New taxi rate in Metro Manila

The new taxi rates are expected to be implemented today. From P30, the minimum fare is now P40 and the additional charge for every 300-meter distance jumps from P2.50 to P3.50.

So this would mean that if I am used to paying P65 from my place going to work, I would approximately add P15-20 should I decide to take a cab.

The new hike order covers Metro Manila and Cebu City.

Taxi drivers and operators however, need to install calibrated meter that issue receipts. Failure to do so, passengers can refuse to pay the new fare.

I heard it would cost like P4,000 for the calibration. With that, I doubt if taxis would b able to install it immediately. It will probably take a month or 2 to have get it done.

For sure, this would impact on how things are.  Salaried employee like me would most likely consider taking a jeepney or FX instead unless, there would be a salary hike too.

Diet mode

I can't believe I'm doing this, but I am doing it. For now, at least. I am eating oats and veggies for breakfast, lunch and dinner.  Have a quick snack on fruits and yogurt.  And munch on nuts when I feel like it. I also have biscuits that go handy at work. So, what the heck is going on? Well, the doctor's finding was enough. I have gained more pounds for the past year. Binge eating due to stress and my frustrations in life have lead me to this!  Who wouldn't love chocolate when you are broken-hearted?  An icecream when you get frustrated with work?  It is just so easy to eat and swallow those delicious and comforting food that makes your problems vanish for a moment. It is just so enticing!

But, right now, I have to make a decision whether to go on eating like there is no tomorrow or do something with my excess pounds. I have chosen the latter. So help me God.

Lay Bare

The shave is one of the girl’s best friends. It is true to me and it surely is to a lot of women. But with the discovery of waxing, it is time to re-think.

The thought of being hairless is simply irresistible. It may mean beauty or good hygiene, but where it all began and where the notion of having less hair is better is coming from – I don’t know. But what I am sure of, it feels good.

If you are one of those women who are used to shaving their legs, armpits or wherever, or if you are used to plucking, I think it is time to give waxing a chance. It is really painful for first-timer. I cried when I first did.  I thought the magazine I brought could help me but instead what I did was to grip on it to the point of tearing it. Yes, it is painful.  But as what the staff told me, I had a very high tolerance to pain because I wasn’t yelling or cursing. Yes, it is painful at first but I tell you, after seeing the results, you will surely be glad that you have gone through it.

After waxing, you will notice that your skin is smoother and the hair re-growth is finer.

Lay Bare is the perfect place that I will suggest to ladies who wants to do it.  They use cold sugar wax jelly that is made of sugar, calamansi and honey.  Visit their website at: http://www.lay-bare.com/laybare-ui/

Lay Bare is almost everywhere in the country. They even have branches in some provincial areas already.

Here are their branches in Metro Manila:

Abad Santos

2/F Citiplace, 8001 Abad Santos Street, San Juan

726-6479

Buendia

Upper Ground, Star Centrum Building, Buendia Corner Malugay Street, Makati City

840-2571

Filmore

5081 Filmore Corner Fahrenheit Street, Palanan, Makati City

833-7915

Pearl Drive

2/F Pearl Plaza, 8101 Pearl Drive, Bgy. San Antonio, Ortigas Center, Pasig City

470-2762

Market! Market!

3/F (near elevator), Market!Market! Taguig

556-0743

La Salle - Taft

Mezzanine Level, Burgundy Transpacific Place, Taft Avenue, Manila

353-5304

LPL-Greenbelt

Basement Level LPL Suites, Greenbelt Legaspi St. Makati City

856-1521

SM Megamall

5F Mega A Building, SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City

470-8872

SM Manila

5F SM Manila, Manila City

353-7520

SM Mall of Asia

205 South Parking building SM Mall os Asia, J.W. Diokno Blvd. Pasay City

475-6272

Robinsons Galleria

Level 3, West Wing, Body Senses, Robinsons Galleria, Edsa cor. Ortigas Avenue, Quezon City

709-1915

Glorietta 3

3/F Glorietta 3, Ayala Center, Makati City

856-1521

Kopiko Brown Coffee

Contrary to old belief, coffee-drinking has a lot of health benefits. Studies claim that it provides anti-oxidant to the body and even prevent heart disease. One thing is certain, I can assure, coffee is delicious. And it is divine to drink Kopiko Brown Coffee.

I just love this coffee.  It is a coffee mix with brown sugar.  It is so tasty.  I gave up Starbucks coffee and have this cheap and delicious alternative instead. It is only P6 per sachet.

credit: www.femalenetwork.com

Suggested reading: New Study: Coffee Reduces Risk of Heart Disease + 15 Coffee Products to Enjoy on the Go

Corregidor International Half-Marathon: One for all. All for twenty one.

December 19 (Saturday)

At approximately 6 in the morning, organizers, participants and volunteers meet at the dock. We idly spent our time taking pictures of ourselves while waiting for the boarding time.

We got in the boat an hour after.

It was just a short ferry ride. As we were nearing the island, a guy gave us a brief narration of the Philippine history during American colonization.

When we arrived, tranvias were waiting to take us to our hostel.

We had an ocular inspection of the entire race track by afternoon. It was a chance for me to take some shots too.


 

By evening, a carbo-loading dinner was served (mash potatoes, carbonara, spaghetti, pancit, puto, rice and chicken).

 

And to warm the cold evening was a tall bonfire.

 



 

December 20 (Sunday)

The main event. 

At around 6am, we were all deployed to our assigned station. It was drizzling. I thought that we are going to get soaked.  But thank God, the universe conspired and made the weather perfect.

I was at the hydrating station with Pio, my partner. Too bad I wasn't able to take any pictures at all as we were so busy. I even barely see who were coming.

Since we got finished early, we got picked up via van and was brought to the the finish line (actually, at the dock) where everyone else were waiting. By the looks of the terrain, I could tell that it was truly an exhausting, physically-draining and challenging marathon. But at the finish line what I witnessed were faces of triumph and glee of the runners after finishing the entire 21 km track; and the faces of camaraderie.

Everybody was probably exhausted and famished by noon. We had lunch while Edward Tito Kho was announcing the winners.

Ranked first was Dandelion Bumahit  who finished the race for 01:19:01, with a pace of 03:45min/km.

Click to see the list: CIHM: Race Results

The night was all about the partey!  The Session Road played amazingly.  Tuesday Vargas and Miro of Stonefree had their turns.

December 21, 2010 (Monday)

Haven’t seen enough of Corregidor, we decided to stroll.

We left the island at approximately 3pm.

An hour after, the smog of Manila welcomes us back.

Mister Kabab

In search for food that isn't common to our pinoy palate, Raffy and I decided to go to West Ave., Quezon City to eat at Mister Kabab.  As per Raffy's online search, this is the very resto that offers the most affordable and delicious Mediterranean meal. His cyber friends were right about it.

The place was good. It was spacious, and even if it's not airconditioned, I have no qualms at all.

I ordered Sizzling Keema while Raffy had a Special Cielo Kabab.  And we shared a serving of Beryani rice.We truly enjoy our food.We also had yogurt shake that was unbelievably delicious.

Sizzling Keema



Special Cielo Kabab meal and yogurt shake



Beryani Rice

the Raffy aka cutie

me aka hottie (LOL)

a stupid look (LOL)

a korean look (LOL)

 The trip was worth it. The next time that I will crave for a Mediterranean meal, no doubt about it, I shall eat at Mister Kabab.

A feel of China

It was a spur of the moment. Raffy and I decided to have a walk in China Town.

We passed the jewelry shops that display all the gold earrings, necklaces, rings and other jewelries we could imagine.   It all glitters before our eyes.  Ahh! Gold!

We walk the pavement like two truant school boy and girl who were ogling at people, giggling and taking pictures.

At around 11am, we decided to eat in Wai Ying Restaurant.  The looks of it reminds me of the restaurants in Hong Kong; the type that wouldn’t really attract you. Braised beef were displayed on the glass window, and you will see the cook preparing the dishes as you entered.  Tables and chairs were the simplest; those that are made of plastics that would slide on the floor when you are sitted. There were no decors or whatsoever.

I was tempted to order a duck but I decided to go with something that my tongue and stomach were familiar. I ordered asado and chicken with rice. I am not sure what the green spices were but I appreciated its taste and contrast with the chicken.

Raffy ordered minced beef with egg and rice. Looks weird to me, it was like a hardened gravy.  It tasted better if you dip it in soy sauce.

What’s best with the meal?  Well, we have a serving of Hakaw.

A trip to this other side of Manila wouldn’t end unless you will buy hopia. They may be available in the grocery stores but there is a different feel in buying it there.  Where else should we buy? But in the famous Eng Bee Tin. I bought 3 delicious flavors – Hopiang baboy, Monggo and Ube.