#where to eat in cubao

[beingjellybeans]

Cuisine that tastes like home at Tindeli by Chef Tatung

Nothing beats the warmth and comfort of home-cooked Filipino food. Whether it’s adobo, sinigan, or a plate of pancit, these dishes remind us of family gatherings, our lola’s kitchen, and the familiar flavors we grew up loving. At Tindeli, Chef Myke “Tatung” Sarthou has captured this feeling of home with his newest culinary venture���a Filipino-themed café and deli that combines the best of…

[acheeseinthetrap]

I felt anxious as I stepped back into Cubao. Perhaps I was afraid of reliving memories that would trigger me to cry on the street. I was with someone, so it would be embarrassing. As I crossed the street, I remembered the image of me holding your arm tightly while carrying the expensive Summit mineral water we bought from 7-11. You would invite me to smoke on the side, and even with so many people around, I felt like I was alone with you in a room--observing and remembering every detail of your face so I could carry it when I get back home.

I wanted to suddenly tell you that I love you, even as you exhaled the smoke from your cigarette. Sometimes you speak so softly that I can't hear you right away, and then you would say, "I said I love you too!" as if it was nothing. I would ask what you were thinking, but you would say it was nothing and invite me back to our place.

I felt so brave that day. My heart was heavy, but I could face the streets we passed by, the stores where we ate, where we had coffee, and our favorite places to eat when we had extra money. But I don't think I can go back to Marugame Udon yet. My favorite katsudon might taste like sand, or the Pork Samurai that we had there last may remind me of what we lost. I don't want to revisit our favorite carinderia either, where you were so happy after tasting their adobo. I also don't want to go back to the McDo where you spilled the coffee I treated you to, and started asking me things about myself to ease my anger. It's kind of embarassing to tell this but in all the time we spent together, that was one of the few times you only asked about me.

It's a shame that we didn't get to go on that frozen yogurt hopping trip to Llao llao, BLK, or Koomi. I never got to taste ramen with you. I'll just let myself remember the things we went through and the things we didn't get to do. Next time, I'll do it all by myself.

[alennahmarieborra]

Laguna is one of the provinces in the Philippines, that rich with culture, art and history are found. Nature lovers love going to this province for Mount Banahaw and Mount Makiling are situated within its boundaries. It is also home for the lakes (Sampaloc and Palakpakin), falls (Majayjay Falls) and rivers. Old churches (St. John the Baptist Church in Liliw and St. James the Apostle Church in Paete) and Spanish houses are also part of the province’s charismatic beauty. Thankfully, I have roots in this beautiful province.

Sampaloc Lake is one of the seven beautiful lakes in San Pablo City in Laguna. It’s the largest among them, too. But what makes it a top tourist draw this side of the province is the gorgeous view it provides, as well as the various activities tourists can do around the area.

With a total circumference of 3.7 kilometers, the lake is popular with runners who want to work out a sweat while being close to nature. It’s easy to find, because it’s located very near the San Pablo City Hall.

Unfortunately, the water in Sampaloc Lake is not suitable for swimming. However, visitors can still enjoy lots of activities such as taking photos, eating street food (like isaw and kwek-kwek), renting bicycles, or sampling the local cuisine in one of the restaurants around the lake.

There are lots of tilapia, bangus, carp, and several species of shrimps that abound in the lake, so it’s likely that you’ll come across a vendor selling newly caught fish.

According to legend, the lake was created because an old woman, who happened to have a giant Sampaloc tree in her garden, drew away an old man (who is a diwata in disguise) seeking help for his grandson. After this, a thundering noise and heavy rain ensued, sinking the entire orchard, filling it with water, and turning it into a lake.

How to get here?

City of San Pablo is very accesible also to any type of land vehicle and if you own a vehicle and figure out where is the exact location of Lake Sampaloc, the lake is located beside Provincial Capitol of San Pablo and Dona Leonila Park. Just pin in to your navigation map “Old Capitol Building of San Pablo City” because if you will pin to your navigation map the lake sampaloc there is a big chance that you will take around the lake and reach a private property where there is no viewdeck to enjoy the nice scenery of the lake.

If you're interested to visit and take a tour at Lake Sampaloc, for those people from the north, take a Bus Ride or Van from Manila with the Sigboard Lucena/Tagkawayan/Lopez/Calauag/San Pablo and tell the driver or conductor to drop you at City of San Pablo where they can drop you at City Medical of San Pablo or San Pablo City Plaza or beside Cathedral Parish of Saint Paul the First Hermit, and from the drop off points you can rent a tricycle going to lake sampaloc. For those people from the south, take a bus ride or van with signboard LRT Buendia/Cubao/Alabang/Turbina and tell to the driver or conductor to drop you to City Of San Pablo and from there you drop by to City Medical of San Pablo or San Pablo City Plaza or beside Cathedral Parish of Saint Paul the First Hermit and don’t forget to pray before your planned trip here to the city of seven lakes and enjoy.

[yya47]

Payment for The Holy Trinity in Any Form to Not Be Used for Sex or Rape or Ever Be in Original Lair and in Antis Domains As Anyone At All

Places for Food

Ooma (Japanese Fusion) in SM Megamall Mexicali (Mexican) in Glorietta Lugang Cafe (Taiwanese) in Mall of Asia King Bee (Chinese) here in Laguna Taco Bell (Mexican) in Trinoma Wendy's (American) in Cubao Gateway Sbarro (Italian) in Robinsons Galleria and everywhere, White Chicago Deep Dish Pizza Army Navy and Libertea Milk Tea, Avocado Libertea Moonleaf Milk Tea North Park (Chinese), Trinoma, Honey Lemon Chicken Hotshots (american, burger) in Subic, Olongapo Vikings (eat all you can), SM Megamall Angel's Pizza, here in Laguna, Creamy Spinach Pizza Project Pie (create your own pizza) in Tomas Morato Cibo (Italian) in SM Megamall, Salmon and Caviar pizza Kko Kko (American, Chicken) in UP Town Center, Chicken Cheese Fondue, where Renaya's Mystery Babylon the Great sex came from Cyma (Greek) in Trinoma, Raw tuna salad etc Zarks Burgers in Robinsons Galleria Subway (American, Sandwiches) in Robinsons Galleria

8cuts (american, burger) in SM Megamall Manam (Comfort Filipino) in Trinoma Half Saints (Filipino Fusion) in Tomas Morato

[ireceived-p8250000]

May 4-9, 2014

I practiced driving with my brother Marvin. He had another motive for helping me—he bargained not just for a little money but also for our dad's gun. He needed it for reasons he didn't share.

While driving, my boyfriend kept texting me. I opened one of his messages, but Marvin took the phone away, lecturing me about the dangers of using phones while driving. I had another exam at the end of the month for my non-pro license, so I needed to focus on learning every bump and curve.

We drove quite a distance, and I noticed how smooth the sedan was. It had a feature where it slowed down if you stopped. We eventually stopped to eat at a traveler's eatery, a turo-turo. Marvin knew some people there, and they were curious about me. He introduced me as his sister, though I was actually his sister-in-law. I didn't like how his friends looked at me, and I asked for my phone back. Marvin gave it to me, and after some brief, disinterested answers, his friends stopped trying to chat with me.

On the way back, I practiced successfully parking my new car. Marvin also put a bumper sticker on the back to signal other drivers not to hassle me.

Monday, I helped my friends with their experiments. Luckily, we found Dom's old seminary classmates, and they helped ensure the experiment's success. We ate out and then went home.

Tuesday, Mansoor and I woke up at 5 a.m. and took the bus at 7. We had a full ride to Quezon City, arriving at noon. Our first stop was Diliman, where we explored books at OBookau Ukay. We wandered around before checking into a hotel. It was cheap and had a pool. We shared a bed and explored Cubao X and the old cities, enjoying the nightlife.

We got a bit drunk and went swimming in the hotel pool. Back in our room, things got heated, but we didn't have protection, so we improvised. We tried watching some adult content, but it wasn't enjoyable for me. I told him, "We'll figure it out."

"It's fine. At least we're learning together," he replied.

Wednesday morning, we had another swim, had breakfast at a local place, and then checked out. We went to Makati, visiting Silverlens Gallery, The Met Manila, and Ayala. We explored BGC, which was tiring, and then headed to Pasay at night. We stayed in a motel for a few hours to shower and rest before going out for dinner.

Thursday, we returned to Baguio early in the morning. Over coffee, we discussed our intimacy and decided we weren't ready to go all the way yet. We were happy to take things slow.

When I got home, the fighting was still ongoing. Dad was forcefully telling Roxanne to leave. He was very stubborn, dealing with things his way. This led to a fight between Dad and me. I told him we didn't need him, which made him act childishly, complaining to my mother. I tried to protect Roxanne, who was crying and said she would go to a friend's place for a while. I told her we would find a dorm for her, and I’d pay for the first two months.

I tried to apologize to Dad, but he wouldn't be convinced about Roxanne. On Friday, we went apartment hunting. Most places were far from her school or just bed spacers. One of her friends referred us to a place near her university. It was good, not too crowded, though a bit pricey.

On Saturday, we saw the place. It was decent—2k a month, including utilities. It was a bedspace, shared by four girls: two in college and two working. Quietly, Roxanne and I went home to pack her things. She would be moving Sunday, and Mansoor and I volunteered to help.

[twatkcox]

[The Keihancarl Diaries: February 10, 2024]

Kung Hei Fat Choi! Gong Xi Fa Cai! It’s me, Keihancarl, and today I’m going on yet another mall-hopping trip. To be honest, I’m both excited and nervous at the same time.

xxxxxxxxxx

For my second mall-hopping trip this year, I’m heading to Makati (Ayala Center) and Manila (Binondo), with a last-minute visit to Cubao (Araneta City). I’ve got lots to do, but my main goal is to visit the newly-opened One Ayala Mall (plus Gateway 2), and later, witness the scenes along Ongpin and the dragon dance. Hey, it’s the Year Of The Dragon, right?

I wear mostly black clothing, and I feel like wearing the Naruto shirt I bought at Uniqlo during my previous mall-hopping trip to the North. Actually, most of my outfit consists of the stuff I bought from Uniqlo in the past few months, plus some awesome accessories I bought online.

I left home at exactly 10:00 AM, and managed to get to MRT North Avenue a quarter past 11:00. Traffic is incredibly light along the way. It didn't take me long to get on the train as well.

Arriving at MRT Ayala Station, I noticed a Valentine’s Day set up right in front of the turnstiles. Once I got off the paid area, I loaded up my Beep card first since I'd be taking the LRT-1 going to Carriedo later, as well as the LRT-2 on the way back. After loading my card, I visited One Ayala Mall first.

The mall had a direct connection to the MRT, as well as a passenger terminal on the ground floor. There’s a supermarket and some food stalls at the basement level.

I visited a couple of bookstores, Fully Booked (which I almost missed due to its somewhat hidden location) and Biblio (relocated from Ayala Malls Cloverleaf). The latter had an impressive selection of books, including vintage ones.

Of course, the vintage ones are more pricey, but they’re more aesthetic-looking.

I also checked the MN+LA branch right beside it but couldn't find the drape jacket (the kimono-style jacket) like the one I saw at the SM North EDSA branch.

There's a dragon dance inside the mall, visiting every shop on each floor.

The mall centerpiece, an art installation called “The Course Of The Sun”, looks magnificent. There’s an awesome explanation about it in the railing.

The uppermost level (probably the mall's fifth floor) has not opened yet. Could that be the cinema area?

I then head to my next stop, SM Makati, via the bridgeway from One Ayala. I only checked Uniqlo, Crate And Barrel, and a couple of shops at the Cyberzone.

The entrance to Cyberzone feels kind of similar to the ones at The Block (SM North EDSA) bridgeway going to the City Center, but the LED screen is on the floor instead of the ceiling.

Next stop, Glorietta. I checked a few shops inside the mall, as well as the event at the Activity Center.

I decided to have lunch at MOS Burger. I ordered a Beef Yakiniku Rice Burger and a regular Salted Caramel Sumiyaki (iced). The yakiniku rice burger is great. It’s kind of weird that they also provided utensils considering that the rice burger is meant to be eaten like an actual burger, but I suppose not all people can eat it like that.

There's a standee featuring One Piece characters (the straw hat crew) right by the entrance. They also have some merch inside.

I then checked the Top Of The Glo (rooftop park), with K-Town on the left, and Japan Town on the right. I visited the latter first.

There were Japanese and Korean restaurants in the area. The Japan Town area had some (artificial) sakura (cherry blossom) trees, I think, along with the white lanterns. I wonder how it looked at night, I'll probably need to check it out on my next visit.

I then decided to head to Glorietta 5 and check out Uniqlo's flagship store. There's Uniqlo Cafe on the second level and an area where you can make your customized shirts.

I then proceed to my next stop, Greenbelt. I visited a few shops, including Muji and Fully Booked.

I managed to check Greenbelt 1 before they closed that area down for redevelopment. Unfortunately, Booksale had vacated their space. And so are a handful of shops, including National Book Store (they already closed that branch a long time ago). Most of the shops and restaurants are still open, but they’re expected to move out within a couple of months due to the redevelopment of the area (along with Greenbelt 2). Guess this will be the last time I get to see GB1 in its original form and design.

I stopped by Waltermart Makati on the way to the LRT-1 Libertad station. I only checked the National Book Store branch there.

I took the LRT-1 to Carriedo Station (from Libertad Station) and decided to walk from there to my next stop, Lucky Chinatown Mall.

Getting off the LRT station, I noticed that BPI had already moved out of the Art Deco Don Roman Santos building, hence the lack of signage. Moving on, I took a moment to check some interesting scenes near Ongpin.

Going there, I also noticed some dragon lamp posts along the way, and they looked awesome.

There were a lot of people in the area where a parade was being held. There were some giveaways too, from candies to red envelopes (containing money), bottled water to tikoy (rice cake).

I also get to see Tugue Zombie in one of the floats, and later, Samantha Bernardo in the Mestiza Beauty Soap float.

I was quite exhausted from dehydration and the crowd so I decided to take an alternate route leading to Soler. I reached the mall a few minutes later.

There's a dragon centerpiece at the atrium. And a luxury car (not pictured, unfortunately).

At the annex, I passed by Chapters And Pages. Like the other bookstores I visited earlier, I didn't find anything interesting.

I head to 999 Mall to have an early dinner at Chowking (food court). I was about to order my meal when the sound of the drums and the gong blared from the dragon and lion dance, making it harder for the cashier to understand what I was saying. It took me about 5 minutes before I could finally start choosing my order. I even had to repeat my order to make sure she got it right. I ate my food as soon as I got my order, not wanting to waste any more time.

I also passed by the stall where I used to buy my anime shirts, but it appears that they were closed for the Chinese New Year. I could hardly see any anime shirts on that stall, though, at least the ones that I used to buy.

Come to think of it, 999 Mall isn’t as crowded as before. It was the same situation during my last visit to the mall last year. I’m pretty sure it was the same thing with 168 Mall, but I could be wrong since I didn’t actually visit that mall during this trip. I didn’t bother to check some of the fashion stalls, as I don’t feel like shopping at the moment.

I went back to Lucky Chinatown Mall to take more selfies. The one by the bridgeway to the main mall was crowded with people who were also taking selfies. I tried taking a few selfies using my selfie stick, but it didn't turn out well. I simply gave up and went to the cinema area, but no luck taking selfies there either. The Prosperity Wing could be my last chance, and I somehow came up with a bunch of good selfies plus a 360 view of the area.

I passed by Metro Supermarket to buy a bottle of Pocari Sweat. The supermarket’s space was reduced, with the (former) second level now being occupied by Planet Sports and Abenson.

And it's time to go home. I decided to take the LRT-2 to Araneta Center-Cubao since I hadn't ridden that train for a very long time (still amused at the condom ads, though). Also, I feel like checking the Gateway Mall 2, which is actually a brand new extension to the original Gateway Mall. The extension also had access to the Araneta Coliseum as well.

While there, I passed by the Fully Booked branch and bought the book "No Longer Human" by Osamu Dazai–both the novel and the manga, which were both published by Tuttle. I’ve been eyeing these books since the MIBF 2023, those could’ve been awesome souvenirs from the event. Anyway, the cashier suggested the one with the other cover from a different publisher (the one with the pink cover), but upon checking the price, I just decided on the one I had in hand instead.

I checked some parts of Gateway Mall 2 for a while and later headed to the terminal and took the minibus to SM Fairview. Traffic was light along the way, not to mention that it was Chinese New Year. The trip only took less than an hour, just like earlier. I got home at exactly 10:00 PM.

xxxxxxxxxx

This is the first time I didn't encounter such an inconvenience on a mall-hopping trip. I managed to enjoy every single place I visited throughout the day, especially in Binondo. Despite getting only four hours of sleep last night, I somehow managed to make it through the entire day. It was pretty exhausting, but I really enjoyed it. And I get to ride all three rail lines on the same day for the first time since the pandemic. Not to mention that I get to visit two new malls, one of them is actually the extension of the original mall.

So, where to next? As always, I’m living in an uncertain time so there’s no telling when will the next mall-hopping trip happen. Hopefully, by April or May, depending on the situation. Will it be BGC next? Who knows?

Well then, time to conclude this one. Again, love, peace, and prosperity for the Year Of The Dragon! Xià cì jiàn! Until next time!

Most of the pics are from my Instagram account, @kcox_105. The selfie pics are exclusively uploaded to my private Instagram account, @kcox105.

[joyce-mehhh]

CHARACTER TRAITS OF AN ENTREPRENEUR

Tony Tan Caktiong

OPPORTUNITY SEEKER

He is credited with inventing the country's popular bee. Tony Tan Caktiong came from an impoverished Chinese family that immigrated to the Philippines with the hopes of a better life. As a result of that decision, his family opened a restaurant in Davao, which enabled Tony to study Civil Engineering at the University of Santo Tomas. Caktiong chose to spend P350,000 on an Ice Cream House company when he was 22 years old. He opened two ice cream shops, one in Cubao and the other in Quiapo. As their firm grew more successful, they began to hire more people to help them manage it. After 2 years, he decided to provide cheeseburgers, grilled chicken, and spaghetti after customers told him they didn't want to eat frozen yogurt all the time. They decided to rebrand and change their name to "Jollibee" since it addresses them as an organization and the people they care about – enduring and grateful.

Henry Sy

PERSISTENT

After a series of failures in his firm, Henry Sy got back up and kept going till he achieved his goal. In 1958, he opened "Shoe Mart," a small shoe store in Quiapo, Manila, which eventually became the cornerstone of SM Prime Holdings. He is currently the most wealthy man in the Philippines, with three of the country's most important companies: SM Investments Corp. and SM Prime Holdings Inc., each valued at over Php 1 trillion, and BDO Unibank, valued at around Php 635 million. He has been the most wealthy man in the country for 11 years in a row, beginning in 2005, and is ranked 52nd on Forbes' World Billionaires List of 2018.

Walt Disney

COMMITTED

Walt Disney began his career as a ranch child who entertained himself by creating animated photos of his neighbors' ponies. Walt sought to find a new line of employment as a paper sketch artist when he was more established, but was unable to do so and ended up working at a graphic studio where he created advertisements for newspapers and magazines. Finally, he learned how to deal with advertisements, became fascinated by liveliness, and eventually founded his own activity company. Disney's success is due to his unwavering soul devotion to his vision, as well as his enthusiasm for drawing. Disney's liveliness structure was successful, but he was unsatisfied. "I need it to look like nothing else on the planet," he said to a partner, not set in stone to build the finest and most prominent amusement park ever seen.

Jose Magsaysay

GOAL- SETTER

When his brother-in-law, Ricky Montelibano, persuaded Jose Magsaysay to join him in a startup opportunity, he was simply an ordinary employee working for a fast-food hamburger company. The company, which was founded with the support of two distinct partners, Danny Bermejo and Jorge Wieneke, was about seasoned French fries, a branch of Montelibano's improved popcorn business at the time. Magsaysay noticed that the company was almost set to launch, except for the financial budget needed to carry out their plans. As a result, he proposed that they each donate a sum equivalent to the P150,000 needed to open the first shop. After a few months, the first branch proved to be a success, and they wanted to expand it, but they didn't have much money. Magsaysay devised a plan to raise funds via franchising the company to finance its expansion and achieve its aims, which will lead to the company's success.

Oprah Winfrey

RISK TAKER

Winfrey has battled without holding back for all of her prosperity. After a tumultuous and wrecked childhood in Mississippi and Wisconsin, Winfrey received a full scholarship to Tennessee State University and, at long last, broke into the television and radio reporting industry. It wasn't until the mid-80s that she decided to put her financial stability on the line by arranging for her TV show to be broadcast. The Oprah Winfrey Show went on to become the most highly-rated program of its kind in history. Winfrey proves that taking calculated risks can pay off handsomely, even if it takes a few tries: "Do the one thing you think you can't do. Fail at it. Try again. Improve the next time. The only people who never fall are the ones who never mount the high wire," she said.

Christine Joyce Pelonio

12 HUMSS 1P

[dzuneel]

CHARACTER TRAITS OF AN ENTREPRENEUR  PT

Committed

Walt Disney

 Walt Disney got going as a ranch kid drawing animation photos of his neighbor's ponies for entertainment only. At the point when he was more established, Walt attempted to find a new line of work as a paper sketch artist, yet couldn't discover one and wound up working in a workmanship studio where he made advertisements for papers and magazines. At last he developed to deal with advertisements, became intrigued by liveliness, and ultimately opened his own activity organization.  Disney has  an unwavering soul commitment to his vision also in his passion which is sketching, that makes him successful. Disney was fruitful with his liveliness organization, yet he wasn't fulfilled. Not set in stone to make the greatest and most prominent amusement park at any point seen, saying to a partner, "I need it to look like nothing else on the planet. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4nMrLcmBCuI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SvaBBNeRBPU

Opportunity seeker 

Tony Tan Caktiong – Jollibee

Known to be the man behind the country’s famous bee,Tony Tan Caktiong was from a poor family in China who moved to the Philippines with the expectation that they might have a good life.Because of that decision his family established a restaurant in davao which help Tony studied in the University of Santo Tomas taking the course  Civil Engineering.At the point when he was 22, Caktiong chose to dish out P350,000 in a Ice Cream House establishment. He opened Cubao Ice Cream House and Quiapo Ice Cream House. As their business turned out to be increasingly fruitful, they began to recruit more individuals to assist them with overseeing it. After two years, he chose to serve cheeseburgers, singed chicken, and spaghetti as individuals let him know that they would prefer not to eat frozen yogurt constantly. It was then that they chose to rebrand and change their name to "Jollibee" as it addresses them as an organization, and individuals that they take into account – persevering and glad. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqaHhQbZY68

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDh-zUvRCuE&t=75s

RISK TAKER 

 Oprah Winfrey

Winfrey has battled without holding back for all of her prosperity. Following a fierce and ruined youth in Mississippi and Wisconsin, Winfrey got a full grant to Tennessee State University, and at last broke into the TV and radio reporting industry. It wasn't until the mid-80s that she chose to risk her monetary security by making an arrangement to have her own TV program. The Oprah Winfrey Show proceeded to turn into the most noteworthy evaluated program of its sort ever. Winfrey demonstrates that deliberate danger taking can yield incredible rewards - regardless of whether it takes a couple of attempts: "Do the one thing you figure you can't do. Come up short at it. Attempt once more. Improve the subsequent time. The main individuals who never tumble are the people who never mount the high wire," she said.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iN85Z9vPFLs

PERSISTENT

Henry Sy

After a progression of disappointments in his business, Henry Sy remained back up and persisted to achieve his objective. He set up a little shoe store in Quiapo, Manila in 1958 named "Shoe Mart" that in the end denoted the foundation of SM Prime Holdings. Presently with three of the most important organizations in the Philippines: SM Investments Corp. also, SM Prime Holdings Inc., esteemed at over Php 1 trillion each, and BDO Unibank, esteemed at around Php 635 million, he has turned into the most extravagant man in the country for 11 sequential years starting around 2005 and positioned 52nd in Forbes World Billionaires List of 2018.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tK_MESXtErc

Goal-setter 

Joe Magsaysay 

Jose Magsaysay was just an ordinary employee working in a fast-food hamburger chain when he was invited by his brother-in-law, Ricky Montelibano, to join him in a startup opportunity.The business, which was helped to establish with two different accomplices, Danny Bermejo and Jorge Wieneke, was about seasoned French fries, a branch of the enhanced popcorn organization of Montelibano around then.Magsaysay saw the business was almost ready to roll out except for the financial budget to execute their plans. So he suggested that they each contribute an amount equally to meet the initial capital of P150,000 to put up the first outlet. Few months later the first branch became successful and they wanted to expand it but the thing is they don’t have much capital. Magsaysay came up with an idea  to raise  funds by franchising the business to help finance their expansion, in order to reach their goals which will lead to their business becoming  successful.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uyQI4yHI11A

[greaterlandscapes]

My Dean Blunt Rotation aka High Fidelity Left A Bad Taste in My Mouth

For the past 2 to 3 months, my listening habits were teetering to an end; mostly via burnout by spontaneously listening to local artists daily and less likely of a musical discovery drought, whereas my interests of a certain artist or genre hasn't found its, sort of, "eureka", moment per se. I've been feeling less enthusiastic over the things i listen to since my friends have gradually lost their flare when it comes to discovering/exploring untapped parts of the music realm. Thus, in return, my enthusiasm not being reciprocated. It leaves an empty feeling from someone who has been yearning social interaction, may it be media being latched on the topic - it's a feeling that's been guilt-tripping me ever since I was stranded in the other end of the metro. I feel closed off, exposed to the crippling loneliness the lockdown has punished us: a defacto solitary confinement in a national level. Our act of staying online is also an act of staying alive outside.

To be fair though, it's a valid move to not boomerang compliments/gripes over an art you haven't consumed due to someone's autonomy. Your able body being to consume the art you wish to finish with free time is a luxury in of itself. The art is then failed to serve its purpose to reach its goal: You have squiggly lines heading straight to oblivion rather than swirling in the earlobes of a wandering cyber nomad. We, eventually, need to find something that could help us exit, rather than escape, from capital. We, in return, do not shut ourselves from the outside. Instead, we then tend to avoid the stress of protocols and outdoor fascism; Not avoid the indoor liberalism that is eating us alive and online. It's a capital punishment we never knew we signed up for ever since the onslaught of the virus and the state. Art for art's sake is nonexistent now, always has been, it seizes to ever since we went inside. Feeding off of a holographic meatloaf coming from a glowing screen. We have a real-life Karen acting as a nightlight in our rooms.

The COVID lockdown made us listen to music — both for better, for worse. For one, it made us pass most days. You could say the same for any sort of media: film, mixed media art, or whatever pre-Covid activity that sprung up during our time in isolation. For music, however, there was an uptick of new listeners that made others Wheel-of-Fortune the fuck out of their music discoveries in sites like RateYourMusic, Bandcamp, or even Sophie's Floorboard. We've continued to expand and became more open change of opinions and be less of a jackass towards someone else's opinions. On second thought, our opinions have been catalogued, leaving more notes than actual footprints of our previous listens. Our new discoveries made new bands and re-emerging bands, bands who faded to obscurity, crawl back in the surface with newfound interest from younger listeners (ie Panchiko, Jai Paul, and Dean Blunt) and this glowing, previously unseen and unexpected overwhelming support from fans of departed artists (ie SOPHIE, MF DOOM)

For the other, we've hogged gratuitous amounts of media, resulting into losing our primary direction as to how we want to consume our media based on the preconceived notions of what we want in our art. There is goodness in becoming directionless when you think about it, but there comes a cost to our identity as music listeners. Instead, we end up widening our tangents, falling in endless rabbit holes, having zero chances to emerge from the surface. In fact, i refuse to call it a "rabbit hole" instead i'd rather call it a "pipeline" of sorts — transitioning casual music fans into a full on, different, unique versions of themselves that would define them when laws and protocols have eased in the outside world. Our act of staying online has either made most of us break our character or enliven our past selves. The music pipeline is now more apparent, stretching the norms of what was once alienated by a silent majority, but now accepted as an acceptable form of expression. The more music we are exposed to has made casual listeners stranged out or react in ways that our personality have betrayed us or deemed not as acceptable to them. Still, not changing anything that was prominent pre-pandemic. Liberal cop behavior is stronger, now more dangerous than it ever was once perceived by the outside world.

HIGH FIDELITY? NO, THANK YOU.

Imagine a situation inside of a record, pre-pandemic of course, where you do not feel like lifting a record out from the shelf, instead, you window shop just for the sake of windowshopping. Capital and media made us think that going to record shops is a semi-productive activity. The age of discovery has died ever since High Fidelity romanticized and normalized the incelage of horny record diggers. Does this movie age well, yeah sure it does, for old 90s nerds at least. But did it translate well over in the past 20 or more years of events and tragedies that unfolded in pre-9/11 America? No it didn't. It was an age of free expression, only liberals would dream of whenever they take a sip of Guinness beer in their favorite dive bar.

Mind you, over a couple of months ago, it was my only chance in seeing why this movie was the talk of the town back when it was released. There's music, yeah, and attractive leading leadies, yeah, it has everything a 90s kid would love to salivate and drop their gonads over while they watch this movie. I obviously did not live to see the movie on opening day but i could imagine the scent that came out of that movie theater with attendees donning windbreakers and The Who shirts with popcorn dressing stains on their plastic cups. If there was a Filipino counterpart to this movie, i'd bet corporate champions Eraserheads and Rivermaya would soundtrack their music over and have either Tado or have Boy 2 Quizon, but i sense it to age like milk more than it could age like fine wine due to the senseless jokes one can execute in a Cubao or Cartimar record store.

John Cusack is obviously the incel in question here: a damaged, vengeful ex who constantly fails to live his partner's expectations and weaponizes his personality over the situations that has nothing to do with his interests. I spent the entire time being absolutely disgusted over the spineless responses of John Cusack's leading character. The movie then treads on flashbacks with John Cusack's failed relationships and what he could do to move on from each and one of them. If i could stand a SONA for 3 hours then I can't stand John Cusack being the dull entry point to incel, making more reasons why you should hate record store clerks who don't give an iota of shits to someone's inviting rapport. High Fidelity is opium for massive music circle jerks who can't take a single breathe of fresh air or a single quota of touching grass. There's more targeting weak and inferior guys and hot women who dump dumb overconfident dudebros more than the actual "music recs" in the entire movie. The more I think about this movie, the more I realize how our personality is in line towards Dick, the record store being unmercifully dunked on by the movie's two leading characters. He's an angel in the world of cynical bastards, witnessing both demons pitchforking record store customers in the ass while they're purchasing the latest Sonic Youth album.

I believe that Jack Black, the dark horse of High Fidelity, has a pleasing personality more than an irritating demeanor due to this behavior in the record store. In fact, outside of the record store, Jack Black doesn't seem to take the business is your pleasure act pretty seriously. Unlike John Cusack's character he brought his obsession over involving a record in an important memory/point of his life. There is so much stuff that has happened outside of the record store, so much for Rolling Stone and NME being the bible of music at the time, endlessly christening and shilling artists that believe to become the second coming of the Beatles. The music references here however are treated as fluff than it is a mechanism that would drive the senseless plot forward. If anything, there are events pointed out in the event that doesn't have anything to do with the life of the characters.

If anything, this movie did a great job at capturing the feeling of music bros being dumped on the wayside by a mature set of characters and how their current conditions aren't perfumed by the studios' liking of having to Cinderella story the shit out of a bunch of normal record store owners. The reality is in the reaction of one's social capital being invaded and we're here to witness how those reactions panned out in 2021. This is a villainous depiction of music nerds being the salt of the earth, the bane of all media discussion, still reflective of the insufferable salt of cyberspace found in music forums like 4chan and RYM. High Fidelity is a pipeline of 90s musicology, a dreaded fever dream of an owner waiting for the decade to end, trends ossifying and re-emerged by the hands of nostalgia-savvy individuals. It was, at its time, every music-movie nerd's excuse equivalent of Scott Pilgrim VS. The World. There are memories worth remembering and cherishing, and this movie isn't one of them.

DEAN BLUNT, WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK

In the past two weeks I've been fancying myself into sitting down and listening to different projects from the ever elusive, UK-based sound artist Dean Blunt. The first time i chanced upon his music wasn't too long ago - albeit a recent one in the time of COVID - was when I randomly stumbled upon his records at a Spotify recommendations section under John Maus (yeah lol i know the implications whenever his name is mentioned) - but then i was enamored by his online presence so quickly I put everything down and dedicated an hour or two researching about this man's music.

Other than the fact that his album "The Redeemer" wasn't the best record to start off in journeying through his discography: ending up disgusted and borderline bored even and I was more likely to lambast this record's aimless, pretentious art-pop inflections. By the end of the day, it was a preference long solidified by his undying fanbase. According to his hardcore fans, the music isn't really music, evaluating it as a free form of sound art, rather than sticking to a structured and conventional cues; the genre is nullified by most analysts of the arts. The growing interest of the general public towards Dean Blunt's pranks and antics have long appealed to my tastes as a chaotic neutral individual. Pranks that are well executed to piss off UK gallery connoisseurs and entertain ironic attendees who'd shit on the art piece rather than participate in it.

More of the resources I've found about Dean Blunt online: numerous aliases and collaborations that lasted around almost 2 decades. The most notable of all them, at least for my money, are either Hype Williams, a duo consisting of Dean and frequent collaborator Inga Copeland, and Babyfather, an art performance parodizing the pirate radio culture in the UK. I have not delved enough in Blunt's body of work to evaluate everything and what i could synthesize from it. For now, I enjoyed it as a form of entertainment. Well, color me impressed because Dean Blunt isn't clowning around, he, in fact, makes blissful and transcendental music from left to right.

Dean Blunt was the only few artists that made me want to binge on their discography. His movements in his music has attracted this pesky listener who thinks that being mysterious is a plus. I mean, look at me who thinks The Paul Institute, Panchiko, and Burial are the greatest artists that have walked the face of the earth.

The most I've enjoyed from Dean Blunt's discography are his mixtapes and collaborations: preferably his Soul Fire and ZUSHI, both of which were packaged as B-sides or supplemental releases rather than major releases such as the Babyfather project or the Black Metal releases. His knack for blurring the lines between genres still fascinate me as of this writing, and it continues to amaze me how he doesn't seize to compromise his art, he's here to prove a point and it sells quite well despite the lack of direction in his music. Blunt's music has more aggressive and hazy texture than the hollow, wide, soulless structure of art-pop/hypnagogic pop released today. He creates terrains from the rubble of his country's current shortcomings. The music overlaps the actual intentions with abstract concepts, becoming deconstructed down the line. In Babyfather, noise music coincides with Blunt's amateurish rapping. In Black Metal, Blunt isolates himself along with the assisted skeletal guitar playing. Both projects throwing all tropes in a vaccum alongside Blunt, who he himself would sought to become a personification of a musical void.

--

(Excerpt from the Babyfather album review in TinyMixtapes)

--

Dean Blunt is an entity that wishes to become one person, but no, this isn't a figure in a specific art form; this isn't Banksy, this isn't Bob Ong, this is made by one person, clearly it is if you listen closely, and it's been entrancing me ever since his presence was felt on the horizons of the internet. Dean Blunt, what the actual fuck.

[beingjellybeans]

Taste of American Buffet at StrEATs, ibis Styles Manila Araneta

As part of my daughter’s birthday celebration, I decided to treat the fam to a buffet lunch at StrEATs, currently a trending culinary destination since it opened earlier this year due to its painstakingly curated array of delectable cuisines and affordable buffet rates. As luck would have it, my family’s visit to this restaurant for my daughter’s birthday celebration coincided with the…

[aspiringbusenthusiast]

My Travel before Pandemic

It was December 21, a day after my classes end, and the start of Christmas break. I was really excited upon packing my things as well as packages for my province. Luckily, my family owned a taxi, which lessened the burden in finding my means of transportation to the terminal. 

At 7:00 AM, we have reached the terminal in Fairview. I was hoping that I would ride their latest fleet of Volvo B11R, but after more than 2 hours of waiting due to difference in dispatches, I have climbed on to one of their fleet of Golden Dragon Marcopolo. Not bad though, because I was fascinated with its beauty.

This bus that I rode was involved in an accident from few months, and its restoration bring back its glory. We officially left Fairview around 9:00 AM, going to Cubao, where we wait another hour for passengers.

We have reached the Araneta City Bus Port, and to my surprise, they were the only one (yet) that offers trips to Eastern Visayas on the Bus Port. When the passengers have filled up the slots for Cubao, they have set their trip towards Pasay, where there are more passengers than in Fairview and Cubao. As we get there, there were also more packages and things loaded onto the bus. After everything is all set, the voyage towards our destination has started.

8:00 PM. It was cold evening when we reached Lucena City, our first stopover. And as usual, I took the time to eat my dinner but it wasn’t sufficient to finish eating because the driver already calls us to board the bus already.

It was early morning of December 22, 4:00 AM to be specific, when we reached Pamplona, the second stopover, for a short break for drivers and a chance for passengers to unwind. I also took the opportunity to take a pee (LOL) and take a drink. It was pretty late for a schedule in ferry, but this is the best moment ever. 

It is 7:00 AM when we reached Sorsogon City, for third stopover. This time, the bus needs to refuel to reach our destination. I also got the chance to see the glimpse of their former fleet parked in their separate garage in front of the terminal.

It was at this point that the driver said that there was long traffic towards Matnog, the end point of Luzon, mainly because of the motorists waiting to board a ship. So instead of being in a hurry, I took my time appreciating the landscape before continuing towards Matnog.

It was a hot morning of 10:00 AM in Matnog when we caught in the midst of traffic hoping to get on board a ship before the day ends. I took the time to take a few photos of buses while the traffic slowly moving towards the port. 

M/V Nelvin Jules (IMO 8504404) And yes, I finally boarded the ship at 4:00 in the afternoon, however, I was hoping that we could leave early, but I was wrong.

Yes, you’re right! 6:00 PM, the ship doesn’t leave yet! I found out that the Coast Guard still checking the number of passengers if it matches to the manifest. Such a valid reason. Nonetheless, I needed to recharge my phone for emergency and picture purposes as well. 

I feel the pressure between the passengers and the deck officers because the ship doesn’t leave yet. Luckily, I was permitted to stay beside the bridge, thanks to the crewmembers of M/V Nelvin Jules. I also took the opportunity to visit inside the bridge as well as the crew cabins with their help.

After 2 hours of waiting, we finally left Matnog towards Allen, the gateway to Eastern Visayas. Refreshing air and bright stars over the waves of sea calms my mind while I sipped on my Cup Noodles.

It was 9:00 PM when we reached Allen, with 12 more hours on continuing the travel towards the destination. A big thanks to PSC for opportunity despite the delays.

An hour before midnight, we have reached Calbayog City, the fourth stopover. As usual, I took the time to eat dinner and take a pee. Such yummy meal after all and this time, I finished it shortly before we go again.

3:00 AM, we have reached Tacloban City, the fifth stopover. At this point, there are few passengers that have gotten off the bus starting from Calbayog City. I took the time to unwind and drink my coffee again.

We have reached Liloan around 8:00 AM of December 23. There were only 2 of us passengers remaining. While the men are cleaning the bus, the drivers, together with us, have a chance to take breakfast. As soon as the bus was cleaned, we are now going to our destination - which happens to be the last destination. 

And finally, after 2 days on a trip, I’m now on my destination, my hometown of Silago, as the last passenger getting off the bus. This was their last destination, which happens to be one of my reasons I choose this bus. Such a happy trip after all! How times passed, and I miss travelling. A lot.

I guess I’ll post another blog on returning to Manila :)

[iamwanderingavocado]

Where do broken hearts go? Bicolandia Adventure 2016 
Legazpi- Naga-Caramoan
My very first solo travel 
no reservations from ticket to hotel, lahat spontaneous 
day 0
since wala akong reserved ticket, i’m considered as chance passenger. i went to cubao bus terminal (near ali mall) about 6:30 pm then luckily i got a ticket bound for legazpi city by 9pm. there are 3 kinds of buses plying to bicol area, the ordinary one( w/out aircon), the aircondittioned bus and the lazy boy type. so i chose the lazy boy type because it’s more comfy, the seat space is bigger, it has on board comfort room and it has free wifi and individual plug. 
9:00pm – etd to legazpi city 
day 1 
9 am – arrived at legazpi city capitol ; dropped by at the provincial capitol to look for city map, tour map 
10:00 am – brunch at bigg’s diner (bicol’s most famous fast food chain)
10: 30 am – rode a jeepney to lignon hill 
from the jeepney stop, 5 minute walk to reach the entrance, the entrance fee is i think p50 per person plus if you want to rent a “habal habal ride” going up the top , a fee of p50 per person . 
- lignon hill
- world war 2 japanese tunnel
- kapit tuko trail
12:30 pm – checked in at embarcadero hotel 
the rate there is p 1,000 per night inclusive of free breakfast, good view of the mayon volcano during breakfast 
the hotel is quite convenient since it’s inside the mall premises (embarcadero mall), so security wise and if you want to buy necessities, there’s a super market, restaurants. embarcadero de legazpi being “fisherman’s wharf” , the legazpi baywalk boulevard is also located at its premises. 
12:30-2:00 pm – rest 
2:00pm – DIY city tour
- our lady of gates church (daraga church)
- cagsawa ruins
- cagsawa parks 
- albay parks and wild life 
6:00 pm – early dinner at djc halo-halo ( bicol’s famous halo-halo ) 
- stroll along pacific mall and gaisano 
(due to time and budget constraints , i was not able to go to the other tourist spots in albay such as the sumlang lake, quintiday hills, quintiday under ground river, mayon skyline, misibis bay, tiwi falls— so if given a chance, maka balik ng albay , yan na ang first sa itenerary)
back to the hotel
day 2 – 
5:00 am – sunrise photo at the legazpi baywalk and photo op (signage)
8:00 am – breakfast 
9:30 – check out; got a tricycle ride to the central terminal
uv express/shuttles are available plying to naga every hour. 
1:45 pm – arrived at sm city naga 
2:00 pm – late lunch at sm naga 
then i looked for a cheap hotel, may sogo hotel pero i checked in sa cheaper hotel, sampaguita travels/tourist inn located at panganiban drive, walking distance lang from sm naga , yes nag check in ako sa motel, P 300/ night,not bad na may aircon, tv and own cr . good deal na di ba for 300 
3pm – check inn 
4pm – naga city DIY tour 
so para akong nag visita iglesia sa naga , supposed to be naga cathedral (our lady of pena francia) lang ang sadya ko pero ang mga simbahan pala sa naga particularly on naga centro ay magkakatabi so why not drop by na din 
- penafrancia basilica 
- penefrancia arc
- st francis church 
- penafrancia parish
- el pueblo de naga
- vicentian heritage park
- naga centro
- cwc ( located at pili, camsur)
I also visited 1st colonial grill ,home of the famous sili ice cream. I was supposed to try the sili ice cream, tho may leveleling yung anghang hindi nako naglakas ng loob pa ,i just tried the second famous pili ice cream 
8pm – dinner at bigg’s diner at naga centro , since ang habol ko ay free wifi and comfy and ang sarap din kasi ng food sa bigg’s ( must try yung laing cordon bleu nila, first time to eat laing and i loved it)
9:30 pm – night stroll sa naga —- chill at rookies bar 
11pm – back at the hotel 
day 3 – 
5:30 am – check out – rode a tricycle ride to the terminal bound to san jose, camsur
(via shuttle van)
6:40 am – arrived at san jose, camsur- sabang port , rode a boat to guijalo, caramoan
9:30 am – arrived at guijalo port, caramoan
since, DIY at wala akong background pa sa place nagtanong lang ako sa tricycle driver, ang bait bait nila, sabi ko lang gusto ko sa inn na malapit sa dagat na 
P300/ person yung tricycle ride since ang layo, makaka mura ka pag may kasabay 
10:30 am – checked in at island view lodge, barangay parimian, caramoan
the rate is parang 1,500 per head with aircon and own cr, wala nga lang internet and television so para tayong nag retreat 
since may sariling restaurant yung hotel dun na ko nag lunch, medyo pricey kasi tourist price pero authentic bicolano dishes talaga like beef caldereta sa gata and pangat ba yon 
2:00 pm – island hopping. since mag isa ako, i tried to be friendly and if ever makiki hitch ako sa mga ibang mag iisland hopping, unfortunately wala ganong kasabay since its a weekday, may mag jowa akong nakita pero ayaw nila nang may kasabay so brat tayo, di tayo nagpatalo nag rent ako ng own boat, nag island hopping mag isa 
P1,500 for 2 hours inikot ako ni manong bangkero , sariling diskarte na lang sa picture 
so yun ang ganda ng beaches sa caramoan, talagang pristine waters and yung iba virgin pa talaga, di pa commercialized 
5 pm – back at the hotel for sunset 
6pm – dinner – seafood overload and bicol express (first time to eat bicol express and from then on favorite ko na sya ) 
day 4 
6 am – rode a tricycle bound to guijalo port then boat back to sabang port)
(please do ask na lang sa mga drivers kung anong oras ng trips kasi minsan walang trip, mahirap na mastraned kung wala kang extra cash, walang atm sa island)
930 am – arrived at sabang port ,got a shuttle back to naga city 
12nn- arrived at naga city, so wala na naman akong reserved ticket, chance passenger na naman, luckily may manila bound pang bus kaso aircon bus na lang di na lazy boy 
11 pm – arrived at cubao terminal 
Technically ang main goal ko why travelled solo is for soul searching, ang burgis diba ! kidding aside, its when im deciding if im gonna enrol na for law school But besides that ive learned a lot from that trip like being friendly to strangers, when to ask for help, there’s no harm in asking , being thrifty and most importantly, maging grateful sa life. Yung sa pagiging grateful sa Caramoan ko sya natutunan actually kasi, yung mga nakausap ko dun from the trike driver to staff nung lodge where I stayed, binibida nila yung Survivor TV show na if Hindi daw nafeature ng survivor yung town nila, di daw sisikat ang Caramoan as it is today so from then on grateful sila and they show it by being very hospitable sa mga tourist na napupunta sa place nila 
#iamWanderingAvocado #Project81PH

[purplesurveys]

746

What are some of your favorite cities you've been to? Locally, I loved Sagada, Vigan, and Basco. Outside of the country, I really enjoyed Bali and Shanghai. Would you allow your children to date prior to 16? (assuming you want any) I wouldn’t stop them but I suppose I’d watch over them more and have more rules while they’re still under 16, like no overnights at their SO’s place or that they have to be home by a certain time. Did you ever go through a phase where you thought guys in bands were 'hot?' Hah yep. I grew up during the pop punk/alternative rock era man, where most prepubescent girls were gaga over people like Stephen Gomez from The Summer Set or Jack Barakat of All Time Low. What's something about adult life you were never warned of or prepared for? The extent of being independent, like the sheer amount of bills to pay, how to check if the gas in your kitchen is doing fine, etc. I panic ever so slightly more day by day because I still don’t know how to cook anything and that’s literally Basic Adult Life Skill #1. Did your parents teach you proper table manners when you were growing up? Yes. They both work in hospitality management so stuff like that has been taught to me from a very young age. I can still vividly remember my mom teaching me how to eat pasta and soup properly or when she told me what it means when a bunch of spoons and forks of different sizes are laid out in front of me.

What was the last thing you baked? Chocolate chip cookies, but that was nearly two years ago.  Do you live more than 5 hours away from the nearest international border? Yeah, if you swam all the way there lmao. Kidding but uhhh I don’t – at least I don’t think so. The countries nearest us are pretty...nearby and if you took a boat you’ll probably get there in a couple of hours. Does your town have a farmer's market? No. I think the ones in Cubao are the closest one. What's the westernmost point you've been to? I’m not so sure, I’ve only been around Southeast and East Asia. Strictly speaking I think it has to be Malaysia, but that’s nowhere near the west haha. What was the last restaurant you made a reservation at? Gab and I never really get to have dates as fancy as this. We tried to book a reservation at Barcino once for Valentine’s Day, but they told us no precisely because they weren’t taking reservations for that day. When did you last feel lonely? This afternoon. I always start feeling a tad bit lonely during the afternoons which a nap can often fix. Can you easily tell when others are masking their true emotions? Not always. Some people are good at masking. How often do you wash your car? I don’t. My mom is so particular about how every single item in the house must be cleaned a certain way, and no matter how hard I try to imitate her methods they’re almost always wrong in her eyes so I didn’t even try with my car anymore. I don’t think I wanna hear “you didn’t scrub right” “you missed a spot” “did you even clean the car?” especially after trying my best. When did you last lend money to a friend? It was years ago when I’d lend money to Gab so she can put gas in her car or book a Grab/Uber. Now it’s the other way around, hahaha. Which app on your phone do you tend to get the most notifications from? Facebook. Messenger is almost always active since it’s the most popular chat app where I live. Do you own a Dutch oven? If so, what was the last thing you cooked in it? We probably do but it’s most likely one of my mom’s prized kitchenware that’s always hidden away and never used unless we have important visitors lol. Do you find it easy to put yourself in somebody else's shoes? No, I don’t think you can truly understand what someone with difficulties is exactly going through. What I am prone to be though is feeling sensitive and when someone is having a tough time, I do usually feel sad for them. Sometimes I’ll simply cry thinking about what they’re going through. What is currently on your kitchen table? We have one main counter and on it are my parents’ coffee maker, the water dispenser, the rack for our plates and glasses, mug hanger, and utensil holder. What is your favorite time period in history to learn about? Ooooh I really like history though. I don’t think I’ve ever found myself bored reading about a certain era. How old were you when you met your current best friend? I was 7 when I met the first one, and 13 when I met the other. Have you ever kissed a smoker? Yep but I’ve never liked kissing her after smoking. What is the minimum age to obtain a driver's license in your state/country? 18. ^ Do you think this is an appropriate age, or should it be higher/lower? It’s appropriate. I got mine at 18 and it worked out fine, and the only reason I got into accidents early on is because I was always driving very carefully but was unfortunately surrounded by dumbass drivers who liked to bully my much smaller car around.   If you won the lottery, do you think any of your family members would ask you to give them some of your money? I honestly don’t think so but maybe I just don’t know their true colors just yet HAHAHA. What is the craziest thing you've seen happen at your workplace? Thankfully I didn’t see it happen in person as it would’ve broken me completely, but it was when the Shopping Center at campus burned down. That was the first place I went to after I officially enrolled in my school (I had lunch with my dad and bought a UP car sticker) and it was also the first place my block dropped by to hang out together when we all met each other for the first time, so a lot of memories were in that place and I’m sure this was the case for all students too. That was a really sad day and I almost didn’t want to go to class when I saw the videos of the fire. Do you own any home automation gadgets like wifi thermostats or wifi bulbs? My parents have a wifi bulb. What is something you gave up on after many failed attempts? Instagram. I’ve always tried hyping myself up to finally make an account but egh, it just screams fakeiness to me. How old were you when you started to seriously think about what career path you wanted to pursue? When I was 19 or 20 as that was the age when I started having friends who graduated college and went on to have Real Life Jobs. Have you ever disliked a book so much that you didn't finish it? Yeah I got a random book once when my mom let me pick out whatever book I felt like getting when I was like 11 or 12. I don’t even remember the title anymore hahah but it was such a bore. I don’t know if I threw it out or if it’s buried somewhere in my room. Would you rather read a book, or listen to the audiobook? Read the book. I’m bad at listening to accents and have always needed subtitles, but if I needed subtitles for an audiobook then I might as well have just picked the book hahaha. Do you think tomorrow will be a better day than today? I don’t know. All days are the same now.

[sophiag-lts-blog]

DRRM: Brgy. Sangandaan, Proj. 8, Q.C., LAGING HANDA!

As a freshman in the University of Santo Tomas, we are required to take up this course called NSTP (National Service and Training Program), and we’re currently focusing on what we call DRRM (Disaster Risk and Reduction Management). So what are all these and what do we do? Basically, we learn and get to know more about the different communities in the country, and how we can do our part and contribute to the overall well-being, happiness, and safety of the people who live in it. DRRM is grounded and focuses on four thematic areas: Disaster Prevention and mitigation, Disaster Preparedness, Disaster Response, and Disaster Rehabilitation and Recovery.

For the past 7 years that I’ve lived in the humble and thriving community of Brgy. Sangandaan, I’ve never had the chance to interact with the people who worked in the barangay hall or office. And now, I’ve recently had the chance to have a walk and “kwentuhan” with one of the local head persons of our barangay’s DRRM: Sir Fidel Nisperos.

December 9, 2019, I visited the brgy. hall. All of the staff and workers who were there were very patient, kind and accommodating. And as I was waiting for Sir Nisperos, I was able to observe that the place has a very happy and healthy working environment, and all seemed very close to one another. This even brought a smile to my face. 

Sir Fidel was kind enough to accommodate an interview with me even without prior schedule or notice. He enlightened me and shared with me almost entirely everything I needed to know about our barangay’s DRRM. 

We first identified and analyzed the hazards, calamities, dangers, that may affect and disturb the peace and safety of the community. Sir mentioned a few specific incidents and calamities that have already occurred: in 2012, a large fire spread across 100 homes affecting around 200 families; in Bagyong Ondoy the floods were so great that it surpassed the height of an average Filipino and the height of three-story townhouses. We are now preparing for “the Big One”.

So how does DRRM prepare for this? To identify a nearing threat, they always stay updated with the weather forecast. They often hold earthquake drills (quarterly) in areas like the Savemore supermarket (Project 8) and the Villagers Montessori, because these are the places where a lot of people mostly gather. They are always alert and standing by, since the Blue ridge, Libis in Q.C. is the nearest fault line to us. Their evacuation emergency plan for any kind of calamity, is to escort people to the designated evacuation centers, namely: first plan is at the Mendoza covered court, then Ismael Mathay Sr. High school, since both are of the highest places in the district, and there are a lot of buildings. If ever it is too full, next is to evacuate to the church beside the Brgy. Hall, the Immaculate Conception Church. Last resort is to the private village, Paradise Village’s covered court (given their consent). 

When it comes to mitigation, He said that they first look back at the previous incidents and what may have caused things to happen, and what may have gone wrong. As for instance, during Bagyong Ondoy, there wasn’t enough mitigation for it, and since then, the government has been continuously cooperating with the different districts to ensure that everyone is prepared. They also conduct inspections of hazards, such as large trees that may cause harm to people and houses next to them, so they eventually have to cut these trees down. They also frequently de-clog the sewers, and provide dissemination programs on proper cleaning of the home and environment to avoid illnesses and viruses such as Dengue, and hygiene programs.

We took a little walk around, this when we talked about the Depressed areas and the Informal settlers who live by the river and underneath the bridge. He said it to be one of their main concerns for a number of reasons: they are one of the main causes of the river’s pollution; it is dangerous to live underneath the bridge and beside the river, since one can easily fall into the river, or during storms, floods may easily surge them due to its overflow; they are the poorest in the society, therefore they don’t have the right drainage and septic tanks that enable them to avoid floods; since they are the ones usually most affected during calamities, most of the funds for financial assistance goes to them. At this moment they are still waiting for the government’s approval and provision for them to be relocated, and they are continuously encouraging them to consider this. This has to be one of the most hazardous places. Another is that there are a lot of stray dogs by the route I pass towards home, and two or three times they’ve already barked or threatened me (but didn’t harm me thankfully).

One of the safest spaces in the barangay has to be the area within the Brgy. Hall, beside it the Church and beside the Church is the Health Center. Having these three geographically close to one another gives (if not all, to me personally) a sense of security, safety, ensurance, and community. Personally based on my observation, one of the best practices my community has is cleanliness. I walk from place to place around the barangay very often, and I have hardly seen any trash such as wrappers or plastics lying around.

In addition to these, I asked Sir Nispenos about the specific and various programs for the PWD, elderly, and the youth. For the Pwd, they have a list and record of them so that they’d know who to prioritize. For the Senior Citizens, they do their best to screen and identify the senior citizen indigents so that the people who first get the government pensions are those who really need it. And lastly for the Youth, there are life training programs, especially for those out of school, such as welding, automobile, call centers, sewing and dressmaking, cosmetology, etc. For those who wish to study, there are several scholarships offered, supported by the government and the diocese of Cubao. 

Personal insights

I think one of our main issues and concerns in our community is poverty. This has been the most obvious yet unresolved and dominating issue in our country, and I can see it clearly everyday as I pass by the bridge where the informal settlers live. Based on my own knowledge on politics and government programs, support and services, I think the government should focus on helping these informal settlers both find a proper home, and gain a sustainable way of earning money and making a living. The government should support them in a way that sometime in the near future they are then able to eventually support themselves. As Sir Fispenos said, most of the funds go to them since they are always the most affected, due to lack of resources, nd the lack of resources come from lack of sustainable jobs and income. Therefore, the cycle goes all over again. The allocation of our budget tends to be quite messy at times, but then again there are a lot of issues and concerns that need focus and I hope the government recognizes this. I simply realized how blessed I am to be able to live a comfortable life. I am thankful for the everyday blessings of having a happy and complete family, a religious community and a solid group of friends who are always there to support me, a roof over my head, having food to eat three or more times a day, studying in a prestigious university, and knowing and having a deep relationship with God. These things I try not to take for granted every day, and I eventually realize that everyone, every single child of God deserves to be loved and to be blessed with happiness and peace, all the days of their lives. That’s why we must in return share these blessings given to us. It is important to be socially aware of these issues and kinds of things, because it strengthens our sense of community, and helps us empathize more with the people around us. One concrete way is to be more active in social development programs, like me not only in NSTP, but in my religious org. wherein I am able to reach out to different kinds of people at different states of life. One suggested way is to also create my own action plan, so that I am able to openly share my personal thoughts and takes on an issue then it may eventually contribute to the greater good. 

 Sources: https://sites.google.com/site/ismaelmathaysrhsqcsecondary/history-1 , https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwiso6Ol1LDmAhVT8XMBHWAvBicQjhx6BAgBEAI&url=https%3A%2F%2Fcommons.wikimedia.org%2Fwiki%2FFile%3A03102jfBarangays_Church_Conception_Talipapa_Sangandaan_Quezon_Cityfvf_04.jpg&psig=AOvVaw1vBG8_kcajqoUVAgsGs0oZ&ust=1576258930208586 , https://foursquare.com/v/savemore-project-8/51511425e4b0fe2bab60f58d?openPhotoId=51a6d80d498e1575af11bb58 https://www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&ccid=17vSFTAP&id=EF31C8E734D970C54EA5A64AF405583ECDB67CDE&thid=OIP.17vSFTAPBzCazaZNrBltdwHaE7&mediaurl=https%3A%2F%2Fs.yimg.com%2Fny%2Fapi%2Fres%2F1.2%2F3xRorRyaPJ4VHMsZbVPUcg--%2FYXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjtzbT0xO3c9MTI4MDtoPTk2MDtpbD1wbGFuZQ--%2Fhttp%3A%2F%2Fmedia.zenfs.com%2Fen_us%2FNews%2FReuters%2F2014-01-28T083908Z_1069901473_GM1EA1S1A3P01_RTRMADP_3_PHILIPPINES.JPG.cf.jpg&exph=853&expw=1280&q=poverty+quezon+city&simid=608007690116796036&selectedindex=1&ajaxhist=0&vt=0&sim=11

http://ndrrmc.gov.ph/attachments/article/41/NDRRM_Plan_2011-2028.pdf

[artistslashperfectionist]

Gerry’s Jeepney: Not just jeepneys,it includes Pinoy culture too

Have you ever tried eating in Pedro ‘N Coi ? It is a restaurant located in malls like Fishermall, Sta. Lucia and Resorts World filled with vintage items from thrift shops or antique stores. Complete with old records and an old school jeepney, or sometimes the heart-clad Hino bus called the Love bus, which is an icon of the classic Filipino commute. There are also Pinoy things or vintage Filipino movie posters. Sometimes the things are tacky, but the best kind of art are the tacky ones. I do hope that the next time I eat in Pedro ‘N Coi is that they play Madonna’s Lucky Star, since many old songs play there, not only Filipino songs either ! But my text here is not about Pedro ‘N Coi, the restaurant owned by Miss Universe,Shamcey Supsup. It is about a jeepney-themed restaurant called Gerry’s Jeepney. Despite it having jeepneys inside, it also display some Pinoy themed things on the jeeps. From local actors to mythical creatures. 

Gerry’s Jeepney started as a small restaurant in Maginhawa in Quezon City in 2013, by Mr. Gerry Javier when he turned 50. It only has one wooden replica jeepney where other diners can eat. I always pass it going home riding my favorite school service.

Now, Gerry’s Jeepney has two branches: One in Maginhawa, and one in Kapitolyo, Pasig.

I finally visited this restaurant last Saturday, July 13,2019 with my sister where we ate lunch in the Kapitolyo branch,which we have to take a cab. The Kapitolyo branch has more jeepneys, but less tacky and more fiesta-themed, like Caravan or Pahiyas. The aircon is also very cold inside the building, so ready your jackets, or you’d rather eat in the jeeps.

My sister and I ate in the “Mabuhay” jeepney, which has the theme of our national hero, Dr. Jose P. Rizal and some quotes from Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo. We both ordered from the “Driver’s budget meal” menu, which comes with a free iced tea already. I ordered sisig with egg and among all of the home made sisig I tasted, Gerry’s has the BEST sisig ever !

Sasakay ba kayo kung ako ang driver ? O pipiliin niyo ang may mas magandang jeep kaysa sa akin ? Sige, patalbugan kami ng mga jeep,kami ng ibang mga drivers sa Gerry’s !

The building itself is so cold, but it looks like a jeepney terminal. A classy one, though, because it’s organized and the waiters and waitresses are not the palengkero or palengkera type, because they are trained and they serve customers who are going to eat in this unique restaurant. They are very decent and they always smile for you. That’s why I have all smiles in the restaurant too. The music in Gerry’s played that day is full of Aegis music, probably to give that a jeepney driver feeling or taste.

It’s not only about jeepneys that can catch your eye in Gerry’s in Kapitolyo. There is also sungka boards on display, but without shells housed in a jeepney’s stainless radiator.

Ready for a classic game,anyone ? 

Yesterday, July 16,2019, after going on an exhibit in the new UP fine arts building, I decided to have lunch in it’s main branch in Maginhawa. After one UP Ikot jeep ride until C.P. Garcia, I walked 10 minutes just to eat at Gerry’s Jeepney. 

The jeepneys at Gerry’s Maginhawa are more tacky, but they have good relevance to art lovers and foodies

The jeepney I chose to dine in is called the “Manananggal”,a Filipino mythical bat-human hybrid.  I ordered another driver’s budget meal, lechong kawali,and of course it comes with free iced tea.

Observing the restaurant in Maginhawa, Gerry’s made me decide to get fish eye captures from my newly-replaced fish eye lens from Miniso,Waltermart,Makati. I also used the effects from my phone. The jeepneys are all so vivid in the captures. The music is also the ones you hear in jeepneys like OPM, but the type of OPM is more updated, and one day it can play the dreamlike ‘Buwan’ by Juan Karlos Labajo.

It turns out that we are the passengers or drivers and the waiters are the barkers in this restaurant.

Anyone remember Richard Gutierrez as Captain Barbell ?

This is the jeep where I dined, Manananggal, with the route Cubao-Quiapo, but I wonder if it goes up to Remedios or Vito Cruz. Harrison plaza,anyone ? This jeepney reminds me of those hot rod jeepneys with loud ghetto or rap music called “patok”, usually in Cubao or in Stop ‘N Shop,Sta. Mesa, but when I played my own music here, it’s Madonna’s Lucky Star or Papi by Jennifer Lopez.

I even made my own Abbey Sy inspired signage by index card and calligraphy pens. It says “CUBAO Yale GATEWAY”.

I have two “passengers”,because they were eating at the restaurant. 

Remember, the addresses of the two Gerry Jeepney is 7-B Maginhawa st. UP Village,Quezon City, and the Kapitolyo branch is 73 East Capitol Drive,Kapitolyo,Pasig City. It is a lot easier in the Maginhawa branch since you can either walk or take a cab or tricycle going there, unlike the Kapitolyo branch, where me and my older sister have to take a cab, before we would get lost more.

[atomfiction]

"Myco's Cassette Tape"

They named me as Myco Johannes Villena Leonor or known as “Myco” or "Lady G" since I'm the only girl in our family. I was born in Quezon City, Philippines. My birthday is on January 9, 2005. My Father is Ryan Macunaña Leonor and My Mother is Bernadette Villena Leonor. My Father is a Gym Instructor in Fitness First at Trinoma. My Mother is a house-wife and also sells homemade foods. My Father also sells gym equipment, authentic foreign ready-to-cook food and things. We’re very flexible when it comes to business, It’s either book, clothes, cars, house, Perfume, furniture, and of course foods.

Back to our old house we’re a normal family.. when I tell you Family, I really mean it. My cousin, My aunt, Grandma, Grandpa, My parent’s cousin and… I guess all of my relative in my Mother side are living in one place. My father and Mother started a small business, It’s a Barbecue business. Every food that can be grilled, they sell that. Name it, seasoned grilled milk-fish, Grilled tilapia, pork barbecue, chicken barbecue, Chicken Intestine, Pig Intestine, Hot dogs, burger patty, and Seasoned Grilled Squid…

When I was a kid, I am always being bullied. I don’t know why, I didn’t do anything to them and they just bully me. Tripping me, Eating my food, Threatening me, Grabbing my hair, Threw my food, Kick me in stomach and even the higher level bully me. I didn’t tell it to my parent’s tho.. unless I can’t take it anymore. My parents have many problems and issues I don’t want to add petty bully issue so I kept everything inside me.

We firstly lived in Deparo Caloocan. Where my Father side are living. But then we moved in Murphy Cubao Quezon City because of bills that my parent can’t handle. And to add up, that house in Deparo Caloocan have a living spirit. My Mom told me that when we were praying before we eat, I was talking in air. Like I was inviting the ghost to eat with us. We can’t deny that there’s really a ghost in there because few blocks away from our house a massacre took place.

Aguinaldo Elementary School since Kinder to Grade 3, 15th Avenue Elementary School when I was in 4th to 5th grade and we moved here in Project 6 where I took my 6th grade in Project 6 Elementary School. My highschool life started in New Era University, Since 7th grade till now. Since I was bullied in my elem days I got traumatized so in my 7th grade to 8th grade, things are kinds messy. I can’t handle things that well but I can tell that I don’t lie, only when needed. Only when I need to cover for someone. There’s nothing happened that is important since I’m walking ambivert.

We’re still living here in Project 6 and I’m 17 years old turning 18 in January. I can’t really explain my life right now. It’s kinda boring but thanks to church duties I have something to do. I love physical activities than Social Activities. Things changed when Pandemic came and tons of people Died because of it, but this year 2022 I think we will have face to face classes which is great because I really prefer Face to Face than Online. Nothing special or important events other than getting ready for Santa Cena.

I think in 10 years’ time... I don’t really know since I don’t have a concrete plan on college. I’m planning to take law which takes about 7 years or more if I didn’t do my best. I can take Flight Attendant classes but we’re short of money, and my last resort is to be a model, connected with fashion, make up and products that are for skin. I still have 1 year to build and make a concrete plan that I will do or take in my college. I want to try new things like working while studying since I want to help my parents paying things like bills and such.