MOUNT PINATUBO OVERNIGHT CAMPING PROMO 2012

Every year we are giving rainy season promo for our regular clients and trekking enthusiasts who are waiting for cheap tour packages. This year, we are giving the cheapest tour ever. Read the mechanics carefully then grab your keyboard and register because this promo is only for the first 500pax. We will be closing the registration once we reach our target.

MOUNT PINATUBO OVERNIGHT CAMPING

SORRY THIS PROMO IS ALREADY CLOSED

WE WILL BE LAUNCHING OUR NEXT PROMO FOR 2013

VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR DETAILS

www.pinaykeypoint.org

Preparation for Mount Pinatubo Trekking

We usually send trekking reminders to help you in packing. If you’re a team leader of your group, you have to ensure that info is properly disseminated among your team to help them pack the necessary things. Most of the time, Team Leaders were blamed by their members on the final trek date because they failed to forward or discuss these important reminders.

PACK YOUR THINGS RIGHT & LIGHTIt’s really a no no to pack things as if you’re going in a holiday abroad. Please note that you are going to a mountain so please don’t bring bulky baggage because it would make your trekking difficult & tiring. Pack only what you need. You may prepare 2 bags, the back pack that you will bring when you climb & small bag for things that you will use after the trekking. You may leave this at the dispatching area, in your car or in a paid locker with key.

Please use medium sized back pack. It’s just a one day trip so the lighter, the better. Just limit your baggage from 3 to 4kilos. 

You may bring the following:

• Camera and extra battery
• Umbrella or light raincoat
• Big hat or cap
• Towel/Scarf or Mask to protect you from dust
• Shawl/malong (this is important esp for the female trekkers)
• Medicine (Alaxan, paracetamol or meds for stomach trouble
• Sunblock Lotion
• Tissue/napkin
• Extra trail water
• Extra Trail Food
• Slipper (Mandatory)
• Swim wear

Please don’t bring valuables/jewelry during trekking. Most of our clients lost their mobile phones, jewelries or watches either at the trail, when they swim or during shower. Some cases, while applying sunblock, they will remove their watch or bracelet then forget it afterwards. There is no assurance that you can recover lost valuables so please leave it at home/car

Furthermore, you need to cover your things, mobile phones, wallets & camera or any other electronic gadgets with zip locked plastic to ensure safety. Please note that some of my past clients who disregarded this particular reminder were caught in the midst of heavy rain as they descend from the mountain and their cams & phones were soaking wet.

You may pack using small bag/plastic bag for the following and leave it in your car or paid locker

 

• Extra clothing that you will use after shower
• Soap, shampoo, toothbrush & toothpaste
• Personal stuff: toothbrush, toothpaste, tissue, comb, shampoo, alcohol, liniment etc..

TREKKING OUTFIT

The principle, “the lighter, the better” is the rule of the game.

Lights shirt & your swim wear underneath
Short or leggings or quick dry trekking pants
Arm protection or long sleeved shirts/polo
Durable footwear

Footwear will depend upon your preference but as per experience, the most convenient & safe are rubberized footwear such as crocs type of footwear. If you prefer to use trekking sandals such as tribu or sandugo, we strongly advise using socks to protect your feet from blisters. This happens most of the time. Don’t forget to bring an extra slipper, this is mandatory because if your shoes, failed you then you still have an extra footwear and will not walk barefooted afterwards.

Mount Pinatubo Crater

Over the years, since it’s eruption in 1991, Mount Pinatubo gradually change its features and turned into a beautiful tourist attraction. It never fails to amaze tourists from different corners of the world  by its Majestic Beauty.

The photos below are taken during our numerous expeditions. We are covering each tour and web albums are created for each group of clients. These photos are uploaded in a paid storage of our Picasa Account. Every Month of each year, we noticed that the crater lake gradually change it color. At times it is muddy, murky green then will turn into turquoise after several rains. According to Philvocs which usually conducts a routine check in the area, this color change is weather dependent. We are posting some photos from our gallery of Trips and this  will show us how Mount Pinatubo Cater Lake changes its color and feature over the years.

JULY 2011

JUNE 2011

MAY 2011

 
APRIL 2011

MARCH 2011

FEBRUARY 2011

JANUARY 2011

DECEMBER 2010

NOVEMBER 2010

OCTOBER 2010

SEPTEMBER 2010

AUGUST 2010

JULY 2010

JUNE 2010

MAY 2010

APRIL 2010

MARCH 2010

FEBRUARY 2010

JANUARY 2010

DECEMBER 2009

NOVEMBER 2009

AUGUST 2009

JULY 2009

JUNE 2009

MAY 2009

APRIL 2009

MARCH 2009

FEBRUARY 2009

DECEMBER 2008

For inquiries, send your email to julietcorpuz@gmail.com

or text/call: 

Globe:  (+63)927.255.2206

Smart:  (+63)930.508.8494

Sun:      (+63)922.885.6103

LandLine:

(045) 324 0193 – Office

(045) 806 4544 – Residence

Yahoo ID: pinaykeypoint 

T H E  P I N A Y K E Y P O I N T   T E A M

All rights reserved. 2007-2011

http://www.pinaykeypoint.org

Press Release and Police Report regarding the recent Mount Pinatubo Incident

There were different versions regarding the recent Mount Pinatubo incident. While scanning the newspapers, I noticed the names of the victims were different from one paper to another. I also received so many inquiries both on my mobile phone, landline and email regarding the actual account of the incident. Some were coming from my previous clients asking if those where from my team or if those guides where the one assigned to them when they hired our service. But most of the inquires are coming from radio/TV stations and newspapers.

I was in Bicol Region when this incident happened. Our 2 Trek schedules last August 1 and 2, 2008 were both booked to me while I was in Bikol. I have another schedule booked for August 6, 7, 8  and 9 .  These groups have already sent their partial payment thru, paypal, xoom and some were thru bank transfer a week before their schedule. Typhoon Kiko had passed our place (Naga) and based on my past experience, typhoons from Bikol will likely to pass Nort Luzon in 2 days time so I decided to cancel these groups and I posted here that I am cancelling all trips to Mount Pinatubo due to bad weather. I am doing this even without the advisory from Tourism office.

At first, my clients were so disappointed, especially Miss Charlene who had planned her trip to the Philippines and climb Mount Pinatubo for quite sometime. She’s from Singapore and booked her trip to me a month earlier and we were chatting about her preparation almost everyday. I also have clients from Hongkong who will be arriving on the 8th and will just visit Philippines primarily because of Mount Pinatubo. I really had a hard time explaining to them that I can’t allow them to trek for safety reason. In the end, we agreed to return their payment and other groups re-scheduled their trip at a later time.

When I received a call from the media early in the morning after the incident, I was so shocked upon learning that 2 foreigners died and there’s a rescue operation to find the rest of the group. Reporters were asking me if those where from my team, I told them that I cancelled all trek schedules in my website and I still need to clarify for the actual reports so I never make any comment regarding their inquiries.

A day after, there were so many news reports but most are misleading. Capas Municipal Mayor, Reynaldo Catacutan summoned a meeting last August 10, 2009. Said meeting was attended by representatives from different travel agencies, trip organizers, 4×4 jeep drivers & operators, Tourism staffs at representative from the Philippine Air Force. Actual accounts of the recent incident has been discussed and we were furnished a copy of the press release and police report.

Below are the scanned copy of the said documents. Please click the image for bigger view. I hope that this will enlighten all the presumption of the reading public.

Juliet Corpuz
Trip Orgainzer/Blog Host& Author

 

Capas: Public Hearing

As a result of our previous meeting, a public hearing has been held yesterday, August 18, 2009 at Sangguniang Bayan Session Hall, Sangguniang Bayan Bldg., Municipality of Capas.

Based on the documents below, this is a legislative inquiry in aide of legislation by the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources Chaired by councilor Ricardo L. Galang for the proposed adoption of a “Comprehensive Safety and Contingency Plan” aimed at deterring the happening of the recent typhoon Kiko tragedy at the environs of Mount Pinatubo.

The followings are the steps that shall be taken:

• Creation of an inter-agency committee tasked to look after the safety and protection of local and foreign tourists engaging in trekking adventure.
• Establishments of monitoring stations to filter out incoming dangers/disasters and inform the base station for such eventualities. The idea is to create at least 4 stations; at the “Kwadra (4×4 jump off point), Hot Spring, Skyway & at Baranggay Sta Juliana.
• Dissemination of safety information brochures to tourists booking for Mount Pinatubo tour. I mentioned that my team are already implementing this given the fact that we are holding an actual briefing prior to dispatching and distribution a waiver to be signed by every trek participants.
• Creation of disaster Response Personnel from the military or civilian volunteers.
• Identification of rescue tools and equipment necessary on every 4×4 vehicle which can be utilized readily in the event of accident or disaster. The idea is that every 4×4 operators must provide life vests for every tourists riding their 4×4, a hard hat/helmet and a radio antenna to facilitate effective communication. This is mandatory for every 4×4 jeep to ensure safety. These will be checked by the staffs of DOT (Dept. of Tourism), Staffs at the office of the Baranggay Captain at Sta. Juliana and at the Air Force checkpoint. These are the 3 clearance points before final dispatching. No 4×4 jeeps shall be allowed entry without these mandatory safety equipments.
• Providing seminars and first aide response trainings for every tour guides and 4×4 jeep drivers. It is also mandatory that they know how to swim otherwise they will not be allowed to be an official guide servicing the area.
• The body is open for any inputs, views and suggestions from the residents, 4×4 jeep’s drivers & operators, trekkers, trip organizers, travel agencies, stakeholders and other concerned sectors and organizations in framing the comprehensive safety and contingency plan which would be an integral part of the proposed ordinance. So if you have fruitful ideas in mind, please email it to us and I will be glad to submit it at the Local Tourism Office and post it here as well.

So far, these are the unities at the said public hearing. Time frame of of 20 days to 1 month or more shall be given to all persons concerned to acquire mandatory safety gadgets & equipment and trainings before opening the trekking activity.

Hopefully, after compliance to all required safety equipments, trainings and clearances from the institutions mentioned by the Regional Tourism Office, Mount Pinatubo will be open for business again and maybe it’s not a very long way off since most of the people concerned are joining their hands in achieving this at the soonest time possible.

I’ll keep you posted.

Juliet Corpuz
Trip Organizer/Blog owner

 

Meeting with Mayor Rey Catacutan

Mayor Reynaldo Catacutan summoned an emergency meeting at Capas Municipal Hall last Monday, August 10, 2009. Said meeting was participated by different travel agencies, trip organizers, tour operators, 4×4 jeep associations, tour guides, local officials, representatives from the Air Force, Capas Tourism office and other concerned sectors engaged in Mount Pinatubo activities.

Facts regarding the actual accounts of the recent typhoon Kiko tragedy resulting to 6 casualties have been discussed. The meeting primarily aims to formulate new guidelines and policies which shall be strictly enforced to prevent another incident in the future.

Please expect that when this temporary cancellation of of Mount Pinatubo Trips be lifted, we will be facing not just a difficult terrain but a more strict policies as well. But this is for the benefit of everybody so my fellow trekkers & trip organizers, kunting tyaga 🙂 Hangang sa muling pagbubukas ng byahe… kita kita kits! ~ 🙂

JULIET CORPUZ

TEAM HEAD/TRIP ORGANIZER

WWW.PINAYKEYPOINT.ORG

My deep Sympathy

….My deep sympathy to my fellow trekkers & tour guides who lost their lives during the trek to Mount Pinatubo. To my fellow trip organizers, travel agency & tour operators: Let’s be more strict and be aware of the weather before dispatching our team. Let this incident serves as a lesson to all of us….

Full News Report, pls. click here: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/

Juliet Corpuz
Trip Organizer

Mount Pinatubo Tour Meet-UP and Pick-Up Points

Our common meet-up and pick-up point is infront of Capas Municipal Tourism office beside Capas Municipal Hall along Mc Arthur Higway.

Capas is a part of Tarlac Province. Just Ride a bus bound to Dagupan, Pangasinan, La Union or Baguio City as this will be passing along this route. Purchase your ticket at the ticket booth and tell the teller that your exact destination is Capas. The cost of tickets may vary depending on your point of Origin and bus company. Estimate cost is more or less 200php from Manila to Capas. Price for ordinary bus is also much cheaper. Estimate travel time is only 2 hours depending upon the traffic. You must catch the 4 am trip to meet the time requirement. In case you failed to catch the 4am trip, you have to inform us so we can dispatch the trekkers who arried earlier. Be sure to confirm that you are traveling via 4am trip before purchasing a ticket. Some of my guests’ experiences, they just bought a ticket without asking and they were assigned a 5:30 am trip, we waited for ages 🙂 and they arrived finally at 8:30am.

If you will be driving your own car, we will provide you a map after your final confirmation.

Pick up point along Mc Arthur Highway

Driving your own car will only take 1.5 to 2 hours depending on your speed and traffic. We usually arrive at the meet up point at 5:50am but we have an advance party, usually the driver who usually arrive at 5:15am just in case you arrive early.

Reaching meet up point later than 6am but not beyond 9am is still fine. The only difference is that if you take off late, you have to endure extreme heat of the sun during 4×4 jeep ride and trekking. Please note that most of the 4×4 jeeps are top down as guests prefer open vehicles to be able to stand up and take pictures while traveling. You will also have a shortened trip since pack up is always at 2pm

Please Take Note of the following reminders:

• Please call/text us before departing from your point of origin and another text as you approach Pampanga area so we can also have the time to prepare to meet you at the pick up point. Please note that we are preparing and cooking your lunch so we expect that you will observe the time requirement: 6AM
• Other trek participants sometimes are too excited that they leave too early, sometimes at 2AM without informing us and will arrive at the pick up point at 4am. Please remember that travel time from manila to Capas is less than 2 hours by bus and 1.5 by private cars. Don’t expect us to be there immediately if you will arrive at 4am because we are in the midst of preparing your lunch, cooking the rice, viand etc…
• If you will bring your own car, you can park it at our contact local resident’s private parking space near the entrance point with 100php parking fee.
  

Me & my eldest daughter Jessica waiting for trek participants

TO BOOK YOUR TRIP PLEASE SEND YOUR EMAIL TO: pinaykeypoint.org@gmail.com

Mount Pinatubo Trek: Feb 6 & 7, 2009

Yours truly at Mount Pinatubo Crater

Bryan's Team

Aaron's Team

Sanjev's Team

My niece Jane

Meet Dodong the Monkey (Spa Town)

Liza with Bryan's Team Feb 6, 2009

Mt. Pinatubo Spring Water

Bryan's Team at Aeta Village

My eldest daughter Jessica

Jessica & Bryan

Mount Pinatubo Trek 2-6-2009

Liza & Bryan's Team

Juliet with Sanjev's Team

Mt. Pinatubo Trek 2-7-2009

Tom - Mt. Pinatubo Trek 2-7-2009

Juliet - Mount Pinatubo Trek 2-7-2009

Sanjev Team - 2-7-2009

Start of difficult Terrain

Passing big boulders & streams

Starting today I am declaring this spot as the "Wow Point"!!

Stairway to Heaven....ahhhh... am too tired here...but i have to smile 🙂

Finally, we conquered Mount Pinatubo!

What a tiring yet fulfilling day 🙂

I had a busy week preparing for this 2 days trek. Have to do Hotel bookings, arrange transport service, meet Sanjev’s team at Clark Airport a day before the trek. Have to meet Bryan’s Team and Aaron’s team at Microtel. 

This is a very tiring yet fulfilling week for me 🙂

Please email me at pinaykeypoint@yahoo.com for your  inquiries & reservations…

For trekking schedules, reminders & itineraries, please click here

Posted by Juliet Corpuz

Heats School of Welding Technology

Philippines is now facing an increasing rate of unemployment everyday. It is a fact announced daily on TVs and printed media which is a result of Economic downturn worldwide. But despite the hardships, Filipinos’ character of patience and hardwork will always emerge because Pinoys are natural survivors. There maybe a decreasing demand on wirings, computers, electronic and other related industries but a number of identified skills are still in demand.

One of thriving opportunity for Filipinos abroad is the Welding Industry. The Demand for this specific skill is increasing recently. Surprisingly, this is not just a man’s job anymore as for the latest development, women are already starting to try this area.

The Philippine Government has encouraged Filipino entrepreneurs to open up welding training centers to cope up with the increasing demands for Filipino welders. In my area in particular, there are newly opened technical school offering welding related courses. Heats School of Welding Technology is one good example. Heats started to hold trainings in 2008 by renting private rooms. Most of the participants are now working abroad.

Engr. Pedro Jose Jr.

The good man behind this project is Engr. Pedro Jose Jr. He is a native of Kapanikian, Lapaz, Tarlac. He has been in the field of Welding, QA/QC and Inspection for the past 14 years in the Philippines, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Indonesia and Brunei.

His Noble Mission for the School is to produce World Class Pinoy Welders, Welding Inspectors & other skilled workers. To realize this mission, he turned his home into a Technical School to help not only his fellow Tarlaqueño but his fellow Pinoys from adjacent areas as well.

Heats School of Welding Technology is now in the process of TESDA Accreditation and according to TESDA personnel, their accreditation documents will be released this February 2009. HEATS’ building, classrooms, facilities (such as Welding booths, working table and grinding table), welding machines, tools and materials are now in place and ready.

Pictures below are the proof of Mr. Jose’s humble attempt to turn this project into reality.

Heats School of Weding Technology

Heats Lobby

Heats Classroom

Heats Lecture Room

Heats will offer the following Courses:

SMAW Plate, SMAW Pipe, GTAW Pipe and welding Inspector’s Course. They also plan to offer NDT Courses such as Utrasonic Testing, Penetrant Testing and Magnetic Particle Testing. Internal Quality Auditor’s course and ISO 9000 Awareness Seminars and other related skills are also in included in their line of courses that will be offered in the future.

They will be accepting enrollees in February and plan to start classes on March 2009. For inquiries and detailed information, you can visit their website at http://heatsschoolofweldingtechnology.wordpress.com/ or you can email them at pwtc_luzon_@yahoo.com . You can also reach them through mobile phone: +639054104465 or you can also personally visit their School at Romulo Highway, #4 Joanne Subd., Canrangian, Tarlac City. Staffs are available for inquiries during office hours.

Click the image location map for larger view

Heats Contact Info

For detailed description of Welding principles, Welding Trainings & courses, terminologies and job opportunities,  please visit Heats website by clicking here.

By Juliet B. Corpuz

Mount Pinatubo Hot Spring

Mount Pinatubo Hot Spring is a different route and you can’t do this on the same day especially now that skyway is no longer passable. The expenses to Pinatubo Hot Spring is the same as Mount Pinatubo Crater Trek. You will also avail of 4 x 4 wheel drive. 4×4 is the only transport service that will survive the difficult terrain of Mount Pinatubo areas. Travel time is more or less 1 hour. The required load are the driver, 4 guests and 1 tour guide.

Please note that it’s cheaper if you will come in group as you will shoulder the entire rent of 4×4 jeep, gas, driver, permits & conservation fee, entrance fee and local tour guides.

Minimum package: 12,500 for 5 persons (2500k per head)

Inclusions:

Transport ride from meet up point (infront of Capas Municipal Hall)

4 x 4 jeep (gas, rental, driver and trip dues)

Service of a local tour guide

Conservation fee/environmental fees

Entrance fee

Visit to Aeta village (optional but free)

Lunch
Snack

500 ml water

Optional Services: (Not included in the package)

You can avail this after the trip

600php per head – Volcanic Spa (30 minutes)

600php per head Siatsu – Massage (1 hour)
600php per head – Mud Spa

THE PINAYKEYPOINT TEAM

2007 – 2012

www.pinaykeypoint.org


For inquiries, send your email to pinaykeypoint.org@gmail.com

or text/call:

Globe:   (+63)917.477.9156

Smart:  (+63)930.508.8494

Sun:      (+63)923.626.9088

How to go to Mount Pinatubo

Route for 1st Timers Mount Pinatubo Trekkers from other country:

Departing from Ninoy Aquino Int’l Airport, Makati or Pasay

• Ride a taxi to Victory Liner or 5 Star Bus Line located at Pasay City
• Ask the taxi to use the taxi meter
• Secure a Bus ticket at a ticket booth bound for Dagupan or Pangasinan.
• Your exact destination is Capas Tarlac.
• Estimated Bus fare is 200php one way ticket
• Estimated Travel time is more than 2 hours depending upon the traffic & driving speed
• Exact drop off point is the first gate of Capas Municipal Hall
• Our office is just a few walks away from the jump off point
• Maps is available in our website, please click here
• You may settle the rest of your at Pinaykeypoint Office.

Departing from Clark Airport

• You may ride a taxi or any public transport available at the airport
• Ask the driver to give you a lift to Mabalacat Bus Terminal
• Ride any bus bound to Dagupan or Pangasinan
• Your exact destination is Capas Tarlac.
• Estimated Bus fare is more or less 75php
• Estimated Travel time is more or less 1 hour depending upon the traffic & driving speed
• Exact drop off point is the first gate of Capas Municipal Hall
• Our office is just a few walks away from the jump off point
• Maps is available in our website, please click here
• You may settle the rest of your at Pinaykeypoint Office.
• We also have a tour package that starts at any hotel in Clark/Angeles
• Please visit our website for these tour packages  www.pinaykeypoint.org

 

DEPARTING FROM CUBAO

• You may ride a taxi or any public transport available to go to the bus terminal
• The most accessible is 5 Star bus near Farmers and Dagupan bus infront of Nepa Qmart
• Ride any bus bound to Dagupan or Pangasinan
• You must catch a 4am trip or earlier
• Your exact destination is Capas Tarlac. 
• Estimated Bus fare is 200php one way ticket
• Estimated Travel time is more than 2 hours depending upon the traffic & driving speed 
• Exact drop off point is the first gate of Capas Municipal Hall
• Our office is just a few walks away from the jump off point
• Maps is available in our website, please click here
• You may settle the rest of your at Pinaykeypoint Office.

DEPARTING FROM AVENIDA (Malate, Manila, Recto)

       

Available bus are Philippine Rabbit & Victory Liner

Follow the same procedure above

DEPARTING FROM SUBIC OLONGAPO

I was informed by my previous clients from Olongapo that the first trip is departing at 3am. They don’t want to take chance  to wait for the next trip for fear that they won’t meet the required meet-up time which is 6am. The result is they arrived at 5am and spent 1 hour at seven eleven @ Capas Junction.

• Ride a bus heading to Dagupan or Pangasinan or Baguio (Ask the dispatcher) If there is no available trip, you may take a cutting trip and may opt to take a bus bound to San Fernando or Dau.
• Allocate at least 2 hours for your travel time.
• Estimated fare for straight ride is more or less 200php
• If you take a cutting trip: via San Fernando, Pampanga, just take any passenger jeep or mini bus bound to Dau (more or less 30 mins drive from San Fernando
• When you reach Dau, Ride any bus bound to Dagupan or Pangasinan (more or less 45 mins drive)
• Your exact destination is Capas, Tarlac
• Exact drop off point is the first gate of Capas Municipal hall.
• If you arrive early, just send an sms, we will send a guide to meet you at the jump off point. Our office is just few meters away.

DEPARTING FROM BAGUIO CITY

According to our previous clients from Baguio, estimated travel time via public bus is 4 to 5 hours. They took a 2am trip and reached capas at past 6:30am. Just ride any bus bound to Manila. Almost all trips from North Luzon are passing infront of our office 24/7

• Estimated fare is more or less 300php
• Your exact destination is Capas, Tarlac
• Exact drop off point is the 3rd gate of Capas Municipal hall.
• Send an SMS when you reach Tarlac so we can anticipate your time of arrival.
• We will assign a guide that would wait for you at the vicinity of Capas Municipal Hall

If you will travel here via private car, you may print the map below. We provided several maps depending upon your point of departure

 

PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR MAPS AND DIRECTIONS

WWW.PINAYKEYPOINT.ORG

 

 

Pasko at New Year sa Pinas 2008

JANUARY 8, 2009

I had a long break before and after Christmas season and I never had the chance to post our Christmas celebration. My kids and nieces are rallying and demanding me to post the Christmas photos and other activities so this would be a long post guys 🙂

Filipinos usually starts welcoming Christmas at the knock of “Ber” months. As early as September, you will hear Christmas songs played on the radios and I myself started to decorate our house with Christmas Tree last October.

Of course my daughters did all the decorating stuff while I was pre-occupied with a lot of work and issues here and now as am staring at my blog, I realized that I never post a single article about Christmas [sigh 😦 ]

But it’s better late than never, so I have to post all the activities we had before Christmas time and after New year.

My youngest and only son Robin Jr. (Nonoy)

My third daughter Rajisha

My 2nd daughter Sabrina

Jessica & Nonoy

My niece Jane

Yours Truly 🙂

Simbang Gabi at San Sebastian Cathedral, Tarlac City

Dec 16 – Misa de Gallo

We’re off to church for the Misa de Gallo where we have to attend the early mass at 4am. Morning masses lasted for 9 days and it is believed and also part of Filipino traditions that a person who completed 9 days mass will have their wishes.

Some church celebrates mass before the break of dawn at 4 o’ clock in the morning while other celebrates mass at 7, 8 or 9 o’ clock in the evening.

It is also a common tradition for Pinoys to buy native Filipino foods such as malagkit, suman, bibingka, ibos, puto etc… after the morning mass.

Native Filipino Foods

Belenismo – The art of making Belen

It’s one of the project of our present local officials. This was conceptualized by Tarlac Heritage Foundation President Isabel Cojuangco-Suntay aiming to make the province of Tarlac as  “Belen capital” of the Philippines. It was launched in 2007 and since then, it becomes a yearly activity for Tarlaquenos which is actively participated by different Barangays, municipalities, institutions and local organization from different sectors and local businesess of Tarlac.

ASIATEN

Max’s Luisita

San Sebastian Cathedral inspired Belen

16 Belens won from different categories out of 78 entries. Categories includes personal, grand, monumental, municipal and diorama.

Tarlac Police Office Belen of Barangay Salapungan received the first award followed by Asiaten Hotel and Coconut Grill as third. Winners were personally awarded by Senator Loren Legarda

Zone ABC DEMOLITION CAMPAIGN

Demolition Poster at Barangay Entrance

The Nolcom authorities temporarily stopped their daily demolition rounds campaign, maybe for the sake of Christmas but nailed this poster at our Barangay main entrance. At present, they never resume the usual rounds of military jeep anouncing demolition. The last update was prior to Christmas, Zone President announced that we will expect the release of Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) on January 27, 2009 and we are hopeful that it would be released earlier.

Inter Barangay Basketball League

There were many activities in the city. Barangay Basketball league, was participated by different basketball teams from different Barangays. Hub coaches one of the basketball team. The overall winner was Barangay Texas.

Carolers were everywhere, kids, teens, adults & beggars. Some houses who don’t have an extra money for carolers will just put off their lights early. But since I am running a gaming homebiz (PC & Video), and most of my customers are children and teens, I have to allocate coins for them but the good thing about it is that it would go back in my pocket as they would be back playing the next day.

Prior to Christmas time, my kids were busy preparing for their school Christmas party and exchange gifts so as a mom, I have so many things to do which makes me so busy such as buying clothes, gifts, school projects etc… etc… not to mention my printing jobs which requires most of my time.

Dec 24, 2008 – Christmas Eve

Merry Christmas!!

Noche Buena

My day starts and ends at the kitchen lolz!

I have to cook for our Noche Buena. Macaroni Salad, Spaghetti, Crispy Pata, hotdogs, pan bread with cheese and a lot of candies for the kids. Gift giving… And a lot of Christmas Photos …

Mommy and Rajisha

Daddy and Sabrina

Juliet and Hub

December 25

Mano po Ninong/Ninang!!

Kids visited their Ninongs & Ninangs (Godparents) to ask for blessings and gifts. We call it “pagmamano”, another Filipino tradition where kids and teens are visiting their Godparents, these were the people who sponsored our children during baptism and acts as second parents to our kids. They usually prepare gifts or money for their Godchildren. My kids want to extend their sincere thanks to Ninong Atty. Jojo Batalla, Ninang Ressie Reyes, Ninang Myrna Sapasap, Ninong Edgar Uy, Ninong Bong Gallo, Ninang Luz Corpuz, Tita Sally & Ate Cherry for the money and gifts. And I also want to thank my daughters for their gifts for us. I love  you Jek, Sab, Ish, nonoy & ate den…

Dec 27, 2008 – Happy Christening Baby Jed!!

Jed’s clothing and accesories

Jed’s Christening

Location: San Miguel Church Time: 11:00 a.m. Reception: Max’s Restaurant

Cherry’s firstborn was finally baptized before new year. We were all invited at the reception but we can’t leave the house so I stayed home to entertain some expected visitors while my entire family attended baby Jed’s christening. Welcome to the Christian World baby Jed 🙂 I hope you grow up to be a God-fearing boy with wisdom and kindness 🙂

Baby Jed’s cake

Reception: Max’s Restaurant – Luisita

Baby Jed’s Candles, Token & invitation

Mommy Che & Baby Jed

My kids; Jessica, Sabrina, Rajisha, Nonoy and my niece Jane

Corpuz Family

December 31 – New Year Celebration 🙂

Once again, our day starts and ends at the kitchen but this time Hub did most of the cooking 🙂 Another Filipino tradition, we have to prepare 12 fruits on our table, 1 bowl of rice, salt and water and malagkit with egg on top. My mother in-law is doing this yearly and now that she’s gone, we decided to follow her tradition. We were roaming the market to complete the list of fruits. We had grapes, apple, watermelon, melon fruit, oranges, kaimito, pineapple, banana, pears, chico, ponkan and buko (young coconut). Hub added garlic and onions this time.

Media Noche

Yummy desserts 🙂 Kainan na!!

For safety, we never use any firecracker this year. It’s also part of saving our budget so instead of firecrackers, we played Christmas songs and videoke. Childrens are playing videos till dawn and we gave it for free until the next day.

Happy New Year!! it’s chow time 🙂

We’re all full lolz!! 🙂 look at the tummy haha!!

Final Pose 🙂 Happy New Year to all of you!!

The magic of “Ber” has passed and now we’re welcoming the New year with hope & gladness in our hearts. Happy New Year to all of you guys. May this year brings more blessings to all of us. Cheers!!

Juliet & Family 🙂

Mount Pinatubo Trek

Due to overwhelming response of my readers to my Mt. Pinatubo Post, which also becomes my no. 1 post since I started blogging, we added another service in our homebase business. This is Tour Guiding Services

My hub and I has particular task in running the business. With IT related works, I am in-charge of the internet, design and documentations while hub is doing the field work. But when the need arises, I also assist hub with field work activities.

Recently, I have many inquiries in my inbox particularly Mount Pinatubo Trek. I used to have a computer shop at Capas Tarlac and Tarlac Municipal Tourism had been one of our clients. I designed and created the Identification cards for Mt. Pinatubo Tour guides and most of them are Aetas. I also designed banners, flyers and brochures.

Last week, 2 clients from the internet hired our service thru this blog, Greg and Wisnu. Greg arrived last week but he went to Puerto Galera first and he scheduled trekking on Saturday, Dec. 13. Wisnu Wijaya, an Indonesian based in Malaysia arrived last Dec. 9 at 5:30pm. Hub meet him at the airport. They arrived home at almost 10pm. Although we had an agreement that we will book him in a hotel but because we were so excited sharing each others’ experiences, he decided to stay with us. Our house suddenly turned into a transient home.

The next day hub included Wisnu in the group of trekkers bound to Mount. Pinatubo.

Hub (in white shirt) with Wisnu and Mt. Pinatubo trekkers

Hub during the actual trek

Weee! Samson or Hercules?

Natural and Fresh Spring Water from Mt. Pinatubo

Mt. Pinatubo Crater

Mt. Pinatubo Crater Boating

Have fun, experience swimming at Mt. Pinatubo crater

4 x 4 wheel drive, the only transport system that would survive rocks and boulders

After a tiring day, sooth your muscles and enjoy full massage spa

Spa comes in different packages; mud spa, volcanic ash spa and many more.

What are you waiting for? experience a once in a lifetime trekking adventure at Mt. Pinatubo Philippines. You can come in group or you can trek alone with native tour guide.

For more inquiries, leave your comment here or email me pinaykeypoint@yahoo.com

Update 2/8/2009

Please click the link to see our recent Mount Pinatubo Trek last February 6 & 7, 2009

For further inquiries, detailed info, trek schedules and itineraries please visit my other blog:

HTTP://PINATUBOTREK.BLOGSPOT.COM/

POST UPDATE AS OF AUGUST 14, 2012

WE ARE NOW ONE OF THE MOST TRUSTED TEAM IN THIS FIELD.

THANKS GOD FOR MY BLOG AND FOR THIS POST;)

I Need Your Strength

Two top media company has already come in our place to look at the matter but we never see any light at the end of the tunnel. Days passed by swiftly and the thoughts of losing the roof on our heads beyond January 30, 2009 makes me weaker each day. I can’t even feel the Christmas in the air, although cold wind is already embracing me… I guess it just makes me numb each passing day. The show of force is so demoralizing, watching the regular round of soldiers in our neighborhood is creating fear and confusion among the children. I already written our cause to some top leaders of our society but it seem our issue had just fallen in deaf ears…

 

 

I started blogging to ease my pains

To ease my feelings and gain some friends

To voice out my opinions and ravings

and to pacify the anger in my surging veins

 

The journey to blogging seems interesting

It lessen the worries that makes me lame

It makes me feel alive once again

From more than 3 years of silence

 

I was silenced by the forces of evil

Who threaten to take my life If I never refrain

Refrain from what? You may ask me that

From being radical which narrowed my path

 

But I can’t live in silence for many years

It makes me crazy and will paralyze my brains

Now I need to go out once again

Maybe not in the street but in the field of blogging

 

 I love my kids, I don’t want to endanger them

That’s why I shut my mouth off and quit from work

But how long shall I stop and just stare at them?

While they are crashing our rights and our home

We were all strangers in this land

Which created by God for every man

But some men are greedy and cruel

They draw the boundaries and created their titles

 

But how dare you claim you own the land created by God?

You just draw the line and claimed it’s yours?

And for that claim you’re ready to harm and maybe kill

Whoever blocks your plans and claims?

 

Fights and wars has just one cause

The greed in every man’s heart to rise in power

By trampling the rights and freedom of other men

Just to place themselves in the pedestal of fame

 

The journey to freedom maybe long and hard

Millions of men had already sacrificed their lives

For the call of justice, equality and sovereignty

Despite all these, we still have to take our steps in this journey

 

I am drawing my strength from God and friends

And I am calling you to internalize the cause

The fight will be stronger if you joined mine

I need your strength in the darkest time…

 

~by: Juliet B. Corpuz ~

12-8-2008 4:00am

Poetry is my healing balm… I need to put into words all the bad feelings I have in my heart…

Related posts of our issue:

Demolition Issue

Demolition update

Eviction notice

Jan 1, 2009

I would like to thank all my readers and blogger friends who extend their hands and support to our demolition issue. The good words coming from you guys is very important to me as this keeps me going and stand on my feet each day.

I also want to give my sincere thanks to SSNUFY for a wonderful poem he composed for this post.

POEM FROM SSNUFFY

Be still my friend have you not forgot
that an awesome God Controls the lot
His word is law and very true
and you know the depth of His love for you

So Stand in faith and and trust His Word
to doubt His power is quit absurd
For He is God and on His Throne
and your promise is your not alone

In His good time this storm will pass
and you will stand at peace alas
and the threat so bold that held you there
will disappear in the morning air,,,,,,

Gods very best >>>SSNUFFY

Thank you very much….

Here is my response for this poem…

Thank you very much SSNUFFY
For this sincere poem you created for me
The thoughts made its way to my heart
Which adds to my strength and made me glad

Never will I forget I have a Big God
Who always leads my path
In him I draw my strength
To face all my struggles and pains

I always thank him for all the friends
That He sent my way as an instrument
Who cheers me up when I’m in vain
Which cushion the blows and ease the pains

I stand still and keep my faith
To trust His word is my shield
This storm will go and never win
Cause I have a God who never fail

<<<<Juliet >>> [January 1, 2009     7:30 a.m.]

VIOLATION OF PRIVACY POLICY

Just Like blogging, Forums are one of the most visited sites in the internet. I usually visit forum sites and read threads and discussions of my desired topics.

Sometimes in the past, I need an immediate fund, I want to withdraw money from my PayPal account without having to wait for 5 to 7 working days. I Google the keyword Paypal to Gcash or PayPal to Smart Money and a thread from Pinoymoneytalk forum leads me to a thread about PayManila and so my problem was immediately solved.

This is one of the positive effects of forums.

This is a screenshot of the original thread. Click this for larger view.

But the other day, one of my community member from MyBlogLog left a comment in my blog. He raised his concerns about a certain forum site, Pinoyden.com. I clicked the link and read the thread and this is what I found

A newbie member under an alias of shiangtao posted a new topic. He quoted Edz comment at yugatech blog. Included in that topic was Edz name and private information, his emails and blogs. He purposely search for Edz information and posted it at the forum area. He was successful in this thread as he gains a lot of responses which is negative for Edz reputation. I know right there and then that this is a clear violation of privacy policy and I look for the moderator of the site. He was there participating at the forum under the name of AED.

I immediately signed up and posted my comment. You can read my comment here under my alias Red, I reminded them of the sites rules and privacy policy. After posting a comment, I wrote to the admin/moderator to raise my concern. Here is the screenshot of the message.

This is the screenshot of the message I sent to the moderator. Click this for a larger view.

I knew that Edz was taking this matter seriously and to pacify him, I informed him that I already send a complaint letter to the moderator to clear the matter.

The following day, I checked the site and noticed that they already removed Edz private information. I also received a message of apology from the Admin/moderator. 

If you will notice, he has quoted a red line which states that they cannot monitor the forum. This is a clear alibi. Hey Mr. AED, if you will notice the screenshot of the post, it says 2 thanks from Reuben and AED. And look after you removed Edz site info, the 2 thanks turn into 1 thanks and your name is gone? What happen? You also participated in that thread and you just removed your comments, may I know for what reason? To make your excuse real? that you are not participating in that thread? I won’t buy your alibi mister because I click your name in your comment that’s why I get to your profile to send you a private message. Masyado ka tuloy obvious. You yourself enjoyed the thread and maybe very happy for the active response and traffics and remember you’re doing that at the expense of Edz reputation. And to you Mr. Shiangtao, be man or woman enough to reveal your own info before posting other people’s info and don’t be so lame pathetic. Try to post some decent topic out from your own brains and stop quoting from other people’s comments. It makes you a stupid, talkative nonsense poster who wants to be famous by degrading others. Wag kang intrimitido!

This is the message of apology from the moderator. Click this for larger view

At yung isa pa under an alias of weibkreuz who is claiming that he’s from tarlac said “guys tga tarlac din ako at ung school ni edizon tongol n yan dun ako graduate, patay sakin yang edizon tongol n yan pag nkita, bubugbugin k yan, he3 pag nduty sa hospital nmin yan teterminate k na agad”

haha! talaga lang ha? sure ka kaya mong gawin yan? Sige uwi ka dito sa Tarlac sabihin mo address mo at pupuntahan ka namin ni Edz. Subukan nga namin kong kaya mo nga syang bugbugin. Pare yung yabang ginagawa yan di sinasabi. Dahan dahan lang tau sa pagsasalita kc di naman natin kilala yung mga taong pinagsasabihan natin eh.

This is really a gross stupidity on the rise 🙂 nakakahiya.

(sigh…deep breathing…my nebulizer please…)

Eviction Notice for Zone A, B & C

NOVEMBER 25, 2008

This post is an update regarding the demolition problem at Zone A, B & C San Miguel, Tarlac City.

The Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM) issued a final eviction notice which must be complied within 60 days otherwise they would be constrained to make representation for the employment of counteractive legal measures within the authority of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. This Final demand is blatantly contained in the document I scanned below.

The threat of demolition is like a plague spreading in the barrios of San Miguel; Zone A, B & C. Just like my neighbors, I am trying to go over with my normal routine although I had a good laugh with my previous post but the reality will always sets in. The fear of losing our home is a daily nightmare to us. One of the residents from Zone B, a retired army had a heart attack after reading the final notice and he died instantly. A 6 by 6 truck with heavy weapons and armies was roaming the barrio and creating confusion and fear among the residents. This is a clear manifestation of harassment. This show of force is a psychological warfare which is a common dirty trick by our very own army.

Joyce Segue of GMA Balitang Amianan conducting an exclusive interview

It’s really frustrating that the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the institution that is liable for the security and protection of the common Filipino is engaging in this outrageous activity. My kids are asking me; why are they doing this to us mommy? My teacher said Soldiers will protect us, but why they are threatening us? Will they kill us too?

These are the simple childish question that I cannot answer. I still have to gather my strength to reckon and give the best answer that would convince my kids that the army, like my dad is a servant and protector of the people. How can a child love a government when at this early stage, they are already experiencing this dilemma?

Joyce Segue, GMA reporter for “Balitang Amianan”news program conducted an interview the other day regarding the escalating issue of demolition. The newly elected association president Col Felipe Damo is instituting several options on how shall we deal with the problem, from legal battle to collective effort of the masses and the residents to defend our home physically. Our strength may not be equal to the guns and goons of the government but we will not just stand at the corner, staring at them doing nothing while they are crashing our home. A bloody dispersal that has wasted many lives at Hacienda Luisita while farm workers are waging fight for just compensation and benefits was also maneuvered by NOLCOM and now, their bloody fingers are once again thirsting for the same scenario.

I am asking for your support my fellow bloggers, in behalf of my neighbors and the children in my community please help us spread this news and blog this issue.

I don’t want another Hacienda Luisita tragedy.
Please spare our home and the children.

Eviction Letter from NOLCOM. Please click for larger view.

NOTE: Watch Joyce interview with Col. Felipe Damo at my YouTube channel: 

http://www.youtube.com/user/redwarriorheart

Previous posts:

Post 1 – Zone ABC: We are Facing Demolition Issue

Post 2 – Demolition Update

Welcome to the Christian World Baby Jed

NOVEMBER 14, 2008

First week of November was a busy week for us, after the preparation and celebration of Undas (All Saint’s Day), our niece Cherry delivered her first born, a handsome baby boy at 2:30pm of Friday, November 7, 2008.

Cherry is very dear to us as she’s almost my eldest daughter. I’m very fond of her, I helped her with her assignments, I turned her hate for Algebra into love and explained to her the basics so she can cope up with her mathematics.

I watched her growing from her teens to a full grown woman. I laugh with her, cried with her and I had been a listener to her laughter and sobs. She almost acquired my activist’s point of views and had been a very idealistic person.

Born to a military family, she had taken the same path. At 26, she’s now a chief investigator of CIDG (Criminal Investigation and Detection Group), Camp Macabulos, Tarlac City. I am closely following her career and hoping the best of everything for her and her family.

Welcome to the Christian World Baby Jed 🙂

Baby Jed

Baby Jed

The new member of the family

See how cute he is… hmmm, she looks like her mommy che 🙂

The tired mommy Cherry… sleeping beauty 🙂

…and the visitors Ate Evelyn (Che’s mom), Ate Luz & Beth and yours truly in the red shirt 🙂

Undas sa Pinas 2008

 NOVEMBER 1, 2008

Filipinos are celebrating All Saints Day and All Souls Day every 1st and 2nd day of November. It’s one of the most celebrated traditions in our country. We call it “Undas” or “Fiesta ng mga Patay” in Tagalog and because I’m a Bicolana, we call it “Fiesta ng mga Kalag” in Bicol Term.

Fiesta, yes this is almost a festivity as families are going to cemeteries to pray and celebrate. It’s a whole day activity and to some, they even spend it overnight. It’s like a party or reunion as we are also bringing foods aside from flower and candles.

Yesterday, Hub and Jane went at Eternal Memorial Park at 7am to prepare our place. They brought some chairs and light candles while I prepared some food for our lunch and snacks. Every year, I usually cook “pancit” and “malagkit” for this occasion. This is a native Filipino food. We also put “atang” or food offerings in our altars. It’s a traditional food offering for the souls of our departed loved ones.

Some communities are also holding Halloween Party and “Trick or Treat” but in our Barangay (Pinoy Term for Community), families are spending the day at the cemetery. We prepare flowers, candles and my son even bought his pet Meme to spend the day with us.

My kids enjoyed the day playing, eating and running around. It’s also a time to meet old friends as many of our friends who are staying at other towns and provinces are going home to visit their loved ones. This is also a nice time for family reunions so it’s almost a dual celebration both for the departed loved ones and the family as a whole.

These are some of the pictures of the Undas

In loving memory of Inang, Tatay Pedro and Kuya FrancingMy eldest daughter Jesicca >>> pa cute  🙂Yours truly and my kids- Jek, Sab, Isha, Nonoy, my niece Jane and KBHub & the kidsMy youngest son, NonoyJane, Isha & KB >>> hala kain ng kain 🙂Hub’s niece Marilyn A.K.A. “Basisang” and her BF Aldrin>>> Oiii, sweet nila 🙂Sabrina>>> Pa cute din  🙂Inabot na kami ng gabi

My sis in-law, Ate Luz and niece Cherry

E2 c Hub dapat daw me solo pic sya 🙂 (talo pa ko- ako wala 🙂 )

at syempre only in the Philippines: Negosyo kahit araw ng patay 🙂

Okay, til here folks, that’s our yearly celebration of UNDAS SA PILIPINAS. Til next post 🙂 Ingat!

Note: ingat means take care

PinayKeyPoint Logo

Hello guys, I’ll be busy today>>> we’ll spend the whole day at Eternal Memorial Park to visit my In-law’s tomb. Be back later with photos and a new update.

Some of my blogger friends are requesting me to create my logo, so I draft a quick layout. I hope you like it 🙂 Pls.  copy the code below to embed this on your blog for a  quick link to my blog. Thank you! Happy Halloween to all of you! Enjoy the day 🙂

<a href=”https://pinaykeypoint.wordpress.com/”&gt; <img src=”https://pinaykeypoint.files.wordpress.com/2008/10/pinaykeypoint-logo3.jpg”></a&gt;

Happy Halloween!!

MyNiceSpace.com

Semestral Break

OCTOBER 29, 2008

It’s my Kids’ semestral break so I’m a bit rested this week without having to worry with their early breakfast meals, snacks and packed lunch.

Our days typically starts at 4:30a.m. That is from Monday to Friday. I have 4 students here, 1 college, Junior high and 2 grade school and every morning, my house is busy and noisy as my kids are arguing who will use the bathroom first. Each of them has a morning task, they have to arrange their beddings, sweep the floor, feed their pets, clean their shoes and iron their uniforms. I use to do these things but as they grow up, I begin to distribute the tasks to train them juts like how my day trained me.

After all the fuss, I would send them off to school at 6:30am. Classes starts at 7am but they should allocate a 30 minutes travel time. I will be left with all the mess, dishes on the sink and kitchen stuffs used in preparing their breakfast and packed lunch. But this is already a minimal task since they already do the rest. I don’t have to worry about their beds because they already finished cleaning their rooms.

Motherhood is really a tough job. No vacation and no rest days lol! When I was still working at a private firm, I used to leave early with them and the mess are are left to my 2 maids. After the birth of my son, I decided to stay home to personally attend to my kid’s needs.

Everyday, after they all left, I will quickly clean the mess and would sit in my desk to start working. I am running a homebase business and working online as well. Before I left my job, I really have fear if we will survive if I will stay home but hub insisted that I should personally attend my kids since they are growing and maids cannot replace my role.

I really enjoy staying with them and I realized that after I sent them all to school, I still have all the time to myself, so to maximize my idle time, we decided to open a homebase business. I manage to help hub earn a fair amount to sustain our financial needs. I also found online writing jobs which really fills my idle time.

I guess this is just a matter of initiative and resourcefulness, so to all mommies out there na maraming idle time pero meron namang talent, you can consider working online, yung fit lang sa oras mo at di ka naman ma pe pressure.

Another occasion that will make us busy this week is All Saints’ Day. We have to go to cemetery to clean my in-laws tomb. This is a yearly event celebrated by the Catholic Community all over the world. I’ll tackle that topic in my future post

Til here guys, sa susunod uli 🙂

Robinson and Demolition

OCTOBER 27, 2008

Okay sa title rhyme diba? 🙂

Robinson Supermarket’s Opening

To my fellow Tarlaqueños and Tarlaqueñas, opening of Robinson Supermarket will be on October 30, 2008 kaya mejo ihanda nyo na yang mga budget nyo for grocery.

Hay naku maganda lang to sa maraming pera hehehe…

I mean this is good to those who have extra budget but to us, who are living each day at a time and sometimes can’t even make both ends meet, maybe we’ll just walk in for window shopping lol! 🙂

Zone ABC Demolition Issue: Updates

Robinson’s opening will not stop my fellow barangays from worrying with the serious threat of demolition. I wrote this issue in my previous post and the last time that NOLCOM officers attended a dialogue with us last week, they lay down a “Take it or Leave it” offer. It means, we signed the MOA or not, its up to us. But one thing is clear, they will pursue with their plan.

What ironic in this meeting is that, our association’s officers are speaking in behalf of the officers when in fact, the NOLCOM officers are there and they should be the one answering the questions raised by the membership.

Leadership means leading and representing your people and members, and for this clear definition, we were expecting that our association officers shall mediate and collect the questions and raised it during the meeting, giving the opportunity to NOLCOM officers to explain their side but it’s the other way around.

This is indeed a serious threat to our property and security. The content of the MOA clearly defines a voluntary turn-over of your property, not only the lot per se where our house were erected but our house itself. The MOA also stated that they can conduct an inspection anytime they pleases which is a clear manifestation of harassment. They think we are all idiots and stupids and with an armed men around, threatening us with this “Take it or Leave it” connotation.

It’s really sad to see these people going beyond the rights of many people. This is one of the reason why GMA’s strong republic is never realized and will remain a dream until the end of her administration.

They are all like wolves under the mask of a lamb.

Happy Birthday Nonoy!

October 26, 2008  –  My son’s Birthday

Today I get up early to finish my online tasks. I have to finish uploading my articles for my employers so I can prepare for my son’s birthday.

Nonoy is my youngest son. His full name is Robin Corpuz Jr., we named him after my hub and he’s our only son. He’s 4 years old today and I cooked his favorite food, spaghetti. We attended mass and went at downtown area to buy his birthday cake. He picked his own choice of cake at Butterworld with spiderman theme. Thank you Isabel, for a very warm accommodation, she is the cashier of Butterworld Tarlac, Tańedo branch.

It’s a family affair with my friend Liza of course. It was like a balloon party and the kids really enjoyed playing around and creating different styles. Thanks to my niece Cherry for the balloons.

Nonoy came to us after 5 years of waiting since the birth of my youngest girl Rajisha who was born on August 16, 1999. I thought we’d never had a baby boy. I knew hub wants a boy who would carry his name so when the doctor said I was positive, he simply uttered “I wish it’s a baby boy while rubbing my womb gently. Finally, when my OB-Gyne scheduled me for ultrasound on my 8th month of pregnancy, she informed us that it was indeed a baby boy. Hub can’t express how he felt that time, we went to church to say thank you and it was really a call for a celebration. We were still working at IWS then and he invited his friends for a simple party.

Some of my friends told me that I will have a hard time and hard labor since its a baby boy but fortunately, it was the easiest delivery I ever had among my first 3 daughters. Nonoy’s scheduled date of delivery was on the first week of November but he arrived earlier. Hub went to work then, he’s on a night shift schedule which starts from 10pm to 6am. My kids were already fast asleep while I was busy on my PC when I felt water in my legs. I thought it was just a pee but I can’t control it. When I went to the bathroom I saw my blood stained undies. I am not the type who easily panics so I called my niece Jane and asked her to call hub at the Plant. My things are already prepared in one corner ready for pick up anytime so I just sit and wait for hub who arrived after 30 minutes. I was rushed to the hospital and the nurse hurriedly prepared me. It was almost midnight then and they asked me to relax and not to push too much because the baby is already coming and my OB was still on her way to the hospital. A few minutes later, I saw Dr. Fredeswinda Santos, my OB-gyne hurriedly wearing her gloves and in 10 minutes, I heard Nonoy crying. She put the bloody little figure in my chest and I had managed to gently rub his hair before I lost my consciousness. According to the nurses assigned, that was one of the fastest and easiest delivery they had 😉 Thanks to you and to Dr. Santos who is my OB with all my pregnancies.

After a year, I decided to file for an early retirement to take care of my kids personally. After 4 years, my son turned to a sweet little boy, who love to mess around, kiss me and cuddle in my lap. He’s a little brat, spoiled by her sisters, dad and aunts.

He’s a monster at times so we bought his pet Meme(guinea pig) to help him control his temper and it was really effective. He’s very fond of Meme and his excitement was added by the birth of Kikay’s 4 cute puppies. My kids named them after their favorite animes; sakichi, ino, jamaxie and hinata.

It was a happy and noisy party with the kids shouting, singing and running around our small house.

Nonoy’s birthday cake from Butterworld Bakeshop

The birhday celebrant: Robin Corpuz Jr. aka “Nonoy”

The proud mommy at your service 🙂 oii, kararating lang ng oDesk t-shirt ko, suot ko na 🙂

The proud daddy

Makukulit na ate

Tita Liza – present sa lahat ng okasyon 🙂

Cute ba ha? 🙂

Kainan na!!

Sarrrap!! cake time na!!!

Ang makulit na tropa! KB and CJ with tita Sabrie

Syempre di mawawala ang paboritong Ate Che, Salamat sa lobo 🙂

at si kuya Czar, papa ni KB

At ang bagong pinsan at miyembro ng pamilya… si Julian 🙂

Andito si Charis, o diba kumpleto ang Tolenada Family 🙂

at syempre at Mama ng Tolenada family, Ate Evelyn 🙂

O, balloon time na haha! 🙂

At syempre di mawawala ang mahabang kantahan sa videoke. Nabusog kami at malalim na ang gabi ng matulog. Sulit ang araw ng linggo 🙂

That’s all for now readers 🙂 til next post!

Brgy. Maliwalo, Tarlac City, Philippines

Hello Janet, This post is for you 🙂

I had a request from my regular reader who used to live in Tarlac but relocated now in Davao City. She want me to post pictures of Barangay Maliwalo and Maliwalo High School. Her last look on this place was in 1989, whoa! Almost 2 decades!

I was relocated in Tarlac in May 1991 prior to the eruption of Mount Pinatubo. So you’re already gone before I even set my foot in this place Janet. Well, there were big changes from then on. I still remember the first time I saw this place, OMG, I whispered to myself, I don’t think I will survive here… lol! I just arrived from Japan then, from a company training at Sumitomo Wiring Systems, one of the biggest company in Japan. We were sent by Kawasaki Company for further training and in return, I need to be transferred here so I can also share my knowledge to newly hired workers of IWSPC- International Wiring Systems Philippines Corp. – the company where I used to work)

Can you imagine, I am a party goer, we were spending nights in bars and discos and suddenly I will live in a barrio lol! The only recreation I can find here then was the old bowling lane at Jecson (It’s a Hospital now). I remember the first time I tried to watch movie here, I was not able to finish the film because I can’t take it anymore, the movie theater was so mapanghe haha 🙂 and that was my first and last visit to that theater, and The Mandarin and Marco Polo. Those where the places where we used to spend our Saturday night after 5 days of tiring work at IWS but those are all gone now. Tarlac is already invaded by Mc dos, Jollibees, Max’s, Chowkings, Malls etc…

So as promised, because I will be paying my water bill at Tarlac Water District, I brought my cam to give you a shot of the place.Eto na yung junction na papasok sa Maliwalo, yung way sa left, palabas yan ng Metro Town, yung sa rignt, palabas ng Osias College.Eto naman yung pinaka downtown ng Maliwalo ngayun, Maayos na syaTarlac Water District Building. O, say mo, sosyal yung building ng TWD ngayun 🙂

Our Lady of Lourdes Parish ChurchMaliwalo Barangay Hall Globe Telecom – Tarlac Maliwalo Elementary School Eto na ang Maliwalo High Shool ngayun, donated ng Japan Gov yang building na yan kaya me flag ng Japan

At siyempre sinama ko na din to. Alangan namng puro new buildings lang ang makita mo 🙂

Ayan yung Post office. Antique na ha 🙂 Sana mapalitan na din ito

So that’s Maliwalo now. Parang Nostalgia trip ha, madami ka sigurong naalala ano? Pareho lang tayo. Na mi miss ko na din ang aking homeland Bikolandia. Pero talagang ganun, maraming reason kung bakit nandito tayo sa lugar kung saan tayo nakatira ngayun.

In my case, I’m just making the most out of it. I had my share of struggles and happy moments here and there but I always bear in mind that wherever we live, we’re just underneath the grace of God. Just pause, look up and feel His presence no matter where you are 🙂

Girl Scout of the Philippines

Coping up with my posts, I’ll be sharing with you one of my daughter’s activity last September 30. It’s a delayed post but I have many article rewrites and paid blogging work lately so I kinda neglected my blog. Sorry guys, I need to prioritize my earnings since 70% of our income comes from online work and 30% comes from my field work and homebase biz. I have 4 kids to feed and 1 niece to send to school that made 5 kids to grow. We’re a big family indeed and we really have to work overtime to cope up with our daily expenses.

I am always active and supportive to my kid’s activities and one of this is GSP activity. GSP means Girl Scout of the Philippines. Last September 30, 2008 Tarlac South District Elementary schools from different  barangays of Tarlac South celebrated Escoda Day. Sapang Tagalog Elementary hosted the event.

GSP Theme

It started at 6am so my kids woke up early to prepare. It was a whole day activity which includes formation, Marching, Yelling competition and parlor games. The activity ended at 3pm and San Miguel Elementary school was the overall champion in Yelling Completion.

Hub took this picture before they go to the Formation area. He said the morning was so pleasant and he can’t help but take this picture.

I also made a research about the brief history of GSP to give you a clear idea why they are celebrating Escoda day. What or who is Escoda anyway?

Research from Wikipedia.com

The Girl Scouts of the Philippines (GSP) is the national Guiding association for girls and young women of the Philippines. Its mission is “to help girls and young women realize the ideals of womanhood and prepare themselves for their responsibilities in the home, and to the nation, and the world community. The girls-only association serves 671,267 members (as of 2003).

Lone Girl Scout troops were organized in the Philippines as early as 1918 by American missionaries and servicemen. These Scout troops were directly registered with the Girl Scouts of the USA.

Pilar Hidalgo-Lim and Josefa Llanes Escoda spearheaded the organization of a Scout movement for girls, and requested the assistance of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines (BSP). In 1939, Mrs. Escoda was sent to the United States and Britain for training through the help of Joseph E. Stevenot of the BSP. Upon her return to the Philippines, she immediately started to set up the GSP with the help of other civic organizations.

On May 26, 1940, the GSP was chartered under Philippine Commonwealth Act No. 542.

In 1946, the GSP was accepted as a tenderfoot member of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) during the 11th World Conference held at Evian, France. In 1948, the GSP became a full member of WAGGGS during the 12th World Conference held at Cooperstown, New York.

Since 1995 the organization lost nearly half of its members; the membership number shrunk from 1,275,113 in 1995 to 671,267 in 2003. In reaction to this, the BSP opened the Senior Scout Section for girls in summer 2006 which led to a public conflict about the focuses of both GSP and BSP.

Program

The GSP’s program focuses on “well-being, family life, heritage and citizenship, world community, preparedness, economic self-sufficiency, arts and environment. Center of the program is the “eight-point challenge”, a merit-badge program. The highest award is the “Chief Girl Scout Medal” which was introduced in 1976.

The Girl Scout emblem incorporates elements of the flag of the Philippines.

Sections

The association is divided in five sections according to age:

* Twinkler Scout – ages 4 to 6

* Star Scout – ages 6 to 9

* Junior Girl Scout – ages 9 to 12

* Senior Girl Scout – ages 12 to 15

* Cadet Girl Scout – ages 15 to 21

Scout Promise

Filipino:

Sa aking karangalan, gagampanan ko ang aking tungkulin

sa Diyos at sa aking bayan;

tutulong ako sa aking kapwa sa lahat ng pagkakataon

at isasabuhay ko ang Batas ng Girl Scout.

English:

On my honor, I will do my duty:

to God and my country;

to help other people at all times;

and to live by the Girl Scout Law.

Scout Law

1. Ang Girl Scout ay mapagkakatiwalaan (A Girl Scout’s honour is to be trusted)

2. Ang Girl Scout ay matapat (A Girl Scout is loyal)

3. Ang Girl Scout ay matulungin (A Girl Scout is helpful)

4. Ang Girl Scout ay kaibigan ng lahat at kapatid ng bawa’t Girl Scout (A Girl Scout is a friend to all and a sister to every other Girl Scout)

5. Ang Girl Scout ay mapitagan (A Girl Scout is courteous)

6. Ang Girl Scout ay magalang sa lahat na may buhay (A Girl Scout respects living things)

7. Ang Girl Scout ay disiplinado (A Girl Scout is disciplined)

8. Ang Girl Scout ay may sariling paninindigan (A Girl Scout is self-reliant)

9. Ang Girl Scout ay matipid (A Girl Scout is thrifty)

10. Ang Girl Scout ay malinis sa isip, sa salita at sa gawa (A Girl Scout is clean in thoughts, words and deeds)

Sapang Tagalog Elementary School Stage

Girl Scout Formation – Sapang Tagalog Gym

The big GSP Crowd includes the parents as audience

GSP Patrol Leaders holding the GSP Flags

Star Scout Yell presentation – San Miguel Elementary School

My daughter Rajisha is included in this presentation under my Best friend Liza’s sister Madam Susana Tam. They were awarded as Yell Champion

My daughter Rajisha and her friends – She’s in grade 4

My daughter Sabrina: they are reciting Girl Scout Law

My daughter Sabrina – She’s in 5th Grade

My daughter Sab and her friends. They also won the Yell Competition

Sabrina & Rajisha – My 2 daughters

One positive experience they have experienced transferring to a public school is this GSP activity. They never have a GSP activity when they were studying at Tarlac Montessori School.

Naalala ko tuloy nung bata pa ako, I used to go on camping and jamboree from one place to another, my dad is allowing me to do so but todays generation is different because of many dangers in todays environment so I’m always hesitant to allow them to join camping in far flung areas. My kids, especially my 14 years old daughter Jessica is asking for permission in their forthcoming camping activity outside Tarlac, on November but I said I’ll think about it 🙂

How about you? do you still remember your great experiences during GSP & BSP campings? 🙂

Thoughts on Parenting

Before September ends, we attended a General PTA meeting for my eldest daughter Jessica. It was a whole day affair. The morning activity includes a Parenting seminar hosted by TSU Lab School’s Office of the Students Affairs Guidance and Placement Unit. The speaker of that seminar was Mr.  Raffy Paredes, brother of APO group singer Jim Paredes from CEFAM – Center for Family Ministries – Ateneo De Manila University. The seminar focused primarily on teen’s behavioral changes. I am discussing parenting and even teaching it when I was still active in community organizations but this is different as I am sitting there as an audience and absorbing all the necessary inputs so I can fully understand my daughter’s behavior.

I am a mother of four kids and parenting is one of the hardest work any person can have in his entire life. It takes a lot of patience or I may say sacrifice, dedication, finance, time and of course love. Parenting means growing a person and guiding them to be a responsible member of society. This is the perfect goal for each parent but we all know that during this process, a lot of struggle may sets in. This struggles may lead to worst misunderstanding and most of the time, if not handled with proper attention will end up in a big mess.

Generation Gap. This is one of the culprits of misunderstanding. Parents are having a hard time coping up with their children especially when “technology” sets in. I have my share of unhappy memories as well.

I was born to a disciplinarian family. My dad is an army officer and so he marked a big “D” on my forehead. That big D stands for discipline. Every mistake will earn me a good spanking. I had so many tearful thoughts on that lol! But I never take it against my dad, I love him so much and thankful that he made me for what I am now.

But of course those experiences served as my guidelines. I need to understand that discipline is an important part of parenting. Though, I made some modifications. Being an activist plays an important factor too. Hub and I imposed a regular meeting in the family. We are discussing rules, tasks, targets and output and of course rewards. I don’t want to be a perfect parent but I dream to be the best mom for my kids.

To cope up with my kids, I see to it that I set my foot in the computer world first before they do. I was the one who taught them their first lessons in windows. This will narrow the generation gap as they know that you know what they know.

But this is not enough. There goes the bad moods and peculiar behaviors. Have you experience talking with your teens, and they would just turn to you with puzzled look?

In front of the dining table, we are sharing some funny incidents in a days work and I turned to my daughter. I asked her something about her project and she said “ha?” I repeated the word 3 times and she replied with “ha?” 3 times too. I was irritated because she was just in front of me so I asked her “what’s the matter with you? Have you cleaned your ears lately?” and she replied again with “hah? OMG! You’re possessed or maybe your spirit is traveling to Norway.

Attending this seminar cleared my mind. The speaker said that there is a scientific explanation about these behaviors. He shared to us some facts about it. According to him, study shows that during puberty period, the development of the brain is much slower as the physical aspects are fast developing. These explain why my smart daughter suddenly becomes forgetful and have hearing problems 🙂 But the speaker said we have to be patient because this will just pass.

The seminar lasted for almost 4 hours but it’s worth the time.

The afternoon activity was a PTA officer election and releasing of grades. I am holding my breath before I peep in my daughter’s card. Well, I smiled and hug her because she has good grades and included in top 8 students. Congratulations Baby! Keep it up 🙂

Zone ABC: We are facing Demolition Issue

Zone A, B and C of Barangay San Miguel, Tarlac City are facing Demolition issue and this is a very crucial matter for us. It means there is a threat that we will lose the very home that we have now and it is very eminent lately. There have been a series of meetings between the Zone association and the NOLCOM – Northern Luzon Command and Nolcom issued a proposed MOA (Memorandum of Agreement) which in my assessment is very unfair on our part.

I met my husband in Tarlac when I was relocated here 18 years ago. I am a daughter of a military, Col. Aureo B. Bustinera, a US WWII veteran. I was raised to embrace home and family and my dad taught me to be righteous and loyal. My husband’s father and 4 brothers served the Armed Forces of the Philippines as well and 2 had died in active duty. This is the reason why my hub’s family is residing here. The lot where our house was built had been awarded to his father more than 50 years ago. This serves a permanent home for my hub’s family for many years. I never had the chance to meet my father-in-law since he was already deceased many years before I meet my husband. We were both military children so we knew the essence of discipline and loyalty to home and family which our dads taught to us. When I married hub, 15 years ago, we embraced the same principle of raising our kids in the light of loyalty and discipline. My kids are growing with leadership yet, very loving and homebody.

When I read the MOA from Nolcom last week, I had a hard time getting a normal sleep. My kid’s future is at stake. There is a threat that one day we shall wake up homeless. It is so unfair. How can the government tolerate this? For more than 50 years, people are living here peacefully, soldiers served their purpose and some even died like my 2 brothers-in-law, tilled this land and made it a home. Now that progress is coming to our place, will it be the same progress that will make us homeless and poor? How about our house that we built for years? We were in debt for many years to build our house so we can provide our kids a decent home.

Is this the Strong Republic that the government is flaunting in their speeches? How sincere is the call when they are threatening us to take our home instead of providing it to its constituents? I can say that everytime the government is taking steps like these, they are creating enemies and waging war against the very people that have been very loyal and dedicated.

As I write this post, I know it will add another danger in our lives but I cannot rest and wait for that day that I will wake my kids homeless. I am asking the Government to take a second look and pay attention to people’s issues. I am lobbying this in behalf of my 4 kids and the rest of the small children in our neighborhood. Please don’t make them homeless… Please provide us a home… don’t take it away from us.

Robin, Juliet, Jessica, Sabrina, Rajisha & Robin Jr.

Calamansi Street Zone C San Miguel Tarlac City Philippines

The same place where my husband robin and my kids grew and experienced their childhood

This is the MOA from NOLCOM. Please read it tell me if this is just and right….

MOA – Page 1

MOA – Page 2

MOA – Page 3

Protected: Happy Birthday CJ

This content is password protected. To view it please enter your password below:

Password:

San Francisco Day Care Center

I just finished creating the blogsite for San Francisco Day Care Center. This is one of our 3 day care center projects. They have almost 70 day care students. I designed and printed their student ID cards and as you can see the number of students does not give us enough profit but we are giving them free web presence.

Giving out free IT trainings and web presence are my bid for social responsibility. I always believe that education plays a major role in nation building. For this reason, I am sharing my skill to achieve these goals. I already conducted several free IT trainings in the past and this is my contribution to bridge digital divide in my own way. I am encouraging organizations and public schools in my province to avail the advantages of having web presence which shall benefit the students, the parents & the school. It will enhance communication because the school will have a good venue to post current activities and upcoming programs.

Excerpt from San Francisco blogsite:

Social Workers are also considered as “Living Heroes” because of their unceasing effort to help and serve the community. Running and teaching a public day care center requires patience and passion. Mrs. Rebecca Manalang is one good example, she is not just teaching the kids but she’s extending motherly love as well.

The concept of daycare program is to help the working parents and prepare the children for formal education. Attending daycare center will enhance good behavior as the children learns to play within the spirit of cooperation and teamwork. Although, children are not graded academically, they still have writing and reading sessions. They are taught how to draw and create projects which improve their learning skills…. More click here…

Tarlac City Schools’ Division Press Conference 2008

This is a yearly activity for public and private High School and Elementary Schools in Tarlac City. It was held at San Miguel Central Elementary School (SMCES) on September 11 and 12, 2008. Delegates from different schools participated for the following categories;

Day 1

Editorial writing – English and Filipino

Feature Writing – English and Filipino

News Writing – English and Filipino

Editorial Cartooning – English and Filipino

Photo Journalism – English and Filipino

Day 2

Sports Writing – English and Filipino

Script Writing – English and Filipino

Broadcasting – English and Filipino

The activity started at 8 a.m. with a short program facilitated by Tarlac South District and SMCES. Some expected speakers didn’t show up in this activity.

My daughter Jessica from TSU Lab School was one of the participants in that activity but according to her, they never had enough time to prepare unlike other schools which are preparing months prior to this event. I know this because she only just told me last week that they have to practice. TSU Lab School didn’t participate for the past 2 years and my daughter said that Mr. Dungca have done an effort so they can join. She asked me for 200.00php registration fee but fortunately, it was returned to me after the event. According to her, TSU shouldered the expenses but she was so disappointed by the certificates. I understand why, it was printed in a half bond paper printed in economy mode. My daughter is compiling all certificates for every activity that she attended and this is the worst certificate that she received.

Tarlac Montessori and Maliwalo National High School bagged most of the awards. TSU Lab School had managed to get 4 slots for Regional School Press Conference.

Jessica told me that most of the winners came from public schools wherein they really expressed their innermost feeling towards poverty and other political and economic issues. Of course, these students are directly affected and can express their emotions whether in writing or drawing unlike students from private schools who never really experience the real face of poverty and oppression.

Here are some of the photos that my hub was taken during the press con.

San Miguel Central Elementary School Front Gate

San Miguel Central Elementary School “Bahay Kubo”

Day 1 – TSU Lab School Participants

Day 2 – TSU Lab School -Jessica with her friends

Jessica – Feature Writing

Masakit na ata ang ulo mo anak… kaya mo yan 🙂

Editorial Cartooning Entries

My daughter is extending her warm gratitude for their Trainer Mr. Jayson Bernardo Dungca for his patience and support for the entire team of TSU Lab School. Salamat Sir!!

Job Search in Tarlac

Job searches for Tarlac always goes to my landing pages. I’m sorry guys that you can’t find Job Posting in my blog because I don’t have contact with the establishments here. I’m just a typical mommy working online and homebase. Most of the events in Tarlac that I am featuring in my blog are the activities that my kids attended. They are the one who gather data and photos for those events.

 

Please check our local website at http://www.tarlaccity.gov.ph/local_employment.htm. They are also posting current events and job vacancies. But if you have writing skills and you want to work online like me, I can give you tips on how to start. Just leave a message in my comment box and we can PM.

Thanks for the regular readers of my blog, you’re always in my widget, gorgeous faces 🙂 I really appreciate it.

 

Aro Cup – Tarlac City Philippines

August 23, 2008

Aro Cup is a one of the project of our present city mayor in Tarlac City, Genaro “Aro” Mendoza. The title has been derived from his nickname Aro. It was now a yearly activity participated by different schools and colleges of Tarlac city.

The activity has started at 1:00 p.m at Tarlac State University Gym. My 2 daughters, Jessica and Sabrina were present in this activity and I asked them to jot down some important notes, pictures and videos of the said event. I also uploaded some videos in my account at U-Tube under REDWARRIORHEART.

Here are some of the list of the winning team. I lost track of the other but if you have the names and want it to be included here you can email me: redwarriorheart@yahoo.com or simply leave the names at my comment section. There are many searchers in my landing page searching about Aro cup . I tried googling it but there’s no pics and info bout this recent activity. I’m sorry guys I kept this for more than a week because of my busy schedule. I am trying to cope up  with all my works and to update my blog as well.

CHEERLEADING COMPETITION – Elementary level

Champion – Tarlac West Elementary School

2nd Place – College of the Holy Spirit (Elementary)

3rd Place – Sapang Tagalog Elementary School

4th Place – Matatalaib Bato Elementary School

HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL

Champion – Tarlac National High School

2nd Place – Tarlac State University Laboratory High School

3rd Place – Osias College

Luisita Mall to Robinson

I checked my dashboard for my statistics and I noticed that most of the tags used in the search are Luisita Robinson. So I decided to take a walk this afternoon to give my readers some update about it.

Luisita park is a few minutes walk from home. I usually walk here when I need some stretching from long hours of sitting infront of PC. Way back when I first came in Tarlac, as discussed in my previous posts, this area is full of tall grasses, carabao and trees; a typical provincial  scenery. After 5 years of my stay here, this place has turned into a modern park with Hispanic touch. In my previous post, you will see some of the establishment such as Jollibee, Pizza Hut, Max’s and Starbucks. And if you will scroll below, you will see that Luisita Mall building is under construction.

Soon this building will be one of the many branches of Robinsons Mall. Well that will be good news to some of the families who can afford to shop here, but then, with the rising prices of basic commodities & devaluation of peso made us incapable to shop an extra aside from our basic needs.

Luisita Park is  located at San Miguel, Tarlac City Philippines, 2 hours drive from Manila. If you are traveling to Baguio City, you will surely pass at this area.

Some of you who left last year, you will see a lot of changes when you go back. Last summer vacation, road widening has been implemented.

So folks, just stay tune and I’ll keep you informed with all the changes and update in our area.

Mabuhay!

Luisita Park – Tarlac City Philippines

I am not a Tarlaquena by blood. I am here because I was relocated here by the company where I worked 18 years ago.

I am a Bicolana by blood and left my hometown to work in Manila. My 3rd job was at Kawasaki Motors Philippines and after 2 trainings in Japan, I was transferred as pioneer employee to Tarlac to train the newly hired employees. I was only 20 years old then and single, probably that was the main reason why I accepted the relocation; I have no family to worry of.

Tarlac then was a typical province, no sign of progress. The road to my company- IWSPC (Int’l wiring Systems Phils. Corp) was a rough road. IWSPC was one of the first locator at Luisita Industrial Park, it is a Special Export Processing Zone located at San Miguel, Tarlac City Philippines. In my previous post about Mt. Pinatubo, I shared my experiences regarding my first days in Tarlac. I deal with loads of ashes lol!

It’s a new adjustment and I have to deal with it. I was cut from city life, no movies, no disco, no parks and I have to walk more or less 3 kilometers to reach the highway. I lived in a dormitory provided by the company beside the company premises. Transport are all inbound. No outbound transport and you have to walk if you want to reach the nearest town.

I don’t know how I endure living here, maybe because I met my hub here lol! But Progress came to us after 5 years and the old place with tall grasses and trees turned into a beautiful park. And the pictures below will show you the progress of once a sleeping province.

This is the famous Jollibee, a pure Filipino food chain. This has many branches nationwide and already reached the tongue of different countries including America. My kids loves this place. Sabrina, Rajisha and my youngest son Nonoy celebrated birthdays here.

This is Luisita Mall. I took some pictures for souvenir. You’ll never see this building again in the coming months for it is undergoing construction. Robinson Mall will occupy the site.

These picture were taken inside Luisita Park. That building is Max’s restaurant, one of famous Filipino restaurant that specializes in fried chicken. I love that place. Rajisha and Nonoy’s baptismal party were held here.

This is Starbucks, yes we also have a branch of that famous cafe here. This is a hotspot so if you want to enjoy free unlimited internet surfing while sipping your favorite blend of coffee, this is the place to go. I bet you also love this place.

This is Pizza Hut. In case you want a delicious pizza, that is also available at LIP park and of course, there is Greenwich too but because Luisita Mall is under construction, they moved temporarily near Maligaya Variety Store beside 7 eleven, infront of Camp Servillano Aquino.

Yes, this is a genuine train. A century old train used at the Sugar cane Plantation owned by Cojuangcos. It now turned as one of the Park’s attraction.

MOUNT PINATUBO: One of Philippines Tourist Attraction

Today,  I  want to share my experience in Tarlac, how I reached this place and witnessed the horrific eruption and  how this  turned  me into a Pinatubo Tour Operator.

Philippines, though categorized as a third world country, is very rich in natural resources. We have extensive sea coast with good bays and harbors, navigable rivers and lakes, mountains and caves, land rich in minerals and agricultural products. Back in 70s, Philippines is one of the richest countries in Asia.

There are many factors why we are one of the poorest now. The Government seat has full of corrupt officials who never serve the interest of the Filipino people. Our Political system is one of the the few  things that I can never proud of.

As requested by some of my blogger friends and readers, I will be featuring one of the most visited tourist spot in my place, Mount Pinatubo. This mountain is an active volcano located in the island of Luzon and can be found at the intersection of the borders of the provinces of Zambales, Pampanga and Tarlac. The volcano’s recent eruption in June 1991, two weeks after I was transferred here from Manila (I’m not a local here, I was assigned to work here). This eruption came after 500 years of dormancy and produced one of the largest and most violent eruptions of the 20th century. This resulted to dislocations of thousands of families, destroyed many towns, houses, churches and millions worth of properties and resources. One of our indigenous people, the Aetas, who were living peacefully at the foot of the mountain, were evacuated against their will but some stayed in the caves and just waited there to die.

I was sleeping peacefully on that early morning of  June 15, 1991  when my room mates woke me up  and told me that Mt. Pinatubo had erupted and when we go out we saw that big smoke of clouds circling the part where Mt. Pinatubo is located. The next days were storms of ash falls and we had to wear masks. Our company, International Wiring Systems Inc. (IWSPC), a subsidiary of a Japanese company Sumitomo Wiring Systems stopped its operation and sent us home. Most of us were pioneer employees of Kawasaki Motors Philippines from Sucat, Paranaque. We were offered a relocation to Luisita industrial Park to man and train the newly hired workers from  different municipality in Tarlac province.

After a week, we were back to work but we have to sweep and help clean the ankle deep ashes surrounding the entire building. Those were the unforgettable story of my first weeks in Tarlac.  We spent almost a month of clean up operation. This really sadden me but not as bad as those who lost their families and loved ones. Most of them never had the chance to recover even the remains as the ashes wiped out the entire towns and buried the houses turning the place into desert-like area.

More than a decade after, the trees started to grow, people started to build their houses again. That raging volcano turned into a beautiful tourist spot that is now visited by many tourists from parts of the world.

A local tourist from Manila will reach Mount Pinatubo in 5 hours depending upon the traffic and trekking speed. 2 hours  travel time via private car, more  than 1 hour off road ride and 2 hours  trekking.

There are public bus going to North. To name a few are; Victory liner, 5 Star, Dagupan Bus, Philippine Rabbit heading to Dagupan or Baguio City. The exact destination is Capas, Tarlac. That is at least 200php- more or less $5.

If you are interested to book a trip, just visit my business  website,  www.pinaykeypoint.org.

When our  company offered  an  early retirement program, I  immediately grabbed it on October 2005. I started  to work online and open a home-based printing  shop. I personally designed the ID card of  almost a hundred  Mount Pinatubo Tour Guides and most of them were Aetas.

Pinatubo Local Tour Guide ID

Where to eat and stay at Tarlac

There are low cost hotels and transient houses at the adjacent areas surrounding Mount Pinatubo. Some range from 1000php/day- or at least $25/day but first class hotels range from $50 and up. Food from local food chains & restaurants like Jollibee, Max’s, KFC, Shakeys, Pizza Hut, & Mc Donalds range from $3-5/meal per person.

Another attraction is the Mud Spa, Hot Spring, Volcanic Sand Spa and Massage  Spa

Our services were availed by different establishments here such as

advertisement banners, flyers, tarps & posters.

Because of the overwhelming response of my readers here, I included Mount Pinatubo Tour Guiding as part of our services.

Update 2/8/2009

Please click the link to see our First Mount Pinatubo Trek

December 2008 

February 6 & 7 2009

For further inquiries, detailed info, trek schedules and itineraries please visit my other blog:

HTTP://PINATUBOTREK.BLOGSPOT.COM/

RECENT UPDATE: AS OF AUGUST 13, 2012

WE ARE NOW ONE OF THE MOST RESPECTED GROUP IN THIS FIELD.

SINCE I POSTED THIS POST, I WAS ABLE TO ARRANGE NUMEROUS TRIPS TO THIS DATE 😉

BLOGGING is  indeed a  very fulfilling activity. This blog has  given  birth to PINAYKEYPOINT.ORG 

Though,  am am  guilty that I almost abandon this blog. Each time I log in, it seems that this blog  stared at me asking  WHY DID YOU ABANDON ME?

I replied:  NO! I WAS JUST BUSY GROWING OUR KID 😉

A BIG HUG TO MY BLOG! 😉

JULIET

Tarlac Milo Marathon Update

My kids were home before lunchtime tired & hungry. They headed to bed complaining muscle pains. I knew this lol!

I was laughing out loud hearing their stories about the Marathon. Jessica arrived at the starting point, which is infront of Tarlac City Hall. The total participants according to them were more than 12 thousand on different categories, 21k; 5k; 3k & cheerdance competition. More than 50% were students from Tarlac State University, this is where my eldest daughter Jessica and my niece Jane were studying. According to Jessica, she was at the first line because she was one of those early riser.

She was so excited, on her feet ready to take off but when she heard the big bang she hardly remember what happened. She find herself kissing the pavement lol! together with almost a hundred who were pushed by the runners behind them. She said it was like a stampede but she gather all her strength to stand up and run fast. It was her first time in this kind of activity. She has many bruises on her elbow when she got home, her jogging pants was torn on the knee part but she was laughing at herself while narrating what happened. But she said proudly that she managed to reach the finished line in 32 minutes. According to record  at nestle.com.ph she’s no. 481 out of almost 5,000 runners… Hmmm, not bad for a  starter 🙂 very good anak! Keep it up!! That was a 5 kilometer run and she handed me the certificate.  Jane had managed to reached the finished line in 40 minutes .  Tarlac State University bagged most of the prizes on different categories.

My daughter Sabrina who is in her 5th grade was more happy and proud that they won the 2nd Place in Cheerdance Competition. According to her, it was a very tight fight. I was glad seeing the lights shone in her eyes. Her everyday practice prior to that event has paid off and shes looking forward for their next competition, The Aro Cup sponsored by the Mayor of Tarlac City, Aro Mendoza. How I wish I was there to take the pictures but I have a small son to attend to, and since they are all there, I can do nothing but to stay home and wait for their news.

I am glad and proud of my kids. I am doing all I can to support their activities although life in the Philippines nowadays is very hard. We’re surviving the unstoppable Oil Price Hikes that triggers price increases in basic commodities and services making us to tighten up our belt to make both ends meet.

I just wish we can survive all these and hope that the Government will be sensitive enough for the needs of the common people.

32ND MILO MARATHON IN THE PHILIPPINES

Today is a big event for my kids. I usually sleep late as night time is best for my pc and online work but today I never dare close my eyes till dawn coz my kids asked me to wake them up at exactly 3am. This fuss is all about the 32nd Milo Marathon in the Philippines. Yearly, this event is being conducted at different major places nationwide. This event is hosted by Nestle Philippines and hundreds of thousand of Filipinos has already joined the race.

Manila, Tarlac, Cebu & Davao will fire off at 6 a.m. According to Sec. Neri, a total of 70,000 runners from different walks of life are expected to see action in all four legs, including 21,000 entries in Manila, 20,000 in Cebu and another 12,000 in Tarlac and this includes my two daughters, Jessica & Sabrina and my niece Jane.

This year’s edition of the National MILO Marathon will be staged in 25 cities nationwide with 4 races to be staged simultaneously in Manila, Tarlac & Cebu – a first in the distinguished history of the National MILO Marathon.

Jessica is so excited that she was already up before 3am. I just dont know if they will survive this race lol! Anyway, I will have to wait home to attend to my youngest son hoping that they could at least finished the line:)

Here are some of the pictures I1ve taken early this morning while they are preparing for the race:

Jessica, Sabrina & Jane – The Milo Racers:)

My eldest daughter Jessica
Next to Jessica is Sabrina. She’s in the cheerdance competition

…and my niece Jane