Binondo

It's Chinese New Year tomorrow so my friends and I went to Binondo to have even a glimpse of this Chinese festivity. The traffic was bearable but when we arrived, the streets of Binondo are already crowded. It's actually my first time to visit this place and Chinese feels are really engulfing over me. It's like I am in another country because even the establishments are written in Chinese alphabet. Binondo Church was the first thing that attracted me. I also saw "Kalesas" but we were not able to ride. We went walking to explore the place and to find a good restaurant to satisfy our hunger. On the streets we saw charms, fruits, figurines and lots of Tikoy. Dragons, big or small are also everywhere. One was dancing in front of a store and another one was doing the same on the other store. I thought that this could be a ritual to attract good luck for the business. We were able to reach Manila China Town and even more people, some are Chinese, some are half and still many are Filipinos, welcomed us there. Some stores were full of people and vendors are everywhere. We searched for a restaurant, particularly Wai Ying as it was recommended to us by a friend.

Wai Ying was also full of people. We did not even found a vacant table and seat right away. But after a few minutes, we were able to settle down  and read the menu. Their menu was quite new to us and the food are expensive. We don't usually eat at a Chinese restaurant and we are not very familiar with their menu so we asked for assistance but no one attended to us until our second call. Moreover, when we asked the crew about the food, he could not answer us. He told us that he's just new in the place. Therefore, we resorted to just picking anything that looks familiar. When the order came to us, we were quite disappointed because they are not the actual thing we have in mind. Anyway, we just ate them all up although we were not really satisfied. I also do not know if I'm just not used to eating a Chinese restaurant or the food is not really delicious. The service was also lame. The utensils given to us were not complete and orders were not recorded properly. We did not have a good time in Wai Ying but we enjoyed the Binondo experience. We would definitely go back to Binondo and will probably not consider Wai Ying anymore.

Starbucks Dapitan

Starbucks Coffee Company is the leading retailer, roaster and brand of specialty coffee in the world.
According to them, they are  committed to offering their customers the world’s best coffee and the finest coffee experience – while also conducting their business in ways that produce social, environmental and economic benefits for the communities in which they do business. I totally agree with that and personally, I admire the concept of Starbucks. I believe that it's not just about their coffee and their products, it's more of the experience that one can have in their stay just like how they treat their customers with hospitality. The employees are well trained and they know how to treat their customers. Comfortable seats are also present and they have free wifi. With these features, Starbucks is like  trying to tell everyone that it is the perfect place for us to stay and relax while enjoying our coffee and doing some other stuff may it be school, work or personal stuff. 
The company have many branches here in the Philippines, in fact in UST, Starbucks are present on mostly every corner. I have seen one in PNoval and the other in Dapitan. It is not possible that they cannibalize sales because they have different target market and if I were to suggest, I would still want another branch in Lacson or Espana because the two branches are always crowded and unlike the admirable Starbucks that I described earlier, PNoval and Dapitan branch seem to not meet it standards because it's always crowded.When we went to Starbucks Dapitan, we can hardly find a place to stay as every chair was occupied and the queue in the counter was very long. We had to wait for others to go before we can sit and since people in Starbucks usually stay long, we did not know . how long we would wait. After a few minutes, 2 seats were vacated and so we settled there. We fell in line to order our favorite Mocha Frappuccino and a pastry. I was supposed to order a Belgian Waffle but it was not available so I did not buy any pastry. Moreover, the baristas where not accommodating as they were supposed to be. Maybe because, they are also stressed about the crowd. We also planned to study but the place is too noisy and the lights are quite dim so we decided to leave as soon as we finish our frappes. Actually, I am also up for the stickers because I am collecting for a planner but I guess I won't visit there for long because I am irritated with the system and the crowd. 
Anyway, I noticed that there are different types of customers in Starbucks. The first category is those who go to Starbucks regularly in order to study. They usually look for a good place and then stay there long. In there stay, they consume at least a drink and a pastry. The other one are the people who come in groups. They usually occupy the tables and chairs but actually, they just order one drink and they can sometimes be the cause of noise and interruption to those who are studying. Some people in Starbucks are also just dropping by to buy a drink. They do not like to stay long because it's too crowded. However, they are bothered with the long queue in the counter therefore I suggest that to satisfy this kind of customers, the ordering system should be made faster. Maybe one from the crew could get their order while they line up and relay it immediately to the coffee makers so the work would be continuous. However, some customers of Starbucks are just going with the bandwagon, collecting stickers and buying when there is a promo. Starbucks could take advantage of these customers but they first have to deal with internal conflicts especially regarding customer satisfaction. 

Siena College Taytay Rizal

We moved to Pasig in 2001 so I also had to transfer to a nearer school. We went to a lot of schools in the vicinity but we were not satisfied and some were very expensive until a friend suggested Siena College in Taytay. Siena has a huge ground and a beautiful environment. Clean, green and peaceful if I am to describe it. It is run by Dominican nuns and it has a good reputation based on what I've heard. The school has amazing facilities: buildings, canteen, library, gymnasium, auditorium, court, canteen, swimming pool, garden, laboratories and many more. Formerly, Siena is an all-girls school but now, they are already accepting boys. Still, the number of girls dominates. With all these information, we decided to enroll.

My years in Siena are fun, exciting and challenging. The level of education is high and it keeps on updating every year. Most of the teachers are good and the administrators are considerate. It also has a good program and curriculum for students developing not just their mental ability but also their creativity and skills. Holistic development is what I achieved in this school. Aside from being competitive in academics I was also able to join different clubs such as Dulaang Siena, Writers Guild, Glee Club, Dance Troupe and Speakers Society. There is also annual group competitions in declamation, speech choir and interpretative dance where I was able to learn the essence of teamwork. I was also able to engage myself in sports like volleyball, swimming, soccer and many more. My leadership skills was honed when I was given a chance to be the CAT Corps Commander in our batch. Good thing about Siena is that they acknowledge even the simplest achievements of students through medals, certificates, at times banners and PA announcements. Siena as stated in its vision and mission, is technology-enabled, service-oriented, research motivated and Marian inspired. As a Dominican school, it also never fails to engage students in prayers, devotions, missions and moral acts. It encourages students to help those who are less fortunate through its missionary activities where we get involved. 

My grade-school and high school and Siena has formed me to be a diligent student, a servant-leader, a faithful Catholic, a good sport and an adventurous person who is not afraid to try new things. In the future, I would surely consider letting my children study in Siena.

Mapedes

At some point in time, one would really want to learn how to play instruments may it be just for fun or for passion. Nevertheless, for those who have studied music and decided to teach, this is a profitable opportunity. One does not need much capital in order to teach music. You just need to have an instrument and most importantly, you must be an expert. The fee that music teachers demand per hour ranges from 200-500. I couldn't imagine how much they could earn in a month especially if they have many students and if they are accredited teachers. Teaching music is not hard anyway, you just have to teach the basics especially if the student is young. Sometimes, parents intentionally enroll their child to music schools so they could do something in summer and all that these parents want is to see their child play even a simple piece. A piano teacher can teach a simple twinkle twinkle and earn a lot. Because of this, I have once thought of establishing a music school in the future but before that, I need to study music first. The instrument that I chose to study is drums because it is unusual to see a drummer who is a girl. But more than that, I am amazed at how the arms and feet coordinate to produce beats. For me, playing drums is cool therefore, my parents enrolled me one summer in Mapedes.
Mapedes is a music store that sells instruments and offers music lessons. At a rate of 10,000 pesos, I was able to take 12 sessions of drum lessons. I had the freedom to choose my schedule so I set it to twice a week. Teacher Chito, was in charge of me. He is an old man and he plays the drums well. At first I wondered how he would teach me the instrument and I was so excited.
During the first session, he assessed my skills first and introduced me to a book that we are going to follow throughout the session. He refreshed my memory with the notes, rhythm and measure. I was surprised to know that like other instruments, drums can also be based on notes. Then, he taught me the proper way to hold the stick and the right positions of my hands and feet. After that, He gave me a few exercises in order to familiarize me with the left and right hit. He was proud of me because he told me that I am a fast learner. Each session, the exercises gets harder but little by little, I learn how to coordinate my hands and feet. During the sixth session, I already knew how to play easy drum beats. In the next 6 sessions, teacher Chito taught me some variations of beats. I knew how to play Classic, Jazz, Pop and Rock by reading the note chart that teacher gives me. At the end of each session, he gives me a copy of the notes so I can practice. In the 10th session, I already played with a music. All in all. I was able to practice 3 songs and this time, without a copy of notes. My teacher was patient with me and one thing I liked about him is that we don't move to the next level unless I perfect the current lesson. I proudly finished the class with a newly learned skill. Because of this, I was motivated to buy a drum set so I can practice at home.
Playing drums is not hard as I first thought, it's actually fun. Teaching drums on the other hand, is also a lot easier than teaching other instruments. You just really have to understand the notes and know the basics. I decided not to pursue with the next level because I thought that since I already know the basics, I can just continue practicing and improve myself at home.

Executive Optical

When I was a child, I wanted to wear eyeglasses because I think it's fashionable but now that I am experiencing problems with my eye sight, I really need to wear glasses not for fashion, but for correcting my vision. There are many optical shops out there that sells eyeglasses of different styles and features. For business purposes, they have focused on making people look good in their glasses more than curing their eye problem which is why, it seems that everyone who enters an optical shop and demands for an eye check-up would hear that they really do have an eye problem even though in reality, they do not. Of course, the customers who don't have much knowledge would believe the optometrist and be forced to buy eyeglasses that costs P2000 and above depending on the grade and the brand.
Magno Optical was the first shop I went to when I first decided to have an eye check-up. Back then, it was detected that I have astigmatism so they told me that I need glasses for correction and I need to wear it all the time. They even put a feature that is UV proof so I could be protected from radiations since I told them that I often work in front of the computer. All in all, I spent three thousand pesos but It was worth it because my condition improved however, because I don't wear my glasses most of the time, my astigmatism went worst and I needed to change or upgrade my lenses.
The closest clinic to us is in Sta. Lucia East Grand Mall so we went there and searched for an Optical shop. Our first choice was Magno Optical but they charged us P5000 for the glasses so we searched for another. Not so far, is Eye Optical Shop, quite smaller and fewer people are visiting the shop. They showed me cheaper glasses but the qualities are less. Yet, I still pursued to get my eyes checked. So, I went to the machine for eye scanning and the Ophthalmologist told me that my astigmatism on one eye improved. We then went to a room where I was asked to read small letters one meter away from where I seated. I did not know if I was reading it correctly but she told me, that there seems to be no problem regarding my sight. I told her that at times, my eyes get blurred especially when reading and that I am having headaches recently. After this, she tried different lenses with different grades on me, my sight improved when wearing the lenses as compared to when I don't wear any. But before we moved on to the next process, I also tried my old glasses and it was better as compared to the lenses that they suggested. Therefore, I told her that I am not going to buy anymore. Anyway, the glasses that I am currently wearing seems better. Then she told me and my mom that my right eye went worse and that I really need to buy a new one because the problem on that eye caused my headaches. However I remembered that earlier she told us that my astigmatism improved. It sounded like she has not really assessed me correctly and she's just up for profit. I am not going to risk for an unsure process especially that the amount they were asking, P3000 is not a joke. For those who are having eye problems, I suggest that you see a doctor in a hospital or clinic instead of those who are in shops because they are just going to sell their glasses and let you believe that you have a need for it even though you don't.

Fitness First Megamall

Fitness First is a high class gym which features quality equipment, machine, classes, instructors, facilities and other services. As compared to other gyms, Fitness First bills its consumers higher but assuring them good service, attainable results and healthier lifestyle. 

My father is the General Manager at Fitness First Megamall branch and my mom is a first class member. Although dad works there, I am still not free of membership but I have the privilege of a free workout as long as I am with my mother because of her premium card. I usually go with mom to take a one-hour exercise whenever we are vacant.

When I first went there, a marketing consultant toured me to the entire place and explained thoroughly every section so I would be able to familiarize myself with the place. Megamall branch is huge and presentable and the people there are nice as they smiled at me even though I don't know them. Then, the MC introduced me to a trainer and turned me over to her. She was nice, pretty and she looks athletic. First, she assessed me by getting my height, weight and calorie count. They also have a machine which prints results of my BMI, amount of fat and muscles. France, the trainer, explained to me what are written on the paper and she told me that I need to lose this amount of fat to attain the proper body mass. She also told me how I could achieve my goal which is to tone my body. A particular work-out program was given for me to follow and she assured me that if I continuously go to gym, I would reach my goal in 6 months. After the assessment, she guided me to the machines and made me work on repetitions, speed, contractions and so on. These activities are necessary for me to have a full body work-out. I especially loved the part where I made crunches. It was the hardest but I know that the exercise would give me abs. Aside from the program given to me, I am also free to join group exercises. So every time I go to gym, I also join different group sessions. I have tried their Body Jam classes and I really enjoyed dancing and sweating all the way. Body Pump, a form of kick-boxing exercise, is also fun and challenging because it is really tiring but being able to finish one session is such a fulfillment. Yoga, is one of the best. I need this exercise to stay flexible and relaxed. I have also tried cardiac exercises such as cycling and thread-mill. The trainers also taught me how to use the machines and which machines depending on my needs. After the tiring exercises and work-out, the trainer went on a personal session with me for stretching. This part really feels good and relaxing. 

One of the coolest amenities in the gym is its spacious locker rooms which has several cabinets, shower and toilet cubicles and also sauna and steam bath. Each shower room already has containers for shampoo, conditioner and  soap. There are also mirrors and beauty tables which has hair blowers. After cleaning up, I went straight to the lounge to drink some free coffee and buy a sandwich from a stall. While waiting, I also tried to visit my Facebook account on one of the computers located there. At the end of the day, I was able to have a good workout. Whenever I go to Fitness First, I always feel healthy and relieved. 

Sun Cellular

The four of us in the family availed of a plan after seeing the need of never having to worry to text or call if there is an immediate need or emergency. My parents chose to prioritize this need especially that I and my sister are studying in a school far from home. This way, we can always update them about where we are. We chose Sun to sponsor our plan because its products are cheaper and the signal is better in our location.

I used to have plan 300 but I always go over my limits so I upgraded to plan 600 and I was better off. The 600 promises unlimited calls and texts to Sun and consumable 600 to other networks. I don't have problems regarding the plan itself, I am just not satisfied with the customer service in their branches. 

Whenever I go to Sun branches, I take  a number and fall in line. However, the wait is too long because the customer turnover is slow. With 3 consultants negotiating with customers, efficiency is not attained. It seems that they are using computerized systems so I am really wondering what takes them so long to finish one transaction. Maybe, it's the customer's multiple queries and illiteracy about the products that makes them talking to the consultant for minutes. I would appreciate if the branch provide or post information around the location so customers could just read around and search for the answers themselves. They could also provide online services so customers can view their account status any time. Personally, I am always concerned about my balance since I am afraid of overcharge. I also want to know when I can have my free phone. If these information would be present and accessible, then I wont need to line up for hours anymore. Moreover, sometimes there is no assurance that you'll get what you went there for. One time, I went there to claim my free phone and lined up for an hour and when it was my turn, the consultant just told me that they still do not have a stock of the phone I chose. What a waste of time! They should at least have another counter for queries and balance or availability checks apart from the counter where transactions are made. They could also show necessary information on product availability and offers through posters, signage or on touch screen computers so that customers could freely check on their accounts or other information. This way, all unnecessary transactions would be filtered and the process will be faster.

Water Genesis

Unlike before where water is freely available and we are assured that it is safe to drink, nowadays we can barely assure ourselves of its cleanliness. Therefore, the opportunity for establishing water refilling stations emerged as the need for clean water aroused. It is not free but at least we have found a way to avoid illness caused by contaminated water. One of those who took the opportunity are the Villegas, our family friend from Pateros. They named their water refilling station as "Water Genesis". Water Genesis is our supplier of purified water ever since. We've gone used to the taste of their water that's why we don't buy from nearer stations anymore. We just order through call and immediately, they will deliver the water containers. So far, we did not have any problems regarding delivery even though they still come from Pateros. We usually order 4 containers and when the delivery boys come to us, they are the ones who carry the containers to our house because they are heavy. Anyway, their business was not a boom at first but because of their marketing strategy and persistence to call on customers, the business has grown until it has been the first choice water station of the people in Pateros. They started as a small refilling station that sells water in bottles until they started hiring employees and then sell in containers. Formerly, they don't have a service system, but as they grow in profit, they already bought cabs to make the delivery more efficient. Now, they cater to almost all of the residents in Pateros, they also have customers outside their area. They also supply big companies. I saw the process of water purification. I learned that it goes through 14 stages which means better as compared to those whose process undergoes only 8 stages. I also admire their good negotiation skills and hospitality to customers. They are also the ones who call on their customers to ask them if they still have water supply.
From this I have learned that in business, may it be simple and complex, one can gain profit and market share through good delivery of service and handling of customers. Negotiation skills is also important to satisfy customers and backstage processes such as the water purification system in their case should be maintained. Orders, payments and transactions should also be maintained.

Shakeys

Shakeys has been our family's traditional way of celebrating achievements: birthdays, graduations, promotions, honors, hitting the quota and even simple ones like passing examinations. As I can observe, the same holds true for other families and customers of Shakeys. It has even been a venue for receptions of baptisms and weddings. I have once wondered why people celebrate at Shakeys and I thought that given its expensive prices in the menu, people could not dine there everyday or regularly like what they do with other fast food restaurants such as Mcdonalds or Jollibee however, we cannot deny the fact that they serve one of the finest and most delicious pizza, pasta and many more making people crave for it especially when there is a special event in their lives. I, personally, am a fan of Shakeys. When mom and dad first brought me there, I was impressed with the service and delighted with the food. Since then, I declared Shakeys as my favorite restaurant and It has always been our option whenever we are looking for somewhere to eat.
My favorite food in Shakeys is its creamy mushroom soup. I am a fan of soups especially mushroom soups. I've tried it at other restaurants but only Shakeys got my taste. I don't know what ingredients they put on it because it's consistency is thick but the overall blend is superb especially when serve it really hot. It makes me order another bowl. I think I can even consume three. Sometimes, when we go to Shakeys and creamy mushroom soup is not available, I will not go there at all because even though I love the food, the experience is not complete without the soup because when we go to Shakeys, we order the full meal, from soup to main dish to dessert. We do not usually order rice because the pasta and the pizza are already heavy for our tummy but even though we are full, we will still order an icecream cookie with cheries on top. We share it as a family. I also love its finger food: chicken, mojos and calamari. They all taste good. Maybe that's another thing that we look for in Shakeys, the variety of food. It's hard to find a restaurant that will serve a full meal which also includes snack, soup and salad. Another important thing is their service, the service crew in Shakeys are friendly and accommodating. They will give you the perfect seat that you want and they will come from time to time to check if all orders were delivered or if you have additional orders. One commendable Shakeys branch is its new branch in Cainta.
Before, we used to go to a mall just to dine in a Shakeys branch but now that there is a newly opened branch in Cainta, we decided to take a drive there. One thing I admired about the restaurant is the hospitality and good customer service of the staff. From the entrance door to our table to our orders up to the billing and payment, we were accommodated well. We were actually seated at a wooden chair then the crew went to us and asked if we would like to transfer to the couch because they will be willing to move us there for us to be more comfortable. The crew was really patient with us even if I was quite not attentive when we ordered because I was watching the basketball game on their television. She was also friendly to us and attended to our requests politely. Especially when dad asked her to serve the soup fast and when the order came, dad asked to heat the soup again because it was not that hot. The service was fast there, unlike in other branches, we did not wait too long. At the end of the day, we were able to happily celebrate. The food and services we paid for were worth it.
However, like any other restaurants, if there are too many people, services become poor: failing to accommodate and satisfy everyone.  Nevertheless, It would be good for Shakeys to add promotions and cater to special events.

Pet Care

Like babies, puppies need vaccines and dewormings too to protect them from diseases and illnesses. This reduces the risk of death while they are still weak. Pet Care is a veterinary clinic in Cainta. From all the clinics present in the area, I chose Pet Care because its price is reasonable and It is recommended by other pet owners around.
When I lost my first dog, chachi, I immediately bought a new one and named him Kiko. But Kiko is too small and he looks malnourished. I tried to feed  and take care of him at home but he is still weak. One day when I woke up, I saw Kiko on the floor and he can hardly walk so we rushed him to Pet Care where he was given a vaccine and a hydrant. After some minutes, Kiko became cheerful again. The doctor advised that I give him vitamins and feed him healthy food. I followed the orders and as weeks came by, I noticed that Kiko is starting to gain weight. Every month I bring him back to the vet and every month he also gains 1 kilo. I just followed the vaccine schedule given by the veterinarian. Every time we go there, aside from giving Kiko a vaccine, the assistant also checks his ears and if there is hair, he removes it. He also checks Kiko's nails and if it's long he will cut it.

Today is Kiko's schedule for a 5-in-1 vaccine. Prior to that, I received a text message a week ago about this. I appreciate their notice because sometimes, I am too busy to keep track of Kiko's vet schedule. And so we went to Petcare, a veterinary service located in Cainta, to have his shot. It's good that they have space for parking because we went there with a car. The secretaly politely welcomed us and then let us seat comfortably on the couch. Mommy and Daddy were watching TV while Kiko and I went to the table. The secreatary searched for Kiko's record and asked for his card so she could put a sticker and let the doctor sign. Kiko's was shivering, he must have known that he's going to be shot. After a few minutes, the doctor arrived. He first weighed Kiko and then, with the help of his assistant, they prepared him and then  injected the vaccine. Unlike before, Kiko hardly cried and felt pain. He even looked happy and jolly after. Maybe starting today, a visit to the vet wont be that traumatic to Kiko anymore. After that, the bill was given and then we went home. It only took us less than 15 minutes to have Kiko's vaccine. Moreover, the place is very near to our residence, we can easily drop by if Kiko gets sick anytime. They also have home service for P150. And if we went, to the clinic and the veterinarian is not around, the home service becomes free of charge. They also answer queries on phone. I usually call them before whenever I sense some problem. This way, I get free consultation. They really take good care of pets. They are also capable of performing surgeries and nursing. Most of all, as compared with other clinics, they are cheaper and more trustworthy.

Tagaytay Picnic Grove

Picnic Grove Tagaytay is the most visited park in the province of Cavite that overlooks the Taal Volcano and Taal Lake. It is an affordable weekend getaway for tourists who wants to go for a picnic and have a breathtaking view of the Taal Volcano. The cool air in Picnic Grove Tagaytay also helps in relaxation for a truly wonderful time. Tagaytay Picnic Grove offers various amenities, activities and services. They have kite flying and play pens for children, horse back-riding, swimming pool, picnic area, site seeing, fish spa, boating, zip line, cable car and souvenir stores.  We find the place perfect for family bonding, nature tripping, sports and relaxation. However, the experience does not come in full package because you have to pay for each and they are quite expensive. Nevertheless, the enjoyment and fun is priceless. You just have to get a good timing because if you go there at holidays, you should really expect heavy traffic, crowded place and messy area. It's Christmas time and the Garcias wanted a reunion so they decided that we go to Picnic Grove in Tagaytay. We thought we were still early to get a nice cottage but when we arrived, the place was already crowded and parking was limited. It took us 2 rounds in the place before we found a perfect spot. And since cottages were already occupied, we just laid a mat on the grass and stayed there. The view was perfect, we could see Taal lake from where we were situated however, the place where we chose to stay is unfortunately a slope so the food and the people were always accidentally sliding down. Anyway, we were not going to stay there for long because we went there for the activities available. The place is good but during peak seasons, management could hardly control the people, the parking and the place to stay. I guess they should expand their parking area and add more cottages to accommodate everyone. They should also strictly prohibit littering because seeing trash everywhere really ruins the relaxing atmosphere of the area. One thing I noticed is also the malfunctioning restrooms. We had to go around the area to find a good restroom because the one near us is crowded because only two cubicles are functioning. The order, billing and payment is also a hassle. The line is too long and the process is unorganized. I just don't know if it's because we went there on a peak season or their system is just terrible.

LRT 2

One of the most valued improvements in our country is the Light Rail Transit as it brings convenience and speed in transportation for most commuters. It consists of 11 stations starting from Santolan to Recto LRT 2 One can get away from the very busy streets and the pollution caused by fumes from cars. Thus, a lot of people have shifted to LRT for their main mode for transportaton. Lucky for students like me whose residence is located afar from school, the 2 hours of travel when riding in jeepneys is reduced to 30 minutes in the LRT. It is very advantageous for employees too for their promptness is needed in their respective jobs. This removes hassles like traffic, hot weather and uncomfortable seats from my concerns. With the LRT, I get the assurance of not being late in school. I also value its civilization and security since every station has guards for checking bags and keeping the LRT safe and organized. But even though security is strict outside, there is a different scenario inside the LRT, especially during rush hours. A number of crimes have been reported during theses times because it is VERY crowded. I was a victim once when, unknowingly, someone got my phone from my pocket. We cannot also avoid the fact that some stations like Recto since situated in Manila, could be really dangerous. Commotions and fights are not uncommon at all. There was a time when me and my boyfriend was already inside the station and as we are in the escalator, I felt that the two girls behind us are trying to open our bags but good thing, we were able to escape them. Events like this also happen in Santolan. But the guards there are tighter and some of the snatchers are often caught. The administration has already made a move regarding this matter. They posted pictures of those who are reported as snatchers so people could avoid them or report them again. It is also cool that I am only paying P14 to get to Manila from Pasig and often times, I get free rides from my stored value cards. However, the LRT is still far from being perfect. It still experiences technical difficulties and sometimes accidents. The administration should prioritize on the safety of its passengers to avoid casualties and death. Adding safety gates could be one of the solutions. The LRT has been patronized by lots of commuters including workers and students and sometimes we cannot prevent that lines in the bag inspection section is too long which causes delay. I have once experienced falling in line for 30 minutes because of the poor system but after some time, the administration already fixed the problem. As of now, the guards are still the ones who manually check the bags. There are guards who critically inspects but there are also some who are lenient. Some guards are also fast and some are slow. Maybe it would be convenient if the government could provide inspection machines for every station. Another long line is the line for buying ticket because not all use a stored value card. There are ticket machines available but not all are functioning and the machines only accept old coins. If they could update these machines, then there would be a great improvement in the lines.
The government should allot budget on these project. The LRT line 2 where I am riding is so far the most convenient line among LRTs. The other lines which has more problems and passenger claims should be given attention too. Being so  technical, a lot of  unexpected shutdowns have happened to the LRT. Once, I had to wait for an hour before riding since the gaurds said something went wrong. But the benefits far outweighs the problems that the LRT causes. I am thankful and proud that the government has made something beneficial and useful like the LRT.

Villaret Dental Clinic

My teeth had gone terrible when I was in high  school therefore I was advised to have them braced. We searched for dental clinics but they usually charge P60k for orthodontics and we cannot afford that much instantly so we continued searching until we met Dr. Tristan Villaret. He offered P30k for the whole process. Of course we grabbed his offer after all,  I see that he has many patients in line for brace adjustment so he must really be good. I asked him why it's cheaper with him, and he told me that they also own a factory where he gets his  equipments for free. He explained that materials for braces could be more expensive than the process and the labor. So that time, i trusted him with my teeth. First, he evaluated it and explained everything that he is planning to do with my teeth. Then he asked for a panoramic x-ray which I gave him right away. He the n made a mold of my teeth made of wax and studied it. Finally, when I came back after a few days, he already carefully put my braces on and explained to me all the pain that I should feel and how I should deal with it. He also gave me toothbrush. After every consultation and adjustment, we set schedules for the next appointment and I was glad that they considerately adjust the session to the days and times when I am free. They are the ones adjusting, I dictate when I am available yet they keep track on my schedules and text me a day before to remind me. I should also mention that my brackets usually detach from the wire and for some dentists, that is an additional payment but with doc Tristan, it is free. I was supposed to wear my braces for 1 and a half year but I actually wore it for 2 years because the dentist won't remove it unless my teeth is aligned perfectly. I was glad that he's not just up for profit but for quality. I would totally recommend him to my acquiantances.

Robinsons Movie House

It was December 26 when we went to Robinson's Metro East to watch a movie of MMFF. The mall is just beside Sta. Lucia where it's movie house is cheaper in price but I personally suggested to go to Robinsons because i was anticipating a huge crowd at the other mall. At least in Robinsons, the crowd is fewer and the people going there is quite decent.

The movie we watched was still one hour away when we get there but we decided to fall in line right away. The ticket booth operated smoothly and we were accommodated well. Even my grandmother was given her rightful senior citizen's discount. After receiving our tickets, we lined up for popcorn and drinks. There were 2 food stalls available there but unfortunately, one stall is not functioning well therefore, all the people had to line up on the other one. I lined up for minutes because the crowd is starting to gather up. Then the service crew announced that the others can already line up on the other stall but I remained in my line because I was already 3 people away. When it was my turn, i was disappointed when they told me that the butter-flavored popcorn I am looking for is not available but it is available on the other stall. So I had to line up again for minutes for that one order. On the other stall, they have butter but they don't have cheese. What if I am going to order cheese and butter? Will I fall in line twice?  I get mad at that moment because I went into such a hassle for a popcorn! Good thing my grandma and my sis already reserved a chair for me inside the cinema. If not, we might be seated on the stairs. More than anything else, we enjoyed the movie and we were comfortable in our seats. If not for the popcorn, it would have been a great experience for me.

Petty Furry

A dog owner's affection to their pet would compare with a mother's care for her child, willing to spend money and allot time for their welfare. As a dog owner, I want the best possible services for Kiko, my pet. It doesn't matter if I pay a lot for a vaccine or for a grooming service if it would make him feel and look better.

Kiko has grown his hair and nails and he looks untidy so I decided to take him to a grooming salon. I used to take him to a pet salon in Robinsons mall but since a nearer salon came out, i decided to take Kiko there. The rate is the same, P400 and the services included (bath, nail-cut, toothbrush, haircut) are also the same. I just chose Petty Furry because it's more convenient for me and I don't need a car to travel anymore. Moreover, our first time in that salon was a good experience and my dog was really serviced well. However, this time, was quite different. I noticed that the groomers were quite harsh with Kiko and they are texting while cutting Kiko's hair. That unecessary activity means longer waiting time for me. But what made me angry is how they treated my dog. I understand that they are just animals which they do not own. But of course they should somehow show us that our pets are carefully handled. I felt sad when I saw blood on Kiko's right eye when we got home. He might really be hurt. I will not go back there again!