New Years Eve Rant: Open Letter to Sec. Alberto Lim
31 December 2010
It's New Years eve and for several years, Tutubi vented off steam in the last day of the outgoing year to welcome the new year with a "clean" state of mind.
This won't be off-topic as it's a rant post and sort of an open letter to Sec. Alberto Lim, Secretary of the Department of Tourism. After this letter, it's time to move on...Happy New Year to all!
---
Dear Sec. Alberto Lim,
I don't doubt your sincerity to increase the number of tourists visiting the Philippines but I noticed your ideas on how you intend to do it won't really help you in your quest.
First, that "open skies" will bring in the tourist.
Is that so? Have you checked all foreign airlines entitlements to the Philippines? Are they all filled to the brim that they can't be accommodated or were they not used due to lack of passengers? Was this validated by the Civil Aeronautics Board who claim the opposite? It's due to lack of demand, demand that should be produced by the DOT and Filipinos, to bring the tourists, not the myth of "open skies"
Second, after the Luneta hostage taking fiasco, you brushed aside the effect and said "Hong Kong is a small market" now realizing that Hong Kong is part of China where growing number of tourists come from. The future of tourism is not from the US and Europe but from East Asia particularly China.
Third, you statement that struck Tutubi most that "Backpackers leave waste." Have to admit some backpackers leave waste but also your high-end tourists leave waste too, like those "educated" people inside SUVs throwing trash outside their window. Why is it that even with the presence of too many backpackers in Thailand, I saw the country as much cleaner than the Philippines, no urine-smelling places that Metro Manila reeks of. True backpackers and mountaineers adhere to the adage "Leave nothing but footprints, take nothing but pictures" ethical mentality.
Fourth, "Backpackers don't spend enough" that clearly betrayed you just don't understand backpacking. Backpackers scrimp on expenses, don't stay at expensive hotels/resorts (like the one he developed in Palawan some time ago) for they only need a place to sleep and rest BUT they do stay longer that your "usual tourists" to stretch the most out of their money. And most of the time, the community benefits due to the fact that even homestay accommodations and public transportation are patronized by backpackers (compared to your usual tourists come in airconditioned buses and private tour vans). You don't know the true impact since they go straight to ordinary people and not the pockets of the moneyed few who own the resorts. They impact the economy and they come in droves that's why it's really, really foolish of you not to develop the Philippines as a backpacking destination.
Fifth, “maximize its potential of being an English-speaking nation.” That too old "come on" of the Philippines as an english-speaking nation. Aren't you aware that almost half of tourists ho stayed at Metro Manila hotels in 2009 were East Asians: Koreans, Japanese, Chinese (China and Hong Kong) and Taiwanese who don't speak English at all? Their number is steadily increasing and they don't care about the negative travel advisories issued by the western world led by the US and the UK who happen to experience terrorist attacks in their own backyard.
Focusing too much on English, like the DEPED, won't cut it as the world's economy is shifting to Asia. Thailand has problems in English yet visited by tourists many times over than the Philippines, most of them backpackers.
"Few visitors also got to experience the country's rich cultural heritage since there were not that many museums to put artefacts on display"
Really, Tutubi loves museums but most Filipinos don't. They only visit museums on a field trip where they get herded out of buses/vans into the museums. Did you know that annual visitors to the National Museum of the Philippines can be dwarfed by visitors of SM Mall of Asia in a day? As such, museums are in a sorry state made worst by very few visitors. Most museums in the Philippines forbid taking photographs, such a medieval prohibition that's no longer practiced in most countries.
With your kind of mindset that resulted to your insistence of the need for a new slogan and logo that resulted in a fiasco, all made with your approval, but turned to be a fiasco and embarrassment, expect Philippine Tourism to be just the same, or worse, than previous years-- lagging with South East Asian neighbors -- due to misplaced priorities and unfounded beliefs!
I know you already know/aware of these things, here are some "link loves" to refresh your memory or update you just in case you missed the news and writings about you, not the "praise releases" of your DOT henchmen including the incredulous claim on one of the "DOT Praise Releases" where it was mentioned that you "founded the Palawan Tourism Council, which is responsible for Palawan’s rise as a veritable tourist destination."
Lim and Palawan Tourism
Chinese The Future of PH Tourism
No Need for Open Skies
Open Sky won't solve the problem
Why open skies policy will fail PH tourim
Tourism Chief Represents Foreign Interests CA Told
Myths Behind Blue Skies
Cebu Tour Operators Hit DOT Moves
Lastly, try to get more people passionate about travel and really know our country. Heck, your people can't even put up a very informative tourism website with original articles (thank the bloggers for giving alternatives) and even registered a domain name very similar to a porn website.
Happy New Year, Mr. Secretary!
Wish you realize wrong moves you had last year and correct them in 2011 for PH to truly attain our country's true tourism potential.
Tutubi
I explore, therefore I blog!
This won't be off-topic as it's a rant post and sort of an open letter to Sec. Alberto Lim, Secretary of the Department of Tourism. After this letter, it's time to move on...Happy New Year to all!
---
Dear Sec. Alberto Lim,
I don't doubt your sincerity to increase the number of tourists visiting the Philippines but I noticed your ideas on how you intend to do it won't really help you in your quest.
First, that "open skies" will bring in the tourist.
Is that so? Have you checked all foreign airlines entitlements to the Philippines? Are they all filled to the brim that they can't be accommodated or were they not used due to lack of passengers? Was this validated by the Civil Aeronautics Board who claim the opposite? It's due to lack of demand, demand that should be produced by the DOT and Filipinos, to bring the tourists, not the myth of "open skies"
Second, after the Luneta hostage taking fiasco, you brushed aside the effect and said "Hong Kong is a small market" now realizing that Hong Kong is part of China where growing number of tourists come from. The future of tourism is not from the US and Europe but from East Asia particularly China.
Third, you statement that struck Tutubi most that "Backpackers leave waste." Have to admit some backpackers leave waste but also your high-end tourists leave waste too, like those "educated" people inside SUVs throwing trash outside their window. Why is it that even with the presence of too many backpackers in Thailand, I saw the country as much cleaner than the Philippines, no urine-smelling places that Metro Manila reeks of. True backpackers and mountaineers adhere to the adage "Leave nothing but footprints, take nothing but pictures" ethical mentality.
Fourth, "Backpackers don't spend enough" that clearly betrayed you just don't understand backpacking. Backpackers scrimp on expenses, don't stay at expensive hotels/resorts (like the one he developed in Palawan some time ago) for they only need a place to sleep and rest BUT they do stay longer that your "usual tourists" to stretch the most out of their money. And most of the time, the community benefits due to the fact that even homestay accommodations and public transportation are patronized by backpackers (compared to your usual tourists come in airconditioned buses and private tour vans). You don't know the true impact since they go straight to ordinary people and not the pockets of the moneyed few who own the resorts. They impact the economy and they come in droves that's why it's really, really foolish of you not to develop the Philippines as a backpacking destination.
Fifth, “maximize its potential of being an English-speaking nation.” That too old "come on" of the Philippines as an english-speaking nation. Aren't you aware that almost half of tourists ho stayed at Metro Manila hotels in 2009 were East Asians: Koreans, Japanese, Chinese (China and Hong Kong) and Taiwanese who don't speak English at all? Their number is steadily increasing and they don't care about the negative travel advisories issued by the western world led by the US and the UK who happen to experience terrorist attacks in their own backyard.
Focusing too much on English, like the DEPED, won't cut it as the world's economy is shifting to Asia. Thailand has problems in English yet visited by tourists many times over than the Philippines, most of them backpackers.
"Few visitors also got to experience the country's rich cultural heritage since there were not that many museums to put artefacts on display"
Really, Tutubi loves museums but most Filipinos don't. They only visit museums on a field trip where they get herded out of buses/vans into the museums. Did you know that annual visitors to the National Museum of the Philippines can be dwarfed by visitors of SM Mall of Asia in a day? As such, museums are in a sorry state made worst by very few visitors. Most museums in the Philippines forbid taking photographs, such a medieval prohibition that's no longer practiced in most countries.
With your kind of mindset that resulted to your insistence of the need for a new slogan and logo that resulted in a fiasco, all made with your approval, but turned to be a fiasco and embarrassment, expect Philippine Tourism to be just the same, or worse, than previous years-- lagging with South East Asian neighbors -- due to misplaced priorities and unfounded beliefs!
I know you already know/aware of these things, here are some "link loves" to refresh your memory or update you just in case you missed the news and writings about you, not the "praise releases" of your DOT henchmen including the incredulous claim on one of the "DOT Praise Releases" where it was mentioned that you "founded the Palawan Tourism Council, which is responsible for Palawan’s rise as a veritable tourist destination."
Lim and Palawan Tourism
Chinese The Future of PH Tourism
No Need for Open Skies
Open Sky won't solve the problem
Why open skies policy will fail PH tourim
Tourism Chief Represents Foreign Interests CA Told
Myths Behind Blue Skies
Cebu Tour Operators Hit DOT Moves
Lastly, try to get more people passionate about travel and really know our country. Heck, your people can't even put up a very informative tourism website with original articles (thank the bloggers for giving alternatives) and even registered a domain name very similar to a porn website.
Happy New Year, Mr. Secretary!
Wish you realize wrong moves you had last year and correct them in 2011 for PH to truly attain our country's true tourism potential.
Tutubi
I explore, therefore I blog!
Labels: Floobydust
posted by GingGoy @ 11:59 PM,
,
New Year Countdown Parties Fireworks: Manila Makati and Quezon City
26 December 2010
Tutubi's looking for a list of New Years Eve party for the countdown to 2011. At the top of his head, here's the initial list of places to be on December 31, 2010 to party the night away with concerts and fireworks.
Musical Dancing Fountain at Manila's Rizal Park (Luneta) near the Central Lagoon
SM Mall of Asia (MOA), Pasay City
Eastwood Mall, Libis, Quezon City
Republiq Bar at Newport Mall (Newport City and Resorts World Manila that Tutubi visited recently where he watched Kaos the Musical). Concert Only, no fireworks display due to proximity to NAIA Terminal 3
There's a traditional new years countdown party at the corner of Ayala Avenue and Makati Avenue (front of The Peninsula Manila and Shangri-la Hotel where you can enjoy new years eve buffet promos) but was not held in 2009.
Too, bad, no information yet for SM City North EDSA and Trinoma, 5 minutes away from Tutubi and where he can see the pyrotechnics from home.
So where will you be on New Years eve, partying or just at home?
Musical Dancing Fountain at Manila's Rizal Park (Luneta) near the Central Lagoon
SM Mall of Asia (MOA), Pasay City
Eastwood Mall, Libis, Quezon City
Republiq Bar at Newport Mall (Newport City and Resorts World Manila that Tutubi visited recently where he watched Kaos the Musical). Concert Only, no fireworks display due to proximity to NAIA Terminal 3
There's a traditional new years countdown party at the corner of Ayala Avenue and Makati Avenue (front of The Peninsula Manila and Shangri-la Hotel where you can enjoy new years eve buffet promos) but was not held in 2009.
Too, bad, no information yet for SM City North EDSA and Trinoma, 5 minutes away from Tutubi and where he can see the pyrotechnics from home.
So where will you be on New Years eve, partying or just at home?
Labels: New Years Day
posted by GingGoy @ 9:44 PM,
,
National Non-working Holidays 2011, Long Weekends & MMDA Number Coding
You may have seen the list of regular holidays for 2011 on other blogs but this blog post is about the recently announced Proclamation 84 making this list official where it officially says goodbye to holiday economics of PGMA...back to regular holiday schedules.
2011 Non-Working Holidays and Long Weekends
The regular holidays include Jan. 1 (Saturday) as New Year’s Day;
Araw ng Kagitingan – April 9 (Saturday);
Holy Week 2011:
Maundy Thursday – April 21
Good Friday – April 22
Labor Day – May 1 (Sunday)
Independence Day – June 12 (Sunday)
National Heroes Day – Aug. 29 (Last Monday of August)
Bonifacio Day – Nov. 30 (Wednesday);
Christmas Day – Dec. 25 (Sunday)
Rizal Day – Dec. 30 (Friday)
Special non-working holidays 2011:
Ninoy Aquino Day – Aug. 21 (Sunday)
All Saints’ Day – Nov. 1 (Tuesday)
Last Day of the Year – Dec. 31 (Saturday)
Declared special holiday for all schools is the EDSA Revolution
anniversary on Feb. 25, which falls on a Friday (no classes)
The Islam feast of Eid’l Adha (end of the hajj or pilgimage to Mecca)
shall be celebrated as a national holiday besides Eid' Fitr (end of
Ramadan for Muslims)
Note: MMDA number coding is suspended during the holidays mentioned above. Number coding in Makati though needs to be confirmed as they operate the so-called Republic of Makati, thus no number coding suspension, not even a number coding window of 10am to 3pm as implemented almost anywhere in Metro Manila
All in all, there are less long weekends in 2011 in the time of P-Noy compared with PGMA...I miss PGMA, but only for this one :P
2011 Non-Working Holidays and Long Weekends
The regular holidays include Jan. 1 (Saturday) as New Year’s Day;
Araw ng Kagitingan – April 9 (Saturday);
Holy Week 2011:
Maundy Thursday – April 21
Good Friday – April 22
Labor Day – May 1 (Sunday)
Independence Day – June 12 (Sunday)
National Heroes Day – Aug. 29 (Last Monday of August)
Bonifacio Day – Nov. 30 (Wednesday);
Christmas Day – Dec. 25 (Sunday)
Rizal Day – Dec. 30 (Friday)
Special non-working holidays 2011:
Ninoy Aquino Day – Aug. 21 (Sunday)
All Saints’ Day – Nov. 1 (Tuesday)
Last Day of the Year – Dec. 31 (Saturday)
Declared special holiday for all schools is the EDSA Revolution
anniversary on Feb. 25, which falls on a Friday (no classes)
The Islam feast of Eid’l Adha (end of the hajj or pilgimage to Mecca)
shall be celebrated as a national holiday besides Eid' Fitr (end of
Ramadan for Muslims)
Note: MMDA number coding is suspended during the holidays mentioned above. Number coding in Makati though needs to be confirmed as they operate the so-called Republic of Makati, thus no number coding suspension, not even a number coding window of 10am to 3pm as implemented almost anywhere in Metro Manila
All in all, there are less long weekends in 2011 in the time of P-Noy compared with PGMA...I miss PGMA, but only for this one :P
posted by GingGoy @ 9:30 PM,
,
Buying Fireworks/Firecrackers? How to Get to Bocaue, Bulacan:Commute Directions
A few friends recently asked Tutubi how to get to Bocaue, Bulacan, people willing to dive a few kilometers north of Manila just to buy firecrackers and fireworks on sale at various stores and stalls littered on the highway of Bocaue, known as the Fireworks Capital of the Philippines.
Map of Bocaue, Bulacan (Open Street Map...of course)
How to get to Bocaue, Bulacan:
Commute to Bocaue, Bulacan is easiest from MRT North Avenue station where you catch FX and vans to Marilao (usually SM Marilao) at Trinoma Transport Terminal or SM Transport Terminal then transfer to a jeepney that will take you to Bocaue.
Driving directions to Bocaue, Bulacan:
From EDSA Makati, head towards Quezon City, take NLEX and exit at Bocaue exit to get to Bocaue town proper. You can also drive to Monumento to pass by Valenzuela and Marilao via MacArthur Highway all the way to Bocaue.
Besides firecrackers at cheap prices before New Years Day, there's also the famous Bocaue River Festival every first Sunday of July (where the infamous Bocaue Pagoda Tragedy occured)
Map of Bocaue, Bulacan (Open Street Map...of course)
How to get to Bocaue, Bulacan:
Commute to Bocaue, Bulacan is easiest from MRT North Avenue station where you catch FX and vans to Marilao (usually SM Marilao) at Trinoma Transport Terminal or SM Transport Terminal then transfer to a jeepney that will take you to Bocaue.
Driving directions to Bocaue, Bulacan:
From EDSA Makati, head towards Quezon City, take NLEX and exit at Bocaue exit to get to Bocaue town proper. You can also drive to Monumento to pass by Valenzuela and Marilao via MacArthur Highway all the way to Bocaue.
Besides firecrackers at cheap prices before New Years Day, there's also the famous Bocaue River Festival every first Sunday of July (where the infamous Bocaue Pagoda Tragedy occured)
Labels: Bulacan Directions
posted by GingGoy @ 8:13 PM,
,
Bypass Turbina Traffic: Calamba, Sto. Tomas (ACTEx or SLEX - StarToll Road)
21 December 2010
For a few months now, the SLEx - Startoll road was completed but not opened to driving public due to safety certifications (and probably waiting for the new SLEx toll fee increase.
Last Wednesday, on the eve of Tutubi's trip to The City of Seven Lakes, he heard the news about the opening of the new toll road that bypasses traffic prone Barangay Turbina, Calamba, that takes motorists straight to Sto. Tomas, batangas in front of the gates of Light Industry and Science Park (LISP).
The next day, Tutubi visited the City of Seven lakes and instead of taking SLEX Batangas exit, drove straight ahead using the new ACTEx Toll Road 3 and got the chance to draw the map of the new road to Open Street Map (shown below, yeah, Tutubi not only explores new places, he maps unmapped areas for tourists and explorers too besides providing trip information).
Map of ACTEx (Alabang - Calamba - Sto. Tomas Expressway)
Map of ACTEx (Alabang Calamba Sto. Tomas Expressway) showing Sto. Tomas exit and LISP
Tutubi recommends taking this new route to Batangas, Quezon and Bicol provinces to significantly cut travel time by about 30 minutes e.g. travel time from Trinoma in Quezon City to San Pablo, Laguna via EDSA and ACTEx is now just 2 hours.
Last Wednesday, on the eve of Tutubi's trip to The City of Seven Lakes, he heard the news about the opening of the new toll road that bypasses traffic prone Barangay Turbina, Calamba, that takes motorists straight to Sto. Tomas, batangas in front of the gates of Light Industry and Science Park (LISP).
The next day, Tutubi visited the City of Seven lakes and instead of taking SLEX Batangas exit, drove straight ahead using the new ACTEx Toll Road 3 and got the chance to draw the map of the new road to Open Street Map (shown below, yeah, Tutubi not only explores new places, he maps unmapped areas for tourists and explorers too besides providing trip information).
Map of ACTEx (Alabang - Calamba - Sto. Tomas Expressway)
Map of ACTEx (Alabang Calamba Sto. Tomas Expressway) showing Sto. Tomas exit and LISP
Tutubi recommends taking this new route to Batangas, Quezon and Bicol provinces to significantly cut travel time by about 30 minutes e.g. travel time from Trinoma in Quezon City to San Pablo, Laguna via EDSA and ACTEx is now just 2 hours.
Labels: Roads and Highways
posted by GingGoy @ 10:24 PM,
,
Family Bonding Places Suggestions for Christmas and New Years Day
20 December 2010
For family bonding away from the usual malls on Christmas and New Years Day, plenty of places to visit and while away the time with the last suggestion for the really meaningful one.
1. Rizal Park, the normal pasyalan of old had to make way to ever expanding malls but this one has a new entertainment with the rejuvenated colorful dancing fountain at night.
2. Manila Ocean park pair this with Luneta, walking distance away, and you have a different kind of Christmas trip.
3. Quezon Memorial Circle, not just for morning joggers exercises, there are several restaurants in Quezon Memorial Circle e.g. Serye, Max's, Bacolod Chicken Inasal, Tropical Hut and lots of eateries nearby. There's also Circle of Fun with fun rides for the kids and the young-at-heart.
4. Star City at CCP Complex with their rides for the whole family.
5. Enchanted Kingdom, not literally in Metro Manila but quite near so included here, the theme park that still enchants the whole family.
6. Greenhills Shopping Center with bargains at the bazaar and the moving Christmas display that used to attract hordes of people to the defunct COD in Cubao.
7. Watch Kaos the Musical at Resorts World Manila with the whole family even if it hurts a little for your pocket at P988 ticket prices (starting).
8. Tiendesitas, Fun Ranch and Ark or Avilon in Pasig City
9. Support the Filipino movie industry by watching any Metro Manila Film Festival entry at your favorite theaters.
10. For a really meaningful holiday season, visit any orphanage or charitable institution and share your blessings. It's the best way really to celebrate the holidays with the less fortunate...for a change!
No information if the zoos will be open on December 25 and January 1 so you have to take off Malabon Zoo, Manila Zoo and Avilon Zoo on the list. SM mall hours are usually 12nn to 9pm while similar schedules for Trinoma, Eastwood Mall, Bonifacio High Street and other popular malls.
1. Rizal Park, the normal pasyalan of old had to make way to ever expanding malls but this one has a new entertainment with the rejuvenated colorful dancing fountain at night.
2. Manila Ocean park pair this with Luneta, walking distance away, and you have a different kind of Christmas trip.
3. Quezon Memorial Circle, not just for morning joggers exercises, there are several restaurants in Quezon Memorial Circle e.g. Serye, Max's, Bacolod Chicken Inasal, Tropical Hut and lots of eateries nearby. There's also Circle of Fun with fun rides for the kids and the young-at-heart.
4. Star City at CCP Complex with their rides for the whole family.
5. Enchanted Kingdom, not literally in Metro Manila but quite near so included here, the theme park that still enchants the whole family.
6. Greenhills Shopping Center with bargains at the bazaar and the moving Christmas display that used to attract hordes of people to the defunct COD in Cubao.
7. Watch Kaos the Musical at Resorts World Manila with the whole family even if it hurts a little for your pocket at P988 ticket prices (starting).
8. Tiendesitas, Fun Ranch and Ark or Avilon in Pasig City
9. Support the Filipino movie industry by watching any Metro Manila Film Festival entry at your favorite theaters.
10. For a really meaningful holiday season, visit any orphanage or charitable institution and share your blessings. It's the best way really to celebrate the holidays with the less fortunate...for a change!
No information if the zoos will be open on December 25 and January 1 so you have to take off Malabon Zoo, Manila Zoo and Avilon Zoo on the list. SM mall hours are usually 12nn to 9pm while similar schedules for Trinoma, Eastwood Mall, Bonifacio High Street and other popular malls.
Labels: Christmas
posted by GingGoy @ 10:35 PM,
,
From Batanes to Tawi-tawi...
Of all the seventy-nine provinces of the Philippines, Tutubi already set foot and explored more than half of them and trying to explore the rest of the remaining half.
Batanes, the northernmost province of the country only seen on TV, read online or in magazines by Tutubi, has unique four seasons with rolling hills, enchanting seascapes and the enduring, unique culture of the Ivatans waiting to be witnessed and experienced. The beautiful and enigmatic island has yet to be visited, explored and mapped by Tutubi, the budget traveler, explorer and Open Street Map contributor that he is, mainly due to airfare cost constraints.
Tutubi's ultimate dream of exploring all the Philippine provinces is captured by the popular noontime show Eat Bulaga's opening song that used to say "Mula Aparri hanggang Jolo," later changed to "mula Batanes hanggang Jolo" which is still incomplete due to the fact that the southernmost province of the archipelago is Tawi-tawi so it should be "Mula Batanes hanggang Tawi-tawi" to be geographically and politically correct.
With the Batanes trip to come true in case Tutubi bags SEAIR's free trip to Batanes contest, Tutubi can make it "Mula Batanes hanggang Zamboanga" from the present "mula Pagudpud hanggang Zamboanga" then slowly work on his wish to make it: "mula Batanes hanggang Tawi-tawi." Setting foot on Batanes will not only let Tutubi share the beauty of Batanes to his blog readers, he intends to also create the GPS map of the province to be shared online with other tourists and explorers.
From Batanes to Tawi-tawi and every province in between
With Batanes on top of Tutubi's wish list of places to be and be seen.
From Batanes to Tawi-tawi, with Batanes as the country's crown;
And from SEAIR's plane, Tutubi will shout, "Batanes, I'm coming down!"
Interactive map of Batanes main island has no details of streets and coordinates of places to visit. If and when visits Batanes, Tutubi can add detail to make it routable and navigable by GPS and online users just what he's done to the online map Paete, Laguna and other unmapped places he has recently visited
"I explore, therefore I blog...and map!"
---
To know more about SEAIR, you may visit SEAIR official website or their Facebook Fan Page
Batanes, the northernmost province of the country only seen on TV, read online or in magazines by Tutubi, has unique four seasons with rolling hills, enchanting seascapes and the enduring, unique culture of the Ivatans waiting to be witnessed and experienced. The beautiful and enigmatic island has yet to be visited, explored and mapped by Tutubi, the budget traveler, explorer and Open Street Map contributor that he is, mainly due to airfare cost constraints.
Tutubi's ultimate dream of exploring all the Philippine provinces is captured by the popular noontime show Eat Bulaga's opening song that used to say "Mula Aparri hanggang Jolo," later changed to "mula Batanes hanggang Jolo" which is still incomplete due to the fact that the southernmost province of the archipelago is Tawi-tawi so it should be "Mula Batanes hanggang Tawi-tawi" to be geographically and politically correct.
With the Batanes trip to come true in case Tutubi bags SEAIR's free trip to Batanes contest, Tutubi can make it "Mula Batanes hanggang Zamboanga" from the present "mula Pagudpud hanggang Zamboanga" then slowly work on his wish to make it: "mula Batanes hanggang Tawi-tawi." Setting foot on Batanes will not only let Tutubi share the beauty of Batanes to his blog readers, he intends to also create the GPS map of the province to be shared online with other tourists and explorers.
From Batanes to Tawi-tawi and every province in between
With Batanes on top of Tutubi's wish list of places to be and be seen.
From Batanes to Tawi-tawi, with Batanes as the country's crown;
And from SEAIR's plane, Tutubi will shout, "Batanes, I'm coming down!"
Interactive map of Batanes main island has no details of streets and coordinates of places to visit. If and when visits Batanes, Tutubi can add detail to make it routable and navigable by GPS and online users just what he's done to the online map Paete, Laguna and other unmapped places he has recently visited
"I explore, therefore I blog...and map!"
---
To know more about SEAIR, you may visit SEAIR official website or their Facebook Fan Page
Labels: Floobydust
posted by GingGoy @ 10:10 PM,
,
A Taste of Pancit Buko in UCPB Makati
16 December 2010
There's the usual pancit canton, bihon, miki, lomi, chami, the regional pansit variations like pancit bato of Bicol particularly from Bato, Camarines Sur, Pancit hab-hab of Lucban, Quezon, pancit cabagan of Cagayan Valley from Cabagan town, and batil patung in Tuguegarao.
then there's a not-so-common pancit recipe where buko (young coconut) strips are used instead of noodles made from rice, wheat or what-have-yous...
Tutubi knows about pancit buko for a long time but was able sample it only recently through the information from a friend working at Cocobank (UCPB) head office on Makati Avenue (in front of Mandarin Hotel)
pancit buko is just that, young coconut in place of noodles using typical pancit recipes
The pancit buko at Cocobank's cafeteria on the 11th floor of UCPB Building merely costs PhP24.00/order, a true frugal food find in the country's financial district. The price though is too cheap for the tasty and flavorful pancit that looks like chop suey or stir-fried vegetables (guisado) at first glance.
If you want, you can make your own pancit buko with inexpensive buko at public markets or try to sample it first at UCPB in Makati i.e. if you know someone working there as it's only for Cocobank employees. (Tutubi also recommends Cocobank sandwich, something like french toast, ham and...uh-hmm...buko strips)
Should you know of canteens, restaurants, eateries offering this dish, please hit the Post a comment button below.
then there's a not-so-common pancit recipe where buko (young coconut) strips are used instead of noodles made from rice, wheat or what-have-yous...
Tutubi knows about pancit buko for a long time but was able sample it only recently through the information from a friend working at Cocobank (UCPB) head office on Makati Avenue (in front of Mandarin Hotel)
pancit buko is just that, young coconut in place of noodles using typical pancit recipesThe pancit buko at Cocobank's cafeteria on the 11th floor of UCPB Building merely costs PhP24.00/order, a true frugal food find in the country's financial district. The price though is too cheap for the tasty and flavorful pancit that looks like chop suey or stir-fried vegetables (guisado) at first glance.
If you want, you can make your own pancit buko with inexpensive buko at public markets or try to sample it first at UCPB in Makati i.e. if you know someone working there as it's only for Cocobank employees. (Tutubi also recommends Cocobank sandwich, something like french toast, ham and...uh-hmm...buko strips)
Should you know of canteens, restaurants, eateries offering this dish, please hit the Post a comment button below.
Labels: Filipino Food, Pancit
posted by GingGoy @ 9:51 PM,
,
Broas: Pasalubong Lucban Quezon
15 December 2010
Just a quick post on a Quezon specialty that doesn't really need an introduction: broas (lady finger) that Tutubi loves for refrigerator cake recipe than graham crackers.
broas up close and personal...
Tutubi Jr. loves broas, due to its usual sweet cookie taste toddlers love...you can buy broas almost everywhere even at malls in Manila but the pasalubong tradition is just one thing...a medium size can of broas costs around P180.00 in Quezon particularly in Lucban.
broas up close and personal...Tutubi Jr. loves broas, due to its usual sweet cookie taste toddlers love...you can buy broas almost everywhere even at malls in Manila but the pasalubong tradition is just one thing...a medium size can of broas costs around P180.00 in Quezon particularly in Lucban.
Labels: Pasalubong, Quezon
posted by GingGoy @ 9:40 PM,
,
The Buko Halo-halo and "Halal" Pancit Hab-hab at Kamayan sa Palaisdaan in Tayabas, Quezon
13 December 2010
A popular restaurant in Quezon is Kamayan sa Palaisdaan sa Tayabas, with sister restaurant in the town of Bay, Laguna, featuring floating restaurant where dining tables rest on bamboo rafts in the middle of a fish pond teeming with fishes.
The floating restaurant, just a few minutes away from Tayabas City proper on the road going to Lucban and Kamay ni Hesus, is a favorite stop-over for people passing by the area not just during the Pahiyas fiesta.
the floating bahay kubo as dining area of the popular Tayabas Restaurant
On his first time to set foot on the restaurant, resort and hotel compound, Tutubi ordered buko halo-halo for dessert after buying pasalubong and Quezon delicacies on Calle Budin plus a bilao of pancit hab-hab for his driver that he forgot to call during lunch but managed to find an eatery nearby.
With praises for Kamayan sa Palaisdaan sa Bay, Laguna, the halo-halo at Kamayan sa Palaisdaan sa Tayabas (Price: P80.00) sadly didn't deserve praise. It was too sugary and wanting in creaminess while the beans were not cooked right. Even the shaved ice of common halo-halo stands at the corner of most small towns can beat it. The malauhog buko, however, saved it from "eternal damnation" or rate it at par with the famous-ye-not-really-good Taleng's halo-halo of Pagsanjan, Laguna.
the buko halo-halo with malauhog buko
The pancit hab-hab, ordered by Tutubi for his driver due to instant recognition on the menu, was later deemed haram (forbidden) by his companion, who confessed that he's a Muslim convert, thus eating anything with pork (Pancit hab-hab is always topped with pork lechon) is not halal (permitted by Islam faith).
Another boo-boo that followed was when Tutubi missed the old brick Malagonlong Bridge due to the usual presence of unreliable and ignorant locals and his laziness to input the coordinates on his Garmin GPS navigator prior to the trip.
A so-so meryenda at Kamayan sa Palaisdaan and not finding a destination due to laziness nearly spoiled his day. Only his positive attitude, somewhat, saved the rest of his day!
---
disclaimer: note that the halo-halo does not represent all of Kamayan sa Palaisdaan's menu but don't blame Tutubi if you ordered the halo-halo and didn't like it too.
The floating restaurant, just a few minutes away from Tayabas City proper on the road going to Lucban and Kamay ni Hesus, is a favorite stop-over for people passing by the area not just during the Pahiyas fiesta.
the floating bahay kubo as dining area of the popular Tayabas RestaurantOn his first time to set foot on the restaurant, resort and hotel compound, Tutubi ordered buko halo-halo for dessert after buying pasalubong and Quezon delicacies on Calle Budin plus a bilao of pancit hab-hab for his driver that he forgot to call during lunch but managed to find an eatery nearby.
With praises for Kamayan sa Palaisdaan sa Bay, Laguna, the halo-halo at Kamayan sa Palaisdaan sa Tayabas (Price: P80.00) sadly didn't deserve praise. It was too sugary and wanting in creaminess while the beans were not cooked right. Even the shaved ice of common halo-halo stands at the corner of most small towns can beat it. The malauhog buko, however, saved it from "eternal damnation" or rate it at par with the famous-ye-not-really-good Taleng's halo-halo of Pagsanjan, Laguna.
the buko halo-halo with malauhog bukoThe pancit hab-hab, ordered by Tutubi for his driver due to instant recognition on the menu, was later deemed haram (forbidden) by his companion, who confessed that he's a Muslim convert, thus eating anything with pork (Pancit hab-hab is always topped with pork lechon) is not halal (permitted by Islam faith).
Another boo-boo that followed was when Tutubi missed the old brick Malagonlong Bridge due to the usual presence of unreliable and ignorant locals and his laziness to input the coordinates on his Garmin GPS navigator prior to the trip.
A so-so meryenda at Kamayan sa Palaisdaan and not finding a destination due to laziness nearly spoiled his day. Only his positive attitude, somewhat, saved the rest of his day!
---
disclaimer: note that the halo-halo does not represent all of Kamayan sa Palaisdaan's menu but don't blame Tutubi if you ordered the halo-halo and didn't like it too.
Labels: Quezon Restaurants
posted by GingGoy @ 9:44 PM,
,
How to get to Resorts World Manila: Map, Commute, Directions, Parking
For people looking for information on "How to get to Resorts World Manila" or Newport City in Pasay City, look no further. Questions regarding "How to commute to Resorts World Manila" will be answered as well as driving directions for those with their own vehicle.
Map of Resorts World Manila here from OpenStreetMap.
Resorts World Manila is Part of Newport City, a project of Megaworld where you can also findMaxims Hotel and Casino, Remington Hotel, Marriott Hotel Manila, Newport Entertainment and Commercial Center (Newport Mall where Republiq bar is located) and the Shrine of St. Therese of the Child Jesus
Directions to Resorts World Manila:
From EDSA, Makati, head to Magallanes flyover, left to SLEX, right to Sales St (the flyover of Fort Bonifacio, Nichols and Villamor Airbase), right to Andrews Avenue where you'll see Newport City to your right (just across NAIA Terminal 3)
From Cavite via Coastal Road, turn right to NAIA Road (old MIA road), left to Domestic Road (you'll see the old Manila Domestic Airport Terminal), right to Andrew's Avenue followed by a U-turn around the rotonda (roundabout) right after passing NAIA Terminal 3, then turn right to enter Newport City.
Where to Park at Resorts World Manila:
Covered parking fees at Newport Mall is PhP45.00 for the first three hours and PhP15.00/hour thereafter (Limited number of slots here though and quite expensive). There's an open parking (beside McDonalds) but no updated information on carpark rates and overnight parking fees (overnight parking fee at NAIA Terminal 3 is just PhP50.00/night but very limited slots unlike at NAIA Terminal 2)
How to commute to Resorts World Manila:
For members (like Tutubi), at various points in Metro Manila (Manila, Quezon City, Pasig City and Pasay City (SM Mall of Asia)), you can hop in at any 24/7 free shuttle service of Resorts World Manila posted on their official website, you can just go there and wait for the official shuttle service to avoid hassle of commuting. If you're not a member, you'll be allowed to ride the shuttle only once for your convenience (just become a member later, no membership fees required, just fill out an application form and present a valid ID)
From LRT 1 EDSA Station or MRT Taft Avenue Station, you can ride the shuttle service to NAIA Terminal 3 near McDonalds and Sogo Hotel to get there. Fare is a flat PhP20.00 per person with trip schedules every thirty minutes from 6am to 11pm.
From SM Mall of Asia, the jeepneys plying the Nichols route via Baclaran pass by NAIA Terminal 3 but you need to cross Andrews Avenue so it's not recommended. The return trip to MOA from Nichols can drop you off in front of Resorts World Manila, Newport City and the Shrine of St. Therese of the Child Jesus.
From Eastwood City, Libis, Quezon City, you may take Citylink bus that pass by C5 (fare: P38.00). Both Eastwood City and Newport City are Megaworld projects, thus the bus link provided by guess who :P
Map of Resorts World Manila here from OpenStreetMap.
Resorts World Manila is Part of Newport City, a project of Megaworld where you can also findMaxims Hotel and Casino, Remington Hotel, Marriott Hotel Manila, Newport Entertainment and Commercial Center (Newport Mall where Republiq bar is located) and the Shrine of St. Therese of the Child Jesus
Directions to Resorts World Manila:
From EDSA, Makati, head to Magallanes flyover, left to SLEX, right to Sales St (the flyover of Fort Bonifacio, Nichols and Villamor Airbase), right to Andrews Avenue where you'll see Newport City to your right (just across NAIA Terminal 3)
From Cavite via Coastal Road, turn right to NAIA Road (old MIA road), left to Domestic Road (you'll see the old Manila Domestic Airport Terminal), right to Andrew's Avenue followed by a U-turn around the rotonda (roundabout) right after passing NAIA Terminal 3, then turn right to enter Newport City.
Where to Park at Resorts World Manila:
Covered parking fees at Newport Mall is PhP45.00 for the first three hours and PhP15.00/hour thereafter (Limited number of slots here though and quite expensive). There's an open parking (beside McDonalds) but no updated information on carpark rates and overnight parking fees (overnight parking fee at NAIA Terminal 3 is just PhP50.00/night but very limited slots unlike at NAIA Terminal 2)
How to commute to Resorts World Manila:
For members (like Tutubi), at various points in Metro Manila (Manila, Quezon City, Pasig City and Pasay City (SM Mall of Asia)), you can hop in at any 24/7 free shuttle service of Resorts World Manila posted on their official website, you can just go there and wait for the official shuttle service to avoid hassle of commuting. If you're not a member, you'll be allowed to ride the shuttle only once for your convenience (just become a member later, no membership fees required, just fill out an application form and present a valid ID)
From LRT 1 EDSA Station or MRT Taft Avenue Station, you can ride the shuttle service to NAIA Terminal 3 near McDonalds and Sogo Hotel to get there. Fare is a flat PhP20.00 per person with trip schedules every thirty minutes from 6am to 11pm.
From SM Mall of Asia, the jeepneys plying the Nichols route via Baclaran pass by NAIA Terminal 3 but you need to cross Andrews Avenue so it's not recommended. The return trip to MOA from Nichols can drop you off in front of Resorts World Manila, Newport City and the Shrine of St. Therese of the Child Jesus.
From Eastwood City, Libis, Quezon City, you may take Citylink bus that pass by C5 (fare: P38.00). Both Eastwood City and Newport City are Megaworld projects, thus the bus link provided by guess who :P
Labels: Hotels and Resorts, Pasay City
posted by GingGoy @ 8:19 PM,
,
Pasalubong Shopping on Calle Budin, Tayabas, Quezon
09 December 2010
A portion of Jacinto St. between A.M. Regidor and Legaspi Streets is the so called Calle Budin of Tayabas, Quezon where you can buy budin (cassava pudding) and other Quezon specialties e.g. broas (ladyfingers), nilupak, pancit hab-hab (pancit lucban) noodles, tikoy, Lucban longganisa (pork sausage Lucban style), pinagong, sometimes pinais, lambanog (plain and flavored) as well as pasalubong products from nearby Laguna towns e.g. espasol, puto seko, shing-a-ling, uraro et al.
Photos of Tayabas' Calle Budin (Cassava Pudding Street, Olympus 1050SW):
Calle Budin sign at the corner of Legaspi and jacinto St.
you cannot park your car on Kalye Budin for it's too narrow or the house owner won't let you, park along Legazpi or Regidor
take your pick on Quezon pasalubong shopping at one store visited by Tutubi
Tutubi hurriedly bought 5 budin at a cost of P28.00/piece (good for 2-3 persons), a large can of Campville broas at P140.00, a small pack of Campita's tikoy at P40 each, plus a small bottle of lambanog (distilled coconut wine).
---
Kalye Budin
Tayabas Pasalubong Shopping
Coordinates: N14°1'32" E121°35'38"
Photos of Tayabas' Calle Budin (Cassava Pudding Street, Olympus 1050SW):
Calle Budin sign at the corner of Legaspi and jacinto St.
you cannot park your car on Kalye Budin for it's too narrow or the house owner won't let you, park along Legazpi or Regidor
take your pick on Quezon pasalubong shopping at one store visited by TutubiTutubi hurriedly bought 5 budin at a cost of P28.00/piece (good for 2-3 persons), a large can of Campville broas at P140.00, a small pack of Campita's tikoy at P40 each, plus a small bottle of lambanog (distilled coconut wine).
---
Kalye Budin
Tayabas Pasalubong Shopping
Coordinates: N14°1'32" E121°35'38"
Labels: Calabarzon, Pasalubong, Quezon, Southern Tagalog
posted by GingGoy @ 8:42 PM,
,
Quezon: Tayabas' Basilica of St. Michael The Archangel
07 December 2010
A large, beautiful and imposing church in Tayabas, Quezon, officially named the Minor Basilica of St. Michael de Archangel (San Miguel de Arcangel Basilica Menor or Tayabas Basilica for short) is a typical stop-over for Tutubi after visiting friends at Tayabas Multi-Purpose Cooperative (TMPC).
the imposing facade of Tayabas Basilica
the cavernous interiors of the minor basilica with the altar, apse in view
The National Historical Institute (NHI, now the National Historical Commission of the Philippines) marker states that the previous stone church was destroyed by an earthquake in 1743 and present structure was built afterwards with various improvements. The NHI marker further states that it's one of the most beautiful churches in the Philippines.
The church is dedicated to St. Michael the Archangel, thus the image of the angel on the church patio and the famous depiction of St. St. Michael The Archangel slaying the devil (which is made more famous on the label of a popular "stainless" gin maker).
the popular depiction of St. Michael the Archangel about to slay the devil
another popular church dedicated to the archangel can be found in San Miguel, Manila where a more dramatic representation of the San Miguel Arcanghel can be found.
Lastly, this is recommended stop for those planning for a Quezon Visita Iglesia itinerary during Holy Week.
---
Minor Basilica of St. Michael The Archangel
Tayabas, Quezon
Coordinates: N14°1'33" E121°35'26
the imposing facade of Tayabas Basilica
the cavernous interiors of the minor basilica with the altar, apse in viewThe National Historical Institute (NHI, now the National Historical Commission of the Philippines) marker states that the previous stone church was destroyed by an earthquake in 1743 and present structure was built afterwards with various improvements. The NHI marker further states that it's one of the most beautiful churches in the Philippines.
The church is dedicated to St. Michael the Archangel, thus the image of the angel on the church patio and the famous depiction of St. St. Michael The Archangel slaying the devil (which is made more famous on the label of a popular "stainless" gin maker).
the popular depiction of St. Michael the Archangel about to slay the devil
another popular church dedicated to the archangel can be found in San Miguel, Manila where a more dramatic representation of the San Miguel Arcanghel can be found.
Lastly, this is recommended stop for those planning for a Quezon Visita Iglesia itinerary during Holy Week.
---
Minor Basilica of St. Michael The Archangel
Tayabas, Quezon
Coordinates: N14°1'33" E121°35'26
Labels: Calabarzon, Churches, Quezon, Southern Tagalog
posted by GingGoy @ 9:07 PM,
,
Ilocos Sur Tour Itinerary and Tips?
02 December 2010
For those people following Tutubi on Facebook, they have a shot at suggesting to him where to go/visit, where to eat and where to stay.
this time, it's an upcoming visit to Ilocos Sur, to the town of Sta. Cruz to be exact, and Tutubi wanted to know several things before he goes there.
In the course of his research, he stumbled on this Ilocos Sur tourism video that mentioned several places that interest Tutubi
several places mentioned:
vigan heritage village, magsingal museum and belfry, syquia mansion, crisologo museum, archbishop palace, national museum padre burgos house, plaza burgos, plaza salcedo, besang pass, sundial tagudin, tirad pass gregorio del pilar (off-the-beaten path), gabriela silang memorial park in santa, sulvec watch tower narvacan, salomague port cabugao, imelda park san esteban, apatot beach san esteban, new kids farm santa, paraiso ni juan narvacan, santiago cove, santa view deck, sulvec beach narvacan, spanish watch tower san esteban, baluarte vigan
numerous things to see/witness:
tambourine in bantay, buri in san juan, abel vigan and santiago, pagburnayan vigan
several ilocos sur delicacies and specialties (all already tasted by Tutubi before except the opia where he can't find information)
longganisa, bagnet, tinubong, empanada, basi, candon calamay, opia, royal bibingka, pinakbet
visita iglesia of Ilocos Sur's churches sporting earthquake baroque architecture including the Church of Sta. Maria, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
sta maria church, sta lucia church, sinait church, magsingal church st william the hermit, sta catalina church, san vicente church, simbaan a basit, bantay church nuestra senora de la caridad, st paul metropolitan cathedral vigan.
There's also mention of surfing in sabang and cabugao beach resort pug-os.
Just a reversal of roles here, what's your recommendation? After completing visitng several of these places in a span of two days, Tutubi will give a thumbs up or thumbs down for places listed above...
stay tuned!
this time, it's an upcoming visit to Ilocos Sur, to the town of Sta. Cruz to be exact, and Tutubi wanted to know several things before he goes there.
In the course of his research, he stumbled on this Ilocos Sur tourism video that mentioned several places that interest Tutubi
several places mentioned:
vigan heritage village, magsingal museum and belfry, syquia mansion, crisologo museum, archbishop palace, national museum padre burgos house, plaza burgos, plaza salcedo, besang pass, sundial tagudin, tirad pass gregorio del pilar (off-the-beaten path), gabriela silang memorial park in santa, sulvec watch tower narvacan, salomague port cabugao, imelda park san esteban, apatot beach san esteban, new kids farm santa, paraiso ni juan narvacan, santiago cove, santa view deck, sulvec beach narvacan, spanish watch tower san esteban, baluarte vigan
numerous things to see/witness:
tambourine in bantay, buri in san juan, abel vigan and santiago, pagburnayan vigan
several ilocos sur delicacies and specialties (all already tasted by Tutubi before except the opia where he can't find information)
longganisa, bagnet, tinubong, empanada, basi, candon calamay, opia, royal bibingka, pinakbet
visita iglesia of Ilocos Sur's churches sporting earthquake baroque architecture including the Church of Sta. Maria, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
sta maria church, sta lucia church, sinait church, magsingal church st william the hermit, sta catalina church, san vicente church, simbaan a basit, bantay church nuestra senora de la caridad, st paul metropolitan cathedral vigan.
There's also mention of surfing in sabang and cabugao beach resort pug-os.
Just a reversal of roles here, what's your recommendation? After completing visitng several of these places in a span of two days, Tutubi will give a thumbs up or thumbs down for places listed above...
stay tuned!
Labels: Ilocos Region, Ilocos Sur
posted by GingGoy @ 10:52 PM,
,
Gregoria de Jesus: Lakambini ng Katipunan
30 November 2010
Today's National Heroes Day celebrating the 147th birthday of the Katipunan's founder but today's post will feature his second wife, Gregoria de Jesus, nicknamed Oriang (or Oryang).
Tutubi's personal encounter with Oriang occured at the Nakpil-Bautista house turned museum in Quiapo, Manila where you can see Gregoria de Jesus' memorabilia plus a short biography of the heroine posted on a wall in one of the museum's rooms.
Gregoria de Jesus' memorabilia inside Bahay Nakpil-Bautista, an old "bahay na bato" in Quiapo, Manila
Andres' courtship of Oryang lasted only six months and it's no secret history that the parents of Oryang did not approve of her affair with Andres Bonifacio, a mason and widower whose first wife was a leper. Oryang's parents tried to separate the two even to the point of keeping her against her will in their house, but as history shows, they ended up together.
as posted on the wall of Bahay Nakpil-Bautista house:
"Gregoria de Jesus and Andres Bonifacio were married in March 1893 in Binondo Church. The simple Catholic ceremony took place at the insistence of Oriang's parents and was witnessed by Restituto Javier and his wife, Benita Rodriguez.
The following week, at the home of their godparents, the couple said their wedding vows again, this time in Katipunan rites. A celebratory dinner took place attended by close friends. Among the guests were, Pio Valenzuela, Santiago Turiano, Ramon Basa, Marina Dizon, Josefa and Trining Rizal.
That same night, Oriang was admitted into the Katipunan. She became the first woamn to be full-pledged member and chose the code name "Lakambini" meaning muse or first lady."
It is noteworthy that they claimed Andres Bonifacio and Gregoria de Jesus were married in Binondo Church but no actual church records were found to corroborate this claim that's why there's a suspicion that they were married under assumed names.
When Andres Bonifacio was arrested by Aguinaldo's men in the mountains of Cavite led by Col. Agapito Bonzon (or Yntong Bonzon), Yntong attempted to rape her on several occasions. (noted historian Ambeth Ocampo postulated in his book that Gregoria de Jesus was indeed raped if you read between the lines of the official transcripts of Bonifacio's trial).
With the execution of her husband Andres Bonifacio leaving her widowed, Oriang later married Julio Nakpil, another Katipunero and gifted with eight children. Her family lived in a a house in Quiapo owned by Dr. Ariston Bautista and his wife Petrona Nakpil that is now turned into a museum called Bahay Nakpil-Bautista on Bautista St., Quiapo, Manila.
Inside Bahay Nakpil-Bautista is also "Sampung Aral ni Oriang...
1. Igalang at mahalin ang magulang pagka’t ito ang pangalawang Dios sa lupa.
2. Alalahanin tuwina ang mga banal na aral ng mga bayani na nasawi dahil sa pag-ibig sa bayan.
3. Huwag magaksaya ng panahon ng di pamarisan.
4. Pagsikapang magkaroon ng anomang karunungan na tumutugon sa kanyang hilig upang paki-nabangan ng bayan.
5. Ang kabaitan ay alalahaning isang malaking kayamanan.
6. Igalang ang mga gurong nagpapamulat ng isip pagka’t kung utang sa magulang ang pagiging tao ay utang naman sa nagturo ang pagpapakatao.
7. Iligtas ang api sa panganib.
8. Matakot sa kasaysayan pagka’t walang lihim na di nahahayag.
9. Kapag napagingatan ang kasamaan ay doon manggagaling ang malaking karangalan.
10. Sikapin ang ikapagkakaisa ng lahat at ika uunlad ng bayan upang huwag magkaroon ng sagabal ang kasarinlan."
Take note of the eight counsel translated as “Fear history, for there's no secret that will remain secret.”
Cavite, then, was not so kind to Andres Bonifacio: Emilio Aguinaldo, Daniel Tirona (who insulted him after the rigged election in Tejeros) and the most evil of them all-- Col. Yntong Bonzon, who divested Oryang of her personal belongings, including her wedding ring, and forced her to go up a room to rape her. Whether raped or just attempted, Col. Yntong Bonzon never paid for the crime, proof that the culture of impunity of the powers that be already existed then as it is now.
Tutubi's personal encounter with Oriang occured at the Nakpil-Bautista house turned museum in Quiapo, Manila where you can see Gregoria de Jesus' memorabilia plus a short biography of the heroine posted on a wall in one of the museum's rooms.
Gregoria de Jesus' memorabilia inside Bahay Nakpil-Bautista, an old "bahay na bato" in Quiapo, ManilaAndres' courtship of Oryang lasted only six months and it's no secret history that the parents of Oryang did not approve of her affair with Andres Bonifacio, a mason and widower whose first wife was a leper. Oryang's parents tried to separate the two even to the point of keeping her against her will in their house, but as history shows, they ended up together.
as posted on the wall of Bahay Nakpil-Bautista house:
"Gregoria de Jesus and Andres Bonifacio were married in March 1893 in Binondo Church. The simple Catholic ceremony took place at the insistence of Oriang's parents and was witnessed by Restituto Javier and his wife, Benita Rodriguez.
The following week, at the home of their godparents, the couple said their wedding vows again, this time in Katipunan rites. A celebratory dinner took place attended by close friends. Among the guests were, Pio Valenzuela, Santiago Turiano, Ramon Basa, Marina Dizon, Josefa and Trining Rizal.
That same night, Oriang was admitted into the Katipunan. She became the first woamn to be full-pledged member and chose the code name "Lakambini" meaning muse or first lady."
It is noteworthy that they claimed Andres Bonifacio and Gregoria de Jesus were married in Binondo Church but no actual church records were found to corroborate this claim that's why there's a suspicion that they were married under assumed names.
When Andres Bonifacio was arrested by Aguinaldo's men in the mountains of Cavite led by Col. Agapito Bonzon (or Yntong Bonzon), Yntong attempted to rape her on several occasions. (noted historian Ambeth Ocampo postulated in his book that Gregoria de Jesus was indeed raped if you read between the lines of the official transcripts of Bonifacio's trial).
With the execution of her husband Andres Bonifacio leaving her widowed, Oriang later married Julio Nakpil, another Katipunero and gifted with eight children. Her family lived in a a house in Quiapo owned by Dr. Ariston Bautista and his wife Petrona Nakpil that is now turned into a museum called Bahay Nakpil-Bautista on Bautista St., Quiapo, Manila.
Inside Bahay Nakpil-Bautista is also "Sampung Aral ni Oriang...
1. Igalang at mahalin ang magulang pagka’t ito ang pangalawang Dios sa lupa.
2. Alalahanin tuwina ang mga banal na aral ng mga bayani na nasawi dahil sa pag-ibig sa bayan.
3. Huwag magaksaya ng panahon ng di pamarisan.
4. Pagsikapang magkaroon ng anomang karunungan na tumutugon sa kanyang hilig upang paki-nabangan ng bayan.
5. Ang kabaitan ay alalahaning isang malaking kayamanan.
6. Igalang ang mga gurong nagpapamulat ng isip pagka’t kung utang sa magulang ang pagiging tao ay utang naman sa nagturo ang pagpapakatao.
7. Iligtas ang api sa panganib.
8. Matakot sa kasaysayan pagka’t walang lihim na di nahahayag.
9. Kapag napagingatan ang kasamaan ay doon manggagaling ang malaking karangalan.
10. Sikapin ang ikapagkakaisa ng lahat at ika uunlad ng bayan upang huwag magkaroon ng sagabal ang kasarinlan."
Take note of the eight counsel translated as “Fear history, for there's no secret that will remain secret.”
Cavite, then, was not so kind to Andres Bonifacio: Emilio Aguinaldo, Daniel Tirona (who insulted him after the rigged election in Tejeros) and the most evil of them all-- Col. Yntong Bonzon, who divested Oryang of her personal belongings, including her wedding ring, and forced her to go up a room to rape her. Whether raped or just attempted, Col. Yntong Bonzon never paid for the crime, proof that the culture of impunity of the powers that be already existed then as it is now.
Labels: History, Manila, Metro Manila, National Capital Region
posted by GingGoy @ 6:14 PM,
,
Holiday Shopping at Christmas Bazaars and Tiangge
29 November 2010
For shopaholics and regular holiday shopping needs alternatives to the much too crowded Divisoria (where it's really hard to squeeze yourself in to Tutuban Mall, 168 Shopping Mall, and 999 Mall): Christmas bazaars sprouting all over Metro Manila. Do your shopping now and send some to Tutubi :P
Before you "turn the page," did you know that the word bazaar came from the Persian word bazar with etymological origin meaning "place of prices"?
List of Christmas Bazaars in Metro Manila (you may add some if Tutubi missed any)
Buy Pinoy Exporters Fair
Location: SM Megatrade Hall 2, SM Megamall, Mandaluyong
Bazaar Hours: 9am-9pm (SM Mall Hours)
Greenhills Night Market
Greenhills Shopping Center, San Juan
Open: 6:30 to 11:30pm
Mercato Centrale
Location: Bonifacio High Street (inside those tents behind The Spa)
Bazaar Hours: 7 am - 12nn
Moonlit Bazaar
Venue: Rockwell Tent
Bazaar Hours: 12 noon to 12 midnight
Noel Bazaar
Venue: World Trade Center
Hours: 11am - 10pm
Open: December 18-19, 2010
Shop @ The Fort
Venue: NBC Tent, Fort Bonifacio Global City
Bazaar Hours: 10am - 7pm
St. James the Great Bazaar
Venue: Cuenca Park, Ayala Alabang Village
Bazaar Hours: 9am-9pm
Whitespace Market
Where: 2314 Chino Roces Ave. Ext. (formerly Pasong Tamo Ext.)
Hours: 12 noon-6pm
Other bazaars in town (got info from a Xend promo email):
1. Christmas Tinsel Bazaar at Nuvo City in Libis on December 3 to 5
2. Seolularis: A Grand Holiday Bazaar at the SMX Convention Center on December 4 to 5
3. SHOP N' CHOW Bazaar and Food Fair at the Alabang Town Center on December 3 to 5
4. Angel Sent Bazaar at the Enterprise Center Makati on December 6 to 7
Regular Weekend Markets in Manila that may pop surprises:
Sidcor Sunday Market at Centris Walk
EDSA corner Quezon Avenue, Quezon City
Tiangge hours: 6am to 2pm
Lung Center Sunday Market
Lung Center of the Philippines
Quezon Avenue, Quezon City
Tiagge open from 6am to 2pm
Salcedo Saturday Market
Velzaquez Carpark, Salcedo Village, Makati
open: 6am to 2pm
Legazpi Sunday Market
Legazpi Carpark, Lorenzo Village, Makati
open: 6am to 2pm
Note: some of the bazaars listed above chanrge entrance fees, admission price vary but very minimal if you have lots of shopping money and the energy hunting for good finds and bargains.
Before you "turn the page," did you know that the word bazaar came from the Persian word bazar with etymological origin meaning "place of prices"?
List of Christmas Bazaars in Metro Manila (you may add some if Tutubi missed any)
Buy Pinoy Exporters Fair
Location: SM Megatrade Hall 2, SM Megamall, Mandaluyong
Bazaar Hours: 9am-9pm (SM Mall Hours)
Greenhills Night Market
Greenhills Shopping Center, San Juan
Open: 6:30 to 11:30pm
Mercato Centrale
Location: Bonifacio High Street (inside those tents behind The Spa)
Bazaar Hours: 7 am - 12nn
Moonlit Bazaar
Venue: Rockwell Tent
Bazaar Hours: 12 noon to 12 midnight
Noel Bazaar
Venue: World Trade Center
Hours: 11am - 10pm
Open: December 18-19, 2010
Shop @ The Fort
Venue: NBC Tent, Fort Bonifacio Global City
Bazaar Hours: 10am - 7pm
St. James the Great Bazaar
Venue: Cuenca Park, Ayala Alabang Village
Bazaar Hours: 9am-9pm
Whitespace Market
Where: 2314 Chino Roces Ave. Ext. (formerly Pasong Tamo Ext.)
Hours: 12 noon-6pm
Other bazaars in town (got info from a Xend promo email):
1. Christmas Tinsel Bazaar at Nuvo City in Libis on December 3 to 5
2. Seolularis: A Grand Holiday Bazaar at the SMX Convention Center on December 4 to 5
3. SHOP N' CHOW Bazaar and Food Fair at the Alabang Town Center on December 3 to 5
4. Angel Sent Bazaar at the Enterprise Center Makati on December 6 to 7
Regular Weekend Markets in Manila that may pop surprises:
Sidcor Sunday Market at Centris Walk
EDSA corner Quezon Avenue, Quezon City
Tiangge hours: 6am to 2pm
Lung Center Sunday Market
Lung Center of the Philippines
Quezon Avenue, Quezon City
Tiagge open from 6am to 2pm
Salcedo Saturday Market
Velzaquez Carpark, Salcedo Village, Makati
open: 6am to 2pm
Legazpi Sunday Market
Legazpi Carpark, Lorenzo Village, Makati
open: 6am to 2pm
Note: some of the bazaars listed above chanrge entrance fees, admission price vary but very minimal if you have lots of shopping money and the energy hunting for good finds and bargains.
Labels: Shopping
posted by GingGoy @ 9:56 PM,
,
The Historic Casa De Comunidad de Tayabas Museum in Quezon
22 November 2010
A stone's throw away from the Minor Basilica of St. Michael the Archangel in Tayabas, Quezon is an old Spanish stone house (bahay na bato) built in 1831 and witnessed numerous historical events including serving as a Japanese garrison during the Second World War.
The original structure, made from light materials, was constructed in 1776 and was replaced with the stone house architecture in 1831 (as indicated on the National Historical Institute (NHI, now the National Historical Commission of the Philippines)
the bahay na bato picture taken at high noon, thus the harsh shadow
the NHI Marker narrating Casa de Comunidad de Tayabas' history in Tagalog (Tutubi has a collection of NHI markers, eh?)
Inside arch of the museum ground floor (no entrance fees but you can donate any amountfor museum upkeep
Inside the bahay na bato is a museum showcasing Tayabas town's famous products including the lambanog,a product of a local destilleria (distillery) plus thwo chambers: one with pictures of prominent sons of Tayabas and another with preserved native ternos (dresses) (taking pictures not allowed inside)
For a few minutes before leaving Tayabas, Tutubi traveled back in time through the displays of the museum and hurriedly took off to get home to Manila via Lucban, and the Laguna towns of Luisiana, Cavinti, Pagsanjan en route to Manila to avoid heavy traffic on Maharlika Highway.
Up Next...Tayabas Basilica
The original structure, made from light materials, was constructed in 1776 and was replaced with the stone house architecture in 1831 (as indicated on the National Historical Institute (NHI, now the National Historical Commission of the Philippines)
the bahay na bato picture taken at high noon, thus the harsh shadow
the NHI Marker narrating Casa de Comunidad de Tayabas' history in Tagalog (Tutubi has a collection of NHI markers, eh?)
Inside arch of the museum ground floor (no entrance fees but you can donate any amountfor museum upkeepInside the bahay na bato is a museum showcasing Tayabas town's famous products including the lambanog,a product of a local destilleria (distillery) plus thwo chambers: one with pictures of prominent sons of Tayabas and another with preserved native ternos (dresses) (taking pictures not allowed inside)
For a few minutes before leaving Tayabas, Tutubi traveled back in time through the displays of the museum and hurriedly took off to get home to Manila via Lucban, and the Laguna towns of Luisiana, Cavinti, Pagsanjan en route to Manila to avoid heavy traffic on Maharlika Highway.
Up Next...Tayabas Basilica
Labels: Calabarzon, Museums, Quezon, Southern Tagalog
posted by GingGoy @ 10:57 PM,
,
How to Get to US Embassy Manila: Map, Commute and Driving Directions
21 November 2010
A Filipino or foreigner planning to get a visa to the United States? An American citizen looking for ways to go to the US Embassy? Moving permanently to the United States?
Here are simple directions on how to get to the US Embassy in Manila, very near Luneta (Rizal Park) and the Manila Hotel:
Generally, from anywhere in Metro Manila, the fastest way to get to the US Embassy is via the LRT and MRT. The nearest station there is LRT UN Avenue station. From UN Avenue station, you can either walk (quite far), take a taxi (fare about PhP50.00) or ride a jeepney at the corner Taft Avenue and Padre Faura St. (street next to UN Avenue) going to Pier 15 that pass by Roxas Boulevard.
Note from Quiapo and Quezon City, the best route is via the LRT or jeepneys with Mabini on their signboards that pass by Mabini Street (northbound) or M.H. Del Pilar St (southbound) alight on UN Avenue or Padre Faura then walk towards Roxas Boulevard.
From Marikina, Antipolo, you may ride the LRT 2 up to Recto Station, transfer to LRT 1 Doroteo Jose Station via the bridge link, alight at UN Avenue station then ride a Pier-bound jeep at the corner of Padre Faura and Taft Avenue. You can also ride jeeps with Mabini on the signboards to get you within walking distance of the embassy (just request the driver to drop you off at the nearest intersection)
From Cavite, Lawton-bound buses cantake you there by alighting at Padre Faura corner taft Avenue then transfer to a Pier-bound jeepney to get you right in front of the US Embassy.
road map of the Embassy of the United States in Manila (lower left) and the vicinity of Rizal Park, the the districts of Ermita and Malate
Driving Directions to the US Embassy in Manila:
From Quiapo, cross Quezon Bridge then turn right to Padre Burgos, cross Roxas Boulevard to Katigbak Drive, pass Quirino Grandstand then look for suitable parking on South Drive (pay parking nearest the US Embassy (street parking fee of Manila applies). Walk to the Embassy just nearby about 5 minutes.
From Makati, either Ayala or Sen. Gil Puyat (Buendia) easiest (but not necessarily the best) is to drive west towards Roxas Boulevard, turn right there then left turn to South Drive to look for parking.
Hotels near the US Embassy:
The Embassy of the United States in Manila is directly across Bayview Park Hotel and is walking distance away from Manila Hotel. Various hotels in Ermita and Malate are mere taxi rides away that usually won't cost you more than PhP50.00 taxi fare.
Here are simple directions on how to get to the US Embassy in Manila, very near Luneta (Rizal Park) and the Manila Hotel:
Generally, from anywhere in Metro Manila, the fastest way to get to the US Embassy is via the LRT and MRT. The nearest station there is LRT UN Avenue station. From UN Avenue station, you can either walk (quite far), take a taxi (fare about PhP50.00) or ride a jeepney at the corner Taft Avenue and Padre Faura St. (street next to UN Avenue) going to Pier 15 that pass by Roxas Boulevard.
Note from Quiapo and Quezon City, the best route is via the LRT or jeepneys with Mabini on their signboards that pass by Mabini Street (northbound) or M.H. Del Pilar St (southbound) alight on UN Avenue or Padre Faura then walk towards Roxas Boulevard.
From Marikina, Antipolo, you may ride the LRT 2 up to Recto Station, transfer to LRT 1 Doroteo Jose Station via the bridge link, alight at UN Avenue station then ride a Pier-bound jeep at the corner of Padre Faura and Taft Avenue. You can also ride jeeps with Mabini on the signboards to get you within walking distance of the embassy (just request the driver to drop you off at the nearest intersection)
From Cavite, Lawton-bound buses cantake you there by alighting at Padre Faura corner taft Avenue then transfer to a Pier-bound jeepney to get you right in front of the US Embassy.
road map of the Embassy of the United States in Manila (lower left) and the vicinity of Rizal Park, the the districts of Ermita and MalateDriving Directions to the US Embassy in Manila:
From Quiapo, cross Quezon Bridge then turn right to Padre Burgos, cross Roxas Boulevard to Katigbak Drive, pass Quirino Grandstand then look for suitable parking on South Drive (pay parking nearest the US Embassy (street parking fee of Manila applies). Walk to the Embassy just nearby about 5 minutes.
From Makati, either Ayala or Sen. Gil Puyat (Buendia) easiest (but not necessarily the best) is to drive west towards Roxas Boulevard, turn right there then left turn to South Drive to look for parking.
Hotels near the US Embassy:
The Embassy of the United States in Manila is directly across Bayview Park Hotel and is walking distance away from Manila Hotel. Various hotels in Ermita and Malate are mere taxi rides away that usually won't cost you more than PhP50.00 taxi fare.
Labels: Embassies
posted by GingGoy @ 8:18 PM,
,
Jeproks, Projects of Quezon City and Jeepney Routes for Commuters
20 November 2010
It's such a funny coincidence when Tutubi heard Mike Hanopol sing "Laki sa Layaw (Jeproks)" on a lazy afternoon when the following day Inquirer Research published the origin of the word Jeproks used on the song.
Later that day, Tutubi went to the GSIS building in Pasay to attend a meeting and found out a close friend from Landbank also was present. In going home, he hitched a ride in his friends car since it's his coding day.
An officemate of his friend also rode with them and during terrible traffic in Malate, he interviewed Tutubi on personal stuff and started telling stories of childhood days when he learned Tutubi lives in the Munoz area of Quezon City, just a short ride from Project 8 where he spent his childhood days.
And what has Jeproks got to do withh this stuff? It turned out the term “jeproks,” widely used in the late 1960s and 1970s, from the song “Laki sa Layaw (Jeproks)” is a reversed version of “project.” The term refers to the youth (particularly the hippies) who came from the middle-to-low middle-income housing projects of the government (e.g., Project 2 and 3) through the People's Homesite and Housing Corporation (PHHC), the precursor of the National Housing Authority.
So much for the origin of Jeproks, now in relation to this Tutubi gives this information on How to get to Project X in Quezon City.
People in Manila, particularly in Quezon City, only see jeepneys plying the "Proj 2&3," "Proj 4," Proj 6," and "Proj 8"
Project 1: Now Roxas District
Project 2: area near Kamias/Anonas
Project 3: area near Kamias/Anonas
Project 4: area Near Cubao/Araneta Center/Katipunan
Project 5: area near Project 4
Project 6: the area behind SM City North EDSA
Project 7: presently Veterans Village bordering EDSA and Roosevelt Avenue
Project 8: area near Congressional Avenue
what are the Quezon City jeepney routes from Manila? Taking España and Welcome Rotonda (now Mabuhay Rotonda) as starting point, being the boundary of Manila and Quezon City and use the interactive map below to guide you. Tutubi lived for ten years in Sampaloc, Manila that's why he has a pretty good grasp of the jeepney routes that pass by España but the actual ends of the jeepney routes are missing or need a little tweaking, please leave a comment to complete.
Interactive map of Projects of Quezon City with Mabuhay Rotonda (lower left of frame) as reference point.
Project 1, now Roxas District, from Welcome Rotonda, drive on Quezon Avenue, then right to Scout Chuatoco [landmarks: St. Peter Funeral Homes and Pegasus] to Roxas District...
Project 2&3: two routes actually. The first route goes to E. Rodriguez, left to Tomas Morato, Right to Kamuning, cross EDSA, Kamias then right to Anonas...
Second is via Quezon Avenue, right to Timog, right to Tomas Morato, left to Kamuning, cross EDSA and then Kamias right to Anonas...
Project 4: Take E. Rodriguez, cross EDSA Cubao (Ibabaw) to Aurora Avenue, right to 20th Avenue(?)...
Project 6: cross to Quezon Avenue, left to West Avenue (actually a U-turn after Delta) cross EDSA (Paramount, actually right to EDSA, then U-turn), right to North Avenue (SM City North EDSA, Trinoma and MRT North Avenue Station), left Mindanao Avenue, right to Road 1, left to Visayas Avenue...
Project 7: takes similar route as Project 8 up to Del Pilar St and Roosevelt Avenue. Not so common route these days for jeepneys. They used to advertise SM City Annex after going inside Veterans Village but is actually misinformation as you need to cross EDSA to actually get to SM.
Project 8: Quezon Avenue, left to Roosevelt Avenue (actually a U-turn then right to Roosevelt (Landmark: Pantranco and Mercury Drug), cross EDSA to Congressional Avenue (right to EDSA, U-turn then right to Congressional. [Landmarks: Munoz Market, Walter Mart North EDSA and LRT 1 Roosevelt Station), left to Shorthorn (U-turn then right), Road 20 then General...
Lastly, there's another jeepney that regularly pass by Welcome Rotonda, the Fairview route that deserves mentioning here even if it's not a Project of PHHC. Fairview jeepneys take Qeuzon Avenue all the way to Circumferential Road, Quezon Memorial Circle and Quezon City Hall, right to Commonwealth Avenue, pass by PHILCOA, University Avenue (entrance to UP) and UP-Ayala Technohub, Tandang Sora flyover, Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) all the way to SM Fairview.
related searches:
origin jeproks etymology. what does jeproks mean? meaning of jeproks, how to commute to Quezon City from Manila
Later that day, Tutubi went to the GSIS building in Pasay to attend a meeting and found out a close friend from Landbank also was present. In going home, he hitched a ride in his friends car since it's his coding day.
An officemate of his friend also rode with them and during terrible traffic in Malate, he interviewed Tutubi on personal stuff and started telling stories of childhood days when he learned Tutubi lives in the Munoz area of Quezon City, just a short ride from Project 8 where he spent his childhood days.
And what has Jeproks got to do withh this stuff? It turned out the term “jeproks,” widely used in the late 1960s and 1970s, from the song “Laki sa Layaw (Jeproks)” is a reversed version of “project.” The term refers to the youth (particularly the hippies) who came from the middle-to-low middle-income housing projects of the government (e.g., Project 2 and 3) through the People's Homesite and Housing Corporation (PHHC), the precursor of the National Housing Authority.
So much for the origin of Jeproks, now in relation to this Tutubi gives this information on How to get to Project X in Quezon City.
People in Manila, particularly in Quezon City, only see jeepneys plying the "Proj 2&3," "Proj 4," Proj 6," and "Proj 8"
Project 1: Now Roxas District
Project 2: area near Kamias/Anonas
Project 3: area near Kamias/Anonas
Project 4: area Near Cubao/Araneta Center/Katipunan
Project 5: area near Project 4
Project 6: the area behind SM City North EDSA
Project 7: presently Veterans Village bordering EDSA and Roosevelt Avenue
Project 8: area near Congressional Avenue
what are the Quezon City jeepney routes from Manila? Taking España and Welcome Rotonda (now Mabuhay Rotonda) as starting point, being the boundary of Manila and Quezon City and use the interactive map below to guide you. Tutubi lived for ten years in Sampaloc, Manila that's why he has a pretty good grasp of the jeepney routes that pass by España but the actual ends of the jeepney routes are missing or need a little tweaking, please leave a comment to complete.
Interactive map of Projects of Quezon City with Mabuhay Rotonda (lower left of frame) as reference point.
Project 1, now Roxas District, from Welcome Rotonda, drive on Quezon Avenue, then right to Scout Chuatoco [landmarks: St. Peter Funeral Homes and Pegasus] to Roxas District...
Project 2&3: two routes actually. The first route goes to E. Rodriguez, left to Tomas Morato, Right to Kamuning, cross EDSA, Kamias then right to Anonas...
Second is via Quezon Avenue, right to Timog, right to Tomas Morato, left to Kamuning, cross EDSA and then Kamias right to Anonas...
Project 4: Take E. Rodriguez, cross EDSA Cubao (Ibabaw) to Aurora Avenue, right to 20th Avenue(?)...
Project 6: cross to Quezon Avenue, left to West Avenue (actually a U-turn after Delta) cross EDSA (Paramount, actually right to EDSA, then U-turn), right to North Avenue (SM City North EDSA, Trinoma and MRT North Avenue Station), left Mindanao Avenue, right to Road 1, left to Visayas Avenue...
Project 7: takes similar route as Project 8 up to Del Pilar St and Roosevelt Avenue. Not so common route these days for jeepneys. They used to advertise SM City Annex after going inside Veterans Village but is actually misinformation as you need to cross EDSA to actually get to SM.
Project 8: Quezon Avenue, left to Roosevelt Avenue (actually a U-turn then right to Roosevelt (Landmark: Pantranco and Mercury Drug), cross EDSA to Congressional Avenue (right to EDSA, U-turn then right to Congressional. [Landmarks: Munoz Market, Walter Mart North EDSA and LRT 1 Roosevelt Station), left to Shorthorn (U-turn then right), Road 20 then General...
Lastly, there's another jeepney that regularly pass by Welcome Rotonda, the Fairview route that deserves mentioning here even if it's not a Project of PHHC. Fairview jeepneys take Qeuzon Avenue all the way to Circumferential Road, Quezon Memorial Circle and Quezon City Hall, right to Commonwealth Avenue, pass by PHILCOA, University Avenue (entrance to UP) and UP-Ayala Technohub, Tandang Sora flyover, Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) all the way to SM Fairview.
related searches:
origin jeproks etymology. what does jeproks mean? meaning of jeproks, how to commute to Quezon City from Manila
Labels: Quezon City
posted by GingGoy @ 9:27 PM,
,
Pilipinas Kay Ganda: DOT's Re-branding of Philippine Tourism is NOT Beautiful!
16 November 2010
A brand new website, new logo, a new slogan to replace the 8 year old Wow Philippines brand and a poorly executed website to boot...Tutubi's initial reaction to the Department of Tourism's hyped re-branding of the Philippines to attract foreign tourists to the country.
The new slogan sounds like a morning TV show while the website, with good enough pictures but lacking in information and content. The website reeks of the usual lack of brain power and "pwede na" attitude, typical government projects with funds going down the drain!
According to the DOT, the logo portrays "A cute tarsier, a marsupial endemic to the country, highlights our unique and playful character."
For your information, folks, the tarsier is a primate and not a marsupial (where kangaroos, cuddly koalas, wallabies even tasmanian devils belong)
Tutubi though is not critical of using Tagalog but perhaps another name than the "Kay Ganda" might be better like the already popular Mabuhay that precedes Wow Philippines. Foreigners don't understand Tagalog but proper marketing will compensate for it.
The content of the short-lived site also lack proper information. Tourism people, who should be knowledgeable about the Philippines, seem only to know only a little about the country. (have you met really knowledgeable people working at DOT offices? Those people are very rare, with Tutubi speaking from his own experience asking information from them. All they know are numbers of local hotels and some travel agencies to book them)
What do you expect, at the helm of the DOT, Tourism Secretary Alberto Lim, besides his clear bias against backpackers as "not spending a lot" and "leave waste" also bets his money, again, on English, and probably has not yet learned that most tourists visiting the country and checking in at hotels do not speak English at all: Chinese(mainland China, HK and Taiwan), Japanese, Koreans! (Tutubi concurs with an Inquirer.net article that the future of Philippine tourism are the Chinese!)
Suggestion to the DOT: Please nominate or create a better symbol for the Philippines. Look at Singapore's Merlion symbol, it's relatively new, circa 1960s and yet look at it now. (Manila, too, has the half-man, half-fish image on the city's coat of arms for centuries but very few people know about it)
Update:
Tutubi wanted to explore more the new site http://beautifulpilipinas.com but it seems off-line, probably down or the DOT pulled the plug for serious overhaul, suggest PNoy also overhauls the DOT itself and fill it with qualified and passionate people.
The new slogan sounds like a morning TV show while the website, with good enough pictures but lacking in information and content. The website reeks of the usual lack of brain power and "pwede na" attitude, typical government projects with funds going down the drain!
According to the DOT, the logo portrays "A cute tarsier, a marsupial endemic to the country, highlights our unique and playful character."
For your information, folks, the tarsier is a primate and not a marsupial (where kangaroos, cuddly koalas, wallabies even tasmanian devils belong)
Tutubi though is not critical of using Tagalog but perhaps another name than the "Kay Ganda" might be better like the already popular Mabuhay that precedes Wow Philippines. Foreigners don't understand Tagalog but proper marketing will compensate for it.
The content of the short-lived site also lack proper information. Tourism people, who should be knowledgeable about the Philippines, seem only to know only a little about the country. (have you met really knowledgeable people working at DOT offices? Those people are very rare, with Tutubi speaking from his own experience asking information from them. All they know are numbers of local hotels and some travel agencies to book them)
What do you expect, at the helm of the DOT, Tourism Secretary Alberto Lim, besides his clear bias against backpackers as "not spending a lot" and "leave waste" also bets his money, again, on English, and probably has not yet learned that most tourists visiting the country and checking in at hotels do not speak English at all: Chinese(mainland China, HK and Taiwan), Japanese, Koreans! (Tutubi concurs with an Inquirer.net article that the future of Philippine tourism are the Chinese!)
Suggestion to the DOT: Please nominate or create a better symbol for the Philippines. Look at Singapore's Merlion symbol, it's relatively new, circa 1960s and yet look at it now. (Manila, too, has the half-man, half-fish image on the city's coat of arms for centuries but very few people know about it)
Update:
Tutubi wanted to explore more the new site http://beautifulpilipinas.com but it seems off-line, probably down or the DOT pulled the plug for serious overhaul, suggest PNoy also overhauls the DOT itself and fill it with qualified and passionate people.
Labels: Rants
posted by GingGoy @ 10:33 PM,
,
Imelda Marcos' Olot Beach Resort in Tolosa, Leyte (Before Typhoon Yolanda/Haiyan)
14 November 2010
UPDATE: this Imelda Marcos Olot Mansion in Tolosa Leyte, near Tacloban City was badly damaged by storm surge brought by super typhoon Yolanda (international name: Haiyan) on November 8, 2013.
While passing by the Leyte town of Tolosa from Tacloban en route to Dulag and Agas-agas Bridge, Tutubi readily noticed the high walls on the long stretch of highway that piqued his interest and prodded him to ask a question to his companion what's inside those walls.
It turned out the property enclosed by the walls is the controversial Olot Beach Club, part of the huge property of the imeldific one -- Imelda Marcos -- sequestered by the government through the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG).
On entering the "walled resort" you can only imagine the splendor that once enveloped the place. You'll just notice the decaying clubhouse, no people except a few hanging out on the nearby beach.
this ain't Olot Mansion, the birthplace of Imelda Marcos, that was not visited by Tutubi
Olot Beach Club's clubhouse
The beach is of fine gray sand with a few bahay kubo (native huts) dotting the beach front and said to be off-limits to the locals of Olot, Tolosa back in those days when the Marcoses were in power in these islands (though the Romualdez clan, where Imelda Romualdez Marcos belongs, still calls the shots in Tacloban and Leyte politics up to this day)
the fine gray sand beach of Olot Beach Resort sans the beach bums of the rainy day
There's a nine-hole golf course of San Juanico Golf Club currently leased out (which can give you an idea of the expanse of the property) while Olot Beach Resort rents out swimming pool, bathhouse and beach front.
Tutubi initially planned taking pictures of the swimming pool if it's still well-maintained but the rain, for the nth time, made him leave the resort in a hurry. No time too to visit the Kalipayan or the Olot Mansion, the Presidential Mansion of late President Ferdinand Edralin Marcos and called the true Malacañang of the South...perhaps on Tutubi's next trip to Leyte.
---
Information on Olot Beach Resort:
Address: National highway of Olot, Tolosa, Leyte
No Contact Number, room rates and rentals for Olot Beach Resort. It's a popular place though for reunions and other events in Tolosa. No entrance fee required to visit the beach facility.
While passing by the Leyte town of Tolosa from Tacloban en route to Dulag and Agas-agas Bridge, Tutubi readily noticed the high walls on the long stretch of highway that piqued his interest and prodded him to ask a question to his companion what's inside those walls.
It turned out the property enclosed by the walls is the controversial Olot Beach Club, part of the huge property of the imeldific one -- Imelda Marcos -- sequestered by the government through the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG).
On entering the "walled resort" you can only imagine the splendor that once enveloped the place. You'll just notice the decaying clubhouse, no people except a few hanging out on the nearby beach.
this ain't Olot Mansion, the birthplace of Imelda Marcos, that was not visited by Tutubi
Olot Beach Club's clubhouseThe beach is of fine gray sand with a few bahay kubo (native huts) dotting the beach front and said to be off-limits to the locals of Olot, Tolosa back in those days when the Marcoses were in power in these islands (though the Romualdez clan, where Imelda Romualdez Marcos belongs, still calls the shots in Tacloban and Leyte politics up to this day)
the fine gray sand beach of Olot Beach Resort sans the beach bums of the rainy day
There's a nine-hole golf course of San Juanico Golf Club currently leased out (which can give you an idea of the expanse of the property) while Olot Beach Resort rents out swimming pool, bathhouse and beach front.
Tutubi initially planned taking pictures of the swimming pool if it's still well-maintained but the rain, for the nth time, made him leave the resort in a hurry. No time too to visit the Kalipayan or the Olot Mansion, the Presidential Mansion of late President Ferdinand Edralin Marcos and called the true Malacañang of the South...perhaps on Tutubi's next trip to Leyte.
---
Information on Olot Beach Resort:
Address: National highway of Olot, Tolosa, Leyte
No Contact Number, room rates and rentals for Olot Beach Resort. It's a popular place though for reunions and other events in Tolosa. No entrance fee required to visit the beach facility.
Labels: Beaches, Eastern Visayas, Hotels and Resorts, Leyte
posted by GingGoy @ 9:09 PM,
,
How to Renew Philippine Passports: DFA Schedule, Rush Renewal/Application Tips
10 November 2010
Tutubi has an expired green passport since May this year and has yet to renew it to get an ePassport. He only browsed DFA website to see the requirements and the online form. Though even if he still has to experience the passport renewal process, he's been updated by the actual experiences of his sister, friends and office mates who asked him how to renew Philippine passports, even for rush applications without an appointment at the DFA and gave him updates on the actual process. He'll apply for his own passport next year, no need to rush :P
For now, herewith are the steps and tips on how to renew Philippine passport: rush and without appointment/schedule for your reference :P
DFA Passport Renewal Procedure:
1. Call DFA Hotline (+63.2.737.1000, 24/7 service) or visit DFA Passport official website (http://www.passport.com.ph/) and set an appointment. You need to provide information and then a list of requirements to be submitted on your appointment date.
2. You'll be offered choices of appointment dates but sometimes you want to book earlier slots, not those dates two months after. Trick is, as done by one of Tutubi's friends, is to check in again at a later date and be on the lookout for vacant slots, usually vacated by those who requested a change in scheduled appointment.
3. A reference number shall be provided to you and an email confirmation of your application to your email address. You need to bring this to DFA on your appointment date.
4. On your date of appointment, be early as you always should be, queue in and show the clerk at the Appointment Counter your printed application form (online application) or just your reference number (for those who booked via the DFA Hotline).
5. You will need to sign some fields on your form, some in the presence of the DFA officer
6. Next is at the Information Counter, the tip given by Tutubi's friend was that the queues of people applying for express renewals were longer than those for regular renewal (and cheaper at that). People with children and babies are also prioritized for the DFA already knows children can be bothersome and impatient (note that babies, children and companions NOT applying for a passport are NOT allowed inside DFA-OCA premises)
7. Pay the corresponding passport renewal fees at the Cashier on the second floor: Regular Processing: PhP950.00 (20 business days); Express Processing: PhP1,200.00 (10 business days).
8. After paying fees at the cashier, proceed to the Data Capturing section where you'll have your picture taken, fingerprints and affix your signature on the the application forms. Remider for the DFA passport dress code: wear plain, colored collared shirts/tops and no slippers (as if they're taking a picture of your feet). No such this as passport renewal without appearance these days due to conversion from green passports to epassports where you need to personally appear to have your picture taken (loss of business for those photo booths that used to prosper outside the DFA office)
9. Optional: If you want your passport delivered to your home, office or anywhere you want it, you can pay accredited courier companies with counters near the Encoding Section. The courier companies will take your receipt and claim stub to replace them with another one just to authorize them to claim your new passport on your behalf.
How long does it take to renew your passport? depends. Tutubi's officemate did it in about hour on a Tuesday afternoon. The family of Tutubi's office mate took longer on a Friday (too many people reported that day). (What's the best day really to book an appointment, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday? Worst are Monday and Friday? hmmm...no data actually to support that. The actual tip supplied by Tutubi's office mate was that the queue of regular processing was significantly shorter than express passport processing that saves time of about 30 minutes (seems everybody is in a rush these days)
Express/Rush Passport Renewal Tips:
1. If you're in need of really rush passport renewal and provided you're well connected particularly to an ambassador, consul or foreign service employees, you can request your friend a letter of recommendation to process your passport application renewal in just three days. You will need to go to DFA VIP room (2nd floor of DFA-OCA Macapagal). This happened to a friend of Tutubi also a friend of a consul plus another two of his office mates, who recently renewed their passports to attend a conference in Malaysia. They only needed to queue at the Data Encoding/picture taking part. All of them later received letters informing them that the special VIP treatment should not be always availed of and instead follow the existing process, but the letters were generic in nature and not an admonishment. (who says life is fair anyway?)
2. If you're not connected to the powers-that-be, like Tutubi's sister who kept on asking him how to renew passports rush, she called up DFA Lucena office in Quezon and got an appointment a week later (unlike for DFA in Manila where available slots are more than 20 days away) and the actual passport renewal process took less than two hours. She got her passport 12 working days later. Note Lucena is about 2.5 hours away from Paete, Laguna while DFA-OCA on Macapagal is about 3.5 hours.
3. For people in the provinces, you need not go to Metro Manila but proceed to any DFA consular office nearest you, like what Tutubi's sister did. The DFA Regional Offices are located in Butuan, Bacolod, Batangas, Baguio (Benguet, Cordilleras), Puerto Princesa (Palawan), General Santos, Cotabato San Fernando (La Union), Tuguegarao (Cagayan Valley), San Fernando (Pampanga, Central Luzon), Lucena (Quezon), Legaspi (Albay, Bicol Region), Iloilo, Cebu (Central Visayas), Tacloban (Leyte, Eastern Visayas), Zamboanga, Cagayan De Oro, and Davao. Passport application appointment schedules are not too far away for regional offices.
4. For OFWs and those that are due for overseas deployment, they can have their passports processed immediately upon presenting documents that show there are jobs waiting for them in their countries of destination. Also, DFA satellite office at the Philippine Overseas Employment Agency (POEA) in Ortigas is open cater solely to the passport needs of OFWs.
5. Don't waste your time and money booking an appointment via travel agencies, much more deal with fixers at the DFA selling appointments. You can do the passport renewals on your own and not be an accessory to a crime of fixing which is illegal and promotes graft and corruption just to stay ahead by a few days.
6. If you're really in need of a new passport urgently, there are certain events (e.g. death of a loved one abroad) that may qualify you for major major urgent rush passport applications, new or renewal. Contact DFA Hotline (telephone number: +63.2.737.1000) for more information on how to process rush passport needs. Stay on the legal side and don't abet corrupt people in the government!
For now, herewith are the steps and tips on how to renew Philippine passport: rush and without appointment/schedule for your reference :P
DFA Passport Renewal Procedure:
1. Call DFA Hotline (+63.2.737.1000, 24/7 service) or visit DFA Passport official website (http://www.passport.com.ph/) and set an appointment. You need to provide information and then a list of requirements to be submitted on your appointment date.
2. You'll be offered choices of appointment dates but sometimes you want to book earlier slots, not those dates two months after. Trick is, as done by one of Tutubi's friends, is to check in again at a later date and be on the lookout for vacant slots, usually vacated by those who requested a change in scheduled appointment.
3. A reference number shall be provided to you and an email confirmation of your application to your email address. You need to bring this to DFA on your appointment date.
4. On your date of appointment, be early as you always should be, queue in and show the clerk at the Appointment Counter your printed application form (online application) or just your reference number (for those who booked via the DFA Hotline).
5. You will need to sign some fields on your form, some in the presence of the DFA officer
6. Next is at the Information Counter, the tip given by Tutubi's friend was that the queues of people applying for express renewals were longer than those for regular renewal (and cheaper at that). People with children and babies are also prioritized for the DFA already knows children can be bothersome and impatient (note that babies, children and companions NOT applying for a passport are NOT allowed inside DFA-OCA premises)
7. Pay the corresponding passport renewal fees at the Cashier on the second floor: Regular Processing: PhP950.00 (20 business days); Express Processing: PhP1,200.00 (10 business days).
8. After paying fees at the cashier, proceed to the Data Capturing section where you'll have your picture taken, fingerprints and affix your signature on the the application forms. Remider for the DFA passport dress code: wear plain, colored collared shirts/tops and no slippers (as if they're taking a picture of your feet). No such this as passport renewal without appearance these days due to conversion from green passports to epassports where you need to personally appear to have your picture taken (loss of business for those photo booths that used to prosper outside the DFA office)
9. Optional: If you want your passport delivered to your home, office or anywhere you want it, you can pay accredited courier companies with counters near the Encoding Section. The courier companies will take your receipt and claim stub to replace them with another one just to authorize them to claim your new passport on your behalf.
How long does it take to renew your passport? depends. Tutubi's officemate did it in about hour on a Tuesday afternoon. The family of Tutubi's office mate took longer on a Friday (too many people reported that day). (What's the best day really to book an appointment, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday? Worst are Monday and Friday? hmmm...no data actually to support that. The actual tip supplied by Tutubi's office mate was that the queue of regular processing was significantly shorter than express passport processing that saves time of about 30 minutes (seems everybody is in a rush these days)
Express/Rush Passport Renewal Tips:
1. If you're in need of really rush passport renewal and provided you're well connected particularly to an ambassador, consul or foreign service employees, you can request your friend a letter of recommendation to process your passport application renewal in just three days. You will need to go to DFA VIP room (2nd floor of DFA-OCA Macapagal). This happened to a friend of Tutubi also a friend of a consul plus another two of his office mates, who recently renewed their passports to attend a conference in Malaysia. They only needed to queue at the Data Encoding/picture taking part. All of them later received letters informing them that the special VIP treatment should not be always availed of and instead follow the existing process, but the letters were generic in nature and not an admonishment. (who says life is fair anyway?)
2. If you're not connected to the powers-that-be, like Tutubi's sister who kept on asking him how to renew passports rush, she called up DFA Lucena office in Quezon and got an appointment a week later (unlike for DFA in Manila where available slots are more than 20 days away) and the actual passport renewal process took less than two hours. She got her passport 12 working days later. Note Lucena is about 2.5 hours away from Paete, Laguna while DFA-OCA on Macapagal is about 3.5 hours.
3. For people in the provinces, you need not go to Metro Manila but proceed to any DFA consular office nearest you, like what Tutubi's sister did. The DFA Regional Offices are located in Butuan, Bacolod, Batangas, Baguio (Benguet, Cordilleras), Puerto Princesa (Palawan), General Santos, Cotabato San Fernando (La Union), Tuguegarao (Cagayan Valley), San Fernando (Pampanga, Central Luzon), Lucena (Quezon), Legaspi (Albay, Bicol Region), Iloilo, Cebu (Central Visayas), Tacloban (Leyte, Eastern Visayas), Zamboanga, Cagayan De Oro, and Davao. Passport application appointment schedules are not too far away for regional offices.
4. For OFWs and those that are due for overseas deployment, they can have their passports processed immediately upon presenting documents that show there are jobs waiting for them in their countries of destination. Also, DFA satellite office at the Philippine Overseas Employment Agency (POEA) in Ortigas is open cater solely to the passport needs of OFWs.
5. Don't waste your time and money booking an appointment via travel agencies, much more deal with fixers at the DFA selling appointments. You can do the passport renewals on your own and not be an accessory to a crime of fixing which is illegal and promotes graft and corruption just to stay ahead by a few days.
6. If you're really in need of a new passport urgently, there are certain events (e.g. death of a loved one abroad) that may qualify you for major major urgent rush passport applications, new or renewal. Contact DFA Hotline (telephone number: +63.2.737.1000) for more information on how to process rush passport needs. Stay on the legal side and don't abet corrupt people in the government!
Labels: Philippine Passports
posted by GingGoy @ 9:38 PM,
,
November 16: Non-Working Holiday (Muslim Eid Al Adha)
Latest News report: "President Aquino has declared November 16 a national non-working holiday in observance of the Muslim holiday Al Adha."
Source: Inquirer
Tutubi will just probably stay at home at that like ordinary days...
---
news on November 16, 2010 Al Adha non-working holiday (Islam holiday "Festival of Sacrifice" that commemorates the submission of the Prophet Abraham to sacrifice
his own son, Ishmael , on the command of Allah. It starts at the end of the Hajj (the annual pilgrimage of Muslims to the Holy City of Mecca. Muslims who were able to make the pilgrimage to Mecca can use the Hajji honorific title to their name).
Source: Inquirer
Tutubi will just probably stay at home at that like ordinary days...
---
news on November 16, 2010 Al Adha non-working holiday (Islam holiday "Festival of Sacrifice" that commemorates the submission of the Prophet Abraham to sacrifice
his own son, Ishmael , on the command of Allah. It starts at the end of the Hajj (the annual pilgrimage of Muslims to the Holy City of Mecca. Muslims who were able to make the pilgrimage to Mecca can use the Hajji honorific title to their name).
Labels: Islam
posted by GingGoy @ 12:25 PM,
,
Mt. Bulusan Volcanic Eruption?
08 November 2010
Tutubi's been monitoring latest news about Mt. Bulusan, considered the Philippines' fourth most active volcano, whose restiveness is showing signs of impending eruption. He has visited Sorsogon some time ago including the serene and green Lake Bulusan at the foot of Bulusan volcano.
Last week, Mt. Bulusan reportedly spewed a column of ash about 600 meters into the air that showered several towns around the volcano and registered numerous earthquakes in the last 24 hours that the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology described as "very minor." Still, preparations are being made for evacuations of families living inside the danger zone for any hazardous explosion the coming days. It last erupted in October 2007.
Photo of Mt. Bulusan taken on board a speeding Toyota Innova with tinted windows (you won't see actual pictures of volcanic eruption of Mt. Bulusan here)
the serene and green Bulusan Lake, on the background is one of the craters of the now restive Mt. Bulusan
Volcanic eruptions, like earthquakes are acts of nature that gave birth to many of the Philippines' bodies of water like Taal Lake and Laguna de Bay, even all the islands of the Philippines except Palawan, as claimed by newer research (that directly contradicted the earlier and less accepted "land bridges" theory), and explained the reasons the high concentration of endemic species of wildlife in these tropical islands.
Related Posts on Sorsogon:
Sorsogon Food Trip
Lake Bulusan
How to Get to Donsol
Church of Barcelona Sorsogon
Last week, Mt. Bulusan reportedly spewed a column of ash about 600 meters into the air that showered several towns around the volcano and registered numerous earthquakes in the last 24 hours that the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology described as "very minor." Still, preparations are being made for evacuations of families living inside the danger zone for any hazardous explosion the coming days. It last erupted in October 2007.
Photo of Mt. Bulusan taken on board a speeding Toyota Innova with tinted windows (you won't see actual pictures of volcanic eruption of Mt. Bulusan here)
the serene and green Bulusan Lake, on the background is one of the craters of the now restive Mt. BulusanVolcanic eruptions, like earthquakes are acts of nature that gave birth to many of the Philippines' bodies of water like Taal Lake and Laguna de Bay, even all the islands of the Philippines except Palawan, as claimed by newer research (that directly contradicted the earlier and less accepted "land bridges" theory), and explained the reasons the high concentration of endemic species of wildlife in these tropical islands.
Related Posts on Sorsogon:
Sorsogon Food Trip
Lake Bulusan
How to Get to Donsol
Church of Barcelona Sorsogon
Labels: Bicol Region, Sorsogon, Volcanoes
posted by GingGoy @ 8:57 PM,
,
How to Get to Divisoria: Map, Jeepney Commute Routes
06 November 2010
Due to the looming shopping season that's called Christmas, many people will flock to the sprawling Divisoria "Shopping Complex" in Manila to buy gifts and clothes and what-have-yous at bargain prices but with too much effort and throngs of people to contend with.
This is a guide for first-timers for directions to Divisoria as well as answer the oft-asked question: How to Commute to Divisoria:
Main Street of Divisoria: Claro M. Recto Avenue (C.M. Recto, formerly Azcarraga) that's cut by the following streets: Reina Regente, Soler St., Juan Luna, Ylaya, Tabora, Carmen Planas (formerly), Sto. Cristo
Interactive Map of Divisoria from OpenStreetMap Philippines:
Commuting to Divisoria? You have lots of options of Divisoria Jeepney Routes
(as recalled by Tutubi, there may be other routes available, please feel free to leave a comment)
MCU - Divisoria (Terminal on A. Rivera St.) Route: EDSA Manila Central University (MCU), Monumento, Rizal Avenue (Avenida), Abad Santos, right to C.M. Recto
Blumentritt - Divisoria (Terminal on A. Rivera St.): From Leonor Rivera, right to New Antipolo, left to Felix Huertas [SM San Lazaro], right to Quericada [Rizal Avenue, San Lazaro Hospital] left Abad Santos, right Mayhaligue, left Antonio Rivera [Seng Guan Temple]
Quiapo - Divisoria - North Harbor: From Quiapo Qeuzon Blvd, right to right to Evangelista St, left to C.M. Recto Avenue up to Radial Road and North Harbor Manila
San Juan - Divisoria: N Domingo, right to V. Mapa, left Magsaysay Blvd, CM Recto
Baclaran - Divisoria: (via Taft Avenue) Baclaran Taft Avenue, pass Manila City Hall (SM City Manila), Jones Bridge, Paredes St, pass Binondo Church, Juan Luna St (return route from there)
Cubao to Divisoria: Aurora Blvd., Ramon Magsaysay, Legarda [Nagtahan Bridge, Bustillos and Mendiola], right to CM Recto Avenue
Gastambide to Divisoria: Morayta (terminal near PRC, FEU Espana, Lerma), right to CM Recto and Soler St. (terminal near 168 Mall)
Balut to Divisoria
Gasak to Divisoria
Sangandaan to Divisoria (via Abad Santos)
Navotas to Divisoria via Gasak
Marikina to Divisoria bus route operated by Marikina Auto Line from the SSS Village - Divisoria Route
How to get to Divisoria via LRT and MRT
From LRT 1 Doroteo Jose Station, walk towards C.M. Recto and board Divisoria-bound jeeps
via LRT 2: Alight at the end of the LRT line i.e. Recto Station then board Divisoria-bound jeeps. This is the fastest way to get there from people from Rizal province via Antipolo and Marikina. If not, you can get to Divisoria via Cubao.
via MRT: at Taft Avenue Station, board jeepneys bound for Divisoria on Taft Avenue.
From Makati: board a jeepney on Buendia/Gil Puyat going (a bus to LRT/Leveriza if you're on Ayala Avenue) to Cartimar/LRT/Taft Avenue then transfer to a Divisoria-bound jeepney or FX
Divisoria via Pasig River Ferry: board the Pasig River Ferry at your own convenient terminal and get off at Escolta Station. Transfer to a Divisoria-bound jeepney at the foot of Jones Bridge, get off on Juan Luna St. then walk towards CM. Recto
Divisoria via PNR (Philippine National Railways) can be reached from any PNR train station as far as Binan, Laguna or Alabang Muntinlupa where the last station in Tutuban is just behind Tutuban Center Mall
From Manila Airport (NAIA) to Divisoria:
The fastest and easiest is to flag an airport taxi (if you can get one)
From NAIA Terminal 1 and 2, board the buses or jeepneys going to Baclaran then transfer to jeepneys going to Divisoria
From NAIA Terminal 3: board the shuttle bus to LRT Taft Avenue then transfer to a jeepney bound for Divisoria on Taft Avenue (ot take the LRT up to Doroteo Jose station then transfer to a Divisoria Bound jeepney)
Other Places to See/Visit in Divisoria: shopping malls et al:
168 Shopping Mall
Tutuban Center
Meisic Mall
Divisoria Mall
Juan Luna Plaza
Andres Bonifacio Monument
Philippine National Railways (PNR) Tutuban Station
Sto. Nino de Tondo Church
Binondo Church
Chinatown: Ongpin St, Carvajal St (fruits), Paredes, Escolta
Seng Guan Temple (Chinese temple on A. Rivera)
Where to eat in Divisoria: restaurants, eateries et al
Divisoria food trip? there are lots of eateries you can find there but there notable food stalls in front of Tutuban Center Mall, and at the food court of 168 Mall (e.g. Chariya's Thai Kitchen, Aldrino's Bibingka, Inasal Republic Express, Greenwich, Manook Pinoy Peyborits, Namit Gid (Ilongo), Veggie To Go (vegetarian restaurant), Karate Kid Japanese fastfood). One of Tutubi's favorite is Kean's Fried Siopao on the street at the back of 168 Mall near corner Juan Luna.
Hotels and accommodations near Divisoria:
Binondo Suites Hotel
Manila Hotel (just a short taxi ride away, like other hotels, inns, pension houses in Malate, Manila)
Manila Opera House Hotel and Casino (Rizal Avenue corner Doroteo Jose (just beside LRT Doroteo Jose Station)
Nice Hotel on Recto
other seedy motels on C.M. Recto Avenue
Lastly, most of the time, commenters will ask questions with information already posted above. Please read thoroughly before hitting the publish comments button. It will save your time and that of Tutubi.
Related Posts:
Andres Bonifacio Monument
168 Mall
Tutuban Center
Manila Shopping Guide
This is a guide for first-timers for directions to Divisoria as well as answer the oft-asked question: How to Commute to Divisoria:
Main Street of Divisoria: Claro M. Recto Avenue (C.M. Recto, formerly Azcarraga) that's cut by the following streets: Reina Regente, Soler St., Juan Luna, Ylaya, Tabora, Carmen Planas (formerly), Sto. Cristo
Interactive Map of Divisoria from OpenStreetMap Philippines:
Commuting to Divisoria? You have lots of options of Divisoria Jeepney Routes
(as recalled by Tutubi, there may be other routes available, please feel free to leave a comment)
MCU - Divisoria (Terminal on A. Rivera St.) Route: EDSA Manila Central University (MCU), Monumento, Rizal Avenue (Avenida), Abad Santos, right to C.M. Recto
Blumentritt - Divisoria (Terminal on A. Rivera St.): From Leonor Rivera, right to New Antipolo, left to Felix Huertas [SM San Lazaro], right to Quericada [Rizal Avenue, San Lazaro Hospital] left Abad Santos, right Mayhaligue, left Antonio Rivera [Seng Guan Temple]
Quiapo - Divisoria - North Harbor: From Quiapo Qeuzon Blvd, right to right to Evangelista St, left to C.M. Recto Avenue up to Radial Road and North Harbor Manila
San Juan - Divisoria: N Domingo, right to V. Mapa, left Magsaysay Blvd, CM Recto
Baclaran - Divisoria: (via Taft Avenue) Baclaran Taft Avenue, pass Manila City Hall (SM City Manila), Jones Bridge, Paredes St, pass Binondo Church, Juan Luna St (return route from there)
Cubao to Divisoria: Aurora Blvd., Ramon Magsaysay, Legarda [Nagtahan Bridge, Bustillos and Mendiola], right to CM Recto Avenue
Gastambide to Divisoria: Morayta (terminal near PRC, FEU Espana, Lerma), right to CM Recto and Soler St. (terminal near 168 Mall)
Balut to Divisoria
Gasak to Divisoria
Sangandaan to Divisoria (via Abad Santos)
Navotas to Divisoria via Gasak
Marikina to Divisoria bus route operated by Marikina Auto Line from the SSS Village - Divisoria Route
How to get to Divisoria via LRT and MRT
From LRT 1 Doroteo Jose Station, walk towards C.M. Recto and board Divisoria-bound jeeps
via LRT 2: Alight at the end of the LRT line i.e. Recto Station then board Divisoria-bound jeeps. This is the fastest way to get there from people from Rizal province via Antipolo and Marikina. If not, you can get to Divisoria via Cubao.
via MRT: at Taft Avenue Station, board jeepneys bound for Divisoria on Taft Avenue.
From Makati: board a jeepney on Buendia/Gil Puyat going (a bus to LRT/Leveriza if you're on Ayala Avenue) to Cartimar/LRT/Taft Avenue then transfer to a Divisoria-bound jeepney or FX
Divisoria via Pasig River Ferry: board the Pasig River Ferry at your own convenient terminal and get off at Escolta Station. Transfer to a Divisoria-bound jeepney at the foot of Jones Bridge, get off on Juan Luna St. then walk towards CM. Recto
Divisoria via PNR (Philippine National Railways) can be reached from any PNR train station as far as Binan, Laguna or Alabang Muntinlupa where the last station in Tutuban is just behind Tutuban Center Mall
From Manila Airport (NAIA) to Divisoria:
The fastest and easiest is to flag an airport taxi (if you can get one)
From NAIA Terminal 1 and 2, board the buses or jeepneys going to Baclaran then transfer to jeepneys going to Divisoria
From NAIA Terminal 3: board the shuttle bus to LRT Taft Avenue then transfer to a jeepney bound for Divisoria on Taft Avenue (ot take the LRT up to Doroteo Jose station then transfer to a Divisoria Bound jeepney)
Other Places to See/Visit in Divisoria: shopping malls et al:
168 Shopping Mall
Tutuban Center
Meisic Mall
Divisoria Mall
Juan Luna Plaza
Andres Bonifacio Monument
Philippine National Railways (PNR) Tutuban Station
Sto. Nino de Tondo Church
Binondo Church
Chinatown: Ongpin St, Carvajal St (fruits), Paredes, Escolta
Seng Guan Temple (Chinese temple on A. Rivera)
Where to eat in Divisoria: restaurants, eateries et al
Divisoria food trip? there are lots of eateries you can find there but there notable food stalls in front of Tutuban Center Mall, and at the food court of 168 Mall (e.g. Chariya's Thai Kitchen, Aldrino's Bibingka, Inasal Republic Express, Greenwich, Manook Pinoy Peyborits, Namit Gid (Ilongo), Veggie To Go (vegetarian restaurant), Karate Kid Japanese fastfood). One of Tutubi's favorite is Kean's Fried Siopao on the street at the back of 168 Mall near corner Juan Luna.
Hotels and accommodations near Divisoria:
Binondo Suites Hotel
Manila Hotel (just a short taxi ride away, like other hotels, inns, pension houses in Malate, Manila)
Manila Opera House Hotel and Casino (Rizal Avenue corner Doroteo Jose (just beside LRT Doroteo Jose Station)
Nice Hotel on Recto
other seedy motels on C.M. Recto Avenue
Lastly, most of the time, commenters will ask questions with information already posted above. Please read thoroughly before hitting the publish comments button. It will save your time and that of Tutubi.
Related Posts:
Andres Bonifacio Monument
168 Mall
Tutuban Center
Manila Shopping Guide
Labels: Divisoria, Manila, Metro Manila, National Capital Region, Shopping
posted by GingGoy @ 8:52 PM,
,
The Heart-shaped Chocolate Cake of Mer-nel's Place, Los Baños, Laguna
03 November 2010
People will almost automatically think of Buko Pie, particularly The Original Buko Pie, when Los Banos comes to mind when it's time for pasalubong shopping. But for those in the know like the locals and students of the University of the Philippines Los Banos (UPLB), a "romantic" cake comes to mind that's light on the pocket of students' limited budget: Mer-nel's heart-shaped chocolate cake.
Mer-nel's Place is already an institution in Laguna, with competitively-priced cakes that's not too sweet that Tutubi, a self-confessed non-lover of sweets, was able to enjoy for it's fluffiness and sweet-tooth delight's icing.
With one branch in Barangay Maahas, almost in front of South Supermarket and near the entrance of UP Open University and the International Rice Research Institute (IRR), Mer-nel's Place is hard to miss when driving on the national highway. Their best seller is the heart-shaped chocolate cake, the smallest one costs just PhP140.00 that measures about 8 inches wide and 5 inches thick.
photo of the heart-shaped chocolate cake (taken by an Olympus SW1050 macro-mode with LED in dim light) moments before it was gobbled up.
What becomes of the broken-hearted
The heart-shaped chocolaate cake may not be too sweet but it's a definitely a budget-friendly, sweet gift for people with romantic purpose or just plain pasalubong!
---
Mer-nel's Place
Telephone No: +63.49.536.4544
Remarks: Mer-nel's Place also is an events venue specially weddings and has accommodations too.
Coordinates: to be posted soon, Tutubi's too lazy to download the coordinates from the GPS...
Tutubi's in the process of putting in place a list of recommended Laguna Food Trip itinerary and this will definitely make it to the list. stay tuned for more...
Mer-nel's Place is already an institution in Laguna, with competitively-priced cakes that's not too sweet that Tutubi, a self-confessed non-lover of sweets, was able to enjoy for it's fluffiness and sweet-tooth delight's icing.
With one branch in Barangay Maahas, almost in front of South Supermarket and near the entrance of UP Open University and the International Rice Research Institute (IRR), Mer-nel's Place is hard to miss when driving on the national highway. Their best seller is the heart-shaped chocolate cake, the smallest one costs just PhP140.00 that measures about 8 inches wide and 5 inches thick.
photo of the heart-shaped chocolate cake (taken by an Olympus SW1050 macro-mode with LED in dim light) moments before it was gobbled up.
What becomes of the broken-heartedThe heart-shaped chocolaate cake may not be too sweet but it's a definitely a budget-friendly, sweet gift for people with romantic purpose or just plain pasalubong!
---
Mer-nel's Place
Telephone No: +63.49.536.4544
Remarks: Mer-nel's Place also is an events venue specially weddings and has accommodations too.
Coordinates: to be posted soon, Tutubi's too lazy to download the coordinates from the GPS...
Tutubi's in the process of putting in place a list of recommended Laguna Food Trip itinerary and this will definitely make it to the list. stay tuned for more...
Labels: Calabarzon, Frugal Food Find, Laguna, Laguna Food Trip, Southern Tagalog
posted by GingGoy @ 10:34 PM,
,