On the The 4th Philippine International PyroMusical Competition 2013

We caught the second to the last weekend of the 4th Philippine International PyroMusical Competition this year. It was more of a last-minute decision coming from the WorldBex in The World Trade Center.  I only had my trusty iPhone with  me, so pardon the grainy photo above. For much better photos, check out their SM MOA’s Facebook Page.

Anyhow, we went to SM  Mall of Asia with our P100-tickets purchased online by the husband’s colleague. I had a mixture of pleasant and unpleasant experiences during that Saturday.

Let me start with the pleasant ones:

• The entrance to the P100-ticket area was well-manned. It was not congested and crowded, as I was expecting. I thought since it was the general admission ticket, there would be pushing. But there was none.
• When we got inside, it was also not crowded. It was not humid. It was pleasant.

Now the unpleasant ones:

• The show didn’t start at 7PM as indicated in the ticket and in their banners. It started at 8PM.
• The sound system should also be heard (loud and clear) in all ticket areas, in fact better if the whole open area of SM MOA. It is an international show after all. We couldn’t figure out what the emcee was saying. The music was not clear in our area. Even if we got only the general admission ticket, we still went to see and paid for the show after all.
• The presentation interval was about 30, or was it 45 minutes. After the presentation of China, we had no choice but to wait for Australia’s presentation. The momentum and excitement would be better sustained if the presentations were done one after another. But, those I know who have gone to see the show before us,  had a different experience. They were saying that the presentations had only a 10- to 15-minute interval. I am just not sure what happened that weekend.

For those who are planning to catch the last group, Canada and Philippines, this weekend, here’s what I recommend.

• Choose a restaurant where you can get a good vantage point to see the show. It is still a better option for me than going to those viewing areas and had to wait long. At least in the resto, you’ll have food and good seating.
• Prepare for the deluge and crowd of people at SM MOA. From parking areas to the mall and back, you had to queue. We had to take the stairs from ground to the rooftop parking.
• This is an international show, let’s make it that—from sound system to venue arrangements.

Being on the (Philippine) Streets

For the past couple of days, I witnessed helplessness in the face of an authorized-to-nab traffic enforcer.

First.

I know my husband to be a careful driver and a law-abiding citizen. I am not saying this because he is my husband. He really is. His and my friends can attest to this. Despite that, he was nabbed for violating traffic rules twice.

The first one was on SLEX for running slow on a fast lane. The second incident happened last Sunday. He was arrested for beating the red light. Unfortunately, in the two incidents he was just a victim—he was at the wrong place at the wrong time. For who would be in his right mind would be slowing down on a fast lane? In last Sunday’s incident, it took place on the pedestrian lane between Glorietta and SM Makati (Yes, the beating-the-red-light regulation is enforced there. Surprised?!). He crossed the pedestrian lane on a green light but since the road was rugged because it was being reconstructed, the red light went on even before he reached the other side. But he was already an inch away from the finish-line so to speak. And he, who is a firm advocate of road courtesy and pedestrian lanes, would beat the red light? A good hour after, we went back to the same place and observed the motorists there. Many were beating the red light. Luckily for them, the traffic enforcers already were not around.

In both occasions, Wizheart had to surrender his license. I wonder what happened to the MMDA’s ticketing system where you get a ticket and you settle the penalty in the bank. That system is to me more in keeping with the times.

Second.

The other morning on my way to work, I saw a traffic enforcer again altercating with a jeepney driver at the West Service Road corner Merville Access Road. The jeepney driver—I didn’t know for what reason he was being arrested—refused to completely stop and give the traffic enforcer the chance to arrest him. The traffic enforcer even had to stand in front of the jeepney, but the driver didn’t budge. The traffic enforcer had no choice but to step aside. The driver took that chance to speed down the service road and escape. This was the same traffic enforcer who accused my husband of swerving, when Wizheart was only trying to avoid the out-of-line jeepney. He let go of us. Why? My observation below may explain that.

My observation.

In other countries, Filipinos are known to be good people—law abiding and hardworking. Why is it that here in their own country, many of them mess up?

I think because, we have reactive rules, and worse these reactive rules are implemented at random. Not clear. Illogical, even. Not consistent.

If you want people to follow the rules, be clear about your rules and implement them justly. But I’m just talking to my hand here really.

My (unsolicited) advice.

For pedestrians and motorists out there, pray every day that you won’t be in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Ayala Avenue Dresses Up for Christmas

The Christmas decors along Ayala Avenue were put up last week, and today I decided to take photos of it. Again, I forgot my digicam, so I took the photos using my Nokia E63.

1st photo: I was walking toward PBCom Tower, Ayala Avenue cor. Rufino Street.

2nd photo: I was on the corner of Ayala Avenue and Rufino Street.

I’m excited about Christmas already!

Part of Manny Villar’s C5 Project

When the “C5 insertion project” broke out and became controversial, I was on the lookout for that C5 extension. That is because I felt that the area they were describing was near my place.

I was right! The supposedly C5 extension would be passing through West Service Road, to Moonwalk and Multinational villages. The extension road would be running parallel to Kalayaan Road in Pasay (which is parallel to Merville Access Road), then to Armstrong Avenue in Moonwalk, Parañaque to Kaingin Road going to Multinational Village. The road would connect to Ninoy Aquino Avenue to Sucat Road.

Already the meter road that we are using now is a big help in easing up traffic in the area—the same way that the Daang Hari in Alabang-Imus route.

True, these road constructions may be dubious and may seemingly benefit the subdivisions owned by the person who wanted to see this project done, but they are useful, they are helpful commuters/motorists.

I don’t know with you, but I don’t mind seeing something concrete and tangible with the taxes that I had been paying.

Now, I just hope that these roads are constructed well, along with the drainage system.

Man On The Streets

Saw this man on Pasong Tamo (now renamed Chino Roces Avenue) Extension, Makati. It was a Sunday, and so he had the street to himself. What if it’s a busy day, do we provide lanes for handicapped people?

PinoyBiz Fueling Pinoy Entrepreneurship

I see these colorful stalls on Pasong Tamo Extension, that part of Pasong Tamo that is already part of Taguig City and not Makati City.

These stalls are labeled, Forward Taguig-Global Kalinga-PinoyBiz. This project must be supported by Taguig City, Global Kalinga, and Pinoy Biz groups. From what I see, each stall is assigned certain products to sell. So, one stall sells fruits,  another fish, yet another meat or rice.

The stalls are standing on the  paved sidewalks along the streets. I’m not sure if the vendors have business permits or perhaps the city of Taguig has given them permission to sell.

Whatever it is, this idea of PinoyBiz is indeed fueling the spirit of entrepreneurship among Filipinos.

This Rainy Thursday…

I woke up to heavy downpour knocking the windowpanes and roof.  When I looked out the window, I saw  dark skies and wet pavements. It seemed like there would be no let up.

The weather looked perfect for people who didn’t have to go out and work. We need rain, you know. Especially the plants and trees. But rainfall in Metro Manila is different. It means flooded streets, and traffic jams. It’s synonymous to inconvenience!

But who can stop the rain?

As I am one of those who needed to get to work, I left the house armed with my umbrella. When I got outside the village, this is the sight that greeted me. WET!