Thursday, July 30, 2009

Piercings Here We Come

They say you gotta learn how to crawl before you learn how to walk and I think my Nephew's already gearing towards that. He just needs a little push but he's already comfortable with it. It's a good thing though cause he's already outgrowing his stroller. I'm preparing myself for the next stage, Piercing! Hehehe So mama and papa don't get mad ok? Tito's doing this for you!

Friday, July 24, 2009

No Badge Allowed




I was riding the bus to the office the other day. I noticed a uniformed police officer, a traffic cop, hitched a ride. And when I say hitched, I mean hitched (Free). Complete with uniform, gun, radio and some grocery stuff. ( Mineral water and a brand of gin). I always wondered about the sign posted on every Tas Trans and Bensan Bus, (Lawton-Las PiƱas Route) was all about? The sign that says "No Badge Allowed". He was Drunk as hell. Dropping his things from time to time. And it doesn't even bother him that there are people seeing this.

On the same day on my way to Alabang via Edsa, I took an ordinary fare just to get to my appointment in time. I seated at the back of the bus where two others are seated. One middle aged lady who looks like an Avon lady and another man who looks like he just lost in a cock fight. I noticed that when the conductor was collecting the fare the man from the derby arena just flashed him his PNP id, and just like that it was a free ride for him. He slipped half of his id from his wallet just enough to see the PNP logo but not enough to see his face. Great huh?

I just thought that sometimes students don't even avail of this privilege especially if they're not in their uniforms or if it's Sunday. Not to mention the senior citizens.

Lucky Bastards!

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Over Loading...


This is what it looks like everyday, People standing on the aisle and bus drivers shouting "pakiurong lang po sa gitna!!!" Crazy isn't it? So if you get stuck on the far end of the bus it will be next to imossible for you to get off as easily on your destination. The worst part is if you're seated near the aisle, you can't avoid the butts rubbing off of your shoulder. This is how we Filipinos do it. This is how we do it. Afraid of getting a memo for tardiness aye?

You can't really say that there isn't enough buses roaming around the metro cause the last I heard the LTFRB is still planning to down size buses travelling via EDSA upon the next registration period. Maybe it's the frequency especially during rush hours? I doubt if it's that. Hmmm.

One thing my father thought me was if you don't wanna be late you sleep early so that you'll wake up early the following morning. He says that's why accidents happen. Why? You drive fasterer than usual so you reach your office on time. And in between those remaining 20 to 30 mins that your hussling your way through the traffic, a lot of bad things happen.

The real question now is, is it really legal? We sometimes tend to over look these things cause this is how we are used to do it. I know. I Know. It's really not a big deal after all. It's not like you over loaded a ship that could sink the vessel down. But come to think of it, If you're standing half of your trip and you're not actually paying a centavo less than what those seated passengers paid. Is it really fair?

Yesterday I saw a motorkade going to the boulevard on my way to work. It was like an anniversary celebration of some sort by a religious group. It was a pretty sight though. After my day was done. I rode a bus home. Upon reaching the world trade center, A group came in. I was seated at the back. As they were hurddling their way in I was wondering where they'll go since there are only about half a dozen vacant seats left. Unfortunately those vacant seats are near mine. This group was mostly kids assisted by 3 or 4 adults. So I assumed they're family. Now the whole bus was jam packed. One of the male adults in the group shouted "O kandong kandong na lang." And just like that the children followed yet the seats aren't really enough. It was a funny sight really. It was like a circus. I remember I child swinging at the rail like a chimpanzee. When the conductor came It dawned me. Two people seated in one chair is only counted as one just like in the jeep but, if you're standing you're automatically counted right? I was beat so I didn't mind how they came up with the fare.

Monday, July 20, 2009

How I got my Police Clearance(Philippines)




I just can't remember if I already did this sometime ago but ever since I started working I never really cared about getting a Police Clearance. Not until now. I usually just renew my NBI and that would suffice the requirement. Ahhh the dilemma right now is that I urgently need either of the two. I could easily get my NBI clearance but since I got a hit. I have to wait ten working days before my clearance gets released. No matter how convenient it is because of the satellite offices. Now I have no choice but to apply for a Police Clearance.


I researched what the requirements are to get me my Police Clearance. Some blog sites say I need a Barangay Clearance, a Comunity Tax Certificate (Cedula-You know, what the Katipuneros tore at Balintawak) and a couple of 2x2's and off course the payment. I only got my cedula so I was quite hesitant at first. But because of my nanays encouragement I went. Thanks Nay! Luckily, It was all I needed plus the money off course for mama glo.

To my surprise they were scanning everybody that goes in the City Hall. One Point for the city of Paranaque. I was impressed off course. There are two ladies, each with scanners. The Security guard at the main entrance was polite and was able to direct me to where I should do my business. Left Wing if you're facing the Hall. but upon reaching my destiation it was a whole different story. It was like pandemonium. I stood there assessing the situation. There were lines ( crooked as they were) everywhere. Its not the lack of order that got my attention. It's how they utilized the space.

Enough about that. Here are the steps that I did.

Step 1: Go to window 1 and present your Cedula. You will be issued a slip indicating the purpose of your application and the amount that you need to pay. For employmet it is Php 110.00.

Step 2: Go to the Cashier, Go back to the main entrance, and instead of turning left go straight ahead and you'll notice wide air conditioned area on the right. Get your number before entering.

Step 3: Go back to the Left wing and proceed to window 2. Present your Receipt and Cedula. Here you'll have to pay another 60 bucks. A receipt will be given don't worry.

Step 4: Go to window 3. A form will be given to you that you need to fill up.

Step 5: After filling up the form, Submit it to Window 4. They'll verify if you've already acomplished all.

Step 6: Finger Printing. You'll see a guy on the corner before the windows. He's the one incharge of taking your prints. Be ready with your 3 bucks, Its the price of a single wipe to clean your hands.

We're almost there.

Step 7: Picture taking, Proceed to the makeshift booth on the end of the hall. This is the last step. Yipee!

All you have to do now is to listen to your name to be called and listen attentively.

And that's the way the cookie crumble. hufhuf

Saturday, July 11, 2009

Happy that it's over

"It's like college all over again."

I was supposed to take this exam Eriday the tenth but stubborn as I am, I decided to postpone it till yesterday. So as Early as 7AM I'm already walking on Ayala. Rode the bus to Paseo de Roxas from Buendia. I was suppose to get off at Crispa but since I have almost an hour to burn might as well take my time. When the bus passed Ayala FGU Center, the venue of my exam, I can already see people browsing through their reviewers. Typical. Ayala was clean, maybe because it's a Saturday. And it's still early. Call time by the way was 8AM.
On the 26th Floor, everything was in order before the exam. But after? It's a totally different story. The entire lobby of the floor was like the trading floor of the Stock Exchange. It's like every one has something to say. Maybe they're just trying to relieve the tension. For me I just stood there and waited along with some of my batch mates.
Finally, the result was out! Not for every one though. Results were released five or six at a time. Good thing for me I was able to meet the passing grade. No need to worry about retaking the exam. Let's just say some how I came prepared. hehehe. Though I was kinda expecting my score to be a little higher than what I got. But, 90% will do.

TXT POWER

I share your sentiments guys. Like you I'm also a victim of this Magical act. just like any person will do i tried to ask for an explanation but they (Customer Service - Telcos) could not provide me with one. They can't give me a run down of my phone activity. They said the only way they could get this is to file a report and it will take around 3 to 5 working days to be resolved. The question in my mind was what about the load that will disappear on my prepaid account for that 3 to 5 days. Since I really didn't want to ruin the rest of my day, I gave in. Then Ic hecked my balance only to find out that I was again deducted a peso after my call to customer service. Again I called and asked the representative if they're billing customer service calls and he said no. Then why was i deducted one peso? Those CSRs doesn't have a single clue what was going on. After three days I was loaded 15 pesos followed by an advisory that the 15 peso was the reversal made for my complaint.

My original complain was that i was taking advantage of the everybody text promo and i try to load 40 pesos so that I could get 20 free text. That 40 pesos was supposed to be enough for two days for that particular promo right? But that wasn't the case. The following morning my load was not enough to enroll for another 24 hours and I am certain that before I loaded the forty pesos I still have around 16 pesos. Even if it was just a peso imagine how much globe is corrupting from its subscribers daily and I'm pretty sure they're not taxed for that!

Telcos-You can't live with them and certainly you can't live without them!

Friday, July 10, 2009

Big Red Barn Celebration

This is the venue of Raphaels 7th Birthday Celebration. Located at Westgate Alabang behind Go Nuts Donuts. You cant miss it believe me. It's Like a big red barn off course. The place is huge.,But every inch of the place has been utilized, so when you get into the inside you'll notice that it's kinda cramp. Fully air conditioned. I can safely say that it's safe cause the staff is everywhere. They also have cctv cameras. The first thing I noticed was how the doorman offers first time guests hand sanitizer. Secondly the 3 storey play area. It was my first time there so I cant help but notice these things. I wish there was a place like this when I was Raphaels age.
Party started On-time. Kids were already restless in excitement. They probably can't wait to get on the play area. I'd probably feel the same way if I was 9. Food was ok. The best part for me was when the mascots came down from the upper floor. I just can't stop myself, I need to have my picture taken with them. I guess I never really outgrown my fascination with mascots . After their performance ( a dance number) the other one not included in the pic below was in a hurry to go up. Probably tired from the weight of the suit.
Justify FullWhen the program was over. They were given wrist bands so that they can already play. And off they went. Like hungry little bugs swarming over supper. It was a good sight though for the parents and especially for the hosts. This is the point of it all. Kids having fun. No matter what the cost.
I'm pretty sure the birthday boy had loads of fun along with his guest, both the kids and their parents.

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Just Say No

Something happened to me today and to sum it up here's my thought about it.

Filipinos find it really hard to say no! "Hirap na hirap tayong tumanggi!." This is true to most filipinos, I can safely say. Unlike our Western counterparts They can say No in your face and you won't even see a hint of guilt or shame afterward.

Americans can give you a straight forward answer. If you ask them a yes or no question. In an instant it's right in your face. While we Filipinos tend to supress. We want to play it safe all the time and worse, we say yes even if we mean no and vice versa.

I am guilty of this as well, My reason? It's personal... Hehehe Joke... Hmmm I dunno. Maybe I just don't want to see the look of disappointment on other peoples faces especially if I know they're expecting another answer. That's why when texting was introduced a couple of decades back, it just made saying no a lot easier.

"Sanay tayong mga Pilipino na magpaasa!" That's why sometimes our conversations doesn't get us anywhere. We can't move on to another issue/topic cause the previous one was left hanging. It's one thing to be turned down and it's another to be kept hanging. Personally, I choose the former. It's much easier to deal with.

The question now is. Are you guilty of this one too?