This Time, Please Understand NAIA

29 June, 2010 Bernardo Arellano III 4 Comments

I was a bit irked earlier this morning when a media person interviewed a NAIA (Ninoy Aquino International Airport) official regarding the flight diversion that happened yesterday, after strong thunderstorms lashed Manila that led to zero visibility around the airport. Of course, I know the fact that ordinary people doesn’t understand the technicalities of airport operations…and so do I. I may not be an official or an expert in aircraft navigation nor a pilot myself, but somehow, I understand the consequences that NAIA faced yesterday. What irked me though was a seemingly sarcastic tone of “mauulit nanaman yan muli?” (“Will it ever repeat again?”). Of course it will! That is about mother nature and life and death! Its the standard operating procedure whenever Mother Nature has gone nuts! Safety over convenience!

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The 112th Philippine Independence Day Celebrations at Luneta: A Reflection

19 June, 201019 June, 2010 Bernardo Arellano III Leave a comment

A century and 12 years later, the Republic of the Philippines celebrated its freedom from the Spanish Empire with a float, performance and parade gala at the Quirino Grandstand in Luneta, Manila. Since this is the last year of the outgoing president Gloria Arroyo, the government allotted PhP10 million for the whole programme. The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (Yes, another name change. It was National Historical Institute) was the main organizer of the programme “Kalayaan 2010″ (Freedom 2010). I wasn’t able to see the traditional flag raising at Aguinaldo’s House at Kawit (its too early! Good luck at baka trapik sa Binakayan galing dito sa Imus!) so I went to Luneta that afternoon for the civic and military parade.

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How did the Philippines Beat the Odds?

18 June, 2010 Bernardo Arellano III Leave a comment

With the sun setting for Arroyo’s administration, its a high time on how we could analyze and evaluate the nine years of management of the state. The book “Beating the Odds” by Renato Velasco and Ricardo Saludo, analyzes the policy-implementation of the Arroyo administration in managing the archipelago nation for almost a decade. Leaving the fiasco of a’la telenovela political drama, the book turns into the policies in political, fiscal and social sectors that served as a guide throughout the rest of the administration, which in turn, may be used as a reference for the future administrations to come.

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Enjoy Life and Be Rewarded!

11 June, 2010 Bernardo Arellano III 1 Comment

Like what they say, “life is short, enjoy it!” Indeed. Why thinking miserable if you could make the most out of life itself? Sometimes, it doesn’t take the most complicated things to enjoy life…well that’s based on my opinion. For me, traveling and sharing my knowledge to the public is what makes me happy when I blog. I feel rewarded upon giving my local knowledge for those who seek help. My passion for writing, this is another way of enjoying blog posts. I’m more of an expressive type of person. Through this, I can vent out or express whatever I want. Because of blogging, I get to meet new people and add friends. Simple it may be but it is something worthwhile. Rewards will come if you enjoy what you are passionately doing.

Now, how about you? What do you enjoy in your life?

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Are You Smart Enough to Drive Efficiently?

4 June, 20105 June, 2010 Bernardo Arellano III 1 Comment

These days, when prices of commodities jack up, our wallets feel the pain. For motorists, they think of innovative ways to make up the most of the limited resources. Gasoline nowadays is a precious commodity and Filipinos can be creative in how to save fuel consumption.

In my personal experience as a motorist, fuel consumption has always been essential wherever I drive. At most, checking the engine, tyre pressure and turning off the car instead of running it on idle are just some of the things that I do to save gas. Also, I limit my speed to as much as 80 to 100 kilometers an hour. Beyond that, the engine would exert effort and would increase consumption. Another thing, if you are driving on manual transmission, avoid reaching the maximum rpm for a single gear. When you think the car has somehow reached near maximum, go changing gears.

With these such tips and ingenuity, Shell recognizes the Filipino motoristas by inviting them to share their ideas on how to make the most out of your gasoline consumption, and get a chance to join Team Philippines in Shell’s Eco-Marathon Asia.

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Floating Away at Matabungkay Beach

1 June, 2010 Bernardo Arellano III 11 Comments

The armada of floating rafts ashore Matabungkay Beach

Vivid memories of summer of my childhood. Floating rafts at the sea while watching the sunset over the western horizon. This is how I remember the ever famous beach of Matabungkay in Batangas Province. Tagal na pala nun! The last way I went here, it was during my childhood days. I remember eating our merienda to dinner in the middle of the sea…err, just a few meters off shore actually. Together with my family, I was reunited with the pigment of my past.

Matabungkay Beach is situated at the town of Lian (nope, its not Nasugbu which is north of the town), more than a hundred kilometers south of busy Manila. Passing through the panoramic Tagaytay and down into the foothills of Batulao and Pico de Loro, Matabungkay was 0nce one of the most popular recreational sites near the big city. Because of its easy accessibility from the capital and the rest of the Region Tagala, it became a tourist fave. Kaya pag-weekend, dagsa ang mga tao dito, mula noon hanggang ngayon!

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