Archive for April, 2009

Update: Swine Flu Outbreak On Phase 5

Everybody in the whole world are now careful to go to public places since World Health Organization (WHO) had increased the warning to phase 5, swine flu is now proven to be a deadly disease that many got affected in matter of days. Please see this link. The figures I saw in the google map are very alarming.

The Swine influenza phase 5 warning should make every country in the whole world make preparedness plans on avoiding the spread of the deadly disease. Philippines is among other countries that are using thermal scanners since the outbreak of SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) in 2003. I believe that thermal scanners are not enough, since a person with flu and took medicine could lower the body’s temperature. I already saw some people wearing face masks in crowded places. I heard some people had stopped eating pork.

Until now, there is no available vaccine for the said disease, human influenza or flu vaccine is different. I hope the swine flu vaccine will be ready by May as stated here.

Ryan Agoncillo And Judy Ann Santos Wedding

Ryan proposed last year on Juday’s 30th birthday and announced the engagement a month after. They didn’t announced their wedding day and location. They want a private wedding exclusively for their relatives and close friends and they manage to keep their wedding solemn unlike any known personalities. They were some speculations that the wedding is on May 2 but they tied the knot this morning of April 28, 2009 to a church in Southern part of Luzon. It was announced last week that Fr. Tito Caluag will officiate the church wedding. Where could it be? It looks like an old church, baroque style… I saw the short video footage in Umagang Kay Ganda at around 8:30 am.

Excited to know the Ryan-Juday wedding details? Don’t fail to watch TV Patrol tonight. Complete details could also be in SNN (Showbiz News Ngayon). The new couple told SNN from their recent interview to SNN that the honeymoon will be in Mexico.

Update: The wedding was held at San Juan Nepomuceno Church in San Juan, Batangas. How about the reception tonight? Could it be in Laiya, Batangas? Breakfast was in Laiya! (I guessed it right!) There are lots of private resorts there… just guessing. (Reception was in Balai Resort, Anilao, Batangas)

BTW, I hope they will reschedule their honeymoon to Mexico because of the swine flu alert?

3 Stars And A Sun On Pacquiao-Hatton Match

Martin Nievera was chosen by Pambansang Kamao Manny Pacquiao to sing Lupang Hinirang on the much awaited Manny Pacquiao vs. Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton boxing match on May 3 (Philippines) in Las Vegas. Nievera felt the pressure already when informed that he is the first male singer who will sing Philippine National Anthem.

“The pressure is doubled when I just realized the other day when I rehearsing, teka muna kung ako yung unang lalaki na kakanta ng national anthem, that means if Manny wins, then wala na…na break na ang curse, break na yung usual superstition”, Nievera said.

Other filipinos are superstitious that it could be unlucky on Pacquiao’s part if a male singer will sing Lupang Hinirang. I am superstitious in a way but I don’t believe it in this case. Remember that Martin Nievera is known as “Concert King” in the Philippines. To sing Lupang Hinirang in a major boxing match maybe his first time but he will surely handle it well. I bet, he is rehearsing our National Anthem.

Going back to 3 Stars And A Sun, Martin is thinking of wearing a shirt designed by the late master rapper Francis Magalona instead f wearing the traditional Barong Tagalog for a change. I don’t see anything wrong with that and its a good idea since the designs of Francis Magalona symbolizes our flag.

What do you think? Barong Tagalog or 3 Stars And A Sun shirt?

Baguio's Fried Ice Cream

The City of Pines, Baguio City is the summer capital of the Philippines. I’ve never seen a residence and transient house with electric fans but water and/or water heater is a necessity because of their cold weather. In a hotel we stayed years ago when I was assigned for a certain project by known telecom company, it wasn’t airconditioned… no need because its too cold already.

Anyway, I’ve been looking for fried ice cream in Manila and never had luck of finding it in some of the shopping malls I know. Would you believe that there’s fried ice cream in Baguio? I never imagined that of all places I could found one in Baguio. My overwhelming happiness made me watch how it was made. The staff stirred the liquid cream and pour it into the stainless pan and she continuously stirring the liquid until it is frozen. If that so, how did they call it, “fried ice cream”?

The liquid or cream was “cooked” using dual temperature, hot and cold. I even requested the friendly staff if I can take a peak underneath the stainless pan. There are lots of hose there and a stainless tank. The kiosk can be found at SM City Baguio and the only branch they have. Price per cone is Php 12 only. Try it if you happen to pass by SM Baguio.

SM City Baguio

When somebody asked me what is SM Baguio looks like, I instantly says, “the only shopping mall in the Philippines that’s not airconditioned”. And I will explained that it doesn’t need to be airconditoned at all because its in Baguio already. Well, I suppose their theaters are airconditioned (I haven’t tried and don’t have plans of trying).

For travellers that passed by Baguio, feel at ease leaving your bags at SM baggage counter in the department store, I saw many bags there when I leave my backpack. No questions asked compared to SM hypermart at the ground floor. This mall was once the Pines Hotel that was caught in fire in 1982, SM Baguio opened in 2003. The good thing about having SM in Baguio is having a one stop shopping place for vacationists, my family usually rented transient house where we can cook. Every cooking things we need on the duration of our stay was bought in SM Hypermart. Unlike before that we will just bought what was available in some minimarts, no choice. Its advisable to pass by SM Baguio when you arrive and before you leave the City of Pines.

The entire complex stands on Luneta Hill at the northern tip of the city’s historic Session Road overlooking Burnham Park.SM Baguio is roofed with translucent white fiber enabling sunlight to illuminate the inside on a clear sunny day. Also, the verandas overlook the whole city, giving the best view of the city’s tourist attractions, such as the Burnham Lake, the city hall, the Athletic Bowl, as well as the Session Road. Use the telescope located in the veranda for Php 5 coin. Last image was Burnham Park from SM Baguio Veranda.