ReDiscovering Baguio. A Cold Experience.
After about 12 years, I came back to what was dubbed as the summer capital of the Philippines. I remember quite vaguely the details of how it looked like in the past but what lingered in my memory was how me and my friends enjoyed the city of beautiful tress, flowers, and American architecture.
I love traveling but I hate sitting in the bus for long hours. I usually sleep in my travels so I won’t feel the nausea. When we reached the foot of Baguio though, I reached for my camera and we opened the window to savor the cool air breeze. Baguio… I often thought Baguio is the place for me because I easily sweat. It would be so cool to have an all-day and citywide airconditioning system.
Uphill, I saw the mountains and trees and I felt very excited. I eagerly took shots of the lush green in front of us but halted at the sight of familiar balding mountains… I asked myself: “Is this Baguio or Montalban?” The hell with quarrying, these were not the mountains I used to drool over when going up to Baguio in the past.
Living Less but Paying More
I again hit the ceiling last night. When I went home, my nanay told me we ran out of rice and she had to buy some for P40.00 per kilo. My husband also arrived telling me the gas shot up at P61.00 per liter which almost wiped his weekly budget. Whew!
I again realized how much I wanted to watch the latest movie of Will Smith, Hancock, and how sad we do not have the budget for it. No wonder my brother-in-law, an OFW who’s only here in the Philippines supposedly for his vacation, uses his time here in the country searching for better overseas opportunities.
He was telling me about a job offer from Negril, Jamaica. Right now, He works in the Saudi Arabia and he was tempted with this offer from another land.
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Marikenya Go County’
Most of us are music lovers. For many, music is a habit. For some, music is passion and life. I was really sad when I lost my MP4 this month to some snatchers. I missed turning to music when I’m bored. I’m too cheap to buy an iPod. I’m really glad my new mobile is an Ericsson Music Phone where I can listen to new country music stations. I love county songs! In high school, among my habits after I’m done with my homework is to sit down with friends who plays the guitar while I hum the song. I am not a good singer honestly but my love for singing is a passion and I guess my friends were polite and kind enough not to tell me to go home and just watch the television.
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NSO Certificate Experience Woes
This year, I experienced a few times being lambasted by NSO’s (National Statistics Office) processes in getting authenticated copies of certificates. It was a pity I had subjected myself to such conditions but I had no choice, I badly needed copy of my birth and marriage certificates and was trying to save money by getting it personally instead of having it delivered.
I realized that going to NSO was more expensive than paying Php300.00 for the delivery service which would have saved me my time and patience aside from money. It was a disaster from the very start. I was only handed my copy on the fourth time I went to NSO. Prior to that, I lost my control on the third visit when the teller told me they still don’t have my copy and asked me to just go back again. I snapped and told her: “Miss, I can’t just go on leave forever just to come here everytime!”
NSO Quezon City was unbelievable. The building cater to thousands of people daily. Yet, it looks like a low-budget cockpit with low ceilings and unorganized and unsightly counters. No wonder there are fixers everywhere. My friend even said they kept their processes that way (long lines and slow service) so there would be need for fixers. I just managed a heavy sigh. I was too tired to comment.
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Wordless Wednesday: Don’t You Just Love To Eat?
Makes me wanna buy kakanin and other native food from the Philippines. This was taken from our trip to Sariaya, Quezon. Yummy!
Fat and Fab?
The other day while I was looking at the applicants for the SM Jobs Fair, a lady came to me. She was very pretty but flabby. I added the word “but” because she was applying for a job where thin women only qualifies and naturally, she was rejected.
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Technology, Parenting, and Classroom Management
Last week, I met with of my high school teachers. It was a happy reunion and after some time, we discussed the kind of students she encounters these days. She told me it’s totally different now with kids bringing their iPods, PSPs, cellphones and other gadgets in school.
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Health Consciousness Month
I consider June my personal health consciousness month. I have been experiencing problems with my health which have been quite troubling. Last week, I underwent a pre-screening procedure for breast cancer and the result made my knees very weak. To add to that, I was having heart beat irregularities especially during nighttime so I’m having hard time getting sleep. In one of those sleepless nights, I researched about heart conditions and problems and I stumbled upon the HeartLibrary.com website which proved to be very helpful in understanding matters concerning the “heart.” They even have an interactive heart video library that makes health information easy to understand.
I’m only in my early 30’s and I must admit, I have been very lax with my health thinking I’m still young and I’m not prone to any illness. It’s only now that I’m seeing the light. I hope to celebrate more glorious years of Marikenya. Celebrate life with me. Let’s live healthy.
Wordless Wednesday: Darling AM in the Morning
See the antics of my lovely god daughter AM when she wakes up in the morning…
Father’s Day at the Park
How will I describe the father’s day at our household? Fulfilling.
It was a disaster at first with me forgetting to greet my husband when he came home from work at six in the morning. I only realized he was waiting for it when my mother greeted him and he said, “it’s only nanay who remembered.” That was the perfect time for me to bring out the wrist watch I bought for him as a father’s day gift.
After lunch, we went to the Riverpark with his clan to celebrate father’s day. It was fun especially for the kids who immediately went to the bike rentals, hopped on to the saddles and biked their way around the park.
See my Oly in action as he patiently put on the socks and shoes of our baby. Happy father’s day Honey! You’re every inch of a father and I love you so much for that. 
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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! =)