Clever Laundry Shop Names and My Electrolux Frontload Contest Entry

Laundry shop franchises are in every corner, everywhere you go. Whether you're in a residential or commercial area, there's bound to be a small laundry shop nearby. But what's amusing about this is how creative storeowners can get when it comes to the names of their stores. Lists of witty and memorable small business names have been circulating in emails, blogs, and even books because Filipinos are so good at playing with words.

Not surprisingly, our beloved Quezon City, with its vast landspace, has a share of its wittily-named laundry shops. Here's a few I could whip up:

• 88th Laundry Room, Sikatuna
• Boy Labandero, Lagro
• Dean of Clean, Tandang Sora Ave.
  
• Doctor Laundry, Timog
• Fluff N Fold Laundry, Cubao
• Heaven Scent, Novaliches
• Kalinisan Steam Laundry, Bagumbayan
• Kosh Kosh My Gosh, Balara
  
• Let's Talk Dirty, Katipunan
• Lost Socks Laundromat, Del Monte
• Mr. Skid's Laundry, Brgy. Malaya
• Sinabon Baesa Laundry Services, Baesa
• Star Wash: Attack of the Clothes, Sikatuna
• Ur Laundry Station, Central District
• Washing Well, Kamuning
• Wish Ko Laba Mo, Lagro
• Wash-o-matte House of Laundry, Project 6

Which one's your favorite? I'm a bit torn between Star Wash, Lost Socks, Kosh Kosh and Heaven Scent. Do you have some more to add? I would love for you to add some more, feel free to comment!

Off-topic, have you wondered why small laundry shops are thriving, though? Does this indicate that nobody has the time or space to do their laundry anymore, that's why they just have to bring it to the cleaners? Personally, I think having your laundry cleaned somewhere else is a luxury, during the long run. If you can buy a front-load washer, which is what most laundry shops use anyway, you can get rid of the added expense and do the laundry by yourself. Front-load washers are quieter than your average washing machine, nicer to look at, and water and energy efficient.

I’m talking about this because Electrolux is sponsoring a blogging contest (they also have a raffle promo) that could win me a nice front-load washer if I answer the question, “How will an Electrolux Frontload washer complement your passion for clothes?” Here at home we’ve been taking our dirty clothes to the nearby laundry shop for some time now, and I’ve gotta be honest – it’s becoming a hassle to me! We wait for the clothes pile up until it's Saturday, which is laundry day. So when I’m looking for a shirt and realize that it’s still in the hamper, I get frustrated because now I have to rethink my outfit all over again. In other words, I often run out of nice clothes by the end of the week. Haha.

An Electrolux Frontload washer is easier to use and less messy, plus it’s quieter and environmental friendly. I think it'd be perfect for busy yuppies, students and mommies (I’m all of the above!) because they can just dump the clothes in the washer and let it finish, and not have to worry about checking on it too often. It is definitely water and energy efficient, which makes up for doing the laundry twice a week (hence, having more of your favorite clothes ready whenever you want it!) Plus, it’d force me to kneel rather than bend, which is more exercise.

Okay, just because I gushed all about the Electrolux Frontload washer doesn’t mean I’m putting down all laundry businesses. Remember, as of this writing I’m still dependent on our neighborhood laundry shop, which I must say does a pretty good job too.

We Want Our Quezon City Museum!

Passed by the Circle lately? If you have, then you've probably seen this: "On this site will rise the Quezon City Museum" (I'll upload the picture later)

Last January 2009, Belmonte had promised his loyal Taga-QCs that a 26-hectare Quezon City museum to be built inside the premises of the Quezon Memorial Circle. According to him, it is part of the redevelopment plans for the Quezon Memorial Circle. And, if you have been passing the Circle, you will see that there are constructions here and there, inside the circle and one near the entrance (in front of Philippine Coconut Authority building). I'm really glad they've preserved the Quezon Memorial Circle, because if there's one thing this country needs, it's a great big park where kids can play, family can have picnics, and health buffs can exercise while breathing fresh air (not airconditioned air from gyms).

I'm wondering though, what kind of redevelopment do they have in store for the QMC? Are they going to turn it into something like Eastwood City? On one hand, I'm looking forward to it, as I would like to have improvements in the pavement, gardening and general cleaning of the park. On the other hand, I'm hoping they won't t make it too commercialized, where there are just too many restaurants and there'd be a night life going on. We have Timog and Tomas Morato for that. QMC should remain a family-friendly place.

And what about the Quezon City museum? Obviously, it would contain history information and artifacts relevant to our beloved city. Sorry to disappoint but I haven't even seen the underpass built between the Memorial Park and Quezon City hall. I read somewhere that there was a QC history exhibit, so I guess the memorabilia displayed during this exhibit would be placed inside the museum. Now, how exciting is that? I would love to see what Quezon City was about; all I know about this city's history is that Tomas Morato was the first city mayor. We can read Wikipedia also, but seeing historical photos would definitely be a different kind of experience. I live near Brgy. Bahay Toro, Project 8, but I couldn't imagine Andres Bonifacio declaring war against the Spaniards in this area!

This is all pretty exciting, but I have three concerns. First, how long will this project continue? If it gets too much delays, it might never be realized if Belmonte steps down from office. Vice Herbert, will you continue this? Thankfully, Belmonte has been known to push through with his projects (e.g. road improvement), so Mr. Mayor, please include this one on your list of accomplishments.

Second, how do they attract more people to come, without making it commercial? Take me for example. I have QC pride and everything, but I hardly go visit the Memorial circle. Or maybe I'm just too urban to go to a park. I do see a lot of people coming and spending time there with their families, so I guess this isn't really much of a concern.

The next could be the only and the biggest concern: how do they protect it from people? I don't mean to be elitist here or anything, but Filipinos do have a tendency to be messy and careless, and do not have a high appreciation for aesthetics. "Jologs" is the term. How would they protect the park (current and redeveloped) from vandalism, litter, urine, spit, dirty bathrooms, lewd acts, and crime? Marikina is the cleanest city in the Philippines; maybe Belmonte should consult with the Fernandos about this?

Anyway, we'll just have to see right? What do you think?

UP Diliman now restricted by gates and crazy road rules

The bloody robbery/homicide in Bahay ng Alumni last November had everybody shocked - and the U.P. authorities in total panic mode. Because it was so easy for the robbers to get away, they realized that the only way to stop all crimes in the campus would be to further restrict access in and out of the university and place more guards and checkpoints everywhere. Sure, because these measures are very effective in preventing and stopping criminals.

Almost a year ago I posted and complained about the crazy one-way oval scheme that UP implemented for the sake of health buffs (not that I'm attacking you guys, kudos to you all!) and to control the traffic flow in that area of the university. Now, the Office of the Chancellor has vowed to "improve campus security and enhance the campus landscape" as part of its action plan, so precious funds were allotted to construct fancy (schmancy) gates in very important entry/exit points like the street where the NIGS building is, connecting to CP Garcia, and the shortcut to Commonwealth Avenue (sorry, I'm not doing my homework).

What's crazy about this is that the guards will require an UP Diliman faculty/staff/student ID before they let you pass the gate, even if you're exiting to Commonwealth Ave. already. I see the logic that they want to scare the seedy people leaving the campus (in case they just happened to rob the Philippine Veterans Bank), but they don't own Commonwealth Avenue, do they? Isn't it that when guards request for identification, it is because the visitor is entering a private area, and not exiting from it?

Again, they didn't even consider all the publics that use the university roads. What about the non-UP people that were kind enough to give UP students/faculty/staff a ride to work? Now they won't be able to access CP Garcia or Commonwealth through the most convenient ways just because they don't have UP IDs. And anyway, the guards at the University Avenue checkpoints don't ask for IDs, so if I were planning a crime, then I'd pass by the University Ave on my way and out.

There are still a lot of loopholes in the university's road rules - obviously, these have been done in rush and were not thought about carefully. The people that made these rules probably don't drive around much because they don't understand how completely illogical these rules are. One day I hope to see a very high UP official not get out of the Commonwealth gate because he or she forgot to bring his or her ID. But, just because we're Filipinos and we pay high reverence to the authority food chain, I doubt that's ever going to happen.