EMONG'S JOURNALS

After an earthquake, don’t just rush in the house or building! Remain alert for aftershocks! Immediately survey the home or building for structural or physical damages. If there are signs of damage , have a licensed city engineer investigate for its safety or structural integrity. After inspecting the home, check water pipes and electricity lines for leaks or dangling wires. If there are broken pipes, do not flush the toilet or open faucets. If there are dangling electrical wires, don’t turn on the light switches and electrical appliances. If you suspect a gas leak , switch off the LPG tank immediately then open all the windows for circulation. Don’t switch on the stove, lights and appliances to avoid a spark until the smell is completely gone. When it is determined that it is safe to enter the property , immediately clean debris like broken glass to prevent any secondary injuries. If one resides near a beach , be alert for tsunami warning...

If 4-wheeled cars have the BLOWBAG, motorcycles and scooters have the T-COLLS. Here's a short list every rider should do before starting his/her motorcycle and making a ride. This inspection list can be done by any motorbike newbie so he/she can check possible problems that, if not addressed early on, could cause further damage on the motorbike or can even cause accidents on the toad. Watch this two-minute video to know more about T-COLLS. ANY THOUGHTS? Share your ideas in the comment box below. This post originally appeared on https://emongsjournals.blogspot.com

Ridership in public transportation is beginning to rebound. Since the start of October during the easing of the general community quarantine (GCQ) the number of those taking public transportation, like trains, buses, jeepneys and UV Express vans, has slowly but steadily increased. And as ridership increases, so is the rush hour squeeze. Inevitably, people have become worried about the risks of contagion and being trapped in an enclosed space for the duration of a trip.  But for many, like essential workers, stopping commuting wasn't a choice. There's no alternative to mass transit. Not everyone owns or can even afford a car. Nonetheless, public health specialists urge that commuting be approached with caution. With all public transportation, there is always some risk of infection. After all, you are entering a public space. But it's possible to reduce that risk significantly by following these simpl...

Metro Manila and driving isn’t that complicated. However, when you're driving on the road, etiquette immediately becomes extremely important. You don’t want to make anyone unsafe, particularly when some of the vehicles you share with Edsa carry women and children on board. There’s no quicker way to attract an instant road rage or worse, the attention of MMDA traffic enforcers . Unfortunately, many people don’t seem to understand the basic rules of driving. That can result in some appallingly selfish behavior. Don’t be one of those people. Here's a list of the 10 bad driving habits most people do while on the road; ask yourself which of them you've done already. 1. Parking in PWD (persons with disability) slots and other illegal areas You've seen them all on social media. But despite those big, bold, 'wheelchair' signs painted in white, drivers continue to park where they shouldn't. This includes red zones along curbs ( which you should know ea...

The Philippine job market is getting anemic. Today's workforce, the Millennial generation, will not work for a company where certain things are done because “it’s always been done that way.” They hate strict dress codes. They hate the 8 to 5 routine. They'd rather spend a day of work in a coffee shop planning their sales pitch than sitting on their desks for eight long hours. Here are 4 reasons why Millennials are quitting their jobs. 1. They want flexible work hours; and office rules are ancient to them. Business attire? 15-minute coffee breaks? 8 to 5 work hours? The Millennial generation don't want being shackled to their desks for eight long hours dressed in some crappy shirt and tie. They've done harder tasks before during their college days while in their pyjamas with only a few googling strokes on their laptops. So, why will a Millennial perform a task just because an employer wants it done the old, traditional way? Millennials are the flexible lot. They...

Sadly, the cost of driving a car is choking our wallets to coma. While we stand helpless amid the never-ending surge of gasoline prices, we can only devise practical ways to save on fuel to make our hard earned pesos last longer. Or we can switch to a motorcycle! Not everybody rides a motorcycle specifically for enjoyment. A lot of people in the Philippines are realizing motorcycles make incredibly practical transportation, especially in crowded cities. Not only do they cost astronomically cheaper than regular-sized sedans, their fuel consumptions are insanely lower than cars. The price of a regular brand new 125cc motorcycle costs around P70,000 and can take you to a long stretch of 44 kilometers in just a liter of gasoline! The savings on parking are also incredible. You can always find all kinds of places to park for free. Pull them up on the sidewalk or park them under trees. Motorcycle parking is almost always available close by. Keep in mind, though, that when decidi...

Should you buy an expensive DSLR or an entry-level DSLR? That is the question. It’s an age old conundrum that every camera buyer has to face, and neither answer is right or wrong. It all depends on your wants, needs, and budget. Let’s take a look at the costs and benefits of buying both expensive and entry-level cameras, so that you can make the right pick when you begin your DSLR-buying adventure. Oh, that big black, DSLR! A big, black DSLR is something many hobbyists are secretly lusting for, but they don’t know exactly what it is, except a vague notion similar to “it’s like my compact camera, only better”. I describe a DSLR as a wonderful tool to up your photography game to the next level. This is a versatile camera you can use on any imaginable circumstances - from taking pictures of your travel destinations to family gatherings, landscapes, architectures and even the smallest insects. This is the camera to let you take great photos and have your great moments forever docu...

Navigating Metro Manila is incredibly easy. Commuting around it, as well as its traffic conditions, is predictable as any Asian city. Public transport is relatively affordable, and traffic are always heavy during rush hours. The best thing about Manila? There's always a shopping mall near you, and great food abounds! THE BASICS Make sure you have Google Maps on your smartphone for easy reference. Avoid bringing big physical maps as it will only attract scammers, opportunists and thieves. Get a local SIM card (Smart or Globe network) to support your data needs. Install a Grab or Uber app (Uber is expected to merge with Grab soon, but as of this writing, Uber app is still online). Purchase Beep Cards for your MRT and LRT train fares. Keep lots of loose change for jeepney and bus rides. Always carry your bags or backpacks in your front. Don't wear excessive, flashy, and expensive jewelries. MODES OF TRANSPORT Jeepneys. I was born in Manila and I have ...

Travel photography is the best way to share your experiences via Instagram or Facebook. But with the abundance of social media users who post thousands of images online every minute every day, how would you make your images stand out? The advent of less expensive cameras and low-cost travel destinations has allowed travel photography to become easier and easier. Smartphone cameras have evolved tremendously in the past 5 years, and full-time cameras like point-and-shoots and DSLRs have become affordable for everyone. In retrospective, it has allowed regular consumers to blend with professional photographers -- and they're equally competitive. If you have your hands on these nifty camera equipments and you're out there on location, it's about time to step up your photo game. TIP #1 ANGLES Camera angles is one of the quickest ways to add interest and variety to your photos. Angles are really easy - even if you don’t know how to use your camera very well. All you have ...

Choosing a travel destination is never easy. You'd want to let loose and have fun, but you don't wanna loosen up the purse strings too much. In selecting your travel spot, you have to think about what kind of vacation you're after, so it’s easier to pin-point the kind of destination you’d like. In other words, it's time to start planning your vacation. Here are 6 travel tips you need to know as you look ahead to taking time off. BUDGET Your wallet size will undoubtedly play a part in the decision making process. If you are only willing to spend a little bit of money, you might want to travel on public transport to somewhere nearer. If you live in, let's say Quezon City, an excellent choice will be a conservative destination like Subic or Batangas. But, if you have much to spare, an air travel to exotic beaches is very suitable. WHAT YOUR INTERESTS ARE It's not enough when you get a great deal on a trip when the destination doesn't appeal to your i...

With the announcement of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) officially opening more than 45,000 franchise slots for the registration of transport network vehicle services (TNVS) on Monday, February 5, you may be thinking about driving for Uber. You might also be wondering what the requirements are and whether you’ll get accepted if you apply. The thing is, Uber doesn’t give you too much information about the requirements before you apply, so it might feel like you don’t have enough information to move forward with your application to become a partner driver. Fear not. In this post you’ll learn the Uber requirements so you can find out right now if you can apply and qualify. Most of the requirements are straightforward, but some aren’t. Other than the self-explanatory age requirement, there are a few extra details you need to know about each of the driver requirements. Uber Driver Requirements. These requirements apply to UberX, UberXL, UberPOO...

Here are ways to make your checkpoint nights trouble-free. The Commission on Elections will conduct checkpoints nationwide starting October 1, Sunday, to effectively implement the gun ban and other prohibitions in connection with the October 23 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections. During this period, it shall be unlawful for any person to bear, carry or transport firearms or other deadly weapons, unless authorized by the Comelec. All permit to carry licenses are automatically suspended. Violators will be punished one to six years of imprisonment, disqualification to hold public office and deprivation of the right to suffrage. Do you have to stop at a PNP-Comelec checkpoint? if you drive up to a Philippine National Police (PNP)-Comelec checkpoint, you have to stop the vehicle and comply with law enforcement. This is an exception to the normal rule that police officers cannot pull someone over without a reason. Because of the enforcement of the nationwide gun ban, thes...

It can be confusing at times. When you go and shop for a family car, chances are you've considered big, bulky vehicles that can accommodate more passengers and at the same time, allow a generous cargo space. You could have chosen between a sports utility vehicle (SUV) and a crossover multi-purpose vehicle (MPV). Both vehicles can carry 7 passengers, and both permit a liberal amount of load in their boots. If you're starting to wonder "what's the difference?", here's how you can distinguish one from the other. The difference is all about the platform SUV - A sport utility vehicle or suburban utility vehicle (SUV) is a vehicle which uses the chassis of a light truck, but operated as a family vehicle. SUVs are similar to a large station wagon or estate car, though typically featuring tall interior packaging, high H-point seating, high center of gravity, high ground-clearance and especially four- or all-wheel-drive capability for on- or off-road ability...

Here's a small guide to the do's and don'ts of driving via ADDA mode. RA 10913 or the Anti-Distracted Driving Act (ADDA) makes it unlawful for drivers to use communication devices and other electronic entertainment and computing gadgets while their vehicles are in motion or temporarily stopped on a traffic light or an intersection. Amid the confusion it sowed when it first came out, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) released a revised implementing rules and regulation of ADDA, with a new provision on the "safe zone," where dashcams or cellular phone placements are allowed. This so-called "safe zone" is counting 4 inches from the vehicle dashboard into the windshield. Beyond the 4-inch safe zone will be considered part of the "line of sight," where gadgets and objects are not allowed. But, vehicles with built-in OEM navigational systems and LCD screens, such as those found in Mazdas, Mercedes-Benzes, and other vehicles, will n...

UPDATED January, 2020 A "provisional" License to Own and Possess Firearms (LTOPF) will now be available for all gun holders who need to renew their firearms. The provisional LTOPF is exclusive only to gun holders with existing firearms and will no longer require a drug/neuro test. It will be valid for six months. The LTOPF for first-time gun purchases, however, still require the drug/neuro tests. --- o --- READ: Complete Guide To nCoV: How Not To Misinform Yourself About The Coronapocalypse Gun owning just got easier. The Philippine National Police (PNP) recently launched the online system for all LTOPF and gun registration applications. Called the PNP License to Own and Possess Firearms (LTOPF) and Firearms Registration System, the program aims to eliminate the long hours of waiting in applying for a license, and reduces the inconvenience of traveling from your residence to a PNP satellite office. Here's how it works, according to the PNP's Inf...

Traffic jams are a headache for many motorists inside modern cities, but what are the solutions? And can a motorist ever make them go away completely? Passing though Edsa is a bane of motorists' lives, whether it’s the daily bottleneck during the commute to work, or endless delays at the start of the holidays. If you think your journey is bad, spare a thought for drivers in New York City, or in Sao Paulo Brazil, they would probably have the same complaints as you have here. Here's some tips to help you beat the traffic in Edsa and in Metro Manila: 1. Make the "after 10am" habit - When someone lives in the metro where inbound traffic is a horrible, infuriating, stressful ordeal from 6:00 am to about 8:00 am, after which becomes pretty bearable until about 10:00 am, he would probably tell himself to avoid driving along Edsa (or any other streets) until 10 or 11 am. If you're a freelance worker or arranging a meet-up with somebody in the Mandaluyong or Makati...