Random Thoughts: Mga Pamahiin (Filipino Traditional Beliefs)

With Undas (All Souls Day) coming up, as a child, I remember Noli de Castro would have these scary tv shows and I loved watching them! 

Anyway, here's my random thoughts on Pamahiin that I have heard since I've been back in the Philippines, most of them relating to deaths/funeral and other scary situations). Note:  the explanations here are purely based on my assumptions)

1.  Bawal mag uwi ng pagkain galing sa burol (Don't take home any food from a wake).  Not even candy! I don't know why, because its the food of the dead?

2.  After attending a wake, don't go home directly.  Stopover somewhere else for a few minutes, i guess to shake off any spirits that might have followed you (mag pagpag?), and you don't bring them home directly.

3.  The casket has to enter the chapel first before anyone else... I dont know why, maybe respect?

4.  Never wear red to a funeral unless your a child.

5.  If the wake is at your house, cover up all mirrors.. You never know... Lol

6.  When driving and you seem to be going round and round through the same place (which happened to me by the way in Lucban, Quezon with GPS too! Scary!),  wear your shirt inside out and soon you'll find your way.

And that's pretty much all I can remember now!!

Bicol Trip Weekend Getaway

 General Info:

Manila to Legazpi is roughly 10-12 hours driving time, including rest stops.  Less rest stops, the faster we get there hehe
Pabalik, Matnog to Manila is about 14-16 hours, including rest stops.

General Itinerary:
Oct 25 - Friday - Leave Manila
Oct 26 - Saturday - Arrive Legazpi - Cagsawa Ruins, Daraga Bay, Embarcadero de Legazpi
Oct 27 - Sunday - Lignon Hill, Matnog Overnight
Oct 28 - Monday - 10am Leave for Manila, we can stop by Naga, Camsur, Gumaca Quezon

Target Arrival in Manila:  12am Oct 29 Tuesday

Daily Itinerary
Oct 25, Friday

8pm - Leave Manila

Oct 26, Saturday
12am - Lucena/Sariaya - Rest Stop
1am - Leave Lucena to Naga City
7am - Rest stop in Naga, Breakfast
9am - Leave for Legazpi
11am - First Stop - Cagsawa Ruins, Lunch
2pm - Check-in Hotel (TBC)
3pm - Daraga Church
4pm to 8pm- Lignon Hill, Dinner
9pm - Sleep

Oct 27, Sunday
6am - Leave for Matnog
9am - Boat for Subic Beach, Juag Lagoon, Tikling Island
Boat Man: Alex Geneblazo - 0918-3045437
Over night stay in Matnog - or pwede na din bumalik ng Legazpi and start heading back to Manila

General Expenses
Gas - 5000 (to be shared) 1000 per pax (if 5)
Meals - 300 per day x 3 days = 900 pesos
Island Hopping Boat - 2500 pesos - 500 per pax (if 5)

Tourist Spot Expenses (per pax)
Cagsawa Ruins - 10 pesos
Lignon Hill entry - 20 pesos
Zipline - 350 pesos
ATV (optional) - 1800/hr
Matnog Environmental Fee - 60 pesos

So per person: 1000+900+10+20+250+1800+60+500 = 4540 pesos excluding Hotel.

Links:
http://wowlegazpi.com/lignon-hill-nature-park/
http://www.lakwatseradeprimera.com/island-hopping-in-matnog/
http://www.thewanderingjuan.net/2013/06/to-end-of-luzon-matnog-sorsogon.html

What to Expect in Legazpi City:

So game na kayo? We will be riding Junior (Honda City).  Dress comfortably.  Bring water only, and biscuits (no need for tons of food)

What to pack:

Comfortable Clothes for 4 days
Socks
Rubber Shoes
Slippers
Insect Repellant
Swimsuit
Towels
Pillows
Blankets
Camera
Chargers

On being 30

Ha!

So here I am.. sitting alone in our Cebu apartment.. waiting for my love to get home..

Yes its been 3 years since I have been online.. and ready my previous blog.. hahaha some striking out is required..

So to continue the story of my life?

I came to the Philippines.. to settle down.. had my broken into a million pieces... suffered a swollen hand which had to wrapped up for weeks... lost myself in work.. did nothing but work work work..

Travel and work!

Oh the perks of my job is I get to travel all over the Philippines.  And damn I have grown to like my own country.. and no longer feel a tourist in my own country.. (well a tourist in other provinces or places).. but otherwise.. I am at home..

And while at it.. I was just minding my own business.. working as usual.. THEN BOOM!

MAGIC HAPPENED!  and I'm going to skip all the details.. since things started out as a secret.. hehehe and I would like to keep it as it is..

Again.. yours truly is madly inlove... and happier than ever...

I am now with someone who loves me as much as I love her!

My life..

I'm gona to a different direction for this blog post.. Usually I'm random and all that.. but today.. I'm feeling abit emo.. lol and give whoever is reading a peek at my personal life...

So where do I start?  I'm a 27 year old lesbian.. used to be closeted - even though I'm obvious as hell! lol.. i think this post will be just a quick summary of my crazy love life lol!

I dress all boyishly since like 7!?! I always say I'm a tomboy since birth! Lol anyway.. I've been around the world.. Lived in at least 3 different countries.. I hail from the Philippines so I'm proudly Pinoy!

I moved to Singapore when I was 13 (with my family of course).. This is where I became a full blown lesbian! Had my first girlfriend when I was 14! Hahaha kept it from my mom of course coz at that time she was all about a girl is for a boy blah blah blah

Then I went to college in Manchester.. went to UMIST - which now does not exist! lol coz they merged with the University of Manchester.. Had an awesome time there.. that was my period of LDRs and IRC gf's! Geez can't believe I had them.. Then when I graduated university.. I found someone whom I thought was the one.. unfortunately I was never able to go back to UK again after I left UK.. and I have broken her heart...

I was back in Singapore (after a 10 month stay in the US caring my my aunt who passed away from cancer).. It has had to be one of my loneliest times ever!  I was job hunting and hoping to still be able to go back to to my gf then in the UK.. Hoped so much.. had her come to Singapore but her heart was really in the UK, and she really wanted to stay there... A week in Singapore was all I had with her..

A month after my gf went back to the UK.. temptation.. i ended up being with this girl.. had it good for a while.. then she left singapore.. heartbroken again! I waited and waited for her to come back! We didn't even break up badly that's why I had so much hope.. that's when I decided to immerse myself into other activities! (Yet still hung up on my ex :P)..

And then I met someone again.. had a sort of awkward start with her! Seen her drunk as f*ck first week I met her.. Embarrassed the hell out of myself while in the movies! Hahaha then when I sorta let her in.. my ex calls saying she wants me back! GAH! crazy! Lets just say what happened next was crazy up and down.. but I ended up with the new girl anyway...

until.. HEARTBREAK again! by this time I thought I would have been used to having my heart broken.. but nah! Shocked the shizzle out of me! A couple more chances given.. then still ended up being cheated upon again..

Another chapter in my life -  soon i'll be embarking on a new life.. for I have decided to leave everything.. to start anew.. and I choose to be with her.. in the Philippines..

Now that is the boldest decision I have made ever! I mean I'm 27! Lol all i can think of is settling down... and I really want to spend the rest of my life with her... so will be starting a new life in the Philippines! Exciting and scary at the same time.. WELL THIS ONE ENDED UP IN HEARTBREAK AGAIN.. SO MOVING ON...

Random....

So I have the tendency to be random... so I'll be posting my random thoughts and whatnot in this blog!

If you're interested to read more about my tech stuff then head over to my other blog: http://mypspstuffandmore.blogspot.com

Otherwise.. I'll start composing a whole bunch of random.. and hopefully not boring reads for you!

Hmmm... let me see.. guess i'll post my recipes here.. my travel.. and things that I find amusing...

That's all for now! :D

Embassy of the Philippines Singapore

Finding the Embassy of the Philippines in Singapore is a bit tricky. It's not easily accessible by bus, but it is around Orchard area.

Article 2 – The Elusive Embassy of the Philippines

(This article is not about the Embassy, if I offend anyone, let me apologize, that’s just my nature. This is a guide on how to find the Embassy of the Philippines in Singapore).


You’re now in Singapore.. found a job or just a tourist.. then suddenly you lost your passport or its time for you to get that OWWA and OEC!

Where the heck is the Embassy?!? And how do you go to the Embassy of the Philippines here in this tiny Singapore!

Going to the Embassy of the Philippines can prove difficult (specially if your navigationally challenged), even some cabbies don’t know how to go there (or maybe that was just me 10 years ago). Situated at 20 Nassim Road, it’s a regular looking building (cough: house), on a road filled with expatriates and other cool looking condos and embassies.

According to gothere.sg it’s right here:

*Note: You can click and use this map and use it interactively


The Embassy is on that T-junction of Nassim Road.

Get on with it! How do I go there?

Ok, you can use that interactive map for driving directions, bus routes etc.

But for me, who has survived on the humble farecard.. oops meant EZ-Link card these are my ways:

1. Cheapest way, but involves a lot of walking and time too.. Not good if you’re in a hurry (or lazy!)

From Orchard MRT, exit to Orchard Road. When you go up the escalator turn left (towards Wheelock Place, Wisma Atria should be on your right, or Ion should be above you). Keep walking in that direction until you see Orchard Parade Hotel (its past the Hilton). This is about 600 meters, 8 minute walk.

When you reach Orchard Parade Hotel, you should be able to sight Nassim Road on the opposite side of the road. Cross over and start walking up Nassim Road. You will see the cool looking condos, the dilapidated Embassy of Saudi Arabia, the futuristic Japan Embassy, and finally, a lone sign that says -----> Embassy of the Philippines. This is a 1km – 10 minute walk.


View Larger Map

2. Take bus to the nearest bus stop. (This depends on where you are coming from)

The nearest nearest one is:
Opposite British Council, Napier Road.
Buses at this stop:
7, 36, 77, 105, 106, 111, 123, 132, 174

Bus stop number: 09159

From this bus stop, just walk towards Nassim Road and turn left.




You can find more information about the Embassy here:

http://www.philippine-embassy.org.sg


If you really really cannot find it, then you’re probably in the twilight zone!

The Humble Ez-Link Card

Article 1 – The EZ-LINK card.

Welcome to the tiny island of Singapore. An island which spans about 50 kilometers from the Airport to Tuas (East to West). Singapore offers one of the world’s most efficient public transportation system – bus, mrt, lrt and taxi. Bus being the cheapest way to get around, and taxi the fastest and most expensive way to get around!

You will probably be using the bus and mrt most of the time. First thing you need to get is an “ez-link card”. No, people don’t just magically tap their wallets and they’re able to get through the MRT. There’s a thing called Ez-Link card, and by definition its “a contactless stored value ticket for use on the MRT, LRT and the buses”.

How does it look like?
Front - Back



Where to get an Ez-link card?
You can buy it at Transitlink Ticket Offices or Passenger Services Center (Read: MRT stations with those ticket offices or Bus interchanges)

How much is it?
You have to shell out $15, the card is $5 (non-refundable) and $10 will be the value inside the card. Take note, if the value remaining is low (less than $3), you won’t be able to get into the MRT and you will have to top up.

Top-up? What’s that?
Singapore lingo for load (eg: Kelangan ko ng lagyan ng load ang ez-link ko – I need to top-up my ez-link). Minimum top-up is $10, max is $100. You can top-up with those automatic ticketing machines (only use exact change or NETS) or you can go to the passenger service center (those actual people) to top-up and they do give change if you have a large bill.


So I got an ez-link, now what?
No. 1 Rule – Tap in, Tap out. At the MRT, look at the arrows! You might be tapping at the wrong gate if the barrier won’t open for you. When taking the bus, ALWAYS board at the front of the bus and TAP IN! When you reach your destination, you can exit either in front or back door of the bus. DON’T FORGET TO TAP OUT! If you don’t tap out on the bus your ez-link will be deducted the maximum fare (eg: $2.60 instead of $0.69 only).

Tap-in, tap-out – WHAT and WHERE?!
Ok here’s what the reader on the bus looks like:


On the MRT:


And so that’s it, now you have an ez-link card, you should be able to get from one place to another (for as long as you ez-link has money in it). Stay tuned to my next post on how to get around Singapore!

Goodluck!

Side note: If you are still holding the old ez-link card, it will only be valid until September 30, 2009!! You can get replacement for free from any Transitlink Ticket Offices, Post Office, roving chuva.. read more here: http://www.ezlink.com.sg/corporate/corp_2009.5.jsp

Further reading: http://www.ezlink.com.sg/index.jsp