Christmas Giveaway Winners!

Happy New Year folks! So how was your Media Noche feast last night? Here are the two winners of BYAHILO Christmas Giveaway contest, where I will be giving away 2 Sun Broadband Prepaid Internet Kits. One winner will be CHOSEN from the comments while 1 unit will be given to a reader who tweeted me. All tweets were raffled off via Random.org.

I have read all the 100+ entries posted on the comments section. It was a bit hard for me to pick only one since a lot of entries were really good and interesting.

From the comments section, the one that really made its mark is the entry of Bariles. I love his story. Guiuan is a really interesting town. I was there last August and has learned a lot about our history. In fact I have blogged about my trip there

Here is Bariles’ entry on my contest:

Years back here in GenSan, I made a promise to my mother to bring her on a trip to her hometown in Samar, in a little eastern town called Guiuan.

The first and last time she was there was one summer 30 years ago, when she took me & my siblings along for a vacation. It was a very memorable summer together exploring that historical town and her environs.

Now as growups, it would have been a good time to relive that time again with her but unfortunately, she died a few years back.
I have not forgotten my vow to her however.

Hopefully, 2012 will be the opportune time for me & my siblings to travel back to her hometown via Tacloban and revisit the places where mom toured us.

I won’t be sad that she won’t be with us anymore physically. It will still be an unforgettable happy homecoming because I am certain that our mom will surely be with us in our hearts.

One lucky tweeter follower will also get one unit of the Sun Broadband Internet Kit. The winner will be picked via random.org. and the winner is @LadyInPinkTee. It is also interesting to note that she’s also the first to tweet about the contest.

To all the winners Congratulations! and everyone who joined this contest, thank you very much! Please continue to read Byahilo.com and soon enough, we’ll have another contest!

---

---

© Enrico Dee for BYAHILO, 2012. | Permalink | Be the First to comment! | Add to del.icio.us

WARNING: If you are reading this blogpost outside of Byahilo.com then it is highly possible that this post has been stolen! Report it to us!

Link to full article

Cebu Pacific P1 LiteFare Zamboanga to Tawi-tawi for Feb and March 2012 Travel

Fly from Zamboanga to Tawi-tawi (or vice versa)  this February and March via Cebu Pacific’s “ONE is to JUAN” LiteFare Promo!

Sale Period: Until January 2, 2012  or until seats last
Travel Period: February 1 to March 31, 2012

Cebu Pacific Air LiteFare at P1 (base fare):

Zamboanga to Tawi-tawi or vice versa.

Limited seats.

Terms and conditions apply:

• Quoted fares are one way. Limited availability. Fares are non-refundable.
• Fares are exclusive of government fees, taxes and fuel surcharges.
• Flight changes must be made more than 24 hours before scheduled time of departure.
• At time of booking, pre-purchase your baggage allowance to save time and money at check-in.
• CAB approved terms and conditions of carriage apply and are available online.

Hurry, book your flights at Cebu Pacific Air Official Website.

Cebu Pacific P1 LiteFare Zamboanga to Tawi-tawi for Feb and March 2012 Travel is a post from: Cebu Pacific Air Philippines - Airline News, Fares, Promos | Visit Cebu Pacific Promo Fares Facebook Page!

Link to full article

Cebu Pacific P1 LiteFare to Visayas and Mindanao Destinations for Feb and March 2012 Travel

Happy New Year! Fly to Various destinations in Visayas and Mindanao this February and March via Cebu Pacific’s “ONE is to JUAN” LiteFare Promos!

Sale Period: Until January 2, 2012  or until seats last
Travel Period: February 1 to March 31, 2012

Cebu Pacific Air LiteFare at P1 (base fare):

Manila to Cebu

Cebu to Bacolod, Boracay (Caticlan), Butuan, Cagayan de Oro, Clark, Davao, Dipolog, Dumaguete, General Santos, Iloilo, Kalibo, Legazpi, Ozamiz, Pagadian, Puerto Princesa, Siargao, Surigao, Tacloban or Zamboanga

Cagayan de Oro to Iloilo (NEW!)

Davao to Cagayan de Oro, Iloilo or Zamboanga

Zamboanga to Tawi-Tawi (NEW!)!

Limited seats.

Terms and conditions apply:

• Quoted fares are one way. Limited availability. Fares are non-refundable.
• Fares are exclusive of government fees, taxes and fuel surcharges.
• Flight changes must be made more than 24 hours before scheduled time of departure.
• At time of booking, pre-purchase your baggage allowance to save time and money at check-in.
• CAB approved terms and conditions of carriage apply and are available online.

Hurry, book your flights at Cebu Pacific Air Official Website.

Cebu Pacific P1 LiteFare to Visayas and Mindanao Destinations for Feb and March 2012 Travel is a post from: Cebu Pacific Air Philippines - Airline News, Fares, Promos | Visit Cebu Pacific Promo Fares Facebook Page!

Link to full article

Cebu Pacific P1 LiteFare Iloilo to Cagayan de Oro for Feb and March 2012 Travel

Fly to Cagayan de Oro from Iloilo this February and March via Cebu Pacific’s “ONE is to JUAN” LiteFare Promo!

Sale Period: Until January 2, 2012  or until seats last
Travel Period: February 1 to March 31, 2012

Cebu Pacific Air LiteFare at P1 (base fare):

Iloilo to Cagayan de Oro

Limited seats.

Terms and conditions apply:

• Quoted fares are one way. Limited availability. Fares are non-refundable.
• Fares are exclusive of government fees, taxes and fuel surcharges.
• Flight changes must be made more than 24 hours before scheduled time of departure.
• At time of booking, pre-purchase your baggage allowance to save time and money at check-in.
• CAB approved terms andconditions of carriage apply and are available online.

Hurry, book your flights at Cebu Pacific Air Official Website.

Cebu Pacific P1 LiteFare Iloilo to Cagayan de Oro for Feb and March 2012 Travel is a post from: Cebu Pacific Air Philippines - Airline News, Fares, Promos | Visit Cebu Pacific Promo Fares Facebook Page!

Link to full article

10 New Year's Resolutions for Metro Manila

First of all, happy New Year!!!

2012. Another year, another chance to make things a bit better, if not perfect. So while you're listing down or already living your New Year's resolution, we also listed down our own version of New Year's resolutions, but for Metro Manila. We asked readers to tell us what they think should be included in this list as well. At some point, we realized that this isn't actually a set of resolutions, but more of wishes. Nevertheless, we feel that this list sums up our daily agonies. So if you agree, please tweet, post, and share.

For 2012, we hope:

1. That Metro Manila will be more traveler-friendly. As a start, more signposts. Seriously. Meaningful ones – not those signs along C5 that tell us that a certain building on Ayala Avenue has the same significance as Alabang. Also, more unified rules or simply speaking, more consistency across the cities and the municipality of Pateros.

2. That there will be more disciplined buses along EDSA. We understand that it would be hard to regulate them through a public agency that's why they're still privatized until now. But please, the number of buses on EDSA is way too much to handle. We hope that the MMDA be more stern in apprehending buses that do not follow the yellow lane rule. Are we going to waste money on concrete paint?

3. That we enjoy a more efficient train system. We are thankful that the rail systems (MRT, LRT1, LRT2, PNR) in the Metro are already connected but of course, we can do better. Considering that hundreds of thousands of commuters ride the trains every month, maybe DOTC can take a look at a more efficient ticketing system, controlled rush hour flow, and frequent train rotation.

4. That we find more ways to manage the traffic situation. We know that the MMDA is trying its best to control traffic, one of which being the number coding system. However, we are not really sure how effective it is now, especially since every day, when we hope that 20% of the vehicles are banned from the streets, we don't really feel the difference.

5. That road widening, construction, repair, or whatever-our-congressmen-or-DPWH-wants-to-call-it will be more motorist-friendly. Bottlenecks happen when there's some project going and it takes twice the amount of time to travel. We also hope the anti-epal bill gets signed this 2012!

6. That [connected to #5] you do road projects when it's not raining. We do not know why you want to do it during rainy season when vehicle volume sort of double and traffic seems to be slower.

7. That roads become more pedestrian-friendly. Pedestrians do not have means to safely cross the road, therefore, they play with life and death whenever they cross the street. There aren't enough footbridges and in this country and drivers think that they are more important than the pedestrians. Sidewalks are used more for made-up stalls, parking spaces, or beautified ornaments, and not for walking travelers. [Case in point: Why is there a pedestrian lane on C-5/Greenmeadows?]

8. That [connected to #7], that pedestrians don't just cross the road wherever and whenever they want to. Use the pedestrian lane, wait for the "walk" signal, and use the footbridges (you paid for those with your taxes).

9. That drivers use their signal lights. If they're not going to use them, let's just smash them.

10. That our beloved government agencies find ways to lower the toll fees. Enough said.

That’s it. Do you have other things to wish for this year? Add them through the comments section below.

Link to full article

Year-Ender Trip : 24 hours in the Highlands

I was lucky to have an extra day off which means I have three days to spend, just enough for a Year-ender trip. With no plans at all, I decided to pack my bags and head to Baguio City right after finishing simple tasks for a client. I left my house at around 4:30am and headed to Victory Liner terminal in Cubao thinking that getting a seat is easier during wee hours but to my surprise, that’s not the case.

Plastic Horns for Sale at Session Road

There were around 200 people waiting in line to get a bus ticket when I arrived, I almost gave up but thanks to Mentos (kidding) I approached the bus conductor and asked if there’s a vacant seat by any chance and boom!@#@% I got a seat without falling in line haha.

Miki Bijon Guisado Special @ Star Cafe

I practically slept during the entire bus ride which explains why food is the first thing I want to grab upon arrival in the highlands. Minutes after leaving the bus station and unloading my things in the hotel, I found myself inside Star Cafe in Session Road ordering my favorite Pancit Bihon and Cinnamon Roll. I brought my laptop so I ended up working but to justify my overstay in the restaurant, I ordered Benguet Coffee and Egg Pie for dessert.

Benguet Coffee

Its already dark when I left Star Cafe, a bit cold but Im not in the mood to go back to the hotel yet so I walked around session road. Walking uphill made me think that Im gonna burn some extra calories but I ended up discovering a resto-bar that serves San Miguel Premium so Guess What??? I just loaded more calories…. I really wish beer is a fat burner… LOL

San Miguel Premium

I’m not sure if firecrackers are also prohibited in Baguio City but I guess there was an ordinance issued against selling firecrackers coz I’m not showing street vendors selling one. I know its weird, while everyone in the street wears a coat, a leather jacket or a hoodie, Did you know that Ice cream is the most in demand street food / dessert in Session Road? Yeah I’ve been seeing locals eating ice cream even during midnight.

Segunda Mano Shoes Anyone?

Im undecided yet If Im gonna stay for another night in Baguio so I decided to maximize my time and walk around to see if theres any interesting places to see. I asked a local and she recommended that I visit Harrison Road to experience Wagwagan or their version of Midnight Market.

Street Food in Burnham Park

Baguio City has become more popular being the center of Wagwagan – an ilocano term meaning to shake and sell or to dust off. While checking out stuffs for sale in the midnight market, Ive seen so many branded second-hand clothing, shoes, bags, and decorations. Be careful though, I saw some brand new branded fake items (China Replicas) mixed with the used jackets and shoes.

Egg, Chicken and anything in Between

My last stop is the food section of the Midnight Market. Im not in the mood for some food adventure last night so I just had some Congee with hard boiled egg and fried Tofu. I headed back to the Manor at around 11pm with another hoodie jacket and some leather e-cigarette cases I bought from Wagwagan. And Yes, another Hoodie Jacket:)

As of this writing, Im now here in my friends house here in Manila… Celebrating the New Year with friends is awesome!

Happy New Year Everyone:)

PS. I apoligize for the blurred and grainy photos… I took all these photos using a mobile phone.

Link to full article