Gasgas na Christmas gifts

While channel surfing earlier tonight, I chance upon the weekly Top 10 list of Ang Pinaka over QTV channel 11 hosted by Pia Guanio. Their episode for tonight was Ang Pinaka Gasgas na Regalong Pamasko.

Here's their top 10 list:

1. mugs
   
2. planners
3. picture frames
4. figures
5. soaps
6. fruit cakes
7. candles
8. pens
9. towels
10. desk or wall calendars

Very true! Christmas gift-giving wouldn't be complete if you did not either give or receive (or most probably, both) any items from the list. How about getting more creative this year, guys? Hehe.

Speaking of, I better start making my own wish-list? Hmmmm...

Take the Lead. Stop AIDS. Keep the Promise.

Today is World AIDS Day. Let's us all take our leadership pledge.

Take the Lead. Stop AIDS. Keep the Promise.

Peninsula after siege

The Peninsula Manila will be business-as-usual starting tomorrow with a Christmas Concert at the Pen, according to fellow Guys4Mountaineer, PR Director for the hotel and friend Mariano.

Here's the complete message he sent me at 0233H this morning:

"What a day! The hotel's a shambles, AFP types are all over the place and crisis PR is not exactly my cup of tea, but what's important is it's all over and ALL hotel staff and guests are SAFE! It'll be business as usual at The Pen and on Sat., Dec. 8, we'll be having our Christmas Concert at the Pen! There's a lot I have to be thankful for and part of it's been hearing from you and realizing that I have friends and family who care. ISANG MALAKING PASASALAMAT SA IYO!"

- Mariano Garchitorena, via text message


Updates (Dec. 1):

1. The Peninsula Manila will re-open on Monday, Dec. 3 at 1500H according to an advisory on their website.
2. As per update of Mariano, the annual Christmas Concert at The Pen featuring the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, the Company and the UP Concert Chorus will be held next Saturday, Dec. 8 from 1700-1900H at the Pen lobby.
   

Please be safe Maning

The Guys4Mountains team is one in prayer for the safety of one of our members, Mariano Garchitorena. We hope and pray that he's no longer within the Peninsula Manila premises and is in safety.

Gunshots were heard outside the hotel minutes ago as the military readies to assaulting the hotel. Apparently those are warning shots signaling the exodus of all remaining hotel guests and media practitioners out of the sieged hotel.

The last live footages on the boob-tube shot within the vicinity picture the corner of Ayala and Makati avenues as a battlefield-- armed forces and police in full battle gears in assaulting stance, civilians and mediamen cover for safety. Read report from GMANews.TV.

I've always hated Philippine politics and politicians the reason why I always refrain from participating in any politics-related discussions and making comments to such. So I'm going to keep it this way, for the meantime.

Wi-Fi free city

Davao City is such a friendly place for techno-savvy travelers. Unlike in Metro Manila, the city is abundant of free wi-fi hotspots covering basically the entire city.

Here are some of the establishments offering FREE wi-fi that I was able to use during the seven-days Guys4Mountains' Mt. Apo expedition.

1. Kasagingan Coffee Shop along Torres
2. We R Inn along JP Laurel
3. Spazio at Gaisano Mall in JP Laurel
4. Euro Baker at Gaisano Mall in JP Laurel
5. GF of Gaisano South
6. Basti's Brew at Victorio Plaza
7. Mc Donalds outside Victoria Plaza
8. Chowking outside Victoria Plaza
9. Matina Town Square near admin ofc (Kanto wifi temporarily unavailable)
10. Davao International Airport (paid service via WIZ, they also have Smart connection but I wasn't able to access it)