[Food] All-time Fave: Sizzling Hot Blue Crabs with Baguio Beans

I cooked this for the family :)

December revelry won’t be complete without sizzling hot blue crabs on our table. I saw this stall inside the vibrant wet market nearby which sells blue crabs and milk fish. I seldom chance upon a stall with a display of fresh blue crab stocks.  I guess it’s my ‘lucky craving day’ and I surely didn’t miss it.  I bought a handful one kilo of crabs worth Php250 and one-fourth kilo of Baguio beans to toast around; which costs me additional P20.

Though it is undeniable that there is abundant supply of mud crabs through out the year in this part of the country, blue crabs make the cut. It boasts of delicious meat and soft shells to chomp while you eagerly sip on the crab flesh. 

Fresh blue crabs

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Posted in: Blue Crabs,Food,Kitchen

[ICT] Women Techmakers Manila - Dinner with the organizers - GDG Philippines

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Meet-up at D'Hotel and Suites - Tallest building in Dipolog with uber rock star qualities

It's been a while since we last saw each other. I have made a lot of good friends coming from the academe in this part of the region. I am glad she's one of those who stay true and do keep in touch once in a while. A lot of them do.

While in Dipolog attending the 5th PSITS Regional Convention, we had the time to meet. After some few hours of rest inside my Camilla hotel room, she stopped by to take me out to dinner.

We often meet whenever i am in town. Dipolog City is topping my list of frequently visited cities. I have to write that i have great memories here for the last seven years and lasting friendship, too. People from Dipolog are really friendly. You should definitely include this place in your bucket list.

I hopped into her motorbike (yup, she's a biker chick) and started speeding towards the latest hotel in town - D'Hotel and Suites. She tells me they serve good japanese food here and you can enjoy a great night view of the city.

D'Hotel and Suites offers more than convenience and affordable luxury. This is definitely a striking improvement and service for the good people of Dipolog and the tourists as well. The hotel boasts of a modern furnish and located at the heart of the city. It is located at the corner of Rizal Ave. & Osmena Street in Dipolog. It also houses two japanese restaurants and a gift shop. You might be wondering why it is a 'hotel and suites'? I wondered the same thing. My friend tells me that the building houses condo units and hotel rooms. A condotel, to put it shortly. The great night view of the towering building is something to look forward. But that is not all even if you are just passing by. When you get on the 6th floor there's more to see and feel. More information about the hotel, you can check out their website here http://www.dhotelandsuites.com/ or call them at telephone number (065) 212-1256.

This hotel is towering in the night and day. 

For room reservations, please call (0928) 879 8888. For bookings, write them at booking@dhotelandsuites.com

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Posted in: D'Hotel and Suites,Dipolog City,Dipolog Hotel,Friendship

#flydart Dart Flight School-Zamboanga Launch

 Dart takes it global. Developer communities around the world are hosting Dart Flight School events during the month of February 2014. GDG Zamboanga jumps on the bandwagon to support this potentially robust  open-source Web Programming Language developed by Google. In the Philippines alone, the group joins six more relevant Dart events spread across the country and slated in different dates.

Group photo with participants. Photo Courtesy of Ms. Yolynne Medina, 

Community Manager - GDG Zamboanga

In the country alone, hosting this year's Dart Flight School are the following Google Developer Group communities:
1. Dart Flight School - Codelab Baguio.
Venue: Berkeley School Baguio, Navy Base Road, Baguio City, Cordillera Administrative Region, Philippines
2. Dart Flight School Manila. 
Venue: De La Salle University, Taft Avenue, Manila
3. Dart Flight School - Bacolod. 
Venue: Bacolod City, Western Visayas, Philippines
4. Dart Flight School - Cebu Launch Meetup and Techtalks. 
Venue: Global Hub Serviced Offices Inc. , Samar Loop, Cebu City, Central Visayas, Philippines
5. Dart Flight School - Cagayan De Oro.
Venue: Capitol University, Cagayan De Oro, Northern Mindanao, Philippines
6. Dart Flight School - Davao. 
Venue: Mam Bebs Bakeshop, Claro M. Recto Avenue, Davao City, Davao Region, Philippines
7. Dart Flight School Zamboanga - Code Lab Workshop. 
Venue: Elearning Centre, Zamboanga City, Zamboanga Peninsula, Philippines

Dart is a new platform for scalable web app engineering. For every developer out there, it is interesting to note that goal of Dart is "ultimately to replace JavaScript as the lingua franca of web development on the open web platform". 

More info about Dart language on their website. Take this link https://www.dartlang.org/.

Introduction to Dart led by GDG Zamboanga Community Manager Ms. Yolynne Medina. Part I :Intoduction to Dart has been conducted twice on separate dates following requests from participants mostly professionals who can't make it during the first schedule announced. 

The local two-part event was hosted by Elearning Centre and fully supported by Dart. Part 1 comprised of Introduction to Dart and a codelab commenced for the second part. The event presented TechTalks and Codelab sessions which all participants actively participated. The free event accommodated 100 seats for online registrants - IT students and aficionados. All participants received free Dart t-shirts each, free snacks and raffle tickets for unique, limited items.

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Posted in: Dart,GDG Philippines,GDG Zamboanga,ICT Zamboanga

DevFest Zamboanga Boosts IT Immersion for Locals

Google Developers Group (GDG) Zamboanga unfolds a new leaf in hosting the last leg of the DevFest season in town. Reeling from much anticipation over these past months, the first DevFest in the city was finally held on December 13, 2013 at Centro Latino, Paseo Del Mar.

GDG DevFest Zamboanga 2013, a developer festival, is part of the DevFest second season happening globally and a free event supported by Google. The one-day developer event gathered together more than 300 computer science, IT students and enthusiasts. With the limited slots, schools were granted 15 slots each for their delegation while about 80 participants (open to all students and aficionado) vied for their slots online. Eight participating IT schools included AMA Computer University, Ateneo de Zamboanga, COMTECH Institute, Claret College of Isabela, Pilar College, Southern City Colleges, Western Mindanao State University and Universidad de Zamboanga.

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Posted in: DevFest,GDG Philippines,GDG Zamboanga

Hula hoop At Night Time. One of the coolest and rare moments while in Cebu

I went for a walk one night in Cebu after visiting the centuries-old Basilica del Sto. Nino church. What came next was extraordinary and pure bliss. While beside the road waiting for a taxi, I heard some noise coming from the plaza some distance away. It sounded fun and i could see people flocking the plaza so I just had to walk over there and see what it was all about. Lo and behold, it's a concert for Yolanda survivors!

Sunrise Festival held last November 22-24, 2013 at Plaza Independencia in Cebu City is a testament of unity and courage for the Filipinos. It brought together people and performers coming from all over places. Attending one night of the festival is more than enough inspiration for me.

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Fly High Furigay Colleges! Web Development Training Right Now!

Yahooo!!!!! Web Dev with these awesome kids! :)
Yeah, I intentionally left this post demo for my trainees.
So here is the rest of the story.

I got invited to do a weekend two-day Advance Web Development, Web Hosting and Web Entrepreneur Hands-on Seminar for the ComSci and IT Students of Furigay Colleges of Isabela City, Basilan. Participants traveled all the way from Basilan by boat a day early. The training has been conducted at Elearning Centre. My first time to meet four of their instructors - Mr. Al-saad J. Alasa, Mr. Yusop Arali, Ms. Grace Esperat and Ms. Rona Joanne Sulayman. I enjoy doing web dev trainings and the two-day event last October 26-27 is a welcome break for me to share the best of pieces from the industry.

List of Participants: 1. Abdulajid, Ahmad T. , 2. Abdulla K. Tokkong , 3. Abdurahman A. Uto ,   4. Aracani, Marlyn ,    5. Araneta, Vergel P.,    6. Arsad T. Muhammad Nur,    7. Baky, Liza Therese C. ,    8. Bisal, Kaydee A. ,    9. Calbi, Jeyvelleen Ann T.,   10. Dompol, Marham K. ,   11. Edmon J. Enriquez   12. Eguia, Rowena Christine B. ,   13. Esperat, Jerome P. ,   14. Farsi D. Asalul ,   15. Ferelyn L. Rojas ,   16. Garcia, Conan G. ,   17. Hajain, Albasser B. ,   18. Jahpar, Hamjarin ,   19. Jakilan, Wildan S. ,   20. Jaljalis, Javier R. ,   21. Jay-jay B. Husain ,   22. Jessa D. Clariz,   23. Jessann B. Salvador  24. Jurayda C. Tobboh,   25. Kusasi, Adzman A.,   26. Leo Elvin F. Lee ,  27. Macrohon, Fahad M.  28. Mohammad H. Salasim,   29. Mubin T. Abdullah,   30. Mudzna H. Ibrahim,   31. Mujib A. Alih   32. Mursidie K. Nuh,   33. Musawwarin, Sitti Aisha A.,   34. Nasiba D. Dompol ,   35. Nasrulla S. Rizal,   36. Osias, Mark Kevin M. ,   37. Palos, Peter Philip B.,   38. Pihong, Ayyub S.,   39. Radzmin A. Dompol ,   40. Randolfh F. Santos ,  41. Raymond B. Jacinto ,   42. Rebollos, Jespaul M.   43. Salcedo, Joana A. ,  44. Salman H. Salatun ,   45. Sammy C. Ballaho ,   46. Sanson, Rovel Jay O. 47. Senibalo, Cliff Adnan U. ,   48. Shienet C. Manuel ,   49. Talipao, Gada A. ,   50. Tan S. Tanji
  51. Vincent Earl F. Bajado ,   52. Wilymae A. Saavedra ,   53. Zaidee A. Jakilan,   54. Zamora, Phoebe Faith Q. ,   55. Satra J. Duran ,   56. Erma Gay S. Jalon,   57. Shermida J. Yasil,   58. Jover M. Habibun,   59. Merhamna A. Hudjalal,   60. Masurki I. Kahal ,   61. Benzar M. Marquez,   62. Najar J. Daris, 63. Al-saad J. Alasa, 64. Yusop L. Arali, 65. Grace Esperat, 66. Rona Joanne E. Sulayman

Together with Furigay Colleges IT Instructors - 

Mr. Al-saad J. Alasa, Mr. Yusop Arali

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Posted in: Joomla,Web Development Training

Free Entry for Students in the 1st GDG Zamboanga Student Developers' Day @WMSU-CET on September 4

The 1st GDG Zamboanga Student Developers' Day gives computer science and computer engineering students the opportunity to learn more of the amazing Google products. Swinging the second time around, GDG Zamboanga is honored to partner with the College of Engineering and Technology of Western Mindanao State University in presenting this event to the public. GDG Zamboanga kicked off its Student Developers' Day last September 4, 2013 at the WMSU CET-AVR with a glimpse into the future of mobile and web programming, and the developer tools that bring them to life. 

In this photo: Yours truly Grace Sojor (GDG Zamboanga Co-Community Manager) together with Marinella Tose (WMSU-CET), Jerome Locson (Program Manager, Google Access Programs for Education (PH), Google Inc.), Yolynne Medina (GDG Community Manager) and Engr. Ciel Olegario (WMSU-CET CoE/CS Chair).

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Our Tour Guide is a Cat! Butterfly Garden at La Jardin De Maria Clara

This is one of the cool
places that can be found in the Pasonanca Park here in Zamboanga City.

History tells us that construction of the park was started in 1912 by General John J. Pershing, then Governor of the Moro Province. However, the Butterfly Garden is one of the new facilities added in the last five years or so.

There are other facilities inside the park including the El Museo de Zamboanga, Flower Garden, Maria Clara Lobregat Statue, Pasonanca Park Swimming Pools, Pasonanca Tree House and camp site.

Together with Google Developer Group (GDG) Zamboabga friends, we headed for the Butterfly Garden right after enjoying ourselves goofing around with the exhibits inside Parque de Ciencia de Zamboanga.

Cat For A Tour Guide
We have a cat as our tour guide. Yup, you read it right. This cat inside the park just kept on following me everywhere and at times leading the way. The experience was so memorable aside that it was my first time to visit the butterfly garden, we all did enjoy the whole time.

It was actually sleeping in one of the stair steps as we were walking down the Jardin. The cat has newly awakened from its deep slumber as we have stopped to enjoy Taho being peddled by a local. As soon as it observed our presence, i noticed the same cat walking towards where I was standing. It never left me for the time. The cat circled my legs and waited for us to finish each of our cups of Taho. Interestingly, when we started to walk away towards the Butterfly Garden, it also followed us. Walk ahead of us -- she seemed to know we are headed that way. Interestingly, the cat would look back and take a halt as if telling us - oh, come on, hurry up! We've got butterflies to catch! This way! Right here! She surely did! hahaha! 

Our tour guide in action! Follow the leader, she says.

Thanks for the Taho treat! So yummy on an after-rain! Buddies Lee and Glen from GDG Zamboanga treated me for Taho sold by a local. 

Glen and Lee bought entrance tickets for the Butterfly Garden. I think it was eight pesos per person (Php8.00 per person). The door has a Net Curtain to avoid the butterflies from flying out of the butterfly garden.

Glen appreciates this butterfly that hovered about his right shoulder. I like this photo. I am glad i captured this moment in camera. There are more to see actually. Just make time for it with your family.

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Posted in: Butterfly Garden,Zamboanga City

My Van De Graaf Awesome Experience. Science Park in Zamboanga City

Dreams do come true. This trip proves worth a try. Have you ever been to a Science Park nearby? We just did and guess what? Yipeee!! I just fulfilled my high school dream right on the spot!

Van De Graaf Generator is one of the fifty-six (56) interactive exhibits showcased inside the science park. Undoubtedly, this is part only of the highlight of our field trip as there are more exciting and fun-learning new experiences in store for your visit.

This is the second time that I personally have been into a Science Centrum after a long time. Back in 2004, Zamboanga City has gainfully observed different interactive exhibits housed inside, the now defunct Plaza Mall, for a month's time. Science Centrum organizers from Manila brought with them a Van De Graaf Generator in the science centrum tour wagon. However, due to the huge number of students visiting the place, I never had the chance to get inside the Van De Graaf Generator booth. I do remember looking in awe while a fellow Science High School student's hair are slowly raising in thin air.

Parque de Ciencia (Science Park) in Pasonanca

Parque de Ciencia de Zamboanga (Zamboanga City Science Park) is the newest and lone Science Park in Region IX. Further, it is considered the biggest regional science center in the country today.

It is constructed inside the Jardin Maria Clara at the Pasonanca Park, where the city museum and the butterfly garden are also located.

The project, worth P22.44 million, is an initiative of Hon. Mayor Celso Lobregat with the Local Government of Zamboanga City while Science Centrum Fabrication, Inc. (SCFI) is the exhibit provider.

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Posted in: GDG Zamboanga,Science Park,Zamboanga