DTI's Diskwento Caravan

The Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) flagship project Diskwento Caravan will be going to key cities across the country this 15 May onwards, with school supplies and basic goods available at deeply discounted prices.

Dubbed as Diskwento Caravan: Balik Eskwela edition, this one-day sale aims to ease the consumers’ burden of rising prices of basic necessities and prime commodities as well as school supplies, with the start of classes just a few weeks away.

A variety of products will be available at Diskwento Caravan, including school supplies, school uniforms, kid’s leather shoes and school bags, canned goods, processed meat, bread, cooking oil and detergent soaps. Micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSME) Corner will feature local products made by MSMEs.

Other government agencies will join the Diskwento Caravan to offer frontline services such as the TESDA for free haircut, National Statistics Office (NSO), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), and Social Security System (SSS).

DTI invites all consumers to buy at Diskwento Caravan to get big discounts and save more money this upcoming start of classes. Diskwento Caravan will be available in the following cities starting 15 May 2012.

Region	Venue	Contact Person
NCR	Quezon City Hall	ARD Ferdie Manfoste/ Rowena San Jose
NCR	Cuneta Astrodome, Pasay City	ARD Manfoste/ Vivien Alarcado
CAR	Baguio Convention Center	RD Myrna Pablo
1	Bagsakan Center, Agoo, La Union	RD Florante Leal
2	St. Peter Metropolitan Cathedral Grounds, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan	RD Esperanza Banares
3	Balanga Plaza, Balanga City, Bataan	PD Yay Lasam
4-B	Romblon, Romblon	PD Rodolfo Mariposque
9	Plaza Pershing, Zamboanga City	PD Engr. Rolando Acuna
10	Iligan City	PD Ermedio Abang
13	Wing-on Quick Mart Parking Lot, Langihan Butuan City	OIC Gay Tidalgo

Other Diskwento Caravans will be conducted in the following dates:

Date	Region	Venue
16-20 May	4-B	Romblon, Romblon
17-18 May	4-A	Antipolo City, Rizal
17-18 May	8	Ormoc City, Leyte
18 May	NCR	Plaza de Borja, Pateros City
18-19 May	3	Baler Plaza, Baler, Aurora
18-19 May	5	Naga City, Camarines Sur
22 May	11	Digos City, Davao del Sur
27 May	4-A	Bay, Los Baños City, Laguna
28 May	11	Davao City
28-29 May	4-A	Capitol Grounds, Sta. Cruz, Laguna
29 May	8	Tacloban City

Collected Pictures from the recent and Past Diskwento Caravans

 

Source: www.dti.gov.ph

Supplies : School Starts June 2012

Its nearly June, which means one thing, who wouldn't know? Apart from June being the Bridal month, It is also the most popular month to Students, simply because, School starts in June here in the Philippines.

Oh i can still remember how excited i was when its time to shop for school supplies. Schooldays are happy memories for me, so as preparing for school. Dont you know how much time i took wrapping my notebooks with plastic covers?I was so anal about how my notebook will end up looking after the process so I do it precisely , elaborately and artistically (dang) ha-ha.

MY Guidelines in Notebooks Preparation
(1) I start with picking the notebook, i dont like overly thin pages, im buying notebook not onion skin or papel-de-hapon hello! Most of the Time i buy,  notebooks with more pages, hoping it would last a year.
(2) I'd select one with nice linear guides inside and tidy, if i dont have budget, getting a smooth paged notebook is lucky, otherwise, i'd settle with the not-so-papersand-like one.I think notebooks should look good even before you use it because when you start writing on it, its gets really ugly. Come on, who writes by hand perfectly?
(3) I try to pick a nice covered one, or atleast a set of the same thing. Example, i'd get a set with Disney characters on it,same style, same color, they may not have the exact same covers but atleast- They look Sponsored. Yes thats how i should put it haha.
(4) I started buying spring notes when i was in 3rd Grade, so i pick a nice color yarn or string, or if budget permits, a ribbon, I remove the spring, and saw thru the holes, i will try to align loose leaf in place together as much as i can such that even if the holes dont align, it still comes together nicely.
(5) On some occassions when i can only afford cheap notes, i collect nice pictures from magazines and use it on top of the cover, make nice cut out letters for the subjectname or print out from the computer.
(6) Lastly, I write my last name on the sides of the notebook. M-E-N-D-O-Z-A. Caps and striking telling everyone, This isn't yours so handsoff haha.

Why do new things smell so nice? Like the eraser? I think something is wrong with me being very addicted to cute, really really nice smelling erasers, i cant get enough sniffing the eraser! And why do they have to make such uverly cute erasers like this?..faints..

Yummy Erasers!

Nuff babbling, If you cant get to buy a new eraser, just use the old one because 90 percent of the time, even the cutest erasers just gets discarded once they loose their shape and smell. If you wanna remove those lead dust, try scrubbing your eraser to a really coarse sand paper until the real color comes, butofcourse, needless say, dont overdo it because you will end up consuming the entire thing to (whats the english term for libag?) dirt (an understatement ugh)

Looking forward to new color pens, pastels, and water colors

The basics. This is what your teacher will ask you 90 percent of the time on your first day!

Glue, Pastes or anything of that kind are like extras to school bag but its good to have them around when you need them. But honestly based on experience only. A few students really buy these things, why? because my seatmates always ask to borrow mine! Always. It's not likely true that they will borrow it right? Can

i possibly say "Hey neighbor when are you going to return my paste that you stuck in between your two papers?" . There's a way to make your own paste, make a

lot and store it,bring a small amount to school when you need it. Dont ask from your neighbor too often because it will be annoying to sit beside you, most of all, dont ever think of picking your nose or sticking out tounge for a personal touch. That's just too retarded.


1. heat the water in a bowl, maybe a cup will do.
2. while heating the water, on a different bowl dissolve the starch on a small amount of water.(Again.. Small amount of water) Basically the water you will

use to dissolve it will add up the the water you are boiling.
3. Once the starch is dissolved, and the water you are heating starts to boil, set fire tothe lowest.
4. carefully, slowly, pour the starch mixture into the boiling water. (again, carefully and slowly) not in one go okay? because when you do, you will make

areally ugly crumple piece / pieces in there. you wouldn't like it because its a waste. So just faithfully do it slowly, while pouring the solution, stir it

slowly, like, melting the solution into the boiling water slowly.
5. Stop Puring if you think that the solution is too thick already, you can tell by the feel of the stirring, it will get more volume and mass as you put

more starch solution. It shouldn't be drippy too.
6. Once everything is there, stir it a little, just let it sit for a bit until you see no more "solid white" but only transparent, or translucent. Then shut the

fire off.
7. Let it cool. Dont ever ever try to test how cool it is already by dipping your fingers in because you will regret it. Paste solution is thick,it doesn't

cool so easily.

Scissors, Rulers, Protractors, Compass, triangle Just like glues and pastes, its not very essential, but having one around is a comfort specially if you are taking subject like drafting, physics, trigo, art or even home economics. Its quite hard to borrow these from your neigbor because unlike pastes these aren't really cheap and can last for years.

Ballpoint Pens, Sharpener, Wooden Pencils, and the magical pencil case. I have no specifics with the pens, as long as it writes nicely.I have stopped using wooden pencils and just settled for Refillable Lead Pens. I think its cheaper and cleaner to use, plus idont have tobring sharpener all the time. But ofcourse you can't ask a kid to bring mechanical pencils right? Its just too pointy for them, or their neighbors harhar. Wooden Pencils come with Sharpeners, try to get one with a container so the pencil shreddings dont get loose and youcan dump them somewhere else.

MailBags, Strollers, KnapSacks. I cannot say anything about bags for it goes with whats in and whats comfortable.

School uniform. Socks, School Shoes. With these 3,I believe in quality. So i'd rather buy an expensive one, but durable, id rather use just one pair of shoes for many years that change shoes each and every month. You see, the clothes you wear, the shoes your on, it says so much about your personality.


Have you bought your school supplies already?

Planning togo to Divisoria? What if its too far? Or too inconvinient? Here's good news to parents and students alike, DTI has an ongoing programme called Diskwento Caravan:  this one-day sale aims to ease the consumers’ burden of rising prices of basic necessities and prime commodities as well as school supplies.

Read more about Dikwento Caravan here and see when it is coming to the nearest town.

Fun in the Sun with SPF110

Worried about Summer for what?

Can't bask in the Sun?

Can't go out into the Light?

Can't bear the Tan and ugly burnt skin?

Oh i think i know what you're thinking of.

These are your common worries right? Actually, we are no different! haha

Sun Burn and Blisters

Consciousness and Uneasiness under the Sun

Terrible Fashion that everyone will remember you for. For-e-vah!

If there's a way to enjoy summer without going thru all these would you get it? 

Yes?

 YES?

 YES?

 Hell YES?

Hell Yes! Don't stop the fun just because you are afraid of the SUN. There's a way to protect your skin without having to worry about ugly sunburn, or skin cancer on the longer run. Your friends are treating you out to the Beach, Join! Your colleagues are arranging a hike this weekend, by all means say Yes!
Oh don't be grumpy, enjoy your life while you are young and reap the blessings of Summer! It only comes once in a year so pack your bags, bring your sexy bikinis, tankinis and trunks, hook on your favorite sunglasses, and apply SPF110 lotion. You are good to go hit the beach without worries!

???? Wait, did i say SPF110? Oh Yes! i did say 110! I was just as shocked as you were. You see, I've always had faith with my SPF50, but there's something in the market now that's double the protection. So why settle for SPF50 when you can get SPF110?

Click HERE to know more Have Fun!!

Preview : This is how SPF110 with AvotriPlex formula protects your skin :

Proctection from UVB Rays

Protection from UVA Rays

Protection from UVA/UVB Rays


Enjoy the rest of the Summer. SEE THIS TO LEARN MORE :)

QR Code 2d Barcode

QR Code

Ever saw something like this before?

Im sure you do. Its been around for quite sometime already circulating the internet, the groceries, bookstores even billboards. Are you familiar with Barcode? Well, this is a 2D Barcode, a new Barcode system that stores unimaginable amount of data. Infact, there are different kinds of 2D Barcodes out there and QR Code is probably the most popular of them.

What is QR Code?
QR is short for Quick Response (they can be read quickly by a smartphone or other handheld device with camera). If you scan a QR Code with your phone and an installer QR reader application, It downloads information from the host and stores it in your device, like a bookmark, from that piece of information,you can be directed to a website, or a map, or pull up notes app from your mobile with some text written to it.

How to Read QR Codes?
The cell phone needs a QR code reader, like this one from Google. It takes literally 1 minute for someone with an iPhone or Android phone to find and install the reader.Once the application is ready, scan the QR Code with your phone

How to Generate a QR code?

I've heard of some sites like www.qrcode.kaywa.com or www.qrstuff.com. Google also has a tool - Google QR Code Generator. I got mine from this site > SITE 

How a QR Code Works?

   QR ReaderThis is the APP that i downloaded for my iPhone

A QR Code of my Blog in Picture Format saved in my Computer

   Bringing the iphone closer after launching the APP(to scan)   

Once scan is successful it will load an App,Browser(with site)

Viola!!!   It pulled up my blogsite MyCorner. Wonderful Is It?

Here's a Sample QR Code. 

TRY IT !!!

Try It! Try It!

Have you got a QR Code yet? Get one now.

Yummy Bake and Churn Ice Cream Cake

Ice cream?! Cake?! Ice cream?! Cake?! Do you have a sweet tooth and can't decide which to go for? You may not choose one because you can definitely have both, with Bake and Churn Ice Cream Cakes your craving for the sweet and cold will surely appease.
This isn't the first time I've tasted their products, in fact whenever i go to SM, i would always grab a slice of chocolate log, that is one of my super favorite as the Chocolate is sinfully rich and it don't melt as fast as other ice creams would.
Ever heard the saying, its best to eat ice cream when its cold? Somehow that is true, because when the weather is cold, the ice cream does not melt so easily, the best flavor of icecream can be tasted when it is still solid not liquid. Because if it is liquid it's not ice cream anymore, its called Shake!! (whateverrr). Anyway, Ice cream is good all the time, and it dont choose an occasion or place or age (Heck even my grandmother still loves ice cream!)
Going back, I decided to blog about my experience with Bake and Churn this time because i was very happy with my purchase, In addition to that, i enjoyed a whopping P200 discount because i bought the bake and churn gift voucher from Ensogo , so i just had to cash out only P130 for my ice cream, i mean cake, err ice cream cake. How cools is that?
I ordered a Rocky Road Flavored Dome Cake. Please don't fucking ask me why because my reasons are personal, yes they are lame but at least i have reasons. Rocky Road because it sounds nice. Ha-ha. and Rocky Road because i like its picture from their website. Ha-ha-ha.

This is the photo from the website. Enticing Isn't it?

Anyway, the reason i chose to redeem my Bake and Churn is because mother's day is coming soon. I initially planned to redeem on Sunday, 13th of May however SM Megamall is P200 away from me. Hahaha. All the savings will just go to JAC Liner!
Well, as i write this, my father and i has not long began devouring the cake. And Yes! I think i made the right choice getting Rocky Road. Because , with its not so sweet ice cream and with its uverly chocolatey base cake(like brownies), this is just as perfect as i expected it should be.

The cake in my fridge

Make room for the masterpiece

My Rocky Road taken from the Box

The Box. The Box carton is very hard and thick, so its good keeping the cold in.

A slice of Heaven. Semi Sweet ice cream on top of rich choco brownie cake.

I hope Ensogo comes up once again with Bake and Churn Vouchers because i am really gonna buy more and i hope they open other branches to join too because as fair as i recall only a few branches accepts the vouchers and they are all in Metro Manila. Anyway, i would like to thank the staff of Bake and Churn Megamall for accommodating me this afternoon. The service was really fast and efficient.

Rainy Season Philippines 2012

The weather's really been weird sine 1st May, After the humid weather of April, the rain poured over Manila and neighbouring provinces, gracing the land with a cold shower. I was home that day, and the streets became very noisy. Kids played in the rain happily. The heat of summer was so intense "hot" was an understatement. Everyone was happy of the slight comfort the short downpour has brought. The rain was a salvation.


Its been a week now since that day and everyday, it gets cloudy and drizzly in the afternoon. Makes me wonder,Has the rainy season started? It's Only early May.. Last Year i wrote an article about the list of tropical storms to hit Philippines, This is like some kind of a repost because these information are also there.



List of Typhoons to Possibly Hit Philippines this 2012

1. Ambo
2. Butchoy
3. Cosme
4. Dindo
5. Enteng
6. Frank
7. Gener
8. Helen
9. Igme
10. Julian
11. Karen
12. Lawin
13. Marce
14. Nina
15. Ofel
16. Pablo
17. Quinta
18. Rolly
19. Siony
20. Tonyo
21. Unding
22. Violeta
23. Winnie
24. Yoyong
25. Zosimo

10 auxiliary names that will be used should the above be insufficient:

1. Alakdan
2. Baldo
3. Clara
4. Dencio
5. Estong
6. Felipe
7. Gardo
8. Heling
9. Ismael
10. Julio

Screen Shot from TV

Do you know that PAGASA forecast storm names list in a 12 year cycle? each name set repeats after every 4 yrs.

Read this article to know more : Tropical Storms in the Philippines 2005 - 2016

Flores de Mayo

Is also known as the queen of the Filipino Festivals. A month-long festival in honour of the Virgin Mary.
In the local tradition, young children dressed in white visits the church every afternoon, walks to the altar while singing praise (Dalit kay Maria) and offering flowers to the blessed virgin.In our province, we call this "Pagaalay sa Birhen".

Dalit ni Maria
O Mariang sakdal dilag dalagang lubhang mapalad
Sadyang pinili sa lahat nitong Haring mataas.

Itong bulaklak na alay ng aming pagsintang tunay
Palitan mo Birheng Mahal ng tuwa sa kalangitan.
Kaya kami naparito abang Inang masaklolo
Paghahandog pananagano nitong bulaklak sa Mayo

Buwan ito’y mahalaga at lubhang kaaya-aya
Pagka’t sa iyo Senora naghahain ng Pagsinta.


Nine days of prayer  in honour of the Holy Cross, precedes the procession.Santa Cruzan is The parade
on the last day of the festival in honour of Reyna Helena.The procession is always the final part of the festival of Flores de Mayo. The procession is held in the streets on the barangay. Novena is recited in the parade, and a rondalla of beat singing Dios ti Salve.The devotees walking with the procession hold lighted candles in their hands and singing the prayer.Procession leads to the church, where a mass will be held in honor or the Blessed Virgin, the finally, the last of the Flower offering to Mary will be exercised.


This colorful pageant parade is arranged in this order:

1. Methuselah - he is bearded, curved with age, riding a cart looking preoccupied with toasting some grains of sand in a pan over a fire. This is a reminder that all that glitters will end up as dust like what he is toasting.

2. Reyna Banderada - a young lady dressed in a long red gown carrying a yellow triangular flag. She represents the coming of Christianity.

3. Aetas - represent the state of the country before the coming of Christianity. These are the unconverted Filipino pagans.

4. Reyna Mora - represents the dominant religion before Christianity (feminine of Moro from the Moslem religion).
5. Reyna Fe - symbolizes the virtue of faith - the first of the theological virtues. She carries a cross.
6. Reyna Esperanza - symbolizes the virtue of hope - the second theological virtue. She carries an anchor.
7. Reyna Caridad - symbolizes the virtue of charity - the third theological virtue. She carries a red heart.
8. Reyna Abogada - the defender of the poor and the oppressed. She wears a black graduation cap (toga) and gown and she carries a big book.

9. Reyna Sentenciada - has her slim hands bound by a rope. She is the symbol of the innocents who have been convicted. She is escorted by two Roman soldiers.
10. Reyna Justicia - an image of the "mirror of justice". She carries a weighing scale and a sword.
11. Reyna Judith - representing Judith of Pethulia who saved her city from the Assyrians after she beheaded the cruel holoferns. She carries the head of the beheaded man on one hand and a sword on the other.
12. Reyna Sheba - who visited the famous King Solomon and was overwhelmed by his wisdom, power and riches, she carries a jewelry box.
13. Reyna Esther - the biblical Jewish who secured her countrymen from death and destruction through timely intervention with the King Xerxes. She carries a scepter.
14. Samaritana - the woman who Christ spoke to at the well. She carries a jug on her shoulder.
15. Veronica - the woman who wiped the face of Jesus. She carries a bandana printed with the three faces of Jesus.

16. Tres Marias
a. Mary of Magdala - she carries a bottle of perfume;
b. Mary, Mother of Christ - she carries a handkerchief;
c. Mary, mother of James - she carries a bottle of oil.

17. Marian - celebrating the many titles of the Virgin Mary.

A-v-e--M-a-r-i-a -- represented by eight (8) girls all Wearing long white dresses with wings to make them look like angels. Each one carries a letter to complete the word "AVE MARIA."

a . Divina pastora (Divine Shepherdess) - she carries a shepherdess' staff.
b . Reyna de las Estrellas (Queen of Stars) - she carries a wand with a star.
c . Rosa Mystica - she carries a bouquet of roses.
d . Reyna Paz (queen of peace) - she carries the symbol of peace.
e . Reyna de las Propetas - she carries an hour glass.
f . Reyna del Cielo (Queen of Heaven) - she carries a flower. She has two (2) angels.
g . Reyna de las Virgines - she carries a rosary and is surrounded by two (2) little angels.
h . Reyna de las Flores (Queen of Flowers) - she carries a bouquet of flowers.

18. Reyna Elena (Queen Helena) - She is the highlight of the procession, the legendary founder of the true Cross, represented by the small cross she carries. She is escorted by her son, Constantine, under a huge canopy of May flowers. Immediately behind her is a float carrying the image of the Blessed Virgin Mary, followed by a brass band that lends the festive sounds to the procession.

Archs (Arko) Designs and Gown Ideas for Santacruzan HERE

The Month of May, The Sun, The Flowers and Beautiful summer smiles

When i was younger, i always look out for the month of May specifically for two main reasons. (1) 1st May is the Feast of St Joseph the Worker, the patron Saint of Melgar,Naujan, Oriental Mindoro, a dear place to me and my family. Next is the last week of May also known as the "Tapusan" when every barangay prepares for the celebration of Santacruzan.
I started joining the santacruzan when i was 5, and since then i have always loved the month of May.

Check out my other article about Flores de Mayo with The Complete SantaCruzan Entourage

Review: St Agatha Resort Bulacan

The first impression was a WOW.
Definitely Hotel-Like Entrance, Big Gate, Big driveways. Big Car Park.
The reception area is also nice, loft style, soft tones, nice ceiling crafts, good lighting.
Except that - we arrived after lunch so its dazzling hot but despite our number entering the reception, no receptionist approached us, talked to us, no recep at all.
AND - this is the worst - the AC was OFF,
it was not turned on despite the fact that we've been sitting there for almost 30 minutes. Oh well, maybe this is how
they treat you when you were a candidate for mr/ms discounted guests.
Yes, i heard we enjoyed a handful of discount. Thanks to Lyka.

The Main Hall. Nice place spacious and very ideal for events. Infact, when we arrived, tables and chairs were arranged for a wedding. The place looks grand.
The sides are different rooms, i think as we pass by to go to the resort area, ive seen a spa room, a gym, and a few others.

I was told the second floor of that hall are the suites.
As you leave the Main building, the backyard is the resort, you will be greeted by spacious wave pool,
they have resto above the artificial fishing zone, yes, you can fish, they will cook, then you pay.
There are also cottages in this area.
The Pools.There's a kiddie pool, then there's a lap pool, there are only 3 big pools in the resort.
Wavepool is the pool that gets wavy on one hour intervals, the other side of the wave pool is a bridge,
connecting to the middle island in the wave pool area where they have a jacuzzi, a very small one.

Kiddie pool is the small been shaped pool in the middle of the resort. with short fountain in the middle, this is really ideal ALSO for the older ones.
Lap pool is divided by string, the other side steeps down and is 6 feet deep while the other is 4 ft shallow.

The Playground.Basketball hoops available in the left side of resort. There's a playground, but its so on the far leftof the resort. You almost wouldn't know its there.

The rear end of the resort are just tables and cottages.
Nipa hut cottages with AC are in 2 sizes. We had the small one.

The second floor is the room, the "silong" is the toilet and shower area, and some small space for the sink and cooking.
The restroom is nice (it is small but tilework and woodwork is great) - Only if they are Clean, because as i sit on the toilet,  i can see how dirty the tiles are (including the timba and tabo). It must have been days since they last scrubbed it. Its full of lime and mildew. (Mr Muscle where are you???)
The toilet sink is dirty, they must have not cleaned it since the last occupants, the toilet bin is also dirty (yuck), the drainage covers are missing or are untangled, and are full of rusts,the heater is broken, and the water, holy shit, the water is like sea water sometimes its not clean at all!! you can tell because you wouldn't know where the sands are coming from when you cleaned them already.
Oh well, using the toilet as a misery for me.
The room was nice, double walling bamboo strips, vinyled floor. The TV is OKay, the AC is Old but yes it managed to make us comfortable in the night,but not in daytime, i think the room is just too big for the AC (and to think we are on the small room),the minifridge is useless, its not cooling at all!
The staff are nice, they serve fast when you ask then sumthing. A little bit lenient on Karaoke, we get to sing until 12am although technically karaoke should be dead by 10pm only.
Here's one weird thing, you will starve to death if you dont have food of your own during midnight.

Their restaurant is closed midnight until 8am. I find this unreasonable because its like implying you to "leave" the resort aftermidnight or dont stay at all at night if you dont have food even if you have money.
There's no store or any conviniece shop inside the resort that's gonna cater to your needs at night.
AND..You cannot use the toilet in the early morning because of mosquitoes.Yes, its like a breeding ground for mosquitoes!


Overall: Good.
Recommend :Yes.
Comment. Sanitation:Everything is clean except for the toilet.
Staff: Nice people.

Roxas Reunion

In the Arrival of Nelo's sister (Ate Chey) from London, the Roxas cousin's planned a once in blue moon get together.
Bulacan FTW!
Friday the 13th of April, we reached Bulacan after getting almost toasted on the road.. it is so fucking humid!!
Anyway we had a car pool courtesy of Edgar's Kuya Jon Jon, and for someone who's only been driving for 3 weeks, his road skill was superb.


We've reached Kuya Larry's beautiful home just in time for lunch, let time passed a bit, chat with each other, play ipad , iphone ,magic sing. Then we are off to the resort.
The place is great, good food, great laugh with friends and cousins and
I never knew wave pool would be so fun :)

Check out my review on St Agatha Resort.