Wednesday, July 31, 2013

What items should be in your emergency kit?

Here in the Philippines, one must be prepared for any event.  An emergency kit or survival kit might be handy with the hope that we won't be able to use it.  Supplies that one needs should last 3 to 5 days as hopefully by then, we would have been rescued or safe to go out and reach out for help.

I think it's important to have the following items in the emergency kit:

1.  Water (bottled)- The recommended is 1 gallon of water that is safe for drinking per person.  It is also better if we could get a hold of water purification tablets, the recommendation is 1 tablet per person, per day.

2.  Food - Store food items that are non-perishable like easy-to-open canned goods, easy to open canned juices, hard candies, crackers, etc.

3.  Clothes (thermal wear) - Shirts (long & short sleeves), socks, jackets, pants, etc

4.  Tools & Gears:

a)  A key chain with the following items attached to it:  Swiss Army Knife (a handy multipurpose tool), a handy but strong flashlight (with extra batteries), and a whistle which can help one to call for help.
b)  Plastic bags - large garbage bags (to put stuffs and garbage or improvised rain coat) and resealable bags
c)  Rope (not nylon)
d)  Extra-batteries
e)  Candles & matches or lighter

5.    Personal Effects:

a)  Toiletries - toothpaste, toothbrush, soap, tissue, diapers, sanitary napkins, hand towels, comb etc.
b)  Umbrella.

6.  Money and Documents:

a)  Cash - loose change (in a plastic envelope or resealable plastic)
b)  Identification Cards (like passport)
c)  List of important information (SSS number, Philhealth number, etc)
e)  Important documents (Birth Certificate, Land Titles, etc)

7.  Communication:

a)  Battery-operated radio
b)  Cellphones
c)  Power banks

8.  First Aid kit:

a)  Alcohol
b)  Bandage
c)  Mosquito repellent
d)  Hydrogen peroxide
e)  Cotton/ cotton buds
f)  Adhesive tape
g)  Disposable gloves
h)  Thermometer
i)  Medicines - paracetamol/mefenamic, loperamide, antacid, maintenance drugs etc.

Note:  Keep in mind that these are only suggestions and should not be completed at once.  Don't panic buy.  Whenever you have money try to put something that you think is important in your emergency kit.  Put it in a waterproof container.


Reference:
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/lifestyle/07/14/10/prepare-your-own-storm-survival-kit
www.redcross.org.ph

Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Suggestions to Ease the Traffic in Metro Manila

I'm a proud Pinoy!  I am applauding Filipinos who are helping themselves, being part of the solution and trying to think and do ways to try and test new ideas for the benefit of the masses rather than those who won't give chances but are mostly complaining and not following through with their complaints.

If I would be given the chance to change the rules of traffic to help ease the flow of traffic around Metro Manila, here are my suggestions.

1.  What if we make the office hours of certain offices/industries in different shifts, in that way traffic rush can be minimized.  I suggest that some offices, depending on the industry, would have a shift from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.  Example:  Government offices, retail companies (not just malls) can have the shift from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; while advertising agencies, research agencies and the like could work from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.; meanwhile manufacturing companies can work from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

2.  There should be designated buses that are "terminal to terminal" only and reservations can be done online.  Schedule of the departure of trips should be strictly followed, although arrival time may vary.  Example (SM North Edsa to SM Makati with no drop-offs in between).

3.  Ban private vehicles from plying MAJOR thoroughfares if the only person inside the car is the driver unless it is an emergency (to be determined).  In that way, the owner of the car will find a way to share the road with a family member, a relative or a friend going to the same direction.  Note:  the companion or passenger should not be paying any fare.  I am suggesting this because I think having a passenger will lessen the volume of commuters, reinstitute the value of sharing and hopefully having a companion while driving will lessen the possibility of accidents.

4.  Barkers who usher commuters to ride jeep or buses for specific routes should be given a different role or abolished.  In the first place, commuters can read or ask the bus conductor if they have questions, barkers don't have to bark at commuters to ride specific routes. They don't add value to the commuting public nor the transport system, instead buses and jeeps are forcibly indebted to them.  Some of them even cause trouble to the bus or jeep that do not follow their "rules".

5.  I suggest that rather than ask traffic violators to pay penalties, why not penalize traffic violators with community work like cleaning the streets or "esteros", planting a number of trees and doing social work at the place where the violation took place especially if they are repeat offenders/violators.  The objective is for the violators to pay using their "time" rather than money so that there would be a lasting effect of the "penalty".  If they won't complete the task given, then their license won't be renewed on their next renewal schedule until such time that they complete their task.  This should also be implemented to commuters.

6.  JICA identified 3 main causes of traffic in 1999, namely:  bad driving habits, inadequate traffic enforcement and poorly coordinated infrastructure projects.

My suggestion for inadequate traffic enforcement.  We have so many laws, implement everything or make things simple.  Lawmakers, help!

7.  My suggestion for poorly coordinated infrastructure projects.  Coordination is the keyword here.

8.  My suggestion for bad driving habits - change driving habits that are bad.  Identify and change it.

I don't know why, but when I went to Davao and Palawan, although there are no traffic signals in every corner, the traffic is so smooth there.  People are just generally kind and are letting and giving way for other vehicles to pass.

In other parts of the country, taxi cabs are giving exact changes and whenever there is a senior citizen passenger, they would deduct 20% automatically to their fare even if the cab is full and not all are senior citizens.

It's just sad that here in Metro Manila generally (not all), drivers are just thinking about the "money" and getting through.  I know of a few who would put their hard earned money to gambling or casino after a day's work.  Is it the right kind of habit?

What I am saying is, we should all take part in changing the nation by changing ourselves, our behavior and attitudes.  Yes, a single peso is worth a lot to those who have none, but out of greed, that peso won't make anyone change their economic status.  So why not, let it go and live a life with a happy conscience.

I for one is making sure that whenever I cross the road, I am where I should be, the pedestrian lane.

Friday, July 26, 2013

Quezon City Bars With Live Performances

The following is the list of Quezon City bars/restaurants with live performances.  Please do call, check them out, read their reviews all over the net or visit their websites.  This is just a list that I compiled from the internet.  Although I have visited some of them, I am not familiar with some.  I am also not affiliated to any of them.  Their details could change without prior notice.

1.  BKB Black Kings Bar
Unit 101 West Life Building, 107 West Avenue, Quezon City
Telephone:  0917-8432708

2.  Conspiracy Garden Cafe
59 Visayas Avenue, Quezon City
Telephone:  920-6517, 453-2170

3.  Freedom Bar
2nd Floor Anonas Commercial Complex, 3 Anonas Road, Project 3, Quezon City
Telephone:  0917-9037124, 0919-8144885

4.  Ka Freddie's Bar
120 Tomas Morato St. Quezon City
Telephone:  0920-9548451

5.  Metro Concert Bar
47 West Avenue, Quezon City
Telephone:  412-6514, 374-7505

6.  Moomba Bar & Restaurant1810 Mother Ignacia Street Corner Roces Avenue
Telephone:  371-1973, 373-8427


7.  Padi's Point Restaurant & Bar

Araneta
G/F Araneta Coliseum Arcade, Araneta Center, Cubao, QC
9136075

Novaliches
375 Quirino Highway, Sangandaan, Novaliches, Q.C
937-8991

Philcoa3rd floor, Femar Arcade Philcoa 34 Masaya St. Diliman, Quezon City 

Robinson's Novaliches
JT 001 Robinson's Novaliches Market, Quirino Hi-way Novaliches, Q.C.

SM North Edsa

Sky-Garden, SM North Edsa, Quezon City332-2794

Tomas Morato
G/F Century Imperial Suites, T. Morato, Q.C. 

9207864

8.  Route 196 Bar
196-A Katipunan Avenue Extension, Blue Ridge A, Quezon City.
Telephone:  439-1972

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Fun Things To Do at Quezon City Memorial Circle (QCMC)

1.  Ride the Zip Line - Forty feet high and 200 meters long.  Before embarking on an exciting adventure of riding a longer and more thrilling zip line ride, why not test the waters and do it here.  This ride is open everyday (weekdays 11 am to 8 pm; weekends 8 am to 9 pm.  Fees: PhP 100 (1-way), PhP 150 (2-way).

2.  Visit the Quezon Memorial Shrine Museum - You wouldn't miss this museum at the center of the Quezon City Memorial Circle.  It houses the supposedly tomb of President Manuel Luis Quezon and his memorabilia.  It is free (donations are accepted) and open to the public from Tuesday to Sunday (8 am to 4 pm).

3.  Play -  Play at the Circle of Joy, a big playground where kids can run around and play with other kids.  Make sure that you keep your eyes on your kids all the time.  You can also bring your badminton or tennis sets or your volleyball to play with your friends.  You can also just jog around to check out the scenery.

4.  Paddle & Pedal Go Kart - Price ranging from 30 to 100 Pesos.

5.  Ride a bike at the Bicycle Station - Bike for an hour.  Before choosing a bike make sure that the breaks are working great.

6.  Dine at restaurants, eat street food or have a picnic - The food here is moderately priced so you can either bring your own food and have a picnic with family and friends.  There are also restaurants in the vicinity.

7.  Visit the tiangge stalls.

8.  Watch the dancing fountain (Circle of Lights).  It is nice to watch to cap the day with its colorful array of lights.

Note:  Prices are subject to change.

Friday, July 19, 2013

Quezon City Accommodations Below 1000 Pesos

If you are looking for a place to stay in Quezon City, where you will spend most of your time outside anyway,  I suggest you look for a decent place to spend the night at the most affordable rates you can find.  

You can try the following Quezon City hotel or apartelles with rates below 1,000 on a 24-hour stay with Aircon.  Please note that you should try to do some research over the internet or better yet call and check these guys out.  If you have a friend who lives in Quezon City, try asking them a favor if they can do some ocular inspection of the place.  

Here are some things that you should ask these budget-friendly hotels in Quezon City:

1.  Lowest price for an overnight stay for 1 to 2 persons.
2.  If they require a deposit upon check-in or if they accept credit card payments
3.  Amenities (TV, aircon, hot and cold shower, etc.)
4.  Wifi availability.
5.  Check-in and check-out time.
6.  Accessibility (banks, restaurant, malls etc)
7.  Transport near the area.
8.  If they require a reservation or if they accept walk-ins.

Budget-friendly accommodation in Quezon City (below P1000)

1.  One Mackinson Place
82 Road 3, Project 6, Quezon City
Telephone:  703-9041, 921-0541
Mobile:  0917-897-1627
Starts at PhP 450

2.  School of Labor and Industrial Relations (SOLAIR)
School of Labor and Industrial Relations, Bonifacio Hall, E. Jacinto St. University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City
Telephone:  927-8340.
Starts at P600


3.  Honey's West Apartelle
51 West Avenue, Quezon City
Telephone:  374-8981
Starts at PhP 800

4.  Park Vil-la Apartelle
1541 Quezon Avenue Cor. Examiner Street, West Triangle Quezon City
Telephone:  929-8618, 426-5497
Starts at PhP 800

5.  Haeinsa Condotel
23 Makisig St. Brgy. Pinyahan, Diliman, Quezon City
Telephone:  407-0188
Mobile:  0923-872-9989
Starts at PhP 880

6.  Dangay Suites Apartelle
99-A Dangay St. Project 7, Quezon City
Telephone:  577-4224
Mobile:  0917-553-8558
Starts at PhP 896

7.  Eleganza Apartelle
41 Mindanao Avenue, Barangay Bagong Pagasa, Quezon City
Telephone:  425-0311 
Starts at P900

8.  Ramberry Hotel
90 Matatag St. Pinyahan, Quezon City
Telephone:  920-1099
Starts at PhP 950

Please note that I am not connected to any of these establishments.  Prices of the above establishments are subject to change without notice.

Thursday, July 18, 2013

Calamansi: Power Drink

Every morning (at around 6:30 am to 7:00 am), I try as much as I can, whenever possible and available, to drink Calamansi.  This is my power drink.  Got the idea from Bo Sanchez, you can look him up and read his complete report on drinking Calamansi as one of his 52 Healing Habits.

Here are some things to remember when drinking Calamansi as your power drink:

1.  Drink Calamansi first thing in the morning on an empty stomach.  Why drink Calamansi on an empty stomach?  It is said to be an Alkaline food as long as it is not mixed with water.

2.  Slice the Calamansi (green one) at the side, so that you won't cut the seeds.

3.  Squeeze 8 Calamansi in a glass.  Why drink only 8 Calamansi and not the recommended 28 Calamansi?
Given my financial status, 8 Calamansi works for me right now so that I could drink it everyday.  If I drink the 28 Calamansi, I wouldn't be able to drink it everyday.  Note that the recommended daily Calamansi to take as your power drink is 28.

4.  Stir it with fork so the pulp of the seed will separate from it, remove the seeds using the fork and drink it straight.

5.  I go to work and I don't feel hungry until 10 am when I take a break. Why wait until 10 am to eat?
I wake up at around 6:30 am to 7:00 am and I would always be in a rush to go to work by 8:00 am.  It is recommended to eat after an hour but with the rush of going to work and doing work, I can only eat during morning break at 10 am.  Between those times I do not feel hungry and my energy level is above average as compared to having a heavy breakfast.

6.  I feel that my body is being cleansed because my metabolism is better.

7.  In the morning, I don't feel sluggish or sleepy, my energy level is great that even if I haven't had my breakfast, I don't feel that I need to eat something.

8.  I also noticed that even if the people at work have colds or cough every now and then due to certain virus or the changing weather, I don't catch the cold or cough.

Even if the stated benefits are incidental, I would continue to drink Calamansi everyday.  Please note that I am not enrolled YET in the 52 Healing Habits Program by Bo Sanchez.

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

How to Transfer BIR Registration (Individual) to a different BIR Regional District Office (RDO)

In the case of my doctor friend who works before in Manila and now has moved to Quezon City, she must update and transfer her BIR registration to the BIR RDO which has jurisdiction over her new business address.

To facilitate the transfer to the new BIR RDO, below is the checklist for TRANSFER PER REVENUE REGULATION NO. 5-2010).  Note that this checklist was given to her by a BIR RDO in Manila.

1.  Form 1905 and Annex A & B (Form for Transfer)
2.  Photocopy of Certificate of Registration (C.O.R.)
3.  Inventory of Unused Receipt
4   Transfer Commitment Form, duly notarized.
5.  Copy of Amended SEC/DTI Certificate (with the new address)
6.  Copy of proof of payment of Mayor's Permit from where the taxpayer is transferring his profession/business
7.  Barangay Clearance to operate in the new place where the business/practice of profession will be conducted.
8.  Board Resolution approving the transfer of business address (if applicable) or copy of lease contract executed for the new place of business (if applicable).

Please note that some forms can be found in the BIR website.

Please contact the nearest BIR in your place for inquiries and clarifications.

Friday, July 12, 2013

Claiming of TESDA National Certificate (NC II) / Certificate of Competency (COC)

To claim your TESDA National Certificate II (NC II)/Certificate of Competency (COC), you need to do the following:

1.  Go to any TESDA Division Office.  See the link for TESDA QC Division Office.
2.  Submit your Competency Assessment Result Summary (CARS).  This was given to you during your TESDA National Certification Exam.  It must indicate that you are "COMPETENT".
3.  Bring 1 pc. picture (passport size, white background, neutral expression, with collar and the picture must be printed on a chemical-based photo paper)
4.  You will be asked to wait for them to verify your records.
5.  Your name will be called to pay the PhP 50 fee.
6.  You will be asked to wait for them to print your certificate and put your picture on it.
7.  Your name will be called for you to receive your National Certificate/Certificate of Competency along with the receipt of the PhP 50 fee.  They will ask you to sign their logbook as well.
8.  Before leaving TESDA Division Office, make sure that the information in your National Certificate (NC) or Certificate of Competency (COC) is correct.



You can also read:

NC/COC Renewal Requirements

Courier Service in QC that process National Certificates (Tesda)

How To Go To Tesda Quezon City

Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Quezon City is located at Bituan St. Brgy. Doña Imelda, Araneta Avenue, Quezon City (Telephone:  7110244 )

To go to TESDA QC coming from SM North Edsa, you can do the following:

1.  Ride a Quiapo route jeepney, ask the driver to drop you off at Araneta Avenue.
2.  Cross the street, where Jollibee and Sanctuarium is located.
3.  There is a Sta Mesa route Jeepney Terminal on the street beside the Sanctuarium.  Pay the fare in exchange for a token and give the token to the person in charge of the line.
4.  Look out for the Iglesia ni Cristo on your left, alight at the stop light next to Iglesia ni Cristo
5.  Cross the street where you can see the arch of Brgy. Doña Imelda.
6.  Walk straight until you pass by the Barangay Hall and Betty Go Belmonte Elementary School on your right.
7.  Turn left on the street after Betty Go Belmonte Elementary School.
8.  On your right, you will see the TESDA logo on the wall of the TESDA QC Building.

Thursday, July 11, 2013

8 Things I Love About Alcatel Sapphire 2

Here is a list of the things I love about my new Alcatel One Touch Sapphire 2.  I bought mine just last week.

1.  Dual Sim Phone - It is a significant factor when I decided to buy a new phone.  I needed a phone that has a dual sim capability.  I am using 2 different phones from two different providers.  I use one sim more for personal reasons and the other one for professional/business communication.  I noticed that I tend to take one for granted, meaning sometimes I would forgot one phone or forgot to charge it because I didn't use it for a few days.  Bringing two cellphones and all the peripherals that came with it is also not practical.  So I thought that a 2-in-1 phone, an Alcatel Sapphire 2, would really be a minimalist move.

2.  Smart Phone - The two cellphones I had before was one with the basic features (old model) and the other one is a smart phone with an old android system.  With my growing need to electronically organize and do more with a cellphone, choosing a model, Alcatel Sapphire 2, with a newer version of Android is a no brainer.

3.  Camera - I want a decent one that can take clear pictures and clear videos.  I was not disappointed with Alcatel Sapphire 2 at all, I even uploaded some pictures directly from my phone to Facebook.  It also has a panoramic mode.  It has a LED flash that acts as a flashlight and if you need to capture videos in a not so lighted venue then it can light up the scene.

4.  Sound - The speaker of Alcatel Sapphire 2 is loud and clear enough to enjoy the music.

5.  Video Playback - The screen is 4.5" and QHD 540 x 960 pixels so you can watch movies on the fly with Alcatel Sapphire 2.

6.  Battery - For a moderate user like me, I usually charge the phone every other day.  Sometimes I don't even turn off the WIFI and it can last up to 2.5 days.  I love that Alcatel Sapphire 2 has 1800 mAh unlike other phones with almost similar features.

7.  Speed - It's fast enough for me coming from a 600 MHZ CPU phone.  I am not a heavy gamer with my phone, but the games I've downloaded with Alcatel Sapphire 2 like Temple Run 2, Cut the Rope and others run smoothly.

8.  Physical Build - Well even if I still haven't bought a phone case, the Alcatel Sapphire 2 doesn't feel too fragile unlike some of the phones that I checked.  It seems sturdy.