Reciprocal EntreCard Drop and Link List

What good is a blog if no one's there to read it? We're blogging because we want people to know and in order to get people visit your blog, you have to build some good and quality traffic. I've a friend that says Entrecard has helped her build some good traffic on her blog. I tried it but since this blog is relatively new so I still need to do more work to get more traffic. As I do my EC dropping, I bumped into a blog that talks about a traffic-building scheme for Entrecard members. I'm going to try it and let's see if it works.

Richard at Trader’s Hub has created a reciprocal, link-building, authority-increasing drop list populated by some of best blogs and top droppers on EntreCard.

It is a simple add your name to the list and publish the list plan, but with a twist! You have to be an EntreCarder.

So try some of the blogs out and see if the list might work for you. If dropping is what you do, then you will want this list. Put your blog in the next open slot below. Then copy and paste the list into a blog post.

After you have posted your blog entry and the list, stop by Traders’ Hub and leave Richard a message so he will add you to the master list.

You can view the widget on my sidebar.

(Start, copy and post this list!)

1. Traders' Hub

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Transport Strike in Davao City

Today was crazy hell in Davao City. Being here for more than 6 years, I've seen and heard of transport strikes but was not affected much as those previous strikes were not participated fully by some drivers/operators and there were still some jeepneys/cabs taking passengers. But today was incredible. A staggering 85% of Davao City transport has been paralyzed as more than 1,000 driver and operator members of United Maa Operators and Drivers Association (Umoda) participated in the rally.

Just when you thought that economic crisis would make these drivers/operators think twice before they go on strike, compromising a day's income that could have been the food on the table of their family for no less than their principle. In fact, one driver told a reporter of one leading local newspaper said, "we won't mind if we'll have to share just a bowl of rice porridge today with our families only to fight for our principles. "

The strike has been caused by penalty increase of the Land Transportation Office (LTO). Based on the new penalty scheme, a person driving under the influence of drugs will be fined P10,000 and his driver's license possibly revoked. Driving under the influence of liquor gets a P5,000 fine.

The new order also imposes higher penalties for the following violations:
* Driving without license, P1,500
* Driving with an expired license, P400
* Failure to carry a license, P200
* Possessing a fake driver's license, P2,000
* Conviction of a crime using a motor vehicle, P3,000

For operating or driving an unregistered or improperly registered vehicle, a fine of P2,000 will be imposed on the driver if he uses the vehicle without the knowledge and consent of the owner. If the driver is also the owner of the vehicle, he will have to pay P4,000.

Now, I'm sure you'll say it's just probably right for the LTO to increase fines/penalties so people would be more careful and conscious in abiding by the law. Also, why would those drivers/operators whine about higher penalties when if they follow the rules then they shouldn't worry about paying huge penalties at all.

However, rumor has it that Mayor Duterte was behind this strike urging the associations of operators and drivers to protest against the exorbitant fees of LTO as the Mayor believed that Cong. Nograles was behind the LTO fees hike. A source said, according to Mayor Duterte, Cong. Nograles instructed his "people in LTO" to increase the penalties so to accumulate funds for his campaign in 2010.

Image by inquirer.net

72nd Araw ng Dabaw

Araw ng Dabaw (Davao City Day) is Davao City's foundation day and is celebrated every 16th of March. It is the day when Davao Assemblyman Romualdo C. Quimpo filed Bill No. 609 or Commonwealth Act No. 51, An Act Creating the City of Davao. The said creation wasn't just to unite the territory of 2,244 square kilometers or 244,400 hectares into one city, making it the largest city in the world, but to break the control of the Japanese who become predominant and managed to gain economic clout during the 1930's.

Today, Davao City is the most progressive city in Mindanao and is considered the most livable city in the country. Foreign investors and visitors are all welcome, but the city is under the firm control of Filipinos as its founding fathers had intended.

Araw ng Dabaw, as started during the term of Mayor Elias B. Lopez, has been made a long-week celebration and the city's 7-day itenerary from March 16 is filled with fun and exciting events such as the most anticipated Mutya ng Dabaw (Muse of Davao) coronation night, as well as band parades and spectacles in major streets of Davao such as Banda Hudyaka, Parada Dabawenyo, and Kasikas.

To know more of these Araw ng Dabaw events click here.


Source: "Araw ng Dabaw" Official Website

Bigby's Davao - an Unusual Review

I've been meaning to write about my dining experience the first time my family and I had a meal at Bigby's Davao but it was only recently that I came up with this Davao blog. Perhaps it is also because of this "quite not so pleasant" dining experience that I had the urged to create a Davao blog. One that will talk about my love for the city but would not be patronizing enough not to talk about its flaws. The purpose is not to mock the endearing island but to improve for the best.

Whenever my family and I celebrate certain occasion, we go to a pretty fancy restaurant to have a meal and on our 2nd Year Wedding Anniversary in September 2008 we went to Bigby's Davao. At first I thought Bigby's were quite expensive but it's not really what I expected. Well, it's not cheap but it's not expensive either. I'd say price is reasonable enough.

Upon entering the restaurant we were greeted by the staff and led to a table with comfortable cushioned seats. We came at 1 o'clockish which was rather late for lunch so there were only few people dining in which I thought was very good, food will be faster than during rush hour, as I was already starving like I could eat a horse. Also, our 1 year and 9 months son fell asleep on our way to the mall until we settled at Bigby's so we're actually hoping to have our ordered food as quickly as possible so that my husband and I could eat at the same time, have a real feel of our wedding anniversary, and enjoy the food while our kid was sound asleep on the cushioned seat.

The moment we sat and got the menu we made our choice right away. My husband ordered a chicken dish while I ordered baby back ribs, sodas for both of us, and a portion of plain french fries for our kid. Although I fancy having dessert after, I didn't order any yet as I thought maybe we would be so full after the main dish that we'll have no more room for dessert. When the waitress got our order I asked her to tell the chef to make it as quick as possible for I am really hungry already. While waiting for our order, my husband and I were amusing our self with the nice exotic display in the restaurant then a waiter came to offer dessert and handed us a menu so I said okay will see the menu and maybe we'll order later. Then after a few minutes, another waitress came to offer us dessert. I told her someone else came to do the same thing and that we're already checking the menu.

By this time, though, I was already getting a bit pissed as I thought it's crazy to offer someone a dessert when they even have not had their main dish yet but I just didn't want to spoil the occasion by losing my cool so I managed to remain calm. After a few minutes , again, for the third time, another waitress came to offer us dessert and I just snapped. I said, "Is this restaurant really like this? I mean, we haven't had our main meal yet and all the crews have been non-stop buggering us of ordering dessert! Do you, like, get a commission out of this or something? I hope yes 'cause if not I'd really, really be pissed off!" Then the waitress apologized saying she didn't know the others have already offered us the same. I said, "Which is just crazy! Imagine if there were 10 service crews here and everyone will ask a customer of the same thing. Has your Manager thought of dividing the dining area into sections and assigning one or two crews for each section and focusing only on the assigned section like any other restaurants do so something like this wont happen?" While I was talking to the waitress, the manager or the supervisor, I'm not sure but she was wearing a different uniform, came to the table behind us and pretended arranging the condiments there like I wouldn't notice that she's eavesdropping, which I thought was a weird way of supervising or managing for that matter - you see a customer complaining and all you do is eavesdrop?

Finally, our order came after more than 20 minutes when we were told it'll only take 15 minutes. The food was great, the portion was rather big and the taste was good too. In fact, the portion was that big for me that I didn't have anymore room for the dessert after so we didn't order one. While we were having our meal the french fries was served but it was flavored and not plain as what we ordered. I thought my son wouldn't like it flavored so I asked the waitress to change it as ordered. When we finished our meal, I asked for the bill and upon receiving it I checked the items and found there were double entries of french fries, one flavored and the other one plain. So I asked the waitress to correct it because we didn't eat the flavored fries anyways. After a few minutes, I got the correct bill so I paid. Our son was already awake at this time and since his feet were already itching to roam around the mall my husband decided to have me wait for the change while they go ahead and just wait for me outside.

Considering that only 3-4 tables were occupied at that time, waiting for my change for more than 10 minutes was rather unusual so I decided to approach the cashier for my change. As if it wasn't enough that they pissed us off with the dessert thing, it turned out that the waitress has forgotten all about my change and the change has been lying there near the cash register all those time that I was waiting. Imagine if I didn't approach the cashier, I'd be waiting forever! I thought I really had it that I just wanna get out there and don't want to come back anymore. But before leaving I gave the stupid waitress and the idiotic cashier the sharpest and most killing look I could ever give. Leaving, I thought okay the waitress was stupid and forgetful but the cashier could have approached her or someone else to hand over the change and not just leave it lying there!

If only the food were not good, I'd say our experience in Bigby's Davao was horrible. I think the staff, including that lady manager or supervisor who was only good in eavesdropping, should go on intense training in accordance to their respective position 'cause they all sucked. Although the food was that good, it wasn't enough for us to be tempted to come back. I guess it is because when we celebrate and dine in a quite fancy restaurant, we do so because we do not mind paying that much to experience the best food and best service that restaurant of this sort usually offer. Otherwise, we'd just rather go to a carendiria where food isn't really that bad and service is fair.

How Do I Love Thee?

I was born and raised in Cavite. Came here in Davao City when I pursued my degree. Stayed for four years and left after graduation. When I thought of settling down after a few years, I chose Davao City so I came back.

It may not be love at first sight but I developed this love for Davao that urged me to come back and settle here despite of having only a few relatives around. There are quite a lot of reasons and let me enumerate them.

• typhoon-free
• most people are friendlier, more hospitable, and more disciplined
  
• the most diverse city where different cultures and ethnicity co-exist peacefully
• cleaner and greener than Manila
  
• less expensive, i.e. electricity, water, transportation, education, and many others.
• lesser crime rate
  
• excellent potable water from protected site of mother nature
• nice and clean beaches from island to island
  
• Davao City is hailed as the "Fruit Basket Capital" of the Philippines...need I say more?

Other Resources:

• Living in Davao
  

Invest in Davao NOW!

When I decided to pursue my studies again my father thought I'd be better off studying in Davao and learn how to do business here as he see's Davao City as a promising haven for aspiring entrepreneurs like me. Pride as the safest City in Mindanao, Davao City business industry is now growing exponentially. In fact, when I came here in 2001 there was no SM City of Davao yet. Now the construction of Ayala Mall Davao across Redemptorist Church and Robinson's Mall beside Davao City Water District along J.P.Laurel Avenue, Bajada are both underway.

There are a lot of products and services that you'll see in Manila but still you wouldn't find here such as Krispy Kreme, Wendy's, 7-eleven, and Mini Stop, among many others so there are more opportunities yet available. Moreover, the cost of doing business in Davao City is relatively low than in any other cities in the Philippines. And, in case you're wondering how to go about obtaining permits, registration, and what are the fees involve in putting up a business in Davao City here are links to some info which you may find helpful.

• Business Permit Application Procedure-Page 1
• Business Permit Application Procedure-Page 2

Other resources:

• Procedure for New Business Permit Application
• Business Name Registration
  
• City Health Office (Sanitary Permit, Health Cert, Check-ups)
• City Engineer's Office (Building Permits, Demolition , Foreshore Lease, etc)
• Fiscal Incentives for Investors
  

Discourteous Taxi Driver

Today was rather an unforgettable day in my Davao City life. I had an encounter with a total A-hole taxi driver. I mean, it isn't the first time that I've encountered a jerk taxi driver in Manila or here in Davao City for that matter but the one today was really something. It's not something that you could just shrug your shoulder off and be passive about.

The story is this, I'm supposed to meet with my boss at 9:30AM for some last minute instructions before he leaves for an official trip and I got out from home at 8:25AM and I thought I'd be late for the meeting if I will ride a jeep as doing so takes more than an hour to get to our office and only 30-40 minutes if I will take a cab. So I decided to take a cab instead not knowing that it would be an experience that can only be compared to a nightmare.

The moment I hopped into the taxi I told the driver to take me to Bajada going to SSS, near the Dacudao intersection, and I instructed him to use the "Skyline road" because it is shorter cut to downtown from Mintal where I came from. As we started driving down the said road, I thought that he's driving rather slow so I requested him to drive a bit faster for I'm suppose to be at work at 9:30AM which he followed without saying a word. Upon reaching the junction of Skyline -Diversion Road, he even asked me which way I would prefer to take: straight which would be the way to Bangkal or left which would go to Matina then Quirino. Though I am familiar with these roads I am not really sure which one of them would be more congested with traffic at that time of the day so I told him to take the road with lesser traffic and he chose Bangkal to SM.

When we reached the junction of Boulevard going to Ateneo I was thinking he would make a left and will take the J.P. Laurel Avenue which is fine. Although it's not really traffic-free the only thing that would stop any vehicle using that road are the 2 traffic lights which is really not a biggy. However, he didn't make a left to J.P. Laurel but on to the next intersection going to Jacinto. By then I was already starting to get frustrated because not only I wasn't quite sure why we're using that road but we we're moving like a turtle which was really getting on my nerves as the supposed 30-40 minutes cab ride had became an hour and if I've only known I would have just taken a jeepney and pay P20 to get to downtown than pay over P100 for a cab and still be late anyways.

Being a woman who believes people are created equal, I still consider the fact that men are usually physically stronger, thus, in any given situation that I am alone I do not compromise my self by engaging into a verbal fight or doing/saying anything that might provoke a male stranger to hit me or something. So, despite the madness that the A-hole driver was putting me into, still I managed to contain my self and stayed calm while I was hoping that the driver would figure a better and faster way. But the moment I saw that were heading to a pretty congested road, which was the road going to San Pedro Hospital, I tried to stop what was becoming a worse case to a worst scenario by requesting the A-hole driver to just use the Bajada road instead. But he ignored me, kept silent, and continued driving. Now moving slower than the turtle I became more and more frustrated and desperate and yet I stuggled not to lose my cool.

Upon reaching the back of Gaisano Mall, again I asked the A-hole driver to make a left and just use Bajada and for the second time he ignored me but this time saying, "this is a shortcut". In hearing that I thought, "could he be more stupid?!" I mean, why choose to take a more narrow and pretty congested road when you can use the bigger main road which is not so traffic anyways? But even I was already wishing that it's legal to shoot an annoyingly dumb taxi driver in Davao City I remained calm and just uttered, "It may be a shortcut but it's quite congested. It would have been better if we had just use Bajada road because that's the way to my destination anyways." The moment I said that, the A-hole driver started yelling at me. Screaming he said, "What kind of a person are you?! I already followed all your instructions and yet you still keep on whining! That's the problem with you Tagalogs*, you're all braggarts! You think of yourselves highly and you look down upon others. You think Manila is the only City. This (Davao) is City and it's normal to have traffic here so you shouldn't expect that I can just drive you to your destination in a flash!"

The A-hole driver was already yelling at me for 2-3 minutes but I since I was in shock I wasn't able to respond to him at once. I was in shock because I don't know what I've said or did for him to react that way and as far as I am concerned, I did everything to stay as calm as possible despite the fact that I was so mad at him I could squeeze his neck. Then when I finally realize that a taxi driver was actually yelling at me for God knows what reasons I managed to ask him what did I said for him to be so harsh yet this time I was still in my normal tone. Perhaps, he didn't hear me asking him as he continuously yelled at me so the inevitable happened..I yelled at him back and for 15 minutes we were yelling at each other inside the cab.

Afraid that he might do something I fear of, I immediately asked him to take me to the nearest police station as I also thought that I've been mistreated and harassed in a way and the A-hole driver should be punished with a negative police record or something. Although I was not sure if that decision was right, I now realize it was wise for me not to let him drop me off my workplace so if I would bring this matter to the next level at least he doesn't know where I work or live for that matter.

At the police station, although a police attended to us he didn't really record the complaint as if there's no assault or any physical contact then it is not their jurisdiction. Nonetheless, he advised me to go to the LTO instead and file a discourtesy complaint against the boorish driver. Since my boss was waiting for me and I was already more than an hour late for our meeting, I decided to let the A-hole driver go telling him I've connections with LTO and I could get him wherever he goes. The "connection" ain't true, but the "get him wherever he goes" part is quite possible as when we (my husband and I) went to the Office of the City Mayor, we were told that filing a complaint in LTFRB will give a pressure on the operator to have his/her driver appear on the hearing or the said agency will revoke his/her franchise. But it is also better to take this matter to LTO so that if proven guilty perhaps his license will be revoked or he'll get some kind of penance or something.

I mean, I'm not being sadistic here. I am, on the other hand, fighting for a principle. I am actually working for a business support organization and there are, in fact, people who go miles to promote tourism, investment, and sustainable development in the Mindanao community. Now, when we say "tourism" and "investment" who does it usually involve? Tourists and foreign investors. And, when these people come here for pleasure or business who usually gets to have a first hand on them once they land in Davao City International Airport? Taxi Drivers. Tourists or foreign investors don't come here and bring along their car, they ride a cab. So, imagine if a tourist will get the kind of treatment which I got from the boorish taxi driver. All efforts, time, and money of business support group like us will just go down the drain for nothing.

It is because of this principle that I told my self I just can't ignore this. It's not about me anymore to just be passive about. I'm not gonna let a low-life Taxi Driver ruin the name of the City I fell in love with. And by the way, what pisses me more is that he's not even from Davao City! He's from Siquijor for pete's sake! So srew you A-hole! I'm gonna make sure this matter will be taken seriously by those agencies concern. I will write to the media about it and make sure they would also write about it so that taxi drivers in Mindanao will take their job more seriously, be more careful, and will take pride in doing their job by considering themselves not "just a taxi driver" but a tourists/foreign investors guide in the city who plays a significant role in promoting growth in Mindanao.

I also take this opportunity to encourage all tourists/foreigners who come to visit Davao City to report any problem that you may encounter with a taxi driver by reporting it personally to the LTO office or if you wish, to the Office of the City Mayor. I was just unfortunate to have come to Mayor's office and he wasn't there because all of his employees and I in fact heard testimonies about Mayor Duterte being notorious in slapping or beating the hell up of misdeamenored taxi drivers. I was, nevertheless, given a cellphone number of Mayor's bodyguard who also works in LTO and he says he'll make sure that their agency will take action on this regard. So if you have complaints, please e-mail me or leave a comment here with your e-mail address, not you're cellphone number 'cause others might take advantage, and I will e-mail you back the cell number of Mayor's bodyguard so that he may assist you as well.

Now, this will not end here. I was told by LTFRB Regional Director that this will be processed and could take time. But, nonetheless, I said I don't mind waiting as long as in the end I would see action and result. I shall give you an update of this story. But in the meantime, enjoy your stay in Davao and don't let any A-hole spoil it. Cheers!


* Term used to call people originally from Luzon.

Not a Davaoanian by blood but by heart.

I first came to Davao City (Philippines) in 2001. It was my father and stepmother who convinced me to try living in Davao when I told them my plans of pursuing my degree. It cracked the hell out of me when they mentioned Davao as at that time the terrorist gang of Abu Sayyaf is at its peak of kidnapping and bombarding establishments in Mindanao that no ignorant Luzonians (like how I was) would dare to enter the South then. But my folks were serious and they said it's different in Davao City...It is safer.

Long story short, I came, I saw, I conquered...my fears that is : ) Although my first few years here wasn't really as free as a bird that I could fly anywhere I'd want to. My father forbid me to go anywhere outside of Davao City. Since he know I'm not that familiar yet with the place then he said, "if you're in doubt ask who's the Mayor of the place and if it's not Mayor Duterte then don't go". I was also refrained to go to malls, which was my haven when bored or depressed, and at one point I was even disallowed to attend the mass on a Sunday as my father received an intelligence report that there was a threat to bombard churches in Mindanao.

I may have not like it much at the beginning but it wasn't really that bad. Davaoanians compared to Manilenyos are friendlier and more corteous. When in Greater Manila Area I do not wear real gold jewelry and any of my expensive watches. Also, I bring my 6510 Nokia phone rather than the N70 so that if it get snatched it wouldn't hurt much. In Davao it's not quite like that. I could wear gold jewelry, expensive watch, and even bring my N70 around with confidence. I think it is because more law enforcers patrol around Davao City than in Manila that crime rate in the former is significantly lower than the latter.

Cost of living is also cheaper here than in Manila. I remember when my family and I went for a vacation at my relatives in Luzon (North) for a couple of weeks and one fine day my Aunt recieved the water bill and out of curiosity I asked her how much it was. She said, "P2,600". I gasped and said, "What?! You have a pool here or something?!". I mean the water supply in their place is not even 24 hours. It's like they get a supply of water at 4AM and then down at 12 noon onwards.

I could never live in a place where water supply is limited. Water and electricity are necessities in life that I couldn't live without. But these are not a problem in Davao. In fact, water and electricity failure are rarely a problem here. Also, electricity and water bill here are way lower than if we'll live in Manila. We're a family of 3 and a yaya and our water bill never hit more than P150.00 monthly and our electricity bill would only range from P1,200-1,500 a month and we run the room airconditioner almost every night for 10-12 hours plus other appliances which include 10 cubic feet non-frost ref, TV, DVD, and PC among others.

Although Malls in Davao City are not as huge and lavish than that of Manila's I chose to reside here with my family. Lower cost of living, nicer people, and cleaner environment could be ones of the main reasons why I stayed but I think it's more of finding my self here. For me, home is where I feel safe and where your heart is. I may not be a Davaoanian by blood but I am Davaoanian by heart.