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bluecrasher · 5 years

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So you want to take up Masters of Public Administration in UP Diliman

I am pretty sure that you are just like me, some months ago, searching for any tips or advice on whether you will push through your slight dream of having a Masters degree in Public Administration, in one of the best school in the country or not.

Look no more as this blog is dedicated to help you enter the National College of Public Administration and Governance in UP Diliman. Below are some FAQs…

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#Exam #Exam Coverage #Masters of Public Administraion #MPA #NCPAG #Type of Exam #UP Diliman

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bluecrasher · 6 years

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Tae

Hindi ko makakalimutan ang araw na iyon, Jeska. Ikaw ang katabi ko noon. Ikaw lang din ang napapagsabihan ko ng problema. Ikaw din ang unang pinagamit ko ng ballpen ko na binili pa sa akin ni mama. Kulay asul ang tinta. Bagong bago pero sinayang mo.

Nilandi mo ang ballpen ko. Inalog-alog kasi sabi mo walang tinta. Pinilit mong magkaroon ng sulat dahil kitang kita ko kung paano bumakat ang di…

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#Ballpen #Creative writing #Filipino #Niles Breis

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bluecrasher · 6 years

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"You know - one loves the sunset when one is so sad" - The Little Prince, Antoine De Saint Exupery

“You know – one loves the sunset when one is so sad” – The Little Prince, Antoine De Saint Exupery

It seems that no one noticed the coolest sunset scene ever by the bay. The busy street of Roxas Boulevard, the joggers on their lane and the vendors in the bangketa, all of them seemed to be happy.

I should not forget that there is no reason to become not happy. Happiness is immeasurable, though. It is not all about living in one of the high rise condominiums along Roxas Boulevard; it is not all…

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bluecrasher · 6 years

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Dog

A certain realization in life have bumped my head for the past months that I think would be my mantra for the next fated years of my life – love someone who loves dogs. Well, not just dogs but all cute and adorable creatures in Kingdom Animalia.

Love someone who could be as loyal as the dogs. That, for me, is the most important. Dogs are loyal, no question about it. But we can question the…

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bluecrasher · 7 years

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You only know Kota Kinabalu because of the mountain. After all, Kota Kinabalu was named as such because of Mt. Kota Kinabalu. Cool isn’t? But little did you know that this capital city of state of Sabah in Malaysia has a lot to offer, ranging from food to nature to places to people. And you wouldn’t want to miss anything in the list.

About

Kota Kinabalu is a two-hour flight from Manila. Air Asia offers cheap flights going there so watch out for seat sales. Fare could get as low as Php600, round-trip. Kota Kinabalu, formerly Jesselton, is predominantly a Muslim city. It was designated as the capital of North Borneo by the British Malayan empire whose major influence include the flow of traffic and the driver’s seat on the right. These are really major. LOL.

Hacks

There are many Filipinos working and living in Kota Kinabalu. You would be surprised when the restaurant you are eating in has Filipino crew or the staff in your hotel or the driver of your Uber. You would definitely survive Kota Kinabalu when you meet Filipinos there.

BUT, these countrymen of ours are not always with you throughout your trip. Of course, you would also be needing the below life hacks to survive Kota Kinabalu, especially if you are on a budget.

Hack #1: Change your Philippine Peso in the airport

The night before the flight, I went to Mabini Street in Manila to change my money. Mabini Street has many money changers than any other street in the country. With this thinking, I thought that buying a Malaysian Ringgit there would be cheaper but I was wrong! When I was in NAIA, I saw that 1 RM is Php11.50. In Mabini, it was Php12.50.

Hack #2: Never ride a teksi (taxi)

From Kota Kinabalu International Airport, ride the RM 5 airport bus going to your hotel or book for Grab or Uber which would only cost you RM7-8. Either way, this is cheaper than riding a teksi. Drivers don’t use the meter. Instead, they will charge you RM15-20 for a ride.

Hack #3: Haggle for a hotel price

You read it right. Hotel can be haggled, too. We, Filipinos are fond of haggling for anything especially if the situation warrants it.

Months before our trip, we booked a room in a backpacker’s hotel using Agoda app. But we were cancelled by the hotel because we weren’t able to pay days before our flight. We didn’t worry the hotel cancellation that much because I read somewhere that Kota Kinabalu has a lot of hotels. And that’s true.

From the airport bus terminal in the city centre, we literally went hotel hopping just to get a good price. We were then brought by our feet in Hotel Traveller. We were able to haggle a RM80 per night room to RM78. The receptionist was friendly. The hotel has elevator which is lacking in most hotels in Kota Kinabalu. It is in the city centre. It is so near in everything – KK Waterfront, Filipino market, Centrepoint mall, night markets, seafood restaurants, laundry shops, Gaya street, 7-11 and so much more. The hotel also has a cheap but good Chinese restaurant with Filipino staff.

Hack # 4: When going island hopping, don’t book a tour

Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park is just near the city centre. You either walk your way to get there or book a Grab or Uber for RM4. TARP has 5 islands namely, Manukan, Mamutik, Sapi, Gaya and Sulug (which has no jetty). Choose one, two or all islands and book a ticket going there. Ferry services going to these islands are every 30 minutes.

Fare is so cheap at RM33/pax for two island hops. You just have to pay an additional RM7.63/pax in Jesselton and RM10/pax in your chosen island as an environmental fee. These fees are paid for one time even if you choose to hop 5 islands. For fees, visit this link: http://www.mysabah.com/wordpress/go-islands-around-kota-kinabalu-city/

If you want to snorkel, Manukan Island is definitely not recommended. Sapi is good, especially on the other side of the island. We didn’t go to Gaya but I heard it is good there, too.

Sand and wood in Sapi Island

Tourists waiting in jetty

Coconut tree bending in Manukan Island

Life saver in Manukan Island

Signs of heaven

Hack #5: Walk

Kota Kinabalu is a walkable city. It is only off when the main mode of transportation in the city is not train nor bus. Car is. The city has even parking lot in the middle of the streets, praising cars.

So, if you’re off to somewhere, open a Google Map first and decide whether to book a Grab or Uber. But it is recommended not to. Walking will always take you there. You would also get the chance to explore the city by just walking.

Also, try to follow the Heritage Walking tour stated in the free map that you could get in the airport. The Heritage Walking tour will take you to Padang Merdeka, Atkinson Tower, Gaya Street, Signal Hill Observatory, Jesselton Point, etc. Visit KK Waterfront as well at 6pm to view one of the most beautiful sunsets in the world.

Jalan is word for Street

Vacant seats in KK Waterfront before the sunsets

Cat-a Kinabalu

Near Suria Sabah

Lamp post with the Sabah flag

KK welcomes you in Jesselton Point

Time to go

Kaya and Butter toast in Old Town White Coffee

School girls crossing the street

Family enjoying KFC

Gaya Street at Night

Hack #6: Book a tour in Kota Kinabalu

Don’t book a tour in advance, online. Just. Don’t. I won’t recommend it as they get so expensive even if you book them four or five months before your flight. Kota Kinabalu has so many travel and tours arrangers so the competition is fair enough to get a good price.

We book a tour for Padas White Water Rafting in Jesselton Point for RM200/pax only. This is RM40-50 cheaper than you see online. The Padas White Water Rafting is a recommended tour, especially if you seek for more adventure and extreme activity in Kota Kinabalu. You would also get a chance to ride a century-old train of Malaysia going to Padas. A plus right?

Contact Sunny, our tour arranger, at 010-958-7239 in Whatsapp when you get there. She was accommodating.

People seating in the train in Beaufort, Sabah

Passengers waiting for the train

Beaufort, Sabah

Train station of Beaufort

Train dog

Beaufort market

People took off the train

Contrast along the rails and river

Dog of Pangi

Dogs of Pangi

Hack #7: No fast food please!

Kota Kinabalu has good food. It’s everywhere. You miss eating seafood? KK has them. Want to taste authentic curry flavor? KK has more of them. What about a Chinese-style fried chicken with Nasi Goreng rice and the famous Bah Kut Teh? KK can serve them.

You just have to follow hack #5 to find good food.

Though, I would recommend eating in this restaurants as they have good food that are worth the price:

Old Town White Coffee – Gaya Street (walkable from Hotel Traveller). Go here when you have too much curry in your stomach.

Yu Kee Bah Kut Teh – Gaya Street

Night Food Market at Asia City – so many Filipinos here

New Rahmat Restoran – this is everywhere in the city. Must try is their goat curry.

Summary:

While Kota Kinabalu is a good place to snorkel especially is you book a tour going to Mantanani Island or other islands not in TAR, the Philippines still has the best waters for snorkel and for anything. You wouldn’t actually appreciate TAR if you already went to Hundred Islands National Park or any other islands in the country.

All in all, Kota Kinabalu is a good place to go to especially if you still want to feel the Philippine vibe while having a taste and experience of Malaysia. Overall experience is unforgettable.

Life hacks when in Kota Kinabalu You only know Kota Kinabalu because of the mountain. After all, Kota Kinabalu was named as such because of Mt.

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bluecrasher · 7 years

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A Day in Pandan Island

Pandan Island does not ring a bell to many, not even to you, not even to me actually. But once you go there for a day or two, I’m sure you wouldn’t want to forget it as long as you live (laughs).

Pandan Island is located just some 15 minutes away off the coast of Sablayan in Occidental Mindoro. The white sand beach of Pandan can actually be seen from the coast.

Going there is easy, especially if…

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bluecrasher · 8 years

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Me against the sea of clouds

Us in the summit.

Me before reaching the summit. This is the Bato you need to Lusong before you reach the top.

Another welcoming tarp to Mt. Batolusong. If you see this, too, you are on the right way to the mountain.

Yet another sea of clouds

This is in Kapatagan Peak, two of the peaks in Mt. Batolusong before you reach the summit.

That flag? It’s the thing that proves I reached the summit.

If you see this, you are on the right way to Mt. Batolusong

The group

There are a lot of things that Tanay in Rizal Province has to offer – from food to good people to nature’s gift. But one thing that would make you go back to this laid back town is its mountains.

Big portion of Tanay is actually part of Sierra Madre, the longest mountain range in the country which runs from Cagayan Valley Region down to CALABARZON. So, it is no doubt that all eyes are on Tanay when it comes to hiking, mountaineering and trekking, the activities that are so much on the trend right now and the activities that make everyone wants to be a tour arranger.

Because I was so much desperate to climb my 12th summit after nine months of not doing the trend, I immediately said yes to my officemate who also happens to be a mountain lover on her own ways. This time, it was in Mt. Batolusong.

I am not familiar with this mountain. Mt. Daraitan is only what I know in Tanay. But yes, it exists and still waits for us to discover its grandeur.

Tanay or more specifically, the drop-off point to Mt. Batolusong is very accessible. It is accessible to the point that our group did not need to rent a vehicle going there but instead, we commuted to the ways the group know. After all, renting a Grandia or Hiace would cost us a lot more.

Here is the table of our adventure going to San Andres in Tanay where the Mt. Batolusong jump-off point is located. We met in Cubao at 11:00PM of Saturday.

Location Mode Damage Time Cubao to Antipolo Jeep Php 34/head 11:45 PM – 12:30 AM Antipolo to Tanay proper Jeep Php30/head 12:40 AM – 1:30 AM Tanay proper to San Andres Tricycle Php500/trike 1:40 AM – 4:30 AM

In Cubao, we took time waiting for jeep going to Antipolo to come because all jeeps were full and there were also many passengers waiting for it.

Antipolo to Tanay was a smooth ride. We just waited for 5 minutes for the jeep to arrive.

From Tanay to San Andres was a different story and this actually tested my patience. When we arrived in Tanay, we immediately quoted by the tricycle drivers of Php500 per trike. We tried to lower it down for Php400 but the drivers said that the way to San Andres is really far and hard.

We reached San Andres Proper at 3:00-3:30 AM. We were not familiar in the place so we trusted the drivers to get us to the place we planned. We stopped over in one of the opened stores in San Andres for a bathroom break and stretching. Then, we continued the travel until we reached this jump off point that my officemate realized was a different one (which was a point to Mt. Maynuba-Cayabu).

Good thing was that the tricycle drivers didn’t not flee off yet so we went back on our way. Little did we know that the store where we had the break was actually the jump-off point to Mt. Batolusong. The sun had started to rise when we got there so we didn’t use the flashlight that some of us just bought for the trip. The tricycle drivers even wanted us to add Php100 but we insisted that it was their failure.

From the jump-off point, we paid these fees.

Environmental/Registration Fee Php40/head Guide fee Php500/group of 5

We were 10 in the group so we paid Php1000 for that matter. The payment for the guide fee was made after the hike.

The hike

Mt. Batolusong is rated 3/9 in the level of difficulty. The number is low so as expected, majority in the group experienced a smooth hike going to the summit (which is more than 800 ft. above sea level). Tiredness was never been an issue because the views, the sea of clouds, the hikers we passed by along the way and the residents in the mountain themselves gave us that feeling that Mt. Batolusong was worth the hike.

A bonus to these was the two guides we had. One was Kuya Danny who happened to be a Kagawad in San Andres. He didn’t make the hike serious and quiet as he kept on telling stories about the mountain, about his job and about their experiences in creating the path to the summit, among others.

Before we reached the summit (approximately just three meters of climb), I realized why it was called Mt. Batolusong. It is Mt. Batolusong because one has to climb (or in Tagalog term, lusungin, with keyword, lusong) the rocks (bato) to reach the top.

We spent time resting in the summit, we ate our brunch some hundred meters away from the summit, back trailed our way until we reached Sangab Cave where we took time bathing and resting.

Going home

Kuya Danny knows everything that actually made our life easier. He recommended the best way to get back to Cubao.

Here are the fees we incurred.

Location Mode Damage San Andres to Paenaan Tricycle Php300/trike Paenaan to LRT Santolan Jeep Php35/head LRT Santolan to Cubao Train Php15/head

Adding all the expenses, we had a Php504 worth of damage, all-in, exclusive of food.

Try this itinerary and experience Mt. Batolusong.

Bonus!

I discovered when we were LRT Santolan bound, there is another way going to San Andres.

From Cubao, take a jeep going to Cogeo. From Cogeo, ride again a jeep going to Paenaan or if you get to see a jeep going to Palo Alto, that’s much better.

From Paenaan/Palo Alto, ride a tricycle going to the Barangay Hall of San Andres where the jump-off point is located.

It is good to start the hike between 3:00-4:00 AM so that when you reach the first peak, you will have a better site and view of sea of clouds. Also, you wouldn’t want a scorching heat of sun reaches you.

(Watch our video here: http://bit.ly/MtBatolusongVideoJune12)

Photo courtesy: Jennie Delmoro and Camae Marayag

Do-It-Yourself itinerary to Mt. Batolusong There are a lot of things that Tanay in Rizal Province has to offer – from food to good people to nature’s gift.

#Cubao #Mt. Batolusong #Mt. Batolusong Itinerary #Mt. Batolusong Tanay Rizal #San Andres Tanay #Sangab Cave Mt. Batolusong

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bluecrasher · 8 years

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Former UP Women’s Table Tennis Team Captain lands 5th in LET Pauline Beatriz Magpantay, the team captain of Season 77 Table Tennis Team of the UP Lady Maroons, gets her ball to the opposite side and lands in the top 5 of the Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET).

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bluecrasher · 8 years

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[VIRAL] Photo of a girl in 'fragile' tape, shows harassment on the rise

[VIRAL] Photo of a girl in ‘fragile’ tape, shows harassment on the rise

Have you ever imagined yourself covered with a packaging tape? In public? Oppressed with movement because of tape ? For Nikki Melchor, she had already imagined it and her imagination came to life. This is because a photo of her of which she is covered with packaging tape printed with word, ‘fragile’ and her mouth also covered has now gone viral on social media.…

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bluecrasher · 8 years

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10 reasons why Duterte-Marcos tandem brings the change we need

Mayor Rodrigo Duterte from Davao City, Mindanao and Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. from Ilocos Norte, Luzon are both front runners for President and Vice-President posts, respectively proven by surveys.

Mayor Duterte, or simply Duterte, was able to encourage millions of voters because of his “tapang” among the other candidates for the highest post in the land, having been known for his…

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bluecrasher · 8 years

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Media law cases all for FREE

When I was an undergrad, we had this course on Media Law which is a required course for all the students in Mass Comm. Our professor gave us the course syllabus and asked us to have a copy of the cases listed therein. A number of those cases are available online (actually, almost all) and some can be found in our college library. When I was scanning the web for those media law cases, I got into a…

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#Censorship #Comm 120 #Defamation #Freedom of Expression #Freedom of Information #Intellectual Property #Libel cases #Media Law Cases #Media law cases Philippines #Obscenity #Right to Lie #Slander #UP Diliman Comm 120

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bluecrasher · 8 years

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Films to watch, films to love now showing at UP Film Institute

If there is one venue that will cater any film, that’s no other than the University of the Philippines Film Institute which houses the UP Cine Adarna. It is one of the only two theaters in the country that are excluded from MTRCB’s rating, one being the Cultural Center of the Philippines. To make film enthusiasts busy scheduling their time for January, the UP Film Institute welcomes and screens…

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#Anino sa Likod ng Buwan #Apocalypse Child #Audio Perpetua #Bingat #Gayuma #Iisa #Kapatiran #Matangtubig #Of Cats Dogs Farm Animals and Sashimi #Patintero:Ang Alamat ni Meng Patalo #Sleepless #The Crescent Rising #Traslacion #UP Film Institute January Screening #Water Lemon

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bluecrasher · 8 years

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Films to remember Alan Rickman

Alan Rickman, the most beloved actor who played Snape in the 8 installments of Harry Potter and Ronald Reagan at the Butler, died yesterday due to cancer. Netizens, who so much idolized Rickman for being such a good actor, expressed their shocked and grief with his passing. The show must go on as they say and to overly grieve over his passing would not make anyone get over with it. You know,…

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#Absolem the Caterpillar #Alan Rickman #Alice Through the Looking Glass #Eye in the Sky #Films of Alan Rickman #Hans Gruber #Harry Potter #Professor Snape #Robin Hood #Roles of Alan Rickman #Ronald Reagan #Sweeney Rod #The Butler #Truly Deeply Madly

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bluecrasher · 8 years

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Films you didn't know were MMFF entries

Films you didn’t know were MMFF entries

Have you ever wonder what it is like to be in the years when the Metro Manila Film Festival was just starting? And have you ever wonder what kind of films produced in those years? Wonder not anymore! Below are selected films from the past 40 years of the Festival that entertained our grandparents and parents during Christmas (before, MMFF was being held in September) in their time. I am sure,…

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bluecrasher · 8 years

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The new Leila De Lima’s campaign ad is better than ‘Beauty and the Bestie’ If there is one senatorial candidate that is trending right now because of his/her television advertisement, that is no other than former Department of Justice Secretary Leila de Lima.

#Justice Secretary Leila de Lima #Leila De Lima commercial #Leila de Lima for Senator #Leila De Lima Liberal Party #Leila De Lima new TVC

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bluecrasher · 8 years

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UP has the most CHED Centers of Excellence for 2016 The University of the Philippines, along with all of its constituents, maintains its position with the most Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Centers of Excellence.

#2016 #CHED #CHED Center of Development #CHED Center of Excellence #CHED Center of Excellence 2016 #UP Baguio #UP BGC #UP Cebu #UP Diliman #UP Los Banos #UP Miag-ao #UP Mindanao #UP Palo #UP Pampanga #UP Tacloban #UP Visayas

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bluecrasher · 8 years

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Duterte's coming proves he wants to glow, not shine

Duterte’s coming proves he wants to glow, not shine

Duterte (right) with Sen. Kiko Pimentel (left). Photo courtesy from Inquirer.net

The October filing of candidacy saw no Duterte in COMELEC. Several supporters were there at the Palacio del Gobernador to witness his arrival and to support his filing, but they failed and was failed. They even bald their hairs to replicate what Inday Sara, his daughter with an ironfist, did to her hair days before…

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