Not So Pedestrian Lanes

You know why pedestrian lanes are ignored? Because they're boring. IXM together with the Pasig City local government aims to change that with these not-so-pedestrian lanes. 0% accident, 100% service!

Looks amusing, yes. But for it to actually work? Probably not.

I can just imagine people crossing the street LOOKING DOWN and trying to figure out these hideous looking pedestrian lanes, while being oblivious to oncoming vehicles.

Hate to break it to you, guys, but people ignore pedestrian lanes because people tend to cross the road where it is convenient for them to reach their destinations efficiently.

What authorities should be thinking is how to properly disseminate knowledge of the Law to both pedestrians and motorists altogether. Pedestrian accidents happen mostly because of people jaywalking and motorists not knowing that it is enforced by Law that they should do a full stop when people are crossing in the pedestrian lane. Ignorance of the Law is the problem that should be given priority. Aesthetics is one thing, but it does not resolve the main problem.

I watched something in the news and found out that a lot of drivers don't even know what some road signs mean! Ridiculous, right? Authorities should make sure the drivers pass and really undergo REAL, HONEST, ACCREDITED training. DISCIPLINED and RESPECTFUL drivers equals less accidents.

Ark Avilon Zoo

ARK AVILON ZOO is everybody’s interactive zoo, from kids to the kids at heart. Appreciate the wonders and beauty of nature and learn about conservation while having fun!

… Get up close and personal with Colin the Bornean Orangutan, Brutus the Mini Horse, Waki the Bearcat, Arthur the Old English Sheepdog, Cutie the Philippine Eagle Owl, C-2 the Moluccan Cockatoo, Cholo the Ball Python and many other interactive animals.


The Ark Avilon's is located in Tiendesitas, Pasig. Its unique shape resembling an ark was inspired from Noah's ark an ancient vessel known as the first Saviour of World's Biodiversity. So it actually looks like a boat! The story of Noah's Ark can be found in the Book of Genesis in the Bible. It tells the story of Noah, who was instructed by God to build a vessel to save his family and samples of animals all over the world from a great flood. The flood will be sent by God to destroy the evilness of men.

It houses small to medium size animals and has section for petting them. The zoo claims to be the 1st and only interactive indoor zoo in the Philippines as of date. Most of the animals are enclosed with a glass wall for viewing. Remember not to tap the glass as to avoid aggravating the animals!


The original zoo is farther East in Montalban, Rizal, but this 2,000-square-meter urban safari is just as delightful. Barely six months since it opened, Ark Avilon is already drawing hordes of kids and adults alike, eager to see a giant tortoise, a tiger, a lion and a jaguar up close. There are also less aggressive animals that kids can still have tons of fun watching, such as a python, an orangutan and the ever friendly and playful rabbits

Although the zoo houses in a limited space, the unique attraction that it has was outstanding, It maximize available resources that was mutually beneficial for both animals and Visitors. The cages where the animals are housed are designed for the specific corresponding need for each species.

The first floor of the Ark Avilon features a tampered glass window zone for excellent viewing and limited disturbance for the big predatory animals, a free ranging zone for animals that can be petted and a lounge where you can rest in the atmosphere of at the wild. While the second floor of the Ark Avilon houses a wire mesh aviary for birds, a farm styled cages for domesticated animals and a mini meadow for rodent pet animals. The Second floor was designed as the zone where the visitors can fully participate in caring for the animals, this is where you can touch and feel nature through feeding them.

Ark Avilon Zoo
Frontera Verde, Ortigas Avenue Corner C5, Pasig City
Telephone Nos. (+632) 706-2992/ 706-2993
Email Address: arkavilon@yahoo.com.ph / arkavilonzoo@gmail.com
Website: http://arkavilonzoo.weebly.com/

Pasig City Times 2012

The City Times is Pasig City's newsletter. It is a 16-page, full-color newsletter, printed on recycled paper available free for all Pasiguenos.

The headline for the 2012 issue is DA BEST KA PASIG! It shows Mayor Robert "Bobby" Eusebio greeting Pasigueños a Happy New Year.

The content of the newsletter covers several aspects of the city and citizen development such as security, peace and order, health, education, social services for children, senior citizens, and the barangays, the special occasions and big events of the city like the yearly Paskotitap, the infrastructures and housing projects, the business, livelihood and employment opportunities, and movements on keeping the environment clean and safe, and several more news and updates.

Eusebio's photo appears on every story, as he supports a campaign, cuts a ribbon, shakes hands, and interacts with the community. It shows how active and hard working the Mayor of Pasig is.

It's tightly-packed with interesting information about the city plus a bonus Kiddie corner showcasing fun stuff like the Word Search on the last page wherein you must find words like "Mayor", "Bobby", and "Eusebio." and a Maze for the children of Pasig to enjoy.

Constant communication and prominent information dissemination is always the key to keep your constituents aware and appreciative of the latest happenings within the city of Pasig.

Thank you Mayor Bobby for your commendable projects dedicated towards the improvement and modernization of Pasig City and for providing us with the newsletter that would keep us updated of your present and future projects.

Modernized Pasig City

 The newly  renovated Pasig City hall which is now known as the White House of Asia.

The City Hall of Pasig has undergone a number of iterations since 1967, when it was a mere four-storey structure with 1, 200 square meters of floor area. The renovation in 1999 brought the floor area to approximately 9,000 square meters. Finally in 2005, four more levels were added, bringing the total floor area to 16,000 square meters.

The City Hall is a stunning vision coming onto Caruncho Avenue, with its ivory-and-emerald façade. The ground floor is almost entirely devoted to a parking area, with the exception of the Cooperative Development Office. The second floor is occupied by the Business Permit and Licensing Office and the Treasury Department. 

The third floor houses the Commission on Audit, National Statistics Office, Department of Interior and Local Government, Civil Registry, and Urban Poor Services Office. The Senior Citizens Office, Environment and Natural Resources office, and City Records constitute the fourth floor, while the fifth floor consists of the City Budget, Legal and Public Information offices. 

The Engineering and Housing offices are situated on the sixth floor, while the Vice Mayor and the City Councilors hold office on the seventh floor. The Session Hall where the members of the City Council convene every Thursday is located on this same level. The eighth floor welcomes a steady stream of visitors daily, as this is where the Mayor’s office is located.

Nicanor Abelardo - Creator of "Mutya Ng Pasig"

One famous artist that is part of the rich history of Pasig is Nicanor Abelardo.

Nicanor Santa Ana Abelardo was a composer, pianist, and teacher. He was born in San Miguel de Mayumo, Bulacan, on February 7, 1893. He was the son of a photographer, Valentin Abelardo, and a church singer, Placida Santa Ana. His most popular works include the official song of the University of the Philippines,"U.P. Beloved",, "Magbalik Ka Hirang", "Himutok", "Nasaan Ka Irog", "Kundiman Ng Luha", "Bituing Marikit", and "Mutya ng Pasig".

At age five the young Abelardo learned solfeggio and how to play the bandurria from his father. A year later, he was already able to play the William Tell Overture on the guitar. At age eight, he already composed a waltz, “Ang Unang Buko,” which he dedicated to his grandmother. He later learned to play the piano while working for his uncle, painter Juan Abelardo, in Manila, where he studied in primary schools.

The prodigiously talented Abelardo started teaching music in schools in San Ildefonso and San Miguel, Bulacan, when he was barely 15 years old. Before he enrolled at the University of the Philippines Conservatory of Music, he worked as a pianist in pubs and theaters in Manila.