affiliate links never appear in a Brief.

Affiliate programs I participate in include, but are not limited to: Klook, Booking.com, Amazon, Agoda, and local Philippine tourism partners.

Sponsored Content & Paid Partnerships

Occasionally, brands or tourism boards pay me to create content — this may be a blog post, social media feature, or photography deliverable. All paid partnerships are clearly labelled with a "Sponsored" or "Paid Partnership" badge above the article.

Payment never influences my editorial opinion. If something was not worth it, I say so. My audience's trust is not for sale.

Gifted Experiences & Hosted Trips

Some trips, accommodations, meals, activities, or products are provided to me at no cost, or loaned, by tourism boards, hotels, airlines, or brands. Coverage is never promised in return. When a review results, the arrangement — hosted, gifted, loaned, or comped — is stated above the article.

Receiving a complimentary experience does not guarantee a positive review — or a review at all. No brand sees the piece before it is published, and a hosted stay can end in a Skip It.

Press Trips & Media Invites

I am occasionally invited on press trips organized by tourism boards, destination management companies, or PR agencies. These trips cover transportation, accommodation, and activities. All press trip content is labelled accordingly, and my editorial independence is maintained throughout.

Briefs & Press Releases

Some news on this site starts as a press release. These are published as Briefs — marked with a badge, attributed to their source and date, and noted as not independently verified. A Brief is not a review: it carries no rating, no verdict, and no suggestion that you book or buy. Where the sender is a client, agency partner, or advertiser, the Brief says so above the article, in the same position and weight as a partnership disclosure.

Advertising

LifestyleBucket may display advertising through Google AdSense or similar contextual ad networks. These ads are served automatically based on your browsing behavior and the content of the page. I do not personally select the individual ads shown.

What I Won't Promote

Regardless of compensation offered, I do not and will not endorse, advertise, write about, or enter into any paid or unpaid arrangement involving:

  • Gambling, online betting, casinos, or any games of chance
  • Tobacco, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, or vaping products
  • Marijuana, cannabis products, or any controlled substances
  • Alcohol brands (as the primary subject of a sponsored campaign)
  • Adult content, dating platforms, or anything sexually explicit
  • Get-rich-quick schemes, multi-level marketing (MLM), or pyramid structures
  • Predatory financial products, loan sharks, or unregulated investment platforms
  • Political campaigns, candidates, or partisan advocacy
  • Anything that is illegal under Philippine law or the laws of the destination being featured

This is a firm, non-negotiable policy — not subject to budget, relationship, or creative framing. If your brand falls into any of the above categories, please do not reach out for a partnership.

Opinions Are My Own

All written content, photography, and video on LifestyleBucket reflect my personal experiences and honest opinions unless explicitly stated otherwise. I am not a professional travel agent, financial advisor, or legal expert — please use my content as a starting point and do your own research before making travel decisions.

Regulatory Compliance

United States — FTC Guidelines

Because a significant portion of my readership is based in the United States, this disclosure complies with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission's guidelines on endorsements and testimonials in advertising (FTC 16 CFR Part 255). Under these guidelines, any material connection between a content creator and a brand — including free products, sponsored trips, or payment — must be clearly and conspicuously disclosed.

Philippines — Consumer Act & DTI Guidelines

As a Filipino content creator producing content from the Philippines, LifestyleBucket also complies with the Consumer Act of the Philippines (Republic Act No. 7394), which protects consumers against deceptive, unfair, and unconscionable sales acts and practices. Sponsored and paid content is disclosed in accordance with the consumer protection standards enforced by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

Philippines — Advertising Standards Council (ASC)

This site observes the Advertising Standards Council of the Philippines's guidelines on truthful and non-deceptive advertising. The ASC's Code of Ethics for Advertising requires that paid and sponsored content be distinguishable from editorial content — a standard I apply to every post on LifestyleBucket.

Philippines — Data Privacy Act of 2012

Any personal information collected through this site (e.g., contact form submissions) is handled in accordance with the Data Privacy Act of 2012 (Republic Act No. 10173) and the regulations of the National Privacy Commission (NPC). Please refer to the Privacy Policy for full details on how your data is collected, used, and protected.

Philippines — Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012

LifestyleBucket operates responsibly under Republic Act No. 10175 (Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012). Content published on this site does not engage in online libel, identity fraud, or any form of cyber harassment. Comments and user-submitted content are moderated accordingly.

Questions?

If you have any questions about this disclosure, please get in touch.