How high can you go?

How High Can You Go?

One thing we can't help but look up in the metro are the buildings competing which is tallest among them. We have been talking about the tallest buildings in the world like the then PETRONAS Tower and now the Burj Khalifa or Burj Dubai. But ever wonder which one is highest in Metro Manila? Here's a brief line up of the skyscrapers of Manila.

THE GRAMERCY RESIDENCES – A high-end residential condominium in Century City along Kalayaan Avenue in Makati City. Its completion this 2012 will open 73 floors with a total height of 302 meters from ground to its architectural top.

THE PBCOM TOWER in Makati City has 52 floors and is 259m in height, including an 8-level radio tower. This is the home for one of the Philippine oldest banks Philippine Bank of Communications. The building was designed by a local firm GF & Architects in cooperation with an international architectural firm Skidmore Owings & Merrill, LLP, and the structural design provided by a local engineering firm Aromin & Sy + Associates.

G.T INTERNATIONAL TOWER – G.T stands for George Ty, the chairman of Metrobank Group. This is currently the 3^rd tallest building in the country with 217 meters, 47 floors and 5 basement level parking, 10-storeys of which is the vertical fin that provides its virtual signature, and is located at Ayala Avenue corner H.V dela Costa Street in Makati Central Business District. This was developed by Federal Land, the real estate arm of the Metrobank Group.

BSA Twin Towers – The Philippines’ Tallest Twin Towers as awarded by the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (Chicago, USA). This is strategically located in Ortigas Center, in between The Podium and SM Megamall, beside St. Francis Square. The official height of each tower is 215 meters including the spire atop the pyramid.

THE ST. FRANCIS SHANGRI-LA PLACE – Twin tower residential condominium in Mandaluyong City consisting of 60 storeys and 213 meters in height. This was developed by Shang Properties, Inc. This is the first building in the world to feature revolutionary “damping” system due to its location being close to active faults in a highly seismic region and subject also to typhoon winds, making St. Francis Shangri-la one of the safest buildings. Damping system reduces building accelerations, motion, or deflections.

The others which were not listed in the top 5 list were:

6	One Rockwell West Tower - Makati	210m, 55 floors
7	Petron Megaplaza - Makati	210m, 45 floors, Tallest building in the Philippines from 1998 to 2000
8	Union Bank Plaza - Pasig	206m, 49 floors, tallest building in Pasig City
9	Greenbelt Lorenzo Tower - Makati	205m, 57 floors
10	Golden Empire Tower - Manila	203m, 57 floors, tallest in Manila City
11	One Corporate Centre - Pasig	202m, 45 floors
12	Philamlife Tower - Makati	200m, 48 floors
13	Summit One Tower - Mandaluyong	200m, 49 floors
14	RCBC Plaza One - Makati	192m, 46 floors
15	One San Miguel - Pasig	183m, 54 floors

While the Discovery Suites in Ortigas Center, remains to be the tallest hotel building since 1999, with 40floors at 167 meters.

In next coming years, new and high rise buildings are coming. Among them are:

1	One Galleon Place - Pasig	400m, 75 floors, planning to be completed on 2015
2	Sky City - Mandaluyong	335m, 75 floors, partially built several basement floors but now on-hold
3	Lopez Center Tower - Makati	320m, 52 floors, proposed to be completed in 2015
4	The Stratford Residences - Makati	312m, 76 floors, now under construction; upon completion will become the tallest building

Its Hearts Day

It's Feb.14 and its Valentines Day all over the world. Flowers are sold anywhere on the streets. Malls and restaurants, and include hotels are jam packed today. Some goes on a date, others prefer the day to be ordinary. Whatever we prefer on how to celebrate the day, it is always important to spread love and express it the way the day is intended to.Whether you are in-love or not, Valentines Day is not for lovers only.

Hearts day as others call it. It is a day for the heart where we feel love. It might be that some hearts are bleeding, some are in ailment. But today we are expected to be happy. Maybe it is a hard to define word "happiness" for those who struggle for it. Remember that happiness comes from our hearts too, and each time we give a room for sadness for ourselves, it subtlety eats up our whole being and ends up drowned in sadness.

Today is Hearts Day. Express some love and happiness for those who seek for it.

2010 Obsession

2010 has been a promising for me and the techie world. As the technology world grew fast, more and more upgrades and new creations are released by different monsters and dwarfs in the tech world. With this fast domination of gadgets many are getting obsessed of having this and that.

In a visit to a mall, you would feel like a roller coaster ride in looking at those gadgets. Among of them are cellphones (Well I think its number one obsession), laptops, and we have tablets today, and include mp3/mp4 players. Also add television sets.

Cellphones have always been on the top list since everybody uses it as mode of communication. Its mobility is its greatest feature where you can and use it anywhere (oh unless your network provider has coverage) not like the landline that we grew up with. Before cellphones only have call features until it evolved to text messaging thru Short Message Service or the SMS. We have been obsessed before with monotonic device popularly we have Nokia 5110, Nokia 3310, and the like. In which it is not a "colored phone". Only SMS and calls are allowed. A little of games like the popular Snake. And an alarm and reminder features. (Oh well this is one of my favorite phone. Its easy to use and you can still use it even if it fell 20x or more.) Ehem, going back to 2010 Obsession, today, we have the QWERTY phone, where the keypad is just like your computer keyboard or known as QWERTY named after the first 6 letters in the upper part. Touch screen phones and the multitap or the common. Mobile phones today are capable of Multi Messaging Service or the MMS, camera, video camera, mp3 player, polyponic or mp3 ringtone, additional games, calendar. Many has email access, chat, social networking sites. 3G Phones offer video calling.Internet access also is considered in choosing phones. Some are wifi ready while others needed to activate GPRS for internet. Among the top players (in the Philippines) are Nokia, Sony Ericson, Samsung, LG, Blackberry. Inlcude the China phones; Cherry Mobile and Torque; in which both offers dual stand by sim, and TV features. And oops don't forget Apple with its latest iphone 4.


Laptops also has became one's need especially for the working and the students. It is your version of your desktop where in you cannot carry it with your bag. Imagine you walking and carrying a monitor and a CPU on your back, plus the keyboard and the mouse. And add a battery to make it work. (Oh that's a wild imagination). What to consider in choosing your laptop are its processor, memory, features and accessories. Among the top brands are Hp, Apple, Asus, Dell,Toshiba, Acer, Sony (VAIO), Lenovo, and many more.


With speedy trend in upgrades of cellphones and laptops, tablets made its way this year. Apple released its first generation ipad. This is just like your laptop where you can carry and connect to wifi anywhere. Samsung also released its Samsung Galaxy that has call features. Recently, Cherry Mobile, one of the successful mobile carriers, released a 7" tablet Superion that made Cherry first to release phone tablet in the Philippines.


Adding on these gadgets that would totally make to crave for it, we also had television sets. From the black and white to colored, and the slim TV, we now have LCD TV and the LED TV.

The technology world has been fascinating us time by time. Changes happens so fast that you might find your gadget old model. Whatever it might be that you wanted always consider its convenience on you, the specifications, accessories and everything important on the item. Remember that its always a cost to wear and tear an item. Bottom line is obsession with these is not bad, as long as you are on the right state of mind for craving and that you have value for your money. So the next time you buy, consider important matters so you would be contented with the fast changing tech world.

I Bet You Didn't Know

I bet you didn't know that you came like sunshine to me
A soothing heat that warmed the cold heart in me
A beautiful rising sun in the morning
Warming me all through the day.

I bet you didn't know that you came like soft wind
A refreshing air during the blistering summer day
You came like soft wind like a kiss in a stressful day
And like a hug in the disturbing night.

You were like sunshine, and you were like wind
You made me live, you made me alive
Cause you are the sun and the wind
I need to survive.

I bet you didn't know you came like rain
A cold rain in the fever heat day
A rain that waters my heart,
And a rain that pours everywhere.

You were like sunshine and you were like rain
You made me live, you made me alive
Cause you are the sun and the rain
You were everything I need.

You were like the sun that warms my heart.
You were like the wind that hugs me
You were like the rain that comforts me.
You were everywhere and everywhere I can feel you.

I bet you didn't know how much I love you
I bet you didn't know how much you mean to me
I bet you didn't know that I need you to survive
You were everywhere, everything,my life.

(for my Kuya. I Love You.)

Friends: Part 1

Schooling days are over. I'd been in school for 16 years exclusive of preparatory years. Before I finally step into the world of professionals as a civil engineer, allow me to recognize the people whom I called friends or in street term "katropa" during my stay in school. These people I will cherish and keep until life is over.

Let me start with my college "tropa". The person I would like to give recognition are those whom I had during the course of college life in Bicol University College of Engineering. I met these lovely persons six years ago, the start of our new student life in 2003. It was destiny that bought us together. From childhood ideas to maturity we shared the happiness of university life together. Crushes, relationships, foods, studies, and ehem "tong-its", cheering during Intramurals, and a lot of funny stuffs. Also we were with each other during the low times. These wonderful persons are: (named in no particular order)


Rossel T. Lopez (Otel) - Otel was my first friend when I entered college since we've been friends in highschool (although we're from different schools). This dance princess is from Ligao City and born October 3, 1986. Otel is loyal to her friends. This lady has captured the eyes of men and I believe you would agree with me. Being with Otel would always make you feel happy because of her words that are spoken unconsciously and frankly. FYI: from Bicol Regional Science High School and a member of She's Magnanimous - Ligao.

Jose Christopher Ramirez (Peng) - Peng was not a CE student like us. He studied computer science but we have included him and treated as part of our family since he's always with Otel. Even Peng has graduated, we still keep in touch with each other. Peng is such an accomodating person. FYI: birthdate - July 2, hometown - Ligao City.




Leah Llaguno (Lhie) - Lhie I think is like our big sister. Everytime we're on decision making, Lhie's opinion is the one we put grave on. During times of emergencies or simple things we need, she's the first one we run on to. Lhie has always been the first person to be happy when you are happy and at the same time the first one to cry. Surely no one could ever say she hasn't been a good friend. In fact the word good is not enough to complement her. FYI: hometown- Legazpi City, birthdate- October 29, 1986, Bicol University College of Education Lab. High School.

Jonard Apuya - Junard who originally is not part of us, but after that memorable day under a mango tree in CENG campus during our freshman year, he has become undeniably part of our clan. Nard who plays guitar is a funny person to be with. You would burst into laughter with him especially when he acts like gay. He is such a determined person and to add a very kind person. FYI: hometown - Legazpi City, birthdate - August 16, 1986, St. Raphael Academy.

Tatum Lucena (Tatz) - I believe many would say that their first impression with this woman is an intelligent, demure and naive. I would definitely agree because all of them are true. But naive as she is, she is very much willing to conquer the world and learn things she wishes to. FYI: hometown - Legazpi City, birthdate - March 13, 1987, Bicol University College of Education Lab. High School.

Richard Buenaagua (Tat) - Tat is an ME student. How Tat has become our family member is history (which I prefer not to tell). Change is inevitable, and although situations changed, we still had him as our "katropa". Tat can make your day glow with his smile that he always wore, and his "emo" messages can make you ponder. FYI: hometown - Daraga, Albay, brithdate - February 26, same as Lhie's and Tatz' high school.

Kristian B. Mallorca (Tian) - Born on April Fools' Day (April 1, 1986) and is very much suited on this day. Tian is Lhie's counterpart. Everybody runs on him in times of need. He is a friend we consider as a "one text away" friend. Tian loves to eat and sing, go to movies (alone?), likes the color red so much and has a weird style of tieing his shoelace. He is also very loyal to his friends. FYI: hometown - Daraga, Albay, Bicol University College of Industrial Technology High School.

Karen M. Evangelista (Kren) - Kren is a sports inclined person. She plays point guard in the basketball team and plays volleyball. In times of doubt on certain things, you can seek her advise and opinion. Her point of views are highly considerable. FYI: hometown- Daraga, Albay, birthdate - October 9, 1986, and is Tian's highschool and elementary classmate.

April Ballaran (Apz) - We have one thing that is common with us, and that is we are youth coordinators of our parishes. We both work for the youth ministry and that we share ideas. Apz is musically inclined and that she plays guitar on their church choir. She is such a nice and kind person. She values everything and is easy to be pleased. FYI: hometown - Legazpi City, birthdate - April 12, 1987, St. Agnes Academy.

Dave Klint Almilla (Deyb) - Lavs as I call him is simple looking person. Ironically, he is conscious of his skin tone. He's friendly even though he's a suplado looking guy and a bit of mataray. Deyb also is a funny person but is caring to his friends. FYI: hometown - Legazpi City, birthdate - November 22, 1986, St. Agnes Academy.


These are the wonderful persons that completed my college life. I would not deny that shortcomings and misunderstanding came on our way. But still we stand firm and has kept each others company. And now, even if we're far fro each other, the love and care and trust would remain the same. I miss you guys.

Ready for 2010 Election?

In more or less six months, the electorate of our country, Philippines , will make another mark of history as we are to vote the person we think fitted to be leaders of our nation. The 2010 election has shown its signs long enough. The Commission on Election has closed the voters registration and for the first time, we will be experiencing computerized voting. The Poll Automation after long process of approval has now come to realization. Also the television is packed with ads by politicians into which they call as infomercials, and also in the newspapers. In the news everyday we are hearing politicians and celebrities announcing their intentions for a government seat and parties proclaiming their new members or their bearers. Included also in the list of election symptoms are the restless issues thrown to these personalities and also party list seeking approval of their participation in the race. During this time of left and right talk of politics and elections, it is also our time to think better of whom to entrust our countyr's future and of our future.

It has been announced and proven that the biggest population of voters goes to the youth and more of them are first time voters. On November 20 those who intend for a seat can submit their Certificate of Candidacies showing that they are ready to join the arena where on battles with the other and it is for the people to decide who will win. As these candidates ready, are we voters ready to chose? I believe many would answer no, and that includes myself.

I am 22 and this is my second time to vote. Before I became voter I have been a member of the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting or the PPCRV in our locality. Our task is to do voters education, candidates forum, observe if standard rules of election are followed, help voters, and being a NAMFREL accredited organization we do quick count too (quick count applies only to municipal level).

As for my experience, I'd like to share some pointers on how to make a choice. First is educate yourself. Know and understand the needs of the community so you may have ideas on which things needs address and who are willing to address such. These candidates have their platform of government pointing out on to which areas they will give attentions. The common agenda of these candidates are: Education, Environment, Employment, Health, Housing, Disaster Management, Economy, Anti- Graft and Corruption, Uplifting Filipinos pride and the many like. Include also in educating yourself by familiarizing yourself with each and every candidate running for the position. Know their background, their achievements, their history as a leader, and of course their programs and beliefs. Attend forums as much as possible or watch televisions that covers or hosts forums or read in the. Also listen to the candidates' supporters and detractors. Understand what they say and find out who were saying the truth. Don't always go for the followers opinions, there are detractors that says the truth. In this way you would know who do you have the same belief. Belief is one important thing for it is in believing you develop trust and remember that the one you will entrust your community. Also, attend voters education or read articles about voters education especially if you are a first time voter. Materials are always available to educate you. I encourage you also to join organizations like PPRCV, Boto Mo Ipatrol Mo of a TV network, or any groups that advocates clean election.

Secondly, pray. Pray for wisdom and presence of mind of whom to mark on your ballot. Remember to keep your ballot sacred. Do not commit sin. One way of committing sin is by selling your vote. This means a voter has accepted any gifts like cash (vote buying) in exchange of a vote. Think of the reason of why they are buyin gyour vote. Do they really want to serve? Being a councilor, mayor or president is public service, and they don't need to birbe you to be of service. Put in mind that no one bribed God to send Jesus on earth to serve. Also pray that God give wisdom and enlighten our future leaders. Entrust them to God and that He may guide them in serving fairly.

Also, on the election day come prepared. Have on your mind the list of the persons you have chosen, or prepare a list. You don't have to worry with wrong spellings because the election committee will give the ballot with the candidates name on it and all you have to do is shade. If have any difficulty in voting, ask for assitance.

May 10, 2010 marks another day of history for the Republic of the Philippines. We are Filipinos, we have the right to suffrage, and that is to choose our leaders through our sacred ballot. Lastly I would like to emphasize that we are Filipinos, and we will vote for Filipinos. As Filipinos we are "Maka-Diyos, Maka-Tao, Maka-Kalikasan at Maka-Bansa". Vote wisely.

It ends tonight

It ends tonight. The long journey of my college years ended last night as the university president conferred us as "Graduates". As she was saying the statement and pronounced the word with great pride and honor, everybody were teary eyed savoring the moment and absorbing like medicine that at that very moment we finished our life as students.

Unlike others, it took me six long years to finish my degree. I may have failed during my early college years but it remained a lesson learned for me and for others as well. I feel like my world had become wider when I have to spend one more year in college. Of course it make me feel jealous that my friends will be graduating and I will be left to study. But the key to everything is acceptance. Its not hard to accept because my family did not make it hard for me.

Now I finished college at long last. Now I have to face more life's challenges like passing the licensure examination for civil engineers and find a good job. My college education I could say is my training ground. And the people I have are my allies.

I'd like to thank the following persons who I believe have been a great part of my college years and would still be a part of me: My family - mama, papa, mike, and my tita Fides; my classmates - block A and B, and also those who became my classmates from different classes; my friends who have been my family - lhie, jonard, bam, otel, kren, tian, apz, tatz, tat, dave, peng; the faculty of CE dept. and those who became my professors from other department; acquaintances from the school; Oas Parish Youth Ministry, Third Vicariate Youth Movement Council, Diocesan Youth Commission; SL family (you know who you are); from the batman cave - Kuya Jun and the rest of the guys; Sardinas Gang (maiz, redz, dylan, aaron, rene, harl, jem); Nolin family; Romer; Ted Angelo; and to my friends - my bestfriend Rhyz, highschool classmates and friends, Ate Ahmpz, the priests, the seminarians, and to many others (to many to mention. sorry if i forgot); thank you very much and please pray for me.

It ends tonight. There are things that need to be ended and there are to be started. I ended my college life yesterday and today starts my life as individual needed to surpass everyday's challenges. The only thing I wish is have it in the way I planned like passing the board exam.

It ends tonight. I graduated last night.