Guide to getting lost in Hong Kong

Climbing Kellengot 1
Guide to getting lost in Hong Kong

Climbingkellengot’s Guide to getting lost in Hong Kong.
Disclaimer: this definitely is not an itinerary; it’s just a cheapo guide on how to survive in Hong Kong made by a certified pack-light-budget-tight-backpacker. Contents are collaborated from personal experiences, knowledge passed on by Rafael Nite and the “Lonely Planet”
First things first: Before anything else these are some points you must know when you get to HK.
Take note that NOT MANY PEOPLE IN HK WILL BE ABLE TO SPEAK ENGLISH CONFIDENTLY, therefore these are solutions to tell you where to go.

1. Look for an MTR COUNTER, which would be your failsafe for any problems you might have. You could get directions, payment, questions about places and its landmarks, tourist information, basically anything. If the people there can’t help you, they’ll at the least direct you to someone who can.
   
2. Trust LONELY PLANET, when dad and I went there we basically know nothing about the place – we just read the book and trusted its integrity. We did all that when we had idle time at the airport and believe it or not we never took a cab in getting to our hotel and getting around the island.
   
3. Get hold of CHINESE CHARACTERS for the places you want to go to and specially your hotel’s name.
   
4. Look for a FOREIGNER (Caucasian or Indian looking) then talk to and ask them.
   
5. Most students or decent-educated looking, younger locals can speak English
   

Second: BUY an OCTOPUS CARD. This is a must and definitely should be a top priority! (Redundancy exaggerates importance you know). The card is the single most convenient thing you can do, and it will definitely make your life in HK infinitely easier.
It looks like this:

This card is one of the fastest, most convenient means of payment system in the world. You can use it for TRANSPORT (even buses), FAST FOOD, 7-ELEVEN you name it! You can use the Octopus card to pay for lots of things without pulling out cash.
Guide to getting lost in Hong Kong August 17, 2013

How to get it: Basically, you BUY the card from ANY MTR STATION COUNTER. Then LOAD some cash on the card, around $50-100 and you can do this anywhere like – MTR station, 7-Eleven or even McDonalds.

TRANSPORT – To/from the airport
The airport is a long way from the city centre. (it’s on an island southwest of Central HK – Lantau)
There are 3 ways to get to/from the airport. I’ll assume you want to go to Mong Kok/Tsim Sha Tsui, so I’ll explain the three ways:

1. AIRPORT EXPRESS USING MTR: An easy, intuitive way, but a bit on exprensive side. Basically, take the Airport Express to the Hong Kong station (Central – 20min), and then use the MTR Red Line to get to Tsim Sha Tsui (10-15min). (using the MTR is easy enough for you to figure out yourself, but I’ll explain below anyway.)
Cost: HK$110 ($100 for airport express, $10 for Tsim Sha Tsui)

WALKING: You’ll have to do a bit of walking from the Hong Kong Airport Express station to the Central station, but it’s all indoors, so don’t worry (you’re gonna do a lot of walking in HK anyway). Probably the best part of Hong Kong commuting system is that, A. You get to walk and B. There’s just a damn small chance of getting lost. Maps and directions are all over the place so there’s no problem commuting there.

2. Bus to Tung Chung -> MTR Yellow Line -> MTR Red Line (Badass Way)
This is a complicated BUT extremely cheap (by FAR the cheapest), fast and convenient method that / and a lot of HK locals use (note: I went there on a really small budget for living and travel expenses so this is what I did when I got there) It’s quite tough to use for beginners, but it’s easier than it sounds, and you can’t go wrong if you follow these exact instructions:
a. From the airport, take the $1 bus to Tung Chung MTR station. Just say “Tung Chung MTR” to the bus driver and he should know.
Guide to getting lost in Hong Kong August 17, 2013

Climbing Kellengot 3
Guide to getting lost in Hong Kong
Note: In case of emergency, “bus stop please” is “Ba-shee-jia, UM-GOI (or ‘unggoy’) basically the word means please, sorry and thank you – so get used to hearing that and get used to telling that one too, it helps. BIG TIME.

2. In Tung Chung you should find the CityGate Outlets, a mall consisting of manufacturer’s outlets (they’re good if you wanna check them out). Walk through the ground floor of the mall, and there should be an MTR station at the end. Take it.
   
3. You’re now at the far end of the MTR Yellow Line (also called the Tung Chung/Disneyland Line). Your objective is to get to Mong Kok (which is literally at the centre of the MTR map, in between the Red Line and Green Line).
   
4. Take the Yellow Line to Lai King, and interchange to the Red Line (simply cross the platform when you get to Lai King).
   
5. Take the Red Line to Mong Kok.
   

Cost: HK$19 ($3.50 bus, $10-15 MTR to Tsim Sha Tsui)
Note: If you can’t use the Badass Way by the time you touch down in HK, you can still use it on your way TO the airport. Also, the buses always take you across the most scenic places. On bus or taxi you’ll hopefully see the Tsing Ma Bridge, which is one of the longest, most impressive bridges in the world.

3.TAKE A TAXI. It’s a no brainer; this is the most convenient but most nail-bitingly expensive way from the airport to the city central. This one is advisable if you have a lot of baggage. As a general rule, avoid taxis whenever you can. The meter will give you a heart attack.

Advantage: There are 6 seater taxis around there, so the whole family could like fit into one taxi with ease
Disadvantages: It’s expensive, and finding English-speaking taxi drivers is literally like tossing a coin.
Cost: Usually Around HK$300 (+/-50) to the city central

TRANSPORT & SIGHTS/ACTIVITIES
Seeing as relatively few people can speak English in HK, you should know your bearings.
OK, so basically you should regard HK as a set of 4 islands. You’ll probably spend most of your time in HK Island and Kowloon (HK’s city proper). Lantau Island is wher the airport is, as well as several great natural scenic areas & tourist spots. The new territories is basically countryside – the only places worth exploring are HKUST and Sai Kung, a small fishing village with great food & beautiful hiking trails.

The Hong Kong MTR (probably the best public transport system in the world) basically connects everything in Hong Kong together quite tidily and efficiently. With the MTR, you
Guide to getting lost in Hong Kong August 17, 2013

won’t spend more than 1 trying to get from one place to another, no matter how far it is. You’ll see it everywhere, but here’s a map:

The MTR is blissfully easy to use, and this is the mode of transportation you should be using the most often,and the reference by which you should be navigating HK. Either buy a ticket for the stop you want to got using the touchscreen machines in the MTR stations, OR use the Octopus if you have it (Octopus = way more convenient), and ride the train.
The stations with connecting symbols on them (e.g. Mong Kok, Lai King, or North Point) mean that you can interchange between lines on that station (if you’re on the Red Line on your way to Mong Kok) example, you can change to the green line in Mong Kok.
Once you get to your station, it is recommended that you know the exit that you must take if you’re looking for a specific place (there are usually several exits in every MTR station, labeled A,B,C,D,E,F, etc....)

Sights/Activities/Eating/Drinking
Here’s a short summary of various important places on the 4 islands:

1. Hong Kong Island

Guide to getting lost in Hong Kong August 17, 2013

The Blue MTR Line crosses right through HK island

The Central Station (basically, central Hong Kong) is the heart of HK, and connects the 3 most important MTR lines. (blue, which crosses HK island; green, which crosses Kowloon, and red, which
crosses Kowloon + New
T erritories).

A Filipino corner exits in Central’s Exit A, as does the IFC Mall, the largest mall In HK. There is a Western Union here if you want to transfer money. This is near Jollibee as landmark lol.
Exit D in Central is where you might wanna go drinking – you can find HK’s most famous bar street, Lan Kwai Fong, here.

I know you are a noodle person so this is a must try MAK’S NOODLE – they are famous for their all shrimp Wonton and Beef Brisket Noodle I swear you will definitely ask for more. It’s located at 77 Wellington Street, Central – so to get there you basically from MTR Central just take the Exit D2.

I am a sucker for Dim Sum and so are you, try this joint LIN HEUNG TEA HOUSE one of the oldest joints in HK since 1928, Its located at 160-164 Wellington Street, Central – serves dim sum from 6am to 3:30pm

Other good choices from Central is Maria’s Bakery, Exit A Shop A Heung Lam Building, 23 Connaught Road Central – buy EGG PUFFS, Tai Cheong Bakery for eggtarts Exit D2, 32 Lyndhurst Terrace, Central

I recommend 7-Eleven for your drinking needs – the drinks selections at 7-Eleven are usually pretty decent, and drinks are DAMN expensive in clubs/bars, but occasionally you’ll find a ice Happy Hour deal on beers in some of ‘em.

SoHo. To get there, walk up Lan Kwai Fong and up-up-up. It’s a long walk – I mean come on, It’s the longest (discontinuous) escalator in the world.

Guide to getting lost in Hong Kong August 17, 2013

Climbing Kellengot 5
Guide to getting lost in Hong Kong

Also, if you want to go to Victoria Peak, a.k.a The Peak, it’s also in Central. Easiest way to get there: take a taxi any exit to The Peak Cable Car Tramway.

The Wan Chai Station is where you can get immigration/Visa/passport stuff done (look for HK immigration centre, Exit E). It also has a lot of nice bars and clubs on Lockhart Road (but his is more like a red light district). I recommend the club Tribeca.

Also in Wan Chai on Lockhart Road (Exit A2), pass the bar street, there is an AMAZING kebab/shawarma place called Ebeneezer’s (just ask around if you’re not sure where it is- lots of Pinoys or Indians working as barmen & GRO’s there). Try their lamb or falavel (veg) kebab – some of the best I’ve ever eaten. Also, if you want Thai snacks afterward, there’s a good Thai place right next door to Ebeneezer’s. A branch of Ebeneezer’s also exists in Lan Kwai Fong, the bar street in Central I mentioned (Central, Exit D).

Another good stop is Causeway Bay Station, where you’ll find a sosyal mall called Times Square.
Since we are Anthony Bourdain fans I took time to research on where the hell did he eat the market place shit that made me drool for more and more and more. TUNG PO SEAFOOD RESTAURANT, a dai pai dong restaurant where tony dined the deep fried shrims, black ink squid balls and stir fried prawns, the address is 99 Java Road, North Point, Cooked Food Center – Take the MTR Blue line from Central to North Point and then take (Exit A1) that’s already Java Road then ENJOY

2.Kowloon

Mong Kok is possibly the most bustling locale in Hong Kong. Lots of places to check out here:

Ladies Market (Exit E2): Night market where you can buy all sorts of stuff for relatively cheap (in HK prices), from clothes to souveneirs to chopsticks to...well, you get the idea. Personally I find Greenhills or Divisoria a lot better with their more comprehensive selections. Still, if you want HK souvenirs for your friends, this is the place to go. Walk straight ahead from Exit E2 (this is Nelson St,) – Ladies’ Market intersects that road. You literally cannot miss it, it’s so obvious.

Chamonix (Exit E2): Walk straight ahead towards the Ladies’ Market. It’s on the right corner, before the Ladies’ Market. Easy to spot.
Mong Kok Computer Center (Exit E2): Just ahead of Chamonix/Ladies’ Market, to the right. Computers and lots of other tech stuff at bargain basement prices. Lenovo and ASUS are good brands.
Guide to getting lost in Hong Kong August 17, 2013

THIS IS THE BEST PLACE FOR DIMSUM – TIM HO WAN well they say it ranks on of the best in the world – however be warned that there are very long queues here and may take up 45 mins of your time for a blissful bite. The address is Shop 8, Taui Yuen Mansion Phase 2, 2-20 Kwong Wa Street, Mong Kok – Opens Daily dor 10am – 10pm and avoid weekends if you want to have food tripping here. Hakao and Siu Mai are favorites here. To get there Take MTR Yau Ma Tei, It is just 2 Streets Beside Ladies Market.

Climbing Kellengot 7
Guide to getting lost in Hong Kong

WHERE TO BUY GSHOCK: G-Watch Mong Kok - Room 2006, 20/F, 655 Nathan Road (this is the building next to Grand Tower, which is opposite Langham Place Mall); Tsim Sha Tsui - Units C & D, 5/F, No. 2 Carnarvon Road

Langham Place (Exit C): One of the most impressive malls in HK, Langham Place contains the longest continuous escalator in the world. Korea Garden

Tsim Shai Tsui (pronounced as “Chim Sha Choy”) is probably my favorite place in the HK/Kowloon city area. Nice, cheap food (it’s a major food district), a lot of culture (Cultural Centre and Space Museum) and several entertainment venues (pool halls, karaoke, etc.) It’s like Mong Kok, but a whole lot cleaner and more laid-back (but a bit more expensive). Sprend an evening here. You won’t be disappointed.

Look for an MTR exit that will take you to ChungKing Mansions (I think it’s Exit D), or ask the MTR staion attendant. Chungking is the cheapest place for hotels in HK, but it’s also very sleazy, dirt place. So why is it of interest? Well, great Indian restaurants. Look for the Taj Mahal Club on the 3rd floor.

Guide to getting lost in Hong Kong August 17, 2013

A great mall located in Tsim Sha Tsui is Harbour City (ExitA[1]). It’s quite a long walk from the staion(walk down the road directly SOUTH of Exit A – it’s the big building at the end of the road).

3. Lantau Island To the southwest of the city proper, Lantau is distant but it’s worth going to. But here’s also a lot of other stuff to: the Big Buddha and the hike up Lantau peak and the Ngong Ping 360 cable car are all worthy places to go to (go to Tung Chung
as described above).

Also, Disneyland HK is here, (take the Yellow Line to Sunny Bayu – it’s well advertised & easy to get into).

More on Foods or Drinks

What can I say? This is my specialty area. I’m a foodie. So sue me.
Cantonese style food is a mixed bag everywhere, both in terms of price and quality. I suggest you explore. Don’t expect perfect meals everywhere you go, but look forward to some gems, too.

Guide to getting lost in Hong Kong August 17, 2013

Climbing Kellengot 9

Guide to getting lost in Hong Kong

Convenience: Your one stop shop for that is 7-Eleven, They serve OK fast food style dimsum, and some excellent. THEY SERVE RELATIVELY CHEAP BUT WIDE SELECTION OF BEERS OVER THERE TOO from Tsing Tao (TSING DAO) to Corona to Asahi to our very own SMB! You name it they have it.

Among my favorite dishes in HK is char siu fan (pronounced “cha syu fan”). BBQ Pork, done HK style. It’sAWESOME. Another one is look for Café Coral – They serve fastfood style Chinese food – not too pricey, good on the go and the hole in the wall joint is all over the place – almost all the main MTR stations has one.

Of course, the standard fare for dimsums siopao and siomai. But here it’s called char siu baau (pronounces “cha syu bao”) and siu mai. But also try the shrimp dumplings (pronounces as “ha gau / hakao”). For drinks, try nai chai (milk tea), hot or cold according to your preference. For an authentic HK experience, you could also try searching for dai pai don, which is basically like a semi-sea food restaurant.

Again, street food in HK ain’t that great 9sewer-smelling tofu anyone? You’ll smell that everywhere, unfortunately), but there’s a nice waffle-like street food that has pockets of air pumped through it. I also recommend you try bubble tea (milk tea w/ sago).

AFTER DOING THIS – AND AFTER THE RAIN STOPS FALLING I’LL PROBABLY GO TO BINONDO TO EXPERIENCE AT LEAST 1/4 the taste of what I wrote. It’s sucks to be in my place right now and I envy you so much! I love you Nikki ko! Have a safe trip and ENJOY!

Guide to getting lost in Hong Kong August 17, 2013

Firsts: "Visita Iglesia" (poem)

Thank you @nicolefamor for walking me through my first "Visita Iglesia" Iloveyou 

Religion bash: MAKALALAKI

Aanhin ko pa ang turo ng religion kung di naman ideal/holy at puro interpretasyon lang siya ng mga taong mapanamantala sa mga naniniwala.

"Stoning to death" - Capital punishment for ADULTERERS

Hindi ko rin naiintindihan ang katagang “mapusok ang babae” pero mas dapat “mapagintindi siya dahil isa siyang babae”, hindi ba dapat baliktad ang sistema dahil mapusok sila?

Scientifically mas stable ang lalaki dahil sa hormones na testosterone sa katawan nila, kahit mas palaban, pero di naman nawawalan.

Kalapit ng isyung ito sa battle of the sexes ayon sa mga turo este interpretasyon ng mga iskriba ay ang issue ng pananaksil sa minamahal o pangaapid. Dahil hindi ko maintindihan ang kabigatan ng adultery (o pangaapid ng babae sa ibang lalaki maliban sa kanyang kalaguyo o asawa) laban sa lalaking may infidelity – para sa akin it’s the same shit - it’s a hole in one’s emotional stability and its another person’s pain in the ass.

I thought I'd be happy here - NOT!

I thought I'd be happy here in my current dwelling place. But I'm oh so wrong - as if I'm betting all in with a pair of kings only losing my hand over a deuce of ace. I know it's Christmas but I never felt such rush of its eve's hype and pace. Now I'm lonesome here inside my room, still wide awake. Not because that I'm insomniac but actually because of another man's selfishness. I'm not supposed to be here at this very hour. I'm supposed to spend it beside a hospital bed and then to a future foster family then stare at some good food then devour. But I chose this. Another boring night with a dog beside my thigh and a laptop that moves slowly up and down as I hear my self sigh. 

my lonesome noche buena - picture taken December 24, 2012 - maligaya home-base 

I am frustrated, really very frustrated - it's all stacking and pilling up -

Sa aking pananaw (in my point of view): RH Bill, Why I'm Against you?

Why am I Anti-RH Bill?

I am a Catholic. But I will set aside my religion and I will let God have a rest as I state my views on the bill. Average reasonable person style.

Here are my reasons so hear me out.

1. The Department Of Health already have an existing program for mother and child health and this includes reproductive health. So for me its already redundant to pass another law for it, specially that the program, statistically is reaching its goals.

SAGADA ITI, BUDGET BREAKDOWN AND SOME NOTES: NOV. 16 - 18

SAGADA KA BA? ITINERARY:

Day 1: NOVEMBER 15 Thursday

19:30 call time for meet up in BURGER KING, E-Rodriguez near St. Luke’s Medical Hospital, Quezon City.

19:45 sabay-sabay pupunta ng “Cable Tours” bus station street just beside Trinity University of Asia

20:30 ETD MANILA to BONTOC (estimated travel time is 12 hours)

                Sleep tight. Special mention “Jimboy” - Benadryl lang katapat niyan.

Day 2: NOVEMBER 16 Friday

08:30  ETA BONTOC from Manila “Hey kids, rise and shine!”

                ETD BONTOC to SAGADA via Jeepney (ETT 45 minutes) Hey! Kelangan may mag top ride, hey! Baka malaglag/nakaw gamit natin. Hey!

Meme Ka Ba? #001

I JUST CALLED TO SAY I LOVE YOU

POETRY IN MOTION: MY ROOM MISSES YOU

My Room Misses You

My room misses you.

A room that’s so empty

With your presence love is plenty

SA AKING PANANAW (In my point of view): on "RH Bill Ateneo and La Salle of Lemons and Cowards" here are my thoughts on the article posted by a member of the varsitarian.

HERE IS MY TAKE ON THE ARTICLE POSTED IN THE OFFICIAL WEB PAGE OF THE VARSITARIAN:

http://varsitarian.net/editorial_opinion//20120930/rh_bill_ateneo_and_la_salle_of_lemons_a editorial nd_cowards

many of the Thomasians might not be supporting the RH bill, setting religion aside, for logical and practical reasons - and yes, some facts are stated in this article.

But you know what... I don't really get it, how the writer did a barbaric approach to react to other people's opinions/ beliefs/ point of view regarding the bill. i don't really get it, how a big fat coward hide in anonymity under the official gazette of the university. i just don't really get it.

Prayer of St. Pjay Borile of Tandang Sora

Prayer of St. Pjay Borile of Tandang Sora

St. Pjay Borile of Tandang Sora, Turning Water in to Wine

Cobracom, make me an instrument of your niece

Where there is maoy, let me sow love

YOUNG, WILD AND FREE JUNIORS AND NOVICE CLIMBING COMPETITION

Visit the YWFSeries Juniors and Novice Climbing Competition website @ http://scapi-ywfs.blogspot.com/ and its facebook page @ https://www.facebook.com/events/413253162067107/
for more news and updates of the said competition.

NKT (Nikki-Kelly-Time) A lover’s point of view.

NKT (Nikki-Kelly-Time) A lover’s point of view.

Chords D-A-Bm-G

Verse1:

Minsan lang makatagpo ng ganito, oh

Kaibigang matalik, walang halong pilit

Uy, gusto ko to.

NKT (Nikki-Kelly-Time) A lover’s point of view.

NKT (Nikki-Kelly-Time) A lover’s point of view.

Chords D-A-Bm-G

Verse1:

Minsan lang makatagpo ng ganito, oh

Kaibigang matalik, walang halong pilit

Uy, gusto ko to.

Naalala ko noong naglalakad sa timog

Ako’y nalilito kung anong gagawin sayo

Hahawakan ko ba ang iyong mga kamay

Pero di na lang baka ako’y mahimatay

Poetry In Motion: MRM (Monsoon Rains in Manila 0812) By Kelly Blaquera

MRM (Monsoon Rains in Manila 0812)

By Kelly Blaquera

When time flies

My thoughts fly by

Some would bide

Some says bye-bye

When time flies

My senses go high

I hear those sighs

Can see those sights

When time flies

I wonder why

How people could lie

But I’d rather die

When time flies

I feel weak to try

It’s been week he cries

Rain its time to say good-bye

My body shouts at me again.

how the hell is this possible? I'm fat but i still have this cold intolerance shiz. not hypothyroid, cause i still sweat as hell and i'm not generally sleepy as well or anything that has to do with it. this probably is another wake-up call for my ever see-sawing weight. time to get healthy again. pure and clean, mind and body.

Dula: "TWENTY QUESTIONS" ni Juan Ekis

Ang dulang ito ay nakuha ko sa aking mabuting kaibigan na si Dino de Leon thedecipherer. Si Dino nga pala ang nagudyok sa akin na sumali sa Claret Debate Society at sa Children's Museum and Library Inc. na ni minsan hanggang ngayon ay hindi ko pinagsisihan at labis kong kinagigiliwan. 

Para kay Dino: Salamat pala Dino sa lahat! Hulog ka ng langit. Palagi kang kasama sa aking mga panalangin.

Sa tinagal tagal ng panahon ngayon ko lang ito nabasa, at masasabi kong napakaganda pala! Bilang ganti gusto kong mabasa rin ninyo ang obrang ito. Enjoy the show! Para sa iyong dagdag na kaalaman ang "TWENTY QUESTIONS" ay isang Palanca Award winning play ni Juan Ekis. Ito ay nanalo ng ikalawang patimpalak sa one-act category taong 2003.

TWENTY QUESTIONS
Ni Juan Ekis

MGA TAUHAN

Jigs - Fresh grad. Kabarkada ni Yumi.Magtatrabaho bilang
researcher sa isang financial firm

Yumi - Commercial Model. Kabarkada ni Jigs. 2 years ahead
kay Jigs.

TAGPO

Gabi. Sa isang kwarto ng isang beach resort.

"Rizal and Myself"

“Rizal and Myself” is a composition of association between the writer and the hero, Jose Rizal.

To give a brief history regarding what I know about the national icon, a flashback of my childhood deserves a peek and a review. Way back when I was four, I got a one peso coin as a change for the first item that I bought in the sari-sari store. At six, I visualized the life of Jose in a television show “Bayani”, which illustrated the hero’s story from childhood till death. But in assurance, acting and money does not have to do with my comparison with him.

A confession of truth must first be established in order to understand the writer’s stand regarding our “Bayani”. Since I first read a history book, way back taking my primary education, the champion in the name of Pepe isn’t just my kind of hero. There might have been another “Rizal” if he weren’t around. Also, lurking within me are questions that seemed to doubt the credibility of the one who is called “the national hero” – certain issues that a little boy cannot seem to understand. Like issues regarding his irony on being too idealistic and breaker of his own ideals, his pedophilic - incest relationship with Leonor Rivera, his use of prostitutes in Austria, his retraction, his eligibility of the title “National Hero” as used by Americans as a strategic icon and lots and lots more.

            I firmly believe that nobody is perfect, even Rizal isn’t one. But then again I also concede to the fact that he was a leader and servant to the Filipinos in his own way. So what makes more sense at this moment is that he did a good thing for our country and at times we owe him our nationality.

           

            Now back to the body – it will consist of positivistic point of view, regarding Rizal’s beliefs and mine. Using the format BAR (beliefs, actions and results) I will present the Rizal in me.

My Principles: On "When the Flame Flickers"

"when the flame flickers" is a short descriptive entry of a situation regarding a relationship that has entered into marriage. where in the text shows the reality that there would be a certain low point of a relationship that a couple could reach. back in college, our bioethics professor made us write an essay regarding the situation that is given. in this entry, the italicized part, pertains to "when the flame flickers " and the questions to be answered. and for the normal upright text is my original writing. by the way the art work was made by my mom, she's like a fashion designer in her own right. any way, situation goes as follows...

She looks radiant in her white chiffon gown, draped with lace—her wispy veil unable to hide her excitement. He looks handsome in his barong—striking, strong, and full of anticipation as he awaits the arrival of his bride at the front of the church where they will officially join their lives together. The ceremony and celebration of this moment are fit for the coronation of a prince and his princess.

But this is not the wedding of royalty. Similar customs and emotions happen every day all over the world. A man and a woman merge their lives with the highest of expectations, and seal it with a kiss. This is the drama of countless movies and novels, poems and plays, tales and legends. Two people give themselves to each other and then live happily ever after. Or do they?

Golden Anniversary 103011

Repost: Letter form the PNCT: Fundrasing

Climbers, due to some news from the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC), we're now compelled to ask for donations from the climbing community. We were informed last October 6 that POC is asking SCAPI to submit money for tickets and accommodations on or before the 20th of October. Before this correspondence, we were under the impression that POC was giving us the freedom to buy the tickets and book hotels on our own as long as it's before the SEAGames.

We still plan on pushing thru with the events scheduled after the 20th of October since the funds will still benefit the Present and the Future National Team (for funding their training and expenses for other competitions abroad).

SCAPI is eyeing to send 7 more athletes (POC is funding 1 athlete and 1 coach only). Here is the new breakdown of expenses that POC gave us:

Round trip flights: US$ 512 x 7 athletes x Php 44.00 = PHP 157,696.00

Travel Tax Exemption Processing Fee: Php 200 x 7 athletes = PHP 1,400.00

Accommodations: US$ 50 x 7 athletes x 9 nights X Php 44.00 = PHP 138,600.00

TOTAL FUNDS NEEDED BEFORE OCTOBER 20: Php 297,696.00