The Problem With Time

And so, it begins.

It is the first of whatever first you're about to experience. You give yourself an excuse that this would be your last. And then, the following day, you don't anticipate the traffic. Hence, you arrive at your destination later than planned. You tell yourself this would be the last.

You are given an ample amount of time to work on something important. You put it off until the last minute. You pray to the high heavens that whoever gave that project to you would still accept it. Keep thinking of positive thoughts.

But at the end of it all, really.

You think you have time.

But. You. Don't.

Do it at the right time. Do it before time runs out.

Because you think you have time. But you don't.

A follow-up on 3-in-1s

It's better to make a separate post for this since this is more food related than it is life changing.

You know all those 3-in-1 cofee mixes you buy at groceries and supermarkets, well guess what. None of them are good substitutes for the real deal. None of them will wake you up and help you get going while you cram on your thesis. Most of them taste more of the sugar and creamer or even milk than coffee. I've tasted 3-in-1 coffee mixes from Cafe Rite, Nescafe, Blend 45 and Kopiko, but none of them helped me stay up to do a typing marathon. I have never felt any jolt of energy or an experience of being re-energized after consuming 3-4 sachets everyday.

Sometimes, I wonder if it really is coffee that I'm drinking because it just tastes like dessert. I guess, maybe in that department it would work. If they claimed that, "This 3-in-1 mix will help you end your meal on a sweet note", or something to that effect.

Plus, I can't imagine the amount of sugar content found in these 3-in-1 coffee mixes. It's as if half of the mix was made up of sugar!

Fine, maybe I really don't have the right to complain since, first, nothing is over P10.00 per sachet, second, it does take time to prepare a good cup and lastly it is readily available. But, for a country that boasts of having one of the best coffee in the world, I'd like to believe that we can also produce good 3-in-1 coffee mixes.

Oh, well. At least I still have my coffee press to cling on to. It may not produce the same brewed rich taste from the local Starbucks but at least I know that what goes into my esophagus is the real deal.

Of Shortcuts and 3-in-1s

There are no shortcuts to good things. No 3-in-1s to wake you up or keep you up. If you want good results, if you want something to get done, it will and will always take some of your time. May it be, mixing that great cup of coffee to keep you up while cramming on your thesis. Or hoping that you'd finish your thesis in just 3 days or less is something that only a miracle could make possible.

There are no shortcuts to life. There are no 3-in-1s to keep you up all day and night.

Everything takes time, but once done, you will realise that it was just a fleeting moment. So, why not make the most out of it? Make the most out of it so you'll get the best out of your time.

Sorry, like you've said you did screw things up. I hope you get to read this so you'll know that you should stop calling and texting me. This is what you wanted, so you have to live with it.

And yes, magulo tayo ngayon. Don't wonder anymore.

Blueberries? For real?

I'm beginning to feel like I have to create another blog just for my culinary adventures. But then again, the title of my blog is a bit vague so I'll park that thought for the meantime.

My friend and I came from Baguio a few weeks ago. It was a crazy trip as it only lasted for 24 hours. Needless to say, our bodies, specifically our bums, were sore due to the almost 14 hours bus ride to and from Baguio. I will not recommend this kind of adventure to anyone except for those seeking a different kind of pain and exhaustion. I will leave the story of that self inflicted ordeal for a later post.

I am not sure if my brain shrunk little by little due to the exhaustion which started as soon as we arrived in Baguio, but I didn't think twice about buying those so called, "blueberries." They were labelled "Sweet Organic Blueberries" and regretting the experience of tasting fresh strawberries during winter time in Hong Kong haunted me so I was more than happy to purchase P50.00 worth of blueberries, which contained more than 1/4 cup. Forgetting how they looked like and that part of the Baguio wet market wasn't sufficiently lit up, it didn't even cross my mind to confirm with the vendor whether they were the real thing or not.

As if my lack of experience with blueberries wasn't enough, I did not bake them immediately and left them in the fridge for about a week. But they still looked like from the day I bought them so I proceeded to making them into a cupcake. As you've figured they didn't taste yummy. Even the cake itself didn't taste good. Or maybe the taste of the blueberries had to compliment the cake so that they'll be yummy to the bite. Anyway, going back to the blueberries, since they were packaged in a styro foam container covered with cling wrap, you really can't see if they still have that dusted with powder sheen to them. But if you look at the pictures of blueberries on the internet, if they're still or fresh, or just good to be consumed, they will have that look to them, just like grapes. Which is how one should choose fresh or good grapes. Or maybe one of the factors you should use as a guide in buying blueberries.

They most certainly didn't look like those even on the day I bought them.

Photo borrowed from http://photoblog.tonyherman.com/2012/03/05/surprisingly-good-blueberries/

A blueberry article you might like: http://www.wikihow.com/Pick-Blueberries


As of writing, I have done a quick research and there is more to it than just having that dusted with powder look so it really is best to research when you want to make the best choice. Another lesson I've learned is, it is really important to use locally grown fruits, or those that can be found naturally in your region or maybe even country. We don't have blueberries here in the Philippines and my lack of experience clearly shows that. But it was still worth the experience and I've come to appreciate what Mother Earth has to offer on this side of the planet.

Mangoes here are the best though, especially those that come from the island of Guimaras. Crossing my fingers I could get some and bake them into yummy cupcakes!

Too much of something...

I am not sure if I had too much of one thing or if it's a common thing among the ones that I have tasted. My ideal cupcake would be something that's moist yet light. It should be flavorful but not too sweet and buttery or both. Unfortunately, most of the cupcakes I tasted today didn't have the texture I want. A lot of them were too moist that I thought I was eating a fudge brownie. I forgot to mention that I tasted mostly red velvet cupcakes because I'm still looking for the one that will be second best to Sonja's red velvet delights. Even the red velvet cupcake that's been making a buzz lately disappointed me a bit. The taste was there but it wasn't the red velvet cupcake I was looking for.

I guess, everybody has his or her own cupcake, to be specific, red velvet cupcake, so it's up to the consumer as to which one he or she will like. Maybe I should have tried a different cupcake flavor to taste test, like a vanilla cupcake, but I thought it might be too plain tasting and not worth the trouble I had to go through just to get to that event.

And, I forgot to mention the price, a lot of them for me were a bit overpriced.

Anyway, I guess the search goes on, or maybe I should stop taste testing other cupcakes.

Maybe, if I was just there to enjoy each cupcake, they'd all be yummy in their own way.

After months of waiting, I got my Inspiration!

I do not understand why it took months for this shade of eyeshadow from Ellana Minerals took months to be restocked. I have been tempted plenty of times to order directly from their online store but it was a waste, for me, to buy one small tiny thing and pay for shipping. So, I waited, and waited, finally, last Sunday, the Ellana Minerals stall in SM Makati had it on stock. 

I will do a proper review of course, I have to give justice to the long waiting period I had to endure just to get my hands on this eyeshadow. But in a nutshell, its one of those eye shadows that everyone must have. 

Ciao for now! :)

Too much information...

I have not updated my status on Facebook for the past few weeks. I am paranoid that I might be saying too much on my status that people could care less about. So I'm keeping this blog to blurt out whatever it is that I would like to say. This is my space on cyberspace and I also could care less if others think that it is too much.

I'm Just Saying...

Did I just miss out on an opportunity of a lifetime? But how can take on that opportunity when my self esteem has sunken so low.

Step-By-Step: How to Diffuse Curly Hair

Step-By-Step: How to Diffuse Curly Hair

Posted using ShareThis

Have you heard...?

I just got word about Maybelline's new mascara, Long Extreme Double Stretch Mascara is about to hit the Philippine shores in November.

It claims to stretch lashes up to 85% with it's base coat while the top coat makes sure that it stays that way for up to 24 hours. It's not water proof but is 100% smudge proof and can be easily washed off with water.

By the way, it will sell for P599, a little above the prices of the other Maybelline Mascaras, so be sure to try it first before purchasing one.

I can't wait to try this one out, haven't tried Maybelline mascaras in a while after going over the fence to Japanese branded mascaras. I would love to see how this works and compares to my faves.

Picture sourced from Maybelline Philippines Facebook.

Where to send donations for victims of Typhoon Ondoy

Where to send donations for victims of Typhoon Ondoy

Rescue Operations

1. National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) (+632-9125668, +632-9111406, +632-9115061, +632-9122665) Help hotlines: (+65 734-2118, 734-2120) ndcchelpdesk@gmail.com
2. Philippine Coast Guard (+632-5276136)
3. Air Force (+63908-1126976, +632-8535023)
4. Metro Manila Development Authority (136)
5. Marikina City Rescue (+632-6462436, +632-6462423, +632920-9072902)
6. Pasig Rescue Emergency Number (+632-6310099)
7. Quezon City Rescue (161)
8. San Juan City Hall Command Post (+632-4681697)
9. Bureau of Fire Protection Region III (Central Luzon) Hotline: (+63245-9634376)
10. Senator Dick Gordon (+639178997898, +63938-444BOYS, +632-9342118, +632-4338528)
11. Senator Manny Villar (+639174226800. +639172414864, +639276751981)

Civil Society/ Media

1. Philippine National Red Cross (143, +632-5270000)
2. Philippine National Red Cross Rizal Chapter operations center hotline: (+632-6350922, +632-6347824)
3. Go to GMA Facebook page & post complete addresses and names of people in need of immediate help.
4. ABS-CBN Typhoon Ondoy Hotline: (+632-4163641)
5. Jam 88.3: (+632- 6318803) or SMS at JAM (space) 883 (space) your message to 2968
6. GMA Kapuso Helpline: (+632-9811950-59)

All calls for help, please help us by filling out information here at the Rescue InfoHub Center.

Sahana Disaster Management System needs IT volunteers. http://sahana.kahelos.org. Email sahana@kahelos.org.

Rubber Boat, 4×4 Trucks, Chopper Requests

1. NCRPO (+632-8383203, +632-8383354)
2. Private citizens who would like to lend their motor boats for rescue please call emergency nos: +632-9125668, +632-9111406, +632-9122665, +632-9115061)
3. You can also text (+632917-4226800 or +632927-6751981) for rescue dump trucks.
4. For those who are able to lend 4×4 trucks for rescue: Please send truck to Greenhills Shoppng Center Unimart Grocery to await deployment, Tel No. (+632920-9072902).
5. Petron & San Miguel Corporation are lending choppers for rescue operations, call/text: (+632917-8140655) ask for Lydia Ragasa

Power Supply

• Meralco (+63917-5592824, 16211, +63920-9292824) If you want service cut off to your area to prevent fires and electrocution.

Relief Aid and Donations

URGENT:

Donations of heavy duty flashlights needed for rescue operations in Cainta area. Contact Cielo at (+632918-8824356)

Businesses/ Commercial Establishments

1. 7-11 Stores – drop off points
2. Alabang Town Center – drop off goods at the concierge. For inquiries, please call 842-2782 or 772-1860.
3. Aranaz Stores in Rockwell & Greenbelt is accepting donations of any kind for Payatas communities affected by Ondoy
4. Aunt Genie’s Breadhouse in Cebu – 1279 Talamban, Cebu City In front of the Talamban Sports Complex – drop off point
5. Binalot at Greenbelt 1, call Tetchie Bundalian at (+632922-8573277)
6. Bizroute Solutions – (Mon – Sat 11PM to 4PM) Unit 302 Keppel Bldg. Ayala, Cebu call at 416-0495 if you need directions to the drop-off area. Also Lahug Office (Mon – Sat 11PM to 2PM) Unit 201 MIT Bldg. Gorordo Ave., Lahug (near JY Square) Accepting: Canned Goods, Old Clothes, Blankets, Diapers for babies, Noodles, Rice, Medicine, Soap, Toothpaste, Water Container, Iodized Salt
7. Brainbeam Events, Inc. 2/F MB Aguirre Cornerhs Bldg,15 Pres Ave cor Elizalde Sts, BF Homes Pque across the old Caltex in BF. Will accept relief goods.
8. Cebu Musicians & Outpost Restobar – drop off of goods. 09082368999 or 09322117111.
9. Cue Cafe Crossroads CEBU – accepting donations in cash or kind as part of JCI Zugbuana relief ops. Accepting clothes, blankets, towels, underwear, footwear, food and water
10. Citigym of CEBU – accepting donations in cash or kind as part of JCI Zugbuana relief ops. Accepting clothes, blankets, towels, underwear, footwear, food and water
11. The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf will be accepting canned goods, water, clothes, blankets, towels, medicine, and emergency supplies (no cash) in all our branches on behalf of the victims of Typhoon Ondoy starting today until Friday. Your generosity will be much appreciated during this difficult time for our brothers and sisters in need.
12. Every Nation, FORT will accept donations for Red Cross esp. purified water, canned goods, and infant formula. Location @ 32nd St cor University Pkwy across Market Market.
13. Fantastik Manila – send donations to 5729 Calasanz St. Barangay Olympia Makati City Telephone Numbers 729-0530 or 501-7405
14. Holiday Gym & Spa Banilad Cebu – Drop-Off center beginning Sunday, September 27. Bring blankets, clothes and canned goods to the front desk/ reception area.
15. Jollibee branches in Metro Manila – drop off point
16. Junior Chamber International Manila Baypark Tent, Roxas Blvd. will accept goods starting Monday.
17. Luca stores (Rockwell, Shang-rila, Eastwood, or GA towers): Send your old clothes & donations (no cash pls).
18. Manor Superclub, Eastwood City will accept goods and other emergency items starting Sunday at 10 am.
19. McDonald’s branches in Metro Manila – drop off point
20. Ministop IBARRA (Espana cor. Blumentritt, Sampaloc Manila) is also accepting relief goods, Food (non-perishable goods only) Clothing, Medicines, Beds, Pillows, Blankets, Emergency Supplies to help Typhoon Ondoy victims.
21. Moonshine boutique in Rockwell also accepting relief good to help Ondoy victims in Marikina and Cainta.
22. Myron’s Greenbelt will accept relief goods
23. Papemelroti stores in 91 Roces Ave. / Ali Mall Cubao / SM City North EDSA / SM Fairview / SM Megamall / Glorietta 3 in Makati / SM Centerpoint / SM Southmall are accepting relief goods (canned goods / milk / bottled water / clothes ? NO CASH pls.)
24. Philippine Daily Inquirer – 1098 Chino Roces Ave. corner Mascardo and Yague Streets, Makati City and to any of its classified ads branches, and to any McDonald’s branch within Metro Manila. Donations in kind, such as instant noodles, canned goods, formula milk, blankets and clothes, are urgently needed. Call 8978808 loc. 260 and look for Megi Garcia
25. Petron stations – DSWD drop off points
26. PowerPlant Mall accepting donations for ABS-CBN foundation. Dropoff at admin office, P1 level.
27. Red Kimono restaurants – has branches in Pasig, Pampanga, Quezon City and Taguig City. Will accept canned goods, bottled water, clothing for all ages, basic household items.
28. R.O.X. Recreational Outdoor eXchange is accepting donation for relief good for Typhoon Ondoy victims. You can bring it in the store located in B1 building Bonifacio High St., Tel. No. (+632-8564638/39)
29. Shell gas stations – drop off point
30. Smart Wireless Centers – SM Fairview, SM North EDSA, Gateway Mall Cubao, AliMall Cubao, SM Megamall, SM Muntinlupa, SM Bicutan, SM Sucat, Festival Mall Alabang, Alabang Town Center and SM Southmall. Will accept cash or goods.
31. Sunburst Fried Chicken, Cebu – Tabunok branch will accept donations from 10am to 9:30pm
32. Total gas stations- drop off point
33. Team Manila stores in Trinoma, Mall of Asia, Jupiter Bel-Air and Rockwell shall be accepting relief goods (Canned Goods, Ready-to-drink Milk,Bottled Water and Clothes) for distribution by Veritas.
34. Unimart - will receive all cash and in-kind donations to be transferred to LSGH Gate 2.
35. Vivere Suites – 5102 Ridgeway Avenue, Fil-Invest Corporate City, Alabang, Muntinlupa City. Contact 771-7777 for inquiries or drop off at concierge area. Will accept relief goods.
36. Whitespace 2314 Chino Roces Ave Ext as a Makati drop-off for relief goods.
37. Y101 station, CEBU – accepting donations in cash or kind as part of JCI Zugbuana relief ops. Accepting clothes, blankets, towels, underwear, footwear, food and water

Government/ Civil Society/ Movements

1. Victory Fort is opening its doors to those affected by the typhoon. Call 813-FORT.
2. ABS-CBN through Banco de Oro account number 56300-20111 account name: ABS-CBN Foundation Incorporation
3. Akbayan?s taking donations, call 433-69-33/433-68-31 to donate or volunteer.
4. Brgy. San Antonio – Bgy Hall near Paranaque City Hall (Sta. Lucia St. corner San Pablo St., San Antonio Valley 1, Paranaque. Drop off point.
5. Citizens Disaster Response Center (CDRC): Relief goods for typhoon victims being accepted at 72-A Times St., West Triangle, QC. Tel (+632-9299820/22)
6. Corporate Network for Disaster Reponse bank account no. 0031 0654 02 BPI Ayala Paseo Branch for cash donations
7. Department of Social Welfare and Development - donation drop off points: National Resource Operations Center, Chapel Road, Pasay City (Contact: Mrs. Francon Favian) / Quezon City Area Disaster Resource Operations Monitoring and Info Center (DROMIC) (Contact Rey Martija or Imee Rose Castillo, Tel Nos. 951-7119, 951-2435 or Assistant Secretary Vilma Cabrera Tel No. 0918-934-5625) / San Rafael corner Legarda Streets, Quiapo, Manila (Contact: Dir. Thelsa P. Biolna, Dir. Delia Bauan Tel Nos. 734-8622, 734-8642)
8. Sen. Kiko Pangilinan is accepting donations @ AGS Bldg Annex, 446 EDSA Guadalupe Viejo. Contact Vina Vargas at (+632917-8081247)
9. Kabataan Partylist - Drop off donations or volunteer at 118-B Sct. Rallos QC.
   09266677163 or kabataanpartylist@gmail.com
10. Luzon Relief: Donations can be brought to RENAISSANCE FITNESS CENTER, 2nd Floor, Bramante Building, Renaissance Towers Ortigas, Meralco Avenue, Pasig City starting MONDAY (Sept.28) / 9am ? 7pm Contact Person: Warren Habaluyas (+632929-8713488) or email at luzonrelief@gmail.com
11. Marika Bouncers Coop – 95 Malaya St., Malanday, Marikina : will accept donations starting Sept. 28 at 10 AM
12. Move for Chiz is asking for volunteers and donations at Bay Park Tent, along Roxas Blvd., beside Max Restaurant and Diamond Hotel in Manila, or at Gilas Minipark at Unang Hakbang St., Gilas Q.C.
13. NoyMar Relief Operations: Clare Amador (+639285205508) or Jana Vicente at +639285205499). Drop off for relief donations is at Balay Expo Center across Farmers Market Cubao.
14. Operation Rainbow (Zac Faelnar Camara) at Ayala Alabang Village needs Canned Goods, Ready-To-Eat Food, Bottled Water, Ready-To-Drink Milk/ Juice, Clothing, Blankets, contact (+632-4687991)
15. Philippine Army Gym inside Fort Bonifacio or GHQ Gym in Camp Aguinaldo are now distributing donations for Ondoy Victims.
16. Philippine National Red Cross different ways to Donate.
17. Red Cross Load Donations: Right now the easiest way to make donations from the seat of your chair is via mobile phone load. The Red Cross Rescue and Relief Operations. Text: REDAMOUNT to 2899 (Globe) or 4483 (Smart)
18. Relief Efforts for Pasig at Valle Verde 1 Village Park, contact (+632916-4945000, +632917-5273616)
19. Relief Operations Center at AGS Annex, #446 EDSA Guadalupe Viejo after PET Tower contact Ares at 0917.855.4935 or Rachel at 0918.924.1636
20. Sagip Kapamilya hotlines (+632-4132667, +632-4160387) #13 Examiner St. West Triangle, QC. and Scout Mayoran, cor. Morato, near Alex III.
21. Tulong Bayan hotlines for donations and volunteers are (+632908-6579998) Marilyn, (+632939-3633436) Jenn (+632-9137122, +632-9136254 & +632-9133306).
22. TXTPower now accepts donations via SmartMoney 5577514418667103, GCash 09179751092 and Paypal http://is.gd/3GvuN
23. World Vision partners with Phil Coast Guard and kind individuals for relief distribution to 3k families. Call (+632-3747618 local 242) or text (+632917-8623209) to help.
24. Worldvision Foundation is also accepting donations/volunteers to pack relief goods in QC. For $-donations, BPI:USDacct #4254-0050-08

Religious/ Schools & Universities

1. Assumption College San Lorenzo is now accepting donations. Please drop them off at the AC guardhouse.
2. Ateneo de Manila University is now accepting donations for the victims of Ondoy. Donations can be dropped at MVP Lobby. For those stranded/those who need help: To all students who need help or know of people who need help. Please text the name, location, and contact number to (+6329088877166). ATENEO, which is now an open shelter, accepts refugees. Call (+632917-8952792)
3. Ateneo Law School – Rockwell. Looking for donations and volunteers. 20 Rockwell Drive, Rockwell Center, Makati City. Call 899-7691 to 96.
4. Banilad Church of Christ, Cebu – bldg in front of Bright Academy near Sto. Nino Village), Mon-Fri 9am-5pm. Donations drop off.
   
5. Caritas Manila Office at Jesus St., Pandacan Manila near Nagtahan Bridge (+632-5639298, +632-5639308)
6. CCF St Francis Mall, Ortigas is now accepting goods for donation.
7. CFC Center Ortigas is now open for donations in cash or kind. Call (+632-7270682 to 87) or text (+632922-2542819)
8. De La Salle University-Manila – The Sagip Metro relief operation will start to accept donation for Ondoy victims starting Monday @ 8:30 am. Please bring goods to the South Gate of DLSU-Manila.
9. De La Salle Zobel will be accepting donations tomorrow at Gym 5 (Near Gate 7 in Molave St.)
10. DLSU Medical Center will accept canned goods, blankets, clothes, water. Location is at Congressional Avenue, Dasmarinas, Cavite. Telephone lines are at(02) 844-7832 and (046) 416-4531
11. Hillsborough Village Chapel ? Water, blankets, shoes, and clothes may be sent to Hillsborough Village Chapel in Muntinlupa City. These will go to families whose houses were washed out in the nearby sitios.
12. La Salle Greenhills for Greenhills/Mandaluyong/San Juan Area, if you want to help out with the rescue and relief operations, you can drop off your donations (clothes, food, etc..) at LSGH Gate 2 or volunteer from 9am to receive, sort, repack the donations.
13. Our Lady of Pentecost Parish (+632-4342397, +632-9290665) per Gabe Mercado, donations are very much welcome. The Parish is located at 12 F. Dela Rosa corner C. Salvador Sts., Loyola Heights, Quezon City.
14. Peace Retreat Movement – leave all donations at the Peace Retreat Movement (PRM) office, 2F, Rm. 72L, Christ the King (HS) Bldg. on Wednesday, Sept 30, 12noon
15. Playschool International in Better Living is open to receive relief goods. Feel free to drop it there for your convenience. No Cash Pls.
16. Radio Veritas at Veritas Tower West Ave. Cor EDSA (+632-9257931-40)
17. San Beda College of Arts and Sciences Student Council – accepting clothes, meds, water, canned goods, soap, money, etc.
18. Santuario de San Antonio Parish – McKinley Road, Forbes Park. Accepting all kinds of relief goods. Contact JJ Yulo or Mike Yuson
19. Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan Task Force Noah, a disaster response arm of the Jesuits, is accepting donations. Please drop it off sa Ateneo Cervini Dorm.
20. Southville International School and Colleges – will only accept goods. 09155385113 / 09154151319
21. St. James Church Multi-Purpose Hall – Drop off point
22. St. Pedro Poveda College is now accepting relief goods. call the Social Action Center 6318756 loc. 121
23. UA&P Please contact Dae Lee [SEB EVP] @ 09178323533 needs donations and volunteers.
24. UP Sigma Alpha Nu Sorority MANILA – collecting food, water and toiletries. You may drop them off at unit 12-O One Adriatico Place, Ermita Manila or contact 0917 -8857188 or 0917-6659948.
25. UP College of Arts and Letters (CAL) is accepting goods and cash. Donation center at CAL/text 0929-6454102.
26. UP Diliman USC is collecting food, clothing and/or cash. Contact TITUS 09178001909, JOSE 09273056607 and TIN 09154906106
27. Katipunan Avenue. Contact Erica Paredes at (+632917-4741930) ? they need bread, packed juice, sandwich filling (tuna, chicken, anything) You can help her make them, deliver the sandwiches to her house, or help her distribute! Call for more details.
28. Valle Verde Mansions – 135 CAPT. HENRY JAVIER ST. BRGY. ORANBO, PASIG. This is near ULTRA for relief drop-off
29. Xavier School in San Juan is now accepting donations, please bring to Multipurpose Center (MPC).

Private Citizens

1. MAKATI: 5729 Calasanz St., Olympia Makati City or call for pick up at (+632-5017405 or +632-7290530) c/o Omel Santos
2. SOUTH: Accepting relief goods in SOUTH AREA. Please contact Anne at (+632915-2854240)
3. Karen Ang of Pasig (that’s me)
   3 Kagandahan corner Kabutihan Streets, Kawilihan Village, Pasig
   0920-9520900
   Will forward donated relief goods to Red Cross
4. Miriam Quiambao drop off point: One Orchard Road Building in Eastwood, or message http://www.twitter.com/miriamq for more details.
5. Colleen Manabat (Heartrio Prints) of Angeles City- will accept bottled water, canned goods, blankets, clothes, medicines from 9 AM to 6PM. Address is Stall 2 MGY Building, 2444 Sto. Entierro St, Sto. Cristo, Angeles City. She will forward the donations to Sagip Kapamilya – ABS-CBN Foundation.
6. Joseph Castillo of Cebu – will send a 20 ft. container to Manila and is looking for donations from Cebuanos. Get in touch with him through 09082368999 or 09322117111
7. Bianca – will pick up donations from Greenhills/San Juan area. Donate food, medicine, or clothing. Call 4123861/ 09278436002
8. Kelly & Jodge – Colonade Residences, Legaspi St. corner C. Palanca, Makati City. Will accept relief goods.
9. Omel Santos – 5729 Calasanz St., Olympia Makati City. Call (+632-5017405 or +632-7290530). Drop off point for donations. Also willing to pick up.
10. RJ Ledesma and friends – call us at 09178131601 for pick of donations. Only relief goods

People Tracker (using your phones, get your friends and family to turn on their finderservice for you)

• FINDERSERVICE. For Smart, text wis to 386.
• FINDERSERVICE. For Globe, text find to 7000.

E-Donations

1. SMS: text RED to 2899 (Globe) and 4483 (Smart)
2. G-Cash: text DONATEAMOUNT4-digit M-PINREDCROSS to 2882
3. TXTPOWER.org: Paypal, Smart Money (5577-5144-1866-7103), G-Cash (0917-9751092)

Philippine National Red Cross

1. Please send cash or check donations to the PNRC National Headquarters in Manila. Checks should be made payable to The Philippine National Red Cross. They can arrange for donation pick-up.
2. METROBANK Port Area Branch
   Peso Acct.: 151-3-041-63122-8
   Dollar Acct.: 151-2-151-00218-2
   Type of Acct. : SAVINGS
   Swift Code: MBTC PH MM
3. BANK OF THE PHIL. ISLANDS Port Area Branch
   Peso Acct.: 4991-0010-99
   Type of Account: CURRENT
4. BANK OF THE PHIL. ISLANDS UN Branch
   Dollar Acct.: 8114-0030-94
   Type of Account: SAVINGS
   Swift Code: BOPI PH MM

Note: For your donations to be properly acknowledged, please fax the bank transaction slip at nos. +63.2.527.0575 or +63.2.404.0979 with your name, address and contact number.

For Credit Cards: Please fax the following info to +632.404.09.79 and +632.527.0575: Name of card member, billing address, contact nos. (phone & mobile), credit card no., expiration date, CCV2/ CVC2 (last three digits at the back of the credit card), billing address, amount to be donated. For online donations you may also visit our website at www.redcross.org.ph .

Most urgent needs

• Food items: Rice, noodles, canned goods, sugar, iodized salt, cooking oil, monggo beans and potable water
• Medicines: Paracetamol, antibiotics, analgesic, oral rehydration salts, multivitamins and medications to treat diarrheal diseases
• Non-food items: Bath soaps, face towels, shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, plastic mats, blankets, mosquito nets, jerry cans, water containers, water purification tablets, plastic sheetings, and Laundry soap

FOR THOSE OUTSIDE THE COUNTRY WHO WANT TO DONATE:

• TXTPower.org has set up a paypal account for donations. Your money will be forwarded to Red Cross.
• Kapuso Foundation is also accepting credit card donations.
  2/F GMA Kapuso Center
  Samar St. cor. 11th Jamboree St. Diliman, Quezon City
  Call 9827777 loc. 9901/9904/9905.
  accepts relief goods and cash
• myAyala.com account for Philippine Jesuits – you can use your CREDIT CARD and donate ONLINE. Go to www.myayala.com/sjph/. On the line “I would like to donate to:”, write “xs4ondoy“.

In Kind donations

• LOCAL: Please send in-kind local donations to The Philippine National Red Cross ? National Headquarters in Manila. They could also arrange for donation pick-up.
• INTERNATIONAL:
  1. Send a letter of intent to donate to the PNRC
  2. A letter of acceptance from PNRC shall be sent back to the donor
  3. Immediately after shipping the goods, please send the (a) original Deed of Donation, (b) copy of packing list and (c) original Airway Bill for air shipments or Bill of Lading for sea shipments to The Philippine National Red Cross National Headquarters c/o Secretary General Corazon Alma de Leon, Bonifacio Drive, Port Area, Manila 2803, Philippines.

Additional means:

• My Ayala Foundation: http://myayala.com/ondoy/
• - Online Donations, accepts Visa, Mastercard, Diners Club, Globe GCash and Smart Money
• Txt Power Org: http://www.txtpower.org/2009/09/philippines-help-typhoon-victims-in-luzon-philippines/
• - Online Donations, accepts donations via Paypal, you may donate via Paypal by using your
• credit card even if you don't have a Paypal account
• List of other ways to help the Typhoon Ondoy victims:
• http://sites.google.com/site/ondoymanila/online-giving

Reposting of this entry will be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance!

Are you a Facebook gamer?

Hey guys!

If you're playing the following Facebook games:

1) Restaurant City
2) Country Story
3) Farm Town
4) Farm Ville

Please let me know because I need more friends. Just send me your email address or the name you use in Facebook. I promise that it will be strictly games and nothing more. I won't bug you or anything.

Thanks guys. :)

Btw, I'll be posting entries about my recent HK trip and reviews about some of the products I bought. I bought a lot of masks and mascara.

Salamat po, Tita Cory (Thank you, Auntie Cory)

Ako ay nakikiisa sa aking bayan sa pagdadalamhati sa pagpanaw ng pinakamagaling at pinakamamahal naming pangulo, si Corazon C. Aquino.
Hindi sapat ang mga salita para bigyang pugay ang kanyang pagkatao.
Hindi sapat ang mga salita para ipakita kung gaano ang pagpapasalamat sa kanya.
Hindi sapat ang mga salita para ilarawan ang aming pagdadalamhati sa kanyang pagkamatay.

At tiyak, na hindi sapat ang mga salita para ipaabot sa kanya kung gaano namin siya kamahal.

I am one with my country in mourning the passing of our great President Corazon C. Aquino. Words are not enough to describe how great of a person she is. Words are not enough to show the gratitude of the Filipino people. Words are not enough to show how much we mourn her death.

Words...
are...
definitely...
not enough to show...
how much...
we...
love...
her.

Dahil kay Tita Cory, nanumbalik muli ang pagmamahal namin sa sariling bayan at lahi.
Because of Tita Cory, our sense of pride of being a Filipino and our love for our country has been revived.

Mananatili siyang buhay sa aming mga puso.
She will forever live in our hearts.

Kami, ang buong bayan, ay nangangako na pananatilihin ang demokrasya.
Kami, ang buong bayan, ay nangangako na mamahalin ang isa't-isa.
Kami ang buong bayan ay nangangako na ipagpapatuloy kung ano ang sinimulan ni Tita Cory.

We, as a nation promise to preserve the democracy in our country.
We, as a nation promise to love each other.
We, as a nation promise to continue what Tita Cory has started.

Maraming salamat po Tita Cory.
Hanggang sa muli, paalam.

Thank you very much Tita Cory.
'Til we meet again.

Prayer for a Happy Death

"Almighty God, most merciful Father
You alone know the time
You alone know the hour
You alone know the moment
When I shall breathe my last.

So, remind me each day,
most loving Father
To be the best that I can be.
To be humble, to be kind,
To be patient, to be true.
To embrace what is good,
To reject what is evil,
To adore only You.

When the final moment does come
Let not my loved ones grieve for long.
Let them comfort each other
And let them know
how much happiness
They brought into my life.
Let them pray for me,
As I will continue to pray for them,
Hoping that they will always pray
for each other.

Let them know that they made possible
Whatever good I offered to our world.
And let them realize that our separation
Is just for a short while
As we prepare for our reunion in eternity.

Our Father in heaven,
You alone are my hope.
You alone are my salvation.
Thank you for your unconditional love, Amen."

-Corazon C. Aquino

1933-2009

Cory Aquino 1933-2009

Wanted: HK Shopping Buddy

First stop, I have to thank Miumiu for replying to my question. Her HK shopping guide will be very helpful in planning my shopping agenda. But I am still scared to go to HK alone. I'm always with my family and I even give them the directions. We were just there last January so I'm pretty sure I still know my way around HK but I am getting really paranoid.

First, I am opting to stay in a guesthouse/hostel to spare more money for shopping, but really, I'm in a tight budget. Second, there have been two abductions that happened to tourists this year and the accid attacks in Mongkok. Third, I am getting really paranoid, what if I get mental block and forget the directions, etc?

I do not want to cancel my trip again, so I am hoping that i can find a travel buddy or a blogger from Hong Kong who can show me around even for just half of the day, just so I can refresh my memory and gain back my confidence.

Any bloggers out there going to Hong Kong on the second week of August?

Any bloggers from Hong Kong willing to show me around even just for half the day? I'll treat you for lunch, breakfast and bus or MTR fare.

Anybody want to be my shopping buddy?

Pretty please... anybody?

Where to buy?

Hey Guys, I need your help. I'm lemming for some Japanese fashion and beauty magazines but we don't have them here in the Philippines. I would usually buy mine whenever I'm in Hong Kong but I'm planning my trip four months from now. I would also buy from Amazon Japan but the shipping is getting too costly.

Do you have uggestions where I can buy Japanese magazines online?

Thanks in advance lovely ladies! :)

Beauty Credit: Charcoal Nose Pore Cleansing Patch

It's been a couple of weeks now since I last posted a beauty review. Hmmm... maybe not, but it're reallybeen a while since I posted something beauty related. Aside from being busy with school work, I've also been addicted to playing Restaurant City. I can't explain why its addicting so you should try it out yourself. Actually, I'm writing this blog while my resto in Restaurant City is running. Need to get 10,000 customers!!!! *insert greedy laugh* hehehe

My resto in Restaurant City. I named it "Oishii ne". :)

If anybody is playing or has Restaurant City please add me up in facebook, I badly need some tomatoes, pumpkins and chili.

Let's move on to main reason of this entry. Presenting the Charcoal Nose Pore Cleansing Patch from Beauty Credit.

You can also buy this in a pack of three or four, I think.

This review has been long overdue since I already tried this last month. I got it in Watson's SM Mall of Asia for P35.00, 60 cents or more when translated to US dollar.

I was planning on getting more directions from the Beauty Credit website: http://beautycredit.co.kr/ but their English website was not available.

Beauty Credit's Korean website

So I just relied on the SA's instructions. I was planning on including a li'l background about Beauty Credit since the brand only arrived in the Philippines recently and they only have one stall w/c is inside SM MOA's Watson's. What attracted me to try this prod was the packaging... as usual.

It's acutally simple but I like the drawing very much.

And my curiosity for Korean branded products because I've only tried their BB cream and nail polish. The nose strip looks like your typical nose strip, except that it has charcoal in it. I already tried a similar nose strip but it didn't work so well from me.

I didn't want to ruin the packaging so I tore off the top portion.

I followed the SA instructions dilligently, which is to wet my nose and the pore strip before I put it on my nose. I thought to myself maybe the reason why the Bench charcoal pore strip didn't work so well before was because I didn't wet the strip before I detached it from the plastic film. So it was hard for me to remove it from the film and I ended up wasting more than half of the strip.

Anyway, I hoped for the better for this one since I was confident that the SA gave me the right intstructions. But lo and behold...

Such a waste...

A lot of the charcoal cream thing remained on the plastic film and...



it was so messy to put on. If you look closely at the picture above, you'll see that the sides of my nose was temporarily stained by the charcoal cream thing. It was not a joy putting this on.

I waited for it to harden and it worked like a typical nose strip. Except it was messy and wasteful.

You'll buy this because:
1) The price is quite alright.
2) The packaging is cute enough.
3) It works like a typical nose pore strip. Not so bad at all...

You won't buy this because...
1) Bench has a cheaper version, it sells for P22.00, I think.
2) It's messy to put on and you'll waste most of that charcoal cream thing...
3) It doesn't do anything special.
4) You're better off using a typical white nose pore strip.

I guess history does repeat itself and I never learned from my experience with the previous charcoal pore strip. I'll just buy the regular white one. It's so addictive when you finally can remove the hardened strip from your nose and see all those... you know what I mean! heheh

Got any suggestions, ladies?

Are you also addicted to using pore strips?

Taking a li'l break...

Hey guys,

I'll be back with lots of beauty reviews after the Holy Week. I'll also catch up on everyone else's blog by that time.

Have a meaningful Holy Week everybody.

Happy Easter in advance!

Eka