How to Get to the Mall of Asia Arena?

The SM Mall of Asia Arena hosted its first event on June 16, 2012, when Lady Gaga performed the first of a two-night concert as part of the Born This Way tour. On July 7, it hosted its first basketball game when the PBA hosted a semifinal game between Talk N' Text and B-Meg, and the following week, it opened the 75th UAAP season. For neophyte commuters who may not know how to get there, here are some travel guides.

Via train:

• Take the MRT 3 and arrive at the Taft station. Then take the electric vans with the route stating 'Mall of Asia' and find the Mall of Asia Arena at the left wing of MOA.
• Take the LRT 1 and arrive at either the Gil Puyat or EDSA stations. Then take the electric vans with the route stating 'Mall of Asia' and find the Mall of Asia Arena at the left wing of MOA. If you are coming from Eastern Metro Manila, take the LRT 2 then arrive at the Recto station before moving to the LRT 1 at Doroteo Jose.

Via bus:

• Take the southbound EDSA bus that goes to Baclaran then arrive at the Mall of Asia. Find the Mall of Asia Arena at the left wing of MOA.
• From Makati, take the bus bound for Ayala then depart near the LRT 1 Gil Puyat station.  Then take the electric vans with the route stating 'Mall of Asia' and find the Mall of Asia Arena at the left wing of MOA. 

Via jeepneys:

• From Manila, take the jeepney bound for Taft-Vito Cruz-Buendia then get down near the LRT Gil Puyat station.  Then take the electric vans with the route stating 'Mall of Asia' and find the Mall of Asia Arena at the left wing of MOA. 

Via taxi:

• Take a taxi and then state that you are going to the SM Mall of Asia Arena. The fares will depend on the location you came from. 

Summertime Survival

It was lunchtime in Manila. Office workers leave their desks to dine inside restaurants, some village folks take siestas, and others take time to partake in card games to alleviate work-related stress. Unfortunately, the heat of summer is unbearable, with noontime temperatures reaching nearly 40 degrees, almost equal to the body temperature of a fever-riddled person. It hasn't been a good summer, isn't it?

I experienced a mild headache recently, not because of my strained eyes, but because of the summer heat. The prolonged exposure to heat may cause some headaches, which may lead to heatstroke. It also leads to sunburn, unless you're willing to take a tan. Even the eyes isn't safe either, as harmful UV rays may affect our eyesight. Summer is not for the weak at heart.

Here are some tips to beat the summer heat. We lose a lot of water because of sweat that cools our skin, thus a bottle of water or any fluid-retention drink may help us regain some of the lost fluid. Wearing light-colored shirts may help reflect the rays away. Most of all, a wide-brimmed hat and shades are also helpful to shade your face away from glare. A towel is also handy to wipe away sweat. Never stay outdoors for an extended period of time. And most of all, a sunblock lotion may help protect your skin from any damage.

Summer is still a month and a few weeks away from completion, so savor most of the trips to the beach, or if you're a cool customer like me, a trip to chilly Baguio or Tagaytay. But be safe.

Metro Files: The Scouts Area, Quezon City

The Scouts Area near Diliman, Quezon City were named after the Philippine delegation of the 11th World Scout Jamboree, who were perished in a plane crash near modern-day Mumbai, India. The area encompasses Barangays South Triangle, Sacred Heart, Laging Handa, Paligsahan and Obrero, and borders Barangay Kamuning and West Kamias in the southeast, Roxas in the southwest, West Triangle in the northwest, Santa Cruz in the west, and Pinyahan in the east.

The most recognizable landmark is the rotonda in the intersection of Timog Avenue and Tomas Morato. It was originally built in memory of the Boy Scouts who perished on the way to Greece in 1963, and was later topped by the statue of former Quezon City mayor Tomas Morato. The stretch of T. Morato from Kamuning to Timog is stacked with restaurants of all classes, whether for economical or formal means. Some restaurants are also located within the residential communities. 

The tip of T. Morato faces the ABS-CBN broadcast center, which surrounds the triangle of Mother Ignacia, Sgt. Esguerra and Eugenio Lopez Streets. The latter street was originally named Scout Albano, but was later renamed after the ABS-CBN founder.

Rival station GMA occupies the intersection of EDSA and Timog Avenue, extending to the  Samar Avenue and GMA Network Drive. The latter street was originally named 11th Jamboree, until recently when the portion of the street from Timog to EDSA was renamed after GMA Network. The recently opened GMA Network Studios was built near the GMA Kamuning MRT station.

Roces Avenue is also a major artery in the Scouts Area, where its most recognizable landmark is the Amoranto Sports Complex. Named after another former Quezon City mayor, the Amoranto hosts sports events, but is best known for the annual staging of the Pulp Summerslam, where Pinoy rock fans convene to witness a concert featuring local and foreign rock acts.

Two hospitals are also located: the Dr. Jesus C. Delgado Memorial Hospital at Kamuning and Roces Extension, and the Capitol Medical Center in Quezon Avenue, Scout Magbanua and Panay Avenues. Three hotels are also located: the Hotel Rembrandt in Tomas Morato, the Century Palace Suites in Timog and Tomas Morato, and the Camelot Hotel in Mother Ignacia, Scout Tuason and Eugenio Lopez streets. 

The Scouts Area is mostly residential, and is occupied by first and middle class residents. The Scout Borromeo stretch from Tomas Morato to Sgt. Esguerra, however, has been occupied by squatters for an eternity.  If only there's a way to demolish the squatters area, then the Scouts Area would've been a healthy residential community to be reckoned with.

Now why don't you check out the Scouts Area in Quezon City and see the meaning of first and second class living all in one room.