Boracay Island

Look here, i found my Boracay trip photos tonight while sorting out my documents in my acer laptop. Simply too hard to delete from my hard drive. I decided to share it here instead. Looking at it one by one brings back so much dear memories. It is a business trip and a personal blessing in finding stillness and inner peace. This is my second longest trip in the inter-islands here in the Philippines. The trip to the Boracay Island is an exciting, maddening experience while travelling in an extremely upset weather condition. Still, leaving the island is one of the hardest as you rather hope you carry with you a map that points to a family house somewhere nearby. You will definitely wish to stay there longer.

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Posted in: Boracay,Philippines,Places and Postcards,Zamboanga Blogger

Cebu City | Skyview

These photos were not taken as a first time visitor in Cebu. It was late in the afternoon just right after our review sessions when i chance upon the amazing beautiful sky as i looked outside the hotel window.

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Posted in: Cebu Ciity,Philippines,travel,Zamboanga Blogger

SanHack After-Party and Hackathon Winners

Wrapping up the event with beers and cheers at Mr. Bean Cafe, Catribo Complex!

Sanitation Hackathon Philippines bares the hackathon winners. Congratulations to all! 

Baguio City 

First Place... “SaniStation” (Sanitation Station)

Second Place... Garbage Maintenance
Third Place...GARMIS (Garbage Management Information System)

Bacolod City
First Place... TrashIt
Second Place...Sanitation Patrol

Third Place... WaterHole

Cebu City
First Place... Bomb Squad
Second Place... Street Cred
Third Place... Loos Clues

Davao City
First Place... Nature’s Call
Second Place... Sanitation Aid
Third Place... Trash Scheduler

Makati City
First Place... sACCESS
Second Place...Spotless

Zamboanga City
First Place... SanTrack
Second Place... Atoilet
Third Place... San Check

Grand Winner

Nature’s Call by Team Comfort of Davao City

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Photo highlights of the two-day event

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Posted in: Hackathon,Hackathon Winners

#SanHack Goes Global December 1 & 2

Taking place simultaneously in
Lahore, Pakistan
Dhaka, Bangladesh
Jakarta, Indonesia
Cape Town, South Africa
Lima, Peru
Daressalam, Tanzania
Dakar, Senegal
Pune, India
North America
Helsinki, Finland
London, U.K.
and in six cities in the Philippines -
(1) Bacolod, (2) Baguio, (3) Cebu, (4) Davao, (5) Manila
and (6) Zamboanga

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Posted in: Hackathon

Ginataang Santol. Unique Taste of Bicolandia :)

One of the most amazing food trip! Bicolandia food has a lot to offer to the taste buds! Thankful to our host for the sumptuous lunch.

Ginataang Santol is a first fruit-inspired delicacy i have tried. It's yummy and every bite leaves a distinct taste in the mouth that pushes you to scoop more than a spoonful.

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Posted in: CamSur,Food Trip,Ginataang Santol

SANITATION HACKATHON slated this December 1 & 2 in Zamboanga City

In behalf of GDG Zamboanga, I am reposting this invitation about a laudable cause. It is my sincere hope that we could address sanitation and hygiene challenges and concerns the most effective way through technology.

What is the Sanitation Hackathon?

Sanitation Hackathon is a social good hackathon that aims to develop open technology for sanitation challenges. Sanitation development is important in the well-being in the development of the individual, community and the country. It not only has an impact on health but also on economic development.

In the Philippines, there are still sanitation challenges and problem - including but not limited to access to clean toilets and education - that needs to solved and the winning tools developed during this hackathon will be used to overcome these challenges.

When and Where?

The 2-day Sanitation Hackathon will happen on December 1 to 2, 2012. In partnership with the Google Developers Group, the hackathon will be held at six different locations in the country:

• Bacolod - Colegio San Agustin, B.S. Aquino Drive, Bacolod City
• Baguio - Azalea Residences, Leonard Wood Rd., Baguio City
• Cebu - THE CENTER SUITES (www.thecentersuites.com), Camputhaw, Gonzales Compound, Escario Street, Cebu City, Philippines
• Davao - Mam Bebs Bakeshop, CVA Bldg, CM Recto Street, Davao City
• Manila - Globe Valero Telepark. 111 Valero Street, Makati City.
• Zamboanga - E-Leaning Center, Zamboanga City

.

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Posted in: Hackathon

Android and Google Mapmaker Yummy Puto Duo :)

This is quite a sweet treat for the guests and participants at the Google Developer Group DevFest Cebu 2012 last November 7. Look at these mini Android and Google Mapmaker yummy puto duo! Aren't those deliciously pretty? You bet! Taste like candy! All participants had a plate of this. Kala ko pwede na iuwi at ipa-frame! My first devfest. Super thanks to my sister for this short vacation in Dumaguete and Cebu! 

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Hot and Spicy Pizza No. 6 and Mount Talinis - The Dumaguete Escapade

The earth is indeed God's dwelling place. To my pleasure, it was a welcome break for me from all the clutter  of things. The four-hour trip from Dipolog City to Dumaguete City gave me enough time to reflect on most pressing things in my life, as i was just seated in my bed enjoying the sea breeze and looking out watching the clouds dance in silence for the sunset. It was majestic to view Mount Talinis from afar as i was aboard the Montenegro Ship from Dipolog City. This is my fourth visit to Dumaguete City in this lifetime. 

Mount Talinis is the second highest peak in the Visayan Region. To be honest, I have no knowledge of it until i saw it dominates the landscape of the entire Negros Island. I asked my cousin about it when i showed her the photo i took. I learned that it is Moutn Talinis. 

It was not drizzling when the boat docked past 6:30pm. Rain poured when everybody is marching down the decks towards the terminal port. I have to cut short this story line for tonight. Stay tuned with my two-day adventure.

Meanwhile, what's more fitting on a cold night after the rain than a freshly baked, hot and spicy pizza, right?

Grab a bite of this and you'll know what i mean. Your money's worth it. Thin crust Pizza at Php120.00. Makes eight slices! 

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Posted in: dumaguete city,mount talinis,Philippines,pizza,Places and Postcards,travel,Zamboanga Blogger

I was at GDG DevFest Cebu / 2012

My first official GDG DevFest in Cebu. GDG DevFests are large, community-run events that can offer speaker sessions across product areas, all-day hack-a-thons, code labs, and more. It is sheer luck that I am able to include this in my November calendar amidst a hectic and crazy schedule. I did see an opening for promo seats for Zamboanga to Cebu via Cebu Pacific Airlines. Tickets are at Php 525 each. I took it as a sign to come. Who wouldn't when the GDG DevFest Cebu event is spelled as F-R-E-E ? It promises great pitches, new learning, free food and great people to meet, so i did attend all the way from Zamboanga City :)

GDG DevFest Cebu is the 1st DevFest in Cebu last November 7, 2012!  It is presented by Google, Google Developers, GDG Ceby and Globe Labs.

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Posted in: Cebu,DevFest,GDGPhilippines

Margarita Interlude

Toast for my October and all the hypes!   

A good friend had a brief vacation in the city. He's based in Singapore now together with his beautiful wife. I am thankful for the dinner invitation one great Sunday. He's like family to us; an extended brother. We had splendid dinner at Lantaka Hotel together with his younger brother. Dinner won't  be complete without a few drinks. Guess what i had? My first sip of margarita! We tried tequila back in college when we had a total all-girls night out right after Hard Hat Ceremony for engineers. This is my first mix though and yep, malakas ang sipa! hihihihi

How do we mix a Margarita Cocktail?

1 1/2 oz tequila
1/2 ozpremium triple sec (preferably Cointreau)
1 oz lime juice

Rum the rim of a cocktail glass with lime juice, and dip in salt. Shake all ingredients with ice, strain into the glass, and serve. Thanks to this helpful resource: Margarita Cocktail recipe http://www.drinksmixer.com/drink5260.html#ixzz2CUWshB3s

Shake a glass now!

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Posted in: dinner,margarita,October,Zamboanga Blogger

Pump It Up at the Comedy Bar : Our Halloween Adventure Last Year :)

22nd Street Comedy Bar - CEBU 

In a few days to come, spook-tacular Halloween is coming to town. We do not have definite plans yet. We usually spend some quiet time offering ardent prayers for our dearly beloved that went ahead of us in the afterlife. Most of them are laid in the province that is why we do not frequent the cemeteries here. The days afford us time to reflect on our shortcomings in life and ask for Divine Providence to guide us in everything we do.

Last year is wholly different as I have spent it away from family. It is priceless to watch a majestic view of sunrise up in the air. What a fittingly great experience to spend the first day of November reflecting in such a moment, I am squinting as the sun rays smiles back at me on the airplane window. Ah, life! Thank you Dear God for such wonderful morning.

 What transpired on the night before that is something I gotta share to you, folks. Get your money's worth and best spend a pre-halloween party at the 22nd Street Comedy Bar whenever you are somewhere in Cebu.

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Posted in: Cebu Comedy Bar,Comedy Bar,Halloween Party

Strawberry Mojito

Strawberry Mojito
Photo Credit: Gerry Asuncion

I want a sip :)
I have always been interested in cocktails. How to mix a glass of this is fascinating me so i thought of adding it to my pages. I will document every cocktail drink that interests me. I used to own a small book i bought at a BookSale store. It contains all cocktails recipes. I gave it away to Kylie thinking she needs it more than I do. Now that cocktails are in, i feel the need to read more about tasty ones. Hahaha.

What a delicious discovery. But i need to taste one yet. Hahahha. Drink up!

Ingredients:

• 1.5 ounces of simple syrup
• about 3 fresh strawberries
• about 4-5 fresh spearmint sprigs (chopped if you prefer smaller mint pieces in your cocktail)
• soda water
• 1/2 lime
• 2 ounces of light rum

Directions:

1. In a chilled glass (about 10-12 ounces), muddle the simple syrup, strawberries and mint leaves together with the back of a spoon or muddler. Crush the strawberries and mint leaves well.
2. Squeeze the juice from the lime into the glass, add the rum and stir well. Fill glass with ice and top off with soda water.
3. Garnish with mint sprigs or strawberry slices.

Simple Syrup Recipe

• 2 c Water
• 1 lb Sugar

1. Combine water and sugar in a medium saucepan. Heat until sugar is completely dissolved. Set aside to cool. After cool, store in refrigerator until ready to use.

Recipe Source: WhiteOnRiceCouple.com.

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Posted in: Cocktails,Strawberry Mojito,Zamboanga Blogger

I Am Attending GDG DevFest CEBU / 2012

November promises another awesome adventure ahead. I have better pump up my energy reserve for the upcoming trips. Yup, it is true. I have signed up for the Google Developer Group DevFest happening this November 7th in Cebu. It has been this long love affair with you Google and now i get to finally attend one of your DevFests in the country.

I look forward to listen to interesting topics as outlined in their agenda.

Agenda

08:00 AM - 09:00 AM          Registration

Plenary @ Magellan Hall
09:00 AM - 09:15 AM          Welcome Address
09:15 AM - 10:00AM           Keynote
10:00 AM - 10:15 AM          Break
10:15 AM - 10:45 AM          Google Developer Programs
10:45 AM - 11:20 AM          Google Maps API
11:20 AM - 12:00 PM          Google+ API
12:00 PM - 01:00 PM           Lunch Break

Breakout 1 (Web & Cloud Track) @ Magellan Hall
01:00 PM - 01:45 PM           HTML5/CSS3
01:45 PM - 02:30 PM           Google App Engine
02:30 PM - 03:00 PM           Getting Started with Google Drive API

Breakout 2 (Mobile Track) @ Lewis Hall
01:00 PM - 01:45 PM           Android Dev
01:45 PM - 02:30 PM           Mobile UI Designing
02:30 PM - 03:00 PM           GoMo (Go Mobile)

03:00 PM - 03:15 PM           Break

Plenary @ Magellan Hall
03:15 PM - 03:45 PM           Google and Education
03:45 PM - 04:15 PM           Community: GDG, GBG & Geek Girls!
04:15 PM - 04:45 PM           Let's Start-up!
04:45 PM - 05:15 PM           Show & Tell
05:15 PM - 06:00 PM           Closing

This event is presented by Google Developers, GDG Cebu and Globe Labs.

Watch out for the following Speakers during the DevFest:

Merci Niebres , Marketing Events Manager, Google Inc.
Aileen Apolo-de Jesus, Lead, Outreach Program for Southeast Asia, Google Inc.
Janet Suzie Yoon, Head of GASP Philippines, Google Inc.
Gino Tria, Developer, Collabspot
Jose Albert Chiu Padin, Founder, SpellDial
JM Ibanez, Software Architect & Co-Founder, CodeFlux
Jomar Tigcal, Community Manager, GDG Philippines
Wayne Manuel, Senior Multimedia Programmer, GMA News Online
More speakers!

Check out here: http://devfest.gdgcebu.org/

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Walker @ Scott Kelby Worldwide Photowalk in Zamboanga City

Just a day after the big celebration of the Feast of Our Lady of the Pillar at the Royal Fort in Ciudad de Zamboanga comes the Scott Kelby Worldwide Photowalk. 

I am grateful to be part of this event for the second time around.We had so much fun to reconnect with professional photographers and met some of them for the first time. I tagged along my buddy Lee Nuh Wel while he is on vacation from Kuala Lumpur. This is his first time to join a Scott Kelby Worldwide Photowalk.

The crowd is still huge at the Royal Fort even after the feast to the delight of the kids selling candles on the streets. This formidable fortress of enduring faith, perseverance and quite a remarkable history of spanish influence has been a landmark for centuries here in Zamboanga City also called Asia's Latin City.

Official Walker Roster

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"Believe You Are Awesome" ~ Ms. Janette Toral

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Google Developers Group DevFest Shirt and Swags Pasalubong! Muchas Gracias! :)

The red fever is definitely on! Come to think of it, i got red items coming from every nook! This is absolutely one cool September. Time did not permit for me to attend the Google Developer Group DevFest on the 4th of August this year. I am beyond words when friend and GDG Zamboanga Community Leader brought home some swags for me. He is in town as one of the speakers representing himself as one of the successful local IT talents.        

Together with Jerome Locson, GDG Zamboanga Community Leader and a fellow winner of the Map Your Town Competition- Philippines.

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I am Top Mapper No. 8! Congratulations to the Map Your Town Competition winners!

Geez, I am Top Mapper No. 8!

This has come as a pleasant Sunday surprise to me. I learned about it after fellow winner and blogger friend Jerome Locson tagged me in his facebook post.I honestly did not expect to win in this competition. Thanks to Google Developers Group (GDG) Philippines for this competition.

Click here for more:

Official GDG Philippines Announcement

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Posted in: Competition,GDG Zamboanga,GTUG Philippines

Celebrating IT Spirit of Openness, Creativity and Fellowship

I Am a Certified I.T. Rockstar

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Be the Next I.T. Rockstars!

Be the Next I.T. Rockstars!

The Philippine Society of Information Technology Students (PSITS) Zamboanga Chapter, Inc., a recognized association joined by thousands of student from the different Information Technology Institutes and Colleges in Zamboanga City and Isabela City shall conduct its annual gathering of student leaders this coming September 21, 2012 at 5:00 o’clock, Lotus Restaurant, Astoria Hotel, Zamboanga City.

Since 2010, the organization has been pushing for a stronger and cohesive Information Technology Student Leadership and IT Student Community; and has been helping best and promising IT Student Leaders carve a niche towards excellence and nation building. The upcoming event is two-fold which shall have the (a) Assembly and Election of Officers for Academic Year 2012-2013 and (b) Awarding Ceremony, Induction Ceremony and Socialization. A minimal registration fee of Php 120 to cover for dinner meal shall be collected from each participant. Payments can be made on-site and can be arranged by bulk payment on or before 1pm, September 28 the next week.

With the success of this year’s 3^rd PSITS Regional ICT Convention held in Zamboanga City as hosted by this student organization with mentorship from Council of Deans for ICT in Region IX, Inc and Philippine Society of Information Technology Educators, Inc. – Region IX, we look forward to welcome and work with the next batch of dynamic and creative student leaders to join us and be part of the next big things to come.

Student leaders come from the ten (10) official member schools in this organization. These are (1) AMA Computer College, (2) Ateneo De Zamboanga University, (3) Claret College of Isabela, (4) ComTech Institute – Isabela City, (5) ComTech Institute –Zamboanga, (6) Pilar College, (7) Southern City College, (8) STI Zamboanga, (9) Universidad De Zamboanga and (10) Western Mindanao State University. Interested schools not yet a member and offering CHED-recognized IT Programs are welcome to join the community.

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Posted in: PSITS Zamboanga Chapter

Dancing Fountain @ Paseo Del Mar, Zamboanga City

Truly a landmark in Asia's Latin City! Gyrating Musical Dancing Fountain inside Paseo Del Mar is Zamboanga City's Newest Pride.  

The Paseo del Mar musically gyrating fountain has a precision coherent pulsating center jet; four explosion jets, which is an add-on; four gazer fountains that spray water with a minimum height of six meters; eight pieces gyrating fountain with two degrees of movement; 24 vertical jets; six fire balls of flames; 114 mist nozzles and 116 led lights.

It is not the first fountain project in the city but definitely the biggest and the most spectacular! It is designed and built by Industrion Inc., a respectable and internationally-known fountain contractor. It does not come cheap though. The dancing fountain is worth P27-million including civil works. 

The fountain project is a 25-meter diameter pool that shows off  about 30-minute spectacular show. One should expect rhythmic dancing of the water with lights, fire, sound and special effects. 

We were in so much awe while enjoying our first-time experience when a visiting friend from Dipolog came to see me in the city. The colorful sight is definitely a must-see!

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Posted in: Dancing Fountain,Paseo Del Mar,Zamboanga Blogger,Zamboanga City

Comida De Zamboanga @ Sunflower!

Sizzling Sisig craving!

Trust me, I definitely have this insatiable craving for Sizzling Sisig! I love my meal served hot or in a hot plate. Since summer i have been frequenting this resto for lunch or merienda when ever i am in town. I'll cut you in my food craving. Here's the rest of story to this.

Asia's Latin City is proud to have one of pueblo's accessible restaurants which offers a variety of viands and local delicacies in its stock  - Sunflower (Comida De Zamboanga).

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Posted in: Comida De Zamboanga,Food,Restaurants

2nd MozCoffee L10n Sprint in Zamboanga City

All happening in one Sunday,  it was remarkably memorable and productive day for me. We had one awesome day with an informal gathering of new blood and passionate Mozillians at WichCraft last September 2.

Text messages circulated a night prior to the event. There has been an adjustment of the supposed start time considering WichCraft does not open until around ten in the morning. Starting off at 10:30 am instead of the supposed 9:00 am, the event went smoothly with fervent young and techie Mozillians taking most of what the wifi strength could offer by doing LOCALIZATION. Yup, i wrote that correctly. Mozilla Zamboanga hosting the 2nd MozCoffee L10n Sprint here in Asia's Latin City has been busiest ever, aside from thriving, translating Mozilla Module.

The MozCoffee event highlights the Localization Sprint for Chavacano Module for Firefox Aurora. The event was spearheaded by a former colleague, Rj Ian Sevilla, a ReMo and an avid open-source supporter.  Thanks for the invitation and muchisimas gracias Mozilla Sponsor! :)

Which Internet Browser are you using and why?

A moment with RJ, Kirstine and Armil. 

It is my delight to share to you more event photos. Scroll down the browser now :)

The Mozillians @ WichCraft, La Tienda, Zamboanga City

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Posted in: 2012 Tech Events,MozCoffee,Mozilla,Mozilla Philippines,Mozilla Zamboanga

Sunset View from Cloud Nine, Antipolo City

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Posted in: travel