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O.L.P. Carwash

2010-06-12T03:06:00.000+08:00

Whenever I would hit the vicinity of ABS-CBN and GMA-7, my most favorite tambayan or hang out is the O.L.P. Carwash situated at the street of Sct. Ybardolaza opposite Sct. Esguerra Street (formerly Bohol Avenue). I have all the reason to be visiting this place every now and then. Even before the carwash business existed, the site used to be my tambayan when I first arrived here in Metro Manila 15 years ago. The ambiance of the place is identical to what can be observed in the province; i.e., trees, fighting cocks, wooden bench, tricycles, and a carenderia nearby. So, even when I no longer lived in Quezon City, I make it a point to stop by into this place momentarily. And the good excuse to do it is to avail O.L.P. Carwash' services.

O.L.P. Carwash had already been in the business for more than ten years. They are open daily from 8am - 6pm. They are servicing private vehicles, taxis, and even tricycles. Price range is 60 pesos to 80 pesos depending on the kind of vehicle that you have (SUVs are charged much higher as compared to regular size sedan).

O.L.P. Carwash is owned and operated by Orly Pascual, a non-life insurance agent. He is being assisted by his son Allan.

My wife is getting bored but patiently waiting for the carwashing to be finished.

Presto! Super-linis, super-kintab after the carwash...

Note: Photos in this article were taken using inferior mobile phone camera.

Boil in My Left Hand

As I woke up one morning on Friday last week, I noticed a reddish and itchy circumscribed inflammation at the back of my left hand. I was not bothered about it so much as I thought it would be gone soon anytime of the day. How wrong I was! The inflammation had grown to a boil within the day.

Boil, also known in Tagalog as pigsa; uyapos in Hiligaynon; pugsa in Karay-a; mata'g tiki in Cebuano, is a deep infective folliculitis (infection of the hair follicle). It is almost always caused by infection by the bacterium Staphylococcus areus, resulting in the localized accumulation of pus (usually with a centralised core known locally as mata that must be eventually removed) and dead tissue. This usually occurs during dry season, or when the weather condition is extremely hot, encouraging the rapid growth of bacteria.

In the evening, the boil had already grown so big. It was in fact getting painful that I even found it difficult to type in the keyboard. Washing dirty clothings became a challenge as well.

I didn't want to see a doctor anymore and my home-grown solution is to drink Amoxycillin for the swelling and mefenamic acid for the pain.

Saturday morning, the boil had swollen so much and became even more painful that I couldn't wear my riding glove into my left hand. The photo below shows how did I ride on that day on reporting to work.

It didn't end up there. As I was moving forward with my bike, I realized I get hurt in the boil part everytime there's bump in the wheel. It was one of the most uncomfortable situation that I ever had. I had to endure the pain as I was left with no choice of turning back. I don't want to get late at work.

The already painful boil is even much more aggravated when I had to squeeze the brake lever to stop or slow down in traffic.

The boil became so severe that I had to cancel my schedule of joining the Green Ride: Bike for a Change the following day.

Now I just felt to be unfortunate to have missed that one significant event because of the boil in my hand.

Print for Smiles (Enjoy upto 40% discount on Photo Printing for the benefit of children with cleft lips and palate)

2010-03-23T02:40:00.001+08:00

Canon is inviting everyone to join Print for Smiles, a fund raising activity for the benefit of children with cleft lips and palate.

Have your photos printed or blown up in canvas or satin-semi gloss paper through Canon imagePROGRAF large format printer at a price up to 40% lower than market. Proceeds of this event will go to Operation Smile.

The poster above reads as follow:

print for SMILES

print your photos through Canon large format printer to generate funds for the treatment of children with cleft lips and palate.

Have your photos printed or blown up in canvas or satin-semi gloss paper through Canon imagePROGRAF large format printer at a price up to 40% lower than market. Proceeds of this event will go to Operation Smile.

18"x24" satin semi-gloss photo paper @ Php350 per print

18"x24" canvas @ Php500 per print

Please have your photos ready for printing, set the file size to 18"x24" at 300dpi.

We can accommodate 60 print outs per day only, maximum of 4 prints per head. Please call 8849000 local 9139 to reserve a slot.

March 25 - 27, 9:30AM - 5:30PM at Canon Showroom G/F Commerce and Industry Plaza, Campus Ave., corner Park Ave., McKinley Hill, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City

Share a smile. Change a life. Support Operation Smile.

Join the OSM Mapping Party in Marikina

2010-03-18T01:19:00.000+08:00

This Saturday, March 20 2010, there will be a mapping party in Marikina City, with the goal being to completely (and accurately) map the entire city. Be there and if you want to learn how you can contribute to OpenStreetMap and map your area, just come on by this Saturday. Read about the full event details at http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/WikiProject_Philippines/Mapping_Party/Marikina. It'll be a great fun filled event and a learning experience for everyone.

OpenStreetMap originally started with just a few people but at present, the site now boasts hundreds of members contributing to create the best online map of our country. The service is 100% free.

This information is cross-posted at http://www.bikelog.co.cc/2010/03/mapping-party-in-marikina-by.html.

A New Angel Is Born

2010-03-02T03:05:00.000+08:00

Babies are Angels that fly to the earth,

their wings disappear at the time of their birth

one look in their eyes and we're never the same

They're part of us now and that part has a name

That part is your heart and a bond that won't sever

our Babies are Angels, we love them forever.

~Unknown~

The photo above is a slideshow image. Click the photo to see more (you may want to wait the whole page to download in order for the slideshow script to work properly).

You may also see the photos from this post: href="http://www.bikelog.co.cc/2010/03/cyclist-baby-is-born.html.

Driving Lesson for Free

2010-02-26T21:28:00.001+08:00

To all The Korean Filipino Wives who lives in Chungbuk Province South Korea. If you want to Learn How to Drive There is a free Driving Lesson Education. If you are interested and want to Join please contact the HUman Rights Welfare Education For Migrants Office 043-241-1530 or 010-2703-1326 for more information.

Details

Migrant women married to Koreans and living in Chungcheongbuk-do (North Chungcheong Province) will be granted an opportunity to try out for a driver's license, with the local government paying half the expense.

The province announced early this month that it would subsidize 50 percent of the total fee (about 400,000 won) for attaining a driver's license for marriage migrants in order to help them raise their chances of getting a job in Korea. Local governments have secured 48 million won for the measure.

According to 2008 data, 46 percent of rural households with migrant women were found to earn less than one to two million won per month on average. This has left some 65 percent the women wanting to get a job on their own to improve their standard of living. The driver's license project was launched as a result of this finding.

Under the latest measure, all multicultural family assistance centers within the province have set up classes for driver's licenses. With the additional help from related institutions, the class will be run by police while the local driver's license institute will cover the practical part.

The province expects about 120 applicants for this project. The officials plan to select, first and foremost, women with many children to feed or those who show strong will in getting a job or starting a business.

"It's still a tentative project," said one of the province officials. "We will decide whether to continue or not after this first year."

Those interested can inquire any multicultural family assistance center within Chungcheongbuk-do or simply call 043-280-4473. Registration is due by late February or early March at the latest, depending on which assistance center one contacts.

This information is lifted from Jasmin's Friendster bulletin.

Visit at the Villa Oro Resort

2010-02-18T08:36:00.001+08:00

December 16, 2008 - Sometime in between our wedding preparation, Jovy and I had the chance to visit one resort in Matalam which is called Villa Oro Resort. The visit to the place so happened when we accompany EJ, Jovy's then 5-year old nephew to their school's Christmas Party held at this resort.

For this blog entry, si EJ naman ang gawin nating bida... Meanwhile, please be patient as the images in this post may take time to download.

EJ happily waded into the pool.

C'mmon! Let's rock and roll!

As Jovy and I roamed around the vicinity of the resort, she surprisingly encountered her long-lost friend and former boardmate during her college days. The friend hailed in Upi, Maguindanao and is now working as guidance councelor in one exclusive school in Kidapawan. It also happened that their group had also an event held in Villa Oro Resort. The two are so happy to have meet each other again after long years of absence. They eagerly posed for a souvenir photo.

Jovy couldn't talk longer with her friend as both are in a hurry for their respective events. Anyhow, Jovy managed to invite her for our wedding and she promised she would try her best to be present on that occassion. After that, Jovy and I returned to EJ's school Christmas Party.

Ang daming Christmas gifts!!!

Parlor games and intermission numbers were part of the program of the Christmas Party.

EJ contemplated to win any of the games.

It's eating time!!!

Kainan na...

EJ showed to us what he received for the exchange gift - a box of chocolates.

Kids and the kids at heart were very happy for this Christmas Party. Muslims and Christians alike shared the same joy and Christmas spirit on this event.

Misa de Gallo

2010-02-18T00:40:00.001+08:00

This post is a continuation of my North Cotabato adventure series which is momentarily discontinued on February 2009. The last post to where we pick up is Filipino Ingenuity. This entry is a long overdue post but nevertheless, I have to post it in the spirit of continuing this series.

December 16, 2008 - Balindog, Kidapawan. We rise up early in the morning. It is the first morning for Misa de Gallo, a nine-day ritual of Simbang Gabi that would end up on Christmas Eve.

A church in Balindog, Kidapawan photographed when we were on our way to Misa de Gallo. This was photographed using phonecam.

This scene was captured using phonecam after Misa de Gallo has concluded.

One of the customs related to the Philippine Misa de Gallo is the selling of traditional Philippine food, such as puto bumbong (a purple colored rice pastry, seasoned with grated--coconut and brown sugar), tsokolate (a hot chocolate drink), bibingka (flour and egg cakes cooked on top and under), and salabat, or ginger tea, which are sold by vendors to the faithful outside churches.

Bibingka being sold to the faithfuls after the mass.

Goods are usually sold out even before the sun rises.

Note: All photos were photographed using phonecam thus the low photo quality.

Happy Valentines Day and Congratulations and Be Prosperous!

2010-02-14T13:40:00.002+08:00

Dragon Dance and Lion Dance

Kung Hei Fat Choi

Keong Hee Huat Chye

Gong Xi Fa Cai

Jovy in Paris

My wife texting and waiting for me at the one famous landmark in Champ de Mars

The preggy wife holding one of the base of the tower

Jovy below the global icon of France and one of the most recognizable structures in the world

Happy valentine's Day 2010, friends and visitors of this website...

Google / Blogger Will Stop to Support FTP Publishing

2010-02-08T22:23:00.001+08:00

I received a notification from Blogger Support informing us FTP publisher that Blogger will cease supporting FTP publishing on March. I am publishing the full copy of the e-mail below.

from Blogger Support
reply-to support@blogger.com
to isidro.flores.jr@gmail.com
date Tue, Feb 2, 2010 at 1:04 PM
subject Important: Changes to Blogger FTP Service
mailed-by scoutcamp.bounces.google.com

Dear FTP user:

You are receiving this e-mail because one or more of your blogs at Blogger.com are set up to publish via FTP. We recently announced a planned shut-down of FTP support on Blogger Buzz (the official Blogger blog), and wanted to make sure you saw the announcement. We will be following up with more information via e-mail in the weeks ahead, and regularly updating a blog dedicated to this service shut-down here: http://blogger-ftp.blogspot.com/. The full text of the announcement at Blogger Buzz follows.
Last May, we discussed a number of challenges facing[1] Blogger users who relied on FTP to publish their blogs. FTP remains a significant drain on our ability to improve Blogger: only .5% of active blogs are published via FTP — yet the percentage of our engineering resources devoted to supporting FTP vastly exceeds that. On top of this, critical infrastructure that our FTP support relies on at Google will soon become unavailable, which would require that we completely rewrite the code that handles our FTP processing.
Three years ago we launched Custom Domains[2] to give users the simplicity of Blogger, the scalability of Google hosting, and the flexibility of hosting your blog at your own URL. Last year's post discussed the advantages of custom domains over FTP and addressed a number of reasons users have continued to use FTP publishing. (If you're interested in reading more about Custom Domains, our Help Center has a good overview[4] of how to use them on your blog.) In evaluating the investment needed to continue supporting FTP, we have decided that we could not justify diverting further engineering resources away from building new features for all users.
For that reason, we are announcing today that we will no longer support FTP publishing in Blogger after March 26, 2010. We realize that this will not necessarily be welcome news for some users, and we are committed to making the transition as seamless as possible. To that end:

We are building a migration tool that will walk users through a migration from their current URL to a Blogger-managed URL (either a Custom Domain or a Blogspot URL) that will be available to all users the week of February 22. This tool will handle redirecting traffic from the old URL to the new URL, and will handle the vast majority of situations.

We will be providing a dedicated blog[5] and help documentation

Blogger team members will also be available to answer questions on the forum, comments on the blog, and in a few scheduled conference calls once the tool is released.

We have a number of big releases planned in 2010. While we recognize that this decision will frustrate some users, we look forward to showing you the many great things on the way. Thanks for using Blogger.

Regards,

Rick Klau
Blogger Product Manager
Google
1600 Amphitheatre Parkway
Mountain View, CA 94043

So, what should I do now? As you may know, my blog is highly customized with PHP scripts, SSI, .htaccess, and these are just a few of the reasons why I get my own web server. Other than maintaining a blog for my photography hobby and writing and posting blog entries of my travel stories, my interest goes deeper as tweaking scripts and tinkering what's inside the web server. Moving to a custom domain will deprive me of the things I enjoy the most. And what about the tons of photos that I manually uploaded to my web server over the years? The moment I move to custom domain, I can only only move the text part of every blog entries because those are saved in Blogger's server. Since the photos will be left in my web server, all blog entries with links to the photos will be left with broken links. If I don't want this case to happen, I'll be forced to download the photos into my hard drive and upload it again to free photo hosting sites. Then I will have to edit the links of the blog entries affected. I even don't have the time to do blogging nowadays, what more of working on switching my blog from my own web server to custom domain? It will be a PAINFUL, PAINFUL move.

I already moved my bicycling blog to Blogger custom domain and it didn't take much effort since I only have a few blog entries right there. As of this writing, I still don't have any idea how this travelogue website will fare with the new Google/Blogger's publishing policy.

Lastly, I can only hope they will not phase out classic HTML template in favor of the layout template.

Welcome 2010!

2010-01-01T13:51:00.001+08:00

Last night, my wife and I celebrated the coming of the year 2010 with a very grateful heart. The photos below show of what have become last night.

My wife's small fruit basket.

I also prepared my bike for the welcoming of the New Year.

Fireworks and firecrackers started to soar up high in the skies even before 12 midnight hit. I was able to take a few shots of it but not decent enough as I didn't have a tripod therefore a long exposure which is the ideal camera setting to photograph fireworks was not an option last night.

Fireworks - not a decent shot but this is it.

Just another fireworks...

...and another one...

...and here's more...

...and another more...

At 12:00midnight, Jovy and friend Nenet lighted their fireworks to welcome the year 2010.

Nenet and Jovy lighted their fireworks.

Meanwhile, my way of welcoming the new year is to ride my bicycle. This photo was taken by my wife.

Spam Attack

My site was down the last two weeks of December. This is due to spam attacks towards my site.

I am receiving hundreds of junk email to my mailbox.

Every junk email contain junk messages as well.

As a result of this spam attack, my website ran out of bandwidth resources.

Spam attack is prevalent in this site from the very start. One of my New Year wish is to counter and free up myself from this spam attack that's eating my precious bandwidth resources.

My Old Pal

2009-12-18T11:04:00.002+08:00

Kodak Z700 / Shutter Speed: 1/60 sec / F-stop: f/3.4 / ISO Setting: 80 / focal length: 8.6mm /flash: on / mount: handheld (Dec. 18, 2005 11:04:01)

Was always my loyal partner since 1988 until its retirement 17 years later.

This photo (in macro mode) was taken exactly 4 years ago as of this posting.

We Survived Bagyong Ondoy

2009-10-07T14:20:00.012+08:00

I am forever grateful to those who extended their donations, prayer and support for me and my wife. We truly feel blessed that despite of the two calamities that recently struck and devastated our country, there were prepared friends willing to help and support us in times of needs. I'm sorry I could not mention individually those who helped us and gave their support. But you know you are one.

I narrated my story on that fateful day of September 26 when tropical storm Ondoy started to pound greater Manila area with hard, continuous rain. See my story from this link: http://www.bikelog.co.cc/2009/09/my-first-week-of-bike-commuting.html#bagyongOndoy (link will open up in a new window).

Below is the account of my wife Jovy during those two days that the typhoon had separated us.

Jovy's Experience with Ondoy

My husband and I received Ube News through our phone Friday night that a typhoon codenamed Ondoy is going to hit Manila the following day. During that night, rain poured in incessantly. In the morning, it was still raining. We prepared ourselves to go to work. After our breakfast, the rain still poured in. My husband who usually bike to work early had to wait for at least 30 minutes. A few minutes before 9 o'clock, my husband changed clothings and decided to just ride through the rain. As he stepped outside the gate, the road was flooded with rainwater.

By 10 o'clock in the morning, I was still at home when I am supposed to be already at work. The rain consistently poured in and it seemed like the floodwater on the road is getting deeper. I contacted Marites Dizon, in charge of our scheduling, to inform her that I might not be able to report to work because of the weather condition. But her cellphone just keep on ringing and nobody was picking it up. I sent her a text message. I also called up my reliever but nobody answered too. I called up my husband whom I assumed already arrived to work to inform him that I couldn't report to work because of the rain and the rising water on the road. He adviced me to inform our boss of which I did. My boss told me that he would contact my reliever and I need not worry.

Our friend and neighbor-next-door Junjet was also trapped with the rising water. So, he also had to stay in the house together with his one-year old daughter Pia and sister-in-law Mai-mai who also could not report to work. Nenet, Junjet's wife, already left to work just like my husband. There were three of them in their house while I was alone in my house.

I didn't realize that the water on the road was already waist-deep until water started to creep inside our house. I was totally shocked and shrieked for help. Junjet came to rescue and poured sand in our front door to block the water from entering the house. The blockade didn't totally stop the water from seeping through but at least it slowed down the process. Junjet started to get alarmed because he knew his house would be next.

The water was leaking in slowly so I had to use dust pan to fetch the water and threw outside the house. I knew the water would just come back but I had to delay the water from getting in so I can move things to safer locations like the top of the tables and on lavatory. Despite all of my effort to throw the water away, still water started to enter inside our bedroom. I had to rush there to save our things which are just laid on the floor. I had to transfer those things on top of our bed. I didn't know how I was able to lift my husband's books contained in a balikbayan box, but I just did it. I felt pain in my belly so I talked to my baby inside my womb to hold on because Mama is rescuing things from flood. I was alone inside the house and was doing all the heavy lifting. I was crying not because of self-pity but because of my baby inside the womb. I knew miscarriage could occur to me anytime because of too much tension. As much as I would want to slow down, I simply couldn't because I have to race with the rising water that seemed to engulfed all of our belongings. It was already 12 noon.

After moving all of our things on top of the bed, I called up my husband to tell him of what's happening. He promised he would go home as soon as the flood would subside. He said Shaw Blvd. was also flooded and Meralco Avenue was impassable due to a fallen wall of the Capitol compound. He adviced me to shut off the main switch of the electricity. I told him that it is already brownout in our place.

My effort of throwing the water away had costed me so much energy yet all of these things turned out to be futile. The water level is getting deeper. Junjet came to help me as water was already knee-deep and was also entering his house already. By that time, he would be running to his house and back to my house to save everything from getting soaked with floodwater. I didn't know how he was able to manage it all but it was my first time to see a man to act in a rapid motion racing against time and the rising water. Junjet piled up hollow blocks inside our house where we could possibly move things on a much higher level. I was also able to carry four pieces of hollow blocks until I remember I am four-month pregnant. After piling the hollow blocks, Junjet had to rush back towards his house to see the condition there. Mai-mai was left in the other house tending the one-year old Pia.

At 3 o'clock in the afternoon, I was already dead-tired, thirsty, and hungry. Water level on the road is already neck-deep and inside our house is already waist-level. Everything else you see is water - murky and smelly. So many things were floating around; soap box, pail, basins, and even my husband's computer chair. Down the road, people in the neighborhood are swimming for their lives. I overheard feral cats crying. Junjet had to shut our gate with a sheet of plywood to prevent floating garbage from entering our house. We also had to protect our things not to be carried away by the sweeping current. I can only smell chaos and confusion.

I called up my husband urging him to come home no matter what so we could stay together. I told him not to bring anything that could possibly get wet and damaged like wrist watch, wallet, and cellphone. After I spoke with my husband, network signal is lost. I turned off my cellphone to conserve battery power. Right then and there, we were totally isolated from the outside world.

5 o'clock in the afternoon was already very very dark. We were caught off-guard and never ever had any lighting equipment for this kind of situation. Well, at least, I got my gas lighter and Junjet got his match. Earlier, Junjet found some candles in our house. But those are no ordinary candles. Those candles are holy candles used during our 3-day ceremony and one candle is my husband's baptismal candle (my husband was only Christianized a week before our wedding). With not much option left, I finally decided that those candles had to be sacrificed otherwise we won't be having anything to light us up for the night.

I closed our house and moved to Junjet's house. There, the four of us; myself, Mai-mai, Pia, and Junjet huddled on top of a double-deck bed. The water escalated to a critical level. After five hours since I talked to my husband, he didn't show up yet. I started to fear for my husband's life. Since he told me he would come, he would surely fulfill it. I know my husband. If he promise something he would do, he would really do it no matter how difficult it is. Morbid thoughts started to be pictured out inside my mind. What if my husband was carried away by water current and get drowned? My husband is all guts but lack of necessary skill. He doesn't know how to swim and surely wouldn't be able to survive a flood. I imagined myself to be in the news a few days later - a four-month pregnant wife who lost her husband to a tropical storm. Yes, anything is possible and what I had in mind during that time is not remote to happen. In fact, a similar case already happened to our family. Sixteen years ago, my elder brother Alex was killed in an ambush leaving behind a seven-month pregnant wife. And it was their first baby who was born without seeing his father. I was really afraid the same thing could happen to me. I was so helpless and I cried and cried. I fetched a rosary beads from my pocket and prayed the rosary. I was so helpless, we were so helpless and only the mercy of God could help us. I prayed and pray hard.

Past midnight and he didn't arrive yet. I was wondering what had become of my husband. On the lighter side, if my husband is still alive, I was wondering where would he stay for the night. It was still raining and I was sure he's all wet by that time. I truly regretted having convinced my husband to come home despite of the dangers posed by flood. At that moment, I could only hope that he didn't risk his life wading through the flood and the raging water current.

2 o'clock in the morning, Junjet cooked pancit canton for us to eat. It's good that he was able to save his gas range and cylinder. At long last, I had eaten again after 19 hours of not eating anything. Junjet also prepared milk for me. Our neighbors in a three-storey house were also very watchful. They would flash their lights towards us as if telling us that if something could become terribly bad, we can transfer to their house which is much higher than ours. I am very grateful that all of my neighbors are very concern towards one another. Anyhow, the water level stopped just below the second deck of the bed so we just stayed where we were and waited for the morning.

The long wait for the morning finally arrived. It was already Sunday, a time where we are supposed to be in the church. But no, we were there on top of the double-deck bed trapped by the flood. Junjet cooked for our breakfast. I turned on my cellphone to check for network signal but it only registered zero signal. Mai-mai's phone which is subscribed to another network registered a faint signal. The only problem with her phone is that it already indicated a "low-batt" status. I thought of contacting my husband through Mai-mai's phone but I was aware he's not bringing any of his phone with him. So, I opted to send text message to my boss instead asking if he knows my husband's whereabouts. After sending the message, Mai-mai turned off her phone to conserve battery power. I could only hope a positive reply from my boss.

The rain already stopped a few hours ago and the morning showed an overcast but promising skies. The water was still but didn't subside yet. Junjet who prepared for our food and all had to tip-toe to avoid dirty water to splash into our food. We ate our breakfast in the same location we were during the night - the top of the double-deck bed. The little girl Pia was already awake and is eating with us.

While I had to worry for my husband, Junjet also had to worry for his wife Nenet who, just like my husband, didn't arrive home at the height of typhoon Ondoy.Junjet decided that after the breakfast he would wade into the flood to fetch his wife and my husband who probably were stranded in the highway. Right after our breakfast, Junjet proceded according to his plan.

After sometime, Mai-mai turned her cellphone on. A message came through. It was the reply from my boss telling me not to worry because my husband is safe and stayed in the office the whole night when the flood was at its peak. I couldn't help myself but cry. But it was already tears of joy knowing that my husband is alive and well. After that, what I'd like to know next is the status of Nenet.

After more than thirty minutes, Junjet came back. He couldn't make it to the highway because of high level of water. There were ruptured drainage too which are very dangerous. The water current is also very strong. That's why he had to turn back.

On lunch time, Nenet arrived. She brought with her slices of roasted pig and chicken anticipating that we must have already starved to death. We were so happy to see her. Pia was also very happy to be reunited with her mother.

Despite of the flood, we had a celebration. We prepared the food Nenet brought for us while she was telling us her story. She said she was stranded together with thousands of commuters who couldn't cross the flood. They slept in Rosario bridge despite of the heavy downpour. Nenet was sleeping under her umbrella. In the morning, she bought some food and went to the site where he could take a ride going home. But instead of the usual tricycle that would take her home, it was a boat at that time manned by four enterpreneuring locals who were asking 50 pesos per head per ride. It was also taking a different route as most flooded areas are still impassable. Nenet also had to wade breast-deep of floodwater the rest of her way home. She finally arrived home safely.

Suddenly, Mai-mai's phone rang. It was my boss calling trying to reach me through the phone number I was using to send him text message that morning. We talked. He said that he's in our head office and my husband is there too. I talked to my husband too. It was a very nice feeling hearing the voice of my husband after what we went through. I was simply happy that he's alive and I could hear his voice. I was very much relieved. I told him that the flood is already passable through a place called de Ramos and Nenet was successful in coming home through that route. Since he would be taking a boat, I told him to just leave his bike in the office and just walk home no matter how long would it takes. I also asked him to buy extra candles along the way.

Two hours after we spoke over the phone, my husband finally emerged. He was covered with mud all over and soaked with oil. Apparently, he had to wade through deep waters just to make it home. He was wearing the same clothing he wore on that fateful Saturday. Just the same, I embraced him very tight. I didn't mind how bad he smelled at that time. It was already enough for me to know and to see that my husband is alive and safe.

In the evening, the water subsided. Two families shared the same room to sleep for the night. Junjet and his wife Nenet and daughter Pia and sister-in-law Mail-mai used the lower deck of the bed while my husband and I occupied the top. My husband was very dirty and so smelly but I didn't mind all of it. Yakap-yakap ko talaga siya buong gabi.

My Sunday Experience with Bagyong Ondoy

I wrote my Saturday experience with bagyong Ondoy here (http://www.bikelog.co.cc/2009/09/my-first-week-of-bike-commuting.html#bagyongOndoy). I wrote it in the night of Saturday fueled by frustration that I couldn't make it to my wife when she needed me most. I was already there in the Floodway bridge but couldn't cross the flood that blocked my way to our house. In my desperate effort to communicate with my wife, I thought of going back to our office to where I left my phone. But when I got hold of my phone, I couldn't contact my wife. I was terribly sorry that I felt like I would go crazy for leaving my wife all alone in the most dangerous situation. All my pain I put into writing.

In the morning, I left the office right away very hopeful to see my wife and see what had happen in our house. It was no longer raining. All along, I thought the flood is gone and I could already pedal all my way going home. Boy, I was wrong!

When I arrived at the Rosario bridge, I could see a lot of people walking opposite to the direction I was heading to. Most of them are soaked with mud and oils. I sensed that something must be wrong. Not too far away, I could see deadlock traffic ahead. What are these vehicles doing here on a Sunday?

I squeezed myself through people walking opposite of me and through trucks and cars not moving. The flooded area in between Manggahan intersection and GSIS road that was flooded the day before was already dry and there was not even a trace of flooding except for a foul odor.

But when I arrived at the foot of the Floodway bridge, I could see some motorcycle riders resting. It looked like they are the same motorcyclists who were fixing their spark plugs the day before during the typhoon Ondoy. I get down from my bike and walked beside it since the traffic is not moving at all and there were lots of people in between cars and trucks and buses. I could feel something must be wrong.

As I was approaching the opposite end of the bridge, I recall those are the same RRCG and G Liner buses that got stranded there during the flood. Those are similarly cars, jeepneys, commuters' weary faces that I've seen the day before. On the opposite lane, I could see that cars were cleared up to give way to military trucks, GMA7's OB van, rubber boats on trailers, one amphibian truck, ambulances, and many more. I could see rescue divers on their uniform still soaked with mud and oil. There were police, MMDA officers, and military on full-gear. Almost all the civilians walking and sitting by the roadside, I'd easily noticed their haggard faces. Not too far away, I could see that the flood the day before was still there and did not recede yet.

I spoke with one guy on a motorcycle. He said he was right there since yesterday. He was supposed to fetch her wife who is working in Ever Gotesco. He already worried so much especially that her phone was already drained of battery power. He also worried what her wife was eating at that time.

The feeling of frustration is unbearable. But I didn't lost hope. I was asking other locals who were swimming through the flood (some as they said, are still coming from Antipolo) if it is possible for me to cross the water. They said that it is still dangerous and they're telling me of a story like men infront of them lost grip of the rope that guided them in the flooded road and were swept away by strong current and were nowhere to be seen. Nakakatakot naman. But I knew I needed to be strong for my wife whom I didn't know the status as of that time.

An officer on megaphone kept on announcing that people should stay away from flood as they are even rescuing residents who are trapped in the flood. Some people who were just like me who wanted to go home to check their family, tried to wade through the flood but had to return because it is still very deep. Some people who probably are good swimmers, had to swim and used that guide rope to go to the other end which I think is still so deep. While rescue workers didn't allow people to cross the flood, still they couldn't do anything to keep those people away from the flood. Every now and then, I could see people being carried away through stretchers. Some are flood survivors from Antipolo who had walked all their way to higher grounds and collapsed as soon they arrived to Floodway bridge. Some are actually individuals who were trying to cross the flood in front of us and got drowned.

I was there for like a few hours already and the sun shone very hot. I noticed that the rescue process was very slow. Stranded cars, trucks, and jeepneys had to be moved and backed off one by one to give way to rubber boats being towed by military trucks. Somehow, I felt relieved that a rescue mission is already ongoing. But I was wondering what time would be my wife be rescued and how would we see each other when we didn't have communication. I had with me my two phones. Much as I would want to take photos of what's happening at that time, I didn't have the pleasure of doing it since my thinking was all centered to my wife whom I didn't know the status yet. I felt like crying at that time.

Another factor that slowed down the rescue process are the locals who attempted to climb to the military amphibian truck when it was launched to drive through the flood. Those locals are just like me, wanted to cross the flood to see what had happened to their family on the other end. Military personnel drove them away but there are too many of them who were already aboard the truck. I overheard one military personnel saying, "Walang sasakay papasok! Nagri-rescue nga ng tao papalabas eh. Walang sasakay!" But nobody would like to get down. I believe those people are not naturally-born stubborn but were only driven by the desire to see their family's situation in the flood. The amphibian truck didn't move until people climbed down from it. After the last person get off from the truck, the amphibian truck drove through the flood right away. A blue dump truck drove through the flood, too. I didn't know if it was part of the rescue mission. People chased for it and climb on its bed. The driver slowed down the truck, in effect loading a lot of people on its back. The truck then proceded going to the direction I also supposed to go. While rescue workers are bringing people to dry lands, more and more people are getting in to the flooded areas.

I was almost tempted to be doing the same thing - hitch ride rescue trucks entering our place. But I refrained myself from doing it. I still believe that order is needed so the rescue mission could even be more speeded up. I talked to one rescue personnel, asking how long would it take to rescue the populace trapped in the flood, and what place were considered to be in priority. He answered everybody would be rescued but somehow it would take much time. Based on my own assessment, if there would be no additional rescue equipment, and people behave so uncivilly, my wife, if she is still alive, would be rescued the following day or even more than that. I was very much confused of what to do at that time. Looking around, I saw that all the people are confused-looking too. I was not alone.

It was already 11 in the morning. I was there already for six hours not sure of what to do so I could meet up my wife. I was already very hungry and thirsty. I haven't had eaten anything since last night. There were also food being sold by some street-vendors but I didn't have money in my pocket. I saw that very few people are getting rescued every time. The rubber boats used are very small. But I could see more boats are arriving and there are bigger ones. A lifeboat also arrived and was unloaded from a military truck. The lifeboat is exactly similar to a lifeboat carried on a ship for use if the ship has to be abandoned. I think the lifeboat that had arrived is owned by Philippine Navy.

At 12 noon, I saw MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando arrived. He was there to oversee the situation by himself. I was hopeful that his presence could influence the rescue procedure to be hasten up. While I stayed up there since the early morning, I already had doubts whether my wife could be rescued on that very day. They would be rescuing not only hundreds but thousands of people in so many villages that were affected by the flood.

One o'clock in the afternoon, I gave up waiting. No, I didn't gave up on my wife. It was just that I was very very hungry at that time and I already dehydrated. I thought of visiting some friends who can feed up my hungry stomach. I needed to stay alive for my wife. I was already very weak I could hardly pedal my bike on my way back. The sun did no longer shone hot at that time. Dark clouds started to show up in the sky.

On my way back, I texted my boss telling him that I wasn't able to make it going to my wife since the road that leads there is still flooded. He replied that my wife Jovy sent her a message in the morning asking about me. She was using a different phone number but suddenly became unavailable when he tried to call that number. Bigla akong nabuhayan ng loob. I pedaled my bike as much as I could so I'd arrive to our office right away where my boss is waiting for me.

My boss let me read the message stored in his phone. It was indeed a message from my wife asking him about me. The only difference is that she was using a different number instead of her own. I understood she didn't have any network signal in her area. My boss gave me a few peso bill for my food. I went to Tropical Hut in the corners of Shaw Blvd. and Pioneer. I already had the reason to eat knowing my wife is alive and safe.

At past 3 o'clock in the afternoon, my boss was able to contact the number. It is own by Mai-mai, Junjet's sister-in-law. Finally, I was able to talked to my wife after the typhoon and the flood separated us. We both cried. She said she's okay and they're not getting hungry despite of the flood. She told me that I could possibly come home already by riding a boat and take the de Ramos route. She said that Nenet, Junjet's wife came home through that way. She also asked me to buy some candles.

I had to leave my bike in the office since it would be cumbersome for me to be carrying it while riding on a boat. Besides, I wouldn't want to soaked it into the flood. It already had enough of the flood since the day before. I walked to a convenience store to buy candles but they already ran out of stocks. It's good that I was able to find some in a small sari-sari store inside San Antonio Village. I decided to just walk my way going home. Definitely, there was no public transportation available going home because of the flood. It was drizzling but I didn't mind it all. What is more important to me at that time is to make it home and see my wife.

When I reached in Julia Vargas, my phone rang. I wasn't able to pick the call on time as my phone was wrapped inside a plastic bag. It was my friend Mae Ann in Singapore. Later she texted me asking me and my wife's situation. I stopped under a shade of tree so I could type my reply without my phone getting drench in the rain.

After an hour of walking, I reached the Floodway bridge. Rescue activity was ongoing but it seemed to me that water had already receded a bit. I asked a few locals the way going to de Ramos. They pointed me to a street down the bridge. Local residents installed a rope by the side of the bridge to be used by anybody who would like to climb up to the bridge or go down to the houses below. It means I had to rappel my way down into that street.

This is the street I had to take to as my alternate route going home. This is being photographed on top of the bridge before I had to climb down by the side of the bridge the mountaineer's way.

There were no boats available when I set foot under the bridge. Instead there were pedicabs modified so the passengers would have to stand on its seat instead of sitting down while the vehicle is in motion. Four person would drive the pedicab by just pushing it through the flood. I decided that instead of riding the pedicab, I would just walk and follow the cab. After all, the flood in this street is not so deep and so many people were just walking through the flood. The water is knee-level and sometimes waist-level. I just follow with other people walking.

A few locals gave me the direction how to reach my place. People were so friendly and courteous despite of the calamity. I thought I'll never get lost as there are always locals I can ask direction every steps of the way. So, it was not hard navigating going to my place after all.

When I reached the market in our place, the water is already very shallow. I was amazed to see that business is usual in the market. While rescue was ongoing in the highway and stranded locals were fidgeting to see their loved ones trapped in the flood, people could still do business here and manage to smile. Amazing!

The flood going to our house is still very deep I had to wade up to breast level. I could smell gasoline in the water. Children were playing in the flood. The water is so murky. I could feel plastic strips touched my thighs. There were floating cockroaches and a dead dog. I was wondering how I might be able to sanitize myself after all of these. I had to continue walking.

After two hours of walking, I finally arrived home. I went straight to Junjet's house and true to what my wife told me over the phone, she is alive! We couldn't help but embrace each other. She cried so much. I also felt like crying but held back my tears because Junjet's members of the family and some neighbors were looking at us. Real men don't cry.

There was no more water in the house. The water at that time is only in the road level. What's left inside the house and everything there are brown, soft earthy matters that probably may have come down from the nearest mountain.

Since the two families are already complete, we called up for a celebration. Nenet's food was brought outside. It's an early dinner since there was no electricity yet so we had to utilize the available daylight.

Nenet's food. Sliced and recooked roasted pig roasted chicken. A celebration indeed!

In the night time, I couldn't washed off as water supply was very low. There was no electricity to power up the water pump and neighbors were probably using tap water to start cleaning up the flood's mess. With grimes and dirt and oil and foul odor over me, I still was able to sleep peacefully while my wife hugged me tightly unmindful of how I terribly smell. I could only prayed so much thanking God that nothing had happened to me and my wife.

Some photos related to bagyong Ondoy

The flood in Shaw Blvd., in front of our office at the height of bagyong Ondoy.

A jeepney splashes some floodwater to a young lady in her umbrella.

Practicing panning using a mobile phone camera.

Heavy downpour caused so much flood.

The water current is very strong.

A bike commuter walking in the flood.

Calamity victims and kibitzers at the Floodway bridge.

Flood victims confused where to go.

Military trucks on stand by.

The Monday Clean Up

As soon as we wake up in the morning, we decided not to report to work. There was still water in the street. The area didn't have any network signal yet. My wife and I decided that we would just start cleaning up while we cannot report to work yet. We went to our house which is just adjacent from Junjet's house where we slept for the night. I found my computer chair outside the house full of mud and dirt. It was carried away by the water current during the Saturday flood. See the photo below.

In the photo below, that's the sandbags used supposedly to block the water from entering the house. The red line in the photo indicated the depth of water which is up to waist level that enter the house.

Whitey, my wife's king size bed, is covered with mud and soil. Very pitiful. See the photo below.

In the photo below, my wife is seen cleaning up Whitey (the bed). When we started our clean up drive, the first part in the house we cleaned is the toilet so we may be able to use it when needed be.

In the afternoon, network signal was already restored. The first text message that I received came from Rob in Canada. It was actually a delayed message since the message was sent to me during the time my phone didn't have any signal yet. After that, more messages were coming in. My phone was flooded with hundreds of messages - all from friends who worried so much about me and my wife. A few are flood victims too but are already safe and sound. It was glad to hear that nobody in my circle of friends is being claimed by the flood.

In the night time, the neighborhood threw away things that were destroyed by the flood. A huge mound of garbage was formed by the corner. Dead animals were also being thrown there. See the photo below.

The following day, Tuesday, as I bike to work (since I really need to report to work), I could see garbage everywhere, not to mention so many cars parked beside the road that were obviously damaged by the flood as well. See two photos below.

Super Typhoon Pepeng

Just as we are still in the state of calamity after the flood brought by bagyong Ondoy had devastated our house and properties, another typhoon is being reported to hit the country. It's codenamed Pepeng and a super-typhoon.

My wife and I created our own version of preemptive evacuation just in case our area will be flooded again. Jovy's elder cousin invited us to stay in their house in Valenzuela as soon as typhoon Pepeng would hit the country. Valenzuela is also a flood-prone city but the house of Jovy's elder cousin is located in an elevated area that while the neighboord is submerged in water, they still could keep their compound dry.

On Friday night, October 2, my wife and I had to go to Valenzuela after work. She had to take a commuter bus going there while I ride my bike to go to Valenzuela from my workplace in Shaw Blvd. - Pasig, even when it's already raining (another story). During that night, bagyong Pepeng struck Northern Luzon as a super-typhoon. It's strength can also be felt in Metro Manila that a storm signal number 1 was being raised. We felt safe in the house we were in. We watched the news live related to typhoon broadcasted in the television.

On Saturday, my wife and I did no longer report to work of which our boss okayed. Sunday was a little bit okay even when it was still raining in the morning. Monday morning, I had to ride again from Valenzuela to my workplace in Shaw Blvd. - Pasig.

I already go home to our house in Floodway while my wife still goes to Valenzuela as of this writing. The reason I had to go home is so that I can sort out things. Our house is stil in a mess after more than a week of the Ondoy misadventure.

Recovered clothings

My wife and I were able to salvaged a few clothings out of bagyong Ondoy. We hanged it up to dry so we could wash it later. But until another typhoon came - bagyong Pepeng, we were not able to put these clothes to laundry yet. We just don't have time since my wife and I already reported to work. We couldn't wash it in the evening as water supply in our area is being shut off by nine o'clock. In the morning, we would be very busy preparing ourselves to work.

As of this writing, half of these clothes were still hanging for laundry. Half of it, I already washed yesterday morning.

Our electric fan and my laptop's cooling pad also worked when tested.

Prayer

2009-10-02T14:27:00.001+08:00

Dear Lord, we fervently pray for your intercession so that our nation will be spared from another threatening typhoon. People suffered and have not recovered from Ondoy's wrath. Please prevent typhoon Pepeng from hitting any of our islands. Save us from further calamities by embracing our country with your protective grace and merciful blessings. Please pass to start prayer brigades...

Bagyong Pepeng, a Super-Typhoon?

2009-10-01T18:33:00.002+08:00

I received news through my phone this afternoon that typhoon Pepeng is already in Samar right now and is packing maximum winds of 200kph. It is a super-typhoon and may be deadlier than tropical storm "Ondoy" (Ketsana). It will be in Luzon on Friday night or Saturday morning. Now, I fear for the life of my wife and the baby in her womb...

Come to think that we are still in the state of recovery from the devastation caused by typhoon Ondoy!

Our Couple Needs Your Donation and Support

2009-09-29T20:18:00.008+08:00

Tropical storm Ondoy that wrecked havoc last Saturday, September 26 had displaced thousands if not millions of Filipinos, claimed hundreds of lives, and destroyed million of pesos worth of properties. In our neighborhood alone, so many people were drowned and a lot more were missing as of this time. It was a life and death situation for me and my pregnant wife who were completely separated with one another for 36 hours due to flood. It almost costed my life had I didn't withdraw from wading into a near six-feet deep flood, or the life of my 4-month pregnant wife if the water level continued to arise that would ultimately trap her inside our house and she would get drowned.

All of our properties were destroyed, but thanks be to God for we are still alive. My wife and I were reunited on Sunday evening when the water receded and the flood I had to endure is only chest-level. The incident really traumatized us. Right this time, we are still trying to rebuild out of what were spared. But we don't have electricity up until this time, and water supply is very low. Potable water is scarce. Foul odor is everywhere. Everything in the house is completely messed up.

Today, my wife and I had to report to work despite of the calamity so we might be able to save a few working days for our payroll, but we're planning to file leave of absence to rebuild our home. Sad to say, nothings left with us except for my computer and bike that was left in the office. Of course, our phone chargers in the house was spared but that was it. I still don't know exactly how much we can brought up for repair and what are those to be thrown away. It's just so confusing and is very tiring even just to think about it. Tons and tons of garbage are being piled everywhere.

For now, I appeal to those who can read this blog entry as well as those who might be able to receive this as email, I and my wife need your support and donation of any amount, or of any kind. For those who would like to send cash, you may send your donation through my Paypal account or through my wife's Metrobank account.

If you can't see the Paypal button above, my Paypal email for your reference is isidro.flores.jr@gmail.com

My wife's Metrobank account:

JOVELYN C. WACAY
SA# 275 327517910 9
Metrobank Malinta Branch

Those who would like to contact us may call at these numbers: 09228075383, 09227497667, 0922844JOVY. Network signal is already restored but still unstable so we may be unreachable sometimes.

Please note, those who might receive this message as email, I'm sending this at once so I may not be able to mention you individually, but you really receive this as you're one of the intended recipient. Thank you very much.

Typhoon Ondoy related links:
http://www.typhoonondoy.org/
Inquirer.net news about Typhoon Ondoy
Help for Typhoon Ondoy Victims in the Philippines
My personal account of Typhoon Ondoy: http://travelogue.digitalrebel.ws/bikelog/2009/09/my-first-week-of-bike-commuting.html#bagyongOndoy

I will write about our couple's experience with the typhoon and the flood once electricity will be restored in our area.

Update as of today (October 1, 2009 6:50PM): The National Disaster Coordinating Council said more than half a million families of 2.50 million individuals have been affected by Ondoy in 11 regions, including Metro Manila and the Calabarzon area in southern Luzon.

It said that a total of 686,699 people are now staying in 726 evacuation centers. It said Ondoy’s death toll has reached 277 and 42 were still missing.

The storm, which also devastated Vietnam and Cambodia, damaged crops and infrastructure worth at least P4.80 billion.

Our House Is Flooded Now Because of Bagyong Ondoy

2009-09-26T23:33:00.001+08:00

I had to blog here now to keep my sanity intact. High floods separate me and my wife Jovy who's left in the house. My wife told me before our communication is lost that our house is already flooded. I couldn't get through to her to be with her. The road going to our house is impassable. I worry so much about her now. I'm so helpless. Please read more about it here...

The Road Bike That Google Adsense Bought

2009-09-20T22:37:00.004+08:00

Not quite since my earnings of Google Adsense was not even enough to match the cost of the comfort road bike that my wife and I bought yesterday. Anyhow, it's my web site monetization that fueled it all.

Here are a few photos of the bike when it was welcomed with hisses and catcalls at home.

The photos were taken using my Samsung mobile phone camera. Next time, I'll post a more decent photos of this road bike using decent camera. (Click the photo to see more).

More of the details can be read from this link:
http://www.bikelog.co.cc/2009/07/welcome.html

Google Adsense and Me

Google Adsense is a program designed for bloggers and webmasters to make money in the Internet. The way to do it is that if you have a web site, you can open an account at http://www.google.com/adsense and if your application as Google Adsense publisher will be approved, you can start choosing the kind and size of ads to be displayed in your site. The code generated should be embedded in web pages to where you would like the ads to appear. The program is free, and combines pay-per-click and pay-per-impression advertising - meaning you get paid for valid clicks on the ads on your site or search results pages as well as impressions on your content pages.

I started blogging in 2000 but was only started publishing regularly in 2004. In February 2007, I became interested with Google Adsense that I modified my blog template so ads could be fitted in. While I would want to earn with Adsense, I didn't have any idea how to optimize the program so I could earn more. Everything was very vague for me. It was surely a slow progress. I was only earning an average of $US0.14 a day. Anyhow, after two years, I supposed to receive my first Google Adsense check worth $US106.00. Unfortunately, my first Google Adsense check was stolen in the post office.

As I was searching over the Internet to look for information on how I can possible recover my lost check, I came across Marhgil Macuha and Zigfred Diaz' free Guerilla Bloggers' e-book. Since I thought that my attempt at recovering my lost check would be futile, I decided to refocus and told myself, "Don't cry over spilled milk."

Instead of getting frustrated of what had happened with my first Google Adsense check, I renew my determination and enthusiasm of earning through Google Adsense. I downloaded the free Guerilla Bloggers' e-book and printed it on the opposite clean surface of spoiled papers in the office. I read the content of the e-book when I reached home. I was amazed to find out that the content is presented in straight-forward and easy to understand ideas. I am very much proud to say that I understand 100% of what was presented in the e-book.

During my spare time, I gradually applied to my blog some of the technique that I learned from the e-book. One example is to eliminate the unneccessary widgets in the sidebar - though I really didn't remove all of my widgets. Another thing that I learned from there is about the importance of link juice. I learned that link is really really important that you cannot just simply link away for free. After that, I started to use the nofollow tag in all of the links found in my blog entries unless it is a reciprocal link. I also utilized for linking to my other web site the footer of my web site.

Another thing that I learned from the e-book is to hijack highly targeted keywords, and I just accidentally stumbled two: Harry Potter and pimples in the armpit. So, there. I completely understand the importance of keywords. And to think that my blog is even themed for travel and photography only.

While I believe every technique written in that e-book, I didn't apply yet some of the technique being taught. Like, when Marhgil stated in the e-book that a two-column blog template could be better. I am still using my own design of three-column blog template. I also might upgrade my blog to Wordpress one of these days. I'm still using Blogger as my blog platform.

After a few months of applying select techniques in the free Guerilla Bloggers' e-book into my blog, I was earning much bigger everyday in my Google Adsense. On August 29, I withdrew the Php8,000 Google Adsense paid me via Western Union. Google Adsense is the highest payor in all of the monetization program that I installed in my web site. I was only earning Php3,000 from other monetization program. So, I was able to earn Php11,000 which was the start-up amount for my dream road bike. If I applied all the techniques found in the e-book, I wonder if I'll be able to earn some amount enough to buy a Ferrari, Hehehe.

Blogging with Google Adsense require patience and perseverance. You can't just sign up, not put any content on your blog, and expect the money to flow in. That's where most bloggers fail. Blogging is about writing interesting stuff and gaining readership. Once you do that, you can expect to start making a little money at first and over time, bigger amounts. You cannot just simply expect to earn anything decent the first couple months, bloggers rarely ever do.

As the Guerilla Bloggers' e-book puts it, the best way to increase your earnings is to bring more traffic to your blog. Share your blog with friends and network with people. While many experienced bloggers know how to easily get traffic, it is still best to learn more of the technique from the free Guerilla Bloggers' e-book. Download it from here and learned from it. Who knows, soon you may be buying more than my road bike out of your earnings from Google Adsense...

Cubao Portraiture

2009-09-16T20:23:00.002+08:00

Beauties in the nights of Cubao photographed when Dennis Villegas, Sidney and I roamed around Cubao for our Cubao photoshoot.

This is the eleventh installment of my Cubao Photoshoot series.

Actually, there were not posing for me. They were posing for my friend Sidney and I was just taking them photographs while I was from Sidney's behind...

How to Get a Totally Free Website or Blog

2009-09-14T18:47:00.002+08:00

Yes, a blog or web site with absolutely free domain and hosting. How do you like that?

Let me teach you how.

If you're reading this now, I must assume that you at least must have known already about the basics of web surfing and already had visited or at least knowledgeable of some Blogger blogger who got their own custom blog URL. Instead of the long generic URL e.g. http://my-sarisari-store-online-24x7.blogspot.com, it's a neat and personalized URL such as this, http://www.sarisaristore.co .cc. There, let me ask you. Which one is better?

Needless to say, a real domain name makes your site much more professional and easier to remember. Also, the less chances that your visitor could make a typo when typing your URL in the address bar of their favorite browser. The longer your URL, the better chance that you could lose potential visitors.

That's only two reasons why you need to have your own domain name. Here's more that I can enumerate:

Your own domain name gives you a unique and memorable address with which to promote anything what have you.
If you have your own domain name, you can bring your web site to the next level, i.e. you can move your website from the free Blogspot to a more flexible hosting provider using Wordpress. You can just export all your blog entries from Blogger to Wordpress. However, if you're only using a URL similar to the example above (http://my-sarisari-store-online-24x7.blogspot.com), you will not be able to transfer the domain since you actually don't have a domain you can call your own.

Right here, right now, I advice you to get your free domain name and set it up in Google Blogger (Blogspot). After all, the domain name is free and your blog contents will be hosted by Blogger for free. You don't have anything to lose.

First, find you desired domain name here. Next configure your Blogger site to start using that domain. That's it.

This is just to show you some of the live web sites I maintained without spending a single penny in my pocket.

So, what are you waiting for? Register now!

Already a Blogger publisher using the generic Blogspot URL? Get one for your blog now!

If you have no Blogspot URL yet, you may also try Windows Live free hosting service as well as Webnode.

SMART is giving away Php 500,000 daily!

2009-09-12T12:06:00.003+08:00

SMART is giving away over Php 50M in SMART’s BigTym Buddy Promo! The Philippines’ biggest mobile promo, EVER.

Unlike run-of-the-mill promos, it promises winnings that could possibly change someone’s life. There are daily cash prizes of Php 500,000, monthly raffles of Php 1,000,000, and a grand draw of Php 5,000,000. This is a heap of money to give away in what might just be the biggest promo outside of the lottery! Just text BIG to 2332! (Php 15/text to join and get 15 raffle entries, 15 free texts** to Smart/Talk N’ Text valid for 1 day and 15 points to redeem content. **For Smart Buddy subscribers only)

It starts this Friday, September 11, 2009 and will run until December 9, 2009.

For more information, visit www.smart.com.ph/bigtym or send BIGINFO to 2332 (P2.50/info).

It’s run with Buongiorno, the Italian company that’s run hundreds of mobile raffles in more than 15 countries in Europe and Latin America.

PROMO MECHANICS

Joining is easy:

For you to qualify, you must:

Be a SMART Buddy or SMART Gold subscriber.
Be registered to SMART’s Bigtym Buddy Promo.
Have successfully garnered points and raffle entries.

Unregistered subscribers and all employees of SMART Communications, Inc., its agencies and their relatives up to the second degree of affinity or consanguinity are disqualified from joining the promo.

Registration is simple:

To register, you must send and send to 2332. (Example: DON UY / 21 Maya St., QC.)
The registration also serves as an opt-in command to the promo alerts pushed to the subscriber at specific times in a day. These free announcements may include but not limited to winner information, registration reminder, profiling questions, promo tips as well as special messages. Special messages inform subscribers of instances to increase the number of raffle entries that they may receive by answering certain questions.
Registration is a one-time process per SIM card and is free of charge. However, you may register the same name using several SIM cards / mobile numbers.

Earn points and raffle entries right away:

You must text BIG to 2332 within the promo hours (12:01 AM to 11:59 PM) and will receive a confirmation message. Each text costs P15.
This entitles you to 15 raffle entries and 15 free texts* for the daily, monthly and grand draws. You will also earn 15 points that you can later use to download content.

* 15 free texts to SMART/ Talk N’ Text, valid for 1 day and applicable to Smart Buddy subscribers only.

If you haven’t registered, you will be prompted to register. However, entries earned prior to registration will not be considered valid. Points earned prior to registration can however be used to redeem content.

Winning in the raffle:

You can only win once in the daily draw, but still remain eligible to win in the monthly and grand draws.
Entries earned only by registered subs are eligible to win in the daily, monthly & grand draws.
Purchases made prior to registration shall earn entries but will not be considered valid. Once a subscriber registers, previously earned entries since the promo started shall be considered valid.

Smart, Smart Buddy, Smart Gold, BigTym, Big Tym, Big Time, Mobile Promo

Source:

Note: Text and images are copyrighted by Nuffnang.

Il Hwa Health News July 2009 Issue

2009-09-10T16:41:00.005+08:00

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2009-09-10T13:57:00.003+08:00

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2009-09-09T17:31:00.003+08:00

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