A Rather “Big” Problem
If you noticed in my photos, you’d realize I seldom post photos showing off my whole body. I usually take pictures of my face which I kinda like. That’s because I’m on the heavy side and I don’t look good with a whole body photo because of my “big physique.”
Last year, I tried slimming down. I even took top diet pills to help me lose weight. It was amazing how the pills worked, I lost more than 10 pounds in a week! Unfortunately though, I noticed that my urinary tract infection or UTI was also aggravated in that same week I was taking the pills aside from having intense palpitation which was really freaky.
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Want a Tour in Marikina? See the Tour Package that Suits You.
This article is for Ernie, a Marikeño.
Some weeks ago, I went on a City Tour of Marikina which turned out to be very interesting for me. In my 31 years in Marikina, I thought I know a lot but in this tour, I was such in a state of debt relief that now, I really am a sort of authority in writing more about my beloved hometown.
One of Marikenya’s readers, Ernie of cybermanila.biz asked about tour packages being offered by Marikina city Government for those who wanted an in-city tour just like what I experienced.
The good news — there is indeed tour packages for different purposes and interests prepared by Marikina Cultural, Tourism, Trade and Investment Promotions Office or MCTTIPO. See the poster below to see the different tour packages and the cost.
The Benefits of Summer on Cost Cutting
For most parts of Metro Manila, the heat is bearable but very uncomfortable. It’s very hot indeed and whenever I would see water, it’s like I’m seeing heaven. Whenever I watch TV today, my eyes bulge whenever I see beaches and swimming pools and I feel very hot that indeed, if I can get into the screen and dive directly into the waters, I would definitely do it.
Taking a bath these days is not just for hygiene purposes. I take a bath now more than twice a day not including the quick shower. It’s so hot it’s a relief to take quick or long baths. In the past, I would never take a bath without hot water and there was a time I was pestering my husband to buy me a tankless water heater because I thought it would be cost effective.
Anyway, taking baths with hot water is surely keeping our LPG cost high. With the summer on, we’re sweating like crazy but we were able to save on gas. That’s one advantage of the summer heat eh.
Well, I’d rather see the sun than the dark clouds. It’s such a beautiful summer and than lamenting and wasting it, I’d rather look at the bright side of things, I’m saving on gas and it’s very essential these days because the government can’t do anything anymore about the continuous oil price increase. *sigh
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Our Version of a Home Theater
I’ve always said I enjoy a simple life. I don’t even wanted to be really rich because that would mean rich problems too.
However, there are finer things in life that money can buy which I really enjoy. For one, we just acquired a 25 inches semi-flat TV. For some, it’s not really extravagant but for me who grew up watching in a 14-inch tv with a dedicated channel for GMA 7, indeed, having this tv is already a luxury.
Funny thing also, our neighbor seem to think that this tv is already a discount home theater seating for them. Whenever we watch dvd movies, they are already in our sala or sometimes, they would even bring their chairs from their homes and places it in front of our house so they can get a good view and a comfortable seating.
At this instance, without hypocrisy, I love what money can buy. Because of this TV set, my son asked me: “Mama, are we rich?” When I asked him why, he said: “because our tv is big and its colored unlike the tv of our neighbor which is small and the pictures are in red (the lcd is broken).” 
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Summer Art Workshop in Marikina
It’s summer and it’s vacation time for our school children. Like most parents, many of us maybe want summer activities for our kids so they would be learning and doing something fun and productive during their school break.
Good new for Marikeños, the Teatro Marikina would be holding a SUMMER ART WORKHOP for children. The facilitators for the workshop will be the residents artists of Marikina Cultural, Tourism, Trade and Investment Promotions Office (MCTTIPO) who are really talented, I have worked with these young artists and they were really good. I especially like Jaja and Michelle who are not only pretty young teens but also very smart and bubbly. You would see Jaja in my photos in this website, she serves as my model in my articles Visiting Sariaya and Fun at the Pan de Americana.
See the poster below for more information.
A Prayer for Her
Last night, I attended a dinner together with my husband and my son. The dinner was hosted by my husband’s high school batch mate. During the dinner, my husband asked about the update on the health status of another friend who was in Dubai and was diagnosed of having Cancer. We thought she would be brought home to the country by her husband.
We learned that the husband of our sick friend decided to have her treatment in Dubai because she was insured in that country and the life insurance quotes and contract was in Dubai. It would be a very expensive treatment and her family was lucky that she made herself covered with an insurance policy. Unfortunately though, she has to stay in another country for the treatment which is sad because I’m sure, what our friend wanted is to have her treatment in the Philippines and be with her children and loved ones.
My family wishes to extend our prayers and support for her and her family. We sincerely hope she’ll pull through and be healthy again. She’s only thirty-four and her family needs her. To her, we offer this prayer.
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One Proud Mama
Yesterday was my lucky day. I just went on a long problematic and stressful month, this time, I’m up on the heavens.
I am one big proud momma. My son just made me so proud I slept last night with a big happy grin. Our unico hijo just graduated from Nursery and to our delight, he was the first honor for the whole nursery department and was chosen best student on four subjects — language, writing, reading and art. My husband was asking why he didn’t bagged the best awards for Math and Science and I calmly told him: “Papa, sa akin nga siya mana.” (Marcus inherited his intelligence from me. You see, I was really poor in numbers and although my son seem not so poor in Math and Science like his mom, he seem not outstanding so good at these subjects too.)
He was also awarded the most active and most inquisitive student. I was not surprised by this judging from Marcus’ kakulitan. Here are some of his funny retorts from conversations:
Papa: Marcus seem to be gaining weight.
Mama: Yeah, I think his vitamins is taking effect.
Marcus: Pumapayat ako pag pinapagalitan nyo ko.
(I become thin whenever you scold me.)When dressing up for his graduation when I was putting his bow tie to go with his long sleeves:
Marcus: Para akong waiter, yung inuutusan.
(I look like a waiter.)
Funny boy and I’m proud to be his mom. 
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Everything Online
These days, almost everything may be found in the world wide web. I started selling online a couple of years back and I was astounded that almost everything can be sold and bought in the net. You may buy you groceries or even even prescription drugs like mircette or alesse online, really hassle-free.
I remember last year when I was reading a forum of a popular auction site, a buyer was complaining about a scammer who did not send the preowned baby bottles she bought from the merchant and my reaction was — “What? She would allow her baby to use used feeding bottles from strangers???” But in reality, that’s the “advantage” of shopping and selling online. One can buy prescription drugs in MagicxPharmacy or sell broken appliances, no holds barred.
It’s really convenient to do shopping and selling online. One thing though, beware of scammers, sellers and buyers alike.
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The Scorching Heat of the Sun. Tips for Beating the Summer Heat.
Since the last few days, the heat of the summer has been bothering me big time. I wanted to run home to my friend’s house in Sta. Barbara in San Mateo where my family and I spent our holy week. The weather in that part of Rizal which is actually close to Marikina is not at all warm, no need for electric fan because of the cold air breeze.
One thing though, my officemate mockingly asked me if I was gone on caribbean cruises because my skin actually darkened as if I was out swimming and got sunburned. I really panicked because I thought… sigh, there goes the papaya soaps and whitening regimens.
However, I don’t mind going back to a colder place like Sta. Barbara again to avoid the scorching heat of the summer. During this season, we need to be really safe-conscious so our summer would be fun and we won’t get stuck sulking because of allergies or illnesses. Now here are some Tips to Beat the Summer Heat —
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Are You a Gadget or Techno Addict?
Are you such a technology freak? How many gadgets do you have at home? How fancy are you with your techno or electronic stuff? Are you very techy or just love techy stuff?
I just realized while cleaning my computer keyboard that I have become a little techno crazy, compared to what I was and what I preferred in the past. These are my inventory of gadgets — a complete desktop pc set-up, two pieces of usb flash drive, a really cute four-port hub, another single usb port hub with long cable, an mp4 player, a portable memory card reader, a digital camera with memory cards, a megapixel camera cellphone, two dvd players, components with surround and speakers, and my recent addition, my wow magic sing.
Truth is, they are not much but I’m still surprised that I actually have all of these while I’m not a really techy person. I in fact hardly use most of these gadgets but I love having them around.
What about you? What do you have? Tell me your gadget/techno story and win a link love in this post.
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Tintin Rios: Nice article mhel! As always, I am indeed enjoying all the stuff that you are doing. Very honest and very inspiring. Keep it up! :)
Big Brother: Very helpful and enlightening person, always there to lend a hand whenever you’re in need… Keep it up !!! GOD Bless!!!
Zaldy: Very interesting and informative. Lovely as the author.
Kengkay: Ipagpatuloy ang pag blog tungkol sa kagandahan ng pinas… gusto ko ang mga ganitong blogs. nakakataba ng puso :)
Apple Lucero: It's wonderful, and knowledgeable. I love the beauty of marikina, continue blogging, great!
Ed Ebreo: You have a very interesting blog and an even more interesting work. Keep up the great work!
Rino: Thanks for this information. I would never have known about this. Good job and please continue to provide us with more of these…
Eclud: You surprised me mhel!!! This is great.. keep up the good work… (saka parang paganda ka ng paganda..) *From the author: "Aint this the best comment of 'em all?" :D
AnitoKid: Wow! Danda na ng Marikina! It has been a while since I last visited it! I studied at Marist School (Gr 1-6, HS 1-4). Loved your site kabayan! And I kid you not!
MyGlitch: Hi, Mhel. I salute you for promoting Marikina, the only blogger I know who truly loves her municipality.
Alvin Aljecera: Marikina is the Best in TOWN!!!
Lad Madrigal: Nakakatuwa, napaka informative at talagang helpful ang blog mo. Rating: 11 out of 10 haha.
Edelweiza: Hi der! I admire BF, too. I always see him during Cabinet events in the Palace as our office is the one in-charge of them. It’s his strong character and sincere efforts to “urbanize” the metropolis and us city dwellers that keeps me an avid fan. He belongs to a very rare breed of public officials that really walk the talk. I think he deserves all the support he can get from Filipinos. :D
Dennis: I was once a passerby, ngaun mukang magiging regular reader at “avid fan” na din! hahaha!
Ericc: Congrats to this wonderful website! it’s a good advocacy for responsible citizenship and good city governance! all the best to marikina!
Heidelyn A. Camaligan: We are so lucky living here at Marikina, werein lots of educational training are offered.
Islander: Wow! grabe na talaga ang marikina. beyond the legend na kayo. pano pa kami makakahabol nyan? hehe. Alamat!
Reign: I used to pass by Marikina since i’m just 40 minutes drive away from Antipolo but I never thought of these great facts about your lovely place. You’re a sure proud marikeña.
Lotus Flower: Happy Marikina Day to you. Aren’t you glad to be part of this quaint but definitely bustling and progressive city? I am :-)
Meeh: Maituturing na ang marikina ay nakilala sa paggawa ng mga dekalidad na sapatos na nagdala sa ating lugar upang makilala sa ibang panig ng pilipinas at sa ibang bansa…at ipinagmamalaki ko na ako ay isang marikenya…mabuhay!
Tapsiboy: Marikina is my happy and comfort place.
Spinning Lovely Days: I’m so glad there are so many interesting places to check out in our city now. with gas getting so expensive, i’m all for limiting our explorations within marikina. :D as always, thanks for all the wonderful tips.:)
Mera: Ang ganda naman ng lahat ng nakapost dito sa site mong marikenya Ms.Mhel…more of it were very inspirational.interesting and educational…just keep it and godbless u!
Abby: Hi. I'm glad i chanced upon this really interesting blog. i'm from marikina too. we’ve been living here for more than a year now. i'm super excited about your list. you see, hubby and i frequent eating spot in town. we are, still in search for the perfect crispy pata. a lot of my friends say you can find it here.
CallCenterGal: Thanks for the additional tips on improving one’s blog in simple, doable ways.
Sagada Philippines: I like your niche. More power to your blog! =)