Cell phone mystery

I received an MMS in my office issued cell phone. It was addressed to me and another office mate. The sender that appeared was just a number. From its contents, I believed it came from our Vice President. Maybe, he used his other phone. So, I took note of the message.

When the sender of the MMS and I met, I asked him if he was actually the one who sent the MMS. "Yes", he said. "But, that isn't my number", he continued.

He showed me the sent MMS in his phone and it's recipients.

So, who owns that mystery number?

To solve the puzzle, I called it up. A man answered. I gave my first name, requested for his name, then asked if he's affiliated with our company and if he sent me an MMS.

His name doesn't ring a bell; and, he gave negative answers to my questions.

So, how it happened?

My CloudPad 700TV

After considering several affordable tablets - with and without TV, I finally made up my mind and got a CloudPad 700TV.  The cost is P6,499 only with the following features:

• Android 4.1 Jelly Bean
• GPRS, EDGE, 3G, HSDPA, HSUPA
• 7.0” WVGA Capacitive Screen
• 2 MP rear camera, front camera
• 1.0 GHz dual core processor
• Dual SIM, Dual Standby
• ROM: 4 GB, RAM: 512 MB
• Mobile TV

I really thought I didn't need one; as, I have two mobile phones that can do what a tablet can do.

But, I was wrong! After trying wifey's and daughter's tablets, I found it more convenient to use a bigger screen in surfing the net, watching videos, reading books, and doing other tasks.

Starving Sailor

This lunch, I again experienced Army Navy at Marquee Mall in Angeles City.

As I was starving, I ordered the Starving Sailor Steak Sandwich (Thinly sliced Rib Eye Steak topped with Jalapeño-cheese spread, green bell peppers and caramelized onions in an 8-inch Sourdough bread.)

It's good and became better with a bottle of SML.  And, it satisfied my starvation.  I again salute you, Army Navy.

Next time, I'm going to try the Burritos.

Window shopping for a tablet

I was amazed to see that there are so many brands of tablets available in the market today.

As I was window shopping, I saw cheap and affordable units, which are sub P10,000.  Why buy a branded unit at a high cost when you could buy one at a lesser cost?  The features may be not be as many or good as the branded; but, I'm pretty sure I wouldn't need those extra features.

One unit with television caught my attention.  The brand is Cloud Pad and the cost of a 7" is P6,499 only.  An inch larger unit (8") costs a thousand more.  This could be useful when I'm stuck in a traffic.

Another unit that I might consider is the Samsung Tab 2 7" at P8,000 + only.  It has no 3G; but, my Samsung Galaxy S3 is a portable hotspot.

At home, I noticed my daughter changed her tablet already from Samsung Tab 2 to Cherry Mobile Fusion Bolt.  She got it for P4,000 only.  Whew!  That's a great deal, I thought.

Let's see what would I get in the next few days.

Eclipse

I just found out about a new entertainment place in town.  Ironically, I learned it from a friend from Tacloban City.  He's in town; and, we went there to see and try the place.

The place is the Eclipse Lounge in Solaire Resort and Casino, which is located near SM MOA.

The band was already playing halfway of its first set when we arrived at about 9:30 pm.  It's the only band that's performing for three sets at 30 minutes per set.

Omie Rivera for Vice Mayor of San Mateo, Rizal

Bartolome "Omie" Rivera is the current Vice Mayor and the Presiding Officer of the Municipality of San Mateo, Rizal.  He's now running for his last term as such.  He's under Liberal Party and a member of the Alpha Phi Omega (APO).

VOTE FOR OMIE RIVERA!

Note: Photo from SanMateo.gov.ph

My lunch for P120

I and two office mates ate lunch at the Food Court of the adjacent BPI Building.

There's a new stall, Pinoy Fiesta, that serves Filipino dishes.  For P120, you get a cup of rice, a viand, a vegetable, half salted egg with slices of tomato and pipino, and a dessert.  For P170, you get the same items plus another viand.

There are lot of choices; and, I ordered pesang salmon, ampalaya, half salted egg, and pudding.

 That's enough to satiate me.

Family dinner at Kowloon House

I was at the mountain biking.  At a pitstop,  I checked my phone and read Wifey's text that we dine using her voucher at Barrio Fiesta in Mega Mall tonight.

But, I didn't want to drive from Novaliches to Mega Mall and vice versa.  So, I offered to have dinner at the nearest Don Cuisine Restaurant instead.  I'd rather pay than drive.

However, they opted the nearby Chinese restaurant - Kowloon House.

The Senatoriables - 2013

Election day is set on May 13, 2013 (Monday).  Oh!  It's just a month away.

The list of the 33 official candidates for Philippine Senators (in alphabetical order based on the first name) sans their political parties:

1. Alan Peter Cayetano
2. Ana Theresia “Risa” Hontiveros-Baraquel
3. Antonio Trillanes IV
4. Aquilino Martin "Koko" Pimentel III
5. Baldomero Falcone
6. Christian Señeres
7. Cynthia Villar
8. Ernesto Maceda 
9. Eduardo "Eddie" Villanueva
10. Edward Hagedorn
11. Francis “Chiz” Escudero
12. Grace Poe-Llamanzares
13. Gregorio “Gringo” Honasan
14. Greco Antonious Beda Belgica
15. John Carlos De Los Reyes
16. Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito
17. Juan Edgardo Angara
18. Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri
19. Juan Ponce “Jack” Enrile Jr.
20. Loren Legarda
21. Margarita “Tin-Tin” Cojuangco
22. Maria Ana Consuelo “Jamby” Madrigal
23. Maria Lourdes Nancy Binay
24. Maria Milagros “Mitos” Magsaysay
25. Marwil Llasos
26. Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV
27. Ramon Magsaysay Jr.
28. Ramon Montaño
29. Richard “Dick” Gordon
30. Ricardo Penson
31. Rizalito David
32. Samson Alcantara
33. Teodoro “Teddy” Casiño.

11 candidates are current or former senators;  7 current or former representatives; 1 a mayor; 2 served in the government; 3 related to the President or Vice-President; 1 a religious leader; and 8 don't ring a bell to me.

The term for the 12 winning candidates is 6 years.

If you haven't chosen your candidates or not completed your list yet, start choosing now!

Army Navy (Burger + Burrito)

I've learned about this restaurant from a mountain biking forum about two years.  But, I haven't tried it until yesterday.

I was in Trinoma last night with Wifey for our dinner.  Lo and behold, I spotted this restaurant.

Intrigued and curious, I scrutinized the menu.  It has a lot of selections to choose from: burgers, burritos, tortillas, tacos and more . . .

At last, this is my opportunity to try it's burger for my dinner.  I ordered the classic single quarter pound burger.  And, it's good.

I salute you, Army Navy!  Better try it!

Merrell Adventure Run

Run on the rugged side.  That is, you'll run off road, on trails, on the mountain with scenic views.

The event will be held on April 27, 2013 at Mt. Sinai, Pintong Bukawe, San Mateo Rizal.  Registration is extended until April 15, 2013.

For more information, visit Merrell’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/MerrellPhilippines

Source: PinoyMTBiker.org

Dagupan Ciy Bangus Festival 2013

Bangus (milkfish) is the Philippine's national fish.

And, I love eating bangus; howsoever it's cooked - fried, grilled, steak, smoked, steamed, sisig, relleno (stuffed), with any kind of broth, even raw (kinilaw), etc.

The species of bangus that I like most are those harvested from Bonuan, Dagupan City.

And, Dagupan City is holding the Bangus Festival 2013 from April 22 up to May 1, 2013.

For the schedule of activities, please visit Senyoritadotnet.

Source: Senyorita.net.

Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor)

Most employees are rejoicing today; because, it's the 71st anniversary of Araw ng Kagitingan a.k.a. Bataan Day - a Philippine regular holiday.  And, those who would report for work shall receive double pay based on their basic salary.

The Filipinos commemorate the Fall of Bataan during the Japanese invasion and the courage of the Filipino and American soldiers during World War I.  Let's salute them.

Cheaper medicine

Medicines, nowadays, will cost an arm and a leg.  Thus, getting sick is not a good idea!

I'm diabetic!  And, my doctor prescribed me maintenance drugs, one of which is Metformin Hydrochloride (HCl).

At the drugstore, the pharmacist asked me what brand.  And, I inquired for the prices.  RiteMED brand is P2.50 / tablet; while, the branded one is P8:50 / tablet.  Without thinking, I purchased the RiteMED brand.  For 60 tablets, the cost is P150 only; hence, I saved P360 or 71%. 

Even there's option for cheaper medicines, getting sick is still not a good idea.

Be healthy always!

Groto ni Birhen Maria

There's a Worship Center situated within the 45-hectare land of Elizabeth Place in Balanga City, which is located along the Roman Highway.  It's called "Groto ni Birhen Maria".

The worship center is situated in the interior of the complex; hence, it can't be seen from the highway.

We found out about this church because a relative will be wed here this coming May.

My breakfast of egg & kani sandwich

Egg and kani sandwich with a glass of iced cold tea (no sugar) - my breakfast before I went mountain biking today.

One egg - scrambled and fried, three sticks of kani, lettuce, mayonnaise, and Gardenia wheat bread.

Now, I'm ready to go mountain biking.

Our Lunch at Chicken Bacolod

It's already almost 1:00 PM; and, Wifey and I were already starving.  A minute more; and, we might die with open eyes.

Along the way, we're choosing for restaurant to dine in; Jolibee, Chow King, KFC, McDonald, Kowloon and, bulls eye - we spotted Chicken Bacolod.

We ordered batchoy (noodle soup), two chicken thigh inasal (grilled), and a chicken tail inasal.

After devouring my food, I still felt not satisfied.  I again looked at the menu and ordered turon (fried banana in lumpia wrapper).

Wifey loves this place.  Aside from the nice food, the ingredients of batchoy are beef and no pork.

Run United 2 2013

It you're a running enthusiast, here's another event for you - RUN United 2 2013.

It will be held on June 2, 2013 with Ceelin 500m dash, 10k, 21k and 32k race categories. All categories will have a start and finish line at the SM Mall of Asia.

For more information, please click here.

Snack at World Chicken

My afternoon snack at World Chicken - grilled chicken with farm fresh mushroom sauce and fried banana siding:

The grilled chicken is good; and, the menu has lots of sauces and sidings to choose from.

Now, I could drive home after the number coding  period without worrying about getting hungry.

Re-elect Dan Tentativa for Councilor

My good friend and office mate is running for re-election (second term) as Councilor of the Municipality of Isabel, Leyte.

Last election, he landed number 3 despite being an Independent candidate.  Now, he belongs to the NPC Party.

I'm appealing to you, Isabelanons, to vote for Dan again as your Councilor.

Easter Sunday

Today is Easter Sunday, which is the greatest feast in the Christian calendar.

It celebrates the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ from the dead.

Have a blessed day!

Black Saturday

It's Black Saturday.

It commemorates the day that our Lord Jesus Christ's body laid in the tomb.

Have a blessed day!

Good Friday

It's Good Friday - another holiday here in the Philippines.

It commemorates the crucifixion of our Lord Jesus Christ and his death at Calvary.

Have a blessed day!

Maundy Thursday

It's Maundy Thursday, which is a holiday here in the Philippines.

It commemorates the foot washing and last supper of our Lord Jesus Christ with his 12 apostles.

Have a blessed day!

Globe Cordillera Challenge 4

The fourth Globe Cordillera Challenge will happen on May 4, 2013 to raise funds for the building of 30 forest seedling nurseries.  It is open to mountain bikers on limited slots.  A total of 300 bikers are expected to join.  Each biker is required to donate P1,000.  Registration is from March 15 to April 26, 2013.

It will start and end at Tublay Municipal Hall passing by Ambuklao Dam, with a view of Agno River and Binga Dam.

Click here for more information.