Travel Via Bus From Manila to Tacloban + Pasay Tacloban Bus Terminal

This is my story on how I traveled via bus from Pasay to Tacloban last Dec 23, 2014.  My flight was cancelled that day so I had to take my chances with the bus.

Below are the steps on how I did it.  This was my first time to ride a bus to Tacloban and we had to ask our way.

1.  The bus station is located a few blocks away from MRT Taft Station.  It is at the right side of the road going north.

2.  Inside the bus station, there are several bus lines. All buses were fully booked, but I was able to ride on a bus that caters "jump seat".  These are small mono block seats that they place on the isle of the bus.  There are buses that does not allow this type of seat.  But some of these bus lines allow this.  The cost of my trip was P 1,500.00.

This bus does not look conditioned, but I took it anyway.  I heard from the passengers that this bus was "colorum".

3.  We waited inside the bus to start between 12 noon to 2 pm.  Finally it started.

4.  After an hour, one of the wheels needed to be changed.  I checked the area, we were still somewhere in Muntinlupa. We waited for about an hour for them to change the wheels of the bus.  I was already thinking of backing out with this situation.

4.  At about 4 pm, we continued our way.

5.  At 7:30 pm, we arrived at Lucena.  We ate our diner in a canteen nearby.  After more than 30 minutes, we were again on our way.  

6.  A few hours after, the air conditioner jammed.  So the bus had to stop and they tried to fix it.  The passengers pleaded the driver to move along, and not to worry about it.

7.  At 9 am Dec 24, we arrived at Camarines Sur.  We had a late breakfast.  They were also able to fix the aircon.

8.  At 11:30 am, we arrived at Matnog.  This was where we had to cross the sea via ro-ro.  There was a really long queue of buses, trucks, and private cars.  Everyone wanted to go home.

In Matnog, I was not oriented on how to go about before going inside the boat.  I was glad that some of the passengers know how it is done. So here are the following notes that you should know:

a.  You need to go outside the bus and buy a terminal fee worth P30.00 in their office.  Leave your things           inside the bus and just bring what is important, like food, toothbrush, soap, and your bus ticket.

      You can also buy food outside.  There are many canteens and stores in the area.

b.  You have to enter inside the terminal since this is where you will be waiting for your bus to be called.

      But if you are already inside, you could no longer go out until the name of your bus is announced.

      So, before you go inside be sure to check that you brought along everything that you need and leave the           things that you don't need inside the bus.   

     The guard had to explain to the passengers that it is prohibited to go outside.  But the people inside                did not know that that was the rule. And by the time they knew it, it was already too late for them.

c.   When your bus is announced, show your terminal ticket to the guard as you go outside.

d.   On the way to the boat, exchange your bus ticket with boat ticket.  An assigned person outside the boat        will do this.

e.   Fall in line as you go inside the boat.  When you go up the boat, you need to write your name on a sheet of paper provided.

9.  We waited in Matnog for hours! We were able to board the boat at around 5:30 pm, and the boat started at 7 pm already. 

10.  The wind was a bit strong when the boat started, and the waves were high.  It rocked our boat. Maybe this was the reason why, before the boat started, there were food vendors inside.  Some were selling Bonamin (something to drink so you don't get sea sick).   One passenger vomited.  But thank God after less than 2 hours, we arrived across safely in Allen Northern Samar. We got off the boat and looked for our bus.

11.  At 9 pm, the bus started again.

12.  Our bus stopped over Calbayog at around 11:15 pm.  

13. The bus left again at 11:30 pm.

14. Finally we arrived Tacloban at 3:30 am December 25!  Thank God I'm home!

So in total for this trip, from Pasay to Tacloban, it took us 1 day and 8 hrs or  32 hours 

(Dec. 23,2014, 2 pm to Dec 25, 2014, 3:30 am)

This was an exceptional time of the year due to Christmas rush.  Everyone wants to go home.  I think on normal days, it takes only 24 hours to travel.

By the way, some other expected costs for this travel is for your food. In some stop overs, the food is a bit expensive (P100+ per meal).  So, if you are on a budget mode, I would suggest that you bring your own food.  

I hope this will help you in your travel from Manila to Tacloban via bus.

Thank God we are all safe home. God is truly good.

The Feast Talk - Look Up - Push Mo Yan - Notes

I attended another powerful talk at the Feast PICC.  The series is entitled Look Up, and this was talk number 3 - Push Mo Yan.  As to not forget what this talk was all about, I am placing my notes here. 

Dean Pax Lapid, one of the leaders in business shared about how God blessed his business specially when he was already in his second part of his life.

 

He gave us an exam - fill in the blanks, on the story of his life.  Almost all of us answered "CANCER" and "DIED".   This just shows how we see retirement.

 But this was the correct answer.

 

 He shared to us another perspective of what retirement is all about.  Retirement is not equated to being "expired", nor it is equated with being "retarded".  He showed us that there is a brighter and a fuller life in retirement.

 

 

 

Bro Bo Sanchez added more to what Dean Pax Lapid shared. 

 

Recent studies shows that older people are happier people.  He sited examples on why this is so.  One example was that older people experience more freedom.  Freedom from what other people might say.  They realize that since they have lesser time to live, they would no longer care on what others may think, but they do what they think is most important for them to do.

The first question in mind when you get old is, "What have I lost?"  He sited one example about there will come a time that you start to lose family members and friends as you go old.

 But this is another encouraging bible verse he showed.

 

Instead of asking what have I lost, ask What have I gained?

He sited an example on how you gain wisdom through the years.

In order for you to gain more at the second act of your life, you need to prepare for it.  With 3 simple yet powerful tips, we can all be prepared to receive the blessings from God on our second phase.  Because what you sow, in the end is what you reap.  

First one is to plant healthy seeds.  You need to keep a healthy lifestyle.  Eat fruits and vegetables.  Exercise daily. 

 The second is to plant wealthy seeds.  Be a good steward of the wealth that God have provided for you.  Invest and create multiple income streams.  Develop your talent and skills so that others will be blessed as well.

This abundance formula has always been taught at the Feast.  When you receive your salary, or income, give 10 percent to God, keep 20 percent and invest it in the stock market or other good investment facilities, and 70 percent is for your daily expenses.  As a Catholic, we are not required to tithe or to give 10 percent to God.  We are taught to give with a cheerful heart.  We give because we love God.  We give because we cannot contain the blessings that God has given to us.  But I believe that this is a great way to start giving to God. 

 

Finally, plant holy seeds.  Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.  God is the source of all happiness and joy in this world.  Always seek God's wisdom.  Always seek God's mercy and grace.  Read the bible, attend mass.  You can also attend the Feast weekly.  It is one of the best way that you can seek God.

 

Note:  This is not exactly the talk, I added some comments and reflections as I wrote this. 

May God bless you who would read this.

So What Now? After Retrenchment

Some tidbits on how to live after retrenchment. 

Either you apply for another job, or do something new and interesting.  Try out and learn new stuff.  Of course, since you are still in the learning curve, don't forget to check your wallet.  Do you still have enough funds to do it?  For how long?  After trying out this new stuff, and still does not work, then that is the time that you need to go back and apply for a new job. Maybe a job that is not that toxic.  In a way, you still can continue learning what you have started off.  But be sure to make time to learn.  Don't be content and relaxed and think that you have a stable job.  Learn something new.  That way, you won't be insecure of losing your job.  This will be your fallback.  Or better, this would be your main source of income. 

MAPS From Ayala To Makati Square

Here are different ways on how you can go from Ayala to Makati Square.  You can ride a jeepney, take a   taxi, or walk. 

  There are 3 options: 

  1. Greenbelt 1 to Makati Square
  2. Park Square to Makati Square
  3. Near Landmark to Makati Square

  Anyhow, you can always ask if you get lost. :)

 

Ayala to makati square from yzero8

The Road Less Traveled - Towards Financial Freedom

People don't want to take the difficult path.  I could say this, because there are times that I too don't want to take this road.  We want to take the easiest path.  That's the reason why a lot of people fall into a trap of the SCAM.  Why?  It's because they are willing to pay, but not willing to investigate first before jumping on board the world of investment.  They are blinded by  the promises of those scammers.  They want an easy rich quick scheme. When someone says -- "double your money in just 1 month!" -- wow! Many will surely invest in that Scam.

There are still others that do not fall into a scam, but would spend their money in attending seminars.  Those seminars that promises that you will get rich after attending them.  Don't get me wrong.  Yes, these seminars are helpful.  They open the minds of the people.  There are quite a number of people who's lives were transformed by these and that their income shoot up.   What I'm saying is this.  You don't jump from one seminar to the other.  And not apply what you learned from those seminars.  A number of people have that kind of mindset.  They think that after they attending a very pricy seminar, their income would shoot up afterwards.  That is partially true.  But there is another bigger price to pay after you attend that.  And that is, to apply what you learned. Because if you don't apply it, no matter how expensive the seminar is, it wont work.

Apply what you learned and see the change that you are looking for.  Share what you learned and be a blessing to others.  Then you will see a big difference.

How about you?  Which category do you belong?  Do you also attend seminars and not apply what you learned?  Or are you also blinded by the promises of those people who says  "double your money in just one month?

Do you want to learn how to grow and manage your wealth?  Learn from the expert.  My mentors can teach you step by step on how you can do it.  Email yzero8per@gmail.com today.  Or you can visit this website here Solid Financial Foundation.

God bless you!

Light of Jesus Lyrics + Chords

I don't see the lyrics of this beautiful song from our community Light of Jesus founded and composed
by Bro Bo Sanchez.  So, I took the liberty of posting it here in my blog.

This is what we want to do.  We want to share God's love to the world.

Enjoy and be blessed!

 
Light of Jesus
Bo Sanchez

G                        Bm
There is a dream within that drives
                             Em
Like a blazing fire deep in us
     Am7                   G                               Dsus-D
A vision to conquer world with God's own love.
G                                 Bm
There is a fire that compels us
                              Em
To surrender all to Jesus
            Am7                  G                           Dsus-D
And to raise the gaze of men on the things above.

             G     C
Light of Jesus
                      G    C
We shine your light
                       Em            D
We shine your light to the world
             G      C
Light of Jesus
                       G    C
We shine your light
                       Em             D
We shine your light to the world
                 G      C    G    C    G
Shine your light


You may visit the following sites to know more of our community

www.thefeastpicc.com
www.kerygmafamily.com

Tips, Lessons Learned From Pinoy Pao

I just received an email from a reader.  And I would like to share to you what he wrote, and what I replied to him.

"HI Mam,

I was inspired landing on your blog page and reading your experience on cart business, particularly pinoy pao, But i really do wonder how is your pinoy pao business going? and the system which almost all of them are saying is simple and reliable? I'm about to open similar cart but still wary of the location.

Your blog helped me picture running the business in someway. pls. le me know more about your Pinoy Pao experience.

Regards and thanks! "

Here is my reply to him:

Hi,

I'm glad that I was able to share with you some of my insights and experiences with the Pinoy Pao. 

Our Pinoy Pao was short lived.  It lasted only for 6 months, and we finally decided to give up on it. 

They said that in a business, the first 2 years is survival.  But since we have only minimal capital, we could no longer afford to lose.  

I'm sorry I could not really give you much of the tips since we easily gave up on this.

But I was able to ask some of my friends who were successful with this kind of biz.

So let me give you some crucial points on this. 

1. Location - very important in the biz.

    STUDY YOUR LOCATION.  This means that if you have already a proposed location, you need to COUNT foot traffic.  Use a "counter machine" (not sure of the term).  You may borrow or you can buy one.  I think this is an affordable tool.  

Try this out for 1 week.  Daily counting.  I'm not really sure on the days.  You can search in the internet for more details on this.  Or look for a mentor regarding this.

How to calculate if this is a profitable location:  Usually, only 10% of the foot traffic would buy your product.  So you need to calculate your sales based on the 10%.  If the result is profit and not loss -- (of course you need to consider the overhead costs like the payment for the crew, electricity, rent, etc), then the probability that you will earn would be high.  

2.  If the company promises to provide a locator for you, never fully trust that locator.  He might be able to find a location, but I'm sure he did not study that location.  Just do step 1.

3.  Usually, you need to have a hands-on on the business.  Then, when the system is stable, you could already delegate this.  

4.  Attend more seminars on this.  There are free seminars usually done in WTC.  You may check on the net for the schedules.  

5.  Look for MENTORS.  These people already experienced failures.  You just need to learn from them and not from your experience.  BIG MISTAKE FOR US.  We just plunge into the business without looking for mentors to guide us.  We just trusted the company who told us that they will take care of us.  

6.  Be on guard for competitors.  Have a unique product.  Look for a franchise that offers a unique product.  

If not, the computation of your foot traffic would be divided among those competitors around the vicinity and  you.  Check if the total computation would still be profit and not loss.

The products of Pinoy Pao really tastes good.  But for lack of foot traffic, and for lack of knowledge as to how to run this business (from location, to looking for a crew, to buying of stocks, inventory, etc.), lack of guidance, that was the reason for our failure in the business.  

But then again, failure is part of life.  It's up to you if you are willing to take the challenge.  

Again, I cannot overemphasize the need for MENTORS.  Study and look for mentors before you start the business.  Very important also, is you start the business.  Not just end up in the planning stage.

I hope I was able to effectively share to you what you need for your new business.

God bless you!

yzero

You may also read:


My 1st Pinoy Pao Opening Experience at Guadalupe Commercial Complex
Why A Business Fails - MOP