Advanced Father's Day Gift 2010

Just as I was just getting ready to sleep, face down, with DH massaging my aching back, I felt something shoved into my open right hand. It felt like a small package. As I was about to look, my 8-year old son Renz darted away. The package had a post-it note stuck on it saying "Advanced Happy Father's Day". Of course from the handwriting I knew immediately it was Renz who scribbled it.

The Famous Orient (D' Original) Buko Pie in Los Banos, Laguna

Many decades ago, when we went to field trips to Laguna, I've heard of this famous buko pie store. I didn't know its name other than it was called Original. I thought it was a bit funny at that time to have the name "D' Original Buko Pie". Afterall, "D' Original" sounds so 70's! Besides, is it really THE original?

I do remember though that even at that time, there was always some sort of a queue at that store. The roadside store I remember a long time ago seemed a bit rustic. Actually, it seemed to me that the whole place then was very rural. It looked like a small barrio (wow, is the word "barrio" even used nowadays?), with plenty of trees and hardly any establishments or buildings.

UP Los Banos Boarding House Sendoff

With Karen's enrollment all completed, it was time to settle her in her boarding house. Yes, this will be her home away from home for the next few months, although technically, she'd still be coming home every weekend.

This is the boarding house where Karen will be staying.

Enrollment at UP Diliman 2010

Early in the morning, DH went to Alabang Medical Center (formerly Muntinlupa Doctors Clinic) to have the additional x-rays for her injury at UP Diliman. The sister of the drunken driver was trying to rush us to give them the amount of medical expenses.

We left at around 8am to hopefully finish the last leg of Che's enrollment in UP Diliman. Little did we expect that the process of shifting course and campus would be so laborious and time-consuming.

Enrollment at UP Los Banos 2010

Last June 3, Karen, DH and I went to the University of the Philippines in Los Banos (UP Los Banos or UPLB) for Karen's enrollment. After a long wait during the summer vacation, Karen was finally admitted to the university with the course BS Math and Science Teaching.

Supposedly, the actual date of enrollment for her was June 4. But upon the advise of Tita Flora to avoid the June 4 surge of enrollees, we enrolled Karen a day before. Well, there were still long queues.

Drunk Driving Accident at UP Diliman

Last June 2 was Day 3 of the week for Che's transfer and enrollment. She decided to transfer from UP Manila (BA Development Studies) to UP Diliman (BS Materials Engineering). It being a Wednesday, I couldn't use the car to take Che and DH to Diliman.

Later that evening, I received a call from DH that they'd be very late to come home. She apparently figured in a vehicular accident with them as innocent pedestrians.

Dumbbell Rack Repair

When we had our old house demolished and a new one constructed, we rented out a small house near our lot. The house we rented was small and so space for our stuff was very limited.

And with hardly a space to do my home gym workouts, I decided to set aside all the weight training equipment for the time being. That, or at least put them into some good use somehow.

Tip to Prevent Dumbbells from Rolling

Ever had dumbbells or barbells roll away the moment you set them down on the floor? Of course for dumbbells I'm referring to those that use the regular round weight plates.

After several sets of exhausting weight exercises, the last thing you want to do is to chase these runaway dumbbells and bring them back to where you use them. It is not only annoying and time-consuming, these runaway dumbbells and barbells could pose a safety risk to others who might be working out nearby.

Shortcut to Los Banos, Laguna

One of the nice things about living (and working) in the South of Metro Manila is access to the hot springs resorts in the Pansol and Los Banos areas of Laguna.

In over two decades of living here in the South, I've gone to many swimming pools and resorts too numerous to count. And in those many instances, we've always taken a shortcut going to Pansol, Laguna. This is assuming of course you're going there via private transportation.

Map and Directions of the Shortcut to UP Los Banos (UPLB)

It's been a few times now that we've gone to the University of the Philippines in Los Banos or UPLB for short. The first time was when we decided, on a whim, to visit on a late Sunday aftenoon. It was simply a joy ride to do a little sightseeing inside the campus. We were still awaiting back then for Che's Admission to the University. Here's one of the pictures taken there, right in front of the Maria Makiling statue. This was taken in Feb, 2009.

Homemade Parallel Grip Pull Bar

There are several pulling exercises that for some, a parallel grip would be more beneficial. The parallel grip can be used for variety or when flexibility does not permit the standard overhand grip.

Benefits for the Parallel Grip Pull Bar

With a parallel grip you have the best leverage, as both the elbow flexors and the shoulder extensors are in their most effective line of pull. You will find that this grip has the least amount of stress on your wrists, elbows and shoulders. It is the form of chin-ups where you are most likely to be able to use additional loads.