Monday, November 29, 2010

One Winner for 741.1M Lotto 6/55 Jackpot

According to GMA-7's Twitter post tonight, there is ONE WINNER for the 6/55 Grand Lotto Jackpot for the November 29, 2010 draw. The lucky winner won 741,176,323.20 pesos.

The winning numbers are: 11-16-42-47-31-37

Here is what the Twitter status message says:

"PCSO confirms one winner of P741.2M peso Grand Lotto 6/55 Jackpot."
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HOMER NIEVERA Business Development. Social Media. Digital Marketing.
http://homernievera.net

Sunday, November 28, 2010

Beware: My Maid Lets a "Stranger" in our House

Caught in the act. That's how I would define having caught my maid's boyfriend inside her room in our home in Las Pinas City.

Last Saturday, after a happy evening of videoke with my family, I called our maid, Roselyn Talita, to arrange the groceries we bought at Robinsons in BF before heading to dinner and a videoke session. It was 12:30 midnight and Roselyn seemed to have been awakened from sleep as she groggily got our groceries. Among the groceries was a wireless doorbell set which I bought so we don't need to holler to call her into the house.

The maid's quarters is located at the back of our house connected by a small and narrow hallway from our dining room. It has its own lavatory and toilet and bath. The room can accommodate 3 maids. We rarely went to the maid's quarters for privacy reasons.

We haven't had a maid in about 5 years since we caught our previous maid talking to her alleged boyfriend at the gate of our residence. We let her go the same day. One of our rules with all our maids is that nobody should talk to a stranger outside the house while the gate was open. This is a precaution as many akyat-bahay gangs and robbers use the opportunity to get into the house freely. Thus, letting anyone into the house without our permission is a gross violation of our rules -- besides it being considered trespassing for the stranger.

Our latest maid, Roselyn, has only been with us for 6 weeks. This 19-year old came from Dumaguete and was highly recommended by her cousin who worked as maid in my mom's house. Her chores were few as we only had a small house, 2 dogs and she didn't do the laundry nor cook or iron the clothes for us. Like all our previous maids, they were provided with free board, lodging and toiletries. They had Sunday off. Roselyn, on the other hand, only took her first 2 Sundays off and since then, didn't take a day off. Strangely, she didn't want to come with us on our weekend trips or even to mass. She either stayed at home or went to mass with her cousin and another maid from my mom's house on Sunday afternoons.

This particular Saturday evening was quite different and rather revealed something else about Roselyn. With doorbell on-hand, I insisted on testing it that same hour and going to the maid's room to install it myself. All I needed to do was stick the doorbell to the wall anyway. So off I went. When I opened the door of the maid's quarters, a man in sando and shorts was sitting infront of the dresser and was smoking a cigarette! It was a cause for alarm but I immediately remained calm and composed as I said "O, andyan  ka pala," maintaining a relaxed tone. As he greeted me back with a sheepish smile, I simply turned my back on him and suavely stuck the doorbell on the wall just above the light switch. I hurriedly went back inside the house and went into the living room where both my maid and Sweetie were. I casually asked the maid, "O, Roselyn, sino ba yung lalaki sa kuwarto mo?" I purposely said that in a relaxed tone so as not to sow panic and eventually scare everybody, especially Sweetie. My maid fell silent and suddenly went straight to her room. Sweetie asked me what the heck was going on and I told her that there was indeed a man inside Roselyn's room and told her not to panic. Sweetie, this time fuming,  immediately shouted at Roselyn through our window to pack her things that instance. I instructed Sweetie to then call the Barangay office to send some tanods (security personnel). After her call, she told the kids to go to their rooms while I picked up a baton made of hard Tanguile wood. I slid it behind a throw pillow so in case my maid and the man in her room go into the living room, I would be ready for anything. In the meantime, my son Karl came out of his room with a baseball bat in hand. I told him to just sit on the sofa and conceal his weapon.

The barangay tanods came to our house about 5 minutes after the call. These were 3 burly men who had big sticks and radios in their hands. I later noticed that there were actually 4 of them, as 1 reamined in their small pick-up, probably just in case. So I led the 3 tanods to the back of the house where the maid's quarters was. After some quizzing, the man admitted that he was Roselyn's boyfriend from the province and that he was let in the house by the maid no less. I told the man, who identified himself as Vincent, that he has to come with the tanods to the barangay security office to be questioned and be put on the blotter as he was trespassing. Both him and Roselyn eventually went with the tanods to the security office but had to leave their things as Sweetie had to inspect them first.

At the security office, Sweetie followed to bring the couple's things. On interrogation, we learned that this Vincent guy was in Manila to find work and simply used our maid's quarters as a transient house. He was probably in and out of our home for some weeks already as Roselyn was already familiar with our schedules. That was why she didn't want to come with us on weekends as she'd have the house all to herself with her man. Eventually, we discovered that Roselyn hoarded some of our groceries and even used our new rice cooker for their meals. Though we suspected some money that my kids lost was due to her, we didn't bother to bring it up. We were just happy to have caught them and put it on record. We didn't file any formal charges
but saw to it that it was put on record that both were persona non-grata in our barangay and village.

We feel so blessed for 3 things about this incident:

1) That they were caught before things got worse;
2) That nothing happened to my daughters when there were many times we left them with supposedly only   our maid at home;
3) That I didn't panic when I saw the man in the room lest something violent might have been fatal.

Things could have been worse. It's a good thing we always pray for safety and protection.

This post is my way of making my readers aware of always being vigilant despite putting some trust in your maid. Times have changed. Please be careful out there.

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HOMER NIEVERA Business Development. Social Media. Digital Marketing.
http://homernievera.net

Monday, November 22, 2010

Beware: Another Modus Operandi in Malls

Here's something I got from my email today from a certain Jennifer Don of Chinabank. I'm posting this in it's entirety. It won't hurt to be aware.

Dear Family and Friends,
 

This happened to me (Jennifer) early this afternoon at Makati SM. Because 
I wasn't aware of this new modus operandi, only by the grace of God I did not
become another victim!

I was walking along the ground floor between the supermarket and the

department store when walking toward me was a rather neat-looking
middle aged man, all smiles. When he was in front of me he reached out to
shake my hand and at the same time he kissed me on both cheeks! (YAK!)
He was carrying a black Missal and a Bible. Taken by surprise and trying to
recall who he was (I thought he surely must be a friend I hadn't seen for a
while and had now forgotten. I was embarrassed to ask his name!) He
started talking almost without a pause saying he had just came from the
Greenbelt Chapel where he had served at their noon Mass. He told me he
was now a "full time lay Minister".

Then he told me "Si Papa may stage 4 cancer" and he wasn't expected to

last through this night; that right now Monsignor Bacani was sitting with
him by his hospital bed and tonight they were planning to take him to the
Archbishop's Palace for the wake. (I thought - but he isn't dead yet!)
But they needed money to pay for his final morphine shot and dextrose
as he was in much pain.

Could I please lend him P5,000? All this time he was holding my right

hand. I said I didn't have any money on me. He then asked for even a few
hundreds just to help. Now finally becoming aware of his intention, I again
said I didn't have money at all. He finally let go of my hand.

My two rings were still on my fingers. They were a bit tight to put on and to

remove.

While this man was talking and looking at me, my eyes were wondering as

I am wont to do when I am trying to remember something - a habit. I sort of
try to push my eyes up into my brains to help me remember.

Later while waiting at the Meralco "Senior Citizens" room I chatted up

an elderly lady seated beside me and recounted my experience. She was
surprised that I wasn't aware of this latest scam. Usually the man will stare
into his victim's eyes and manage to hypnotize her to empty her wallet for
him. Other instances he makes the hypnotized victim walk to an ATM and
withdraw money to hand over to him.

Her aunt had been victimized by what appears to be the same man from

our matching descriptions.

He is between 40 and 50 years old, about  5'8" to 5'10", neat looking,

kayumanggi, carrying a Missal and Bible. He always kisses his victims
so people around would not suspect a crime was in progress.

If you are approached (and kissed) please do not look into this man's

eyes when he is telling his story. It's only my bad habit of "rolling
my eyes" when I am in deep thought that saved me.

Please inform family and friends so this modus operandi will come to an

end!

Thank You.


Jennifer Don

Chinatrust ( Philippines ) Commercial Bank Corporation
Leviste Branch
Direct Line: (632) 840-2508
Telefax No: (632) 840-2510
Website : www.chinatrust. com.ph

Lessons:

1. Do not talk to strangers and/or people who pretend to know you.

2. If you cannot recall the name of someone who pretends to know you, ask
him/her... and ask also where you have met; do not be shy or ashamed as this
will help you identify scammers. You may ask him/her also if he/she really knows
your full name -- there is a big chance he/she does not know it.
3. If you are not sure you know someone who approaches you, just smile and move
away quickly. If he/ she follows you, either say you are in a hurry or go to a
secure/ safe place, like where there are guards or policemen
4. If someone who pretends to know you asks for donation or financial help,
that's the surest sign that he/she is just out to dupe or fool you. Disengage
quickly and move away fast.
5. If you have time, report the incident to the Mall or Building Management
asap.



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HOMER NIEVERA Business Development. Social Media. Digital Marketing.
http://homernievera.net

Saturday, November 20, 2010

Doni's Whips up the Happiest Pizza & Pasta in World!

"The happiest pizza and pasta in the world."

That's what my Korean friend Doni has to say about his specialties. He recently opened a cozy resto along Aguirre Avenue in BF, right across Jun-Jun Cambe's shop and almost across the other pizza place, El Buono.

Aptly called "Doni's," the place is a 2-floor spot with Doni himself making the pizza from scratch. It's gonna be hard to choose which food is best as everything he whips up is really good. I almost can't believe this guy can cook fusion Italian food.

The only other thing to take note is that since he's got a rather small place and everything's indoor, if you stay for more than an hour, you'll leave the place smelling like his great-tasting pizza. What the heck, there's beer anyway. The mix smells good on ya! :)

Just drop by Doni's and experience what I'm writing about. Thumbs up for this joint!

Doni himself making the pizza dough
Yummy Bolognese

Superb Bulgogi Pizza
Crispy Onion Fries with Rosemary
Good ole French Fries
All-meat Pizza

Spicy Crispy Chicken
Cream Shrimp Pasta













Good for Take out!



The Facade






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HOMER NIEVERA Business Development. Social Media. Digital Marketing.
http://homernievera.net

Friday, November 19, 2010

Bo's Coffee's Doodle Book Set

Something cool is brewing at Bo's Coffee this Christmas.

My good friend Adee Caluag and her team have come out with a cool set of freebies for loyal Bo's Coffee lovers -- the Limited Edition Doodle set.

The set comes with a Bo's Coffee Mug, a Colored Pencil Set and the Doodle set. For every purchase of 200 pesos, a Bo's Coffee customer receives a frequency card with one sticker. Ten stickers gets you the mug, additional five gets you the Doodle Book and the 16th order of 200 pesos gets you the Colored Pencil set.

This year's hardbound, 200-page Doodle Book comes with an elastic band and features the following:
  • a "bucket list" page
  • month planners
  • day planners
  • lots and lots of ruled and unruled notepaper
  • two treats pages full of Doodle Book-exclusive promos for 2011 (one page for monthly promos and another for weekly promos)

I already have 8 stickers on my card so I'm 1 sticker away from the Bo's Coffee Mug!

    Frequency Card for Bo's Coffee Doodle Set
    As confided to Adee, there are 3 coffee shops I'm a personal fan of: Bo's Coffee, Krispy Kreme, and McCafe. Krispy Kreme is my office meeting extension as it's located right at our building's ground floor. McCafe or McDonald's gives me the sting of a coffee rush. Bo's Coffee is my sanctuary.

    If you're gaga over notebooks, grab your frequency card now at Bo's Coffee. The promo is only till January 30, 2011.

    Take a peek at the Bo's Coffee Doodle Book here.

















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    HOMER NIEVERA Business Development. Social Media. Digital Marketing.
    http://homernievera.net


    Saturday, November 13, 2010

    Mariel Rodriguez's Grand Dad Whips up Great Steaks!

    Grandad's Facade
    So it's true. 

    The popular former co-host of Wowowee, Mariel Rodriguez, has a grandpa who cooks the best steak this side of town in Paranaque's BF Homes village. Conveniently called Grandad's, this cozy resto grills filling steaks that are heavy on the tummy but light on the pocket.

    Grandad's opened last September 10 and was graced by celebs Mariel and beau Robin Padilla plus a bevy of local politicos led by Mayor Jun Bernabe and Vice Mayor Gus Tambunting. 

    Tita May and Tito "Grandad" Raffy
    Unfortunately, I don't have their pics here. But yes, I have the pics of husband and wife team, owners Tito Raffy and Tita May.  

    The current steak and dinner set selections are few as compared to the bigger steakhouses but just the same, we ordered 'em all! I believe that the beef are locally sourced and still, the meat are tender and cooked just right. Complimentary is a plate of refillable bread with pesto. We had 3 plates. :)

    I also like the way they price the steaks. It's at 1 peso for each gram. Not bad for a 250-gram to a 450-gram steak. They serve red wine by he glass or bottle, too. I ordered a semi-sweet 2009 Premio (Chilean) wine for only 60 pesos. By the way, don't miss ordering the baked oysters. They're fantastic and practically melt in your mouth. All-in, our gastronomic meal for 5 only cost us 1,745 pesos. That's even cheaper than our trip to a Shakey's!

    Grandad's is one of the few fine-dining places in Paranaque that you'll go back to. It's located along Aguirre Street right across the Baliwag Restaurant.

    Roast Beef

    Prime Ribs with Fries

    T-Bone Steak with Green Rice


    T-Bone Steak with Fries
     
    Baked Oysters

    Bread with Pesto

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    HOMER NIEVERA Business Development. Social Media. Digital Marketing.
    http://homernievera.net

    There's something about this McDo branch

    McDonalds Las Pinas
    Every McDonalds outlet worldwide is supposed to be the same, right?

    I guess not. This Mcdonalds outlet in Las Pinas never sleeps. Besides having a 24/7 operation, this McDo is a favorite hangout of every demographic possible in this middle-class neighborhood. Located along the Alabang-Zapote Road near Philam Village, this fastfood branch seems to beat it's arch-rival Jollibee by miles in terms of traffic -- and they're almost right beside each other.

    Twister Fries are Back this Season!
    Anytime time of the day, this McDo is packed! It's so hard to find a table but still, people like me, wait patiently to find one. In the morning, office workers and senior citizens in the area converge for their breakfast and brunch. By lunchtime, students from nearby schools hangout till about 8 in the evening and are replaced by a bunch of late-night workers and those coming from their gimiks. On Saturdays, this McDo branch is the habitue of old-timers, lawyers, and even car clubs. Once in awhile you'll see a line of vintage Volkswagens or Mini Coopers parked outside. A club meeting maybe?

    McDonalds Las Pinas has a McCafe where I usually get my Latte as part of my value meal drink upsize order. This time of the year, you'll get to order Twister Fries. Yup, it's back! :)
    McCafe inside McDo Las Pinas

    My high school daughters hang-out this branch almost every Friday evening with their friends. Thus, reminding me of my favorite comics, Archie, where I compare this particular McDonalds outlet to that of Pop Tate's Diner. As for me and my Sweetie, we normally would hang-out at the nearby Yellow Cab for our Friday pizza night. Then we'd fetch our girls after my evening coffee brew at McDo.
    The Line at the Counter

    Word of caution, though. This McDo branch charges an extra 10 pesos for Strawberry Jam to go with your breakfast of pancakes. What the heck, there's free wi-fi anyway. :)



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    HOMER NIEVERA Business Development. Social Media. Digital Marketing.
    http://homernievera.net