Scrubs

My cousins are in Philadelphia working as nurses. Pizza as we fondly call her is working for the hospital as part of the team that handles the Intensive Care Unit. Pie her twin is working for the Emergency Room staff. You often mistake one for the other since they are very identical. I felt awkward when they visit me and I couldn't tell them apart. Their fashion sense is not as laid back as most of those who work there. I often see those girls wearing great colors and they never hold back. I think they got that idea here since scrubs were commonly seen and worn by the most fashionable people last year. They never hesitate to jazz up the ordinary nurse uniforms. I don't blame them because you often see great ones on line. They also come with the corresponding scrub pants too because getting one is such a breeze! Imagine Fashion + Health Care = Bliss!

If I'm going to get them anything this Christmas season then this would probably be one of the choices. I'd get one for some of my friends too since you already know Filipino health workers often dominate the scene. So for my friends who are registered nurses, physical therapists, surgeons, dentists and care givers, you probably know now what you are getting ha-ha!

How about you? Have you thought about getting scrub clothing for your friends too?! Let me know!

D60KREW Walks Pasig River Part II

Photo courtesy of their owners, Ms. Bambit, Myrben Endaya, Ronald Zaguirre, Vincent Locsin, Andy Rodriguez and me.

When we boarded the ferry we waited a couple of minutes. Just when we were about to embark on this journey, a whole TV crew came in running behind schedule. Guess who we spotted!

I knew I've seen her somewhere before but... this is PATANI! She's the infamous pseudo villain in the first installment of Survivor Philippines. We heard she was there for an AXN shoot. It was nice because she gamely posed for us whenever there was an opportunity. It was really a fun day. Who would have thought we would meet people like her on the Pasig River Ferry! We were in store for more!

To start off the journey, the owner himself boarded the craft and said a few things before we went on the river. Mr. Eduardo G. Bondad, President and CEO of the SCC Nautical Transport Services Inc.; he gladly introduced us to what his company has been doing as service to thousands of Filipinos who use this transport system. His fleet of around 8 boats (if I'm not mistaken!) has been doing its deed for around 14 ports (some still being constructed). It basically can fit close to a 150 people, equipped with radio, sound systems, a public address system, comfy blue fixed plastic chairs and clean rest rooms. I've seen a mix of its patrons which range from class BCDE (some of which use this for everyday transport). It was quite comfortable since every water bus is air conditioned as I wouldn't really recommend it otherwise. It would probably climb up a few degrees and spell sun stroke if they didn't have that. There were still some fumes and establishments dumping waste water on the river; and if we were not inside the ferry at that time we'll have to visit the hospital after wards. I spent a lot of time on the front and back deck; it really felt like I was in the Caribbean. The breeze and the sun was nice at that time. I had a lot of shots... but we were all prohibited to shoot on the Malacanang area which understandably would be a huge security risk (Erap might get angry! LOL). I wonder what particular things they do on the line when Oil tankers and Natural Gas filled crafts passed by, that made me more worried than our cams. Even the PSG boarded to make sure we didn't shoot anything there (which is good don't get me wrong!). It was a good move but then again it would have been nice to shoot that historic place (and not just stay viewing the back of the 20 peso bill).

A lot of students frequently do projects and stories here (we met some of them while on the Plaza Mexico Terminal) probably to make them aware of the situation and the efforts put to rehabilitate the Pasig River. If their dreams come true this would really be a good thing to show tourists. I am by no means proud of the stench and trash along the way but if you think about it; we are all doing our share to make it habitable and that by itself is commendable. Maybe if we get the people living along the river to a different location (there's a lot of them!) and get better laws (via Congress making a harsher version and punishment) then it could be a good thing coming here. I guess just like any environmentalist; we are still hopeful this would all still be possible.

Some of us went through all the stations, Plaza Mexico, Escolta, Lawton, Quiapo, PUP, Santa Ana, Lambingan, Valenzuela,Hulo, Guadalupe, Pineda, San Joaquin, Bambang, Kalawaan, Pinagbuhatan - Acasia, Maybunga, Nagpayong and back. It was really my first time and I must say it was a nice experience. I didn't really expect much since the river itself was notorious for horror stories. The 12 million peso catamarans might have something to do with it but overall I enjoyed the time I spent there. It made me look at the river system differently, it gave me hope that one day everything will change. In one way or another there would be more people helping establish efforts to make this river alive again. Special thanks to Ms. Yen Cosare who gave fabulous information on the landmarks along the way. The group would also like to thank OIC Simon Aguilon of the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission for giving us the chance to shoot this awesome place. I'd be back for more! I'd really recommend this to my friends for a short trip or something unusual in the oustkirts of the metro!

From left: Jeff, Francis, Ryan, Me, Ronald, Ace, Bambit, Gian, Myrben, Xander, Raymond, Jhem and Bangge.Not in photo because they were late but will be seen in other group hugs: Andy Rodriquez, Vince Locsin, Melvi Morfe and a surprise appearance by landscape master Ray Andallon.

Kudos to QCPC and D5KLUB who went with us on this great trip! I'm sure there will be more of us next time! Thank you to everyone who made this possible!

The Urge to Shop

I have to admit I am a very compulsive buyer. The mall is but a culture in our side of the world which is not that much of good news when you are not a smart shopper. That is the current non working formula but I am going to think about how I can save more. If I go grocery shopping I can probably check out CouponUS.com and get huge discounts. I can also try their specials if my favorite brands would release something new over the weekend. I see a lot of people saving a couple hundred dollars from them so why shouldn't I join the bandwagon?!

I actually have a lot on my list now. The usual ones... and those gadgets I saw over the Internet. Everything is changing by the minute. My console is looking obsolete since there are no new games being released for it. My laptop computer seemed slower when I take a look at the ones displayed in the shelves. It's so easy to get a new one but it's so hard to depart from something you are already used to. It's the same with the operating system. There are hundreds of things we could all share with each other to save a lot from purchasing products we regularly buy. People need to be frugal when times are hard so they can serve as an example for future generations. Christmas is around the corner and we'd want everyone to get a gift right?! I thought so!

How do you stop the urge to shop? Shop smarter!

D60KREW Walks Pasig River

I've been looking forward for another walk with the D60KREW. I know we've been infamous with long spans of road and this one was a little different. For once we didn't walk that much. It was time to conquer the Pasig River. With the KREW armed and ready to shoot what the line had in store, we were surely not going to disappoint anyone anytime soon.

This was really my first time to ride the ferry. No joke! Even some of my krew mates were also virgins on this course. I saw them on TV a couple of times already (the Catamarans)but didn't know where it starts or ends. I saw these kinds of crafts in shows from travel channels in the Caribbean. The only difference though is the sails. Apart from that, it was sturdy and could cut through waters smoothly. It was surely going to be an exciting trip (which starts at Plaza Mexico) but we were too late for the first scheduled charter (because it falls Saturday 8AM) and too early for the second none at 11:30AM.

We decided to have an impromptu walk and early brunch inside the legendary walls. Plaza Mexico was very nice. I didn't know it even existed to tell you honestly until I saw it from Google maps; but I tell you people should really start noticing places like these.
It makes you feel that nostalgia when you see something that reconnects you to the past. Plaza Mexico pays homage to the galleon trade between Manila and Acapulco, Mexico. That's probably where we got most of the things we have in our language. Lechon, Pantalon, La Mesa, stuff that you normally would have thought normal ain't normal at all. Confusing?! Exactly!!! That's why you have to go there one of these days just so you get to brush up on your history. There are lots of inscriptions there you can learn from. We got brunch after wards.

It was then time to board the Ferry.

To be continued....