Problems are supposed to make us strong.

We lost our maids. Nobody’s left to take care of our four kids ages seven months to nine years. Our apartment unit’s a big mess.

We still couldn’t find replacements.

Our issue with CHMI and PAG-IBIG Fund is still unresolved. The new house which we bought in Calambâ, La Laguna that was sold to us by CHMI is in danger of being cancelled. We’ve already paid more or less P100,000 of equity for that house. That is what I have to iron out today, the deadline they gave me.

Our two youngest boys, Jefe and Juanito, are still in Bacoor, Cavite, being taken care of by my wife’s relatives. But they’re contacting Yeyette; they said that they couldn’t take care of them anymore. Our two eldest, Krystal and Momay, have to fend for themselves alone in our apartment. We leave them there at night so that we could go to work. But, my golly, they’re too young…

My boss already talked to me about my performance and attendance. My performance is not that good because –he’s right– it has something to do with “dedication” issues; I have a hard time balancing my life as an employee and as a writer-historian. And I’ve been absent for a couple of days because of my domestic issues.

My wife’s performance is also under fire. She works in a call center, outbound. She was given a quota. She’s having difficulty in meeting them. For the past few days, her voice is not cooperating with her. Today, she completely lost her voice.

Our credit card debt is ballooning. I was supposed to pay everything today, but then…

…just a few minutes ago, my wife texted me that she lost her wallet with more than P4,000 and other valuables to a pickpocket while she was inside a jeepney on her way to assist Krystal and Momay in preparation for school.

My wife needed to see a doctor regarding her throat problems. But her medical card is inside her stolen wallet.

Both Yeyette and I freaked out last week because of these problems. We almost separated. We’ve patched things up, though. But our domestic troubles aren’t over yet.

Who will take care of our children? I still haven’t had enough sleep for days.

And then depression sets in.

Worse, the Muse seems to have forsaken me; I do not feel the “itch” in my hands anymore…

Problems are supposed to make us strong.

CYPRESS HOUSE MODEL

CEDAR RESIDENCES

Carmona Estates,Carmona, Cavite

3 BEDROOM, 1 TOILET and BATH,1 CAR GARAGE

GUARANTEED 100% APPROVE PAG IBIG LOAN APPLICATION!

RESERVATION DISCOUNT PROMO!!!
Nov. 1-8 – 30%Nov. 9 – 15 – 20%

Nov. 16 – 22 – 10%

Nov. 23 – 30 – 5%

Php 740,000.00 – TOWNHOUSE and LOT PACKAGE
Php 5,941.67/month Equity for 12 Months
Php 4,989/month PAGIBIG Amortization for 30yrs.

Lot Area:40 square meters
House Area:40 square meters

15 Mins. from Alabang – 30 Minutes from Makati

Ready for Occupancy Units Now Available!
Few Units Only!

BELLEFORT ESTATES

Location: Molino, Bacoor

Cavite, Philippines

Bellefort Estates

For more photos, payment options, information and FAQs, click this link: http://wp.me/PHEIw-11

]]> http://bestsellingpropertiesphils.wordpress.com/2009/11/19/oakwood-b-single-attached/ Thu, 19 Nov 2009 23:45:21 +0000 krismotinezo http://bestsellingpropertiesphils.wordpress.com/2009/11/19/oakwood-b-single-attached/

OAKWOOD B SINGLE ATTACHED HOUSE MODEL

Location: Carmona Estates

Carmona, Cavite

Oakwood B Single Attached

4 BEDROOM, 2 TOILET and BATH, 2-CAR GARAGE, BIG BALCONY

House Area: 104 square meters

Lot Area: 88 square meters

Php 1,755,000.00 (House and Lot Package)
Php 20,333.00 – monthly Bank DP Promo for 15months
Php 50,035.00 -monthly Bank Amortization for 20 yrs
Php 20,000 to Reserve
30 minutes from Makati via Southexpressway

Single Detached House & Lot Package

Available thru Bank & Inhouse or Pag-ibig Financing

For more pictures and information on how to get this property, click this link: http://wp.me/PHEIw-H

Thou G presents...

One night, while people are already inside the comforts of their rooms and sleeping… A war was starting to form…

Patrick's Heart Attack!

Patrick Llapitan and Ronald Biyo clashed because of some unknown reason! Patrick took the first attack with his famed “Heart Attack”, perfected only by one entity aside him–the Yellow Care Bear! (??).

Ronaldo Biyo's Pancit Ooggle Attack!

Luckily, Biyo was able to block the attack and launch his own. Another legend was recreated when he used the Pancit Ooggle attack–a famed and banned form of energy force used by ancient Chinese soldiers against the invading Mongolian Barbeques!

The final blow!

But alas! No one can outdo each other in the match, forcing them into an overtime (??). Both of them used their final techniques and…

Done. There was silence…

** This is a very silly post. Haha! XD

We are still uploading great properties for you to see.

Please check back later.

Thank you.

For more information or an Ayala Van transporation to Ayala Greenfield Estates you can get in touch with me

Kim Teh 09178440221 / 09222925512

kimteh.ayalalandpremier@gmail.com

I VOTED FOR EFREN! YEAH!

Efren Peñaflorida, 28, offers Filipino youth an alternative to gang membership through education.
Vote for Efren here!
Voting is easy, no need to register. You can vote as many times as you like!

“I always tell my volunteers that you are the change that you dream and I am the change that I dream. And collectively we are the change that this world needs to be.”

Kariton Klasrum ni Efren Peñaflorida

Just heard of the good news late afternoon while we’re on our way home from school. I’m delighted that another Filipino is making his mark as a CNN Hero Top 10 finalist. I am overjoyed! I want him to win so that he can share more of his blessings to the “mga batang na sa kalye” (as not to brand). Education is a need and a must. I don’t need to expound on that for I know that you know what my point is.

Mabuhay ka Mr. Efren Peñaflorida! Salamat sa pagbibigay pagasa sa mga pagasa ng ating bayan. Saludo kami sayo!

To read on what’s extraordinary about Mr. Efren click here.

Please, let us all give our support to him by voting online @ http://www.cnn.com/heroes

Filipinos everywhere will be celebrating today as Efren Peñaflorida, founder of the Cavite-based youth organization Dynamic Teen Company–and one of the Top 10 CNN Heroes–will be honored by CNN in a “celebratory rally” that will take place at 1PM (November 9, Monday) at the Music Hall of SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City.

According to CNN’s media alert on this event:

“Peñaflorida will be awarded $25,000–and is eligible for the $100,000 award that will be bestowed upon the CNN HERO OF THE YEAR later this month at a star-studded gala in Hollywood. The public will select the CNN HERO OF THE YEAR via voting at the CNN Heroes site at www.CNN.com/Heroes through Wednesday, Nov. 18.  Hosted by CNN’s Anderson Cooper and taped at the famed Kodak Theatre, CNN HEROES: AN ALL-STAR TRIBUTE will air on Thanksgiving, November 26, at 9 pm ET/PT.”

Over 1,450 attendees are scheduled to attend, including Cavite City Mayor Bernardo Paredes, over 250 Dynamic Teen Company volunteers, Cavite City street children and their parents, over 1,000 students of The Palmridge School in Cavite City, Efren’s family and friends, over 200 of Efren’s Facebook friends, Filipino youth band Hale, and surprise celebrity guests.

_

WHO IS “KUYA EFREN” AND WHAT HAS HE DONE? Read more HERE.

_

FOR MEDIA

TO REQUEST CREDENTIALS TO COVER THE RALLY, CONTACT:

Beth Frondoso; +639178636326; bethfron@gmail.com

Bridget Leininger, CNN Public Relations; (404) 827-1621; bridget.leininger@cnn.com

Sarah and I visited her family in Tagaytay and Cavite over the past few days. While in Tagaytay we stayed w/ Ate Del, Sarah’s Aunt. We chatted all day and night about family and politics and of stories with the Davies girls. Ate Del showed us around Tagaytay on Tuesday. She took us to the market to shop for fruits and took us out to eat at Josephine’s, which had an amazing view of Taal Volcano. The food was pretty good also.

Took a drive down to Cavite and took some photos. I decided to take my car through the mountains’ winding road, sort of to get the feeling I was a racer in “Initial D.”

Well, I managed to get to the clubhouse without anyone challenging me and after a quick snack, I took my camera and snapped away.

Lagi akong natatanong ng mga kakilala na nasasalubong ko tuwing umaga kung bakit hindi na ako nagkokotse. Alam kasi nila na noong isang taon ay bumili kami ng kotse, at dahil sa natuto agad akong magmaneho (see my blog Driven) nagagamit ko na ang sasakyan papunta sa trabaho at sa pamamasyal. Pero nitong mga nakakaraang linggo, madalas na nakikita ako na naglalakad na lang. Iba-iba ang isinasagot ko kapag may nagtatanong kung bakit hindi na ako nagmamaneho.

1. Nagtitipid na ako. Magastos ang magdala ng sasakyan. Gasolina pa lang ay 300 pesos na agad. Idagdag pa doon ang toll fee na 44 pesos, balikan, at parking na 25–60. Sa hirap ng buhay ngayon, at sa dami ng mga taong hirap kumita, mas praktikal kung mamamasahe na lang.

2. Nakakapagod magmaneho sa gitna ng matinding trapik sa Bacoor at Imus. Dahil madalas ay puyat ako, mas OK kung mamamasahe na lang ako at matutulog sa bus. Nakakapanood pa ako ng Unang Hirit o kaya naman ay nakakapagbasa kapag nagko-commute, mga bagay na hindi ko magagawa kung ako ang nagdadrive.

3. Nag-iingat na ako sa mga aksidente, traffic violations, at iba pang problema sa daan. Lalo na kung umuulan at bumabaha, hindi advisable ang magsasakyan sa akin. Hassle kapag nastranded. Nakakatakot din ang mga maraming lubak sa Aguinaldo Highway (nakakahiya na napakapanget na ng kalsadang ipinangalan pa naman sa kauna-unahang pangulo ng bansa); kailangan ang dagdag na pag-iingat para hindi sumasadsad sa mga butas at masira ang auto kong segunda mano. Mahirap ito lalo na sa katulad ko na malabo ang mata at hindi makakita nang mabuti sa daan (dahil na rin sa pandak ako).

4. Isa pang dahilan kung bakit bawas na ang oras ko sa pagdadrive ay takot na akong mahuli ng mga traffic enforcers. Minsan na ako nahuli for beating the red light at sa pagdaan sa yellow lane. Hindi dahil sinadya kong magviolate ng traffic rules kundi mali yata ang tiningnan kong traffic light (ilang araw pa lang ako natututo magmaneho sa EDSA) at hindi ko alam na bawal pala ang kotse sa yellow lane. Isa pa, marami raw mga modus operandi ngayon na ginagawa para pagnakawan ang mga motorista. Sa C5 balitang may mga nambabato ng sasakyan hanggang mapilitan ang driver na tumigil. Nakakatakot. 

5. Gusto ko ring tumulong na mabawasan ang polusyon na dala ng mga sasakyan. Ang mga usok na nanggagaling sa tambutso ng mga kotse, jeep, bus, atbp., ay nagpapalala sa tinatawag na global warming (check out this article Global warming FAQ), na pinaniniwalaan namang dahilan sa pagbabago ng ating klima, kasama na ang matitinding ulan at baha.

Maraming dalang ginahawa ang pagkakaroon ng sariling sasakyan. Hindi ko na kailangang pumila pa sa mga terminal o tumayo sa bus tuwing rush hour. Hindi na rin kailangang magbitbit pa ng mabibigat na pinamili ang nanay ko kapag naggo-grocery dahil puede na naming isakay na lang mga shopping bags sa kotse. At madalas ay nakakapamasyal ang aking mga pamangkin nang hindi na kailangang sumakay ng jeep o bus. Pero malaki rin ang maitutulong sa ating kalikasan kung mababawasan ang mga sasakyan sa daan. Lahat tayo ay makikinabang kung malilinis ang hangin na ating nilalanghap.

Drop a comment on this blog post and let me know your plans for the long weekend this November.

Only entries/comments submitted by October 31 (SUN) 9.00 pm are included in the raffle.

Couchwasabi will randomly pick ONE (1) lucky winner who is willing to meet in Makati on a weekday to get this 50% coupon. Winner will be notified on October 31 (SUN) 11.00 pm via email.

Coupons is valid until Nov 30, 2009. Accepted in all Microtel Inn (Baguio, Batangas, Boracay, Cabanatuan, Cavite, Davao, Cebu, and Tarlac).

Terms and Conditions of Coupon:

• Discount is based on published rates and is applicable to one (1) room per stay.
• This coupon is valid in any of the Microtel properties in the Philippines.
• Hotel reservations are subject to availability and must be made in advance.
• This is not valid during peak periods.
• This must be surrendered upon check-in.
• A maximum of two (2) adults are allowed in a room.
• This is not convertible to cash and cannot be used in conjunction with any other promo rates/packages.
• This is not replaceable if lost or stolen.

Great Design. Great Facilities.

A relaxed lifestyle, the lure of a holiday destination, and its rich history and culture are just a few of the distinct characteristics that lure thousands of individuals to the land of Italy. The splendor of the much loved destination can now be experienced as the country’s biggest homebuilder, Crown Asia develops a new residential community inspired by Italy’s picturesque countryside towns – Ponticelli at Daang Hari-Alabang.

Soul-Filling Italian Grandeur

Residents need not leave the community for relaxation, as Ponticelli offers complete amenities for relaxation such as a clubhouse, swimming pool, sports facilities and children’s playground. Nature parks, picnic areas, and kitchen-gardens are spread around Ponticelli, while tree-lined pathways are perfect for leisure walks.

The strategic location of Ponticelli is a mere 5-minute drive from the commercial and business district of Alabang; while the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) and other major routes and hi-ways are just a few minutes away.

SITE AREA IS FLOOD FREE!

Model Units

My cousin JJ called me up one fine Sunday to photograph the spectacle that is Ganesh Chaturthi in honor of the Remover of Obstacles, Elephant head-God Ganesh. The Indian community was out in full force to celebrate the festival and bring home blessings.

Cousin JJ after getting touched up with some pink dye, a common occurrence in ANY Indian festival

Food was prepared hours before the crowd showed up, and for a good reason. I’m guessing there were at least a thousand in attendance that day and everyone was fed well.

Offerings of sweets and money were made. The sweets are first blessed, then returned to the crowd as a symbol of good blessing.

Most bitchin’ Om shirt I have seen in a long, long time.

There was music, a lot of catching up between people, mingling, and a short program that day.

suddenly, all hell broke lose when Prasad was being handed out

more cash offerings

A giant Ladoo, Lord Ganesha’s favorite sweet. Essentially a big ball of fat, sugar, and everything nice. No wonder he had a huge belly and man-tits.

Finishing up the services at the Temple to prepare Ganesh for the beach.

No party is ever complete without our Punjabi friends. They had their own percussionist who would play songs on demand and they even had a couple bottles of booze in their truck on the way to the beach. Got to love the energy.

Our Maharaj (+Entourage) looked a lot like Jason Lee.

I decided to stay on the beach and out of the water during the later part of the ceremonies as I didn’t have the necessary equipment to risk taking my gear out to sea.

Babies everywhere, like EVERYWHERE. I’ll end this blog with a quote from a friend “Oh we’re (Indians) everywhere, and we will hump you! You can run, but you can’t hide!” – Russel Peters

Cheers from Toasty Manila

]]> http://pochp.wordpress.com/2009/10/08/filipino-top-ten-cnn-hero-finalist/ Thu, 08 Oct 2009 03:34:29 +0000 pochp http://pochp.wordpress.com/2009/10/08/filipino-top-ten-cnn-hero-finalist/

Our Filipino kabayan Efren Penaflorida made it to the top 10 finalists (out of 9,000!) for CNN’s Hero of the Year!

‘…It was 1997. Peñaflorida, a gangling 16-year-old youngster back then, was occasionally bullied and beaten by street toughies. No one would have thought that, 12 years later, he would be short-listed by globally known Cable News Network (CNN) as a candidate for its CNN Heroes. “I grew up really poor. My father was a driver and my mother was a laundrywoman. When I went to school, I experienced being mocked, bullied, discriminated against,” said Peñaflorida, the second of three children…’ –see Yahoo for details

Mabuhay ka Efren! You’re already a Big Winner!

Marsha Adam’s Mediterranean garden & restaurant is located in the province of Cavite.

The owner is an active member of various horticultural societies and a plant lover.

The property in which she planned to open up a small Mediterranean style villa in which bricks , wood and demolished parts of old houses are assembled .

Some bricks were ordered as far as the province of Iloilo from old demolished houses .  surrounded with herb garden and a restaurant.

Author’s Note: This article uses virtual reality technology to provide an immersive experience. Click the images to view the 360-degree VRs. Adobe Flash 10 or higher is required. Average VR size is 2.2Mb each.

I found myself in Erik Lacson’s car speeding towards Sangley Point, Cavite City on an impromptu decision that day after seeing the balangay off in CCP grounds for the start of its maiden voyage. It was a decision that I never regretted.

The weather that morning was radiantly sunny like the day before. The sky was in a deepest blue, and crystal clear. A slight breeze was coming from the west and temperature was on a steady increase as we approached mid day.

When I arrived on the site, a sizable crowd and well-wishers from sponsors and supporters were already gathered. The sent-off ceremony was brief and simple; highlighted by a few speeches and a prayer for safe voyage.

As before, the balangay crew paddled their way out of the make-shift dock, the birthplace of the boat for the very last time, a moment of excitement and serendipity. Sails were unfurled as they passed the breakwaters of Manila Bay and from then on, the journey of a dream has indeed begun.

It took the Diwata ng Lahi about 3 hours to transverse the distance from CCP to Sangley amidst strong waves and wind.

Upon arrival at their first waypoint, the crew was welcomed by a group of maritime students, a navy band, and representatives of both Philippine Navy and Coast Guard. A light lunch followed by a tour of Fort San Felipe, an old Spanish fortification that interestingly features a balangay exhibit. After which, the crew set-off to Ternate and we returned to Manila with plans of joining her other ports of call.

All VRs taken on September 1, 2009. Balangay’s website: www.balangay-voyage.com. The author can be reached at: fung@firefly.ph

Ilog Maria Bee Farm and Museum

Ilog Maria Gate

This unique bee farm is located on flows from seven natural springs within the Magsaysay Family’s farm in the highlands of Silang, Cavite. Silang-  is renowned as Manila’s source of fresh fruits and excellent coffee. The entire town of more than 20,000 hectares is planted to a variety of fruits intercropped with coffee trees.

The town is also known for its horticultural industry were almost every home had some plants for sale.

This pristine environment is an ideal setting for a healthy rural lifestyle. It is also perfect for keeping honeybees.

Products such as candle, gel,ointment , honey, bath soaps,  bee propolis, Ilog Maria souvenir mugs in their souvenir shop. Long queues of local and foreign buyers had went to their shop . Some of our tour-mates confesses that they always buy these products from the company .

There is a beehive shaped building within the property which serves as  a bee museum and a function area. Seminars and workshop are conducted by appointment and a short video presentation may also be requested.

For more details visit their website