Children's Playground at Rizal Park

Newly renovated and restored Playground at Rizal Park Manila :)

My sorority in law school had a unique way of spending Christmas season.

Before Christmas (2010), in coordination with the Single's for Christ, we had a wonderful day with the Kids of GK.

With a minimal amount of P10 as an entrance fee, you can see smiles on their face.

The excitement and delight while entering the place=priceless :)

*there are things that money can't buy.

PNOY's PORSCHE CAR

When I was in my 1st-3rd year, i rented my own room near school.

However, when I transferred in another law school, I decided to commute and leave my comfort zone. I need to wake up early, fix my things, consider time and do the routine of going to manila everyday for my class.

Sacrifice indeed. Considering the hassle of waiting for a public transpo(jeepney or fx) in our place, I decided to take our car. On the first 2 months, I brought it to manila, but I noticed that "lugi" pala ako. LOL. I spent P500 a day for my gas.. (from taytay-manila) + Parking.

My total fare would cost P130 only.. far from P500! The route would be Fx/Jeep going to santolan station, then LRT going to Legarda. Less time travel + savings.

Since I still couldn't bear the hassle of waiting for a jeepney/fx to arrive, what I did was to park my car in SM marikina then ride a train, Travel time=30 mins going to santolan and 30 mins going to Legarda. whew. What a relief :)

The other night, my friend texted me. He asked me about the increase in the LRT fare. I haven't notice any increase though. What I've seen was vandals statements in mendiola which states that "No to LRT Fare Increase"

Photo from: http://www.allvoices.com/contributed-news/6438313-rally-against-mrt-and-lrt-fare-hikes

Then I replied..."Hindi ko alam, wala pa naman increase pero ang mahal na ng gas. P49.10"

Yeah, it's 49.10 here in taytay! (grr.)

Then he said... "mahal na ng gas, fare, lahat lahat na"

"hai, wag nalang tayo kumain, maglakad nalang, pabili bili nalang ng kotse si pnoy noh" "porsche GT3, 9M kapag brand new".

Funny. I haven't watch any news. I arrived home at 10pm.

Then eat, rest, hit the tread mill, sleep, wake up early, study.

So, what's with PNOY's new car?

FROM www.abs-cbnnews.com

REPOST:

MANILA, Philippines - President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III prefers the Porsche, a car that scientists and psychologists connect to risks that come with pushing the limits.

The Philippine Daily Inquirer reported today that the bachelor president bought himself a second-hand, white Porsche last Christmas.

Citing a source close to car enthusiast Manny Dimaculangan, the newspaper said the president ditched his old BMW in exchange for the more attention-grabbing Porsche.

He supposedly paid P4.5 million for it.

In December 26, Aquino supposedly went to the Clark International Speedway where car buffs test their big toys.

According to the Road and Travel Magazine, sports cars are usually preferred by people who feel or flaunt their “youthful exuberance and rejuvenation.”

Researchers around the world are exploring the belief that cars can project a personality. Some believe that cars even look like human faces.

Researchers do these in order to help designers and the automobile industry determine what is appealing to customers.

The color of a car also says something about the driver.

Citing a DuPont Global Automotive Color Popularity Report, TopGear.com.ph said white is preferred by owners who are careful and pure.

The author, however, said: “ On the contrary, I’d say owners of white vehicles are purely careless, because when they bought their car, they didn’t take into account that white is the hardest car color to maintain especially in a dusty and muddy country like ours.”

click link: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/01/13/11/pnoys-car-choice-sexy-and-dangerous-porsche

****

Comments from our kababayans:

1. Is it true that males who buy flashy sports cars are experiencing mid-life crisis? by energist

2. Is this news helping? I don't think so.

How many people are still suffering from poverty? Practically more than 60% of the country's population. Is the government rid of corruption as he promised he'll do when elected? No, FAR FROM IT!

So it's too early to give yourself a very expensive gift Mr. President. YOU have work to do! Sit down and DO IT! The people did not elect you to find yourself a girlfriend, sleep in the afternoons and reward yourself a P 4 million Porsche even though it's second hand!

-------------- Kung GUSTO may PARAAN. Kung AYAW maraming DAHILAN. AKSYON ang kailangan hindi DAKDAK. BY: Psylom

MY SAY:

I was born in 1986, the year when our beloved Cory Aquino led our repressed nation back to democracy. After 24 years, what happened to our dear Philippines? well, It was lead by corrupt public officials!

Another president elect, Benigno Aquino, III...

Hoping that another Aquino would bring solution to our problem and be a saving grace to our nation... let's just pray and hope for the best. I am the product of the future generation way back 1980's, I am not in doubt. But I am hopeful that we still have room for a new nation.

For as long as Pnoy used his own funds, and STILL do his responsibilities as our President, I have nothing against him buying a new car. I think it is far from having a lunch worth million of Pesos (and using our own funds). LOL.

Manila Zoo

Need a place to go to within Manila?

MANILA ZOO

It's been 15 years or more since the last time I visited Manila Zoo.

Reminiscing my younger days, I found going to the Zoo an enchanting experience.

Seeing all the animals that I've only seen in books, is like giving me the thrill of reality.

There are a lot of changes in Manila Zoo. There is no more giraffe and the orangutan that we used to take pictures with. (the caretaker told us that they died already due to old age.)

But, there is a lot of improvement with regard to the facilities i guess.

Or I just couldn't remember anything :D

The entrance fee in Manila Zoo is only:

P40

with manila address i.d: P20

Villa Escudero, Quezon

VILLA ESCUDERO

Here is their website

http://www.villaescudero.com/location.php

Last 2010, we went to Villa Escudero. It's my sister's treat to us because she wanted to spend time with her boyfriend who just came back from ship. Good thing they have a website that's why you can estimate the cost of your travel and their amenities... or atleast you can assess if its worth spending.

Cultural show

their amenities and activities are:

• Museum check


• Waterfalls Restaurant check


• Philippine Experience Show check


• Bamboo Rafts check


• Rural Village Tour X


• Sports & Recreational Facilities X But we tried fishing :) we got 2 fishes.


• Birdwatching X (i don't know if there is a place for bird watching)

As you enter villa escudero, you will ride a carabao going to the waterfalls buffet.

You will be serenading live by folk songs as you see the beauty of mother nature.

the man-made water falls :)

an eat all you can buffet

All are Filipino Foods (*Burp)

with mom :)

me :D

my brother josh...

if you don't have fishing rod,

(i suppose you will never think of bringing one, if it's your first time) LOL

You can buy a bamboo fishing rod for P100.

They will ask you if you wanna go fishing... and you can take everything that you can catch)

They even told us that "pwede nyo po yan ipaluto for free"

But we ended up having 2 (small) fishes. (see the pic above)

My advice: we bought 2 fishing rod. waste of money. if you wanna try it, just buy one. hehe.

Bamboo rafting with my brother

Suuper fun*

They have animal cages all over.

At the museum :)

Visiting Villa Escudero is a different experience.

I've never been away from our place (taytay/pasig/manila).

Going to a province or out of town is one of the things i look forward to.

If you wanna experience filipino culture, Villa escudero is the place to be.

All activities are inclusive of the rates that you will pay EXCEPT:

1.) in the waterfalls buffet, you can see professional photographers that will

insist on taking pictures of you. It is a souvenir picture that will be posted at the exit area.

You can pay it for P100.

2.) The fishing rod P100

3.) Drinks in the buffet area. They have a house water for free. But in case you want a coke/mango shake/buko, you can pay for it.

Note: I forgot to mention, if you wanna go swimming, they also have a swimming pool for free. However, due to time constraints, we decided not to swim. We wanted to go to the museum because it will be closed at 5pm. To add up, make sure that you bring along your bags

(do not leave it in the car ) LOL.

Be there as early as possible. atleast 9 or 10am.

Below is their rates. We went on a Friday and a day tour package.

We see to it that we could watch their cultural show.

Rates

Day Tour Packages

• Mondays to Thursday

Adults : P1,105
Half rate : P550 (Children below 4 feet)

• Fridays to Sundays & Holidays

Adults : P1,250
Half rate : P625 (Children below 4 feet)

Welcome drink, carabao cart rides, use of out door recreational facilities and lunch at the waterfalls.

By special arrangements with the AERA Memorial Foundation, the museum is open to resort guess.

Cultural Show at 2:00 - 3:15pm on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays & Holidays.

Picnic Grove, Tagaytay

PICNIC GROVE

It was a holiday season that's why people were all over the metro or out of town, spending time with their family. We went there in 4 cars with 34 people :) Usually, you can rent tables/cottages, but not this time... full parking and no more vacant cottages. Hence, we still managed to do our thing. We ended up placing our foods and eating under the trees :)

*Zip Line

One of the attractions in picnic grove.

One way: P200

Two way: P300

*Bridge

:0 shades

one thing that disappoints me, the comfort rooms! Holiday season can never be an excuse to have a long line of women waiting for their turn... and having one comfort room working. (what i am telling is the one near the cashier.)

Entrance fee: 50

Cars: P35

Van: P50

Considering the profit generating from it, please! improve it.

Nuvali, Sta. Rosa Laguna

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY (2011) NEW YEAR!

*good set-up for a pre-nup pic (LOL) my sister and her bf

Last Christmas Break (2010), my family headed out of town to celebrate my brother's birthday. We went to Tagaytay picnic grove and Nuvali sta. rosa laguna. For those who are wondering where is Nuvali, it is located at sta rosa Laguna. From south luzon expressway, you have 2 alternative route: First, take the sta rosa exit or Second: the Eton exit.

Since it was a holiday season, traffic in sta rosa exit was unbearable. Good thing, one of my cousin knew the other route, which is the eton exit. The eton exit is located after sta rosa exit. (you have to read signs though)

Our initial plan is to go to nuvali first. But, since we arrived in laguna at 10:30, we went to Picnic grove to have our picnic lunch. At about 3pm, we went to Nuvali...

*My cousins and pamangkins

*Boat ride: Closed at exactly 5:00pm

*Fish Feeding

Picture taken by Daphne

It was my second time to visit Nuvali. My first was with my sister and her boyfriend... and ever since we got there, my relatives wanted to come and visit.

Nuvali is developed by Ayala land. It has an amazing man made lake with Japanes Koi. (see picture above) It has different establishments like Starbucks, Conti's, Pig out, reyes barbeque, 7-11.. (to name a few)

Fish Feeding: P15 (purchase of feeds)

Boat Ride: P30 (per person) Minimum of 6 max of 12

Bike: Rent a bike for an hour P50 (not that sure)

Parking Fee: Free