BUYING A MOBILE PHONE AT THE GREENHILLS SHOPPING CENTER
The Philippines is a mobile phone crazy country. For people in Manila, the Greenhills Shopping Center is cell phone heaven. You will see rows and rows of stalls selling all kinds of cellphones, both brand new and second hand. It has become the premier trading center for anybody who wishes to buy or sell his or her cell phone.
i was green with envy looking at my brother's new cellphone this morning. He got himself a new Nokia N90, a fliptop phone with a Carl Zeiss lens powered with a 3x optical zoom 2.0 megapixel camera. So, immediately after lunch, I packed my boxes and my two cellphone units to trade them for a brand new Nokia N93, also a fliptop phone, but with a 3.2 megapixel camera. I have long wanted one for myself but I was financially restrained to purchase that model. But this afternoon, I was all set!
So, after a long ardent search, here are some of my tips for buying a cellphone in Greenhills, especially if you plan to trade in:
1. Bring the original boxes as well as the complete packages of the cellphones you intend to trade for new ones. Bring the essentials, charger, manual, headsets, etc. Otherwise, those will be deducted to the price they will pay for your unit.
2. Cellphone units that are locked to particular networks are bought at lower prices. Especially those which belong to the N-series, which apparently cannot be unlocked without destroying the unit.
3. Nokia is the brand of choice of most Filipinos. Even in cellphone trading, prices of Nokia units depreciate more slowly.
3. Don't shop around too hard to get the lowest price. Once you get a fair deal, grab it. Once you take too long to decide, the buyer would think twice.
4. Try to pay in cash. because the stalls charge an additional 8% for credit card purchases. But I cant blame you if you opt to pay with your card, because more often than not, you are suffering from impulse buying. But hey, I speak only for myself.
5. For card purchases, they will ask you to present one government issued ID card. So don't forget to bring a driver's license, SSS/GSIS card, passport.
6. Lastly, watch your bags and valuables. Since there are a lot of pickpockets lurking around. It's so easy to exchange stolen phones there for cash. Cellphones, due to its saleability, it is almost as good as cash, or even legal tender. However, syndicates have victimized even the merchants in Greenhills. So, as a security measure, sellers of second hand phones are required to sign a waiver that their objects for sale are not in violation of the Anti-Fencing Law. You are required to give some personal information, in case any problem should arise.
I got myself a brand new N93 after trading in my Nokia N73 and my Nokia N6233. So far, I am satisfied by the features of my new phone. As to battery life and OS performance, I will keep you posted.
Friday, March 09, 2007
Thursday, March 08, 2007
BORACAY ON A BUDGET
I was in Boracay from 23-26 February, at the onset of summer. A lot of Manila-philes are planning to troop to Boracay for a trip to sunworshippers' heaven.
A trip to Boracay has become quite expensive. I know so because I've been financially constrained from going back there in three years. Everyone knows the bias against single travellers. Packages turn out to be more expensive. So when my friend Marj asked me to go there during the last weekend of February, I hurriedly agreed.
My uncle and aunt sponsored a day of my expenses there. Lucky me! Hehe.. We had lunch at Casa Pilar Restaurant (near Station 3) and ate grilled squid, steamed lobster, prawn sinigang, eggplant salad and halo-halo for dessert. They had good food there. I think our bill totalled P1500.
After that, we took a glass bottom boat tour. They charged P650 per person for an hour and a half tour. They had free drinks and snacks on board. We had an opportunity to snorkel and lay on the boat deck for sunbathing.
After that, we had a nice shake at Jonah's. My favorite? The Banana Mocha shake was divine! (The one shown here with me)The shake costs P75 and P82 for take-out, wherein they will place it in a handy carryaround bottle.
After that, I checked out the place where my uncle and aunt stayed at, Bella Vista, which incidently was a very beautiful resthouse. Although it was very far from the White Beach, it is located near Fairways and Bluewater, but is accessible after a long dusty uphill climb, you can see a fantastic view of the golfcourse, as well as the whole Boracay strip, by the house balcony. Amenities are tastefully appointed. It is like home away from home.
We then had dinner at Gasthof Grill, right beside Hey Jude at Station 2, where they had good ribs! (P250 for a small order of ribs) I don't know if they taste any better than Original Hawaiian BBQ, because I didn't get a chance to eat there. But I heard, they had a branch at the Boutique Hotel in Tagaytay. I'll try to visit there one time.
During our last day, we ate at Jay-jays while hanging around by the beach. They had buffalo wings there, which tasted like the ones we prepare at home. It was good enough. I had a scoop of my favorite ice cream flavor of the moment, Double Dutch from Fruits in Ice Cream at D' Mall (P55) For dinner, I had a quarter pounder burger with Caramelized Onions at the Bite Club, Crispy Fries and Iced Tea (P186). It was pretty good, but still nothing beats my most loved Wham Burger!
We had dessert at Cafe del Sol where I tasted their mango cheesecake. Pretty good. It was a cross between a panna cotta and a cheesecake. I think it costs P110, although Im not sure.
Before we left for Manila, I ate breakfast at Real Coffee, which claims that they serve the best breakfast on the Island. I'd have to agree, they had fairly decent brewed coffee (P45) and a fantastic chicken and cheese sandwich on brown bread "Marc's Special" (P135) But I bet I can do that better!
Transportation to, from and around the island is also a considerable expense. Riding the tricycle would cost you P20 everytime you embark. But if you want the trike to yourself, like I did when I came from the Cagban Port to get to Station 1, it cost me about P100. The ferry ride from Caticlan Jetty Port to the Cagban Port costs less than a hundred bucks, which includes the boat ride, environmental fee and the terminal fee. If you land at Kalibo, like when you board PAL or CebuPacific, an airconditioned van ride would set you back P150, one way.
We stayed at Laguna de Boracay which was located at the other end of the island. It was a quiet compound where most foreigners stay to learn kiteboarding and windsurfing. We stayed there for three days. My friend Marj rented the room for a week, that's why we saved a lot. It had hot and cold shower, a kitchenette, airconditioned rooms with terraces and cable TV. It was a big room good for 4-6 people. I dont know how much we paid for it. But I shelled about P1600 for that 3day stay. On our last day we transferred to a small room, located right at the back of Original Hawaiian BBQ, beside Real Coffee. It was okay, tiled floors, bedspace good for 3 persons, hot and cold shower, aircon, cable TV. They charged us P2500 that night. Not bad, coz it was very accessible, a few steps away from Station 1.
Oh by the way, I almost forgot I got myself a massage, P350 is the going rate for a massage by the beach. The masseuse was not bad, not good either.
Lastly, I bought pasalubong, various trinkets for my brothers, a pair of wooden earrings and a pair of baroque pearl studs (cultured) Cost me about P500.
Now, here is judgment day. I'm about to find out how much I really spent in Boracay. The other question that hangs now is how long will I able to recoup those expenses hahaha.
Here is a rundown of my expenses for my weekend in Boracay:
P3750- Cebu Pacific roundtrip airfare MNL-KLO-MNL
2500- accommodations for 4days-3nights per person for a group of 3
500- trinkets for pasalubongs
75- banana mocha shake at Jonah's
300-total transport fare KLO-CAticlan-KLO
200- Jetty Port-Cagban Port- Jetty Port
650- Glass Bottom Boat fare per person
180- breakfast at Real Coffee
300- dinner at Gasthof
100-mango cheesecake at Cafe del Sol
55-FIC
180-Bite Club
350- massage
300-total transportation around the island
_______
P9440- Total
Whew! There is my accounting of my Boracay trip. Not exactly the cheapest, but we got good discounts in the process.
I was in Boracay from 23-26 February, at the onset of summer. A lot of Manila-philes are planning to troop to Boracay for a trip to sunworshippers' heaven.
A trip to Boracay has become quite expensive. I know so because I've been financially constrained from going back there in three years. Everyone knows the bias against single travellers. Packages turn out to be more expensive. So when my friend Marj asked me to go there during the last weekend of February, I hurriedly agreed.
My uncle and aunt sponsored a day of my expenses there. Lucky me! Hehe.. We had lunch at Casa Pilar Restaurant (near Station 3) and ate grilled squid, steamed lobster, prawn sinigang, eggplant salad and halo-halo for dessert. They had good food there. I think our bill totalled P1500.
After that, we took a glass bottom boat tour. They charged P650 per person for an hour and a half tour. They had free drinks and snacks on board. We had an opportunity to snorkel and lay on the boat deck for sunbathing.
After that, we had a nice shake at Jonah's. My favorite? The Banana Mocha shake was divine! (The one shown here with me)The shake costs P75 and P82 for take-out, wherein they will place it in a handy carryaround bottle.
After that, I checked out the place where my uncle and aunt stayed at, Bella Vista, which incidently was a very beautiful resthouse. Although it was very far from the White Beach, it is located near Fairways and Bluewater, but is accessible after a long dusty uphill climb, you can see a fantastic view of the golfcourse, as well as the whole Boracay strip, by the house balcony. Amenities are tastefully appointed. It is like home away from home.
We then had dinner at Gasthof Grill, right beside Hey Jude at Station 2, where they had good ribs! (P250 for a small order of ribs) I don't know if they taste any better than Original Hawaiian BBQ, because I didn't get a chance to eat there. But I heard, they had a branch at the Boutique Hotel in Tagaytay. I'll try to visit there one time.
During our last day, we ate at Jay-jays while hanging around by the beach. They had buffalo wings there, which tasted like the ones we prepare at home. It was good enough. I had a scoop of my favorite ice cream flavor of the moment, Double Dutch from Fruits in Ice Cream at D' Mall (P55) For dinner, I had a quarter pounder burger with Caramelized Onions at the Bite Club, Crispy Fries and Iced Tea (P186). It was pretty good, but still nothing beats my most loved Wham Burger!
We had dessert at Cafe del Sol where I tasted their mango cheesecake. Pretty good. It was a cross between a panna cotta and a cheesecake. I think it costs P110, although Im not sure.
Before we left for Manila, I ate breakfast at Real Coffee, which claims that they serve the best breakfast on the Island. I'd have to agree, they had fairly decent brewed coffee (P45) and a fantastic chicken and cheese sandwich on brown bread "Marc's Special" (P135) But I bet I can do that better!
Transportation to, from and around the island is also a considerable expense. Riding the tricycle would cost you P20 everytime you embark. But if you want the trike to yourself, like I did when I came from the Cagban Port to get to Station 1, it cost me about P100. The ferry ride from Caticlan Jetty Port to the Cagban Port costs less than a hundred bucks, which includes the boat ride, environmental fee and the terminal fee. If you land at Kalibo, like when you board PAL or CebuPacific, an airconditioned van ride would set you back P150, one way.
We stayed at Laguna de Boracay which was located at the other end of the island. It was a quiet compound where most foreigners stay to learn kiteboarding and windsurfing. We stayed there for three days. My friend Marj rented the room for a week, that's why we saved a lot. It had hot and cold shower, a kitchenette, airconditioned rooms with terraces and cable TV. It was a big room good for 4-6 people. I dont know how much we paid for it. But I shelled about P1600 for that 3day stay. On our last day we transferred to a small room, located right at the back of Original Hawaiian BBQ, beside Real Coffee. It was okay, tiled floors, bedspace good for 3 persons, hot and cold shower, aircon, cable TV. They charged us P2500 that night. Not bad, coz it was very accessible, a few steps away from Station 1.
Oh by the way, I almost forgot I got myself a massage, P350 is the going rate for a massage by the beach. The masseuse was not bad, not good either.
Lastly, I bought pasalubong, various trinkets for my brothers, a pair of wooden earrings and a pair of baroque pearl studs (cultured) Cost me about P500.
Now, here is judgment day. I'm about to find out how much I really spent in Boracay. The other question that hangs now is how long will I able to recoup those expenses hahaha.
Here is a rundown of my expenses for my weekend in Boracay:
P3750- Cebu Pacific roundtrip airfare MNL-KLO-MNL
2500- accommodations for 4days-3nights per person for a group of 3
500- trinkets for pasalubongs
75- banana mocha shake at Jonah's
300-total transport fare KLO-CAticlan-KLO
200- Jetty Port-Cagban Port- Jetty Port
650- Glass Bottom Boat fare per person
180- breakfast at Real Coffee
300- dinner at Gasthof
100-mango cheesecake at Cafe del Sol
55-FIC
180-Bite Club
350- massage
300-total transportation around the island
_______
P9440- Total
Whew! There is my accounting of my Boracay trip. Not exactly the cheapest, but we got good discounts in the process.
Wednesday, March 07, 2007
AN ODE TO MY GRAND AUNT
My grandaunt passed away last weekend when I was in Boracay. I received the sad news while sunbathing. So it took me several days before I got to visit her wake. As a matter of fact, I was able to pass by only on the morning of her interment. Before I went to work, I passed by Arlington Memorial Chapel to pay my last respect. When I got there, I found that the door to her room was locked. It was a sad sight for me, from the outside looking in. Her coffin surrounded only by flowers, with no one in sight. I asked the staff to open the room for me, after saying that I was a relative. While praying, I kept apologizing to her that I can't stay long, because I was too afraid being alone there with her. I was quite hesitant to view her from her coffin, so I just talked to her since I had the room to myself. I started reminiscing how it was growing up with her, how she would always remind me to wear a halfslip when wearing a white dress or skirt. I recalled one time, she came up to me during a family gathering and whispered that I was wearing only a halfslip, yet again. Laughingly, I tried to explain to her, "Lola, this is supposed to be the outerskirt already."
My grandaunt was a spinster. She lived taking care of my great grandma, and when the latter passed, she lived her life alone, with her dogs. Her caretakers told us stories that she spent P25,000 a month for groceries for her dogs, which was more than enough for an average family of four. They also claimed that she would feed her dogs with Goldilocks Mamon for merienda.
During my last visit to her, I realized the reality that no matter how you live, you will die alone. The thought made me shiver. It disturbed me so much that I could not bring myself to tell that story to anyone until I came home that night, fearing that relating this story would bring me to tears. But it was a fact of life and all of us must face it. It just was not clear to me until that sad morning.
My grandaunt passed away last weekend when I was in Boracay. I received the sad news while sunbathing. So it took me several days before I got to visit her wake. As a matter of fact, I was able to pass by only on the morning of her interment. Before I went to work, I passed by Arlington Memorial Chapel to pay my last respect. When I got there, I found that the door to her room was locked. It was a sad sight for me, from the outside looking in. Her coffin surrounded only by flowers, with no one in sight. I asked the staff to open the room for me, after saying that I was a relative. While praying, I kept apologizing to her that I can't stay long, because I was too afraid being alone there with her. I was quite hesitant to view her from her coffin, so I just talked to her since I had the room to myself. I started reminiscing how it was growing up with her, how she would always remind me to wear a halfslip when wearing a white dress or skirt. I recalled one time, she came up to me during a family gathering and whispered that I was wearing only a halfslip, yet again. Laughingly, I tried to explain to her, "Lola, this is supposed to be the outerskirt already."
My grandaunt was a spinster. She lived taking care of my great grandma, and when the latter passed, she lived her life alone, with her dogs. Her caretakers told us stories that she spent P25,000 a month for groceries for her dogs, which was more than enough for an average family of four. They also claimed that she would feed her dogs with Goldilocks Mamon for merienda.
During my last visit to her, I realized the reality that no matter how you live, you will die alone. The thought made me shiver. It disturbed me so much that I could not bring myself to tell that story to anyone until I came home that night, fearing that relating this story would bring me to tears. But it was a fact of life and all of us must face it. It just was not clear to me until that sad morning.
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