The City CDO has not changed

In 1960, we stayed in a house built of wood at Chavez st. in Cagayan de Oro clustered near the City Hall, Lourdes Hospital and within walking distance to important establishments and institutions. School, the Xavier University was several blocks away. So were the park and the city plaza.

In the mid 90’s, enroute to our Mindanao mountaineering sojourn, we stayed in an old downtown hotel along Capistrano st. also made of light building materials.

In the 21st century, these structures are still around, preserved notwithstanding the pressure of progress happening at the turn of the decades. They stand side by side with the concrete buildings of newly emerging global fast food icons.

Coming back to the city decades after seeing these structures again evokes nostalgia and introspection. With limited recollection on these places and friends and experiences, it has forced me to think back and visualize how my early days were. The revisit validated that indeed; we have been mobile family early on, laying the foundation to the itchy feet popularized by the Discovery Channel of “exploring your world.”

Written in flight (PR 084) while hovering around Luzon waiting for clearance to land caused by the rains and poor visibility in Metro Manila 25 July 2010

Priceless

Priceless
Main Entry: price•less
Pronunciation: \ˈprīs-ləs\
Function: adjective

Date: 1594

1 a : having a value beyond any price : INVALUABLE b : costly because of rarity or quality : PRECIOUS
2: having worth in terms of other than market value
3: delightfully amusing, odd, or absurd
From the Merriam-Webster Dictionary

A popular buzz world in Manila in the last decade is the adjective “world class.”Initially tagged to the performing artist and sports, now it s application has extended to services, technical expertise, managerial competency and leadership. Some loosely associate it with global standard.

What are the attributes of a world class output? A tall order as it has to have a high level of competitive performance or being of the highest caliber in the world.

To progress from a starting point to the next level however needs a change of mindset first. Embrace excellence and abundance where good is not enough, better still unacceptable and consistently exemplary is the only known way.

Priceless and world class. Path to world class starts from performing the basics. Results of an astounding performance leave a priceless mark.

Family Day Sunday

Sunday is a family day when members of the immediate and extended families gather for a big lunch. Frequency of the gathering can range from monthly to bi-weekly depending on the availability of the members. Meal is usually a time when the must have dishes from a well kept and proven recipe are served to all across generations.

The digital world has partially changed that. The favorite dish is still there. Traditional food fare is supplemented by new preferences discovered through the years. Metro Manila’s Sunday markets have become the new source of gastronomic specialties. 

Sourced from the market and served at home, the time long tradition of a filling and fulfilling banquet in the company of family members is enhanced further. Join us in this feast from my preferred source, Sidcor (Strategic Investment Development Corporation)  at the Lung Center in Quezon Circle. Everything is here just for a song (compared to eating out).

Mango from Guimaras at P 85/kilo. Watermelon from Iloilo. Carabao's Milk from Bulacan at P 40 per 300 mL. Half a gallon of Buko Sherbet from Pampanga at P 200. A pack of crabs from Bulacan at P 320.

Mango from Guimaras at P 85/kilo. Watermelon from Iloilo. Carabao's Milk from Bulacan at P 40 per 350 mL. Half a gallon of Buko Sherbet from Pampanga at P 200. A pack of crabs from Bulacan at P 320.  Tapang Usa at P 250/half a kilo.   Deadly lechon kawali from Marikina and Ilocos.  Lettuce from Baguio at P 35 per pack.  Native corn.  Dried fish from Palawan.  Grilled Tilapia, Dalag.  Palabok from Bulacan at P 40/pack.  Sukang Paombong, Quesong Puti, Bayabas, Longanisa from Laoag, Tuguegarao.  Lumpia from Binondo at P50.

Roaming Singapore

One of the most popular destinations in Asia is a relatively small island with a land area of 704 square kilometers and still expanding. It has a population of about 5 million (a variable depending on the taxi driver) inhabited by a mixed Asian race primarily Chinese. Landlocked, its main land is dominantly urban with a large forest reserve.

This country is modern with a heritage.

While strict and quite authoritarian, it is a bit tolerant these days.

-Taxi driver says to his next passenger by cell phone, “There is a major jam, allow at  least a 20 minute delay, ok?”

-“Next time you file for a GSF refund, do it before entering the Changi immigration so I can see the items, OK? This time I will refund,” says the internal revenue officer at the airport.

-20 seconds before the pedestrian traffic sign turns from Red to Green, construction workers cross the street.

It is walking and disable friendly with exclusive pedestrian lanes from end to end, foliage from maintained trees protecting promenaders from the harsh sunlight. The air is refreshingly clean.

Mobility is easy from North to South. Board the bus, call a center for a taxi or van, hop in the North South, North East and Circle lines to move around anytime of the day. It is a shoppers’paradise which is a secondary in my interest for this trip. You feel at home and think like work when in the central business district.

The city is a food trippers’ ecstasy. As diverse as street food to formal dining, Asian to Continental, visualize it, you will see it cooking.

View with me the documentary of the “Roamer,” the intrepid traveler in Singapore. While a part of a compact group, every opportunity to see the other way is grabbed. Appreciate with me the images as captured by a point and shoot camera.

Thanks to our (family) sponsors. While a stay in the city is relatively still affordable, their generosity upgraded me several levels higher making this memorable extended weekend quite a luxurious one.

Place plus family brings one to an ultimate high. "Everyone's presence upgraded our family bonding experience several levels higher, making this memorable extended weekend quite a priceless one."

An escapade in Singapore with my family, figuratively is a great way to fly! Welcome.

Chito 7 July 2010

Mitch, a visiting immigrant

A climbing colleague Mitch, in town billeted at the premier hotel at the corner of EDSA and Shaw was available for a night out on the 26th May arriving from the U.S, the day before. So was a climbing buddy, Bernard working in Pasay.

As I am the resident of Metro Manila, where to go that night was at my discretion. Fortunately, on the way to EDSA Shang-rila via C5, I spotted at the Tiendesitas the Juan De la Cruz concert for the night. The 2 did not object to the proposition.

Mitch Soria was in our expedition to Halcon last 1999 along with TJ Gonzalez and Jo Ramos. That was our final major climb before he immigrated to California as an IT specialist. He  married a Filipina resident and has returned back to Manila several times for a visit. It was my 1st time to see Bernard again who has raised a family as well but was in the U.S. several times as part of his IT advanced education.

In a comfortable section far from the Tiendesitas main stage where the Juan de la Cruz Band was performing, talk was neither about climbs nor the music of the performers. It was about life in the U.S. While lifestyle there is more down to earth and not as rewarding, the message I picked up was “We are happier here given the economy in the U.S., the mortgages on devalued properties, loneliness . . . ” Given a choice, given the limitation, settling in the Philippines is still the preference.

Mitch then declared, he valued my point of view then when he was weighing his option to migrate to the U.S. or not. He decided to try his luck in the U.S., short of saying, he wished he didn’t.

Ako’y nag-iisa at walang kasama di ko Makita ang ating pag-asa
Ang himig natin ang inyong awitin upang tayo’y magsama-sama sa langit ng pag-asa
Ako’y may kaibigan at s’ya’y nahihirapan handa na ba kayong lahat upang s’ya’y tulungan
Ang himig natin ang inyong awitin upang tayo’y magsama-sama sa langit ng pag-asa
Ang himig natin inyong awitin ang himig natin inyong awitin ang himig natin inyong awitin . . .

Listening to the lyrics to Ang Himig Natin sang live by Pepe Smith, I could not relate to the message of the song, “I do not see hope. Let us help our associates.” Because while working here and have been living comfortably I sensed I could not help. The circumstances are beyond control.

At that point, I wished I was listening to another Pinoy folk singer Florante siniging Handog, “Tatanda at lilipas din ako Nguni't mayroong awiting Iiwanan sa inyong ala-ala Dahil, minsan, tayo'y nagkasama.”

5 June 2010

Voting 2010

Voting for the Presidential, National, and local elections using automation in Miriam is chaotic and exhausting.

1. First you must know your cluster and precinct number.
2. Fill in a small form for sequence and verification.
3. Fall in line to get the form signed.
4. Move to the next line to enter the voting precinct.
5. Enter the hall, proceed to your cluster and fall in line.
6. Secure your ballot:
1. Present your slip
2. Locate Cluster, Precinct, Seguence at the Master List
3. Sign
4. Secure your ballot
5. Wait for a vacant table
7. Fill in your ballot
1. Present ballot for PCOS scanning.  Wait for verification.
2. Have your finger marked
3. Thumbmark beside your name in the master list
8. Thank the staff

We were further delayed as the Precinct Count Optical Scan (PCOS) in my cluster malfunctioned. So line did not move for about 2 hours. In the afternoon, the voters now have a better knowledge on the steps to follow. With less people in the center and the staff better familiar with the operations, the lines moved faster.

Bring hydration, sunblock, cell and pen and lots of patience. Reference card issued by candidates on cluster and precinct number is helpful. So are the volunteers from the nearby schools. Do not take for granted process management. It is the career of the future.

To cast my vote for 15 national candidates, 9 local candidates, I filled in my ballot in less than 4 minutes but lined up for about 7 hours. May my candidates appreciate what I have to go through to earn the people's mandate. The least that I expect from them, serve the greater interest of the public.

Posted while in line for 5 hours to enter the precinct 10 May 2010

Joy in a Calesa Ride

Joy ride is a favorite past time in my hometown in the 70’s where the calesa is the main mode of transport to go around town in Tuguegarao. The kutsero steers us to the four corners of the town, Horno and the Cathedral in the East, St Louis in the South, St Paul and Ermita in the West and Cagayan High School in the far North. In between, we pass through Kalye Komersyo and the Town Hall. 30 minutes and a few centavos (25 or 50 centavos) in a slow calesa are all it takes to swing around town. There is no definite destination except to experience the joy of riding of seeing landmarks in a company of friends passing time in a relatively small town.

The same joy evoked in this calesa ride decades ago was my intention in riding the LRT from Balintawak to Monumento in EDSA. The metro train segment was launched this Holy Week as part of the 360 degree government project to close in Metro Manila loop connecting Monumento to Quiapo to EDSA via Taft and to West Avenue via EDSA. For P 15.0 I viewed in an elevated platform for the 1st time North Luzon Expressway, Caloocan, Malabon and to certain extent the skyscrapers in Roxas Boulevard at the extreme East. The joy was short lived as it was only a 5 minute ride for a 3-4 kilometer stretch. But the thrill that lingered was excitement of seeing familiar objects in a new light and being one of the 1st to do so. The pleasure of a ride whether in a small town or in a highly populated city was pretty much the same.

Photos lifted from the web.

Joy in a Calesa Ride

Joy ride is a favorite past time in my hometown in the 70’s where the calesa is the main mode of transport to go around town in Tuguegarao. The kutsero steers us to the four corners of the town, Horno and the Cathedral in the East, St Louis in the South, St Paul and Ermita in the West and Cagayan High School in the far North. In between, we pass through Kalye Komersyo and the Town Hall. 30 minutes and a few centavos (25 or 50 centavos) in a slow calesa are all it takes to swing around town. There is no definite destination except to experience the joy of riding of seeing landmarks in a company of friends passing time in a relatively small town.

The same joy evoked in this calesa ride decades ago was my intention in riding the LRT from Balintawak to Monumento in EDSA. The metro train segment was launched this Holy Week as part of the 360 degree government project to close in Metro Manila loop connecting Monumento to Quiapo to EDSA via Taft and to West Avenue via EDSA. For P 15.0 I viewed in an elevated platform for the 1st time North Luzon Expressway, Caloocan, Malabon and to certain extent the skyscrapers in Roxas Boulevard at the extreme East. The joy was short lived as it was only a 5 minute ride for a 3-4 kilometer stretch. But the thrill that lingered was excitement of seeing familiar objects in a new light and being one of the 1st to do so. The pleasure of a ride whether in a small town or in a highly populated city was pretty much the same.

Photos lifted from the web.

Election Fever

We are an abundant nation if you notice the Zero Operational Excellence prevalent in Metro Manila's postering and streamer placement activities for the 10 May election. Resources are not scarce if you equate it at the rate materials and labor are wasted wantonly.

• Manpower posts and pastes materials on the walls. Minutes later authorities scrape and tear them down. Later on more manpower plasters in another batch of posters, then authorities tear them down.
• Today, blue streamers hang across two electric posts. In the evening the colors change to red.
• On 10 May, thousands of sample ballots will litter the polling places. Not considering still the thousands of ballots in jumbo format wasted for wrong shading and incorrect number of entries.

Being kind to mother earth also means optimum use of limited resources. Makes one wonder, whose resources are drained during this election period.

Election Choices

The month is about to end. So far I have not posted any article.
On a professional level, it has been a busy month. The investors and the directors of our trans-national company made a visit to assess the progress of the local company if it is against plan compared to their investment.

• Visits were made to check whether our front liners have indeed been making progress compared to findings last year.
• They have not been disappointed, to my and the organization’s credit.
• Friendships made with the sales frontliners.
• Business indicators have been met.

On a personal level, I’ve made some wins.

• I set up an info system network in the house.
• All computers have been updated, new hardware acquired.
• Friendships have been re-established.
• New places were discovered.
• Town halls and personal discussions were made.
• Vacations booked.
• Purchases made.

However, 1 query was parked which I could not commit to.

• When is the next climb?
• When is the next blog update?

Even www.pinoymountaineer.com could not as he has declared the Pulag Friendship climb is the last for the year. What is certain is the initial list of my senators: 1. Satur Ocampo, 2. Liza Maza, 3. Risa Hontiveros, 4. Miriam Defensor, 5. Martin Bautista, 6. Alex Lacson, 7. Sonia Roco, 8. Susan Ople, 9. Nereus Acosta, 10. Franklin Drillon. Help me decide on the next 2: it may be Gilbert Remulla or Kit Tatad or Sergio Osmena but certainly not Lito Lapid, Ramon Revilla, Imelda Papin, Tito Sotto, JPE, Joey De Venecia, JE.

Until the next article.

Nat Geo 41 Shows

National Geographic Channel (41 on Sky Cable Manila) featured Perilous Journeys: Crossing the Himalaya this Sunday 21 March at 7-8PM. Perilous Journey shows different features Sundays starting at 1-2AM, 8-9AM and 7-8PM.


Quoting the description, "the one-hour program, host Marsh Mokhtari travels the globe and brings viewers along as he undertakes some of the world's most exciting journeys . . ."

Catch other related shows guided by this schedule.

BCM Touring, a travel portal mainly on India has an extensive contribution on the journey as written by contributors who traversed via 4 wheel vehicles or motorbikes.

Views that could kill

Views that could kill.

Helicopter spotted descending from the window of an inn

Sleeping quarter at 5,400 M ASL and at -30 C

Thanks to Larry H. for the fotos

Coffee Chemistry

Coffee using siphon brewer or vacuum brewed coffee in Manila?   Siphon brewer uses the principle of suction created by vapor that pulls the liquid from the upper chamber down to the bottom container through heating and cooling in a special laboratory-looking equipment. At the final brewing stage, the vapor sucks the beans from the upper chamber dry resulting in a stronger coffee.

It takes about 3 minutes or so to make a cup. While the process is not new, only a few are using this for commercial use due to the stringent procedure and time limitation. Advancement in technology has made possible machines that can produce excellent coffee in industrial quantity.

If you go for this old fashion process, Coffee Chemistry, a stall at the Trinoma Landmark Food Court (G/F Supermarket)  is selling a cup for P 39.0. Do not expect ceramic mugs or a relaxing ambience for a conversation as it is located at the Food Court shared with other concessionaires. It will not be served to you. It is self service from ordering to payment to pick-up.

But if a cup of good coffee is all you want when you are in the vicinity of Trinoma, it is worth a try.  A 12 oz cup of Ice Latte was surprisingly tagged at only P 45.0 (intro promo.)

While you are not compelled to take the MRT from Makati to North Avenue for a cup, you may just do so if you develop a craving for this good cup of coffee.

Larry's Fotos

Fotos grabbed from Larry H's disc .

Sighting of the next stop is always a welcome sight.

Bakery at 5300 M ASL must be the highest in the world. Imagine how the equipment were brought up to the camp site.

Sighting of the destination for the day is a big win!

Group shot proud of the success, affiliation with the club PALMC and with the country Philippines.

The 3 ecstatic trekkers at the highlander.

Once in a lifetime birthday celebration.