The Urban Roamer

Postscripts From The Earthquake Drill

July 31, 2015 by The Urban Roamer

Last July 30, the entire Metro Manila participated in a simultaneous activity called the Metro Manila Shake Drill, an earthquake drill organized by the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) in coordination with various risk reduction and rescue teams. The aim of this activity was to promote awareness on the possibility of a deadly earthquake with the presence of the West Valley Fault in the eastern part of the metropolis as well to educate the people on what to do if and when this earthquake strikes.

drill at the area of SM Megamall (courtesy of the Inquirer)

students doing the techniques in case of an earthquake during the drill (courtesy of Metro Manila Today)

Many establishments, groups, as well as the general public, participated in this activity as they practiced the techniques on what to do when an earthquake hits and witnessed the various simulations like accidents and injuries that would arise from an earthquake, to give an idea on what to do when these incidents occur.

Remembering the Scouts

September 2, 2025July 29, 2015 by The Urban Roamer

Recently, the nation and the Boy Scouts not only in the Philippines but also elsewhere around the world commemorated perhaps one of the most tragic stories in the annals of Boy Scout history. It was to commemorate that fateful day on July 28, 1963 when Flight 869 of United Arab Airlines, (the precursor of today’s EgyptAir) en route to Greece for the 11th World Jamboree of the international Boy Scouts, crashed into the sea off the coast of a village called Madh, near Mumbai (Bombay as it was known before) in India.

The flight killed all 63 people on the plane, including the captain, crew, and the 24-member Philippine contingent that were to attend the 11th World Jamboree. It was believed that the plane crashed due to the loss of control during the turbulence it experienced in mid-air. But as no wreckage was salvaged, the report remained ain inconclusive one.

A Trade Fair for Science

July 27, 2015 by The Urban Roamer

Despite the perception among many that the Philippines suck when it comes to science and technology, the country actually has a thriving, developing environment in the field of science and technology. Not as advanced as in other countries admittedly, but thriving nonetheless. Only that it is not well-publicized partly due to the low-key efforts of the people behind it, not to mention that our media tends to overlook these stories of innovation in favor of politics, entertainment, as well as trivial stuff like trending online videos.

Thankfully, there are events that give focus on this overlooked aspect of our country’s development. One of them is what the Urban Roamer checked out recently, the National Science and Technology Week (NSTW) held at the SMX Convention Center.

The Villars and Las Piñas

July 25, 2015 by The Urban Roamer

In the story of modern Las Piñas, one man (and to an extent, family) has managed to put the city on the map and help it progress to what it is today. I’m talking about Manuel Villar, the real estate developer who became member of the House of Representatives and the Senate and a one-time candidate for the Philippine presidency in 2010. He has then gone back to his property development business Vista Land (at least at this time of writing) while wife Cynthia is in the Senate and son Mark is the House of Representatives. (two other children, Paolo and Camille, remain in the business side)

Villar has been known for his tagline “Sipag at Tiyaga” (Hardwork and Perseverance) and his advocacy for entrepreneurship as he himself is an entrepreneur who managed to make it big in real estate. Thus, it is no wonder that in Las Piñas, his tagline and advocacy rings out loud, especially if one gets to visit the Villar SIPAG complex in Barangay Pulanglupa.