A very good friend of mine [...]]]> A “strong” earthquake hit Jersey City this afternoon, at around 2PM today (Aug. 23, 2011). Reports say the tremor measured 5.8 – 5.9, which was also felt in New York, Virginia, and Washington D.C. Who knew it would happen in the East Coast, where earthquake is not common?

A very good friend of mine – Elmer, a local DJ – said via facebook that the earthquake shook his apartment building: “For a moment I thought it was just me being light headed…I was really surprised it was actually an earthquake. Doesn’t happen around here often. I live in Los Angeles for 5 years…I experience it there all the time. You be extra careful there for possible aftershocks…”

This could be a first time experience for me if I were in Jersey City when it occurred. I immediately made a long distance call to my mother and she said she didn’t feel anything, but mentioned that my father who works in South Jersey, and his officemates, were instructed to evacuate their building.

NJ.com reports that the epicenter of the quake was in central Virginia. Snippet of the news below:

“…The U.S. Geological Survey is reporting that a magnitude 5.9 earthquake was centered in central Virginia, and the Associated Press is reporting the quake was felt in Washington, New York City and North Carolina…”

Did you feel the earthquake in Jersey City? Where were you when it happened?

Join the forum discussion on this post

From the news and stories I’ve read and heard, [...]]]>
Finally the long wait is over: Jollibee has arrived in the east coast. It is located in Woodside, Queens, New York, at least 35 minutes away from Jersey City if you are driving. Jollibee opened its door on February 14, 2009 – Valentine’s Day.

From the news and stories I’ve read and heard, the line is long and it stretches to at least a block. So if you are planning to go there, expect to wait at least 2 hours before you can get a first bite of its famous fried chicken called “Chicken Joy”. Some say it’s not as crisp as the chickenjoy in Manila, Philippines. Others say the burger is “forgettable”. Other reviews say that the best to order are mango pie (price: $2.29) and buttered corn($1.99 for small, $3.59 large).

Hundreds of People want a piece of chickenjoy

Have you been to Jollibee New York? I was somewhat hoping for a branch here in Jersey City, which is I think strategic, as JC is only a single PATH ride away from NYC. But since Jollibee NY is about 13 miles away, I’ll settle for Red Ribbon on Newark Avenue if I couldn’t get the chance to go to NY. I’m also patiently waiting for Max’s Fried Chicken to open here.

Jollibee
Description: Filipino fast food, hamburger, fried chicken, palabok, mango pie, etc
Date Opened: February 14, 2009
Address: 62-29 Roosevelt Ave, Queens NY 11377 (map)
Phone: (718) 426-4445

No, there was not a person on every square foot of that part of the Big Apple but [...]]]> A Filipino Family in Jersey City (and their friends) went to New York to see Pope Benedict XVI. Elmer – the head of the family – describes the experience on his personal blog as “worth it.”

No, there was not a person on every square foot of that part of the Big Apple but undoubtedly a sea of humanity made its presence felt during that time. Indeed millions of people from all over the world and all walks of life gathered along 5th Avenue that day not to shop but to get something priceless…a glimpse of the Holy Father.

Below are some of their photos:

I know some religious groups in St. Aedan Parish got lucky they were chosen to receive tickets to the Yankee Stadium. What about you? Did you see the Pope?