Goodbye 2011, Hello 2012!

It's been a great year for me. So great, that for months long I've been speechless about the amazing things that happened to me this year. Although most of my time was spent at school, thus making me blog less this year, I find the year still great because of the blessings God had given me.

While I honestly, couldn't find the words to tell you everything that's happened this year.

I believe it's only right to end the year by saying "Thank You" to everything and everyone who shared this year with me. For without all those, my year wouldn't be as great as this.

2011 Hightlights: Musikahan sa Tagum & City Tour, Davao Food Appreciation Tour, Abreeza Mall Food Tour, S3X Tour Tres, BlogFest SOCCSKSARGEN 2.0, Philippine Blog Awards Mindanao, Winning BEST BLOG DESIGN at Philippine Blog Awards Nationals and some other personal stuff.

 To my family, my friends, my colleagues and my enemies! It's been a roller coaster ride of emotions, food, fun and adventures. Thank you for this wonderful year.

Enough sounding preachy, enough with the drama. . enough said.

Simply, Goodbye 2011! 


In 2011, great opportunities went knocking on my door. So here are the things I look forward to, this 2012.

First of all, I'm thankful for getting involved in a lot of blogging activities this year. After becoming a participant last year of Avatar Media's annual Davao Food Appreciation Tour, this time around I'll be part of the organizing team.  :-)

Hopefully, after writing the story/screenplay of the Davao Blogger's first indie film we would start production this May 2012!! And then by July, I'll be flying back to Manila to behold the biggest indie film festival in the country - Cinemalaya 2012.

I'm also looking forward to starting the year with an exciting TV project alongs my Davao Blogger friends, Renz Bulseco of The Traveling Nomad and Anj Nacorda of The Island Trotter, tentatively entitled "Let's Get Lost".

But most of all, what I'm so excited about this coming 2012 is to launch my newest BLOG!! A travel blog called "The Travel Bug" hoping that I'll get to travel around the country this year in spite of being a struggling student. Alongside my Travel Blog (which is still in the works), are the revamped versions of my blogs. And below's a teaser of my graphic project too!

Here's hoping, these projects and plans would come to life this 2012.

HELLO 2012!!

Happy New Year, everyone! :-)

P.S: Chrome users, Don't Forget to Right Click for a surprise!

My First Cable-Car Ride Experience!

It was early! Still too early then when I woke up. It was only 4 am and I was like still having a car-lag after the tiring and dizzying travel from Davao to Gensan yesterday. It's the second day of S3X Tour and I'm excited about going to the so-acclaimed Fifth Mountain where they say lies an awesome adventure.

Instead of going back to sleep I took the chance to take a bath before my roommates could. That way I would have enough time to prepare since assembly time for the participants is around 5:30 AM and I figured out I can always take a nap on our way to the 5th Mountain of Balakayo Barangay Olympog General Santos City. *pants* The way it sounded, I really thought I'm gonna have enough nap time along the way.

But I was wrong! The road we traveled was a rough one. I almost couldn't even shut my eyes for a moment when our wheels started bumping on some rough rock formations, humps and potholes. But when I started hearing clucks and cock-a-doodle-doos, I woke up in amazement because halfway to the Fifth Mountain Resort was a village of cocks! (Sorry for the choice of word, this is s3xtour anyway.lol)

When we finally arrived at the resort, we were welcomed by the owners, Mr. and Mrs. James and Twilight Betonio. While the staffs of the resort was preparing our healthy breakfast, we went down a steep to check the cable car.

"So where the hell is this cable car, anyway?", I asked myself enthusiastically.

And then after a couple of steps down the garden, this thing unfolded its thought-provoking presence before our eyes. It dropped my jaw and I suddenly had lots of things running inside my head...a lot of horrible things which may happen if ever I'll get my ass riding on that very OPEN cable car.

HOLY SHIT!!! Seriously? Is this on BETA mode or something?

Well, I once dreamed of riding a cable car. The one we usually see on TV, the one they have in Japan or Singapore. Naks. They don't even call it cable car, but aerial tramway or ropeway (in Japan). A CLOSED tram suspended from a cable stretched between two stations.

And when I saw this, OMG!! I don't even have to go abroad just to experience this thing and I never ever thought my first cable car ride will be the exact opposite of what I have imagined - an OPEN cable car, very open, indeed!

So as not to appear cowardly, I braved myself and volunteered to be one of the first few to ride the thing. Now, where did that bravery came from? Well, I may have gotten that from the people around me. Char. But that's because, if shit happens I'm not alone! Hahaha!!

I'm not sure if we're halfway through to the other side when these  photos were taken but you can tell we're looking forward of making it to the other side safe and sound! There's no looking back, ika nga! lol

We took photos of ourselves throughout the ride. .back and forth across the valley of forest. I got the chance to look around, like a 360 degree view of Gensan from the cable car and. . .

 . . . ♫ it’s just so good to be true I don’t want to take my eyes off the view. ♫

Xtreme Cable Car Ride costs P200.

We actually wanted the cable car to stop by in the middle to take good photos of the view and ourselves ruining it, but Ate Leah was too scared then. So we opted the "default" way of riding it. LOL

Well, I don't want a 'final-destination' kind of death but it would be very dramatic if we had the chance to stop in the middle. I'll probably be asking for a short stop in the middle by my next visit!!

Surprisingly it didn't take us long to experience the extreme cable car ride! It was indeed EXTREME and a breath of fresh air from all the adventure/rides that ever existed in Mindanao! In fact, it's the first cable-car ride in Mindanao.

Surprisingly also, it was breakfast time before we knew it.

Healthy breakfast for healthy adventurous people! Yum. .<3 

After the healthy meal, some of us went to the other side of the resort to experience the second and the most exciting part of the adventure - The 800 meters long Yankee Line (Zip line)!

Watch out for my Yankee Line story on my next post because I think it well deserves to be posted separately. For the meantime, hey readers lemme hear your beautiful voice! Magcomment naman kayo! lol

This is just the first part of my 5th Mountain Adventure Park Adventure! S3X Tour Tres, Day 2! More Adventure stories to come. :D

//Credits to Doc Charles, Tiara and Kuya Bernz for some of the photos!

A TOFU Decision!

In a split second, I was taken aback to the time where I was at MAX'S Restaurant (Tagaytay Ridge) about a year ago. That fine noon, where one can feel the coolness of the air while the sun glares its dazzling rays on you. The joy given by the wondrous Taal Lake while we were having our lunch. That one memorable afternoon in the scenic place, a wonderful place called Tagaytay.

It's been a year since then, and a year since I have eaten on any Max's Restaurant.

But after that day of realizations on food and class, the food just didn't stop with Cinnamon rolls and Brownies galore. I never thought I would set foot again on Max's.

So Kevyn, Jedy and I went to Max's Restaurant (Abreeza) that same afternoon to try out Max's sizzling Tofu (which Jedy had been craving for). I was doubtful at first because I never really liked the taste of beancurd. Tofu?? What?? Ewww.

But she insisted. Kevyn and I just agreed for we can't do anything about it. I mean, we're with a vegetarian, we're quite on a tight budget and I'm on a strict diet - with those and a couple of excuses we can't order more!

So we called a waitress. She smiled and greeted us and then. .

Waitress: Sir, Mam ano po order natin?
Me: One order of Sizzling Tofu please and garlic rice for each of us.
Waitress: Hmm..How about our Chicken sir?
Me: Tofu please!
Waitress: Masarap po ang Chicken namin dito Sir!
Me: -_- Sizzling Tofu and garlic rice lang po.
Waitress: Eh, chicken po?
Me: (in my mind: Namimilit?2x )
        Hehe. Yun lang, vegetarian kasama namin eh.
Waitress: Kayo pala sir?
Me: Diet kami!!
Waitress: Drinks sir?
Me: Water lang please!! :-D
         Waitress nga sya! Wait, nakaka-STRESS!!

Jedy, Me while waiting for our order. 

So while waiting, I actually told them some bits of my Tagaytay experience. That my first time at Max's was at Tagaytay City, with a breathtaking scenery, cool atmosphere, a tummy-filling chicken meal and all that.

The Unforgettable Chicken Meal!!                     Group Shot at Max's Tagaytay! :-)

A few minutes later our order was served. .

Ohhh...ano ka?? *drools*

Presented in a wooden plate and somehow reminded me of Sisig, Max's sizzling Tofu looked and smelled so delicious I hurriedly picked up the fork to try it.

Max's Sizzling Tofu tasted excellent. Its creamy sauce neutralized the hotness of the sliced green and red chili peppers while its ambrosial smell enticed us more to eat up to the last piece.

It was so good that I actually had a couple of flashbacks (the Tagaytay experience included) running up inside my head. The food we ordered was good, and so was the service and Sizzling Tofu only costs P160 (good for 2-3 persons). :-)

In the end, Kevyn and I was pleased by Jedy's decision. Kevyn even told Jedy "Jedy, for once you did something right!" and she most certainly did!! Admittedly, for a vegetarian, (Jedy) seems to know more about food.

From the way it looks, Max's Sizzling Tofu is a rare find. Like who would have thought you can eat a great Tofu dish in a CHICKEN Restaurant? At a reasonable price. ;-D

On Winning Philippine Blog Awards Best Blog Design!

It was just last year that I've learned about Philippine Blog Awards.That there is an award-giving authority for bloggers in the Philippines. It actually got me so excited that I didn't hesitate to nominate myself because I thought my (1 month-old blog just then), can make it to the finals. And fortunately, it did!! In the Mindanao Level.

Although I didn't win, I was happy because Kuya Orman (one of those few people responsible for the creation of this blog) won the Best Personal Blog in Mindanao award. I even remember him saying "Make this Blog Popular, Now na!" and I took it as a challenge. Not that I consider my blog popular now, but I think I'm going there. (Naks, Sumi-self confidence lang?)

It wasn't easy maintaining a personal blog. Especially when I started setting some sort of standards to each post I'll make. To fill each post with my graphics and creatively write apiece. It was indeed tough and challenging, and I went through a lot of UPS and downs during the first year of this blog. Sooner, I lost touch with creativity (stopped doing graphics) and suddenly, just suddenly I got burned out of blogging.

Eventually, I've got my blogging drive back this year by attending events especially during Summer 2011. Then I redesigned the blog and used a neater page layout, bright cool colors and created that slick "Detective Conan" inspired background. :)

Then came 26th of November where my blog vied against a couple of other equally good blogs for the PBA Mindanao. I didn't expect to win or anything but with some of my friends telling me I'll be winning I started hoping on the last minute but quite sadly I didn't win again. And I thought maybe 2011 isn't just for me. But instead of contemplating on the little hope I lost, I used it as my inspiration, motivation, to share more stories I believe everyone would love to read.

And the best way to do that is to set aside my rules and my so acclaimed standards. I realized that in blogging, there has to be no pressure at all. Especially a self-inflicted one.

*It's very ironic, I'm speechless!*

And while recalling all these, I still couldn't believe that I won in the recently concluded Philippine Blog Awards 2011. Like, I paused for a minute and I couldn't believe it and I paused again but I couldn't still. The thought of winning is just so overwhelming that I feel like I can't handle it. Hmmm...Iba pala talaga no? Hehehe.

It was just a lazy Saturday then, until around 7pm that I remember it's the awarding ceremony of Philippine Blog Awards (National). So I googled for any live streams, asked my friends, but unfortunately there was none. I actually got so fed up about it because I wanted to take screenshots of my blogs when they appear on the venue's big screen. That was just my primary goal then, to take screenshots of my blogs if in case they'll be shown through the live stream. Also, I had this little hope of winning.

So instead, I used twitter to catch up with what was happening on the event. And it was so frustrating and unnerving to wait for each tweet announcing the winner per category. So I got to know who won on other categories prior to my blogs.

Later, perhaps around the announcing of winners in the special category. I switched tabs to my facebook to ease my nervousness. This is actually why I don't like raffle draws. Although I like winning, the kind of thrill and excitement it makes you feel, actually gives me the shivers! All of a sudden, I received a message from Ate Mica through facebook chat.

OMG! The shiver got worse. I don't know what or how to react. I won and I couldn't believe it. I never expected to win. In fact, I wholeheartedly accepted my defeat when I saw the blogs of my co-finalists in the PBA Special Category: Best Blog Design. I mean, they are all so great. Don't get me wrong, mine's a good one too but. . ahhh...basta. I don't know what to say.

Apparently, blessings come your way when least expected after all.

I'm not sure about the criteria though but I may have won not only because of the graphics my blog has but also because of the "look and feel" of my blog. I just learned this yesterday, that a good website has a good "look and feel". It is not necessary to have all those colorful graphics but what's important is the information design of one's website/blog. Keep it legible, simple and clean!

This is actually my first blogging award and that's why I am truly humbly honored to receive this kind of recognition. I am so thankful to the people behind Philippine Blog Awards, to Ate Mica who first told me the good news, to Robbie for being a good sport and supportive, to Kuya Azrael for the photos, to Kuya Winston who accepted my request to have him as my representative, to my co-finalists, to my Davao Bloggers family, to the Fat & Fab Bros., to my friends, classmates, schoolmates, teachers, family, even our cats, dogs and gecko lizards who showed love and support and most especially kay Lord! :)

Thank you and congratulations to all of the winners as well.

Up until now, hindi pa rin nag si-sink in sa akin. San na ba kasi yung trophy ko!? lol.

Fun Never Stops at Blogfest Soccksargen!

I've learned a lot last year on the first BlogFest Soccksargen. And after that awesome experience I always wondered how Blogfest Soccksargen 2.0 would be like a year after. Would it be the same or would it be a lot funner? In as much as I would love to answer that in the end of this post, it may feel like a cliche already! So I thought I have to spit it out now and the answer, I'D DEFINITELY GO with the latter!

BLOGFEST SOCCKSARGEN 2.0 is indeed a whole lot funner!

That doesn't mean 2010 Blogfest was not fun at all, though. It was actually fun but FUN came in a different manner. It was just that, last year's Blogfest had quite a serious tone especially when the country's most respected web luminaries spoke about ethics, nation-building, security, e-commerce and other nose-bleeding blogging topics. Talagang madugo ang unang Blogfest!!

This time around the organizers tap public figures and BIG web personalities to speak for Blogfest 2011. A wonderful line of speakers who graced the stage to share their knowledge about a variety of blogging related topics which can help shape one as a blogger, can shape our society and the world wide web!

The first speaker was Sir Bob Martin. He traced back the brief history of Internet in Mindanao through his experiences. It was very inspiring (and funny) how he moved from here and there amidst war in Mindanao while at the same time monitoring the speed of his internet. Hehehe.

Then came Manolo Quezon III from Office of the President of the Phils. who discussed "Effecting Progress and Change through Blogs and Social Media". I figuratively had a nosebleed throughout his discussion but he managed to raise some important points and reminders about the power we have as bloggers. We need to be responsible because "With great power, comes great responsibility!".I also liked what he said about writing in White Heat and editing in Cold Blood. Will keep that in mind! :-)

Jack Madrid, the Country Manager of Multiply Philippines has not only showed us the current state of internet in the Philippines but has successfully transformed the topic into a level-headed discussion where business-minded people's mind sparked and got everyone excited about owning a Multiply-based shop. ;-)

Then later the City Mayor of Gen. Santos, Hon. Darlene Antonino-Custodio amazed everyone with her techy projects in the Tuna Capital of the Philippines. It's promising how she embraced technology to develop certain aspects of General Santos City. I can feel her dedication to these awesome projects as well as her full support in the blogging community. In fact, she encourages High School students to start blogging. Ohhh..my gosh, I better teach my younger siblings this before blogging becomes a High school prerequisite subject in the future. LOL

In the afternoon, GMA News & Public Affairs Anchor/Producer Raffy Tima woke us up with the 7 Rules any internet user  must consider before doing anything online. This is alongside GMA's Think Before You Click Campaign.

1. Be truthful. Accurate and Fair
2. Verify facts
3. Dont do or Say anything in Social Media that you would not do in public.
4. Remember anything you upload can be shared by others.
5. Try to ignore tweets and comments intended to provoke quarrels.
6. Acknowledge, delete, and correct errors and apologize if necessary.
7. Dont do anything stupid!

Then came one BIG surprise!! The next speaker was the BIGGEST among the rest and is certainly one of the reasons why Blogfest 2.0 was a lot of fun! Ms. Mae Paner a.k.a JUANA CHANGE. Her topic was Video Blog as a Medium for Social Change. Well, not everyone can be as good as her and act in front of the camera to talk, crawl, sing, dance and let loose a tirade for corrupt politicians. But she is an inspiration for us all to become actors and actresses (or more appropriately influencers), in our own way and at our own pace. There's Youtube, why not do a video blog that is aimed for change in the society? She showed us two of her videos and my jaws dropped watching her spill out what we Filipino's are afraid to say or even talk about to. But she said it in a very clever way!! BLASPHEMY!!!

 Mae Paner is indeed, a living proof that we can have CHANGE, IF WE JUANA CHANGE!!

After that, things went technically challenging and at the same time drooling when Abe Olandres (Yuga) introduced some new gadgets. OMG!! But what's interesting about his talk was that I learned that there's a decent number of mobile internet users in the Philippines and I think there's a great chance to penetrate the local mobile market by developing a mobile application.

Then US Ambassador Harry Thomas Jr., sent a message to the participants of Blogfest through US Embassy Deputy Press Attache Cynthia Cook. It's a great honor to hear what he has to say about the blogging community in Mindanao and Blogfest. Subsequently, Cynthia Cook spoke about things that concern social media and the US Embassy, of course, free US VISA's! Just kidding. LOL

Lastly, we had a very inspiring speaker, Kuya Flow Galindez. I first met him at Greenbelt 3 last year, when I was invited to attend an Advocacy event for a stand against Cervical Cancer (by Bravehearts). Unfortunately this blog hasn't existed that time but I will still definitely support that cause because I care for all the women, most especially my Mom. <3

Now I'm wondering if ever these web luminaries are going back next year because I believe there's so much more to learn from them than what they have presented during the event. I would love another set of speakers though! (Pero dapat bumalik si JUANA CHANGE! Bias lang? Hehe) <3

Can't wait for Blogfest Tres for I believe it would be Unkabogably FUNNER!!

All Photos by Renz Bulseco of The Geek Travels!

On Food and Class!

Although this has nothing to do with the post, really. . Just refer to the title!!

Yesterday, I've gotten into some strings of both bad and good luck. The bad luck is that I missed attending all of my classes. I actually have a Computer Hardware class early in the morning but I woke up late. I felt so bad after waking up because I knew we're going to have our long weekend quiz, I've had series of absences and the night before that; I slept early and I promised to rise early also!

And I friggin hate it because the only reason I was able to come up with to convince myself it wasn't my fault is that my cellphone which served as my alarm clock for 2 years already was left charging in the living room till morning. So I ranted about what happened early in the morning and later on convinced myself to cheer up, told my mom to wake me up early each day starting next week no matter what and try setting my body clock this weekend. And hopefully I'll be able to make up with my CHST class next week.

Then, I waited for some hours to pass by and went to school for my next subject. I was still late even though my next class was rescheduled at 11:00 am - 12:00 nn ( 9:30 - 10:30 on regular school days). So I hurried my paces as I entered the school. I passed by the lobby and saw some of my classmates (Princess, Jedy and Kevyn) and just "HI!-ed" to them.  I was about to go upstairs when I realized Kevyn was my classmate in IT Research. And the way he looked was as though we don't have class in IT Research. Then I decided to go back to the lobby to confirm if we have no class. But even before I could ask him, they all gave me a confused stare and then Kevyn asked "Do you know we don't have a class in IT Research?"

And so as not to look dumb for running across the lobby in such a hurry, I said "Of course, I know. .I was just looking for somebody! I need to meet her. So urgent.". Then we exchange a couple of conversations until we reached a Food destination and thus my string of Good Luck started.

We first went to Annipie to try out their cinnamon rolls! But we ended up ordering a box of their brownies galore. Still, because Annipie ought to be our cinnamon destination, I ordered a Choco Mocha Cinnamon roll! (Ohh..i can't stop the rhyming, I'm not on the timing! lol )

Me, Kevyn and Princess. Jedy took the Photos! Thanks. :)

Jedy and me.
Jedy, Me and Princess! :D

Good luck didn't seem to have stopped from there just yet because they allowed us to bring inside my favorite milk tea drink which shop was just across the street, 360 Degrees. :-)

Oo, ako na ang product endorser ng 360! Hehe.

After that sweet and filling lunch! We headed to school to attend the Orientation of ITE Students regarding the new Student's Handbook for the Information Technology Education students in our University.

It was quite of an insightful orientation but most of my classmates and friends fell or tend to sleep during the orientation. I, however, paid attention for I am personally threatened by a certain law in the IT Students handbook about the subjects I need to pass in order to get the specialization program next semester. Well, there's this Computer Hardware subject now which I need to pass and get a high grade on in the end of the semester to get that BSIT Major in Multimedia standing!

But like I've mentioned earlier, my academic performance on this particular subject is shamefully affected by my always being late (technically), yet I'm considered absent. Actually, I don't have any intentional absences on this class, just late-turned-absent. I'm actually scared that I might get dropped soon if I don't start changing my lifestyle. That's why no more facebook and blogging at night now! :(

And I was like this.

After the orientation which got me somehow nervous. I promised to myself that starting today, everything will change! And that I will change for the better. Then came later, when a classmate approached us. .and asked. .

"Ba't hindi kayo pumasok sa IT Research?"