Saturday, April 30, 2011

A day in Marex Beach Resort, Samal Island!


Marex Beach Resort is located at Camudmud, Babak Samal, it is just a boat ride away and you are already in the famous Vanishing Island and a few meters from the famous Monfort Bat Cave!

If you don't have anything to do this summer or just want to have a simple get away from the city, this is the place to be. A day would suffice, but if you want to unwind and relax than they also have a cozy room for an overnight stay and it is not very expensive at all with a bath and air conditioned rooms available. They also have dorm type accommodation that can cater to a group with separate rooms for males and females and function room for seminars, events and weddings.

In the middle of the resort lies a small lagoon, and if you want you can go fishing. If you want to relax just go to the beach and if that is not enough. You can proceed to the island just off the coast of the resort. The famous Vanishing Island, the name speaks for itself as the island vanishes when the tide i high and can be seen again when the tide is low.


Nothing to do this weekend? How about going to Marex Beach Resort and spend a day with nature and just relax.

Thanks to OlanFernandez Embuscado of The Travel Teller, if not for him I would never know a cool and affordable place to stay in the Island Garden of Samal.

For more information CLICK HERE for rooms and rates.

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Tagum City day tour a must experience you wished you were there!

 




[caption id="attachment_1460" align="aligncenter" width="512" caption="RIVER CRUISE at Tancuan River and Balingaon River"][/caption]

Last April 10, 2011 I took part of “TAGUM CITY: Beyond Your Usual City Tour” organized by Olan Fernandez Emboscado of The Travel Teller. At first I was hesitant to take part of the tour since Tagum City is just an hour drive from Davao City and I thought that a day tour will just be like visiting any small city with just few things to do for a day tour.

 




[caption id="attachment_1463" align="aligncenter" width="512" caption="Banana Beach (Madaum, Tagum)"][/caption]

I changed my mind as I saw the days itinerary of the tour. Wow, Tagum City is not just any other small city where they only boast of their becoming a city with the revenues that they get from its constituents, that made them a city. Well I was wrong, they have really made a lot of efforts that the people of Tagum can be proud of. The local government with the leadership of their Mayor Rey T. Uy is making leaps and bounds to promote their city as the next tourist destination in the Davao Region.

 




[caption id="attachment_1464" align="aligncenter" width="512" caption="Hijo Estate Forest and elevated canopy walkway"][/caption]

Our jump off point is in Davao City where we rode a jeepney to Tagum City which is an hour drive away. We first visited the Mangrove Park in the Tancuan creek which is locally known as the Bingcungan River. And it is where we started our boat ride to the river which goes all the way to Davao Gulf, a 8.7 km. boat ride. Along the way we can see the mangrove planted along the river banks and some fishing village along the way and we can see that they are doing their daily routines of the day tending their fish cages.

We then proceed to the famous Banana Beach, the only beach situated inside a banana plantation and surrounded with coconut trees which is part of the Hijo Resource Palntation. A forest tour is a must with a canopy walk inside the forest where we saw some wild monkeys roaming aroune and they say in some days you can see wild boars, snakes and monitor lizards roaming around the wild.

[caption id="attachment_1462" align="aligncenter" width="512" caption="Lunch at Secret Garden Restaurant "][/caption]

We had our lunch at the famous Secret Garden Restaurant in Tagum City. It is a restaurant situated inside a garden. You can dine there under the roof or al fresco. The lunch was included in our tour we had breaded fish filet, chicken adobo with vegetable on the side. It was delicious and filling with never ending iced tea.

[caption id="attachment_1465" align="aligncenter" width="512" caption="Church, Shrines and La Filipina Cemetery "][/caption]

After lunch we went to Church of Christ the Eucharistic King, Christ the King Cathedral, Giant Rosary,Regina Rosary
and Mary Wood’s Shrine (Magdum, Tagum). It was really great since it is the weekend before the Holy Week and we had our early Visita Iglesia. And the famous La Filipina Public Cemetery.

[caption id="attachment_1466" align="aligncenter" width="512" caption="Tagum City Hall and Night Market"][/caption]

We visited the great structure in Tagum City which is the Tagum City Hall. It is a huge edifice that Tagum City can be proud of when the city hall will be finished, targeted at the end of this year. They have an open stage on the right side where events of the city will be held. We cap the tour with a dinner at their famous Night Market and luckily we saw Mayor Rey T. Uy after dinner and had a small talk with the tour group. And he is very proud of the night market as it is one of the most profitable money making project that the city has which contributed a big chunk in the city's coffer which runs into millions.

Indeed it “TAGUM CITY: Beyond Your Usual City Tour" an experience you must make!

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Summer Junior Photographer Workshop in Davao City!



Junior Photographer Workshop is a 5 session of fun designed to introduce kids ages 11-15 years of age to the world of photography using Point and Shoot or DSLR cameras.

So what are you waiting for register now.

Workshop date is on May 2-6, 2011 from 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. except on May 5 which will be 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.a photo shoot at crocodile park.

Registration fee is P 2,000.00 inclusive of crocodile park fees

Limited slots only.

CONTACT

Paragon Images Plus
Door 1, 25 F.S. Dizon Road, Bajada, Davao City, Philippines
(+63-920) 924-4421; (+63-82) 282-1311
Email: paragonimagesplus@gmail.com

Monday, April 11, 2011

Summer Photo Workshops in Davao City at Paragon Images Plus!

 






Every year from April to May, Paragon Images conducts photography workshops in Davao City.  Topics range from basic principles (parts of the camera, functions, composition, shooting etc.) to advanced skills (lighting techniques, travel photography, landscape, etc.). 

Instructor Eugene Lara uses combined materials from the New York Institute of Photography where he obtained his formal training, various books and magazines, and his many years' experience in advertising, industrial and wedding photography.

Each workshop takes about 5 half-days or 2 full days, including a field shoot and photo contest.

Special talks, seminars or small group sessions may also be arranged throughout the year, anywhere in the Philippines.




Workshops 2011


Basic Photography

May 17,18,19 (6-9pm), 20 (5-7:30am photo shoot), 21 (5-7pm)

Registration: P3,000.00


Basic Lighting

June 1,2,3,6 (6-9pm), 4 (practicum by batches)

Registration: P3,500.00


Travel Photography

May 11,12,13,16 (6-9pm), 15 (whole day, outdoor shoot)

Registration: P3,000.00 (inclusive of park fees and lunch on May 15)


Landscape Photography

May 26,27,31 (6-9pm), 28 (half day outdoor shoot)

Registration: P3,000.00




Paragon Images Plus


Door 1, 25 F.S. Dizon Road, Bajada, Davao City, Philippines
(+63-920) 924-4421; (+63-82) 282-1311
Email: paragonimagesplus@gmail.com








Davao Exclusive: Globe Super Lahat20!


Globe Telecom launched a very innovative offer exclusive to its prepaid subscribers in Davao that allows them to enjoy unlimited text messages, make calls, surf the internet on their mobile phone, and send international text messages in one affordable package.

With GLOBE SUPERLAHAT20, Globe prepaid subscribers can send unlimited texts to Globe/TM, make 100 call minutes to Globe/TM, surf the internet for 1 hour and send 5 international text messages to over 190 destinations for only P20 vaild for a day’s use. The 100 call minutes and 60 minute-mobile surfing are both consumable by the minute.

GLOBE SUPERLAHAT20 is the first ever all-in-one of its kind from Globe Prepaid available to our Davao prepaid subscribers. One of our most exclusive offers thus far, Globe prepaid subscribers registered to GLOBE SUPERLAHAT20 can enjoy the fundamental services of their mobile phones minues the hassle of switching SIMs and paying additional charges. They just need to be Globe-connected”, said Cathy Santamaria, Head of Globe Prepaid.

GLOBE SUPERLAHAT20 users are empowered to get more of what they need in mobile services, allowing them to stay in touch with their friends both here and abroad through all-you-want texting, calling and surfing – offered at an affordable package that is convenient and easy to use.

To avail of the service, Globe Prepaid subscribers in Davao can register by texting SUPERLAHAT20 to 8888. Users will receive a text message confirming their registration to GLOBE SUPERLAHAT20. A P1 maintaining balance is needed to enjoy the service.

Santamaria added, “We understand that our Globe prepaid subscribers live a very mobile and dynamic lifestyle. It is very timely to provide them with an attractive offer that empowers them to do everything on their mobile phone without limites and restrictions. Through GLOBE SUPERLAHAT20, our Globe prepaid subscribers get the best value in an all-in-one package that truly lets them enjoy their Globe Prepaid, their way – the Davao way.”

Davao City is the premier city and hub of Mindanao and has emerged as the business, investment and tourism hub for the entire southern Philiippines. Current revenue statistics show that Davao City is the fifth richest city in the Philippines in terms of local income, making it the only city outside greater Manila in the top five. “Davao has much potential in the fields of business and communications technology. Through this offer, we aim to expand brand presence for Globe Prepaid in Davao and drive continued growth in our prepaid subscriber base, giving our prepaid subscribers the exclusive experience only Globe can provide with our topnotch offers,” revealed Santamaria.

Globe Prepaid ended 2010 on a high note with 13.8-million subscribers, up 6% year-on-year and 4% quarter-on-quarter amidst a maturing mobile market. As of December 2010, the company’s prepaid segment posted Php36.2-billion in revenues.

*text ITXT INFO to 8888 for list of countries

 

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Wok All You Can! Buffet every Wednesday for P350 at Bangkok Wok!

Wok All You Can for Php330 per person!

Check out Bangkok Wok's Thai buffet every Wednesday for the whole month of April and May 2011!

Bangkok Wok is the only place in Davao City where you can get the authentic taste of real Thai food with ingredients that are fresh and spices directly imported from its source.

This is in line with their second year anniversary in giving authentic Thai dishes to DavaoeƱos!

I was one of the privilege who got to taste their dishes offered for their buffet. Wow, i was knocked off my feet. All the dishes were delicious. From starters, soup to the main dishes it was marvelous. One delicious dish after another an experience you must not miss. So, be ready every Wednesday make it a Bangkok Wok! day!

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

 




[caption id="attachment_1433" align="aligncenter" width="512" caption="Soup and Starters"]Soup and Starters[/caption]

Soup and Starters:

 

  • TOM YUM TALAY- hot and sour mixed seafood soup

  • PHO PIA-fried spring rolls

  • PHO PIA SOD-fresh spring rolls


[caption id="attachment_1434" align="aligncenter" width="512" caption="Main Courses"]Main Courses[/caption]

Main Courses:

  • CAI HOR BAI TOEY - Chicken in pandan leaves

  • KA MOOD PAD PED - crispy knuckles over red curry

  • MOO SATE - pork sate in peanut sauce

  • PLA RAD PRIK or MAKAM - crispy tilapia in tamarind sauce

  • PAK BOONG - stir-fried morning glory with tausi

  • KAENG PAK RUAMIT - assorted vegetables in green curry

  • PLA MUG KRATIEM - squid with garlic, pepper and cilantro

  • PAD THAI - stir fried noodles thai style

  • KAO KLUK KAPI - Bagoong rice

  • UNLIMITED PLAIN RICE


 




[caption id="attachment_1432" align="aligncenter" width="512" caption="Desserts"][/caption]

Desserts:

  • TAKO PLAIN

  • TAKO DURIAN

  • THAI HALO-HALO