http://www.quora.com/Should-I-use-Amazon-EC2-S3-or-Dreamhost-for-web-hosting

http://www.jonasblog.com/how-to-use-amazon-ec2-cloud-computing-for-your-website

http://www.craigburke.com/blog/2011/06/27/amazon-web-services-vs-linode/

http://answers.onstartups.com/questions/20603/what-is-the-real-price-of-an-amazon-ec2-machine

http://paulstamatiou.com/how-to-getting-started-with-amazon-ec2

http://stackoverflow.com/questions/1518594/when-should-one-use-the-following-amazon-ec2-google-app-engine-microsoft-azur

Here’s a bonus! AWS guide (kudos! to the Filipino programmer who created this)

http://media.jonasblog.com/docs/Amazon_AWS_Final_3.pdf

Looking at it’s structure made me wonder how much is the development cost and how long is the ROI (lol, the business-side).

Each gandola can accommodate up to six(6) passengers (minimum of 4). With two other guys (Sir Shirley and ?, can’t remember), we took the ride. The gandolas are air-conditioned and little you would feel the motion that you are going up in a circular manner.

Up the wheel you will the MOA structure, the nearby hotels and of course the classic Manila Bay. It amazed me to see the whole thing and I wished to stay up a little longer. It would be great to take long exposure photographs.

The ride took ten(10) minutes until it can complete a single round. Unfortunately, the Php150 ticket will only allow one round. I wish that management will change it to at least twice to make the experience even more worth it.

The only constant in this world is CHANGE

It’s a cliche and we can hear it everywhere. Whenever there’s change, our option is to live with the change or stay away with the change.

Change does happen everyday and we can’t avoid it. It can be a change in plan, direction, ordered menu in a resto, – a change of mind.

People change – their dreams, attitudes, life’s direction, function, perception, relationship, job, interest and the like. People may change by circumstance or because of self-realization. Others are just simply inspired to change and some because God touched their hearts.

Business change – directions, plans, management, business-model, and even business name or branding. A business that doesn’t change in any way is at risk.

Places change – either through the initiative of the people living in it or naturally changed by the weather.

Many times change makes us feel uncomfortable, we loss our focus, we feel disappointed. It is difficult for us to adjust and move away from the things that we were used to. Some times, we even tend to stop the change. However, most of the time, we don’t have a choice but to accept the change.

Whenever we encounter or we need any change in our life, we have to face it. Regardless if it appears to us as a negative change, we have to see the good side of it and ENJOY the change.

Perhaps, it’s best to write the greatness and love of God for us for the rest of the year. A lot of things happened – good and bad. Some made us feel better and others even bitter. But the best thing is that He allowed us to be excited again and look forward for another year.

Personally, I had a lot of memorable and remarkable experience like being “holdap”, owning and losing a laptop, receiving a joypad tablet, travelling to Palawan, hospitalization and operation, strong typhoons, successful and failed project implementation, positive and negative feedback, new business opportunities, meeting new friends and reunion with old ones, being stable and shaky,  stormy yet colorful life.

2011 has taught me a lot things like

anything we possess here on earth will be gone anytime;

relationship matters – at home, at work, in the society;

be assertive and firm;

the value of patience and perseverance;

failing doesn’t mean it’s the end, rather it’s a start of a success;

if you succeed, the first people who should feel it is your family and loved ones;

look back and thank the people who molded you to where you are now;

thank God in everything and trust Him in His plans for us.

 

All in all, 2011 is another great year of smiles, adventures, trials and success. All glory and honor to our loving God for never failing to whisper how much He cares and how wonderful is His plans for us whenever we stumble down. A happy year-end everyone and looking forward for a blessed 2012.

Video by Bryan Villamor

Last Nov. 30 (it was a holiday!), we tried to visit Caruz Eatery to try their ginataang kuhol. And guess what? It’s the most delicious ginataang kuhol I’ve ever tried. Very well done with fresh ingredients and proportionally blended taste. For only Php65, a full-bowl ginataang kuhol is served to their customers.

We also tried their ginataang hipon with “sitaw and kalabasa” (beans and squash) plus “liston kawali”. It was the most “sulit” meal ever! I’ll definitely go back to try their other menu.

A birthday trip, a  celebration of love, a escape from the polluted city, a therapy from a traumatic experience, a relaxation for a pre-occupied mind – this is what our four-day trip to Puerto Princesa, Palawan means to me.

Day 1: City Tour

After a bountiful lunch at Balinsasayaw restaurant, we were picked at the hotel to see the Crocodile Farm, Iwahig Penal Colony and the Baker’s Hill.

At the Crocodile Farm we met, “Karakas” – the second largest crocodile seen in the Philippines next to “Lolong” (is it right?).

Visiting the Iwahig Penal Colony reflects the very effective program and administration of  the executive body in Puerto, Princesa. Imprisonment in Iwahig is a great opportunity for people who committed crimes to think, change their outlook, start a new life. Their you will find prisons who are assigned to “guard” in the gate, plants in the fields, plays baseball, selling handicrafts, delicacies and the like.

If you’re a fan of Warner Brothers characters like Donald Duck and Bugs Bunny

Day 2 – The Glimpse to the Puerto Princesa Underground River and Firefly Watching at the Iwahig River

Trip to Palawan is never complete without having the chance to see the one of the 7 Wonders of the World, the Underground River. With our very energetic and funny boat man, we had a 45-minute tour inside the cave. Without the flash light, it was a total darkness.  He showed us the amazing rock formations like the Holy Family, The Mushroom, and more (can’t recall them all).

Other than the cave, I was also amazed with the rock formations and white, fine sand in the shore of the entrance to the cave. Tourist can also have a chance to mingle with wild monkeys that freely roams around the forest nearby.

It was a more than two hours trip from the city, then we had lunch buffet at the Sabang Port then a 30-45 minutes boat ride. Price less!

Day 3 – The Swim with  the Fish at Honda Bay (Pandan Island, Snake Island and Mambato Reef)

I don’t swim, I have to admit but I love the beach and the creatures living in it. Through the guidance of Kamil (our boat man) and assistance of my Best, I really enjoyed snorkeling and fish feeding at the Pandan and Snake Islands and Mambato Reef. Fishes of different kinds, colors and sizes;  ”swimming” with them relaxed my mind and made our island  hopping a super enjoyable experience. Plus the fun company of other visitors. Fantastic!

Big thanks, tight hugs to my Best for making the trip happen. It was a very wonderful eco-tour experience.

Buses are fully loaded yesterday so I decided to stand by for a while along Ayala Avenue to see the talk-of-the-town dancing lights in the area. It’s a wonderful creation of thousands of lights, creatively combined colors to sway with the Christmas music. Watching it in a more or less 50meters distance really entertained and I want to see it closer.

I really want to take a photo of this and will definitely be back to take one. Do you like lights? Drop by and see, you’ll be amazed.

Kudos to the creator. You are amazing.

Playa Laiya is in San Juan, Batangas – a mere 2.5-hour drive from Manila or an easy 1-hour drive from Lipa City, Batangas or San Pablo, Laguna.

The Relaxing Beach

Photo taken by Bryan Villamor

The Cabanas

Photo taken by Bryan Villamor

The Clubhouse and the Infinity Pool

Photo by Bryan Villamor

Classic Design Comfort Rooms

Photo taken by Bryan Villamor

Exclusive to homeowners, the elite amenities of Playa Laiya set the stage for activities that you and your family will enjoy.

Be one of the homeowners, just leave a comment or contact

Froilan A. Manabat, Property Consultant
Email: froilan_manabat@yahoo.com
Mobile: 09228365008

ROBINSONS PLACE ERMITA
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