The Quickest Way to Commute to ABSCBN or Panay Avenue

Commuting to the ABS-CBN building? Going to Mother Ignacia street? Or just visiting one of the buildings along Panay Avenue? Going to the Film Academy of the Philippines? Looking for the OctoArts Building in Panay Ave?

The quickest way to get to there would be via MRT (Metro Rail Transit) get down Quezon Avenue Station along EDSA, walk to the Mcdonalds & 711 side. Right beside, McDo is a tricycle terminal (this is the start of the stretch of Panay Avenue). You can ask the tricycle driver to take you to ABS-CBN or to take you to your specific destination on Panay Avenue.

You can also opt to walk to ABS-CBN if you don't want to take the trike. From McDo walk further down Panay Avenue, turn left at Sgt. Esguerra Avenue which is the first street you will encounter intersecting Panay Avenue. One block away from his intersection is the ABS CBN compound.

Refer to this wonderful google map!

Going to the Emergency Room of a Philippine Hospital

A lot of people I know dread hospitals or doctor visits! Even if they have an HMO card or a FREE health care plan from their companies, I just realized most don't really know what to do when they get to the hospital. OR they don't know when they should go to the hospital for emergency care unless they finally pass out!

Would you like to find yourself fainting in a public place at the mercy of strangers?

I guess not.

So for those proud enough to say I've never spent a day in a hospital since the day I was born- Do you know what they do to patients when they get to the ER?

or do you know what to do when you need to take someone you love to the ER

If your conscious, not bleeding or not critical case in any way - Upon arrival, a nurse or doctor on duty will talk to you, ask you questions - like what's wrong? where it hurts? what you ate the last few hours? if you're allergic to anything? diseases you have? A quick tour of your medical history.

The nurse will then get your blood pressure and do some quick check-ups. She will note all that on a clip board. She will make you sign some papers or who ever you're with (like a relative) who is of sound mind to sign these papers for you.

If you can't do any of these, they'll immediatedly transfer you to the ward via gurney or wheelchair to see the resident doctor on duty. Afterwards, maybe what you do fear most starts- the needles and all that poking.

But most of the time they just give you medicine, make you sleep there until you feel alright enough to go home. They will give you medical orders btw like what treatment to take and what specialist to see if they find anything wrong with you. You only get confined to the hospital if you're unfit to go home and you have to sign yourself in. They will explain all the details why you need to stay usually for a battery of tests or an emergency procedure.

If you are unconscious, dying, unable to speak - they will notify whoever's contact details they find on your wallet or cell phone. If you have no identification on you, they will ask the police for identity assistance or they will make public announcements through news bureaus like AM radio stations. If you are a foreigner, they will contact the embassies.

Don't hesitate to go to the ER if you're blacking out, your chest hurts and you can't breathe. Listen to your body, the gut feel is there when you know something bad is going down. Bad like your body parts are going numb, you can't feel your arm, fingers are tingling, your stomach hurts or there's sharp stabbing pain somewhere.

ER doctors will ask about your pain. They will ask you to measure it on a scale between 1-10. Stop tolerating the pain and listen to your body, if you think its an 8or a 10! then head for the ER!

How much will this cost? Bring money if you don't have HMO. If its a public hospital, you need a basic P800-P1,500. If its a private hospital, Makati Med or Medical City bring a basic of P2,500-P5,000. The bill will be based on the doctor's fee, the kind of tests and drugs administered to you at the ER.

How to Audition as an Actor, Model, Talent or an Extra in the Philippines?

Want an opportunity in Philippine television, film or advertising as an onscreen talent?

If you think you got what it takes and have the acting skills for the job, then here are some tips to get you started on your dream career.

Go to casting calls for TVCs. Submit your head shots at casting agencies (most of them are in Makati) and get yourself in their talent pool.

Go to auditions of indie films. The independent film scene is very active, it may not be mainstream or popular cinema, but you can give your acting chops some good exercise. You can build your talent reel this way. Being in an indie production is also a good way to network with key production people who have day jobs in the local entertainment industry. If you get yourself in their radar, chances are they'll give you a heads-up on any acting gigs.


Find an Agent or Talent Manager.
If you get around lining up for hours in casting calls, you're bound to meet agents or talent managers who can represent you. Managers usually take in a fee or percentage commission per project you get.



Be Seen at the Scene. Make yourself visible at malls, parties, hip clubs, events. If you hang around long enough and you really believe you have that IT factor, it wouldn't be so hard for a talent scout or Caster to spot you. There have been numerous celebrities, models and actors who have been approached this way.

Go to "GO SEEs" local term for casting calls or casting parties where models are made to strut around in a room or a party to be seen by talent scouts, designers and TVC casters in an informal or casual setting.

Overall, just be patient, courteous and be on time (even when most productions start late). There's always a job for everyone. You don't have to be strikingly "beautiful" to land a role, most of the time it's how you fit the part. Bank on your personality or the the vibe you project on screen. Most casters, clients or directors have the finally say on who the faces on their projects should be for the season. They always keep the industry fresh with new talent. Its the survival that counts and for that you need real talent to last longer in the cutthroat industry.



Philippine Talent and Modeling Agencies:

Cosmopolitan Promotions & Casting Agency
Rm. 41, 4/F Matrinco Building,
2178 Pasong Tamo Makati City, Philippines
1200 Tel. Nos : (632) 817-2460 • 892-7921 • 812-8214
www.cosmo-talents.com

Don Management
2210 Suite cityland Pasong Tamo Tower
Pasong Tamo St., Pio del Pilar, Makati City
Tel. no. (02) 812-1976; 812-1970
donmanagement@yahoo.com

Ad Management Team, Co.
2018 Cityland Herrera Tower
98 Herrera St. Salcedo Village, Makati City
Tel. no. (02) 753-1698, 7531699/0920-9270767
inquiry@admatemodels.com
www.admatemodels.com

ADTRAXX
7508 Santilian St., Barangay Pio Del Pilar
Makati City
Contact:
(02) 894-0667
E-mail: adtraxx@yahoo.com
Website: www.adtraxxmodels.com

Elan Models International
Unit 230 Mile long Bldg., Amorsolo corner Herrera Sts.,
Legaspi Village, Makati City
Tel. no. (02) 890-9025
Cel. no. 0917-300-ELAN
Fax (02) 840-2316
elan@pldtdsl.net
www.elanmodelsinternational.com

ADMATE
Unit 2018 Cityland Herrera Tower,
VA Rufino corner Valero Street, Salcedo Village, Makati City 1200 Philippines
Telephone No: (632) 753-1698; (632)753-1699
Tele-Fax No: (632) 817-1293 Mobile No: (63) 920-9270767 

How to get to Libis or Eastwood City Cyberpark?

How to Commute to Libis

From Makati
Take MRT / Metro Transit ride to Ortigas Station and walk towards Robinson's Galleria mall. There is a shuttle service going directly to Eastwood Cyberpark between 7am to 9:30am. Or ride the jeepney going to IPI, get down at IPI then take the Cubao Jeep northbound and then get down at Eastwood City. You are at Eastwood City when you see the Citibank building.

From North Edsa or Quezon City
Take MRT / Metro Transit ride to Cubao Station. Walk towards the street in between McDonalds & Fiesta Carnival past Gateway Mall. Ride the jeep going to Rosario, St. Joseph or De Castro. Or ride the FX going to St. Joseph, the FX terminal is near Cinema 21. Get Down at Eastwood City.

From Shaw Boulevard
From Shaw Blvd, ride a jeepney going to Antipolo or Binangonan, make sure it will pass by IPI. Tell the driver to drop you off at IPI then ride a jeepney going to Cubao (northbound). Go down to Eastwood City (Citibank).

From Antipolo, Cainta, Angono
Ride jeep/FX and get down at Ever Ortigas then take the Cubao Jeep/FX route, get down at Eastwood City.

How do you know you're near Eastwood City?
When the traffic starts to bottle neck.

Also in riding the jeepney at this particular route, do not tap on the jeepney's ceiling or scream at the driver. Be courteous and pull the string in front of you. This is to signal to the driver that this is your stop. (This is only for jeepneys in this side of town, some jeepneys do not have this bell installed).

For a very-detailed map of Libis, you may visit this site. They also have good directions for those driving or going via car to Libis.

Where Can I Find a Tailor in the Philippines to make me a Barong, Tux or Suit?

Tailors in the Philippines are superb so you can easily find one that can make a suit or formal wear for you.

A Barong can look good on Expats who want to attend pinoy formal events and local business functions. A good example would be Hollywoood's resident auteur Quentin Tarantino, he looks very dashing in a hand-embroidered piña Barong by Tesoros.

In fact, every true-blooded pinoy male should have one ready in his closet with the white comfy undershirt.

Wearing a white undershirt or sando is a must to avoid "bactung" or bakat utung which means your nipples are erect and showing through the barong - a common fashion faux pas when wearing the barong.

You may try known tailoring masters like Arthur's.

Arthur's Tailoring & Cut-Rite

• Diamond Finance Building 603 Edsa Cubao 1100 Quezon City Metro Manila |Phone: +63(2)7264837

• G/F Arthurs Building 2203 Taft Avenue Malate 1000 Manila Metro Manila | Phone: +63(2)5835343

• Arthurs Building 850 J.P. Rizal Avenue 1200 Makati Metro Manila | Phone: +63(2)8997937

• 816 Pres Quirino Avenue 1000 Manila Metro Manila | Phone: +63(2)5230053

For Barongs (customary Filipino formal wear or suit) you can have one custom made by any Filipino tailor, haberdashery or wedding couturier. There are such tailor shops at the malls that cater for the Barong demand such as King Philip Tailors and Kingsmen.

Where to find the Tailors in Manila:
King Philip Tailors
Ayala Avenue, Glorietta 1, Ayala Center, Makati City, Manila, 1224

Kingsmen Custom Tailors
Address: Century Plaza Bldg., 120 Perea Street, Legaspi Village, Makati City, Philippines

King George Men's Boutique & Custom Tailor
1008-D Arnaiz Avenue, Makati City, Philippines

Daneche Tailor Shop
Robinson's Galleria, 112 Park Ave., Edsa cor. Ortigas Ave., Pasig City, Philippines

Other Tailors throughout Manila:

Rich & Famous Men's Clothing
Rm. 204 2/F Pension Virginia Building Pasay Road, San Lorenzo Village 1200 Makati Metro Manila
Phone: +63(2)8436990

Manila Barong Center
Plaza Nuestra Senora De Guia 410 Plaza Ferguson Ermita 1000 Manila Metro Manila
Phone: +63(2)5257543

Lord Jeson Originals
800 Quirino Avenue 1004 Manila Metro Manila
Phone: +63(2)5210834

Van Rowin Tailoring & Haberdashery
Consolacion Building 1 Gen. Santos Street Cubao 1100 Quezon City Metro Manila
Phone: +63(2)9110892

RM Manlapat Tailoring
85 Timog Avenue South Triangle 1100 Quezon City Metro Manila
Phone: +63(2)9251461

Prince Albert Tailoring
17-A Gilmore Avenue Quezon City Metro Manila
Phone: +63(2)7213397
Barong Tagalog-Retail, Boutique, Designers-Apparel

Or buy one ready-made at the department stores like SM or Robinsons.

Where can I have my Pants or Clothes repaired or adjusted in the Philippines?

Are your pant's zippers jammed?


Need to have something sewn? Need to have that sleeve adjusted to a half an inch? Is that dress shirt too big? Denims too long?

The Philippines has a lot of tailors, colloquially we call them sastre, 'sewers' (saw- wehrs) or modistas within the little barangays or neighborhoods. You can ask for referrals where to find the local tailoring shops.

An average repair service would cost P30-P75 ($1-$3) in a residential area. This service would include zipper repair, pants alterations, size adjustments, getting some rip seams done. Just walk around the area and I'm sure you will find one. If you're such a cheapskate, bring your own new zipper or buttons for the replacement and that can be deducted from your final bill. You may opt to pay up front or later when you finally pick up your garment.

If you want a sure bet, the malls have many like Alterations Plus with thirteen branches located at:
• Rockwell
• Glorietta 4
• Trinoma
• Shangrila Mall
• Gateway, Mall of Asia
• Podium
• Alabang Town Center
• Greenbelt
• Gateway
• Alabang Town Center
• Robinsons Place Ermita
• Rustan’s Makati

They charge around the P180-P400 range. Check out their extensive price list here.

Another shop is AlterStation which services include:
• Pants Length adjustments
• Re-size Waist / Hips
• Fix Zipper, Buttons, Snaps
• Adjust Sleeve Width / Length
• Regular Cut, Blind Hem, even Back to Original look!
• Repair Coats, Barongs, Jackets
You may also find them in major malls like Mall of Asia, Rockwell and SM MegaMall.

Where to find IKEA furniture in the Philippines?

Every city is filled with secret places with the best bargains or rare gems. Well hidden and surrounded by a quiet residential area in Makati is an Ikea reseller store popular among Manila's bargain hunters.

Just to make things clear - this is an Ikea reseller store. Its not an official mindblowing Ikea warehouse made of sweet Swedish dreams. The nearest official Ikea store in Asia is at the Tampines in Singapore.

Still, if you want all that clever Swedish DYI stuff to fill your condo or some semblance of it, this is the place to go and the prices are reasonably within the Ikea price range. Its hard not to fall for Ikea's very stylish and functional designs when it comes to home wares and furnishings. Ikea is a definite hip forerunner and a must-have in my list.

At this Ikea shop, there are lotsa things to marvel at besides the regular Ikea offerings like the ottomans and kitchen knick-knacks. They have sofas, beds, separators, dividers, shelves, coffee tables, rugs, etc. Besides ogling and mentally planning your next purchase on payday, I would suggest buying the item on the spot as these may no longer be available the next time you come back. Stocks are limited and smart shoppers are keen to snap up one-of-kind products especially the large space savers.

How to get to the IKEA showroom in Makati:



3/F Eastman Building
4977 Enrique St. Palanan, Makati City (near Bautista Street)
Monday to Saturday 10am-7pm
Sunday 2pm-7pm

They also have another branch in Quezon city.

23a Calvary Hills St. New Rolling Hills Subdivision 9th Street
New Manila, Quezon City

Visit their online shop http://rooms101.multiply.com/

In Kamias Road, you can find another IKEA reseller shop frequented by collectors, DIY hobbyist and interior designers.



KAMIAS SHOP: 120 Kamias Road, QC
800am to 5pm WEEKDAYS, 1030am to 730pm WEEKENDS

WHITEPLAINS SHOP: 129 Katipunan Avenue, QC
1030am to 730pm DAILY

You may visit their online site http://ikeaph.multiply.com/