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Sunday, January 29, 2012

Intramuros Bloggers Challenge 2012: Let the Challenges Begin!


EVENT DETAILS:
A blogging challenger may choose one or both challenges below.
  • Food Write-up Challenge
    • February 3, 2012 
    • 6pm - 8pm
    • Registration is FREE but donations are very much welcome =)
  • Travel Write-up Challenge 
    • February 5, 2012 
    • 1pm - 6pm
    • Registration is FREE but donations are very much welcome =)
CONFIRMED RESTAURANT PARTNER


CONFIRMED TOUR GUIDE PARTNERS


NEW MECHANICS FOR JOINING (UPDATED AS OF FEB. 1, 2012):
  • Intramuros Bloggers Challenge 2012 is open to all bloggers who are members of the following Facebook Groups on or before January 29, 2012. <- Please note that this is not the deadline. 
  • For bloggers wanting to join starting February 1, 2012, below are the mechanics.
    • Food Write-up Challengers
      • Deadline of submission of entries is until February 1, 2012 @ 11pm. 
      • Pick the best food entry that you have from your blog. (Previous entries are good enough. The sponsors would just like to see your writing style. No more word limits.)
      • Insert the Mandatory Element below your blog entry. You will find it at the bottom of this post.
      • Paste your blog post URL, full name, email address and "Food" at the comment box below.
      • You're done! Please keep posted for the announcement of the Top 15 Food Write-up Challengers!
    • Travel Write-up Challengers  
      • Deadline of submission of entries is until February 2, 2012 @ 11pm.
      • Pick the best travel entry that you have from your blog. (Previous entries are good enough. The sponsors would just like to see your writing style. No more word limits.)
      • Insert the Mandatory Element below your blog entry. You will find it at the bottom of this post.
      • Paste your blog post URL, full name, email address and "Travel" at the comment box below.
      • You're done! Please keep posted for the announcement of the Top 15 Travel Write-up Challengers!


    OLD MECHANICS FOR JOINING:
    • Intramuros Bloggers Challenge 2012 is open to all bloggers who are members of the following Facebook Groups on or before January 29, 2012. <- Please note that this is not the deadline.    
      • Pinoy Bloggers
      • Bloggers Support Each Other
      • Proudly Pinoy Bloggers
      • Bloggers Support Group
    • To join, just simply answer the question Why is it more fun in the Philippines? using 100 words or less. Photos and videos may also be inserted. Entries should be posted in their participating blogs containing the Mandatory Elements. You will find it below this post.
    • After completing the entries with the Mandatory Element, their entries, full names, email addresses and chosen challenges should be posted at the comment box below this blog post. Afterwards, they may share their entries to their social networks such as Facebook, Twitter, Google Plus, NetworkedBlogs and others.  
    • 15 lucky bloggers for each of the 2 category sets shall be chosen to participate in the Intramuros Bloggers Challenge 2012 using the following set of criteria:
      • Substance - 40%
      • Creativity - 30%
      • Compliance to Word Limit, Mandatory Elements & Grammar – 30%
      • Bonus points may also be given to entries with Likes, Comments, Retweets, Shares and Tagged Friends. =)


    FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
    • How do I know if I were chosen as a Blogging Challenger?
    Aspiring Blogging Challengers should keep themselves posted with the announcement of the Top 15 Blogging Challengers to be posted on IntramurosManila.Asia. It is highly recommended that they follow the blog through these social networks:
    • Can I be creative in my entry by adding images and videos?
    Yes. There are no limits to creativity, only with the number of words to be used.
    • What kind of challenges shall the Top 15 be facing in IBC 2012?
    IBC 2012 is divided into 2 challenges: Best Restaurant Write-Up and Best Travel Write-Up. A Bonus Challenge may also be presented during the event.
    • What are the incentives of being chosen as one of the Top 15 Blogging Challengers?
    The bloggers for the Restaurant Write-up Challenge shall be dining inside an elegant restaurant inspired by the old Spanish-Filipino houses with daily Filipino cultural presentations.
    The bloggers for the Travel Write-up Challenge shall be touring Intramuros with the top-caliber tour guides in the country.   
    Aside from the exciting prizes they can win from the challenges, this campaign is also a good chance for them to contribute to strengthening the country’s tourism through blogging and social media promotions.
    • What are the mandatory elements required for the entry?
    IMPORTANT: There will be new additions to the mandatory elements from time to time. Please bookmark this blog post. And don't worry this is not included in the word count. =) 
    <---- Pre-qualifying mandatory element below. Don't forget the links. ---->
    This is a pre-qualifying entry to the Intramuros Bloggers Challenge 2012 organized by IntramurosManila.Asia


    IBC 2012 is fully supported by the Intramuros AdministrationBarbara's RestaurantCeldran ToursMabuhay GuidesPilgrimage PilipinasCastillan ToursFederation of Philippine Photographers Foundation, Inc.DigiEntrepreneurDigitalFilipino, Third Team MediaPayless Pancit ShanghaiRuthiliciousRuthilicious Fanpage and GadgetGambit.com.
    <---- Pre-qualifying mandatory element above. Don't forget the links. ---->
    This post was updated last February 6, 2012.

    Thursday, January 12, 2012

    Adobo Reflections and the Magic of Adobo Connection

    After a very good massage yesterday, I decided to cap that night with an equally good dinner.

    Alas! There’s a newly opened restaurant in 500 Shaw Zentrum Building in Shaw Boulevard, just a few blocks away from the office. No need to search for a place any further.

    Adobo Connection is located at G/F 500 Shaw Zentrum Bldg., Shaw Blvd., Pleasant Hills, Mandaluyong City.

    When I entered, I was greeted with smiles by the two ladies at the counter. As usual, when it’s my first time at a restaurant, I always ask the one-million dollar question, “Miss, ano ‘yung bestseller?” (English: Miss, what’s the bestseller?) Impressively, the shorter lady answered me quickly, “Sir, you may try our Modern Adobo or Kuya’s Adobo. Both are bestsellers.”

    Tuesday, January 10, 2012

    SEASONS OF LOVE by KeyStrings: A Recital-Concert


    What: SEASONS OF LOVE by KeyStrings: A Recital Concert

    Who shall be performing:


    When: January 14, 2012, 6:00pm

    Where: PhilAm Life Theater, United Nations Avenue, Manila

    Ticket prices:

    PHP 1,000 - VIP (inclusive of cocktail and backstage pass)
    PHP 750 - Mid-row Seats
    PHP 300 - General Admission

    How to reserve tickets:
    • Carl Ureta - 0915-967-0356
    • Liza Coroneza - 0922-858-8701
    • JM Besana - 0922-893-5935
    • KeyStrings Office - (02) 346-5935

    I am so sure you guys will enjoy this benefit-concert-recital by KeyStrings! I've got the chance to work with the group during the wedding of a friend in Caleruega and I must say that I really enjoyed the performance because I am accompanied by a very talented and professional group of musicians. We did "Marry Your Daughter", "Forever", "Knocks Me Off My Feet" among others. So if you have a passion for music (especially the violin) and would like to enjoy a concert while helping someone (Lola Lydia), please do book your seats now. 

    Also, please do check out their event invitation on Facebook. Click here

    Monday, January 9, 2012

    How Steve Jobs taught me how to live in 2012: A New Year's Blog

    I don’t know much about Steve. I only know him through the most amazing phone I have ever used in my entire life. The phone was very useful- takes good enough photos, videos, easy to access notes (which I use a lot especially when I think of ideas to blog about) and recognizes Chinese characters (something that is very useful to me in my line of work). I also know that Steve was good at creating impactful presentations- something that I have always tried to achieve whenever I pitch my ideas or do trainings.

    Steve Jobs was famous for his "One more thing...", which is actually the most important part of his presentations.
    [Photo Credits:  http://www.todaysiphone.com 

    A few days before 2012, I happened to chance upon his video talking in front of graduating Stanford students recorded last 2005. I wasn’t a viral-video-watcher type of person but something with the video made me click on the play button and listen to Steve. (I wasn’t even a real fan that time (not just yet…) but the video was very inviting, as if it was something that I needed to watch during that time.)

    Thursday, January 5, 2012

    What the heck is Odeng?

    One day, I happened to pass by the food court of SM City Sta. Mesa, the mall of my childhood. And then, something caught my eyes (and nose) that forced me to a halt from a hasty walk towards the elevator.

    Mmmm… It smelled yummy and looked yummy. And it looked new and intriguing too.

    Introducing Odeng. Tadaa!

    Odeng, the smaller, is 12 pesos per stick. Odeng, the bigger, is 27.

    Being the ultra-curious kind of being I am, naturally, I found myself buying a stick after asking the sales lady the question, “Ate, ano ‘to?” (English: Miss, what’s this?)

    Wednesday, January 4, 2012

    5 More Juicy Reasons to Revisit Baguio

    Baguio is called the "Summer Capital of the Philippines". But regardless of the season it is still is one of my favorite cities to revisit again and again. In my recent trip to the city, I found five reasons for anyone to visit (or revisit) it. Enjoy!


    Ukay-Ukay


    1. Ukay-Ukay. Baguio City is the Ukay-Ukay Capital of the Philippines. It is said that the first Ukay-Ukay stores appeared in Baguio City. Coming from the word “hukay” meaning to dig, Ukay-Ukay shoppers dig deep upon layers and layers of shirts, jackets, hoodies, cardigans and etc. in order to search for the best item that they can find. Today, Ukay-Ukay stores are not only for shoppers who are looking for some thrifty finds and pre-loved items. Even fashionistos and fashionistas alike visit Ukay-Ukay stores to look for stylish and hard-to-find stuffs for less.