South Metro Manila Communities – Page 176

BF NorthWest New Board and Officers To Take Office January 1, 2020

December 18, 2019December 17, 2019carlocarrasco

Hey everyone! Look behind you! There’s someone from a BF Homes-based community print media news publication stalking us looking for news and content to steal from this website. If the local community print media publication lied to you, misled you or even smeared you because of their irresponsible journalism, blatant plagiarism, pretension, dishonesty and sinister propaganda, feel free to approach me for a consultation by contacting me.

A local community print media publication operated unprofessionally can be very dangerous and harmful to the community members.

To be clear with you all, I don’t work for any local community print media publication and I am not contributing to them. If anyone told you lies about me related to local community print media publishing, please inform me. Thank you.

And now for the latest in BF Homes community news.

The BF NorthWest Homeowners Association, Inc. announced its newest lineup of officers as well as new sets of officers-per-district which was the result of their recent village election that took place on November 24, 2019.

Let’s start at the top.

BF NorthWest’s newest officials set to take office on January 1, 2020 (with the terms ending on December 31, 2021) are as follows:

President – Manuel E. Nubla

Vice President – Lualhati G. Trias

Secretary – Lea Castillo

Treasurer – Amor P. Isip

Auditor – Gaudencio Hernandez, Jr.

The above officers were decided by the newly elected governors (BF NorthWest’s term for directors) who convened on December 1, 2019 and elected among themselves the new officers who will manage the affairs of the village.

As for the other officers per district elected, here are the following:

DISTRICT 1

Governor – Reginald Orquiza

Vice Governor – Ramon Laqui

Secretary – Honorata Suarez

Treasurer – Vicente Ortega

Auditor – Luisito De Guzman

DISTRICT 3

Governor – Aida Sora

Vice Governor – Betty Gomez

Secretary – Ferdinand Baena

Treasurer – Raymond Noel

Auditor – Eduardo Aquino

DISTRICT 4

Governor – Joselito Isla

Vice Governor – Edwin Olivarez

Secretary – Luis Trinidad, Jr.

Treasurer – Carlo Busmente

Auditor – Romeo Vinco

DISTRICT 5

Governor – Juan Carlos Guadarrama

Vice Governor – Lilia Fernandez

Secretary – Juanito Valdecantos

Treasurer – Rolly Zamora

Auditor – Stephanie Aquino

DISTRICT 6

Governor – Amor Isip

Vice Governor – Miren Suntay

Secretary – Antonio Moncupa

Treasurer – Agustin Pangan

Auditor – Raul Anonuevo

DISTRICT 7

Governor – Lualhati Trias

Vice Governor – Timoteo Tiangco

Secretary – Julie Ong

Treasurer – Jesus Manaloto

Auditor – Isabelo Agulay

DISTRICT 8

Governor – Charlie Warren

Vice Governor – Ma. Fe Pagtalunan

Secretary – Anthony Vivero

Treasurer – Jeanne Yu

Auditor – Ma. Asuncion Vivero

DISTRICT 9

Governor – Gaudencio Hernandez, Jr.

Vice Governor – Jovi Peralta

Secretary – Edwin Lopez

Treasurer – Noli Acuna

Auditor – Florentino Concepcion

DISTRICT 10

Governor – Lea Castillo

Vice Governor – Elizabeth Ong

Secretary – Jesus Tambunting

Treasurer – Mario Piamonte

Auditor – Fernando Cawa

DISTRICT 11

Governor – Manuel Nubla

Vice Governor – Honorato Mackay

Secretary – Roderick Mackay

Treasurer – Luisito Abano

Auditor – Jose Maria Austria

DISTRICT 12

Governor – Alfonso Lumbad

Vice Governor – Lewellyn Fortuna

Secretary – Janelyn Smith

Treasurer – Ricardo Matias

Auditor – Atty. Nestor David

There you have it! The newest officers elected per district as well as the new officers of the BF NorthWest Homeowners Association. The information above came from an official document of the association formalizing the results of their recent election.

BF NorthWest has been in the positive spotlight lately. They hosted the successful BF HomeSarap Community Food Fair and Bazaar which attracted hundreds of visitors, including two City Councilors.

For the newcomers reading this, BF NorthWest is one of the largest and most significant enclaves of BF Homes subdivision. The enclave has gates along El Grande Avenue.

For more BF Homes community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments.

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To others reading this, if you are dissatisfied with print media and you want your community/organization/business/special event or special project to be featured on this website, please contact me locally via mobile number 0905-3350831 or via email at Carlo.Carrasco@gmail.com

You can check out my varied marketing services (including Twitter boosting) right here.

We can negotiate, work together and be achievers together.

Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. Also my fantasy book The World of Havenor is still available in paperback and e-book format. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me as well. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me at HavenorFantasy@twitter.com

My Observations: BF HomeSarap Community Food Fair plus Bazaar was a Fun Experience

December 14, 2019December 14, 2019carlocarrasco

Hey everyone! I want to share to you all that there is nothing like community building and social interaction through the organizing of an in-village event that emphasized food and beverages which brought people together. Which people specifically? The local residents, the non-resident visitors, government officials and the cooks and entrepreneurs who did their best offering food and drinks for sale.

That specifically happened during the recent BF HomeSarap Community Food Fair and Bazaar which was held on December 7 and 8 by the facilities (open-air basketball court plus the covered stretch nearby) just steps away from the village clubhouse along D.Jakarta street, BF NorthWest, BF Homes Subdivision, Parañaque City. For those who are new to this website, the successful event was previously published here (with an update on November 17).

*A portion of the food fair at the open-air basketball court of BF NorthWest.*

*Food and beverage vendors selling at the covered section just beside the basketball court.*

Before sharing my personal experiences and observations, I want to announce to you all that the BF HomeSarap Community Food Fair and Bazaar was, indeed, a big success pulled off nicely by the organizers such as the BF NorthWest Homeowners Association, Inc., the BF HomeSarap Facebook group (visit their group by clicking here) and other supporters and stakeholders.

According to BF NorthWest Governor-at-Large Lorea Miren, the 2-day event attracted between two hundred fifty to three hundred visitors and 90% of the vendors (whose food and beverage offerings were of good quality and nice variety) sold out! Speaking of visitors, the fair was visited on December 7 by Paranaque City Councilor Wahoo Sotto during the day while his fellow Councilor Jackie Bustamante-Mendoza (accompanied with her son) arrived during the evening. Wow! BF HomeSarap’s event was graced by two highly important people from the City Government!

*Parañaque City Councilor Jackie Bustamante-Mendoza (middle) with her son Juancho (left) and BF NorthWest Governor-at-Large Lorea Miren posed for this website during the evening of December 7.*

Apart from the organizing of the 2-day food fair and bazaar, a major factor in the event’s success was the wide variety of goods offered for sale by the sellers and makers who participated. According to Lorea Miren, many applied to be part of the fair and she and the organizers carefully curated what each seller offered before granting their approval. This was a painstaking process as the organizers aimed high with both variety and quality that consumers can benefit from.

In my personal experience of enjoying the food fair and bazaar, I can confirm to you all that the variety of the food and beverage products was great while the selection of non-food items (at the bazaar) was interesting.

For the food, there were burgers with fries, fresh meat, roasted pig from Cebu, brownies, potato chips, sushi rolls, fresh vegetables, comfort food in jars, buttered shrimp, chili garlic crabs, fruit jam, tuyo, Spanish-style sardines, grilled squid, barbeque, salted duck eggs, Angus beef tapsilog, pies, cereals, cookies, oatmeal bars, deli meat and a whole more! The variety was so great, there was indeed always something that someone can enjoy. The many food makers/sellers belonging to the BF HomeSarap FB group (whose founder Ditas Antenor personally monitored the event and kept in touch with the people) really delivered great stuff from their respective kitchen to the tables at the food fair! For the newcomers reading this, Antenor founded BF HomeSarap on the social network on April 2019 and, as of this writing, the FB group now has over eight thousand members!

*Cebu lechon caught the attention of many.*

With regards to the non-food items that formed the bazaar, those items were not as numerous as the food but what was offered for sale was varied enough and interesting. There were clothes, bags, shoes, toys and other household items that were good enough for Christmas gift-giving. There were also some premium products such as imported thermal water bottles, kitchenware, fragrances, etc.

My companion and I arrived at the food fair during the first hour of opening of the food fair on the afternoon of December 7. Together we had a nice time not just checking out the food for sale but also talking with the vendors who were gentle, helpful and informative to talk with. After buying some snacks and drinks, we sat at the available chairs and table and had a nice talk just as more people visited the food fair. I noticed that, as time passed, each vendor had guests to entertain and sold something to. There were also families, barkadas and others who visited checking out what were on sale, lining up to buy something and enjoy socializing. It was, indeed, a lively food fair that was driven by community interaction.

The next day, after attending worship at our church, I revisited the food fair and brought home some really tasty sushi rolls for lunch. Really tasty and fresh!

*Demand for Angus beef tapsilog was so strong, it got sold out!*

*Nothing like ordering burgers and fries by the van!*

Overall, the BF HomeSarap Community Food Fair and Bazaar was a big success and I personally had a nice time there. With a very nice variety of products to choose from and enjoy, the BF HomeSarap vendors (and the non-food item sellers) were not only pretty good but also deserving of being discovered. Truly the BF HomeSarap Community Food Fair and Bazaar is easily the most special food and beverage event of the entire BF Homes community (and even on the Barangay BF Homes level) for 2019.

Here are some good news: there is a plan to organize another BF HomeSarap Community Food Fair and Bazaar in the summer of 2020. That is something we should all look forward to. As such, to really be very updated and be able to reach out to the many food specialists, you are all encouraged to visit BF HomeSarap at https://www.facebook.com/groups/987695754755106/

And finally, here are some words from BF NorthWest Governor-at-Large Lorea Miren regarding the BF HomeSarap Community Food Fair and Bazaar that went from concept into an actually realized event.

“The BF HomeSarap Food Fair was one of those opportunities that allowed the sellers, organizers and anyone around us the chance to feel what a community affair can bring – home cooked food and the joy it brings. Thank you to all the sellers, who not only ‘brought it’, but rocked it! For their ability to adapt, enjoy and show off their culinary talents,” Miren stated. “It takes one cook to have a meal, but it takes a community to serve it.”

*Walking through the tables of vendors in this covered section was always worth doing.*

*BF HomeSarap Food Fair is a nice way for food makers and new entrepreneurs in the food industry to come out and reach out to new customers to help their business grow.*

*Nothing like being offered deli meat on the weekend. (photo contributed by Lorea Miren)*

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To others reading this, if you are dissatisfied with print media and you want your community/organization/business/special event or project to be featured on this website, please contact me locally via mobile number 0905-3350831 or via email at Carlo.Carrasco@gmail.com

You can check out my varied marketing services (including Twitter boosting) right here.

We can negotiate, work together and be achievers together.

My Observations: 2019 SEA Games Obstacle Course Racing Team Relay Gold Medal Won By Philippines

December 11, 2019December 11, 2019carlocarrasco

I’m thankful to the Lord not only because the Philippines hosted the 2019 Southeast Asian Games (2019 SEA Games) but also because Obstacle Course Racing made its debut in the said games as a medal sport and their events were held at Filinvest City, Alabang, Muntinlupa City.

On the morning of December 4, I hiked from Commercenter to a closed stretch of road just beside the golf range. There the SEA Games OCR was held and, specifically, the event I got to watch was the 400-meter Team Relay event with a pre-finals match between the Philippines (composed of Diana Buhler, Jeffrey Reginio, Klymille Rodriguez and Nathaniel Sanchez) and Malaysia. I recorded a portion of that particular match on my official Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco. Watch it just below.

During the breaks between matches, I made my way through the spectators’ section observing the place, the set-up of the obstacle course and met a few friends (including a Christian sister of mine). The obstacle course really had a lot of expensive looking, customized hardware strategically placed along the closed stretch of the road.

To put in simple terms, obstacle course racing offers lots of challenges for athletes who are expected to not only be fit, strong and fast but also be strategic with their moves because the racing involves running, climbing, light-gun shooting, side-stepping and the like. In other words, it’s a very creative and exciting way of racing.

After the bronze medal match between Indonesia and Timor Leste, the gold medal batch between the Philippines and Malaysia was announced to follow. Naturally the spectators prepared themselves for what was anticipated to be a high-pressure match and they were not wrong.

Then the gold medal match happened. From where I was standing, I witnessed Malaysia overtake the Philippines temporarily before the lead went back to the Filipinos. While I was unable to move close to the finish line for the victory crossing moment, the spectators’ loud cheerful reaction and the voice-over by the event commentator confirmed the victory. Praise and thank the Lord for the gold medal victory of the Philippines!

And then the ceremony of the awarding the gold, silver and bronze medals took place which was witnessed by not only the spectators but also by special guests (including a congressman) and varied sports officials. Philippines won the gold, Malaysia the silver and Indonesia the bronze.

*Southeast Asia’s best in Obstacle Course Racing 400-meter Team Relay – Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia.*

There is nothing like witnessing the SEA Games OCR 400-meter Team Relay medal ceremony on location and in person. It definitely is a more engaging experience than watch such a ceremony on television or via the Internet video. I also made the effort to get a good position in front of the stage, record the ceremony on video and upload it on my official Facebook page. After all that, I left to visit another place.

So what can I say about OCR’s debut in the SEA Games? From what I saw, the creative sport has a future in the regional games. When it comes to South Metro Manila, Filinvest City definitely is a solid venue to have OCR events held with an outdoor setting. When it comes to holding the event inside private subdivisions, however, it can be tricky because it will involve the homeowners’ association (HOA) especially when it comes to matters like in-village traffic, security, noise pollution and crowd control. It’s too easy to suggest holding an outdoor OCR event inside Ayala Alabang (which has a country club, by the way, plus roads wider than those of other subdivisions) or BF Homes subdivision (which has no country club but has a sports club) without considering the disturbance to the residents. The way I look at South Metro Manila, Filinvest City is ideal.

Looking for another venue further south? There is Vermosa Sports Hub along Daang Hari, Imus City, Cavite. Apart from the sports facilities, they have a lot of roads and wide open spaces (vacant lots). I can imagine an OCR event being held there. Vermosa Sports Hub is already established as a popular destination for triathlon (swim-bike-run) and aquathlon (swim-run).

No doubt about it. Obstacle Course Racing has a nice future ahead here in the Philippines and the rest of Southeast Asia.

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You can check out my varied marketing services (including Twitter boosting) right here.

We can negotiate, work together and be achievers together.

Century Club of Tahanan Celebrates Christmas 2019

December 7, 2019January 4, 2020carlocarrasco

The Century Club of Tahanan, Inc. (CCTI), a private club of senior citizens living in Tahanan Village, Barangay BF Homes, Parañaque City, had its annual Christmas party held at their village’s multi-purpose facility (covered basketball court) on the evening of December 6.

According to CCTI president Florencia Umali, there were roughly two hundred guests who attended, including the visitors. When asked about their club’s total membership, she told me that they currently have four hundred and thirty-nine members all in all.

*Century Club president Florencia Umali with guests who posed for this website.*

*The registration table and the dining tables.*

Apart from enjoying the delicious food and drinks, nice music was played by hired musicians that kept everyone entertained.

In addition, varied local officials visited and greeted the guests. Parañaque City mayor Edwin Olivarez, his brother Congressman Eric, City Councilor Tess de Asis and former Barangay BF Homes chairwoman Florencia “Beng” Amurao arrived to personally meet the guests and have their pictures taken with them.

*The Olivarezes and Councilor Tess de Asis with the guests.*

Sometime after De Asis, Amurao and the Olivarezes left, City Councilors Wahoo Sotto, Juvan Esplana and Bong Benzon arrived together. After greeting the guests, they each delivered short speeches and gave the people some updates regarding city legislation.

*City Councilors Wahoo Sotto, Juvan Esplana and Bong Benzon with Umali during the raffle draw.*

*City Councilor Sotto updates the guests with latest developments.*

Finally the last city personality to arrive (after the City Councilors left) was former Congressman Gus Tambunting. He danced with the guests and delivered his remarks.

*Century Club president Florencia Umali with former Congressman Gus Tambunting.*

Throughout the evening, music was played, special prizes (including those donated by the local politicians) were raffled off, guests danced and socializing transpired. Like in previous years, Century Club’s Christmas part continued to not only be a fun event for the members and invited visitors, but managed to attract the local personalities and local authority officials.

One last thing I want to emphasize in closing this. There was one local community print media news publication based in BF Homes that incorrectly published that Century Club’s Christmas party was scheduled to happen on December 4, 2019. Upon reading that publication, I immediately called and verified with club president Umali who responded that December 6 is the precise date of their Christmas party. At the party, I asked other Century Club officials if they had previously planned to organize their Christmas party on December 4. They officially denied it and stated that December 6 has always been the original and precise date of schedule for their party.

*Fake news? Human error? Reckless editing?*

So what’s with the incorrect publishing of the Century Club Christmas party date as December 4? Error with editing? A lapse of the mind? Lying to the public? Irresponsible journalism? Imagine advertising your business with such a careless local community print media publication.

Let me end this with a verse from the Holy Bible.

Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD, But those who deal truthfully are His delight.

Proverbs 12: 22 (NKJV)

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You can check out my varied marketing services (including Twitter boosting) right here.

We can negotiate, work together and be achievers together.

Meet Barangay BF Homes SK Kagawad Irene Juanico

December 7, 2019May 5, 2020carlocarrasco

A few years ago, Irene Juanico represented Barangay BF Homes during a beauty pageant that was part of what was back then Parañaque’s 19^th cityhood anniversary. She did not make it to the final round but that did not stop progress in her life. Then on May 2018, she ran in the Barangay and SK elections, and ultimately got elected as a kagawad of the Barangay BF Homes Sangguniang Kabataan (BFSK).

Recently I got to interview the incumbent SK Kagawad at barangay hall. This is the special feature of Irene Juanico.

Barangay BF Homes SK Kagawad Irene Juanico.

Background

Irene Juanico was born in the Dela Rama community inside BF Homes subdivision. She is the only child in the family. Her mother is currently a government employee and her father is a customer associate for a courier. The SK kagawad is currently studying at San Beda Alabang taking Marketing Management.

Since she was young, Juanico got into modeling. She learned the way on not just looking pretty but also how to pose, what to wear, when to move and the like. Along the way, she participated in several pageants, modeling events and appeared as a muse in academic and sports events.

In 2017, she found a major opportunity to compete with other beauties from around the City of Parañaque by joining the Binibining Parañaque representing Barangay BF Homes.

“During my younger days, I noticed similar pageants that got organized by the SK and wondered, ‘what would it be like if I joined such events?’”, Juanico recalled. “My handlers, who paid attention to the 2017 Parañaque pageant, asked me to try out and compete since I was already into modeling. I was hesitant back then since I was just seventeen years-old but eventually I agreed to represent the barangay and compete.”

As Ms. Barangay BF Homes of 2017, Juanico joined the other candidates from different barangays practicing for the pageant, participating in showcase events (including the Sunduan-related event at SM City BF Parañaque) and more. Along the way, she had to adjust her schedule with school and family.

“The Sunduan showcase alone was challenging because I had to decide how to present myself in front of the judges, the special guests and many people watching. The pressure is real.” she said.

When asked about the evening of the Bb. Parañaque, Juanico confirmed that there was a lot of pressure not only on her to do her best but also on the other candidates as well. This was because there were so many guests watching including City Government officials, barangay officials, barangay fan groups, members of the media, family members of the candidates and the like.

Even though the pressure was high, Juanico simply focused on her future.

*Irene Juanico as Barangay BF Homes’ candidate in the 2017 edition of the Bb. Parañaque. (contributed by Irene Juanico, photo credit to Kevin Rebollo)*

“I said to myself ‘win or lose, I at least represented my barangay well’. My experience also me motivate myself on participating future events representing the community,” Juanico said.

As it turned out in the 2017 pageant, Juanico’s name was not called when the organizers announced the five finalists. She and Barangay BF Homes did not go empty handed however as she won the Boardwalk Model sponsor award. That award was fitting considering the fact that Juanico had been modeling since she was little.

After the pageant, Juanico gained not only improved self-confidence but also respect and recognition from the residents of the barangay. A lot more people noticed her and remembered her participation in the city pageant.

Getting elected into the SK

A year later, Irene Juanico joined the Sangguniang Kabataan team of candidates under the umbrella of Paolo Marquez who ran for Barangay Captain (succeeding his brother Jeremy Marquez).

How did Juanico become candidate for the SK in the first place? It started with curiosity in a rather funny way.

“It all started with a joke with my friends, wondering if I should run for a seat in the youth council (Sangguniang Kabataan). They said I should do it but I reacted I was just joking. Eventually Zeny Pascual contacted me and asked me if I was willing to run. I replied that I would do it,” she recalled.

For Juanico, her candidacy was to inspire other youth of the barangay to aim higher in their lives. It was also her way of showing that a pretty face like her can climb up higher and become a public servant under the reformed Sangguniang Kabataan system. She really went against the local community’s conventional thinking that pretty faces or models have no place in public service which itself is ironic because charm (which comes in very different forms) is a factor on getting elected. She formally met with Paolo Marquez finalizing her candidacy.

During the summer of 2018, she and her teammates struggled to convince voters to trust them and vote for them. They went around from one house to another both in the mission areas (depressed communities) and also inside gated subdivisions. Shook hands and met with people of different walks of life (even former classmates of hers). They also took part in caucuses to reach out to the voters.

“When the campaign ended at last, I recovered by treating myself to a fast food meal. Then I went home to finally get some rest. I prayed to God. I had a very restful sleep and I really felt rejuvenated. Shortly after, my mother told me I won,” Juanico said.

Juanico’s victory in the 2018 Barangay and SK Elections for Barangay BF Homes was, indeed, a major milestone in her life. She and her friends celebrated and she cried out of happiness.

SK Kagawad Juanico and the SK Committee on Health

As an SK Kagawad, Juanico served with her colleagues under chairwoman Mariel Tumang. She is handling the SK Committee on Health. In recent times, the BFSK organized seminars about AIDS, mental health, teenage pregnancy, reproductive health and PWD (persons with disabilities) all of which were projects of her committee.

As of this writing, SK Kagawad Juanico is striving to get not only youth but also pre-teens and children involved with health projects and activities. There are also PWD children (as young as 1-year-old) that she wants to assist. The BFSK is also looking for private organizations as key partners to serve the youth and those with special needs. Team-ups with the health activities of Barangay BF Homes Kagawad Cielo Lazatin have been made.

Juanico confirmed that her committee has several more projects coming in 2020.

Message to the Readers

20190928_145929 — *BFSK Kagawad Irene Juanico (3rd from right) with the other members of the SK (chairwoman Mariel Tumang is 3rd from left) with guests who took part in a seminar about HIV, STDs and AIDS awareness.*

“Service is something that can be given to others without position and without expecting anything in return. It is better to give than to receive. Public service requires not only action but a whole lot of heart.”

Parañaque City Government Confirms Plans To Reward Residents Who Win Medals at the 2019 SEA Games

November 30, 2019November 30, 2019carlocarrasco

Hey everyone! Is your local community print media news publication still practicing propaganda or irresponsible journalism? Is your local community print media news publication secretly colluding with authorities or fake news makers? Is your local community print media news publication plagiarizing articles of bloggers and printed pretentious reports and articles to mislead you?

In this era of fake news and social media, publishing credibility is more crucial than ever. I personally oppose fake news, irresponsible journalism and propaganda (that is both self-serving and insulting to the public’s intelligence). I’ve seen others (who see themselves as keyboard warrior-type activists) mislead others via social media with lies and wrongful images (note: the #SEAGamesFail movement on Twitter made waves temporarily damaging not only the Philippine SEA Games Organizing Committee but also the nation as a whole).

On this website of mine, I strive to inform you, my readers and anyone concerned reading this, with precise and truthful information backed with evidence.

As for the title of this article, I can confirm to you all that the City Government of Parañaque confirmed to me directly that any resident of the city who wins a medal in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games (2019 SEA Games) will be rewarded!

This past week, I reached out to City Administrator Fernando “Ding” Soriano and asked him if the administration of mayor Edwin Olivarez has any reward planned for Parañaque-based 2019 SEA Games medalists

“The mayor will give rewards,” Soriano responded.

Eva Nono, the former head of the Parañaque Public Information Office who remains with the Olivarez administration, gave the same response when I also inquired with her.

What kind of rewards await Parañaque-based athletes at the SEA Games if ever they win at least a bronze medal? Will it be a cash incentive? A citation by the City Government? A photo session with the mayor? No solid details have been revealed by Soriano and Nono respectively. We will just have to find out.

Back in the year 2017 at nearby Las Piñas City, I personally witnessed their mayor Imelda Aguilar and the City Councilors meet with then SEA Games men’s triathlon gold medalist Nikko Huelgas who was a confirmed resident of BF International. They were very delighted to find out about his being a local of theirs and eventually an agreement was made by the City Government to give him a cash incentive for his gold medal victory as well as for bringing honor to the city. The 2017 SEA Games gold was Huelgas’ 2nd gold.

Speaking of SEA Games triathlon, Huelgas is NOT participating in this year’s edition of the games and you can find out precisely why right here.

The 2019 SEA Games triathlon and duathlon events will be held at Subic Bay very soon and the great news is that tickets are NOT required for people who intend to watch the events live on-location.

For updates about the 2019 SEA Games triathlon and duathlon events, come back here and also I encourage you visit the FB page of the Triathlon Association of the Philippines (TRAP).

New Skyway Ramp to Open on December 1

November 27, 2019carlocarrasco

Hi everyone! Have you been struggling with the constant heavy traffic along the northbound lane of the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) since September due to the construction of a Skyway extension project (planned to reach Susana Heights) within the Alabang viaduct area?

Well here are the good news: effective December 1, 2019, the third lane of the at-grade level of the Skyway will be re-opened and the brand new, two-lane ramp connecting the Alabang viaduct to the elevated Skyway will be opened to the public!

The anticipated developments should result an improvement of the flow of traffic going north.

“These enhancements will ensure that there will be five lanes available to northbound SLEX vehicles during rush hours, even as we go full blast with the construction of the Skyway Extension project. Motorists will be able to use the original three lanes at the at-grade section, plus 2 more lanes at the elevated section,” San Miguel Corporation (SMC) president and chief operating officer Ramon S. Ang said according to the press release.

Due to the construction of the new ramp started this past September, traffic worsened as road space was reduced. What used to be five lanes on the northbound direction of the SLEX at the Alabang viaduct was narrowed down to three lanes. The City Government of Muntinlupa itself implemented a one-way traffic scheme along the east service road in connection to the construction.

Skyway managers made the hard adjustments by reconfiguring and maximizing the first section of the elevated Skyway coming from the Alabang-Zapote road to three lanes, from the original two.

The operators stated that with the new ramp connecting to the elevated section, northbound traffic from SLEX can be accommodated without significantly impacting traffic coming from the Alabang-Zapote road.

It was pointed out that the original design for the Alabang-Zapote road Skyway ramp, built by the previous concessionaire, is one lane northbound and one lane southbound. At certain times in the morning, when traffic is heaviest, both lanes are used for northbound traffic.

As such, they emphasized that the advantage of the new three-lane configuration at the start of the elevated portion is that lane assignments can be easily adjusted depending on traffic volume. Even with the new ramp in effect, motorists coming from the Alabang-Zapote road will retain the use of one to two lanes, depending on traffic volume.

With regards to night-time southbound traffic, which normally gets heavy, more or all lanes—including the two lanes on the new ramp–can be assigned for southbound use.

To put things in perspective, the Skyway Extension project is an initiative by SMC worth P10 billion designed to extend the Skyway from Alabang to SLEX near Susana Heights and the Muntinlupa-Cavite Expressway (MCX). Completion of the whole project is set for December 2020. By then , there should be three additional northbound lanes and two southbound lanes on either side of the existing SLEX. It will allow both northbound and southbound motorists to bypass the Alabang viaduct.

This is welcome news and there should be relief starting Sunday (December 1).

In my personal experience, I work at an office in Calamba, Laguna and since September 25, traveling back to Alabang became more challenging due to the increased traffic congestion. Many times, the tail-end of the traffic jam going north along SLEX reached the Susana Heights area. Some times, the tail-end was at the Southwoods exit.

We will soon find out starting Monday how the promised benefits of the new Skyway ramp will improve the northbound flow of vehicles.

Las Piñas Traffic Enforcers Retrained, Friendship Route Hours Set for Extension

November 25, 2019November 25, 2019carlocarrasco

The City Government of Las Piñas announced that all traffic enforcers recently completed a two-day retraining seminar on discipline and proper conduct and behavior in the performance of their duties. The retraining was meant to help them effectively perform the strict implementation of traffic rules and regulations.

The retraining sessions conducted focused on lectures and there was also a workshop aimed to enhance competence and professionalism among the city traffic enforcers, particularly on decorum in the apprehension, issuance of citation tickets, and proper hand signal in manning the road.

The refresher course for the city’s one hundred and eighty traffic enforcers was ordered by Mayor Imelda T. Aguilar which was issued to the City Traffic Management Office (CTMO), in coordination with the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA).

Mayor Aguilar expressed hope that the retraining would enlighten the city traffic enforcers of their duties and responsibilities in properly dealing with motorists and the commuters. She warned, however, that they would face the full force of the law if they fail to perform their responsibilities.

“Traffic enforcer officials must abide with the traffic laws as mandated, and conduct proper behavior in dealing with the motorists to ensure the safety of commuters, car owners and the riding public,” Mayor Aguilar stated.

The mayor, who added law enforcement agencies, believes that traffic enforcement, in addition to reducing fatalities associated with automobile collisions, might also reduce the incidence of public order crimes.

“There are some proof that the presence of traffic enforcement officers may reduce certain types of crime, assure road safety thereby improving the quality of life for residents,” Aguilar added.

New Friendship Route Hours Starting December 1

With the Christmas season approaching, Mayor Aguilar announced the extension of the number of hours the Friendship Route may be used with the intention of decongesting the major roads of the city.

Effective December 1, 2019, the Friendship Route will be open to motorists from 4AM up to 12 midnight. The planned adjustment will last until January 6, 2020.

For the newcomers reading this, the Friendship Route of Las Piñas City is composed of alternate roadways to ease congestion in the major and secondary roads. The Friendship Route City Ordinance contains a complete list of the roads. Photocopies of the said ordinance can be made at City Hall.

My Observations: Mardi Gras Bazaar 3 at Madison Galeries

November 23, 2019carlocarrasco

Hey everyone! This morning I made the trip to Madison Galeries in Barangay Cupang, Alabang, Muntinlupa City to visit their Mardi Gras Bazaar 3 activity which was held at their 3rd floor facility. The bazaar, which is my first time to visit and look around, officially opened today and will last until tomorrow (November 24).

Upon entering the Madison Events Place, I saw sections of many kinds of products displayed and waiting to be sold. Already there were lots of people shopping, looking for the best deals and trying to decide which items to buy for their needs or for gift-giving this Christmas.

*Lots of nice looking stuff at this side of the venue.*

*Wanna save P349.75 for a rice cooker that also serves as a lunch heater?*

What caught my attention instantly were the discounted rates on all the products offered. There were these electric fans of varied sizes (from the personal mini-fans to the desk fans) that had these attractive prices. The same can be said about pillows, dolls, tumblers, rice cookers, toys, home appliances, some electronic products and many other times that were displayed.

After looking around initially and carefully analyzing what to choose for Christmas gift-giving (which is the main purpose of my visit today), I finally went ahead choosing five items. Because I did not have a bag, I carefully picked the five items and carried them as I lined up for checkout.

*The products for sale were placed in an organized fashion.*

*This where customers line up for check-out and paying. There were sufficient people assisting.*

At the cashier, an assistant helped me put the items for checking. I asked if they had a bag I could use to carry them on my way out, and the lady behind the counter said they had one for P25. After agreeing to it, they brought out a really large shopping bag. It was so large, there was still a lot of vacant space inside even though my items were in it. The shopping bag is reusable and I like that!

And so I left Mardi Gras Bazaar 3 feeling happy and satisfied. I achieved my objective of finding some good items for Christmas gift-giving. Now I’ll have to wrap these items.

For those of you reading this, I highly recommend going to Mardi Gras Bazaar 3 at Madison Galeries ASAP if you really have to shop for your needs or for your Christmas gift-giving plans. Tomorrow is the last day already! Today was my first time ever to attend a Mardi Gras Bazaar at the Alabang shopping mall, and it was a good experience.

Oh yes, I should mention that Madison Galeries has a very nice looking Christmas tree at the ground floor that you should see. Really nice for picture taking!

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To others reading this, if you are dissatisfied with print media and you want your community/organization/business to be featured on this website, please contact me locally via mobile number 0905-3350831 or via email at Carlo.Carrasco@gmail.com

We can negotiate, work together and be achievers together.

Parañaque BPLO Receives Concerns About BF Homes Businesses That Built Illegal Structures on Sidewalks

November 20, 2019November 20, 2019carlocarrasco

Hi everyone! I’m back here with new updates about BF Homes, specifically about business establishments that built illegal structures on roads and sidewalks within the local community and within the jurisdiction of Parañaque City.

Previously, I wrote about Barangay BF Homes’ move to request the Parañaque City Business Permit and Licensing Office (Parañaque BPLO) to review the business permits of erring business establishments complete with feedback from Barangay Captain Paolo Marquez. That action of Barangay BF Homes was the result of the official letter the barangay received from developer BF Homes, Inc. (BFHI) which complained to them about business establishments inside BF Homes subdivision that made illegal structures on the roads and sidewalks (owned by the developer since they never donated the subdivision to any local government nor to any homeowners’ association).

Around the same time BFHI sent its October 2019 letter to Barangay BF Homes about the issue, the developer also sent another letter of the same nature directly to the BPLO of Parañaque.

In the October 1, 2019 letter (received by the BPLO on October 7, 2019), BFHI President Engr. Fernando Javier wrote to Parañaque BPLO head Atty. Melanie Malaya that business establishments inside BF Homes subdivision have proliferated throughout the years without being regulated and monitored for compliance with the Building Code and other property laws. He pointed out that most of those businesses built illegal structures for their private use along the sidewalks (which are meant for public use).

Not only did Javier express the company’s disappointment over the BPLO’s continued renewal of the permits of the erring businesses (with apparent violations committed), he told Malaya that the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) issued the July 29, 2019 Memorandum Circular (Number 2019-121) in which President Rodrigo Duterte expressly directed local chief executives to rid the roads and sidewalks of illegal structures and constructions that were being used for private ends.

Signed by DILG Secretary Eduardo M. Ano, the order stated:

Relatedly, local chief executives are hereby directed to revoke permits that give authority to private entities to occupy public roads, alleys and other thoroughfares. Prudence must also be observed in placing street signs and signages to avoid exacerbating problems on obstructions. Moreover, local sanggunians are enjoined to revisit ordinances and similar legislative measures to ensure responsiveness to this presidential directive and consistency with related laws and policies.

For strategic implementation of this Circular, all provinces, highly urbanized cities (HUCs), cities and municipalities shall prepare an inventory of all roads within its jurisdiction.

The BFHI executive reminded Malaya that President Duterte’s directive to revoke the permits of erring businesses happened months ago and already the 60-day period to achieve significant results in BF Homes has passed.

“We have not received any report of revocation of business permit,” Javier wrote.

BFHI made clear in its letter that if they don’t see any significant results done by the BPLO, they will report the matter to the DILG.

To find what happened, I visited the BPLO at Parañaque City Hall yesterday. The head of the BPLO, Atty. Malaya, was not present (note: she was at a meeting). However, there were a few officials who were authorized to answer my inquiry as to what the BPLO has been doing with regards to the BFHI’s direct complaint (which is clearly related to Barangay BF Homes’ request for them to review business permits).

A BPLO official told me that the complaint of BFHI has since been endorsed to the Office of the Building Official of Parañaque (Parañaque OBO) and they will follow-up soon with them if any development has been made. The BPLO stated that the OBO is involved since the aspects of construction and following the National Building Code are involved. They also stated that building permits are required for businesses (that have physical presence) to have their respective biz permits issued, implying that the business establishments of BF Homes subdivision had secured building permits (and other requirements) and were deemed qualified to be granted biz permits.

So that’s it as of now. The BPLO of Parañaque literally passed the ball to the OBO for feedback. While this is going on, business establishments that built illegal structures on the sidewalks of BF Homes subdivision continue to operate freely which is depressing. The DILG order is clear and yet, in BF Homes (arguably the most famous residential-commercial community of South Metro Manila), the rule of law is not felt even though there has been news media coverage about city governments clearing the roads and public places of obstruction.

More on the City Government of Parañaque, mayor Edwin Olivarez has been consistent with his repetition of his message that his administration is always business-friendly. My question is this: Does a business-friendly Parañaque mean allowing businesses to violate laws and keep operating?

If anything new happens about this hot issue, I’ll keep you readers posted.

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