People are still worried about the global financial crises (gfc) and its effect on the economy, especially on the employment.

Since the gfc phenomenon started, a lot of people already lost their jobs and even if the national government keeps on saying that there’s a lot of jobs that will be created for the Filipinos to address the problem of the growing unemployment, many are still worried that there are more companies that will shut down and more workers will find themselves without jobs.

The manufacturing industry was severely hurt by the gfc and in Marikina alone, two of the biggest manufacturing companies — Noritake and Armscor — already felt the blow and downsized their manpower leaving hundreds of people suddenly unemployed.
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In the last months, my blogging time was limited due to the absence of internet connection at home. I decided to cut my smart bro connection after a year of my lock-in period with smart.

A couple of months back, I have decided to choose and apply for broadband connection. My choices were PLDT MyDSL, Globe Broadband Blundle and Sun Broadband Visibility Package. Fortunately, Migs of migsmobile.net lent me his sun visibility kit for a day and I was able to check whether I can connect with it at our home in Marikina. The connection was not that fast though and I was not able to find connection at the first level of our house but it worked okay in our second floor. The connection was good enough for me to decide though that if my PLDT and Globe application will not be approved immediately, I would definitely get my own visibility kit.

Since PLDT can’t find an open line in our area, I decided to apply with Globe Center in Marikina. They have assured me there’s a line in our area but as to the date of the installation, they were not able to tell me when. That was when I decided to get my visibility kit at Sun Cellular located inside the Robinsons Metro East. After a few hours of waiting and paying of more than 2,500+++, I already went home my own broadband kit.
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Last month, I had two invites from my blogger friend Jen and from Nuffnang for free flu vaccination for me and my son. Though I was dying to go, I was tied up with commitments at that time. As a mother, ensuring my son’s health is on top of my priority. In fact, our whole family had our flu shots last year.

Fortunately, our company partnered with some medical companies to provide us employees and our families flu vaccination at a discounted price of P350 per shot instead of its usual price of more than a thousand. All four of us — my Marcus, my mom, my husband and me — had our flu shots this morning. What’s more, I’m mighty proud of my son who volunteered to be injected first. He even said after he was given his shot: ‘di naman po masakit eh (it does not hurt).
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I am a silent fan. I sing his songs, I adore his being nationalistic, I admire his courage. Yes, I am a fan.

The remains of the great Francis Magalona, fondly called the Man from Manila, or simply Francis M., will lie forever here in my great city, Marikina. I can’t help feeling melancholic, the media hyped about him and his memories no matter how cheesy, I would admit I cried several times for a lost of an idol.

His songs would live forever in my MP4 player, in my CDs and in my laptop. His music would always bridge the gap of generations, of music and of patriotism. He may have died physically but his legacy would live forever and we can only hope that many young artists of today would follow the path Francis M traveled so more Pinoys would remember our love for our country and fellowmen.
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Every Wednesday and Thursday now is a ritual for me and my friends Beth and Meann to go home early so we can watch our favorite American Idol Season 8.

We are so addicted to this show. I rarely missed an episode from the audition to the elimination and especially now with the week’s performance of the Top 13. Every week, I am entertained not only by the performers but the performances of the judges and the show’s host Ryan Seacrest himself.

This week, the top 13 sang Michael Jackson’s greatest hits. This early too, I already have my favorites picked out. I am rooting for Lil Rounds, Danny Gokey, Anoop Desai, and Scott Mclntyre. But this week, there are outstanding performances also by Allison Iraheta and Adam Lambert and in the few days, I would not be surprised if I switch favorites or probably add some more…

In truth, I hardly watch television shows. I love watching movies though and since we don’t have a cable at home, I really like it whenever I develop a fondness for certain shows. It’s too cool having favorite TV shows which help me relax after a tiring day at work.
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Let me share with you a wonderful letter from a Marikenya reader, Lisa-Chanyungco Masbad. Chanyungco’s own of the oldest and pretties ancestral houses along the Marikina Cultural and Heritage zone in Sta. Elena.

I finally surrendered and gave in to the effects of jet lag, or a better word for it should probably be a “hangover” from my Marikina visit (but the good kind not the bad kind), and so I started surfing the net. I had just gotten back to NY, from a two week visit there and as always, each time I get back from there, I go surfing searching for articles, and sites about Marikina, to cure my being “homesick”.

You see each year, my siblings and I make our Feb visit for our Nanay’s birthday. And yet, each time, when I get back to NY, I still find the first few weeks to be the hardest part for me, of ridding the feeling of yes being “homesick.” What a very pleasant surprise having to accidentally come across this site! God Bless You!!! You may not believe it but each year during our visit, as my siblings and their families enjoy the usual “rounds” of visiting beach resorts and other tourist spots and preferring to stay outside Marikina, I am proud to say that I never tire of just staying behind to “marinade” myself with what Marikina has to offer.

Friends and family ask me if I don’t get bored,and truth is I just don’t. Being a “tubong Marikenya” myself, I just never tire of just staying put and of enjoying the town and the townspeople. It may be due to age, that I have gotten more sentimental, but for whatever it is, through the years, I have gotten to appreciate and love Marikina even more for the priceless memories it brings back to me and for what it has become. I am not into politics nor am I one who is well informed about that aspect, but honestly I do believe the changes in Marikina have to be credited from the time that BF was elected as Mayor, and with God’s graces his good work and objectives continue with his wife, now the the current mayor. BF proved his love for the town and poured his heart and soul in making Marikina the way it is now. Being a “tubong Marikenyo” himself, his good work seem to be just expected, and effortless even though he did go thru a lot of blood sweat and tears to accomplish them. One fact remains and that Marikenyos and Marikenyas will forever be grateful.

Photo from flickr by danielygo
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For almost a month now, I have been suffering from no-internet accessibility disorder at home. I decided to unsubscribe from Smart Bro which did not provide me a happy experience for a year. After I finished my 12-month lock-in period, I decided it’s time to move on.

While waiting for my application with other broadband providers, I decided to temporary connect to internet using my mobile phone. Since I’m a Globe plan subscriber, I have decided to connect via my globe sim. After calling customer service plenty of times, I finally configured my mobile for internet use.

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After going off to Baguio for a pre-summer weekend, my friends way back from college decided it’s time to reunite our families on a swimming spree at the ever popular Club Manila East (CME) in Taytay Rizal.

Needless to say, my unico hijo, a water gnome, was ecstatic and soon as we hit the club, he wanted to dive into the water. Cluba Manila East’s rate is quite high compared to other resorts close to Marikina and even the ones located in the city but it is our favorite because of its numerous pools and amenities.

Every year, there are new pools available at this resort and this year, aside from new small pools, there are new beach waves for surfers and a diving spot too. Our groups’ first stop was actually these new beach waves and when we came in, the big waves came to life and almost engulfed the small kids who were shouting with glee. We were ushered to the old beach waves though since we were told the new beach waves are meant for surfers and may not be friendly to small children.

As usual, we spent most our day lounging around the old beach waves and the large and the original kiddie pool . This year though, I missed riding the kayaks and there’s a downer too — my favorite buzzy river is under maintenance, a really bad deal because we really loved that facility and we thought that since its summer already, CME would have fixed this river made it operational but it’s still stagnant as it was late last year.

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Good news again for Marike?os, the Center for Excellence’ MCF Scholarship Program is now offering its regular vocational-technical courses. Everyone from the City of Marikina who are interested to enroll in CENTEX’ courses, print this page now or get your pen and paper and write down the following information.

I Courses for Enrollment at the Center for Excellence I

• AUTO DIESEL MECHANIC
• AUTO ELECTRICAL
• AUTO GAS MECHANIC
• AUTO CAD
• BASIC BAKING
• BASIC COSMETOLOGY
• Basic drafting
• BASIC DRESSMAKING
• BASIC TAILORING
• COMPUTER TECHNICIAN
• ELECTRICAL WIRING INSTALL
• FOOD PROCESSING
• INTERNATIONAL cookery
• INTERMEDIATE WELDING
• MIG WELDING
• PC OPERATION
• SHIELDED METAL ARC WELDING

I REQUIREMENTS I

1. for 17 years old and above
2. voter’s id or proof of registration (for 18 y/o and above)
3. voter’s id of parents (for below 18 yrs old)
4. photocopy of barangay clearance (latest) or community tax certificate (latest)
5. I pc. 1×1picture

For those not yet registered with COMELEC, go to the third floor of Marikina Public Market and have yourself registered for election with COMELEC-Marikina. After completing your requirements, you may proceed for enrollment at the Center for Excellence located at the 2/F of Marikina City Hall.
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