TG flight

Last week, I posted about my experiences with CX and SQ, or Cathay Pacific and Singapore Airlines respectively. Now, I will share short comments on TG or Thai Airways.

Unlike my experiences with CX and SQ, flying TG was a first for me. I flew Manila to Bangkok round-trip. It was a 3-hour flight and it was okay.

TG utilizes the Boeing 777-200 plane. It appears to be an older version. Even the entertainment system was similar to the one I had aboard SQ. The TV screen was old and still uses that remote control at the side of the seat. But the food was good and crew were nice.

An interesting experience was my flight back. There were just a few passengers, maybe 50 out of the possible 200+ seats. Even if I flew economy, I felt it was business class because of the space. There was no one beside me, in front of me or behind me. The next passenger was a few seats away. The crew even served snacks and 2 rounds of drinks even before the main meal.

Generally, it was a good experience flying with Thai Airways.

Where are the other passengers? :)

Read More

CX vs SQ

I had the opportunity to travel from Manila to Hong Kong and Singapore just days apart. I took two of the world's best airlines- Cathay Pacific and Singapore Airlines. And of course, they did not disappoint. This post is sort of a review. Just a disclaimer: this post is just about my personal experience on those specific flights and do not reflect the entire airline. I traveled economy, by the way.

Aircraft
Both CX and SQ flew Boeing 777 on the Manila route. But CX felt newer, or at least the interiors felt upgraded and more modern. Just a day before my flight, CX made the inuagural A350 flight to Manila. That would have been cool to ride on a new plane.
Winner: CX

Food
SQ gave full meal with dessert and a choice of wine, juice, coffee, etc. CX only gave snacks. Probably because the Manila-Hong Kong flight was shorter than the Singapore flight.
Winner: SQ

Entertainment
This one CX is the clear winner because of its new TV system. It has bigger screen and it's a touchscreen. The SQ screen was small and it was a bit old, with the remote control still on the sides of the seat. Selection on the CX entertainment system was also newer and there were more content. But for earphones, I like SQ, because it's smaller.
Winner: CX

Service
Both crew were awesome and friendly. But for this round, I give my score to SQ, because they were more helpful.
Winner: SQ

Others
I can charge my phone on CX  even on economy. But SQ gave hot towel before the flight to freshen passengers up. There were also pillows and blankets already on the seats on SQ.

Both airlines are real winners.

SQ

CX

Read More

Never too late

This is my first post for 2016. It's been more than 4 months since I last posted an entry and I never thought I'll be able to post anything soon. I have been in the newsroom for 2 days already because of a lack of crew. In a way, that gave me time to do things I don't normally do, like opening this blog.

--break--

Ok, so I just taped a news advisory for 8:30pm. Lexi, who was supposed to do it, wasn't feeling well. They asked me to take over, got my coat at Ms. Nadia's office, but with no makeup, I anchored the news advisory.

This is my life. I rely mostly on sudden opportunities. I may not anchor regularly, but incidents like this are a welcome change in my daily routine. Sudden opportunities spice up my career, whether those opportunities are anchoring or reportorial in nature. But like anything, you just have to be prepared.

Opportunities come, but if you are not prepared, then you lose the chance at something that may not happen again. Luck plays a big role, but excellence will what sustain it. Be good in what you do everyday, so when those sudden incidents happen, you are more than ready to do it. It might just lead you to bigger and more permanent opportunities.

I'll just end this entry with my photo. Haha Just to remind myself of what I do now and what I'll do probably forever. This photo was my last coverage so far. Taken Feb. 19, 2016 at St. Mary's College in QC for the Pinoy Media Congress.

Read More

LG, what happened?

So disappointed with my LG G3. It's just been around 13 months since I bought my phone, but now it's not working anymore. It didn't hit something or fell to the floor. The screen suddenly just fades to black. I can only use it for a few seconds before it fades again. Worse, warranty just ended.

LG service center says I need to shell out P12K for the repair. What? :-(

I bought my first smartphone, the iPhone 3GS in 2010, followed by the Samsung S3 in 2012. Both phones are still working right now and are still being used. But the newest phone, LG G3, bought in 2014, is the one that is broken.

My work (and life in general) has been very much affected by this. I can't text or reply my co-workers, my bosses. I can't use my phone for my coverage. And It's now harder to communicate with family and friends.It's so frustrating!

Of course, I can't and I won't pay P12K to repair it. It's also hard for me to just buy a cheaper phone. Sayang din naman kasi ang LG G3 if itatabi ko lang sa cabinet, considering it has been 1 year pa lang nagagamit.

It would have been easier to accept if I broke the phone myself or if I accidentally stepped on it or it fell from the table or something, kaya ko pa ma accept. But in this case, nothing happened.

I hope LG Philippines does something about it. I can pay for the repair, but hoping it won't be that much.

My LG G3. I took this photo when I first opened the box last year.

Read More

January 2015

I haven't posted a blog entry this year and I wouldn't want to end January without a single post. The first month of this year has been a generally busy and emotional month. Two key stories that made headlines for many days and even weeks happened this month: 1) the visit of Pope Francis in the Philippines; 2) the death of 44 SAF commandos in Maguindanao.

The first was a joyful occasion filled with tears of joy and inspiration; the second one was a sorrowful news filled with tears of anger and frustration. Hopefully, February will offer glorious and luminous stories.

January also marked the official change of my work. I am now out of the office almost every day, covering various stories from House hearings to press briefings.

Here are links to some my stories this January:
World Bank on lower oil prices 
Importance of the geohazard map of your area
Coffee culture in PH
IATA: NAIA has safety issues
Job opportunities for persons with developmental conditions

New The World Tonight set

PopeFrancisPH coverage

Read More

Applying for SSS ID

I have been working for a few years already, but I didn't have an SSS ID. So last October 9, I applied for an SSS ID for the first time. I thought it would be a long and difficult process, but it was not.

Why do we need an SSS ID? So that we can transact with SSS easily (loans etc.) And since it is already a Unified Multi-Purpose Identification card (UMID), we can also use it to transact with PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG and GSIS. And since it is a government ID, we can use it to apply for visa, bank accounts, identification in schools, airports, companies, etc.

I went to the Government Center in Ali Mall in Cubao. There are several government agencies there such as SSS, PhilHealth, GSIS, Pag-IBIG, PhilPost, DFA and many more. I went to the SSS area and asked for an application form for the ID. I filled it out and went to next step. A person will then input your information into a computer and see if you have an account with SSS. He/she will check if you are paying your dues regularly. Obviously, you should already have an SSS number and has already paid at least a month, I think.

After, you will be asked to sit down and wait for the next step. After a few minutes, a person called my name and it was my time for picture taking and signature/thumb mark documentation. The person then told me my ID will be delivered straight to my home in 3 months.


SSS (right side)

And that's it. In total, I think I just spent about 30 minutes in the area. Of course that will vary from time to time, depending on the number of applicants. For first time applicants, the card is absolutely FREE. Even the delivery is free.

I was shocked that it will take 3 months to deliver. But I didn't think of it anymore, since I won't be needing the card in the near future anyway. I was expecting my card to be delivered to me on January 9, 2015 (3 months after I applied).

But on December 4, 2014, I received my card via mail. One month earlier, impressive. In fact, the letter was dated November 5. So basically I already have an ID by November 5, but the delivery took about a month.

Neverthless, I'm happy I got my SSS ID earlier and I can now use it.

my SSS ID

Read More

Confession: I just watched Toy Story

I've always thought I have watched one of the most famous animated films of all time, Toy Story. I know the names of the characters and I know their faces. But when I recently watched the movie online, I realized that I haven't seen the film ever. Where did my childhood go?

So after watching Toy Story, I then watched Toy Story 2 and Toy Story 3 all within 24 hours. It's a shame that I haven't seen the movies before and it has been almost 20 years since the first movie was shown. Now, I will surely watch the planned Toy Story 4 in the cinema.

And I just had to say this, I really like the films. They bring back memories of my childhood when I too would be playing with my toys and create scenes in my mind. Wonder if my toys also come alive when no ones around. :-)

Read More

PAL's Cancelled Flight

Our flight from Manila to Coron was scheduled at 2:45pm. We arrived at NAIA 3 about 2 hours before the flight. We waited. Then came the dreaded announcement that our plane will not arrive on time. So we waited again. By 4pm, boarding time was announced. We rode a shuttle bus to our plane and upon entering the small aircraft, I was seated comfortably. 

View from the shuttle bus; about to board the plane

But another dreaded announcement came, the captain said we will have to wait for a few more minutes since the control tower has yet to give a go signal due to runway congestion. Waiting time yet again. The flight attendants already showed the safety features of the aircraft. Then, the plane started moving towards the runway. This is it. But I was wrong.

View from the plane as I wait for the plane to fly

The captain announced, we were third in line on the runway, BUT due to sunset limitation, it would be difficult to land in Coron. Hence, flight was cancelled! After several hours of waiting and when we were already about to fly, the bad news came.

The good news is that Philippine Airlines was following the Air Passenger Bill of Rights. We were given 2 options: 1) hotel accommodation with free meals or 2) you can go home and will be given a voucher worth P1,000.00. We picked option 1.

Bus to hotel

We were booked at the Century Park Hotel in Manila. Buffet dinner and breakfast included. Not bad. PAL staff were also there with us. There was actually another flight booked at the hotel. It seems the hotel staff are used to the delayed flights.

Sign at the hotel lobby

PAL created a special flight just for us for 6am the next day. It was delayed for an hour, but at least it wasn't canceled. Heard one passenger saying, hopefully it wasn't be due to sunrise limitation.

I hope cancelled flights won't happen again since it affects the schedule of a person, not to mention it lessens vacation time for some. But if airlines follow the Bill of Rights, then it makes the delay more acceptable.

Hotel room

Finally, arrived in Coron the next day

Handwritten boarding pass on our return flight to Manila :-)

Read More

7 Full Years in the Newsroom

This month marks my 7th year as a journalist. I joined the ABS-CBN News Channel (ANC) in September 2007, a few months after graduation. It's my first and only job. I initially wasn't thinking of ANC when I applied for work. I remember the HR person telling me to rank where I want to work. The choices were: TV Patrol or Bandila, The Correspondents or any current affairs show on ABS-CBN or ANC. Well, ANC was the last on my list, but as it turned out, it was the only one that has a vacancy. So, I said yes right away.

My journey with ANC has its ups and downs. I guess, like any employee, one would have a love-hate relationship with your company. But like any family, you learn to love them.

I am proud to say I started as a PA/runner. Today, fresh grads usually start as PA/writer, but during my time, it was PA/runner- a lowly position. I would deliver scripts to the editing or the control booth daily. I would also, sometimes, be assigned to just stay behind the camera, doing nothing, just observe. I felt underemployed at that time, but I know, I also learned a lot about the systems in the newsroom, since I get to work or interact with people from the newsroom, editing room, control booth and even the studio.

The World Tonight 2007- when I was still tasked to observe behind the camera

Eventually, I was tasked to write. My first tasks were writing sports or foreign news. And from there, my career grew, albeit in a slow pace. I would be assigned to check the graphics in the control booth, produce short reports, and eventually I would write business news, politics, showbiz, technology, features and basically just about anything. I would also join special documentary teams, breaking news coverage and many more. I'd like to think I have a broad experience in the "behind the camera" role (writer, producer, graphics checker, and even experience the 'point of view' of a studio cameraman). Oh, I'm also part of the social media team of ANC, one of the pioneers from among news organizations in the country.

On the on-cam side, my first ANC appearance was as the explainee in the show 'The Explainer' hosted by Manolo Quezon. I would do it once in a while. Then I would also ask my bosses to allow me to cover features stories on the field. My first coverage was about the National Disability Month. From that moment, I have done dozens of coverage not just in Metro Manila, but also in Cebu, Negros, Benguet, Ilocos Norte, Maguindanao and Leyte. I have also interviewed so many people, among them CEOs, senators, and even celebrities including Paris Hilton. I have also been on a Spanish Galleon ship and the US aircraft carrier.

My first anchor post started in 2012, when I was asked to be a weather anchor for ANC's weekend grid. I was also given the opportunity to anchor the newscasts during the graveyard shift once a week. And by 2014, I was assigned to handle the graveyard shift on a daily basis. I have also pushed some of my reports for TV Patrol Weekend, do Balitang America and lend my voice for Umagang Kay Ganda.



I have seen and worked during many breaking news coverage, including the Maguindanao Massacre, Manila Hostage Crisis, Cory Aquino's death, Halalan, Corona impeachment and the many typhoons, SONAs, senate hearings, and dozens of special events.

They say, there's a 7-year itch. We'll, I'm not sure about that, but what I am certain is that I will continue to grow, continue to learn new things. I still have a lot to learn, and many of the things I have learned, I owe to ANC.

Selfie! September 2007 (background: old newsroom look)

Read More

Back and forth to the doctor

I underwent a minor operation last August 27, 2014 at The Medical City in Ortigas. There was an abscess and the doctor had to drain it out via surgery. It was an out-patient procedure, and one that I have already underwent in the past. But this time, the doctor was surprised that the cavity was very big. Meaning, he had to drain a lot of puss (and it was a bit painful). Two weeks later, fluids are still coming out from the surgical wound, which has not been closed yet. There is still a gauze or cloth inside the cavity so that the bacteria would come out. I was also just instructed to take another round of antibiotics.

It has been a stressful 2 weeks. For one, my movements were limited since I can't move my left arm fully. I also had to sleep on my back, which I am not used to. And I had to go to the doctor every other day for follow up and for cleaning the wound. I had to commute (MRT/taxi/bus) and that entails additional expenses. I also had to change my sleeping pattern again, because of the weird schedule- graveyard work shift, doctor, on/off sleep, other things to do.

I haven't had a full bath in 2 weeks!

I know this will be over soon. I just have to finish this new set of antibiotics and I hope the bacterial fluid will be all gone in a few days. Get well soon to myself. ;-)

Right after surgery (parang wala lang)

Read More

Unboxing: LG G3

I recently got a new phone. I actually extended my contract with Globe Telecom for another 2 years. My plan was still the old MySuperSurf plan wherein I still get to have unli internet (it drops to 2G signal upon reaching the 3GB limit). I chose the newest smartphone in the planet, the LG G3. It actually was offered by Globe just a few weeks ago. I have been using it for about a week now and so far, I have no regrets.

I considered getting the Samsung S5. But since I was using the Samsung S3, I decided to try another brand. The only thing better with the S5 is that it was water and dust proof and the camera has bigger megapixels. But the G3 definitely also has tons of great features, in particular the large screen that looks better than HD. And because it's LG, I got a free 50GB cloud storage space on Box for life. When I bought the S3 2 years ago, I also got a 50GB cloud storage space on Dropbox, but it was only good for 2 years.

I won't tell all features of the LG G3, because you can easily check them out in various websites. But what I can say is that with the large "super HD" screen, I enjoy watching movies and reading books on the phone. Plus it's not too big for it to be a bit awkward when talking on the phone.

For new or old subscribers, Globe is offering the phone for free at Plan 1799 with 30 months locked-in period. For 24 months and below, there's a corresponding cash out. By the way, the Plan 1799 includes 5GB LTE internet, 55 minutes call to all networks and 1,100 text messages. Plus 6 months Spotify Premium membership and Gadget Care for a month.

And if you want to just buy the phone alone, many sites such as Kimstore offer it for about P26-28k. And I think LG and other mobile phone stores offer it for more than 30K, but with installment options.

Here are some photos of the unboxing:

Read More

Over 2 Months

I haven't been blogging for over 2 months. I don't know exactly why, but I think I was just very lazy to blog. It seems Twitter was easier to do. I'll try to blog again more often. :)

Read More

Bad Weekend

As the title suggests, I had a bad weekend. I was having financial problems (and at least a possible financial problem in the next 15 years). Banks denied me of a P100,000 personal loan. I don't know why. And I can't do anything about that. I need to pay for a downpayment asap. Every time I think of that, my mind sinks. That was not the only bad thing.

Somebody broke into my unit at around 2-3am early Sunday. I was using my laptop with a headphone when that happened. The thief broke the bedroom window and probably saw me in the living room, which is why he didn't enter the living room. He took some of my clothes in the cabinet. The incident still freaks me out. He could have hurt me (scary thought).

Anyway, I got this 250gb portable hard drive as a prize. It arrived today from Taiwan. I "like" this Taiwan Gov't Facebook account and all the "likes" were raffled. At least, this prize is something to smile about. :-)

Read More

2010: A look back

2010 was the year I changed my phone. My N95 suddenly broke down January and I had to use 2 different phones before I bought my iPhone last April. From that moment until today, I took a lot of photos using the phone and I rarely delete the photos. So now, looking at my cellphone photos, I realized 2010 was not an ordinary year for me. Here are some photos I took using my iPhone. The photos themselves will tell you the story of my 2010.

Pasig River coverage

ABS-CBN bosses

Canvassing 2010

Halalan 2010

Ballot boxes

House Speaker Nograles presscon

relaxing at HK airport

Rome

Vatican

               

PNP Chief Jesus Verzosa

              

Farewell Ricky

ANC @ Tagaytay

Shanghai                 

First full set-up interview

World Expo

Celebrities coverage

Starbucks planner

First new peso bill

Read More