Starbucks Dona Soledad is Now Open!

After a long wait residents of Better Living got a big surprise when Starbucks opened its doors last January 30, 2014, Thursday. The popular chain originally announced that they were going to start brewing in Dona Soledad in March 2014.

Starbucks Dona Soledad started brewing coffee last Thursday and opened its doors at 7 in the morning. The shop has 2 floors with an outdoor area on both floors. It's parking space can accommodate about 8 cars. You can now enjoy your favorite regular drinks. A quick look at their food selections showed that they have their regular sandwiches and you can also get healthy snacks (veggies + dip). We also spotted a generous number of sockets so you can hang-out to work/study. We didn't see any wifi routers though so best to bring a pocket wifi.

The popular Starbucks Card system isn't available yet though.

Welcome to the neighborhood Starbucks! 

Walter Mart Mall Bicutan Opens Today

Great news for Paranaque residents in the Bicutan area! Walter Mart Mall Bicutan opens today, March 14, 2013. The new Shopping Center has a total gross floor area of 10,213 square meters and is situated at Lower Bicutan along the East Service Road in Bicutan. This marks the 2nd Walter Mart Shopping Center in Paranaque and 18th Walter Mart nationwide. 

Aside from mall tenants providing various products and services, it is also home to the Walter Mart Supermarket. SM Advantage card holders will be pleased to know that they can earn and redeem points at the Walter Mart Supermarket starting today.  As a treat to its new customers, Walter Mart Supermarket is holding a 10 day Grand Opening sale with a lot of Buy 1-Take 1 items for sale. (Click here for brochure)

WM Property Management, Inc officials, local government members, and contractors were present during the ceremonial groundbreaking of Walter Mart Bicutan, Paranaque last April 23, 2012. In less than a year, Walter Mart Bicutan is open to the public. (Click here to view construction photos).

 

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If you're coming from the north, take the South Luzon Expressway and exit at Bicutan toll plaza. Make a left turn at the Dona Soledad intersection and cross the bridge. Turn right and take the East Service Road Sucat bound. A few hundred meters away, you'll find Walter Mart Bicutan on your left side.  If you're coming from the south, you can take the Sucat exit and pass through the East Service Road until you reach Walter Mart.  You may also take the Bicutan exit and make a U-turn to the East Service Road.

Walter Mart Shopping Center Bicutan is open daily from 10am - 9pm.
Visit Walter Mart Bicutan at Km 16, Manalac Ave., Paranaque City.

Hanako

There is a new Japanese cuisine place on Dona Soledad  - Hanako.  It replaced the old Persian/shawarma restaurant.

The food was surprisingly delightful and the servings were generous. A bit pricey though for 'in the neighborhood eating'.

Paranaque Plane Crash

In my lifetime this isn't the first time that a private plane crashed in Paranaque. I know of 2 others which crashed in the vicinity (barangay Sun Valley) when I was younger and remember another one crash in Moonwalk. Planes have been flying over our house ever since I can remember, perhaps airport authorities should try to make a route away from residential areas. Rest in peace to my fellow Paranaquenos.

Here's my kababata Dante Perello reporting about the incident.

Paranaque Resumes Number Coding Scheme Starting December 1, 2011

The Unified Vehicle Volume Reduction Program (UVVRP) or more popularly known as the number coding scheme will be reimposed in Paranaque city as a result of a sudden increase in the volume of traffic along the Bicutan area causing a horrendous traffic along the Bicutan interchange.

The number coding schemes takes into effect starting December 1, 2011 and will include the following major roads:

• San Antonio Avenue,Pres.Aguinaldo Street,Dominique Savio street,Japan street,Michael Rua street and France street in Barangay Don Bosco.
• E.Rodriguez street in Barangay Moonwalk,Doña Soledad extension and Doña Soledad Avenue in Barangay Don Bosco.
• East Service road from Dr.Santos Avenue up to FTI Parañaque area.
• West Service road from Dr.Santos Avenue up to Merville Park Subdivision Parañaque area.

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In addition, the truck ban as provided under the Parañaque Traffic Code as well as in Ordinance No.99-14 be strictly implemented along those streets mentioned herein.

Not everyone was immediately informed about the sudden enforcement of the number coding scheme and coverage area as people were asking @MMDA through their twitter account about the details.

Road Construction by DPWH To Affect President's Ave. & Sucat Road

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is ready to conduct road re-blocking projects before the Christmas season causes vehicular traffic.

Projects include the widening/concreting with drainage improvement; upgrading of damaged paved national roads, soil testing footbridges, etc. along Sucat Road and President Avenue in Paranaque City.

The upgrade in Paranaque City is one of 19 road rehabilitation and improvement projects to be undertaken by the DPWH between now and December 15 to avoid the expected increased traffic during the Holiday season.

Skyway NAIA 3 Exit Starts Collecting Toll Fees on November 16, 2011

Starting November 16, 2011, the Skyway NAIA 3 Exit will start collecting toll fees.  Toll booths at the NAIA Terminal 3 Exit will start to collect P35. for regular Class 1 vehicles and P70. for trucks and buses.  Since the opening of this Skyway exit, use of this exit has been toll-free.

Alternative routes Southbound is to take SLEX and exit at the Villamor Airbase leading to NAIA 3. Vehicles taking the northbound side can take a U-turn at Magallanes and exit SLEX at Villamor Airbase as well.