Davao City's Pasko Fiesta opens Dec. 1!

The Davao City government-sponsored Pasko Fiesta celebration will officially start on December 1, 23 days before Christmas Day.

The event will start with the traditional lighting of the Christmas tree at People’s Park.

The Pasko Fiesta Committee has prepared a host of activities and contests with corresponding prizes as much as P100,000, with both the young and old have the opportunity to join the various competitions.

The events include among others, Sayaw and Kanta Contest, Panaygon Contest, Christmas Tree Contest, Parol Designing Contest, Christmas Light Designing Contest, and a special Bulalakaw sa Kalinaw search for the senior citizens.

Some of the city streets will also be closed for the night market the whole month of December with nightly music with bands in some areas.

On December 18 a portion of Uyanguren or Ramon Magsaysay St. up to Bangoy Street will be closed for bazaars.

Some of the activities for Pasko Fiesta like lantern lighting, painting contest, dragon dances, and stores will be dressed up.

Pasko Fiesta sa Dabaw Schedule of Activities

• December 1. "Pasko Fiesta Lighting" ceremony at Rizal Park, 5 p.m.; simultaneously at the People's Park will be the "Ilaw Dabaw"; Pasko Fiesta opening and launching of the interactive fountain, and opening of the "Coca-Coca Village" on Palma Gil St. fronting People's Park.


• December 1 to January 2. Pasko Fiesta Street Market 2010, occupying San Pedro and Bolton Sts; "Coca-cola Village" at Palma Gil St.; nightly entertainment at San Pedro and Bolton Sts. every 5 p.m. onwards, sponsored by San Miguel and Coca-cola.


• December 2. The Coca-cola Chorale Competition at the People's Park, at 5 p.m. onwards.


• December 3. The Coca-cola Christmas Caravan at Damosa Gateway, 5 p.m. onwards.


• December 4. Pasko Fiesta sa Distrito (Bunawan District) at Barangay Mahayag, 1 p.m.; Evening Performance at the Park, People's Park at 5 p.m.


• December 5. Evening Performance at the Park, People's Park at 5 p.m.


• December 6. Pasko Fiesta sa Distrito (Marilog District) at Barangay Baganihan, 1 p.m.


• December 7. Pasko Fiesta sa Distrito (Calinan District) at Barangay Tamayong, 1 p.m.


• December 8. Pasko Fiesta sa Distrito (Baguio District) at Barangay Gumalang, 1 p.m.


• December 9. Pasko Fiesta sa Distrito (Tugbok District) at Barangay Tagakpan, 1 p.m.


• December 10. Pasko Fiesta sa Distrito (Paquibato District) at Barangay Malabog, 1 p.m.; and Evening Performance at the Park, People's Park at 5 p.m.


• December 11. Pasko Fiesta sa Distrito (Toril District) at Barangay Toril proper, 1 p.m.; and Paskong Kapuso a GMA Network Christmas Special at the People's Park, 5 p.m.


• December 12. Evening Performance at the Park, People's Park at 5 p.m.


• December 13. Pasko Fiesta sa Distrito (Buhangin District) at Barangay Angliongto, 1 p.m.


• December 14. Pasko Fiesta sa Distrito (Talomo District) at Barangay Matina Aplaya, 1 pm.


• December 15. Pasko Fiesta sa Distrito (Agdao District) at Barangay R. Castillo, 1 p.m.


• December 16. Evening Performance at the Park, People's Park at 5 p.m.


• December 17. Pasko Fiesta sa Distrito (Poblacion District) at Barangay 20-B, 1 p.m.; and Evening Performance at the Park, People's Park at 5 p.m.


• December 17-23. Pasko Fiesta sa Chinatown, 5 p.m. onwards on Bangoy St.


• December 18. Kapamilya Pasko Na, ABS-CBN Network Christmas Special at the People's Park, 5 p.m.


• December 19. Paskong Kapuso, GMA Network Christmas Special at the People's Park, 5 p.m.


• December 20. Dasig Sayaw, a cheerdancing competition at the People's Park, 5 p.m.


• December 21. Rondalsaya sa Kalsada, a rondalya competition participated by schools, at the People's Park 1 p.m.


• December 22. Baktas Karakas, a marching band competition, People's Park, 1 p.m.


• December 23. Lamdag Parada 2010, lighted Christmas Float Parade at the People's Park 5 p.m.


• December 24, 25, 31, January 1 and 2. There will be evening performance at the Park, People's Park at 5 p.m.

Pilipinas Got Talent Season 2 Davao leg audition Dec. 4-5!

The first phase of Pilipinas Got Talent season 2 auditions are now on. And the dates are out, Davao City talents please prepare yourselves.

December4-5, 2010 is the day of auditions here in Davao City and it will be at Rizal Memorial Colleges.

Who will be the next Jovit Baldivino, will he/she come from Davao City this time?

"SEx in D' City!" First Software Exhibition and Conference in Davao City Dec. 5-6!

Be the first to witness Davao's unveiling of its best kept secret in "SEx in D' City"!

The First Software and IT Services Exhibition and Conference in Davao City dubbed as "SEx in D' City." This will be held on December 5 and 6, 2010, at the Event Center, SM City Davao, Ecoland, Davao City, with the theme: "Generating Passion for Software Innovation."

The Exhibition which is expected to gather 60 exhibitors and 200 participants in the software and IT-enabled services sector is being held in conjunction with the second year of Davao Innovation Month.

The event features the following activities:

Exhibits: showcasing cutting-edge technologies, products and services in one big venue, with a wide range of interest to include Hospital Information Management System, Social Media Engagement Platform, Back Office Operations, Financial Management Systems, Tracking and Monitoring System, among others;

Business Matching Session: where software and IT-enabled services buyers and sellers and company owners and investors meet and do business;

Plenary and Track Sessions: where key people in the public and private sectors share their thoughts, plans as well as the latest trends and technologies the software development and IT-enabled services;

Networking Party: business cocktails and networking reception for those who want to meet, exchange business cards and party with visitors and guests in the software industry;

Special Event Highlight: a time to honor the best and the brightest in the local software development and IT-enabled services sectors (Best Product Innovation, Outstanding MSME, Best Website, Best Booth, and Most Promising MSME)

It's Christmas Party time again for Davao Bloggers on Dec. 4!

The holiday season is upon us again and it’s time to celebrate. Davao Bloggers will be celebrating with a Christmas Party on December 4, 2010 at Mam Bebs Bakery, CVA Building, CM Recto Street, Davao City (in between Union Drug and Planters’ Bank).

The elections of the Davao Bloggers Officers for 2011 will also be held during the Christmas Party.

We will be charging a fee of P150 to cover the food and other expenses for the party. Please pay the fee at Mam Bebs Bakery, CVA Building, CM Recto Street, Davao City (in between Union Drug and Planters’ Bank) on or before November 26, 2010. Please fill out the form below and pay ASAP so we can start preparing for the party.

Those who will pay after November 26, 2010 are required to pay P200.

Non-bloggers who would like to join the party may do so, either by registering or by getting listed as a guest of a blogger. Non-bloggers and guests are also requested to pay the required fee.

Party attendees are requested to bring a unisex gift for the Kris Kringle.

To register for the party, please fill up the form HERE.

5th Mindanao Franchise Expo at the Atrium of Gaisano Mall of Davao on October 15-17!

5th Mindanao Franchise Expo at the Atrium of Gaisano Mall of Davao on October 15-17. Friday's opening will have City Mayor Sara Duterte as guest speaker.

During the three-day exhibition offers direct access for entrepreneurs in Mindanao to meet and interact with franchisors from Manila, Cebu, Iloilo, Bacolod, Cagayan de Oro, Davao and General Santos City.

Most of these franchisors are engaged in the food and beauty and wellness business. If you want to get to business head to Gaisano Mall on those dates.

"AS 1" Concert in Davao City on October 28!

For the first time Concert King Martin Nievera and Mr. Pure Energy Gary Valenciano will be having a concert together in Davao City in “As One” at the Holy Cross of Davao on October 28 (Thursday) 7 p.m..

Valenciano said that their upcoming concert will be a proof that they are not rivals and they could work together as one.

“Kasi I think forever until the time that we are no longer around, there will always be that comparison between Martin and Gary. There will always be that me looking over my shadow to see what Martin is doing and Martin doing the same thing. But for one concert event something that we do, that we really have a passion for and we are passionate about we came together as one,” Valenciano said, adding:

“We are not talking about concert. We are talking about an event that could, maybe we are spearheading an event that could take place in the future of people coming together as one.  Kasi kakaiba talaga kapag nangyayari ‘yon that people come together na sasabihin ng tao na ‘wow is this people coming  together’ and it makes everybody look good na  paang ‘mayroon din pala sa kanila ‘yong ability to come together like one.”

Get your tickets now at the following outlets: Crossover Davao office, SM tickets, SM Davao cinema ticket booth, Blu Gre Coffee Landco, MTS, SM and Gen Santos City, Bigby’s Café Torres and SM and Antonio’s Bar and Grill Torres and SM.

Ticket prices: P3,500, P2500, P1500, P1000, P500, P250.

Watch a movie at SM Cinema and win a car promo!

The country’s biggest cinema exhibitor gives you more reasons to enjoy the latest movies with the BOX OFFICE WHEELS PROMO.

Beginning October 15, 2010, SM Cinema customers can get the chance to win one of the 3 Nissan Sentra 1.6 L cars and 1 Nissan Grand Levina Elite. SM Cinema movie-goers can drive home a brand new car with upcoming blockbuster movies like Harry Potter 7 Part 1, The Chronicles of Narnia: Voyage of the Dawn Treader, and Tron Legacy.

The promo is open to all Smart, Talk N Text, Addict Mobile, Globe, TM and Sun subscribers.

To join the raffle, a customer may register by texting: SM REG send to 2966. A transaction code found at the lower portion of the SM Cinema movie ticket entitles the customer to one raffle entry. Double up your chances of winning by purchasing IMAX Movie tickets!

Winners will be drawn on November 16, December 21, 2010 and the Grand draw will be on January 25, 2011!

Car and movie enthusiastic can test drive the new line of Nissan automobiles on October 16, 2010 at the Mall of Asia Sunset Drive. The Test drive event is open to the public and will be featuring up and coming bands and celebrities! Gates open 8am until 6pm in the afternoon.

Per DTI-NCR no. 6680 Series of 2010.

For more information, log onto www.smcinema.com or call SM City Davao at 297.6998 local 122.

2nd Philippine Russian Business Forum and Exhibits in Cebu City on Oct. 21-21, 2010!

CEBU should be able to make the most out of the coming of Russian officials, businessmen and journalists led by HONRABLE IGOR METELSKY, the VICE GOVERNOR of St. Petersburg for the 2^nd Philippine Russian Business Forum and Exhibits (PRBFeX) on October 21 to 24, 2010 to explore tourism, trade and investment opportunities in the Philippines.
Russian Consul Armi Lopez Garcia is calling on Cebuanos to extend the hospitality that we are famous for worldwide for the visitors as she urged local businessmen to pre-register because only 150 seats are available for local attendees.
“To be assured of seats and avoid last minute stress, they could also register online at prbai.com,” said Consul Garcia who just arrived in Cebu from a weeklong visit to St. Petersburg and Moscow with Governor Gwendolyn Garcia who both attended the ASEAN Cooperation Conference and to promote the forum.

“The forum will be a great time for local businessmen to link up and do business with an expected powerhouse delegation of Government Officials of the Russian Federation, Rectors of the St. Petersburg University and State University for tourism and services, Russian traders and investors. The Russian journalists who will be coming with them would also be interested in doing stories about the local business environment, local products, and enterprising Cebuanos,” she said.
The PRBFEx 2010 is being organized by the Philippine Russian Business Assembly, Russian Embassy in the Philippines, Philippine Exhibits and Trade Co. or PETCO in cooperation with the Province of Cebu, the City of Mandaue, Department of Tourism, Department of Trade and Industry, Board of Investments, Department of Energy, Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Cebu Business Club, Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Cebu FAME, Cebu Furniture Industries Foundation (CFIF), and the Cebu Gifts, Toys and Housewares (GTH), and The Fashion Council of (FCC).

Extending their support as sponsors are Global Business Power Corporation, Cebu Properties Ventures & Development Corp., EPSON, Pascual Consumer Healthcare Corporation, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes, Crimson Resort and Spa Mactan, PLDT – SME, Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casinos, and Be Resorts Mactan, SUNSTAR AND PAGCOR.
An optimistic Consul Garcia said the forum is expected to stimulate Philippine

economic growth and “enterprising Cebuanos should be at the lead.”
Consul Garcia, along with Cebu Gov. Gwen Garcia, led the delegation with mostly top Cebuano businessmen, mostly officers and members of The Cebu Chamber of Commerce, headed by Ms. Tess Chan, past VP for membership together with past President Edward Gaisano, Vice President-External Affairs, Engr. Nestor Archival and past Trustee Mr. David Chan.



Other members of the delegation were Ms. Elsa Basubas, VP Finance of Diamond Cane Int’l. Inc., Ms. Melissa Basubas, Operations Manager of Vienna Kaffeehaus, Ms. Cristine Gaisano, Merchandising Manager of Metro Gaisano, Ms. Jane Gocuan, First-VP CHINATRUST  Commercial Bank, Ms. Ingrid Gocuan, Executive Assistant Golden Harvester Int’l., Mr. Lim Seng Hock, Pres., Singaport Technologies and Engineering, Mr. Luis Moro Jr. Treasurer, Alenaire Engineering-Airconditioning, Mr. Paul and Mrs. Marigold Pilapil of Black Angus Steakhouse, Atty. Tomas Riveral, President Oriental Port and Allied Services Corp., Mr. Nelson Rosales, GM-TRUEOHMS Power Resources, Mr. Mariano Selma and Mr. Segundino Selma Jr. of ANSECA Development Corporation, Mr. Rodrigo Taneda, President SUPERGRO Products Corporation, Mr. Cesar and Mrs. Mira Ting of Extreme Systems Distributors, and Mr. Ronald Conopio, Protocol Officer, Province of Cebu.
“We achieved the four objectives for the trip. First, for the governor to inform the Business sector and the delegates of St. Petersburg-ASEAN conference about Cebu Province. Second, promote participation for the 2^nd Philippine Russian Business Forum and Exhibition in October 21-24, 2010. Third, provide   members of the Cebu Chamber of the chance to visit the office of the St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce and meet with Mr. Vladimir I. Prokopyev, Deputy President of the St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce as both Associations are sister chambers, and Fourth, provide Cebu delegation the chance to experience the Russian culture and better understand history and its people.” said Consul Garcia.
The delegation also met with his excellency Victor Garcia, Philippine Ambassador to Russia.

The delegates will have the chance to visit the gallery of Mr. Gregory Pototsky, famous artist and sculptor, who donated “The Bust of Leo Tolstoy” which will be unveiled during the opening of the 2^nd PRBFEX. They also have the chance to listen to short lecture. He

will come to participate in the joint Philippine-Russian Art Exhibition and to give lectures to art students of different universities at the CICC.

Applicants for military now open!

The Philippine Air Force (PAF) is now accepting applicants for its PAF Regular Officer Procurement (PAFROP) and Candidate Soldier (CS) programs.

Qualifications and requirements for male or female applicants are:

1. natural born citizen;


2. educational attainment for PAFROPP, Baccalaureate Degree Holder;  educational attainment for candidate soldier, at least 72 college units;


3. must be at least 152.5 cm (5’0” ) tall for both male and female;


4. age must be, for PAFROPP; 20 to 24 years old, for candidate soldier, 18 to 23 years old;


5. must be single and no legal obligation to support a child;


6. must be physically and mentally fit for military training; and must possess good moral character.

Examinations for the PAFROPP are on October 17, and for candidate for soldier, October 16.

For inquiries, the public is enjoined to visit or call: Tactical Operations Group 11, PAF; Old Davao International Airport; in Sasa, with telephone number 234-2588.

Floral Float Parade for Kadayawan 2010 Winners revealed!

Pamulak Floral Float Parade, is the grand finale for the Kadayawan Festival.

The Floral Float Parade started at eight and finished close to five hours later as the floral float parade was participated in by almost a hundred groups from different organizations and sectors based in Davao City.

The 2010 Floral Float Parade winners are:

Big Float Category Winner:

1st prize - LBC Air Cargo float made by Malagos Farms -  Top prize was P500,000.

2nd prize - Davao Merchant Marine Academy (DMMA) that made a ship made of flowers

3rd place - International Pharmaceuticals Inc. that had a three-headed lion made of tambo on a float dotted with mums and durian shells.

Small Float Category:

1st prize - Synnex Concentrix, which had happy lumad cartoon figures made of styrofoam and an eagle clothed in mums on a base bedecked by anthuriums, orchids, and other ornamentals, won the first price worth P300,000.

2nd prize - Amiya by Kisan Lu Lands, with similar decorations as the first prize

3rd prize - Anflocor.

Consolation prizes went to Cebuana Lhuillier and Bagobo Klata tribe.

Alternative Category:

1st prize - Barangay Sasa witha P100,000 cash prize was grabbed by Barangay Sasa, which was a hand-pulled yellow fish made of mums and ferns.

2nd place - Sr. Sto. Niño de Davao,

Consolation prizes went to Guardians Philippines International inc. Anti-Crime Organization and Teh Obu-Manuvu tribe.

With the e-passport Davao passport production increased!

Following La Union, Clark and Cebu the City of Davao ranks next on the highest number of passport production since the start of implementation of electronic passport processing.

Regional Consular officer in charge Linda Albay bared this figure showing the growing number of passport applicants not just attributed to overseas workers but also the growing number of foreign travelers.

The Regional Consular Office here in Davao City before could only accommodate 200 applications per day, but now they jumped their quota to 400 per day.

The Davao office started e-passport processing last March 2010 following Manila and major cities in the country to lessen the hassle experienced by applicants.

With the electronic system, an applicant will have to call or visit the office to set an appointment. The Davao office is only allowed to accommodate until three weeks since the time the appointment was made.

The applicant will be asked to visit the office 2 to 3 weeks as the latest for the actual processing. Normal processing usually takes 23 working days with a cost of P950 while the express processing which is done in 13 working days costs P1,200.

During the actual processing, one is advised to bring all the documents required – both the original and photocopy. Papers required include NSO-authenticated birth certificate, at least three supporting documents, and the filled-up passport application form.

The Consular officer clarified that the old passport is still recognized in some Asian countries, however, for those who wish to apply for visa to United States and Europe they might as well apply for the machine-readable passport.

Aside from Davao, there are five other consular offices in Mindanao: Zamboanga, Cagayan, Butuan, General Santos, and Cotabato City.

However, the consular office has already removed jurisdiction in passport application. One who comes from Mindanao may actually apply for e-passport in Manila or in any other consular office.

Hiyas sa Kadayawan 2010 is Mernadeth Sicutan!

Newly crowned Hiyas sa Kadayawan Mernadeth Sicutan of the Ata tribe in the just concluded  Kadyawan Festival 2010 in Davao City!

[caption id="attachment_1256" align="aligncenter" width="239" caption="Fatima Sharine Jadjuli, Mernadeth Sicutan, and Jalma Bete Mohamad."][/caption]

Hiyas sa Kauswagan is Jalma Bete Mohamad of the Kalagan tribe and Hiyas sa Tingusbawan is Fatima Sharine Jadjuli of the Tausug tribe. They  were crowned last August 20 at the Almendras Gym.

ABS-CBN Parties with Davaoeños’ in Kadayawan Festival!

Celebrate and give thanks for the serenity of life, bounties of nature and Davao’s wealthy heritage, as the Kapamilya Karavan now hits the colorful and joyous Kadayawan Festival with some renowned ABS-CBN stars shining on August 21, Saturday, 3 p.m., at Gaisano Atrium, Davao City.

Most celebrated showbiz couple Angelica Panginiban and Derek Ramsay, and today’s most in demand actors John Prats and Matteo Guidicelli heat up the much-awaited caravan with their much awaited hot performances.

After the breathtaking and shocking finale of “Rubi” last week, Angelica is not only ready but excited to go on provincial tours, especially now that her beloved boyfriend Derek is accompanying her. The actress shared she wants to take the opportunity of bonding with the “Magkaribal” star.
“Sobrang nakaka-excite talagang sumama sa Kapamilya Karavan. Davao, abangan nyo kami. Siguradong pasasayahin namin kayo,” Angelica said.

Banana Split’s mainstay John, on the other hand, likes to grab the chance of exploring Davao’s rich culture and history. The adventurous actor also shared that part of his dream is to explore the Philippines’ 7,107 islands.

“I hope after the Karavan, I can stay longer in Davao. Pero kailangan magtrabaho ulit agad. Anyway, I make the most out of my stay there. I’d like to know more about Davao,” said John.
Derived from from Davaoeño word “Madayaw,” which means good and beautiful, the artistic festivity is a thanksgiving for the abundant wonders of nature.

‘Hiyas sa Kadayawan’ 2010 coronation on August 20!

The search for this year’s Hiyas sa Kadayawan will come to an end on August 20, 2010, 8 PM, at the Davao City Recreational Center (Almendras Gym). The coronation night will feature music and dances in a pageantry integrating the tribal folklores and folk stories of the ten tribes of Davao, namely Klata, Maguindanao, Kalagan, Ata, Maranao, Tagabawa-Bagobo, Tausug, Uvu-Manuvu, Sama, and Matigsalog.

The Hiyas sa Kadayawan, a tribal lass who epitomizes joy, bounty, simplicity and beauty, must possess pride of her indigenous heritage and must nurture the wisdom of her ancestors. As the chosen festival gem, she must carry the virtues of her people, who, through time and space have maintained their identity, dignity and collective memory.

The contestants will be judged according to the following criteria: Wisdom and Knowledge of her culture – 30%, Personality and Character – 30%, Cultural Skills – 30%, Community Support – 10%.

The winners of the various titles will win the corresponding prizes: Hiyas sa Kadayawan (Festival Gem) – PhP 50,000. 00, Hiyas sa Kauswagan (Gem of Progress) – PhP 40,000.00, Hiyas sa Tingusbawan (Gem of Fulfilled Promise) – PhP 30,000.00, and seven Hiyas sa Kaliwatan (Tribal Gem) – PhP 10,000.00

This year’s candidates of the Hiyas sa Kadayawan are Jovelyn Mandahay from the Uvu-Manuvu tribe, a student of Rizal Memorial Colleges; Jalma Bete Mohamad from the Kalagan tribe, a B.S. Nursing student of San Pedro College; Nerbelyn Abduhalim from the Sama tribe, a B.S. Nursing student of Davao Medical School Foundation; Merazol Balido from the Tagabawa-Bagobo tribe, an Education student of Davao Vision College; Aliah Heitz from the Maguindanao, a student of Davao Medical School Foundation; Charity Joy Matalum from the Klata/Guiangan, a Secondary Education student of North Davao Colleges; Fatima Sharine Jadjuli from the Tausug tribe, a B.S. CoE student of University of Mindanao; Ronaliza Abing from the Matigsalog tribe, a student of Mindanao Medical Foundation College; Mernadeth Sicutan from the Ata tribe, a B.S. Secondary Education stident of Rizal Memorial Colleges; and Jamalia Usman from the Maranao tribe, a B.S. Nursing of Davao Doctors College.

For more details, check out www.kadayawan.com or the official Facebook page: Kadayawan Festival 2010.

Free Kadayawan concert at Damosa Gateway on August 20 and 21!

A concert dubbed “90s percent music: let the good times rock and roll” is set to happen at Damosa Gateway on August 20 and 21 in time for the Kadayawan celebration.

The affair will reunite all local bands of the 90s for a once in a lifetime experience with performances by Hearts and Mind, Loosid, Drop, Crux Criticum, Sisterhead, Kismet, Sound Punk, Pseudo Crack, Vox Humana, Ice Cold Buco Juice, Dark Deis, Black Hole Mary, Jack in the Box, Numb, Wasted Youth, and Lazy Fat.

To all 6 Cycle Mind and Rivermaya fanatics, some members of these two popular bands will also perform as one band called Skyway Traffic on Aug. 21 and 22 at the carpark of Damosa Market Basket.

Watch out as these performers rock and roll with their popular hits.

Happening also during the night would be the Musika del Sur Music Festival where bands from different provinces in Mindanao will render performances.

Skyway Traffic and Musika del Sur Music Festival is part of San Miguel Beer’s “Kum-beera” party for Kadayawan festivity.

All concerts are free.

Kadayawan 2010 Floral Float Parade set on August 22!

Pamulak Kadayawan Floral Float Parade is the annual Kadayawan sa Dabaw Festival’s spectacular finale where flowers and fruits are set in colorful floats by business establishments, community assemblies and peoples’ organizations as they promenade on the streets symbolizing all the bounty sustainably enjoyed by the city’s residents.

The event is scheduled on Auugust 22, 2010, Sunday starting at 8 AM. The float parade will meander through Magsaysay Avenue, CM Recto Avenue, Bonifacio Street, Legaspi Street and San Pedro Street.

The competition is open to any person, group, organization, institution or company. It has three categories, namely Small (maximum size of 8 feet x 16 feet), Big (over 8 feet x 16 feet) and Alternative (use of miniature cars, golf carts, mini tractors, push carts, karo, kalesa, pedicabs or similar vehicles, motorized, mechanical or animal driven).

The competing floral floats will be using at least 80% fresh flowers, plants, fruits and vegetables as medium, while non-competing entries are required to use at least 10%.

Judging criteria are Symbolism (20%), Design (40%) and Execution (40%). Prizes are as follows: Big - 1st - P500,000, 2nd - P300,000, 3rd – P200,000; Small - 1st – P300,000, 2nd – P200,000, 3rd – P100,000; Alternative - 1st – P100,000, 2nd – 75,000,
3rd - P50,000.00.

For more details, check out www.kadayawan.com or the official Facebook page: Kadayawan Festival 2010.

Kadayawan Festival 2010's Indak Indak sa Kadalanan is on Aug. 21!

Indak Indak sa Kadalanan Street Dancing Parade, one of the highlights of the Kadayawan Festival, is set on August 21, Saturday.

The highly anticipated street dancing parade and competition showcases the different colors, cultures and traditional dances of the different tribes of Davao and Mindanao.

The parade will start on 7 a.m. at CM Recto Avenue, passing through San Pedro, Pelayo, Bonifacio, Ponciano and Roxas Avenue. A showdown will be held at San Pedro Street by 3 p.m..

This year’s competition has only one category and is open to any group, organization, institutions or communities. Participating Mindanao-based contingents must showcase the festival of their locality, while participating Davao City-based contingents must interpret the Kadayawan festival or a Mindanao folklores, myths or legends.

Criteria for judging are as follows:

• Main showdown 70%


• choreography and creativity 25%;


• performance 30%;


• musicality 25%;


• production design 20%,


• Street performance 30% (choreography and creativity 25%; per-formance 30%; musicality 25%; production design 25%).

Prizes for the competi-tion are as follows:

• grand champion P300,000,


• first runner-up P200,000,


• second runner-up P100,000,


• third runner-up P75,000,


• fourth runner-up,


• fifth runner-up P30,000,


• nine consolation prizes of P10,000,


• five presentation awards and special awards for best in performance and best in costumes and parade to receive P50,000 each.

For more details, check out www.kadayawan.com or the official Facebook page: Kadayawan Festival 2010.

Kadayawan Cultural Performances Dates and Venues!

Peoples Park and NCCC Mall will play hosts to a series of cultural performances in the Kadayawan sa Dabaw’s Panagtagbo on August 16-19 and 21. Panagtagbo will showcase the 10 indigenous tribes of Davao as they converge and exhibit their culture and traditions through dance, music, chants, rituals, indigenous crafts and costumes.

The 10 distinguished tribes are Ata Manobo, Ubo Manobo, K’lata, Tagabawa, Matigsalog, Maranao, Maguindanao, Tausug, Sama and Kalagan.

Schedule of their performances are as follows:

Peoples Park:

• August 16 -  Klata (5:30-6:30 p.m.); Maguindanao (6:30-8 p.m.);


• August 17 - Kalagan (5:30-6:30 p.m.); Ata (6:30-8 p.m.);


• August 18 - Maranao (5:30-6:30 p.m.); Tagabawa-Bagobo (6:30-8 p.m.);


• August 19 - Tausug (5:30-6:30 p.m.); Uvu-Manuvu (6:30-8 p.m.);


• August 21 - Sama (5:30-6:30 p.m.);; Matigsalog (6:30-8 p.m.);

NCCC Mall:

• August 16 -  Klata (5:30-6:30 p.m.); Maguindanao (6:30-8 p.m.);


• August 17 - Kalagan (5:30-6:30 p.m.); Ata (6:30-8 p.m.);


• August 18 - Maranao (5:30-6:30 p.m.); Tagabawa-Bagobo (6:30-8 p.m.);


• August 19 - Tausug (5:30-6:30 p.m.); Uvu-Manuvu  (6:30-8 p.m.);


• August 21 - Sama (5:30-6:30 p.m.); Matigsalog  (6:30-8 p.m.).

For more information, contact the secretariat, Door 8, Magsaysay Park Complex, R. Magsaysay Avenue, tel. nos. 222-1956-57. Visit the official website at www.kadayawan.com or check out the Facebook page, search for “Kadayawan Festival 2010”.

Kadayawan Fair Trade 2010 at NCCC Mall!

The Kadayawan Fair Trade at NCCC Mall will be opened to the public starting August 16   at Parking C of NCCC Mall Davao. Kadayawan Fair Trade at NCCC Mall is a satellite exhibit of the Mag-Negosyo Ta Day program at the Sangguniang Panlungsod lobby where program beneficiaries of City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte, from various women’s groups and grassroots small entrepreneurs, display their products, crafts and crops utilizing principles of fair trade.

The event aims to encourage micro-entrepreneurs from barangays and to help them gain confidence with the products they manufacture and sell. The Kadayawan Fair Trade at NCCC Mall ends on August 23.

The week-long exhibit will also feature Panagtag-bo performances from the 10 indigenous groups of Davao City a way of sharing their cultural heritage to mall shoppers. The mall is the alternate venue of the event which will also be staged at Peoples Park.

The Panagtagbo at NCCC Mall schedule is as follows:

• August 16 (Monday) - 3-4:30 p.m. Klata/4:30-6 p.m.- Maguindanao;


• August 17 (Tuesday) -3-4:30 p.m. - Kalagan/4:30-6 p.m.- Ata;


• August 18 (Wednesday) - 3-4:30 p.m. - Maranao/4:30-6 p.m.- Tagabawa-Manobo;


• Aug-ust 19 (Thursday) - 3-4:30 p.m. - Tausug/4:30-6 p.m. - Uvu-Manuvu;


• August 21 (Saturday)- 3-4:30 p.m. - Sama/4:30-6 p.m. - Matigsalog.

For more details, check out www.kadayawan.com or the official Facebook page: Kadayawan Festival 2010.

"Hulagway: Davao Faces and Places" Kadayawan Festival 2010 Art Exhibit at Museo Dabawenyo!

Museo Dabawenyo, the repository of the city’s cultural and historical heritage, will host a month-long art exhibit in celebration of the Kadayawan Festival featuring portrait and landscape paintings of Engr. Manuel Mendros.

Dubbed as “Hulagway: Davao Faces and Places”, Mendros art works will also include paintings of Davao City mayors past and present as one of the highlights of his second solo exhibit.

The exhibit is open to the public from August 11 –September 11. Admission is free.

A must-visit destina-ion for locals and guests, Museo Dabawenyo is a favored venue for exhibits, arts shows and various educational enrichment activities in the city.

Kadayawan 2010 Trade Fair and Bazaars!

Locals and visitors to the city will be treated to a back-to-back-to-back bargain bonanza in this year’s celebration of the Kadayawan Festival.

The annual Agri-Industrial Trade Fair which will commence on August 1, 2010 at the SM City Davao Future Development Site will showcase flowers, fruits and livestock, and other locally produced products. The activity is managed by Mindanao’s premier floriculture institution, the Floriculture Industry Council of Southern Mindanao together with the City Veterinarian Office, City Agriculture Office and the City Cooperative Office with their services and show booths. It is open to the public until August 31.

Meanwhile, the Kadayawan Tabo: MagNegosyo ‘ta, Day Fair Trade on August 16-22, 2010 at the SP Lobby will showcase crafts and crops by women’s groups and grassroots small entrepreneurs utilizing principles of fair trade, the program beneficiaries of City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte.

The city’s Chinese community will also be joining the festivities with the Kadayawan Tiangge sa Chinatown slated on August 20-22, 2010 along the Unity Arc, R. Magsaysay Avenue. The bazaar will feature various local and imported merchandises sold at bargain prices.

Malls and shopping centers in the city are expected to join in the festivities and offer discounted rates on their goods and services. For more information, contact the secretariat, Door 8, Magsaysay Park Complex, R. Magsaysay Avenue, tel. nos. 222.1956-57. Visit the official website at www.kadayawan.com or check out the Facebook page, search for “Kadayawan Festival 2010”.

Experience authentic Thai dishes at "Bankok Wok"!

[caption id="attachment_1216" align="aligncenter" width="480" caption=" Kai Luk Koei, Laarb Gai, Yam Pak Boong and Kao Kluk Gapi."][/caption]

Bangkok Wok
Robinson's Cybergate, J.P. Laurel Avenue, Davao City
(082) 282-1231

When in Davao City and you want to have a taste of Thai, then the place to go to is Bangkok Wok. You can enjoy your meal with a classy ambiance at their restaurant. Not only that, you can really enjoy their food since most of the spices and some ingredients are imported direct from the source to get that authentic Thai taste and consistency in taste.

I was lucky enough to be invited for the food tasting experience of a lifetime together with some bloggers from Davao. We were graciously welcomed by Carmina and Raffy Del Rosario the owners of Bangkok Wok. Carmina who lived in Thailand for a while, explained to us that the dishes she has prepared for us are some of their best sellers and some that they will introduce to their menu in the coming days.

[caption id="attachment_1217" align="aligncenter" width="480" caption=" Ka Moo Pad Ped, Thai Oxtail Stew, Grilled Lamb Riblets, Ruamit and Kao Soy."][/caption]

Here are the food that we savored and it was really yummy. Have to go back for more and taste the rest of what's in the menu:

1. Yam Pak Boong - crispy kangkong salad in a sweet lime dressing with shrimps and crunchy shallots P225 (Good for 4-6 pax)
2. Kai Luk Koei - "son-in-law" eggs -- it's the Thai version of devilled eggs - deep fried hard-boiled eggs with tamarind sauce and fried chili P75
3. Laarb Gai - minced chicken salad with cilantro - P P195
4. Thai Oxtail Stew - slow-cooked oxtails served piping hot with cilantro, thai lime and thai vinegar P 300 (serves 4-6). This recipe was a best-seller at Chef Pam Panyasiri's in NYC and took months for us to develop until we achieved a perfect blend of herbs consisting of cinammon sticks, cumin, ground coriander.
5. Ka Moo Pad Ped - cripsy pork knuckles on top of red curry P595(serves 4-6)
6. Grilled Lamb Riblets - Australian lamb riblets grilled thai style with a spicy lime dipping sauce and somtam (green papaya salad) on the side P 480
7. Shrimp Fried Rice - Kao Pad Goong P 195 (good for 6)
8. Kao Kluk Gapi - our best selling rice- Bagoong Rice P 165 also good for up to 6 pax
9. Kao Soy - Chiang Mai noodle soup with crispy and soft egg and rice noodles topped with chicken, cilantro, pickled mustard P165
10. Dessert - Ruamit - Thai halo-halo P85

It is really a good place for Family or Barkada to go and eat, the food served is good for group of people to share and enjoy the hearty meal served.

1st Kadayawan Wakeboarding Competition!

A TOTAL cash prize of P60,000 is up for grabs when the 1st Kadayawan Festival Cup (KFC) Wakeboarding Competition plunges into action on August 20 at the world-class Deca Wakeboard Park (DWP) in Barangay Tacunan, Mintal and P30,000 worth of giveaways are also at stake for the participants.

Some 60 adult and kid competitors in the one-day free admission event that will have varied categories for different age-groups are expected.

The holding of the events in celebration of the Kadayawan sa Dabaw Festival will give awareness to Dabawenyos and Mindanaoans on the sport of wakeboarding.

The participants will be judged according to their tricks and stunts and how they go about all the obstacles.

A photo competition for photographers will be a side event. Cash prizes will also be awarded to the winners of the photo contest.

Deca Wakeboard Park is the third wakeboard park in the Philippines and the only one in Mindanao. The first one built was the Lago de Oro in Batangas and second was in Camarines Sur.

Entry fee for the wakeboard competition, which is presented by DWP with 8990 Housing Development Corporation, is P500 for all categories.

Get your NSO documents at any SM Business Centers Nationwide!

Getting your National Statistics Offices documents is now a breeze with the recent tie-up between the SM Department Store and NSO. You can now work on your NSO papers as you shop, as SM Business Centers can now facilitate the application, processing, and releasing of copies of civil registry documents. These include copies of birth, death, and marriage documents, copies of No Record of Marriage (CENOMAR) and copies of annotated and endorsed documents.

Simply visit SM Business Centers, sign the forms, make the payments, and come back for your documents in a few days.

The tie-up was recently formalized in a Memorandum of Agreement between SM and NSO. NSO Administrator Carmelita Ericta and NSO Director Lourdes Hufana recently signed the agreement with SM Retail SVP for Controllership Ricky Lim and AVP for Business Center Operations Dennis Yaw at the Prestige Lounge of SM Cubao.

The best part is that you can get your NSO documents while availing of other SM Business Center services: foreign exchange, BDO Remit, bills payment, and SSS and Pag-Ibig contributions.

NSO services is one of the many ways SM serves its customers through its Business Center, which is located at almost all SM Supermalls.

Search for Philippine Science High School scholars for 2011-12 now open!

The search is on for scholars of the Philippine Science High School System for SY 2011-2012. It is open to all graduating elementary pupils for the current school year from a duly recognized school by the Department of Education. Applicants must belong to the upper 10% of the graduating class and must not have a grade below 80 as certified by the school principal.

Requirements:

• Applicants must also be Filipino citizens with no pending application as immigrants in any foreign country;


• not more that 15 years old by June 30, 2011;


• in good health; fit to undergo a rigorous academic program;


• of good conduct and behavior;


• should not have previously taken the PSHS National Competitive Examination (NCE).

All applicants must submit a fully accomplished application form in duplicate with two recent iden-tical 1x1 pictures. Applicants from private schools will pay a non-refundable processing fee of P100 while applicants from public schools will not be charged. For applicants not belonging to the upper 10% of the current graduating class, a copy of report card for SY 2009-2010, with minimum grades of 85 in Science and Math and 80 in all other subjects, is required. Application forms are available in any of the PSHS campuses or DOST Regional Offices. For more information, you may call telephone nos. (02) 929-1606 or (02) 924-0614. PSHS NCE application forms are not for sale, no reservation fee is required and may be downloaded from the PSHS website: www.pshs.edu.ph. Deadline for filing of application in on August 27, 2010.

Only one test will be administered, a scholastic aptitude test (SAT) designed to measure Scientific Ability, Quantitative Ability, Abstract Reasoning and Verbal Aptitude. The PSHS NCE is scheduled on November 6.

The PSHS System is one of the agencies under the Department of Science and Technology which contributes to the expansion and development of the country’s scientific and technological manpower. At present, there are 11 campuses located in Dili-man, Quezon City; San Ildefonso, Ilocos Sur; Ba-yombong, Nueva Viscaya; Clark Freeport Zone, Angeles City; Goa, Cama-rines Sur; Jaro, Iloilo City; Argao, Cebu; Palo, Leyte; Balo-l, Lanao del Norte; Camp 8, Baguio City; and Tugbok, Davao City.

Interested applicants are advised to call the Registrar’s Office of the nearest PSHS Regional Campus. PSHS Southern Mindanao Campus (Davao) may be reached through telephone numbers (082) 293-0002 or (082) 293-0004.

TV5's Davao City Star Factor Audition Aug. 1, 2010!

TV5, the country’s fastest growing Network, will be looking for good looking and talented Davaoeños who has the potential to be the country’s next teen celebrities in the day-long auditions to be held at SM City Davao’s Event Center this Sunday, August1 from 10-00a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

TV 5′s upcoming reality based search Star Factor will screen 13-18 year olds showbis hopefuls with the total package of good looks, exeptional talent and charm, and all-important star quality.

Requirements:

• copy of birth certificate


• two passport size photo


• two full body photo


• parental consent for those below 18


• fill up the Star Factor registration form available at the venue

Star Factor will start airing sometime in September, hosted by Ruffa Gutierrez.
The Star Makers (Star factor’s panel of judges):

• Talent 5 head Audie Gemora


• multi-awarded writer and director Joey Reyes


• Photgrapher of stars Raymund Isaac


• maestro of Philippine music Ryan Cayabyab


• talent manager Ms. Annabelle Rama

For those who are interested, head to SM City Davao's Event Center and don't forget to bring the necessary requirements.

Kadayawan 2010 Event dates and venue!

Kadayawan 2010 Events, Dates and venues!

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-e06C5bwVGw[/youtube]

Here they are:

Engr. Manuel A. Medros 2nd Solo Art Exhibit for Painting

August 11,- September 11, 2010
Venue: Museo Dabawenyo

Agri-Trade Fair
August 13-30, 2010
Venue: SM City
A trade fair participated by farers, plant growers, handicraft producers and manufacturers.

Panagtagbo
August 16-22, 6-8 PM Venue: Peoples’ Park.
The converging of the Ata Manobo, Ubo Manobo, K’lata, Tagabawa, Matigsalog, Maranao, Maguindanao, Tausug, Sama and Kalagan tribes, celebrating thanksgiving of their oneness with the earth through performances, culinary fiesta and age-old craftsmanship integrated in a program that showcases their strength as diverse peoples of Davao.

Fair Trade Opening
August 16-22, 2010
Venue: Sanguniang Panlungsod Lobby
A bazaar of proudly Davao-made goods produced and manufactured by organizations that encourages entrepreneurship and empowerment participated by the women of Davao City.

Festival Opening
August 20, 2010
Venue: Rizal Park
The official launch of the 25th Kadayawan Festival highlighted by performances of the different tribes of Davao City.

Hudyakaan
August 20-22, 5:00 PM-2 AM
Venue: Bolton Street (Beside Sanguniang Panlungsod)
An evening street event that features music and food. A street festival, Davao-style.

Hiyas sa Kadayawan
August 20, 2010, 8 PM
Venue: Almendras Gym,
Search for the Kadayawan symbol, the indigenous lass who is knowledgeable of her indigenous culture and wisdom through a pageantry of Mindanaoan myths and legends.

Indak indak sa Kadalanan
August 21. 2010, 8 AM
Venue: Major thoroughfares of the city
The Indak Indak sa Kadalanan or the street dancing parade showcases the different colors, cultures and traditional dances of the different tribes of Davao and Mindanao.

Pamulak Floral Float Parade
August 22, 8 AM
Venue: Major thoroughfares of the city
Venue: Major thoroughfares of the city The grand finale of the Kadayawan Festival, the Pamulak is a mobile display of the blooming of flowers and ripening of fruits in creatively decorated floats on parade, showcasing the abundance of vegetation in the Davao Region.

1st Malagos Farm Fair set on Aug. 7-8!

1st Malagos Farm Fair is scheduled at the Malagos Garden Resort from August 7 to 8, 2010. This is the first Agri-Tourism event here in the city of Davao.

The Malagos Farm Fair was conceptualized as an occasion to sell the menagerie of farm animals the Puentespina Family grows. In Malagos Farm they are raising dairy goats, cows, sheep, cocks, horses, peacocks, pheasants, ostriches, fancy chickens, dogs, and ornamental birds.

Farm fairs like the one set to be held in Malagos next month, are regularly held in Europe and the United States but not in the Philippines. Puentespina said they are hoping to make the Malagos Farm Fair an annual event and make it another attraction for the city.

The event is perhaps the only opportunity for people to see as many as 300 pure-bred dairy goats in one setting. An additional attraction would be the cows and the ostriches which will also be on display and for sale.

The Malagos Farm is usually closed to the public the whole year through and this is the first time they are opening the farm gates to Dabawenyos and visitors from other areas.

The Puentespina family is a strict observer of sustainable farm management so there is actually zero waste in the farm as everything is reused, sold and recycled.

Grass from under the coconut and cacao are fed to the goats and cows with their waste going to the biogas digester or to the vermin composting to become fertilizer that goes back to the earth. Land use is thus maximized responsibly.

For a P250 entrance fee per day, inclusive of lunch of roast beef and sea bass from Alsons, guests to the Malagos Farm Fair will get the rare opportunity to get on board the hay ride for the farm tour.

The entrance fee is also inclusive of all the scheduled seminars and shows for the day such as the Cooking Demo by Purefoods, Farm Games by Coca Cola and Habagat, Techno Demo by DCTech and the evening concert by San Miguel Beer on the first day.

The seminars scheduled on August 7 include seminars on Cheese in the Philippines by Olive Puentespina, Creating Micro Habitats by Dr. Bo Puentespina and Renewable Energy Application in the Farm by Green Heat, BMEG-sponsored Seminar on Raising Organic Chickens and Pigs and Fresh Water Fish Farming.

Craft-Making sessions with Maej Villanueva happens at the Smart Place, and for an additional registration of P500, Dabawenyos will be treated to a wine and cheese appreciation by Swiss Deli featuring the Italian Wines and the best spread of the local cheeses from Malagos. Farm House "Cabrito" or roasted young goat will be its special menu, The Chocolate Shop Talk with Mars happens on Sunday, August 8, with a repeat of the agri-seminar topics of BMEG and Green Heat.

Tickets are available at Waling Flower Victoria Plaza, Tiny Kitchen, Bouna Terra and Betty's Bakeshop.

For more information please call 0917-5481867 or 082-2216344.

34th National Milo Marathon-Davao City eliminations registration set on July 29!

REGISTRATION for the 34th National Milo Marathon-Davao City eliminations will open on July 29 at the 2nd floor, Tamayo Bldg., Lapu-Lapu Ave, Agdao (beside Banco Filipino) and at Run Club in Bo. Obrero.

The Davao-leg National Milo Marathon's qualifying will kick off on August 29 in an out-and-back course from Roxas Avenue. This year's event is dubbed "Championing Dreams with Every Step."

Milo also recognizes the special need of developing under-privileged children to excel in sports by way of providing rubber shoes to one public school in cities where the Milo Marathon will also be held.

The race will also feature the 3K kiddie run and 5K fun run categories for male and female runners.

Registration fees are P50 for 3K and 5K, P500 for 10K and P500 for 21K half marathon. Registrants, however, are required to bring an empty Milo 300 grams pack upon registration.

Regular side events biggest school delegation, inter-school running competition and the cheer dance competition will add spice to the running spectacle.

Interested participants may contact (082) 296-1300 or mobile no. 0921-5949303.

Watch the video below:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4mihjqPToY[/youtube]

12th Jollibee Fun Run on August 15 in Davao City!

Join the 12th Jollibee Family Fun Run set on August 15 and which starts and ends at the NCCC Mall Davao Carpark.

The event will feature the regular 3K family or double run and 5K male and female open categories.

The route of the 3K entries will turn from the old Venee's Hotel and back to starting point while 5K runners will have to turn back until they reach the old GSIS Bldg. along McArthur Highway Matina.

This years theme is, "Jollibee Davao Cares for Watershed", the run will award trophies, medals, gift certificates and gift packs from various sponsors.

Registration is ongoing at all Jollibee Davao outlets. Fee is P160 inclusive of runner's shirt, kit, certificate and snacks.

Interested participants may contact Rain or PJ at telephone number (082) 224-5371.

Davao Cyber Expo on July 23-25 at the SM-Davao Event Center!

The Davao Cyber Expo 2010 will be held this coming July 23-25 at SM-Davao Event Center. This is an event that showcase not just brand-new computer hardware but also promoting online gaming competition especially for the youth.

"We want to make online gaming above ground; we want to professionalize it, because in some countries like South Korea , online gamers are treated like athletes," said Kitsi Avila of E-Squared Events the organizer of this year's event.

Davao Cyber Games or DCG is one of the highlights of the three day expo as teams from Davao, some parts of Mindanao and a team from Manila will battle it out in different gaming platforms like DOTA, Call of Duty 4,5,6, Battlefield 2, Dirt 2 and Bad Company 2.

In the tournament the champion team will be awarded with P25,000 in cash with giveaways from Intel.

A total of 45 teams or about 230 players have participated in the elimination rounds of the event. During the Expo proper a total of 8 quarterfinalists will vie for the top prize.

One of the major events in the Expo will include the much-awaited Tech Xtreme- a unique tech exhibit of high-end personal computer components and accessories, LAN Party Extreme- a gathering of the best computers in Davao it also features a competition on PC modding, performance and online gaming.

Gaming and computer tech enthusiast, this is the event that you've been waiting for here in Davao City.

Cristine Reyes Vava Vroom. . . Davao City with Hilera and Sandwich!

Cristine Reyes was in Davao City last Saturday, July 10 ,2010 for the promo of Colt 45 Vava Vroom for Real Men!

She arrived in time for the press conference at the Taste of Malaysia Restaurant where the press people and the bloggers are waiting for her arrival.  It was a delight to see her in person, cameras were rolling as she arrived. The press conference went smoothly. And she is really a proud endorser Colt 45. She gamely answered the questions thrown unto her.

After the press conference we went to Damosa for the promo concert featuring Hilera Band, Sandwich and of course featuring Cristine Reyes. The crowd was overjoyed to hear the band from Manila and they were ecstatic as Cristine came out of the stage. The camera phones and cameras were flashing and each one of the audience were ready to take pictures of her.

The “Colt 45 Vava-Vroom Real Man Promo” is giving away the chance for one lucky guy to go on a weekend getaway in Boracay with dreamy Cristine Reyes and another winner to drive home a dream 4×4 tough truck (modified as off roader) – tax free! According to Mr. Consul, it was a huge investment for Colt 45. Joining is easy: simply collect ten (10) Colt 45 silver crowns, enclose in an envelope with a piece of paper with your name, birth date, contact number, email address, home address and signature on it and drop it at any 2Go outlet. The promo started on May and draw date will be held on September 30, 2010 in Manila with DTI-BFAD Representative.

Watch the promo video below:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ecwDyPTRtNo[/youtube]
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_TEPFnPelc[/youtube]

Your Kids Talented? take a video for Sony Ericsson’s Wonder Kidz and win HD Phones!

If your child has the talent and you’ve got the camera, capture the amazing act for Sony Ericsson’s Wonder Kidz, a video contest to discover the country’s next Web sensation.

Children can sing, dance or act their hearts out, play sports, express themselves through art, or just be fresh, funny or fascinating being themselves.

Upload the videos on the new Sony Ericsson Philippines Facebook page. The top 10 “most liked” entries will qualify as finalists for judging by a celebrity panel of judges.

The winning wonder kid walks away with the new Sony Ericsson Vivaz with HD video, and P50,000 in cash.

From Sony Ericsson’s growing communication entertainment family of handsets, the Vivaz and Vivaz pro offer touch video capture in HD quality.

Vivaz comes with an 8.1-megapixel camera with continuous auto focus for video, 4x digital zoom, touch capture, video light, geo-tagging and image stabilizer.

Meanwhile, the Vivaz pro, with its full slide-out QWERTY keyboard, also features HD-quality image and video capture through its 5.1-megapixel camera.

Both handsets offer Wi-Fi capability, Facebook and Twitter applications, FM radio, 3D games and impressive music and media players.

Vivaz and Vivaz pro let you capture, view and share spontaneous moments and memories with the clarity of high-definition technology to best record and display your child’s star turns.

To join Wonder Kidz, contestants must upload a 30- to 60-second video of their child to the Sony Ericsson Philippines Facebook page at www.facebook.com/pages/Sony-Ericsson-PH. Label it with Vivaz Wonder Kidz and a video title.

Entries must have a brief description of the video, contestant’s full name, e-mail and contact numbers.

Contestants are encouraged to promote their videos through their various social networks to become the “most liked.” Spread the news about your child’s talents caught on video.

Got videos from last year’s school presentation or past holidays? Sony Ericsson’s Wonder Kidz is about sharing fun and memorable moments from children and will accept past videos as long as the child is still seven years old at the time of the contest.

Wonder Kidz comes on the heels of the successful Sony Ericsson Search for the FIFA Flag Bearer, a video contest that brought the Philippines’ first flag bearer to the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa. Twelve-year-old Megan Lo of Pangasinan carried the FIFA flag with children from across Asia in the England versus Algeria match.

Entries will be accepted until Aug. 31. Visit www.facebook.com/pages/Sony-Ericsson-PH for the contest’s full mechanics.

Kadayawan Festival Run on August 8, registration is now on!

THE annual Kadayawan Festival Run 2010 is set on August 8 at 5 a.m. in an out-and-back course at the Roxas Avenue, just near the Ateneo de Davao University.

The event will be presented by the Adidas Philippines with Motolite as the major sponsor.

The footrace will have four separate divisions -- the

• 3-kilometer,


• 5K,


• 10K


• 21K

Cash prizes, medals and certificates will be awarded.

The registration fees are

• P150 for 3K


• 5K, P200 for 10K


• P250 for 21K.

The finishers of the 21K will also each get a finisher's medal aside from the medals for the top three winners of the men and women's open categories.

Registration is now ongoing at the Adidas Store of Gaisano Mall in Bajada and at the newly opened Run Club Davao located at thePlaza del Carmen in Loyola St., Bo. Obrero. For inquiries, participants may contact organizers through tel. no. 2961300 or mobile no. 09215949303.

Bangs Garcia covers M Magazine!

Kapamilya actress Bangs Garcia is on the cover of M Magazine's latest issue!

From a host in local TV variety show to a lead starrer in a top-rating television series, Dabawenya actress Bangs Garcia is definitely making a significant leap in Philippine showbiz. In the latest edition of M (Life and Living in Mindanao) Magazine, Bangs bares her hits and misses, her triumphs and ordeals as she continues to pursue her dreams.

Joining Bangs in the pages of M Magazine's ninth issue are esteemed Mindanawon civic leaders Atty. Leoncio “Nonoy” Villa Abrille and Irene “Inday” Morada Santiago, together with Sulu's top visual artist Rameer Amilasan Tawasil and Indonesian Consul General Lalu Malik Partanawa, who shares his country's longtime friendship with Mindanao.

Thrilled to travel around Mindanao? Get some tips on where and what's new to explore in the island, such as wakeboarding in Mindanao's first wakeboard park; nature-tripping in Lake Sebu; conquering the peak of Bukidnon's Mt. Kitanglad; braving the wild waters of Cagayan de Oro; making a stopover at Tandag City; or joining the epic voyage of the Balangays.

Flip through the fashion section and be mesmerized by award-winning photographer Rhonson Ng’s underwater glam shots of Davao’s top mannequins and Niko Villegas’ dazzling images featuring the gem-inspired designs of Egay Ayag, Joao Tarepe, Patahian, and Argento de Salvador as modeled by Mutya ng Dabaw 2010 Janelle Tee. What’s more, Davao's premier houses of style, Rue Chephri and Martish, unveil their latest chic and elegant collections of designer brands in this issue.

Also in this issue are fascinating pieces on Zamboanga's sardine canning industry, Davao del Sur's healthy coconut products, Butuan's AQEM theater in education, plus a spotlight on Mindanao’s entertainment and wellness enclaves, parties and festive events, contemporary lifestyle, and many more.

M Magazine, Mindanao’s first and only travel and lifestyle quarterly publication, is available in all National Bookstore, Fully Booked, Power Books, Forewords, and Christian Ventures outlets, and in more than 200 bookstores and magazine stands nationwide. In Davao City, get your copies of M Magazine at Babasahin (Victoria Plaza, SM City, NCCC Mall, Gaisano Mall), MetroLifestyle Complex (Bo's Coffee, Krua Thai, Metro Gym), National Bookstore (Gaisano Mall, SM City), Farfalla Pasta Bar, Gaisano Mall Supermarket, Lachi's, Basti’s Coffee, Agencia Nina Jewelry (Victoria Plaza, JP Laurel, Bankerohan, Gaisano South, Gaisano Mall), ProMark and Davao Periodicals outlets. Visit www.m-mag.com.ph.

2010 Mindanao Invention Contest on July 22-25 in Davao City!

The Department of Science and Technology No. 11 (DOST 11) will host the Mindanao Invention Contest and Expo (MICE) 2010 on July 22-25 at the ground floor activity area of NCCC Mall. MICE 2010 is hosted in cooperation with the Technology Application and Promotion Institute (TAPI-DOST).

DOST is inviting local inventors, manufacturers, designers, creative researchers, and students (both tertiary and secondary levels) to participate in the 2010 Mindanao Invention Contest. This year’s theme is “Filipino Invention and Innovation: The Way Forward.”

Local inventors, researchers, and students are eligible to join in any of the six contest categories of the invention contest:

1. invention category (Tuklas Award);


2. utility model category;


3. industrial design category;


4. creative research category (Likha Award);


5. student creative research category (Sibol Award) for High School and


6. student creative research category (Sibol Award) for college.

Sibol Award is open to high school and college students. Entries should be endorsed by the school where the creative research was done.  The endorser can either be the principal, the school head, the dean of the college or the president of the school, said DOST 11 regional director Anthony Sales.

Ten thousand pesos cash prize awaits the winners in each category. First prize winners in the previous regional/national invention contests, except for special prizes not covered by the rules and criteria, shall no longer be eligible to join in the subsequent national/regional cluster invention contests.  However, those entries that have won under the creative research category may join the contest, provided that such entries are now patented/registered at the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPO).

Entries in the invention, utility model and industrial design categories must already have patent, utility model registration and industrial registration, respectively, on or before the deadline for the submission of entries. Deadline of submission of entries is on or before July 16.

Interested individuals may call the MICE 2010 secretariat at 221-5428 for details. Entry forms may be downloaded at http://region11.dost.gov.ph.

Prices of dental braces: What does the price depends on?

Prices of dental braces is always a big factor for parents and those who are working to finance themselves to straighten their teeth.

Once you have decided that you or your child need dental braces. You then ask a friend or acquaintances what they paid and how much. You usually receive different answers. Some of them may have done their braces  a long timeago.

Braces are usually paid in installments. Nevertheless, it really would cost thousands of pesos and you have to pay it for a period of time from one year and a half  up to more than two years.
We also have to consider that each dentist has their own price schedule. The price is then determined based on your specific case based on the dentist's fee schedule. Posting prices of braces on their website or even giving you the price over the phone would not make much sense because each case is different.

Things to consider and factors that influence the price of braces are:

• the severity and complexity of the orthodontic problem,


• length of treatment,


• type of braces,


• use of additional appliances such as retainers,


• whether or not oral surgery is needed,


• expertise of the orthodontist,


• location of the orthodontist.

The most important at this point is the expertise of the dentist, since the result of the treatment will be more desirable.

When in Davao City, all you need to do is visit:

Ortiz Dental Clinic

101 Maa RD. cor South St.

DBP Village, Matina

Davao City

Tel. # 273-4845

Cel. # 0921-8052837

We can give you the proper and reasonable price for dental braces for you or your kids. We encourage you to visit the clinic so that we can really give you the proper assessment on your case so that we can give you the proper treatment.

We care, because your smile matters!

OFWs need not wait for passport appointment—DFA!

Overseas Filipino workers and other Filipinos in urgent need of passports do not have to wait long for an appointment, the Department of Foreign Affairs-Office of Consular Affairs said in a news release Tuesday.

Currently, the DFA-OCA appointment system will give traveling Filipinos a September appointment to apply for an electronic passport.

“Returning OFWs and those that are due for overseas deployment can have their passports processed immediately provided that they present documents that show there are jobs waiting for them in their countries of destination,” said the statement of the DFA-OCA.

“Similarly, employment agencies with passport applicants are given special slots for immediate processing and expedited issuance of passports,” it added.

On top of this, the DFA satellite office at the Philippine Overseas Employment Agency (POEA) in Ortigas will also re-open on June 22 (not June 21 as earlier reported) to cater solely to the needs of OFWs.

The DFA has also increased the number of passport appointments to accommodate more applicants.

“Special passport processing is held every other Saturday, with the view of expanding this service every weekend to accommodate more people with urgent travels. This system will free up more slots on weekdays which is seen to significantly cut down the waiting time for an appointment,” it said.

“To accommodate passport applicants in the provinces, the 19 DFA Regional Consular Offices (RCOs) that are strategically located all over the country are likewise ready to accept more passport applications,” it added.

Travellers with urgent need for a passport are also issued emergency passports that can be processed immediately without passing through the appointment system, with the approval of the Passport Director's Office, with telefax number 836-7759, DFA-OCA chief Assistant Secretary Jaime Victor Ledda told INQUIRER.net

Source: Veronica Uy, Inquirer.net

Davao Bloggers Blood Donation Drive this Saturday, June 26, 2010!

Davao Bloggers is once again in partnership with the Red Cross Davao Chapter for Blood Donation Drive! In the hope to increase awareness and knowledge on the importance and benefits of blood donation.

Date: Saturday, June 26, 2010

Time: 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Venue: Red Cross Davao Bldg.,  Roxas Ave., Davao City

Individuals and groups that may be interested in making this particular event successful are invited to grace the occasion. Your presence is much appreciated and we also accept monetary funds or you may donate blood or assist us during the event.

For information on blood donation, preparation, and requirements, please visit this LINK.

See you there!

Register now for the Kadayawan Fun Run is set on Aug. 15, 2010!

THE Filipino Entrepreneurs and Resources Network Inc. (Fern Inc.) will sponsor a rain or shine fun run dubbed Takbo sa Kasaganahan at Kaunlaran sa Kadayawan on August 15.

Organizers bared that big cash prizes are at stake for the winners in the three levels, which are elementary, high school and open (collegiate, professionals).

The Elementary level to run the distance of three kilometer (3K) will have a registration fee of P150. The starting point of the run will be in Rizal Park and which the turning point is in Central Bank going back to Rizal Park again.

High school level (5K) will start at the same place going to San Roque House as its turning point and back to Rizal Park. The registration fee is P250.

Meanwhile, the open category or 10K will have its turning point at the Southern Mindanao Hospital formerly named Davao Medical Hospital. Registration fee is P350.

Registration is ongoing and the deadline is on July 28, 2010 where the fee is non-refundable.

Winners for 3K category will bag P5,000 for the first prize. Second prize is P4,000, while P2,000 for third. There will be two runners who will win each prize, one for boy participants and another for girls.

For the 5K category, winners will receive P15,000 for the first prize, one for girl participants and one for boys. Second prize will receive P10,000, P5,000 for third, P3,000 for fourth placers and P2,000 for fifth runners-up.

However, in the 10K category prizes are a little bit higher with the first placers to get P20,000, P15,000 for the second, P8,000 for third runners-up, P5,000 for the fourth placers, and P4,000 for the fifth.

Assembly time will be at 5 a.m. in Rizal Park while the run starts at 6 a.m.
All participants will receive a certificate of participation, a Fern jersey, one pad Fern-C and a bowler.

Entry is non-transferable and change of race category after registration is not allowed.

For more details regarding this event, please call 271-5371 or 09105517372 and look for Bogart.

The Bat Emergence Night tour on June 27, 2010 in Samal Island!

THE Philippine Bat Conservation Inc. (PBCI) and the Monfort Bat Cave prepared another environment conservation activity in time for this month's eco-tourism celebration.

The Bat Emergence Night tour program on June 27, 2010 will be held at Monfort Bat Cave, Barangay Tambo, Babak District, Island Garden City of Samal (Igacos) from 1 to 8 p.m.

The theme is Bat Conservation through Culture and Arts.

The event will feature arts exhibit, fruit tree planting, organic farming workshop, launching of Monfort Bat Cave's Guinness World Record, arts workshop, bat origami, poetry reading, arts performance, bat emergence viewing, fire dance, and a music band.

In February this year, the Monfort Bat Cave was recognized by Guinness Book of World Records as the world's largest colony of Geoffrey's Rousette Fruit Bats or Rousetteus amplexicaudatus.

Highlight of the event will be a musical performance for bat conservation of well-known Davaoeño musician/artist Popong Landero, known for being a left-handed guitarist and for his reggae covers of Bob Marley.

Mindanao Culinary Festival (MCF) 2010 and Food Processing and Packaging (FPP) Technology Expo 2010, on June 16-19, 2010 in Davao City!

A culinary first in Mindanao, the Mindanao Culinary Festival (MCF) 2010, for its first phase, joins the biggest and most-focused food and beverage trade show dubbed Food Processing and Packaging (FPP) Technology Expo 2010, on June 16-19, 2010 at Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.

FPP Mindanao continues to emerge as the most important food and beverage trade show in Mindanao providing linkages for the region’s manufacturers, processors and distributors with the latest products and technologies available in the market today. More than the trade show, FPP Mindanao has scheduled varied food-related and business-related seminars which are mostly free and open to the public such as on coffee farming, rice production, healthy cuisine, chocolate decorations and glaze, cake decorating, etc.

The MCF 2010, now on its 10th year, will be staged in two phases.

• The Phase I is intended for the participation of the professionals for selected competitions: Table Setting, Centerpiece Arrangement, Wedding Cake Display, UFS Local Soo Pinoy Soo Davao (Tuna/Tilapia/Chicken categories) and UFS Green-Hued Mock-tails.


• Phase II will be for the students scheduled on September 1-3, 2010 to give ample time for them to prepare. Recognizing the importance of green practices in kitchen management, and also in line with the advocacy of the Department of Tourism to promote sustainable tourism, the MCF 2010 theme is “Celebrating the Reign of Green”.

The MCF 2010 is supported by the Department of Tourism, Unilever Foodsolutions, Nestle Professional and Philippine Airlines. For more information, please contact 2215674 loc 101 and 3006730 or write konkordans@gmail.com.

30-minute switching power interruptions in Davao City on Sunday, June 13, 2010!

Davao Light and Power Company will be conducting two separate switching power interruptions on Sunday, June 13, affecting some parts of its southern franchise.

In a press release, the company has advised that the switching interruption is necessary to facilitate the upgrading of 69 kV line from Bangkal to Ulas. The temporarily shifting of power supply will minimize a widespread and prolonged service interruption.

Experiencing the separate 30-minute service interruptions from 1:30 PM to 2:00 PM and from 4:00 PM to 4:30 PM for normalization of loads are from Davao Memorial Park in Matina up to Inawayan, Binugao in Toril including GSIS Subd., part of Shrine Hills, Matina Aplaya, Bangkal, Ulas, Puan, Talomo, Bago Aplaya, Dumoy, Toril Proper, Bayabas up to Tungkalan, Eden and its neighbouring areas.

Similarly affected are the customers from crossing Ulas going to the whole area of Catalunan Perqueno up to Mintal Public Market.

Davao Light apologizes for the inconvenience of this service interruption but it will exert all efforts to restore electric service as scheduled or earlier. However, there may be instances where restoration may extend beyond the schedule due to unavoidable circumstances.

SocSarGen Summer Safari and Mindanao Food Appreciation Tour!

This is the first time that I joined a very big event in SocSarGen area and I tell you it was awesome!

The day started very early for me since we had a call time to meet in front of Ice Castle Hotel, General Santos City where we were accommodated. I woke up at around 5 a.m. and waited for the other bloggers to wake up and call us up since we will be picked up with our transportation going to our destination which is Polomolok, then Lake Sebu, Marbel and back in General Santos City.

Dolores Farm Resort, Polomolok, South Cotabato is our first destination.

We had our breakfast here courtesy of  Dolores Farm Resort, it was refreshing to eat your breakfast in a native inspired hut, surrounded by luscious greenery. This is also the place where you can find the Polomolok Zoo, they also have swimming pool to boast for those who wants to cool down and dip into water.

The breakfast they serve was very filling, they served us fried Bangus and deep fried breaded Tilapia together with fried rice. They also have hotel rooms for travelers and those guests who wants to stay there longer. And one thing more they have a weekend Magic show for kids. They also hosts events and bikini open.

Trek and Zip at Seven Falls

Our next destination is the famous Seven Falls in Lake Sebu where you can trek and ride the most accessible zip line in SocSarGen area. The entrance is P20.oo for adults and from there you can go down and see the highest water fall in the region, the second of the seven waterfalls. If you are fit enough then try going down the 774 steps of stairs to view the majestic second water falls.

If you are brave enough then try the Zip at Seven falls, I was not able to try it, but the bloggers from Cagayan de Oro waited patiently and went back after lunch. Since it was a weekend the cue to ride the zip was very long.

Lunch at Punta Isla Lake Resort

It was a sight to behold, Punta Isla Lake Resort with the view of Lake Sebu. You will experience not only the good food but also the culture and history of the place presented by the native s of the area.

The lunch was superb with fresh ly cooked fish, grilled and fried Tilapia and even "Kinilaw na Tilapia", the native chicken dish of the T'boli specialty was also served. We really enjoyed the sumptuous lunch.

Merl Garden Spring Resort

We went to Merl Garden Spring Resort for our free snacks at Barangay Lahit, Lake Sebu. Merl Garden is owned by a family from Digos City and they just got there for the weekend to oversee the operation. A perfect palace for a family outing. There is a monkey bar, hanging bridge, banca ride, horse backriding, 40 feet monkey ladder, 2-way zip line, slide for life and bagging challenge.

Sa Balai Bistro, Koronadal City

After the long wait for other bloggers who went to zip at Lake Sebu we headed to Koronadal City Sa Balai Bistro to loosen up. We were greeted with Sa Balai’s drinks that are exclusively their own Pandan Shakes, Mulberry Tea, and Home-Brewed Coffee. Sa Balai has a nice ambiance, an old ancestral house which they turn into a bistro with artistic pieces from different ethic cultures in a mix of European decorations can be seen inside.

Red Tent Steakhouse

To end the day we went to Red Tent Steakhouse, we were serve al fresco under a red tent, that is where they got their name for the restaurant. The food was great we were served with crabs, beef steak, pork, garlic tuna,  and complete with dessert.

Adventure and food are well worth visiting the SocSarGen area, if you happen to pass by the area I highly recommend that you visit these places and I'm sure you wont regret visiting them at all.

A bunch of thanks to the following sponsors:

• Mr. Rey Billena of The Ice Castle Experience


• Piyesta KTV and Restobar


• Pacman Sports Bar


• Le Jardin Arnevel


• Dolores Farm Resort


• Francis Sablon of Zion Travel


• Seven Falls Zipline


• Punta Isla Lake Resort


• Merl Garden Resort


• Sa Balai Bistro


• The Red Tent Steakhouse


• Rolee’s Bakeshop


• Coffee Club 101


• Kuya Chito’s Takuyaki


• SOCCKSarGen Bloggers


• Avel and Orman Manansala