Davao Pride: Tribu K'Mindanawan Fire Dancing Photos and Video

Tribu K'Mindanawan 

Here are some photos captured on our trip to Crocodile Farm during the Kadayawan Festival 2013. Davao's talented fire dancers, known to be as Tribu K'Mindanawan performed their jaw dropping fire dancing tricks in front of visitors. Make sure to watch the video too!

Festival Photos: Talakudong Street Dancing and Field Demonstration Competition

This set of photos were taken last September 18, 2013 during the Talakudong Street Dancing and Field Demonstration Competition. 5 contingents from different schools in Tacurong competed along the streets, dancing while wearing their bright "kudong" or headgear designs. Talakudong Festival marks the annual celebration of the city hood foundation of Tacurong.

This 2013, Tribu Kudong from VF Griño Memorial National High School emerged as the Grand Champion. Other schools that participated includes Tribu Silak, Tribu Salakot of Tacurong National High School, Tribu Kadsayap of San Emmanuel National High School and Tribu Manubiaw of Tacurong Pilot Elementary School who won last year's competition.

My ZALORA Wishlist

In just a few days, I will be celebrating my birthday. But other than that, this particular month of May is a month that calls for multiple celebrations for our family, naming me and my brother's birthday, Mother's day, my parents anniversary and my OFW dad's return for a short vacation - that's 5 important occasions in one month. I never really got to celebrate my birthday throwing a lavish glittery party - I don't splurge for my birthday parties - nothing fancy and nothing pricey. An intimate dinner celebration with family and close friends is enough to make my day extra special.

I have a lot of birthday wishes of course, I'm a type of girl who dreams! So when I got an email that there's a chance for me to SHOP FOR FREE courtesy of Nuffnang and Zalora, I thought this could be a drop of blessing from heaven! And I always feel good when I get to share my blessings, especially with my family.

Now let me share with you "My ZALORA Wishlist" consisting of clothes and accessories for each deserving member of the family.

1. For Mom as a Mother's Day gift - Cowl neckline blouse with convertible collar from Missy

Mom is always the type who never splurge for herself. Like most mommies out there, she takes care of herself last. It's not easy to raise a child today, but mom stands out as she devotes her life and time to her 7 children. It's pretty impressive how mom worked hard raising the 7 of us, her calm disposition, soft spokenness, sweet smile, meekness, caring hands, thoughtfulness, listening heart, courage, strength and love. Yes we're a big family and I would like to honor mom by giving her this simple gesture of appreciation with a new blouse she can wear during special family occasions. In months time would be my younger brother's college graduation and I want her to feel good and appreciated by gifting her with this simple but stylish top from Missy. Mom is synonymous to simplicity and I know she'd be comfortable wearing this kind of blouse.

MV Logos Hope: Inside Tour at the World's Largest Floating Book Fair

MV Logos Hope in Manila 2012

Life is a journey.

We're all going 

somewhere,

but where 

are we going?

The largest floating library in the world, the MV Logos Hope, arrived in Manila last February 17. Carrying more than 5,000 titles, the ship officially opened its doors to Manila, providing high-quality books at a fraction of the cost. The Logos Hope community of 400 unpaid volunteers from over 45 different countries lives and works together for one purpose - to bring knowledge, help and hope to the people of the world.

Resorts World Manila: A Night of Ballet

Photos here were captured during my cute inaanak Nicole's ballet recital at Newport Performing Arts Theatre at the Resorts World Manila last December 16, 2011. The presentation entitled "A Dance Offering" was made possible thru the Halili - Cruz School of Ballet. I will blog more about this soon, for now enjoy the photos.

Malaysia - Batu Caves

staircase leading to another cave full of monkeys

Sharing this set of photos during my visit to the Batu Caves in Malaysia. It's one religious tourist attraction nature lovers will surely love. After climbing the steep 272 steps and feeling tired but proud of the small accomplishment, I can't help but admire and be mesmerized at this religious site and its Hindu Community.  

Partying with the Black Eyed Peas

Last October 25, I was lucky to finally catch one of my favorite groups of all time at the SM Mall of Asia Concert Grounds, the Black Eyed Peas. We danced and sang to our hearts out and partied the night away.

The concert was a surprise invitation from a friend who offered me a free ticket on the day of the said concert itself. I was working on my usual online routine, something like that of Tim Ferriss 4 hour work week when I received her message. Thanks to my "no-definite-schedule" kind of work, I agreed to the invite of course, without much thinking. Who wouldn't want to see Fergie, Will.I.Am, Taboo and our kababayan pride Apl de Ap perform live?

Black Eyed Peas at the SM Mall of Asia concert Grounds

When we finally set foot on the concert grounds, my excitement was shortly cut with disappointed as we realized we're too far from the stage area and we can't see what's really happening on stage. They're like ants, so boo for the bronze section! But I couldn't complain, a free concert ticket is already a steal. Finding a good spot in a jampacked concert ground was tricky, but nevertheless still possible. Surprisingly, we found a better spot when we moved even further, now I can see the stage! Still small but with the heart pumping good music, perfect weather and when everyone around you is jumping and singing, what more can you ask for. Would love to take more photos but the beat is so irresistible, I can hardly stay still. Partying in a concert like this is also a good fun tip on how to gain muscle mass fast. Really, try jumping, dancing and singing for 3 hours and you'll see immediate results :)

This is definitely a good night! Check out a short video I took during the concert and know what it feels like to party with the B.E.P.

Sadly, later that evening, Fergie announced that they'll be taking a break. There was a short sad moment on stage as she started to shed tears, hugging his BEP brothers but the group wanting to continue on with the happy-party-vibe started singing with "I Got a Feeling". And it was definitely a good night with the concert ending with an impressive firework display.

On Finding Love Online

My dad has been working abroad for the past 10 years or so. Since then, our family witnessed and experienced firsthand the communication between OFWs and their families and how it has evolved, from post mailed handwritten letters to a now short easy PM's, chats and even voice calls online. People’s fascination of the internet has just been anything but pure bliss, making the life of an OFW and families left at home much more stress-free.

Dad feasting on Kebab | side pictures taken during his unforgettable mission in Iraq (yes, that was scary!)

It is with this reason why finding lasting love in the virtual world may be no less certain than in the real world. But there are so many single and ready to mingle adults and ehem, even the not-so-young adults turning to matchmaking sites in hopes of meeting Mr. or Ms. Right. You see, you can easily choose even your preferred nationality of your ideal mate, not to mention you get to see their faces very quickly without even booking a flight, an affordable webcam would do the trick! 

Finding love online today doesn't just mean finding your future partner from top dating sites. With "Facebook" and "Youtube" evident on just any household these days, it's much easier to connect and rekindle with loved ones from afar.

Dad working abroad

I am personally grateful for these so-called social networking sites. Gone are the days where mom and I would still commute all the way to Makati just to send out some letters or packages for dad and to receive a couple of printed photos from him. Now, we're just a hand-clicked away from knowing each other's current happenings.

On Behind the Camera

Life behind the camera is not all that glam and glitzy as to what most people generally thinks. Just like any other job, it entails hardwork, perseverance and tons of fighting spirit! So if you're someone who've always wanted to work on TV and be surrounded with hundreds of artistas, here are some things you could expect:

My past TV Shows

1. 24 working hours (straight). Sometimes less than 24 or it could be more! This can be experienced during an ordinary taping day. Which usually starts around 6am pullout from TV station and ends a.k.a “pack up” in the morning. For those who want to get into TV Production,

Baguio: Botanical Garden

If you want to bring home a picture of Baguio's famous Igorot Tribe, Botanical Garden is the place to go. Although one of the most visited sites in Baguio, I find our visit in the garden nothing really exceptional compared with other tourit spots. There's really not much to be seen and do especially if you've already visited Tam-awan and other garden like themes in Baguio. But one thing I'd like to mention though are the huge statues that can be seen in the park area as well as the chance to mingle with the Igorot Tribe. :)

T'boli Tribe, Lang Dulay and the T'nalak Weaving

Surely, the highlands of Lake Sebu’s captivating charm is partly due to its serene natural beauty, many local and foreign tourists are also captivated by the ethnic vibe of the local T’boli Tribe of South Cotabato.

The T’boli Tribe is a community of indigenous tribe living in the mountains of Lake Sebu in South Cotabato in the Southern part of the Philippines. Because of their interesting culture, the said tribe  has already been featured to many local and international travel and lifestyle shows, even TV commercials.

T'nalak Festival 2010 Photos

These photos were taken during South Cotabato's T'nalak Festival Parade held last July 18, 2010 at the streets of Koronadal city.