SOHAiesta - The 1st ever Food Banchetto and Bazaar

Everyone is invited to join the 1st ever Food Banchetto and Bazaar dubbed as SOHAiesta organized by OLOPSC Alumni Batch 1996 in cooperation with Society of OLOPSC High school Alumni ( SOHA ) at OLOPSC DC Arcadia Gen Ordonez St. on Oct. 23 and 24 at 5 pm onwards.

Your favorite Marikina Restaurants like Crepeman, Mad Mustard, Kanzen Sushi and Cripy Doki will be joining the event. And not to be outdone, your kids get their share of fun... A Trick or Treat costume party from 5pm - 6pm. Also enjoy and listen to acoustic performers to liven up the night. 

For more details, call 3308756997 or 997-7777

See you all there!

Directions to OLOPSC DC Arcadia Gen Ordonez St., Marikina City.

Lilac Food Fest 2015 Amidst the Typhoon

Despite rainy weather caused by Typhoon Lando, the 2015 Lilac Foodfest proved to be a successful one last October 17, 2015 with people dropping by to sample different cuisines and types of food offered.

Similar to popular Food street destinations such as Maginhawa in Quezon City and Kapitolyo in Pasig City, Lilac Street in SSS Village, Marikina City is slowly becoming another food street with various non-food chain restaurants and cafes each worth visiting and checking out.

All Aboard The Riverland Express

The Riverland Express train at Marikina Riverbanks Center.

Marikina Participates in the Metro Manila Shake Drill for July 30

Aside from the city government of Marikina scheduling its own series of earthquake drills in its 16 barangays this July 2015, Marikina will also participate in the Metro Manila Quake Drill organized by the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on July 30.

Quoted from the Official Metro Manila Shake Drill website, it says "On July 30, 2015 10:30 AM, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, with multi-sector cooperation from schools, business, government agencies, and religious organizations, will be conducting a metro-wide Earthquake Drill. This will increase the metro’s chances of better recovery and implementation of contingencies in the event of earthquakes."

Marikina is among the 12 cities in the National Capitol Region that will participate in the largest Earthquake Drill to be held in Metropolitan Manila which starts at 10:30 am on July 30.

The Metro Manila Quake Drill scenario for the East Quadrant which includes Marikina City and Pasig City are fallen structures. The evacuation site identified for this drill is LRT 2 Santolan Station and Marikina Boys Town in Marikina, and Ultra in Pasig City.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHILVOLCS) had earlier warned of a 7.2 magnitude quake following movement from the West Valley Fault which passes through the barangays Barangka, Industrial Valley, Malanday and Tumana in Marikina.

Map of West Valley Fault passing through portions of Marikina City

MMDA is counting on public's participation.

For more details, visit

• http://www.metromanilashakedrill.com/
• http://www.bepreparedmetromanila.com/
• http://tremors.instigators.io/
• #MMShakeDrill hashtag
• Metro Manila Shake Drill Audio Broadcast - signalling the start of the drill

Project Tremors Website Determines How Near or Far You Are From the Valley Fault Line

Lately, the Valley Fault System (also known as the Marikina Valley Fault System) has been in the news including locations where the Fault Line passes through.  In response to providing valuable information on the Valley Fault System, a group of developers came up with an online tool that maps out the fault along with barangays and cities affected.

Project Tremors is a website that uses data sources from GMA Network, ABS-CBN news, nababaha.com and Local Waters Utilities Administration (LWUA) to map out the East and West portion of the Valley Fault System.

Developed by Dominic Tuazon , Louis Michael Concepcion, Emmanuel Soriano and designed by
Kyle Abughanem, the website graphically illustrates the barangays affected and in the path of the fault line through a map.  In addition, the barangays listed show the population breakdown.  You can also search for your location and it will calculate your distance frmo the fault line.

Affected areas in Marikina include:

• Loyola Garden Village
• Loyola Subdivision
• Monte Vista Village
• Industrial Valley Subdivision
• Cinco Hermanos Subdivision
• Wood Crest Subdivision
• Loyola Grand Villas
• Dela Costa Homes

To access the website, visit http://tremors.instigators.io/

The Official Marikina City Government Website also provides an Earthquake Prepredness Guide called Lindol 101, which includes tips on what to do before, during and after an earthquake, an emergency checklist useful contact numbers.  To access the guide, visit http://marikina.gov.ph/#earthquake

OLOPSC High School Batch 1990 Celebrates 25th Anniversary with a Reunion

Batch 1990 of Our Lady of Perpetual College in Marikina will be celebrating their 25th year High School reunion at the Dionisio Sr. Hall.

This reunion hopes to bring together the 200+ alumni who graduated high school from OLOPSC (then known as OLOPSS - Our Lady of Perpetual Succor School).  Also invited are Elementary graduates of the same year.

This batch was one of the batches who enjoyed the newly constructed campus at General Ordonez (then Molave St.) transferring from the old campus along Bayan Bayanan Avenue.

Fourth year High School advisers who handled this batch were Mrs. Eva Faytaren for Assumption of Mary,  Mrs. Ruby Reyes for Coronation of Mary, Mrs. Grace Rarang for Legion of Mary, Mr. Gener Pascual for Immaculate Concepcion and Mrs. Cecilia Ramos for Solemnity of Mary.

One of the most notable people from this batch was Navy Lieutenant Senior Grade Arlene dela Cruz, the first woman topnotcher of the Philippine Military Academy graduating at the top of the PMA "Masikhay" Class 1999.  Unfortunately, she was involved in a fatal road accident in Bataan in 2008.

This 25th year alumni reunion is a prelude to the OLOPSC Grand Alumni Homecoming tentatively scheduled for December 5, 2015 where all batches will reunite.

The reunion will begin with a mass at the school chapel, followed by dinner, acknowledgement per section, tribute to the deceased batchmates, a video presentation and end off with a party for everyone to catch up with classmates and batchmates.  

Thank you to Jack Daniels, Manila Water, Phoenix Publishing House, Pan de Amerikana sponsoring the reunion as well as several pledges from 1990 batchmates who are both living here and abroad. 

Founded in 1978, Our Lady of Perpetual Succor College is one of the leading and recognized schools in Marikina City, located along Gen. Ordonez St.

M is for Marikina. M is for Malaking Sapatos

Marikina City is well known for its shoe industry.  And because of this, several fixtures around the city are created in the form of shoes.  Along the Riverbanks road leading to C5, you'll find this huge M with a high heel on top.  Just before this, are two huge high heels that can be climbed into.

5 Churches in Marikina You May Have Visited This Holy Week

Holy Week is widely observed in the Philippines and churches are visited consecutively during this period not only during Visita Iglesia but almost every day of the week leading up to Easter Sunday.

Which of these churches have you visited in Marikina?  Here's a list of some of the most popular churches.

Our Lady of the Abandoned Church facade

1. Our Lady of The Abandoned Church. This is one of the oldest churches in Marikina being built in the 1700's by the Augustinians. The church is where Nuestra Señora de los Desamparados resides, the Patron Saint of Marikina City. Unforunately, it didn't survive 2 major earthquakes and so the current church is a rebuild. It's located near Bayan along JP Rizal St. in Sta Elena. Despite it's location, it's locally also referred to as the San Roque church. It is also a popular church for weddings.
2. Immaculate Concepcion Church. Located along Bayan-bayanan St. in Concepcion Uno, this is the second largest and most populated church in Marikina. It's one of the most populated becuase it is in the heart of Marikina several barangays and subdivisions surrounding it. Most jeeps and buses travelling through Marikina pass through this church. 
   
3. St. Paul of the Cross. This church is located in SSS Village. The church used to be run by the Passionists Fathers of the Philippines. It is currently under the Roman Catholic Diocese of Antipolo. This is the main church for SSS Village but neighboring subdivisions like Rim View Park and Rancho Estates also visit. 
   
4. Jesus dela Pena. This is first permanent Church established in Marikina built by the Jesuits in 1630 located in the community of Jesus dela Peña. Marikina has once been called Jesus dela Pena in honor of the Infant Child Jesus. The chapel has been declared a national shrine by the National Historical Commission.
5. Nativity of Our Lady Parish. Located along Major Dizon St. in Industrial Valley, this church is a small but tall church.   It's not too big to fit a lot of people, but it's architecture is of the pointed and elongated type, a bit similar to Iglesia ni Cristo facades.