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 Niño 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

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

PLMAR turns Seven!

Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Marikina or PLMar for short is celebrating its 7^th 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.