The Most Dangerous and Unsafe MRT Station Area in Metro Manila

I only go to Guadalupe via MRT when necessary because I know what I have to walk through in this area. I also make sure to only come here in broad daylight. Otherwise, I'll rather get off at the Buendia station and just take a Guadalupe bound jeep there.

Pedesterians going to the MRT station  'bottleneck' here on mornings.

Over the years, funeral wakes held at the Loyola Memorial Chapel has always dragged me back to visit this area. Nothing has changed. Maybe just the white walls. Pink fences or no fences, makitid pa rin, madilim pa rin. Amoy ihi at tae ang ilalim ng MRT stairway (the MRT stairway smells of urine and feces).

The Guadalupe path from the MRT station is long and narrow just meant for one person to pass through. If you cross paths with someone, one of you has to give way. You are at the mercy of strangers you come across with. Someone could stab you with an ice pick and you'll find yourself meters away from both ends, there is no quick exit,  your screams would probably drown in the noise of EDSA and the fast cars and buses would hardly stop or take notice.  

The San Carlos Seminary and the Our Lady of Guadalupe Seminary has probably lotsa space inside, I think they could do the right thing for the Guadalupe community by easing this narrow path and donate a meter of their space for the public. Or the government should just purchase a meter of the land from them. Maybe it is easy for me to say these things because I wouldn't know the amount of paperwork and politics involved to make this a better and safer MRT stop.

I mean how many women probably got groped trying to go to work passing by here? Or people getting robbed at knife point? Who knows? I feel sorry for the call center agents living at this area. I can't imagine walking here at 11pm or 5am after their shifts.

Years ago on TV Patrol, there was a police report about a fast food worker raped and murdered at this station as she was just going home from work. I would understand the circumstances now why it happened, pedestrians are easy prey in Guadalupe. 

Where to Buy Doy Pack Bags or Zesto Bags in the Philippines?

You may purchase doy pack bags and doy label products in bulk at the source GK Sunshineville Show Room in Las Pinas City, Philippines.

Gawad Kalinga Sunshineville is a joint community project by HSBC, Alaska and the Zesto Corporation supporting and training impoverished women and their families in skills such as sewing, weaving and basic handicrafts.

Contact Mr. Bong Ragojos for pricing and bag orders:
Gawad Kalinga Sunshineville is located at Carnival Park Street,
BF Resort Village, Talon 2 Las Pinas City, PhilippinesTelephone+632 917-390-7861+632 919-612-0202 email: ljragojos2002@yahoo.com

Thess Barameda of GKonomics
4/F Pro-Friends Building, 55 Tinio Street, Addition Hills, Mandaluyong City, Philippines
Tel: (02) 718-1738
E-Mail: gkoncepts.info@gmail.com

Where to Buy Drugs in the Philippines?

Need to score some aspirin? Ibuprofen? Where can I get Drugs in Manila when I'm a foreigner new to the city?

Mercury Drugstore is a nationwide well-known pharmacy empire in the Philippines. They have stores in every Philippine city and major hospitals.

The pharmacy is also a convenience store which sells junk food, beverages, breads, candy, personal grooming items and toiletries.



This is their trademark logo, the Roman God Mercury carrying his staff with the two entwined snakes, a symbol widely used in the medical field. Underneath written in Tagalog are the words "Nakakasiguro ang gamot ay laging bago" which translates "Our Medicine is always brand new" or "Our Drugs are always Fresh". Its just a guarantee they won't sell you expired stuff.

Mercury Drugstore is the prime drugstore for patients in need of specialized and regulated medications. Just present your doctor's RX or Doctor's orders with the proper dosages stated at the counter. They also honor Senior Citizen discounts.



The following branches of Mercury Drugstores are open 24 hours:

People Support Center Makati Branch
(next to Makati Medical Center)
People Support Center Amorsolo Street, Makati City 1229 Metro Manila
Telephone: (02) 889--7820 / (02) 889--7821

Makati Evangelista Branch
# 1650 Evangelista corner Belarmino St. Makati City 1233 Metro Manila
Telephone: (02) 750--1646 / (02) 889--0236
A block away from EDSA in Evangelista Street, in front of ChowKing

Park Square One, Ayala Center
Quad carpark buidling. San Lorenzo, Makati City 1200 Metro Manila
Telephone: (02) 815--4846
This is the mall at the back of Glorietta and SM Makati

Makati Guadalupe Branch
Guadalupe Comercial Complex 8124 Sgt. F. Yabut Circle
Makati City 1200, Metro Manila
Telephone: (02) 882--1429

Sampaloc Espana Branch
corner Espana Metrica Streets, Manila 1008, Metro Manila
Telephone: (02) 740--7594 / (02) 742--8358 / (02) 781--2235

Quiapo-Plaza Miranda Branch
The Mercury Drug Billboard infront of Quiapo Church, Manila 1001 Metro Manila
Telephone: (02) 733--6630 / (02) 734--9314

Manila Gagalangin, Juan Luna Branch
(Tondo Area)
#2668 Juan Luna Street, Manila 1012 Metro Manila
Telephone: (02) 251--5650

Ermita Taft PGH Branch
#1332 Taft Avenue in front Philippine General Hospital,
Ermita, Manila 1000 Metro Manila
Telephone: (02) 523--2699 / (02) 536--0345

Blumentritt- Avenida Branch
#2414 Rizal Avenue Manila 1003 Metro Manila
Telephone: (02) 252--5836 / (02) 252--5837

Pasig City Meralco Commercial Strip
The Strip Commercial Complex Meralco Compund,
Ortigas Avenue, Pasig 1605 Metro Manila
Telephone: (02) 634--1728 / (02) 636--3525

Cubao-Pinatubo
Aurora Boulevard corner Pinatubo Street,
Quezon City, 1111 Metro Manila
Telephone: (02) 726--1746 / (02) 727--3027 / ( ) - / ( ) -

Edsa Balintawak
1142 Edsa Balintawak Quezon City 1106 Metro Manila
Telephone: (02) 362--4048 / (02) 362--4049

Citimall Diliman
#1 Ultimate Plaza Commonwealth Avenue,
Quezon City 1104, Metro Manila
Telephone: (02) 435--4335 / (02) 92-4-8587 / (02) 92-4-8638

Manadaluyong EDSA Libertad
EDSA corner Libertad street, Mandaluyong 1501 Metro Manila
Telephone: (02) 531--0877 / (02) 531--0878

Typhoon Ondoy (Tropical Storm Ketsana) Submerges Manila

It is Day Four since Tropical Storm Ketsana (Typhoon Ondoy) triggered the worst flooding in decades in the capital Manila and nearby provinces. Life has yet to return to normal for many residents as the city remains submerged and many Filipinos are still living on top of their roofs- some waiting to be rescued and some waiting for food or relief goods.



During the storm, some residents from Marikina manage to Twitter and get on Facebook, asking for people online for help and rescue. The rising floodwaters swept away people, cars and houses.

There was also a brave young man named Muelmar Magallanes who was able to rescue 30 people. But drowned in his attempt to save an infant and a mother adrift in the flood waters.

More than 250,000 have been driven from their homes, officials say. Some reports estimate that 80% of the capital is still under water.

If you're in the Philippines and wish to donate to flood relief, you may go to any of 7 Eleven branches which serve as drop-off points for relief supplies, such as ready to eat goods, mats, mosquito nets and water jugs.



To get a clear idea of the scope of this calamity, visit the sites of the local news bureaus- ABS-CBN news and The Inquirer. There are also a lot of videos circulating on youtube and facebook uploaded by those who experienced the typhoon firsthand. 



If you are based abroad, you may also donate cash or give aid via the Philippine Red Cross


Flooded Ayala Underpass by Kathy E. Zablan

Where to Buy a Boat in the Philippines? And Where to go Sailing?

The Philippine archipelago is perfect for sailing. The country has a long tradition in boatmaking or customizing boats for fishing. Today, there are all sorts of local boatmakers for all kinds of boats like the following:


Trimaran by Andy Smith Boatworks

• Multi- Purpose, all-weather Fishing Boat
• Bass Boats
• Deck Boats
• Sea Skimmers/ Sailboats
• Yachts
• Trawler Yachts
• Motor Yachts
• High Performance Boats
• Wooden Boats
• Multi-Hulls
• Utility Boats

If you are interested in investing in cost-efficient, carefully supervised customized boats, you may check out the following companies:

Boatshop Philippines, a Cebu-based Multihull Sailing Yacht and Catamarans Boat Builder
(+63)32 429 9429
boatshop@boatshop.com.ph

Island Boats Inc
Office: 91 Roces Quezon City
Call Benny at 931-9893 or 91 for an appointment
Mobile Txt: Tina at 0919+2234936

The BoatShop Corporation
Email: theboatshop@powerboatsrus.com
Phone: 904-866-3117
Office: 239 Marseillas St. Salinas Rosario, Cavite, Philippines

Andy Smith Boatworks A Bohol based boat builder, specializing in glass-epoxy – ply, strip-plank, diagonal ply catamarans.
Office:Tipolo, Bolod, Panglao Island Bohol 6340, Philippines
info@andy-smith-boatworks.com

Emings Fine Custom Boat Builders Philippines
Extreme Care and extraordinary craftsmanship go into every boat they build
please call - 032-272-1196 or mobile – 0919-804-9048 ask for Emings

For those looking for sailing and boat enthusiasts, please visit the Philippine Home Boatbuilders Yacht Club, a community of boat builders, boat enthusiasts and sailors.

Where to Purchase Mounted Insect Specimens in the Philippines?

For insect specimen collectors or entomology enthusiasts looking for tropical specimens endemic to the Philippines, there are mounted and framed specimens made by Anthropoda Philippines available for sale at Wilcon Builders branches particularly the branch in Pasong Tamo Makati.



Availability varies per season, but usually they have the following insects: butterfly (Papillon), Beetles (Coleoptera), Dragonflies (Anisoptera), Mantis and Locusts (Mantodea), Spiders (Araneae).

Five years ago, Wilcon Builders had a shelf full of insects on display, now they only have a small corner for the framed insects. They are under the home and living wares section, next to the glass vases and home decor.

The prices range from P300-P3,000 according to variety and rarity. The main supplier of Anthropoda Philippines is Acclaim Butterfly Philippines. A Butterfly farm company and a main supplier of Wedding butterflies.

How to find Wilcon Builders Depot 5
2212 Pasong Tamo, Makati City in front of Don Bosco Chapel
Phone: 893-3108 / 893-3142
893-3127 / 844-7306 / 893-3120
Fax Number: 893-3172

Philippine Employment Agencies for Housekeepers, Household Staff, Maids and Drivers

Getting your household in order can be overwhelming especially for expatriate families. In finding a housekeeper it would be a good idea to go hire one via an employment agency or through a trusted referral by a good family friend.

Never hire strangers. People who don't really have any social connection to you, other than that they just walked in right through your door via an ad placed in craigslist or a newspaper. Its important that someone you trust should vouch for their integrity or where they're from. In this case, they call it a referral. 

Manila is relatively safe, but like any other city in the world, it has its share of thugs, thieves and gangs. Syndicates exist and their modus operandi is mainly infiltrating your household through a helper/maid. One may work in the household a few months, prepping the place for an inside job. Sometimes even the most trusted maid can be coerced into a home invasion by being threatened with death by these scheming individuals. But that's another lengthy post. So its better to be vigilant over your family's safety. 

Hiring via an employment agency is your best bet because they can be held accountable for the hired help and the quality of the cleaning services rendered.



Here are two notable manpower agencies for cleaning services and hiring of your household help:

Superhelper
Housekeeping & management for the expat household. They also have workshops and trainings for the house staff according to specific household needs such as Cleaning, Fabric Care & Laundry Duties, Manners & Etiquette, Budgeting & Shopping, Table Setting & Service. They do background checks and work references too.

Superhelper
Ph-13, Tower B
Almanza Metropolis Condominium|
Manila Doctor's Village
Alabang, Zapote Road, Almanza Uno
1750 Las Pinas City Philippines
http://super-helper.com


Roma Enterprises
Local agency engaged in recruitment, manpower and maintenance services which include stay-in and on-call housekeeping, ironing, laundry, cook, party-assistance, helpers and drivers.  They have On-call cleaning services for offices and condo units (area per square meter). They come in for a few hours and leave before the day ends. Rates available at their website

Roma Enterprises
LG-23 Alfaro Place Leviste St., Salcedo Village, Makati City 
Tel. Nos.:566 5228 / 0922 889-ROMA
http://romaenterprise.multiply.com/