On September 26, 2015, I went to
Caloocan City to have a tour there and to visit my relatives (Balajadia
Family). We have a long time family friend there, Corazon Gallardo Uy,
my mother's best friend since my childhood days. We visited her first at
their residence at P. Zamora Street near to 10th Avenue.
I
did my tour in Caloocan City by myself by walking along P. Zamora
Street, 10th Avenue, A. Mabini Street, A. Bato Street, General San
Miguel Street, Samson Road, and Rizal Avenue.
First, I went to
City Hall along A. Mabini Street. The City Hall is now different and
there are many stores and restaurants at it's surrounding. The area is
now crowded unlike before when I visited last time in 2009.
I
went to San Roque Parish Church which is the main church in Caloocan
City. The church is almost the same as well as its altar. We used to go
to that church when we were in Philippines. My late father was used to
be a mass leader and active member of Friends of San Roque.
I
went to La Consolacion College which is located besides the church. Me
and my brothers finished elementary there. The school is managed by a
group of nuns which is Organization of Saint Augustine. That school is
still memorable to me.
I went to Rafael's Restaurant which is
located besides the school. Most of the employees, students, parents,
and teachers are eating there. That restaurant is also memorable to me.
I went to Sangandaan and there are many new stores and establishments.
The market there is already demolished and the building of SM Center
will build there. Also, Sangandaan is now crowded unlike before.
I went to our former residence at 116 General San Miguel Street. The
gate is still there painted with green color but the owner is now
different and not the Nuqui Family anymore. The four units are now
beautiful and well maintained.
I continue to walk along Samson
Road. The University of the East is now beautiful and well painted. The
surrounding is also crowded that's why the traffic there is also
congested and heavy.
The former PNR Hospital is now STI College
which is a tall blue and white building. It is also located along
Samson Road corner Caimito Road.
The former Shell Gas Station is now Phoenix Gas. Samson Road is always congested especially during rush hours.
I went to my relatives to visit my aunts, Beatriz Garcia and Leticia
Balajadia, my cousins, nieces, and nephews. We had our lunch at Tita
Betty's house together with Tita Letty. They cooked Sinigang na Hipon,
Pinakbet, and Adobong Baboy.
After our lunch, I went to
Bonifacio Monumento and the area is also crowded and congested in
traffic. The Ever Gotesco Malls are now gone and they are SM Supermarket
and SM Hypermall.
The Ever Gotesco Grand Central which is
located along Rizal Avenue is also gone and it is now a vacant lot. Some
people said that SM Mall will build there.
Finally, I went to
Light Railway Transit (LRT) to take a train to visit in Manila, Mapua
Institute of Technology, and The Bayleaf Hotel.
#Balajadia #Caloocan #Rizal
On September 25, 2015, we went to RJ
Bistro at the lower basement of Dusit Thani Hotel along Epifanio delos
Santos Avenue (EDSA) corner Pasong Tamo in Makati City, Philippines
after we had our tour in Makati City.
Mr. Ramon P. Jacinto or
RJ Jacinto in short is a well known musician and guitarist in
Philippines. He owns RJ Guitar Stores, RJTV 29, and radio stations (DZRJ
810AM and RJ 100.3FM). He is a King of Rock and Roll in Philippines.
He's a legendary and respected musician in Philippines.
Since I
visited in Philippines, I decided to have a mini-reunion with my high
school classmates of Mapua Institute of Technology at RJ Bistro. I chose
RJ Bistro because I want to watch the concert of RJ Jacinto again. He's
my favorite musician since my high school days. We scheduled our
mini-reunion on Friday so that we can watch RJ Jacinto in the concert.
The entrance fee is PHP 500 per person but the good news is that the
entrance fee is waived only that day for any reason. We just paid the
drinks and snacks. The whole area was full and the concert was also
tapped live at RJTV 29. RJ Jacinto's wife, Frannie Jacinto was also
there in the bistro.
We love the music from 1960s, 1970s, and
1980s. Everyone were enjoying in watching the concert even my
classmates. RJ Jacinto started his concert from 9:00pm to 11:00pm
although the bistro started at 8:00pm. I suggested to come early as much
as you can so that you can get a nice spot at the nearest.
There's a promotion also. If your total bill is PHP 2000, you will get 1
free t-shirt. If PHP 4000, 2 free t-short. If PHP 6000, 3 free t-shirt
and so on.
You can visit the official website of RJ Jacinto for more information:
http://www.rjplanet.com/
#RJJacinto #RJBistro #DusitThani #EDSA #Makati #Rizal
After we had lunch at Dampa or Seaside
Seafood in Baclaran, Parañaque City, we went to Makati City to have a
tour at Ayala Center, Landmark, and Greenbelt. Because of heavy traffic
and limited parking space, we decided to park at Ayala Center and then
we walk along Ayala Avenue, Makati Avenue, Buendia Avenue, Paseo de
Roxas, and Pasong Tamo. Most of the corporate headquarters are located
in Makati City that's why it is always busy at anytime.
Makati
City is the richest city in Philippines. Before, it was the richest
town in Rizal that's why Rizal was a premiere province in Philippines.
Right now, Makati is now a multimillion income earner city in
Philippines. It is also a Business Capital of the Philippines.
After six years since my last visit in Philippines in 2009, Makati is
now more crowded, congested traffic, and more establishments that why
the government decided to change the traffic plan. Be careful when you
visit in Makati because there are many one way road there.
Most of the foreigners are staying in the luxury hotels in Makati
because it is peaceful and not so crowded compared with Manila. Makati
is a clean city because they want to keep it clean and attractive as
well especially for the foreign visitors.
We enjoyed our tour
in Makati City although we walked along the streets and roads. The peace
and order is also excellent with the help of Makati police as well as
the flow of traffic.
#AyalaCenter #Glorietta #Landmark #Makati #Rizal
