I finally got to go to the much talked-about TriNoma mall in Quezon City. Getting there was a breeze… but maybe it was because we were there very early! I’ve seen the traffic around the mall get really bad on weekend afternoons. Last Monday, June 11, we made sure we were in the mall’s area by the time it opened.

The way to the parking lot was a bit confusing. If you’re coming from the south, keep going straight past Quezon Ave. until you see “Central Mall.” Turn right after that and you will be led to the TriNoma parking. There were a lot of guards when we arrived who helped in navigating. That was really helpful!

More pictures and stories after the jump.
(more…)

May I vent?

I hate banking. I hate banking at the BPI Timog Branch even more. This sounds absurd coming from someone who doesn’t even have his own bank account, none at all in any bank, and I may never have been in the fortunate position to have come in on less hectic days. But there truly must be something wrong when it always takes at least an hour (or more) to encash a single check. Or when none of the tellers are ever online. Or when, during customer transactions, the employees chat as if they are in the midst of a conversation over coffee and cupcakes. Or when while you hear a customer request for something that cannot be granted as per operational procedures, you are forced to think of one more reason to dislike Manila.

Will someone from BPI refute me please? I don’t find pleasure in this seeming denigration of the company. But the school year has just started! It would be of truly great service if people who work at banks recognize and do something to address something just this.

The superheroine is back on stage! This is the fifth run of the highly successful musical based on the award winning book created by Carlo Vergara. Eula Valdez will still play ZsaZsa Zaturnnah. K Brosas will serve as alternate. If you haven’t watched this yet, better run now for ticket reservations.

Show Dates:
June 15-17, 21-24, 28-29, July 1 (8 PM)
June 16-17, 23-24, 28, 30, July 1 (3 PM)

Venue:
Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, :Podium 4, Yuchengco Tower 2, RCBC Plaza, Makati City

I’ve been really excited about the Pasig River Ferry ever since I heard about it last April. Finally, I was able to experience it for myself today.

Right now, they only have limited stations: Guadalupe, Hulo, Lambingan, Sta. Ana, PUP & Escolta. It’s a flat rate of Php25 per person (with discounts for Senior citizens and students), and the ride from Guadalupe to Escolta takes about 50 minutes.

More info & pictures after the cut.
(more…)

Officially we only have two seasons in Manila – dry, which lasts from October to June and wet for the rest of the months. We experience the most humid weather on summer months which lasts from March to May. The rainy season normally starts from July to September. I guess we are in for a third kind of season. Somebody from PAG-ASA (Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration) has got to think of a name for the weather we are currently experiencing – heavy downpour in between a still-summer-hot day.

Less than two weeks ago, PAG-ASA announced the last week of May is already the start of the rainy season. We did experince a lot of rain before the announcement. It was as if the change of season was so abrupt. But then again, where is the rainy season we thought is here already? That could have been a welcome respite from the heat Manila is still experiencing at this point. In any case, it’s best to bring an umbrella with you especially if you are commuting. It also happens that the weather from one city to another is different. It could be scorching hot in Makati but it’s raining wild in Quezon City. Weird weather.

Let me borrow some lines from a popular Christmas song.. “You better watch out. You better not cry. You better not pout. I’m telling you why…” If you don’t want to cry or pout on June 12, Tuesday morning, leave for work extra early! More schools opening mean more people on the road, which means more traffic that can possibly make you late for work. So don’t say you haven’t been warned. Go to work extra early on Tuesday!

I still get confused whenever beggars tap on the car window. To give or not to give?

It breaks my heart to see street kids and handicapped elderly go up and down the street once the red light goes on. Some drivers roll their windows down and drop coins into the street kids’ open hands, while other drivers knock twice on their windows to signal the beggar to move on. It gets even sadder when you see street kids are standing right under the drive-through window of some fastfood restaurants.

Some have said not to give because it encourages them to just beg some more and not find real work. Others have shared that we should leave it to the government to handle the beggars. Some have warned that giving the beggars money would just lead them to spending it on illegal drugs. Others encourage charity.

Sometimes I give. Sometimes I don’t. But always, always, the tapping on the window is very difficult to ignore.

Tonight, prepare to defy gravity at the CCP with a show from Compagnie 9.81 courtesy of Alliance Française de Manille. Acrobatic performances from world renowned Compagnie 9.81 will start at 7.30PM at the CCP Little Theatre in Manila.

More Information:
Alliance Française de Manille – Circus
Compangie 9.81

1. Try a green tea dessert from Kozui as reviewed by Dessert Comes First. Check it out at Tomas Morato corner Scout Fernandez in QC.
2. Forget about your diet for a while and try this hearty Sisig from Razon’s as reviewed by our very own Toni.
3. Eat a hearty lunch of Paella Velanciana from Mom & Tina’s Bakery Cafe across SM Pasig Hypermart along E. Rodrigues/C5 Extension (not that far from Eastwood?). Watch out for our complete review soon!
4. Try the ultimate Filipino soup, sinigang na bangus at wherelse but Bangus Republic in Greenhills. Check out Clickthecity.com for complete branch listing.
5. Treat your dad out to Spirals in Sofitel Philippine Plaza and try out the uber good lamb chops from the very long buffet. This place is not cheap but hey you only treat your dad once in a while?

Almost 120 shanties from a Muslim community in the Baclaran reclamation area were demolished yesterday where only the grand Mosque was left standing, untouched by the wrecking crew. According to the Manila Times, there are over 300 illegal structures in the area and about 223 of these structures were already voluntarily removed while the remaining structures were the target of yesterday’s demolition.

There are conflicting reports though between Manila Times and Inquirer where Manila Times puts the relocation of the Mosque to nearby Nayong Pilipino while Inquirer reports that there has been no established relocation area. Also according to Inquirer, the displaced families still have nowhere to go as no relocation site was established.
(more…)