Metro Manila-Metro Guapo

I would like to commend Sec. Bayani BF Fernando of the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) for the traffic engineering projects he had accomplished along the Metro Manila major thoroughfare of EDSA (Efifanio delos Santos Avenue).

In the late '90s, I passed through this road almost everyday as I commuted to work from Las Pinas City to SM Megamall and what was once a chaotic and exhausting travel experience during that period, Sec. Fernando has put back order and discipline among the daily commuters of this road.

In the span of my entire 30 day vacation in the Philippines last June, it is inevitable to travel along this highway as I went to several government agencies in acquiring my son's authenticated birth certificate. It is so apparent to notice the foot bridges and waiting sheds at every bus stops alongside the road.

MMDA's footbridge at the Quezon Ave.-EDSA intersection

Walking over at MMDA's footbridge

You have to fall in line according to your destination at the MMDA's bus stop waiting shed. It has its loading and unloading slots and commuters are contained within the fence. No more pedestrian beyond the street gutter.

I've been to Hong Kong several years ago, and I am amazed of their road networks and transportation system. Buses come and go on schedule. Pedestrians are well disciplined and orderly as they walked along the busy streets of downtown Hong Kong.

With Sec. Fernando's dedication and vision, it is a pleasure to have him leading MMDA in making Metro Manila a global oriented metropolis for I do believe that we Filipinos deserve to have a world class city that we can be proud of and can be compared to other major Asian cities. Don't you think so?

His projects may have heap negative reactions among city dwellers but I believe that such undertakings from any public servants, for that matter, should have an impact to the majority, if not to all, in the improvement of the quality of life of the Filipino people.

Yet much work still needs to be done. Let's take it one step at a time.

The Marcus Chronicles: 9th Month Birthday

I am thankful to God that I have the chance to celebrate my son's 9th month birthday last June 13 together with my wife here in the Philippines as I savor the last remaining days of my vacation. I am just hoping and praying to God that I will be with them again on his 1st birthday celebration before the year ends.

The day belong to my son.

I was so tired that day as I prepared the food we shared together for our modest merienda. The menu includes pasta with shreded Baliwag Lechon Manok and sliced carrots and celery coated in melted butter, Brazo de Mercedes improvised into a birthday cake, corn seasoned with melted butter and salt, buko pandan salad and Iced tea to quenched our thirst. WOW sarap, kainan na tayo.

Happy Birthday Marcus. I love you anak..

COLD STORE, lets push it!

Cold Store. The first time I heard it, I thought it is a store where they sell frozen stuff. But I was wrong. The truth is, they not only sell frozen items but they sell anything that you could imagine from phone cards, vegetables, toiletries, cosmetics, school and office supplies, etc. It is a convenience store that is within your reach, just around the corner so to speak.

Bahrain's cold stores are the equivalent of our friendly neighborhood sari-sari store in the Philippines. The only difference is that they have a wide variety of commodities to sell. If you want a nail pusher, you guess it right, they also have it. Would you like to buy one?

Old Palace Road

One of the busy streets of Gudaibiya and a favorite hub-spot for many Filipinos working here.

The road has many connecting side streets where most of the Filipinos prefered to reside in because of its proximity to many commercial establishments.

Every morning, many bus stops along this street are filled with Filipinos awaiting for their respective transport services.

WOW Sarap: Quick Stomach

A small Filipino restaurant somewhere in Gudaibiya best known for its authentic la paz batchoy. The cooks were direct hired from Iloilo, one of which is a friend of mine. One day we invited him over in one of our group gatherings and had him cook la paz batchoy for us. He was so cautious that no body sees him as he prepares the secret ingredients.


The other day, a co-worker treated me for a free dinner in gratitude from a small favor I had done for him. So I brought him here at Quick Stomach and ordered for their Fiesta Meal (sorry I don't feel like having la paz batchoy) which is too much for me to eat all in just one sitting. The meal has a cup of garlic rice, 2 pcs. meat balls, a springroll, chicken barbecue, and pancit canton with a glass of iced tea and tiny servings of macaroni salad. At the current exchange rate (as of this writing) it will cost you at around Php 254. WOW sarap! Kain na tayo!

only in Bahrain: Lets ENTER the ENTRANCE

Metro Markets. A small grocery store in a community where my flat is just a walking distance away. The acrhitecture is unique with its intricate geometric facade details. Though the clock is out of scale with respect to the whole structure, I like everything about it, except for this one foible.

Come, lets ENTER the ENTRANCE and see it for yourself.

Marcus Gabriel's Dedication Day

This is my son, Marcus Gabriel at seven months old.

Though his name is of ancient Roman pre-Christian origin, my son's name should be associated with the Gospel writer Mark the Evangelist. And the suffix name Gabriel refers to the angel of God that apeared to Mary.

My wife has been referring to him by his petname Tatus.

"Si Tatus ang lakas uminom ng gatas."

"Si Tatus tinotopak na naman."

"Si Tatus ang lakas umiyak, ayaw magpatulog."

That's how my wife would refer to our son in her usual SMS everytime I checked-on how he is doing. I don't know how it came to be that way. Pero para wala ng mahabang diskusyon, nakiki-Tatus na din ako...

"Hon, musta na si Tatus?"

Last month, Tatus went on sickbay and was diagnosed with amoebiasis. He was confined for almost 10 days at two different hospitals. We were both so worried of what might happen to him. But with much prayer everything went well. Praise God!

Soon after that, the old folks has been harassing my wife regarding the reason why my son got sick. They were saying that it is because Tatus hasn't been baptised yet. With those kind of people around her, my wife got so paranoid and so worried that Tatus might even be possessed with evil spirits which according to her are very prevalent in their place.

So finally, after the long wait, Tatus was dedicated to the Lord last April 19 at the San Miguel Christian Church in Bulacan. With Tatus in the picture above was the Officiating Pastor Wilmor Trinidad.

en now presenting da Mommy en da Baby but wer is da Dadi?

WELCOME TO THE CHRISTIAN WORLD TATUS!