Pineapples Garden

It's El Niño here in the Philippines.

Infrequent watering of crops might not be enough.

The plants also need deeper soil for longer water retention.

Venice Grand Canal Mall

It's just a mall with water in the middle right?

Yes. And definitely is one of the picturesque malls in the Philippines.

To go there by commute, just ride a minibus passing-by Gate 3 - beside Market Market mall or Infront of Guadalupe mall / commercial center. Tell the driver / conductor you're going to Venice.

Affordable Pastries and Meals

Are you a croissant fan?

You can find one of the cheapest croissants in Uptown Mall at BGC.

Just look for The Baker's Selection stall at the mall's lower ground level. As of writing, three pieces is pegged at P62.00.

What more?

They serve rice meals and affordable viands too. :)

Gayuma (Enchantment) by Cenon Rivera

Cenon Rivera
(1922-1998, Hagonoy, Bulacan)

Gayuma (Enchantment)

1975
Oil on canvas

National Fine Arts Collection
National Museum of the Philippines

Mag-Ina (Mother and Child) by Cenon Rivera

Cenon Rivera

(1922-1998, Hagonoy, Bulacan)

Mag-Ina (Mother and Child)

1985

Oil on canvas

National Fine Arts Collection

National Museum of the Philippines

How to Find the Best Avocado

Avocado is a favorite food for many.

People eat the fruit for its yummy flavor or for its nutritional food benefits. I eat avocado for both reasons. :)

Simple Snack Recipe

I usually eat avocado together with sugar. Honey can substitute for sugar which can make it more healthful. Now, to make it creamy and more delicious just add two tablespoons of powdered milk for each regular-sized avocado.

For convenience some people use their favorite canned condensada milk. But still I find powdered milk more accessible since it is readily available in my house.

How I find the best avocado

There is no sure thing that the avocado you buy is free from damages or from caterpillars nesting inside. You may say, "Eew!" but this is the reality in the world of avocado buyers/lovers.

It's really disappointing when you buy avocado and find out that you cannot eat even a thing from it because of the damage it got from outside forces or because of caterpillars lurking inside the fruit that make holes in its flesh.

Buying unripe avocados. Those are the best ones, I'd say.

Here's why:
Any caterpillars in unripe avocados are not yet fully grown.
It is also near impossible for them to eat the hard flesh of the fruit.
Then ripen the avocados in the refrigerator to kill any caterpillar in it.
You'd guess caterpillars cannot live with the cold environment there.
Thus, preventing them from making more holes to your precious fruit.

When the fruit is ripe and is ready for scooping, you'll observe that you are to eat the maximum fruit flesh you can get from the avocado you've been waiting for.

Also, no additional chilling is needed.

If you're looking for advice on finding good avocados that are ready to eat, try Erica's.

Sili Ice Cream in Bicol

This one-of-a-kind chili ice cream is creamy and cold but is at the same hot. :)
Nevertheless, it's delicious!

Try it at Colonial Grill restaurant found in Legaspi City.

Clean Seaport of Legaspi City

On this picture is the seaport of Legaspi near Embarcadero de Legaspi mall. It's clean.

Did not have enough time to wait for Mt. Mayon's top to be uncovered by clouds this morning. The heat of the sun can already be felt. I'll just stroll here some other time and try biking on an early morning. A bike rental is available at the seaside. That's cool!

Fireworks Blast at Enchanted Kingdom

Got a new screensaver souvenir for my 'first time' visit at Enchanted Kingdom for the year 2014.

It's summer and it was really hot during the weekend I visited the theme park. That's why riding at the Rio Grande Rapids is a must. Luckily this time I did not get wet as much as my friends... who were totally soaked by the splashing waves of water. They were still wet when we went home.

Biking at UPLB

Did not mind the heat of summer, I went to UPLB campus with my bike.

Deemax (bike) in front of the Humanities Building of UPLB

Biking is fun right at the foot of Mt. Makiling. That is where the University of Los Banos is. :)

UPLB Oblation Statue

You can freely bike inside the campus too.

UPLB Main Library

Just don't forget to wear a bike helmet so the U.P. Police will not apprehend you.

A Lucky Day in SM Megamall

A lucky day for me I guess. Went to SM Megamall to unwind. Who'd have thought that there's a bag & shoes sale today. Got a new pair of World Balance shoes at very low price for the quality.

World Balance Shoe

The shoes look tough and were vulcanized on sides. It falls under the category Street Casual Collection of World Balance. But whatever they classify it the design's the one that really caught my attention. I went home happy.

A Shoe on World Balance's Street Casual Collection

Right after paying for the shoes I passed by a desk where buyers line up. There're waiting for their turn in liking five commercial Facebook pages. Doing so entitles you for a one raffle entry whose price is either a keychain or a bag. You choose from 1 to 8 and the item that corresponds to your number is the one you get. Also, they give you the price on the spot. Now, here's what I got:

Khumbmela Bag Won from a Raffle

John Carlo Tan of Tropang Kulit

It's John Carlo Tan playing around during the Tropang Kulit promotion of TV5 in SM San Lazaro.

Angel Figurine

Saw this beautiful figurine of an angel displayed in Sagada Weaving. Below it is a message that says:

Death leaves a heartache

No one can heal,

Love leaves a memory

No one can steal.

Bokong Falls - Sagada

Bokong Falls in Sagada a.k.a. Small Falls

Bokong falls is the nearest falls you can visit while in Sagada. It is otherwise known as Small Falls. If you are curious, the bigger falls is in Bomod-ok.

A friend at Bokong Falls

I have included a friend in the picture so you can measure how big the falls is. :)

Children Playing around Bokong Falls

Bokong Falls is just walking distance from the town proper and you can arrive there in 20 minutes walking. If you have a rented vehicle, it can bring you nearer the place so you can just allot your energy trekking down to reach the falls... in just 5 minutes.

Front View of Bokong Falls

As you would expect, the water there is cold. Swimming is allowed. But to be safe, wear a life vest as the water is deep, in case you get cramps while diving/swimming.

View at the Top of Bokong Falls

When visiting the Small Falls, do not forget to climb on its top to get more scenery which is not visible when staying just in front of it.

Chapel inside ABS-CBN

This is a picture inside the chapel in the ABS-CBN compound. Went there while waiting for a friend's audition for Minute-to-win-it on a weekend.

Did not know before that there is a chapel inside ABS-CBN. Now we know.

Desiderata by Max Ehrmann

A poem written by Max Ehrmann in 1927, Desiderata is a Latin word meaning desired things.
Am putting this poem on this blog for easier reading.

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,

and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible without surrender

be on good terms with all persons.

Speak your truth quietly and clearly;

and listen to others, even the dull and ignorant;

they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons,

they are vexations to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others,

you may become vain and bitter;

for always there will be greater
and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.

But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;

and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.

Especially, do not feign affection.

Neither be critical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.

Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with imaginings.

Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;

you have a right to be here.

And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,

and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be careful. Strive to be happy. 

One Thing - Guitar Chords & Strumming Pattern

Soon playing my guitar again. One Thing by One Direction is just the right song to play as it has chords that I am already familiar with.

Based from the tutorial by Emil Remo, I put here the guitar chords of One Thing:

INTRO
D  A    D
//  ///    //

VERSE 1
D           A            D
//            ///           //
I've tried playing it cool

D                  A             G
//                   ///            //
But when I'm looking at you

G       A          Bm
//       ///          //
I can’t ever be brave

                   G            A      D
                   ///           /        /
'Cause you make my heart race

[Harry]
D            A           D
//            ///           //
Shot me out of the sky

D        A            G
//        ///            //
You're my kryptonite

G             A                Bm
//             ///              //
You keep making me weak

  G                      A      D
///                        /       /
Yeah, frozen and can't breathe

PRE-CHORUS
(8 strums each)

 G                                    D
Something’s gotta give now

                   Bm                            A  
'Cause I’m dying just to make you see

            G                                   D
That I need you here with me now

            G                    A    D
            ///                   /      /
'Cause you've got that one thing


CHORUS
(4 strums each)

     D           G         A                  D
So get out, get out, get out of my head

       Bm        G          A   D
And fall into my arms instead

D           G              A                Bm
I don't, I don't, don't know what it is

  G                   A     D
///                     /      /
But I need that one thing

  G                    A     D
///                      /      /
You've got that one thing


INTRO
D   A     D
//  ///    //


VERSE 2

D           A                D
Now I'm climbing the walls

D                  A           G
But you don't notice at all

G                    A            Bm
That I'm going out of my mind

  G              A     D
///                /      /
All day and all night

PRE-CHORUS
(8 strums each)

G                                    D
Something’s gotta give now

                  Bm                             A
'Cause I'm dying just to know your name

          G                                 D
And I need you here with me now

            G                    A     D
            ///                   /      /
'Cause you've got that one thing

CHORUS
(4 strums each)

     D           G         A                 D
So get out, get out, get out of my head

       Bm       G          A   D
And fall into my arms instead

D           G              A                Bm
I don't, I don't, don't know what it is

 G                    A     D
///                     /      /
But I need that one thing


     D           G         A                  D
So get out, get out, get out of my mind

       Bm         G              A   D
And come on, come into my life

D           G              A                 Bm
I don't, I don't, don't know what it is

      G              A     D
      ///              /      /
But I need that one thing

  G                   A     D
///                     /      /
You've got that one thing


BRIDGE
(1 strum for each)
G                  Bm
Woah-oh-oh-oh

D                  A
Woah-oh-oh-oh

G                  Bm
Woah-oh-oh-oh

[Harry]
D                     A    D
///                     /     /
You've got that one thing

(1 strum for each)
[Liam]
D           G               A            D
Get out, get out, get out of my head

       Bm      G           A   D
And fall into my arms instead

CHORUS
(4 strums each)

     D           G              A             D
So get out, get out, get out of my head

       Bm        G           A   D
And fall into my arms instead

D             G            A                 Bm
I don't, I don't, don't know what it is

      G              A     D
      ///              /      /
But I need that one thing


     D               G           A            D
So get out, get out, get out of my mind

        Bm          G            A   D
And come on, come into my life

D             G             A                Bm
I don't, I don't, don't know what it is

      G              A     D
      ///              /      /
But I need that one thing

  G                  A     D
///                    /      /
You've got that one thing

That's all folks! :)

How to earn Money with Google

One-hundred-dollar bill - part of my earnings from Google Adsense

Google really pays.

My works on the Internet are not in vain. This is the second time I received a payout from Google. It gave me a happy feeling of course.

How I did it?
Just continue reading.

If you are familiar with Google AdSense, then this is nothing new to you.

Google shows ads on websites and the Advertisers pay for it. Through Google Adsense, Google partners with people by putting ads on their website. Google pay you for every click or for every bunch of views the ads get. You can show ads on your website, blog or YouTube videos. To be a publisher, you must apply for a Google AdSense account to begin putting ads and start earning through the Internet.

Important note: earning does not happen overnight.

It's been years since I created a blog and was approved for AdSense so I can put ads on it. After that I created a website and also put ads on it with the intention to give more fund to a church I belong to.

The last thing I did was to enable ads on my YouTube account and that's it.
Got my earnings through Western Union after I reached the minimum $100.00 payout set by Google.

Another thing you can do is to create Android apps and put ads on it.

This is the time you can earn too.

Just choose at least one below and get started earning money with Google:
a.) Blog
b.) Create a website
c.) Uploading YouTube videos
d.) Create Android apps

Your financial adventure with Google has just started.
I just gave an overview. You might want to read more to be more informed about the journey with AdSense.

Joanna May Tan in San Lazaro

Meet my friend Joanna, the eldest sister of John Carlo Tan.

She looks like a celebrity. Hmmm... why didn't I put her picture here before?

Joanna May Tan - photo taken with flash

So beautiful isn't she? Sorry guys. She's already taken. :P

Joanna May Tan

The photos were taken at SM San Lazaro while having dinner in McDonald's. It was after John Carlo just won as 1st runner-up on the contest SM Storyland Kids Got It.

Hummer 2008 Model

Hummer Top-side view

Just bought my hummer from Smart tower. It was based on the 2008 model of the Hummer sports utility vehicle. This is my dream car. Or should call it dream truck instead.

Hummer side view

Just wondering how they manage to put those minute details of the SUV into that small toy.