Malacanang has released the list of official regular and special holidays in the Philippines for 2013 under Proclamation No. 459 which was signed by President Noynoy Aquino last August 12, 2012.  Below are the following regular holidays and special days for the year 2013 shall be observed in the country as stated in the said proclamation.

Regular Holidays:

• New Year’s Day - January 1 (Tuesday)
• Maundy Thursday - March 28
• Good Friday - March 29
• Araw ng Kagitingan - April 9 (Tuesday)
• Labor Day - May 1 (Wednesday)
• Independence Day - June 12 (Wednesday)
• National Heroes Day - August 26 (Last Monday of August)
• Bonifacio Day - November 30 (Saturday)
• Christmas Day - December 25 (Wednesday)
• Rizal Day - December 30 (Monday)

Special (non-working) Days

• Black Saturday - March 30
• Ninoy Aquino Day - August 21 (Wednesday)
• All Saints Day - November 1 (Friday

Additional special (non-working) days

• December 24 (Tuesday)
• December 31 (Tuesday)     

Special Holiday (for all schools)

• EDSA Revolution Anniversary - February 25 (Monday)

Observance of Eid’l Fitr and Eidul Adha shall  be issued after the approximate dates of the Islamic holidays have been determined in accordance with the Islamic calendar (Hijra) or the lunar calendar, or upon Islamic astronomical calculations, whichever is possible or convenient. The National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) shall inform the Office of the President on which day the holiday shall fall.

Here’s a copy of Proclamation No. 459.  Feel free to share this with your friends.

Proclamation 459

Now on its fifth edition, Kasalang Filipino 2013 opens today at the Atrium of Gaisano Mall of Gensan.  Kasalang Filipino is Gensan’s biggest convergence of the wedding industry’s players in a three-day fair and exhibits.  This is the most awaited event in the SocSKSarGen area as this has become a rich source of information and contacts for anybody who is planning to get married.  Suffice to say, it’s every wedding planner’s one-stop-shop fantasy.

Check out these activities and tag along your friends for a look-see:

February 22, 2013 (Friday)
10:00 am – Fair & Exhibit areas will open to the public
1:00 pm – Official Ceremonial Opening
2:00 pm – Ever Bilena Make-up Demo and Competition

February 23, 2013 (Saturday)
10:00 am – Bridal Hairstyling Demo by Envy Me Salon
4:00 pm – Event Stylying & Floral Arrangement Tips by Henry Pascual

February 24, 2013 (Sunday)
10:00 am – Airbrush Make-up Demo by Jackie of D’ Hue Bliss Beauty Bar
4:00 pm – Bridal Collection Fashion Show by Crislene Plus Dress Shop featuring Gensan’s Top Models

Kasalang Filipino 2013 (Gensan Leg) is co-produced by kasal.com, ABS CBN and Project O! Consultants.  It is supported by Gaisano Mall of Gensan, Representative Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao, Sun City Suites, Family Country Hotel & Convention Center, Ellis Suites, Jemaca, Mount Sabrina Resort, Aunt Ludi’s Bakeshoppe, Sushimoto and Asia United Bank.

For more than 15 years, brides have entrusted the most important date of their lives to Crislene Plus Dress Shop, from handling their wedding invitations and favors, to fashioning and inventing their entourage and elegant gowns, and ultimately, their dream weddings, at affordable prices.  Crislene is home to the finest and largest collection of formal gowns for different occasions. Truly, Crislene is designed to make your wishes come true.

Today, Crislene has expanded with two branches in Davao City and a line of new and professional services like flowers and decorations, cakes, hair and make-up, accessories, and various gift items.

Crislene Plus Dress Shop is with you every step of the way, from the day you purchase your dress, to the day you wear it. They are accessible with a private number that brides can contact when you need special attention.  They have been assisting brides in Davao, Manila, Singapore, United Kingdom, New Zealand, Texas, California, and Australia, and they will continue on with this tradition.

This multi-awarded couturier is among the Exhibitors during the Kasalang Filipino 2013 from February 22-23, 2013 at the Atrium of Gaisano Mall of Gensan.  They will also showcase their wedding gown collections during the Bridal Fashion Show on February 24, 4:00 pm in the same venue featuring Gensan’s Top Models.  

Ten years ago, the term EVENT STYLIST was unheard of. Then HENRY PASCUAL happened.

For any event, especially weddings, visual aesthetics receives a significant focus as it silently tells the audience on what is the event is all about. Each event conveys a unique message and feeling which should be evident throughout the event. As such, its visual representation must be present in all corners of the venue. It involves a whole lot of planning, conceptualizing, and research to make all the artistic elements visualized by the clientele come to life. This is the main goal of a flower and event stylist. These tasks are all in a days work for premier flower and event stylist Henry Pascual.

His knowledge and vast experience contributes to the total aesthetics of his designs. He also considers which color is appropriate and ideal for the event and venue. Aside from flower arrangement, event styling also involves artistic use of furniture together with decorative items, to cohesively represent the theme of the event. To preserve authenticity and uniqueness in each of his works, he rarely repeats the use of these acquired materials.

A factor that affects event styling is the availability of materials. Oftentimes, he has to travel to far flung places, even abroad, to outsource the material he needs for his design. With his innate skills and eye for beauty, Henry treats each of his events as a canvas ready for whatever idea his client has.  He then turns such imaginations into reality.

Catch Henry Pascual on February 23, 2013 during the Kasalang Filipino at the Atrium of Gaisano Mall of Gensan as he shares his experiences and tips on how to be a successful events stylist.  His contact details are as follows:

Address: Unit 901 Sofia Tower, 85 Don A. Roces Ave., Brgy. Obrero, Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines
Telephone No: (632) 577-9187
Mobile No: (63917) 323-7921

Url Page:http://www.henrypascualeventstylist.blogspot.com
http://www.facebook.com/HenryPascualEventStylist
Email: pascual.henry@yahoo.com
henrypascual.eventstylist@gmail.com

What do these companies have in common?

1) NDD Wedding Ideals
2) Robert Dumio Events Planner | Organizer
3) Ezcapturephotobooth
4) Ryan Ortega | Photo
5) Jhun Ador Creations
6) Greentomato wedding videography

They are among our Exhibitors who have become successful in their respective fields.

Check them out and more at the 2013 KASALANG FILIPINO GENSAN LEG. Now on its 5th Edition happening on February 22-24, 2013 at the Atrium of Gaisano Mall Of Gensan.

For more details, contact Chiclet E. Moscoso-Rillo at 0932-515-5165.

Yes, faithful reader, you read it right.  Shakey’s Restaurant is moving to the new SM City General Santos and this would mean new opportunities.  Right now, they are on the look out for a RESTAURANT MANAGER.  If you’ve got what it takes to be part of a solid and reputable company then read on…

Responsibilities:

1. Oversee the overall operation of the store such as Personnel Management, Stocks & Inventory Management, Maintenance Management, Funzone and other administrative function
2. Oversee the excellent implementation of local store marketing, delivery and community relations programs
3. Oversee the effective cascade of implementing guidelines and promo mechanics of all restaurant employees.
4. Monitor store adherence on company policies and standards
5. Ensure achievement of target sales and profitability

Requirements:

Ernan died last October 22, 2012.  He would have turned 32 on January 15.  Ernan has always been special to me.  We shared so many things.  He was there in my successes and failures.  We shared the joys and pains in life despite living our own lives.  He was practically at my beck and call.  He never complained — he was just there for me.

When he started to get ill in 2011 I admonished him to move to the house so I can monitor his progress.  He willingly obliged.  That decision must have been God’s mighty hand working — the eventual experience taught me the true value of loyalty and friendship.  When times were rough sailing, Ernan would tell me not to give up on him.  God knows how my patience was tested but I assured him of my  support till the end.

I saw how Ernan fought his sickness.  He would never complain when I’m around.  When we were all asleep, he would be awake — suffering silently, cringing in pain but he would never wake us up.  There was a time though that he woke me up and hugged me and thanked me.  He said:  “Ma, pag mamatay ako gusto ko dito ako ihaya ah…”  He made me promise.  Then we laughed about it.

When I was losing hope Ernan would tell me that he knew that he would recover.  That was enough for me to fight on.  But deep in my heart I felt that he was succumbing to the physical pain as I saw him get weaker and weaker day by day.  Ernan was exhausted and he became unresponsive that fateful day.

I summoned all my strength — held his hand as he lay in bed and whispered:  ”Nan, pagod ka na?”  He nodded.  “Gusto mo nang magpahinga?”  Another nod. “Sige Nan, wag mo na kaming alalahanin…magpahinga ka na…”  Ernan pressed my hand and shed a tear.

Everyday since he died, I still have this lingering feeling of guilt.  Have I done enough for my friend?  Each time I think of Ernan, I grieve silently.  I cry when I’m alone not wishing others would see.  And then I came across this song and right there and then Ernan seems to be telling me to move on and just remember that our friendship that has withstood the tests of time is more than enough.

Thank you Ernan for being my friend, my confidante, my partner.  I terribly miss you Nan.  Rest ka na at rarampa ka pa sa langit…

YOU WERE THERE
Written & Performed by Babyface
(For the movie SIMON BIRCH)

Time passes, the world changes
But I’m still the same ole’ kid
And your jokes still bring me laughter
As if you still were here
And it hurts
When I smile
‘Cause my heart still remembers
When you were around

‘Cause you were there
When no one was
Just when I thought nobody cared
You showed me love
‘Cause you were my friend
You always told me
And I am still here
Because you were there

So precious, small treasures
A time when truth was innocent
True friendship, was all we were after
A place where kids could still be kids
And it hurts
But I’m glad
‘Cause at least I was blessed
To have you as my friend

‘Cause you were there
When no one was
Just when I thought nobody cared
You showed me love
‘Cause you were my friend
You always told me
And I am still here
Because you were there

You’re my best friend
There are no accidents
God has a plan for everyone
And he brought you in my life
To show me what a good friendship was

taken in December 2011 from Day 1 to Day 9 of Misa de Gallo

I have been wanting to be actively writing again.  After a long dry spell, I am hopefully back for good.  It has been a bumpy ride for me and I am just thankful that I have survived the ups and downs of my journey I call, life.  A lot of you, my faithful readers, have been patiently waiting for my latest post and for that I am very grateful.  Join me as I reminisce  events that rocked my world in 2012.  Read on, faithful readers…

1. Gensan’s Heaviest Banker.  One day I just woke up and realized that I was extremely overweight hitting 138 kilos or 304 pounds on the weighing scale.  I was a ticking time-bomb.  My doctor was worried but I just poo-pooed the idea of losing the excess weight.  Despite my daily maintenance medicines, I was not at the pink of health.  My snoring has become irritatingly loud.  My asthma attacks have become frequent.  My waistline has reached 61 inches.  I wanted to do something about it but was helpless and hopeless.
2. Meeting Mae Paner a.k.a. Juana Change.  Mae Paner was a guest of the BlogFest in November 2011.  I saw her first in Zamboanga in 2010 and she was huge!  But the Mae Paner in Gensan lost a lot of weight.  I asked her about it and I agreed to lose the weight and take my Juana Change Challenge after Christmas.  Well, Christmas and New Year came and went and I was still fat and gaining more weight.
3. The Hand of Senor Santo Nino and TRA.  In January 2012, we enthroned the image of the Holy Child Jesus in the home of Congressman Jun and Rose Acharon.  Nothing unusual happened — as the novena and prayer meeting went on without any hitches.  But after I arrived home, I got a call from Melanie Macaraeg inviting me to attend a presentation about losing weight at the Acharon residence.  I was introduced to The Right Approach to Weight Management that night by Lisa Ygnalaga.  The decision I made that night would change my life immensely.
4. Gensan’s Biggest Loser.  My weight lose journey is probably the most maligned and most watched event in Gensan.  People branded it as a losing proposition as they knew that I will eventually go back to my eating binges.  Friends were more polite — they gave me a month to survive.  But I was determined to win this challenge.  And each time I lose weight, everyone was cheering me on.  The skeptics remained so — I didn’t mind them because I needed them to inspire me to work harder.  Todate, I have lost 30 kilos or 66 pounds and shed 26 inches from my waistline.
5. Asian Cruise & More.  For the longest time, I have fantasized about going on a cruise in a Love Boat.   A European cruise has always been a dream but due to budget constraints I have to contend myself with an Asian cruise aboard Superstar Virgo.  The cruise cost me 45k and it included 3 days & 2 nights onboard the classiest cruise in Asia where you eat seven times daily — your choice of Chinese, American, European and Mediterranean!  As if the cruise wasn’t enough, we stayed at the Marina Bay Sands Hotel for two nights and experienced the infinity pool that everybody is gushing about.   To top my grand vacation, I rode the terrifying roller coaster ride at Universal Studios.  But survive it, I did.
6. Ten Years of Pageantry.  Producing a pageant is not easy.  Every year, new challenges crop up and the 2012 edition of the Mr. & Miss Gensan pageant was no different.  But ten years of the Miss Gensan pageant  can’t just be ignored — it had to be staged no matter what.  Thanks to Manny Pacquiao and a whole lot of REAL friends —  we came through.  Ours may not be a perfect pageant but it definitely has become the barometer of many a beauty contests in these parts.
7. New Boss.  New Beginnings.  I somehow felt that something was brewing at the career front.  My immediate boss was particularly queasy during a conference in Cebu City.  There were pending issues to discuss with him but i noticed that he seemed more concerned about our after-conference private meet up more than anything else.   Oh how things can changed at a snap but when your boss goes out of his way to explain things to you then you realize that you are special.
8. Chad of My Life.  Chad, my mini-pinscher was already showing signs of old-age.  Visits to the vet has become a regular fare.  His convulsions have become regular and each time it happens my heart bled for him.  Chad was a gift from Kerwin and Virgie Cue ten years ago.  We have been inseparable since then.  He was like a son to me and Chad returned the favor by being very protective of me.  Chad died in my arms last August 28 — two weeks after his daughter Pauline was struck by a vehicle.  I still miss him dearly.
9. Forty-nine Years and counting.  September has always been my favorite month and I always make it a point that I celebrate it with an smashing birthday party.  It was a party with people to mattered to me.  But honestly, it was my way of communicating how disappointed I was with C**, Y** and B** — they, whom I cared about for so many years.  Well it was an expensive expression of my feelings but there you go — I said it finally.  I may have lost three but I got Sandy, a female mini-pinscher as a gift that night — Sandy may be a bitch but she’s my kind of bitch.
10. Losing Ernan.  I saw him up close. I saw him at the pink of health.  I saw him get sick.  I saw him recover.  I saw him get sick again.  I saw him suffer in silent dignity.  When we’re together, he comforted me with his vitality and his belief that he will get well.  I stood by his side till the end.  I cried with him, laugh with him and planned a future of a great friendship.  In his last moments, I whispered to him that he can rest.  He responded by nodding and pressing my hand.  I have not cried for somebody like I did for Ernan.  I love you, my friend — wherever you are, you are my special Be, forever.
11. Nine Mornings with Nino.  I wouldn’t have survive grieving all by my lonesome.  Nino’s decision to move to Gensan is probably the best gift I got last year.  It’s a different high with Nino around.  For two years, I’ve completed the Misa de Gallo with Ernan.  Nino and I offered the nine dawn masses for Ernan’s eternal repose.  In those nine mornings, Nino and I became closer — the misa de gallo became an avenue for us to get to know each other better.  Eyebrows may raise but methinks we’re both blessed by the Lord.
12. A Christmas Day Shocker.  Just when I thought that I was going to end the year 2012 in bliss proved otherwise.  An early morning call from Johnny Abad woke me up last December 25.  My sparring partner and perennial Pageant Director Dino Veloso succumbed to a heart attack.  Up to now, I am still in denial.  I couldn’t believe that Dino is gone.  What started as a professional partnership blossomed to a relationship like no other.  Dino and I had plans of growing old together, traveling with Johnny, Osler and JM and putting up more projects to satisfy our creative cravings.   I will forever treasure our memories together, Direk.

As I’m writing this my emotions are all mixed-up.  But I know that this too shall pass.  The new year has just begun and already I am in the thick of challenges.  I thank the Lord for His immense love for me.   Finishing this piece closes the cycle of the past year.  Time to move on and welcome the opportunities of 2013.

If you want to write a blog that is solely focused on your travels, then you will be working within an extremely competitive field.  However, if you want to make sure that your blog proves popular and has a dedicated readership, then there are a number of things that you can do. Here are just a few ideas to help you get started…

Firstly, you will want to make sure that all of your entries are well written – even if you are blogging from a stuffy Internet café during your travels. Often, people will read blogs whilst completing other online tasks, such as checking their Facebook, playing online games at partycasino.com and reading their emails. This means that they may not necessarily be giving your blog their full attention – but a well-written and interesting post can be the best way to engage readers. If your blog is full of spelling errors and grammar mistakes, then visitors may find it difficult to read – especially if they are also doing something else at the same time.

When it comes to travel blogging, images can be particularly important and it can be well worth investing in a good camera. Often, it is easier to show readers what you are talking about, rather than simply describing it. Using your own images can also give your travel blog a more personal touch, and ensure that it doesn’t seem like you have simply lifted information from a travel guide.

In order to keep readers interested and to encourage them to subscribe to your blog, you will want to make sure that you are posting regularly. Make good use of social networking accounts to announce your latest updates and link directly to the posts in question. This can help to build and maintain a loyal readership, and will help your travel blog stand out against other similar sites.

Asia United Bank expanded their reach to 109 branches with the soft opening of their Tagum Branch last October 18. 2012.  AUB Tagum Branch, headed by Ms. Jennifer C. Edig, is located at Gaisano Mall of Tagum Briz District, National Highway. She is  assisted by Edeli D. Umayam, Service Manager; Joshua Lawrence D. Halili, Service Auxiliary/Associate; Christine Emily W. Ravelo, Sales Associate; and Christine C. Soriano, Field Sales Officer. 

Here’s wishing AUB Tagum Branch the best as it extends personalized and convenient banking to the banking public in their areas.

The long wait is over!

Ranchero Nuevo soft-opens at the Al Fresco strip of SM City Gensan today

The latest baby of the Ranchero Group of Restaurants aims to bring out the cowboy in everyone

Known for their awesome ranch-style cooking and A-1 service,

Ranchero Nuevo will surely add  more luster to SM City’s shining star

Be the among the first to savour the Ranchero brand

Ranchero Nuevo will carry the same tradition of good food, homey service and classy ambience

Restaurateur Paolo Sunglao promises to introduce exciting food offerings

That will surely satisfy the demanding palate of the Generals

And soon, their Al Fresco Bar will debut to the delight of the night owls

That will definitely rock Gensan, big-time!

SEE YOU AT THE OPENING AND BRING OUT THE COWBOY IN YOU!