I'm Electric Shocked! Again...

As expected, my current bill for my last month's power consumption ballooned to... (drum roll please!) ....a whooping amount of P1,506.85!  That's almost P200 more than my previous bill!  In spite of the fact that I tried to conserve energy, still my kilowatt hour consumption increased to 146!  Something must be done to prevent my electric bill from making an upward trend!

The problem is, I ran out of ways on how to cut on my power cost.  Suggestions, anyone?

If You Can't Stand the Heat, Get Out of the Kitchen

The hot weather these days is truly unbearable!  Even the animals could not bear to disagree.  Why?  Read on:

Just this morning, on my way to work, I bumped into our Homeowner's Association President.  I was just about to close the gate when she ran to me just to tell me this breaking news:  a snake was found inside a condominium unit, which is just a few meters away from mine!

I don't know how big the snake was but just the thought of having a snake gliding inside your house makes you run in horror and swear not to enter the house again!  At least, for the time being!

Back to the story, accordingly, the snake was found comfortably lounging at the gas stove.   Good for him!  If he intends to reside in there, he should as well, share in paying the house amortization!

Seriously speaking, this is a serious case that everyone should address about.  Because of global warming, animals are now trying to seek comfort in cool places.  Our homes, for that matter, are no exception!

Who would have thought that our homes, which we consider the most comfortable spot on earth, are not the safest place after all?  I suggest that the next time you lie in your bed, maybe you should THOROUGHLY check first what's behind those sheets.

Watch out, maybe that cute little thing might just not want to share the bed with you... Hsssss!  :)

A Tribute To My Mama

While everyone else is going gaga over the results of the Philippines' national and local elections, let me just post here the text message I sent to my mama last Sunday in time for the celebration of Mother's Day.  (Warning:  Cheesy and sentimental as it may sound but please remember, this is my blog. :)  Here it is:

Ma, happy mother's day.  You are the best mother in the whole world.  I won't replace you for anything else.  You are my best friend.  I hope you will forgive me for all the heartaches that I caused you and papa.  I love you ma.  Mwah!

(In photo:  Mama with her eldest granddaughter, Zhea)

It took me a whole lot of courage to send that short text to her.  Already sobbing uncontrollably while composing that message, I even hesitated whether to push through as I am not that expressive as I would like to be.  Nevertheless, it's all worth it.  She replied with a joke and that, is already enough for me to get the message across... of how much she appreciated that simple gesture of love and care from a daughter who is miles away...

This Is Really Hot!

Woooa!  Weather at this time is unbelievable!

37 degrees celcius!  How's that?!

My officemates went out earlier at around noontime.  They complained of the unbearable hot weather, which was then recorded at 35 degrees celcius only.  What more if it is 2 degrees celcius higher?!

I will be going out in a few minutes.  Wish me luck! :)

Attention: Bloggers Who Are Not Yet Part of BC Bloggers!

Calling all bloggers who want to gain friends in the blogosphere and build links at the same time –  BC Bloggers 3 is now open.  To join just visit Mommy Diary, read the requirements, and fill out the Application Form.

How Effective Is The Extreme Power Saver?

The unbearable hot weather has caused me to get worried with my high power consumption considering that I could not avoid using an airconditioner AT ALL TIMES whenever I'm at home.  Although MERALCO announced yesterday that it will lower down its power rates this month, I still could not be consoled knowing that I would not be able to maintain anymore my monthly average usage of 60kwh nowadays.

Then my officemate mentioned the Extreme Power Saver.  She learned from the testimony of someone else that accordingly, extreme power saver is effective.  I immediately browsed the web and searched for the product's feedbacks.  I first bumped into this CareerMom's blog wherein the author claims that the extreme power saver functions to its name.  However, when I got across this forum from  http://www.electronicslab.ph, i found out there were conflicting comments regarding the Extreme Power Saver.  Some say the product is composed only of a capacitor and IC (I don't even know what are those for!).  Further research also disclosed that it is effective only when the appliances you are using are already old.


Help!  I really need to know if Extreme Power Saver works!  Right now, I am torn between buying Extreme Power Saver and cooler fan, which both are intended to save power cost but the former has yet to prove its worth.

FYI, according to my officemate, Ace Hardware at MOA has reduced the price of Extreme Power Saver from the regular rate of P1,999 but then the promo will last only until May 13.  In other words, I need to decide fast!

I Created Another Blog!

I would like to introduce you to my newly-created blog entitled Vacation Grande which is found in this web address:  http://www.cheaptickets101.blogspot.com.  As the title and address suggest, the blog is all about seat sales/promos offered by airline companies and maybe, from shipping lines, as well.

I may also feature the places where I have been to and/or the vacation spots that one should take a visit at.  Tips on how to make your travel plans organized and your vacation maximized may also be incorporated therein.

Hence, join me in welcoming this blog with a prayer that this project will become a successful endeavor. :)

How's The Weather?

Wooa!  36 degrees celcius!  How's that?!  That is what I just recently saw from the weather monitor shown on the computer's screen!  Indeed, global warming is already here!

The news from TV reported that Metro Manila felt the hottest temperature at 36+ degrees celcius.  I suddenly remember that I haven't watered my plants since the other night.  I can only imagine that, right now, my plants are now busy... busy dying.  Waaaa!

I wish I could go home now and make up with them.  But then if I would, I might have already been slowly but surely roasted in a hot, scorching weather long before I reach my destination...

I'm Expecting Another Electric Shock

Just when I thought that summer days were already over, I spent my recent weekend at home with the aircon striving to keep my condo unit cool all day and night.  In fact, when I left home this morning, I was so uncomfortable with the hot weather that I was almost tempted to take a leave of absence, stay home, and prolong my 3-day vacation with just another day.  Sigh... if only!

I wonder how much will my power consumption costs this time.  I guess I should consider again my deferred plan of buying a cooler fan.  Sigh again...

Pacquiao, Please Get Ready For Mayweather

As expected, Mayweather maintained his title and won the fight.  No doubt, he is still undefeated.

When asked over an after-fight interview if Manny Pacquiao wants to fight him, Mayweather confidently said that he "is easy to find".  But then he wants Pacquiao to take urine and blood tests.  Is he implying that Pacquiao is taking performance-enhancing drugs?  Hmmm...  Something is fishy here...

I guess Pacquiao should just concede to Mayweather's condition and face the challenge. I'm sure everyone will be looking forward to it. :)

They Should Now Stop The Fight

Update: I don't want to watch the fight anymore.  It is pretty obvious!  Pretty Boy is still unbeatable.  Mosley is already catching his breath.  I took pity on him...

Hey, any second from now, the winner will be declared.

Mayweather and Mosley Fight Update From My Point of View

I'm currently watching the fight of Floyd Mayweather, Jr. and Shane Mosley from my non-cable TV at GMA-7 channel.  I may not know it but maybe as of this writing,  the winner may have already been declared...  Nevertheless..

Although it was a delayed telecast, and aside from the fact that my monitor was hazy (that's what I got for not getting a cable subscription), I still persevere for the main reason that I am visibly impressed with the unbelievable speed and strength of Mayweather.  I wonder if Mosley will survive this fight.  More than that, I wonder if Manny Pacquiao will be able to match, if not beat, Mayweather's boxing capability.

I'll stop for now.  I'll be posting another update later. :)

Rainy Days Are Here Again?

I was greeted by a cool breeze when I got out from the office last night. Few minutes after, heavy rains fell. I thought it was just one of the ironic twists of the El Niño phenomenon.

But then just after lunch, I heard my officemate mentioned that somebody just got drenched in the rain. Too busy to even check the weather thru the window outside, I continued with my preaudit task.

However at about 3pm+, I happened to glance at my pc's monitor.  There, the weather reported a 28 degrees celsius temperature for metro manila.  This is good news!

But when I checked the weather at the pag-asa website, the reason why metro manila is experiencing a ceasefire from El Niño is due to the fact that there is a low pressure area (LPA) which was estimated "based on satellite and surface data at 310 km northwest of Puerto Princesa City".

As much as I would like to be worried with the possibility of LPA developing into a typhoon, just the mere thought of  the unbearable hot weather gives me a selfish excuse to rejoice despite the threat of another possible calamity.

Well, prayer is still the best weapon in combating disasters, whether man-made or otherwise.

For the meantime, I would just like to hold on to my pocket and defer my plan of buying a cooler fan while savoring aircon-free nights at home.

This must be my cue now to wrap up and head towards my waiting sanctuary. Until then!

Ciao!

Yes!!! No Work On May 3!

You heard it right!

May 3 is declared as non-working holiday!

I googled just a few minutes ago to find out whether May 3 will be declared as non-working holiday since Labor Day (May 1) falls on a Saturday.

It's confirmed!!!  Malacañang has decided to move the observance of Labor Day from Saturday to Monday, May 3!

Accordingly, the deferral of the observance of holiday to the nearest working day is consistent with its holiday economics policy.  This is one policy of Arroyo Administration that I really appreciate.  However, I would have been more thankful had Malacañang announced it earlier so as to give workers, like me, the chance to properly plan on what to do with the long weekend.  Sigh!

Nevertheless,  I'm still grateful.  :)

I'm Electric Shocked!

I got my MERALCO bill just last week and got the surprise of my life (well, at least for my MERALCO bill, hehehe) when the bottom figure showed P1,312.15.  Woooa! My last month's electric consumption cost me a measly amount of P189 only!  The increase is almost seven times my last month's billed amount.

There must be a mistake! Although at the back of my mind, I already knew that MERALCO previously announced that the electricity rates will soar high this summer.

An officemate of mine also complained of a sudden increase in her MERALCO bill. Somebody also mentioned that he heard someone expressing his dismay on his MERALCO bill over the radio.

Upon learning this, I heaved a sigh of relief.  At least, we share the same dilemma.

Well, come to think of it.  My kilowatt/hour consumption doubled this month.  This is mainly attributed to the fact that I stayed home during the holidays (maundy thursday to easter sunday and bataan day).  Further, I spent most of my time just watching a marathon of james bond dvd movies while keeping myself cool.  Meaning, the airconditioner was always turned on.

Well, who could blame me?  With the scorching heat and unbelievable high temperature we have right now, who could not resist the temptation of turning on the aircon?

But then, if I want to save on costs, I should think of better ways to cut my power consumption.

What about an air cooler? Hmm... not a bad idea.  So, how about you?  If you're not yet convinced, maybe you should read a article for you to know why an air cooler is better.  Check this site http://www.fewsimplethoughts.com/2010/03/beating-summer-heat.html or click this link. :)

Big, Big Sale at SM Mall of Asia

Had it not for the technical problems encountered with our office's internet connection,  I would have posted this pre-scheduled article yesterday.  Anyway, I'm posting it now.  Check the unedited/untouched version below:

SM Mall of Asia will be having its big, big three-day sale starting tomorrow, April 16, 2010.  This is a widely-anticipated event for bargain hunters like me.

Don’t get me wrong.  You might remember that, I said in my post before that I prefer 168 Shopping Mall over SM Mall of Asia.  So, what’s the inconsistency?   Actually, there’s none.

Let me emphasize that SM Mall of Asia will be having a big sale.  This happens only about 2-3 times a year, if my previous year’s memory serves me right.  168 Shopping Mall, on the other hand, is always on sale, all throughout the year.  Since the former rarely offers sale, my officemates and I are always looking forward to it.

Another thing, there are goods for sale in SM Mall of Asia that can’t be found in 168 Shopping Mall.  For instance, signature clothes and shoes.  Need I say more?

Hope to see you there tomorrow! :)

Thanks to my 1st Respondent

I would like to thank my 1st respondent for participating in my survey of who is likely to win as the next President of the Philippines.

Whoever you are, a big thank you!

Not Like The Movies

I'm not actually a fan of KC Concepcion.  In fact, I don't really like her TV series, "Lovers in Paris", at all.  But her recent song, "Not Like the Movies, convinced me that there's more to it than just being introduced only as the unica hija of Sharon Cuneta and Gabby Concepcion.

Here's the lyrics of that song:

I’m your average dreamer, I’m a true escapist
Always expecting a happy ending
Maybe I’ve been watching too many movies

Maybe I should grow up and start pretending
When I saw your face thou, everything was slow mo
And I started wondering why..?…

Why can’t it be?
Just a pathway full of roses
Leading to a sunset view
With the one you’ve always dreamt of greats

Why can’t it be?
It was like a movie scene, the way I felt for you
Only you didn’t fall, now it’s not like the movies at all
(…not like the movies at all..)

Should I kept my heart charged
Should have been more patient
Should I kept deny on my addiction

What was I expecting
Did I have a vision of a scene
That only lived in fiction

Now I know that you are not gonna be my co-star?
And it starts to wonder why..

My Philippine President would be...

As you have noticed on the right side of this blog, I posted a survey, which hopefully would give us a clue of who is likely to win in the bid for this coming presidential elections.

The list of presidential candidates is taken from the COMELEC website .

Please participate in this survey and feel free to post your comments as provided below.

Another Birthday Greetings!

To my brother, glenn, wishing you all the best on your 35th birthday today and beyond.

Also, if I'm not mistaken, yesterday was supposedly the 109th birthday of my tatay, my mama's father.  May his soul rest in peace.

Yesterday was also the natal day of my aunt badik.  I wonder when will I be able to taste again her clan-renowned cassava cake. yummy!

Attention Surigaonons!

I recently posted thru my other blog, surigao1.blogspot.com, (to check the blog, please click this) a survey of candidates for mayor of surigao city.

I am requesting Surigaonons out there to cast your votes and together, we'll see who would likely to win for the mayoralty race for our beloved hometown.

Should you also have comments about the political arena in Surigao, please don't hesitate to post it here.

Salamat karajaw!  :)

four birthday gurls... and a boy

i would just like to greet the three women who are celebrating their birthdays today, April 5. They are: Pres. GMA (do i need to write who she is?), Myles Mosende (my friend and high school classmate), and of course, my only sister, Grace.

on the other hand, at the animal kingdom: Katrina, my pet, turned one year old last Saturday. she has grown into a very smart mini pinscher. her male partner, Ashley, also got his own slice of cake yesterday as he leaped towards his 5th year in showbusiness, err, this world. :)

1,451 New Attorneys in 2010

Out of 5,903 examinees, only 24.58% made it to the September 2009 bar examinations. Congratulations to Roldan Calejesan, brother of my batchmate Cosme.

As promised, here is the list of bar passers:

click this

2010 Bar Examination Results

Those who took the bar examinations last September 2009 must be holding their breath for the much-awaited result from the Supreme Court which is expected to be released anytime now.

Congratulations, in advance, to those who made it! While for those who are not so lucky, keep your hopes high!

I'll be posting the list of 2010 bar passers soon. ;)

168 Shopping Galore

I might go to 168 Shopping Mall this weekend. That, I always say to myself every time I feel the urge to unwind somewhere away from my home. But until now, it has not been realized. Why? For one, it is so far from my place of residence. Second, I rather stay at my cool sanctuary than be a victim of El Niño phenomenon outside.

But then, I still long to go to 168. As I often say to my relatives and friends, if I would have to choose between Mall of Asia and 168, I would go for the latter.

Why 168? It is where my energy levels get high every time i buy great finds at great discounts. I guess I share the same sentiments as other women when it comes to shopping. Breezing through a flood of co-shoppers along the narrow pathways inside the mall is a challenging task which shopaholic women like me wouldn't mind taking.

So, will I be able to go to 168 Shopping Mall this weekend? I say, hopefully...

Oh my Mama!

While Surigaonons were in panic for the Tsunami alert, my mama still managed to crack a joke when I called her up yesterday. She said she was about to recite the Mi Ultimo Adios when her phone rang. And my cousin Ann, according to my mama, was afraid that she might lose her most beautiful aunt that Ann kept on calling her, prodding her to join them.

Well, knowing my mama, she won't just give in to such scare. She has always maintained her composure and of course, her sense of humor. And that's just two things that I admire about her.

I must say, i'm so lucky to be her daughter! :)

I Was Born For You Last Night

Last night, my officemates and I watched John Ford Coley's concert for the 2nd time at Heritage Hotel. This time around, David Pomeranz and Ciara Sotto, were his special guests. The mere mention of David being part of the show made me jumped off my seat and marched straight to the hotel's ballroom. For the record, David has been my favorite singer/composer since I first heard him with his timeless Born For You song.

I was caught offguard when he sang, "On This Day". I did not expect it, or shall I say I forgot that that song exists. In fact, before he sang it, he shared that he and his friend were thinking about their wives when they were composing that song. I thought he was referring to that Born For You. tsk! tsk!

Anyway, he sang it with so much passion even when he was suffering with colds (and so we thought) that night. I would have been misty-eyed listening to his beautiful rendition had I not been so engrossed in taking a video of him.

By the way, "On this Day" was one of the songs that I copied in more than a hundred CDs that were distributed as give-away items on my wedding day. :)

My Sis-In-Law Made It!

I just found out this morning that my sis-in-law, malou, made it to the nursing board examinations which she took last November 2009. No words can describe how happy am I not only for her, but most especially for my mother who also sacrificed for the future of her grandchild, zhea.

For the complete list of board passers, click this. ;)

Baby Wipes...

Last Friday, I decided to go home early (early, meaning, not later than 8pm). At that time I just felt that I need to take a break from work. But when I got home, I sensed something is wrong with my health. I felt cold and my body temperature was hot. I immediately snuggled under my comforter. I then realized that, finally, my physical and emotional stress were already catching up with me.

Anyway, I looked for bioflu in my medicine box and got dismayed when I did not find any. I settled for biogesic instead while trying to console myself that my mama would prefer biogesic over any other medicine for fever.

I panicked when the thermometer showed 38.5 degrees celsius! I was trying to imagine how it feels on a hot, summer day when the temperature at yahoo weather reports at 33 only. What more for a 38.5?!

I felt that my body was so hot that I was already worried that my fever might worsen. Instinct instructed me to wipe my whole body with a wet towelette. But then, i was afraid to wet my hands with water. Good thing, I remember I still have a few packs of baby wipes in my cabinet. I got it and let it do its job.

Voila! After less than half an hour, my fever was almost gone! Was it because of biogesic or baby wipes? Maybe both. Or perhaps thanks to the science of oral medicine? Hmmm.. I would rather attribute it to baby wipes. It's like magic! :)

I Love You All The Way

My recent vacation at my hometown gave me the chance to unwind, meaning, sleep-eat-sing-play-dance-sing-eat-sleep (in no particular order). My baby would oftentimes join me in my busy schedule, except for sleeping and eating (as I am too good to share that. :)

I love to sing. Never mind if my singing does not love me. It came to a point when my baby innocently asked me this while I was in the middle of my concert: "Mommy, do you really love to sing?" That simple question made me think deeply if I should change career paths or perhaps, I should just be simply reported to Bantay Bata 163 for torturing her with my golden voice, much more for the consequences of her question. :)

Well, I could not blame my baby for asking me that. I sang "I Love You All The Way" for nth times. I just can't help falling in love with that song since last year when I first heard it being played. It speaks much of an unconditional love, something that the cynical-but-still-hopeless romantic in me could not help but say, "it's just too good to be true..."