To Blog Again

"I'm Back!"

I've been away unexpectedly from the blogosphere for a few days. We went down to Kent for a short holiday. We stayed in Clark's (Daisy's cousin) place in Welling. This week's half term so Cean's not in school. We earlier planned to just go visit local attractions in and near Peterborough but we also thought of going to Welling.

We have been putting off going to Welling for quite some time now because the boys are still young. Last Monday, we decided to just go for it. It was a 2-3 hours journey of several train rides to Welling. It wasn't exactly the smoothest journey that one wishes for especially when you have young children. But it was better than we expected.

I brought along my Dell netbook as I was planning to blog during my rest hours while there. However, Clark (Daisy's cousin) forgot the password to their broadband connection. This also explains why I was not able to blog. This turned to be a good idea after all. The four days that we stayed in Welling were both fun and hard. Fun because we toured the boys in London and in Welling, and hard because our youngest son had some allergic attacks during our stay.

I'll be blogging about this recent holiday in the coming days, together with some pictures. I still have to upload it to my computer, though. The boys really had a great time especially the time they spent playing and bonding with their cousins (Clark has two boys as well).

Bad (Transport) Day

Yesterday started out well for me. Cean and I arrived at his school with plenty of time for me to catch up the Stagecoach bus to city centre. I got to the bus stop thinking the bus will arrive shortly. It did arrive...half an hour later, much to my annoyance!

Stagecoach assures its passengers of a bus ride to town every ten minutes. The half hour delay means they missed two schedules. The result was that halfway to its journey's end, the bus I was in was already full. I have to say many of my fellow passengers were not happy bunnies like me!

This is the first time this delay happened to me in a long while now. I didn't know the reason for the delay; even so, this is still unacceptable. Stagecoach failed to deliver their promise to its customers. We actually have no choice because they are the only bus plying the route in most of Peterborough centre and suburbs.

That bad start of the day was to continue in the afternoon. After work, I catch a different bus because it goes to my neighbourhood. If I took Stagecoach, it is a longer walk home for me. Obviously, I opt for a less tiresome way to go home after a hard day's work sitting in the office!

The Local Link bus, which is funded by the city council, missed a scheduled trip. Only a one missed trip, that does not matter, wouldn't it? You might ask. Well...it does matter actually. Unlike Stagecoach which have a 10-minute interval in their schedule the Local Link bus that goes to my home has a 30-minute interval. Again I lost another half hour of my time waiting for a bus trip home.

A situation like this sometimes make me miss home. I chose third world transport anytime over the first world one when these things happen. At least in Cebu you can get a jeepney anytime you want it!

Types Of Bloggers

I read this article that describes four different types of blogger. The author intended this categorisation for advertising agencies and marketers who wants to tap bloggers. I think this can be used to describe all bloggers, in general.

According to the blog article, the four types of bloggers are:

1. Hobby Bloggers. They generate content from the things or activities that interest them the most. Some examples of these would be those who blog about food, anime, movie reviews and photography.

2. Journal Bloggers. They usually post about life experiences. Their topics can be really random and can be anything under the sun. Favourite topics can include current events especially those being discussed by media outfits and online communities.

3. Google Bloggers. They focus on Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) with no or little regard to relevant content, personal branding and influence. They are in it for advertising and money. These bloggers prioritise building keywords so that search engines like Google and Yahoo will point towards them, thus giving them substantial amount of traffic.

4. Value Bloggers. They are writers who put content, personal branding and service as top priorities. They focus on delivering posts that add value to their readers by giving them insights, tips, tactic and advice on how to improve one's craft, hobby or whatever. In other words, people go to them because what they write is relevant, sensible and useful (something readers can actually learn from.)

For me, there is a fifth type - the overlapping type. This type is a combination of any of the four types mentioned above.

I am certainly a Journal Blogger but I would like to be a Journal-Value Blogger. I am thankful for readers who give me part of their valuable time to read about me and my family's life experiences. I feel that I should make it even more worthwhile by giving value and learning to what they read. Certainly, there is more work to be done if I want to be a Journal-Value Blogger.

So, fellow bloggers, which type are you?

Peterborough: Area and Population

Peterborough is part of Cambridgeshire and is located 78 miles north of London. It is only less than 50 minutes by train from London Kings Cross rail station. The city covers a land area of 343.44 square kilometres. As at 2007, it has a population of 163, 300. Population density, therefore, is 475.48 persons per square kilometre.

Now let's compare these figures with that of two of my former home cities in the Philippines, Tagbilaran City in Bohol and Cebu City in Cebu. Both cities are found in the Visayas region.

Tagbilaran City was my childhood home for ten years. I have not cut off my ties with the city, of course. A lot of my childhood friends and my wife's family are living there. My family lives in nearby Baclayon town. Tagbilaran City covers an area of 32.70 square kilometres. The population in 2007 was 92, 297; thus, population density is 2,822 persons per square kilometre.

Cebu City was my home from my late teens when I went to university there, and up to the start of my working career. My older brother who now lives there with his own family, is still renting out the same apartment we have lived since 1990. Cebu City covers an area of 291.20 square kilometres and has a population of 798,809 (2007 census). Population density in the city is 2,743 persons per square kilometre.

In terms of area, Peterborough is larger than Cebu and Tagbilaran (individually and in combination). However, in terms of urban characteristics Peterborough and Tagbilaran are similar although Peterborough is more advanced. Cebu is a highly urbanised city. Its metropolitan area, which includes several neighbouring cities and towns, is considered the second major city in the Philippines. Cebu can be compared to Birmingham and Manchester; it has a metropolitan population of two million people.

Population-wise, Cebu has almost five times more people than Peterborough despite have a smaller land area. On the other hand, despite having the least population among these three cities, Tagbilaran has the most number of people per square kilometer of land area. It is six times more densely populated than Peterborough.

Photo and info source: Peterborough City Council and Wikipedia

Peterborough City: Overview

The city of Peterborough has been my family's home for the last eight years now. Here is an overview of the city as provided by Peterborough City Council:

Peterborough has the reputation of a modern, progressive city located within one of the UK’s fastest growing regions. However, Peterborough is a long established city, with a cathedral dating back to pre-Norman times. Throughout the city and its surrounding district, there are notable features that serve as a reminder of Peterborough’s historical identity.

From medieval times to the start of the industrial revolution, Peterborough was little more than a small market town on the edge of the Fens, though it was granted city status by Henry VIII in 1541. For many centuries the river was an important highway and the Customs House still stands today alongside the Town Bridge. Its real growth started in the mid-19th Century, with the arrival of the railways. Peterborough soon became a major railway junction and attracted a number of heavy industrial companies.

By the late 1960s, the 'New Towns' programme had begun. Peterborough was designated a 'New Town' in 1968, and the Peterborough Development Corporation was established to double the city's population in close partnership with the City Council. The Master Plan was to concentrate development in four new residential townships, each with a full range of social and economic facilities. The fourth township, Hampton, is now being built to the south of the city, and will continue the city's growth into the next century with the development of over 5,000 houses and industrial and commercial space for 12,000 jobs. In April 1998 the City Council achieved Unitary Status and is now responsible for all local government services in the district.

Our neighbourhood is one of earliest township of Peterborough that was developed under the 'New Towns' programme. In fact, the house we live in was built around 1973 by the Peterborough Development Corporation.

Pacman bread

It has been two weeks since the demolition of British boxing hero, Ricky "Hitman" Hatton, from the hands of the great Filipino boxing hero, Manny "Pacman/Destroyer" Pacquiao. The Philippines are still celebrating Pacquiao's great victory but all is quite in the UK now.

Instead of licking their wounds, Hatton's fans can exact revenge on Pacman by eating it with their favourite hot or cold drink. I am referring, of course, to Pacman the bread. Apparently, there is a Pacman bread. It is shaped to look like Pacquiao's fist. This bread was created in 2006 by Julie's Bakeshop, a popular bakeshop chain in the Visayas and Mindanao, Philippines.

However, Pacman bread is not available all year round. It is only made a week before and after Manny Pacquiao's fights, or upon special demand. I'm afraid it is a week late now for Hatton's fans to get even on Pacquiao.

It is not only Pacquiao who had been honoured with a bread named after him. Another Filipino boxing great and world Hall of Famer, Gabriel "Flash" Elorde, also had a bread named after him. The Elorde is a popular bread in Cebu (available all year round) that is shaped like two gloved fists held together. I have tasted this bread, which is delicious and goes very well with my favourite coffee or cola.


Photo: Sunstar Daily Cebu

Jaundice Baby

I was checking SELaplana's blog when I came across his post on his new-born son who has neonatal jaundice. The baby had photo therapy because of it. I sympathise with what he and his wife are going through as I know it from experience.

Our first born son Cean had the same condition when he was born. My wife, a nurse with several years experience in a maternity ward, noticed the yellow discoloration in our baby's body. We went back to the maternity hospital where Cean was born. He was admitted and undergone photo therapy for 24 hours.

Cean was stripped down to his nappy during the therapy. He lied down in a special bed for babies that was lighted underneath with what looks like a fluorescent light. His eyes were covered to protect it from damage from the light.

It was crucial that the bilirubin level in his body will be down to normal within 24 hours of photo therapy. Otherwise, it will be a cause for worry. Thankfully, his body responded well to the therapy. He is now an active and healthy 6 year old boy.

According to Wikipedia, neonatal jaundice is usually harmless and is often seen in infants around the second day after birth, lasting until day 8 in normal births, or to around day 14 in premature births. Serum bilirubin (yellow breakdown product of heme catabolism that is responsible for yellow discolouration in jaundice) normally drops to a low level without any intervention required.

The jaundice is presumably a consequence of metabolic and physiological adjustments after birth. In extreme cases, a brain damaging condition known as kernicterus can occur. Neonatal jaundice is a risk factor for hearing loss.

John Paul, our second son, also had neonatal jaundice when he was born but he did not undergo photo therapy. He was born in spring where sunshine is plentiful. In contrast, Cean was a winter baby and that is why he had photo therapy.

I mentioned sunshine because neonatal jaundice can be addressed by exposing the new-born child in the sun for a few minutes during their first week of birth. Children born in the Philippines are quite lucky because sunshine is plentiful most of the year.

Now I know what those scenes of mothers sitting outside their houses getting sunshine together with their new-born babies, were for. The sun's rays breaks down the excess bilirubin in the baby's body during those crucial first week of their life; thus, preventing damage to their health.

Dayrider

Cean and I walk to his school everyday. Afterwards, I catch a bus nearby to go to work. I pay for a dayrider ticket costing £3.30, which saves me money. A single ticket to city centre costs £1.80.

Public transportation is quite expensive. With the amount paid on a dayrider, I can have a nice lunch instead. My usual lunch consists of a tuna & sweetcorn sandwich (£1.60), Doritos crisp (£0.42), Coke can (£0.45) and chocolate bar (£0.40). And I still have some loose change to spend or save for the next day.

A dayrider ticket from a Stagecoach bus can be used throughout Peterborough and valid all day. Anybody can use it subject to the mentioned conditions.

Pizza Complaint

I really feel for this dude. There has been a debate whether this has been real or not, but you be the judge. I came across this news article last Friday. I have a "wicked" sense of humour so I really had a laugh at this poor soul.

Part of the Telegraph news article read:

Man complains his pizza has no topping - until he realises it is upside down

A telephone call by a shopper who rings a helpline to complain that his pizza has no topping before realising it is upside down, has become an internet sensation. More than 20,000 people have listened to a recording of a Welsh man complaining to a supermarket call centre worker than he has been left without dinner because he has been sold a plain pizza base.

Minutes into the call, his complaints turn to embarrassment as he realises he has opened the box upside down, and is in fact looking at the underside of the pizza. After admitting, "I look like a fool" he goes on to complain that the box should have been marked with instructions, saying which way up it should be held.

Listen to the call at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8H8HnaTIcmk

Accepted

Photo: Sacred Heart RC Primary School website

The agonising wait was finally over. We received the news last 30 April and we were not disappointed. After a few months of anxious waiting, our youngest son John Paul was accepted to the school we applied for him to start Foundation Stage. He will start in Reception class in September of this year in the same school as his elder brother Cean.

Reception class is for 4-5 year old children and is the first year of compulsory education here in the UK. In the Philippines, at this age children are encouraged to go to day care centres to start some formal education classes. In private education, this is the equivalent of Kindergarten 1. I also attended Kindergarten class at this age and so are the rest of my siblings. My nephew and nieces in the Philippines also attend Kindergarten classes before they proceed to higher years.

John Paul had been going to this school for about two years now. He always go with me or my wife when we bring and pick up his brother from school. I hope adjustment will not be as hard as Cean's experience, who is the more quiet and introvert between our two sons. Some of the children that John Paul sees and plays with in the school will be his classmates in Reception class.

Relieved and happy though we are, we also feel for some of the parents we know from school whose children were denied entry due to the high volume of applicants. Some of them are not baptised Catholics. It's a shame really as some of these children already have siblings studying in this school. In particular, some of Cean's classmates have siblings who would be going to John Paul's class. Not all of them will be joining John Paul in the next academic year.

The school that I mentioned where our two sons will be going to is Sacred Heart RC Primary School. The RC stands for Roman Catholic, since the Church supports the running of the school. This school is a mainstream state school for girls and boys, which serves baptised Catholics (priority) and those of other faiths, whose parents are supportive of the school ethos.

We chose this school for the main reason that it is a school for Catholics. Also, it is very close to our house (about 10 minutes walk, lesser by car) so it is very convenient when bringing to and picking our children from school. Besides, there are many Filipino children who goes there and not to mention the fact that this school has excellent academic standing in the National Curriculum tests.

Blog Changes

I decided to make some changes to this blog. I have narrowed down the perspective a bit. This blog will now be more of a personal blog about my life as a Pinoy expatriate in the United Kingdom. Of course, I will still talk about interesting news from anywhere in the world that caught my fancy.

For the record, the previous description on Pinoyborian reads:

Pinoyborian
Pinoy life in the UK

The blog's name is a combination of the words Pinoy, the informal name we Filipinos like to call ourselves (similar to Brits for British), and of Peterborian, the native of Peterborough, which is now my home in the UK.

This blog is a smorgasbord of views, ideas and interesting information about the UK, the Philippines and the rest of the world (if it caught my fancy.)

The blog description is quite broad that the direction it was going to seems to be all over the place. As a personal blog, I will now post more on my observations and views on British culture from a Pinoy perspective. I will make comparisons between my current life in the UK and my past Philippine life whenever there are similarities or differences.

I realised that I do not mention Peterborough quite often in this blog. It is not that there is not much to talk about this city. In fact, there are many interesting information on Peterborough that are worth mentioning especially in comparison to places I have lived in the Philippines. I now make a conscious decision to feature my current home frequently on this blog.

As I am about to publish this post I read again my first post on this blog curious to know how I have progressed. Unfortunately, I have veered away from what I intend to write on this blog. In that post I wrote that:

This blog is generally about how it is to live in the UK from a Pinoy family's perspective. There will be focus on our integration into British culture and also about the the vibrant Filipino community in the city of Peterborough and neighbo(u)ring places.

This just goes to show that I have wandered too far off in the woods. I have now found my way back and hereon, will consciously stick to the path where I started. And so the journey continues.

Pacquiao TKO'd Hatton

Photo: Times Online

What a class act! Now I am a believer! Pacquiao really showed us all why he is the best pound for pound boxer at the moment. I'm sure a lot of my fellow countrymen were laughing their way to the bookies today. Balato bi!

It was a disappointing two round stoppage considering I've paid £15 for the match. I was sleeping most of the time during the marathon match (starting at 10 pm until about 5ish am when it finished). I agree with what was written in the papers today about the very bad matches that featured last night. Pathetic!

I was a bit nervous when the match started as I thought Pacquiao had heavy legs as he moved. Unlike that December 2008 demolition of de la Hoya where he seemed to me as if he was moving like lightning. But it did not take long before I was reassured that Pacquiao was going to win it.

Three very clear knockdowns in two rounds. Enough said. We wuz robbed! It should have went on to 8 rounds to make the pay worth it! Go Pacman!

If you want to read a nice article about the fight read this Times news article.

Pacquiao v Hatton Boxing Fight

Photo: Manny Pacquiao's website Pacland

Go Pacman! Go Hitman! I have just began watching a marathon pay per view boxing match as I am writing this. The Pacman - Hatton fight will start at 4am tomorrow (Sunday 3 May) but there will be a lot of fights in the run up to this main fight.

Just like Pacquiao's demolition of Oscar de la Hoya, this fight promises to be another explosive fight. I think it's worth the 14.95 GBP I'm paying just like the Pacquiao-de la Hoya fight. I admit I have not seen both men box before except maybe Pacquiao's fight with de la Hoya. I'm not much of a boxing fan but I did watch quite a lot of boxing matches when I was a child.

My dad's a very big boxing fan. I still remember well the late night boxing matches we watched on our black and white Toshiba television. That trusty old tv set was the kind that also stands as a furniture. I remember the fights of Sugar Ray Leonard, Thomas Hearns, Marvin Hagler, Larry Holmes and many more.

If my dad's here now he too will be watching this until the main fight. I wonder if they will be watching it live too on television in Cebu. I forgot to ask him when I rang up at lunchtime to ask them how they are doing there. I might give him a ring later tonight to check if they will be watching this match, too.

I am not a betting man but if I am I will definitely be betting on Pacquiao. Go Pacman!