Empress Of Drac, A Cebuana Blogger

At first glance, the thought of initiating a worldwide event is like a vagary.  People are raising their eyebrows, some are pessimistic, and some don’t even give a deal.  The main point here is that, we successfully initiated something which would result to a global impact later on.  We don’t need to expect a lot because this is the first, and though we have some failures, we surely can learn from it.

I wanted to congratulate Cebu Bloggers Society Inc. for successfully launching the very first World Bloggers’ Day event at Parkmall Cebu just a while ago.  It’s actually the very first time that all blogging communities around the Philippines made representations for each group.

The event started with an Invocation led by Willand Cuna (CBS member), followed by a welcome address by Miss Ma. Carla Estella, PR Officer of Parkmall, Cebu.  This was followed by the presentation of the blogging communities from around the Phillippines by Mark Monta, founder of Cebu Bloggers Society Inc..  Three blogging communities sent in their presentations: Manila Bloggers’ Network (headed by Azrael Coladilla), SOCKSARGEN Bloggers (headed by Avel Mananzala), and Davao Bloggers (headed by Ria Jose).  And, of course, Cebu Bloggers Society Inc. had also presented a short AVP about their organization.

After the blogging community presentations, Mark Monta presented the newly elected CBSI officers to the public.  The following are Cebu Bloggers Society Inc.’s newly elected officers.

President - Vernon Joseph Go
VP for Content Management - Michelle Louise Maglasang
VP for Corporate Affairs - Agnes E. Jimenez
VP for Education - Jerry Gervacio
VP for Marketing - Michael Sinjin Pineda
VP Membership - Clarence Andrew Mongado
VP for Ways and Means - Mark Monta
Treasurer - Bryan Karl Yuson
Secretary - Wilhelmina Sarawi
Auditor - Jorich Ponio
BOTs for Special Projects
- Gerrymie Tampus
- Guada Conception Esmena
- Mark Alessandrew Abitona
- Prince Ryan Gilig
- Ruben Licera Jr.
Ombudsman/Legal Counsel - Atty. Ethelbert Ouano

The presentation of officers was then followed by the unveiling of Parkmall’s monthly blogging contest.  Agnes Jimenez, the Events Coordinator, presented the contest’s guideline and mechanics.  This blogging competition is open to all Cebu-based bloggers.

The bloggers then enjoyed a sumptuous dinner prepared by Parkmall’s best food tenants.  The event ended with the awarding of the blogger of the day, the one with the best cast-away outfit, and a closing remark by CBSI’s new president, Mr. Vernon Joseph Go.

A lot of raffle prizes were also given during the event.  By the way, Ricky dela Cruz of Rabsing.com, won the best cast-away outfit contest.  Atty. Ethelbert Ouano and Doyzkie Buenaviajie were the men of the event (emcees).  Thanks a lot to Parkmall’s Marketing Team, headed by Madam Judith Letty Sellner for the major support and sponsorship.

N.B.: Before ending this post, I would also want to give special thanks to the special team behind World Bloggers’ Day’s online launching.

Graphics and Design - Jim Villaflores
Press Release - Bert Padilla
Post & RSVP - Michelle Louise Maglasang
Article - Milafel Hope Dacanay
Wikipedia Release - Jerry Gervacio (to be published later)
Others - Mark Monta, Agnes Jimenez

Photos will follow later.

Photo by Wantet

Tired of the sandy and sunny beaches? Wanted a total relaxation away from those noisy beach goers and drunk party animals? Then, you have an alternative escape - Hidden Valley Mountain Resort.

Hidden Valley Resort is one of Cebu’s untarnished mountain destinations.  It is located in Barangay Lamac, Pinamungajan, which is about 2 hours from the city. It is 8 kilometers away from Lutopan, Toledo and 14 kilometers away from Poblacion, Pinamungajan.

Hidden Valley is surrounded by mountains and forests, which made it an ideal vacation spot for people who yearn absolute relaxation and peace of mind.

Photo by Wantet

The resort is managed by Lamac Multi-Purpose Cooperative (LMPC).  For bookings and reservation, please contact 032 516-0450.

N.B.: Hidden Valley is the official resort of Tsinelas Associaton and Cebu Bloggers Society Inc. Computer Literacy Outreach this coming 24th and 25th of April.

This season of love and good fortune, you got no better place to celebrate it other than at SM City.  Celebrate the eve of Chinese New Year at the Northwing of SM City Cebu this Saturday, February 13, 2010. Make a wish and release fire lanterns into the sky,.. something you and your families can look forward to this weekend!

The first 150 shoppers who dine at any SM City Cebu Main Mall or Northwing restaurants/food outlets on February 13 with a single purchase receipt of at least P800 get to participate in the event.

Meanwhile, here are other events to look forward to at SM City Cebu this weekend!

Photo by Michael Sinjin Pineda

February 10, 2010 - Toshiba has just opened its first Concept Store at SM City in North Reclamation Area, Cebu City.  The event started with a store blessing and followed by a ribbon cutting.  This shopToshiba Concept Store is expected to strengthen the brand’s presence in the Visayas region and increase market share in the retail of Toshiba premium laptops.

The newly opened shop, which is strategically located at the 3rd level of SM City Cebu’s Cyberzone, showcases Toshiba’s innovative, high quality and stylishly-designed notebook computers with several enhancements to its line of Qosmio, Satellite, Satellite Pro, Tecra, PORTEGE notebook computers and netbooks.  They had recently added new features to their Satellite and Portege lineup: the NEW 2010 Intel Core Processors and Multi Touch Screen Technology.

Toshiba aims to provide high level of convenience and quality service to its customers thru iServ, their authorized service center located within the shopToshiba Concept Store.

“The new shopToshiba Concept store brings together the complete notebook PC line into one shop in downtown Cebu,” said Ms. Juno Limjap-Sison, Tricom Marketing and Communications Officer.  “The convenient location makes it easy for our customers to come and view our products.”

About Toshiba
Established in 1875, Toshiba Corporation is a world-class innovator and global high technology product leader with 247 major subsidiaries and affiliates worldwide. Since its initial launch of the T1100 notebook PC in 1985, Toshiba has recorded worldwide cumulative shipment of more than 60 million notebook PCs as at December 2008. Going forward, the notebook PC market will continue to expand, and Toshiba will make competitive products offering cutting-edge technologies and quality.  For more information, visit the company’s website at www.pc.toshiba-asia.com.

Time flies so fast that I merely  notice it.  Cebu Bloggers Society will be celebrating its 2nd founding anniversary this 14th of February, 5PM - 9PM at SM City Cebu Foodcourt – SM Storyland Celebration Hall.  Hell, yeah!  It’s on Valentines Day!  There’s actually a rumor that on that day, about two years ago, our founder was heartbroken and because of loneliness and desperation, he decided to create an online group to relieve his ailing heart.  LMAO!

Seriously, the group has actually evolved into a well structured organization which is member-oriented and primarily aims to promote the province of Cebu to the international community through blogs.  In its 2-year course, CBS has already garnered prominent recognitions and has been featured in several publications.  The organization has also established various media partnerships and has been active in the local events and functions.  But, if you would bother to take a closer look, the group’s major accomplishment is that it has managed to attract diverse and competent members.

Cebu Bloggers Society’s 2nd Anniversary which is dubbed as “CBS @ 2: The Cebu Bloggers Society 2nd Anniversary Celebration” is made possible by the following.

MAJOR SPONSORS:

SM City Cebu
SM City Cebu is the 4th largest SM Supermall in the Philippines, and the 11th largest mall in the world! With almost 500 retail stores, outlets, restaurants and cafes, it offers the most discerning Cebuano the best and latest in fashion, electronics, home and furnishing, personal care and services, a wide array of local and international cuisines, family-fun and entertainment. All within the convenience of one amazing city – SM City Cebu!

SM Foodcourt, SM City Cebu
SM Foodcourt is a cool and comfortable dining place with a variety of good food offerings plus free Wi-Fi service. With such facilities, it is a perfect place for meet-ups.

SM Storyland
SM Storyland is fun-tasy land where childhood dreams become reality. Experience all the excitement and whimsy of the fun-filled attractions at SM Storyland. Storyland is packed with kid-friendly rides, state-of-the-art arcade games and attractions, exciting entertainment, themed party packages, souvenir shops and delightful diners that will surely put a smile to on every face. The entire park is a visual array of fantastic make-believe world complemented with fun yet magical music.

88DB
88DB is the newest service developed by JobsDB.com, the no.1 jobsite in Asia Pacific. With over 5 million members and over 160,000 corporate clients in the global network, JobsDB.com represents a substantial base of quality corporations and talented individuals who offer a wide range of services. 88DB extends JobsDB’s service to a new level by creating a classified site for organizations, companies, individuals, clubs, societies and associations to promote and hire services of various kinds. It is a platform for service providers and consumers to find each other and a community where users can interact with different service providers.

JobsDB
Founded in 1998, JobsDB quickly expanded its operations and is today the largest recruitment portal in Asia Pacific with the widest network coverage, spanning Australia, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and the USA.

Balamban Liempo
In Balamban, there is a unique method of grilling Liempo. with local herbs, spices and some secret ingredients.
Many people go to Balamban just to eat this delectable dish! Now, you don’t have to as it is finally in Cebu City! Why wait in line for Lechon and get the Part you don’t want? Everyone simply wants to get the “LIEMPO” or the BELLY! Now you can get “ALL BELLY, ALL THE TIME”!

Golden Bowl Dimsum
Golden Bowl Dimsum Express started out by an invitation from an SM Foodcourt tenant friend way back in 1997. It was the first Dim Sum in a foodcourt in Cebu. The name Golden Bowl Dimsum, at that time, came from the existing restaurant business, Golden City Dimsum Restaurant, “Bowl” for the smaller store, “City” for the big one.

King Wah Chinese Cuisine
Travel is always the best way to experience culinary diversity and Mrs. Evelyn Lim can personally attest to this. Her travels to China, Hong Kong and to other countries allowed her to savor the different dishes each country had to offer. Enlightened on the joys one can get from gastronomic delights, she was then inspired to share the wonderful experience to the Cebuano people. Wanting her dream to become reality, she opened King Wah Chinese Cuisine. Established on May of 1994 at the SM City Cebu Foodcourt, King Wah Chinese Cuisine made sure that it can provide the best dishes at affordable prices garnished with impeccable customer service.

Mama Gie
Started in 1980 managed and operated by spouses Alfredo E. Costales (deceased) and Virginia P. Costales, the name “Mama Gie” was derived from Virginia’s nickname Virgie or Gie for short and was widely known to friends and peers as “Mama Gie”. Being both food enthusiasts, Alfredo, an Ilokano with a keen business acumen and Virgie, a Kapampangan who is regarded by many as an excellent cook initially put up a snack/fastfood counter at F. Ramos Street in Cebu City serving Kapampangan snack delights like the Pancit Palabok, Fresh Lumpia, Dinuguan with Puto, Guinata-an Bilo-Bilo and Goto Tokwa’t Baboy. Their regular customers then were medical students from Velez College as well as medical representatives.

Ric’s Barbecue
After 15 years of operations in SM Foodcourt, Ric’s Barbecue owner Jingle Benitez – Polotan knows by heart the ingredients for a successful restaurant.

“It’s our food. I know that if your food is good, people will always come back for more even if there are a lot of restaurants around you.”, says Benitez-Polotan before adding “It’s the service also that matters most to customers.”

Benitez-Polotan knows fully well that this formual works. Ric’s Barbecue, an unassuming diner located at SM City Cebu’s Food Court, after all is turning 15 years, a pioneer at the mall which also celebrates its anniversary every November 27th. Over the years, this restaurant manages to stay ahead because it serves tasty Filipino favorites such as pochero and barbecue.

MINOR SPONSORS:
Maribago Bluewater Beach Resort
Maribago, Buyong
Mactan Island, Lapulapu City 6015
Cebu, Philippines
+63 32 492-0100 / 232-5411
+63 32 492-0128 to 129
maribago@bluewater.com.ph
www.bluewater.com.ph

Batang Yagit

JehzLau-Concepts

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CBS was invited to attend the MusicFest 2010 Press Conference (with Kris Allen, Jabbawockeez and Boyce Avenue) last 4th of February at SM Northwing Atrium.  Press people from different corners of the city flocked the venue to welcome and interview the international stars who just finished their concert a few hours ago.

Click here for more photos.

(Artists Profiles)

KRIS ALLEN
An American singer-songwriter from Conway, Arkansas, and the winner of the 8th season of American Idol. Prior to Idol, he self-released a 2007 album entitled Brand New Shoes.

Allen`s Idol coronation song, “No Boundaries” and his version of “Heartless” both charted within the Top 20 of the Billboard Hot 100. Allen`s post-Idol self-titled album was released on November 17, 2009, through Jive Records. The album debuted at #11 on the U.S. Billboard 200 shifting over 90,000 copies. The album`s lead single, “Live Like We`re Dying”, was released on September 21, 2009, and has peaked at #30 in the U.S.

BOYCE AVENUE
The debut album, titled “All You’re Meant To Be,” was released by Boyce Avenue on March 25, 2008. All of the songs were mixed by Austin Deptula (Eisley, New Found Glory), and the entire project was mastered by Rodney Mills (Pearl Jam, REM, Sheryl Crow). Since the album`s release, it has been written about in CNN Money, the Kings of A&R, and in other press, its songs have been featured on various MTV shows, and the band has established itself as one of the top 8 Artists of All-Time on YouTube, with over 90 million hits. Most recently, “All You`re Meant To Be” has been licensed for sale nationwide in the Philippines through MCA Music, and is on path to Gold status. On the strength of the band`s touring success in the United States and the Philippines, the band is poised to launch a worldwide tour in 2009.

JABBAWOCKEEZ
JabbaWockeeZ is an all-male hip-hop dance crew from California who gained fame by appearing on the first season of America`s Got Talent, and later becoming the inaugural winners of MTV`s hip-hop dance competition America`s Best Dance Crew. The group name is derived from the Lewis Carroll poem Jabberwocky.

Thanks to Miss Jaja Chiongbian of BIGSEED MEDIA & MARKETING SOLUTIONS (PRESS CONTACT for Fearless Productions in Cebu) for the invitation.

Photo by Atty. Ethelbert Ouano

There’s a new pizza house in town and it is located in the newly built lifestyle district  in Juan Luna Avenue.  Brasco Pizza & Pasta invited CBS to check their newly opened pizza store, housed inside the sophisticated building of The Gallery.  Ingrid, the sister of the owner, was the one who personally entertained us.

Brasco Pizza & Pasta is owned by Ingrid’s brother, Brian Espina.  Brasco is not actually an Italian word and it actually means Brian’s Aspirations and Company.  Brasco doesn’t only offer pizza and pasta, but home-made ice cream and desserts as well.

It’s their Crazy Bliss dessert which has surpassed my expectation.  It is a hot brownie topped with home-made vanilla iced cream.  The combination of these two luscious palatable mixtures is sweetly unforgettable.  La Marea’s version fades in comparison.

Photo by Atty. Ethelbert Ouano

Other than that, we also tried their Brasco (a must try pizza), Meaty Spaghetti with Pepperoni, Pasta with tomatoes and aligue (pasta with tomato sauce and and crab roe), and Four Seasons.  (I love their Pasta with tomatoes and aligue.)

Brasco’s thin crust pizza comes in three sizes: Big (10″), Bigger (14″), and Biggest (20″).  Each pizza toppings is Brian’s original recipe which he studied and researched for four years.  This goes as well to all their home-made desserts in the menu.

At the later part of our pizza trip, Brian came and told us why he ventured to a Pizza business.  He said that he’s a pizza lover himself, and it’s his dream to build a pizza house.  Since his family is already into the food industry (his parents are the owner of MyJoy formerly known as McJoy), it’s not that difficult for him to start one.

Brasco Pizza and Pasta is located at The Gallery, San Jose dela Montaña/Juan Luna Avenue, Mabolo, Cebu City, in front of San Carlos Seminary and IPI.  They accept delivery, and you can contact their store thru these numbers: 5057924 and 5114018.