I have a foreign currency savings account with a local bank. I wanted to deposit to that account, but I don’t have any money in that currency — only pesos. So I called the bank to ask if I could buy the currency from them and deposit it to my account.

To my surprise, the person I talked to on the phone told me to buy from the black market. According to her, the Bangko Sentral has strict regulations on foreign currencies and you can’t deposit the currency you bought from them into your account. Hence, the advice to buy from the black market. Word.

Now, where is this black market so I can buy my dollars?

Yes! Magazine’s teaser for their August 2005 issue asks “Could it be possible that the wedding everyone is waiting for has already happened?” referring to the much-talked about Kris Aquino and James Yap affair. Apparently, we find out seven months later that the answer is indeed YES!
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Commuting has definitely been easier - at least, riding the MRT, that is. The first car of the MRT is solely for females, senior citizens, the disabled and children. It has been easier because even though there are a lot of women who board the first train car, it’s still less crowded.

However, I noticed that some men still get in there. I don’t know if they couldn’t read or if they simply want the convenience of being in a less crowded area. At least now those pregnant women and those with kids would have more space and it’s easier for them too.

Or maybe it’s simply because summer vacation so there are less students who commute too. Hmmm. We’ll see.
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I find it weird that under the Buendia flyover, there is a fountain. Actually, now that I think about it, there are two of them. I prefer seeing fountains unhindered by any other structures so that the beauty of water flowing out of it will be appreciated all the more. I couldn’t take pictures using my cameraphone because the resolution is just too low and the glare of the morning light makes it look terrible.
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Step 1:
Go to the right wing of the Quezon City Hall and look for the police clearance area. Follow the instructions listed on the board such as filling out of form, etc. In two words: Amazing Race!

Step 2:
Pass the form to the pesky guy at Window #2. While Window #2 guy insists that your purpose for getting the form is for “Travel Abroad (P200)”, counter-argue that it should be for “Employment, Scholarships, Study Grants, etc. (P100).” Ahh, never mind, Window #2 guy wins!

Step 3:
Pay the necessary fee at the Treasurer’s Office. Don’t underestimate the power of the old looking cashier. Despite his Kuya Cesar voice and his white hair, he is more efficient than the relatively younger ladies who have “under the table” activities which become a cause for delay.

Step 4:
Have your fingerprints taken and be ready to pay P5.00 for the tissue wipes.

Step 5:
Pay P50.00 and have your photo taken at the digital photobooth. Wait for your photos (1 copy 2×2; 2 copies 1×1) to be printed out even if you won’t have a need for them anymore.

Step 6:
Go to the last window, submit your form and wait for your clearance to appear.

Posted by Quel from …anova, Quezon Cirty!

The end of the sem is something undergrads look forward to, especially with parties and beach outings to fill up their summer calendars. However, for the graduating student like me the end of the sem means all the physical, mental, emotional and psychological torture you can ever imagine—what with all the thesis work and pressure points coming from everywhere!

Early this morning, I went to the UP Shopping Center (SC!) to pick up my readings from last sem which I left last Friday for wirebinding. While waiting for the girl to hand back my readings, a student was complaining about the particular stall’s service. Apparently, her name was misspelled on the three hardbound copies of her thesis!

I felt bad for her but I had my own share of thesis horrors (which becomes trivial when compared to hers). Last Saturday, I had to call up the stall where I left my readings because I misprinted my thesis’ title page—the page they’re going to copy for the cover’s text. Thankfully when I picked up my copies today—an hour late than the supposed deadline we agreed with (poor service!), they were able to salvage it. ;)

MRT (GMA Station)

Originally uploaded by happyeclair.

I know that GMA Channel 7 has no exclusive rights on what should be on the station. But I just find it hilarious to see lots of billboards of ABS CBN Channel 2 shows there. The network wars are terrible enough as it is, and even on the train stations, it looks like it.

Funnel Cake

Originally uploaded by happyeclair.

The Old Spaghetti House along Paseo has a nice funnel cake. My friend Charo and I tried this one last week. At Php 95, it’s pretty ok. They also have apple and cinnamon funnel cake. Really yummy too!

The Old Spaghetti House serves a variety of pasta. I checked out their Oriental Spaghetti which had nice slices of mushrooms. We also had a carafe of white wine. As my friend Charo commented, the prices are reasonable enough and the music in the background is nice - some kind of jazz.

I rode the MRT today and found out about the new “segregation” law where women, children and senior citizens are separated from men. It was comfortable in the first car (where the former group is placed) but when I stepped out of Ortigas station, I saw how horribly full the rest of the cars were. LOL. I wonder how long this rule will remain in action.

Speaking of railway transit laws, I posted an LJ entry with a mirror project photo taken at the Cubao station the other day and I got a number of responses regarding how that was illegal! LOL. I’ve been taking several shots inside and outside MRT/LRT stations but the guards have never stopped me from doing so. Hmmmmm…maybe because I look a little too harmless? Geez.

Keanna Reeves wins Pinoy Big Brother Celebrity Edition.

More PBB-related posts at the Manila Metblog:

• The housemates
• Keanna pees at the garden!

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