Ganda Ever So Much!

Kasalang Filipino 2012: Extraordinary Wedding Gift for the Extraordinary Couple

orman — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 06:42:55 +0000

For the first time in Kasalang Filipino history, we will be giving away an Extraordinary Wedding Coverage for one Extraordinary couple. Project O! Consultants, the producer of Kasalang Filipino 2012 in Gensan partnered with top caliber Photographer Ryan Ortega and Green Tomato Productions, makers of superb wedding videos to award TWO HUNDRED FIFTEEN THOUSAND PESOS worth of wedding coverage for free! Get a load of these prizes:

1) Photo Coverage worth 150,000 pesos from Ryan Ortega | Photo

Wedding Coverage

Unlimited shots & hours on wedding day
3 photographers including Ryan Ortega
Discs of Hi-Res Photos – Culled | Processed
Same-Day Slideshow
One 11” x 14” 60-page Premier Fab Coffee Table Book

Engagement Session

2 sets of E-Session by Ryan Ortega
Discs of Hi-Res Photos – Culled | Processed
Photo Slideshow
One 10” x 10” Purple Heaven Book

Trash-the-Dress / Post-Wedding Session

One set of E-Session by Ryan Ortega
Discs of Hi-Res Photos – Culled | Processed

2) Video Coverage worth 65,000 pesos from Green Tomato Productions

Inclusions:

Wedding Day edit / on-site edit presentation
Wedding Day coverage only
Format Wedding Day edit / on-site edit
DVD copy of raw Wedding Day coverage

RULES & MECHANICS:

Submit your extraordinary love story and couple-picture to Project O! Consultants via email at orman_pogi@yahoo.com from February 10-16, 2012. Deadline is 12:00 midnight of February 21, 2012.
Pre-selected stories will be posted in GandaEverSoMuch.com from February 17-21, 2012.
The couple-participants should LIKE the Facebook pages of:
The winning entry will be judged based on the following:
1. 10% – Based on the number of LIKES of their story posted in GandaEverSoMuch.com
2. 30% – Score of Kasalang Filipino organizer, Project O! Consultants
3. 30% – Score of Ryan Ortega Photography
4. 30% – Score of Green Tomatoes Production
The couple shall also submit the following info:
- Date of the wedding – Date should be within one year from the competition and to the next Kasalang Filipino bridal fair in 2013. Take note that it is important that the wedding should be at least be on its booking stage thus arrangements about the wedding day and the ceremony and reception locations should have been made;
Out-of-town weddings and pre-nuptial shoots are allowed, as long as the winning couple shall cover transportation, food and accommodation expenses of the photography and video teams.
The couple shall agree with the terms and conditions stipulated on our Photographer and Videographer’s contract except the payment provisions.
The couple-participants shall allow Project O! Consultants, Ryan Ortega | Photo and Green Tomatoes Production to use their photo for advertisement purposes.
The couple or one of the couple, in case the partner is based abroad, should be present during the bridal fair and awarding of prizes.
Announcement will be on February 25, 2012. Judges’ decision is final.

sali na! send in your extraordinary love stories to orman_pogi@yahoo.com

Kasalang Filipino 2012: More Fun In Gensan

orman — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:27:26 +0000

Project O! Consultants in cooperation with Kasal.com, ABS-CBN Regional Network Group, Ryan Ortega Photography and Royal Iris Productions presents Kasalang Filipino. More Fun in Gensan.

Now on its 4^th year, Kasalang Filipino is the premiere and biggest wedding expo to happen in the SoCSKSarGen Area, which ties key cities in the Philippines with one objective of promoting the local wedding and tourism industry. The following are the confirmed partner cities of the road show – Cabanatuan, Dagupan, Bacolod, Dumaguete, San Pablo, Pampanga, Cagayan de Oro, Davao, Bulacan, and Cebu.

The event will showcase the best wedding suppliers of Soccsksagen and nearby areas at the Atrium of Gaisano Mall of Gensan on February 23-25, 2011. The fair will also offer the following programs and activities:

Ever Bilena Bridal Make-over
Floral & Wedding Styling Seminar
Cultural Presentations
Kasalang Filipino Bridal Fashion Show

This event will have national, quad media promotion and will be promoted globally via www.kasal.com. For more details, contact Chiclet at 0918-746-5136.

Zendee, Gensan’s Rising Singing Star

orman — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 14:49:28 +0000

I’ve known Zendee for over a year now. Biritera talaga siya eversince. Probably because sikat na sikat noon si Sarah Geronimo and every aspiring singer wanted to become like Sarah. Si Zendee noon hindi mo makakalimutan dahil sa buhok nya — ansarap gupitan! And siempre yung pananamit nya na kung pwede lang eh kami na ni Direk Dino ang mag-aayos sa kanya. Maraming magagaling na singers sa Gensan. Marami na din akong nakatrabaho among them. Most of them eh wala na ngayon — either di talaga nila kinarir ang pagkanta or nawalan na lang sila ng gana dahil mailap ang kasikatan. Well, Zendee went through it all. I mean, lahat siguro ng challenges as an aspiring singer napagdaanan nya. Ang kaibahan lang, she never gave up on her dreams. I loved her dedication to her craft. I saw how she evolved into what she is now. The hair is still there but she dresses very chic nowadays. I’m still bothered by her hair but I sooooo love this lady… She’s got class and she’s got talent.

I asked Zendee to open her heart to us and she gladly obliged. Read on, faithful readers…

How I started?

Siyempre dahil ang mom and dad ko parehong singers, kumakanta na ako nung 4 years old pa lang ako. Palagi kasi akong isnasama ni mom kung saan siya nag wowork as a singer kaya siguro nahiligan ko nang kumanta. Hanggang sa dumating yung time na kelangan na ni mom mag abroad so naiwan ako sa mga tita ko na nag-alaga sa akin.

The good thing is that they encouraged na kumanta at dapat galingan ko pa daw para masundan ko si mommy sa abroad. Kaya halos araw araw nagpapractice ako taz nirerecord din pala ng tita ko para ipadala kay mom yung tape ko.

Habang nasa abroad si mommy, sumasabak na ako sa mga amateur singing contests sa mga barangay. Halos lahat ng barangay ng GenSan kapag may fiesta, sugod na ako. Pati sa inter-school na mga competition di ko pinalampas!

Iskolar dahil sa pagkanta

Palagi akong nanalo noon sa mga singing contests kaya nung ililipat na ang Principal ng school sa ibang assignment bitbit niya ako with an educational scholarship. Grumaduate ako ng walang kagastos gastos nung elementary ako. Same din nung highschool at college ako. Scholarship lahat dahil sa talent ko. Dahil narin sa pag encourage ng mga tao…ayun bumongga ang Self Confidence ko kaya’t nag-join pa ako ng mas malaking competitions — local and national.

Hanggang dito na lang ba?

Wala akong maisip na mabigat na frustration dahil ako kasi yung taong come what may. Nung Pinoy Dream Academy auditions ng ABS CBN natanggap ako tapos andaming umasa na papasok na ako — kaso di ako napili. Another thing eh yung Pinoy Got Talent at X-FACTOR — parehong di ako natanggap. Naisip ko tuloy? Hanggang dito lang ba talaga ako? Di ba ako pwede sa Manila? Sa tv? Sad tuloy ako. Pero okay lang. Kung para saken talaga ang isang bagay alam kong mapapasaakin din yun.

Thank you, Congressman Pacquiao

Bawat panalo ko sa mga singing contest, mahalaga sa akin. Each time na may mga positive reviews about my singing — nakakataba ng puso. Nung mapakinggan ako ni Congressman Manny Pacquiao, nagustuhan nya ang kalibre ko at sa tuwa niya he offered a college scholarship kaya eto nga graduating na ako this March 2012. For now ito yung pinaka-importante muna sa akin — ang makapagtapos ng pag-aaral.

My Impossible Dream?

Gusto kong ikutin ko ang Pilipinas after graduation! I want to enjoy my own country and share my singing talent with others. Also may isang talent manager from California and producer from London na gustong tumulong sakin after I graduate — inaasahan ko pa rin yun at sana nga matuloy. Nakakataba nga ng puso kasi andaming gustong tumulong sa akin as far as my talent is concerned. For now, panay ang recording ko ng covers of hit songs and posting them on You Tube. Nakakatuwa kapag nakikita kong dumadami ang naga-view ng videos ko. Sana maging daan ito para maging isang sikat na recording artist/singer/performer ako at maging You Tube sensation.

Follow Zendee on Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/iamzendeerose

Subscribe to Zendee on You Tube: http://www.youtube.com/user/zendeerosetenerefe

Be her friend on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iamdheeI

Like her page on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Seandhee/322840824435440?ref=tn_tnmn&sk=wall

Eat-All-You-Can Sundays @ Leeonga Mongolian & Seafood Grill

orman — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 04:39:12 +0000

Where is justice? Asan ang hustisya?

Kung kelan pa ako nagda-diet saka pa mangyayari ito?

Alam nyo bang pangatlong Sunday na may ganitong happening?

Eat-All-You-Can na umaatikabo — lunch or dinner!

Kung type mong magpakabusog ng iba’t ibang putahe

Then go ka na agad sa Sun City Complex

At dumiretso ka agad sa Leeonga Mongolian & Seafood Grill

Kada tanghali, kainan to the max from 11:30 am hanggang 2:30 pm

Pwede rin sa hapunan na lamunan mula 6:30pm to 9:00 pm

Take note, every Sunday paiba-iba ng putahe

Asan ka makakakita ng ganyan taz 180.00 pesos lang

Kaya go tell your friends about it!

EVERY SUNDAY NA EAT-ALL-YOU-CAN ITO!

For reservations, tawagan niyo sila sa 552.8778

In the meantime, magmumukmok na muna ako at diyeta ako!

My Midas Marquez Episode

orman — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 18:09:15 +0000

Pinakamahirap sa mga nagpapanggap ay yung nabubuking ka na

Nangyari na saken yan nung nasa PCIBank Cebu pa ako nagta-trabaho

Bagong graduate, pogi, inglisero kaya kelangang paminta-epek muna

Kung maglakad ako noon sa opis aakalain mo talagang macho

Am sure maraming nagdududa noon saken pero kineri ko talaga para wa buking

Pati boses ko well-modulated at malalim — bawal ang falsetto!

Joskoday ang hirap ng buhay — tanging sa CR lang ako nakakapagpahinga

Kahit maraming pogi, feeling pare-pare lang ako — barkada baga

Susme minsang super busy ang career dahil sa deadlines na hinahabol

Sa kasagsagan ng trabaho tinawag ako ni bosing

Agad akong tumayo at mabilis na tinungo si Madam

Aguruy! Sumabit ang paa ko sa wire ng telepono

Sa pwersa ng pagkahila ng wire, bumagsak sa floor ang buong unit

Major buking moment: Napatili (hindi sigaw) ako ng malutong na “AAAAAYYYYYY!!!”

Lahat ng tao nakatingin saken — kung pwedeng matunaw that time ginawa ko sana

Walang ako magawa kundi magkunwaring napapaubo

The rest they say is history — kung buking ka na magpakatutuo ka na

Na-prove ko na kahit ano ka pa kung magaling ka keber lang

Para saken never na naging issue ang sexual preference ng tao

Pare-pareho lang tayong umuutot no!

Kaya hayaan na natin si Midas kung anuman ang desisyon nya

At least sya, may CHEERING SQUAD! Watch nyo ang video agad!

I’m Going On A Star Cruise Aboard Superstar Virgo

orman — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 14:44:04 +0000

Last December, in one of the rare opportunities na nagkasama-sama kami ng mga close friends ko, napagusapan namin ang bumyahe together. We wanted to have fun kaso habang tumatagal nagiging matumal ang bonding moments namin. Nagiging sobrang busy na sa kanya-kanyang mga buhay. Siempre we want to have fun at the least expense — or should I say, the most sulit-sa-bulsa vacation.

And guess what — we have decided to go on a STAR CRUISE! That’s via Superstar Virgo’s Asian Cruise on April 2012. The package is so inviting. Consider this — it includes:

A round trip ticket from Davao-Manila-Singapore-Manila-Davao!
4 days / 3 nights cabin accommodation aboard Superstar Virgo
Side trips in Penang, Malaysia and Phuket, Thailand
Two free nights in Singapore

All these for 45 thousand pesos. This is such a steal if I compare it to my past travels. Ngayon excited na ako. It’s gonna be my first time on a cruise ship. Looking forward to most specially to the gala night where the gentlemen should be in their coat and the ladies in their formal gowns. Umaatikabong picture-taking nanaman ito. And the side-trips to Penang and Phuket are another thing to look forward to. Check out the itinerary of the trip below. Kaso, the later you pay, mas tumataas ang package rate. Sali na — sulit na nga sa presyo… kasama nyo pa ako! Rampahan to the max sa Superstar Virgo! For details, contact Earvin Chua at 09173595459.

Major Major Fail, Cebu Pacific Air!

orman — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 06:50:19 +0000

If there is something that Cebu Pacific Air has done right

It’s educating Pinoy passengers never to be late for their flights

I’ve been bumped off twice and it’s not something I would wish anyone to undergo

That’s why I try to be at the airport two hours earlier than my Cebu Pacific flight

Yesterday, I checked in at 9am and was advised of the delay to 11:30am

I was engrossed about my seat assignment that I forgot to ask the reason of the delay

Inside the pre-departure area, most of the passengers seemed restless

I discovered that quite a number of flights have been delayed

A co-passenger said that our flight was further moved to 1:30pm

He knew it from the electronic announcement board — for heaven’s sake!

First major fail, if you ask me – why post it even before announcing it??!

And they announced at around 12nn — I stood up to buy lunch

The airport ambience was becoming uncomfortable

With the negative vibes coming from irate passengers, it was getting warm

I moved to Gate #5 deciding to wait for my flight there

Four hours into the delayed flight, we were asked to line up for lunch

I knew then that we’re gonna wait much much longer

Rightfully so, they announced that our plane has yet to arrive from Gensan

And that the next announcement will be at around 1:30pm

From that time onwards, delayed flights to Davao, Butuan and Manila flew

I noticed that irate passengers were complaining loudly to the ground personnel

I kept my cool — thanks to Angry Birds in my iPad but I was getting frustrated too

My Facebook, Plurk and Twitter friends knew about my predicament

I was updating my status regularly and they were as pissed as I was

@CebuPacificAir on Twitter stayed SILENT all that time!

At around 4:00pm we were given snacks — Yes, Virginia, we lined up again

There was also a hurried atmosphere among the ground crew

I just knew that our flight will soon be called

True enough, we were called to board at 4:45pm

Our flight finally left Cebu Airport at 5:05pm — seven hours delayed from our schedule

From the Gensan Airport, I had to rush to a client’s event — LATE.

I am home and safe in Gensan but a question continued to linger

Our flight was delayed for more than three hours

Three hours is the threshold of any airline company in an event of delay or cancellation

I read Cebu Pacific Air’s Terms & Conditions on their website and learned about the TRAVEL FUND

Other airlines call it vouchers and I believe me and the 155 other passengers need some clarification

The ball is on your court, Cebu Pacific Air

Every Juan needs some explaining from time to time

Veni Vidi Vici Visa

orman — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 23:59:47 +0000

I didn’t realize that I booked my appointment on Friday the 13th. Nevertheless, tinuloy ko na rin kasi ang mahal kaya ng application fee. I applied under the Visa Re-issuance Program or VRP. TAKE NOTE NA BAWAL DALHIN ANG CELLPHONES or any electronic device sa loob ng embassy. I left all my gadgets sa kotse. The appointment letter stated four important things:

Be there at least fifteen minutes ahead of your appointment schedule. When I arrived, mahaba na ang pila. The security guard handed me a form which I had to fill up. Mabuti na lang I brought a sturdy leather folder kaya hindi naging mahirap sumulat while you’re standing in line. Kaso nga, I had to borrow a ballpen kasi nakalimutan kong magdala. The information needed had something to do with your current and old passports.
Bring all passports covering the entire period of time since you received a US visa. This meant not only your current passport but all your passports from the time you were granted a visa. Nakakaawa nung mag-asawang galing pa ng Davao na hindi dinala ang previous passports nila. They were politely asked to leave the line. Just imagine the anguish and the EXPENSE! You need these passports too in filling up the details in the form that was handed to you by the guard.
Present the appointment confirmation sheet. Ito yung dapat pini-print mo after you have gone through the setting up of your appointment, either online or via telephone. If you did it online, merong portion dito na tatanungin ka kung gusto mong magdagdag ng picture mo using your webcam. I strongly suggest that you do so with the following tips: (a) Take off your eyeglasses. Your eyes must be visible; (b) Your ears have to be visible too. Kaya kung mahaba ang buhok mo, hawiin mo to show your ears; (c) Don’t smile. Hindi naman Dating Game ito kaya wag nang mag-smile. Poker face lang. Normal lang.
Bring a 2×2 ID picture in a white background. Take note na iba itong picture na ito from the one mentioned in Item #3. This picture is for your VISA approval (kung iga-grant sayo). The same requirements pa rin: Klaro ang mukha, kita ang mata at tenga and don’t smile.

It took about fifteen minutes na nakapila kami outside the embassy. After presenting the requirements, we were ushered inside the grounds. I noticed that this time around, all the employees assisting the applicants are Filipinos. They were all respectful and helpful. A final round of documents-checking is done. This is where the embassy employee will check if the pictures are acceptable or not. Kung hindi man, you will be instructed to proceed to a Kodak Photo-booth to have your picture-taken. Kaya importante talaga na tama ang litrato mo kasi added layer ito sa process.

Kaming mga walang naging issue sa documents (and pictures) were then led to a waiting area just outside the main embassy hall. Malaki na ang improvement ng waiting area. The seats are more comfortable and hindi na rin mainit. May food and beverage stalls na para sa mga applicants and restrooms are now available.

When I checked my watch, 8:52 in the morning na. My appointment was at 9:00am. Our batch was then advised to proceed inside with our documents. Very systematic na ang procedure. Strict ang security checking but polite naman silang lahat. Their were embassy employees (all Filipinos) assigned per area whose role was to guide applicants on what to do and where to proceed. It took fifteen minutes for me to go through the process. My finger prints were taken electronically — no messy inks here.

No interview was done. The Filipina behind the glass-protected counter said: “Mr. Manansala, if the embassy needs to confirm anything, you will be contacted in two days otherwise please expect your passports in five to seven days.” I left the embassy grounds after 45 minutes since I arrived. It was indeed a breeze.

The waiting period for my passport was nerve-wracking. After the two days have lapsed, I heaved a sigh of relief. Buti na lang walang questions. It took seven days for my passports to arrive via 2Go. The previously approved US visa was marked “Cancelled without Prejudice” and the new visa approval made me smile from ear to ear. I was granted a B1/B2 multi-entry visa for ten years. Less stress. Less hassle. Less trouble. Time to save for my trip.

When A Booboo Becomes A Bravo

orman — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 16:06:06 +0000

courtesy of newmedia.com.ph

Ambaduy-baduy ko talaga! I’m so out of touch!

Clueless ako last year nung sumabog ang Christopher Lao controversy

Nababasa ko na sya sa Twitter pero di ko pa rin pinansin

Ni hindi ko nga alam na nasa You Tube siya

Kung hindi dahil ke Raffy Tima malamang clueless pa rin ako hanggang ngayon

Guest kasi ng SoCSKSarGen Bloggers si Raffy nung BlogFest 3.0

Very engaging ang speech nya about Responsible Use of Social Media

Ito ang bagong advocacy ng GMA Kapuso Network: “Think Before You Click”

Nung pinalabas na nya ang GMA News item about Christopher Lao

My jaw literally dropped in disbelief — no wonder nilait-lait si Lao

Whatever Christopher Lao was thinking that time must really be important

Suungin ba naman yung binabahang kalye eh di lumutang ang kotse nya

His frustration and inability to do anything was all over his face

Kaya nga nung ininterview na sya aakalain mong ang yabang nya pa

His infamous line: ”I SHOULD HAVE BEEN INFORMED!” made him the much-maligned Pinoy that time

And just when we thought that was the last of Christopher Lao

BPI FAMILY resurrects him with a witty outtake on his video

Sa unang nood ko akala ko talaga it was the original video

Then it becomes all clear — BPI uses the booboo and turns it around to their advantage

Now the much-maligned Lao is laughing his way to the bank

How about that for recovery? Bravo, BPI Family! Bravo, Christopher Lao!

And yes — NATURE DOESN’T INFORM YOU.

Bravo, Top Commenters!

It’s More Fun In GandaEverSoMuch.com

orman — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 03:23:55 +0000

After everything has been said and done, the Department of Tourism has finally decided to make the new slogan the Philippines’ official battle-cry. Eh kasi naman, di muna nag-Google search bago man lang nilunsad. Ayan tuloy, nabuking nanaman kayo. In fairness, magaling ang pagkaka-handle ni Secretary Jimenez ng umatikabong intriga right after the Switzerland brouhaha. Mabuti na lang, karamihan sa mga Pinoy eh nagustuhan ang bagong slogan.

Sa tutuo lang, TUTUO namang mas masaya sa Pilipinas. I’ve travelled in some Asian countries — most of them eh nilalampaso ang Pilipinas in terms of the economic gains — pero isa lang ang napapansin ko at palagi kong gustong tanungin sa mga mamamayan ng mga bansang yun: ”Masaya ba kayo?” Asa ka pa. Dito lang sa Pilipinas na pati kapalpakan namin eh tinatawanan natin. Bumabaha na nga’t lahat pero pag may picture-taking, naka-smile na, nag-pose pa. It’s really more fun in the Pilipinas! And while I’m at it… Enjoy nyo lang itong mga ginawa ko in support to the latest Tourism Slogan. Bawal ang seryoso… Chill lang at siempre Ganda Ever So Much lang!

picture is courtesy of lito antoque

picture courtesy of mandi nicolas

picture courtesy of michael vincent sanchez

picture courtesy of the north korean government (hehehe)

picture courtesy of katherine lara

picture courtesy of dondon pagunsan

Happy Birthday, Golden Boy! Happy Birthday, Kuya Avel!

orman — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 00:12:24 +0000

Happy birthday, Kuya Avel!

Singkwenta ka na meaning masyonda ka na!

Pero in fairness kahit 50 ka na prettiness pa rin

Am sure marami kang mga wishes and dreams

Go lang… wish ka lang and dream mo lang — libre lang yan

Malay mo biglang dumating ang Fairy Godmother, di ba?

Sensya na kung walang kang Hong Kong trip na regalo from moi

Busy lang ang career kaya wa ka sa priority list

Rest assured, love kita — may magagawa ba ako? Charot!

Hope you have a blast of a birthday party tonight

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KUYA AVEL!

2012 Holidays In The Philippines

orman — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 00:20:35 +0000

courtesy of dearbloggery.com

President Noynoy Aquino signed Proclamation No. 295 last November 24, 2011 outlining the official holidays in the Philippines for the 2012. In the said proclamation, this year’s CHINESE NEW YEAR celebration on January 23 was also declared a non-working holiday. It stated: “The Spring Festival, popularly known as the Chinese New Year, is one of the most revered and festive events celebrated not only in China but also in the Philippines by both Chinese Filipinos and ordinary Filipinos as well; and the joint celebration is a manifestation of our solidarity with our Chinese Filipino brethren who have been part of our lives in many respects as a country and as a people.”

The only long weekend as a result of a Philippine holiday happens on Friday, November 2, 2012 which falls between Thursday, November 1, 2012 (All Saints Day) and Saturday.

The following regular holidays and special days for the year 2012 shall be observed in the country:

A. Regular Holidays

New Year’s Day, January 1 (Sunday)
Maundy Thursday, April 5
Good Friday, April 6
Araw ng Kagitingan, April 9 (Monday)
Labor Day, May 1 (Tuesday)
Independence Day, June 12 (Tuesday)
National Heroes Day, August 27 (Last Monday of August)
Bonifacio Day, November 30 (Friday)
Christmas Day, December 25 (Tuesday)
Rizal Day, December 30 (Sunday)

B. Special (Non-Working) Days

Chinese New Year, January 23 (Monday)
Ninoy Aquino Day, August 21 (Tuesday
All Saints Day, November 1 (Thursday)
Additional special (non-working) day, November 2 (Friday)
Last Day of the Year, December 31 (Monday)

C. Special Holidays (for all schools)

EDSA Revolution Anniversary, February 25 (Saturday)

20111124-PROC-0295-BSA