Andres Bonifacio Day Celebrations and BIG Discount SALE at the Tutuban Center

Tutuban- Manila, Philippines

center of pop artists

Gat Andres Bonifacio – Manila’s beloved son and ” Father of the Katipunan” heats up at the popular bargain destination – Tutuban Center in Manila.  There are hundreds more flea market tenants that made the area famous for their Night Market.

jam-packed audience

This year’s 150th birth anniversary of Andres Bonifacio this November 30. Tutuban Center lined up an array of wonderful activities in observance of this historic day , starting with a hot sale of a lot of fantastic items courtesy of Tutuban Center tenants.

children patiently watching the program

fruit vendor

 Tutuban railway station circa early 1900

Tutuban Center is full of history – Its oldest building was re-adapted into one of Manila’s biggest shopping complex .  Plus that the historic railway is still existing .

Shoppers can enjoy up to 50% discount on great selections from participating stores beginning November 29 to December 1, 2013. Tutuban center will give out Robinsons gift certificate to first 30 shoppers who will present a valid single purchase -official receipt worth Php 1,000.

Mr. Jake Vargas

Also, win exciting gadgets and Robinsons gift certificate during the daily raffle promo . Simply present a Php 1,000 single purchase receipt and get a chance to win an Apple iPad Mini, an Asus Memo Pad HD 7 Tablet PC or Robinsons gift certificate worth Php 5,000 !!!!!!

 Mr. Jake Vargas (teenage heartthrob of GMA channel 7)  Popular television host Kuya German Moreno ( GMA channel 7 )  , Ms. Clarette Hartell Ruiz (  ABS-CBN channel 2)

 Christmas TREE Lightning

The biggest highlight of the event was the lightning of the 35- feet Christmas Tree  which is the annual tradition that every Filipino from all walks of life is anticipating .

More than its history, celebrities, great bargains  and iconic Christmas tree,  Tutuban Center Mall is a symbol of urban renewal and re-adaptive re-use of commercial spaces.  Holiday cheers and gift-giving, great deals  and low low prices !!!

Website Links

Tutuban Center: http://www.tutuban.com.ph/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tutubancenter

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Gat Andres Bonifacio 150th birth anniversary stamp and coin launching

Monumento Caloocan City- Philippines

President Benigno Simeon Aquino III together with Hon. Ceasar Sarino of the Philippine Postal Corporation during the presentation of the 150th birth anniversary commemorative stamp issued by the post office.

(Photo courtesy of  Robert Viñas / Malacañang Photo Bureau)

I arrived shortly after 6:30 am near the Monumento Circle,  EDSA avenue and some streets were closed by MMDA and the traffic bureau . There were a lot of police men, army , presidential security guards , local city government officials from Caloocan, local schools , descendants of  Gat Andres Bonifacio , foreign dignitaries , National Historical Commission of the Philippines employees and passers-by.  This year’s theme : “Bonifacio: Dangal at Kabayanihan.”

President Benigno S. Aquino III receives a Bonifacio Commemorative Coin from Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Amando Tetangco, Jr., during the commemoration of the 150th Birth Anniversary of Gat Andres Bonifacio at the Bonifacio National Monument in Caloocan City on Saturday (November 30, 2013). In photo is Caloocan City Mayor Oscar Malapitan. (Photo by Robert Viñas / Malacañang Photo Bureau).

President Benigno S. Aquino III  short speech

(Photo  courtesy of Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau).

Mr. Wildredo Bas ( center) and the National Historical Commission of the Philippines employees and technical staffs

I saw some NHCP employees and technical staffs and they gladly obliged to take a group photo despite of their hectic work load.

Ms. Kathy San Gabriel and Professor Xiao Chua of PTV channel 4

I was able to meet Professor Xiao Chua and Ms. Kathy San Gabriel of PTV channel 4 . After a short chat with them – I showed some of the 150th commemorative Andres Bonifacio stamps which they aired LIVE.

Ms. Kathy San Gabriel holding the commemorative 150th birth anniversary commemorative stamp during the LIVE telecast

Hon. Amado Tetangco ( Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas governor) Hon. Cesar Sarino ( Philippine Postal Corporation president)

Atty. Gregorio Bonifacio together with NHCP chairperson  Dr. Maria Serena Diokno  presentation of the 150th birth anniversary Andres Bonifacio commemorative stamps

Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office – Manuel  Quezon III  ( undersecretary )  , NHCP chairperson Dr. Maria Serena Diokno, Atty Gregorio Bonifacio ( descendant )  and Mr. Dante Distrito ( descendant )

descendants of Gat Andres Bonifacio together with Undersecretary Mr. Manuel L. Quezon III , Dr. Maria Serena Diokno , NHCP Executive Director Mr.  Ludovico Badoy

descendants of Gat Andres Bonifacio

I had the opportunity to meet some of  Gat Andres Bonifacio descendants from Procopio Bonifacio ( brother ) they are very active with the 150th anniversary preparations in Novaliches . Novaliches is one of the most important stronghold for the Katipunan movement and a lot of prominent old- families like Kabesang Serrano are members of the Katipunan.

Mr. Edardo Bonifacio together with Heroes del 96 Community members

Note: Commemorative 150th Gat Andres Bonifacio coin are available for SALE at the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas while the Commemorative 150th Gat Andres Bonifacio stamp are available for SALE at the Philatelic Division – Manila Central Post Office , Liwasang Bonifacio – Ermita , Manila

 STAMP Technical Description

Kind of Issue                              : Commemorative

Perforation                             : 14

Denomination and Quantity     : P10.00 ……..150,000 (4 designs)

Printing Process                   : Litho – Offset (4 colors)

Souvenir Sheet                          : P150.00 ……8,000 pieces ( quantity)

Paper                                      : Imported Unwatermarked

Date of Issue                              : November  30, 2013

Printer                                     : Amstar Company, Inc.

Last day of sale                         : November  30, 2014 (as stock allows)

Layout Artist                           : Mr. Victorino  Z. Serevo

Sheet Composition                                   : 12 (3 x 4)

Size of stamp                             : 30 mm. x 40 mm.

Size of Souvenir Sheet              : 102.5 mm. x 68 mm.

Designs                                     :

Stamp 1 –   Roderick C. Macutay, Pasig City, winner, Open Category

Stamp 2  –   Julius R. Satparam, Legazpi City, Albay, winner, Open Category

Stamp 3  –  John Mark Nathaniel Troncales, TUP, winner, Student Category

Stamp 4  –   Marrion Dabalos, FEU, winner, Student Category

Note” I would sincerely ” THANK ” NHCP  people for their accommodation during the event.

Website links:

Philippine Postal Corporation: https://www.phlpost.gov.ph/

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas :http://www.bsp.gov.ph/

Caritas EXPO 2013 : BUY , SHARE and GIVE

Trinoma Mall activity center, Quezon City-Philippines

Trinoma Activity Center

Caritas Manila Expo 2013 had opened its doors to people who want to buy affordable and quality products for the Yuletide season.

tarpaulin poster

There are donation boxes for Typhoon Yolanda aka ( Haiyan) .

There are different array of products which included paintings, knotted rosaries, and bags made of recycled paper by the inmates; footwear made of dried water lilies by a community in Cupang, Muntinlupa City; bags made of recycled denim, tarpaulin, jute, and katsa by a community in Tondo, Manila; stuffed toys made by the same community; and home cleaning products by Caritas Youth Servant Leaders, as supervised by a volunteer chemist.

Gathering of Bonifacio, De Jesus and Nakpil’s descendants

Bahay Nakpil-Bautista, Quiapo- Manila, Philippines

Faroles (lanterns) hanging from the eaves of the house indicate that this photograph was taken during Christmas when it is customary in the Philippines to hang these traditional symbols.
Reproduced from the book “Julio Nakpil and the Philippine Revolution” by Encarnacion Alzona.

Mr. Ariston Lin Bautista – He was the son of Mariano A. Bautista and Teresa Limpingco, and was born in Sta. Cruz, Manila. Bautista was married to Petrona Nakpil in 1903.

grand staircase

His house on Barbosa Street [now named after him, A. Bautista Street], Quiapo, Manila, used to be a small art museum of antiques and paintings of representative Filipino arts. His library is now with the University of the Philippines Medical Museum started by Dr. Geminiano de Ocampo².

A collegue, Dr. Jose P. Bantug, described him:

descendants of  Gat Andres Bonifacio ‘s siblings in attendance

The gathering was initiated by the relatives of the Nakpil’s , Bonifacio , Castro and De Jesus clan a day before the Gat Andres Bonifacio ‘s 150th anniversary , since a lot of them are busy during the date of the celebration.

group photo

There was a short program led by the artist group , a small program led by Ms. Bobbie  Santos- Viola .

Ms. Bobbie Santos-Viola

She was the host speaker and moderator during the gathering

After the short recollection among the living descendants , a short play  of the life of Gat Andres Bonifacio  and a late afternoon meal serving the ” BEST ” of Quiapo’s food like fresh lumpia, empanada, pancit, barbecue were served.

Note” I would like to ” Thank” Ms. Bobbie Santos Viola, Professor Fernando B. Zialcita for the accommodation and invitation extended to the author.

Website: http://bahaynakpil.org/

Gerry’s Grill reopens their Eastwood branch

Eastwood , Libis-Quezon City, Philippines

L-R Rev. Jay -Ar Marionga , Mr. Gerry Apolinario, Mr. Patrick Antonio and Mr. Kevin Tan ( Mega World , First Vice-President and Commercial Division Head of Mega World)

Gerry’s Grill has been making waves since it opened its doors to the dining public on February 14, 1997 . If you are looking for a dining place to satisfy your food craving and to chill out with your family and friends then Gerry’s Grill is the perfect place to go .

It’s menu fit right into any occasion and budget. Now the famous grill and bar restaurant chain is opening its 57th branch in the Philippines.  Gerry’s Grill Libis was one of the early branch patronized by the customers but the lease contact expired last 2006. Regular customers were asking on when will it re-open in the area. When Eastwood city offered location in the city walk 2 , Gerry’s Grill decided to grab the opportunity to e able to serve again the customers in the area.

friendly staffs and crew 

Dining at Gerry’s Grill gives everyone a pleasurable experience . Diners are served with only fresh foods raging from Filipino favorites sisig, grilled pusit ( squid) , crispy pata,  grilled tuna belly , beef  kare-kare, to exotic cuisine and tastefully prepared beermates  and pica-pica .

Mr. Gerry Apolinario together with friends, guests and vips

Its founder, Mr. Gerry Apolinario – worked on his passion for good foods and his earnest penchant for drink and grilled food. He yearned for a venue where both may be enjoyed amidst an atmosphere that is fun , fresh and wholesome

San Miguel Beer light drinking contest -participated by some UST growling tigers

During the opening of the Eastwood branch , there was short program hosted by Ms. Crystal – a dynamic and cheerful host.

Mr. Matthew Sia of UST Player

He won a gift certificate and bragging rights  .  He was the first one to finish one bottle of San Miguel Beer Light during the contest.

 fellow bloggers won some gift certificate in an eating contest

Gerry’s Grill continues to reach out to anyone , anywhere . From its first restaurant located along Tomas Morato corner Eugenio Lopez Avenue in Quezon City . Gerry’s Grill invaded the United States having 2 branches in Union City and Artesia . Gerry’s Grill also expanded in Asia when 3 branches opened in Singapore located at Marina Bay Sands.

 Mr. Alvin Teng and  Mr.Jeric Teng ( basketball celebrities )

Ginebra San Miguel, Inc. is the world’s largest gin producer by volume as well as the market leader in the domestic hard liquor market, with core products such as Ginebra San Miguel Gin, GSM Blue Gin and Gran Matador Brandy.

San Miguel liquor products

There was a contest between  2 groups ( blogger group and tambay boys) a group  which consist of 4 members . We drank a shot of  San Miguel Antonov Vodka and imitated the animals  found in a jungle safari. The next group also imitated animals like python, cobra, anaconda and viper .

I think our unique pose made us win the impromptu contest!

Note:  The Eastwood branch can accommodate a total of 150 people at any given time and the verandah ( balcony area )can sit up to 45 people.

Store is open from Monday to Sunday

11:00am to 11:00pm

Gerry’s Grill: http://www.gerrysgrill.com/ph/

San Miguel : http://www.sanmiguel.com.ph/