Pre Loved Shops in Albany Western Australia

I love shopping clothes and especially the pre loved clothes. They are cheap and if you'll be lucky you can find clothes that are still really good and very fashionable. So if you are like me and looking for pre loved shops in Albany Western Australia, the following our the list of the stores and their information. Try visiting the store and you will really enjoy it.

1. Vinnies Albany Shop - This is one of my favorite pre loved shops since I find the price very cheap and clothes and other items are still in good quality. You can pay in cash and they also accept credit cards and debit cards however the minimum amount that you need to purchase should me more than $10.

Location: Unit 5, 124 Lockyer Avenue, Albany WA 6330

Operation Hours: 

   Monday - Friday   9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

   Saturday             9:00 AM - 12:00 PM 

   Sunday               Closed

 

2. Salvation Army Community Store -  They have a wide variety of pre loved items. They sell clothes, shoes, kids stuff, kitchen wares, etc. When we visited the place they have some furniture too.

(136 Chester Pass Road Ph 9842 6767)
Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 4pm - See more at: http://www.salvationarmy.org.au/albany#sthash.ejunnTVq.dpuf

(136 Chester Pass Road Ph 9842 6767)
Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 4pm - See more at: http://www.salvationarmy.org.au/albany#sthash.ejunnTVq.dpuf

Location: 136 Chester Pass Road, Albany WA 6330

Operation Hours:

   Monday - Friday   9:00 AM - 5:00 PM 

   Saturday             9:00 AM - 12:00 PM  

   Sunday               Closed

 

3. Good Sammy- The price of the clothes are very cheap and the quality is still good. For me, in terms of choices of clothes they have more items compare to Vinnies. They also have shoes, bags, few kitchenware, children stuffs, etc.

 

Location: It is along the Albany Highway near the Albany Drive in Mart

Operation Hours:

   Monday - Friday   9:00 AM - 5:30 PM 

   Saturday             9:00 AM - 5:00 PM 

4. Albany Drive in Mart - When we visited this store, I was really excited because they have a lot of pre loved goods. From kitchenware to furniture. I think you can find most of the things that you need for your home. They also have very beautiful tea wares which I would really love to buy. Also, i think the furniture are still really good. They have sofa, dining set, beds, etc. But if you are looking for clothes, shoes and bags they don't have that much. If you would like to see some pictures before you visit the shop, you can check their facebook page https://www.facebook.com/AlbanyDriveInMart/timeline.

Location: 152 Albany Highway Centennial Park, Albany WA 6330

Operation Hours: I am not sure about their operation hours since I did not see any information in their store. But we went to their shop Saturday and it was open.

 

5. Mister Money - This is the first pre loved shop that we visited cause even without searching any information in the internet, my husband found it cause inside the building near IGA. We bought most of our furniture here cause at that time, this is the only pre loved shop that we knew.

 

Location: 210 North Road, Albany WA 6330

Operation Hours: I think they are open Monday to Friday the usual time. And for Saturday from 10:00 am to 12noon. We usually visit here Saturdays.

I think there are more pre loved shops in Albany that I haven't visited so I will keep on updating this blog. Please leave a comment if you know other pre loved shops that are not in my list. Thanks

 

 

 

The Salvation Army Community Store

The Salvation Army Community Store

Buffet in Songdo, Incheon

1. Yoree (Shabu-shabu and salad bar)

The cost is 14,000 per person. When you order shabu-shabu you can have the unlimited salad bar.

Lunch time is from 11:30am to 3pm
Dinner time is from 5:30pm to 9pm

For me the salad bar is really good.

It is located at Incheon, Yeonsu-gu Songdo-dong 3-28
인천광역시 연수구 송도동 3-28

English Worship Service in Incheon

There are churches in Incheon that has an english worship service.

1. Word of Life International Fellowship.

 This is under Juan Methodist Church. They have 2 english worship services, one is in the main church located near at Juan Station and the other one is songdo near at the International Business District Station. For more information you can visit their website http://wordoflifeif.com/


2. Life Spring Church
    It is located in Songdo, Incheon. The easiest way to find this church is to look for the Starbucks Songdo. There is a small entrance between the starbucks and I think a restaurant. Go straight inside at the bottom of that entrance you will see a stair. Go up and then at your left side you can see the church. For more information you can visit their website http://www.lifespringkorea.org/en/

3. Yonsei International Campus in Songdo
 They have a youth service 11am at the 자유관A 102. Since it is a youth service most of the people are students of Yonsie and SUNY university.

I will post the pics of these churches later.

Bacolod- Iloilo vice versa schedule

This information might be useful if you are planning to visit Bacolod or Iloilo or vice versa.

There are two types of transportation you can take when you are planning to visit Bacolod or Iloilo. You can take Roro or Fast craft.

For the fastcraft you can take Ocean Jet, Weesam Express or 2go

Ocean Jet schedule as of 2013
* 8 round trips daily
* Bacolod- Iloilo and vice versa
* Everyday Trip Schedule
                 6:15am
                 7:45am
                 9:15am
                10:45am
                12:45pm
                  2:15pm
                  3:45pm
                  5:15pm

For more information please contact: Bacolod (034)433-5359, 708-8201/ 435-2489
                                                             Iloilo (033)335-8887, 509-7543,509-9018


Weesam Express schedule as of 2013
* Bacolod- Iloilo and vice versa
* Everyday Trip Schedule
                6:30am
                8:10am
                9:50am
               11:30am
                1:10pm
                2:50pm
                4:45pm

Fare( all charges in)
One way
Eco-non aircon        250 pesos
Eco- aircon              350 pesos
FC- aircon               445pesos

Roundtrip Promo
Eco- aircon              570 pesos
FC- aircon                650pesos
* When I bought the roundtrip ticket open ticket, I asked the ticketing office until when can I use my roundtrip ticket. They told me that the roundtrip ticket can be used within one year as long as it is an open ticket.

For more information please contact: Bacolod 433-9125/707-2282, cellphone 09228200270
                                                             Iloilo 337-3282/505-8423, cellphone 09228660338

Silay-Bacolod Airport Shuttle Bus

This is located at the back of SM Department Store. As of June 2013 the fare is Php 100.00 per person. This shuttle bus follows its service schedule even though the van is not full and or even you are alon. One thing you should do is to give extra time because after the van leaves the terminal it has another stops. It visits hotels or pension houses to pick up other travelers.

If you are from southern part of Negros Occidental and it is difficult for you to go to SM Bacolod, there are also shuttle bus along the way in Sum-ag area. If you are taking a bus you just have to tell the driver to drop you off in the airport shuttle bus. The shuttle bus fare in Sum- ag is Php 130,00 per person.

 I don't have their schedule but before you go down in a bus you can ask the shuttle bus driver if they are able to catch your flight. They will honestly tell you that you can take their shuttle bus but if the scheduled shuttle bus already left they will advise you to go directly to Bacolod.

POEA Bacolod

Overseas Filipino Workers who are currently living in Negros Occidental can now easily process their Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) and Pre-departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS) in POEA Bacolod.

PDOS in POEA Bacolod is scheduled every WEDNESDAY only. They told me that it will start 8am but it started 9am. It is a whole day orientation. You can get your PDOS certificate 2 days after (Friday) since they need to send it to Regional Office in Iloilo for signature.

You may contact POEA Bacolod:

POEA Satellite Office
2nd Floor, Old City Hall
Araneta-Luzuriaga St.
Bacolod City
(034) 434-7391 (telefax)poea.bacolod@yahoo.com.ph

Korean Visa Requirement for Workers (E9, E6, D6, E7, E2, etc.) With Visa Issuance Number and other visa information

My Korean Employer was the one who get my visa number in Korea. I gave all my documents to them and they applied it to the Korean Immigration. After processing they gave me a VISA ISSUANCE NUMBER and instructed me to visit Korean Embassy in the Philippines.

Here is the following documents you should bring in the Korean Embassy :

1. Application Form
2. One Passport sized colored photo
3. Passport (original and copy)
4. Visa Issuance Number
5. Visa Fee(As of 2013) Php 2250 (single entry)
                                        Php 3600 (multiple entry)
6. For F1 and E6 (photocopy of the contract)

* Processing time usually 3 working days

Below are some of the information that I found in related to korean visa http://embassy_philippines.mofa.go.kr/english/as/embassy_philippines/main/index.jsp

If you could not see the picture clearly please click the link below

http://embassy_philippines.mofa.go.kr/english/as/embassy_philippines/visa/announcement/index.jsp

Fitness Gym In Bacolod City

I wanted to enroll in a fitness gym in Bacolod City but because I am not familiar to the place and how much would be the gym rate so I tried to search in the web to see any information related to the fitness gym in Bacolod city. Unfortunately I was not able to see any information related to gym thus I visited some of the fitness gym in Bacolod City and ask for their gym rates. Below are the informtion regarding the gym in case someone like me needs it.
Note:Prices below are subject to change so I advise you to call the fitness centers.

1.  Family Shape UP Center

Address: T.U. Square Bldg. Cor Lacson Northdrive, Bacolod City

Telephone No. (63) 34- 434-7326

Gym Hours: 6am - 12am Mon - Sat

                   1pm - 8pm Mon - Fri

Direction: This is located near Citi Hardware in Lacson Area.

GYM RATES

Per Session                            P 300.00

2x/wk (8 sessions/mo)               900.00

3x/wk (12 sessions/mo)          1,000.00

5x/wk (20 sessions/mo)          1,200.00

Student (3x/week)                     800.00

This is a fully air-conditioned fitness gym. They also offer other exercises such as Aerobics, yoga,pilates, Taekwondo, TRX.

Additional P 250.00 for Annual Membership.

2.  Presidents' Fitness Hub

Address: 2F Carmela Valley Building, 8th Lacson Street, Bacolod City

Gym Hours: 6am - 9pm Monday  to Saturday

RATES:

Per Session                            P 200.00

2x/ Week                                1,000.00

3x/Week                                 1,100.00

Unlimited                                1,200.00

Additional P 400.00 for Annual Membership.

Direction: Beside the Negros Show Room there is a small road. Go straight and you will find the Carmela Valley Building on your left side. The gym is located in the second floor. You can see the sign inside the building.

This is a fully air-conditioned fitness gym that has a shower and changing room which I like because my house is far from Bacolod City. So after exercise I can have a shower and feel fresh after. You can also be part of their program where you will have a fitness instructor who will guide you all the way and you don't need to pay an extra fee for your instructor.

3. There is also a fitness gym in front of La Salle University but I was not able to get their information

4. Another gym is the Sam's Fitness Gym located in shopping area.

5. Eclipse Healing & Body Design Center- It is located near Riverside Medical Center. For the prices and other information,you can check their facebook since it varies from time to time. I really love this fitness center because they have different fitness programs so you won't get bored in just one exercise. I usually attend in their 8am and 9am studio fitness class and do the spinning class at 10am. If you want to join the spinning class you must have a reservation as soon as you arrive the center since it is a first come first serve. Reservation cannot be made through phone call. In case it is already full you can wait until 10minutes after the class starts because some people who made a reservation may not be able to come so you can use their bike.

It is also an air conditioned fitness center with shower room. How ever if you need a gym instructor you need to pay an additional fee which I did not do cause with their 3 hours fitness program I am already fell exhausted.

Bringing the Sweetness of Negros Occidental

Filipinos who speak Hiligaynon and Ilonggo is often considered  as a sweet person because of the way they speak their dialect. The Hiligaynon or Ilonggo dialect or some refer it as language has a sing-song intonation and soft spoken that even when these people are angry the sound of their language is still sweet and soft. Aside from the intonation, Negros Occidental where most people who speak Hiligaynon live is known as the "Sugar Bowl of the Philippines" where sugar cane is the primary product of the Island. 

There are several sweet delicacies you can try when you visit Negros Occidental and there is nothing better than bringing back to your love ones the sweetness of the Island.

There are many Pasalubong store you can visit in Bacolod City.

1. Virgie's Homemade Food Product

- This store is the only one in Negros Occidental and this is the place where the business started in 1974. 

Must try: Napoleones, butter scotch and mango tarts

Location: #59 San Sebastian St. Bacolod City. Take Shopping San Sebastian and you can say to the driver to drop you off at Virgie's. But if the driver doesn't know this store you can say in Trinity Church. The Virgie's store is near the Trinity church. If you come from Libertad the store is in your right side and it is before the Trinity Church.

 For more information you can visit their website http://virgieshomemade.com/

2. Bong Bong's Pasalubong


3. Mercy Pasalubong
 

The Ruins: Built with Love

The Ruins

This is the mansion of Don Mariano Ledesma Lacson. During the World War II in 1942 the guerrila fighters torched the mansion thus it was burned down. Now this place serves as a tourist spot, wedding venue and other special events. This  also gives a very beautiful view in the morning and a romantic view in the evening to its guests.

                                                        

                                        The beautiful view of The Ruins in the morning

                                         The romantic view of The Ruins in the evening
How to get there

This is located in Talisay, Negros Occidental. From Robinsons Bacolod take Bata Libertad jeepney going north and it cost 8 pesos.Then tell the drive that you are going to The ruins or you can ask the driver to drop you off at Bangga (Bang-ga) Rose Lawn. It is in your left side and you can see a sign that says "THIS WAY TO THE RUINS" Then take a motorcycle tell the driver that you are going to the ruins P15/per person as of 2012. You can also take taxi but it may cost more compare to the jeepney.  If you have a car you can visit their website http://theruins.com.ph/ for more direction. 

Entrance fee is P40 for adults and there is a discount for senior citizens and students.

There is a coffee shop inside The Ruins where you can relax and enjoy the romantic atmosphere of the place. The place has also souvenir shop where you can buy gift for your love ones back home.

Sweets in the City of Smile Bacolod

Do you have a sweet tooth like me? Then if you visit Bacolod City you should try the cake shops in this place.

1. Felicia's Pastry Cafe

- located at the Central Walk of Robinsons Bacolod and they also have another shop at 6th Lacson Street DOLL Building Bacolod.

           Try its colorful and delicious macaroons that comes with different flavor (P40/piece)

The price of its cakes are affordable considering the taste is really delicious

For more information visit its facebook account

https://www.facebook.com/Felicias.pastry.cafe

Helpful information for E-9 Filipino workers in Korea

While helping an E-9 Filipino holder in Korea, I found many useful information that might be helpful to other Filipinos too.

1. If you need any information related to visa, you can call Korean Immigration Contact Center.

    Press 1345. It has 18 language services. If you want to talk to a Filipino you can press 18.

2. Regarding tigicum (I don’t know how to spell it right) we contacted Samsung Fire &Marine Insurance (02-2119-2400) Then, a Korean answered it. I asked if I can talk to a person who knows how to speak English then she asked me if I am a Filipino. When I said yes, she said she will transfer my call to a Filipino. Then the line was cut. Few minutes later someone called me, a Filipino representative from Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance.

3. For the calculation of tigicum, we went  to Incheon Support Center for Foreign Worker. We met Ms. Catherine Lee who is a counselor for Filipino workers in Korea. You can reach Ms Catherine Lee in this number: 032-431-5757.

Incheon Support Center For Foreign Worker

12F 636-3 Nonhyun- Dong, Namdong-Gu, Incheon Metropolitan City, Korea

Other support centers in Korea are located at:

Seoul- Tel. 1644-0644

Uijeongbu- Tel. 031-8389-111

Cheonan- Tel. 041-411-7000

Daegu- Tel. 053-654-9700

Gimhae – Tel. 055-338-2727

Changwon- Tel. 055-253-5270

The Support Center for Foreign Workers offer several services such as:
     - Counseling service for foreign workers in connection with work-related difficulties.
     - Free interpretation service for workplace change or job seeking.
     - Counseling service for foreign workers concerning difficulties in adapting to a life in Korea.
     - Guidance of any formalities for official report (Immigration Office/Job Center of Moel)
     - Guidance of overdue wage/ severance payment claim
     - Guidance of Return Cost Insurance, Casualty Insurance, National Health Insurance, 
        National Pension, Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance and Employment Insurance.
     - Guidance of schedule and application reception of Employment Training for H-2 visa 
        holders.
     -  The services are free of charge.

For more information you can call their hotline:
    for english: 1577-0071 5 + *
    for filipino: 1577-0071 4 + *

Or you can visit their website: http://www.hugkorea.or.kr/


All the information above is based on my experiences and fliers that I found in the Support Center for Foreign Workers in Incheon.

Policy Guidance on granting professional work status (E-7) to skilled foreign worker in Korea

1. Principle
- To select eligible outstanding talents among foreign workers and allow them to continue working as a skilled professional worker. With the maximum quota by company, regulations on the residence of foreigns become stricter.

* Selected skilled workers will be given special occupation permit, the E-7 visa (the certification of status change or visa issuance will be issued).

2. Application Qualification
- Applicants must lawfully stay in Korea as a worker in manufacturing, construction or agriculture, livestock and fishery under non- professional employment permit (E-9), vessel crew permit (E-10) or work visit permit (H-2) and fulfill all of the following qualifications.

   QUALIFICATIONS
    - Lawfully working in manufacturing, construction or agriculture, livestock and fishery for 4 years or more
       within the past 10 years.
    - Aged less than 35 with academic degree higher than 2 year junior college.
    - Obtaining higher license than Craftsman in the field of work or having made higher annual income than
       the filed average over the recent 1 year.
    - Obtaining higher Korean language skill than level 3 or completing social integration program course.

3. Quota by Industry and Company

	Quota 1	Quota 2	Quota 3	Quota 4	Quota 5
Industy
Manufacturing (No. of workers under employment insurance)	10-49	50-149	150-299	300-499	500 or more
Construction (Average annual construction fee)	Less than 5 billion won	Less than 5-30 billion won	Less than 30- 50 billion won	Less than 50- 70 billion won	70 billion won or more
Agriculture, Livestock and Fishery (No. of regular workers)	30 or less	31- 99	100 or more

4. Application Procedure
- Apply for the status change at the immigration office which has jurisdiction over the location of the company where the applicant is working (Authorized recipients are allowed to apply)

  REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
  - Application Form
  - Passport
  - Alien registration Card
  - Proof of Employment certificate (career included)
  - Employment Contract Document
  - Academic Certificate
  - License or withholding tax receipt
  - Report Card of Korean Proficiency Test or Certificate of Social Integration Program Completion.

5. Starting Date: From Oct 10, 2011
For more information visit: http://www.hikorea.go.kr/  or call immigration contact center (1345)

The information above was given to me by the Incheon Counseling Center for Foreign Workers