NAIA Terminal 3

The Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 is the newest (so called) and the most controversial project in the Philippines, it was delayed for 5 years and it finally started operation last year. Now, Cebu Pacific (Budget carrier) is the largest airline serving the airport. They said, its a world class terminal but for me, its very far from other Asian airports. There are still many things to improve and it really needs daily maintenance.

Aside from Cebu Pacific, other carriers like Air Philippines and PAL Express also uses this terminal. However, there are still people who are confused with the terminal. When I was at Terminal 2 (Centennial Terminal), there are still people holding Cebu Pacific tickets and they just found out that they are in the wrong terminal. Its also the mistake of the taxi drivers since they mislead their passengers, I hope next time the drivers will realize that there are 3 airport terminals. I also heard that there are foreigners who experienced this confusion. 

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Old Charms of Manila

Manila may not be always on my list when I travel but because of the heavy storm that hit the city last week, I had a chance to rediscover what the capital has to offer and take down memory lane of this great Asian city.

My first stop was in Binondo Church, famous for the catholic feast celebrations as well as some shooting for telenovelas and movies in television. In front of the church, I noticed some old people that do fortune telling. I found a very old lady that reads  my palm and does the tarot card tricks and amazingly, 80% of what the lady said is true. 

After Binondo, I went to Intramuros. The first time I visited this place was when I was 5 years old. I never thought that Manila has this rich history. Intramuros is also called the Walled City as in literally. It was used by the Spaniards to control the people and to protect from outside invaders.  

The best way to tour around Intramuros is through a Calesa or the horse carriage, the main transporation during Spanish times. It is still evident in this place old spanish buildings.

 
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Ang Tanging Ina Ko

Mang, thank you so much for being always there for me. I know that you have been working tirelessly for me, I remember when I was still a child, aside from being a teacher, you had other jobs like selling blankets, umbrrellas etc to support my studies. You have not allow to experience a hard life, you raised me well even if I dont have a father. Who needs a father, when I have you because you complete my life. 

I am very lucky that you are my mom. You fulfill  me with all of your life, you give my material desires, you sent me to college and even now support me financially. Nahihiya talaga ako ma when you still give me money even though Im now working. I know I haven’t gave you something pa because you have all na. Before, I always complain that you are very thrifty but now I understand that it is very important, its all for my future. Even until death, you secured it, I have my death insurance, haha. Iba ka talaga ma. Thats why Im so proud of you. 

Belated Happy Birthday and Happy Mothers Day. I wish for your good health and Happiness. God Bless You. Muwah. I love you. 

Wet and Wild in Manila

It was raining the whole day and night in Manila last May 7. It was terrible and weird, its unusual to have a typhoon in the middle of summer. It was exactly opposite from the weather in Davao on that day, clear skies, calm seas and nice weather.

Arriving in Manila via Philippine Airlines A330 flight from Davao.

I decided to dropped at the nearby MRT station at Magallanes to hopefully reach Trinoma more quickly since I have never been there before and rest while hoping the rain will stop. The train ride was packed with people and some were wet perhaps due to the leaking roof of the train. It left my bag wet too. So Im calling to MRT maintenance team to fix their roof now. 

 
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Is Davao swine flu ready?

Now that Cebu have quarantined 3 suspected cases of swine flu that were detected at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport and are we in Davao prepared for it? Considering Cebu and Davao have only a less than an hour flight, possible transfer of virus is imminent. But don’t panic ye? DOH has yet to confirm if it is really a swine flu disease. 

The picture below is the vicinity of Davao Medical Center (where I work too) and the one encircled with red is the Swine flu isolation ward, it was the SARS ward when it was the major headlines. It is just located beside the main building of the hospital and very close to the Mindanao Heart Center building. As you can see, it is quite near the road. Last week, the facility was again cleaned. Unfortunately, I dont have a picture of the interiors and hopefully next week, I will have a shot on the facade of the ward. 

The nursing department of DMC have already made staffing schedules of the ward and fortunely Im not one of the staff. So, whats the process of admission of swine flu suspects, I really dont know. 

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