Gwapotel "The Worker's Hotel"

One of the most innovative and out of this world ideas from Metro Manila Development Authority(MMDA). Gwapotel was implemented by Chairman Bayani Fernando and President Gloria Macapagal Aroyo. Based on the Metro Gwapo project by Chairman Fernando, for 25 Pesos workers can sleep on this compact rooms for 10 hours. They can also take bath and dine in on very affordable meals. The aim of this hotel is to encourage people who are stranded, workers who have low budget and squaters to live on this quarters. Its aim is to discourage people from sleeping on the streets (a total eyesore and a dangerous threat in Metro Manila security).

In Gwapotel, there are separate quarters for male and female. The hotel has double deck beds, a lounge, tv rooms and large bathrooms. For new sites of Gwaptoel, capsule beds are introduced. Here ar the locations of GT: Bonifacio Drive Port Area Manila and Emmanuel Hospital at Jose Abad Santos St.

The first patrons of the gwapotels are the employees of MMDA. Gwapotel is very helpful especially for our kababayans who have low budget. Commuting in Metro Manila costs around 100 PHP this excludes food. For people whose salary is about 500 PHP Gwapotel is very helpful on reducing cost and expenses on their way of living.

For weary travelers/workers especially those with very low budget you can check out this hotel. I give my thumbs up to Bayani Fernando and PGMA on this effort!:)

For more information for Gwapotel you can click this link video by GMATV news.

Ayala Greenbelt Makati

Last Christmas 2008, I had the opportunity to visit Ayala Greenbelt. It's amazing how Greenbelt has evolved throughout the years. When I was still young (it was about year 2000), this used to be a very small mall that has a large pond, a church and a huge parking lot (reserve for Greenbelt, Glorietta and Landmark). The shops back then were not that sophisticated compared to Glorietta. But now it has completely changed. Greenbelt now has evolved to be a top-class mall in Makati. On my opinion it is at par with Rockwell and other high class malls in Metro Manila. Greenbelt otherwise known in the yuppie generation as "GB", boasts the best bars, fine dining restaurants, high-end fashion shops, nature park, Ayala Museum and of course the ol' GB church. Greenbelt is divided into 5 places. Namely Greenbelt 1 - 5. Here are the shops/ attractions found on each annex:

• Greenbelt One- one of the original buildings of GB (annex that is facing AIM Asian Institute of Management), there are some old shops (based from changes since year 2000) that were still retained namely Jollibee, Via Mare, Wendy's, Rustan's Supermarket, National Bookstore, Ace Hardware, Automatic Centre, Filbar's . New shops are Starbucks, Terriyaki Boy, David's Salon, Apple Center, Blade (Auto Accessories Shop). The old movietheatre is still there however I believe one of the movie theatre is changed into an Onstage Theatre for plays and Cinemanila.
• Greenbelt Two- also another of the one of the original buildings of the old GB(annex facing the PAL office and Rada street. Original shops that are still present are Deli France, Bacolod Chicken, Oddysey, the salons, Mercury Drug, Chili's, Dessert Cafe, Sarabia Optical, Max's Restaurant. New shops(based from changes since year 2000) that opened up are Yellow Cab, Netopia, Binalot. New restaurants and bars emerged like Masa's, Italiani's, Flap Jack's, Nuvo Restaurant.
• Greenbelt Three- the new annex for GB.This replaced the area wherein the old Shakey's Greenbelt used to be (hay.. that good ol combo band days haha). Basically Greenbelt 3 is filled with top-designer shops and electronic shops, here are samples of these shops Anne Klein, Avid Sony Shop, Apple Center, Oddysey, Beauty Bar, Celio, Springfield, Calvin Klein, JAckSpeid, Nike Park.. High class restaurants has also emerged on this side of Greenbelt namely BubbaGump(Shrimp, shrimp, shrimp), Banana Leaf(Thai Cuisine), Recipes(Filipino cuisine), Fish n Co'y (as the name implies alot of fish), Ebun (Filipino cuisine), Big Buddha (Chinese cuisine), Good Earth (Chinese Cuisine), Haiku (Japanese Cuisine) and alot more. GB3 is also known for its nightlife, Family KTV such as Red Box, bars such as Absinth (modern bar ideal for teenagers and those yuppies who has it), Merks (old school Jazz bar ideal for the baby boomers out there).
• Greenbelt Four- Another new annex of Greenbelt. It contains the improved Ayala Museum. GB 4 showcases very high end designer shops namely Luis Vuitton, BVlgari, Marc Jacobs, Philip Chariol, Prada, Salvatore Ferragamo and YSL. There is a bridgeway that connects Landmark and GB4. There are shops located on this bridgeway namely, Globe Telecom, Powerbooks, Nike (Women).
• Greenbelt Five- GB 5 is the newest annex. It host many interesting shops that our kababayan's are crazy about. Here are the following shops: AC+ 632, Adora, All Flip Flops, Bally, Banana Republic, Crocs, Charles and Keith, Columbia, Chicco, DKNY, Escada, Gaupo, Gingersnaps, Hugo Boss, Myth, Levi's Premium, Zara and alot more

GB Trivia
* The old Shakey's Greenbelt does not exist anymore :'( . So long combo bands.
* The old tiangge from Greenbelt 1 does not exist anymore, it is now replaced with GB 5.
* The old KFC from GB 1 does not exist and also was replaced by GB 5
* The huge pond that used to cover the church has already been reclaimed and turned into GB3, GB4, GB5. The park was also changed but it has improved.
* The old GB Jollibee along the side of Pasay Road does not exist anymore it is being replaced by GB3 and Renaissance Hotel.
* The Greenbelt church is still there.

For more information on GB please visit the Ayala website:

Here are some updated pics of Greenbelt for your appreciation (please click on image for full viewing):

Welcome to KamustaPH Blog "The online reminiscing site for the global Pinoy workforce"

Welcome to KamustaPH Blog. This blog is a tribute to all the OFW kababayans. This site contains the latest information, pictures, multimedia, trends and happenings in the Philippines. Ever wonder what the Philippines now looks like? Ever wonder if the traffic in Manila is as heavy as hell or what are the new buildings, malls and pasyalan? Is your paboritong gimikan still there or is gone already? This blog is dedicated to provide you information on “Kamusta na Ba ang Pinas Ngayon?”. No matter wherever your assigned, this blog is aimed to update and make you reminisce our country. I wish you all a good luck on your endeavors, hope you enjoy reminiscing in the blog. Godspeed!

Here are some pics that I got this Christmas 2008

Streets between Glorieta 4, Hotel Intercontinental and SM Ayala

Christmas Decor in Glorieta Ayala

Before there was Glorieta 1, 2, 3, 4.. Now behold Glorieta 5..

SM Mall of Asia located in Diosdado Macapagal Highway in Pasay City.

If you were gone for 5 years or more you will be amazed with the development of this site

Everything is not what it seems already. MOA proved to one of the best Malls in Manila.

Baywalk near Mall of Asia. I love what MOA did with its seaside. All dampa from Paranaque transfered on the seaside of the mall. Its like your in Singapore, Manila Bay is way cleaner here than in CCP. If you get the chance you should dine here with your family.



Note: If there are things you would like me to blog about (news, places, events or anything you wish to get updates about regarding the Philippines), please do not hesitate to email me or contact me at bcristuta@gmail.com, you can also post your requests on the comments links. I’ll be more than happy to blog them for you and when available I’ll post pictures for your better appreciation and enjoyment. Cheers!