For Anything Else... there's UniTop

If you want to buy really affordable computer (and gadgets) supplies, we all know you have to go to CDR King right?

But for anything else, we have UniTop.

There's one in Osmena, and one in Cogon, and if you have an extra time, I highly recommend you spend one afternoon there. I'm sure you'll be surprise of what you're going to see there.

It's Taiwan in CDO - "Taiwanese"

Do you know where this place is? Here in CDO, we call it "Taiwanese" or little Taiwan in CDO for two reasons. Most sellers here are from Taiwan, and they sell great items (bags, DVD/VCD's, jewelries, clothes, shoes, toys, and a lot more to mention) with greatly affordable prices.

This is how it looks from the top.

Little Taiwan is located in front of Hotel Conchita near the other side of Cogon market. (See photo below for reference)


And talking about "Taiwanese", here's one of my favorite stores in Little Taiwan..... The shoes heaven for a lot of people.

Look at all these shoes.

They actually sell shoes that belong to the "Class A" imitations, and for a great price which are all entirely negotiable.

here's what I bought for P350 from P390... but trust me, it's not yet the lowest price they can give me for the item.

Well if you're planning on visiting "Taiwanese" one of these days, here are some of my personal tips.

• Have patience - in looking for a great item, cause sometimes they're hidden, or are the last pair of their stocks.
  
• Buy More - you actually get to pay a lower cost if you buy two or more of their items. (like a P390 & a P250 shoes can easily be negotiated for P500 for both.. and that's a great deal already).
• Go late - late in the afternoon (around 4pm down), is just the perfect time. It's not that hot and not that dark yet.
• Have a good time - this is what affordable shopping is all about.
  

Lady Fatima

It's nearly Christmas, and we Filipinos have the tradition of Visiting churches 9 days before Christmas. (You know what I mean right?).

well, if you really have the time, then you might want to include Lady Fatima on your list for "Simbang Gabi". This church lies in Camaman-an CDO, and you can just ride a motorella from Cogon or Divisoria to go there.

I don't really have to say how beautiful this church is. Just look at it, or better yet, have a visit and you'll see yet another beautiful Church in CDO.

ACCP - Cheap Cheap Cheap Ukay Ukay at It's Best

If your an Ukay Ukay shopper, I call it "UkayUkaholic", then you've probably know where this place is. I have four letters for you.... ACCP (in Cogon) .

I'm actually beginning to think it means All Come in Cheap Prices because honestly, they surprisingly do.


Here (photo above) you'll see a lot of girls, and a boy, diving for those bundles of cheap bags (P30 at that time) that are all mounted on the floor.

see those bags?

An then the cheaper than cheap ladies and men's shoes....

P 30 only (at that time)

Shoes everywhere...

looking for pairs ...

And yes, every once in a while (like every 30 minutes) , you'll see some guy bringing sacks and sacks of items to be added to the display... and trust me, they do have a Truck, and at least 2 jeepneys full of sacks.
If you've noticed, I usually say "at that time" when I show the price. That's simply because in ACCP, and only here, they changed the prices of the items as the hour ticks by... I recommend going their early (when they've just opened the store) and late in the afternoon (when they're about to close) cause these are the times when the prices gets really cheap.

And just to give you an idea some of their items, here's a pair of shoes I unbelievably bought for P 10 only earlier this year.


But of course.. they're a bit worn out.


I guess the hard times really made a lot people lessen there choices on the Quality side in choosing things, and settle for the Price factor.

But just like life.... people sometimes do get lucky and get to buy good items which they can sell for 3 times the price (usually the case), or for personal use.

1st Rafting Adventure

I use to remember a time when you either have to know somebody, or know somebody who knows somebody, who knows information of on how and who to contact with when you want to experience White Water Rafting Adventure here in CDO.

Well, those days are gone, cause now all you need to do (for rafting enquiries), is visit the 1st Rafting Adventure office along Tiano streets CDO (in front of Informatics).

Or you can call: 856-3514 / 8571270
Website: www.raftingadventurephilippines.com

The New Gaisano In Town!!!!!

Hiding in the other side of Cogon market (near Ace de Oro), is the new Gaisano in town. It's not yet that noticeable cause the logo is still not in place, and the color is different from the other Gaisano's but it is one, and I bet a lot of people are happy to have another place top buy affordable grocery items in Cogon.

Here's how it looks inside. It's actually a three-storey building, but I haven't checked what in the 2nd and 3rd floor yet.
Not yet convinced?? Wait till these (see left side of the photo above) guys are done installing the logo.

Christmas Tree in Divisoria

Divisoria Christmas Tree .... without lights yet.

Bingo sa CDO

Do you know what these are? (Clue: They are not stock market monitors, and there's a nursery rhyme about it.)

Of course you know this... it goes like B-I-N-G-O!!!!

When you like to see veterans, retired employees, elders, or what we call "pensioners" nowadays, you don't have to go to the post office, GSIS, or event the Veterans bank. All you have to do is go to the nearest BINGO house.


In here you'll see people of all walks of life talking, concentrating, punching cards while holding a baby in the other hand, and seriously playing, and basically just having a great time playing with chances for a prize money.

I tried playing yeas ago, but I never won, so I guess that's an early retirement for me and the whole BINGO thing. But many people do win.. .so why not take your chances right? We all deserve to have a great time anyways.

Who knows.... this G 48 ball might just be the answer to your prayers.

Just make sure you don't get to spend the money you need for something else more important.

Last Look: Ororama Mega Center

A night view of Ororama Mega Center

Ororama Megacenter (in Lapasan) has been one of the oldest mall-like establishments here in CDO, and it has already been one of the Landmarks for the fellow Kagay-anons. It used to be such a competitive store (like it's other branches), and even a place to go to every weekends for some weekend bowling activities or a theater movie, but ever since well developed malls came into the city, it become more of a divisoria type store selling ukay-ukay's, pirated DVD's / VCD's, and just about anything you can see in divisoria.

But on October 28, 2008, all are considered history as a wild a fire (which started at the 4th floor) broke down everything that was inside Ororama Megacenter. The fire lasted for 25 hours until it was declared to be consumed the next day. (see video footage here)

As expected , a lot of speculations had rise, but nothing has clearly been proven yet.

Will it rise again? Will it be another mall? Or will it soon be a part of something else? So many questions, yet only time can really tell.

Meet J. Ford

My names Ford.... J. Ford....

Here's a little black and white photography from one of my photography moments in the side streets of Cogon (near trendline).

I hope you like it.

J. Ford is the name of the "trisikad" (not the driver) by the way.

CDO CHICKS!!!!!!

Know any of these chikikas????

How bout this????...

Hahahaha.... Abtik gud diay mo basta chiks....

Say Letchon!!!! (with tiny voice)

Note:
No actual pigs or piglets were harmed with this post.

We Pinoys, (specially Kagay-anons) are really known for our good taste of food, and there is one food in particular, that we all know we want everytime there is a gathering for any occasion.

We call it Letchon (hmmm....grilled pig?). A regular sized letchon costs around P2,000-P4,000 these days, and sometimes we just have to sacrifice not having one for a party due to our everyday financial crisis.

But not anymore, cause now we get to enjoy our favorite food for only P30. Im talking about the Letchon bread (available in many bakeries in CDO).

No this one's safe for people with high blood pressures, and definitely is fit for snacks, by the way.

Pin Cushion Lights

You can call them whatever you want to call them, but they sure do look like Pin Cushions and Pins to me...

By the way, this photo was taken in Gaston Park in one of my clicking moments.

Where Do I Go?

This is one of the photos I took while I was on my way to my jeepney ride, passing through De Leon building in Velez. (you can see the shadows of my legs in the scene)

This shows a homeless person, with his stuffs (or junk stuffs that can be sold, or used) sitting, smoking, and wondering where he's going to go next.

I hope this photo somehow makes us realize how lucky we are to have a place (rented or not) that we can call home.

Voltes V Tower

I grew up believing this was where the robot in the movie Voltes V lives, and until now I really don't know what it is.

It has "De Oro Jaycees" written on it, but I don't think this is where they get to meet every once in a while, cause they can bee seen in Bo's Cafe all the time, but maybe... just maybe, this is where it al started for them.

Whoever knows the story, please be kind to help with some info.

Thanks in advance.

Breaking News!!!

By MARK D. FRANCISCO
of MINDANAO GOLD STAR DAILY

NINE female minors coming from Cagayan de Oro City were rescued by local social welfare personnel in Cebu City after they were lured into trafficking.
In her report before the City Council committee on public safety yesterday (Wednesday, November 26, 2008), Cagayan de Oro acting social welfare officer Marisa Tagarda said the nine girls were aged 16 to 21.
They came from barangays Bonbon, Macasandig, Bugo, Camaman-an, Lapasan and Kauswagan.
These young women were rescued by personnel from the Crisis Intervention Unit of the Cebu City social welfare and development (CSWD) department at the port area of Cebu in the morning of November 13, 2008, Tagarda reported.
Tagarda added that the Crisis Intervention Unit of the Cebu City CSWD is maintaining personnel at the city’s entry points, particularly in its airports and ports, to track child trafficking situations.
She said the Crisis Intervention Unit personnel easily knew that the nine girls were victims of child trafficking because they huddled together at the port area lounge for a peculiarly longer time after their arrival.
The victims could not be easily reached by the media as of presstime but Tagarda said they are already under the custody of the Cebu City CSWD and are expected to arrive in Cagayan de Oro shortly.
Initial reports reaching Tagarda’s office indicated that the girls would be turned into prostitutes and sex slaves not just in Cebu but as far as Pangasinan province in Luzon.
“Gipasaligan kining mga bayehana kay maayo lagi modiskarte ilang recruiter,” Tagarda said.
No suspects have been arrested by the Cebu City law enforcement authorities because the victims were alone when spotted.
But Tagarda said they are looking into the angle that one of the victims’ parents are involved.
Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (COCPO) director Senior Supt. Isagani Genabe, who was present in the City Council committee hearing, vowed to look into the case.
Committee chair Ian Mark Nacaya also said that the committee would study further actions that child trafficking in the city be prevented.

Lots of Christmas Trees in Gaisano City

I usually hear people talking about how CDO City is starting to loose it's Christmas spirit. If you can remember, there used to be the much awaited "Christmas Tree Making Contests" somewhere in Gaston Park years ago, but these past few years the people haven't seen the fun anymore. Well, aside from the big Christmas tree in Divisoria (which I will be featuring tomorrow) I guess.

But in another city, there lies a lot of Christmas Trees with different colors and different styles, and they can all be seen in one place. They call it the City within the City.... and the name is Gaisano City.

And look, they also have a CoCo Christmas Tree. Only in "Gaisano.. Gaisano.... Sa Gaisano pa rin ako.... "

Pelaez Sports Center - Under Construction

This photo was taken last Sunday, after an ice cream snack at Starmart Velez.

Some of you might be wondering what the Pelaez Sports Center looks like under construction, and the update of the of their progress so I decided to take some photos of the major construction they've made so far.

The oval is still under major construction in preparation for a rubberised track, and additional lanes.

You can see a lot of drilled holes and pipes around Pelaez Sports Center

The pool is still intact, but there are some constructions done in front

This is how it looks like.

Here's a will borrow / trash can reminding you to keep it clean

Here's how the bandstand looks like. Still Under construction.

But you can still see people practising their routines.

The side going to the Tennis Court

The widened track

And as always, there still are people maintaining a healthy with regular jogging and walking sessions.

More updates soon.

eerT samtsirhC Oh' Christmas Tree

I have seen a lot Christmas trees in my life but never have I seen an inverted one my 23 years of celebrating the Holiday Seasons.

Some say it's bad luck, cause it's turned upside down, meaning we are attracting the opposite, but others say it's also practical cause we get to have more presents to display on the floor.

Well what can I say? They both have a point, so I guess I'll just leave it up to you to decide.

Advance Merry Christmas to everyone.

CDOBloggers Logo Ideas

Along with other members of "CDOBloggers" (a NEW blogging community in CDO), I was tasked to come up with an idea of a logo that would best represent CDO in a bloggers way.

Other members have contributed their ideas and samples as well, but since we are not in line for exclusivity, I am inviting anyone to contribute any idea (in words or image) that would help us make the best logo possible.

Here are a few logo's we've come up with:

Feel free to post a link of your images, or descriptions of your ideas here, or simply email me at: cocoy000@gmail.com

Any form of help will be well appreciated.

Peso Saver - CDO Advertising Newspaper

Does this look familiar?.... I'm sure it does cause I've seen it in almost every establishment there is in CDO (including parlors). No wonder they said it is the fastest growing advertising newspaper in the city.

This is actually a very good concept in terms of advertising and I believe it is highly beneficial for everyone here in the city (specially those who have their own businesses.

If you're interested, here are the prices:

Line Advertisements

Box Advertisement

And of course.. if there's anything you would like to ask or say, you may contact them at:


I hope this is helpful.