Empress Of Drac, A Cebuana Blogger

Do you know that Havaianas became popular worldwide in 1998 after the the company customized a style of sandals for the World Cup that featured the Brazilian flag?  Havaianas is a Brazilian brand of slip slaps that has been around since 1962.  These flip-flops became wildly popular in the United States because lots of Hollywood celebrities were spotted wearing them.  The company’s famous slogan “Havaianas. The Real Ones.” was created to knock-out other companies who tried to imitate their brand styles.

MAKE YOUR OWN HAVAIANAS TURNS 5

It is time again for the fashion event anticipated by all fashionistas and stylistas. Havaianas, the world’s favorite flip flops brand, is celebrating its 5th year of offering Filipinos the chance to add personalized color and style to their lives—and their happy soles.

Havaianas, the first flip flops brand to offer pair customization in the country, holds its 5th annual Make Your Own Havaianas event at SM City Cebu Northwing Atrium from July 30 to August 2, 2010. In honor of this landmark anniversary, Havaianas aims to make this fashion event bigger, better and brighter than ever.

“We always endeavor to improve Make Your Own Havaianas every year” says Anne Gonzalez, Managing Director of Havaianas Philippines. “This year, though, we can really say that we’re going all out. We’re celebrating the 5th installation of this trademark event in honor of all the Havaianaticos that show

Make Your Own Havaianas 2010 is the perfect venue to unleash your creativity and let your imagination go wild. Aside from the extensive color palette of Top and Slim soles and straps, Havaianas fans can choose from stylish new options—from silver letter pins and crystal studded pins to jelly, fluorescent and glow-in-the-dark Top straps.

True blue Havaianaticos (those obsessed with these comfy and stylish flip flops) can select a Philippine-designed MYOH commemorative sole and pin as mementos of this historic event. With all these options, you’ll never run out of creative ideas for your own personal version of the word’s favorite flip flops.
So head over to SM City Cebu Northwing Atrium from July 30-August 2, 2010 and Make Your Own Havaianas.

Reference: Answers.com

Palamantasan 2010, the first interschool competition among grade school students nationwide, was successfully held last 17th of July at Lapu-lapu Central Elementary School. The event aims to educate the young minds about the importance of proper nutrition and healthy diet.  Kraft Cheez Whiz, one of the most-loved cheese brands in the country in partnership with the Department of Education initiated the said event.

Nutrition Education

Palamantasan is a school-based program to further raise public consciousness and enhance nutrition education in schools.  According to Dr. Alex Dan Tacderas, Category Manager for Cheese and Spoonables, Kraft Foods Philippines, School is second to home where children learn basic lessons and values.  He said that this is the very reason why they direct their cause and execute their programs in schools - in both an enjoyable and educational way.

Kraft Chiz Wheez and DepEd declared Palamantasan as a nationwide nutrition advocacy that will be conducted until the month of September.

Winners

Below are Palamantasan Winners for the Lapu-lapu Elementary School Leg.

Essay Writing - Despi Montesa (91.7%)
Jarchitecture - CH Whizy - Body Protector (84.33%)
Speech Choir - Team Aktibo (95%)
Sandwich Art - Mrs. Dina and her daughter, Samantha Montero (93%)
Cheering - She Brats (85.33%)

The winners will be competing in another round of higher level competition. Visit http://palamantasan.com for more details.

About Kraft Foods

The combination of Kraft Foods (http://kraftfoodscompany.com) and Cadburry creates a global powerhouse in snacks, confectionery and quick meals.  With annual revenues of approximately $50 billion, the combined company is the world’s second largest food company, making delicious products for billions of consumers in more than 160 countries.  The combined company’s portfolio includes 11 iconic brands with revenues exceeding $1 billion - Orea, Nabisco and LU biscuits; Milka and Cadburry chocolates; Trident gums; Jacobs and Maxwell House coffees; Philadelphia cream cheeses, dinners and dressings; and Oscar Mayer meats.  Another 70+ brands generate annual revenues of more than $100 million.  Kraft Foods (NYSE: KFT) is a member of the Dow Jones Industrial Average, Standard & Poor’s 500, Dow Jones Sustainability Index and Ethibel Sustainability Index.

Photo Credit: Jorich Ponio

I always believe that there’s no such thing as impossible if we help each other.  No man is an island because we, human beings, are programmed to live and to depend on each other.  In this era of Information Technology, helping each other is just a click away.  The internet revolution brings the human race closer to each other that even if you are not in Haiti, you can still extend helping hands to help the earthquake survivors there.  Well, we can’t help it.  We are the only race in the entire universe who are gifted with ingenuity.

Extend Yourself.org believes in the power of the internet and how important it is as a medium in helping people.  As part of the launching of their website, they are giving away a brand new Apple Ipad.  Check below for more details.

Last Two Weeks to Raise 100K and Win an Apple iPad!

QUEZON CITY, PHILIPPINES, July 19, 2010. - Vote for a cause & get a chance to Win an Apple iPad! Yes, you can win a brand new Apple iPad just by extending yourself and helping others! CLICK HERE TO VOTE & WIN NOW!

Why should you vote?

1. The cause that gets the most votes at the end of this campaign will be rewarded P100,000 to help fund their efforts.

2. You get a chance to win a brand new Apple iPad!

How does it work? Simple. All you have to do is choose which cause you would like to help. You
can help the cause by voting for it.  Choose ONE cause. Once you’ve voted for a cause, you cannot change it
anymore so choose wisely.

There’s absolutely no catch. Just VOTE FOR A CAUSE and get a chance to WIN a brand new Apple iPad now!
Know more about the different groups you can vote for: Visit Featured Causes Page

*iPad raffle available to Philippine residents only.

About ExtendYourself.org

Mandaue Run for Life 2010 will be held this coming August 01, 2010 at Parkmall West Parking Area.  The event will start at exactly 4:00 AM.  Running categories are at 3K, 5K, 10K, & 15K.  The entry fee is only Php250.00 for all categories.

The Mandaue Run for Life 2010 is one of the activities initiated by Mandaue Chamber of Commerce.  As their online media partner, Cebu Bloggers Society Inc., will cover the event and we’ll also participate during the marathon launch.  This event will serve as the opening salvo of the Mandaue Business Movement 2010 events.  Various civic and business organizations in Mandaue and Cebu will be participating.  The proceeds of this event will be allocated for the benefit of MCCI’s medical mission and the Dasig Kabataan Foundation.

To register, you may visit Dunkin Donus (SM and/or Ayala), Runnr (Ayala), Parkmall, Holiday Spa, Philippine Sports Commission Office. For more information you may also contact Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry Secretariat Office: 3/flr Financial Center Bldg., A.C. Cortes Ave. cor. P. Burgos St., Alang-Alang Mandaue City, 6014, Cebu, Philippines; Tel. No.: (032) 420 2232 Fax N.: (032) 420 2252.  Last day of registration is on July 29, 2010.  Hurry up, register now!

SM City Cebu opens its 3rd IMAX theatre in the country and the first outside Metro Manila today.  A pre-launching event and fashion show was held last 2nd of July to introduce the newest technology that would forever change your movie experience.

IMAX is the latest theater technology that features the highest-quality, most immersive motion picture entertainment.  It is specifically designed to deliver the world’s most immersive movie experience.  With it’s crystal clear images and combined with its powerful digital sound, the IMAX experience makes the audience feel as if they are IN the movie.

IMAX 3D

A 3D fashion show was held during the IMAX pre-launching at SM City Cebu, Northwing Atrium last week.  This event showcased Cebu’s 3Ds (3 DJs and 3 Designers).  The 3D theme represents the IMAX 3D technology which enables images to leap off the screen and into the laps of the audience, further enhancing the feeling of being IN the movie.

Below are the movies that will be screened at the IMAX theatre today.

1. AVATAR
2. Inception
3. Hubble 3D
4. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

IMAX theatre ticket price is around Php 400.

Reference: IMAX.com Photo Credit: LaagCebu.com

Lenovo Philippines launched a new global campaign dubbed as “Make Life More Fun” last 24^th of May, 2010 at Olio Bar and Restaurant, Banilad, Cebu City. The Fun Launch introduced their new range of idea brand of consumer PCs and notebooks: IdeaPad and IdeaCentre. The global campaign’s core message is based on connecting with spontaneous moments of fun experienced by Lenovo consumers.

Fun the Lenovo Way

Lenovo’s idea brand of laptops and PCs offer a new range of features that complement users’ wide range of personalities and ideas of having fun. These products are designed as tools for having fun, whether that means being on the go, playing video games, or running a small business. The following computers have clever features that inspire fun and creativity.

• · IdeaCentre A300 ultra-thin all-in-one desktop – A stylish multimedia AIO.
• · IdeaPad Z460 entertainment laptop – Affordable multimedia notebook.
• · IdeaPad U460 – An ultraportable laptop.
• · Lenovo V460 – An IdeaPad laptop for small business.
• · Lenovo B460 – And IdeaPad for small business and home office laptop
• · ThinkCentre A70z – An all-in-one desktop for business.
• · ThinkPad Edge 14” laptop

These new models have fun features which include Veriface Facial Recognition Technology, Long Battery Life, You Cam, Direct Share, OneKey Theatre II, FingerPrint Reader, SlideNav, Lenovo Security Suite, and Switchable Graphics. Also, these products are powered by the new 2010 Intel Core Processor Family: Intel Core i7, i5 and i3.

What is Your Idea of Fun?

During the Fun Launch, Lenovo also announced their newest blogging contest: “What is your IDEA of FUN?” Lenovo Blog Contest. The Lucky winner of this contest will receive a Lenovo IdeaPad S10-2 netbook. This contest is open only to all registered media guests of the Lenovo Fun Launch.

About Lenovo:

Lenovo is dedicated to building exceptionally engineered personal computers. Lenovo’s business model is built on innovation, operational efficiency and customer satisfaction as well as a focus on investment in emerging markets. Formed by the Lenovo Group’s acquisition of the former IBM Personal Computing Division, the company develops, manufacturers and markets reliable, high-quality, secure and easy-to-use technology products and services.

Artist Ko! Artists & Musicians Marketing Cooperative, held a press conference last 8th of May, 2010 at VIP Room, Teatro Casino, Water Front Hotel, Cebu City.  During the event, the people behind the group were introduced to the local media.  They also announced the group’s upcoming project, VISPOP, the newest Cebuano songwriting competition.  Miss Raki Vega’s newest single, “We Will Rise Again”, was also launched.

What is Artist Ko?

Artist Ko is a duly registered association of artists, musicians and entrepreneurs with a common bond of interest who voluntarily joined together to achieve a lawful, social and economic end by making equitable contributions and accepting the fair share of the risks and benefits in all undertakings.

Artist Ko is a marketing cooperative and is a profit entity.  The group is serious in supporting each member’s endeavors through profit-oriented projects.

The group is headed by Cebu’s finest artists and musicians like Mr. Ian Zafra, Cattski Espina, Jude Gitamondoc, and Insoy Ninal.

VISPOP

This is a joint project initiated by Artist Ko and Tsinelas Inc. which bears the tagline “Bisayaa Uy!“.  The project aims to alleviate the current state of Cebuano music on radio by introducing a more professional and competitive playlist of new Cebuano songs. All songwriting enthusiast are invited to join.  Visit VISPOP’s multiply account for more details.

Raki Vega’s We Will Rise Again

Miss Raki Vega’s interpretation of her latest single, “We Will Rise Again”, gained positive feedback from the local media.  The song is written and composed by the award-winning songwriter, Jude Gitamondoc.  The song has a nationalistic streak on it which inspires hope and optimism among Filipinos.  Mr. Jude Gitamondoc said that the song conveys all Filipino people that we should not depend our future to a person only, people should work and strive together to shape and build a better future.

My Personal Take

During the press conference, one of the media people mentioned about Bisrock, which is now referred to by Artist Ko as a phenomenon, not a genre or whatsoever.  I was a bit sad hearing about it.  It’s because I am one of those people who love bisrock music, and in my heart of hearts, I really, really feel its essence.  I’ve been a bisrock supporter since 2006.  I I even created this blog to show my support to Cebu’s local rock music scene.  I will never forget those bisrock bands like Missing Filemon, Aggressive Audio, Leon Kilat, Smooth Friction and the likes.  It’s just sad to see that the good apples were being spoiled by the rotten ones.

Still, with the creation of Artist Ko, I expect another phenomenon that would lead to a worldwide recognition of  Cebuano’s arts and music.  I’m quite confident that Cebuano people are far more talented than any other artists from around the Philippines.  Together, we can make this happen!  Jia you, CEBU!