NAIA terminals yellow cabs - shams!!

Two years ago I was glad NAIA finally had an organized metered taxi system with brand new cars. Mostly toyota vios yellow cabs. At first it was great since they charge Php70 flag down and 4 pesos increments as compared to the fixed rate taxis which charges Php450 up to Makati. The other common white taxis are just too old and should be taken off Manila roads. With the yellow cabs I would only pay around Php200-250. But that was then. NOW these yellow cabs are getting just like the crooked independent old taxis. They have a standard rate but they cheat and swindle travellers!! I heard they were featured in IMBESTIGADOR last October 2009. But my last trip was in November 2009 and still the taxi i got has tampered meter and cheat driver!

The victims ofcourse are tired travelers, clueless tourists or returning OFWs.

SO WATCH OUT FOR THE YELLOW CABS IN NAIA TERMINALS!!

BEFORE BOARDING, CONFIRM WITH THE DRIVER IF THE METER IS NOT TAMPERED AND THE STANDARD RATES WILL BE FOLLOWED. YOU CAN ACTUALLY COMPUTE TOTAL FARE BASED ON THE STANDARD RATE.

I don't actually mind if they RAISE the standard rates. The point here is that these people doing business with the public should learn to respect and FOLLOW RULES!

McCarran Airport - Las Vegas

McCarran Airport - Las Vegas, originally uploaded by edbumalo.

I stepped at McCarran Internation Airport... literally.

For more information about my Vegas trip CLICK HERE.

90 Days In Miami

I will be based in Miami, Florida USA for 3 months. So I created another blog specifically for my 90 Days In Miami.

Investiiing!!

Mistake#1: I bought UITF in 2007 when Phil stocks are on record high.

Lesson#1: Be well informed before investing (in anything). Before investing in financial markets, read wall street journal or other financial related columns or at least watch or listen to business news. Know the trends, learn a bit of stock market history.

Mistake#2: I cashed-out in May 2009 when the stocks showed some recovery. From the news, I have an idea the stock market will recover in May and June. But I badly needed the cash in May so I have to withdraw. Unfortunately, the stocks gained more than 5% after my withdrawal.

Lesson#2: Do not invest in high-risk products if you can not hold it long-term. If you believe you'll be needing that cash soon (less than 3 years) then invest in safer products like time deposits or money market. I guess this is the reason why banks wants to know the percentage your investment from your total liquid assets. It is not advisable to invest most of your cash into high-risk products.

ZoukOut Singapore 2008

ZoukOut Singapore 2008, originally uploaded by edbumalo.

This is the annual beach party at Siloso beach (Sentosa) held every month of December. It was very well organized but the beach, i must say, is no match to our beaches.

So... theres entrance fee, not so accessible since Siloso beach is inside Sentosa which is an island of theme park and resorts, whole night of music from local and international bands, booze and disco on the beach.

Photo taken with my SE W9601 phone.

Who will be the next president??

It was not waste of time watching the Ateneo leadership forum. I learned many things about these individuals who expressed intentions to be the Philippines next president. Photo by: flickr/jvnunag

Here's my opinion:

Gordon - i will vote for him if election is held today. good background. sounds intelligent. mature and with excellent experience in public service. nice american name as well, easy for mass voters to remember.

Teodoro - harvard educated lawyer, good reputation and with great ideals. with good public service experience though unknown to most voters. i think he is clean and desires change for good. with elite image and could be hard to campaign for the masses.

Escudero - looks young and sounds young. full of great ideals and have great appeal to young people, perhaps due to his speaking skills. belongs to political clan which may not be good. he is a UP educated lawyer with one year stint at Georgetown University.

Panlilio - there's a joke "road map to recovery" is written over his face. like religion he offers hope for the hopeless. but lacks experience compared to others. could be favorite among those who hates traditional politicians. will likely be influenced by catholic church. last name hard to write and remember.

Roxas - son of ex-president. name easy to write. young and with vision for this country. future husband of korina sanchez. looks adventurous. may not be favorite for chick voters.

There should be more forums like this or televised debates for presidential candidates. And people should not vote for those who don't attend forums. I suspect they prefer going to places to convince the vulnerable masses to vote for them rather than spending few hours on TV to subject themselves to questions and let the general public know what they want to do and their potential to make it happen.

Life @ 28

I have been to lot of travels and adventures recently but had no time to post here. Now I am officially 28 and so i have to update at least the title of this blog. I will still post here life adventures from my life @ 27. Belated happy B-day to me!!!

Canon 850 IS -- Singapore

I will be in Singapore on the week of May 18. Canon 850 IS is selling here in Manila for around Php14K but this is only between Php11-12K in Singapore. This is a very good digital camera. I already bought one for my sister.

If you're interested to purchase, just leave a message and will get in touch. Can probably sneak in 3 units in my luggage.

PAL Tagal

PAL Tagal, originally uploaded by edbumalo.

Came through this picture in my archives which instantly reminded me of lots of troubles I had while traveling with the Philippine Airlines. This shot was taken in Bangkok in 2007. Flashing proudly on the airports flight sched monitor – PR0731 MANILA DELAYED.

Back in 2006 I slept at NAIA T2 for about 5 hours waiting for a PAL plane which supposed to depart at 11AM. We were advised our flight will depart at 6PM instead. So much trouble for some travelers but for me it was a perfect timing! I had a terrible hang over it was almost impossible for me to be on that flight. But I was allowed to check-in and pass through immigration. I already conditioned my mind to use those sanitary bags. This was the only time I was really thankful for a delayed PAL.

Few weeks ago I decided to travel via PAL Express - AirPhil domestic flight going to Tuguegarao. Travel time is only 1hr and the ticket is only Php1,300 one way. So 10AM I was at the airport for my 11AM flight. While queuing to check-in, the clerk announced the plane will arrive only at 2PM. I was not surprised and not much hassle for me cause I had the whole day allotted for travel and my family is with me at the airport. But for one Caucasian who seems a regular flyer… “Late again?? This is not PAL Express, change your name to PAL Tagal!!!”.

Sunset@PuertoGalera

Sunset@PuertoGalera, originally uploaded by edbumalo.

4th time in Puerto Galera... but 1st time with a Canon DSLR. Though known as the nearest “white beach” south of Manila, getting there actually takes more time than going to Boracay – 3 hrs drive to Batangas Port and an hour boat ride to the island. Will only take around 2hrs to get into your hotel in Boracay but of course there’s the hassle of booking tickets, hotel reservation, transpo etc.

Nick the Dragon Slayer

Once upon a time lived a beautiful Queen with voluptuous breasts.

Nick the Dragon Slayer obsessed over the Queen for this reason. He knew that the penalty for his desire would be death should he try to touch them, but he had to try.

One day Nick revealed his secret desire to his colleague, Horatio the Physician, the King's chief doctor.Horatio thought about this and said that he could arrange for Nick to more than satisfy his desire, but it would cost him 1000 gold coins to arrange it. Without pause Nick readily agreed to the scheme.

The next day, Horatio made a batch of itching powder and poured a little bit into the Queen's brassiere while she bathed. Soon after she dressed, the itching commenced and grew intense. Upon being summoned to the Royal Chambers to address this incident, Horatio informed the King and Queen that only a special saliva, if applied for four hours, would cure this type of itch, and that tests had shown that only the saliva of Nick would work as the antidote to cure the itch.

The King quickly summoned Nick. Horatio then slipped Nick the antidote for the itching powder, which he put into his mouth, and for the next four hours, Nick worked passionately on the Queen's voluptuous and magnificent breasts.The Queen's itching was eventually relieved, and Nick left satisfied andhailed as a hero.

Upon returning to his chamber, Nick found Horatio demanding his payment of 1,000 gold coins. With his obsession now satisfied, Nick couldn't have cared less and, knowing that Horatio could never report this matter to the King, and with a laugh told him to get lost.

The next day, Horatio slipped a massive dose of the same itching powder into the King's underwear. The King immediately summoned Nick.

The moral of the story - Pay your bills

Viva La Vida

I used to rule the world
Seas would rise when I gave the word
Now in the morning I sleep alone
Sweep the streets I used to own

I used to roll the dice
Feel the fear in my enemy's eyes
Listen as the crowd would sing"Now the old king is dead!
Long live the king!"

One minute I held the key
Next the walls were closed on me
And I discovered that my castles stand
Upon pillars of salt and pillars of sand

I hear Jerusalem bells a ringing
Roman Cavalry choirs are singing
Be my mirror, my sword and shield
My missionaries in a foreign field

For some reason I can't explain
Once you go there was never
Never an honest word
And that was when I ruled the world

It was the wicked and wild wind
Blew down the doors to let me in
Shattered windows and the sound of drums
People couldn't believe what I'd become

Revolutionaries wait
For my head on a silver plate
Just a puppet on a lonely string
Oh who would ever want to be king?

Happy 2009!!! Year of the Ox..

It is time again to count blessings and to list wishes. 2008 was generous all in all.
1. Had summer 2008 trip in Laoag
2. Been to Japan twice - this is something cause it's really expensive for us - working class - to visit Japan. 5 star accomodation + airfare costs around 500k for 25 days. It was hectic business trips but still I enjoyed the best Japanes foods walked around the city after office and during week ends.
3. Spent 1 week in Jakarta (2nd time) - again its business trip but i will remember those old and creepy buses (like those old ordinary bus from EDSA to Fairview) on the roads of Jakarta. They have the worst transport system i have seen so far. No mono rail or subway but instead plenty of what we call habal-habal in Mindanao. Noted however that Jakarta has more and bigger upscale shopping malls. Shoes are cheap in Jakarta. Ofcourse I did not leave Indonesia with out a taste of Soup Bontot... real Oxtail Soup.
4. Assigned to Singapore twice - SG is much better than HK unless you're out there to shop. Singapore is more diverse and Filipinos can easily blend with the locals. Plus the birds in Orchard Road sound like those wild birds we call "Martin or martinis" in the mountains of Luzon.
5. Got my US Visa for around 7k + half day of queing at the the embassy. I met a distant cousin along the queue. He is a PT in Tennessee.
I have few wishes.. maybe I should think of more before writing down.

Destination: Singapore

"You cant Trus Anyone These Days....." - House of Condoms @ Orchard Road

I heard this is a popular local brand. There is also local fast food named Jolly-V. These are probably among reasons why Jollibee is not in Singapore. =)

Japan's Transport Minister quits

Nakayama said he was stepping down to avoid a disruption of parliamentary debate. He explained that if he had stayed on, the opposition would have wasted time in parliament questioning him and Aso about his comments rather than focusing on emergency measures needed to shore up Japan's sagging economy.

Well... this is Japan. In PH "quitting" is not in the vocabulary of politicians.

Makati CDB should be overlooking Manila Bay

Maybe foreign investments will come in and set up office here.... just because of this wonderful view every after office hours... hehehe. And it isvery close to the old Manila and Malate. Most of the existing buildings along Roxas boulevard are casinos, hotels and few small offices.

Tokyo Tower taken with my Sony Ericsson W960i

Tokyo Tower is just behind Prince Park Hotel in Minato-ku.

"The 332.6-meter-tall (1,091 ft) orange and white lattice communications tower is the tallest self-supporting steel structure in the world, the tallest artificial structure in Japan, and was the 11th tallest tower in the world.^[3] Built in 1958, this Eiffel Tower-like structure supports an antenna that broadcasts television and radio signals for important Japanese media outlets. In recent years, the tower has also been instrumental in Japan's push to switch from an analog signal to digital signal."

Tokyo walk on Havaianas would cost JPY2,000

Divide it by 2 and thats Php1,000. Manila price is i think around Php600-800.

Just another over priced brand flip flops.

"The Zori (a Japanese style sandal) was the inspiration for the creation of the Havaianas sandal in 1962."

Tokyo - Beers and cigarrettes

Pictured below are at the Prince Park Tower hotel shop so it's pricey. It would costs around JPY150 in convenience stores (7-11 or amPm). In restaurants a mug of beer is expensive at JPY600-800.

Can't tell if these cigarettes packs are expensive (i don't smoke). Cigarettes are normally sold through this amazing vending machines. They're introducing new machines which uses cash cards; just swipe the card push the button of your choice and pack of cigarette rolls out.

Tokyo - Food grocery stores

Most Tokyo people perhaps don't have time to prepare food after work. So food grocery stores are common. Just take it out reheat and its ready to eat.

Cheapest of those food pieces is around JPY100 (Php45).