Jeksetter

TG flight

2016-06-26T19:11:00.000+08:00

Last week, I posted about my experiences with CX and SQ, or Cathay Pacific and Singapore Airlines respectively. Now, I will share short comments on TG or Thai Airways.

Unlike my experiences with CX and SQ, flying TG was a first for me. I flew Manila to Bangkok round-trip. It was a 3-hour flight and it was okay.

TG utilizes the Boeing 777-200 plane. It appears to be an older version. Even the entertainment system was similar to the one I had aboard SQ. The TV screen was old and still uses that remote control at the side of the seat. But the food was good and crew were nice.

An interesting experience was my flight back. There were just a few passengers, maybe 50 out of the possible 200+ seats. Even if I flew economy, I felt it was business class because of the space. There was no one beside me, in front of me or behind me. The next passenger was a few seats away. The crew even served snacks and 2 rounds of drinks even before the main meal.

Generally, it was a good experience flying with Thai Airways.

Where are the other passengers? :)

CX vs SQ

2016-06-14T15:57:00.002+08:00

I had the opportunity to travel from Manila to Hong Kong and Singapore just days apart. I took two of the world's best airlines- Cathay Pacific and Singapore Airlines. And of course, they did not disappoint. This post is sort of a review. Just a disclaimer: this post is just about my personal experience on those specific flights and do not reflect the entire airline. I traveled economy, by the way.

Aircraft
Both CX and SQ flew Boeing 777 on the Manila route. But CX felt newer, or at least the interiors felt upgraded and more modern. Just a day before my flight, CX made the inuagural A350 flight to Manila. That would have been cool to ride on a new plane.
Winner: CX

Food
SQ gave full meal with dessert and a choice of wine, juice, coffee, etc. CX only gave snacks. Probably because the Manila-Hong Kong flight was shorter than the Singapore flight.
Winner: SQ

Entertainment
This one CX is the clear winner because of its new TV system. It has bigger screen and it's a touchscreen. The SQ screen was small and it was a bit old, with the remote control still on the sides of the seat. Selection on the CX entertainment system was also newer and there were more content. But for earphones, I like SQ, because it's smaller.
Winner: CX

Service
Both crew were awesome and friendly. But for this round, I give my score to SQ, because they were more helpful.
Winner: SQ

Others
I can charge my phone on CX even on economy. But SQ gave hot towel before the flight to freshen passengers up. There were also pillows and blankets already on the seats on SQ.

Both airlines are real winners.

Of Malls and Text Messages

2016-03-10T18:58:00.000+08:00

I had interesting reports last week ranging from malls, text messages to Thai investments. Likewise, I interviewed SM President Hans Sy and Metro Pacific Chairman Manny Pangilinan.

Mall story: Interesting to note that malls have become a vital part of Filipinos' lives. Everything is inside a mall nowadays, from shops, restaurants, cinemas to clinics, chapels, gov't offices, sports venues and many more. But malls also highlight the inefficiencies of gov't, who's supposed to provide clean and secured areas.

Text messages story: Are you texting less today compared to years ago? Has messaging apps overtaken your normal SMS service? An expert says, many Filipinos are using chat apps now, but he clarifies, it's not yet the death of text messaging, at least not for now.

UP BGC story: SM handed over the new UP building at the Bonifacio Global City. It's worth P400-M and will house some post graduate classes.

Thai investments story: Products from Thailand were showcased at the 'Thai Top Brands 2016' expo at the SMX MOA. Many Thai businessmen want to invest in PH, but some of them want PH gov't to improve ease of doing business.

Video of reports below:

30,000 jobs for Filipinos

2016-02-24T15:35:00.000+08:00

Last January 28, 2016, my first report on TV Patrol aired. Technically, it was not the very first, since a few years ago, I had reports that aired on TV Patrol Weekend. But the January 28 report was the first for the weekday edition, with no less than Kabayan Noli de Castro giving the intro to the report. He even said 'Nagpapatrol si Jikki Pascual'. haha

The story was about the planned hiring of Royal Caribbean Cruises of about 30,000 Filipinos in the next 5 years. The cruise ship company also plans to build a direct hiring facility in Manila. This will be a big boost for employment opportunities for Filipinos, since most Pinoys are geared for the service sector.

Of course, my report also had an English version for ANC. Covering this story, I rode a chopper for the first time and truly a memorable coverage from start to the finished output. Watch report:

Ironically, I was on a chopper while covering the cruise ship story :)

Never too late

2016-02-23T18:35:00.000+08:00

This is my first post for 2016. It's been more than 4 months since I last posted an entry and I never thought I'll be able to post anything soon. I have been in the newsroom for 2 days already because of a lack of crew. In a way, that gave me time to do things I don't normally do, like opening this blog.

--break--

Ok, so I just taped a news advisory for 8:30pm. Lexi, who was supposed to do it, wasn't feeling well. They asked me to take over, got my coat at Ms. Nadia's office, but with no makeup, I anchored the news advisory.

This is my life. I rely mostly on sudden opportunities. I may not anchor regularly, but incidents like this are a welcome change in my daily routine. Sudden opportunities spice up my career, whether those opportunities are anchoring or reportorial in nature. But like anything, you just have to be prepared.

Opportunities come, but if you are not prepared, then you lose the chance at something that may not happen again. Luck plays a big role, but excellence will what sustain it. Be good in what you do everyday, so when those sudden incidents happen, you are more than ready to do it. It might just lead you to bigger and more permanent opportunities.

I'll just end this entry with my photo. Haha Just to remind myself of what I do now and what I'll do probably forever. This photo was my last coverage so far. Taken Feb. 19, 2016 at St. Mary's College in QC for the Pinoy Media Congress.

LG, what happened?

2015-10-11T18:32:00.001+08:00

So disappointed with my LG G3. It's just been around 13 months since I bought my phone, but now it's not working anymore. It didn't hit something or fell to the floor. The screen suddenly just fades to black. I can only use it for a few seconds before it fades again. Worse, warranty just ended.

LG service center says I need to shell out P12K for the repair. What? :-(

I bought my first smartphone, the iPhone 3GS in 2010, followed by the Samsung S3 in 2012. Both phones are still working right now and are still being used. But the newest phone, LG G3, bought in 2014, is the one that is broken.

My work (and life in general) has been very much affected by this. I can't text or reply my co-workers, my bosses. I can't use my phone for my coverage. And It's now harder to communicate with family and friends.It's so frustrating!

Of course, I can't and I won't pay P12K to repair it. It's also hard for me to just buy a cheaper phone. Sayang din naman kasi ang LG G3 if itatabi ko lang sa cabinet, considering it has been 1 year pa lang nagagamit.

It would have been easier to accept if I broke the phone myself or if I accidentally stepped on it or it fell from the table or something, kaya ko pa ma accept. But in this case, nothing happened.

I hope LG Philippines does something about it. I can pay for the repair, but hoping it won't be that much.

My LG G3. I took this photo when I first opened the box last year.

Longest Hiatus

2015-10-10T05:46:00.002+08:00

My longest blogging hiatus ever. 6 months or half a year without any post!

I won't be enumerating what I did the past months, but I will focus on my TV reports in the last 3 days. All my reports in the last 3 days were connected to the Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU) Research Symposium in Quezon City. It was hosted by the University of the Philippines.

My first report is about the creation of a card game 'Resilience'. It is about the economy and the environment and it was developed by the University of the Philippines.

My second report is about building back better after every disaster. Experts say consultations with affected communities must done first and scientific data relied upon before doing reconstruction efforts. Watch the report at the bottom of this page.

My third report is about a Japanese scientist's prediction that the Philippines will be spared from super typhoons in the next 10 years. PAGASA of course is not convinced. He also said there was a long global warming hiatus (hence name of this entry). Click here for the third report.

First time in a mosque

2015-04-17T20:35:00.000+08:00

The closest I was to a mosque was when I visited Malaysia early this year. I took pictures of the Kota Kinabalu City Mosque, but I wasn't able to enter the mosque itself since we had a limited time. But last March, I finally entered a mosque, this time it was in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

I visited the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. And it was a truly beautiful sight. White domes dominate the skyline and the place was really huge. It's one of the top tourist destinations in Abu Dhabi, because visitors, even non-Muslims, can enter the mosque. There is no entrance fee, but they have a dress code. Don't worry, even if you're not wearing the right attire, they can lend you a traditional clothing that you can wear over your clothes.

It was my first time to enter an Islamic religious site. I really didn't know what to see or expect inside. And I was truly amazed. There were huge chandeliers (I think the biggest in the world), intricate designs all over the interiors, a big carpet (I think also a world record) and a very wide space. In a Catholic Church, you will see pews and statues, here there are no chairs and no images. Despite the crowd, it was very peaceful.

The mosque was just built recently as a tribute to the former ruler of the United Arab Emirates. It is one of the biggest mosques in the world and it can accommodate thousands of worshippers. This is a must-see for anyone visiting Abu Dhabi. Other major mosques in the Middle East do not allow the entry of non-Muslims, but this mosque welcomes tourists and thus it becomes an avenue for understanding, awareness and appreciation of various cultures, religions and even the arts.

I went to the mosque at noon so it was kinda hot. The next time I'll visit the city, going at night would be a great idea because of the nice lights illuminating this grand mosque.

Below are some photos of the mosque. You can click on the photos for a larger view.

Rules for visitors

Review: Philippine Airlines MNL-AUH

2015-04-13T22:33:00.001+08:00

This is a short review of my flight from Manila to Abu Dhabi via Philippine Airlines. It also includes the return flight since I had very similar experience on both trips.

I went to Abu Dhabi last March 2015 to attend a conference. I returned to Manila a few days later. My overall experience with both flights was just "ok". It was not super good, but it was not super bad either. I will rate my own experience with 5 being the highest and 1 the lowest.

Just to add context, I'm in the economy section, at the back part of the aircraft.

On Time Performance: 3/5
     -We boarded the plane on time, but for different reasons the flights still got delayed. The Manila to Abu Dhabi flight was delayed for an hour because one passenger needs medical attention. The return flight was delayed by 2 hours because there was a restriction in the airspace in Oman, so we just stayed inside the plane for 2 hours.

Entertainment: 1/5
     -There was no inflight TV for a flight of about 10 hours. PAL has the InAir service which allows passengers to watch some movies on their phones or tablets. PAL also has wifi for a fee. But for the first flight, there was NO InAir. Cabin crew said it wasn't working. For the return flight, I was able to watch a few clips and listen to music, but the choices were very limited. I also tried the free 15 minutes wifi, but it was very slow. And there was no plug to charge the phone, so this service won't last the entire flight.

Food: 4/5
     -Actually the food was the saving grace of the flight. It wasn't super delicious, but I guess I wasn't just expecting anything. So lo and behold when they served a full meal on board with rice, viand, side dish, dessert and a choice of juice, wine or coke. After the meal, they offered coffee or tea. Then after that, they offered again some snacks like KitKat or crackers. Then before the flight ends, there's another round of snacks. This time, it was a hot big pandesal with filling, plus the usual drinks or coffee.

Seat/ Amenities: 3/5
    -I was in the economy seat, so it wasn't really a large space. I got lucky on the first flight since I had no seatmate. On the return flight, I was in the aisle. There was a blanket and a pillow in every seat. The crew also offered a hot small towel before landing to freshen up.

Flight crew: 3/5
     -They were ok. But I think they were just a bit disorganized in giving out the food, especially the snacks part. I was looking at the other aisle and all of them already had snacks, but in our aisle, no one was giving snacks. Then one flight crew gave out some snacks and stop in the middle, then leave and never came back to give out the snacks. So basically, some passengers didn't get their share of Kitkat or crackers or coffee. But overall, staff were courteous and nice.

Overall: 3/5
    -I think this is already a generous score. But considering the price of the airfare, which is lower than Etihad, then I guess one gets what one pays for. However, given the chance, I'll probably not take PAL anymore for long haul flights again. Depending of course if there is no other choice or if PAL gives me a free flight. :)

Chiffon cake and hot pandesal with filling

Two-aisle A330 plane

Sleeping time

Review: Abu Dhabi International Airport

2015-04-07T04:28:00.000+08:00

I was in Abu Dhabi a few weeks ago via Philippine Airlines. This is a mini review from the point of view of an ordinary tourist.

PAL uses Terminal 1, the old terminal of Abu Dhabi. It's actually just small. Well, I didn't really roam around, but it's definitely not the usual massive airport like the ones in Dubai, Hong Kong or Singapore. In terms of size, it could be compared to Manila's Ninoy Aquino International Airport terminal 1.

But despite the small size, it's not crowded. There were many vacant seats when I was there and many shops and restaurants were also operational. Arriving and departing passengers share the same area, similar to the one in Singapore. And there were many Filipino staff. I bought something at Mcdonald's and the Duty Free shop and I was speaking in Filipino.

The Abu Dhabi International Airport also has money exchange booths, pharmacy and a spa. And the airport is expanding. Construction of a bigger terminal was ongoing when we landed. And if you need transportation going to the city proper, there are taxis and buses right outside the arrival hall. Like in other cities, airport taxis are more expensive. I took the A1 bus while I was there. It only costs AED4, compared to the taxi which I heard costs AED75 to our hotel.

Control tower of ADIA

Check-in lobby

Departure area/ Arrival area as well

Shops: both in the first and second floors

2 months absence

2015-04-03T21:17:00.002+08:00

I only have one blog entry this year so far. It's been very difficult posting a blog, because of a busy schedule and just a lack of enthusiasm to post something longer than a tweet. It's easier to update via Twitter or Facebook since it only requires just a few words or sentences. But with a blog entry, you need to have paragraphs and have photos or video too.

In 2 months that I have been absent in Blogger, so many things happened. The highlights perhaps are my trips. I have been to two countries, both of which were places I haven't been to. They are Malaysia and the United Arab Emirates. I also had a local trip in the last 2 months: Ilocos Norte.

Here's one of my reports:

Here are links to my other reports:
- Tuberculosis survivor's story
- DOST: Science is sexy
- Intramuros redevelopment
- Overseas Filipinos contributions
- Turkish Airlines opens Manila route

January 2015

2015-01-31T04:31:00.000+08:00

I haven't posted a blog entry this year and I wouldn't want to end January without a single post. The first month of this year has been a generally busy and emotional month. Two key stories that made headlines for many days and even weeks happened this month: 1) the visit of Pope Francis in the Philippines; 2) the death of 44 SAF commandos in Maguindanao.

The first was a joyful occasion filled with tears of joy and inspiration; the second one was a sorrowful news filled with tears of anger and frustration. Hopefully, February will offer glorious and luminous stories.

January also marked the official change of my work. I am now out of the office almost every day, covering various stories from House hearings to press briefings.

Here are links to some my stories this January:
World Bank on lower oil prices
Importance of the geohazard map of your area
Coffee culture in PH
IATA: NAIA has safety issues
Job opportunities for persons with developmental conditions

New The World Tonight set

PopeFrancisPH coverage

Applying for SSS ID

2014-12-05T06:59:00.001+08:00

I have been working for a few years already, but I didn't have an SSS ID. So last October 9, I applied for an SSS ID for the first time. I thought it would be a long and difficult process, but it was not.

Why do we need an SSS ID? So that we can transact with SSS easily (loans etc.) And since it is already a Unified Multi-Purpose Identification card (UMID), we can also use it to transact with PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG and GSIS. And since it is a government ID, we can use it to apply for visa, bank accounts, identification in schools, airports, companies, etc.

I went to the Government Center in Ali Mall in Cubao. There are several government agencies there such as SSS, PhilHealth, GSIS, Pag-IBIG, PhilPost, DFA and many more. I went to the SSS area and asked for an application form for the ID. I filled it out and went to next step. A person will then input your information into a computer and see if you have an account with SSS. He/she will check if you are paying your dues regularly. Obviously, you should already have an SSS number and has already paid at least a month, I think.

After, you will be asked to sit down and wait for the next step. After a few minutes, a person called my name and it was my time for picture taking and signature/thumb mark documentation. The person then told me my ID will be delivered straight to my home in 3 months.

SSS (right side)

And that's it. In total, I think I just spent about 30 minutes in the area. Of course that will vary from time to time, depending on the number of applicants. For first time applicants, the card is absolutely FREE. Even the delivery is free.

I was shocked that it will take 3 months to deliver. But I didn't think of it anymore, since I won't be needing the card in the near future anyway. I was expecting my card to be delivered to me on January 9, 2015 (3 months after I applied).

But on December 4, 2014, I received my card via mail. One month earlier, impressive. In fact, the letter was dated November 5. So basically I already have an ID by November 5, but the delivery took about a month.

Neverthless, I'm happy I got my SSS ID earlier and I can now use it.

my SSS ID

Confession: I just watched Toy Story

2014-11-21T01:46:00.000+08:00

I've always thought I have watched one of the most famous animated films of all time, Toy Story. I know the names of the characters and I know their faces. But when I recently watched the movie online, I realized that I haven't seen the film ever. Where did my childhood go?

So after watching Toy Story, I then watched Toy Story 2 and Toy Story 3 all within 24 hours. It's a shame that I haven't seen the movies before and it has been almost 20 years since the first movie was shown. Now, I will surely watch the planned Toy Story 4 in the cinema.

And I just had to say this, I really like the films. They bring back memories of my childhood when I too would be playing with my toys and create scenes in my mind. Wonder if my toys also come alive when no ones around. :-)

Trip to World Heritage Sites

2014-11-17T03:14:00.000+08:00

One of my dreams is to visit every UNESCO World Heritage site. Of course, that would be impossible. Aside from the fact that some sites are located in conflict zones, one would need a huge amount of money to travel to all those places. And given my meager salary and busy work, I'm happy if I can travel to at least one heritage site a year.

Thankfully, this year, I surpassed my annual target. I went to Beijing, which is home to several World Heritage sites. I went to the Great Wall, Forbidden City, Summer Palace and the Temple of Heaven. And aside from China, I also went to Myanmar this year. I visited the Bagan Archaeological Area, which is on its way to becoming a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Great Wall of China

In the Philippines, sadly, I have not been to all World Heritage sites. I have only been to 3 sites, which fall under the Baroque Churches of the Philippines. These are the Miag-ao Church in Iloilo, the San Agustin Church in Manila and the Paoay Church in Ilocos Norte. There's one more church in the list that I haven't been to: the Santa Maria Church in Ilocos Sur.

Paoay Church in the Philippines

I hope to visit more World Heritage sites in the Philippines next year, possibly the Puerto Princesa Underground River and the Historic Town of Vigan. I also wish to visit many sites in Southeast Asia, particularly Borobudur in Indonesia and Angkor in Cambodia.

Future World Heritage Site in Bagan, Myanmar

PAL's Cancelled Flight

2014-11-06T14:38:00.001+08:00

Our flight from Manila to Coron was scheduled at 2:45pm. We arrived at NAIA 3 about 2 hours before the flight. We waited. Then came the dreaded announcement that our plane will not arrive on time. So we waited again. By 4pm, boarding time was announced. We rode a shuttle bus to our plane and upon entering the small aircraft, I was seated comfortably.

View from the shuttle bus; about to board the plane

But another dreaded announcement came, the captain said we will have to wait for a few more minutes since the control tower has yet to give a go signal due to runway congestion. Waiting time yet again. The flight attendants already showed the safety features of the aircraft. Then, the plane started moving towards the runway. This is it. But I was wrong.

View from the plane as I wait for the plane to fly

The captain announced, we were third in line on the runway, BUT due to sunset limitation, it would be difficult to land in Coron. Hence, flight was cancelled! After several hours of waiting and when we were already about to fly, the bad news came.

The good news is that Philippine Airlines was following the Air Passenger Bill of Rights. We were given 2 options: 1) hotel accommodation with free meals or 2) you can go home and will be given a voucher worth P1,000.00. We picked option 1.

Bus to hotel

We were booked at the Century Park Hotel in Manila. Buffet dinner and breakfast included. Not bad. PAL staff were also there with us. There was actually another flight booked at the hotel. It seems the hotel staff are used to the delayed flights.

Sign at the hotel lobby

PAL created a special flight just for us for 6am the next day. It was delayed for an hour, but at least it wasn't canceled. Heard one passenger saying, hopefully it wasn't be due to sunrise limitation.

I hope cancelled flights won't happen again since it affects the schedule of a person, not to mention it lessens vacation time for some. But if airlines follow the Bill of Rights, then it makes the delay more acceptable.

Hotel room

Finally, arrived in Coron the next day

Handwritten boarding pass on our return flight to Manila :-)

Philippines claims Half-Pinoys

2014-10-21T05:43:00.000+08:00

Many half-Pinoys around the world have risen in recent times, whether in sports, entertainment, politics and business. And sure enough, the Philippines always claim them as its own, even if they don't speak the language or haven't been to the country.

Is it really a bad thing? I don't think so.

The recent victory of Marlisa Punzalan in 'The X-Factor Australia' again shows how the Philippines claims people like her as Filipino. Many news articles report, "Pinay teen wins X-Factor' or something like that. Many netizens would also comment 'Pinoy Pride' and 'Proud to be Filipino'. While there are a lot of positive comments, there are also those who say, she's not Filipino and therefore, the Philippines should not brand her as Pinoy.

It is true that Marlisa and other Fil-foreigners are not Filipinos legally, but I really don't see anything wrong with using the word 'Filipino' to describe them, at least in the title of an article. I also don't see anything wrong with being proud of them or being happy that a half-Pinoy accomplished something in the international stage.

I guess Filipinos express admiration for the half-Pinoys primarily because of their achievements, and in a way, it also makes them happy that somehow someone from their homeland fulfilled his or her dreams. It makes Filipinos happy that if she/he can make it, then perhaps many more Filipinos can also make it. Plus with all the bad news in the country, news about half-Pinoys are a welcome change. It's a feel-good story.

As many know, families and communities are big in the Philippines, where blood is thicker than water. And knowing someone has a Filipino blood kinda makes that person part of the one big Filipino community. Who knows, perhaps Marlisa is your cousin in the 10th degree.

Supporting half-Pinoys around the world is not a bad thing, but at the same time we should also support the Filipinos here in the country and help them develop their talents in various fields.

7 Full Years in the Newsroom

2014-09-25T21:05:00.000+08:00

This month marks my 7th year as a journalist. I joined the ABS-CBN News Channel (ANC) in September 2007, a few months after graduation. It's my first and only job. I initially wasn't thinking of ANC when I applied for work. I remember the HR person telling me to rank where I want to work. The choices were: TV Patrol or Bandila, The Correspondents or any current affairs show on ABS-CBN or ANC. Well, ANC was the last on my list, but as it turned out, it was the only one that has a vacancy. So, I said yes right away.

My journey with ANC has its ups and downs. I guess, like any employee, one would have a love-hate relationship with your company. But like any family, you learn to love them.

I am proud to say I started as a PA/runner. Today, fresh grads usually start as PA/writer, but during my time, it was PA/runner- a lowly position. I would deliver scripts to the editing or the control booth daily. I would also, sometimes, be assigned to just stay behind the camera, doing nothing, just observe. I felt underemployed at that time, but I know, I also learned a lot about the systems in the newsroom, since I get to work or interact with people from the newsroom, editing room, control booth and even the studio.

The World Tonight 2007- when I was still tasked to observe behind the camera

Eventually, I was tasked to write. My first tasks were writing sports or foreign news. And from there, my career grew, albeit in a slow pace. I would be assigned to check the graphics in the control booth, produce short reports, and eventually I would write business news, politics, showbiz, technology, features and basically just about anything. I would also join special documentary teams, breaking news coverage and many more. I'd like to think I have a broad experience in the "behind the camera" role (writer, producer, graphics checker, and even experience the 'point of view' of a studio cameraman). Oh, I'm also part of the social media team of ANC, one of the pioneers from among news organizations in the country.

On the on-cam side, my first ANC appearance was as the explainee in the show 'The Explainer' hosted by Manolo Quezon. I would do it once in a while. Then I would also ask my bosses to allow me to cover features stories on the field. My first coverage was about the National Disability Month. From that moment, I have done dozens of coverage not just in Metro Manila, but also in Cebu, Negros, Benguet, Ilocos Norte, Maguindanao and Leyte. I have also interviewed so many people, among them CEOs, senators, and even celebrities including Paris Hilton. I have also been on a Spanish Galleon ship and the US aircraft carrier.

My first anchor post started in 2012, when I was asked to be a weather anchor for ANC's weekend grid. I was also given the opportunity to anchor the newscasts during the graveyard shift once a week. And by 2014, I was assigned to handle the graveyard shift on a daily basis. I have also pushed some of my reports for TV Patrol Weekend, do Balitang America and lend my voice for Umagang Kay Ganda.

I have seen and worked during many breaking news coverage, including the Maguindanao Massacre, Manila Hostage Crisis, Cory Aquino's death, Halalan, Corona impeachment and the many typhoons, SONAs, senate hearings, and dozens of special events.

They say, there's a 7-year itch. We'll, I'm not sure about that, but what I am certain is that I will continue to grow, continue to learn new things. I still have a lot to learn, and many of the things I have learned, I owe to ANC.

Selfie! September 2007 (background: old newsroom look)

Back and forth to the doctor

2014-09-11T02:49:00.001+08:00

I underwent a minor operation last August 27, 2014 at The Medical City in Ortigas. There was an abscess and the doctor had to drain it out via surgery. It was an out-patient procedure, and one that I have already underwent in the past. But this time, the doctor was surprised that the cavity was very big. Meaning, he had to drain a lot of puss (and it was a bit painful). Two weeks later, fluids are still coming out from the surgical wound, which has not been closed yet. There is still a gauze or cloth inside the cavity so that the bacteria would come out. I was also just instructed to take another round of antibiotics.

It has been a stressful 2 weeks. For one, my movements were limited since I can't move my left arm fully. I also had to sleep on my back, which I am not used to. And I had to go to the doctor every other day for follow up and for cleaning the wound. I had to commute (MRT/taxi/bus) and that entails additional expenses. I also had to change my sleeping pattern again, because of the weird schedule- graveyard work shift, doctor, on/off sleep, other things to do.

I haven't had a full bath in 2 weeks!

I know this will be over soon. I just have to finish this new set of antibiotics and I hope the bacterial fluid will be all gone in a few days. Get well soon to myself. ;-)

Right after surgery (parang wala lang)

Unboxing: LG G3

2014-08-14T02:29:00.001+08:00

I recently got a new phone. I actually extended my contract with Globe Telecom for another 2 years. My plan was still the old MySuperSurf plan wherein I still get to have unli internet (it drops to 2G signal upon reaching the 3GB limit). I chose the newest smartphone in the planet, the LG G3. It actually was offered by Globe just a few weeks ago. I have been using it for about a week now and so far, I have no regrets.

I considered getting the Samsung S5. But since I was using the Samsung S3, I decided to try another brand. The only thing better with the S5 is that it was water and dust proof and the camera has bigger megapixels. But the G3 definitely also has tons of great features, in particular the large screen that looks better than HD. And because it's LG, I got a free 50GB cloud storage space on Box for life. When I bought the S3 2 years ago, I also got a 50GB cloud storage space on Dropbox, but it was only good for 2 years.

I won't tell all features of the LG G3, because you can easily check them out in various websites. But what I can say is that with the large "super HD" screen, I enjoy watching movies and reading books on the phone. Plus it's not too big for it to be a bit awkward when talking on the phone.

For new or old subscribers, Globe is offering the phone for free at Plan 1799 with 30 months locked-in period. For 24 months and below, there's a corresponding cash out. By the way, the Plan 1799 includes 5GB LTE internet, 55 minutes call to all networks and 1,100 text messages. Plus 6 months Spotify Premium membership and Gadget Care for a month.

And if you want to just buy the phone alone, many sites such as Kimstore offer it for about P26-28k. And I think LG and other mobile phone stores offer it for more than 30K, but with installment options.

Here are some photos of the unboxing:

QualiMed & affordable healthcare

2014-08-05T06:19:00.000+08:00

Ayala Land is investing P2-B in the healthcare industry for the next 5 years. It recently opened its first mall-based surgery center at Fairview Terraces in Quezon City. Ayala's entry into the healthcare sector is via the brand Qualimed, a partnership with the Mercado General Hospital. The Asian Eye Institute has also joined the venture as it adds its first 'Eye Site' branch at the Qualimed clinic in Fairview.

Qualimed is expected to expand further, as they plan to open 10 hospitals and 10 clinics nationwide in the coming years. They will be opening in Ayala projects as they plan to include medical centers in future 'township' developments. Among the provinces where Qualimed hospitals are being built are Iloilo, Negros Occidental and Bulacan. Other areas include Cebu, Davao and Cavite.

Current & future QualiMed projects

What's interesting about this development is that Qualimed is targeted to the lower to middle income bracket. Ayala and Asian Eye Institute are premium brands normally catering to the high-end sector. But they say, they want to get a chunk of the middle class market since it's a very big segment and they also want to provide quality medical services at a fraction of the cost compared to premium hospitals and clinics. They say, they have government hospital pricing, but private hospital service.

It's good to see that more hospitals and clinics are being built. The Philippines has a growing population, yet there were very few hospitals that were built in recent years. It's also nice to see a top brand such as Ayala venturing into medical facilities, following the footsteps of Manny Pangilinan's Metro Pacific, which has already intensified its investments in the healthcare industry.

Hopefully, QualiMed lives up to its name of 'quality medicine or medical service'. And hoping they will continue to provide world class service at an affordable rate, so more Filipinos can have access to medical services that are of international standards.

Watch my report on this topic that was aired on ANC. Click here.

Smaller and Smaller Circles

2014-07-28T10:14:00.000+08:00

Because of Typhoon Glenda (international name Rammasun), I was forced to again hold a book. The typhoon caused power outages in Metro Manila and nearby provinces. My laptop and phone's batteries were draining and there was really nothing much to do. I went to my mini bookshelf and picked one book, the first time I have done so in months (maybe even years).

I chose the novel 'Smaller and Smaller Circles.' It's a crime novel set in the Philippines and written by a Filipino. I bought that book about 10 years ago because I was looking for an English language Filipino novel. I read it, but forgot the story. And now with the tiny ray of light from the sun that entered my window into my dark room, I read the book again.

I'm not a fan of crime novels, but I like the book. One, it's written by a Filipino and set in Quezon City, where I live. So there's a 'homey' feeling. Second, it features Jesuits as the lead characters. I studied in a Jesuit university years ago.

It feels different if a movie or a book is set in an area you are familiar with. In a way, you feel attached somehow. And after reading so many books set in Europe or the U.S., reading a Philippine novel is very refreshing. And the book was written well, so no complaints on how the story developed and progressed. Though I just wish there were twists. You kinda know who the killer is in the middle of the story. But that's an author's prerogative.

Things I learned (or relearned) from the story: 1) The country has very poor investigation process/skills; 2) So many people have no access to proper health care; 3) Family will always be family no matter what; 4) Jesuits are really versatile; and for me as a journalist 5) There are always ways to get a story without joining the bandwagon.

As I said, I bought the book about a decade ago, not knowing who the author is or what awards the book won. Forward to 2013, the author became my office mate. Her name is F.H. Batacan or Ichi. I was shocked she suddenly joined ANC. And I'm sure she has no idea I read her book 10 years ago. Small world, or should I say, smaller and smaller circles indeed.

Marriage in the time of Globalization

2014-07-21T05:53:00.000+08:00

Last month I attended a wedding of a dear friend in China. No, she's not Chinese, the groom isn't too. My friend is a Filipina who studied and is now working in China. Her husband is from Ghana, who also studied and is working in the big Asian country. It's a love story that transcends continents.

The wedding entourage also featured a global cast with men and women from across Asia, Africa and the Americas. I'm not sure if there were Europeans, but I wouldn't be surprised if there was. And to top it all, it was a Christian ceremony in Communist China.

Interracial marriage is nothing new. It has been done for centuries- we have guys and girls who look like Europeans, but are Asians (and vice versa). Or people who look like Japanese, but are Filipinos. And so on and so forth. It's an interesting scenario, since not only will two types of DNA meet and converge, but it's also a convergence (and/or clash) of culture, religion, history, tradition and values. In my friend's case, aside from her own background and her husband's background, there's another dimension since they are living in China, which has its own culture, tradition, etc.

It's globalization in a different level. And as the world grows smaller and social media bigger, there are now more opportunities for people to meet, wherever they are in the world. And I think interracial love in a globalized world is perhaps easier. As barriers are slowly being deleted, so love and growth for a couple can easily blossom. Of course, it won't be that easy, since you will be dealing with hundreds of years of family tradition and beliefs. But surely, one can overcome that as long as love really binds the relationship.

I guess what I'm just trying to say is, Congrats Frances & Samsel. May you create your own tradition and culture with your future kids and with God in your hearts. You will surely have a great family ahead. :-)

Amazing Journey to the Ancient City of Bagan

2014-03-17T12:37:00.000+08:00

Bus ticketing office

Upon arriving in Yangon, Myanmar, we immediately bought roundtrip bus tickets to Bagan. There are several bus ticketing offices right across the Yangon Central Railway Station. We chose to travel the next day and fortunately, there were still tickets available.

We opted for the VIP or First Class bus (JJ Express). It costs 18,000 kyats ($18) one way. It's more expensive than the regular buses, which costs 15,000 kyats. But it was one of the best decisions of our trip. The bus trip will take 9 hours, including at least 2 bus stops for meals and restroom break. The reclining seat was very comfortable and snacks were served. You will also be provided a thick blanket (to be returned after the trip). Drinks were also given, including water, coffee or soda.

JJ Express First Class bus

We arrived in Bagan around 5:30am. It was a chilly morning and we had to wear our jacket. Dozens of people would greet the passengers- all asking if we want taxi or tours. We talked to one person who offered a one day tour of Bagan via a horse cart for 25,000 kyats ($25). We haggled and finally agreed to 20,000 kyats ($20).

The horse cart was a good choice for us, since we were 3 in the group and the cart, I guess, can only accommodate 3. Plus touring via horse cart gives a different effect, it's as if you're indeed travelling in time with thousands of old temples around you. It would be faster to ride a taxi, but we weren't really planning to go to all temples, so a horse cart is a good option to relax and enjoy the day.

The horse cart driver was the one who decided where to go, since we weren't sure what are the best temples. We had at least 10 temple stops, with some stops having more than 1 temple. The driver would just wait on the cart, while we tour the temple at our own pace. We also left our bags in the horse cart. We ate lunch at a Myanmar restaurant. It was worth 3,500 kyats per person. We also opted for a short boat tour of the Irrawaddy River.

Bagan is such an amazing and memorable place. Thousands of temples literally scatter all over the city. There are temples you can climb, some are big, but there were also many that are small. But the most impressive is that all of them are really old. Some have been repaired, but you can still sense the feeling that Bagan is such an ancient place, especially if you're on top a temple and see all these stupas dominating the skyline.

We stayed in Bagan for just one day. Arriving at 5:30am, we left for Yangon 8pm that same day. It was tiring, but fun. Would love to go back to visit the other temples we haven't been to.

Some tips:
1. Bring water. It's very hot and you will surely get thirsty. There are, however, some food stalls in some temples.
2. Sunblock lotion. Since it's hot, a sunblock lotion would be a really great idea. A cap or sunglasses would also be nice to bring.
3. Do not wear shoes. All temples require you to be barefooted. Might as well just wear slippers. Expect your feet to be very dirty by the end of the day.
4. Wear something comfortable. It's whole day trip under the sun, better wear something you can comfortably move around in, but not to revealing. People might stare at you if you wear really skimpy shorts.
5. Temples are for free. We never paid anyone to enter any of the temples. There will be some who will ask money for you to climb the temple, etc. We never gave in. But there are legitimate donation boxes in many of the big temples.

Check out the photos below:

The first set of temples we saw (and climbed)

On top of a temple

Inside one of the temples

Ancient temples

We took a short boat tour of the Irrawaddy River

Temples everywhere

Monk doing a selfie :)

Fullhouse on top of a temple, waiting for sunset

Bagan sunset

For more information about Myanmar, read the other blog posts on the topic.
Part 1: Trip to Myanmar 2014
Part 2: Myanmar on a Budget
Part 3: Amazing Journey to the Ancient City of Bagan

Myanmar on a Budget

2014-03-16T17:50:00.002+08:00

Like any city in the world, Yangon can be both cheap and expensive. You just have to know the where, what and how to make your visit memorable and within your budget. And for those who have limited budget, Yangon is good for you.

Perhaps the most expensive part of the trip is the airfare. There are not so many airlines traveling to Yangon so prices may not be as cheap as other cities. Good news is, there are budget airlines that fly to Yangon. From Manila, we took Tigerair to Yangon with a stopover in Singapore. There are several hotels too, from the cheap bed space to luxury rooms. Fortunately, you can already reserve and purchase your hotel bookings online. We did our hotel booking via www.agoda.com.

Here's a guide to the expenses incurred during our trip. These are estimates only and may change depending on the season and other factors.

Airfare- P12,000 ($268) Manila to Yangon roundtrip
Hotel- P1,000 ($22)/ per night/per person. We chose a simple hotel with free breakfast & wifi
Meal- P120-160 ($3-4) This is already a big meal at a decent restaurant
Taxi- P120-160 ($3-4) This is within city limits. Airport to downtown is P400 ($9)
Pagoda- P120-350 ($3-8) Most are actually for free, but there are some that ask for donation

If you want an even cheaper stay, there are various alternatives. Drinks along the road (soda, coconut juice, etc) would be about P13-20 ($0.30-40). There are also soups and other food sold along the road. Snacks like donuts would be about P20 ($0.40). Walking is also a good option, so you can explore up close the streets of Yangon. You can also go to grocery stores for chips and other food. There are no 24-hour convenience stores in Yangon, for now.

Excluding airfare and hotel which I bought online, I only spent about P4,500 ($100) for my 3 nights/4 days stay in Myanmar. I exchanged only $100 at the airport and never exchange currency again during the duration of the trip. The amount already includes our sidetrip to Bagan, all food, transportation and even the longyi I bought.

Like any ASEAN city, sidewalk vendors are plenty

Small chairs and tables along the road are everywhere in Yangon

Don't forget to try the Myanmar Beer! :-)

For more information about Myanmar, read the other blog posts on the topic.
Part 1: Trip to Myanmar 2014
Part 2: Myanmar on a Budget
Part 3: Amazing Journey to the Ancient City of Bagan