Owner: Rey Ian's Personal Blogsite URL:http://reyian.blogspot.com Join Date: Mon, 27 Aug 2007 08:22:50 -0500 Rating:0 Site Description: This blog is about the Philippines, people, culture and experiences. Cities which include, Makati, Davao, Manila, Cebu, Baguio, and Cagayan de Oro are included in the blog. Also, anything about Nihongo (Japanese Language) is blogged. Site statistics:Click here
On Vacation 2008-02-29 02:02:00 Just recently, my friend from California had his vacation here after five long years. He really waited this chance to see Philippines again so he makes sure that everything were planned out well. And of course, it is easier to book a flight to local destinations, look for Value Hotels in the Philippines and great package tours online. So, he did all the transactions on the internet before coming here. I was so surprised when he arrived that everything was in order! From airport to hotel and to airport again! He had made his plan really working as it is. We visited so many places with some of our closest friends, of course according to his time table and schedule. I am a kind of person who is spontaneous. I love taking chances, deciding on the spot or doing things impulsively.Like going to Read more:Vacation
Lego Exhibit at Parco 1 Shibuya 2008-02-14 02:28:00 These are all replicas of UNESCO World Heritage Sites built using only LEGO parts. Crafted artistically and neatly. Sugoi! Read more:Exhibit
A Valentine's Day Post 2008-02-14 02:18:00 Today is Valentine
's Day in Japan. Surprisingly, I received four gifts containing different types of chocolates from my FEMALE colleagues. Unfortunately, I have to return the favor back to them next month by giving them chocolates. I actually forgot the name of that festival. Anyway, I am quite happy though that among all the men in our office, I think I got most chocolates. The thing is, it is probably only in Japan where during Valentine's Day, women give chocolates or any kind of gifts to men. The gaijin experienced another one-of-a-kind custom. Well, aside from chocolates, I haven't seen any kind of flower nor bouquet of flowers. Flowers here are very expensive. Chocolates are better though.
Junk Hunting in Japan 2008-01-27 09:14:00 People throw out all sorts of things here in Tokyo. If you don't really mind owning second hand electronic appliances, then sort to junk hunting. In Tokyo, you can't just throw anything especially electronic appliances because the government requires you to pay an equivalent Disposal Fee for each item to be disposed. For example, a friend of mine threw their old Toyota car a few years ago. They paid the City Hall 50,000 yen for the disposal fee. Imagine, you will be throwing a car and yet you still have to pay for it? An old analog TV here will be phased out by 2012 to pave way to HDTV. Meaning, all present and old televisions that are not HDTV complaint will be junked in the coming years. So people with these TV sets, tend either to sell or dispose them off whatever means possible. Or oth Read more:Japan
My Blog Turns One-Year Old 2008-01-27 08:42:00 I could still remember Aileen Apolo encouraging me a year ago to create my own blog. She was quite new then from Google and she was so keen in encouraging people to blog. During that time, early January, everybody was excited for the 1st Bloggers Parteeh organized by some of the pioneers in bloggers who are mostly in the SEOs, enthusiasts and advocates in each of their respective fields. I wasn't really that interested on blogging since I thought that I would have few words to utter in my blog and a somewhat boring life way back then. But to my surprise, until now, I am still blogging and my blog spanned to four (4) more blogsites. I could remember that I was so aloof when it comes to the technical terms in blogging that I don't even knew the more popular blog platforms that existed that t
New Policy On Direct Hiring 2008-01-23 01:44:00 The happy days are maybe over for skilled employees who want to avail the POEA's direct hiring or name-hire policy. As the news clip tells us, employers are required to pay USD3,000 to POEA as a guarantee for the employee's benefits to be properly given in the foreign worksite and they also have to pay an additional USD5,000 for the worker's repatriation in case the hired skilled worker dies in the country where he/she is bound for. So I guess if employers from foreign countries want to hire skilled individuals from the Philippines, the additional USD8,000 fee paid to POEA may send them backing-off to any hiring of foreign workers coming from the Philippines. This is a sad story for all future direct-hire workers. In that case, tourist VISA may be the next best option.This page requires a Read more:Policy
, Direct
, Hiring
Snow Finally Fell 2008-01-22 20:38:00 When I woke up this morning, I had a terrible flu accompanied with fever. It felt like I had the wost condition since living in Tokyo for 4 months now. To my surprise, a couple of minutes after, snow fell. Finally
, the long wait is over. Tha gaijin was able to experience snow falling. But what the hell, I need to eat for me to take my medicines. I have to force myself to go out in the mad storm of snow falling in Kunitachi just for me to stock food until the evening. It took me to wore my 2 thermal jackets. The "Michellin" and the one for snowboarding. It's really warm now but it's still hard to do common things especially if you house has no built-in heater. I have to do a couple of laundry but I can't. I guess I will be stuck inside the house. I called up the office to inform that I am s
Waiting for the Snow to Fall 2008-01-19 20:35:00 A mother of my friend a while ago sent an e-mail that tomorrow, it will rain snow. Well, tell me of whom a Filipino you know that doesn't want to see snow for the first time? Of course, I am filled with so many expectations about a snow fall here in Tokyo. Well, two nights ago, my other friend told me that it rained snow in Hachioji City, a nearby city which I live here in Tokyo, Kunitachi City, and it filled the hoods of cars and made the streets drip wet with melted snow. Unluckily, snow on the Pacific coast area which includes 3/4 of entire Tokyo metropolitan does not fall and if it does, then maybe for once or twice in several years. It's like once in a blue-moon, as what my Japanese boss confirmed.For Filipinos, the usual crazy of idea crops up what if, and what if snow falls in the P Read more:Waiting
Fugu: A Tempting Yet Expensive Dish 2008-01-12 01:29:00 I found this packed FUGU obentou in an upscale grocery shop in Roppongi Hills. 1,480 yen is already expensive just for this amazing FUGU sushi.
RBS 6 Football League 2008-01-12 00:25:00 Can't get enough about rugby games? Here is a total website that will satisfy all your cravings. The RBS6 Football
club comprised of the most prestigious teams from England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales. The site contains information on the latest news and scoops of what is inside the RBS6 League
. You can view ans subscribe to E-zines and podcasts in their website if you missed their games. Multimedia sections are loaded with videos from previous matches. Now you can recap the games' best goals and blocks from the repository of video materials. Each teams have a comprehensive information about history and each of the league's team-member country. Also, complete information about each of the team's members, their biography, pictures, caps and point histories are posted i
Online Educational Degree 2008-01-12 00:17:00 When I took my masters' degree several years ago, things were very different then unlike now. Since the technological advancement in the past years, progress and its utilization is faster than anyone can expect. When I was teaching in the academe, I have heard about blogging but I did not mind utilizing it for my educational and professional advantage. A couple of professors in a nearby university was able to utilize blogging as a way of presenting lessons online, assignments, reading materials, and promoting group discussions through the use of forum. When I was studying, we used Yahoo Groups as a way of exchanging our materials, laboratory exercises, written articles and other personal stuffs within the IT Graduate school circle. There were instances where our professor can't come to cla Read more:Educational
About Bananas in Japan 2008-01-08 09:56:00 So where do you think your bananas come from? In Mindanao.... from the island where I grew up.Banana firm expands operations in S. CotabatoGENERAL SANTOS CITY -- A subsidiary of Japan
ese integrated firm Sumitomo Corp. is expanding its operation in Banga, South Cotabato through a growership scheme with landowners there, officials confirmed on Thursday.Winnie Osorio, community relations and development officer of Upland Banana Corp., said this is the first time the company is opening up the banana project directly involving landowners in South Cotabato province.Just three years into operation, Upland Banana, based in T'boli town, operates banana plantations totaling more than 2,000 hectares in the municipalities of T'boli and Surallah through corporate farming where lands are leased from far
Minatomirai in Yokohama City 2008-01-08 09:31:00 Minatomirai (means future port) in Yokohama City is one spectacle that every tourist should visit. For those who want thrill and adventure rides never skip this place on your list. Apart from the river cruise which will take you to this port from one of the nearby malls, you can also climb up to the 69th floor, which is the summit of Yokohama Bay Tower, which a breath-taking scenery awaits you.Well, for me, not much excitement. Makati Central Business District's scenery from my former office in the 43rd floor in RCBC Plaza is more nostalgic than climbing up to the 69th floor of Yokohama Bay Tower. Summit climb via a high-speed elevator will cost you around 1,000 yen. And don't go there without a camera since you will not enjoy when you are up there. Night time is best if you want to see th
The Famous Hachiko Crossing in Shibuya 2008-01-08 09:17:00 Hanging out at Starbucks infront of Shibuya's Pride and Japan's busiest pedestrian lane, the Hachiko Crossing
, is indeed amazing. Seeing so much people fill the streets in a matter of seconds and emptying it somehow gets the attention of a foreigner, especially those who don't have this kind of spectacle in their home country.Thousands of people cross this street for more or less a minute before vehicles take their turn in this intersection.Colorful huge TV Screens mounted on each tower to serve as electronic commercial billboards in front of a huge crowd crossing. A good marketing scheme too. Read more:Famous
On My Third Month 2008-01-06 07:08:00 Passing the 3rd month mark here in Tokyo gives me a couple of realizations in life. I can always vouch for Britney Spears' song line "My loneliness is killing me....." blah, blah, blah, which is kinda true. When I was still in the Philippines, I prepared myself emotionally but it is no good. I always wanted to say "I wanna go home..." but with the realization that my sensei said to me in YM a couple of weeks ago, ''Think of the things that you can't do and attain here in the Philippines where you can do there in Japan," made me realize that money over emotion still matters. Well, to some extent, emotionally damaging to your sanity. That is why our HR back in the Philippines didn't want to go here. Though she already experienced living here for 6 months, I think it made her feel lonely. Des Read more:Month
Valentine Season is in the Air 2008-01-06 06:46:00 This is a bit earlier post about Valentine
s. I could remember when I was still in elementary and high school that we used to give flowers to our crushes and love ones during Valentines season. Aside from flowers, we usually give gifts, chocolates, any small yet cute presents of all shapes and sizes. I could remember some of my colleagues in the academe gave t-backs and t-briefs to their girl and boyfriends respectively. Flower and gift shops get the bulk of their profit from this season only and orders overwhelm them as people flock and book their orders in order for them to celebrate the spirit of Valentine's Day. I have a couple of suggestions on how to jazz up your Valentine's Day gift-giving. Here are some few ideas that might be interesting.1. Gifts need not to be that expensive. The Read more:Season
Kamanarimon: Asakusa's Pride 2008-01-03 08:25:00 Kamanarimon means thunder gate. This is probably one of Japan's most popular temples frequently visited by locals and foreigners. A huge lantern in its gate displays the kanji, kamanari and mon. The facade is spectacular especially for those who have not seen such huge temples like this one. Going to Asakusa via subway can be done in two ways. Either take the Ginza line (the yellow) or the Asakusa (the pink one). The temple is right next to the station so it is easy to find.Way back in the Philippines, I only see this picture in my Nihongo dictionary and with some tourists with picture on this site. Recently, I was able to view its magnificent beauty. This temple also houses to a lot of shops selling sweets, tokens, pasalubongs and a lot about Japan and its culture. You can buy anything Ja Read more:Pride
Akemashite Omedetou Gozaimashita 2008-01-03 08:05:00 That is how we say Happy New Year in Japanese. It literally means "Congratulations in the beginning of the new dawn." Or Shin Nen Akemashite Omedetou Gozaimashita. This is where all Japanese prepare for a very long holiday. Holiday is almost one straight-week here and all people flock to shrines and pray to Buddha for wealth, health, success and many more. During the dawn, people bring their old colored white and red daruma dolls in all shapes and sizes. They burn them in the fire to symbolize the forgetting of the past and renewing the year.A stall of Daruma dolls for sale. As you can see, the Daruma dolls don't have black drawn eyes yet. If your wish has already been granted, then that is the time you draw the eyes (pupils) of your doll. Then during the next New Year, you burn them into
Sending Money to Philippines 2008-01-03 07:32:00 One of the first ordeals of Overseas Filipino Workers is how to send money to the Philippines
. There are a couple of ways to do it. It is sometimes troublesome for some countries, especially here in Japan, where banking laws are probably the most unique in all countries and where the government is very strict about sending money abroad. Some of my suggestions vary from different countries.1. The usual bank-to-bank transaction. This type of transaction is probably the most common for some especially for those who have been sending through the use of this transaction for a long time being already. Sender either needs to have a local currency account from the country where the sender is situated. In some cases, bank-to-bank transaction require foreign banks to have a partner bank in the Phil Read more:Sending
, Money
Meeting a Lot of Filipinos 2008-01-01 09:44:00 Here in Tokyo, you can test the resilience and value of Filipinos by the way of Bayahinan. Yes, Bayanihan is still active here. Here in Tokyo, people gather almost every month in form of organizations, friends, even party friends to celebrate Christmas and help each other. When I went last week to a party in Meguro, someone even gave me 500 yen worth of call cards, in a way of marketing, and a way to call my love ones back home.Most Filipinos have the same story of how hard it is for them for live here in Japan and sadly have met a lot of them. I met someone who even has no VISA, or what they call here BILOG, and on that day, lost his father (died), and I can see in his eyes that he wants to cry but he can't. It was so sad. I even heard he called his family in Taguig about confirming the t
Remembering Christ During the Festive Mood 2008-01-01 09:25:00 The importance of going to church has been very significant for me especially in those times where you need guidance and someone to understand you. Recently. I have been to Hachiouji Catholic Church and celebrated the Holy Eucharist with fellow OFWs. It is really different when you go to church and pray to a church where a lot of people who you do not know welcome you the most. It is where the time where you unexpectedly meet a lot of more warm Filipinos whom you don't expect to help your where you need help the most.Hachiouji is located a west of Tokyo and around 4 stations from my place, Kunitachi. Going around this place is easy as the Chou Line is always available. Hachiouji is a lively place with so many malls and high-rise commercial buildings. Apart from being lively, it also has it Read more:Remembering
, Christ
Tips for Job Hunters 2007-12-30 10:29:00 Have you ever wondered why you were not able to get that job despite you know you have worked so hard putting all of those essential items in your resume? Maybe there is something wrong with what you have placed in your resume. As the entire world braces for the New Year, employers are also in the season of getting the fresh catch of professionals who are seeking new employment opportunities, making a career shift, or just simply wanting to get their first job. As the season for graduation is fast approaching, graduates should be able to prepare their weapons before going to fight for that dream job amidst the fierce competition in the human resource market. I have come up with a list of items for job seekers on what they should do with their resume before forwarding it to companies. Here Read more:Hunters
Japan's Pop Icons 2007-12-29 13:26:00 1. Hard Gay. To some foreigners with very conservative culture, we may find this man very disturbing and inappropriate. But he is kinda fun, so just laugh it out.2. Ikkochan. The famous creator of the expression "Don dake..."3. Kojima. The swimming trunk-wearing comedian who does a signature sing and dance to the tune of "Sonna ni Kankenai, Ai O Papi!" Read more:Japan
, Icons
Nodame's Onara Taiso (Fart Exercise) 2007-12-29 13:01:00 Next week, Season 2 of Nodame Cantabile will be aired on Tokyo TV. Here is another flick which will remind you of his Fart Exercise
from Season 1. Enjoy the video.
About Automobiles 2008-03-15 08:30:00 I do not own a car and definitely I want to possess one in the near future. I always dream driving my own car so that I don't have to bother my friends and family to take me to where I want to go. Although car nowadays is an essential but of course, not all of us can afford to have one. If ever I will buy a car, I want to make sure that it is my dream car. That it is what I really want and that I can get most out of my money.In Asia especially here in the Philippines, Honda cars are very well-liked and I too, want one. I constantly track updates of what's new with Honda. And lately, I heard about Honda VCM 643. And it is really marvellous! The Variable Cylinder Management enables the engine to switch between six, four and three cylinder operation. Now, that's what you call a stunnin Read more:Automobiles
A White Day Post 2008-03-14 08:21:00 Japan celebrates it's White
Day every March 14, exactly a month after Valentines Day. White Day
is where the men's turn to give something to women. Normally, you have to give something in return to women who gave you gifts last Valentine's Day. I had the dilemma of deciding whether to create the chocolates I have to give or just buy in department stores. Well, what do you guess? Of course I bought it. I didn't that have much luxury of time to make those. Chocolates are very popular gifts this season. In fact, when I rode the train this morning, almost all men in my lane were carrying bags of gifts and something coming from the department store. It's really interesting how Japan did start this custom of White Day. I guess, it is only in Japan where White Day is observed. What do you think?
Spring Season 2008-03-11 08:07:00 Spring is fast approaching. About a few days ago, temperature kept on rising gradually. From the last breeze of winter to bitter coldness and arid dryness, Tokyo's temperature slowly paves way to Sakura season. Sakura season is a time where cherry blossom trees bear flowers of psychedelic pink colors. Luckily, my place has this stretch of street filled with bald Sakura trees that are awaiting for the right temperature to bloom.Recent temperature forecasts predicted that March 27 will be the full blast of Sakura season in Tokyo area. I am very much eager to see this season come. Temperature today is at 14-16 degrees centigrade. This is also the time where people catch all sorts of allergies from the pollen of Sakura flowers. From swollen eyes, skin rashes, coughs and mostly colds, people ge Read more:Spring
, Season
Snow Experience 2008-03-19 03:15:00 I finally gave it up. Having snow is really "mendokusai" or shall we say "tiresome." You have to wear several layers of clothes from undies to shirts and caps. You need specialized gloves and shoes to insulate the cold from your skin. It makes you feel asleep so easily because of the severe cold. You need to constantly put lip gloss, lots of face moisturizer and body lotion to nourish your dry skin during this season. Well, what the heck. Winter is gone and welcome spring. The thing is, experiencing snow is really breathtaking. I am looking forward to see snow again next year.
Ordeal of Overstaying 2008-03-19 02:39:00 Most Filipinos call it "BILOG," which means NO VISA or "WALANG BALA." In Japanese context, "bilog" literally means circle or "maru." When you are "bilog," it means that you do not have any VISA or in our locally coined term, we call this "TNT" or "Tago ng Tago," which means always hiding because of no valid VISA. Whatever you call it, many Filipinos are caught day by day in train and bus stations by police and immigration officers.Last Monday, I had the opportunity to go to Immigration Office in Shinagawa with my friends from Kunitachi. I had the chance to visit a Filipino friend of ours whom we stayed in their house in Nagano when we had the skiing trip last month.He and his wife were about to rode in a tax in Shinjuku station when an immigration police stopped them and asked them about t Read more:Ordeal
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