P1.00 Discount on Jeepneys & Tricycles for Today

It's the birthday of Mayor Junjun Binay and as a gesture of support, the transportation groups in Makati are giving a P1.00 discount to all commuters from 8:00 a.m. to 12 noon!

Happy Hour at Le Bistro Vert

Two-For-One is a promo I discovered in the early 80s in Boracay. Well, it's arrived in The Village too.

Wanna try Yoga?

Hey Salcedo Native, wanna try yoga? ECHOyoga is a yoga wellness program thats coming to the Village. ECHOyoga hopes to demystify and introduce yoga to the absolute beginner through workshops of two to three sessions each.

Check it out on April 6 at Le Bistro Vert Sustainable Foods (Mezzanine), Streetside of Fraser Place, Valero Street, Salcedo Village, the workshop fees include a vegetarian lunch by specially designed by Chef Sau del Rosario for the participants, using fresh ingredients sourced from local farmers and communities.

More information: click here.

Emergency: Dial 16-911

Have a medical emergency? Fear not, rescue is just a phone call away. Dial 16-911. Parked by the Salcedo Park is one of the Lifeline Rescue ambulances ready to respond to any medical emergency in Salcedo Village within 12 minutes!




Lifeline is an "Emergency Quick Response" (EQR) service providing reliable and efficient emergency medical service. Lifeline ambulances are virtual "emergency rooms on wheels" with experienced and well-trained staff ready to provide nursing and medical care.

Lately Lifeline Rescue has expanded their services to provide clinical laboratory services from the comfort of your home.

Religious Freedom

Not known to many, Salcedo Village is home to various religious denominations.

On H. V. Dela Costa Street is the Beth Ya'akov Synagogue Jewish Center (www.jewishphilippines.org). The synagogue holds weekly services, maintains a mikveh, and runs a Sunday school. The services follow the traditions and melodies of the Syrian-Sephardic communities.



St. George Greek Orthodox Chapel is located at the Adamson Center on Leviste Street. It is open daily from 7:00 a.m. to 9::00 a.m.



The International Baptist Church is at the corner of H. V. Dela Costa Street and Tordesillas Street with services on Sundays and Wednesdays. It also runs the Spurgeon School that caters to children from ages 2.8 to 12 years.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - Buendia Chapel on H. V. Dela Costa Street.

Word for the World is located on Valero Street and has weekly services on Sundays and Thursdays.

The New University Belt is Closing In

Don't veer too far. The old-timers are moving closer to the neighborhood. Ateneo Graduate School of Business is on H. V. Dela Costa Street. The College of Law of the Lyceum of the Philippines is on L. P. Leviste Street.



The Centro Escolar University Makati is a block away from the RCBC Plaza on Gil Puyat Avenue. The Far Eastern University Makati campus is coming soon in the old Zuellig Pharma Building along Gil Puyat Avenue.

Salcedo Nights!!!

Just as the temperature starts to rise, so are the activities at the Jaime Velasquez Park (Salcedo Park). On Saturday, March 13, a live open air concert will be held at 8 p.m featuring The Company, Clarissa Ocampo and Andrew Fernando. See you there!

4-Legged Salcedo Natives

Walk around Salcedo Village in the early morning or the early afternoon and see who's out in the park. It's the 4-legged natives, our little pets out to get sunshine and exercise. You just know you're in a residential community when you see man's best friend taking a stroll in your neighborhood. Now, have you noticed how disciplined Salcedo Natives are? Have you noticed that you don't see poop littering the sidewalk? That's because Salcedo Village natives know how to curb their dogs.



For those who don't know, in Salcedo Village, curbing your dogs is the law. Here's a lesson on How to Curb Your Dog (taken from eHow.com):

Step 1: Next time you go shopping, collect the small plastic bags for use as dog curbing bags. Choose the smaller bags that make for easy disposal of dog waste.

Step 2: Take your dog on their walk. Most people walk their dogs each and every day. When you go to take your dog on their next walk don't forget to grab at least two bags per dog.

Step 3: Stash the bags in your back pocket. After you grab several of the curbing bags, make sure to place them in your back pocket for safe keeping.

Step 4: Let your dog do their business. This is rather simple: if they have to go let them go.





Step 5: Clean up the waste. Once they have done their business, slip your hand into one of the bags so it can work as a glove. Open the other bag and using your gloved hand, fill it with the dog waste.



Step 6: Tie the bags and dispose. Next tie the bag shut and dispose of it in the nearest garbage can.

Step 7: Sanitize your hands. After you have disposed of the waste thoroughly sanitize your hands using a hand sanitizer.

Cigarette Butts All Over the Place!

Cigarette butts, cigarette butts all over the place! You'll never have a hard time deciphering which buildings in Salcedo Village house a call center. Just look out for a carpet of cigarette butts surrounding the building! Ok, so not all cigarette butt carpets are caused by BPO employees, but it's really annoying when a bunch of people hanging outside the building taking a puff just toss their cigarette butts any which way.





Some people get really creative and decide that tossing a cigarette butt into a plant box is not littering. The poor plants! Puff all you want but spare the plants! Others will hide their cigarette butts by sticking them inside a pipe. A stand pipe. Really now?



Why not just toss your butts into an ashtray? It's not too much effort. You can see the green ashtrays around our Village. It's those green plastic trash cans provided by MACEA to help keep our neighborhood clean. Please, use them and respect our neighborhood. If your building is just too far from an ashtray, maybe it's time you did your part for a clean environment by requesting your building to install an ashtray somewhere accessible to those taking a cigarette break. I'm sure you're building wouldn't mind installing one just to ensure the cleanliness of their property. Also, tell the building management that it's bad Feng Shui to have a littered entrance!


So, please, next time you light up, think about how you will dispose of your cigarette butt.

Makati E-Jeepneys wow financial institutions!

Impressed with the electric version of Jeepneys now plying a few routes in the country, some financial institutions have expressed interest to implement similar programs in other countries. More, click here

$Cash$ for Trash!!!

I read a post on Facebook by the Salcedo Villagers about the Makati solid waste management program. The article mentioned that the basic requirement of the program is segregation of waste materials from the source. Now I'm thinking... how do you get the Salcedo Village natives to segregate their waste?

My cousin Robbie and I think that if the Salcedo Market organizers reserve a stall once a month for a junk shop owner, the Salcedo Village natives can then sell their bottles, cartons, newspapers, etc. and convert their trash into cash! If the Salcedo natives cannot be bothered with segregation then their maids or drivers can do so and earn a little on the side while helping the environment. There's nothing better than a WIN-WIN situation!

E Jeeepneys Conking Out?

Makati is on the right track to help mitigate climate change while addressing problems such as air pollution, solid waste, and rising oil prices. This project demonstrates that cities can take the lead in helping address global climate change by promoting sustainable transport tied in with renewable energy-based technologies. Makati natives should be proud and supportive of these projects. Our future depends on it but barely a month after the launch of the e-jeepney in Makati, my brother who is a regular e-jeepney commuter, had a conversation with one of the drivers. It turns out that the 10 jeepneys that were deployed to service Salcedo and Legaspi Village has been reduced to just 8 units because 2 have broken down already. Sad, sad news. Something should be done to sustain such a great plan.

Work at Home is Better than Walk to Work?

Now that you live in Salcedo Village, you are in the heart of the Makati Central Business District. You're about 5 to 10 minutes away from work. It's really convenient as you save a lot on gas and time. But how about if you just worked at home? I'm sure this thought has crossed your mind. Well, here is a blog that might help you make that decision.

Sunday Catholic Mass is Walking Distance from you

It seems like a little secret, but it's not! Find time to thank the Lord for all the blessings he has bestowed upon you. You hear Sunday Catholic Mass at the Makati Sports Club at 11:30 a.m. The mass welcomes everyone. It's not too early and not too late.

Head on to the bowling alley where it is transformed into a chapel every Sunday morning. The community is small and friendly.

Can't get a table at Abe's? Come on Over to the Commons

In the neighborhood is a restaurant that serves delicious Lamb Spareribs Adobo (P375.00). It reminds me of the one at Abe's in Serendra but why would you drive all the way to The Fort when you can just walk on over to the Commons?

Another yummy dish is the Lechon Kawali Chips with Two Dipping Sauces (P250.00). It's your typical lechon kawali but slices thin like chips!

Now, the best treat is Beer Below Zero (P60.00) and free WIFI!

For the best service, look for Ed.

Address: G/F Manhattan Square, Valero Street (across Citibank)
Hours: 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Tel no: 8448939

Champagne Taste, Beer Pocketbook

Going out on a date but don't want to spend too much? Bring her to Brasserie Boheme. Good ambiance, good food, good service and best of all... good price points!

Brasserie Boheme offers a 3-course menu for Php 390.00 per head that consists of soup or salad, a main course and dessert. Their menu changes weekly but their price seems pegged at Php 390.00.

Today I tried the ala carte menu. I chose the Lamb Shank with Mushroom Risotto (Php 680.00). The menu said that this was good for two persons. It tasted really good but the portion was too much for one person but not enough for two. If I had ordered extra Mushroom Risotto, then the portion might have been just right!

The restaurant gets full on workdays, so I highly suggest you call to make a reservation.

Address: G/F Picasso, Leviste Street, Salcedo Village
Tel. no.: 828-1506
Hours: 6:00 a.m. to 12:00 midnight

Free Chicken, What a Joy!!

Hey BPI Credit Card holders, have you tried claiming your FREE Chicken Joy? Don't go too far because there's a Jollibee at the corner of Valero and Villar Streets in our neighborhood.

Claiming your chicken meal is so simple. Just present your credit card voucher and the credit card used to make your purchase and voila!


More details

Up To 10% Discount on Property Taxes

It's time to take advantage of the tax discount offered in Makati. The Makati City government will grant at least five percent discount to taxpayers paying on a quarterly basis while a 10 percent cut rate awaits those paying on an annual basis.

To make it even more convenient, Fellow Salcedo Makati natives can make payments in Barangay Bel-Air! Hurry!

Source

A Dog's Prayer for the Brand New Year

Look around you and you'll notice that many Salcedo Village natives are not limited to the 2-legged variety. There are the 4-legged variety too.

Following is a very touching Dog's Prayer shared online by Tanya Ursual:

Treat me kindly, my beloved master, for no heart in all the world is more grateful for kindness than the loving heart of me.

Do not break my spirit with a stick, for though I should lick your hand between the blows, your patience and understanding will more quickly teach me the things you would have me do.

Speak to me often, for your voice is the world's sweetest music, as you must know by the fierce wagging of my tail when your footstep falls upon my waiting ear.

When it is cold and wet, please take me inside... for I am now a domesticated animal, no longer used to bitter elements... and I ask no greater glory than the privilege of sitting at your feet beside the hearth... though had you no home, I would rather follow you through ice and snow than rest upon the softest pillow in the warmest home in all the land... for you are my god... and I am your devoted worshiper.

Keep my pan filled with fresh water, for although I should not reproach you were it dry, I cannot tell you when I suffer thirst. Feed me clean food, that I may stay well, to romp and play and do your bidding, to walk by your side, and stand ready, willing and able to protect you with my life, should your life be in danger.

And, beloved master, should the Great Master see fit to deprive me of my health or sight, do not turn me away from you. Rather hold me gently in your arms as skilled hands grant me the merciful boon of eternal rest...and I will leave you knowing with the last breath I drew, my fate was ever safest in your hands.

- Beth Norman Harris

My Green Playground

The Ayala Triangle Gardens is that patch of green surrounded by Paseo de Roxas, Ayala Avenue and Makati Avenue. It's the little oasis in this cement jungle called Makati. Joggers, strollers, kids running and dogs walking is a usual sight in the early morning hours and at the end of a busy day. It's a well-lit jogging path with security guards scattered all around... and it even has free WIFI!

Its gates open at 6:00 a.m. and shut at 10:00 p.m.

Breath easy Makati.