The Declaration

Japz Cadelina's personal declaration

is "forgiven".

November 17, 2012. Taguig City. Mercato Centrale had declared its new location at 30th Street in 9th Avenue in Bonifacio Global City. Oxfam and Dakila also declared that day its advocacy for eating Brown Rice and for supporting the local farmers who grow it. Many bazaar concessionaires and customers also declared their support for these 2 coinciding events and among them is the Japz Cadelina. But his is a declaration of another kind.



Japz Cadelina is the owner of the Declaration Shirts. He created its concept for his thesis during his college days in the College of Saint Benilde. He took Multimedia Arts. After graduation, he joined a real estate company as a Graphic Artist. On his 6th month, when he’s about to be regularized, he declared his resignation.



He was already doing bazaars back then and was doing pretty well in it. Now he’s focusing full time in his business and also taking freelance jobs on the side.



Declaration Shirts is unique in its kind. One thing that attracted me to it is its simplicity. All shirts are in black and white only. The fonts used for the statements are uniform in style. The words imprinted in front of the shirts describe the different emotions a Christian feels on his or her faith. There’s “inspired”, “happy”, “changed” and “blessed”. I got “forgiven”. There was a certain kind of feeling that went with that word when I saw it. Japz said that it was also his personal declaration. He was wearing it that day.

Shirts may be bought along with this sleek box  for only

PhP10.00 each. It's a perfect gift for  Christmas!

Being a son of a pastor at their local Christian church, Japz may have taken his inspiration from his dad. He openly shared to me that when his dad died a couple of years ago, his uncle took over and now he’s also a member of their music ministry as a drummer.



It’s amazing how Japz was able to do these things. At an early age, he already has an up and coming business which even celebrities like Enchong Dee, John Prats and Jericho Rosales support. Then again, I really don’t wonder why whenever I think of this verse from the Bible.

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." -Philippians 4:13

INVITATION: Let us support Japz’s Declaration Shirt! It’s a perfect gift for yourself and for your loved ones this coming Christmas. For more information, please check out Declaration’s Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/declarationshirts. Or you may contact them directly at 0917-5279-768 or declarationshirts@yahoo.com.

Why should Filipinos go back to eating Brown Rice?

Bayang Barrios and Noel Cabangon entertaining
the crowd with their  enthralling voices and artisty.

I had the privilege to be invited as one of the bloggers to attend the Brown Rice Lunch and Launch at Mercato Centrale in Bonifacio Global City last November 17. I am very thankful to Oxfam and Dakila for inviting me. I had a great time listening to inspiring people who enumerated the many benefits of eating Brown Rice- not only for one’s health but also for one’s community and the environment. I also had a great time listening to great music- rendered by none other than Kitchie Nadal, Bayang Barrios and Noel Cabangon who were ambassadors of the campaign.

 I never gave much thought about eating Brown Rice until I heard the spokespersons talk about it during the event. We were used to eating the regular white rice and I never thought that there can really be a long list of substantial reasons why I should shift to Brown Rice.

Mang Nestor Quijano from Negros Oriental
showing me the Brown Rice.

 It was said that Brown Rice is simply the “unpolished rice”. And the regular white rice that we know is the “polished rice” which actually underwent two major mechanical post-harvest milling processes. The term “two major mechanical post-harvest milling processes” is equivalent to saying more nutrients being stripped off from the rice, more energy consumption and more expenses for the farmers.

 This is what the campaign is trying to resolve. Oxfam and Dakila wants to bring the people back to eating what our ancestors used to eat- the Brown Rice. It’s healthy. It’s good for the family and the community. It’s good for the environment. It’s good for the farmers. It’s good for the country. It’s really the good food. 

Thanks again to Oxfam and Dakila for allowing me to take part in this wonderful initiative. To know more about Brown Rice, please visit their website or Facebook Page.

Aisaku's Birthday Concert For A Cause

Amira Kojic White Photo Contest

Amira is giving away a brand new Apple iPad 3 Retina 32GB plus gift packs. Check out the full mechanics below!

Please feel free to share this poster on your Facebook Account or Page.

HOW TO JOIN
STEP 1: Like www.facebook.com/AmiraItsMagic
STEP 2: Take the most creative photo of yourself with Amira Kojic White soap and submit to amirapromo@gmail.com along with your name, address & mobile number.

PRIZES
• The entry with the most number of Likes wins an Apple iPad 3 Retina 32GB plus Amira gift pack.
• Five (5) consolation prizes consisting of PHP1,000 worth of Amira gift packs shall also be given away.

PROMO DURATION
• Submission of entries starts on October 19, 2012.
• Deadline of submission of entries is until 11:59PM of November 16, 2012.
• Voting starts on November 17, 2012.
• Voting is until 11:59PM of December 10, 2012.
• Announcement of winners is on December 11, 2012.

WHO CAN JOIN
• The contest is open to all the fans of Amira Facebook Page.
• Employees of Amira Pharma Inc. and its media agencies and relatives are disqualified to join the contest.

HOW TO REDEEM PRIZES
• The winners shall be notified via email along with the instructions on how to claim their prizes.
• Upon notification, winners have 60 days to claim their prizes.
• The winners must present at least 2 valid IDs. Any discrepancy will result to disqualification.

Yabang Pinoy Launches PHmade: “It’s Worth Buying For”

Yabang Pinoy intensifies its consumer revolution campaign through the PHmade movement.

The pioneering Filipino pride movement, through PHmade, yet again encourages Filipinos to support Filipino ideas, business concepts, products, and services. The campaign aims to educate Filipinos, through videos, print materials and events, on the availability and viability of Filipino brands, and on the positive impact that going local contributes to the economy.

PHmade’s tagline “It’s Worth Buying For” encourages each Filipino to think twice before spending: is it really worth buying for? Yabang Pinoy believes that small things, when done together, can create a big difference. If each Filipino became conscious of where he spends one peso, he will understand how each choice affects himself, fellow Filipinos, and the country. PHmade also aspires to influence Filipino entrepreneurs into supporting local natural and human resources.

Indeed, patronage of locally made goods and services should be a lifestyle. It enables homegrown brands to improve and compete against foreign brands. The local economy also improves as money goes back and forth between consumer and business, employee and employer. And as more entrepreneurs create, develop, and expand their businesses, more job opportunities are generated. PHmade recognizes Filipino ingenuity and the role of each Filipino in nation-building.

PHmade focuses on seven categories: Produce, Home, Footwear, Fashion, Personal and Home Care, Food and Beverage, and Entertainment. The campaign will continue to collaborate with Filipino entrepreneurs and encourage them to continue to improve their products and services and to always aim for Filipino brands to be global brands.

PHmade is a project of Yabang Pinoy, the pioneering Filipino pride movement that started in 2005. As it celebrates its 8th anniversary, the organization includes it among numerous Filipino pride projects, such as the Y.A.B.A.N.G. Camp (Youth Achievers Building A Nation of Greatness Camp), Yabang Pinoy Goes to School, Pinaka-mahabang Todo Patintero, Global Pinoy Bazaar, and many more. In the 8 years that Yabang Pinoy has immersed itself in various nation-building activities, it re-affirms its belief that true progress and development in our country will start once Filipinos begin living a proudly Filipino lifestyle.

Yabang Pinoy invites every Filipino to be part of the PHmade movement. As early as now, save November 10- 11 2012 for the 8th Global Pinoy Bazaar – a showcase of Filipino products made with 100% Filipino Love and Pride.

For more information on Yabang Pinoy, visit www.yabangpinoy.com or email yabangpinoy@gmail.com.

Rock 4 Ages: Midlife Crisis Concert

Rock 4 Ages: Midlife Crisis Concert 
Newport Performing Arts Theater
September 25, 2012
8:00PM

Directed by Freddie Santos
Musical Direction by Kettle Mata and Roy Del Valle
 Special Participation of Michael V. and other surprise guests

For the benefit of MLC UP College of Music Scholars and Kalinga Intramuros
For tickets, please call Ms. Junie at 0922-860-9248

https://www.facebook.com/groups/midlifecrisisph/ 

Top 10 Emerging Influential Blogs 2012 Writing Project

1. www.momforacause.com. This blog evolved from being a child-advocate to being an advocate of other causes such as women and the environment. I am personally looking forward to seeing more posts from this site and witness how the blogger will change lives of her fellow Filipinos through her works and writings.
2. www.allhonestreviews.blogspot.com. I am very impressed on how specific is the niche that this blog chose to focus on. The blog's advocacy is to be the online marketing arm for small and medium businesses, maybe even for the micro-entrepreneurs, who doesn't have much voice in the online world. The blogger chooses unique products and services by small and medium businesses and blogs about them.
3. www.filipinobloggersworldwide.com. The purpose of this blog is to unite the many Filipino bloggers all around the world. I am looking forward to seeing more about this group and the initiatives that will carry out in the future in order to promote camaraderie among Filipino bloggers.
4. www.unsugarcoatedreviews.com. This blog's promise is to become a source of honest and truthful reviews of products and services that cater to the Filipinos. I am looking forward to more of her impartial assessments about different products and services and how she'll be able to successfully differentiate her blog from other review blogs.
5. www.gadgetgambit.com. Gadget Gambit is one of the newest technology blogs in town that features different cool gadgets geeks are crazy about!
6. www.sittiecateslovestories.blogspot.com. SittiCates Loves Stories is a blog about authors and their books. I love reading so I'm voting for this influential blog.
7. www.reginstravels.blogspot.com. Regin's Travels is really cool travel blog by Regin Reyno. This guy had been to Europe and Southeast Asia and what can be more interesting than to read from someone who have reached these places.
8. www.nognoginthecity.com. Nognog In The City is an urban adventure blog. Yes! Adventures also abound in the city. I'm reading this blog because I've always been a city guy and I know that I don't need to go out of town just to have an adventure.
9. www.peanutubo.com. A Pensive Peanut is a must-read for marketing and social media enthusiast like me!
10. www.davaoeagle.com. The first time I went to Davao, I remember its profound sense of beauty and peacefulness. Given a chance, I'll go back there again and bring as many mangosteens with me to Manila. Kudos to this blog!   

Top 10 Emerging Influential Blogs 2012 Writing Project is supported by Tof Salcedo, Philippine data center,  Philippine online shopping, Manila Standard Today, DigitalFilipino Club and Search Profile Index. 

Five People You Meet In A Small Group

The Let Us series of talks at Victory Ortigas emphasized the importance of having a small group who shall act as your spiritual family on Earth as you move along in your walk with God. A single Christian was compared to an ember which needs to be with other embers in order to survive longer through the heat that they can produce altogether.

The series allowed me to realize how blessed I am to be a part of a small group which is very instrumental in my growth as a Christian. Because of my small group I am constantly reminded that God designed us to be in fellowship with others and that it pleases Him to see us praying, singing and carrying out tasks for Him altogether.

Below is a list of the Five People You Meet In A Small Group, inspired by the title of Mitch Albom’s novel “The Five People You Meet in Heaven”. This is also inspired by what Mr. Anthony Pangilinan shared to us during one of his talks that I attended. He said that we should meet quarterly five people who we look up to so that we can learn from them and eventually be like them.

For people who are in a small group, this can be a fun way to spot “who’s who” among you and you can also use this as an opportunity to know more about each other by opening up to the group the roles that each one of you play.

You can also use the list as a springboard to other names/titles that you can come up with to describe the other members of your small group. If you were able to do so, please feel free to share it with us by using the comment box below!

Please download the image above to tag your small group friends on Facebook! Don't forget to share this
to your church-mates too!

1. The Leader is the person that you personally look up to when it comes to his faith in God. You are inspired by the way he lives his life as a Christian and/or by the way he relates to others in the group. You, at some point, would want to emulate his ways.
   Keywords: Inspirational, Role Model, Servant Leader


2. The Teacher is a great sharer of God’s Word. He normally cites biblical verses during discussions and his insights are remarkable and worth listening to. He can be a great pastor.
   Keywords: Bible, Instructor, Pastor, Teacher


3. The Prayer Warrior is the first person you would turn to when you are in need of prayers. He blesses others by the way he prays and is probably the first one to ask for any prayer requests from the group during meetings. He can also be a great source of encouragement.
   Keywords: Encouragement, Prayer 


4. The Confidante is the one who knows most of your innermost thoughts and feelings more than anyone in the group. He can also be your activity partner, best buddy or bestfriend.
   Keywords: Activity Partner, Bestfriend, Buddy, Secret Keeper 


5. The Lil' Bro/Sis is the one you have once reached out to or would want to reach out to give any kind of help such as advice or guidance. You have been or has the potential to be a Leader, Teacher, Prayer Warrior or Confidante to him/her.
   Keywords: Advice, Guidance, Help

Are you interested to be a part of a small group in Victory? Please check out this link.

Stratmark 2012: Marketing Mash Up Speakers Briefing

What will you do if the Philippine Marketing Association sent you an email inviting you to become one of the panelists to the annual Stratmark Conference and speak in front of thousands of college students inside the newly built MOA Arena?

Stratmark 2012 Poster

Courtesy of the Philippine Marketing Association

I don’t know with you but as a young professional with not too many significant achievements in marketing, I thought that the offer was a big grace from God and I accepted it. Who would have thought that after four years, I will be invited to speak in the very conference where I participated as a contestant along with my colleagues from UST. Four years ago, we were part of the Stratmark Marketing Plan Competition and our invited speaker was Jay Conrad Levinson, author of the Guerilla Marketing book. Never in my imagination that four years later I will be doing the same thing that he did in front of us. To God be the glory!



The venue for the Speakers Briefing is in the office of Yahoo! Philippines in BGC. It was the kind office you would like to go to everyday. Clean. Minimalist. It looks good! I was very happy to be sitting inside it with some of the coolest folks from the Philippine Marketing Association during the meeting.

Ms. Arlene Padua of PMA, Mr. Bjorn Pardo of Xend

and Ms. Arlene Amarante of Yahoo! Philippines

being interviewed.

In the Speakers Briefing, we were given a more thorough explanation about this year’s theme which is “Marketing Mash Up: Hybrid for the New Breeds” and also a walkthrough of what is going to happen during the event. We were also given guidelines on how shall we be preparing for our talks.



I shall be talking together with Ms. Janette Toral of DigitalFilipino.com and Ms. Vanj Padilla of Pangalatalk.com. It is such a big honor to be working with these two women. Ms. Janette Toral was our mentor at the Ateneo-DigitalFilipino Certified Blog and Social Media Entrepreneur Program, a digital marketing certification course I and Ms. Vanj took. She was among the first batch who took it while I am the most recent graduate from the third batch. Ms. Janette Toral was the one who referred us to the Philippine Marketing Association to be her co-panelists. Ms. Vanj and I agreed that this one of the great perks of being a CBEP graduate. To know more about the program, please click here.

Ms. Vanj Padilla and I posing in front of the door

of the meeting room named "Presidentiable".

Below is the list of the other invited speakers:

• Mr. Jun Umali, President of Gardenia Bakeries


• Mr. Bjorn Pardo, President of Xend Business Solutions


• Ms. Leah Besa-Jimenez, General Manager of NetBooster Asia


• Mr. Ed Mapa, President of Media Contacts Manila


• Ms. Anubha Sahasrabuddhe, Marketing Director of Coca Cola

Stratmark 2012 shall be held on July 31, 2012, Tuesday, 8:00am – 5:00pm at MOA Arena. The conference is now open to all college students (any course) and professionals.



We were informed that the reservation of tickets is highly encouraged due to its limited availability. Please contact Mr. Richard Anonuevo of the Philippine Marketimg Association at (02) 634-5722, (02) 634-4890 or (02) 638-7700.



Each ticket costs PhP500 inclusive of a lunch meal. Exciting freebies and promos also await the participants.



See you!

On Readiness and WikiChurches

The greatest challenge that I have encountered when I was still starting to build this blog, Passion 4 Jesus. Net, is the concept of “not being ready yet” to share my Christian experience to others. Everytime I think of a new topic to write about, a voice inside of me says that I am “not equipped yet” in sharing the Gospel through my blog.

When I attended the worship service at Victory Ortigas last Sunday, something extraordinary happened.

Last Sunday’s preaching was focused on how Victory Christian Fellowship was founded. I have learned that a man named Steve Murrell along with other missionaries from the United States came to the Philippines during 1984 to share the Gospel especially to the students who are attending classes in colleges and universities within the University Belt or U-Belt. I knew that during those times (1984 to 1986) a lot of rallies were staged to express the opposition of the Filipinos against the dictatorship of Marcos. In the middle of the rallies, imagine a group of American missionaries sharing the Gospel in front of “rallying-mode” students inside the old Tandem Cinema.

When Steve Murrell came to the Philippines as a missionary, he will describe himself as “idealistic” and “unprepared” for what was in store. Perhaps, his whole experience as a missionary in Manila is what became his motivation to write the book WikiChurch. In his book he said that today’s churches should be “WikiChurches” or use Wikipedia’s successful concept that people of all ages, backgrounds, expertise, and cultures (and not just paid experts) contribute. [Source: http://bit.ly/yqvIAe]

WikiChurch by Steve Murrell
[Source: http://shouldbereading.wordpress.com]

He further explained that the Bible didn’t speak about “being ready” in terms of sharing the Gospel to others. Jesus did not necessarily call the “experts” to be his followers but instead he called the common people- the fishermen- and even the “sinners”.

When I became a Christian, it occurred to me as a blogger that one day I can use my knowledge and skills in blogging to share the Gospel to others. In one of the previous worship services at Victory Ortigas even a young pastor said, “If you want God’s best for your life, find out what God is doing in your generation and throw yourself into it." Blogs and other social media sites (e.g. Facebook, Twitter and YouTube) are some of the greatest communication channels ever invented during our time. And clearly, these tools can be used to share the Gospel to others.

This is how I came to the idea of creating Passion 4 Jesus.Net. My goal is to inspire as many young people as I can to be passionate about Jesus.

I couldn’t describe to you the feeling that I felt when I realized that I can actually bless others through blogging for Jesus. I also couldn’t describe to you the experience of being tempted not to continue writing anymore each time I sit in front of my computer to start an article. But I thank God that I can always ask for His grace to keep me going and to rely on faith that it is Himself who is supplying me with the strength and wisdom that I need to share my experiences to others. I realized that when you start getting closer to God, that’s when more temptations come in. Knowing this, the more that I felt more blessed. It gave me the slight nudge that at least I am actually doing something for Jesus and that I am also getting somewhere near Him.

Another line that I will never forget during last Sunday’s worship service goes like, “God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called.”

For me, this nailed the message that Steve Murrell is wishing to impart to everyone through his book. God doesn’t call the “experts”, instead he calls every one of us, even the weakest among us, to share in the building of his kingdom.

Whoever we are and wherever we are in the world, we are welcome to share our Christian experience to others and to encourage others to start their own walk with God.

Just like how Victory puts it, “Honor God. Make disciples.”

To God be the Glory!

Top 5 Reasons to Attend the Ateneo-DigitalFilipino Certified Blog and Social Media Entrepreneur Program

If you are a blogger, writer, social media enthusiast, student or a marketing professional who would like to understand blogging and social media more, you have stumbled upon an article that can help you with this pursuit.



I am a blogger and a marketing professional as well. I started blogging way back in high school (2004-ish) and it is only last 2010 that I discovered that there is more to blogging than what I used to know it for. Bloggers are actually earning through their blogs and a lot of opportunities come their way such as career in social media marketing, special seats in cool events, appearances on TV and many more. These things alongside my passion for writing and marketing compelled me to take blogging really seriously.



A great opportunity knocked last October 2011, when Ms. Janette Toral of DigitalFilipino posted a writing contest online for a chance to win a slot in the Ateneo-DigitalFilipino Certified Blog and Social Media Entrepreneur  Program  (aka CBSME) where she is teaching. Without much thinking, I gathered my thoughts and answered as spontaneous as I can the essay question, “Why do you want to become a Blog and Social Media Entrepreneur”.



I can’t describe to you how much of a blessing from God it felt for me to be singled out from the many by Ms. Janette Toral herself and be chosen to attend the then 9-week intensive digital marketing program with her (now CBSME Program is running for 14 weeks) and with Ms. Fleire Castro of Third Team Media.



Now that I am already done with the program, I’d like to look back to the 9 weeks that I spent learning about blogging and social media marketing which truly helped become the effective marketing professional that I aspired to be. While I was writing this article, I have just recently accepted a social media management position in a young and aggressive creative agency which I think can help me discover more about what I can do in the field of digital marketing.



There had been a lot of offers that came my way. There even was a big advertising agency that called me up for an opportunity to work with them but then I chose to be in a company which I believe can develop the entrepreneurial skills that I already have in me.



If you are a driven and passionate young professional like me who would like to explore this exciting industry, I can say that attending the Ateneo-DigitalFilipino program will undoubtedly equip you with everything that you need to know about digital marketing. Allow me, through this article, give you a walk-through of my Top 5 Reasons to Attend the Ateneo-DigitalFilipino Certified Blog and Social Media Entrepreneur Program.



1. Complete and strong program design. One thing that I am truly proud of for being a graduate of CBSME graduate is that I know that I have just undergone a program that is well-planned and well-designed. The program is complete and strong that you can literally create your own agency after you complete it. The individual modules (it has 3) are also strong by themselves and will suit those who are not really after the certification but only after some specific topics. But if you really wish to become an entrepreneur or a social media executive someday, I strongly suggest that you find a way to attend all the modules. The 3 modules are as follows:

• Blog Launch, Copywriting and Social Media Promotions


• Professional Blogging, Social Media Marketing and Advertising as a Business


• Make Money from Blogging and Social Media as a Service Provider

Take a look at the topics under each of the 3 modules by looking at the image located at the bottom of the page on this link.    



2. Well-esteemed mentors. Being a student of Ms. Janette Toral herself with Ms. Fleire Castro, 2 of the most well-esteemed personalities in the digital marketing industry gave me the assurance that I have chosen the right program to spend my time and energy on in my pursuit of being a digital marketing professional one day. I describe my mentors with words such as committed and generous. They are committed to really helping you become the professional that you want to be and I can attest to this in so many instances even after the program had ended. They are also very generous for they shared to me all their learning and experiences being seasoned digital marketing practitioners that they are. In my 9 weeks of relationship with them as my mentors, I never felt that they held back in supplying me with advice and insights that can help me in completing my projects.



3. Close and supportive mentoring. The benefit of having only 2 mentors all throughout the program is the value of being “watched closely from start to finish” as you grow into becoming a digital marketing professional. Having this kind of relationship with your mentors will give you the assurance that your activities are more closely guided and your progress, more supportively sustained. You have to have a mentor who can focus on you as you learn your way towards becoming a digital marketing professional.



4. Practical application, not just theories. CBSME is not for typical students who only wanted to learn by listening to the teacher, taking some notes and so on and so forth. It is for people who would want to make things happen. I consider the social media campaigns I created under the program as 2 of the most important achievements I have accomplished as a marketing professional. Looking back, all those college-like sleepless nights and hard works were all worth it knowing that my performance was assessed based on what I can actually do and not just on what I know. I created the Intramuros Bloggers Challenge 2012 and Chef Hasset Go Bloggers Night: The Il Mercanti Experience along with the blogs that were the foundations of these campaigns. I can never have the motivation to turn those ideas into real projects if not because of the program.



5. Entrepreneurship not just expertise. Lastly, I believe that what sets CBSME apart from the other digital marketing certification programs out there is its entrepreneurship approach. In the program, I was honed to become an entrepreneur and not just a mere professional. I was trained to be able to stand up on my own and become more innovative and resourceful, rather than just become an employee who shall do what he was ordered to do. In the program, we were trained to think and do. In fact, we can’t pass the module without much thinking and doing for we are evaluated based on our outputs. I truly enjoyed the process of creating an idea and turning it into real campaigns. Being equipped as an entrepreneur is a must in an industry that is constantly innovating and renewing itself. No one can really claim that someone is an expert in social media, for every single day there are new campaigns being created, new applications being launched and new platforms being developed. We can’t just afford to be mere spectators in this “Like” and “Tweet” industry. We have to be leaders. In the program, we can become leaders in our own respect by becoming entrepreneurs or intrapreneurs.



To know more about the program, check out this link.

Keeping The Fire Burning

God gives timely answers.

Saturday night. My event at SMX just ended. I decided to taste the famous Pares that can be found in Retiro in Quezon City. My officemate lives near the site of the famous Pares restaurant so I decided to go with her.

As we get near Sta. Mesa area, I realized that it was a Saturday night and in my phone it just turned a bit past 7:00pm. The youth service at Victory Ortigas had just started. While inside the taxi, I looked around and saw that there appeared a bus in front of us that I used to ride going to Victory Ortigas. I knew just exactly what to do.

Since my officemate knew about my faith, I need not use much words to explain to her that I need to postpone our Pares night for another time. I need to go to the church.

In the middle of the road, with the taxi going to a halt and the stoplight burning scarlet, I jumped out of the taxi and hopped inside the bus that shall take me to Victory Ortigas.

Victory indeed!

Inside the bus, I was contemplating to myself. I was praying to God that may He help me keep this passion for Him alive inside my heart forever. This passion that is so strong that without much thinking I can postpone pre-planned activities and decide to seek for His word.

Once again I was reminded of the same youthful passion that used to intoxicate me way back in high school. I was a typical overachiever during my high school days. I just really love going to school every day. Back then, while most of my classmates are happy during holidays and weekends, I was the saddest person in the planet. I can't help it. I just love being at school! Achieving at school is what wakes me up early in the morning and what makes me sleep late at night too. I just love the life inside the campus! The school was a home to me!

This passion that I am currently feeling right now because of my renewed relationship with Jesus reminds me of how afire I was for school during my younger days. And I just prayed fervently to the Lord to never ever let this fire inside me die down and instead keep it burning, and keep it burning hotter and hotter each day that the person next to me will be able to feel it too! I want to affect others with this fire!

I reached Victory Ortigas. As I entered the service center, the words of the youth pastor blew me away.

The topic was taken from 2 Timothy 1:6-7. It says, “For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.”

Fan into flame the gift of God. Fan into flame the gift of God.Fan into flame the gift of God. The youth pastor was talking about passion for God!

Source: www.christthekingwaco.net

This letter of Paul to Timothy incredibly blew my mind and clearly this was God’s answer to the prayer that I said to Him while I was inside the bus. Right then and there, I just wanted to thank Him for giving me the chance to catch the youth pastor's preaching, though halfway through it I arrived, I was able to catch the main essence of what he was talking about. Passion. Keeping the fire burning. 

As a new Christian, this was a real blessing to me. I couldn’t describe to you how much I felt so blessed by God that Saturday night. I just literally wanted to sing for Him and shout His name filled with gratitude and praise! I wanted to write about it immediately and share it to you just like what I am doing right now through this blog.

I believe that we have an indescribable God. He works in ways that we won’t expect and once we put our trust in Him, we can expect to be amazed by His awesome power from that moment on! If you are a new Christian or a long-time Christian, my prayer for you is to keep your passion for God burning forever. May God keep it ablaze so that you too will be able to cause fires inside the hearts of others. May your passion for God never die away but instead continue to inspire others and affect as many people as you can to do the same!

God bless you!

Jesus In My Generation

The Youth Service at Victory Ortigas is being held
every Friday starting 7:00pm.

I went to the Youth Service of Victory Ortigas (4/F Robinson's Galleria) last Friday. I couldn't miss this service because the energy of the youth is unmatched! Once you started singing with them, you will be unstoppable! (Insert Chris Tomlin's Our God song at the background and sing!)

I prayed that moment that may our loud singing and fervent prayers be worthy enough to be heard by the Almighty Father. I also prayed that He may use my generation in order to form an army who shall win souls for Him and fight for His glory.

The preacher last Friday told us that we are young and we are living in the most exciting part of our lives. He quoted someone who said, "If you want God’s best for your life, find out what God is doing in your generation and throw yourself into it."

Looking at the present time, I believe that God is using three important resources in making Himself known to the world - music (Chris Tomlin and Planetshakers); social media (blogs, Facebook and Twitter); and influential people (Manny Pacquiao and Jeremy Lin).

Words can't describe how grateful is my soul to God for allowing me to use my talents in both music and social media for His glory. When I already have the time, I am planning to audition for the Music Ministry of Victory Ortigas and get ready to sing my heart out for God! (Auditions are held every Wednesday, 5:00-6:00pm.) And as a blogger, I am determined to use my skills in order to spread God's message of love for all of us. This is the reason why I started this blog- to inspire the youth to be passionate about Jesus!

How about you? What special skill or talent can you use to give glory to God?

"Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy." -Psalm 33:3

Chef Hasset Go Bloggers Night: The Press Release

PASIG CITY, Philippines – Chef Hasset Go Bloggers Night: The Il Mercanti Experience was held last May 5, 2012 at Il Mercanti Food Bazaar in Metrowalk. It marked the launching of Chef Hasset Go’s website, www.chefhassetgo.com, in an event attended by bloggers, social media influencers, media, sponsors as well as the friends and family of the young and multi-awarded chef and Sweets Master- Chef Hasset Go.

Chef Nando's famous Paella at Il Mercanti Food Bazaar

The event was opened through a welcome remarks by Ms. Analou de Castro, Marketing Manager of Il Mercanti Food Bazaar. It was followed by a live demo cooking by one of the concessionaires of the food bazaar, Chef Nando of Los Hermanos. He cooked his famous Paella in front of the guests and let each of them have a taste of it after the demo.

The highlight of the whole event is the live demo cooking of Chef Hasset Go, a product of Heny Sison Culinary School and co-owner of MedChef Homemade Cakes and Pastries. He cooked a pasta dish using products courtesy of King Sue and also his bestselling Pastry Tower using ingredients courtesy of Puratos.

Chef Hasset Go's bestselling Pastry Tower
ready to be demolished by
participating bloggers at the
Pastry Tower Demolition Contest

After every dish, the guests were given a chance to taste the final product which is how the event was differentiated from the usual cooking shows on TV. It offered a whole new way of experiencing a live cooking demo show within a new and emerging popular food bazaar in the metropolis.

The live cooking demos were followed by a Cake Fashion Show showcasing the cakes that are to be featured in Chef Hasset Go’s soon-to-be-launched recipe book entitled “Desserts to Go”.

Mark Joseph Delgado of Mediactiv8
being interviewed by ABS-CBN

Upcoming band Boyz Next Door and Tagalog-speaking Japanese singer Aisaku entertained everybody with their songs and punchlines in between the live cooking demos. DJ Churley of 101.9 Tambayan and Ms. Kathy Solis of ABS-CBN hosted the whole event.

The event was finally capped by a message from the organizer, Mark Joseph Delgado of Mediactiv8 Communications, who thanked everybody especially the Lord Almighty, the guest bloggers, the sponsors, the media as well as his friends and family who supported him with his “school” project- a requirement for the last module of his online classes at the Ateneo-DigitalFilipino Blog and Social Media Entrepreneur Program.

To know more about Mediactiv8, please click here.

Chef Hasset Go Bloggers Night: The Il Mercanti Experience is a project of Mediactiv8 Communications as part of the completion of Module 3 requirement at the Ateneo-DigitalFilipino Certified Blog and Social Media Entrepreneur Program. This event was fully supported by Chef Hasset Go of MedChef, DigitalFilipino.com, Il Mercanti Food Bazaar and concessionaires, Federated Distributors, King Sue, The Maya Kitchen, Puratos, Culinary Institute of Cagayan de Oro, Chef's Garb, The Blounge, Mr. Jayson Carlos of GUC, Mr. Jayson and Jamie Sy, Mr. Bert Sy, Mr. Eduardo Nabong of Nabong Property Specialist and Mr. Gary Alan of Gary Alan Media.

Call for Sponsors for Chef Hasset Go Bloggers Night: The Il Mercanti Experience

Chef Hasset Go Bloggers Night: The Il Mercanti Experience is to be held on May 5, 2012 (Saturday) from 7:00pm to 11:00pm at Il Mercanti Food Bazaar (Metrowalk) one of the emerging popular food bazaars in the metropolis.

The event shall be attended by different food and lifestyle bloggers as well as by the different concessionaires of Il Mercanti and their customers. We expect a high volume of food lovers to be present at the food bazaar as it was scheduled on a weekend - Saturday.

We believe that this event will help you immensely in building a stronger presence online as well as offline for your brands. Through this brand activation activity involving bloggers, concessionaires and food lovers, we believe that we will be able to highlight your brands to the perfect captive market.

Below is the list of support requirements as well as the benefits that you will get in supporting this event. Shall you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact Mark Joseph Delgado at +63 917 838 7545 or at hello@chefhassetgo.com.

*We can also send you a formal sponsorship letter. Just send us your full name, company name and email address. Thank you.

SPONSORSHIP PACKAGES

Gold Sponsors (4 Slots)
PhP12,000 worth of cash sponsorship, products to be used during the live demo and Bloggers Kit containing marketing collateral and freebies for 50 bloggers

• Usage of the brand/s during the live demo
• Inclusion of the brand name on the demo recipe + external link to website
• Brand mention on all the blog posts from the participating bloggers + 1 external link to website
• Brand mention on the campaign announcement + 1 external link to website
• Inclusion of brand information on Chef Hasset Go.com’s Suppliers Directory
• 300 x 250 banner ad on Chef Hasset Go.com for 1 month
• Posting of up to 4 banners during the event
• Mention during the event as a Gold Sponsor
• Inclusion of marketing materials (e.g. brochures, freebies, flyers and etc.) on the Bloggers Kit

Silver Sponsors (3 Slots)
Php8,000 worth of cash sponsorship and Bloggers Kit containing marketing collateral and freebies for 50 bloggers

• Brand mention on all the blog posts from the participating bloggers + 1 external link to website
• Brand mention on the campaign announcement + 1 external link to website
• Inclusion of brand information on Chef Hasset Go.com’s Suppliers Directory
• Posting of up to 3 banners during the event
• Mention during the event as a Silver Sponsor
• Inclusion of marketing materials (e.g. brochures, freebies, flyers and etc.) on the Bloggers Kit

Bronze Sponsors (3 Slots)
PhP6,000 worth of cash sponsorship and Bloggers Kit containing marketing collateral and freebies for 50 bloggers

• Brand mention on all the blog posts from the participating bloggers + 1 external link to website
• Brand mention on the campaign announcement + 1 external link to website
• Posting of up to 2 banners during the event
• Mention during the event as a Bronze Sponsor
• Inclusion of marketing materials (e.g. brochures, freebies, flyers and etc.) on the Bloggers Kit

Chef Hasset Go Bloggers Night: The Il Mercanti Experience

Photo by Dessert Strip. Poster by Gian Pisuena. 

Free Recipe: Strawberry Cheesecake Springrolls

Ingredients

1 cup creamcheese, softened
2 cups powdered sugar
1 cup crushed graham crackers
1 can/cup strawberry preserves, filling
springroll wrapper / lumpia wrapper
cooking oil for frying
white sugar

Sauce
Prepared strawberry sauce

Procedures

1. Beat the creamcheese. Add powdered sugar. Mix for 10 minutes until creamy and well combined.
2. Fold in crushed grahams.
3. Add strawberry filling. Chill for 3 hours.
4. Scoop a tablespoon of the cheesecake mixture and place it on a springroll wrapper. Wrap and roll. Seal with water or flour-water paste.
5. Heat the oil and deep fry the springrolls.
6. Drain well and roll in sugar or crushed grahams.
7. Top with strawberry filling and dust with powdered sugar.

Free Recipe: White Chocolate Almond Cream Puffs

Choux Pastry

1 cup butter
2 cups water
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups all purpose flour
8 pcs eggs

Pastry Cream
4 cups fresh milk
1 cup sugar
4 pcs egg yolks
4 pcs whole eggs
1 cup cornstarch
1 tbsp. vanilla
½ cup butter

Garnish
500 grams white chocolate, melted
toasted almond flakes

Procedures

1. Preheat oven to 400F.
2. Choux: Combine first 3 ingredients in a saucepan. Cook over medium heat until it simmer and butter has melted. Add flour at once. Stir very well until it forms like a ball or a dough.
3. Beat using wooden spoon until slightly cooled. Add eggs one at time.
4. Transfer dough in a piping bag or you can just use ice cream scooper. Scoop dough and place it in a cookie sheet and bake for 25-30 minutes until it puffs. Set aside.
5. Pastry Cream: Combine 3 ½ cups of fresh milk and sugar in a saucepan. Let it boil.
6. Meanwhile, you can now dissolve cornstarch in ½ cup milk. Add eggs. Set aside.
7. Once the milk mixture boils pour half of the mixture unto the egg mixture. When the egg mixture has been tempered, you can now bring that mixture back unto the fire and continue cooking until thick. Turn off heat, add butter and vanilla. Let it cool.
8. Assemble: Fill each choux puffs with pastry cream by using piping bags. Dip each puffs unto the melted white chocolate and sprinkle top with almond chips.

Chef Hasset's Top 5 Favorite Desserts

So what’s your favorite dessert?

We can’t help but ask this burning question to Chef Hasset Go- undoubtedly one the youngest and one of the most awarded pastry chefs in the country.

I’d say we never expected his answers. While we imagine highly complicated desserts and ultra expensive chocolates in our minds, Chef Hasset gave us answers that left us all in awe and lost for words.

Instead of expensive cakes and pastries, Chef Hasset gave us for answers ordinary desserts that we can practically find anywhere in the Philippines- something that continually reminded him of what used to be back in his hometown.

And so, ladies and gents, presenting Chef Hasset Go’s Top 5 Favorite Desserts!

Favorite Dessert #1: Leche Flan

Is this all-time Filipino dessert part of your list too? Chef Hasset confesses that this is on top of his list. Leche Flan, as we all know it, is a custard dessert with caramel syrup. It’s made of egg yolks, milk and sugar and is widely eaten throughout the world.

"Halayang Ube"
Photo Credits: www.atetesskitchenette.blogspot.com

Favorite Dessert #2: Halayang Ube

Now this got me nodding at Chef Hasset Go. Definitely, Halayang Ube is on my list too. Halayang Ube is a kind of jam made of purple yams that were boiled altogether with milk, coconut milk, sugar and for some, vanilla. My favorite Halayang Ube are the ones that can be bought in Baguio- made by Golden Shepherd.

Favorite Dessert #3: Buriki

Wow! Too bad we can’t find a photo of this one over the internet but Chef Hasset said that this one is a native dessert in Mindanao. It’s a kind of kakanin that is shaped into a thin saucer topped with some latik or caramelized coconut. (Please, if anyone of you have a picture of this yummy native dessert, please do send our team at once. Thank you.)

Favorite Dessert #4: Bolanghoy

"Nilupak"
Photo Credits: www.capalonga.blogspot.com

In our province in Batangas, we call this one balinghoy. In some areas it is also known as kamoteng kahoy. In Mindanao, Chef Hasset Go said they used to call it bolanghoy. This goody made of grated cassavas  were being steamed and topped with bukayo or sugared coconut.

Favorite Dessert #5: Nilupak

Nilupak sounds familiar but I realized me and my teammates haven’t eaten one yet. Nilupak is made of mashed saba banana mixed with grated coconut. Yum! We should be knowing where to get some of these right? Or better yet ask Chef Hasset to make some for us?

There you have them all- Chef Hasset Go’s Top 5 Favorite Desserts!

Were you as surprised- even a bit?

Chef Hasset Go may be widely known as a chef who creates mouth-watering cakes and yummy-tasting pastries, but his personal taste is very much Filipino.

I can’t wait for the time that he’ll be able to incorporate his love for native Filipino desserts into his future creations! I have a gut feel that this is going to be a great idea!

Good luck, Chef Hasset!

-Mediactiv8 Team

Chef Hasset Go at 700 Club Asia

Free Recipe: Chocolate Whoopie Pie

Ingredients

3 ½ cups all purpose flour
1 ½ cups cocoa powder
2 tsp. baking powder
½ tsp. baking soda
½ tsp. salt
1 ½ cups butter
1 ½ cups sugar
2 pcs. eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
½ cup buttermilk
1 cup lukewarm water or brewed coffee

Vanilla Filling
½ cup vegetable shortening
½ cup butter
2 cups powdered sugar
3 tsp. vanilla extract
1 cup corn syrup

Procedures

Chocolate Cookies

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) and place oven rack in the center of the oven. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
3. In the bowl of your electric mixer, fitted with the paddle attachment (can also use a hand mixer), beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg beating well. Beat in the vanilla extract. 
4. In a small measuring cup, mix the buttermilk and coffee (or water). With the mixer on low speed, alternately add the flour mixture and buttermilk/coffee mixture, in three additions, beginning and ending with the flour. 
5. Drop heaping tablespoons (can also use a small ice cream scoop) of the batter onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing about 2 inches (5 cm.) apart. 
6. With moistened fingers or with the back of a spoon, smooth the tops of the cookies. Bake for about 9 - 10 minutes or until the tops of the cookies, when lightly pressed, spring back.
7. Remove from oven and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Filling 

1. Beat the shortening and butter until soft and creamy. 
2. With the mixer on its lowest speed, gradually beat in the confectioners' sugar. Increase the speed to high, and beat until light and fluffy, about 3-5 minutes. 
3. Then, with the mixer on low speed, beat in the vanilla extract and slowly drizzle in the corn syrup. 
4. Continue to beat until the filling looks like soft mayonnaise.

Chef Hasset Go at Kabuhayang Swak na Swak

Chef Hasset Go at UNTV's Bread and Butter

Free Recipe: Cashew Butterscotch Bars

Ingredients
½ cup butter, melted
½ cup liquid glucose
2 cups all purpose flour
1 ½ cup brown sugar
1 tsp. baking powder
½ tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. vanilla
2 pcs. eggs
2 cups cashew nuts

Procedure

1. Line and grease 9x9 square pan. Set aside.
2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
3. Combine butter, glucose and brown sugar. Beat well.
4. Add eggs with vanilla one at a time.
5. Add sifted dry ingredients (all purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda).
6. Fold in cashew nuts.
7. Bake for 30-40 minutes until done. Cool.

Free Recipe: Ube Jackfruit Cake

Cake
1 ½ cups all purpose flour
1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
1 1/8 teaspoons baking soda
¾ teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 1/8 cups vegetable oil
3 pcs eggs
1 cup white sugar
½ cup brown sugar
2 cups, boiled, shredded pure ube

Filling
1 can condensed milk
1 cup thinly sliced langka/jackfruit
12 pcs egg yolks

Frosting
2 cups whipped cream
drops of violet food color

Garnish
toasted almonds

Procedures

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Line and grease 9 inch round pan. Set aside.
3. Cake: Sift together all the dry ingredients except for sugar. Set aside.
4. Mix together oil and sugar. Stir very well. Add eggs one at a time.
5. Add mashed ube.
6. Add dry ingredients. Mix until well blended. Do not overmix.
7. Pour unto prepared pan and bake for 30-40 minutes.
8. Filling: Combine everything in a double boiler and cook over medium heat until thick. Cool.
9. Assemble: Divide cake into 3 portions. Fill each layer with jackfruit filling. Frost all over with whipped cream. Garnish all over with toasted almonds. Chill.

Chef Hasset Go's Top 5 Baking Secrets

Chef Hasset Go is undoubtedly one of the youngest and one of the most locally and internally recognized chefs in the country. With his numerous awards such as the 2010 Asian Star Achiever Award for Culinary and being named as one of the Top 50 Young Entrepreneurs by Go Negosyo, we got curious. What are some of the secrets behind his success as a pastry chef?

And we’re lucky. He gave us not just one, not even two. But five simple baking tips that he would like to impart to all baking enthusiasts out there who would like to learn from him. He said that these tips are simple, but often overlooked by some.

Let's take a look at them one by one.

1. Good mood makes good cakes. Chef Hasset Go said he starts with a good mood whenever he bakes. He reminds himself every single time that baking is his passion and what he always wanted to do. He said love is the single most important ingredient that will complete a cake or a dish. Be sure to fill everything that you do with it and your work will never go wrong!
2. Precision and accuracy. The Sweets Master never undermines the power of precision and accuracy whenever he bakes. He said that getting the right ingredients at the right amount and cooking it within the right time frame using the right tools is what made all his cakes right.
3. Keep it fresh! Chef Hasset Go reminded us that if we want to bake or cook something really good, we must strive hard to use only the freshest ingredients as much as possible. One of the greatest reasons of his success with MedChef is because he always work hard to deliver only the best products for his clients using only the best ingredients.
4. Patience is a virtue. Aside from getting all the ingredients and materials right, baking also requires a great deal of patience especially when you’re starting to learn. Following the procedures correctly is the key. Also, patience is what makes us wait for our goodies before we let them out of the oven.
5. Trust your tastebuds. Chef Hasset Go shared the importance of trusting one’s own taste bud for the simple reason that the first judge of whatever you baked or cooked is you. He also stressed the importance of taking risks sometimes- to play with herbs, spices and other ingredients in order to create something new. Never be afraid to try. Who knows? This can be your chance to be discovered as a new great chef in the making!

-Mediactiv8 Team

MedChef: The Sweets Master's Factory

Hasset never went to college. Right after high school, he went to Manila to enroll himself at the Heny Sison Culinary School to pursue his passion for baking. During our interview with him, he recounts that his days at the culinary school was one of the most challenging but also one of the most fulfilling part of his life as a chef.

He won’t forget the time when he literally got nothing to eat nor anything to pay for his fare to the school. Ironic as it may sound, he became a hungry chef back then. But he also said that it became a great moment to experience the power God. He said that God sent him the people who eventually helped him out of the great distress that he was once in.

When we asked him what his greatest achievement is so far, he said that it’s finishing his course at the Heny Sison Culinary School. He said that it’s where everything started for him. When he graduated, he worked as a pastry chef and also accepted other jobs such as food styling and consultancy for various cafes, restaurants and shops. When he finally got enough money from his savings, he decided to put up a shop of his own.

He created MedChef.

MedChef is a small but quaint pastry shop that you will find along Mother Ignacia Avenue in Quezon City. It’s just right in front of ELJ Building within the ABS-CBN compound. He built it with his friend and business partner, Jayson Carlos, who was a medical technologist by profession but now working as a full-time entrepreneur just like him.

MedChef came from the two words: Medical Techonolgist and Chef.

Today, you won’t only find Chef Hasset’s Go’s homemade cakes and pastries at MedChef. They also join bazaars such as Mercato Centrale in BGC and Il Mercanti in Metrowalk to introduce their products to more people.

When it comes to bestsellers, Chef Hasset Go proudly declared that his clients' all-time favorite Bread Pudding Crème Brulee as well as his newly-introduced Pastry Tower were on top of the list.

Last October 2010, Chef Hasset Go received for himself and for MedChef the prestigious 2010 Asian Star Achiever Award for Culinary as well as the 2010 Outstanding Pastry and Consultancy Restaurant during the 12th Annual Asian Star Awards. He was also recently named as one of the Top 50 Young Entrepreneurs by Go Negosyo.

MedChef is located at 139 Mother Ignacia Ave., Diliman, Quezon City. You may contact them at 585-6052 or at 0917-3659415.

-Mediactiv8 Team

Chef Hasset Go: A Short Blogiography

Chef Hasset Go grew up in Oroquieta City in Misamis Occidental with his mom and two brothers. He is the middle child of three. Being a single mom, her mother had to find other ways to earn for their family aside from being an employee during daytime.

Fortunately, his mom knows how to bake. And so she was able to use this skill to supply cakes and baked goodies to canteens and offices in their hometown. And the young Hasset, she will fondly recall to us during our interview, was her right-hand assistant.

This is how the story of Chef Hasset Go, the Sweets Master, begins.

Growing up from a broken family was never easy. Hasset told us that he had to stand up on his own at a very young age. He had to sell his own creations such as brownies, pastillas and yema to his classmates and teachers just to have his allowance. But this hardship, he recounts, is what made him the successful chef and entrepreneur that he is today.

Hasset never went to college. Right after high school, he went to Manila to study at the Heny Sison Culinary School to pursue his passion for baking and cooking. This is where he met his mentors Chef Ed Quimson and Chef Jane Paredes who advised him to start a commissary first before putting up his own shop or restaurant.

When he finally got his certificate, that’s when he started to bake his own cakes and pastries and supply to coffee shops and restaurants in Quezon City. He used to do his creations in a small kitchen in a small apartment where he used to live. Time came when he can no longer cope with the growing demands for his products and that’s when he started to think of taking in a partner who will help him grown his venture.

MedChef was coined from the words Medical Technologist and Chef. His business partner, Jayson Carlos, was a medical technologist by profession. Jayson was Chef Hasset’s friend from church who also used to resell his cakes and pastries to friends and officemates. He invested PhP50,000 to Chef Hasset Go’s business and that’s how MedChef was born.

This year, 2012, MedChef is going to celebrate its second year anniversary. Since it was founded, Chef Hasset’s life never became the same again. Aside from helping his own family, he is also now an employer to 15 workers in his business. For the past few years, he was receiving prestigious awards such as the Young Achiever for Culinary by Global Excellence. Also recently, he was named as one of the Top 50 Young Entrepreneurs by Go Negosyo.

Despite the many successes he had attained, Chef Hasset Go never failed to look back. Every weekend, he will fly to Mindanao to teach aspiring bakers and pastry chefs at the Culinary Institute of Cagayan de Oro. From time to time, he will also share his story to students during career events to encourage them to pursue their passion to succeed in life. In all that he had achieved, is achieving and will achieve, Chef Hasset never fails to thank God as the source of his blessings and inspiration.

-Mediactiv8 Team

Welcome Message

Dear friends, bakers and countrymen,

Welcome to Chef Hasset Go.com!

This blog is an online resource of everything about Chef Hasset Go- his life as a pastry chef, entrepreneur, brand ambassador, culinary school instructor and even a bit about his personal life!

Through this blog, Chef Hasset Go would like to share his tips to everybody (baker or not, young or young-at-heart) on topics such as baking and starting one’s own business to following one’s passion and becoming a successful entrepreneur!

Join us as we discover more about this young chef from Mindanao who at the young age of 23 had already started his own business and how he triumphed over all his trials and finally become a locally and internationally recognized chef that he is now.

We hope that you enjoy your journey with us as we start our work of sending you, through this blog, inspiring stories and exciting treats- straight from the Sweets Master’s kitchen!

-Mediactiv8 Team

Butanding Festival 2012

[Photo Credits:  http://wwf.org.ph/wwf3/news/article/35 ]

What: Butanding Festival
When: May 14 - 20, 2012
Where: Donsol, Sorsogon
How to join: Would you like to cover at least one whole day of activities within May 14-20, 2012 during the Butanding Festival in Donsol, Sorsogon? All you need to do is to help us gather sponsorships/donations for the event and we'll take care of your transportation, accommodation and meals. To signify your interest, please send a message to Mark Joseph Delgado on his Facebook account. Click here.


To see the schedule of activities, please click here.


FOLLOW SLEEK IN THE CITY.com!
Email: markjosephdelgado [@] ymail [.] com
Facebook:  Sleek in the City
Twitter: @sleekinthecity
YouTube: markjosephdelgado

Intramuros Bloggers Challenge 2012: Winners

BEST FOOD BLOG 
Buffet Dinner Plus Daily Cultural Presentation at Barbara's Restaurant in Intramuros, Manila
Blog by Cha Sy


BEST TRAVEL BLOG
Intramuros, within the walls of a historic city
Blog by Estan Cabigas


BEST PHOTO ENTRY
Photo by Sumi Go
Adjudged by Federation of Philippine Photographers Foundation

PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD FOR BEST PHOTO - BARBARA'S RESTAURANT
Photo by Cha Sy

PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD FOR BEST PHOTO - INTRAMUROS
Photo by Karla Mae Brazil