Feed

Just learned a lesson about RFID sticker in headlights. They don't work anymore due to rain

Philippines gas stations are going to be crazy tonight... Gasoline prices are set to surge by 5.68 pesos, and diesel by 4.32 pesos.

"Gas Prices to Skyrocket After Tonight"… Up to ₱5.68 Per Liter Increase Starting Tomorrow (15th)

Filipino drivers are facing a wallet emergency. According to the Philippine Department of Energy (DOE) and local oil companies, a significant price hike (Big Hike) will be implemented simultaneously at gas stations nationwide starting 6:00 AM on Tuesday, September 15, 2026.

This increase is one of the largest weekly price adjustments seen in recent months, and drivers are expected to feel a substantial impact.

1. Price Increase per Fuel Type (Effective September 15, 2026)

• Gasoline: An increase of ₱5.68 per liter

• Kerosene: An increase of ₱4.62 per liter

• Diesel: An increase of ₱4.32 per liter

Example of Impact: For a typical passenger car (with a fuel tank capacity of 45-50 liters), filling up the tank with gasoline will result in a price difference of over approximately ₱250-₱280 (around ₱6,000-₱7,000 in Korean Won) between tonight and tomorrow morning.

2. Why Are Gas Prices Suddenly Soaring?

The primary reason for this sudden surge is the 'escalating military tensions in the Middle East.'

Officials from local oil companies (such as Jetti Petroleum) explained that the heightened concerns over potential disruptions to oil supply routes due to the intensifying armed conflict between the US/Israel and Iran have led to a sharp increase in international oil prices, which are now reflected in this week's local prices.

3. Local Situation and Fueling Tips

• When Oil Companies Implement Price Changes: Most major gas stations (Petron, Shell, Caltex, etc.) will apply the increased prices starting 6:00 AM on Tuesday. (Some 24-hour brands may implement the changes shortly after midnight.)

• Expected Queues at Gas Stations: According to reports from the Philippine News Agency (PNA), starting this afternoon (14th) after the announcement of the significant price hike, vehicles and motorcycles have begun flocking to gas stations in major cities like Manila to fill up before prices go up.

• Recommendation: If you plan to use your vehicle, it is recommended to fill up your tank in advance during your commute home tonight (14th) or during the late-night hours.

Gunfight erupts as people line up to vote, leaving 18 casualties the day before Philippine elections.

"What started as a simple dispute over who was next in line quickly escalated into a deadly pistol shootout."

On September 14, 2026, the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) in the southern Philippines was set to hold its historic first parliamentary elections. It was a day of great excitement for the entire region, marking 12 years after a peace agreement ended over 40 years of armed conflict, and finally allowing residents to elect their own regional representatives.

However, just hours before voting was scheduled to begin, an unimaginable tragedy struck the night before.

1. It began with "I was here first"... a queue-jumping dispute outside a polling station

Late on the night of Sunday, September 13, the day before the election, outside Datu Usman Mampen Elementary School in Barangay Bagua 2, Cotabato City.

This school was designated as an official polling station for the following morning. Dozens of supporters from different political parties, eager to cast their votes first thing in the morning, had gathered at the school gates since midnight to form a queue.

Around 11:40 PM, a small argument broke out in the line. "We were here first," "Respect the order."

Initially, it was a common verbal spat. But as emotions flared, harsh insults and physical altercations ensued, quickly escalating into a brawl.

2. A pistol drawn after fists flew, turning the school entrance into chaos

As the physical fight reached its peak, someone in the crowd pulled out a firearm they had concealed.

Then, with a roar that split the dark night sky, bullets from .45 caliber and 9mm pistols were fired into the crowd. The dark alley in front of the school transformed into a scene of utter pandemonium, filled with screams.

The shootout resulted in 3 deaths on the spot and 15 others wounded, totaling 18 casualties.

3. In reality, the entire city was a 'powder keg' that night

Police investigations revealed that while the tragedy appeared to be an accidental clash, the Cotabato City area was already in a state of extreme tension that night.

• 5:00 PM: Unidentified individuals opened fire in a nearby village.

• 8:00 PM: An explosive device carried by a man near another school detonated prematurely, causing severe injuries to himself (MindaNews report).

• 9:00 PM: Another unexplained bomb explosion occurred in a different area.

• 11:40 PM: A shootout resulting in 18 casualties occurred after a dispute over queue order at a polling station.

Armed groups and weapons were already present throughout the city, and the taut tension, like a drawn bowstring, met the minor spark of a "queue-jumping" dispute and ignited a massive explosion.

4. Why did they risk their lives to this extent?

This election was the first popular vote where political factions originating from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), the largest Muslim rebel group that fiercely fought the Philippine government forces in the past, directly clashed for power.

Supporters, still armed with weapons they were accustomed to from their rebel days, were divided among different political parties. The emotional trigger was finally pulled.

5. Chaos that 20,000 military and police couldn't prevent, ultimately leading to 'Comelec Control'

To prevent bloodshed, the Philippine government deployed approximately 20,000 soldiers and police officers to patrol the area, but they could not avert the tragedy.

Even on the morning of the election, further clashes occurred at another elementary school polling station, leading to the suspension of voting. On a nearby island, a large number of pre-stamped fake ballots were discovered.

Ultimately, the Philippine Commission on Elections (Comelec) declared an emergency ‘Comelec Control’ over the entire Cotabato City, placing the military and police command directly under its authority.

This is what a water filter looks like after one month of use in my kitchen sink. I use about 50 liters per week. Is this normal, or are the internal components rusting due to other metals? Or is it mold growing? What is this, exactly?

✍️ Original poster: Jacob Queen

From now on, I'll be watching shows at Atlantis.
This could be called a cabaret show. I heard the owner of XS Bar moved over to Atlantis.

XSpot Angeles City Latest News: Come have a great time with …

XSpot Angeles City Latest News: Come have a great time with cold beers and a lively atmosphere!

Original:
Where is everyone? Cold beers and hot girls are waiting for you.

Source: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1455365054764104/posts/4284293438537904/

I saw on Haracook that KimsMart also supplies side dishes, and a friend said their Korean buffet is delicious, so I should try it for lunch sometime. I forgot to check the price, but it's probably around 300-400 pesos.

Hit the gym for the first time in 10 years... just did a light workout.

I saw a job posting for a government position in the Philippines, and the starting salary for the water district is 17,500 pesos.

1. Job and Position Details

• Agency: Angeles City Water District (a GOCC under the Philippine Government)

• Position Title: Clerk Processor C

• Plantilla Item No.: 42 (Permanent Position)

• Salary Grade: SG-4

• Monthly Basic Salary: PHP 17,506

• Work Location: Angeles City Water District (Angeles City)

2. Qualification Standards

• Education:

  • Under the old curriculum (pre-2018): Completion of two years of college studies

  • Under the K-12 curriculum (post-2016): Graduation from Senior High School (Grade 12)

• Training: None Required

• Experience: None Required

• Eligibility: Must possess a Career Service Subprofessional (First Level) eligibility (Passer of the Philippine Civil Service Exam - First Level/Subprofessional)

3. Key Duties (Based on actual Angeles Water District job descriptions)

Specific duties will vary depending on the department assignment within the water district (e.g., Billing, Treasury, Administration), but generally include the following:

1. Collection/Cashier Assistance: Receiving water bill payments from customers, issuing official receipts (OR), encoding daily collection details, and preparing the Daily Collection Report.

2. Billing/Data Entry: Verifying meter reading data, assisting in the generation of water bills, and encoding new service applications/change of name applications.

3. Document and Voucher Management: Scanning, organizing, and maintaining electronic copies of disbursement vouchers and related supporting documents in a virtual library.

4. Customer Service and Assistance: Responding to inquiries from walk-in customers and phone calls, and issuing basic certificates and clearances.

4. Benefits and Compensation (Based on Philippine Government Civil Service Standards)

• Job Security: Permanent position under the government plantilla, ensuring job security.

• Statutory Allowances (in addition to basic salary):

  • PERA (Personal Economic Relief Allowance): PHP 2,000 per month

  • 13th Month Pay and Year-End Bonus (equivalent to 14th Month Pay)

  • Annual Cash Gift: PHP 5,000

  • Performance-Based Bonus (PBI/PBB): Subject to agency performance evaluation

• Social Security Benefits: Membership in the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), PhilHealth, and Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-IBIG).

• Leave Benefits: Accrual of paid Vacation and Sick Leaves.

5. Application Submission Information (as per the document's end)

• Application Deadline: June 28, 2026 (Note: CSC filing stamp deadline is June 18, 2026)

• To: Edgar C. Lopez (General Manager)

• Mailing Address: Pampang Rd. Brgy. Lourdes Northwest, Angeles City

• Email Application: acwaterdistrict@yahoo.com.ph

• Required Documents:

  1. Signed Personal Data Sheet (PDS, CS Form No. 212 Revised 2025) with Work Experience Sheet (WES) and passport-sized photos

  2. Photocopy of latest Performance Rating (if applicable)

  3. Photocopy of Civil Service Eligibility

  4. Photocopy of Transcript of Records (TOR) from college/high school

Korean Weather Lately

It must be the humidity. I didn't realize humidity was so important.

[Commercial Sale/Transfer] Angeles Walking Street 69 Rock Bar (Rooftop Pizza & Billiards Pub)

For Sale: Popular Rooftop Bar & Pizzeria & Billiards Pub '69 Rock Bar' in the heart of Angeles City, Philippines Walking Street.

This is a well-established brand that has been operating successfully for 4 years, building a strong reputation and loyal customer base. Due to the current owner's retirement plans, the business is being offered on a turn-key basis, including all facilities and operating rights. (The seller will provide 90 days of operational training post-acquisition. A 50% partnership acquisition is also negotiable.)

■ Business Overview

• Business Name: 69 Rock Bar (Rooftop Bar on Angeles City Walking Street)
• Location: Narciso St, Angeles City, Pampanga (Near Walking Street, on the rooftop of a 6-story hotel building)
• Space Size: 3,500 sq ft (approx. 325㎡ / approx. 98 pyeong) - Exclusive rooftop use
• Sale Price / Key Money: 11,200,000 PHP ($200,000 USD) / For a 50% partnership acquisition: 5,600,000 PHP ($100,000 USD)
• Monthly Building Rent: 84,000 PHP ($1,500 USD / month)
• Operating Hours: 2:00 PM ~ 2:00 AM

■ Facilities & Infrastructure

• Main Facilities: Large central square bar counter, 2 professional-sized billiard tables, 6 large flat-screen TVs, live band performance stage and sound system
• Kitchen Equipment: Authentic New York-style brick oven for pizza, Buffalo wing fryer, and fully equipped kitchen for diner food
• Staffing: 16 bar/floor staff, 3 professional kitchen staff (Experienced staff can be retained)
• Key Advantages: Rooftop city view in the bustling Walking Street area, high profitability relative to the affordable monthly rent, potential synergy with the 6 floors of hotel space below

■ Inquiries & Contact Information

• On-site Phone: +63 956 965 9458
• Original Post: Shared listing from the Facebook group "Restaurants for Sale By Owner" (Owner: Brian Glover)

I really like POCO phones. They offer great value for money. If I were in Korea, I would have probably paid over 1 million won for a Samsung phone, but here I can get one with dual SIM and the latest CPU for around 500,000 won, and the camera is not bad either. Of course, Samsung phones are more convenient, but if you're living in the Philippines, you don't need to stick with a Samsung phone. I've bought four of them: F3, F5, X3, and C65! Haha. I also bought the M1 tablet.

Don't buy Huawei tablets, the Google Play restrictions make them inconvenient.
Personally, I recommend the POCO PAD M1.
It even comes with a magnetic case and keyboard included. The case is a bit heavy, but the quality is much better than buying a regular case. I was more impressed with the case than the tablet itself.

If you're struggling with constipation, I highly recommend Senna tea.

I once had severe constipation that lasted for a long time. I took medicine to force things along from the top, but nothing was coming out from the bottom, and the stomach pain was excruciating. I genuinely thought I might die of embarrassment while trying to go.
Most importantly, it can tear you up down there. But this [Senna tea] makes it come out smoothly!!!!

I bought an office chair in the Philippines and I'm really happy with it.

I got it on sale for about 3000 pesos including delivery, and since it's full mesh, I don't get sweaty on my back or butt. My butt doesn't hurt either, and even though I sit up high, the headrest properly supports the back of my head.
I had to remove the headrest on the one I bought before because it didn't fit properly.

[Pro Tip] Korea ➔ Philippines Remittance & Currency Exchange: A Complete Guide: Travelog 0 Fee ATMs (Security Bank, HSBC) vs. Wirebarley, Hanpass, Sentbe

When you have family or children in the Philippines, or if you're living there as an expatriate, studying abroad, traveling, or sending money for local employee salaries and tuition fees, you'll often compare travel cards like Hana Travelog with remittance apps such as Hanpass, WireBarley, and Sentbe.

This guide will clearly summarize answers to common questions like, "Philippine local ATMs reportedly charge a ₱250 (approx. 6,000 KRW) fee per withdrawal; which banks offer 0 won fees?" and "Between Travelog and WireBarley, which is the cheapest option for my situation?"

■ 1. Philippine Local ATM Fee ₱0 (Free) Banks Summary

Most Philippine local banks (BDO, BPI, Metrobank, etc.) charge a local ATM fee of ₱250 per withdrawal when using foreign cards.
However, there are banks where you can withdraw with Travelog (Mastercard/UnionPay) and incur absolutely no ATM fee of ₱250 – a 0 won fee bank!

① Security Bank — 🏆 #1 for Practical Accessibility & Convenience!
· Fee: ₱0 (Completely Free / 250 Pesos Waived!)
· Withdrawal Limit per Transaction: Typically ₱10,000 ~ ₱20,000 (Up to 20,000 Pesos per transaction depending on ATM settings, with consecutive withdrawals possible)
· Location & Accessibility: Widely available in major shopping malls across the Philippines (SM Mall, Ayala Mall, Robinson's Mall), airports (Manila Airport T1, Cebu Mactan Airport Domestic), and popular tourist destinations (Cebu, Bohol ICM Mall, Clark/Angeles, Davao, etc.). With branches and ATMs in almost all bustling areas, it's the easiest to find and practically the most used Tier 1 bank.
· ⚠️ Please ensure you use 'Official Security Bank branches/ATMs' and not third-party independent machines to guarantee the 0 won fee is safely applied.

② HSBC (The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation) — 💰 King of Withdrawal Limits per Transaction!
· Fee: ₱0 (Completely Free!)
· Withdrawal Limit per Transaction: Up to ₱40,000 (approx. 880,000 KRW) can be withdrawn at once! (2-4 times the limit of Security Bank/local banks)
· Location: Branches are extremely limited and only found in key commercial areas of major cities.
  · Manila BGC: HSBC Centre (5th Ave, Bonifacio Global City)
  · Makati: Ayala Ave (Branch near Enterprise Center)
  · Quezon: Quezon Ave Branch
  · Cebu: Near Cebu IT Park (Cebu Business Park Branch)
👉 If you need to withdraw a large amount (over 40,000 Pesos) at once and have an HSBC branch along your route, HSBC is the optimal choice.

③ Landbank — State-Owned Bank
· As a state-owned bank by the Philippine government, some ATMs may offer ₱0 fees or low fees (₱10~18). However, these are mainly in provincial/outlying areas, and foreign card recognition errors can occur. Therefore, it's much safer to use Security Bank or HSBC in urban areas.

❌ Banks to Avoid with ₱250 Fees:
· BDO, BPI, Metrobank, RCBC, EastWest, Chinabank: Always charge ₱250 per transaction!
· Convenience store/street ATMs like Euronet: Not only do they charge ₱250, but they are also notorious for hitting you with a hefty DCC (Dynamic Currency Conversion) fee of over 10%. Avoid them at all costs.

■ 2. Essential Practical Tips for Travelog ATM Withdrawals (How to Save Money)

1. Enter PIN: Add 00 to your 4-digit Korean PIN to make it a total of 6 digits. (e.g., PIN 1234 ➔ 123400)
2. Select Account: Choose Savings from either Savings or Checking.
3. Crucial Warning for Currency Conversion (DCC) Option:
  · If the screen asks "Convert to KRW (원화로 환전)?", you must press No / Without Conversion (withdraw in local currency PHP)!
· Selecting 'With Conversion' will negate Travelog's free benefits and apply the ATM's expensive exchange rate.

■ 3. Travelog vs. WireBarley: When to Use Which?

· Travelog (Hana Card): Offers a 100% preferential exchange rate (0 won fee) for loading Pesos. Then, withdrawing from Security Bank or HSBC ATMs (0 won fee) provides the best value for money with unbeatable exchange rates and fees. Card payments (Grab, restaurants, shopping) also incur no fees.
· WireBarley: However, Travelog does not have a function to "transfer money to another person's account."
  - If you need to send living expenses to your child's BDO account, pay rent to your landlord, tuition fees to a school, or salaries to local employees, you'll need to transfer money directly to an account or wallet.
  - For remittances over 500,000 KRW, remittance fees are 0 won (free), and the preferential exchange rate is top-tier. Therefore, WireBarley is the most advantageous for direct bank transfers.

■ 4. Hanpass vs. Sentbe: Which is Cheaper for Different Amounts?

· Hanpass: High preferential exchange rate (low margin) / Basic fee of 5,000 KRW
· Sentbe: Slightly higher exchange rate margin / Basic fee of 2,500 KRW

💡 Break-Even Point: Approximately 25,000 Pesos (approx. 540,000 KRW)
· Small amounts under 500,000 KRW (5,000 ~ 20,000 Pesos): Sentbe is more advantageous due to its lower fee of 2,500 KRW.
· Living expenses/tuition over 500,000 KRW (25,000 Pesos and above): Hanpass is more advantageous due to its better preferential exchange rate. (Especially excellent exchange rates for Maya remittances)
※ ⚠️ Sentbe Limit Warning: Sentbe has a 1-time remittance limit of 50,000 Pesos to GCash/Maya, so larger amounts must be sent to a bank account.

■ 5. Kakao Bank Western Union (WU): The Ultimate Solution for Urgent Cash to Locals Without Accounts

· Receiving: Instant Cash Pick-up at Western Union agents nationwide in the Philippines.
· Fee: Total fee of $5 for amounts under $500 (0 won for telegraphic transfer/intermediary fees).
· Time Required: Instant remittance (within 1-3 minutes, 24/7/365).
· Recommendation: Ideal for urgently sending money for hospital bills or daily wages to helpers, drivers, local friends, etc., who don't have an account or GCash, or whose limits are maxed out, especially during nights and weekends. (Instant cash pick-up upon presenting ID with the 10-digit MTCN number and sender's full name).

■ 6. Quick Final Selection Guide by Situation!

1. Withdrawing cash at a local mall/airport: ➔ Travelog + Security Bank ATM (0 won fee, available in malls nationwide!)
2. Withdrawing a large amount of 40,000 Pesos at once (Manila/Cebu city centers): ➔ Travelog + HSBC ATM (0 won fee + 40,000 Pesos per transaction)
3. Payments at shopping malls, restaurants, Grab: ➔ Travelog Card Payment (100% preferential exchange rate, 0 won fee)
4. Sending living expenses/tuition to child's BDO account (over 500,000 KRW): ➔ WireBarley (0 won fee + top-tier exchange rate) or Hanpass
5. Sending small amounts of pocket money (100,000 ~ 300,000 KRW): ➔ Sentbe (2,500 KRW fee)
6. Urgent cash for locals without accounts / Emergency funds on nights/weekends: ➔ Kakao Bank WU (1-minute cash pick-up)

Redstreet Price List as of September 5

Thank you, Love in Angeles Cafe!

Bar Price List as of September 5

I'll get around to registering everyone here someday