Feb 25, 2010

OpenStreetMap-PH Marikina Mapping Party

There will be an Openstreetmap Philippines Marikina City Mapping Party on March 20, 2010. from 9am onwards.

OpenStreetMap is a free, open source map that can be contributed, edited and used by anyone anywhere. Mapping parties are social events where experienced and new mappers can meet to share and learn more about the project. The events are generally held in a public place, and allow time for discussion, mapping and editing.

You can invite your friends and be taught how to map using GPS, paper, on foot, car or bike. The objective is to place Marikina City on the OSM map and make Marikina City the best mapped city in OSM.

Please check this link for updates:
http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/WikiProject_Philippines/Mapping_Party/Marikina

If anyone is willing to join, help in the preps or sponsor the even, you may contact emmanuel.sambale@gmail.com

Here are the event details as of Feb. 25, 2010:

Event details

  • When: Saturday, March 20, 2010, 9am onwards
  • Meet-up place (9:00 AM): Marquinton - Blue Wave Mall - tentative
  • Post-mapping place (2:00 PM): SM City Marikina (free Wi-Fi!) - tentative
  • Weather: This event is rain or shine. (But given that it is El NiƱo season, it will likely be sunny.)

Schedule of activities

9:00 am - 2:00 pm - POI Collection
2:00 pm - 5:00 pm - Data Editing
5:00 pm onwards - Socials in a nearby pub
Feb 24, 2010

Marikenyo Spotlight: Coach Rio dela Cruz

Last week, I got the opportunity to meet a distinguished athlete at the Unilab Run United for Wellness primer. He is no other than Coach Rio dela Cruz. He is mainly a runner but his many achievements supercede his runner status. He has joined several marathons both locally and abroad and have been clocked with very impressive time results.

He is popularly known as Coach Rio, because he is a sought-after coach by celebrities and personalities. Some of his clients include Iza Calzado, Karel Marquez, Anthony Pangilinan, Karen Davila and Piolo Pascual. His healthy outlook and achievements have also landed him endorsements such as Nike, Timex & Nature Valley.

When I mentioned to him that I occasionally jog at the Marikina Sports Center, I was susprised that he is very familiar with the place because during his early years, he trained at the Marikina Sports Center, where he later on met his high school coach. In fact he even told me that he lives in Vista Valley, exactly 100 meters away from the Marikina Sports Center via Sumulong Highway.

Currently, Coach Rio's next event is organizing the Unilab Run United for Wellness for the benefit of Children’s Hour and K.I.D.S. Foundation. The Unilab Run United for Wellness will take place at the Bonifacio Global City, Taguig on March 7.


COACH RIO’S PROFILE

  • Graduate of the University of the Philippines (Bachelor of Physical Education)
  • U.P. Varsity Track and Field Team Coach
  • Former UAAP Record holder (10km & 1,500m) P.R.
  • Former Member of the National Team
  • Event Organizer (Run United for Wellness, Kenny’s Urbanite Run, 2009 Timex Run: Time is Running, Men’s Health Urbanathlon, Greenfield Cityscape Run, among many others)
  • Running coach
  • RUNNER!
For more details on Coash Rio, you may visit his website at http://www.runrio.com

Feb 22, 2010

PLMAR turns Seven!

Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Marikina or PLMar for short is celebrating its 7th year founding anniversary this week. Mayor Marides C. Fernando envisioned an affordable and quality tertiary education for the city residents of Marikina and PLMar was born. PLMar is the first city university of Marikina City and was established by the Marikina City Council on 2003 via city ordinance no.015.

I had the privilege of teaching at PLMar for two years and I loved the time I spent there but due to some health reasons I had to slow down in teaching. PLMar offer varied courses like Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Criminology, Hotel and Restaurant Management, Business Administration, Tourism and Mass Communication plus Associate courses in Hotel and Restaurant Management, Science and Healthcare and Diploma in Caregiving.

On February 24, 2010, the university will celebrate its Founding Anniversary at Teatro Marikina. There will be a Job Fair, Debate contests and Awarding ceremonies of different contests.

The launching of PLMar’s electronic newspaper PLMar Link is one of the highlights of the celebration. So visit now and get to know all about PLMar.
Feb 17, 2010

Riverbanks Center Deck Now Open

If you're the type who would loves places that are overlooking, Riverbanks Center has recently opened its Deck, which is elevated from the rest of the Riverbanks Center.

From the Deck, it is overlooking to the Marikina and Quezon City skyline. Nearby is Dencios restaurant which also offers a scenic view of the riverbanks as it is situated along the Riverbanks. You may choose to dine inside where huge clear windows provide a scenic view or proceed to their terrace where you can feel the weather while dining.

Evening entertainment is also available at Dencios as scheduled live bands play regularly. Best tme to visit Dencios is an evening out with your friends and enjoy the river ambiance.
Feb 16, 2010

Riverbanks Mall Inventory Fair

Marikina Riverbanks Mall is holding a Mall Inventory Fair at the Exhibit Hall from Feb 5, 2010 to March 3, 2010. During this period, participating tenants will be selling their products at discounted prices.

Marikina Riverbanks Mall is located at Riverbanks Center, 84 A. Bonifacio Ave, Marikina City. From C5 Eastbound, turn right exiting C5 and take the service road parallel to Marikina River. From Quezon City, take Aurora Blvd, going to Marcos Highway and exit the highway by taking the fly over on the left leading to Marikina City proper. Turn right at Marikina Riverbanks Center.

For more details, contact Marikina Riverbanks Center at 570-0704, 570-0705, 570-0708 and 570-0709.
Feb 15, 2010

Oriental Favorites Cooking Demo

In celebration of the Chinese New Year, SM City Marikina is holding cooking demo where Chinese cuisine favorites noodles, dumplings, stir-fried veggies and much more will be cooked and taught in front of mall goers from Feb 13 - 21, 2010. Master Chefs of the east will be rendering their kitchen skills for all.
Feb 13, 2010

Valentines & Chinese New Year Celebrations at Bluewave Mall

Bluewave celebrates both Valentines day and Chinese New Year with its list of mall events lined up for this weekend.

On February 13, 2010, Bluewave will be holding a free pre Valentines concert entitled "An Acoustic Evening With Luke Mejares" at 6:00pm. Former South Border member and R&B sensation Luke Mejares will perform a series of love songs to get you into the romantic mood.

And the next day, on February 14, 2010, Bluewave celebrates the Year of the Metal Tiger with a traditional Chinese Dragon Dance at 5:00pm, Kung Fu & Wushu exhibition at 7:30pm and a Pyro Display at 8:00pm.

Aside from this weekend celebrations, the month-long Oriental Bazaar is ongoing.
Be serenaded with romantic songs and usher in the Chinese New Year both at Bluewave this weekend.
Feb 9, 2010

Starbucks Bluewave Re-Brewing Soon

Since the floods from Typhoon Ondoy last year, Starbucks in Bluewave Marquinton mall has been closed to the public.

Recently, the branch has placed a huge tarpaulin in front of the store for those anxiously anticipating their return.

The store is currently undergoing remodelling and will re-open soon to the public. Meanwhile, Marikenos can enjoy their favorite Starbucks drinks served at SM City Marikina or Sta Lucia East Grand Mall in Cainta.
Feb 8, 2010

Marikina City Mayor Celebrates Birthday

Marikina City Mayor Marides C. Fernando was greeted with an advanced Happy Birthday from all the officials of Marikina City during the regular Monday flag ceremony and gathering in front of the City Hall this morning. Her husband, vice-president candidate Bayani Fernando was also present to celebrate.
MCF as the Marikina City Mayor is fondly called will be celebrating her birthday this February 10. As part of her celebration, she initiated a Blood Letting Program which was conducted inside the City Hall today.

To our dear Mayor, a Happy Birthday to you.


Feb 1, 2010

Marikina as The Little Singapore

I've recently been to Singapore and now it makes more sense why former mayor Bayani Fernando wanted to pattern Marikina City to this country when he was the mayor.

Singapore is a country of cleanliness, orderliness and discipline. You can see it all around you there... the clean roads, the obedient pedestrians, the greenery in the form of plants and flowers, the numerous tourist attractions, the transport promptness... it's all there. And although Marikina can't fully duplicate Singapore, a lot of the efforts of upgrading the quality of life in Marikina is evident by the initiatives the city has undergone to provide city residents with a similar atmosphere.


In Singapore, every street has at least some form of flora and fauna, whether it be full-grown tall trees, or elegantly trimmed bushes and flowery bushes. The clean & green movement & tree planting and preservation in Marikina are just a few that make the city look cleaner too.

The orderliness in Singapore is unbelievably astonishing. It even makes evening city roaming a breeze as the government provides a safe environment for both residents and tourists alike.

Discipline is also very evident in Singapore as you'll see pedestrians obediently following crossing intersections only on a green light and motorists giving way to them before turning. Motorists as well follow the traffic rules and regulations making the streets less accident-prone. Garbage is thrown in designated areas & rarely would you see any trash scattered on the streets. Marikina has made huge efforts to place street signs and guides on where to cross and what motorists are allowed to do to lessen a chaotic metropolis that nearby cities are used and accustomed to. Waste management is also regularly implemented citywide as all areas of Marikina are being serviced by scheduled garbage pickups and disposal. Because of these efforts, Marikina has won awards for being one of the cleanest cities in the Philippines.

Tourists won't experience any hard time getting around as brochures are available all around the city containing complete and detailed information about anything and everything a tourist needs to know to make their trip a memorable one. Touring the city is a breeze as directions to any place in the metro is distinctly given with other pertinent details one may need to know.

In a nutshell, Marikina has encapsulated this vision of ideal city living and slowly trying to make the city a better place. Singapore is more modern and advanced but using Singapore as a role model for the city has set the city's goal to a more specific and precise vision... towards the progress of a great city.