I am Without Money

Oh my freakin' gosh, my BPI ATM got captured last night and I am without moolah!



I swear I keyed in the right pin. I swear. I SWEAR! I don't remember changing the pin recently anyway. Geeez, how can I be so stupid! I really didn't know what happen, still figuring it till now.


Yah, was about to withdraw last night ( BPI Super Metro-GMC Lapu Lapu) so I could send a little money to my mom (Php 500) as a New Year gift but man, kinain ni machine ang ATM ko! The horror! And BPI will be closed until Sunday. The security guard said I'll be able to get the captured ATM 10 days pa daw, but I have to report it first. Damnit!



Lesson learned:

• Don't rely on 1 ATM

Good thing I joined a Cooperative in our subdivision and I was able to borrow some money. As much as possible, I don't want to loan money from the coop coz the 3 percent interest hurts me, but it left me with no choice. I promised pa naman I'd bring Don Benito's cassava cake as a potluck for New Year's Eve and I only have Php 100 in my wallet so yah.


Happy New Year everyone! Here's to great and fruitful New Year. Cheers!

Deposit Charges: Banks to CitisecOnline ( COL) Effective January 15, 2016

So, I might open CHINABANK. Damn BPI! Look at all the charges you are implementing. I do pa naman BPI to COL, and vice versa transactions exclusively.

Dear Valued Customer, Please be advised that starting January 15, 2016, COL will no longer subsidize the fees being charged by the banks for the use of their deposit facilities when transferring funds to COL. As such, the amount that will be credited to your account will be net of the corresponding bank charges. Please refer to the table below for the rate that each partner bank implements per transaction: RATE PER TRANSACTION Deposit Channel BDO BPI MBT CHINABANK Internet Banking Php 10.00 Php5.00 Php4.00 Php10.00 Phone Banking Php10.00 Php20.00 - - ATM Php10.00 Php20.00 - - Over-the-counter Php20.00 Php110.00 Php25.00 - Express Link - Php5.00 - - Nevertheless, we shall continue to talk with our partner banks to try to negotiate for better rates and/or look for other cost efficient ways of making deposits to your COL account. We thank you for your understanding. Yours truly, Conrado F. Bate President & CEO COL Financial Group, Inc.

2015 Year in Review and Realization

I pretty much made a post of everything mention below, feel free to dig it all up.

• Did the craziest and scariest thing ever: Going home for good (January 13, 2015)
• Made peace with my relatives who I had misunderstanding with over money
• House extension  to make rooms for myself and two of my brothers
• Kicked my older brother out because of drugs, my other kuya invited my mom to live with him in Albay since my mom has been secretly meeting and enabling my older brother.
• My 18 years old niece who got pregnant gave birth to a baby boy. Still hurts, still not talking with her.
• I kicked the construction foreman out because we had misunderstanding. House construction will resume by January 2016
• I learned a valuable lesson when dealing with people who works for you: You can be a friend to them but please set boundaries. You pay them for their services, the more you are lax with them, the more they abuse your kindness. No matter how kind/ religious they appear, they still have bad side.
• I know how to cross the street without cussing and muttering: Shit, I'm gonna die!
• I've loved and lost ( My Ganni Bear) and love again ( My Starky Bear and Pepper Potts.) Dogs are truly man's best friend. 
• Loving dogs is sometimes a great thing than loving humans. Dogs don't betray you, humans do.

Here's hoping for a great 2016! 

I Was Not Introduced to the Concept of Santa as a Kid, Did It Ruin My Childhood?

I remember my first Christmas abroad when my employer jokingly asked me : "Have you been naughty or nice this year?"


To that, I didn't have an answer coz I don't know what to answer and then my employer explained to me that if you have been nice all throughout the year, you'd get a gift, and if you have been naughty, you'd get a coal or nothing. Ahhhhhh, okay....!


As embarrassing as it is,  I never knew the Santa Claus story. My parents didn't introduce  the idea of Santa to us at all. I don't know if they don't know about Santa or they purposely didn't tell us about Santa coz we were poor and the idea of introducing Santa to us, which means buying us gifts, was too much for them financially.


Was it a bad thing? Well, growing up not knowing about Santa didn't ruin me or my childhood, that I can assure you. My childhood Christmas memories aren't consist of opening gifts and such but the memories of us being complete, us going to church and my Papa carrying me with my head rested on his shoulder because I'd get sleepy and because I was the princess in the family, those were simple yet unforgettable memories I'll treasure  till forever. 


Christmas isn't all about gifts and spending. 



Good thing my siblings and my father introduced me to Star Wars. To that, I'm thankful.

May the Force be with you all. Have a wonderful holidays!

Relocation of Electric Meter: Process, Requirements, Materials, etc. ( Mactan Electric Company,INC. (MECO) )

Information below are all based on my own personal experience as I have recently relocate my electric meter.



MACTAN ELECTRIC COMPANY, INC. ( MECO)
Office: Sangi Road, Lapu- lapu City, Cebu
Customer Service: 340-8134, 340-8568
Office Hours: Customer Service: Monday to Friday 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM
                       Teller: Monday to Friday 7:30 AM to 6:00 PM




Process:

• Visit the MECO office to ask for updated list of Accredited MECO electrician

They wont give you any information over the phone, believe me... I tried. You have to personally visit the office to ask for the list. It is also for your advantage coz once you ask for the list, they will put a note in their computer that you are on the process of relocating your meter.

I asked for the list 6 months ago or so but when I asked for the list once again, two of the electrician in our baranggay were already removed so it's better to go there and asked for the updated list.

Tip: If someone recommends an accredited MECO electrician to you, give the MECO office a call and ask if that person is still under their office. They'd give you a reply.

• Call the Accredited MECO Electrician

They'd give you a list of MECO electricians with their address and cellphone number, so the nearer they are to you, the better.

I had to call 3 electrician coz the other two were not available. Sometimes, I think they don't want to take the job coz the MECO office recommends that you pay the electrician 15 percent of the total materials bought.

Tip: I didn't follow the "15 percent of the total materials bought rule" ( I paid Php 5,000 for all the materials, that's Php 750 or so ) coz I know how low that is, plus it's really hot outside where they will be working. I told the electrician point-blank, "Look, I know about the 15 percent rule and I know that that's too low. How much are you asking for the job?" He answered, " Php 2,300." Told him I'll pay Php 2,000. He was okay with it. I considered it a Christmas gift to them (two electricians were working at that time.)

• Gather all the materials needed

Note: I contacted 3 stores ( New Lapu-Lapu Hardware, Alfonso Co Hardware and Dan Enrico Hardware. For contact information and address of the said stores, click here.) I will mention the store where I got the certain item the cheapest.

- 1 Secondary Rack with 2 Spool : Php  186 (Dan Enrico Hardware)

- 2 Strain Insulator : Php 32 each ( Dan Enrico Hardware)

- 3 Entrance Cap 3/4 Clip Type: Php 65 each (Dan Enrico Hardware)

- 3 Rigid Steel Conduit (RSC) 3/4 dia : Php 213.56 (Dan Enrico Hardware)

- 1 Meter Socket Base (JF,JVC, GE): Php 430 (New Lapu Lapu Hardware)

- 9 Steel Pole Band 5 inches:  Php 45 each (New Lapu-Lapu Hardware)

- 3 Straight Connector 3/4 dia: Php 20 each (New Lapu- Lapu Hardware)

- 2 Metal Coupling 3/4 dia: Php 24 each (Dan Enrico Hardware)

- 7 meters Flexible Conduit ( Liquetite) 3/4 dia: Php 90 per meter (Alfonso Co Hardware)

- 1 3M Electrical Tape: Php 30 (Dan Enrico Hardware)

- 19 Meters Electrical Wire 8.0 THHN (Red): Php 38 per meter (Dan Enrico Hardware)

- 55 Meters Electrical Wire 8.0 THHN ( Black): Php 38 per meter (Dan Enrico Hardware)

- 10 Metal Clamp 3/4 dia: Php 8 each (New Lapu Lapu Hardware)

- 1 sachet Vulca Seal: Php 45 (New Lapu-Lapu Hardware and Alfonso Co = same price)

- 30 pcs Plastic Tox (S6): Php 40 cents each  (New Lapu-Lapu Hardware and Alfonso Co = same price)

- 30 pcs Metal Screw for S6: Php 1 each  (New Lapu-Lapu Hardware and Alfonso Co = same price)

- 10 pcs 1 1/2 Concrete Nail: Php 70 per kilo (Alfonso Co Hardware)

• Work in Progress

They worked from 8:00 AM to 12 noon

• Certification

Oooops, the transfer of meter doesn't just end there. The MECO accredited electrician will give you a certification and he will asked you to attach the recent MECO bill. You then will submit it to the MECO office.

• Submission of the Certicate + Payment (Php 112)

Once you submit the certificate, the costumer service will see if you have back payment and penalties. If you don't have any, you will be asked to pay PHP 112 and proceed to Teller 8 ( no more lining up, just go straight there.) Php 100 for the Service Fee and Php 12 for VAT.

Note: Be sure that your current meter is digital. Otherwise, they will ask you to pay for more.

• Schedule of the Final Transfer

You will be asked to go back to the Customer Service Representative so she/he could schedule you for the final transfer. A MECO electrician, not the accredited one I talked about, will go to your house for final check up and to finally transfer the meter.

I submitted the certification around 10 AM. The MECO guys went to our house around 2PM. Worked done and meter finally transferred around 2:15 PM.

Wet Market Sunday: Gasulito, S&R..

Two Wet Market Sundays merge into one.


Ran out of Gasulito last December 10 ( Thursday) and bought a refill last December 12. Current cost: Php 475

• VEGGIES: Php 34

- Cabbage: Php 11.25 Bought it at La Nueva. It was on sale.

- White Onion: Php 12.80 Bought this at La Nueva as well. Been wanting some white onion lately

- Tomato: Php 5

- Squash: Php 5

• Banana: Php 30 (Php 45 per kilo)

• Sawdust: Php 50 (Php 30 per kilo)

• LA NUEVA GROCERY: PHP 413.15

- Downy Garden Bloom 43ml + 2 free: Php 39.40

- Camel Soy Sauce : Php 5.85

- Chlorine 1/4: Php 21

- Kopiko Cafe Blanca: Php 56

- Surf Laundry Powder: Php 73.10

- Anchor Adult Powder Milk 180g: Php 81.70

- Dazz Dishwasher Bar 90g: Php 6.30

- Ground Cinnamon 30g : Php 19.40

- Arm and Hammer Baking Soda 454g: Php 66.50

- Baker's Best Bread: Php 22.25

- 555 Tuna Adobo: Php 21.65

• RICE: Php 66 (Php 33 per kilo)

• Another Sawdust: Php 64.92 (Php 30 per kilo)

• Bangus: Php 50 (Php 120 per kilo)

• Kopiko Cafe Blanca: Php 57.50
• Lucky Me Pancit Canton: Php. 8.75
• Energen: Php 60
• Blue Bay Caldereta: Php 22.25

• Adult S&R Dog Food 20kg or 44 lbs : Php 849.95 OMG, so excited for Stark and Pepper coz they are now eating adult dog food! Proud mommy here!

• Lotte Aloe Vera Juice 1.5 L : Php 97.95 No Yakult available at S&R, found this instead. Been wanting to try Aloe Vera Juice. Heard it's good from all the Philippine vlogs I watched when I was abroad.
• Camel Soy Sauce 1 Gal: Php 98.95 Yah, finally bought soy sauce in bulk. I am so conscious of all the the sachet and bottles I throw. This could last me a looooong time. Expiration: 2020
• Chekhup Milk Tea: Php 294.95 Just trying this out.

To The Person Who Always Parks In Front Of My House

• Why do you always park in front of my house, why not in front of your house? Oh, coz your house is in Y intersection. So why don't your park somewhere else and not in front of my property. We have huge parking lot just across the street, why not there? Or better yet, why not in front of that house beside me whose owner rarely comes to visit?
• Don't you know that whenever you park in front of my house, it's hard for me to let Stark and Pepper go out? You know I always let them  out every 3 to 4 hours or so so they can do their business outside and your car gets in my way.
• I do have visitors who come and visit me often who also parks in front of my house, you know?
• One time, you saw us arrived and was about to knock on your door after we unload Stark and Pepper's food but you already turned off all your lights. You did that twice already and base on my observation, you are a night owl.
• Yet again, just last night you parked IN FRONT OF MY GATE mere 38 hours after the Homeowner's Association told you not to park in front my property anymore. I had to gather my courage and knock on your door to tell you not to park there. Good thing it's your helper and daughters who answered and not you, I don't want any fights, just like you did to the other neighbor. Good thing also, right after I walked Pepper, I saw you moved your car in front of your house. Thanks for that.
• You can afford a car, you surely can afford to build a garage. I saw she has some kind of a driveway though, don't know why she isn't using it.
• I am tempted to slash your tires, but I wont. Maybe I will.
• If you wont stop parking in front of my property, when a typhoon comes, there might be a falling object that will " accidentally" hits  your car. Ooopsies!
• I know that curb isn't mine, that I don't have a deed to show for it but can you practice RESPECT? I know you won't like it when people park in front of your property for a longer period of time.
• I am not being maarte, I let people park in front of my property. Case in point, when there was a party at our other neighbor's house, I didn't mind them parking. But you,  you who parks in front of my property then put a car cover on it? Mahiya ka naman.

Ice Skating at SM Seaside: Novelty and Challenge Bring Happiness

Yep, I did read Gretchen Rubin's Happiness Project when I was still abroad and I was proud to  have taken massive notes which exists till now.


Five of my friends and I decided to try something new: Ice skating. We don't have any experience with ice skating whatsoever or tried roller blades. We just want to try it out of curiosity. And so we did... last Sunday.


Yep, that's why I didn't do my wet market run coz I still got food left from previous wet market runs ( hello there fish and chicken neck.) Though I bought 2 kilos of sawdust for Stark and Pepper.


Ice skating was some kind of a challenge. The first round was brutal. I couldn't get myself to stabilize, my knees were shaking, I kept holding on to the side for my dear life, kept uttering how this was a bad idea to spend a Sunday plus YOU HAVE to go clockwise direction and THAT MEANT YOU HAVE TO PASS BY PEOPLE LOOKING AT YOU THROUGH A CLEAR GLASS. E.M.B.A.R.R.A.S.S.I.N.G.


But the second time? It got easier.
The third time? It got easier and easier. I found my balance. Applied the stopping technique I found on You Tube.
Fourth time? I tried gliding with the help of a teenager who showed me how to.
Fifth time? I can glide.

Though I found my balance and I can glide, I still get scared to go to the center, but the joy I felt was tremendous and priceless! It reminded me of the feeling I had after I did a 120 Ft Freefall ( Dropzone) at Dahilayan Adventure Park few months back (My mom brought the pictures to Albay. My cousin took a video of our "fall and swing" but I don't know what happen to it since I don't have Facebook she could "share" it to. We went there for my Lola's birthday before we went to Divine Mercy Shrine. Planning on going back to Dahilayan next year to try out all the extreme rides. I just tried the Dropzone coz I don't want my cousins to feel left out, like here I was trying all the rides, I don't want them naman to expect me to pay for all their rides. Hard to explain but I know that you know what I mean.)

Ice skating at SM Seaside Cebu
Price: Php 380 ( unlimited)
Includes: Shoes
Advice: 

• Go early coz the line could get crazy and you'll end up with no ice skate right for your size. We went their last Friday but we didn't get to ice skate coz no more shoes left ( to think we lined up for over an hour! Sana the SM Seaside Ice Skating Rink Management would have the initiative to inform those who are lining up about the shoe sizes available para people would have a choice to still line up or try next time.)
• For first timer, as in who doesn't  have the background on roller skating whatsoever, don't be afraid. The first time is hard. Concentrate. Don't compare. Next time you see that cute teenager girl who zoomed passed you, say hi and ask for tips- that's how I learned to glide. They would be glad for a compliment plus you'll get a tip or two!
• Get them ice skate shoe tight. Really tight.Bring Knee High Socks. Get fit ( they have shoe fitting area in front of the counter) Having the right size and tight laces helps you glide easily.
• I was thinking that it'll be super cold inside the rink since it's cold inside the mall na nga how much more inside the rink but for the first timer, you will sweat like a bucket coz the embarrassment of constantly clinging to the sides would really make you sweat. I wound have taken my sweater off ( to think that was a super light sweater) had I not worn a tank top that reveals my inner garment too much.
• Be mindful of the Zamboni schedule. You know, that weird looking vehicle that makes the ice smooth (ice resurfacer.) If you happen to be way far back and when they call for a time off to make way for the Zamboni and you are a beginner, you'll get stressed out beyond belief making your way to the exit. You'll sigh and think of taking the ice skate shoes off and run!
  
  Zamboni schedule: 

2:30- 3:00 PM

6:30- 7:00 PM

• Since it's unlimited, you can go out anytime and explore the mall in between ice skating. They give you wristbands stickers.

I really enjoyed my ice skating experience and would love to do it again, but I hope they will offer an hourly rates.

SM Seaside Cebu (Grand Opening) + Getting My Hair Cut

November 27, 2015

My friends and I decided to go and experienced SM Seaside on the opening day and that was a bad idea. The crowd was chu-razy! I didn't enjoy it at all. We just walked, got fed up looking and lining for some lunch and decided to buy popcorn instead. Nevertheless it was some kind of an experience.


Be warned: it's damn cold inside the mall so bring some kind of light sweater for those of you like me who has some kind of cold sensitivity issue.


Here are some pictures:

Crazy traffic!

The crown were lining up at Jollibee for some free balloons

The Cube Wing

The Posh Bathroom (Cinema)

Seaview Wing

The traffic going to SM (we were going back to the city proper)

December 1, 2015

 I originally got a waist length hair and decided to cut it to shoulder length. What a way to start a Christmas month, huh? 


Bench Fix
Price: Php 250
Includes: Shampoo+ Conditioner+ Blow dry +  a dab of Kerastese Hair Serum ( which was very good but too expensive if you buy the whole bottle ( Php 1,700)
Tip: I gave Php 25 for the guy who shampooed, etc..  and I gave Php 25 for the guy who cut



My first time in a long time getting  a cut professionally.

Saying goodbye to my long hair
I actually saved my hair coz my aunt wants to make it into a wig

Gosh, I forgot how nice it feels to get your hair shampooed by others!
Plus Bench Fix' hot water salon faucet made it more relaxing and worth it.

Yep, waist-length hair went buh-bye

Why, hello shoulder length hair!

Wet Market Sunday

I still have chicken neck in the freezer. I also cooked the ground pork with all the veggies in it last night ( good for at least 4 to 5 meals)

• Veggies and Banana + Eggs : Php 120

- Banana: Php 50 (Php 45 per kilo)

- Eggs: Php 10 (Php 5 each) This is mainly for tortang talong

- Sayote: Php 15 each

- Squash: Php 10 (Php 25 per kilo)

- Eggplant 

- Sili: Php 5 per pack

- Cucumber

• RICE: Php 132 (Php 33 per kilo)

• SAWDUST: Php 31 

• Bangus: Php 50 (Php 120 per kilo)

• La Nueva Grocery: Php 250

- Soya Milk 1 liter: Php 53

- Plastic Bags for Stark and Pepper's poop: Php 12.75

- Kopiko Cafe Blanca: Php 56

- Baker's Best Bread: Php 22.25

- Cooking Oil: Php 21

- Oishi Onion Ring: Php 17.25 ( Since Starky hasn't been eating the Fish Crackers I usually buy, I decided to buy these to see if he eats these for snacks/treats.)

- Wafertime Strawberry: Php 34.95 (For snacks)

- 555 Tuna Paksiw: Php 21.65 (Just trying this out)

- Onion: Php 6

-Tomato: Php 5.25

• Choco Lanay+ Choco Packet: Php 10 The only kakanin I bought

TOTAL:  Php 593

Wet Market Sunday

Ooopsies, very late post but anyways...


And oh, I bought Century Tuna at a nearby sari-sari store last week. I have been mixing it with Stark's food coz he hasn't been eating too well lately ( explanation below.) I don't usually buy anything from a sari-sari store and I don't  have any idea how much ang patong nila but man, ang mahal kaya. Well, at least in my neighborhood. Just to give you an idea, I usually buy Century Tuna for Php 27 at La Nueva but they sell it for Php 33 in my nearby sari-sari store. Nope, not against sari-sari store, I told you that many times, but man... 6 pesos more?! That's why I buy in bulk ( weekly), do weekly meal plan and buy everything whenever I do my Sunday wet market run kasi in the long run, nakakatipid ka talaga. As what Benjamin Franklin said, "A small leak will sink a great ship."

• FRUITS and VEGGIES: Php 126.55

- Beans: Php 8 (Php 35 per kilo) I bought this at Porkshops: Virginia Farms  where I always get my sawdust/meat. Saw it was on sale so yah.

- Squash: Php 13.55 (Php 20 per kilo) I bought this at La Nueva coz it saw it was on sale.

- Banana (Lakatan): Php 50 (Php 45 per kilo)

- Eggplant, tomato, onion, cucumber, sayote - Php 55

•  Fish: Php 50 ( Php 120 per kilo) I thought this would last me a long time, but I ended up cooking these all coz Stark hasn't been eating too well. He only eats whenever there is fish mixed in his food. Yah, Pepper is on her period ( first time, I know. My baby is now a lady :(! ) and my friend said his male dogs don't eat too well whenever his female dogs are in heat.

• Chicken Neck: Php 72.24 (Php 70 per kilo) I don't know what got into me but I bought these! Plan to do some chicken neck adobo, whatever the hell that is! I got this idea when I went back to my province. I tried it and it was yum and chicken neck is cheap so winner! Haven't gotten around to it though.
• Ground Pork: Php 57.09
• Bones for Stark Pepper: Php 33.25
• Sawdust for Stark and Pepper: Php 56.52 (Php 30 per kilo) I didn't end up using this coz as I said, Stark hasn't been eating that much and I still have leftover sawdust from previous weeks. Won't be buying sawdust tomorrow for sure.

• La Nueva Grocery: Php 297.60

- Baker's Best Bread: Php 22.25

- Star Margarine: Php 62.45

- Toyo Sardines: Php 24.80 (Php 62.45 each) I bought this for Stark coz he hasn't been eating too well. I know sardines is bad for the dog's fur but the smell of fish in his food is the only thing Stark eats. I have been feeding him sardines before I discovered that he also love fried fish.

- Pisces Spanish Sardines: Php 79.55 I ended up mixing this on Stark's food as well.

- Fish Crackers: Php 30 (Php 7.50 each) Stark and Pepper's usual snack, but Stark won't even eat these na.

- Scotch Brite Sponge: Php 17.95

- Dazz Dishwasher Bar: Php 6.30

- Femme Tissue Paper: Php 7.75

- Rice: Php 33 (1 kilo)

TOTAL: Php 693.25

Wet Market Sunday

I didn't buy much  because there is a road construction leading to our subdivision and I have to walk a quarter of a mile coz no vehicles are allowed to enter, so no heavy stuff for me.

I still have tons of biscuits from previous wet market runs, so I still have food to snack on whenever I feel like it.

And oh gosh, the gasulito still works! I mentioned in my previous post that I ran out of LPG but I remember the trick my lola use to do ( I don't know how to explain it but you basically just tilt the LPG slowly from side to side, not all the way tilt though but just enough to kind of shake whatever is left inside. I know, my explanation sucks!) and then, boom, my gasulito has still a little juice left! Still using it until now.

• Fruits and Veggies: Php 93.58

- Lanzones: Php 25 (Php 50 per kilo)

- String Beans: Php 8.58 (Php 35 per kilo) Bought this at Virginia Farms Porkshop together with the meat

- Veggies: Php 60

• Coconut : Php 30 I was so proud of myself for choosing coconut instead of my usual kakanin.

• Pork Bones (for Stark and Pepper) : Php 57.63 (Php 51 per kilo) It was on sale
• Ground Pork: Php 45.14 (Php 153 per kilo)
• Sawdust (for Stark and Pepper): Php 60 (Php 30 per kilo)

• Rice: Php 31  (1 kilo)

• Choco Lanay : Php 5 The only kakanin I got, so proud of myself! Ayuh!

• La Nueva Grocery: Php 204.40

- Selecta Low Fat Milk: Php 71

- Fish Cracker: Php 22.50 (Php 7.50 each)

- Kopiko Cafe Blanca: Php 57.70

- Lucky Me Pancit Canton : Php 8.70

- Ligo Spanish Sardines: Php 30.40 Just trying this out. I'm kind of sick eating chili corned tuna.

- Camel Soy Sauce: Php 5.85

- Ram Green Peas: Php 8.25

Total: Php 526.75