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...

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...

There are "walkers" and there are "standers." The SM Supermalls released a video over the weekend the "escalator etiquette" campaign, encouraging their customers to stand on right and walk on left. The nearly-viral video plans to make the SM malls more stair-friendly obviously imitating the western rules while on board escalators. The side chosen for the "standers" is on the right, so that the "walkers" can do left and would not have to cut into a standing line of people to exit. In certain countries, for instance Australia, Japan, and New Zealand, riders stand on the left and walk on the right, following the road rules. Of course, here in the Philippines, it's the other way around. PROS 1. Good exercise. Walking may be the simplest way to work out. You can do it almost anywhere, and it’s a snap to get started: Just put one foot in front of the other. With walking, your heart will get stronger, you’ll lower your bloo...

It’s almost impossible to believe it’s nearly January 1st. Those who are planning to light firecrackers on New Year's Eve should know that accidents can and do happen, despite your best precautions. Here's a list of things before setting off your own explosives, with reminders about kids, pets and how you buy the fireworks. 1.  Buy fireworks only from reliable sources. They’re only safe if they’ve come from someone who knows how to make them. If you’re unsure whether a roadside fireworks dealer is selling legally, ask the tindera to show their license to sell fireworks. Avoid purchasing illegal fireworks such as Piccolo (sometimes labeled as Pacquiao), Goodbye Bading, Goodbye Colombia, Bin Laden, Super Lolo, Super Yolanda, Pla Pla , among others. 2.  Read and follow the label directions. All professionally made, legal fireworks should have igniting instructions on the packaging. It’s a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised how often people ignore the directions. 3. ...