Wednesday 30 April 2014

Philippines' E-Jeepney

It's more fun in the Philippines. I really love the slogan our Philippine government had made to capture tourists to come visit our country. It doesn't only entice foreign visitors but also the locals to explore more of our country's natural resources and Mother nature has gifted us. Though I haven't been to all the places in the country, but I am very sure that Philippines is blessed with so much not other country has.

One of our country's trademark is the jeepney which Filipinos are known for with it's quirkiness and vibrancy as to its facade. It is a ride that transports people to and fro its destination within the streets aside from the car and bus.


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Photo source here. Actually there are various styles and designs our jeepney has. You can Google it.
It's super cool and you can just imagine how our homegrown artists can be so exceptionally creative.

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Photo source here. The inside of the jeepney.
It has so much room and leg for passengers.
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Photo source here. If jam-packed, here's how it looked like.
Filipinos are known for being genuinely friendly, hospitable and 

who loves to wear a smile on their faces.

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Photo source here.
Even international actor Vin Diesel took a jeepney ride.

However, along the way, Filipino inventors never stop discovering things that will benefit its people and the whole world in the long run. We all know that this kind of motor vehicle is contributing to the noise and air pollution around. The jeepney itself is not actually the problem but of how owners doesn't give regular maintenance to its units thus having smoke belchers everywhere and honking too aggressively without being sensitive. Glad that I was able to read in my FB newsfeed about this E-jeepney that will replace our traditional jeepney. Here's the link


Similarly, I was able to ride a jeepney of that kind yesterday.


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At first, I was quite hesitant on riding that jeepney because it has no signage of its route. There were passengers already inside. The driver asked me if I was going to SM City Davao and I said yes.



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When comfortably seated inside, I noticed that there's no much noise with regards to its engine. Normally, when you're inside you can hear the engine's noise and its muffler. But amazingly, it's such a smooth ride and it's noise free. Since I sat near the driver, I was looking on the driver's dashboard and the feet pads below where the clutch, brake and accelerator are located. I noticed that there is no gear. I have no idea as to when to use the gear but every time I think it's to be geared, he steps on to another feet pad which I think is the gear. 


I regret not taking the picture of it. But when somebody in front seated causing my view to be blocked, I wasn't able to take a photo na. The passenger asked if the jeepney is solar powered and the driver said yes. If I heard it right, the driver said around 8 to 10 e-jeepneys are being tested here in Davao City. And I think it's for free. But I already paid my fare. I only realize its for free because one of the passenger said thank you upon disembarking the jeep. Oh well, it's still worth it. I just put in mind it's a donation to this kind of project.


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I don't know if this is the same jeepney as the COMET e-jeep being tested and launched during US President Obama on his 2-day Philippine visit last April 28-29, 2014 in Manila. See link here.

Personally, I would recommend this kind of jeepney, engine-wise, because it's no doubt beneficial to our environment and to us in the long run. #ejeepney #Philippines #davaocity #environment-friendly #notosmokebelchers

Monday 28 April 2014

Malware detection

As soon as I visited my blog today, this came in a shock for me.


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Why did this happen? But when I access my blog site on my other computer, this did not prompt me.
I got scared and until now because I don't know what happened. I just hope the other computer has problem accessing my site and not for the others to visit me. Oh I hope there's really nothing wrong.

Thursday 24 April 2014

My Happy Companion

Because one of my 'house mate' left, the happy kid is excited to accompany me in the office. It means for her, she'll have me all by herself. 


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Glad that my boss is not around, I can just bring her to office until we can find a replacement for a new helper at my household. I wish to have one already before my boss arrives in a week. Despite of that, I'm still lucky because I have my mother and my SIL (fortunately still on vacation here and will be back to the M.E. in a week also) to look over my 3 year old daughter while me and hubby are working. 

The day is about to end. I'm happy Mariella that you keep mama in company. The sleepiness that I usually feel especially in the afternoon is replaced by fun and learning and kept me awake all the time because of your curiosity that might cause me in danger. #love #kids #family

Wednesday 23 April 2014

SM's Star Baby 2014

I am delighted to know that my officemate's grandchild made it as a finalist for the 1st quarter Star Baby 2014. At her 40's, she now is a grandmother to a 2-month old baby girl named Alison Crame-Tagalog. Out of 10 qualified registrants here in SM Davao City (Lanang and Ecoland), Ali (as she is fondly called) is the only baby included in the 1st quarter finals from Davao. You can vote for baby Ali in their online poll here.


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Photo source here.
Isn't she adorable?


To all the mommies out there, don't you worry. If you wish to let your little ones join, there's still 3 quarters left. On how to join, link here for more information.

For now, please send in your votes for baby Alison. Now is your last day to cast your votes. Visit SM Baby Company website here. Go to Promos & Events and click on Star Baby 2014. Scroll down to the Visayas/Mindanao area and look for baby Alison C. Tagalog. Click on the photo and vote. Easy peasy! #baby #smstarbaby2014 #cute #adorable 

A Mall's Inefficiency: Part 2 (Learnings and Points of view)

See my previous post here. Because of the Holy week, I had this delayed. With that incident, it made me reflect more the meaning of God's suffering and love for us-- to sacrifice for the benefit of others who are in dire need. It felt great helping others and personally, I felt very light and happy. Money is not of great weight to make you genuinely happy. It is by way of reaching out to others that one can attain peace and contentment.

There are reminders each and everyone of us should keep in mind especially those who were involved in the bag snatching incident inside the grocery of #nccmalldavao. In my point of view, Rosalie should not have left her bag away from her. Given that it was too heavy to carry considering her condition, she must have brought the trolley and her daughter with her. In fairness to the management, they have been constantly playing in their sound system to keep your personal belongings on guard and at your own risk. And it is not the management's responsibility if anything is lost from you. But since we can't really control the people with dark motives, they should have a standard operating procedure to address to this kind of incident. Security and safety precautions must be implemented  because it is a big establishment where a big volume of people flock. As a business owner, you owe to the people your business because if not, you'll not thrive with the existing malls around. They must consider the security, safety and comfort of their customers. Excellence in customer service must always be delivered. It's beyond addressing the needs of its customers while not just being in the bounds of protocols. The mall's customer service lack its efficiency and did not level to what is expected of them. Maybe if we did not offer their ride home, probably they won't, considering the status of Rosalie. Their are certain rules to break in order to deliver what is expected of them. They don't have extra service I should say.

If you will ask me if I'm going to go back to the mall, I would still go. I'm not a loyal customer of theirs, but I go there for a particular purpose only. Abreeza, Gmall and SM malls are still my go to malls for leisure and all the purpose I can think of.

To the #ncccmalldavao management, install more CCTV's in your establishment. It doesn't help out solving crimes when you just put it in the entrance and exit points. The real action happens within the particular area away from the uniformed guards. Do look on your security protocols and SOP's. It's not helping victims inside your establishment. As a customer in your business, I felt there's no customer satisfaction in cases like this. #justsaying

Wednesday 16 April 2014

A Mall's Inefficient Security Measure and Customer Service: Part 1

Yesterday was payday and it is also the time we do our grocery for the household. We normally go to Gmall Toril of Davao or SM City Davao for the reason that I find it accessible to other stores that I can feast my eyes and money on. It spells comfort for me and homey already. But not yesterday. I chose to do our grocery shopping at #NCCCMallDavao because I found there the perfect table for my kids which I will blog on a separate post. Now I just realize, maybe there's a reason why we were led there other than the table and the chairs for my kids. My hubby and I witnessed an attention grabbing scenario that moved us while inside the newly renovated, well lit grocery of the mall. Actually at first, I thought, being a mother and sensitive that I am, I'm the only one who would be crushed. But later did I know, the hardened heart of my hubby apparently was. He confessed later on.


It is a usual and everyday scenario inside the grocery that many people flock in their store because of cheaper price compared to the two favorite stores I mentioned. I avoid going to #ncccmall  because 1) I tend to get dizzy seeing a lot of people around, 2) the arrangement and order of their products being sold are not organized and I find it very confusing, and 2) I don't enjoy the variety of shops inside the mall except that I love the coziness of their cinema and the #southbrews coffee express outlet which my hubby's family frequent specifically my FIL. (Side post: I love their beef tapa with rice and their red iced tea. But recently, they are not offering this dish anymore...sigh!!). Yesterday, in the middle of all the commotion the grocery shoppers did, an angry pregnant woman shouted an unpleasant word. We were all starting to look who's that woman and followed where she's going. She was walking towards a little girl of 7 years old and found out it was her daughter that she throws her anger at. There was a bag snatching going on pala inside the grocery ha. We went near the mother and daughter and kind of eves dropped about what happened. There were two security guards who assisted them and asked questions of what transpired.  Initially, when I found out how the snatching happened, I was blaming the pregnant woman who just carelessly and complacent about her bag put inside the basket under the cart trolley. She said she left the trolley with her daughter to get a salt in the other aisle. Maybe she did not tell her daughter on where she's going because the daughter said, "because I can't find you mom." What broke my heart even more is that the mother keep on blaming her daughter about what happened. The child was crying while embracing her hands with her hands touching her heart. I observed she is shivering out of fear, guilt or shame because a lot of people were already staring at them. The mother is crying too, helpless. My husband offered a little help in his part by butting in in their conversation and helping the mag-ina. Honestly, the security measures of the management is slow, poor and useless. For one, there was no sense of urgency seen in their security personnel. Though it has to be dealt calmly, but it was too calm that it's like they don't have the proper action taken. Second, THERE IS NO CCTV INSTALLED INSIDE THE GROCERY. That's how we found it because my husband told the responding security personnel to check in to their CCTV but we just got a reply there's no CCTV installed in some portions inside the grocery. It's only the main entrance or exit points where there are installed equipment. For a business thriving as theirs, they should have invested not just an ordinary CCTV camera but of good quality that can zoom and identify facial features. Not to mention on key areas, there must have CCTV's for security purposes.


While the interrogation was going on, we were relieved because the basket was found with the bag in it. The sales attendant found it I think somewhere that it was just left unattended. But when she looked for her purse, it was gone. Good thing the cellphone is still inside. The mother and daughter were still wailing, hopeless while they were ushered somewhere by the security personnel. As for us, we continued buying our stuff and thought we never see them again. It was an uneventful episode that night because the rotational blackout came in at the wrong timing. Though the lights provided sufficient brightness, the air conditioner didn't. We are sweating already inside the establishment and could not accommodate enough comfort for the crowd. Fast forward after we are in the counter paying for the things we bought, I saw them again seated near the customer service. I signaled hubby they are seated at the Customer Service section still crying. While they were being interviewed by a customer service attendant, my husband went to them again. After paying, I followed to where they were seated. The mother kept on saying they were how many minutes already waiting for their update and still they were just being informed to wait still. Honestly again, their attendant is very lax and unsympathetic. No firm actions are being done or whatsoever. She was worried because she kept on saying their life line is there which she meant her credit card and ATM cards are inside her wallet not to mention her valid identification cards and a 7,000.00 cash for her coming delivery which is anytime soon. Yes, she is anytime due to pop. The 7,000.00 pesos cash was just sent by her seaman husband for her incidental expenses during her labor and delivery. That doubled our pity now for the both of them. They haven't bought their grocery supplies because they have no money left with them. I am teary eyed already on their fate that night. We are just concerned of the girl because of the trauma she'll be getting from the mixed feelings she acquired on that incident. We told Rosalie (the mother) to stop blaming the child because after all it was not her fault and it is a situation that is beyond one's control and unexpected.


At that moment, my main reason of going to the mall seems slim already to me. In my mind, I'd like to offer na lang the money to them but my hubby said he'll just wait for me there and buy the kid's table and chair. I thought he will just tell me to postpone buying the table and chairs for the kids for he'll give his money to the mag-ina. But even if he says no, it's still okay with me. But then again I got his approval by giving me the go signal to buy the stuff so off I went to their department store. When I came back, I a saw a police and I think their head security personnel talking to my husband and the mag-ina. My husband told me later na when we arrived home that the head of the security personnel offered to the mag-ina that they'll blotter to the police for security and safety purposes but they will ride a jeepney going to the precinct. WHHAAATTT? No extra service to transport a pregnant women to the police precinct? I'm sure they have a company car to be used if they are really needed to be in the police precinct. Is that what you call customer service? So my husband suggested that can they just call a police posted nearby to get the statement of Rosalie to ease out the discomfort of the pregnant woman. He even told the head of their security personnel to logbook what happened for recording and reference purposes.


After all what happened, we just offered to give them a ride home since it is just near our house too. A dinner of chicken siopao since, they hesitated from the start of any monetary help and to pay for their dinner. But we are just too worried because we also knew only the two of them are staying in their house. I frighten and left a parting message to the mother and seconded by my husband to never brought up the blaming tune to her daughter or it might cause her trauma. The kid already has tamed down from crying even before we left the establishment because my husband keep on comforting the little girl. We gave her food to eat because they don't have food intake yet and it's past 8 in the evening already. My husband gave her a money anyway and insisted on it. We told her for emergency purposes since they don't have money left.


Reflections, lessons learned and a message to the establishment's management even to a regular shopper like us, up next on my blog...

Monday 14 April 2014

#Nationalflipflopsday 2014

I love shoes (open or close)! Second, would be clothes. I can live with it even if I don't have the latest bag or make-up that is currently in the market. But I'm not the type who hoards shoes like there's no tomorrow. How I wish I could but of course I have to prioritize the needs of my kids and of the household. But if there's one thing I want to splurge on given I have the money, it would be shoes and clothes.

Now, why am I talking on this? Because last Friday, 11th of April is the so called #nationalflipflopsday and Havaianas Philippines had a special treat to their customers.


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Photo not mine.


Oh shucks, if only I knew it's just a 1-day sale, I should have borrowed money from the hubs. Good thing that the SIL offered to buy for the kids, I'm grateful already. Here are our cute finds.



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This one is for my 1-year old bunso, Nique. It's marked 30% off and is priced at P577.50.
Just do the calculation for its regular price.

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This is for Mariella. At 20% off, it was now P756.00.

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Just in time for summer huh! I can see them feet flopping away...


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There are uber cute designs of flip flops to choose from. I can see myself envying the walls of the store at Havaianas, SM City Davao. If only I can have one. Okay, I have owned one way back as a gift also from the same SIL who bought these cuties for my kids. But it gave up on me for such a short time. I don't know what happened. The rubber soles of it are still as if it's still brand new. The problem was the  rubber straps gave way. I remembered back then it was just only like 700 to 800 pesos a pair for the adults. But now, it's around P1,500.00 a pair. 

How about you? What's your newly purchased Havaianas like? #havaianasph

Tuesday 8 April 2014

I'm in Love-ing my Girls!

Every morning as I watch my girls still in their sleep, I thank God for giving me such wonderful gifts that nothing can equate. I'm not wishing for material things (though sometimes I wish to have one and it's not so much of a priority), but I always pray and hope that God will give me and my hubby good health in order for us to enjoy more our children and that we'll be able to provide for them until they can live on their own. We wish to see their achievements and still be present in every milestone they will  be conquering. I am a proud mother to boast my children. Who wouldn't if they're as adorable as these two?


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This post is nothing but gushiness and an overflowing love of a mother to her kids. Others might think it's kind of a shallow thing to post. But I tell you guys you would know how I feel when you're a parent. They are such a precious being and the unconditional love just overflows in buckets. I am looking forward to have you both full time tomorrow because it's a holiday. And that means spending the rest of the day with you two because mama has no work. Have a great holiday tomorrow fellow Filipinos! #motherlove #kids 

Thursday 3 April 2014

Two in a Row! And claiming for more...

It dawned in me that it's never too late for everything. That the best is yet to come and our luck is a matter of right timing. And I'm glad that my time has come. I rejoice for the material blessings I got from the end of 2012, the whole of 2013 and the start of 2014 has brought me. I never am lucky when it comes to raffles and contests. Only when I got pregnant twice, the stroke of good luck got me. Maybe it's indeed true that when you're pregnant, good fortune goes with it. Or simply said, it was just meant for me. The first break that broke all my thinking about how unfortunate I am when it comes to raffles was when I won a gift certificate (GC) of 1,000pesos for a local supermarket here in our city. It was our company Christmas party then on 2012. Next highlight was when I won bountiful loots from Ms. Jackie Go of GoJackie Go as I blogged it here and here. After that, I came out a winner of Caudalie Foaming Facial wash from Ms. Tiffany of Breakfast at Tiffany that I blogged here and here.

Surprisingly, it didn't end there. As I made my full efforts and part too in joining blogger's giveaway spree, it didn't fail me. I did all my best to follow simple instructions coupled with a hopeful entry that I'd win. That's what you call try and try until you succeed and be hopeful as more blessings will come when you least expect it. So here are again are my winning moments.


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I'm cheekeegirl!


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Thank you pretty Mommy Helene of Mrsmommyholic for doing this giveaway.



In less than 1 week apart, I have this great news awaiting for me to be seen. I won a Photobook from Ms. Leah of The Bright Spot giveaway. I'm so happy and gay. I felt that God gave these to me in a bunch. There's really a reward when you are just patient, hopeful and faithful. Thank you Lord!


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Check Photobook website here.


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My winning proof.


Thank you Lord for the outpour of blessings. I have another one that my hubby is waiting for. Cross fingers for it! It will be a travel destination he's been dreaming for the both of us. We'll claim for it! #blessings #bloggiveaways #iloveblogging #clothdiaper #traveldestination2014






SnR finds

Hello! I'm like was lost and then resurrected all of a sudden. I have no plans of reviving my blog just yet but I'm just excited to...