Thursday, May 22, 2014

Samsung Galaxy SIII (S3) Battery Problem

I made sure that I always try to maximize the use of my gadgets; This is the first Android phone that has caused me problem, honestly. 

My Phone has suddenly experienced lights flickering when I was only reading ebooks through my phone. I thoughtit was my eyes, but my battery went from 50% to 4%, already my phone is complaining that it's battery is critically low. 

I restarted my phone, still skeptic... to no avail. My battery lose 1% every trials. 

I opened my phone's casing as soon as I turned it off. Took the battery out and to insert again, when I notice through touch that it was swollen. 

Wow. I have not noticed this as I do have a casing. I was scared and I removed the battery. It has been 3 days and I have never opened my phone, not yet anyway.

So curious as I was, I logged in to google and checked out some "S3" battery issues, and well i sure came about to me that the battery has received a lot of complaints from many S3 users all over the world. So as if it is a consolation that I wasn't the only one. =( 

Today, I went to SM North Annex to inquire about Samsung Battery replacements. They only have it in their service center; all samsung stores does not have battery stocks. 

So waiting for my turn, I was pursuaded by my BF to buy from Samsung and not Class A batteries. I was tempted, actually. he he 

Samsung Battery for S3 and S4 costs me 2,359 pesos. Order basis only. It is available 5-7 days. Well I have no choice, I ordered and paid on the spot. =) 

I'm just glad that the woman that assisted me offered to check my phone, and luckily my phone's motherboard is still functioning well, and that my battery is the only one that is to be replaced. 

So what have I learned from this experience? Take care of your damned phone's battery! ha ha  And here are some tips on how to do so:

1. Even if they tell you it is okay to charge your phone even if you are not "low bat" yet, better to be safe than sorry. If you won't need the juice, just charge at home when its about 15-20% left. 

2. Try not to charge with powerbanks. I have a power bank and Ihave not used it for emergency, but for convenience, charging my phone while in bed as I play a game! 

3. Never Charge and Play a game at the same time. 

4. Quit playing games when you feel your monitor is getting hot. Do not assume it's going to be able to manage the temp on its own. - This has apparently given me a problem now that my phone's battery did not even lasted 2 years.

5. Make sure you will be able to fully charge your phone when you plug it in.

6. Do not believe in android battery calibration apps. This was the last thing I did before my battery gave up. only minutes after the assessment of my battery, it gave out. but the apps' report was that my battery is in good condition. 

Believe me, the opposite of these tips are what I have done with my phone, abused it, and charged, and recharged it. Even had the screen too hot to touch... Now I have Php2300 damage on my pocket! 

Here are some ways to know that your battery is about to give up on you...

1. The Battery either charges too fast or too slow when plugged in.

2. When fully charged, even in stand by mode, you lose about 10-20% battery life in an hour

3. Your apps would hang and you only have a restart to help you get the phone to work. 

4. The screen will occasionally flicker (during this stage, it is quite inevitable and it is only about time before it gives up on your phone). 

Friday, May 16, 2014

La Mesa Eco Park

We came from a trip to La Mesa Eco Park in Quezon City. I have read so much about this park and have even seen a couple of pictures from officemates as well... so we decided to visit and have a look for ourselves. We took the commonwealth road all the way to winston street and turned left to the Eco Park. It was funny though that the security guard from the winston street entrance asked for a donation of 10 pesos so we do not have to go around the back entrance.

The parking area is huge, but is not possible to accomodate like 100 cars, buses are required to go down a different road, possibly another parking area much farther than the one closer to the parking entrance. Entrance fee is 50 pesos for adults, 30 for children and free for senior citizens and children below 3 feet. All other amenities when you get inside is not inclusive of the park entrance. They have Paintballs, boat riding, horseback riding, butterfly hatchery, biking and wall climbing amongst others. Cottages are free though, first come first served basis.

We spent an entire 4 hours inside the park, walking up a trail, climbing the stone stairs to see the dam, and eating a hotdog and buko juice sold inside the park, taking a lot of pictures as well. I'm impressed with the park because the Comfort rooms are clean, not a slight uninviting scent is present; that is a good indicator that the place is very well maintained, and I hope they keep it that way. It is a good start to our future nature trips.



*If you decide to go for a swim, it is advisable for you to come early, we went there at around 11 am and the people and the pool is not yet packed with people (it was a friday - weekday) and was packed when we are leaving the park att around 3pm. They refuse entry to the pool area if the maximum capacity of 300 is reached. So be there early.

*The view of the dam is spectacular. It is beautiful in its own way, suggest you go up the stone stairs and experience fresh air and nice view you can see over there. Its worth the sweat and the thirst, even the heat of the sun...

Other Information:
No, we did not avail of thee boat ride as it costs like 100 for a 20 minute self service boating spree... Butterfly hatchery is also at 50 bucks each person, and swimming costs 80 per head.

724 Steps Above: Mount Tapyas, Coron Palawan


Now that we are done with the Island Tours, Let me now share with you the step by step journey towards the peak of Mount Tapyas. So much have been said about how beautiful Palawan is, but not many has experienced this much talked about place. Well, we have, and will surely be glad to share the feelings, and pictures of course. * Thank God we did went up the hill. It sure does not look promising when you are at the town proper, looking at the almost barren mountain - but you can never be prepared at how beautiful the place truly is when you see it for yourself.

Well, it was said that Mount Tapyas is called this way because during the world war, a bomb was dropped and caused the other half of the mountain - tapyas is a tagalog term meaning "ripped off".
Quite a number of villagers await you from this starting point on your way up. Most mineral water sellers accompany you as you go up the mountain - yes we have been accompanied by two kids who where in their highschool. It was summer vacation and they have thought of selling mineral water here at the site to the mountain climbers wannabe like me. =)  


The steps have no markers, but the kids who went up with us confirmed that there are 724 steps to the cross!  The above 200th marker is the last identifier of how much more steps you have to go through.... Barely making it to the half of the steps, i am a bit exhausted, and catching for my breath! I am excited though of what is up there! so up we go - my friends, and I.


There is the cross, it looked so near from our view... But we have a couple of hundred more steps to make to get to the top. We have to go up as fast as we could, it is almost sunset and we need to be up there in the summit before we lose the chance of sunlight seeing the whole town, and the Coron islands view from the top.

Taking the steps one at a time, hurrying at some points... the villager kids have told us that it was really beautiful up there... and there is the mountain range they call the "Sleeping Giant".  It is reflecting as a man lying on his back - with a very obvious head and body form.



We are very close to our successful climb uphill. I am now smelling what true nature is! The air is much colder now, the view whilst still in the working our way up the steps is getting even better, the beauty is slowly unfolding itself. This is one way you are to feel God's manifestations and love! I think I could go over and over raving about the wonderful feeling as you go high up the ground.

Finally! I can see quite a number of people running around the site, obviously mesmerized by the view they are seeing from there! Now im much more excited than I was before the climb!


Now with all these, I am really lost for words - no better adjective can describe the beauty and the wonderful things that we have in our country, there can be no other place i want to be at the time! It was perfect timing! Witnessing sunset from the top of the mountain is truly an experience worth every step.

 

We give tribute to all those who have worked hard for the cemented steps up this mountain, for the villagers who have kept the place safe for tourists, for the two boys who have served as a guide as we go up the mountain.... and to God who is magnificently manifesting his love through these wondrous works of art everywhere - not only in Palawan, in the Philippines but all over the world!

Monday, May 5, 2014

Hair Rebond Journey (Latest of which - Validosa Salon)

I have always loved that sleek shiny straight hair from classmates way back in my highschool. I often envy them, wishing I was born with such straight soft hair... But then miracles do happen and God does want us all to feel equal. Science and God Combined, Rebonding hair has become really accessible to us common employees. ha ha

My First Rebond was with the now defunct F-Salon. It was successful, only paying Php 3,000 6 years ago, is not too bad. Second time was a year later with F-Salon, another branch. Then Validosa opened a branch here in West Avenue; They offered cheap rebonding that I did tried them out after swearing never to have another chemical treatment anymore. But I failed.

Then I tried it in Orange Salon here near in our workplace, though the result lasted on my hair (my hair was not really course, and well still manageable than most dry frizzy hair) I think this is where i have noticed too much hair fall.

Latest was now - Just 5 days ago in Validosa Salon in West Avenue... I was greeted by someone who touched my hair and asked me questions about my hair and so on. i was asked to wait a few because the one who will handle my hair is just finishing up someone.

It was another 15 minutes before I was called so that my hair will be washed. I was asked if I had dyed my hair black because it was "very black" according to the guy (named Kazumi). He applied the treatment on my hair with no gloves, I guess that also included Keratin Treatment already because It was gentle enough for him not to use any gloves while applying it on my hair.

After 30-45 minutes, Kazumi checked my hair patiently and well tried to see the elasticity of my hair, before he asked his assistant to wash my hair. After that, he blow dried my hair, carefully parting it and asking me where I "part" my hair.

After the hair was ironed perfectly, the cellophone was applied to my hair and washed out in 30 minutes. (Mind you, he was so meticulous, and so very careful at doing so. This is probably the first time I have had a Rebond that I felt no heat from the hair  ironed). His assistant told me it should just be a blow drying, and then I'm off to home. But Kazumi, being the perfectionist himself had ironed some of the hair probably some parts he see that he needs to re-do.

I asked for Hair Rebond with Keratin Treatment with Cellophane and it only costs me Php1,800. Total Damage amounted to Php2,000 since I gave Kazumi 150 Tip and 50 tip on his assistant who, by the way still has a lot of energy even at the time (10:30PM)

So Since this is also probably the first time for me to want to take care of my hair, I have also bought with me everything I think I need to do to keep my hair from damaging any further...

Rebond Hair Care Products I Use nowadays:

1. Swallow HairStraight Shampoo (Honey) - as the packaging says, It best for rebonded hair.
- I used small amount to "clear" my hair of the oil built UP, I did not wash it for three days!
- i bought mine for 92pesos each in Landmark Trinoma.
- Its got mild relaxing sweet scent; Love it... but it does not stay on your hair long (maybe it is that mild)

2. Dove Intense Repair - Since I am a Dove shampoo fan, I havenow opted to use their conditioner (since i switched my shampoo to swallow).

3. CosmoCare Keratin Treatment - this one is a real treat to the hair. Its got a very nice smell and it is cheap (bought it for only Php150) One sachet can be used in 3 applications once a week would be okay. (Also available in Reyes Haircutters Salon)



So Far, my hair is still as it was when I had it rebonded. I washed it already and people still wonder if i had rebonded it or it was plain Keratin treatment. My hair is so great these past five days and I intend to keep it as it is. ;) (With layers and all!)