With my Cousins

Came home a few minutes ago and rushing to publish this before it turns midnight. That’s around 15 minutes left.

I spent the entire day, as I do most Sundays, with my relatives. We had lunch at our aunt’s house. And just like mot Sundays, we had lechon. We have that like once a month. Nom nom…

We also had lots of other great food. Usually, my aunts or some of my cousins (or I) would cook food or bake some sweets for Sunday lunch. But today, most of the food in the lunch spread was bought. But they were all as delicious as our own cooking.

After lunch, we spent around 3 hours just sitting around the table, eating whatever was still on the table while watching the local noontime variety show and gossiping about celebrities and random people. LOL!

Some of my cousins (obviously me not included) spent time playing with our uber hyper pamangkins.

We then went over to a local milk tea shop. It has been our sort of ritual for some time now that we would have some milk tea on Sundays. Our current favorite is Sencha Milk Tea Place where we had milk tea and some Takoyaki.

After hanging out at the milk tea place while gossiping yet again and catching up with each other, we decided to take a stroll at the mall. Where I and some cousins ended up buying some stuff. I bought a pink rose ring.

When time came for dinner, we decided to head to Cafe Demitasse for some dinner and their famous banoffee pie. Obviously, we spent even more time gossiping and catching up with a second degree cousin until we were all tired and sleepy.

Sundays has always been like this. Lunch while gossiping and watching a variety show. Milk tea. A bit of shopping. Sometimes, a movie. Dinner. Coffee and desserts. I bet the baristas at the other coffee shop which we also frequent are wondering why we didn’t go there tonight.

This is what I miss when I’m out of town. Food and gossip with my cousins. Haha! I wonder where we’ll eat dinner next week? Maybe we’ll cook? Looking forward to it.

The Diyosa and The Bariles

98 days to go and I dedicate this day to a dear friend.

The second blogger seminar I was ever invited to was the Notre Dame of Marbel University (NDMU) Blogging Seminar organized by bloggers I met in a bloggers event here in Davao. It was 2008 and we had just founded a bloggers organization in Mindanao. I was teeming with enthusiasm and idealism. In that NDMU event, one of the persons I met was a blogger whom I was already following through his blog Dust Dadiangas. Back then, we has an audience member who was generous enough to drive me back to General Santos City from Marbel.

The blogger is Avel Manansala who is no longer Mr Dust Dadiangas. And who, more importantly, is no longer just an audience member in blogging events. After the NDMU blogging seminar, Avel and I participated and collaborated in many other events and projects. Primary of which is the establishment of Mindanao New Media. He was also a big supporter of the Davao Food Appreciation Tour (DFAT) since it’s first year. In not so many words, Avel supported Davao Bloggers, Avatar Media, and events by these groups ever since I met him on February 2008.

It’s 2012 and nothing has changed. Except he is more popular and more influential than ever. This blogger, despite all odds, has wielded his influence to create, solidify, and develop Soccsksargen Bloggers. Undoubtedly, he is the godfather of blogging and bloggers in Soccsksargen. Take note… of an entire region, not just of one city or town. He is that awesome.

Committed to the mission of providing balanced and complete information about his region and the entire of Mindanao, Avel has forged on to be a powerhouse influential bloggers who has not aspired to forward his personal goals, but that of contributing towards the growth of Mindanao.

Me and Avel 4 years ago (many pounds lighter) with pioneers of Soccsksargen Bloggers

While we began with me as lecturer and him as audience member, I believe I am now his admirer and supporter and him my inspiration. I shall never forget that awesome moment I met Avel when he instantly became my friend, supporter, and inspiration.

On the occassion of his golden birthday, I dedicate this space for him and him alone… without any agenda or motive other than to give praise to a person who has inspired me in so many ways.

Dear friend,

I might have missed your golden birthday but in my heart, there will ALWAYS be a special place for you and all your plans, projects, and events. While I rarely say it, I sincerely love you and I cherish our friendship. I will be forever eternal that we are always on the same side.

I wish for you good health, a fulfilling career, and an ever loving partner (which you already have and undoubtedly deserve). Kung saan ka masaya dear… suportahan taka. I may not always be physically there for you, but I will always support and love you.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AVEL aka MR BARILES!

Love lots,

Your Ate Ree

PS I’m crying while I blog this. Ma-drama lang. Haha! :-*

Isang Litrong Liwanag

This year, I am bound to celebrate my birthday in another unconventional manner. Our chapter, JCI Davaoena Daba Daba has been appointed as the lead chapter for JCI Philippines in the 2012 implementation of the “Liter of Light” project.

The “Liter of Light” project aims to provide a cost-effective, ecologically sustainable daytime light source for the urban and rural poor communities. Watch this video:

The Liter of Light project helps communities save on electricity costs and also provides livelihood for those who have been trained to install the solar light bulbs. This is a project which gives citizens the opportunity to help out others in a simple and concrete way. It is a great way to live and celebrate the Bayanihan spirit.

I have been appointed to spearhead the launch of “Liter of Light” on April 28, 2012, the day I turn 30. And while it will probably cost me a heart attack, I accepted the challenged with the confidence that all you people… relatives, friends, business clients, colleagues, and readers will be there to help me out.

Here’s where I ask you to help me make my 30th birthday extra-special. This year, I ask you to collect water and soda bottles. 1 litter, 1.5 liter, 2 liter PET bottles. PET stands for Polyethylene terephthalate. These are usually the bottles used for bottled water and soda brands. To know if the bottle is made of PET, look at the bottom of the bottle.

For the Liter of Light project, please rinse the bottle and collect them until we have established and published drop off points.

Please, please, please help me make this birthday special. Collect PET bottles to help provide light for our urban and rural communities. This is the easiest way you can make me and other people happy on my birthday.

DAGHANG SALAMAT!

To know more about Liter of Light, visit the Isang Litrong Liwanag Site.

29th Birthday Party with the DS Kids

On April 28, 2012, I will turn 30 years old. To celebrate this milestone, I have decided to start a 100 Days Project. A challenge to blog each day for 100 days until my birthday. The blog post may be about anything but mostly magical memories from the past 30 years. And this is my first post.

Last year, two months before I turned 29, I joined the Junior Chamber International (JCI). My chapter is JCI Davaoena Daba Daba. With this participation and the influence of my Mommy, I decided to celebrate my birthday in a different manner.

My Mommy, you see, always takes time to celebrate her birthday with kids from the Waterlily Foundation. I, on the other hand, decided to celebrate my birthday with the kids of the DS Foundation, a non-stock, non-profit organization that provides education for kids with Down Syndrome. The DS Foundation is one of the partner organizations and beneficiaries of Daba Daba.

About 2 months before my birthday, I picked a date to have a party at DS Foundation and called on all my relatives and friends to share their time and resources for the celebration. And I was very happy by the response. A loooot of them gave food, funds, giveaways, and their own time.

DS Kids Lining up for Goodies from my relatives and friends

The celebration began with the kids enjoying free haircuts and hair styling by the fab team of Hairs and Nails Salon led by Buddy Congson. The rest of the afternoon was spent making chika and eating food by Trellis n Vines and Chippens Catering. Ice cream was shared by Crepelato Gelato and cake was given by my own Mommy.

The room was made beautiful with pink and purple balloons and decor by Karla Singson. While lots, lots, looooots, of giveaways were prepared and handed out by my relatives, friends, and clients. Each kid brought home a bag, notebooks and other school supplies, coloring books, candies, and toys. It was like they went shopping.

It was an amazing humbling experience to spend my special day with people who have so much generosity that they gave without asking for anything in return. Truly, a testament to the kindness of people.

And yes, it was so overwhelming to be spending it with 20 kids whom I have never met yet they enthusiastically celebrated the day with me. I look forward to spending more days with them as our organization continues to be their sponsor.

This year, I’ll be celebrating my 30th birthday with my JCI family as we hold our Area Council Meeting here in Davao City on April 28, 2012. And during this occasion, I have been given the privilege to launch the Liter of Light project here in Davao City.

So in lieu of a birthday celebration, I will be helping provide light to some communities here in Davao City. And I wish to solicit everybody’s support in making this event successful. I will be posting more details on how you can help… soon!

Cake from Mommy

Again, I would like to thank the following for making last year’s celebration unique and relevant:

• Mommy and Daddy, Marianne, John, and Mae Bonguyan
• Ate Ve and kids, Kuya Andrew, Ate Ina and Greggy, Ate Jo and Omo
• JCI Davaoena Daba Daba ladies, Anna Lim, Divine Magtoto and Trellis n Vines, Ate Leah Librado, Sheila Fortich, Lyn Llanillo, Lani Abapo, Tan Sy and Kuya Tic, Ana Grace, Tootchie Alpiz
• Tita Evelyn Congson, Donna, Buddy, and the lovely staff of Envy Me Salon and Hairs and Nails Salon
• Karla Singson, Miah Laborte and Rhon de los Santos, April San Pedro
• Orman Manansala
• Chino San Jose and Chippens Catering
• Mr Gerry and Ms Victoria Evangelista and Crepelato
• Dagny, Faith, and the Suenos
• Atty and Mrs Sipaco and the staff, kids, and parents of the DS Foundation

I am hoping this year’s celebration will again, bring out the generosity and bayanihan spirit in all of us.

Eating Duck Empanada

I have been to Manila countless times and I kinda lived there when I was in college. So every time I look for something different to do each time I go back for work or vacation. When I made my November 2011 Manila Checklist, a Binondo Tour was one of my priorities.

Binondo is Manila’s Chinatown, the oldest Chinatown in the world. It is where most Filipino-Chinese families settled during the Spanish era. It is located along Pasig River across the Manila’s Walled City of Intramuros. The enterprising Chinese settlers made it into a bustling center for trade and commerce. Until now, a lot of Fil-Chinese families reside in Binondo and a lot of their businesses are still located in the vicinity. And of course, it is teeming with food establishments that specialize in various Chinese cuisines.

I have been to Binondo only a couple of times. Both times, I enjoyed the tour despite the scorching heat of the sun. The combination of food and history was irresistible to me. I was happy that my friend, a Binondo resident (100% born and raised in Binondo) offered to be my tour guide. As a Chinese food lover with Chinese roots, I was excited.

With my tour guide extraordinaire Dennis Lim, and tour buddies Ralph Lim and Yvette Deloso, I took another adventure around Manila’s Chinatown, Binondo:

The video does not do much justice to the whole day of eating, hearing trivia and historical anecdotes, and enjoyable walking. We visited 8 restaurants, ate 5 times, took home some tasty treats, drank sugar cane juice, dropped by 2 churches and 1 temple, passed by 2 arches and the Jones Bridge, and learned more about Binondo and our Fil-Chinese community.

My top foodie picks: Taro Puff at Ying Ying Tea House, Chinese Style Fried Chicken at Sincerity Restaurant, Egg Yolk Pao and Salt and Pepper Squid at Fu Yuan Tea House, and Chicken Pie from Diao Eng Chai (DEC). Will definitely blog more about these at Kusina Maria.

This Binondo Tour made me want to go back, again and again, even if there’s too much traffic and too many people on the streets. I am considering living in Binondo for a few days, maybe sometime late next year. Just so I can wander off on my own and get lost in the amazing foodie destination that is Manila’s Chinatown. Might be fun to be there during Chinese New Year. While I don’t speak Chinese, I am, most definitely, a Chinese at heart.

Many thanks to Dennis, Ralph, and Yvette who made this Binondo Tour very much enjoyable, tummy-filling, and memorable!

I’m looking forward to discovering and enjoying more of Metro Manila’s hidden gems during my next trips there. Got any suggestions for me?

And what about you? Discovered anything new or old in our Philippines lately?

AirPhil Express flies to Manila from Davao and vice versa daily.

Discover the Philippines with AirPhil Express

Red Party at the Eagles Bar

This Saturday, Davao will sizzle as the ladies of JCI Davaoena Daba Daba host the Red Party at the Eagles Bar at the Marco Polo Hotel. From 7 pm – 2 pm on December 20, 1022, party guests will enjoy unlimited cocktail drinks.

Trellis n Vines and Pixie’s Sinugba will be serving some pica-pica to complement the cocktail drinks. Exciting games and raffle prizes await you from Envy Me Salon, Metro Home Massage, and Rancheros.

The party is a fund-raising project for the Stop HIV and AIDS Campaign of Daba Daba. All proceeds will be used for educational forums, seminars and workshops to educate the youth about HIV and AIDS. M Magazine and the Riality Bites Show of the Mindanao Travel Channel are the event’s media partners.

Which red dress?

We invite our guests to wear their hottest red outfit. If you don’t have one yet, SOUL Lifestyle has a selection of sizzling hot red dresses you can choose from. Which one of the dresses do you think I should wear?

Ted Baker Lynie Bag in Fuchsia

And yes, bring your best red accessories. Check out this red hot clutch bag from Ted Baker. Check them out at this link.

So do you have a red hot attire already? Join us as we party for a good cause this Saturday.

Tickets are at P500. Profits will benefit the Stop HIV and AIDS Campaign in coordination with the Reproductive Health and Wellness Center.

For more information on sexual health please visit http://www.tht.org.uk/.

It’s been several months and yet this song still comes to mind every now and then.

The song is “Jar of Hearts” by Christina Perri. It talks about a former lover who goes around making girls fall in love with him only to break the girls’ hearts. In the song, the guy is looking for the girl again but the girl won’t have him back because she knows he’ll only hurt her again.

Yeah, yeah, yeah… I still love the guy. And though he does not want me back, I feel that this song speaks to me strongly right now. Not quite that bitter but I’m still a bit angry. So this is my song right now. Especially this line…

Sad, noh? Really sad. The song is very melancholic. And I’ve been listening to it a lot lately. Haaay… Hope to get over this phase soon.

Miss Earth Candidates in Davao

Was still tired and sleepy when I got a phone call. One of my bosses asked me if I could attend the Miss Earth press con in around 2 hours. Errr… I agreed hesitantly.

We waited awhile before the candidates arrived and when they entered the room, all I could see were legs, legs, and even more legsss. The candidates were lovely but two of them stood out for me, Miss Macau and Miss Japan.

Miss Macau and I

Miss Japan and I

It was an interesting experience meeting the candidates. They’re all so composed and it seemed like they didn’t sweat at all even if it was very hoooot that day. And some of them didn’t stop going to the buffet table and yet they were all so slim.

Did I mention they’re all so tall? I abandoned wearing heels to the press con coz I had a long day ahead. And I regretted making that decision. I looked like a midget beside them.

The Miss Earth 2011 candidates are in the Philippines for the Miss Earth Pageant to be held this week in Manila. Some of them are visiting Davao (and other cities) to know and enjoy more of the country.

It was such an interesting experience to meet the candidates. A bit of a blow to my self-esteem but what the heck, it’s a great experience I’d probably never forget.

I diet now. LULZ!

Have you ever thought of flying to Lanzarote? Seems like a fun trip to take.

Take me to Binondo?

Well, not really on a jetplane. But I’m leaving for a while. Gonna take a trip to Manila. And to Iloilo.

My Manila trip will be full with official functions and work meetings. But I am going to squeeze in some fun. Will try very hard to everything on my Manila checklist. Really looking forward to Binondo, Mercato Centrale, the museums, and the MRT! And I might be able to cook for my friends again.

It will be a long trip full of stuff to do, work to accomplish, and people to get in touch with. Might be a bit stressful, but it will definitely be fun.

The Iloilo trip will be much shorter but I’m looking forward to doing as many things as I can while I’m there. Iloilo is one of my favorite places. Mostly because it’s like Davao, but also because it has a lot of heritage spots and great, great, greaaat food. Won’t be able to do a lot in 2 and a half days but I hope to enjoy the trip a lot.

I know I’ll be leaving a lot of work while I’m gone and a lot of things will be put on hold. But this trip will definitely be productive. And FUN! There’s nothing like mixing business with pleasure.

I’ll miss you Davao…

AirPhil Express flies to Manila from Davao and vice-versa daily. AirPhil Express also flied to Iloilo from Manila and from Davao (and vice-versa) daily.

Travel with AirPhil Express Today

If you’re planning a trip to Cyprus, check out these Cyprus holidays before you book your flight.

Ria Styled by Envy Me Salon at the Mr and Miss Gen San Pageant, Image Courtesy of HabagatCentral.com

If you’ve seen in in public events, you’re likely to ask yourself how I can manage to look nice despite my busy schedule. There’s an army of fab stylists who make me look that way. And I’d like to share my army with you.

If you think you need a style change for 2012, get a chance to have a makeover by joining my simple promo.

Promo Mechanics:

1. Like the Ria Jose FB Page.
2. Post your photo on the page wall and explain in 30 words or less why you need a makeover. You may nominate your friend, girlfriend, cousin, sister, daughter, mother, aunt, or any lady in your life by posting her photo on the wall and explaining why she needs a makeover.

Yup, there are only two steps to this promo. This promo is limited to Davao-based ladies only. Deadline is December 2, 2011.

I, together with representatives from Envy Me Salon and other promo sponsors will be picking the lady (or ladies) who will be getting a makeover.

Submit those entries now.

Image courtesy of Bernie of HabagatCentral.com.