Help for Typhoon Ondoy Victims

As you all know, Philippines is hardly hit by the Storm Ondoy.  We all have our stories to tell on how we were affected but there are surely others who suffered (& is still suffering) more.

Here is how you can help:

Monetary

via SMS:
Philippine National Red Cross - Type RED to 4493 (Smart Money), 2899 (Globe GCash)

via Bank Deposit:
Account Name: The Philippine National Red Cross
Bank: Metrobank
Peso Account # 151-3-041-63122-8
Dollar Account # 151-2-151-00218-2
Branch: Port Area
Type of Account: Savings
Swift Code: MBTC PH MM

Account Name: The Philippine National Red Cross
Bank: Bank of the Philippine Islands
Peso Account # 4991-0010-99
Branch: Port Area
Type of Account: Current

Account Name: The Philippine National Red Cross
Bank: Bank of the Philippine Islands
Dollar Account # 8114-0030-94
Branch: UN Branch
Type of Account: Savings

Account Name: ABS-CBN Foundation Incorporation
Bank: Banco de Oro
Peso Account # 5630060113
Branch: Mother Ignacia

Account Name: ABS-CBN Foundation - Sagip Kapamilya
Bank: Banco de Oro
Peso Account # 39300-48145
Branch: Sct. Albano Branch, Quezon Avenue

Account Name: GMA Kapuso Foundation, Inc.
Bank: Metrobank
Peso Account # 3-098-51034-7
Dollar Account # 2-098-00244-2
Type of Account: Savings
Swift Code: MBTC PH MM

Account Name: GMA Kapuso Foundation, Inc.
Bank: UCPB
Peso Account # 115-184777-2
Dollar Account # 01-115-301177-9
Type of Account: Savings
Swift Code: UCPB PH MM

Account Name: GMA Kapuso Foundation, Inc.
Bank: UCPB
Peso Account # 160-111277-7
Dollar Account # 01-160-300427-6
Type of Account: Savings
Swift Code: UCPB PH MM

Account Name: GMA Kapuso Foundation, Inc.
Bank: Banco de Oro
Peso Account # 469-0022189
Dollar Account # 469-0072135
Type of Account: Savings
Swift Code: BNORPHM

Account Name: GMA Kapuso Foundation, Inc.
Bank: PNB
Peso Account # 121-0032000-17
Dollar Account # 121-0032000-25
Type of Account: Savings
Swift Code: PNB MPH MM

肯德基 (KFC Taipei)

肯德基 (KFC Taipei)
Taipei, Taiwan
via MRT - 南勢角 Nanshijiao

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There were 4 of us so we decided to order the 9pc chicken package.

For 449NT, we get 4pcs sweet corn, 2 orders french fries, 9pcs chicken, choice of either a liter of green tea or soda.



The big difference I've seen between KFC taipei and KFC philippines is that Taipei branches doesn't serve utensils & plates, we really have to eat KFC chicken using our hands & fingers.

following KFC's finger-licking good :P



More pictures from our experience here.

蔥花 (Shinyeh' Table)

蔥花 (Shinyeh' Table)
台北市大安區忠孝東路4段201號2樓
Taipei, Taiwan
886 (2) 2778-8712

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After such a tiring day, we decided to have dinner at 蔥花 (Shinyeh' Table).  We were all a bit tired especially my mom so we didn't stay long.  The food is nice though, service is cool too!  The server doesn't speak english so my aunt's friend ordered for all of us and my mom became the interpreter for the day hehehe.

So if you're a foreigner and can't speak chinese, all you can do is just point your finger to the menu dishes that you like to order :P

Here are what we ordered:

• 涼ㄚ涼拼盤 Cold Platter Deluxe (290NT)

I didn't dare try it, cold cuts make me feel that they are not cooked.  so I didn't bother to try even though it looks delicious.

• 蔥花卡好空肉 Shinyeh Signature Stewed Pork (180NT)

This one is really good!  I can see that my aunt loved this as well coz she was asking if she could eat more of this lolz!  It was cooked perfectly, meat is tender, sauce is yummy.

• 鹽酥軟腳蝦 Wok Seared Crispy Shrimp with Green Onion & Garlic (280NT)

We were told that we can eat the shrimp skin.  This is the 1st time that I have eaten shrimp skins.  Hey, it doesn't taste bad, I think I was actually the one who finished this dish.  My aunt though still didn't dare to eat the skin, so she has to peel them. :P

• 糖醋姥姥 Sweet & Sour Fish (260NT)

Everyone uttered this dish as their favorite.  I felt it just tasted normal but my family & aunt's friends thought otherwise.  They said that it tasted sooo good and they liked this the best.

• Green Vegetable

This is put in front of my area so I ate a lot of this dish.  This is a simple dish but tasted good, it was served hot and I totally forgot about it.  So when I took a bite of it, it was like 'ouch!' hahaha!

• 老師對不起 Sorry Teacher (180NT)

• 蛤蠣泡湯 Clam Soup (220NT)

• 這個那個西米露 Ziga Zaga Sago Cream (60NT)

Very tasty.  You can really taste the taro and it's creamy as advertised.  we all liked this :)

My aunt for sure had a great time coz she was able to see her long-lost friend and got to chat with her during dinner.  I enjoyed peeling the shrimp for my aunt hahahaha!

You can find pictures from our dinner here.

Emergency Hotlines/Numbers for Storm Ondoy Help

image from http://digital-typhoon.org. 

 You'll see how the storm ondoy covered almost the whole Philippines.

It has been raining since last night, streets are flooded, many are stranded.

The water even entered the 1st floor of our house.  That's how strong Storm Ondoy was.  The rain stopped already, I do hope that it won't rain that hard again coz it's difficult for all of us.

Here are the numbers you can contact for help:

• Red Cross

Please send full address of stranded friends/family to Senator Dick Gordon
+639178897898
+63938444BOYS
Landline: 143

Mobile Phone Load Donations: The Red Cross Rescue & Relief Operations.
Send RED to 2899 (Globe) & 4483 (Smart)

• Metro Manila Development Authority

Landline: 136

• Coast Guard

+63-2-5276136

• For Rubber Boat Requests: NCRPO

+63-2-8383203
+63-2-8383354

• ABS-CBN Typhoon Ondoy Hotline

+63-2-4163641

• National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC)

Emergency Numbers:
+63-2-9125668
+63-2-9111406
+63-2-9122665
+63-2-9115061

Help Hotlines:
+63-2-7342118
+63-2-7342120

• Noynoy Aquino & Mar Roxas Disaster Relief

contact Jana Vicente: +639285205499
contact Clare Amador: +639285205499

• Senator Manuel Villar Jr., Emergency Hotlines for Dump Trucks

+639174226800
+639172414864
+639276751981

On another note, NDCC Chair Gilbert Teodoro mentioned this as a reminder for us "Text, don't call on cellphones.  Airwaves are swamped.  Connections breaking down."

台北捷運 (Taipei Rapid Transit System)

One thing that I love about Taiwan is their Taipei Rapid Transit System.  It's just super impressive!

If I live there, I probably won't even think of buying a car since it's so accessible (unless you want to go out after midnight).

Taipei Rapid Transit System otherwise called as 台北捷運 (Taipei Metro) is a rapid transport system that serves a large part of Taipei.  It's very efficient and technology is advanced and environment-friendly too.  The usual 3-hour ride can just be somewhere you can reach for only an hour with Taipei Metro.

朱銘美術館 (Juming Museum)

朱銘美術館 (Juming Museum)
20842 No. 2 She-Shi-Hu Chin-Shan Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C.
886 (2) 24989940

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For 250NT, we'll be able to see this 15-hectare place built to show the works of 朱銘 (Juming), an international sculptor.

朱銘 (Juming) was trained as a woodcarver but later developed his skill and ventured into bronze, styrofoam, ceramics & stainless steel.  All we can see in 朱銘美術館 (Juming Museum).

The museum opened July 2004 together with the Taiwan Astronomical museum wherein people stayed at the Taichi square to gaze at the stars.  Apparently, Juming's Taichi series is the most popular from all his works.

信三肉圓 (Xin San Rou Yuan)

We had lunch here, tried out their rice meal and other stuff. I can't recall their exact prices as I don't know which one is which coz all are in chinese! lolz



Still located at 金包理老街 (Jin Bao Lane Street), we spent a short time eating all the stuff we ordered.  Called my auntie's friend to arrange for dinner.  And also watched a chinese series showing on the restaurant's television.

Pretty cheap, range of prices for their food is 30-60NT.  If you want to know how much it is in peso.  The conversion rate so far is 1NT = 1.49 PHP.

Since I don't really recall the prices & names of what we ordered, let me just share with you the menu pasted on their wall.  Maybe you can help figure it out for me haahaha!



Here are what we ordered:





This is actually the one pictures below, chopped and served in plate :)  We weren't able to finish it, we just tasted it.  Didn't like it much.





Just normal beef with rice.





This is yummy!  I guess I just love vegetables but this tasted good.





Okay, fried intestine.  But hey, this was my favorite from all the dishes we ordered.  I think I was the one who ate 80% of this dish ahhahaha!  Love it!

金包理老街 (Jin Bao Lane Street)

金包理老街 (Jin Bao Lane Street) is one of the famous spot in 金山 (Jinshan).



It's the oldest street in Town.

My impression of the place is that there are just tooo many people, it's a busy, busy, busy street.  You'd see a lot of goose there as it is Taiwan's specialty and you'd see people piling up/lining up just to be able to eat it.  It's like full of people who hasn't eaten in their lifetime (ofcourse that's not the case, it's the appeal of the place).

陽明山國家公園 (Yangmingshan National Park)

陽明山國家公園 Yangmingshan National Park
1-20 Chu Tzu Hu Road, Taipei 112, Taiwan
886 (2) 2861-5404

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My mom rented a van that day in order for us to go to Yangmingshan National Park & Jinshan.  We went first to Yangmingshan National Park, 1st impression?  The place is huge!!

We stopped over first at the 小油坑 (Siaoyukeng).  Located at northwestern part of the park, this has the largest sulphur steam vents.

The sulphur vents spew gases and the odor is pungent, very pungent!  Here is a preview of what you can see in the place.

The Chophouse

The Chophouse
Level 4, Trinoma Mall, EDSA, Quezon City
(02) 916-6299

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We had dinner at the Chophouse today.  Stef & I waited for Shar & Francis for 2 hours hahaha!  So we ordered appetizer & drinks first then spent the time talking about stuff :)

I wasn't impressed w/ the food so I don't think I'll go back.  The concept is nice though.  Maybe they could improve on their recipe.  It's not bad don't misunderstand, I just think it's nothing special.  I think my expectation in food is getting higher & higher :P

The service is great though.  :)

Here are what we ordered:

• Holy Cow Iced Tea (Php 85)

I liked that their iced tea is brewed and they didn't use the powdered iced tea available in the grocery.  I just feel disappointed w/ other restaurants wherein they use those powdered iced tea, I mean what's the point for us to go to a restaurant if we'll just be able to drink processed juices :P  Their iced tea is really good.  I loved this one!

• Nachos (Php 265)

This is corn chips layered & covered w/ spiced beef, tomato salsa, cheese sauce & sour cream.  I'm not fond of olives & sour cream so I didn't enjoy this much.  I bet for nacho lovers out there, you'll enjoy this.  They have generous serving of the sauce.

• Mushroom Cream Soup (Php 110)

• US Beef Minute Steak (Php 420)

this comes with choice of sauce & side dish.  I was very disappointed in this dish as I expected this to be good as this is their specialty.  That made me decide not to come back though their other dishes are okay.

• Fish & Chips (Php 295)

San Miguel Beer (ofcourse have to support our very own :P) battered fish fillet w/ french fries, coleslaw & tartar sauce.  This one's okay.  Fried just right.

• Coffee (Php 65)

It's funny that I wasn't impressed with their steaks (w/c are their specialty), I ended up liking their free bread more.

The bread is very fresh & super good!

More from our dinner here

Manila's Metered Taxis

Hai, Jo & I rode the taxi back to the office coz we missed the shuttle by 1 minute!

For me, it's meant to be... coz we got to know the new meter LTFRB implemented!  Believe me, it's sooooooooo cool!  I think this is the cheapest taxi ride I ever had in my whole life (in the Philippines).

I also realized that majority of the taxi in the Philippines are tampered... imagine I used to pay around 70-90pesos from GO to GBS but with this meter it cost us only 45 pesos!!!

Breakfast at 美好美 (Mei Hao Mei)

美好美 (Mei Hao Mei)
Taipei, Taiwan
via MRT - 南勢角 Nanshijiao

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This place is open only during mornings mainly because they serve only breakfast. And they are famous of it.

First thing I noticed is that they act really really fast! Another thing I noticed is that they are super efficient & they collaborate really well.

Here's how they work: One takes orders, one cooks, one takes care of packing, one takes care of the bills and one takes care of helping customers on the coffee machine. They are just so fast, friendly, efficient and their food is super good & unique.

While my mom take our orders, I spent time taking pictures of the place. After a short while, the manager approached me and asked why I kept taking pictures of the store. My mom kindly explained that I'm a blogger and I always write about all my experiences & I'm definitely going to write about their restaurant. The manager quickly changed mood and started smiling at me ahhaha. I was scared for a second that time :P

I honestly love the food! We ordered for take out as my aunt & her friend were still at the house. The food is overly cheap as well! My favorite is their omelette! YUMMY!!!

Here are what we ordered:

• Cafe Latte (30NT)

This is just coffee from their vendo machine.  The guy at the place was kind enough to assist my mom on it :)

• Soya Milk (18NT)

Going to Taiwan will not be complete without drinking Soya Milk!  My ever ever favorite drink! :)

• Omelette (30NT)

Most unique omelette I have tasted, I think they combined egg with lumpia wrapper so it can hold the egg and bacon inside it.. super yummy I tell you!  I just can't get enough of it.

• Egg Sandwich (30NT)

The rest of the pictures can be found here.

Roch's Taiwan Trip Photo Album

I'm truly sorry that I wasn't able to blog while I was on vacation (September 12-21).

I toured Taipei, Taiwan and had a blast.  Went to soooooo many places, took lots of pictures (more than 1k!!!).  Had so much fun with my mom & aunt.  Met up with colleagues during the end of the trip.

Went to temples, museums, amusement park, hot springs, famous parks & memorial halls.  One thing that I really noticed about Taiwan is that people are sooo disciplined & nice.

You'll definitely see a series of posts about my Taiwan trip.  It'll take some time to complete all of it so let me give you some idea what's in store.

Kopi Tiam

Kopi Tiam
Benitez Horseshoe Village, Quezon City
(02) 723-5674

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When my friend told me that we're going to eat at Kopi Tiam, I thought it was Old Chinatown Kopitiam, apparently not hehhe :P  It's a different place, owned by the same owners of North Park.

I loved it!  The food is yummy, delicious!  It's affordable too.  There are lots of parking spaces as well.

The restaurant is good for lunch, dinner and also merienda as they have chinese breads, pastries available and also nice desserts!

Here are what we ordered:

• Fresh Honey Lemonade (Php 78)

Same old lemonade but used honey as sugar... I think I like normal sugar better.  Ofcourse, this still tasted good as it's not powdered, it's fresh. :)

• Snowy Mais Queso Con Yelo (Php 86)

Normal Mais con yelo w/ a twist... sprinkled with cheese.  Just like how we serve spaghetti, we put a lot of cheese on top.  So this made it different.

• Storm (Php 108)

Kopi Tiam called this dessert its favorite.  They even put "It's a must".  So I can see all the people on the other tables ordering it too.  I didn't order it as I have chosen mais con yelo as my dessert.  My friend said that it's good.  So I guess I'll try it the next time I go to this restaurant hehee :P

• KingDao Salt & Pepper Spareribs (Php 168)

Not spicy, not too fat, cooked just right.  Sometimes when you eat spareribs, you feel like you're taking the oil as well.  With this, you dont feel it much, so you can enjoy the food.

• Boneless Honey Lemon Chicken (Php 212)

This one is really good.  I still like Lutong Macau's version better.  I'm sure though that you/other people will definitely like Kopi Tiam's version better.  I just love chicken skin a lot, not really into meat too much.

• Kopi Tiam Chami (Php 188)

Combination of sotanghon & thin noodles, yummy yummy yummy.  It's funny though that we ordered noodles instead of rice to go with the other dishes we ordered.  But we just wanted to try their noodles for a change.

They have only 2 branches though, one in Horseshoe village & one in Green Valley country club.  Hopefully they'll open more branches, I believe this will be successful like North Park.

SOMS Noodle House

SOMS Noodle House
5921 A. Alger Street, Poblacion, Makati City (near Makati Dog & Cat Hospital)
(02) 483-3554

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Had dinner w/ colleagues 2 weeks ago at SOMS Noodle house.  It's an authentic Thai restaurant where you can dine in or take out.

1st thing I noticed is that there are lots of people dining there even if its outdoors, the chairs are just made of simple plastic.  Not really a place that usual people eat to.



The food is yummy & affordable too, that's why people kept coming back.

Here are what we ordered:

• Bagoong Fried Rice (Php 85)

What's a Thai restaurant without bagoong rice?  Rice w/ soy sauce with scrambled eggs chopped, dried mango, meat w/ bagoong.  Nothing special but it's good.

• Gal Phat Pit (Php 120)

I kinda noticed we ordered 3 chicken dishes hahahaa.  I don't know why :P  This is somewhat spicy, I especially love the leaves cooked fried, yumyum!  Chicken basil :P:P

• Thai Tea (Php 40)

Milk Tea put in mineral water bottle, not your usual milk tea.  I can't seem to figure out what they put in the drink, it's very sweet.

• Garlic Pepper Beef (Php 120)

Beef is soft, easy to eat.  Not too peppery.  We can choose either beef, pork, chicken or shrimp as the ingredient :)

• Red Curry Chicken (Php 120)

More spicy than the green one (see below) but I felt it tasted the same.  It's just the color that's different.  It tasted very good though :)

We also have the option to choose either beef, chicken, pork or shrimp as the main ingredient.

• Green Curry Chicken (Php 120)

Same w/ the 2 menu items above, we can choose between beef, chicken, pork or shrimp as the ingredient.  I just dont know why we kept ordering chicken hahaha!

• Vegetarian Curry (Php 120)

All the dishes taste the same, it's just that the ingredients are different.  This time, it's vegetables hehehehe

I'm not really fond of curry so I don't think I'll find myself to keep going back to the place.  But my colleagues do, they find the food at SOMS delicioouss!  They kept recommending the place too.  So I bet you might want to try this out if you haven't, you won't regret it :)