Sports: Azkals qualifying stage for AFC done, World Cup qualifiers next

The country is still ecstatic with the win that our Philippine football team achieved during the AFC qualifying match with Bangladesh 3-0, following draws against Palestine and Myanmar to advance to the Asian Football Confederation Challenge Cup’s main tournament next year. With the AFC main tournament scheduled for next year, the Azkals have this year to hone and improve their skills further. We might as well mark in our sporting calendar their next games this coming June 29 and July 3 against a yet to be confirmed opponents as they kick off their World Cup qualifying bid. This will definitely be a step up in the competition as these matches will determine who would advance to the second round of the World Cup qualifying matches. Also playing on the first round of qualifying and possible opponents are Laos, Myanmar, Chinese-Taipei, Macau, Timor Leste, Palestine, Pakistan, Mongolia, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal and Malaysia.

The level of competition of the next matches that the team will be participating are a step higher compared to what they have already experienced during the AFC qualifying tournament so hopefully the Azkals team would springboard from all of their recent successes and continue on giving the Philippines something to cheer about. Though I would like to make an appeal to all *new* football fans especially Azkals fans to make sure that we rally behind our team no matter what the results are. We might not even make it past the first round. Hopefully, we would continuously support our Azkals team even if the results are not on their side.

Sports: Who will win this year's NBA championship?

The NBA 2010-2011 regular season is winding down and as the playoffs get closer the positioning battle for the TOP 8 teams and those that are in the 9th and 10th spot are tightening up. Questions are abound as to who will be this years NBA champions? Here are some of my takes on who are the legitimate contenders vying for the coveted Larry O’ Brien trophy.

Chicago – the team is smoking hot, but do they have what it takes to win it all?
Celtics – Experience will be a factor, but will their weary and veteran legs keep up with the likes of those with the HEAT and Chicago?
Heat – The Superfriends were on a rollercoaster ride all season albeit a bumpy ride, expectations are high for this team since joining forces together last off season. Is this the year for them to win their first ring as a trio? And a start of what could be multiple championships together?

How about in the west?

Spurs - Are they for real? I should say that they have a legitimate chance barring any setback or injuries with their own big three (Duncan, Ginobili and Parker).
Oklahoma – A very interesting team to watch, they might have an outside chance to crash the western conference party? but I'm sure that this is not yet the year for them.
Lakers – They have been on a roll since the all-star break, winning 13 out of 14 games. Will Kobe and company step it up a notch during the postseason and try to win their 3rd straight championship? And give Phil Jackson his 12th championship ring?

Well for now, its’ everybody's ballgame and as for your guess who wins this years cup? Your guess is as good as mine folks.

Earth Hour: A worthy cause to help fight Climate Change

For those who don't know, Earth Hour started in 2007 in Sydney, Australia when 2.2 million individuals and more than 2,000 businesses turned their lights off for one hour to take a stand against climate change. Only a year later and Earth Hour had become a global sustainability movement with more than 50 million people across 35 countries/territories participating. Global landmarks such as the Sydney Harbour Bridge, CN Tower in Toronto, Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, and Rome’s Colosseum, all stood in darkness, as symbols of hope for a cause that grows more urgent by the hour.

Different countries and individuals, all making an effort to help fight climate change and we too can contribute and help with the cause. This coming March 26, 2011 8:30PM local time, Earth Hour is upon us once again. This time though, instead of the usual 1 hour event, everyone is encouraged to turn off their lights for more than 1 hour.

This is a very time event given the catastrophe that happened with Japan and also around us. It is not that much to ask since an hour worth of turning off your lights would go a long way in helping save planet earth. So let us all commit and do our own little part in helping save the only planet and home that we have, Earth.

Cheap Summer Getaway: Enchanted Kingdom

Have you penciled on a place that you will go to this summer? On a tight budget and does not want to go far? Well if you haven't thought of one, here's one suggestion that you would like to probably consider.

Enchanted Kingdom - Why don't you unleash the kid in you and visit this world class theme park in the Philippines located at Sta. Rosa Laguna. Rates are very affordable and transportation going to and from EK is very easy either via public buses, vans or if you want, you can even bring your own car.

Food is not a problem since there are food stalls inside plus you also have the option to go out and eat at a nearby Jollibee, McDonalds, GoNuts Donuts and 7-11. Just make sure that you get yourself a re-entry stamp in order for you to get back in.

If you are not a big eater and simply just wanted to enjoy the attractions and rides offered a budget of 1.5K per person would be safe enough.

I have visited Enchanted Kingdom together with my family almost every year (either during the summer or Christmas season) and it never ceases to amaze me. I always feel excited whenever I am about to enter their gates and be greeted by the site of the beautiful Victorian inspired Grand Carousel. As always I would always leave with a smile after. I really think that they are living up to when they say, “the magic stays with you.”

Below are their current rates as seen on their website.

Carousel Ticket:

Weekend / Holiday Rate: Php 150.00
Weekday Rate: Php 150.00
Descriptions: Free admission to the park grounds and unlimited access to the Grand Carousel, Bumbling Boulders, and Boulderville Express.

Regular Day Pass:

Weekend / Holiday Rate: Php 500.00
Weekday Rate: Php 400.00
Descriptions: Enjoy unlimited use of all the Park’s rides: Space Shuttle, Jungle Log Jam, Swan Lake, Up, Up & Away, Roller Skater, Dodgem, Wheel of Fate, Anchors Away, Bump n’ Splash, Rialto, Rio Grande Rapids, Flying Fiesta, Grand Carousel, Bumbling Boulders, Boulderville Express, Air Petrodactyl, Stone Eggs, and Dinosoarus.

Junior Day Pass:

Weekend / Holiday Rate: Php 320.00
Weekday Rate: Php 250.00
Descriptions: Applicable to children between 36” to 47” tall. Children 35” and under are FREE. Enjoy unlimited use of all the Park’s rides: Space Shuttle, Jungle Log Jam, Swan Lake, Up, Up & Away, Roller Skater, Dodgem, Wheel of Fate, Anchors Away, Bump n’ Splash, Rialto, Rio Grande Rapids, Flying Fiesta, Grand Carousel, Bumbling Boulders, Boulderville Express, Air Pterodactyl, Stone Eggs, and Dinosoarus.

For more information about the ticket prices and other latest updates please visit their website: http://new.enchantedkingdom.ph

Bigg's Diner finally at SM Sta. Rosa

When I was still studying in Naga City, I used to eat a lot at Biggs Diner because I love the taste of the food that they are offering, from their classic Spaghetti with Chicken, their Chicken with Rice meal together with their mouthwatering coleslaw and a slew of other tasty food. After I graduated, I had to move back to Laguna and find work. I sure have fond memories of Biggs when it comes to good food and had always craved for the taste of Biggs. I was hoping that they soon expand outside Naga. Though it took them a while, Biggs just recently opened their SM City Sta. Rosa branch last March 4, 2011 and my wife and I made sure that we get to eat lunch there. The place looked nice! A throwback of the early 60’s and 70’s similar to what they have in Naga and the rest of their branches. I felt a little nostalgic seeing the designs that they put in, their tables set up like the inside car of a train. Overall design was good and very appealing to the eyes. It sure made an impact on me and my wife.

Of course the visit will not be complete without the order. For my wife she ordered the tenderloin tips complete with carrot, corn, beans as side dish and mashed potato.While I had my classic favorite, Pork Cordon Bleu together with a mix of carrot, corn, beans as side dish and mashed potato plus a glass of their delicious and very tasteful iced tea. The food was prepared correctly and we only had to wait 5 minutes for our food to be served. The crews were all smiles and very friendly. Though it took a while for Biggs to open, it was worth the wait. My wife and I felt like kids while enjoying the food that we ordered. It was our first time to visit and eat at Biggs after how many years and I am sure that it will not be the last.

Biggs Rocks!

Check out some of the pics from our visit...

While waiting for our food

My wife enjoying her Tenderloin Tips

God I missed this Pork Cordon Bleu!

I love the taste of Biggs

Great Interior, definitely a blast from the past

Tech News: Tweetwars! Jim Paredes vs Gringo Honasan

Nowadays when you want to bash, praise, comment, give feedback on someone you can do that via twitter. In case you are living under a rock and do not know what twitter is about, it is a social networking site that is being used by majority of the celebrities and politicians all over the world, in the Philippines, this is also the same avenue for celebrities and politicians to dabble into sometimes educational and oftentimes downright dumb discussions which ends up being a complete waste of time.

I happened to read the tweetwars between Gringo Honasan and Jim Paredes last week and can't seem to get over his statement, "get elected first, even as Brgy. Captain. Then lets talk"

WTF??? That is just plain rubbish in my own honest opinion. Why do we need to be an elected official first in order to talk to an incumbent or seating official? An absurd thinking from an elected official! That is why our country is so far behind since politicians feels like they are god and no one can talk to them nor get near them unless they are part of their clique and their inner circle. What a shame!

Coffee Anyone?

I love to start my day with a good ol' cup of coffee. At the office, free coffee is provided to all its employees at a certain time interval of the day. Since working in a call center requires us to stay up during the evening and a cup of hot coffee definitely keeps us awake until the following morning.

However it was reported that the prolonged rains have affected the production of coffee plants situated in Brazil and Colombia, two countries that are major exporters of coffee prompting them to raise global prices which have never happened in the last 14 years.

For the Philippines, prices of coffee have already started to rise by 3 to 5 percent according to one representative from the Philippine Coffee Board and warned us that we should brace ourselves from a continuous trend of price increase if the current weather situation affecting Brazil and Colombia does not change.

This is not good news to entrepreneurs in the Philippines since coffee consumption is at an increasing rate of 3 percent a year, costs on the other hand is also increasing. Thus they have no choice but to pass it on to consumers. Starbucks for one already increased their coffee prices by 10 pesos, good thing I don't get to drink coffee that much (Starbucks that is) and just get contented with the free coffee that we have in the office.