Pudpod na tsinelas

Sawa na

2009-09-12T08:26:00.000-07:00

Fed up

---

Nakakasawa na magmaneho nang maayos sa kalsadang bibihira ang may respeto sa batas trapiko at sa kapwa motorista. Nakakasawa nang magbasa/makinig/manood ng balita na wala namang magandang nilalaman. Nakakasawa nang mangarap na balang araw may pagbabagong mararating ang bansa at may mga tao pa din na marangal at maglilingkod ng tapat sa tungkuling pagsusumpaan.

Nakakasawa. Pero tuloy pa ding nananampalataya at nagdadasal na balang araw, at habang buhay pa ako, makakamit din ito.

/pnt

Magpa-deliber

2009-08-10T08:24:00.000-07:00

Place an order for delivery

Food Delivery Numbers in Metro Manila

---

Yes, we are still talking about food. With the advent of fast food chains, easy access to telephones (when did you last use a payphone?), and the internet - ordering food for delivery to anywhere and almost anytime has never been this easy. And there's your mobile phone memory to save you from always tagging along an address book.

But if you don't have the popular delivery numbers yet, just like these people now nagging me for the numbers, here they are. This is a handy reference especially for people who virtually live in the office.

Restaurant - Delivery Hotline

Amici - 818.4444

Aristocrat - Per branch

Chowking - 702.8888

Dencio's - Per branch

Gerry's Grill - 421.1111
Goldilocks - 888.1999

Greenwich* - 5.5555

Jollibee - 8.7000

Kenny Rogers* - 533.8888

Kitaro - 911.1115

KFC - 887.8888

Max's* - 7.9000

McDonald's* - 8.6236

Pancake House - Per branch

Pizza Hut* - 911.1111

Red Ribbon* - 8.7777

Shakeys - 77.777

Tapa King - Per branch
Wendy's - 533.3333

* Online order available

Remember that info above are Philippine numbers (+632), valid only within Metro Manila, and are as of Aug 2009. Please add a comment for corrections and requests for restaurants to be added to the list.

/pnt

Aling Naty

2009-08-09T09:43:00.001-07:00

Mrs Naty

---

On a previous post I mentioned that Filipinos love to eat. We do. We love fiestas but we also do crave for regular home-cooked meals.

As a boy, we had this neighbor called Aling Naty. She had a carinderia* and daily serves the most wonderful okoy** and the best tasting vinegar with chili to match. For mid afternoon snack she would have some banana or camote que*** or turon****. And late afternoon til early evening, she would be grilling tasty pork barbeque.

I would happily exchange buckets of fastfood chicken for that again.

/pnt

* neighborhood home-based food stall

** shrimp fritters

*** deep-fried bananas or sweet potato with caramelized sugar

**** banana (sometimes with bits of jackfruit) spring rolls with caramelized sugar coating

Magkaisa

2009-08-09T06:35:00.000-07:00

To Unite

---

This is another of the popular and hair-raising songs that ignited people's spirits for People Power in EDSA back in 1986. This was also lovingly played in the airwaves out of respect and admiration for the late President Cory in 2009.

Magkaisa lyrics by Tito Sotto, sung by Virna Lisa

Ngayon ganap ang hirap sa mundo

Unawa ang kailangan ng tao

Ang pagmamahal sa kapwa’y ilaan

Isa lang ang ugat na ating pinagmulan

Tayong lahat ay magkakalahi

Sa unos at agos ay huwag padadala

Chorus

Panahon na (may pag-asa kang matatanaw)

Ng pagkakaisa (bagong umaga, bagong araw)

Kahit ito (sa atin Siya’y nagmamahal)

Ay hirap at dusa

Magkaisa (may pag-asa kang matatanaw)

At magsama (bagong umaga, bagong araw)

Kapit-kamay (sa atin Siya’y nagmamahal)

Sa bagong pag-asa

Ngayon may pag-asang natatanaw

May bagong araw, bagong umaga

Pagmamahal ng Diyos, isipin mo tuwina

(Repeat Chorus)

Magkaisa (may pag-asa kang matatanaw)

At magsama (bagong umaga, bagong araw)

Kapit-kamay (sa atin Siya’y nagmamahal)

Sa bagong pag-asa

Video found in youtube.

/pnt

Handog ng Pilipino sa Mundo

2009-08-04T21:22:00.000-07:00

The Filipino's offering to the world

---

Perhaps one of the very few Filipino songs that will forever be sung from the heart. This was recorded in 1986 by several Filipino artists led by the APO Hiking Society.

Handog ng Pilipino sa Mundo lyrics by APO Hiking Society, sung by Filipino artists

'Di na 'ko papayag mawala ka muli.
'Di na 'ko papayag na muli mabawi,
Ating kalayaan kay tagal natin mithi.
'Di na papayagang mabawi muli.

Magkakapit-bisig libo-libong tao.
Kay sarap palang maging Pilipino.
Sama-sama iisa ang adhikain.
Kelan man 'di na paalipin.

Ref:
Handog ng Pilipino sa mundo,
Mapayapang paraang pagbabago.
Katotohanan, kalayaan, katarungan
Ay kayang makamit na walang dahas.
Basta't magkaisa tayong lahat.

Masdan ang nagaganap sa aming bayan.
Nagkasama ng mahirap at mayaman.
Kapit-bisig madre, pari, at sundalo.
Naging Langit itong bahagi ng mundo.

Huwag muling payagang umiral ang dilim.
Tinig ng bawat tao'y bigyan ng pansin.
Magkakapatid lahat sa Panginoon.
Ito'y lagi nating tatandaan.
(repeat refrain two times)

Coda:
Mapayapang paraang pagbabago.
Katotohanan, kalayaan, katarungan.
Ay kayang makamit na walang dahas.
Basta't magkaisa tayong lahat!

Found this timeless video in youtube.

/pnt

Paalam at Maraming Salamat Tita Cory

2009-08-02T07:55:00.000-07:00

Farewell and Thank you very much Tita Cory

---

One of the very few true national leaders and the mother of Philippine democracy that was Corazon "Cory" Aquino. She will be much missed by this nation who is in much need of real leadership.

Thank you dear Tita Cory for sharing your life and your love for the country.

/pnt

Jeepney - hari ng daan

2009-07-28T09:18:00.000-07:00

Jeepney - king of the road
---

This country is famous for having jeepneys used in public transportation. Jeepneys originated from post-WW2 US jeeps, modified to carry several passengers, and then each made unique by adding loud speakers and bright Pinoy art expressions.

Known Facts
1. As of July 2009, minimum fare is P7 for the 1st 4km. Increments of P0.50 follow after every 1km.
2. Most jeepneys that ply the streets are not airconditioned. The few airconditioned ones are often used for tourism or just within the central business districts.
3. There are several jeepney variants with different seat capacities; however, the usual Metro Manila jeepneys carry at least 13 passengers including the driver. The front row seats 3 (driver + 2 passengers). At the back of the driver seat are two rows of 5 passengers each facing the other. Jeepneys used in the province are often bigger in size and capacity and are designed for more rugged terrains.

4. There is an entrance - but no door. There are usually no glass windows too (except for the windshield infront). Rolled-up plastic along the sides are rolled-down to protect the passengers from the rain.

Only in the Philippines
1. Unlike public transportation elsewhere, jeepney drivers allow passengers to get in the vehicle and select a seat without first paying the fare. Passengers pay the fare while the the vehicle is in motion which is not so bad except that often it is also the driver who collects the fare.

2. Passengers usually pay the fare by saying "bayad po" (this is my fare payment) and request other passengers seated near the driver to forward their fare to the driver. The driver receives the payment, computes for the change, and with one hand on the wheel (the free hand with the change), extends his free hand at his back and says "sukli po" (this is the change). As is customary, the passengers nearest the driver gets this change and asks fellow passengers nearby to forward the change until it gets to the owner.

3. You may be thinking, and the answer is Yes - fare collection is done in trust. Since people come and go, it is very difficult to tell who did or did not pay and also if the passenger paid the proper fare amount. There is often this funny jeepney interior decor that says "God knows Judas not pay" (read: God knows "who does" not pay).

4. Passengers before they alight tell the driver "para po sa tabi" (I need to alight please at the nearest stop) or nowadays just "para po" (please stop). Unfortunately, sans common sense, most jeepney drivers are just to happy to quickly oblige (stopping almost immediately, allowing passengers to alight even if not yet at the rightmost lane, swerving to the righmost lane and stopping in between two lanes diagonally, etc) at the expense of other road users.

5. Jeepney drivers along with most other public transports including taxis, often do not follow basic road rules and safety measures. Some even do not turn the headlights on at night - to save fuel.

6. Oh, and yes, there are designated jeepney stops - but they are never used. Drivers stop to fetch passengers as they please often swerving lanes in top speed to get the waiting passenger faster than the other jeeps. Passengers also get in and alight wherever they please.

Tips

1. Jeepneys are fun, cheap, and faster (at least compared to airconditioned buses) but be wary of occassional pickpockets and stickups especially very late at night and on routes outside the busy areas of Metro Manila.

2. Wear light, comfortable clothing unless you applied antiperspirant all over

3. Please bring coins or small bills for paying your fare especially in the morning - a lot of drivers, with good reason, are annoyed when you pay P100, P500, or P1000 bills for a single P7 fare.

4. The usual Filipino size no longer applies, and so some jeepneys who were previously designed to seat 6 on a row finds that it can now only seat 5 (thank you bigmacs). Also sometimes, ugly bullies open their legs wide and pretend to sleep to discourage other passengers from seating closer. If you cant seat comfortably, and are not in a hurry, do not be pressured, go down without paying, and just wait for the next one.

5. If you are a lady and your office skirt is particularly short, please try to wear them at the office already.

6. Smoking is prohibited on public areas including public transportation, watch the jeepney driver when the policeman is not looking. You can try to talk him out of it - good luck.

/pnt

Pagkaing Pinoy

2009-07-27T08:31:00.000-07:00

Filipino Food
---

I guess the only real benefit we ever had from seemingly endless history of wars and colonization is that we got to pick-up (and mix and match) the good cooking. How do I say it best? I guess Filipino food is a little bit of everything from everywhere with an extra sprinkle of sweetness.

We love to eat. Of course we all want to stop and consider our health as we grow a bit older but in between being old enough to sit in a real chair at the dining table and realising you're at risk of high blood pressure - we eat. Want proof? Try visiting towns during fiestas and compare that with "usual" baptisms, birthdays, and weddings - notice any difference? I guess not.

The favorites? Lechon! All famous varieties of it (baka, baboy, manok). Seafood! Ginataang alimasag, tuna belly, buttered shrimp, relyenong bangus, and the list goes on. Veggies! Laing, tortang talong, steamed kangkong and bagoong - mouth's watery already. And there's eat-all-you-kanin (a term made famous by a fast food chain which means practically - bottomless steamed rice)! And to cap it off, dessert - leche flan, buco pandan, or mixed fruits that are perfectly ripe.

I did forget to mention that since it is fiesta, the drinks are not plain. There is sago't gulaman, buco juice, or seasonal fruit shakes. Heaven.

It is wonderful remembering fiestas one has visited. In the Philippines and especially back then when the economy was much better, people are very generous and welcoming. Even if you are a complete stranger for as long as you seem to mean well, every door is open and you are welcome to taste every home's handaan.

/pnt

Mga taksi sa Maynila

2009-07-26T09:24:00.000-07:00

Manila Taxi telephone numbers
---

This post is partly due to nagging from friends and partly also for me so that I have this written somewhere when I need it but can't find where I wrote it (it happens). Below is a collection of telephone numbers of company owned taxi fleets that offer pickup service within Metro Manila.

Note that I cannot vouch for accuracy of the telephone numbers as this is based only from my personal records and these numbers may have changed already. I also cannot vouch for quality of service (see older post). Let me know if there are errors so we can update them. Caveat emptor.

Basic Taxi +63(2)900.1448

Dollar Taxi +63(2)921.2383

EMP Taxi +63(2)293.5930

Lulu Taxi +63(2)896.2360

Munich Taxi +63(2)746.8918

MGE Taxi +63(2)363.6096

R&E and Sturdy Taxi +63(2)330.1654

TAI Taxi +63(2)772.2717

Trends Taxi +63(2)821.4685

/pnt

Taksi!

2009-07-22T08:25:00.000-07:00

Taxi!
---

Despite hearing taxi horror stories every now and then, hailing and riding a taxi in Metro Manila and perhaps in most of the Philippines is still quite safe. I have my share of taxi riding mileage from airport taxis, company fleets, and family owned ones. And I could say that 99% of the time, and if you are street smart enough, you are in good hands.

Known Facts

1. As of July 2009, flag down fare of regular (not airport taxis or other special ones) taxis starts at P35 and adds P2.50 every 500 meters or for every two minutes of waiting time.

2. Taxis in the Philippines do not (yet) issue receipts

Uncool Facts

1. It is illegal for taxi drivers to refuse passengers regardless of where they are going - but most do it anyway.

2. If it is Friday night, a pay-day, or a rainy day, chances are you will find a hard time getting a taxi without having to negotiate a fixed fare.

3. Most taxis now use LPG as fuel. Since most vehicles used as taxi are not new, and LPG-conversion kits are used instead of installed by the vehicle maker, the smell of LPG somehow gets in and lingers inside the airconditioned cab.

4. There is an existing law that requires driver and front seat passenger to buckle up. However, it seems they forgot to tell vehicle owners to make sure vehicles have working seat belts.

5. Several taxis do not have working occupied/not occupied lights on the roof and the dashboard. This is supposed to be connected to the fare meter being on or not. If you see a taxi that is occupied but the not-occupied light remains lit, you know that's another fixed price deal.
6. Except for a few (and more senior) drivers I have met, the rest simply would not follow basic road rules or defensive driving. You would wonder how they were ever granted professional drivers licenses.

Tips

1. If the taxi driver opens the window and asks you first where you are going - the next question will be how much fare you regularly pay. Unless you really are in a hurry, I suggest you stop annoying yourself, step away, and hail the next one.

2. Always remind the driver to switch-on the fare meter. It must be the LPG aroma or something as drivers tend to be forgetful these days.

3. Try to ask locals how much the usual fare is to your planned destination. Then make sure you have adequate change. Again, it must be the LPG aroma or something as drivers tend to round-up to the nearest 10s, 50s, 100s, etc if you pay using a large bill.

4. Lock all doors when inside. Not because the driver will invite others to share your ride (which can happen but very rarely), but because unwelcome visitors might want to "borrow indefinitely" your belongings on a stop while waiting for the green light.

5. Please, please say after me, "this vehicle is not my own." I know you won't leave your shiny PSP on a bench in Luneta so don't leave your belongings in the taxi either and expect it to be returned. Just like any other place in the world, not everyone is good.
6. The safest seat is at the back seat facing the driver. Back seats do not usually have seat belts but most front seats do not have working seat belts either.

7. If you are not Filipino and don't look like one, chances are, taxis will come to you. This is not necessarily good. Prepare to negotiate.

8. It is still recommended to ride reputable, company-owned taxis when you are a lady, alone, or when its late at night. Some companies offer 24/7 pick-up service - you pay an additional fee for the convenience. In all cases, make sure you or a friend take note of the vehicle's plate number.

8. Finally, a known fact, an uncool fact, and a tip - Taxi drivers are paid this way: anything in excess of their fixed "boundary" fee during their prescribed working hours is theirs. And they must make sure to return the vehicle washed and with a full-tank of gas. The "boundary" is a fixed taxi-owner's profit in exchange for allowing the taxi driver to use the vehicle.

For example, if the boundary fee is P500 for 12 hours of driving and around P500 for gas top-up; the driver needs to earn P1,000 first before he earns his pay. This naturally pushes the driver to maximize his time, disregarding traffic rules often, and try a few tricks to increase what he gets for every trip.

The situation is bad - both for the stressed driver and the unlucky passengers - but that is the way it is. The tip? Try to cut the driver some slack and avoid pissing each other off. Drivers are human too, and are usually good-natured if you also are to them.

/pnt

Doctor Quack Quack tulungan mo kami!

2009-07-22T07:57:00.000-07:00

Doctor Quack Quack help!
---

Wii what? It has become a different world. The electronic toys, the Internet, and growing paranoia in parents helped make it so.

I don't remember being addicted to electronic games before. Maybe because we never had them in such shiny variety of forms before. And probably because dad and mom wasn't easily convinced on buying these things for us. And I am actually thankful for what they did.

We played a lot back then. We ran, we jumped, we socialized, we fought- get hurt - and become friends again shortly, we sweated a lot, and we learned a lot while having fun. Kids played tumbang preso, mataya-taya, langit-lupa, block-1-2-3, luksong tinik, piko, trumpo, yo-yo, step-no, chinese garter, patintero, and a lot more. There was also teks and holens but since these require some money upfront and can become a childish form of gambling, we were discouraged from playing them.

It is different now what with kids content on staying at home, in a corner of the house, and happily push buttons. At a glance, this is parents' heaven - imagine not having to worry about your child playing outside. And thinking deeper, it seems a bit selfish. Kids are kids. They need to have many friends, they need to sweat, they need to get hurt and become stronger in the process, they need to have happy memories of being a kid.

Looking back, there was family computer then, atari, and stuff. But any kid then will drop everything at the sound of friends shouting outside calling to come out and play.

/pnt

Bancang papel at popsicle stik sa ulan

2009-07-16T07:32:00.000-07:00

Paper boats and popsicle sticks in the rain
---

This country as an archipelago is wonderfully surrounded by water. We are rich in picture perfect beaches, breathtaking dive spots, and fresh seafood catch. But as if we can't get enough H2O, monsoon rains and typhoons visit too.

It has always been like this for as long as I can remember - cool months of December and January extending sometimes until February. Then comes hot hot March until May. Then just when you get everyone together for a fun time at the beach, wet weather comes suddenly - from late June until November.

I remember that as a kid, my parents allowed me to run and play in the rain with my friends. Not on stormy weather of course, just the usual rain. And you can see all of the kids running on the streets while the adults are inside homes or with umbrellas at the gates, glancing every now and then.

Back then, discarded popsickle sticks from yummy ice buco transforms into imaginary speed boats in rain-filled street waterways! There are no bets made. Kids just do it because it is fun regardless of who wins - and we do it over and over for as long as there are drops of rain. There are different sizes of folded paper boats too, but they sink too quickly.

Rains are made especially memorable as it is also the time when Mama gets to cook the best chicken macaroni soup. Drying up after taking a shower and then soup. Life was perfect then.

/pnt

Tren at nilagang itlog

2009-07-15T07:27:00.000-07:00

Trains and boiled eggs
---

For me, the best way to Bicol from Manila is still by train.

I have fond memories of riding PNR trains. We usually visit the province every summer and in the 1980s, people still prefer riding trains. Province-bound buses then were only ordinary or deluxe (the difference is that ceilings have fans and seats can be reclined!*) and there were horror stories of buses falling ravines. Air travel was then only for the rich, or so I was told (I was little, I believed everything I was told).

As I can remember, PNR Bicol-bound trains had 3 types of coaches. First-class was air-conditioned and were for the elite (I don't remember riding first class often). Deluxe had reclining seats like first class but minus the air-conditioning. Ordinary was well, ordinary. Sometimes, there were "sleepers" - coaches that had beds instead of seats. I guess I had a lot of experience riding the "ordinary" hehe.

Travel time was looooong from Tutuban station (now a shopping mall) to Naga. I think it was about 11-14hrs then. But when you are a kid and Lola and Papa and Mama are with you (plus your toys and a promise of nice things to do with cousins when you arrive at your destination), that is all you ever care about - time stops. Lola also preferred riding the train as she doesn't get motion sickness and can get adequate sleep. Baon was boiled eggs.

Come to think of it, to this day I still don't understand - baon was boiled eggs - every single time we traveled to Bicol. Oh and yeah, I think the fare included breakfast of skyflakes and zesto and a wet towel.

It is definitely good news hearing that the government plans to revive the PNR southrail (Manila to Bicol). The news says provincial trains could be running again before this year ends. It would be nice to ride a province-bound train again, on the first class coach *wink*, and this time with my son. Baon will have to be egg sandwich for a change.

/pnt
*reserved for another story

Ordinary na Bus - mas mabilis pa sa alas-4

2009-07-12T02:28:00.000-07:00

Ordinary bus - quicker than 4-o-clock*
*A Filipino saying that means exaggeratedly quick. For example, "He's back at his desk from lunch quicker than 4-o-clock when the boss is around. " Nobody really knows why 4-o-clock is made as reference or if its AM or PM.
---

Only a handful of people I know ride ordinary city buses. There are in fact a good number of reasons why riding an ordinary bus is the better choice.

Known Facts

1. Naturally cooled - no airconditioning, no fans

2. Bench-type seats - old-school, no soft backrests, seat recline not yet invented

3. "Pull-string" to stop - signal the driver to stop by pulling the string on either side of the bus; the string runs from rear to front and is usually attached to a bell - or for the updated version, a lightbulb. Of course, you can always jump off while the light is red.

4. Cheaper ride - (as of Jul 2009) P9 is the minimum fare vs P11 for airconditioned buses

Cool Facts

1. At summer, sardine-packed airconditioned buses are actually less comfortable. While everyone tries to get into the airconditioned ones, there is always ample room in most ordinary buses. A good environmental rating too, if not for the old engine and resulting smoke.

2. Who wants to seat on leather or cloth anyway? especially if a thousand people sat first

3. Aside from puling the 'string', you can always opt to hit hard any metal on the bus with a coin, that works too

4. Cheaper is cheaper.

5. Passengers are nicer too. No loud (read: boastful) mobile phone calls or collegiala-wannabe noise.

6. Very safe - try yelling from inside a full airconditioned bus, all curtains down, in a stick-up situation

7. Virus-less - all windows open, just as the good doctor ordered

8. Very Fast - This is the best part, ordinary buses always prove to be the faster mode of transportation. Ordinary bus lines do not usually stop to queue along with other aircon buses nor their own. You need to hurry if you are to catch up and ride an ordinary bus whose drivers always seem to be itching for the road. A plus side is that the air is often cool as the bus speeds happily along.

You can try to clock time riding an ordinary bus from LRT Buendia to Ayala-Paseo at morning rush hour and compare that with any other transport including a taxi on the same route. You will be surprised.

Warning: As I said, they are fast. If you signal to stop and the driver obliges, be quick on your feet.

/pnt

Lumang tsinelas, bagong kwento

2009-07-12T01:04:00.001-07:00

Old slippers, new story
---

I must admit, I was never that good in speaking and writing in Filipino. This is despite being born in the Philippines and having this wonderful skin tone. I was born in Manila but both my parents are from Bicol.

At an early age, I was somehow able to understand and speak the Bicolandia dialect. Great! Problem is, my Filipino (back then it was fondly referred to as Tagalog) got all mixed up. And when I thought I had a handle of things, then came grade school and English.

This blog is my little way of trying to put things in order. I intend this to be a collection of sorts from childhood experiences to the present. And some random musings every now and then. All things proudly Filipino and of the Philippines.

Why name this pudpod na tsinelas? Because I dont ever remember not having a tsinelas. Its probably part of being a Filipino. We are so endeared to these that we use them all the time. There's light abaca for the bedroom, rubber non-slip for the bath room, and tough but comfortable ones for the outdoor. But whatever material it is made from or how much its retail worth (some brands are just so expensive!) - I hope you find a pair that fits you and serves you long and well.

/pnt