A grandparent’s love are forehead kisses, freshly-washed blankets, and good food. It is rest after hours of playtime and the warmth inside a hot chocolate during a rainy day.

Lola Eva Duave is among the group of women who weaves paper in Smokey Mountain.

At first glance, one might think of her as a child. Lola Eva is too small for his age. Her back is also hunched and she has a missing toe.

But despite these things that she lacks, she is still full.

She is full of hope. Lola Eva said they could not afford a doctor to determine her condition and she doesn’t mind.

“Nabubuhay pa rin ako. Kahit ganito binibigyan pa rin ako ng Dios ng lakas ng katawan kahit maraming naranasan (I’m still alive. Even if I am like this, God has still given me the strength amid difficulties),” she said.

She is full of talent. Among the things Lola Eva is proud of is her work in weaving paper. She can weave bags among other things.

According to Lola Eva, most of her works are bought by foreigners.

She is full of love. Lola Eva still found the time to weave a dress made of paper when her granddaughter needed a costume and they didn’t have the money to buy one.

Catch the full story on Saturday, November 23 at 5:00 p.m. on Istorya.—AAC

The Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC) on Tuesday (November 19) launched Ikot MNL – a mobile app for LRT-1 riders and tourists.

Ikot MNL provides real-time information about train arrivals and departures, fare information, crowd volume, and other advisories.

Passengers can also send their queries or complaints through the app. Tourists can also get information about famous tourist spots around Metro Manila.

LRMC CEO Juan Alfonso said that the app can provide a seamless journey of passengers.

“At least pagdating niya sa station alam niya kung ilang minutes dadating iyong train. Also let’s say pwede siyang pumili between two stations makikita niya iyong mas hindi crowded (At least [the passenger] can determine how many minutes before the train arrives. They can also choose between two stations depending on which is less crowded),” he said.

Alfonso also wants to assist commuters during the holiday season, especially with expected traffic congestion.

“Pwede tayong magkaroon ng tips kung saan pwede mag-Christmas shopping, for example Doroteo Jose station. Second is also iyong schedules natin we’ll be constantly updating iyong schedules (We can provide tips on where to Christmas shop, for example, in Doroteo Jose Station. Second our schedule, we will be constantly updating our schedules),” he added.

However, the LRMC has admitted there are still a few things to fix regarding the app including the accuracy of the real-time train situation.

Ikot MNL is available in IOS and Andriod devices. It can be downloaded through Playstore and Google Play.—AAC (with reports from Mai Bermudez)

The Republic of Korea in the Philippines on Thursday (November 7) announced three ways on how to visit South Korea visa-free.

For the complete information, visit the embassy’s website at overseas.mofa.go.kr/

Based on their website, eligible for a visa-free visit to Korea are (1) tourists in transit to third countries, (2) foreign transfer passengers; and (3) visitors to Jeju area.

Eligible applicants for the first category are nationalities of countries except 24 excluded countries: Syria, Sudan, Iran, Macedonia, Cuba, Republic Of Kosovo, Palestine, Afghanistan, Iraq, Nigeria, Ghana, Yemen, Gambia, Senegal, Bangladesh, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Somalia, Uzbekistan, Nepal, Cameron, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Egypt.

Tourists transiting through Korea will be granted visa-free access to the country as long as you have a confirmed onward flight ticket for departure for 30 days, in addition to having no record of criminal offence such as overstay in the countries mentioned above

United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand visa holders are also eligible in the first category

For category two, or for the foreign transfer passengers, eligible tourists are those transferring through the Incheon Airport and taking part in the Transit Tourism Program on their way to a third country or the country of their nationality.

However, citizens of the 24 countries that need visas to enter Jeju island are not included.

The third category are for people arriving at ports of entry in Jeju without a visa for travel and transit, excluding people from the following countries whose visa free entry is limited: Ghana, Nigeria, Republic Of Kosovo, Macedonia, Sudan, Syria, Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Cuba, Palestine, Yemen , Egypt, Gambia, Senegal, Bangladesh, Kyrgyz, Pakistan, Somalia, Uzbekistan, Nepal, Cameroon, Sri lanka, Myanmar.—AAC