F&B Etiquette Training Part 1 & 2

I dab around F&B Service Etiquette. Excuse my limited skills in editing and directing the scenes.

Hope folks out there will find this useful.

Funtime at Fontana

With recent temperature reaching 38'C, Time to go swimming! :) We ended up in Fontana Leisure Park located in Clark Field Pampanga. I can't remember the last time I was here but I remember it being more maintained than this. It wasn't terrible but It was way better before. Anyway, here are some tips when going here:



1. Food - buy it outside but don't bring them in as there is corkage fee, my tip is to do what the others are doing, eat in the parking lot. we saw some big groups having their lunch at the parking lot. I suspect that the cost of food inside is really expensive which is already expected



2. Bring some sun block, etc - heat is extreme, after our swim, my shoulders got burnt.



3. The waves lasts for about 15 minutes per session, it used to be 30 minutes but its okay. Stay for a while and for sure you will catch the waves



4. Parking is abundant, park near the entrance for easier access to your vehicle as you will be leaving some things in your car.



5. Underwater camera is a must, we used a go pro and a tripod to film this trip.



Have a nice summer everyone! :)

How to Clean a K&N Air Filter

Here is an instructional video on how to clean and recharge your K&N Air Filter.



Stock Air Filters usually cost from around PHP 2,500 to 3,000 and usually last you for around 10,000 to 15,000 KM, afterwards you would need to throw them in the bin, the advantage of using K&N is that its for lifetime use. You just need to clean them occasionally. Its re-usable and its quite effective. There are claims that there is an additional gains in HP using them but I personally with my years of using their products I don't really feel the additional gains, I'm more after the re-usability of it and its value for money.

Heres an additional read on the use of reusable air filters.
http://www.3aracing.com.au/HTML%20Folder/Images/Air%20Filter%20Shoot%20Out.pdf

How to avail of PHP 23.50 per Liter of Diesel.

With everything on the rise recently I've always kept an eye on the prices of diesel, I usually gas up  only when the prices are a little lower than the usual. Today, I discovered where you can get diesel for PHP 23.50 per liter.  Yes, you read it right. :) PHP 23.50 per liter.

Here's how you can also avail of it:

1st, you have to be an S&R member and you should have the latest MAG STRIPE CARD, if yours is still the old one, you can have it exchanged for FREE. 

Below is a flyer I was handed out 2 weeks ago and I didn't really paid too much attention to it as I am one of those people who are quite skeptical when it comes to sales and discounts, I always think there is a catch to it.

According to this flyer, you can get 2 peso discount per liter of diesel and 3 peso discount per liter of gas. Not bad right?  So, since I was in San Fernando this afternoon and I thought I would try it out and see if what they have here is indeed true.

When I got Unioil, the queue was bumper to bumper, there must have been 3 or 4 cars ahead of me  on one pump and the rest were scattered around, all were waiting to gas up. When I checked the prices I was surprised to see this:

April 1, 2017 - Unioil San Fernando

Diesel - PHP 26.50 per liter

Gas (91 ron) - PHP 37.65 per liter

Gas (95 ron) - PHP 37.95 per liter

Looks good right? All the while I thought these were already the discounted prices, but apparently the S&R discount wasn't included yet. 

So I filled up for 57.227 liters of diesel and my total Bill was PHP 1,516.52, I handed the gas attendant 1,520 and my S&R Membership Card, waited for a few minutes and to my surprise he handed me 175 pesos along with my receipt and an S&R transaction slip.

 

Here's the breakdown of my bill:

PHP 26.50 per liter of diesel x 57.227 liters = Total 1, 516.52

Discount: 57.227 x 3 pesos = 171.681

Total Expense: 1,344.839

So basically, the cost per liter of diesel just amounted to: 

PHP 23.50 per liter

I don't know where else you can get diesel this cheap. Definitely worth trying it out. 

Here are other Unioil branches that are participating in the said promo.

For the complete details of the said promo, click on the link below:

http://www.snrshopping.com/power-fuel-savers.html

Hope this helps. I believe the promo is from March 1, 2017 to March 1, 2018

AWESOME! 

How to Change oil & oil filter on a 2015 Montero Sport GLX

Here is the continuation of my DIY job over the weekend. For DIY fans you will find this one quite interesting.

How to replace a fuel filter on a Mitsubishi Montero Sport 2015 GLX

So I had some free time in my hands this weekend and decided to replace the fuel filter on my ride. Its using an element type fuel filter and it is recommended to have it replaced every 10,000 KM. Although petrol stations here in the Philippines are now Euro4 standards, its never too safe to take extra precautions when it comes to car maintenance. Since its nearing the 20,000 KM mark, I have decided to go ahead with the replacement. Hope you find the video helpful.

Thanks.

Beauty and the Beast

Saw it this afternoon, EXCELLENT movie. Their revival of it is simply spot on. Emma Watson played the part of "Belle" so well. The cinematography and special effects was just great. Still my favorite among Disney movies.

AMAZING ALASKA

Alaska is a a different world on its own. Its like visiting a new part of the world. Everything is different and it looks like a blast from the past specially Skagway. Their king crabs are the best I've ever tasted and their halibut, fish and chips are just to die for.



Onboard the white pass train is an experience i will never forget. You pay for the train ticket and it will tour you from alaska all the way to canada. yes, we crossed the border to canada. It was such a nice experience.

World's fastest elevator!

Sharing some highlights from my trip to Taipei 101.

If you are planning to visit this place, make sure you go to the observatory. The ticket is worth the money plus its a great chance to see everything around taipei. Also some side trips I made here was their street food. Its extremely good and the there are countless selection of food. Best of all, its soo inexpensive.

Taiwan is truly fun.

Fish Spa in Phuket Thailand

This is the most ticklish foot massage I've ever had in life. :)

Disneyland Hong Kong Full Tour (Day 1)

Disneyland has always been a happy place for me and my family.  Here's a full tour of our trip to Disneyland Hong Kong.

How small are crew cabins onboard cruise ships?

I often gets asked, how small are crew cabins onboard cruise ships?

Take a look at the photos below:

This was my cabin in Norwegian Sun.

As you can see, thats it. :) that white door is the entrance/exit door, the one that has a blue siding is a cabinet, the one beside it is the bathroom door. You have a small table and a tiny bed. If you are anywhere taller than 6 feet, good luck with you are your feet will be dangling at the end.

my bathroom

The shower area is separated by a shower curtain, hot/cold water is always available. the sink is standard size and the toilet works on a vacuum system. Do not throw anything in the toilet except for number 1 & 2, otherwise get ready to have a clogged toilet. 

crew cabin in norwegian epic

Here's a photo of my cabin onboard norwegian epic. It's bigger than the ones from n. sun. This one has a port hole. (window). The bathroom though is even smaller, at least the living area here is alot bigger though.

How to get your License back from a Speeding Violation

Speeding Violation

TOP

Last February 25, 2017, On our way to Our Lady of Manaoag we were flagged down by LTO officials on our exit to SCTEX, according to the officer we were doing 128 kph and was over the speed limit (100 kph), We asked for a photo as proof but none was provided. He said that plenty were being caught so it will take time to send the photo to us. He instead gave us a  leaflet stating the email address customer_service@tollways.net.ph but until now, none has been sent to us.

I then surrendered my license and was issued the citation ticket on the left. :( , In retrospect I shouldn't have handed over my license until the photo was shown to me. This ticket will serve as a temporary license while settling the fees involved because of the violation. I was given 72 hours for me to claim my license back.

Since I didn't have time to go to LTO east avenue, I asked my wife to claim it for me. We were unsure how much it would cost but according to the officer, around PHP 1,000 +, no seminar. Did further researcg, heres what the net said:
1st offense - 1,000
2nd offense - 2,000
3rd offense - 10,000

I was afraid that we would have to pay 10K since this wasn't my 1st time being caught, my 1st one was way back in 2010, 2nd one around 2014 and this one 2017, I wasn't sure if there was a "cleansing period" of some sort. Asked among friends from MSCP and they said, around 1 year interval daw. Still unsure I had my wife go to LTO east avenue and here are the steps she followed:

LTO East Avenue Facade

Step 1. Go to LTO Compound East Avenue, within the compound go to the Letas Building located at the far end upon entry.

Step 2. Surrender TOP, Authorization Letter, Photocopy of IDs, (2 copies each)  at the entrance of the building. Photo above you can see the entrance, that small door with light on it. :)

Step 3. Wait for your name to be called. Wait time was an approximately 15 minutes, surprisingly fast. She came on a Wednesday.

Resolution Form along with the TOP

Step 4. Resolution form (see photo above) will be given which will indicate the amount to be paid.

Step 5. Payment Time. - Go to Window 8, located at the building just across Letas, weirdly you need to enter a "Chapel" and there you will find the payment counter. Sorry We don't have actual photo of it, here's one I got from the internet though. (Credits to donpoyo.com) for the photo above.

Step 6. Once paid, you will get the resolution form stamped and the receipt. Now proceed back to Letas building 2nd floor, fill out a claim stub, and wait for your name to be called.... Waited for 30 minutes and then license was finally released. :)

I wasn't sure if we just got lucky or what but wait time was not that long. I read through forums and other people's experience and some had to wait the whole day. Anyway, hope this helps.

Lesson Learned: Always, Always, Always be cautious with your speed when passing through expressways.

TOTAL Time Spent from Start to Finish: 2 hours 45 minutes
11:00 am - Marquee to GMA Kamuning - 1.45 hours
12:45 pm - MRT Kamuning to LTO - 15 min walk
1:00 pm - Claiming Process - 45 minutes
1:45 pm - Done.

Total Cost: PHP 1,521.63
Bus Fare - php 260
Bus Fare - php 12
LTO Fine - php 1,077.63
Jollibbee - php 172

How to Replace Cabin Air Filter on a Montero Sport GLX 2015

I often see questions in car forums like, "Air coming out from my AC smells sour, what seems to be the problem?". Often times the culprit is the Cabin Air Filter.



In this video I show you how to replace the AC Cabin Filter on a 2015 Montero Sport GLX.

Hope this helps.

Jazz Versus Monty

I was at the parking lot the other day and I saw a friend of mine driving a Honda Jazz, Hers was the latest one, Jazz GK and I suddenly missed my little dinky. I used to have a Honda Jazz 2010 and that car was awesome. In this video I share my reasons and personal thoughts why I upgraded to an SUV and how it has affected my life in general.



Hope this helps prospective buyers.



Thanks for watching.

My Top 3 Business Ideas

I share to you my Top 3 Business Ideas



1. Business related to real estate such as apartment/s, house for rent, condo for rent etc.

2. Business related to medical field such as diagnostic clinics, med labs, etc

3. Businesses related to education

Manaoag Trip 2017

February 25, 2017



Sharing to you our trip to Manaoag last Feb 25, 2017. Its not so often that I get saturday off so my family and I took advantage of the holidays and decided to go for a drive up north. This is an annual event that we do as part of our devotion.



We left Clark around 10am got to Our Lady of Manaoag around 1pm. Traffic was minimal but we got into a small pickle on our exit to SCTEX for a speeding violation. With roads soo smooth and the perfect weather its very difficult not to go over 100kph. Nevertheless,  lesson learned is to always be cautious of your speed when going through any expressway. Perhaps cruise control would be a good feature to have to avoid such mishaps.



Those who are planning to go up north this summer season, heres a few tips

1. Make sure you are well hydrated

2. Bring an umbrella, the heat is extreme and prolong exposure to the sun is painful

3. Mangoes are in season, best eaten along with bagoong. Yum!. they are really inexpensive nowadays so take advantage of it.



Hope this helps.



Safe travels everyone.



Thanks.

Top 5 Ship Life Survival Tips

I share some tips on ship life survival. These are based on my experience having had worked in the cruise line industry for 3 years under RCCL and NCL. I hope these tips will be beneficial for those who are currently in the industry and are planning to venture into this type of work.

Dashcam Review: Blackvue DR650 GW 2/CH HD

With so many dashcam out there its very difficult to choose which one is the best. To help future buyers I've made a video below showing sample day and night shots of the Blackvue DR650GW. I've had this particular dashcam for a while now and so far its working great for me.

Product Features
- Dual Camera (Front and Back)
- Can be connected via Bluetooth
- Comes with 16GB Micro SD Card
- Stealthy and can hide under the rear view mirror
- Rear camera is small, doesn't get in the way of sight
- NO screen - some people would find this one a deal breaker, I personally like it without one so that its very stealthy. You almost forget its there
- BlackVue app available for Android and Iphones, Desktop app also available in Mac and Windows

Pros:
- small, stealthy, easy to install
- dual camera
- video quality is good but not the best

Cons:
- No screen
- Cost