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Passport renewal might seem mundane, but for Mom Violy and Carmina, it becomes a journey filled with laughter, tears, and unforgettable lessons.

A year ago, Mom Violy told Carmina that her US passport would expire in October 2025. Carmina mentioned she could renew it online, just like she did with hers. By the end of 2024, after booking a California trip for April 2025, Mom Violy decided to wait until the start of the new year. In January 2025, Carmina reminded her to renew before their vacation, but Mom Violy insisted there wasn’t time and she’d handle it in California. When they flew on April 30, 2025, immigration in the Philippines warned her about the upcoming expiration. Upon arriving in the US, Carmina suggested renewing at the post office, but others warned the process could take longer unless she paid extra or extended her stay. Mom Violy, a dual citizen with US and Filipino passports, kept changing her mind. In the end, she blamed Carmina for the situation, laughing it off, though family members questioned why she waited so long. Before leaving San Francisco, Philippine Airlines staff asked if she had another passpor...

Rizza located in Farmer's Market Cubao



Every day you learn something new how people in the palengke or what we call public market where you buy fresh meat, fish, seafood, vegetables and fruits. Yesterday, I came across from a store that was about to close. As I was watching them close their stall I was curious just watching what they we’re doing. Sometimes we don’t realize how everyone closes their store differently.

My mom was buying fresh crab and fresh shrimps at Farmer’s Market. I was set aside while she did more shopping to watch over her seafood while she had wandered away. I just stood where she had bought her fresh seafood.

This is what I saw the seafood that they sell for example crabs, shrimp and squid they are all place in a separate bins that are open. 
  • Pour water to wash out the dirt from the shrimp
  • Drain the water
  • In the container like a cooler place a plastic inside place the shrimp inside
  • Add crushed ice even it out
  • Add another level of shrimp
  • Add crushed ice 
  • Cover with plastic and the lid for the cooler 
They would do the same concept on the other fresh seafood. The only thing they would bring back home with them is the live crabs that are placed inside a plastic bin and they would wash it out as well before transferring in its container.

Where do they store the fresh fish, squid and shrimp under their counter where there is a hidden storage space? I never thought about it how they do this daily.

How to choose the crabs?
  • Babae (Girl) with aligi
  • Lalaki (Boy) white taba (meat)
  • Bakla (Gay) white taba (meat)
The live crabs sell for PHP 1,300.00 per kilo ($26.00).

The fresh medium size shrimp sell for PHP 600 per kilo ($12.00).

The name of the owner is Jober and can be contact at this phone number: 09271763667

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