Wednesday, April 17, 2013

University of Santo Tomas: Commuting, Sights and Landmarks


 University of Sto. Tomas Quadricentennial Fountain
University of Sto. Tomas is one of the "big 5" schools here in the Philippines. Call it Ivy League if you prefer. The campus itself is historical. Built in 1611, it's one of the oldest and largest universities in the Philippines.

Here's the front portion outside the UST Main Building
Anyway, enough the information that's easily searchable through Wikipedia and more of the UST campus' pictures.

One of the stone carvings around the Benavides Monument
Enrollment for UST's SY 2013-2014 has begun recently. The main building was bustling with mothers and new students who were waiting to try on their new PE and school uniforms. Others guests, parents and visitors waited for their new Thomasians in the University of Sto. Tomas covered court where a big poster of how to proceed with the enrollment was hung.

Unibersidad ng Santo Tomas Main Building
Commuting from areas such as Marikina, Cubao, and Katipunan can roughly take about 1-1.5 hours, depending on how far you'll be coming from and how heavy the traffic is.

To commute from Marikina (since this is the farthest of the three mentioned above), here's what you'll have to do:

1. Ride a Jeepney that passes through the LRT Katipunan Station (LRT 2: Santolan to Recto).
2. From Katipunan (or Santolan) Station,  ride the LRT to Legarda Station.
3. Directly outside the Legarda Station, you will find tricycles waiting for passengers to UST. During the first day of summer, they charge 20 php/ head. On school days, it's only 10 php/head.
4. You'll be dropped on the road side across UST, either take the overpass or cross the pedestrian to reach your destination.

Benavides Monument in the UST grounds.
The Pontifical and Royal University of Santo Tomas is located at Espana Blvd, Manila 1008, Philippines.

For admissions, you may contact the following numbers +632-406-1611 local 8276 or +63-917-815-6323. Look for Chona or Janet.

Or you can drop by their website at http://www.ust.edu.ph/

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Thursday, April 11, 2013

Bubba Lab Tea at Graceland Plaza, Marikina City

The newly opened Bubba Lab at Graceland Plaza is quite a hang out place. When it comes to ambiance, this little tea shop is one of those perfect hideaway types. 

Laboratory-themed interiors with rat plushies in a cage! Black and purple overall motif with a hint of  paper balls hanging in the air.
Bubba Lab Teas cost between 70 php to 95 php. I haven't tried or seen them all yet. However, I do enjoy drinking their Chocolate-flavored  tea. I would've chosen Tiramisu for a change, but it wasn't available yet. 

Bubba Lab Tea's Order Area. As you could see, prices are listed on the board with their own periodical table symbol. They've also taken the liberty of adding in the hot and cold availability of said "element".
The last tea/smoothie I tasted was called ChocoBanana and it wasn't all that bad (I say that as a compliment). I wasn't that happy with their Mocha Latte, though. It had a very overpowering coffee taste- nothing a minor adjustment on the cream (or milk) measurement won't fix.

Goodbye, Coffee Era. Hello, Tea Era!
Bubba Lab Tea is located at Graceland Plaza along J.P. Rizal Street, Brgy. Lamuan Malanday, 1805 Marikina City.

For more information, you could drop by their Bubba Lab-Graceland Plaze Facebook Page.

Bubba Lab Tea Store Hours
10:00 am - 09:00 pm (Monday to Thursday)
10:00 pm - 10:00 pm (Friday to Sunday)
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Thursday, April 4, 2013

Chatime at Gateway, Cubao, Quezon City, Philippines

It's pretty obvious that I'm a big fan of Chatime. Aside from serving drinks that keep me full when I'm on window shopping mode, the taste of their Chocolate Mousse (85 php for regular and 95 php for large) beverage is what I consider heavenly. 

After tasting their Taro Milk Tea, which was satisfactory, I tried the Chocolate Mousse at Chatime, SM Marikina and stuck to it for good. Although, I can't deny stealing occasional sips from my sister's Honey Lemon Aloe and niece's Choco Raspberry Cocoa (not a big admirer of the latter's taste).

I'm not a photographer so please bear with our semi-sleuthing picture.
Bottom line, if you're dropping by Gateway (say, by commuting through the LRT 2: Santolan to Recto route or vice versa) and you have an extra 100php to spend on snacks or indulgences, go for Chatime!

I love how you're able to choose whether to put less ice (or no ice) in your chosen beverage (same goes with sugar)- unlike coffee floats and Coke floats that's just teeming with ice.

Drop by Chatime Philippine's Facebook page to see their latest promos and menus.

This Chatime is located in Gateway Mall at Aurora Blvd, Cubao, Quezon City.

For general inquiries, you may contact them at chatimephilippines@yahoo.com.

For Delivery Inquiries, you may call this number 2121212

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Sunday, March 24, 2013

Mass Schedule: Cathedral or Saint Elizabeth of Metropolitan Cathedral in Iloilo City


Here are the mass schedules of Cathedral or the Saint Elizabeth Metropolitan Cathedral.

Location: Plaza Jaro, Iloilo City

Mass Schedules:

Daily

05:30 am          Hiligaynon
06:00 am          English
06:30 am          Hiligaynon
05:15 pm          English
05:30 pm          Hiligaynon

Sunday

05:00 am          Hiligaynon
06:30 am          English
08:00 am          Hiligaynon
09:30 am          English
12:00 pm          English (noon)
03:00 pm          English
04:30 pm          Hiligaynon
06:00 pm          Hiligaynon
07:30 pm          English

Disclaimer: The mass schedules above are listed to the best of my knowledge and can change anytime depending on the management. 

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Friday, March 22, 2013

Mass Schedule: Parish of Our Lady of Perpetual Help (St. Clements) in Iloilo City


Here are the mass schedules of the St. Clements or Parish of Our Lady of Perpetual Help.

Location: La Paz, Iloilo City

Mass Schedules:

Daily

06:00 am          Hiligaynon
05:30 pm          English

Sunday

06:00 am          Hiligaynon
07:30 am          Hiligaynon
09:00 am          English
10:30 am          English
03:00 pm          Hiligaynon
04:30 pm          English
06:00 pm          English

Disclaimer: The mass schedules above are listed to the best of my knowledge and can change anytime depending on the management. 
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Monday, March 18, 2013

Roman Catholic Church Mass Schedules at Molo, Iloilo City

Here are the mass schedules of the Parish of St. Anne.

Location: Plaza Molo, Iloilo City

Mass Schedules:

Daily

05:30 am          English
05:30 pm          Hiligaynon

Sunday

05:30 am          Hiligaynon
06:30 am          Hiligaynon
08:00 am          English
10:00 am          English
03:00 pm          Hiligaynon
05:00 pm          Hiligaynon
06:30 pm          English

Here are the mass schedules of the Parish of the Immaculate Conception (Tanza).

Location: Ledesma-Rizal Sts, Iloilo City

Mass Schedules:

Daily

06:00 am          English
05:30 pm          Hiligaynon (Wednesday only)
05:30 pm          Hiligaynon (Saturday only)

Sunday

05:30 am          Hiligaynon
07:00 am          Hiligaynon
08:30 am          English
10:00 am          English
05:30 pm          Hiligaynon
06:30 pm          English

Disclaimer: The mass schedules above are listed to the best of my knowledge and can change anytime depending on the management. 

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