TECHNOLOGY and Global News » Philippines

Early Summer Vacation Planning

geek mom — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 08:28:41 +0000

It must be the heat or the sudden flash of memories, my 9-year old son suddenly asked me this morning while having breakfast: “Mom, can we go to Baguio again this summer?”

Baguio is Philippine’s summer capital because of it’s cold weather and inviting natural environment full of trees and flowers. It’s also a favorite destination among Metro Manilans because of its proximity to Metro Manila, just a 4 to 5 hours drive from the city. It’s also our family’s favorite destination.

During our last visit to Baguio, I actually wondered if we can get a small and cheap summer home there. It was more of a dream actually because even with our combined household income, it’s impossible for us to afford a place in the city of pines. I would have loved designing the summer house with lodge furniture and rustic outdoor pieces to create that summery and natural feel. It would be one summer home our family and friends would enjoy and love.

Who knows, maybe my and my husband’s retirement pay would be able to accommodate this dream in the future. Nothing is lost yet. Maybe if I dream harder and work even harder, this summer dream may come true.

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Spa and Massage Promo and Deals

geek mom — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 08:49:04 +0000

To help set your positive outlook and mindset for 2012, relax and put away those stresses through these cheap, low-priced and must-grab spa deals and promos from my favorite online buying sites providing great bargains from merchants in the Philippines, mostly in Metro Manila:

1. 70% off on Rejuvenating Massages at DeStress Express Spa in Shopwise, Libis Quezon City. Choose from the following options:

P150 (P350 value) for a 60-minute basic massage (shiatsu, Swedish or combination)
P260 (P650 value) for a 90-minute aromatherapy massage + foot reflexology
P300 (P1000 value) for a 90-minute aromatherapy massage + apricot body scrub
Choose from basic massage or aromatherapy massage + foot reflexology/apricot body scrub
Swedish massage with choice of aromatherapy essential oils
Groupon is valid for 6 months
May purchase multiple Groupons
Groupons may be given as gifts
Operating hours: Monday – Thursday from 11:00am – 9:00pm; Friday – Sunday from 11:00am – 11:00pm
Groupons may be used 48 hours after purchase
Click here to purchase the deal.

2. Only P579 for a Honey vanilla mask, choco scrub and 60-minute massage from Oils and Scrubs! That is a sweet 68% OFF deal from Oils and Scrubs located on Amorsolo Street in Makati.

Valid from Valid January 6 to April 6, 2012.
Relaxing treatment that uses real chocolate syrup on the skin, not just flavoring!
Exfoliation for smoother and polished skin!
Perfect for relaxation and stress reduction!
Perfectly situated in the busy city of Makati!
Click here to buy the deal.

3. Only Php99 instead of Php400 for a Pampering 60-Minute Foot Spa Combo with Massage and Scrub at Lemon Spa located in Sampaloc, Manila. Automatic 75% off savings!

Includes relaxing foot soak, foot scrub, foot massage and pedicure
Relieve tired, aching feet with an hour of rejuvenating foot spa treatment
Luxuriate in the feel of soft, smooth feel of fresh and moisturized limbs
Quality imported nail polish for gleaming nail color that lasts
Foot Spa Combo is available for both men and women
Voucher Validity: Jan. 17, 2012 until July 17, 2012
Price is Net (Includes VAT and service charge)
Click here to buy the deal.

(photo source: great-birthday-party-ideas.com)

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When Losers Become Winners

geek mom — Sun, 05 Jun 2011 10:05:59 +0000

The hit American reality television show “The Biggest Loser” is now making waves in the Philippines. The show, which started just last week is hosted by megastar Sharon Cuneta with hunk and showbiz icon Derek Ramsey on the tow.

Titled “Biggest Loser, Pinoy Edition, the contestants are heavy-weight Filipinos who are wishing to lose weight dramatically while fighting for the chance of winning 1 million pesos and a condo unit. Heavy-set people are mostly suffering from low self-esteem and health problems which are apparent in the contestants’ testimonials. Through the show, everyone’s hoping for a drastic change of life and lifestyle.

How I wish I were part of the Biggest Loser training camp. Losing weight is not easy, not easy at all! Having professional help like dedicated and expert health and fitness trainers is a major plus factor. One can go to the gym, join fun runs, or even search the net for the best creatine supplement to increase athletic energy, but it would make a ton of difference to be guided on how to lose weight and gain an athletic built correctly.

In the end, the show’s biggest loser would be another lucky winner! Good luck guys!

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Blackberry Alerts for Disasters

geek mom — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 12:23:47 +0000

After the terrible earthquake and tsunami in Japan, people in the Philippines have been fearing that an earthquake will likewise occur in the Philippines.

This made the Filipinos somehow aware of what can happen and so some people have already been preparing for their own family’s disaster plan. As part of such preparation, the World Bank partnered with one of the Philippine’s leading telecommunications companies and launched a 200,000-dollar project that would send out text message alerts to communities to warn them of typhoons, storm surges, tsunamis, landslides and earthquakes.

The project, however only covers the Southern Leyte province since they are more prone to the occurrence of natural disasters. The project’s web-based information system enables officials from the towns to use BlackBerries and laptops to access and quickly spread alerts or store surveillance data, before, during and after disasters.

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A Day in Ocean Adventure

geek mom — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 03:28:55 +0000

Yesterday, my husband’s family invited us to join them in a trip to Ocean Adventure in Subic Bay, Zambales. After 3 hours of driving, we got there at around 9:00 in the morning.

The park is already open but we were told that the show starts at 10:15 AM. We first went to see the “Walk in the Wild” where an aeta showed its audience how to survive in the wild. They also showed us some animals and the tricks that they know. The next show was the “Olongapo Jones” where the kids learned the proper way of disposing garbage. The “Sea Lion Show” was next and the last one was the “Dolphin Show”. We all enjoyed the shows and the adults were kind of amazed on how these animals were trained to do the things that they showed us.

All these shows lasted until around 1:00 in the afternoon and was followed by lunch and swimming on the beach till afternoon. We also went shopping in Duty Free on our way home and had some delicious Shawarma for snack. We finally got home at 9:00 in the evening, tired but happy.

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Cebu City: Sinulog Festival

geek mom — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 01:31:07 +0000

Photo Courtesy of Randy Azul

The recently concluded Sinulog Festival in Cebu was once again a success. Many local and foreign tourists were there to watch the festivities.

Booking a flight for Cebu to watch the Sinulog Festival was really very hard. One has to book a flight to Cebu as early as October of the past year to be able to get cheaper plane fares.

One of the highlights of the festival was the “Walk for the Niño”, a procession which is being attended by millions of devotees of Sto. Niño. The procession will end with a mass and will be followed by dancing of people who are seeking the help of the Child Jesus.

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Enjoying A Good Band

geek mom — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 02:50:41 +0000

The other night, I had a chance to attend a birthday party where a band comprised of five young, well-dressed males are performing. They are the Bloom Brothers.

I automatically fell in love with the songs that they played and fell in love with the band as well. They are good performers. Nowadays, most of the bars are having stand up comedians as performers and most often than not, their jokes are not wholesome. Not everybody enjoys that type of act and it’s a good thing that this band is so enjoyable and wholesome.

I am looking forward to watching them perform in their next gig.

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New Philippine Peso Bills

geek mom — Tue, 28 Dec 2010 08:31:42 +0000

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) unveiled the new Philippine Peso bills on December 16.

The new bills feature the beautiful tourist spots in the Philippines on its backside. The BSP also claims that there are new security features incorporated in the new banknotes. Although there are different reactions to the design of the new Philippine Peso bills, the BSP has already issued some to different banks. I even had a chance to hold the new twenty peso bill which was brought by a colleague.

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A Filipino Christmas Tradition

geek mom — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 01:34:42 +0000

Photo Courtesy of Engr. Elbert M. Malonzo, RHCT

“Simbang Gabi” or the Advent of Novena of Masses has become a Filipino tradition that started in 1660. It was introduced by the Spanish Friars and are being held at around 4:00 AM or when the roosters crow to announce a brand new day. Masses are celebrated for nine days to usher in the event of Christ’s birth.

It was actually held early in the morning since most people then are farmers. They have to tend their farms very early in the morning, thus the friars hold masses even earlier.

Nowadays, “Simbang Gabi” are being held in the early morning as a tradition and some churches also hold these masses at night.

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Lotto Craze in the Philippines

geek mom — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 13:25:21 +0000

I am not really a lottery fan and to be honest, I don’t know how to place bets in the so called Lotto. I have accompanied a friend of mine in placing bets twice before but I have not really watched her accomplish the bet slip.

But nowadays, almost everyone talks about the Lotto. Almost everyone wants to know what the winning numbers are and almost everyone patiently waits on long lines in most Lotto betting outlets in the Philippines to place their bets. As of this day, the pot money for the GrandLotto 6/55 has reached a record high of 741, 176, 323.20 million pesos. The figures are so great that many people want to take chance. I heard that there are even some lotto outlets that were running out of bet slips.

As of this evening’s draw the numbers that were drawn were 11-16-42-47-31-37. If there’s a winner, he would be very very lucky.

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