Manila Water Urges Preventive Desludging to Protect Local Waterways this October

Manila Water is encouraging customers to participate in its October desludging schedule as part of its continuing efforts to protect local waterways, support community health, and promote responsible wastewater management. Through regular septic tank maintenance, households can help prevent untreated wastewater from entering drainage systems, creeks, rivers, and other bodies of water, contributing to a cleaner and healthier environment.

As populations grow and urban areas expand, proper sanitation becomes increasingly important in safeguarding both public health and the environment. Regular desludging removes accumulated sludge from septic tanks, ensuring wastewater is properly collected and treated while reducing the risk of pollution that can affect surrounding communities and waterways.

This October, Manila Water desludging teams will be deployed in the barangays of Bagong Nayon, Sta. Cruz, and San Luis in Antipolo City; Baras and Jala-Jala in Rizal; San Andres and San Isidro A in Cainta; Santa Ana in Taytay; Geronimo and San Rafael in Rodriguez (Montalban); Dulong Bayan 1 and 2, Santa Ana, Guitnang Bayan I (Poblacion), and Gulod Malaya in San Mateo; Pag-asa in Binangonan; and Pinagbuhatan in Pasig City. Desludging teams will also serve select accounts in Holy Spirit, Quezon City; and Salapan, Pasadena, and Pedro Cruz in San Juan City.

The initiative also reflects Manila Water's commitment to environmental stewardship, highlighted by its participation in the International Coastal Cleanup organized by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in September. While Manila Water employees joined volunteers in cleaning up Manila Bay and nearby waterways, the company continues to promote preventive desludging as an important measure in reducing pollution and protecting water bodies.

"Protecting our waterways requires action on multiple fronts. While coastal cleanups help remove waste already present in the environment, preventive desludging helps stop wastewater pollution at its source. By maintaining septic tanks regularly, customers become active partners in keeping rivers, creeks, and coastal areas cleaner and healthier for future generations," said Manila Water Corporate Communications Group Head Dittie Galang.

Manila Water also works closely with local communities and barangays to promote awareness of its regular desludging program, encouraging customers to maintain their septic tanks every five to seven years. By participating in the program, households not only help keep their septic systems functioning properly but also contribute to the protection of local waterways and the overall health of the communities.

DTI Lauds Most Competitive LGUs at 7th Regional Competitiveness Summit

The Department of Trade and Industry recognizes the highly competitive cities, municipalities and provinces during the 7th edition of the Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index (CMCI), commending the local government units’ efforts to enhance the competitiveness at the local and regional levels.

For the fourth year, Quezon City is the overall most competitive Highly Urbanized City (HUC), making it to the CMCI Hall of Fame. Manila ranks second followed by Davao City in 3rd place. Antipolo City tops the overall most competitive Component City (CC), with Calamba, Laguna and Santa Rosa, Laguna in 2nd and 3rd places, respectively.

Cainta, Rizal reclaimed its top spot as overall most competitive 1st-2nd Class Municipality, while Taytay, Rizal slipped to second spot, followed by Baliwag, Bulacan in 3rd place. For the 3rd-6th class municipalities, Mambajao, Camiguin topped this category followed by San Remigio, Cebu (2nd) and Baler, Aurora (3rd). The three most competitive provinces are all coming from the Calabarzon region, with Rizal Province as 1st place for fourth consecutive time, Laguna as 2nd place and Cavite as 3rd place.

"I am glad to hear that more and more Local Government Units (LGUs) are seeing the importance of the CMCI project," said DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez.

“The CMCI now has 1,518 cities and municipalities, from 122 cities and 163 municipalities in its pilot run in 2013. Beyond being an annual ranking event, it is a vital opportunity for policymakers and public officials to see where things are, compare it to past performance, and relate it to the experience of other localities. As such, the program serves as a driving force to do better, to be more innovative, and to utilize and manage resources more effectively," he added.

Most economically dynamic LGUs

The Economic Dynamism Pillar of CMCI measures the economic activity and productivity of an LGU, which include the size and growth of the local economy (business registrations, capital, revenue, permits), capacity to generate jobs, cost of living, cost of business, etc.

Pasay City landed in the top spot for the HUC category, as Davao City improved to 2nd place, while last year’s no. 1 Quezon City dropped to 3rd place. For Component Cities, Gen. Trias, Cavite moved to 1st place, followed by Calamba, Laguna (2nd) and Batangas City, Batangas (3rd). Plaridel, Bulacan emerged as no.1 in the 1st-2nd class municipalities, with Sta. Maria, Bulacan in no. 2, while last year’s top performer Cainta, Rizal fell to no.3. Mambajao, Camiguin led the 3rd-6th class municipalities together with Bacolor, Pampanga (2nd) and Alfonso Lista, Ifugao (3rd).

Most efficient LGUs

In the Government Efficiency Pillar, competitiveness of LGUs is determined through the reliability and quality of government support for effective and sustainable expansion, and absence of corruption.

In this pillar, Quezon City ranked best in the HUC category followed by City of Manila (2nd) and Davao City (3rd). For the Component Cities, Antipolo, Rizal is no. 1, while last year’s top LGU Tagum City eased to no.2, and Sta. Rosa, Laguna is no.3. Cainta, Rizal reclaimed its top rank in the 1st-2nd class municipalities, while Taytay, Rizal and Silang, Cavite landed in the 2nd and 3rd places, respectively. San Simon, Pampanga got the 1st place in the 3rd-6th class municipalities, followed by Taal, Batangas (2nd) and Mambajao, Camiguin (3rd).

Infrastructure-sufficient LGUs

This third pillar measures the availability of necessary physical building blocks that connect and sustain a locality and its surroundings to enable provision of goods and services. Data involved includes existing road network, distance from major ports, availability of basic utilities, internet connection, etc.

Consistent top performers in the HUC Category are Quezon City (1st), City of Manila (2nd) and Davao City (3rd). Legazpi City remained as top Component City followed by Antipolo, Rizal at 2nd place, while Naga City, Camarines Sur slipped to 3rd place. Baliwag, Bulacan improved to the top spot for the 1st-2nd class municipality, with Cainta, Rizal (2nd place) and Taytay, Rizal (3rd place). Gabaldon, Nueva Ecija entered for the first time as top placer in 3rd-6th municipalities, together with Ronda, Cebu (2nd) and Jimenez, Misamis Occidental (3rd).

Most resilient LGUs

The fourth pillar measures the capability of an LGU to sustain competitiveness. Resiliency at the context of local level is defined as ability of the people, households, communities, countries, and systems to mitigate, adapt to and recover from shocks and stresses and manner that reduces chronic vulnerability and facilitates inclusive growth.

Iloilo City secured the top spot for the HUC Category followed by Cagayan de Oro (2nd) and Davao City (3rd). Antipolo, Rizal led the Component City Category with Koronadal, South Cotabato (2nd) while Calapan, Oriental Mindoro slipped to 3rd place. Liloan, Cebu emerged as best in the 1st-2nd class municipalities, followed by Binangonan, Rizal (2nd) and San Mateo, Rizal (3rd). Santo Domingo, Ilocos Sur is 1st place in the 3rd-6th class municipalities, with Pagsanjan, Laguna (2nd ) and Magsaysay, Davao del Sur at (3rd ).

Most improved LGUs

DTI also recognized local government units that significantly improved their performance in the CMCI. For HUC Category, Valenzuela and Malabon shared the top spot, followed by Angeles, Pampanga (2nd) and Paranaque and Caloocan (3rd). For Component City, Meycauayan, Bulacan topped the list, while Tangub, Misamis Occidental and Toledo, Cebu tied in 2nd place. San Jose del Monte, Bulacan ranked 3rd. For 1st-2nd class municipalities, Plaridel, Bulacan is 1st place followed by Pandi, Bulacan (2nd) and Santa Rosa, Nueva Ecija (3rd). For 3rd-6th class municipalities, Poro, Cebu is the top placer, followed by Penaranda, Nueva Ecija (2nd) and Tabina, Zamboanga del Sur (3rd).

Ground Zero Esports Lounge: Bringing the Premier Gaming Experience to North Metro Manila

Ground Zero Esports Lounge, located in Xentro Mall, Antipolo aims to be the one-stop-shop for the gamer looking for a high-end gaming experience with premier amenities. Given the exponential rise of gaming and esports in the mainstream here in the Philippines, the need for spaces where gamers can congregate has also increased, and the local cybercafé industry needs to step up their game to keep up with the demands of their clientele. With impressive PC specs, wide-ranging dining options and an upscale ambiance, Ground Zero is the perfect hangout for gamers and non-gamers alike.

For the gamer looking for a break from battle, their families, friends, or more casual internet users, Ground Zero also provides an expansive menu with specialty gaming-themed dishes and drinks, complete from appetizers to desserts, cocktails and coffee. For those who prefer to watch rather than play, there are also 15 units of 55” TV’s streaming the most prestigious esports tournaments.

The names behind Ground Zero are also forerunners in the local cybercafé industry – Mr. Eric Redulfin, of TNC Cyber Café, says it best:
“Gusto namin na magkaroon sila ng lugar na mapupuntahan ng magkakasama – yung mga gamers, yung mga pamilya nila, mga magulang, mga kaibigan. Dito pwedeng mag kita lahat, at may mahahanap silang ma-eenjoy nila.”

The venue’s 87 regular PC units are armed with cutting edge specs: Z730 Gigabyte motherboards, 8th gen Intel i5 processors, NVIDIA GTX 1060 GPUs, 16GB of RAM at the price of 60php/hour. For those looking for an even better experience, the VIP areas are equipped with 10 Acer Predator G1’s with NVIDIA GTX 1080 GPUs at 80php/hour – all handily capable of running the latest triple-A games and today’s biggest competitive multi-player games without a sweat and at full HD, thanks to the Acer Predator XB241H monitors on all units.

The entire venue is equipped with 2,300 mpbs of internet as well, ensuring no connectivity issues and smooth, lag-free games and ultra-fast upload and download speeds, making it a perfect stomping grounds for passionate gamers looking to go pro, big groups looking for a place to hold their LAN Party, or even professionals that need the internet speed.

One of Ground Zero’s major objectives is to become an avenue that joins today’s gamers to yesterday’s roots, while simultaneously linking them to the people around them – their family, friends and the greater community, as the perfect place to gather and connect.

Cafe Lupe - You Don't Need to Dress Up to Go There

This 15 year old cafe in the sky as what I can label it is in right along Sumulong Highway where most of the fine establishments are also in. I like the idea of how the owner describes the place "You don't have to dress up and just wear comfortable cloth to be here"

This Hostel and Restaurant is also a good place to getaway from the busy city life and enjoy the astonishing view of Metro Manila while you chill out and relax.





Café Lupe Restaurant was established in 2003 by Mr. Alvin M. Carranza. A devotee of Our Lady of Guadalupe inspired him to create a Mexican themed restaurant name after the patroness. Today it is now being managed by his son Chef Albright Carranza who studied and mastered culinary arts in the US.

I'm sure that if your in Metro Manila you'll be familiar with the place of Guadalupe which is bus stop over, train station, the biggest billboard structures in the country and also where Our Lady of Guadalupe where Guadalupe Seminary is at and also where the first Cafe Lupe Restaurant was established.

When it comes to facilities they have free WiFi, free private parking, videoke, Banquet facilities, Pet-friendly facilities, Non-Smoking Rooms, Restaurant, Coffee shop

The restaurant and bar will have the below menu and you can try checking them out.




Cafe Lupe is situated in Lot 2-C & 2-B Sumulong Highwy, Antipolo, 1870 Rizal, Philippines.

On My way Cafe Lupe This Weekend!

This will be my first time to stay in Cafe Lupe and I am pretty excited as well as the other participant/bloggers that will share the weekend party and relaxation where the stars are in Antipolo.

Cafe Lupe has been one of the nice places to stay if you'd like to visit places in Antipolo, very accessible because it is just along Sumulong Highway next to the popular restaurants in the same area.

I'm excited to learn about the place as well as bond with other members of the qualified bloggers. Watch out for my review and blog about it next week!