Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Please Pray for Typhoon Yolanda's Victims and Survivors

One of the worst typhoons to hit the country, Category 5 Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) has brought pain and sorrow to many Filipinos. For those who have lost loved ones, it is a battle to keep on living and surviving even under such circumstances. The lack of food, water, proper shelter and medicine is making this battle more difficult to pull through.


Although communication and electricity is restored on most areas affected, some barangays (villages) have not yet received relief goods. Some hospitals have already closed down for the lack of medicine and equipment. And because of desperation, some fellow Filipinos have looted stores and malls to feed their families.

To volunteers passing through this post, Philippine Red Cross and DSWD are still in need of volunteers to repack goods so they can distribute it to places who have not received it yet.

Super Typhoon Haiyan - Yolanda Recovery
To international visitors reading this, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to those countries and international companies (like Samsung) who have donated to help Filipinos rebuild what they have lost.

For the rest of us, please pray for the victims and survivors of Typhoon Yolanda so they may have the strength to rebuild their homes and lives.

Additional News and Information on Yolanda 2013:

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Monday, November 11, 2013

Smartphone Usage Statistics Highlight Its Importance In Our Lives

Smartphone Ownership Infographic


This Infographic is produced by Coupon Audit (provides Toms promo code) and Digital Brew.

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Wednesday, October 23, 2013

STOP Buying Philippine Prudential Life Insurance Co. (PPLIC) Plans NOW!!!

WHY?!? I finally compiled some 2012/2013 news and opinions on Philippine Prudential Life Insurance Company (PPLIC). The latest is dated August 31, 2013.

Deceptive Marketing. I've seen this report a long time ago. Surprising how only Mr. Anthony Taberna was brave enough to do an expose on the Philippine Prudential Life Insurance Co.

The only thing I could find in GMA News Online is this (dated April 12, 2013)
“Philippine Prudential Life Insurance Company Inc. is financially sound, as it remains to be a stable and strongly capitalized company, duly-licensed by our government regulator, the Insurance Commission,” Philippine Prudential president and chief executive officer Gregorio Mercado said in an e-mailed statement.
ODD! Since they're still roaming the malls, surely ABS-CBN or XXX must have done a follow-up on it. But I couldn't find one.

I'm surprised that nothing popped out regarding the policy holders who filed administrative and criminal charges against PPLIC. You'd think there's a conspiracy going on. Of course, that's probably just my imagination going wild.

Stay away from this glass-paned place!
It just baffles me how this company has remained afloat even after the many complaints on their agents' ethics. Now, we hear that their license has been revoked.

How in the world are they still selling their "pre-need plans" in malls?!?


Okay, so perhaps they're talking about a different Philippine Prudential Life Insurance Co.

Then again, there's this. 
MANILA - (UPDATED 5:16 p.m.) About one hundred plan holders of Danvil Plans Inc trooped to the Inusrance Commission (IC) on Thursday, asking the regulator to revoke the license of Philippine Prudential Life Insurance Co for the sudden termination of the benefits of their paid-up policies. 
Oh, so they are talking about the same company. Unfortunately, this isn't about their intimidating tactics as stated by a lot of comments in our previous blog post called The Battle with PPLIC. This is about them abruptly terminating their plan holder's policies.

One of the more pressing concerns is that even with this heat, they continue to roam in malls promising their potential customers a good investment while Danvil planholders sue them for simply promising 30% as arranged by Philippined Prudential Life (different from Prudential Life).

As Mr. Satur Ocampo stated in Philstar News titled "Insurance, pre-need scam: A public-private partnership"
The planholders also questioned why the IC, while allowing their benefits to be terminated, had allowed PPLIC to continue to operate with license and sell its insurance and pre-need products. That’s duping the new and potential planholders, they said.
Furthermore, according to Satur Ocampo's Parallels: Pork barrel, insurance, pre-need scams, Emmanuel Dooc, Insurance Commissioner had already promised closely monitoring the firm since 2010... I still don't get why they've gotten this far as to mess with 4000 policy holder's plans under the "protector account" due to a "technicality clause".

As  Mr. Saturno is imploring expedited action from government officials, I am asking readers and plan holders to be very vigilant while passing through malls. The most recent comment in this blog was dated October 22, 2013. This means they still have their license to operate.

Learn the facts (No matter how limited they are) and READ YOUR POLICY! Do what Antionette did in her comment (as posted in our latest PPLIC blog post titled "Is PPLIC LABB PLUS refundable?Latest update on this blog link is dated Feb. 7, 2015.) Fight for your consumer rights and see how they react to it. This isn't about investing soundly anymore, nor is it an emotional rant on how we felt we were scammed. This is about big companies taking our hard-earned money, promising us financial stability and terminating it due to "technicalities" average consumers, like us, don't fully understand.

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Sunday, October 20, 2013

USB Device Not Found Solution with (Newbie Guide with Pics)

Picture this

-You've successfully downloaded a new custom rom for your android tablet. 

-You've got NVFlash and K1_JB_AOSP or CM9, CM10 and even CM10 v6.1. 

-You've successfully gotten your android device to APX mode which basically means pressing the Power, Volume Up and Volume Down buttons simultaneously for about 30 seconds more or less (as shown in the image below).

The IdeaPad K1 Android tablet in APX Mode.
Then, you attach it to the data cable where one end is on PC's your USB port. You click on flash-win.bat and nothing happens.

Clicking flash-win.bat to install new rom and no response.

-You take it up a notch and open the  "Command" or CMD window

-You see the message 'nvflash.exe' not recognized. You finally figured out that all you needed to do was make sure that your directory on the command window should coincide with where your nvflash.exe is (e.g. if you placed the custom rom's folder in C:\ then your command window should also show C:\(name of flash-win.bat folder)\>)

-You get it all right but are stuck with the dreaded "USB device not found" or "USB device not detected". 

What do you do? Scream and lash out!

Fortunately, there is a simpler solution to this problem. It's basically updating the APX drivers because, believe it or not, Windows 7 and even Windows XP will have the yellow triangle with exclamation point on APX as found in the Device Manager.

Brief Recap

1. Trying to install new rom in android tablet. No response after clicking flash-win.bat

2. Android tablet in APX mode is detected by PC (with bleep sound) but stuck with "USB device not found" when installing new rom.

3. Android tablet connects successfully when turned on, but isn't detected in APX.

4. Nvflash.exe is not recognized.

Note: Simple solution is to save android rom files in a single folder in drive C:\. When opening command window, type "cd .." (without clauses) until left with C:\> . Then type "cd (name of file folder)" to go directly to that directory. Example

C:\Users\Digitalbrew> cd ..
C:\Users> cd ..
C:\> cd K1Wifi_CM10_Flashable_v6.1
C:\K1Wifi_CM10_Flashable_v6>

*Bold letters are what you're supposed to type.

5. NVflash.exe is NOW recognized. But new command window message after running flash-win.bat is 'USB device not found'.

6. Scream and lash out, frustrated with the world.

How to install missing APX drivers succesfully
Step 1: Download the APX drivers.

Step 2: Extract APX Driver files into your Desktop or C:\

Step 3: Put Android tablet (mine is an IdeaPad K1) on APX mode. Attach Android tablet cable to USB Port.

APX driver for Android custom rom installation.
Step 4: Device driver software was not successfully installed because it could not find APX drivers (not yet anyway).

Step 5: Click on Start. Right-click on Computer and go to Properties. Or go to Control Panel> System and Security> System then click on Device Manager. Locate "Other Devices" and Right-click on "APX". Select Update Driver Software...

Step 6. Click on "Browse my computer for driver software"

Step 7: Browse for the location where you saved it. I put it on Desktop (not my computer).

Halfway through installing the APX driver so your Android Tablet baby gets a Cyanogen Mod Rom.
Step 8: Install this driver software anyway.

NVIDIA USB Boot-recovery driver for Mobile devices successfully installed!
Step 9: Scream and lash out, but this time with happier feelings as you won't have more USB issues on installing Clockwork, Khanning or Krook's ROMs anymore (unless your computer or your usb is busted).

Although you might still get stuck in Formatting partition 12...
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Friday, October 4, 2013

What I Like and Hate about Being a Sun Cellular Postpaid Subscriber...

It's probably crazy for me to say this, especially when my last bill amounted to 1,600 php... something far from my anticipated 900 php (650 php originating from my original plan), but I do like Sun Cellular's Postpaid.

Anyway, let's get to the list of my pros and cons on being a Sun Postpaid subscriber based on my first hand experience.


1. Cheap. Getting a plan at 350 php where you have unlimited Sun to Sun calls and texts to other Sun users is simply advantageous to us. Most of us have sun lines so it figures that owning a Sun prepaid or postpaid line is too practical to miss out on.

Just imagine how much you can save when you can call your loved ones with their Sun-to-Sun Unlimited Calls.
2. Detailed Billing Statement. What's nice about Sun's billing statement is it's exact to the point, particularly on call minutes, the numbers you've called and the time you did it. Text, One Time Charges and Give-a-Loads are also included among your sun billing statement. I haven't experienced dealing with hidden charges with Sun before.

This is just part of a typical Sun Cellular billing statement. I like that every single call is logged, as well as, the number of text messages you've sent to the different networks.
I've been a Smart prepaid user ever since I've had my second phone (prior to this I was using Globe services). Prepaid was a lot safer. Then I decided to try Globe Postpaid (back then their cheapest plan included a Nokia 3315 at 800 pesos), after one of my bill ballooned to a whopping 2,500 php (without a trace of its details), I decided to keep daily logs of the number of text messages and calls I made. I listed them all.... 

Then I get another bill that surpassed my tracked usage (I was sure my bill wouldn't reach 1,000 php, but I still paid 2,800 pesos for it). It was crazy. I decided to terminate my plan because they themselves weren't able to give my any detailed explanations either.

3.  Sun Cellular's Loyalty Perks. One of the things I hate about renewing a contract is having to visit Sun Shops over and over again because they don't have the unit you want. Fortunately, if you belong in Sun's Loyalty, customers get to have their new Sun Cellular phone delivered at their doorstep.

It says warehouse inspected. So far, all units have been functioning well.
Note: We just had a couple of Nokia Asha 501's delivered to our house after calling their Loyalty line 1822. What I didn't like was that all their cases were in black... which I guess isn't a big deal.

4. Less Paperwork for Newbies.Most of my work is online. I don't have sufficient documents to prove how much I earn. Of course, I was confident I could pay 350 php/month. So what I did was take advantage of their Postpaid Line with Sim Only. After 8 months (out of 6, which was because I waited for a better phone), I got into Sun's Loyalty program and upgraded my plan to Sun Cellular's Regular Postpaid Plan 450. Now, I'm the proud owner of a robust MyPhone A919.

5. Customized Mobile Number. This is what sets Sun among the rest. I love that customers can select their own number. 

Disadvantages of Owning a Sun Postpaid Line

1. Some of their Agents are Unaware of the Sun Promos. Back when Sun had their Sun Group Plan 999 High and Low Deal, one of the shop agents insisted they didn't have it. We had to convince him to check the website. After confirming it existed, he asked us what unit we wanted. After telling him our preferences, he took out his log book saying the unit wasn't available, which brings me to my next issue.

Note: This goes for their customer agents. One of them, named Tony, told me there was no such thing as a High and Low Deal. After arguing with him that there was was, he finally looked it up and retracted his statement.

2. Unit Availability. I don't know why they always lack Nokia and Samsung units. They already know that most of their customers will always prefer these brands, yet months have passed and they still don't have it. So it doesn't matter if you put your name on the log book. There's a fat chance that you'll still end up with the unit they say they have available at the moment.

3. Getting a Hold of a Customer Service Representative can Take TOO LONG. Calling the Sun Hotline can be a chore. Sometimes, I could hear that annoying song in my head over and over again.  I guess this is because they have a lot of customers (which means that they have to increase their overhead).

4. Area of Coverage. Although Sun Cellular has gone a long way in terms of network coverage, there are still areas in the province where they have limited to zero signal.

Note: We've not yet experienced having a defective phone so I haven't had to deal with the trauma of returning one to them. Hopefully, all our units remain healthy and robust as they are now.

We have a single problem with the Nokia Asha 501. Sometimes, the person at the other line could not hear us when we call her and vice versa. It has happened 3 times already (within a span of 1 month).

Good or bad experiences are welcomed in this post. Please feel free to express your love or hate with your Sun Cellular Postpaid Subscription.

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Saturday, September 28, 2013

Upgrading Lenovo IdeaPad K1 to CM10 v6.1 (Newbie Guide w/ Pictures)

Finally, a new addition to my Android Newbie Guide posts.
This is how the K1 will end up looking like once you've successfully installed CM10 v6.1 for Lenovo's K1
It has been a month since I have used my IdeaPad K1 because of the "Sleep of Death". It just went on and on and on twirling those colors on the Jellybean logo.

Since I didn't mind wiping it out again, I didn't do a back-up anymore. However, the process I used in upgrading the Lenovo IdeaPad K1 to CM10 v6.1 didn't wipe out my programs. I even retained my saved games.

What if my IdeaPad K1 has existing issues or problems?

My tablet was still experiencing the sleep of death after installing CM10 so I did the entire process again. However, I did a 'wipe data/factory reset' prior to upgrading.

Note: If you have important data, settings and game saves, make sure to do a back-up before doing this. Assuming you haven't installed CM10 for IdeaPad K1 yet, it's better safe than sorry.

Installing CyanogenMod on the Lenovo Android tablet was a lot easier than I anticipated. Although, it did take me two days to figure things out. I finally found the easiest way to install it based on my current set-up where my IdeaPad K1 had K1_JB_AOSP previously.

What's new with CM10 v6.1 (JB 4.1.2 JZO54K)?

According to the XDA Forum, here are its features:
  • Wifi+GPS
  • HD video/audio
  • External SD
  • Gyro
  • Camera front/back
  • Bluetooth
  • Google Now with voice, Chrome
  • Internal SD (fixed in v2)
  • Paid apps (fixed in v2)
  • Auto brightness, Wifi button in notification bar (fixed in v3)
  • Overclock (1.2, 1.4Ghz) (v5)
  • USB Storage - MTP only (v5)
  • Tun.ko VPN support (v5)
  • 3G (v5)Gapps Without Picasa
  • Rotate lock switch (v6)
  • Home button (v6)
The v2,v3... v5, v6 indicate when these new features or fixes were added in the CM10 for IdeaPad K1.

Note: I tried following the instructions in the forum for 'any other rom' installation. Alas, I spent a day epic-ly  failing at it.  Whether it was because I am using Windows 7 or my buggy USB port, I have no idea. The flash-win did not want to run even upon installing Android SDK.

Important Note: Before we go any further, please remember that modding your android tablet shall be at your own risk. I will not be held responsible if you damage or brick your IdeaPad tablet in the process.

What We Need...

1. A computer to download the images (zip files) listed below.

CWM Flashable image v6.1 for Wifi (md5: b46a0a5fbe2a20718574b4d2b8eba233)
-- My K1 doesn't have 3G (or a sim slot) so I chose the one for Wi-Fi.

-- Just choose between the two Gapps option.

2. A Working IdeaPad K1 with Play Store to download the Rom Manager
-- You can either click on the link or search it once you've opened your IdeaPad K1's Google App Store.

This is how Rom Manager would look like if it is installed correctly.
3. An external SD card to save the two zip files from item 1.

How to Upgrade Lenovo IdeaPad K1 Jellybean to CM10 v6.1

1. Download CWM Flashable image v6.1 for Wifi and Gapps with Picasa (or Gapps without Picasa) to your computer.

2. Save the two zip files (also called flashable images) into your microSD card. Place the microSD card into the IdeaPad K1's slot.
Note:  It doesn't matter if your SD card has content or if you saved the files in one specific folder. Just make sure you're able to access this folder.

You may also attach the K1's USB to copy these files to your microSD card while it is still in your IdeaPad.

3. Download Rom Manager from the Play Store.
Note: My Lenovo IdeaPad K1 is already running with Jellybean (rooted). I installed it using K1_JB_AOSP as mentioned in my previous guide. This means it already has Super User access which will be asked later.

4. Open the successfully installed Rom Manager and follow the steps.

To install a new rom, it says that it will need ClockworkMod Recovery.  Just press OK.
5. Select ClockworkMod Recovery under Install or Update Recovery.

Assuming you won't be shown the main screen of the Rom Manager yet, expect to be directed from the above image to this one.
6. It will ask you to choose the Android tablet model / phone model you are using.  Since the K1 isn't one of the choices, just select "Device Not Listed Above"

It will inform you that the IdeaPad K1 does not have an officially supported ClockworkMod Recovery.
Kindly ignore the arrow on this one. Just press YES!
Note: Truth be told, I had no idea what to press. I just decided to select 'Yes' and go for ClockworkMod 2.x when the Confirm Version message box popped out.

Upon selection, the bottom picture should appear. Bigger picture shows that my Rom Manager's currect recovery is ClockworkMod 2.x.x.x. 
6. Now that that's done, press 'Reboot into Recovery' and we're good to go!

Once you press Reboot into Recovery, it will ask you for a second time. Just press OK and Allow as indicated in these two screens.
7. Now that we're on Recovery Mode, we have to install the zip files we just saved in our microSD card.

Just follow the steps for both zip files. Use the Volume keys for up and down, Home key as 'enter', Power key as 'cancel' or 'escape'.
Step 1: Choose install zip from sdcard
Step 2: Choose zip from external sdcard (since we used a a microSD for our files). It's not advisable to save these files into your main memory as it might get corrupted while doing the process thereby bricking your tablet.
Step 3: Select the CM10 Flashable zip.
Step 4: Select Yes.

I videoed the entire installation process and it took less than a minute to be done with.
Step 5: Follow Step 1 and Step 2 (based on the picture above Step 1).
Step 6: When you get to Step 3, select Gapps.
Step 7: Scroll down again to "Yes- Install..."

Given that you'd successfully installed both zip files (K1WiFi_CM10_Flashabable_v6.1.zip and gapps-jb-picasa...), you should have this screen.
8. It's time to reboot and enjoy the fruits of your labor. A successful installation will show the CyanogenMod logo followed by a message box saying "Android is upgrading..."

Your Android tablet may have looked like it had been rebooted for the first time but it will still have your wallpaper down to the apps you have installed.

Things I have noticed with CyanogenMod CM10 for Lenovo IdeaPad K1 at first glance:

a. WiFi signal indicator is back. No need to second guess whether you are connected or not.

b. My game saves have remained intact. I opened them and my Cut the Rope boxes still have 3 stars in them. City Island also has the same buildings built in them.

c.  I now have a "Terminal Emulator", DSP Manager and Apollo (I think) in my Apps Menu.
d. There are certain additions to the Settings such as a Launcher category under Interface where you can FINALLY change the number of Homescreens! 

There's also a whole lot of customization you can do with Lock Screen, Theme, System. and Profile. I have yet to tinker with Overclocking.

e. You can choose "No Wallpaper" now! I chose a Cyanogen one to honor the great brewer of ROM that is Krook1.

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Friday, September 13, 2013

Philippine Attractions: Walk on the Wild Side Show at Ocean Adventure

The last show in our list of Animal Shows in Subic's Ocean Adventure Park. The Walk on the Wild Side showcases the forest animals in Ocean Adventure. They have birds of prey and different cats from the bear cat to the domestic rescued ones.

This cat was taught to wave at the audience. He was rescued, by the way.
This was the very first show we went to. It's also the earliest out of the four Ocean Adventure Park shows. The Walk on the Wild Side will begin with a tutorial on how to build a fire and make use of bamboos to substitute cookwares.

Here's a fruit bat crossing from one end of the branch to the other towards its trainer.
After which, trainers will feature trained forest animals including this Giant Fruit Bat, a White-Bellied Sea Eagle, a Palm Civet and a Reticulated Python.

Speaking of the snake.
A lucky person coming from the audience will take part in the show to hold that snake. I'm sure she had a blast when they had her touch the scaly creature. Don't get me wrong, I don't mind touching snakes. I've touched Bohol's famous longest python in captivity (Prony) twice.

Ah, the majestic eagle. This white-bellied sea eagle swooped down across the stage.
The Walk on the Wild Side Show can be seen at Eco Theater located at Ocean Adventure Park, Subic Bay Freeport, Olongapo City, Zambales, Philippines. To view a road map on how to reach this park, you may refer to the Dolphin Friends Show post.

Ocean Adventure Park's Walk on the Wild Side show schedules are as follows:

10:15 am
12:30 pm
02:45 pm
03:30 pm

Finally, just a friendly reminder. Show schedules are subject to change without prior notice. 
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Sunday, September 8, 2013

Subic Attractions: Dolphin Friends Show in Ocean Adventure Park

I'm finally trying to wrap up my Subic, Philippines Ocean Adventure Park attractions list. So basically, there are four different shows to check out during your visit. In no specific order, there's the Dolphin Friends Show, Walk on the Wild Side, Sea Lion Marine Patrol Show, and the Balancing Act.

Dolphins and Trainer putting up an amazing show for the audience.
I won't elaborate on the best order to watch these shows as long as you're one of the first audiences to arrive in each of them. This is so you can pick a nice spot.

That's some balancing act. It's like seeing a skateboard/ speedboat hybrid.
We watched the Dolphin Friends Show during noon time. It was stark bright on the cemented bleachers. The Canon Camera couldn't take decent pictures because we were sitting in the front most area where the heat of the sun was striking directly at our feet. LOL. By the end of the show, I felt dehyrdrated.

And after an amazing performance of both man and dolphins, you get to see Ocean Adventure Park's dolphins swimming into the sunset.
The Dolphin Friends Show is featured in the El Capitan Theater at Ocean Adventure Park, Subic Bay Freeport, Olongapo City, Zambales, Philippines. To get there from Manila, you may follow this map of Ocean Adventure Park.



Ocean Adventure Park Dolphin Friends Show schedules are as follows:

11:30 am
02:30 pm
04:45 pm  

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Tuesday, September 3, 2013

Traveling Around the Philippines: Manila Domestic Airport

I've always disliked leaving Manila through the Manila Domestic Airport a.k.a NAIA Terminal 4.  It's not the best looking Philippine airport and I should shoot myself for being so shallow. Here's the thing... boarding a plane from the Manila Domestic Airport has its own perks. 

Before anything else, here is a list of airlines that uses NAIA Terminal 4.

1. Zestair - who has recently been suspended for "technical issues"
2. Tigerair - whose flights got 6 hours delayed last August 24, 2013
3. Seair
4. Others... probably.

Manila Domestic Airport / NAIA Terminal 4 Arrival Area
As I've said earlier, boarding at the Manila Domestic Airport has its own perks. For one, it has free Wi-Fi. If you have a Wi-Fi enabled phone, laptop or tablet, just scan for "itsmorefuninthephilippines" and connect to it. Make sure to sign-in via your web browser and click on "I Agree" to send those last minute emails. 

Note: If you can't connect to it, try inputting "www.google.com" to activate the page that has the "I Agree" button on it.

At the departure waiting area, there's Goldilocks, Cinnabon and Seattle's Best. The comfort rooms are clean too (which is good). Unfortunately, I don't have any pictures of the said area.

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Friday, August 30, 2013

Where to Eat in Iloilo: Roberto's

There's no denying that Roberto's is definitely one of the best places to eat at when you're in Iloilo. They have lumpia shanghai, meatballs, burgers and siopaos. I won't even call it Chinese cuisine because it caters to Filipino taste, too.

My favorite order would be Roberto's fried rice and lumpia shanghai (spring rolls).
Give or take facing-out a couple of spring roll varieties, they've been selling the same menu ever since.... FOREVER. I mean, it was my sister's favorite place to eat at when she was still young (and now she's 39). What's more amazing is the fact that the taste of their food has remained the same for decades now- unlike other restaurants. I guess that's because Roberto's never opened for franchise thereby maintaining a certain quality.

Roberto's Meatball Sauce has as much right to be featured as all their other selections.
They're cheap and the food is well worth the wait in line, especially when there's often a long line of customers outside. 

Just to give you an idea of how much their food actually cost. Of course, prices are subject to change without prior notice.
For those who have eaten the Queen Siopao, you must be familiar with the fact that a) it has its own selling schedule and b) it's a giant siopao (yes, giant small bun!). I recall one of our friends saying that when one eats Queen Siopao, one has to have rice on his plate because its filling is enough to complete a main course.

Total damage... 240.49 php for the three meals inclusive of Iced Tea plus S.C. discount. Not bad for good food.
Roberto's is located at J.M. Basa St., Iloilo City
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Thursday, August 15, 2013

RACKS: Great Dine-in, Super Fantasic Barbeque Sauce for Take-out

Aside from eating at Racks, one of our favorite traditions is bringing home with us a couple Racks Barbecue Sauce bottles. Racks has one of the best barbeque sauce and we don't mind spending a couple of hundreds on them for our own grilled cookouts.

Racks Original Barbeque Sauce
So, what's there to eat at Racks?

For appetizers, nothing beats Racks Onion Brick for some good old deep fried crispy goodness. At 165 php (or is it 195 php now), this appetizer can literally be your main course if you're a big fan of onions and crunchy grub.

Onion brick made of sliced large sweet onions fried in crispy goodness.
Add in some Cesar Salad and you'll be regretting ordering that main course without having a tummy of steel. If I remember correctly, this one cost me my Baby Back Ribs meal because I was too full.

Sure, I can eat Racks Cesar Salad alone. But what about my Pork Ribs?
As an avid eater, I certainly recommend eating lightly to enjoy more flavors. This means a salad here, a rib portion there, some iced tea and the rest is history. 

Coleslaw and Mashed Potato Sidings? Not bad!
Sharing is loving and what we usually do as a family is to order 3 courses if there are 4 of us eating. This is to make room for the Mississippi Mud Pie dessert- a must have for the sweet tooth.

This memorable Racks meal was courtesy of the El Pueblo branch at Ortigas Center, Pasig City.
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Friday, July 19, 2013

Ocean Adventure Park Shows and Schedules: Sea Lion Marine Patrol

One of the best parts in going to Ocean Adventure Park is the variety of shows tourists can choose from. From the amazing African Acrobats on the Balancing Act to the talented Sea Lions in the Sea Lion Marine Patrol.
Just one of the many signs found in the background of the Sea Lion Point Stadium
Both children and adults will have a blast laughing at the adorable sea lions. The first act where Simba (the blind sea lion) announces to everyone the beginning of the show was hilarious and memorable.

Amazing how a blind sea lion can pinpoint where the microphone is... She literally slid her way to it.
Some parts of the show involved a guy competing with the other sea lion called Sophie for the "Olympics". He fell into the water and got a free t-shirt and pair of shorts for doing the silliest things.

This nice young lady got a wet, juicy kiss from Simba! You don't get any luckier than that.
Like all the shows, the Sea Lion Marine Patrol at Ocean Adventure Park in Subic, Philippines also promotes reduce, reuse, and recycle. The sea lions take part in encouraging the use of cloth bags as part of raising environmental awareness.

Note: Sorry about this next picture. I "over gamma-ed" it

This is Sophie. She was the official sea lion competitor in the Olympics. 
The Sea Lion Marine Patrol Show is held at the Sea Lion Point Stadium. There are 3 shows in a day. I suggest watching the show at about 12:30 because it will be terribly hot at the Dolphin Friends Show which usually start at 11 am.

Sea Lion Marine Patrol Show Schedules:

12:30 pm
03:30 pm
05:00 pm

 *Schedules may vary depending on Ocean Adventure Park's management.
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