celebraTINg exisTENce: October 2013

This is my review on the newly-launched SM E-Plus card that can be used in SM Cinemas, SM Foodcourts etc. loljk. This is just a rant.

IT PAYS TO BE INFORMED.

Be sure din 'yung kinuhanan mo ng information e knowledgeable.
I-video raw po ang buong conversation. Picture-an 'yung tao at alamin ang buong pangalan ng pinagtanungan niyo para raw po pag nag-reklamo kayo e may basis at evidence kayong ipapakita sa kanila. Our bad dahil hindi namin naisip 'yun agad. Oh well. Pero ikaw po, baka kailanganin mo in the future 'to.
Reminder: Have your camera ready when you're going to ask someone!! Ikaw rin, weird pag nasa una ang pagsisisi. Hahaha.

Gusto mo ng heartbreaking story? Read on.

Isa ata sa mga pinakamalungkot na text na natanggap namin ay 'yung kanina mula sa supervisor ng E-Plus booth sa SM Mall of Asia na ang sabi ay, "Refund Not Allowed." Okay, ang katumbas ng text na 'yan ay apat na P 3,525.00 na biglang nawala... buti sana kung kami ang may kasalanan. tsk tsk tsk.

'Yung day ng Super Junior concert ay may nagtext sa'min ng umaga na meron pala kaming "surprise" tickets. Ito na nga 'yung upuan namin na andito sa post na 'to: SS5 Manila.

Kami naman syempre dahil AYAW NAMIN MASAYANG 'yung perang pinambili ng tickets na meron kami, willing kaming ibenta. Pero may nagsabi sa'min na friend na baka pwedeng ipa-convert to points or load 'yung pera na andun pero hindi siya sure kaya magtanong na lang daw muna. Kaya nagpunta kami ng maaga sa MOA para siguraduhin kung anong pwedeng gawin dun sa tickets na hawak namin.
KEYWORDS: CONVERT AT BAKA.

BAKIT CONVERT??? KASI ALAM PO NAMIN NA TICKET NG SUJU ANG BINILI NAMIN KAYA NGA NAGTANONG-TANONG KAMI SA STAFF NG E-PLUS KUNG PWEDENG IPA-REFUND O PWEDENG IPA-CONVERT SA LOAD NA LANG 'YUNG LAMAN.

At that point, we had three options. First, ask for a refund. Second, ask if conversion of concert tickets to e-load is possible. And third, sell the tickets.

If we sell the tickets, we're gonna lose around P 500.00 each so asking the possibility of load conversion was the "best" thing to do. But then if the latter's not possible, we have no choice but to sell the tickets at a discounted price.

Here enters our most recent heartbreak story:

Sabi nung isang staff sa booth na pinagkuhanan namin ng bago naming concert ticket:
Wag na lang daw kasi pwede naman gamitin sa ibang establishments like SM Parking, SM Bowling at SM Cinemas 'yung laman nun.

Sabi nung isang babae dun sa booth ng E-Plus sa may CORAL WAY (hindi kami agad naniniwala kaya nagtanong ulit kami sa ibang booth),

"Okay lang po, Mam kasi HINDI NAMAN PO SPECIFIC LANG ANG LAMAN SA CONCERT EH. NAKA-LOAD LANG PO DYAN ANG PERA" Sabay abot nung form kung saan nakalagay 'yung partner establishments na pwedeng gamitan nung E-PLUS.

Wala kaming masyadong alam tungkol sa E-Plus kasi bago pa 'yan at dahil sila ang staff at dalawa naman silang nagsabi, WE ASSUMED THAT WHAT THEY SAID WAS RIGHT. UMASA KAMI NA ANDUN 'YUNG LOAD AND PWEDENG GAMITIN IN ALL THEIR AFFILIATED MERCHANTS.

So okay, no need to sell because according to the staff of E-PLUS, the money we used to buy our SUJU tickets is still loaded in the card. Because of their responses, we thought that we had no more problems regarding our "unused" SUJU tix.

Fast forward to Saturday (Thursday night ang concert), we went to MOA para gamitin na sana ang E-PLUS card na akala namin may laman pa. We looked for a booth near the cinemas only to find another surprise that was waiting for us. Yup, ayaw kami iwanan ng surprises but this is a sad one though.

Kumuha pa nga ko ng picture nung booth nila agad pagdating namin dun nung Saturday kasi balak ko sanang ilagay dito 'yung tungkol sa convenience at ibang advantages ng E-Plus. HAHAHAHA. Seryoso talaga ko ah. Okay na sana eh! Oh wait, nilagay ko naman ngayon. Kaso EWAN but I'm not closing doors for redemption... :\

What was in store for us?
Pooof! Your money's now gone.

Sabi daw naka-record dun na hindi namin na-tap 'yung E-PLUS card at kinuha pa nga 'yung ticket mismo ng SUJU tapos kanina... REFUND.NOT.ALLOWED.

Kasi tapos na ang concert daw, uhm, kasi diba hours BEFORE nung concert nag-consult kami sa E-PLUS Booth kung anong pwedeng gawin.

#1. Buti sana kung hindi kami nagtanong at nag-sure nung day nung SUJU concert eh, but we did! We asked around kung anong gagawin namin sa tickets na hindi magagamit.

DAHIL

#2. MAY BUMIBILI NUNG TICKETS NAMIN NG P 2,750 - P 3,000 EACH.

'Yung pera namin, dahil lang sa mga careless na sagot, nawala 'yan lahat. Instead na sana nabenta na lang namin ng lower price, nawala 'yan lahat.

Alam mo 'yung open kang ibenta pero dahil sinabi ng akala mong mas may alam na hindi kailangan, tinanggal mo 'yung option para malaman lang na mas napahamak ka pa kasi nawala lahat sa'yo?

Tas kami may kasalanan ngayon?
Does this even make sense?

Siguro kung meron man kaming kasalanan e 'yun ang naniwala kami sa akala naming mas may alam tungkol sa E-PLUS.

Sino bang may gustong masayangan ng pera?? Wala naman, di ba?

We were responsible enough to ask their staff kung anong dapat namin gawin dun sa tickets, we were responsible enough to ask not just one but two e-plus booth. And if there's one thing that we hoped for, it's them to be responsible for their MISINFORMED/ UNINFORMED STAFFS.

MORE THAN ANYONE diba sila dapat ang may alam dahil produkto nila 'yun??? Wow, we really feel so wronged here.

I mean, ako nga na hobby lang ang mag-blog at hindi employed ng kung sino man na sinusulat ko eh hindi basta sumasagot sa mga nagtatanong sa'kin lalo kung hindi ako sigurado. Aware ako na merong consequence 'yun kung sasagutin ko 'yung question pero mali naman pala ko kaya sinasabi kong "Sorry, hindi po ako sure." Sobrang lesson learned ako dito.

Pano pala kung employee at ganyang halaga ang involved? Diba dapat mas maging careful? Diba kasama na ng pag work dyan ang obligation mong aralin o maging informed tungkol sa product niyo? OBLIGATION niyo 'yun eh.

Huhuhu.

Paki-explain please kung bakit kami sinagot na HINDI PO SPECIFIC SA CONCERT LANG 'YUNG LOAD.

Pwede sana namin mabenta 'yung tickets ng P 12,000 nung araw na 'yun kung sinagot lang kami ng tama, kung sinabi lang na, "Mam, hindi po pwede eh." o "Mam, hindi po kami sigurado eh."
'Yan lang oh, nabenta sana namin!

Paki-explain please kung paano namin matatanggap na nawala na lang ng ganun 'yung lagpas P 14,000.00 namin.

Ang hirap kasing tanggapin especially since we asked them first and most especially since we could have just sold our tickets for a lower price that day. Common sense. Kahit mababa sa P 3,500 e ibebenta namin 'yun kesa 'yung ganitong wala naman kaming napala kundi sakit ng ulo at puso. -_-

As a consumer, wag talaga basta maniniwala. HAHAHAHA. May mga pinagtatanungan diyan na basta lang may masagot. Tsk tsk tsk. And worse, kahit clear na kung sino may pagkukulang, they're not doing anything regarding our case. Based on the text message that Ms. Renalyn (supervisor) sent us, someone from SM's customer care is going to call but until now, no one has called. I also tried sending them a tweet but to no avail. Naga-update sila ng twitter account pero 'yung tweets namin, hindi pinapansin. 'Yung totoo SM??

Haaaaaaaaaaaaaay, at this point ano pa nga bang magagawa kundi maglabas ng sama ng loob. Nakakainis talaga. Mukhang goodbye anything E-PLUS muna ko, medyo nakaka-trauma 'to kahit hindi naman kasalanan nung mismong card. Okay pa naman ako noong una sa thought na TAP RELOAD TAP RELOAD LANG at ang dami pa sanang perks. Oh wells, what can I do when my first experience was as unpleasant as this. HAHAHA.

Ikaw, kung ginawa sa'yo 'to, anong mararamdaman mo?

INGAT INGAT PO BAKA MA "NO REFUND" DIN KAYO.
WAG MASYADONG MASAYA HA.

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Not sure if Eat-All-You Can Korean Grills are sprouting like mushrooms recently or we're just in a continuous search for one. haha! Whatever it is, Hwaroro Korean Restaurant is worth checking out. Para sa mga nagtatanong, ito na po ang isa pang unlimited Korean BBQ sa Quezon City!

Sabi nga nila, mas okay pang walang plano kasi natutuloy... :))

Hwaroro is a house that has been converted to a restaurant but then even if they have several units of airconditioner, they were rather weak. Enough to make the food cold (nakatutok kasi sa buffet 'yung isa) but not the whole place but there's nothing an electric fan could fix. Keri na.

Here's a picture of their buffet.
For the banchan and other Korean food choices, there were definitely a lot!

Just from looking at this picture, you'd think that you may even eat more than what you're about to pay for.

Unlike other Korean buffets which normally have only two choices of meats to be grilled, Hwaroro has four.

I liked that you'll be the one to get your meat from the chiller because.... secret. :)))

Barbecue party, anyone?

Different kinds of leafy veggies for Samgyeopsal!!

I was once asked which Korean food I like best and I answered Samgyeopsal/SsangChuSsam.

Pinangatawanan ko na talagang SsangChuSsam ang favorite kong Korean food. HAHAHA

Sauces, dips and Kimchi
You can also make your own Bibimbap there.

Watermelon and Pineapple for dessert.

Where we sat.

We got three types of meats for our first plate.
'Yung nasa bottom and the marinated pork strips (top right) are those I liked best! Highblood, highblood din pag may time!

They also have beef strips (not in the picture. obviously)

The reason why I prefer Korean buffets over Ala Carte Restaurants

is the eat-all-you-can baboy! hahaha

For the Kimbap, I liked it though medyo sticky 'yung rice. No, sobrang sticky nung rice.

The thing with this type of grills is the possibility of oil jumping because there are no borders. I'm not that bothered but for some (na hindi sanay) that may become a problem.

They also serve other ala carte Korean food and some liquor such as soju.

For P 349.00 (Weekday Lunch) and P 399.00 (Dinner), really worth it.

COMMUTING DIRECTIONS: Along Quezon Avenue, you'll see National Bookstore then 'yung daan sa gitna, just walk staight ahead and dun na. This restauraunt (Scout Tobias, Timog) is located just across Puregold Jr.

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I was able to watch SS5 Manila last Thursday at Mall of Asia Arena and until today, I still get "kilig" when I hear songs of Super Junior.

I saw Donghae and Siwon last year at Bench's fanmeet link here.

HAHAHAHA.

This is so funny. I don't even remember but I wrote this in my first SiHae post... "아까, 동해 오빠와 시원 오빠를보지만 저는 너무 너무 멀었어요. 다음에, 가까운 곳 있으면 더 좋을 것 같아요. " This means, "I saw Donghae and Siwon oppa earlier but I was too far. I hope to be at a closer place next time."

Fast forward to a year and two months later... I wasn't only in a closer seat but they danced and sang in front of us!!!!!!!

I'm not a fan but some of my friends are so I get to hear things about them too. And sorry 'cause I don't even know some of the other members, I was like, "Who's that???" during the first part of the concert.. I know everyone now though.

PHOTO ESSAY:

We were seating in the lower box section.

Still can't believe that there would come a time when I'll be a part of sapphire blue!!! (I mean this in a good way. Really thankful that the concert tickets found us haha)

Ryeowook

We were given FREE light sticks.

Among the four cross-dressers, Seungmin was the cutest!

I found my new BB in Henry.

Not even in my wildest dreams, Siwon oppa.
This is just too close!!!

And this too.

Seungmin performed in front of us too.

Donghae passed in front of us for so many times but for some reason, I have no decent picture of him.

Shindong!

This is the most unflattering picture of Donghae! Just to show you how close he was to us.
죄송해요 오빠. 그래도 아주 멋 있어요 :))

With Kyuhyun.
Para-paraan picture with SuJu's maknae.

They taught us a dance step... Ryeowook's one line was like, "Ang landi naman." Hahaha

Kangin and Henry at the back.

Kyuhyun again.

My Korean skills got tested that night.
I'm so proud of myself for understanding most of their spiels.

은혁 오빠, 저는 한국어를 할 수 있어.

That concert vibes!!
I look so happy.

Sa-rang-hae-yo-kim-hee-chul!!

My SuJu bias!!
My eyes were too busy looking at him that I wasn't able to concentrate on taking pictures. Regretting nothing though. hehehe

Zhou Mi happens when you mix Siwon and Leeteuk. :))

Eunhyuk's handsomeness/sex appeal increases whenever he dances.

SuJu and their back-up dancers as they do their final bow.

I had so much fun!!

I definitely did not see this coming!!
Thank you!!재미 있었어요!!! 다시 오세요 오빠들!!

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While we were at it, we headed straight to Tagaytay to attend mass at Pink Sister's Convent.

After a year, it seems that nothing has changed.
'Yung hair and weight ko lang. HAHAHA.

I stood for nothing. So I fell for everything.
I got the eye of the tiger.

'Cause I am a champion and you're gonna hear me roar!

'Yan lang ang naisip ko nung nakita ko ulit 'yung Taal Volcano.

Real tigers here though:
Residence Inn Zoo, Tagaytay
Baluarte ni Chavit, Ilocos

From Tagaytay's Rotonda, you are to drive through Silang and it's on the right side. The sign's visible from the highway so you won't get lost if you're paying attention.

OMG IT WAS SO COLD I NEEDED MY BB JACKET THE WHOLE TIME WE WERE THERE. AHAHAHA.
Joke. Worn this for pictorial purposes only. Hindi pa malamig, probably by Nov.-Feb. pa but as much as possible, somewhere North or farther South naman.

Fruits stands along Sta. Rosa

Here's a place that I'd like to recommend if you're buying sweets for pasalubong, 'yung first pabalik.
Dalawa kasi 'yan eh, mas okay 'yung unang madadaanan kung pabalik na ng Manila (right side)

I love their Blueberry Tarts although for the 2nd time, wala na kong naabutan!
Also their meringue, I like.

Buko Pie - P 150.00/box

Dahil pwede na 'ko maging tour guide dun kasi halos napuntahan ko na lahat, here are OTHER PLACES TO VISIT IN TAGAYTAY:
1. Residence Inn Mini Zoo
2. Picnic Grove
3. Bulalo Places (perfect lalo kung malamig na)
4. Other Churches
5.Sky Ranch

COMMUTING DIRECTIONS TO TAGAYTAY:
1. There are buses from Cubao that are Tagaytay bound (P 100.00-P150.00/person ang fare last year) and that would pass at Coastal Road/Cavitex so for someone who hates long travel time, this isn't the best option. 10 years 'to! Dagdag pa that MMDA has a project terminal somewhere South so provincial buses aren't allowed to pass through EDSA. That only means going to back to Manila would be a hassle kasi lilipat ka pa ng sasakyan. I didn't see any bus with route that would bring you back to Cubao anymore, hanggang Coastal Mall lang then from Coastal, you'd have to ride another bus to EDSA.
Haaaaay!!!! Ang gulo talaga ng sistema ng pagko-commute sa'tin.

2. Ride an FX from StarMall in Shaw to Balibago Terminal and from there ride a jeep to Tagaytay Wet Market. The FX will pass by SLEX so I think this is more convenient though may palipat-lipat lang ulit. Then if you're in Tagaytay already, there are plenty of tricycles that you may hire and there are also jeeps that you may ride.

If it's Pink Sister's you're going at, get down at Rotonda and ride a Cavite-bound jeep, dadaan 'yun then just walk towards the church. Walk-able naman papasok.

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From Paseo de Sta. Rosa, we transferred to Nuvali because we were looking for an All Flip Flops Outlet store but to no avail. I can't remember the store's name but I definitely saw some discounted Havaianas before. Kung kelan naman may budget na. Oh wells, ipangka-kain ko na lang. Ganun din naman. Gastos. :))

Hihi. I'm back!
These fishes are still hungry as ever.
I told myself that I'd be buying them more feeds when I come back but seeing that a lot of kids were feeding them already, I just allowed the kids do the honors. hahahaha.

And we decided to ride the water taxi.

Minimum of 6 persons, maximum of 12.
P 30.00/person

We were a group of 5 but we decided to just pay the other P 30.00 to make the ride "special," it's P 180.00 all in all.

The area of the man-made lake isn't that huge but for the beach-like feel of riding a boat, pwede na ang P 30.00.

Water taxi selfie!!
Everyone is advised to wear that orange life jacket.

There was a part of the man-made lake where it felt like there were waves. I mean, how can there be waves in a lake? Or it is possible when the wind is strong enough? I don't even know. HAHAHA. But I think artificial waves lang 'yun, medyo feeling dagat talaga dun sa part na 'yun. Maalon kahit dapat walang alon.

K. Nakaka-miss lang mag-boat.

Since it's a really hot day, we transferred to Solenad 2 by car which isn't a problem because they don't charge parking fees.

We saw an All Flip Flops store in Solenad 2 but it's not what we were looking for. I think we have no choice but to wait for the sale season.

I just bought myself a large order of Serenitea's Uji Pyramid.
Dahil mas malayo, mas masarap. hehehe.

Bye, Nuvaliiiii.

COMMUTING DIRECTIONS: From Starmall in EDSA, ride an FX to Balibago (last year the fare was P 70.00 with 40-50 minutes travel time sans traffic), then from Balibago you may ride a tricycle that would take you to Nuvali. They have an FX terminal near Solenad 2 though, I saw an Ayala and Balibago sign.

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