NCR Banking Schedule During Papal Visit

NCR Banking Schedule During Papal Visit

Banks that are open during the 5-day Holiday in the National Capital Region

Several banks announced the selected branches that will be open from January 15 to 19, 2015, which were declared as non-working holidays in NCR due to Pope Francis' visit.

BDO

BDO Unibank said selected branches in the NCR will be open during the Papal visit from January 15 to 19. On these dates, selected non-mall branches will have regular opening hours until 3 p.m. while selected mall branches will be open until 4 p.m.

For the list of BDO branches open during the holiday, visit here.

Bank of the Philippine Islands

BPI said no NCR branches will be open on January 15 and 16. All mall-based branches and kiosks will be open on January 17 and 18.

On January 19, the bank said 55 BPI branches and 18 BPI Family Bank branches in NCR will be open.

Metrobank

Metrobank said key branches in Metro Manila will be open from January 15 to January 19. All branches outside of NCR will have regular banking hours.

January 15, 2015 (Thursday):
Open until 12:00 NN – Greenhills North, Greenhills - Eisenhower, Ermita, J.Nakpil - Taft Ave., Midtown - U.N. Ave., Paco-A.Linao, Quirino Ave. - Leon Guinto, Roxas Blvd.-Vito Cruz, Taft Ave. – P. Ocampo.

Open until 1:00 PM – Pureza-R.Magsaysay Blvd., Asuncion, Pasong Tamo-Javier, Pasong Tamo-Bagtikan, Sucat-Gatchalian, Alabang.

Open until 3:00 PM – Salcedo Village and Pasay-Baclaran.

Open until 4:30 PM – A. Lacson Ave. – Sampaloc, Morayta, N. Domingo – San Juan, V. Mapa, Annapolis-Greenhills, Greenhills-Promenade, Greenhills-Wilson Center, Sta. Cruz-Manila.

Other branches – Roosevelt branch will be open until 12:30 PM while ADB Branch will be open only until 4:00PM.

January 19, 2015 (Monday):
Open until 12:00 NN – C3-A.Mabini, Farmers Plaza, Commonwealth Ave., Raon, A. Maceda, Bustillos-Sampaloc, España, UST-España, Zurbaran, Escolta Tower, and Intramuros.

Open until 1:00 PM – Masangkay-Luzon, Lavezares, Nueva, Pasong Tamo-Buendia, Pasong Tamo-Metropolitan Ave., Head Office Center, Las Piñas-Pamplona and Madrigal Bus Park – Alabang.

Open until 4:30 PM – Evangelista-Quiapo, Quiapo, Ortigas-Xavier and Addition Hills.

Other branches – 999 Mall branch will be open until 2:00 PM, Sto. Cristo-C.M. Recto will be open until 3:00 PM, while ADB branch will be open until 5:00 PM.

Metrobank said all over-the-counter transactions will be accepted and processed by these selected branches on the said holidays, except for checks received which will be processed on the next banking day.

Maybank Philippines

Select Maybank branches in Metro Manila will be open during the Papal visit.

January 15
The following branches will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. - Main Office Branch, Binondo, Caloocan, Cubao, Tomas Morato, Greenhills, Marikina, Bel Air, Ayala Alabang, Las Pinas and Resorts World.

January 16
All Maybank Metro Manila branches will be closed

January 17
Resorts World branch will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., while the Main Office Branch will be open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

January 18
Resorts World branch will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

January 19
All Metro Manila branches will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., except for the Villamor; Legaspi Tower Center; and Newport branches.

Maybank said all provincial branches will observe regular banking hours during the Papal visit, except for Tacloban branch, which will be closed on January 15 and 16.

Asia United Bank

AUB said selected branches in NCR will be open during the Papal visit holiday.

On January 15, selected AUB branches in the NCR will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Provincial branches, except for Tacloban and Isabela, will be open on regular banking hours.

On January 16, AUB branches in NCR, Tacloban and Isabela will be closed. All other branches in the country will be open.

Regular banking operations will resume in all AUB branches on January 19.

EastWest Bank

EastWest Bank said it is opening at least 30 branches in the NCR on January 15 and 16. They will observe regular banking hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. All branches in NCR will be open on January 19.

The following branches will be open:

January 15
The Fort-Beaufort, Paseo-Philam Tower, Amorsolo-Aegis, Binondo, City Place Square, Gil Puyat-F.B. Harrison, Sampaloc-J. Figueras, Katipunan-St. Ignatius, Marikina-J.P. Rizal, Tandang Sora, Quezon Ave. - Banawe, Congressional Ave., Navotas-North Bay, Novaliches-Gulod, Grace Park-7th Ave., New Manila, Cubao-P. Tuazon, Tektite, Pasig-Kapasigan, Mandaluyong-Shaw Blvd., Alabang Madrigal, Sucat-Kabihasnan, Las Piñas-Marcos Alvarez, 168 Mall, 999 Shopping Mall, Baclaran, Greenhills Shopping Center, Greenhills-Promenade, Festival Mall Level 2 and Bicutan-East Service Road.

January 16
Evangelista, The Fort-Marajo Tower, Gil Puyat-Metro House, Chino Roces-Bagtikan, Binondo, City Place Square, Paco, Pasay-Libertad, Marikina-Concepcion, Loyola Heights-Katipunan, Regalado, Banawe-Scout Alcaraz, Visayas Avenue, Baesa Town Center, Valenzuela-Dalandanan, Grace Park-11th Ave., E. Rodriguez Ave.-Cubao, Tomas Morato, F. Ortigas Jr., Pasig-Shaw Blvd., Mandaluyong-Shaw Blvd., Sucat-Evacom, Alabang-Commerce Ave., Las Piñas-Pamplona, 168 Mall, 999 Shopping Mall, Baclaran, Greenhills Shopping Center, Greenhills-Promenade, Festival Mall Level 2 and Bicutan-East Service Road.

EastWest Bank said mall-based branches and those with Saturday and/or Sunday banking will have regular banking operations during the holiday weekend. Branches outside Metro Manila will have regular banking operations.

PBCOM

PBCOM said all branches in Metro Manila will be closed from January 15 to 19.

Only the following branches will be open on January 19, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Quezon Avenue, Binondo Banking Center, Makati Banking Center, Meralco Avenue and Cubao.

All branches will resume normal banking hours on January 20.

China Bank

China Bank said all Metro Manila branches will be closed on January 15, while branches outside NCR will be open.

On January 16, selected Metro Manila mall branches (shortened hours) and branches outside Metro Manila are open. The Tacloban branch will be closed.

On January 17 and 18, all branches with Saturday and Sunday banking schedule will be open. All branches in Metro Manila and outside NCR will be open on January 19.

Security Bank

Security Bank said selected branches will be open on January 15, 16 and 19. For a complete list of these operational branches, visit the Security Bank Facebook or its website.

PSBank

PSBank said all branches in NCR will be closed on January 15 and 16, while provincial branches will have regular operations.

All PSBank branches in NCR and around the country will be open on January 19.

UCPB

Selected UCPB branches in NCR are open on January 15, 16 and 19.
Branches outside the NCR, including Rizal, Cavite, Laguna and Bulacan, are also open on the said dates.

FREE TWITTER

FREE TWITTER 

Good news o faithful! 

When I first heard about the free twitter, the first question that comes to my mind is, how?

And that is what I research on the net today, to know how to avail of the free twitter.  I learned that Smart, Sun and Talk ’N Text are partnering with Twitter and will offer FREE Twitter on mobile as a public service to the millions of Filipinos who wants to share their thoughts and experiences at the upcoming visit of Pope Francis on January 15 to 19, 2015.

Almost 69 million prepaid and postpaid subscribers of Smart, Sun Cellular and Talk ‘N Text may access Twitter without worrying about mobile data charges, allowing more Filipinos to follow the Pope’s Twitter account (@Pontifex), send wishes and prayers to the Pope using #DearPopeFrancis hashtag, and get real-time updates on the much anticipated apostolic and state visit of Pope Francis in the Philippines.

More details of the Pope’s visit, including #DearPopeFrancis Tweets, videos, stories and the Pope’s itinerary, can be found at dearpopefrancis.ph.

“With this collaboration, Smart and Twitter aim to allow more Filipinos to get involved and immerse in this historic experience with Pope Francis, who our Catholic nation hold very dear to our heart,” said Napoleon L. Nazareno, president and CEO, PLDT and Smart.

All you have to do is to just, text DEARPOPE to 9999 starting January 15. This is a one time registration for the free Twitter service.

We all now that Pope Francis has an official Twitter account @Pontifex, you can now have a FREE access and tweet your aspirations and messages to the beloved Pope using #DearPopeFrancis. 

Subscribers may also post real-time updates, upload photos, and even reach out to him through Twitter with no extra cost.

THE PAPAL VISIT 2015 ITINERARY

THE PAPAL VISIT 2015 ITINERARY

The official itinerary is as follows:

January 15, 2015

Arrival from Sri Lanka – Villamor Air Base
Motorcade to the Apostolic Nunciature – Taft Avenue, Manila

January 16, 2015

Welcome Ceremony – Malacañan Palace, Manila
Motorcade to the Cathedral-Basilica of the Immaculate Conception (Manila Cathedral)
Mass with Bishops, Priests, and Religious – Cathedral-Basilica of the Immaculate Conception (Manila Cathedral)
Motorcade to the Mall of Asia Arena, Pasay
Encounter with Families – Mall of Asia Arena, Pasay

January 17, 2015

Departure for Archdiocese of Palo – Villamor Air Base
Arrival at Tacloban Airport
Holy Mass – Tacloban Airport
Lunch with the Poor and Survivors of Calamities at Gonzagahaus (Residence of the Archbishop of Palo) – Palo, Leyte
Blessing of the Pope Francis Center for the Poor – Palo, Leyte
Meeting with the Priests and Religious at Cathedral of Our Lord’s Transfiguration (Palo Cathedral) – Palo, Leyte
Departure for Manila
Arrival at Manila – Villamor Air Base

January 18, 2015

Brief Meeting with the Religious Leaders and Encounter with the Youth – Pontifical University of Santo Tomas, España, Manila
Motorcade to Rizal Park, Manila
Concluding Mass, Rizal Park, Manila

January 19, 2015

Motorcade from the Apostolic Nunciature
Departure for Rome – Villamor Air Base

No copyright infringement intended. Credits to their rightful owners.

TERMINAL FEE: To be Included In Your Plane Ticket's Cost

TERMINAL FEE: To be Included In Your Plane Ticket's Cost 

Is this a good thing or a bad thing for all of you out there with itchy feet? MIAA general manager Jose Angel Honrado said in a memorandum to all the airlines and airport stakeholders that the integration of the terminal fee will finally proceed on February 1, 2015

The MIAA has deferred the integration which was supposed to take effect beginning Jan. 15 to give way to the papal visit on Jan. 15 to 19.

For me, this is a good thing because it means you and I, common people, don't have to line up and wait for our turn to pay for our terminal fee. It would facilitate smooth boarding. So, thumbs up for that.

The implementation of the memorandum circular seeking the integration of the terminal fees with the cost of plane tickets has likewise been delayed in September last year due to opposition mainly from groups of overseas Filipino workers who because of the new policy would need to pay the terminal fees and line up for refund afterward.

OFWs along with Muslim pilgrims, and Filipino athletes are exempted from paying the terminal fees.

To avail themselves of the exemption, workers have to present their exemption certificate while pilgrims and athletes must present airport authorities proof of the endorsement of the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos and Philippine Sports Commission, respectively.

Those buying their tickets online and overseas may get a refund at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport afterward.

MALDIVES: Coleen Garcia's Vacation Photos

MALDIVES: Coleen Garcia's Vacation Photos

Velassaru Maldives is my ultimate dream vacation destination.  And local showbiz stars Coleen Garcia and her boyfriend Billy Joe Crawford spent 8 days frolicking in the sand of Maldives, said to be a paradise on earth.

Look at those beautiful stilt cottages, gentle waves, white powdery sand, pretty clouds and sunny skies.

Anyway, here is Coleen's mantra for this year 2015 which she wrote on her instagram account:

“Today I’ve decided to center my life on the things that really matter to me. I’ve realized that I have absolutely no time for negative emotions because I choose to focus on what makes me happy and on what makes me better. I choose to continue growing and learning. And appreciating. Fill yourself with gratitude, and there won’t be room for anything else that isn’t needed.” 


Go, girl! Happy New Year!

MRT 3 FARE MATRIX

MRT 3 FARE MATRIX

Wondering how much you will paying at your next MRT-3 ride? Please be guided accordingly and use the Fare Matrix above.


I hope MRT-3 will have better service. 

Happy New Year!

NO CLASSES ON JANUARY 9

NO CLASSES ON JANUARY 9

Yes! You read it right. There will be no classes in Manila on January 9, 2015, Friday, the Feast of the Black Nazarene.

In Executive Order No. 1 for 2015, Mayor Estrada said the suspension will cover public and private schools at all levels. 

"Classes for all levels in universities, colleges and schools in the City of Manila (are) suspended 09 January 2015, Friday," Estrada said in his order, which was posted on his Facebook account.

Devotees of the Black Nazarene are expected to flock to Quiapo this week for the yearly feast of their patron, whose image is believed to have miraculous powers.

 

Mayor Estrada also said work is suspended in all departments, offices and bureaus in the city government except those involved in:

 

• maintenance of peace and order;
• traffic enforcement;
• disaster and risk reduction management;
• health and sanitation; and
• issuance of business permits and collection of taxes.

 

But Estrada said the suspension of work in national government offices and private offices in the city "is left to the discretion of their heads of office."

FREE ENTRANCE AT NATIONAL MUSEUM

FREE ENTRANCE AT NATIONAL MUSEUM

The National Museum (NM) celebrates Rizal Day by offering free admission.

© Aissa Domingo and the National Museum of the Philippines (2014)

Come to the NM tomorrow, December 30, and view artworks for free by our national hero, Jose Rizal. One of the more important pieces in the National Fine Arts Collection is this terracotta sculpture "Mother's Revenge" by Rizal. It features a mother dog attacking a crocodile that harmed her pup. It is a National Cultural Treasure.

© The National Museum of the Philippines (2014)

National Museum of the Philippines wishes you all the best this holiday season

The management and staff is looking forward to your visit but remember besides December 25 & 26 and January 1 & 2, NM will also be closed on the two Mondays: December 29 and January 5 for its usual cleaning and maintenance days. Remember that admission is free on the public holidays which fall on Tuesday and Wednesday, December 30 and 31.

The National Art Gallery is part of the National Museum complex in Manila and is in the Old Legislative Building (along Padre Burgos Avenue). The complex also includes the Museum of the Filipino People (Old Finance Building), National Planetarium and the National Museum of Natural History (Old Tourism Building) which will open late 2015.

RIZAL DAY: December 30

RIZAL DAY: December 30

President Aquino will lead tomorrow's Rizal Day commemoration at the Rizal Park in Manila. 

Statement of Secretary Edwin Lacierda:

On the week of December 29, 2014 – January 2, 2015

[Released on December 29, 2014]

This week, President Aquino is set to commemorate the martyrdom of our national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal. Tomorrow, the President will be at the Rizal monument to preside over the flag raising and wreath laying ceremonies, in remembrance and recognition of Dr. Rizal’s staunch devotion to truth and justice in the face of the abuses of our colonizers, a devotion that led to incarceration, exile, and eventually, his execution.

As we welcome the New Year, it is an appropriate time to remember what Dr. Jose Rizal stood for: bravery, integrity, an undying love for country, and the firm belief that national progress requires good citizenship, recognizing that freedom carries with it responsibilities.  It is through embodying the values and lessons of civic consciousness that we have learned from Dr. Rizal that we can further accelerate our journey along the straight path to progress, and achieve our collective goal of a more inclusive and more prosperous Philippines.

FREE RIDES: MRT-3, LRT-1 and LRT-2 Commuters

FREE RIDES: MRT-3, LRT-1 and LRT-2 Commuters 

Rejoice commuters of MRT-3, LRT-1 and LRT-2. 

As a celebration of Rizal Day on December 30, 2014, MRT-3, LRT-1 and LRT-2 commuters will be treated for a free ride.

The offer is limited from 

7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. 

5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

It was announced by the government, in a tweet on its Official Gazette PH account.

OASIS GARDEN CAFE: Solaire's Sweets and Tea Time Haven

OASIS GARDEN CAFE: Solaire's Sweets and Tea Time Haven

I was enchanted by Oasis Garden Cafe the very first time I laid my eyes on its decadent-looking cakes, pastries and pralines plus its specialty teas by da.u.de (pronounced as da - you - deh) during our sneak peek of its world-class new wing called Sky Tower last November 21, 2014.

Add to it its refreshing, lush garden setting and calming effect brought about by its waterfalls installation and you'll definitely think you're in sweet heaven.

Oasis Garden Cafe is a refreshing centerpiece to the spacious Sky Tower atrium. This restaurant is highlighted by a transparent glass roof that brings life to a multihued backdrop of foliage, blooms, and cascading water features.

This is the main entrance of Oasis Garden Cafe.

Oasis Garden Cafe is embellished in elaborate bird’s nest interiors.

I was bedazzled with the wonderful world music played by the pianist.  The soothing voice of the pianist plus the beautiful music he plays on the piano guarantee a delightful experience both for your senses and tummy.

The Sky Tower features two new restaurants - Waterside Restobar and the other one is the Oasis Garden Cafe. A large cafe set against a relaxing garden setting overlooking two waterfalls where one can have a leisurely breakfast, a quick business lunch or cocktails under the stars.

From morning until early evening, Oasis Garden Cafe offers a wide selection of coffee, tea, traditional snacks, and artisanal finger sandwiches. By sundown, the vibe turns into that of a stylish lounge that offers a full complement of cocktails and drinks served with the usual Solaire panache.

 

So you can imagine my happiness when my brother and I got invited to a luxurious tea party at Oasis Cafe. Armed with our party hats, we trooped to Solaire and savored every bite of its delicious pastries.

It was an afternoon of wonderful conversations and gastronomic adventure like no other.

Every piece of food that was served was artistically hand-crafted. Each one was pleasing to the eyes and best of all, a real palate delight.

Delicious Chocolates.

Oasis even served us mini bibingka ! Yummy!

Enjoy your food in a relaxed atmosphere, dine at Oasis Garden Cafe.  

Smack right in the middle of Sky Tower is Oasis Garden Cafe. It has the perfect sophistication that could enchant almost everyone that sees its beauty.

Verdict: 

Oasis Garden Cafe
Solaire Resort Sky Tower Wing
1 Asean Avenue, Entertainment City, Tambo
Parañaque City, Metro Manila, Philippines
(02) 888-8888 

WATERSIDE RESTOBAR: Solaire's New Sky Tower International Dining Place

WATERSIDE RESTOBAR: Solaire's New Sky Tower International Dining Place

Waterside Restobar is Solaire's newest food haven on its new wing called the Sky Tower. It specializes in Latin American and Mediterranean cuisine with a Filipino twist. 

The W insignia at the entrance reminds me of the W insignia of W Hotel in Hong Kong.  

A beautiful lady welcomes every guest with a smile.

As explained in the video, the restaurant features a number of show kitchens like the paella cooking station, the churrascaria, the rotisserie, and the tapas bar all of which are perfect for dining and lounging against the backdrop of the magnificent Manila bay sunset.

Maximum seating capacity of the restaurant is 265. The Tapas Bar has 18 seats. Pool side can accomodate up to 40 people. Dining area 100. Continental breakfast starts at 6:30 in the morning. 

We were entertained with a wonderful Rondalla performance, a dramatic Flamenco (flaˈmeŋko) and Samba. Some of the bloggers even got a personal dance lesson.

We started off with the tapas (appetizers), like the freshly-baked bread with olive oil and balsamic vinegar, Sardanillas with olive oil, Asparagus salad with lemon and goat milk, Burritos with red onion pickle, Jabugo ham with pineapples and blue cheese, Chorizo with sweet melon and mint, Bruschetta with aubergine caviar and salsa Lucia, and Humita (sweet corn baked in husk), must-try is its Surf & Turf, a combination of jumbo prawns, best paired with Chimuchurri, Beef Brisket, Inihaw na Liempo and Crack-back chicken glazed with BBQ sauce. 

My super favorite and highly recommended dish is its house specialty Paella Valenciana, it taste so good I wish an angel will invite me again for another chance to eat at Waterside Restobar. Dessert is Pineapple ravioli with chili and sorbet and Chocolate Tart in Raspberry Jelly.

The place has a circular bar that showcases various wines from all over the world. It has a wide array of wines and spirits. Stylish, laid-back, and state-of-the-art are the words that best describe Solaire’s posh restaurant. Ideally located beside Solaire’s luxurious pool. This all-day dining restaurant is a delightful treat for families, friends, business partners and even to those who are out for a romantic night. 

It is luxuriously decorated with modern furnitures and art fixtures. It has a Latin-influenced table setting.  It is safe to say that Waterside exudes sophistication yet homey vibe while dining in style.

To end the wonderful event, we toasted and wished Oasis and Waterside the very best of luck and congratulated all the people behind the success of their grand opening.

For more informations and reservations, you can visit Solaire’s website @ http://solaireresort.com/dine

Operating Hours: 6:30 up to 12 midnight. Average Price is Php700 to Php800 per person.
Waterside Restobar at Solaire Resort is located on Aseana Ave, Parañaque City, Metro Manila. For inquiries and reservations to the Sky Tower, you can call (+632) 888-8888.

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE

Thank you for visiting my blog year after year! May you truly feel the true essence of Christmas now and for always!

Happy birthday Jesus Christ.

BANK HOLIDAY SCHEDULE

BANK HOLIDAY SCHEDULE 

In this day and age of consumerism. Christmas becomes an expensive tradition. A trip to the bank to withdraw or to do other transactions becomes necessary. That is why you should learn about the limited banking hours during the holiday season. Each bank has its own schedule, so make sure to do all your banking transactions several days before your bank/s close/s for the holidays.

Here are some banks schedule for the coming holiday season:

BDO

Shortened hours in select branches: December 24, 26, 30, 31, and January 2

Regular banking day in weekend branches: December 27, 28, and January 3

Regular banking day: December 29


BPI

Shortened hours in select branches: December 24

Regular banking day in mall branches and kiosks: December 27 and 28

Regular banking day: December 29, December 30, and January 3


Chinabank

Shortened hours in select branches: December 24, 26, 30, 31, and January 2

Regular banking day in select branches: December 27, and January 3

Regular banking day: December 29


The banks will either be closed because it is a regular holiday or because it falls on a Saturday or Sunday so make sure to have the necessary Cash to tide you over until January,  Have a merry Christmas!

God bless us all!

WATER RATE HIKE EFFECTIVE JANUARY 5, 2015

WATER RATE HIKE EFFECTIVE JANUARY 5, 2015

It is not only the MRT, LRT 1, 2 that will have a price increase next year.  Water rates will also increase effective January 5, 2015.  Consumers will see it on their February billing next year.

Sad but true. We will all experience the price increase in the coming new year. Consumers of Manila Water and Maynilad will be met with an increase in water prices at the beginning of 2015, in line with change in peso value.

Manila Water will be posting a price hike of 0.36 per cubic meter by January, while Maynilad will increase its price by 0.38 per cubic meter.

This means an additional P1.19 in the bill of Maynilad's lifeline rate consumers, or those that consume 10 cubic meters and below per month.

The hike will add P4.45 to the bill of those that consume 20 cubic meters a month, and P9.12 for 30 cubic meters.

According to Manila Water and Maynilad, the increase comes in line with foreign currency differential adjustment, or the change of the value of the peso against other currencies.

Source: GMA TV

MRT, LRT Lines 1, 2 New Fares On January 4, 2015

MRT, LRT Lines 1, 2 New Fares On January 4, 2015

Fares on the Light Rail Transit Lines 1 and 2 and the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 are set to increase effective on January 4, 2015 according to the Department of Transportation and Communication.

DOTC Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya said the increase, which he called “a tough decision” had to be made. Metro Manila's rail lines, particularly the MRT-3, have been the subject of complaints from commuters because of congestion and frequent delays caused by glitches and breakdowns

The new base fare will be P11.00 from the current P10.00 with P1.00 charged per additional kilometer. I think this price increase is long overdue. So a one peso additional fare will be okay.

According to Abaya, the increased rates will bring improved services on the MRT and LRT lines.

The last fare increase for the LRT-1 was in 2003 while the LRT-2's rates have never been increased. MRT-3, on the other hand, lowered from P17 - P34 in 1999 to P12 - P20 in 2000. Fares were decreased further to the current P10 - P15.

“It's been several years since an increase was proposed. We delayed it's implementation one last time until after the Christmas season,” Abaya said.

LESSONS LEARNED FROM Exodus: Gods and Kings

LESSONS LEARNED FROM Exodus: Gods and Kings

Year 2014 is about to wrap-up. And Exodus: Gods and Kings is one of the movies that got inculcated on my mind. From the Bible we learn much about Moses’ motivations, misunderstanding, meekness, and faith in the New Testament books of Acts and Hebrews. 

In the movie, most members of our society still has idea of over a hundred if not a thousand gods. But religion is such a controversial topic that is why a lot of producers veer away from making this type of movie. 

While sporadically stirring, and suitably epic in its ambitions, according to some critics "Exodus: Gods and Kings" can't quite live up to its classic source material. I think otherwise, because for me this movie was able to tell the tale in a more realistic manner.

Tablets of Stone

People should not hesitate to give God some credits for providing and preserving His own words.

In the movie, Moses went to a Mount Sinai cave to literally chisel the Ten Commandments on tablets of stone. I think that is more realistic than having lightning bolts carve the 10 commandments as depicted in other movies.

The dialogue does point out that the Law comes from God, not man. Scripture is clear, however, that God Himself not only inspired (2 Timothy 3:16) the Ten Commandments but actually wrote them on both sets of tablets—the first set that He presented to Moses on the mountain (Exodus 24:12, 32:16) and the second set that Moses cut out (Exodus 34:1) after he broke the first ones upon seeing the golden calf being worshipped in the camp (Exodus 32:8,19).

The scene does make the point that God’s written Word is the foundation on which we base our faith, not the vicissitudes of fallible human leaders. The God-character in the movie tells Moses that the written word—the Law—would endure and guide the people in Moses’ stead. Thus, whether the writers of the movie intended to or not, they have here declared the importance of standing on the authority of God’s written Word, the Bible. The fact that we can trust the Bible from the very first verse is indeed the message of the bible and God. You can recall the importance Jesus Christ placed on all the words God recorded through Moses.

Ninth commandment of God: Thou shall not bear false witness against thy neighbor

It simply means you should not tell lies nor believe in lies that were told to you. 

We, humans, are judgmental beings, and we judge fast.

Sometimes, human as we are, we tend to add or sometimes omit a sentence or two resulting to a confused collection of impression thus leading to a tale or, hell yeah, tales from the dragons.

If you are really good inside and out, then don't believe on painted impressions cast by devils against other human beings. Always be good no matter what.

Share the Feast, Not the Fat this Holiday Season

Share the Feast, Not the Fat this Holiday Season

Whether you realized it already or not, health is wealth.  We Pinoys tend to overeat and enjoy the holiday season to the hilt. Filipinos celebrate the longest Christmas season in the world. Decorations are already up on the first day of the "ber" month- September. Yes, pulis! The first day of September marks the start of the Christmas season in the Philippines. 

Parties and reunions are everywhere every week if not everyday leading up to Christmas Day and are usually extended till New Year’s Eve. And parties only mean one thing: Good food.

Everybody looks forward to this time of the year when we can splurge on a leg of ham or a jamon de bola. If budgets are tight, Pinoys still feast on Lechon Kawali or Crispy Pata. For well-off families, lechon never ceases to appear on the table. The same with bigger families, since it is considered de rigueur for parties. 

With all these holiday delicacies, it is a real challenge to keep track of the calories you consume and stay on that diet you’ve been trying so hard to follow all year. You convince yourself that this is just a once-in-a-year event and a slice of that tasty ham or a bite of that crispy, succulent lechon skin won’t do any harm. 

Before you know it, you'll realize you’ve had too much and all that’s left is the taste of guilt plus those extra pounds. It is a good thing that Fisher Farm came up with delicious products good enough for our traditional salo-salo (get-together).

This holiday season, Fisher Farms Inc., a world-class aquaculture food processor and the largest supplier of farm-raised milkfish in the country, lets you indulge without the guilt with its Gourmet Baked Rellenong Bangus. Created by celebrity chef and food expert Reggie Aspiras, this delicious creation is a healthy alternative to the fatty dishes often served during the Noche Buena (Christmas eve).

The whole bangus (milkfish) is stuffed with a savory filling of fish, sweet potato, bangus belly, shrimp and other premium and special ingredients that give a holiday twist to this traditional dish. 

Juicy and flavorful but not cloying like its fried counterparts, the Gourmet Baked Rellenong Bangus makes any celebration merry and healthy. 

Unlike the traditional rellenong bangus, this is baked and not fried, which cuts down considerably on the fat content without sacrificing flavor. The relleno comes in three generous sizes to suit the Filipino family: 800-grams, 1.1 kilos, and 1.3 kilos. With bangus this big, you can definitely share the feast but not the fat.

As the country’s leading aquaculture processor and exporter, Fisher Farms grows its milkfish in the pristine seawaters of Pangasinan in fish cages, resulting to sweeter, more flavorful, firmer and cleaner fish. Only high-protein feeds are given to farmed fish to produce high-quality fish meat. Fisher Farms’ Gourmet Baked Rellenong Bangus is available in select supermarkets in Metro Manila and in select provinces around the country.

For more details about Fisher Farms, visit fisherfarms.ph. Visit its Facebook (fisherfarmsinc), Twitter(@fisherfarmsph) and Instagram (@fisherfarmsph) for updates.