For the first month of the year, I was really blessed as I was able to join the Kabankalan Sinulog Festival and Iloilo Dinagyang Festival. Aside from that I was able to go on a tour of southern Negros. I was lucky as I met new friends during the festival. It was also my first time to experience the Tibiao Fish Spa. It was really one of a kind.

During the month of LOVE, I was invited by Ms. Rossini of Bago Tourism Office to celebrate with them the Babaylan Festival. Babaylan means a healer. Aside from that I was able to join the Bacolaodiat Festival in Bacolod. I’m part of one of the contingent but unfortunately we weren’t able to win the grand price.

How could I forget March? This was when we went to Sagay City for the Sinigayan Festival streetdance only to be a bit disappointed with it, but we weren’t disappointed with the food as we went home in a full stomach. Victorias City also celebrated their Kadalag-an Festival during March and it was the first time that SugarCoatedKismet joined us covers it. We were the only blogger/photographer in the middle of the plaza.

Food tripping on April woot! Wooh! Yes, it’s the Pana-ad sa Negros Month so it means food trip for us. We ate puto and oyster for the whole week of Pana-ad, April 4-9. I also went to Don Salvador and ate Palitaw for the first time. And oh it was so good. Aside from that I went back in Manila for another food trip. Yes! Yummy April it was.

Adventure May. Who in their right mind would jump off a 60 foot tree? Suicide right? But Uhmm… I did?! Yes, I jumped of a 60 ft tree in TreeTop Adventure Subic and it was really crazy. I assure you, you’ll get your dose of adrenalin rush with this one. It’s my first time to try the wave pool. It’s fun, especially if you’re with friends.
June was spent with my lovely friends in Manila. I so miss them much.

Back in Bacolod in July. Visited Mambukal with my dear friends. And finally able to get my student drivers permit (again?!?). Yes, I applied for another permit again as I always forgot to get my driver’s license.

August. It’s my birthday! Yo! Shawty it’s my Birthday. For the first time, I was able to celebrate my birthday with my relatives on my mother side. It was really a blast!

September. Busy month with the business and the Negros Blogging Seminar.

October. Met new friends during Masskara Festival. I also spent the month with our Masskara Dancers, Brgy. 17. October is also the  Anniversary month of Lagawan, but instead of the usual blog contest I decided to do a charity project and spend it with the children of Central Manapla. The Project was scheduled first week of November for a reason.

Bitter-sweet November. Celebrated Lagawan’s 7th anniversary with the Children of Manapla. The Paying it Forward Charity Project was a way of giving back to others all the blessings this blog got. The was the month for Negros Blogger as we hosted the 2011 Philippine Blog awards – Visayas in Silay City, Negros. NB also went on a tour after PBA but unfortunately I wasn’t able to join them as I got operated due to ruptured appendix. Ah! Bad timing. But that didn’t hinder me in going to Mambukal with my family.

Party December! It was a party month. The family had a party or 2 every week, plus the numerous nights out we had. Christmas was a blast! I so love the lechon, yummy! Last week of December, I went to Central Manapla to Welcome 2012 with a Bang!

Well, I can say 2011 has been a good ride for me. I had a chance to go to new places, meet new friends along the way, got new job opportunities, got kinda known because of Lagawan (yes, this was a surprise to me too) and of course I learned a lot of life lessons. I’m really thankful for all the blessings I received last 2011. Thank you Lord for everything!!!

2012 is here, I hope and pray that I’ll get greater opportunities and more travel this year. *Crossing-fingers* let’s face 2012 head high everyone. Happy New Year to all!

My cellular phone provider offers roaming to any country in the world so connecting to your loved ones abroad is simple and effortless but a bit expensive. Imagine the charges in replying to their messages or calls. I sometimes used up a few thousand bucks in buying call cards and reloading my cellular phone to avoid service disconnection. The same thing that my Mom was complaining about as she now lives in the United States, and most of her budget goes to the call cards she purchased to call Philippines just to keep in touch with us.  And same thing goes for other Filipinos who work or travel abroad.

Then we discovered VoIP, short term for Voice over Internet Protocol. It uses the same telephone handsets that we have at home but instead of going through the regular telephone lines, signals are transported over the internet. Mom sent us a VoIP three years ago and we had been using it to communicate with her and my sister in the US. It’s cheaper therefore she can save a lot from her budget. At first,  the lines were clear and we had no problems with it but after months of using it, we started to encounter problems and sometimes we don’t have signals so we can’t call them. I though it the problem was my internet connection so I called up my ISP provider and complained why I am having problem with my VoIP. The technical representative I spoke to was kind enough to explain to me that my internet connection works fine. He even ran a speed test as a proof that my internet connection was running on its maximum speed. I told Mom about this and she tried calling and calling the VoIP company but was only told that there was no problem with the unit. To avoid conflicts and more frustrating confrontations, we decided to look for a new VoIP service.

Then I stumble upon this site on the net that offers cheap international
calls from cell phone, free international calls in 50 countries, cheap international sms and cheap international calls from the Philippines. Those are the very important services that we are looking for and Rebtel has it all. Imagine all these services at a very affordable price. Not only will we save money but Rebtel makes it easy for us here in the Philippines to call our loved one in the US or UK at a very cheap price for pennies per minute that would even fit a student’s budget.  No pc’s? Not a problem also because Rebtel has applications that can be downloaded on you android phones to enable you to call or send an sms. Rebtel is perfect for those who calls home to keep in touch with their loved ones.

This is our chance to help out to this children and their family. They need to have a strong support system from family, friends, you and me. I know how hard it is when your love one is suffering from CA, as my Dad died of cancer.  It was really hard but thanks to the support of everyone we get through it and my Dad didn’t give up till the end. So, help  and support the campaign and give those children their dreams back.

*****

Real Love Campaign
Unilever Foodsolutions has partnered with Kythe in order to assist it in its mission to improve the quality of life of cancer patients through fun and normal activities like cooking. In the Real Love Campaign outreach programs, Unilever Foodsolutions and their operators are able to interact with kids with cancer by creating healthy sandwiches using Lady’s Choice and Best Foods mayonnaise.

Kids are given a wide array of ingredients to choose from and fun animal-shaped cutters in order for the kids to learn that preparing healthy food can actually be enjoyable. Aside from this, kids also engage in other activities like storytelling sessions, scrapbooking, and other arts and crafts modules.

To further strengthen this campaign, Unilever Foodsolutions has also partnered with Team Manila to come up with a specially designed, limited-edition shirt which will be available in Team Manila outlets in Rockwell, SM Mall of Asia, Trinoma and online through its website.

You can support this cause by purchasing your own limited edition Real Love shirt through Team Manila’s online store (Php550 or $12.50). Parts of the proceeds will go directly to Kythe Foundation and its operations for cancer-stricken kids. Click here to view the women’s Real Love shirt and the men’s Real Love shirt.

In order to mobilize the public further, Unilever Foodsolutions also has a Facebook page dedicated to the Real Love campaign. With every 1,000 “Like” entries until it reaches 10,000 fans, Unilever Foodsolutions will donate 1,000 sandwiches to the different Kythe partner hospitals.

I’m sure all of us have known and/or lost at least 1 person in our lives with cancer. Let’s all join together in fighting cancer by showing Real Love to kids with cancer. Make a real difference in their lives by joining the Real Love Campaign by liking the Facebook page or by purchasing a Real Love shirt.

Want to win a limited edition Real Love shirt?
Join this Real Love Shirt Contest.

Contest Mechanics:
1. Like the Real Love Campaign Page on Facebook
2. Simply complete this sentence: “I will share my love to the kids of Kythe by____________”
3. Once you’re ready with your answer post it as a note/status on Facebook (+1 entry) and/or blog about it (+1 entry).
4. Post all direct links of your entries in the comments page (below). Make sure you don’t forget this, otherwise I won’t know you joined. Also leave your Name and Valid Email Address.
5. Only those who are based in the Philippines can win.

I’ll pick the winner based on the quality of your answer and how well you promoted your entry. The contest will run from October 4 to October 11 (Mon), 8PM. Contest has been extended so that it’s exactly one week.

The winner will be announced on October 12 (Tuesday) at 10:00 AM.

For more information on the Real Love Campaign, Kythe and how you can help, you may call Unilever Foodsolutions at 588-8855 (Metro Manila) or 1-800-588-8855 (outside Metro Manila) or send an email through foodsolutions.philippines@unilever.com. You can also visit Kythe’s official website (http://www.kythe.org).

Kythe: Because children should be flying kites, not fighting cancer.

*** Everyday Sweet Notes

Guys, I want you to meet the latest addition in my collection and the newest baby, Nikki. A Holga 120CFN lomo camera.

I bought it online at LomoShop last Jan. 26 and I picked it up after 2hours in GB. Lomo is love as in! I’ve been planning on buying one a few years ago but unfortunately it didn’t posh through, but I have one now so it’s  “HAPPINESS”.

Click! Click! Click!

Just want to share my new travel buddy – Shiver. It’s a HP Mini given to me by my Mom. It’s very portable and really light weight. The color and the design is so pretty and adorable. I so love it!

What I love with my new laptop mini, is that I can just put it inside my bag and go. I can blog, check my emails and surf the net anywhere I go ‘coz it’s so light weight. And window 7 rocks! It my be a little slower when it comes to games but it’s fine with me as long as I can blog and surf the net. I can play games in our Lenovo anytime if I want too. Hay! Just want to thank my Mom again for this beautiful gift.

We had a lot of crazy moments, ideas and activities back then. We had this crazy idea we call “byaheng langit” (trip to Heaven) were we would roam around the secluded and dark part of the Island for witch haunting then run like crazy if we feel something. Well, those were the days.  Aside from the usual beach bumming, swimming, drinking and partying we often go biking around the Island to find a nice spot to relax and unwind. But one of my favorite activities when I was there was Billiard. I may not be good at it but I could say I know how to hold a Pool Cue and make a shot.

Well, my friends were really good at it and they always told me that Billiard is not just about skills but also about the pool cue. Well, I guess they are right for all professional billiard players have their own Pool Cue. They even have it custom made for them for most professionals prefer lighter cues ‘coz a good pool cue of your own is sure to help you have a better game than those abused public billiard cues. How I wish I could own one but I guess it’s just a wishful thinking.

Well, those were the good old days and one of the most memorable days of my life. I just wish I could share to you some of our photos while we were playing billiards, biking and beach bumming but unfortunately I don’t have a digital copy of it. Sorry! Maybe next time.

Finally!!! Yippie!!! I just want to share with you guys my new baby, a canon 1000D

1. MacBook – I’m planning on saving for this one, but it would take me 25 years hehehe..
2. Canon 400D/Nikon D40 – Wishful thinking. I hope someone would give me one. amp!
3. Gap Cologne – I love the so pink and ohm.
4. Thailand – I really want to go to this beautiful country and see the beautiful beaches and want to learn more about there culture.
5. New Cellphone – Hmmm… I’m not sure what unit I want. N95? or K800i
6. New wardrobe
7. Go surfing – who wants to go surfing with me? hehehe…
8. Converse All Star – I love this! I have 4 already but I want a new design.
9. Cappuccino, cappuccino and more cappuccino
10. Keyboard – I love to play the piano but we don’t have oneof this
11. Guitar – My nephew broke my guitar grrr…
12. I want to see my niece, Angelica, but unfortunately I can’t ‘coz I don’t have a US visa yet
13. Well, last is a US VISA

ComedyPlus . Elle Fredrix . Adventures of A Lion Heart
Lara . tami

I really had a busy day earlier which is partly great and partly irritating. Irritating because I planned to hangout at Cafe Bob’s to download some songs for my sister while chatting with my friends over coffee but their wifi connection was really really slow grrr… it took us ages just for one page to download. What the?!? Before that we were at McDonald’s for a bite and we asked the girl in the counter for a wifi connection, guess what the girl said “Sorry we won’t have any wifi connection for a week due to some problem with the manila provider”. So I don’t have a choice instead we hangout at the cafe then decided to watch a movie.

Anyways, that’s just the worst part of my day. While at the cafe with no wifi connection, me and my friend played some computer games while waiting for my niece to arrive. We were playing this not so fabuluos game of pocket tanks. It’s like WORMS or GunBound where you shoot each other untill last man standing. Not so fabuluos because the graphics really s*cks! Hahahha.. but it was fun. Melai was really noisy and she keeps on laughing ‘coz she always got hit and she’s always the loossssseerrr hahaha..

Then after that we went to the mall to watch some nice movie but when we arrived we learned that it was MMLF week. Gosh! All Filipino movies. So we don’t have a choice but to choose what movie is the most interesting to watch. The choices are: Enteng kabesote, Super Noypi(not sure with this one), Shake8, Mano Po 5, Kasal Kasalo Kasali, Nativity(the only english film). And we decided to watch SHAKE 8 just to see if it’s really scary. Well, it’s not that scary at all. I mean almost everyone, esp. my niece, shouted their lungs out but me and Melai was just plain watching it. I wasn’t scared ‘coz it was so predictable. Same O same O like the previous episodes. But at least the “ASWANG” looks different and kinda modern. hehehe… Anyways, me and Melai didn’t act crazy like we used too. We didn’t shout just for the heck of it or so that moviegoers will shout too hahaha..

But before I forgot we also talked about my ex-officemates, my ex-boss and my ex-company but mostly about the boss. Who are so — Oh! Let’s forget about that. It’s not worthy to be put in this blog hahaha… Then when I arrived home around 5, I read a book and then decided to blog my day

Listening to: Photograph by Nickleback