Jun Lozada was arrested!

It's payback time.

I was in Pangasinan yesterday when I learned about the arrest of Lozada through twitter.

Surrounded by supporters, Lozada was arrested on perjury charges on the strength of a warrant issued by a Manila judge, just one of his 16 legal battles since he blew the whistle on the scrapped National Broadband Network-ZTE deal more than a year ago.

He told a Senate probe last year that the $329-million deal between the government and China’s ZTE Corp. was overpriced by $130 million, way beyond the normal ceilings, to accommodate hefty commissions.

The warrant was based on the charges filed by former Presidential Chief of Staff Mike Defensor.[Source]

It isn't the first time that a whistle blower exposing corruption in the government was treated that way. Remember Acsa Ramirez? Chavit Singson is of course luckier. :-)

Now, with the news about swine flu, Manny Pacquiao and Ricky Hatton's match and Judy Ann Santos' wedding, who will talk about Jun Lozada? But that is not to say that there's a conspiracy there albeit the involvement of Mike Defensor. :-)

Blogger Email Posting

Just testing blogger's email posting. Photo was taken using my Palm Treo 680 during our Bohol Trip two weeks ago.

Twitter Find: Blog ng Tunay na Lalake

For the uninitiated, Twitter is a free social messaging utility - social networking, instant messaging and micro-blogging - for staying connected in real-time. And if it's from twitter, it must be good.

Well, that of course depends on the kind of tweeples you're following. So far, I've been getting lots of good stuff from the tweeples I follow - funny stories, tech news, blogging tips, currents events and more.

From now on, I'll be blogging about interesting stuff I'll find from twitter. For a start, here's a funny blog called Hay! Men! Ang blog ng mga tunay na lalake!

Find out what's Winnie the Pooh's real gender. Are you sure Popeye is a real man? They have all the answer.

And, oh, they also have entry about Jovito Palparan, my favorite post actually.

So what are you waiting for? Visit http://tunaynalalake.blogspot.com!

Chairman Mong goes to Congress!

First heard about this news from Tonyo.

The recent Supreme Court decision permitting the addition of 32 new party list representatives in the House of Representatives will make Raymond "Mong" Palatino the first Filipino blogger to make it to Congress.

Kabataan Party, the party list goup representing the youth, is among party list groups identified by the Supreme Court entitled for seats in congress.

The decision, in effect, paved the way for the representation of 19 more party-list groups by 32 additional House representatives from the present 17 party-list groups with 23 representatives.

The additional party-list groups include FPJPM, Uni-Mad, ABS, Kakusa, Kabataan, Aba-ako, Alif, Senior Citizens, AT, Veterans’ Federation of the Philippines, Anad, Banat, Ang Kasangga, Bantay, Abakada, 1-Utak and the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines.[Source]

Mong is the first nominee of Kabataan Party. He blogs at Mongster Nest.

Congrats, Chairman Mong!

Discount Cards

It's my lucky day.

I've got two discount cards today - a discount gift card from Western Union and a prescription discount card from Pfizer!

I took a day off today to see a specialist due to frequent muscle spasm in my neck and left shoulder. I was actually thinking of going to Makati Medical Center but decided to got to San Juan de Dios instead because of its proximity to my place.

Before going to San Juan de Dios Hospital, I dropped by a nearby Western Union outlet to say hello to Roche, the cute teller send a couple of million pesos to my mom. To my surprise, I was given discount gift card after my transaction was done.

I have until July 9, 2009 to claim my free halo-halo from Chowking

The second discount card I received today came from my doctor. The doctor prescribed Celebrex to ease the pain caused by the muscle spasm in my left shoulder. He gave me this discount card from Pfizer.



I don't have any idea yet how much I'll save with this prescription discount card but just the same, I'm going to use it later when I go to the drug store.

During these tough economic times, discount cards such as discount gift cards, prescription discount cards, merchant discount cards, discount gas cards and the likes are of course welcomed by most of the consumers. I do.

Panglao Island vacation with Pia!

It was five years ago when I first learned about Panglao Island. I think it's through one of those Wow Philippines campaigns by then Tourism Secretary Richard Gordon. I remember telling Setsu that we will visit Panglao Island in two years time and setting up a piggy bank intended for 5 and 10 peso coins I'll save for that purpose. I even labeled the piggy bank Wow Panglao. I can't remember what happend to that piggy bank but one thing is certain, it didn't serve it's purpose.



But just the same, we were able to visit Panglao Island recently and stayed there for three days and two nights. This trip is actually my gift to Pia for receiving the Most Outstanding Achiever award during their moving up ceremony.

Pia's first flight
We took the Cebu Pacific flight to Tagbilaran City and Zest Air on our return. Fortunately, there were no delays and any untoward incidents, like that of Rujohn's. Pia enjoyed the flight and I'm no longer worried about our next travel this coming June. we're planning to go to Hong Kong!

Bohol Countryside Tour
When we arrived at Tagbilaran Airport around 7.30 am, our driver/guide was already there waiting for us. He is so accommodating and flexible that we really enjoyed the Bohol countryside tour. If you are planning to visit Bohol and needs transfer arrangement or wants to have a countryside tour, too, I highly recommend Dodong. You may contact him at mobile no. 0917-3040253.

Baclayon Church - a 16th century stone church with lost of religious relics. This church is considered as one of the oldest stone churches in the Philippines.

We climbed one of the chocolate hills and feast our eyes on the breathtaking view of haycock hills, considered one of the wonders of the world. More pictures here: Chocolate Hills Philippines.

Butterfly Conservation Center - This is so far the best butterfly garden I have seen so far. Highly recommended for children.

Tarsier Sanctuary - see the smallest primate in the world in a sanctuary along the Loboc River.

Floating Restuarant at Loboc River - buffet lunch while taking a leisurely cruise in Loboc River for P300/head

We were supposed to visit more destinations but there was a heavy rain shortly after our lunch so we just decided to go to Panglao Island and check in at Hayahay Resort, were we reserve a room for two nights.


You can't complain about Hayahay Resort's rooms beacuase they are really great. However, they don't have their own swimming pool, which Pia prefers. Fortunately, there are resorts nearby with swimming pool which we were able to use with just a minimal fee.

The following day, we woke up early for the scheduled island hopping, which includes dolphin watching, snorkeling at Balicasag Island and swimming at Virgin Island. Unfortunately, Pia didn't enjoy the island hopping that much. She is uberly worried that our boat might sink. She even requested that we pray more than a couple of times. But overall, Pia enjoyed our Panglao Island vacation very much!

Baguio City Tour: Day 3

On the 3rd day of our Baguio City Tour, we went to Strawberry Farm located in La Trinidad for strawberry picking and Camp John Hay for some adventures.

Day 3: Saturday, April 11, 2009




Across Tam-awan village is the art gallery and coffee shop, known as Arko ni Apo. It is owned by Ben-hur Villanueva, who once served as as president of the Society of Philippine Sculptors (SPS). We're supposed to have our breakfast there but the shop was still closed when we went there.


So we went back to Tam-awan Village and ordered breakfast. I had tuna club sandwich.



While waiting for our orders, we took some more pictures. One of the village staff even volunteered to take our picture together.



Strawberry Farm is just around 20 minutes drive from Tam-awan Village. We thought we'll have a problem getting a taxi at 6 o'clock in the morning but we were wrong. There are lots of taxis passing by as early as 6am! Strawberry picking ranges from P200 to P300 per kilo.

When we arrived at Camp John Hay, we went straight to Butterfly Sanctuary. Not much fun there so after some picture taking, we then look for other possible activities. We found Paint Ball Republic and tried target shooting. Rhei and Chippy are both sharp shooters, they never miss hitting the ground. :-)

We also tried the 60-meter zipline inside Camp John Hay. It's a great experience but it would have been more fun if the zip line is a bit longer.





From Camp John Hay, we went straight to Cafe by the Ruins to have lunch. I ordered pinikpikan. It's a native dish famous in Cordillera region normally served during religious rituals. It is prepared by beating a live chicken with a stick before cooking. Click here for more information on how to prepare pinikpikan.

After lunch, we just went to public market to buy some pasalubong and then headed to terminal to wait for our bus schedule.

So there. That ends our Baguio City Tour.

Baguio City Tour: Day 2

This is the 2nd installment of my three entries about my Baguio City Tour together with my friends, Rhea and Chippy.

Day 2: Friday, April 10, 2009


Before going to our first destination for the day, we had breakfast first at Mountain Lodge. The good thing about Mountain Lodge, aside from their friendly staff, is that it is just a few mintues ride away to most Baguio's tourist attractions: Botanical Garden, Wright Park, Mines View, etc. It is located just across Teachers' Camp



At the entrance of Baguio Botanical Garden, there are elderly Igorot women (or women in Igorot costume?) who volunteer to have their pictures taken with you and ask for P10 talent fee after.


Inside the Botanical Garden, there is an art gallery maintained by Baguio Arts Guild. For donation of any amount, they will make you a sketch in 10-15 minutes!


Wright Park is just a walking distance from Baguio Botanical Garden. So after our sketches were taken, we went there to experience horseback riding.


We checked out at Mountain Lodge around 12 noon and went to Session Road to look for a restaurant where to eat our lunch. We found Vizco's, a cake shop and restaurant. I ordered pesto pasta (spaghetti tossed with blended roasted garlic, basil, walnuts and parmesan cheese in olive oil) and protein supreme pizza (pepperoni, Italian sausage, ham, bacon and mushrooms)! I will definitely eat again at Vizco's when I go back to Baguio!


After our lunch, we took a cab and headed to Tam-awan Village, 20-25 minutes drive from Session Road. This is the Ifugao house where we stayed. It's called Luccong, an octagonal hut built for the upper class in Kalinga.



This is how they serve tuyo at Tam-awan Village. It's on their breakfast menu but I requested it for my dinner. For P100, it is served with mountain rice, egg, shanghai and coffee.

We set up a bonfire at Dap-ay located in front of the Luccong hut. Dap-ay is the conference area where the elders discuss tribal issues. But in our case, it is where we had our dinner and wine tasting before we sleep.

Day 3: Strawberry Farm, Camp John Hay and Cafe by the Ruins

Baguio City Tour: Food, Arts and Adventure

Together with a couple of friends from Sisters of Mary School, we decided to make use of the long holidays by making a 3 days and 2 nights Baguio City Tour.

Chippy. me and Rhei

It was Rhea's birthday last Friday so it's also a sort of birthday celebration. But if there are three words to describe this trip to Baguio City, these would be Food, Arts and Adventure.

Day 1: Thursday (April 9, 2009)



We left Manila on Thursday, 2am via Victory Liner and arrived in Baguio City after 6 hours. Upon arrival at the Baguio City terminal, we immediately bought our return ticket and then headed to a friend's house for a FREE breakfast (Thanks, Liza!). After breakfast, we finalized our itineraries before we went to Mountain Lodge and Restaurant to check in.


First stop, Mine's View Park. I served as their photographer.


Then we had lunch at Mine's View Park Hotel. I ordered grilled fish fillet and strawberry shake. Yummy!



After lunch, we're supposed to drop by at Botanical Garden but decided to visit Kidlat Tahimik's Oh My Gulay Restaurant first because it was raining at that time. We just had coffee there since we've just eaten our lunch. We feasted our eyes on Kidlat Tahimik's art works.


Next stop, Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto. At the foot of the stairs going up to the grotto are vendors selling candles, flowers and foodies. According to the vendors, the color of candle you should offer depends on what you want to pray for (red for love, green for quick money, orange for good health, etc.). I was expecting that Chippy will get a red candle but she didn't. She bought a white candle which according to her covers everything. Best buy, I must say. :-)



From the grotto, we headed to Burnham Park. We just walked around the park and then had dinner at Solibao Restaurant. We ordered sinigang na sugpo and lechon kawali.



After dinner, we dropped by Ayuyang Bar to check who's playing. We're hoping to catch some live acoustic music but without luck. So we just went to Cordillera Coffee at SM City Baguio to have some coffee. They're offering free wifi and fortunately, I have my netbook with me. I took that opportunity to check emails and adsense income. It looks like adsense clickers are on vacation, too! hehe!

At around 9pm, we went back to Mountain Lodge and called it a day.

Baguio City Tour: Day 2 (Wright Park, Botanical Garden, Baguio Arts Guild and Tam-awan Village)

Baguio City Tour: Day 3 (Strawberry Farm, Camp John Hay, Cafe by the Ruins)

I can't remember how many times I've been to Baguio City, but there's one thing I'm certain, this trip is the best!

Pia's Moving Up Ceremony

I went to Pangasinan yesterday to attend Pia's Moving Up Ceremony. Yes, there is such a thing complete with toga and all. During my time, I went straight to elementary school so this is new to me. :-)

She's now finished with kindergarten class and is eligible for Preparatory class next school year. Considering that she'll be turning 6 years old this July, she can actually enroll in Grade 1 - Elementary. I think she'll be better off if I enroll her in preparatory class first. What do you guys think?

She got two medals, one for being the Most Outstanding Achiever (1st Honor) and the other one for being the Most Attentive (whatever that means). Heraclene has nothing to do with it. It must be the milk. Uhm... sige na nga, mana-mana lang yan! LOL

More Pia's Moving Up Ceremony pictures later.