Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Fish Feeding at Nuvali


While the whole nation is waiting for Pacquiao-Clottey fight last 14 March 2010, I took my 2 kids on a brief trip to Nuvali complex at Sta. Rosa Laguna, taking advantage of few guests on the place that morning.

There is a man-made lake in the complex, designed as water-conserving feature of the Ayala-developed property. Anyone could visit the area and be able to feed the 2,000+ koi fishes between 8:00 am until 5:00 pm. Some fishes literally leave the water whether voluntarily or involuntarily due to their feeding frenzy. Fish pellets are sold at Php 15/pack.
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Manny Villar - A Liar?

An article from Philippine Star, which he denies on his site:

http://www.mannyvillar.net/

How Manny Villar lied and used the death of his brother Danny
AS I WRECK THIS CHAIR By William M. Esposo (The Philippine Star) Updated March 28, 2010

“Nakaranas na ba kayong mamatayan ng kapatid dahil wala kang pera pangpagamot (Have you experienced losing a brother because you did not have the money to provide him proper medical care)? — Manny Villar asked in his “PANATA (Advocacy)” TV commercial. Villar was referring to his younger brother Danny who passed away on October 1962. In the same commercial, Villar’s 1962 photo with his younger brother was shown.

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Puerto Princesa 3 - Dos Palmas, Tamilok & Ka Lui


At past 7:00 am on our 3rd day, the tour bus of Dos Palmas picked us from the hotel and dropped us at Honda Bay pier. The resort’s ferry boat took us on a 2-hour boat trip to the resort with views of islands we passed by. We were given a nice welcome with drinks and live "kulintangan" music before a brief orientation of what the resort offers. 
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Puerto Princesa 2 - City Tour


At almost 3:00 pm on our second day, we flagged this tricycle on picture  below near Legend Hotel to inquire about city tour. The driver quoted us P100/hour and we agreed. The trikes' design in Puerto are better I think, than what we see with the rest of Luzon, as it offers more protection against rain and more space on luggage.


We went first to the Iwahig Penal Colony, our farthest destination, and saw the prisoners lining up for roll call. They have a souvenir shop with some goods made by the prisoners, but the choices are not to my liking. Prices are a bit more expensive than in tiangge and Croc Farm, probably because portion of the sales go to the prisoners.
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Monday, March 29, 2010

Puerto Princesa 1 - Underground River

On 3rd week of April 2009, my wife and I were finally able to experience what Puerto Princesa offers to its visitors. Normally, people just book tour packages with travel agencies, especially for tourists who are unfamiliar with a place (like us). But as a frugal person who wants to visit places at our own time and pace, I researched the net to come up with own budget-friendly Do-It-Yourself (DIY) tour itinerary.


Upon arriving by 10:15 am at Puerto Princesa airport, we proceeded to the small city museum. Nothing much to see there so we left after half an hour, rode a multicab going to San Jose Market for a jeepney ride to Sabang port, the jump off point to the Underground River. Since the 12:30 jeepney trip is still waiting for passengers, wife and I decided to have a quick cheap lunch at a market carinderia plus bought some snack food and drinks as well.

The jeepney was already full when we got back, but the very kind locals made space for us. Like I was surprised to find out that the man sitted beside me who was carrying a kid on his lap, turned out that he doesn’t even know the kid’s mother who also has her 2 other kids on that row.
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Makiling's Mudspring, Museum, Jamboree Site


Two weeks ago, I took my 2 sons (ages 11 and 7) on a hiking and nature trip to Mt. Makiling’s Mudspring, about 4.3 km from UPLB’s jump off point from College of Forestry

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Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Orchid Flowers and Unusual Banana

One time in the mini garden of Mom-in-Law, I was curious to test the macro mode of my new underwater camera, so I took shots of her orchids which are in bloom.


I have no idea on their names. Do you know their common names?

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Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Hundred Islands of Alaminos, Pangasinan

It was a Good Friday of April 2009 when I took the family for a day tour at the famous Hundred Islands in Bgy. Lucap, Alaminos, Pangasinan after an overnight stay in a sister’s home in Bugallon, Pangasinan.

Upon parking at Lucap wharf by 9 am, we arranged for a motorboat to take us to a 3-island tour. Motorboat rental rates are posted on Tourist Kiosk, depending on boat size and destination.


Our boat has capacity of about 10 persons for P700 fee/boat for a preset 3-island tour. Boat rental fee will increase as its capacity increases and/or if passengers opt to tour more faraway islands. There is also a minimal environmental fee of around P20/tourist for the islands’ upkeep, like the men we saw collecting garbage on each island then disposing them on mainland. The place is very organized now, compared to about 15 years ago the last time I went there.

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Maximizing Your Gas Money

Second half of 2008 is the fourth time that the whole world was hit by oil crises since 1973, 1979, and 1990. When diesel and unleaded gasoline retails at close to Php 60/Lt, everybody became more conscious of transportation expenses. The only positive things from this spike in oil prices are (1) less depletion of this unrenewable resource; (2) less traffic and travel time; (3) less pollution; (4) encourages the use of more efficient technologies and energy sources.


Here are 10 tips from DOE to maximize your fuel consumption:
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Conserving Water & Keeping It Healthy


Scientists say that life on Earth would not have been possible if there is no water. It covers 71% of Earth’s surface, 97% of which is saltwater, 2.40% in glaciers and ice caps mostly in Antarctica, and only 0.60% in lakes and rivers. Water in the seas also act as worldwide temperature regulator and being constantly monitored by meteorologists to predict El Nino and other climate patterns.

Humans are made up of 55% to 78% water, and we need at least a liter of this life-sustaining liquid a day to avoid dehydration. We are still lucky since most of us have easy access to potable water, unlike the rest of 1 billion in the world population. According to World Health Organization, 5 million people die every year from drinking polluted water, 1.4 million of which are child deaths from diarrhea.

You can cut you water bill by doing these tips, and assure the next generations to have clean freshwater supply at the same time.

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Conserving Electricity at Home

Summertime! After the brief cold weather a few months ago, the summer heat is back with a vengeance. This time, cold drinks are heaven sent and our homes must be kept cool enough for rest and household chores. I’m sure that your electric fans, air conditioner, and refrigerator are working harder nowadays. Even your washing machine is not spared for more laundry, as you’re probably taking more baths now than usual.

Unfortunately, electricity costs are much higher during summer season. That is because of the bigger power demand to run those appliances, while the sources to generate cheap power supply can’t meet the demand. So aside from hydroelectric and geothermal power sources, Meralco has to get more power from IPPs that use the more expensive coal and fossil fuels to generate electricity. The high prices of coal and crude oil in the world market add more pressure on electricity cost.


To reduce your electricity expense at your homes, below are some tips that you might find helpful:
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