The aftermath of "Basyang"

Even if the Philippines is frequently visited by typhoons, it is still hard to predict the scenarios it will bring despite how prepared people are in certain weather conditions.

Typhoon Basyang was within the Philippine Area of Responsibility on July 13 and having slow movement towards North Luzon. The weather bureau had a last minute forecast of the storm heading its path in Manila. Strong winds began whistling around Manila and nearby areas around 12 midnight of July 14. A little prepared though because of the shock brought about by Ondoy last year, the city reported slight damages particularly bended billboards and uprooted trees.

Some of electrical devices and equipments of MERALCO (Manila Electric Company) were affected by the high winds having them decide to cut the power supply of the city as well as nearby provinces.Apparently, no heavy rains coincided with it although in some parts of Luzon, there were landslides and floods.

Due to a total blackout that morning, trains of Light Railway Transit (LRT) and Metro Railway Transit (MRT) cancelled their operations. Thousands of commuters were left stranded on that day. All classes were suspended. Business establishments continued their operations, coping with zero power supply. Electricity was restored in different times within that day.

Hurray! Just a happy feeling and commercialization

I got a comment on my post! I am indeed so happy. Now I believe what my other co-bloggers in the blogging world are saying that once you had your first comment on your blog, you will treasure it a lifetime. Why? Simply because the purpose of blogging is not just storing thoughts, reflecting it in words and posting it in letters. The main purpose of blogging is for us to have something to share and have someone else absorb it. With my first comment on my blog, I got inspired even more to have something to share. So on next posts, I will try my very best to make this blog worth reading. Thanks!

Moving on, I happened to notice Bulacan State University (BSU), the only government-run university in our province. The place had a huge development. It evolved to something I never imagined when I was a little. The front gate of BSU before is just an open field. Now, you can see different establishments standing on the area making the front gate hardly noticeable.

A newly-opened Robinson's Supermarket is now up and running. You can also find McDonald's, Gerry's Grill, Mini-Stop and other food store choices. Also, PureGold Supermarket marked a success in months of operation. Below are some photos of the university's front gate. Where is the gate? Ahm... at the mall's right side, literally beside it

You really can never question how change will strike your eye. I remember, one time how old folks would tell me stories on how a certain object was not yet there and suddenly it was build up. And I go, what significance would it bring upon sharing to me these stories.

For a nostalgia, I am now reminiscing how the place look like, before industrialization and commercialization took place in the city. What a...! Am I already getting old..?

Another food for thought

After the traffic battles I experienced a couple of days ago, I realized that I was really not alone experiencing the static traffic in the metro. Even the president himself was a victim of this unexpected situation. I posted here my road experience last Friday and was surprised of the news later saying that the president being late in his appointment on that day. Last Wednesday is another traffic extravaganza (what shall I expect) and knowing later again in a news bulletin that our beloved president was late in the mass officiated on that day for the new appointees. Now is the time to further implement again our road rules and create possibilities to ease this non-moving scenario on the road. Do you think it is now quite alarming that traffic causes all Filipinos to be late, even our respected head of state and highest official?

Enough has been said, so moving on, I was walking one day along EDSA (well, on the sidewalk) because I was literally afraid to be stuck again in traffic. As my feet moved patiently towards my destination, I happened to drop by in this food store. Much as into food fascination, I eagerly tried to eat in this karinderia-like-fast food chain. The eatery is a wow, and it is called Manong Pepe.

The karinderia is a Jollibee Foods Corporation subsidiary making it reliable when it comes to food service.The best thing of all, the menu is very cheap. Their rainy season menu (lugaw, sotanghon, tokwa't baboy) unbelievably starts at P15. Their breakfast menu starts at P25 that includes rice. There are also choices for lunch and dinner. Manong Pepe is located along EDSA in Cubao and plans to open other branches in Metro Manila.

Jam-packed traffic

Cars, buses, jeepneys, tricycles... they are all everywhere. As much as I wanted to be early today, I failed to do so because of the one so-called reason, TRAFFIC!

In a small road, you will never imagine how thousands of vehicles were able to fit in, and all in different kinds and sizes. Rush hour starts 7am in our province, where almost half of the population are going to school, work, or just merely traveling from one barangay to another or even leap from one region to another. In my case, I travel from Central Luzon to the National Capital Region (my brain is spreading and overwhelmed with these words) and I approximate my travel time to almost an hour with a continuous ride on a bus.Much to my dismay, it did not work! That was almost three hours spending my time sitting and waiting to arrive in my destination.

It was a Friday morning yet all roads were filled in. How come! Usually, Mondays were expected to be jam-packed as everyone who spent their weekends in the province will rush their way to Manila.But today was a different scenario.

I remember listening to the radio one time, and this announcer was blaming all passenger vehicles as he say were causing the heavy traffic in the Metro. Drivers who just overtake other co-drivers who happened to be so slow on the road; or perhaps blaming drivers that are not on the right lanes just like in EDSA where yellow lanes are intended for yellow-plated vehicles or the passenger buses and the like.

What I noticed today is different. There are few passenger-type vehicles running on the road, merely because it's Friday and there are few passengers waiting for their services. To my surprise is the volume of private vehicles "crawling" on the road with only one load, the driver.

Imagine one car occupying almost five-square foot of the road, that is much of a space. Those critiques are always blaming the public rides and do not see how private vehicles contribute enough to make the traffic jam-packed. This is despite of all car plates are now color-coded which are not allowing them to travel on the road on specific days corresponding their last plate number.

Somehow, I can not paste any possible solution here and I leave it up to the government who tried their very best to ease the packed road. But I think further regulations must be addressed for non-car owners who suffer on the road or perhaps lessen the volumes on national roads or maybe provide alternate routes for private vehicles. I don't know. Maybe.

Hoping for a nice flowing road everyday! and please... no traffic!

Strawberry fancies and more: "Escapade to Baguio part 3"

This is the most exciting part of my visit to Baguio City. I had a chance to visit the strawberry farm in La Trinidad. Strawberries are very much popular in the city and most of the visitors will have a chance to pick the ripe ones straight from the plant.

I was quite not that lucky because strawberries are not in season today. Well, few of them were sprouting. Strawberries are shy during rainy season. I got a few close-ups of some red pretty strawberries.

It is really no doubt that strawberry is very popular in Baguio. You may be able to see different delicacies in strawberry flavors or some with touches of strawberry, like this taho. This is a superb Filipino delicacy made with soya, this time with a twist of real strawberry and flavored syrup.

Moving on after these tickling strawberries, I also had a chance to visit the Bell Church. This place is very much similar to Chinatown in Manila. Here are some pictures of it.

The most solemn part of the day is having a visit at the Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes. I also had a chance to visit the Good Shepherd House. Both are perfect place for silent moments and personal reflections.

This wonderful escapade is really unforgettable. It really made myself relaxed and enjoy the moment of it.

Somehow as I finally got home, my mind still sees this beautiful environment, cool breeze and nice places. Truly, I will still plan to go back and experience it over and over again. And now I see my way home at the expressway wondering when to come back.

Garden paths: "Escapade to Baguio part 2"

The cool breeze of Baguio woke me up with a smile and turned myself to be excited for the next journey we had. A cup of coffee will really start your day to ease the coldness of dawn until you feel the first rays of the sun. On the second day of our escape to the summer capital, we visited the Mines View Park.

There are lots of picturesque scenery you can find there. Actually, you will be amazed of different spots for picture taking. Also, you can find lots of goodies for memorabilia and for the nostalgia, all showing the rich culture of Baguio City. The photo below shows a view of different houses that looks like a connected Lego pieces.

A view of the mountains just very near the clouds and fog. Imagine the top of the mountain kissing the cool breeze of clouds. Rains fall down easily in Baguio and that helps a lot in maintaining its cool temperature.

Many jewelry lovers will also love a place of silver choices and ornaments for accessories.

Next stop is the Wright Park wherein I myself got fascinated with the horses. Horses there comes in different colors, really amazed me a lot. The staircases are also picturesque, much of a really good experience.

I also had a chance to see the front view of The Mansion. This is the official residence of the president whenever he is having a visit to Baguio or in some nearby areas attending functions and gatherings.

In the Botanical Garden, feed your eyes with different plants and flowers and enrich your sight with spots and scenery.

Shopping! There are lots of stores wherein you can buy different native products, all capturing the culture of this city. Delicacies such as strawberry wine, peanut brittle, strawberry jam and others are surely mouth-watering.

The Philippine Military Academy is also situated here. Here you can find a very large camp and training area for the country's future defenders.

Alright, so enough for the second day. I will now ride this white horse to drive me in this sunflower path to look for 'zombies on the lawn.'