My Excruciating Ordeal in Brooklyn, New York

Staying in New York is expensive, especially when you have no friends or relatives to support you in your accommodation. The standard of living is high and if you do not know someone in the Big Apple, you must find ways to have some Filipino friends so that in time when you need help, someone will let you lend a helping hand. And to keep you going, you need to stretch out your budget and that should be good enough to finance your needs while you are in the city. And you must also know where to find a good food hub to justify your means of necessity, like the Filipino, Chinese, Thai restaurants which the foods they serve have to be paid at a fraction of your cost.

I've been in New York three times and was back in 2010 for a business trip requiring attention to facilitate necessary documents for our client’s order coming from China. From then, it was also a good idea to initiate visit to some clients, whose office is located in the heart of Manhattan.

I came from an extended flight with Emirates en route Dubai since this was the only flight available in conjunction with the date of my planned departure from Manila. I had over 10 hours stay in Dubai before boarding the plane bound for New York. From JFK Airport I went to the main city taking the air train and the subway in Howard Beach. I have two bags, the first one is the laptop bag that I carry on my shoulder and the other one is my luggage with a trolley and both I could barely carry with my hands which made me quite uncomfortable in time of my arrival in New York. Stretching between the 7th Avenue and 42nd St that I walk, I met three Filipinos in their mid-life hanging around while sitting at the seats in the side walk. They tried to advice me where to stay safe and they brought me to Burger King to have some meals. I just forgot their names but I still have their numbers on my cellphone using a sim card with a New York number, though in time I would need to travel back, then I would have someone to hang out with. I walked around and inquired some hostels because the Manhattan Inn that I have checked in the last travel that I had in New York was already closed. Chelsea Star, which was just in front of Manhattan Inn hostel, was full so I had to find another place that will keep me safe. It took me time to find a place which lets me stay the entire night in Broadway Avenue. Tourists in the city are welcomed with bright lights as soon as the sun start to disappear. I’ve walked all night long in Broadway so it was a good idea to hang around in Times Square till the night is over. It’s safe because there are police roaming around to ensure the safety of people all over the place.

So I spent overnight in Times Square and when the sun began to rise, From Penn Station via subway I went to Broadway Junction station and ride a J-M-Z train in Brooklyn, New York to see the hostel which I’ve searched through the internet with instructions how to get to Williamburgh. It’s a 20 minute ride through the subway from Times Square or Penn Station. Glenwood Hostel is located just across the river line connecting to the Brooklyn Bridge, at the Broadway in Williamburgh, Brooklyn. Just a 5 minute walk to the station and you can hear trains are passing once you get into that hostel. Well, I guess I have no choice ‘cause it’s been two nights I haven’t sleep well. I took the risk

 and got my room, so small and hot, about 5-7 square meters and a bit larger than a single bed. The rest room was common; it stinks and not clean enough if you set your own standard when it comes to bathrooms. Think about a cubicle that your arms could not extend when you stretch it between the two walls. No toilet papers and no running water inside the cubicle but just a flash to wash that “something”, haha..If you are unfortunate enough, the pooh is your host welcoming you the moment you enter the cubicle. The ceiling of each room is covered with a net used for catching fish which lets you see the main ceiling as the rooms are just partitioned and wall off with a ply wood. No fan in the ceiling at all and you can feel the hotness as it happened to be summer and I was sweating a lot the entire time in the hostel, as I can feel the agony towards my body. You can hear the trains passing by which lets you unable to sleep well at day or at night. You can hear some people fight in the premise yelling indecent words as most of the guests in the hostel are dominated with colors. I slept for a couple of hours. I never trust anyone there so I guess I had to leave before the darkness come. My intention was to have an overnight stay in Times Square because I would say it’s much safe there than staying in the hostel. I could no longer procrastinate leaving the hostel as the thought of looking for a good place to stay has been planted already.

I've been to an agency in Spanish Harlem who gets to recommend a client with a nice room for a minimal fee. They directed me towards an apartment in Elmhurst where you can see most Filipinos who live there. But their recommendation did not materialize which few days later I had to reimburse the money that I paid for.

In time I was looking for an apartment that the agency directed me to go to, I met Tita Julie  in Elmhurst who I asked for a decent place to live in time it was Philippine Independence Day where she invited me to watch the festivity in Madison Avenue which the parade is taking place. She recommended me to a Filipino couple who own a condo unit and I got a very nice and clean bed room for $500 a month. It was Tita Glo Soriano and I forgot the name of her husband who we spoke first to berth at their place. I was well taken cared off and they showed me around to their condo unit. Immediately after taking the room, I went back to Brooklyn to check out in the hostel and pulled my bags off to Elmhurst.My excruciating experience lasted about more than a week and thanks to Tita Julie who became an instrument so I would be able to find a better place to stay in New York

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Pushing Through with the Plans

We are now in the month of August and nearing the "ber" months. And as soon as we reach next month, we hear Christmas songs again played in the radio. I have a mixed feeling about it. But I am quite excited about the imminent event as each year when Christmas season comes, we get to connect this festivity with reunion with friends and families. And we know how important the upcoming holiday to the Filipinos as the celebration has been part of our culture. We can say that this is the most celebrated event of the year because as soon as the month of September takes place, some people already start to put a Christmas decoration, start to jot down things to be bought and ultimately expecting the 13th month day to be released as early as possible. As the season is just around the corner, it makes me wonder about each passing year as it's a wonderful feeling to reminisce about those good old days. And we know how kids love the Christmas season.

Okay, what's my next plan just before the holiday season comes? And speaking of travel, I would have to say to minimize it in the meantime  since we are in the months when typhoons are more active. I really love to go out places and yet, I was thinking about the rains as this would only stale my time to enjoy the place, just like what happened to my past trip in Baguio.

This year for me promises with lots of local travel as I started the year with a bang, from Bicol to Baguio. But I have never reach the peak of my plan yet as far as traveling is concerned. My greatest obsession for this year is to visit Batanes Islands. Let's see if it pushes through, I believe though, that it would come to materialize.

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Singapore's Char Kway Teo Noodles

It's been a while since the last time I wrote about foods and today, I went to Robinson's Galleria mall in Ortigas Center. And just like any usual, when I am hungry either I go to food court or I would walk around to find a fine dining restaurant. A restaurant which had always caught my attention each time I pass by is Nasi Lemak Singapore Food Republic where they serve Singaporean, Indian, Chinese, Japanese and Malaysian foods. The restaurant had always been a lot of customers compared to its competing neighbors, that's why out of curiosity about its food, I dined in to satiate my cravings.

I got the hot and sour soup first as part of my traditional taste when I go to authentic restaurant but their servings did not really meet my expectation because it wasn't the taste that came out I expected to be like other Chinese restaurants had. The taste is not really bad at all, but comparing to other restaurants which serve the same soup, I have my lists which you have to go with in terms of serving an authentic soup.

I also got the appetizer, a crispy baby squid but the taste is good and is quite reasonable for the price, but it's not the usual appetizer that I'd love to eat. I don't have any idea how they cook it, but it seems like it was over fried.

The main entree was served and I got Char Kway Teo Noodles with crunchy bean sprouts, peanuts, scrambled eggs and chinese sausages. It's one of their best selling delicacies served to their customers. But to my surprise, it wasn't the noodle that I really wanted to eat at all. It might be the noodle that some people would like to eat, but honestly it's not what I really like to eat in terms of eating a noodle.

Well as for the price, it's quite reasonable but better try some of their best selling delicacies instead of this noodle.

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Spotlight: Meet Miguel Vera

He is the pride of PSBA Quezon City’s Business Chorale, where he was club president in 1987. As a mentor of the organization, he continued to help members by conducting singing and acting workshops even after he graduated from PSBA.
Romeo Arca, known as “Boyet” to his close friends, is gifted with a powerful baritone-tenor voice. It was pure talent that launched his career as a successful recording artist in 1991 where he became known as the Miguel Vera. He was also a member of the Organisasyon ng Pilipinong Mang-aawit or OPM. Prior to recording, he appeared in the Cosmos commercial, “Bagong Tunog”.
It was also in 1991 when he launched his album under Viva Records, “Nais Ko” where songs “Nais Ko” and “Narito Ang Puso Ko”, became instant hits. Narito ang Puso Ko became theme song of the movie by the same title, which starred Lorna Tolentino and Gabby Concepcion.
Miguel Vera is now based in the U.S. and currently doing shows here and abroad.
Below is the interview made with Miguel Vera via Facebook:
JM: Paano ka nagsimula as a member of Business Chorale? Do you still recall the song you had audition with? Or you had an exemption dahil as expected maganda talaga ang boses mo?
Miguel Vera: No audition for me..hand pick ha ha and nag start yan ng puro lalaki lang kami..
JM: Who was your greatest influence that inspired you to become an artist?
Miguel Vera: My dad..
JM: Ah ok,for sure maganda din boses ng dad mo...• How were you discovered? Did you ever have a chance to join some singing contests before?
Miguel Vera: Di kumakanta dad ko pero magaling siya sa sax and harmonica..yes,when I was a kid sali ako mga singing contest..but my biggest break is when i won the Fe Panlilio scholarshiip na project ng OPM..after
that dami na offers na dumating.
JM: OK I presume you have become an OPM artist? What was your first TV appearance? If I remember, una kita kaseng nakita sa Ryan, Ryan Musikahan with Ogie Alcasid.
Miguel Vera: Yes that was the first and yup I'm an OPM member.
JM: Pero sino favorite mong singer here and abroad?
Miguel Vera: Local Basil Valdez, foreign Lou Rawls and Luther Van Ross.
JM: And just to share with current BC members, paano mo hinuhugot angkin mong galling sa pag-awit?
Miguel Vera: Ang paghugot ng galing nangagaling sa puso..di sa teknik..ang talent ini ensayo..there should always a room for improvement..pag pumasok sa utak mo na magaling ka na at wala ka ng kailangan matutunan..dun nagtatapos ang lahat at dika na aabante.
JM: What is your message to current BC members?
Miguel Vera: Sa BC members eto lang masasabi ko..abutin niyo ang kung ano man ang gusto niyong marating,be ready sa madaming trials,walang short cut sa lahat ng gusto niyong puntahan,be fair sa kapwa niyo at huli sa lahat..keep practicing your craft at lahat ng natutunan sa puso ilagay,wag sa utak baka magka hangin.

To listen to his songs, please click the link below:
Miguel Vera' songs

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Heading Up to Global City

It happened to be Independence Day in The US as I head up to Global City and I was surprised to see the big development that went through as far as the real estate is concerned. A lot of buildings have been built as it continues as the place has become more progressive and that was pretty fast to see how it is being developed. Shopping centers have a wide array and I was too quick to remind me the last time I visited Sta. Monica in California about more than two years ago. What comes in to my mind, is we have some beautiful cities in the island, not considering the southern part of the country yet. The other side of me tells me how ironical it is that Philippines is a poor country that dozens of buildings are built including high rise condominiums which an average wage earner could not even afford to buy a piece of land taking more than 10 years of savings before a person could buy one and that is if he or she have a saving around 3k a month. Huhh....that was pretty tough. What about your daily expenses a day such as foods, utility and transportation cost.

I went to the mall at the same spot where different classes of people spend time shopping, strolling and dining. Unlike in the outside part where you can see few people walking and to my impression are those who belong to either A and B class in Serrendra. Global City is more developed and something new to a person who quite to seldom see or visit the place. So in the mall, I had a dinner in an inevitable resto at Mann Hann which I forgot to write down what I have ordered, hahah...it's something like a mixed seafoods with veggies.

So it's time for me to go home by 7pm but was caught in the traffic as it happened to be in a rush hour. Then I came to a stop to the Shang mall for a bit of rest.

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A Year Ago

It seems hard to believe that we are in the month of July and fast approaching that "ber" month which means Christmas season once again will just be around the corner. We just had our New Year recently and summer had just ended over a month ago. As soon as the summer was gone, we had the month of June as start of rainy season. The flood came about a week ago, it rained hard that caused the first flood in the year happened to be my birthday!! haha...And shortly after it subsided, then came another flood the following day.

I usually start to reminisce things in the past, and the greatest moment that happened in our lives are things in the past. This is the time when we realize that our pasts aren't quite bad at all but something that we can always cherish as these days gone by.

First thing I want to recall is the month I stayed in New York City last year. I love New York that I really wanted to go back as soon as possible. But few things have changed as the plan has temporarily put to shelf. But there's a big, big possibility for me to go back there this year and will try before the winter comes.

It was also in the month of July when I stayed in the Big Apple, and I was renting a room from a Filipino couple who own a house in Elmhurst, about 15 minutes to Manhattan by the subway. It was Independence Day of the U.S. when Best Buy had its sale. Mitch, a physical therapist was my buddy and we both watch the fireworks seen at the Hudson River.

Quite alone there, but I had so much fun as everyday I had to go to NYC and walk in Broadway, drink coffee and surf internet using my Acer laptop in Cosi Cafe, or go to Madison Square to spend another day in the university belt.

I should be ready when I go back there, bring my camera and laptop, and find a good place to stay. But a big NO to Brooklyn that recalls me about that dirty hostel I stayed for about a week before I met Tita Julie during the Philippine Independence Day in New York.

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Learning the Art of Photography

Blogging will not be complete without using a photo just to picture out a scenario of your article. A person may not be fond of photography, however he or she may use an existing photo grabbed from any source to describe a certain situation of the written article. It does not take one to be an expert to shoot a subject but you can always gain exposure by using a point and shoot camera.



Recently, I use a digital SLR camera to capture moments. As an entry-level, it lets me do some experiments as cameras like this have a lot of features compared to a point of shoot one that I have used before. That also lets me crave more to do an extra mile and explore the art of photography which has been my long time passion and it goes with my travel. Usually I like to shoot some scenery but not really so particular about the label as this would allow me to do some experimentation to different subjects. Just as long as I can capture the best moment, that is something that I would really want to do as part of my fulfillment. Let me get some tips from the experts first before I go into a deeper value about photography.

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Caramia's Banana Blast

The other day I was in Robinson's Galleria and tried Caramia's best selling dessert called "Banana Blast". It's not more of an ice cream, but it's like a frozen chocolate cake or combination of both. Aside from banana, it is filled with sliced frozen strawberries and chocolate ganache syrup, crushed cookies crust, topped with the same gelato scoops. Imagine the day when it's hot and you are inside the mall, refresh yourself by tasting a Banana Blast. Caramia is in front of Guess boutique shop, just when you walk along the mall's main path way. The dessert is simply irresistible and mouth-watering, especially when you are tired walking and the crowd sees you while you sit back and relax in a wide open space area. They would just simply stop to see how delightful Caramia's desserts are. Ahh, I would love to go back there and taste some of their unique ice creams.

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Baguio City Part 2

I was in Baguio City the second time around in the month of May and such purpose was implemented two weeks after the first one transpired. The weather was a bit colder and is manageable, as the summer capital of the Philippines is experiencing isolated rains in the afternoon which prevented us from going out from the hotel that we stayed. Occasionally there's a rain shower during the three-day stay in the city.

Session road, as always, is crowded as I can see some tourists surfing the main road as most of the restaurants can be found in this area. I bet your tour will not be complete without walking to the Session road because the cathedral lies in the city and is also considered as one of the tourist spots in the Pines City. But there's absolutely some places that I've missed to visit as time is short to complete everything.

Some places are truly educational, like when I get to visit how the weaving is done by the manufacturer. Scarves are one of the authentic products that show its culture, so I had a chance to visit the two manufacturing sites. The first one lies in the city itself, and the second one is in the outskirt, located in La Trinidad. These are hand-made woven,with special threads are used and according to the manager, it takes almost three months to complete the production of scarves. Usually they are thick and rough when you touch it with your hand. Their scarves are export quality and is not really commercialized as most of the common scarves are seen in the shops or boutiques.

If there's one place in the Philippines that I would like to live and rusticate, I would consider Baguio because of its cool weather that would probably shut off your stress, foods are not expensive especially when you like vegetables which are absolutely fresh, and you can find transportation cheap. Seems like I didn't want to return to Manila yet as two nights stay are not enough to have my body satiate with a stronger vigor.

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Pahiyas Festival in Lucban, Quezon

Pahiyas Festival is a colorful feast in Lucban, Quezon celebrated every 15th of May in honor of San Isidro Labrador. A must-see festival which highlights procession of the image of San Isidro Labrador and features a parade of papier mâché figures of a farmer and his wife. All the houses are decorated with agricultural harvest like vegetables, fruits, flowers, ferns and rice stalks. This is to ensure bountiful harvest in the coming season.

The long queue of traffic with all the vehicles stretching the main road had made me impatient that I decided to get off from the jeepney ride and walk a mile to reach the town. Most people were walking to and fro so I've figured out these are visitors who are about to see the town fiesta and some are about to leave the place after witnessing the colorful feast . Different vendors have narrowed the streets as some are selling hats, necklace, key chains, foods and souvenir items. I arrived Lucban 5p.m. a 45-minute travel time from Lucena. As the town is filled with tourists, most of the restaurants are full-packed making me hard to find a restaurant that I could easily get an order. My intention was to eat pancit hab-hab, one of their delicacy the town is famous of aside from longganiza de Lucban, so I found one that isn't crowded.

I saw a lot of visitors carrying their cameras, but I tried to compare mine, which is a digital camera but not expensive as what they have. So that made me crave more to buy a high-end one. A photo enthusiast like me has a desire to acquire a camera which has more fully functional features so I could take advantage of its benefits.

When I began to explore the streets, I saw a colorful flake-like food sold by the vendor. They said it is called "kiping" a rice wafer. I bought one for 10 pesos and it tasted like a flake. You can also see some folks dancing and singing in one of the streets and its like a local Mardi Gras of New Orleans, Louisiana.

By 7:15p.m. I was about to leave the place as I went to the long line piled up with people waiting for a shuttle going to Lucena.

By past 12 midnight, I've reached Edsa Central and I took a cab to home.

Pahiyas Festival is a one of a kind fiesta that one should take into consideration if your interest is to explore some of the best festivities in the Philippines.

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Baguio City: Rain, Rain Go Away

The trip for Mariveles was disappointing. There was nothing to explore as compared from the travel that I did recently. Since there was a mix-up with a plan going to Baguio, we decided to go back to San Fernando, Pampanga as the bus drops some of its passengers in SM Mall. Following shortly after taking our lunch in the mall, we proceeded to the Central Terminal but unfortunately we have waited for more than two hours as buses going to Baguio did not appear in time. We went to Dau as alternative path en route Baguio, and a 45-miute drive going to the terminal where most of the buses have its stop over.

We arrive almost 8pm and an agent took us to the tourist desk so we can choose the inn that we can stay overnight. Early in the morning we went to Burnham Park and at the same time we've been looking for a hotel with a better rate. We checked in Hotel Enrico located at Legarda Road and for an affordable rate, we got a bigger room which was nice and clean, it has a bath room and the hotel is equipped with free wi-fi internet connection.

The rain pours as typhoon Bebeng hits Baguio moving from the southern part of the Philippines and making the city foggy and cold as summer was expected to bring warm during the dry season. We went to SM Mall and by noontime we had our lunch at Syblings Nook in the mall. I had pasta with a coke in can. The rain still continues to pour as we never had the chance to visit some of the tourist destinations like Mine's View, the Church, Grotto, strawberry fields in La Trinidad and more. We decided to go back to our hotel after we had coffee at the Starbucks. By 9am the following day, we had availed our free breakfast as we were about to check out the hotel. After checking out by 11am, we have gone to the market and bought some of its famous delicacies like peanut brittle, strawberry jam, pinipig. We also bought carrots, broccoli, peppers and strawberry fruits.

By 1pm we left the city and arrive Quezon City at past seven. My overall experience visiting is pretty good although it rained most of the time leaving us unable to visit some of its popular places. We went short in time that I would love to rusticate more in Baguio for a couple of days.

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