Hassle-Free LTO Registration

I had my car insurance agent to assist me with car registration renewal for the past 7 years — it was a service bundled to my insurance coverage.  However, I’ll be migrating to another country so I had to give up my car insurance for 2009…  no insurance means no free car registration assistance for me.  I panicked because the car will be left with my mom and she’s not very fond of filing with government offices.  I asked friends how they do theirs and they’re all reliant on insurance companies as well.

I did an intensive research before I met Raffy.  He assists busy people in renewing car registration and transferring of car ownership, among other things.  Finding him is a great relief.  You’ll get  more information on what he does in his Multiply site.

Handbag Hierarchy

The handbag increasingly occupies a curious place in the hierarchy of fashion, and it’s already been 3 weeks of bag hierarchy discussion with my inner circle.  Most women base their hierarchy on the manufacturer’s reputation and their products’ actual performance — not just what’s hot.  I guess the definition of “hierarchy” needs to to be defined.  It can be according to (in no particular order):

• Price – a designer handbag’s price tag is arguably the single most important determinant a prospective buyer entertains when deciding on a purchase. Simply put — how much does it cost, and can you afford it?
• Material — whether it’s leather (goatskin, calfskin, etc.), exotic skins (alligator, ostrich, snakeskin) or unique materials such as furs, materials used to craft a designer handbag play an important role in determining the bag’s worth.
• Craftsmanship – a well-made, often hand-made handbag will more than likely outlive its owner. Many enthusiasts put craftsmanship at the top of their list of requirements when selecting a designer handbag.
• Exclusivity – for many of us, a designer handbag’s allure lies not in any of the aforementioned points but rather in whether or not the bag is easily attainable. The harder it is to score, the more coveted it becomes.
• History – nothing provides one a sense of belonging more than owning a little piece of handbag history. Those of us that appreciate the art of handbag design will take a label’s long and illustrious history of handbag excellence into account when adding a bag to our wardrobe.
• Popularity — no need to explain this :)

And the handbag hierarchy* goes…

Top:  Hermès (It’s at the top due to its reputation, classic range and high prices)

Hermès lines that were introduced from 1930s (Kelly, Bolide,  HAC, and Birkin) are still being produced today so I’d say Hermès bags being “unseasonal” make them premium stuff. Once in a while, they design new bags, but they are supposed to be in the collection forever and not just for a particular season.  Also, Hermès handbags are handmade by craftsmen and each bag has an ID of the craftsman who made it.

Second:  Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Bottega Veneta (They came next for their amazing quality.  All have very expensive luxe lines but also some range of more affordable but good-quality monogrammed bags)

Chanel has a very lady-like appeal to their bags which makes every woman feel that they need one in their wardrobe. I personally prefer Chanel over Louis Vuitton because the former is harder to find and from what I learned, they make their bags in a more limited quantity.

Louis Vuitton is Louis Vuitton — many women will agree with me.  LV did an excellent job in making their brand so famous and successful.  The good indication, albeit very bad one, is that there are way too many fakes so you easily bump with one who has an “LV” in the streets.  That makes it not-so-exclusive compared to other brands in its category.  To me, it’s more of an investment brand especially if you are looking to resell your classic bags in the future.

Gucci owns Bottega Veneta.  The Gucci Group considers Bottega Veneta the creme de la creme of their portfolio.

Third:  Balenciaga, Gucci, Prada (This group is less established and less premium in price compared to the ones above, however, have good quality and are very popular)

Balenciaga uses naturally distressed goat leather that gives their bags the slouchy, unique and ultra-chic look that everyone loves and adores. Every Hollywood star has one. It’s important to note that Balenciaga does not sell any bags online — not even through stores. There is an exclusive and maintained clientele base, and unless you purchase them at a store, you are buying a fake.

Gucci leather is so luxurious.  The changing leather trims of the monograms add punch to the canvas lines of the brand plus sometimes your particular leather trim never comes back, making your bag special. I have also observed that Gucci women are generally more “fashionista”, and it’s refreshing to see them working those bags up a notch.  Most of the time, Gucci users evoke that well-roundedness and sexiness that is inherently synonymous with the brand.

While other designers focus on the latest trends, Prada bags underline the fact that simple sophistication always wins out over outlandish trends.  Based on a backyard survey, Prada rates the highest among women between 20 and 35 years of age.

Fourth:  Dior, Fendi, YSL, Chloè (This group usually attracts high-class women who are new to collecting handbags)

Dior handbags are classically modern. It’s one of the brands that you must check out for the season’s latest and greatest.  It has a style all its own, but really knows how to play up with what’s hot right now and make it just edgy enough and just unique enough to appeal to those with a fashion sense.

Fendi’s long history of 90+ years, with superb quality, innovative design and functional style always make Fendi handbags timeless elegance.   Their bags are manufactured in limited quantities and can cost up to thousands of dollars… but if you do a little investigative shopping, you can get one for as much as 50% off even in high end department stores.  Just go at the end of the season when the new models are coming in, because most of the time the old ones are being clearanced out.

The increasing popularity of Yves Saint Laurent bags among the younger generation says a lot about how elegant as well as playful their designs are.  Most of the YSL bags are done in crocodile leather which gives it that stunning look… the clean cuts and the elegance say it all.

The charisma of Chloé bags come from the restrained chic and the special attention on functions.  Chloé usually has vast storage space accompanied with several elaborate pockets, and the latches and padlocks are designed to firmly close the compartments.  You can take away with it a whole day without worry about the fast-shortening longevity — it has become synonymous with chunky hardware, modern touches, and edgy designs.  And while Chloé bags are not always first in their class, there is at least some effort behind them.

Fifth:  Coach, Tod’s, Kate Spade (This group has more mass market appeal)

Coach combines classic styling and functionality to create their timeless handbag range. Coach bags are very popular because of their less expensive products’ high quality and durability.  A lot of fakes are being sold these days so if you’re planning on buying online, remember that Coach does have bags made in China — but Coach does not have handbags made in Korea. If you get a bag that says “Made in Korea”, return it immediately to the seller because for sure it’s not an authentic Coach bag.

Tod’s bags are known for their simplicity and elegance, however, a lot goes into creating a single bag.  It takes 6 months to age the leather, and 3 months to make the bag by hand — made in Italy of course.  These are not trendy bags, not even the white stuff… they will last a lifetime.

Kate Spade bags have their own unique place in the fashion market. These bags are not the most expensive and top luxury handbags, however they are well appreciated by fashionistas all over the world and they are more affordable that other high-end handbags. Kate Spade bags are playful, colorful and fun.

Why does time run so fast whenever I talk about bags? If only there was a course in designer bag literature :D

* You might have noticed that there are other manufacturers that were not mentioned.  Note that the brands included here are the most coveted ones — at least among the women I know from the US and some Asian countries.

Building A Career At Home

Once a career woman decides to get married, she should be open to the  possibility of becoming a housewife especially under uncontrolled circumstances.  Hubby might be assigned to work in a different city or country, and you simply have to go; or you just have to take some rest in order to conceive (I say this because a lot of women today have this problem due to work-related stress).  I never thought I’d be a housewife myself until I got married and had to give way to my husband’s career.  But it’s not the end of the world.  Whether it’s our husband or our kids that triggered the reason for temporarily staying at home, there are still a lot of stuff we can do to keep ourselves productive.  Here are steps to kick it off:

1. Determine the type of business you want to pursue.  Do consider that it should be interesting enough for you to manage for a long time, with the potential to be a permanent one.
2. Carve out your own space.  It’s better that way so you have everything organized and separate from your “home”.
3. Establish work hours and make sure your business contacts know about it.  This will help especially if your objective is to spend quality time with your kids after the day’s work.  It is important for clients or suppliers to know that if they call you after 5pm, you probably won’t answer the phone.
4. Maintain realistic expectations and a sense of humor.  There are trade-offs and benefits to any working or mothering situation.  Payments can come either in the form of money or a hug from your kids.  It feels like chaos when worlds collide but you can always adapt… what you do one year does not have to be what you do for the rest of your life.

Balance is always a big challenge, but you will surely get by.  On top of everything, prayers work big time.  It feels good to know that you’re guided by the Lord in any step you will make :)

Filipino Stores in the USA

If you’ve been through a tough time looking for Pinoy ingredients or just want to satisfy your craving for Pinoy food, here’s a list of Asian stores within the US.  I’ll be updating this from time to time, but to be sure that a store still exists in your area, please call in the number provided on the 3rd line of each entry.  Happy marketing! (Note: For states with more than 1 entry, details are arranged based on the city’s alphabetical order)

ALABAMA

Oriental Food Mart
2577 Madison Ave., Montgomery, AL
(334) 263-0782

ALASKA

Phil-Best Market 1
1211 W 36th Avenue Unit B, Anchorage, AK
(907) 563-2378

Phil-Best Market 2
3510 Balchen Drive #A, Anchorage, AK
(907) 245-1998

Gonzales Meat & Seafood Market
517 Lower Millbay Rd., Kodiak, AK
(907) 486-1024 / 486-5655

ARIZONA

Philippine-Asian Seafood Market
2957 w. Bell Rd. # H-2, Phoenix, AR
(602) 896-0803

Manila Oriental Foodmart
3557 Dunlap Ave., Phoenix, AR
(602) 841-2977

Mabuhay Filipino Food Store
2023 S Craycroft Rd., Tucson, AZ
(520) 747-2233

ARKANSAS

Mabuhay Oriental Store
3980 Wedington Drive, Fayetteville, AR
(479) 251-1330

CALIFORNIA

Manila Food Festival
8018 E Santa Ana Canyon Rd., Anaheim, CA
(714) 283-8690

Goldilocks Bakeshop
17538 Pioneer Blvd., Artesia, CA
(310) 860-8286

Masagana Filipino Store
3019 Wilson Rd., Bakersfield, CA
(805) 834-2511

Red Ribbon Bakeshop
11900 South St #106, Cerritos, CA
(562) 402-3304

Grand Oriental Market
1800 Monument Blvd., Concord, CA
(925) 682-2624

Oriental Food Market
3428 Clayton Rd., Concord, CA
(925) 680-6971

Phil-Mart
950 King Dr, Ste 109, Daly City, CA
(415) 878-1611

Rose Empanada & Specialties
40 San Pedro, Daly City, CA
(415) 992-9901

Valerio’s Tropical Bakeshop
950 King Drive, Suite 107, Daly City, CA
(415) 868-1611

Asian Mart
6624 Laguna Blvd. Suite 102, Elk Grove, CA
(916) 683-0900

Arko Foods Market
1425 E Colorado Blvd., Glendale, CA
(818) 242-5921

Asian Variety Store
306 Heinlen Ave., Lemoore, CA
(559) 924-7023

Kay’s Filipino Store & Video
4102 Orange Ave., Long Beach, CA
(562) 596-9708

Pacific Filipino Oriental Store
2254 Pacific Ave., Long Beach, CA
(562) 591-7599

Bohol Market
1163 Venice Blvd., Los Angeles, CA
(213) 487-5757

Goldilocks Bakeshop
209 S Vermont Ave., Los Angeles, CA
(213) 382-2351

Manila 99 Cents Minimart
502 Hoover, Los Angeles, CA
(213) 662-6452

Manila Oriental Food Market
3323 Glendale Blvd., Los Angeles, CA
(323) 913-138

Nanay’s Oriental Seafood Market
4032 Eagle Rock Blvd., Los Angeles, CA
(818) 256-0082

Red Ribbon Bakeshop
6091 W Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA
(323) 465-5999

Phil-Am Mart
4330 E 14th St., Oakland, CA
(510) 261-1357

Bicol Heaven
1738 W. Chapman Ave., Orange, CA
(714) 937-1880

Sunshine’s Sari-Sari Store
201 N Wayfield Circle #48, Orange, CA
(714) 744-3473

Chaaste Family Market
296 North Allen Avenue, Pasadena, CA
(626) 796-1527

Ramar Foods International
1101 Railroad Lane, Pittsburg, CA
(800) 660-0962

Noel’s Filipino and Oriental Food Mart
1885 Contra Costa Blvd., Pleasant Hill, CA
(925) 686-9285

Little Manila Oriental and Food Shop
1265 Pleasant Grove Blvd., Suite 120, Roseville, CA
(916) 780-6612

Bataan Oriental Store
2706 Northgate Blvd., Sacramento, CA
(916) 923-551

Oriental Food Market
9180 Kiefer Blvd., Sacramento, CA
(916) 361-7120

Queen’s Supermarket
216 Florin Mall Dr., Sacramento, CA
(916) 393-9838

The Filipino Coffee Store
2467 Sutter Street, San Francisco, CA
(415) 290-3212

Filipino Depot
1001 W San Marcos Blvd., #135, San Marcos, CA
(760) 591-0355

Sampaguita Quality Bakery
4745 Lafayette St., Santa Clara, CA
(408) 986-9032

Sari-Sari Oriental Market
26234 Bouquet Canyon, Santa Clarita, CA
(661) 253-5052

Simi Asian Market
4332 Cochran Street, Simi Valley, CA
(805) 578-9172

Oriental Goods and Gifts
21175 Lake Tahoe Blvd., South Lake Tahoe, CA
(530) 541-1974

Ruban Marketing
6 West Main St Ste 1, Stockton, CA
(209) 464-8572

Red Ribbon Bakeshop
W Carson St., Torrance, CA
(310) 542-1991

R&S Oriental Store
971 Alamo Dr., Vacaville, CA
(707) 449-3516

Andrea Foods
1109 Maple Ave., Vallejo, CA
(707) 644-0518

Philippine Grocery
3837 Sonoma Blvd., Vallejo, CA
(707) 554-3297

Boracay Filipino Market
14425 7th Street, Victorville, CA
(760) 955-9128

Red Ribbon Bakeshop
1115 Centre Dr., Walnut, CA
(909) 598-1586

Pinoy Goodies Atbp
2550 E. Amar Road, Suite A-6, West Covina, CA
(909) 595-7357

Red Ribbon Bakeshop
1525 E Amar Road, West Covina, CA
(626) 810-2634

Errol & Lyzette Hingco Filipino Grocery
1168 Bay View Avenue, Wilmington, CA
(310) 835-6015

COLORADO

Oriental Food Market
1750 30th St., Boulder, CO
(303) 442-7830

Filipino Sari-Sari Store
1938 S. Academy Blvd., Colorado Springs, CO
(719) 572-5882

FLORIDA

JMJ Oriental Food Mart
938 N Suncoast Blvd., Crystal River, FL
(352) 795-3130

The Philippine Food Store
8510 SR 52, Hudson, FL
(727) 697-3280

J-Lyn’s Oriental Store
6106 103 St., Jacksonville, FL
(904) 778-9777

Myre Asian Market
11900 Atlantic Blvd., Jacksonville, FL
(904) 270-0303

The Philippine Store
1479 Belcher Road S, Largo, FL
(727) 535-3388

Oriental Super Mart
6518 West Atlantic Blvd., Margate, FL
(954) 970-8868

Philippine Sari-Sari Store
15327 NW 7th Ave., Miami, FL
(305) 688-4533

Maharlika Oriental Store
4116 US Highway 19, New Port Richey, FL
(727) 845-8598

K&M Oriental Plus
1700 Wells Rd Ste 11, Orange Park, FL
(904) 215-8401

Fil-Am Oriental Food Store
9318 E Colonial Drive, Orlando, FL
(407) 207-1122

Kevin’s Bakery
9318 E. Colonial Drive A-9, Orlando, FL
(407) 207-1122

Manila Oriental Bakery
2840 Curry Ford Rd., Orlando, FL
(407) 896-0236

Regina’s Store
0727 66th Street N, Pinellas Park, FL
(727) 544-7145

Tindahang Pinoy Variety Store
9150 49th Street, Pinellas Park, FL
(727) 544-8020

Mabuhay Asian Foods
1405 Kass Circle, Spring Hill, FL
(352) 683-0344

New Tampa Asian Mart
10859 Cross Creek Blvd., Tampa, FL
(813) 982-2463

Philippine Grocery
13934 West Hillsborough, Tampa, FL
(813) 854-4546

The Philippine Store of Tampa
1000 W Waters Ave., Tampa, FL
(813) 931-7621

Philippine Oriental Store
10910 N 30th St., Tampa, FL
(813) 971-4211

Manila Oriental Market & Video
4875 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach, FL
(561) 687-8806

GEORGIA

Manila Mart
6247 Peachtree Industrial Blvd., Doraville, GA
(770) 451-4585

LM Food Mart
620 Southside Commercial Parkway, Jonesboro, GA
(678) 610-7535

Oriental Marketplace
1485 Hwy 34 E Bldg C3, Newnan, GA
(770) 251-3799

E&E Oriental Foods
5837 Bemiss Rd., Valdosta, GA
(912) 244-0950

Philippine Oriental Market
1803 Watson Blvd., Warner Robbins, GA
(912) 923-1941

HAWAII

Jimmy’s Produce & Filipino Store
131 N Hotel St., Honolulu, HI
(808) 521-2119

Paradise Supermart
207 East Wakea, Kahului, HI
(808) 877-6767

Mina’s Pinoy Sari-Sari Store
94-670 Farrington, Waipahu, HI
(808) 677-6494

Norma’s Filipino Market
94-226 Leoku St., Waipahu, HI
(808) 677-4525

Philippine Mini Market
94-871 Maipahu St., Waipahu, HI
(808) 677-8181

IDAHO

Maritez Schultz
1133 California St., Gooding, ID
(208) 934-8805

ILLINOIS

3 R’s Oriental Store
2712 W. Montrose, Chicago IL
(773) 539-4714

Bayanihan Groceries
4804 N Clark, Chicago, IL
(312) 989-6934

Fely’s Oriental Store
4630 N Pulaski Rd., Chicago, IL
(312) 283-1661

Filipinas Oriental Food Mart
4852 N Damen Ave., Chicago, IL
(312) 989-8565

Philippine Grocery
5750 N California Ave., Chicago, IL
(312) 334-4628

Jethro-Manila Asian Mart
656 Algonquin Road, Des Plaines, IL
(847) 806-7032

Jasmin Oriental Mart
1504 Bloomingdale Rd., Glendale Heights, IL
(630) 682-3011

A&M Oriental Mart
3900 N Washington St., Gurnee, IL
(847) 336-6321

Sari-Sari Store
Route 59, Naperville, IL
(630) 355-7388

Ian Mae
9022 N Greenwood Ave., Niles, IL
(847) 759-0415

Village Creamery
8000 N Waukegan Rd., Niles, IL
(847) 965-9805

Philippine Foods
4018 Tyler Drive, Ottawa, IL
(815) 434-4007

INDIANA

Lee’s
2660 Lafayette Rd., Indianapolis, IN
(765) 632-6229

Sounthside Asian Sari-Sari Super
5135 South Emerson Avenue, Suite F, Indianapolis, IN
(317) 780-8494

The Filipino Store LLC
6840 Sarah Drive, Indianapolis, IN
(678) 648-6734

Yollie’s Oriental Market & Gift Shop
1944 E. Southport Rd., Indianapolis, IN
(317) 780-8494

IOWA

New Oriental Food Store
515 E Grand Ave., Des Moines, IA
(515) 243-3911

KANSAS

Manila Grocery Co.
7628 N Oak Trfy, Kansas City, KS
(816) 436-8862

LOUISIANA

Fil-Am Food Mart
1412 Airline Dr., Bossier City, LA
(318) 752-2851

MAINE

Cilaa’s Oriental Store
49 Main St., Brunswick, ME
(207) 725-7904

MARYLAND

Thai-Philippine Oriental Foods
523 Gorsuch Ave., Baltimore, MD
(410) 243-6193

F&A Oriental Food Store
421 E Patapsco Ave., Baltimore, MD
(410) 355-0951

Manila Mart
10605 Montgomery Road, Beltsville, MD
(301) 931-0086

Silangan Oriental Store
12764 Old Fort Road, Fort Washington, MD
(301) 203-5020

Old Town International Foods
12 N. Summit Avenue, Gaithersburg, MD
(301) 869-0599

Navarro’s Philippine Food Mini Market
442 N. Crain Highway, Glen Burnie, MD
(410) 863-0795

R&N Philippine Market
7460 Baltimore Annapolis, Glen Burnie, MD
(410) 760-8666

MASSACHUSETTS

Manila Puzon Market
183 Salem Street, Malden, MA
(781) 397-8444

Shuttle Stop
24 Chestnut St., Quincy, MA
(617) 479.3270

Sure Pinoy Oriental Food Mart
43 Water Street, Quincy, MA
(617) 328-9880

MICHIGAN

Mabuhay Oriental Store
111 N. Cass St., Berrien Springs, MI
(269) 473-2755

Mabuhay Trading
16020 E Warren Ave., Detroit, MI
(313) 881-0977

Oriental Food Groceries
18919 W 7 Mile, Detroit, MI
(313) 534-7773

Phil-Asian Tropical Food Mart
3020 E Grand Blvd., Detroit, MI
(313) 539-97256

Asia’s Best
44th & Breton Sts., Grand Rapids, MI
(616) 827-0717

Asians Best Oriental Store
5429 w Saginaw Highway, Lansing, MI
(517) 323-7600

Manila Mart LLC
19150 Fort Street, Riverview, MI
(734) 225-4602

Oriental Market
29758 Southfield Road, Southfield, MI
(248) 424-9838

C&L Oriental Food Market
37164 Dequindre Rd., Sterling Heights, MI
(586) 978-8220

Taste of Manila
42915 Dequindre, Troy, MI
(248) 828-8987

Filipino Oriental Market
5228 Dixie Highway, Waterford, MI
(248) 623-6533

MINNESOTA

Jasmine Market
14600 10th Ave S Ste 100, Brunsville, MN
(952) 953-6424

Oriental Food Mart
2424 Nicollet Ave., Minneapolis, MN
(612) 874-7560

Phil-Oriental Imports
789 University Ave., St Paul, MN
(612) 292-1325

MISSISSIPPI

International Food Mart
1785 Pass Road, Biloxi, MS
(228) 435-7900

South Pacific Imports
291 Iberville Drive, Biloxi, MS
(228) 435-1020

MISSOURI

Asian Super Market
9538 Nall, Kansas City, MO
(816) 642-0690

Manila Grocery Co.
80002 N. Oak Traffic Way, Kansas City, MO
(816) 436-8862

Manila Food Mart LLC
8333 Olive Blvd., St Louis, MO
(314) 989-9800

NEBRASKA

Lexington Oriental Store
910 N Adams St., Lexington, NE
(308) 324-9956

Oriental Food Mart
616 S 72nd St., Omaha, NE
(402) 393-8908

NEVADA

Mabuhay Oriental Market
616 S Maryland Pkwy, Las Vegas, NV
(702) 474-4232

Manila Food Center
1416 E. Charleston Blvd., Las Vegas, NV
(702) 963-1008

NEW HAMPSHIRE

Joy Chen Unlimited
131 Amherst Road, Amherst, NH
(603) 880-7777

NEW JERSEY

Masagana Enterprises
80 Franklin St., Belleville, NJ
(973) 759-1449

Ramz Oriental Store
30 North Washington Avenue, Bergenfield, NJ
(201) 385-7269

American-Pinoy Foods
1113 Main Ave., Clifton, NJ
(973) 471-8488

Fil-Am
1700 Oak Tree Rd., Edison, NJ
(732) 548-9880

Sari-Sari Asian Store
621 Route 130 North, Hamilton, NJ
(609) 585-0409

Philippine Specialty Store
1088 Ringwood Ave., Haskell, NJ
(973) 839-3580

Alton Philippine Store
158 Sterling Ave., Jersey City, NJ
(202) 332-2400

Fil-Am Food Mart
685 Newark Ave., Jersey City, NJ
(201) 963-0461

Manila Central Market
608 White Horse Pike, Somerdale, NJ
(856) 783-6641

Patisserie De Manille
24 Haddon Ave., Westmont, NJ
(856) 833-1877

NEW MEXICO

A1 Oriental Market
1410-F Wyoming Blvd., Albuquerque, NM
(505) 254-1987

An Dong Oriental Market
110 Alvarado Dr, SE, Albuquerque, NM
(505) 275-9021

NEW YORK

Bangkok-Manila Grocery
30-81 31st St., Astoria, NY
(718) 956-9811

Cindee’s Cakes & Catering
198-26 Jamaica Avenue, Hollis Queens, NY
(718) 740-0939

Phil-Thai Grocers
29-24 36 Ave., Long Island, NY
(718) 392-5512

Nayong Filipino, Inc.
129 South Regent St., Port Chester, NY
(914) 937-1741

Fil-Am Foods
40-03 70th Street, Woodside, NY
(718) 899-1797

Philippine Mini Mart
1550-H Central Park Avenue, Yonkers, NY
(914) 779-3932

NORTH CAROLINA

Philippine Asian Supermarket 1
5430 North Tryon St., Ste 1, Charlotte, NC
(704) 921-0703

Philippine Asian Supermarket 2
4525 The Plaza, Charlotte, NC
(704) 714-5659

Tindahan Filipino Oriental Store
3010 Spring Garden St., Greensboro, NC
(336) 965-7292 / 851-2774

Phil-Am Oriental Mini-Mart
115 Center Street, Jacksonville, NC
(910) 353-3896

NORTH DAKOTA

Oriental Groceries
2015 Library Cir., Grand Forks, ND
(701) 775-4692

OHIO

Nipa Hut Oriental Food Mart
6775 W 130 St., Cleveland, OH
(216) 842-7333 / (440) 842-733

Ely’s Oriental Foods
3201 Sullivant Ave., Columbus, OH
(614) 274-6757

La Herba Buena, LLC
6727 Dublin Village Drive, Dublin, OH
(614)336-8779

Sugar Land Food Mart
5790 Ridge Rd., Parma, OH
(440) 843-8646

OKLAHOMA

Mabuhay Philippines Oriental Food Store
1911 NW Sheridan Rd., Lawton, OK
(580) 248-4567

Phil-Asia Store & Gifts
6380-G East 31st Street, Tulsa, OK
(918) 663-5011

OREGON

Indian-Filipino Groceries
17895 SW TV Highway, Beaverton, OR
(503) 356-1255

Philippine Market
3645 SW 170th Ave., Beaverton, OR
(503) 591-5351

Pinoy Enterprises Oriental Market
118 W First Street, Newberg, OR
(503) 554-5508

Mai’s Asian Market
256 E Olive St., Newport, OR
(541) 265-5868

Philippine Oriental Foods
3611 NE 82nd Ave., Portland, OR
(503) 331-6950

Oriental Pearl Asian Food & Gifts
12297 SW Main Street, Tigard, OR
(503) 620-9699

PENNSYLVANIA

Macky’s Filipino Store
17 West Market St., Marietta, PA
(717) 426-3808

Nipa Hut
360M E. Wyomissing Ave., Mohnton, PA
(610) 777-4955

Forbes Downtown Store
321 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA
(412) 281-1324

SOUTH CAROLINA

Filipino Mart, LLC
1791 Woodruff Road Suite L, Greenville, SC
(864) 987-0115

TENNESSEE

Zeal Foods & Gifts
1533 Bonnie Lane, Cordova, TN
(901) 624-0670

The Philippine Market
5751 Old Hickory Blvd., Suite 108, Hermitage, TN
(615) 874-0067

Cricket’s Oriental Food Mart & Deli
934 E. Broadway, Maryville, TN
(865) 977 1954

Oriental Best Food Store
3731 S Mendenhall Rd., Memphis, TN
(901) 366-1570

TEXAS

Philippine Variety
3261 Karla Drive, Dallas, TX
(214) 270-2334

Little PI Filipino Store 1
8127-A White Settlement Rd., Fort Worth, TX
(817) 246-7579

Little PI Filipino Store 2
2125 SW 3rd St., Ste. 138, Grand Prairie, TX
(972) 642-3779

Asia Mart
Highway 77, Harlingen, TX
(956) 440-9228

Mabuhay Finest Food
10515 Keeneland Lane, Houston, TX
(281) 847-2164

Manila Supermarket
3901 W Fm 196 Rd., Houston, TX
(713) 397-8747

Pinoy Grocery
811 South Mason Rd., Suite 116, Katy, TX
(281) 829-9798

Philippine Food Store
3501 E. Veterans Memorial Blvd., Killeen, TX
(254) 699-5663

Josie’s Market
1134 W Main Street, Lewisville, TX
(972) 221-1155

Mabuhay Asian Groceries & Gifts
901-B Pine Tree Rd., Longview, TX
(903) 291-8899

De Dios Filipino Store
504 N. 10th St., McAllen, TX
(956) 664-2210

JS Fil-Am Store
8129-A White Settlement Rd., White Settlement, TX
(817) 246-7579

VIRGINIA

Fiesta Oriental Store
4815 North 1st St., Arlington, VA
(703) 516-9160

Phil Asian Food Mart
14511-Q Lee-Jackson Memorial Hwy, Chantilly, VA
(703) 263-2769

Manila Oriental Store
5509 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA
(703) 379-0595

RJ’s Market
947 Big Bethel Rd., Hampton, VA
(757)-825-8807

Juliana’s Sari-Sari Store
7171 New Market Ct., Manassas, VA
(703) 335-9377 / 335-8277

Fiesta Springfield Oriental Store
6230-A Rolling Road, Springfield, VA
(703) 913-9820

Rosallie’s Oriental Mart
5294 Fairfield Shopping Center, Viriginia Beach, VA
(757) 467-3642

Sally’s Bakery & Grocery
4221 Pleasant Valley Rd., Ste. 129, Virginia Beach, VA
(757) 467-7461

A&T Filipino Gourmet Food & Convenience Store
13744 Smoketown Rd., Woodbridge, VA
(703) 730-6747

WASHINGTON

Boot’s Sari-Sari Seafood Store
6721 Kitsap Way, Bremerton, WA
(360) 377-1486

Sari-Sari Store
616 Pacific Ave., Bremerton, WA
(360) 405-6108

Jade N Gold
8205 Martin Way East Suite I, Lacey, WA
(360) 491-9258

Manila’s Best
9330 Bridgeport Way SW, Lakewood, WA
(253) 581-1152

Casa de Manila
3219 Beacon Ave. South, Seattle, WA
(206) 322-7050

Fil-Am Oriental Foods & Gifts
15214 Aurora N, Seattle, WA
(206) 367-4832

Lake City Oriental Store
3012 NE 125th Ave., Seattle, WA
(206) 362-8966

Manila Mart
6051 Martin Luther King, Jr. Way, Seattle, WA

(206) 723-8656

The Philippine Best
8403 Greenwood Ave., Seattle, WA

(206) 782-901

Asian Market
10876 Myrhe Pl NW, Silverdale, WA

(360) 613-0453

WEST VIRGINIA

Asian Grocer
33 East Main Street, Buckhannon, WV
(304) 473-1444

WISCONSIN

Asian Market
1125 N Old World 3rd St., Milwaukee, WI
(414) 765-9211

A request:  If you happen to know of any Asian/Filipino store that is not listed in here, please post a comment with the contact details indicated for our kababayans to see.  Many thanks in advance :)

Is He Ready?

Just got off a phone conversation with a friend who just arrived home from a 50th mensiversary celebration in Pearl Farm.  She was happy and frustrated at the same time because she thought the guy was finally going to propose marriage to her.  In fact,  she practiced her yes-I-will-marry-you piece in front of the mirror so many times and envisioned a 1 carat solitaire engagement ring before they went to Davao.  Sadly, the guy didn’t pop the question so she gave him a cold treatment the entire trip back home.  It can be really frustrating, I know, but in the Philippines women just have to wait.  It sounds a bit strange that proposals are given to men, but in the US and Europe it does happen.  Generally, if a man is not ready – emotionally and mentally – he’s not going to propose.  Not unless her sharp-shooting dad summons the guy.

What does it take for a man to propose marriage? My male friends say these things:

• A relationship that is built on trust
• Financial stability
• Emotional and mental maturity
• A pretty good relationship with her family and vice versa
• When absence makes the heart grow fonder
• When he’s 100% sure that his girlfriend will say YES (who wants to be ditched, anyway?)

Waiting for a marriage proposal can be frustrating and stressful.  Just because you are ready for the relationship to move to the next level, doesn’t mean your boyfriend is. Men and women think differently and sometimes it’s hard for women to accept that.  To cope with the situation, keep praying and do things for yourself — exercise, go shopping, have a good massage, and hang out with your good friends.  You don’t have to be proposed marriage to in order to be happy and content (but if you’re in your 30s and been dating him for more than 5 years, that’s another story altogether).  Try to enjoy yourself and the positive attitude might just drive your boyfriend to make the proposal you’ve long been waiting for.

Compact USB HD Camcorder

I’ve always wanted a compact camcorder to document my travel adventures, and the Flip Mino has been one of my serious considerations.  It has everything I’m looking for in a camcorder — lightweight, portable, good video quality, and can be mounted anywhere using my handy Gorillapod.  The only reason why I was apprehensive about buying it for my birthday last year is that it wasn’t available in high definition.

But now that the Flip Mino HD is out, I’ll sure be getting one.  I love the fact that it works both for the MAC and the PC, and can be customized to suit my personality.  It can shoot in 720p which is 1280×720 in 16:9 cinematic wide screen, and there is 4GB of onboard memory that can record about 60 minutes of continuous video.  Battery life lasts for 2 hours.  It’s really a good investment at $230 (or P14,400).

My Louis Vuitton Bag Picks

Louis Vuitton handbags offer compositional chic fashion for sophisticated women for over a century now, and nothing conveys refined style quite like them.  The clean lines, the premium leathers, the gleaming metal hardware — they all contribute to head-turning and to-die-for accessories.

But the truth remains that LV collections are limited, and aging ones are no longer in production — something Louis Vuitton does regularly to keep their different lines fresh and diverse.  Here are my top picks ranging from the discontinued to the recently-launched collections:

Monogram Scuba GM

I’m not a big fan of monogram bags but this is one of the two styles from LV that captured my attention.  This tote is an oversized bag made from monogram-embossed neoprene, a soft and squishy synthetic rubber used in wetsuits and other industrial applications.  This bag oozes with elegance and style perfect for a weekend getaway with friends.

• Size:  23.6″x 18.1″x 12.2″
• Price:  $2,580

Monogram Canvas Batignolles Horizontal

This is the other monogram bag that I liked — so roomy it can easily hold a laptop and flattened documents size A4 or smaller.  It’s the perfect bag for a corporate executive and elegant shopper.

• Size:  13.4″ x 10″ x 5.4″
• Price:  $830

Suhali Leather Lockit PM

Ladies who are not keen on designer bag logos like me will love this bag.  It’s made from goat leather which makes it a bit heavy, but the spacious zippered main compartment (which houses zippered and multi-purpose pockets) is enough compromise.  And because it’s protected by studs underneath the base, you should be daring enough to put it down.

• Size:  11.8″x 9.8″x 5.2″
• Price:  $2,820

Tobago Keepall 50

Such a chic travel piece! This actually is a part of the Spring-Summer 2006 Men’s Collection, but it goes perfectly with women, too.  We all live with regrets and this is one of mine — by the time I saw this and wanted one for myself, it has already been discontinued.  It would have cost me an arm and a leg though, but I would have loved the option of saving up and getting it to reward myself.

• Size:  20″ x 11″ x 9″
• Price:  $2,480

Damier Geant Canvas Pionnier Earth

There’s no denying that classic LVs are the most popular, but for those who want a modern and luxurious alternative, this LV backpack is a great option.  Also from the Men’s Collection, this large, comfortable piece is solid and sturdy as it is composed of ultra-strong technical fibers similar to those used in mountain-climbing ropes.  This is ideal for university students, moonlighters, and also makes a great carry-on bag for frequent travellers.

• Size:  13.8″ x 16.9″ x 8.3″
• Price:  $1,580

Damier Graphite Renzo

A city bag that will give you enough room to put files you bring to cold calls every day.  The flap-top comes with hidden magnetic closures so you’re sure that everything in it is secure. While this is mainly a men’s bag, it also appeals to women who are always on the go; its outward appearance is simple yet very elegant and modern. Versatility-wise, it can either be slung on the shoulder or carried across the body, whichever is most convenient.  It has a shoulder strap with buckle and link attachments to conform with body size.  Definitely makes a perfect reward for yourself or a birthday gift for hubby.

• Size:  14.6″x 13.4″x 3.5″
• Price:  $1,100

Does any of these bags appeal to you, too? Feel free to post away your thoughts.  I am yet to visit another LV shop so watch out for new stuff in this blog soon.

Singapore

As I write this post, I’ve been to Singapore 5 times.  Once to spend quality time with my then fiance, and the rest to fulfill my business duties.  Singapore is recorded to be the 5th wealthiest country in the world, and is a melting pot of nationalities — Chinese, Malaysian, Thai, Indian — and that diversity is reflected in its varied neighborhoods: Colonial Singapore, dominated by the magnificent Raffles Hotel; Chinatown, home to Buddhist and Taoist temples; and Orchard Road, once the stomping ground of wild tigers and now the poshest shopping street.

My Top 10 MUSTs for those who plan to visit Singapore:

1. A walk down Orchard Road.  It’s the biggest shopping district in Singapore with lots of malls selling high-end stuff.  Tangs, Paragon, OG, Takashimaya Square, John Little, The borders, and Ngee Ann City are worth visiting.  If you are into designer brands, you’ll definitely find what you’re looking for in this place.
2. Some impulse shopping at Bugis Street — you’ll only do it once :)  This is the place in Singapore where you’ll enjoy choosing from a wide selection and you wouldn’t mind carrying lots of shopping bags.  Explore all the adjacent streets to it and you will discover small eateries, fruit stalls, and department stores.
3. A visit to the Merlion Park, the icon of Singapore.  It’s adjacent to Esplanade – the theater by the bay shaped like a dome (or rather the pungent-smelling durian fruit).  You can stroll along the park to see the major banks and busy central business district surrounding the park with huge sky scrappers and also enjoy the sea breeze, as the park is by the bay. You can hop on a boat in the Singapore river adjacent to it to see all the individual attractions.  A ride of half an hour trip costs S$12 per person.
4. If you love rides, a day tour in Sentosa Island will definitely be worth your time.  It will take about 6 hours to see all the attractions in Sentosa, and note that the world-famous Musical Fountain Show is in the evenings only — 7:40pm and 8:40pm every day.  Weekends are very crowded so make sure to queue an hour ahead of showing because they always start on time.
5. Swing by Suntec Mall and check out the Fountain of Wealth (listed as the largest fountain in the world).  This is the setting for laser performances, as well as live song and laser message dedications between 8pm to 9pm daily.
6. Try out some Hawker food (the ones at Tiong Bahru, Newton, and The Esplanade are worthy to mention). Undoubtedly, eating out in Singapore isn’t complete without a visit to a Hawker Centre – a collection of individual stalls selling food at very reasonable prices, in an open-air setting. Start by “chope-ing” or reserving a table.  The typical way to do this is to leave a packet of tissue on the table, and people will immediately understand that the table is taken.  Don’t use your celfone or wallet to chope a seat because it’s gonna be stolen.  Hawker tables have numbers on them — note your table number because you need to say it to the specific stall where you are buying your food (so they’ll know where to deliver your food).  Once you finish eating, there’s no need to clean up or deposit the utensils in a receptacle because there are cleaners who will do it for you.
7. Explore Clarke Quay.  During the day, G-Max Ultimate Reverse Bungee gets you tossed like a ball into the air to a heart-thumping flying experience.  Or you can embark on a scenic Singapore River Cruise and visit the Asian Civilisations Museum which is within the waterfront precinct. At night, this place turns into the center of  Singapore nightlife — with clubs especially targeted to those who love to get drunk.
8. Have a Singapore Sling at Raffles.  Even if you’re not staying in this plush hotel, you can visit its famous Long Bar to sample their legendary cocktail.  The main ingredients are gin, cherry brandy and fruit juice, but if that’s not to your liking then you can choose something else from their extensive drinks menu.  Don’t forget to take your camera with you because Raffles is one of the most famous hotels in the world and even if you’re not staying there you can at least say you’ve been there.
9. Go to the Night Safari to keep you going at night. If you’ve ever visited a zoo during the daytime and been disappointed to see so many of the animals sleeping, then you shouldn’t miss this one.  The Night Safari is the first wildlife park in the world designed to be viewed at night, to take advantage of the nocturnal nature of many of its four-legged inhabitants.  It’s worth getting there early to see the show before opening time, as this will ensure you have plenty of time to walk the trails and really experience being up close with the animals.
10. Before going home, drop by the China Town to buy pasalubong. It’s a typical chinese street with many shops where you can get your souvenirs at 3 for S$10. Shops sell good table runners, windchimes, fortune buddhas, fans, purses, keychains, toys, decorative items, silk bouses, scarves, etc.

If your travel agent or chosen airline offer a free tour, by all means, take it.  Singapore is a small island so most, if not all, the places I mentioned above would be covered.  Cabs may be hailed in designated stops (which every corner has practically), but it’s still best to take the MRT or city bus because the latter is dramatically affordable.  And oh, they follow a “no tips” culture.

Don’t forget to grab your free copy of the Singapore city map at the airport — it will surely help a lot.  Have a great Singapore getaway! :)

Non-Surgical Removal of Gall Stones

I have never been bothered about gall stones until another friend underwent operation for the removal of her gall bladder last year.  She seems to be facing problems on confidence now — she couldn’t wear figure-hugging clothes because of bloatedness and firmness of the abdomen (apparently, these are side effects of gall bladder surgery).

Being in the business of pleasing an audience, this has somewhat scared me.  I then did some reseach on how to prevent gall stones from forming, and in my readings, I learned about Dr. Lai Chiu Nan, a Taiwanese chemistry doctorate and former cancer researcher in one of America’s top cancer research institutions who teaches natural health.  She said that cancer is never the first illness — usually, there are a lot of other problems leading up to it.  Her point drove me to take care of my gall bladder even more in order to avoid future health problems; not to mention that gall bladder surgery will run a sufferer at least $2,000 and almost 2 years of diarrhea and nausea.  Here’s her recommended practice:

1. For the first 5 days, drink at least 4 glasses of apple juice each day or eat 4-5 apples, whichever you prefer.  During the 5 days, eat normally.
2. On the 6th day, avoid food intake beyond 2pm — don’t eat dinner.  At 6pm, take a teaspoon of epsom salt (magnesium sulphate) with a glass of warm water.  At 8pm, repeat the same thing.  At 10pm, mix half cup olive (or sesame) oil with half cup fresh lemon juice and drink it.

The following morning, you will find green stones in your stool.

There are quite a number of people who have had success with gall bladder flush and therapy.  I know of a group that conducts extensive discussion on this, but I’m not sure if I can post here the details. Just email me so I can feed you with information in private.

Avoiding/Minimizing Accidents

Each day, hundreds of people are involved in vehicular accidents.  It is one of the most dangerous things a person could come in contact with during her life, and it is every driver’s interest to do all she can to prevent or at least minimize it.

When it looks like a collision may happen, many drivers panic and fail to act. In some cases they do act, but do something that does not help to reduce the chance of the collision. There almost always is something you can do to avoid the accident, or reduce the results of the accident. In avoiding a collision, drivers have three options: (1) stop, (2) turn, and (3) speed up.

Speeding Up

Sometimes it is best or necessary to speed up to avoid a collision.  This may happen when another vehicle is about to hit you from the side or from behind and there is room to the front of you to get out of danger. Be sure to slow down once the danger has passed.

Protect Yourself in Collisions

You may not always be able to avoid a collision. The most important thing you can do is to use your lap and shoulder belts. Other than your seat belts, there are a couple of other things that could help prevent more serious injuries.

Hit From the Rear

If your vehicle is hit from the rear, your body will be thrown back towards the rear of your vehicle. Press yourself against the back of your seat and put your head against the head restraint. Be ready to apply your brakes so that you will not be pushed into another vehicle.

Hit From the Side

If your vehicle is hit from the side, your body will be thrown towards the side that is hit. Front air bags will not help in this situation. Your lap and shoulder belts are needed to help keep you behind the wheel. Get ready to steer or brake to prevent your vehicle from hitting something else.

Hit From the Front

If your vehicle is about to be hit from the front, it is important to try and have a “glancing blow” rather than being struck head on. This means that if a collision is going to happen, try and turn the vehicle. At worse, you hit with a glancing blow, and you might miss it. If your vehicle has an air bag, it will inflate. It also will deflate following the accident, so be ready to keep your vehicle from hitting something else. You must use your lap and shoulder belts to keep you behind the wheel, and to protect you if your vehicle has a second collision.

(Thanks to IDT for the life-saving tips)