Happy Finds in Naga: Mami at Toasted Siopao

Story and details will be posted later po��

Asado Mami and Toasted Siopao sa Naga Garden

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Oscars 2014 List of Winners

OSCARS 2014 WINNERS
March 2, 2014 (US Time)
Source: http://ph.celebrity.yahoo.com/news/oscar-2014--complete-winners--list-010718755.html

Best Picture - "12 Years A Slave"
Best Actor - Matthew McConaughey ("Dallas Buyers Club")
Best Actress - Cate Blanchett ("Blue Jasmine")
Best Director - Alfonso Cuaron ("Gravity")
Best Supporting Actor - Jared Leto ("Dallas Buyers Club")
Best Supporting Actress - Lupita Nyong'o ("12 Years a Slave")
Best Foreign Language Film - “The Great Beauty"
Best Costume Design - "The Great Gatsby"
Best Make-up and Hairstyling: Adruitha Lee and Robin Matthews ("Dallas Buyers Club")
Best Animated Feature Film - "Frozen"
Best Animated Short Film - “Mr. Hublot”
Best Visual Effects - "Gravity"
Best Live Action Short Film - "Helium"
Best Documentatry Short - The Lady in Number 6: Music Saved My Life
Best Documentary Feature - “20 Feet From Stardom”
Best Sound Mixing - "Gravity"
Best in Sound Editing - "Gravity"
Best Cinematography - "Gravity"
Best Editing - "Gravity"
Best Production Design - "The Great Gatsby"
Best Original Score - "Gravity"
Best Original Song - "Let It Go" ("Frozen")
Best Adapted Screenplay - "12 Years A Slave"
Best Original Screnplay - Spike Jones ("Her")

SPECIAL AWARDS WINNERS
Humanitarian Award - Angelina Jolie
Governor's Award - Angela Lansbury, Steve Martin, Piero Tosi

Great job for Ellen as the host, she's really good at it! As in realllllly good! Their selfie was epic!

Post by The Ellen DeGeneres Show.

On our end here in Naga City, most Oscar nominated movies are rarely (or never) shown at our local cinemas. Truth be told we resort to "downloading" the movies or buying pirated dvd's, indi moves included. Last Saturday (March 1), SM Cinema Naga showed the Wolf of Wall Street but ONLY ONCE and that's it, that's it?! Yeah, sadly it's always like that. This year, I can say that I have watched most of the Oscar nominated films compared to previous years. I'm happy that most of the ones I have watched during the past months received an award or two or even more.

I am no movie critic, but I really love watching movies. We all know that two of the most awarded films namely Frozen and Gravity reached our cinemas here in Naga. The admiration to Olaf and the song Let It Go captured the hearts of many including me. The other films were just not really for everyone and requires maturity in dealing with the context. The other films that I've watched were Dallas Buyers Club, Her, Blue Jasmine and 12 Years A Slave.

Source: http://oscar.go.com/photos/2014-oscars-program

Dallas Buyers Club - My first reaction to this film was, "Ang payat ni Mathhew!". Both Jared and Matthew were really exceptional in their roles in this very strong film. No offense to Leonardo DiCaprio who went home empty handed, I cannot say if he did not deserve to receive an award because I haven't watched The Wolf of Wall Street. But given his reputation as an actor of various blockbuster films? He did fought a good fight for the Best Actor award.

Her - This is all about a man who fell in love with an Operating System voiced by Scarlett Johansson. The color of the film looks old but the setting is futuristic. I believe this is a different kind of love story but still achievable in the future, who knows. Amy Adams is also in this movie by the way.

Blue Jasmine - Gosh!! Cate was really perfect in portraying her role as a socialite who lost her everything and her attempt to "moving on" just went rocky. It was in Jasmine's moving on that she was unable to handle her nervous breakdown, anxiety and her sort of under a psyhotic trance as she was frequently seen talking to herself in public. This movie is very psychological that's why it captured my interest.

12 Years A Slave - This film I believe is very significant in America's history. Looking at how the black people were treated before was painfully (but awesomely) portrayed well by Solomon Northup (Chiwetel Ejiofor) and Patsey (Lupita Nyong'o).

Other Oscar Films that I still intend to watch are... (Just because they are Oscar nominated, I believe it is worth the time to watch)

• American Hustle - I only started watching it a few days ago and I have only watched half of it. Amy Adams has a seductive, witty and sophisticated role in this movie. 
• The Wolf of Wall Street - Looking at the running time of 3 hours made me uneasy to watch it. Lol
• Captain Philips - I already have a copy though, I just find it hard to set my mood to watch war drama films. 

How about you guys? What Oscar film have you watched and which is your favorite?

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Pugo Game: Pinoy Version of Flappy Bird

Did you know? The Pinoy version of Flappy Bird now known as Pugo Game was made by a Nagueno? YES! Patrick Cabral is a UNCean and now Creative Director of Beaker Media together with his wife Camille, the illustrator of the game. They are Manila-based designers and artists with a decade of experience in advertising, web and graphic design, illustration and art direction.

Like Pugo Game on Facebook

The app was approved by Apple last February 26, 2014 and is available for download for iOS devices as of the moment. In the next few weeks to come, Pugo Game will also be available for Android devices. The first version of the game is only 6.1 mb in size and requires iOS 5 or later and is optimized for iPhone 5. iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch users will be able to enjoy the game.

Isn't it amazing how talented Naguenos are? The developers may not be Naga-based like Nueca Inc. (creator of iTyphoon and Nueca POS RS) but their skill and talent makes us very proud as Naguenos. For sure they will serve as an inspiration to future Nagueno and Bicolano app developers.

Watch the interview of Bandila to the couple who made Pugo Game a reality.

A day after the app was approved, Pugo Game earned the top spot in the chart. The following day until as of writing (March 1, 2014 01:31 AM), Pugo Game now ranks first!

The background music, the lives and the Philippine Flag - these made all the difference between the Pugo Game and the Flappy Bird. 

Tap! Tap! Tappity Tap! Download na! 

Congrats to the couple Patrick and Camille! Tunay na oragon kamo!

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Arts and Crafts for Kids and Adults

Arts and Crafts for Kids and Adults
February 28 - March 2, 2014
@ Bubble Town Branches

All workshops inclusive of ALL MATERIALS and A BUBBLE TEA DRINK:)

For inquiries please contact Tamara Tan Azaña at 0917.949.3333 or email ask@isabelsilva.com or visit www.martey.com for details. You may also register at http://www.maartey.com/workshops

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Summer Class / Lessons in Naga 2014

Summer is here again. On this page you will see updates about the available summer classes / lessons / workshops in the city ranging sports, music, dance, art, cooking and a lot lot more. For organizers, please feel free to message us on NCD Facebook or  via our Contact Form for us to include your program. Bookmark this page now!

IMPORTANT: Contact the office concerned if you need more information. Click on the photo to view details and check back for updates and more offerings.

"Are you ready for summer? AQUAHOLIC is back! Learn from basic to advance lessons on swimming at Olympia Gym & Sauna. Open to kids 3 years old and above! ENROLL NOW! Hurry! Limited slots available! Call 473 9999 for more information"

-0-

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Happy Finds in Naga: Bulastog

"Bulastog kita sa plaza!". This is a statement commonly uttered by students or employees before going home. Hello, hello! We're back for our "Happy Finds in Naga" series, this time another street food that is identifiable by every Nagueno called the "Bulastog".

Ever wonder why our home cooked fish balls does not taste as yummy as the ones that we buy on the streets? Fish balls, bulastogs  and others once cooked at our own kitchen are boring. Perhaps it's because we have associated it for so long that these foods are meant to be sold and eaten outside the comforts of our home. Right on the streets were everything is noisy, busy and dusty, we still find comfort in eating these street foods. Perhaps not every comfort can be found at home that we need to explore other comfort zones in order to survive. It's just like saying that dirty ice cream is delicious even though it's called dirty. Dirty in a sense that it is being sold on the streets and not packed in containers or served in extravagant plating in restaurants. Street foods are not sophisticated, it's very simple and makes our tummies happy once in a while. For that reason, we can really say that eating Bulastog at the Plaza is one of our Happy Finds in Naga.

Photo by bhojhabao - Pueblo Naga

Bulastog is Naga's version of Tokneneng (hard boiled chicken eggs) and kwek kwek (hard boiled quail eggs) covered or dipped in orange coloured flour batter and deep fried. Using a plastic soup bowl,  bulastog is served and topped with the following choices: white onions, cucumber, turnips (singkamas), rock salt and vinegar (spicy or not). Others prefer to use the sauce available for the other street foods. How will you eat it? You can use a bbq stick or have a spoon dipped in hot oil in the frying pan first which the vendors normally do. This is how fun and simple eating at the Plaza can be.

The Culture of Bulastog.

The location, time of availability, price, and the honesty of the various walks of life patronizing the street food can summarize the culture of Bulastog in Naga. Bulastog is just one of the street foods that you can find at Plaza Rizal. Yes, at the Plaza Rizal which is one of the iconic places in the whole city. This is where the vendors with their orange carts are designated to sell only. While the location is the Plaza Rizal, waste management has never been a problem in that area that at least we never get to desecrate the symbol of our national hero. Once every vendor calls it a night, you can never see a trace of left overs the next morning. Spick and span throughout the night with the extra help of our Manong and Manang MRF (materials recovery facility) aids. Over the years the vendors have been in the same area transferring from one corner to another. Vendors set up at around 3 in the afternoon and at 4 pm then everything is good to go until midnight. Location is very accessible since it is at the Central Business District I of Naga. Kaya bago magpuli, hali sa eskwela o trabaho, maghapit muna sa plaza ta mag snack lamang ning bulastog. =) (That's why before heading home after school or work, drop by at the plaza and have a snack of bulastog). Honesto! Why is honesty among the patronizers of bulastog needed in this kind of business? Because you can actually sit wherever you like near the area and just come back to pay. C'mon, the food is very affordable, don't eat and run.

Twenty pesos is all you need for one solid and liquid. The price is nothing to worry about especially that we are dealing with street foods here. Bulastog (chicken egg) as of this writing (Feb. 28, 2014) is Php 12.00 per piece topped with your choice of garnish. Five years ago it was P10 and two years earlier it was P7. See, it's still VERY affordable. Other street foods available are fish ball (and other balls), and breaded chicken nuggets for P5. On the ihaw ihaw side we have isaw for P2, adidas, hotdogs, dugo and  the like. You can always go beyond twenty pesos. So, enjoy!

Pangtulak. Palamig comes in  the usual buko, mango, pandan with gulaman served chilled for only P5.00 and P10.00  for small and big cups respectively. There are stalls that sell 8 oz. bottled softdrinks.

Present location of the street food vendors at Plaza Rizal

Photos by Naga Boy of camsurstaystray.blogspot.com

Bulastog is for everyone! Dawa estudyante ka ning private o public school, empleyado kang gobyerno o pribadong institusyon, mayong pinipili.

Patronizing our street foods in Naga is a big help for our local economy.

'Till our next "Happy Finds in Naga!"

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Be a Bicolano LifeLine!

On February 28, 2014 (Friday) from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Naguenos and Bicolanos will be joining the Guinness World Record Attempt for Most Number of Organ Donor Sign-Ups at the Jesse M. Robredo Coliseum. Be a Bicolano LifeLine!!!

To know more about Lifeline: Visit http://lifeline.ph

Image Source: https://www.facebook.com/LifeLinePHL

Video source: https://www.youtube.com/user/LifeLinePHL?feature=watch

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LGU Naga Joins Panagbenga's Session Road in Bloom 2014

Panagbenga 2014 
Video Source: Via Youtube.com Courtesy of Sun Star Baguio - http://baguio.sunstar.com.ph/panagbenga/

February 22 - Street Dancing Parade
February 23 - Grand Flower Float Parade
February 25 - March 2 Session Road in Bloom

Wondering why Panagbenga is here on NCD? I lived in Baguio for 4 years and it's been a while since my last visit. Missing my college friends! Proud Louisian here!

Naga City's Grow Negosyo and Naga City Grow Trade and Crafts Association is at the "Session Road in Bloom" of the Panagbenga Festival 2014 in Baguio City. I'm so happy to see LGU-Naga showcasing our products to big festivals such as the Panagbenga.

I'm missing Baguio big time! Not only that I get to tell my relatives and college friends to get their Pili cravings at the fair but also because Baguio is next to my heart after Naga. Session in Bloom is actually what we look forward every year when I was in Baguio. Well of course yes the huge floats made up of flowers but it's really the bonding that I had with my friends. Food trip to the nth level for a week at Session Road in Bloom and sometimes we just stroll up and down just looking at the trade fair without buying anything haha. Third weekend of February in Baguio is overly populated, as in sobra! Come to think of it, who would have thought that a mountain can hold enough cars and millions of people in two days. Traffic is really annoying and the only option that you can do is walk.

Shawarma, binatog, sweet corn with a dash of salt and butter, ice cream in the cold night, bbq, footlong, burger, chocolates, cupcakes, sweets and whatsoever.. name it and it's all available during the Session Road in bloom. During regular days, the usual treats in Baguio are sweet corn, mango in strips, binatog, strawberry taho, bananacue, camote cue, binatog, and that green sour fruit with vinegar which I forgot what it's called.

Thanks for the photos Nomar Nonato! You made me nostalgic about my college life again. Happy Panagebenga Festival everyone!

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3rd District of CamSur Job Fair

Office of the Representative Leni Gerona-Robredo
The City Government of Naga
Through the Metro Naga PESO
In Cooperation with DOLE and POEA

ASENSO TERCER DISTRITO
JOB FAIR
March 07-08, 2014
8:00 am to 5:00 pm
@ JMR Coliseum

Source: Nonoy Nagueno

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Flower Shops in Naga City

Here are some of the Flower Shops in Naga City with their contact details:

Fred Floral Touch Flower Shop Peñafrancia Ave.(054)4725916 or 0920-3163469 / 0909-7463955
Jafzer's Flower Shop Peñafrancia Ave. 0921-7260445 / 09305836433
Joan's Flower Shop Peñafrancia Ave. Naga City (054) 811-5747
Jsean Flower Shop, Peñafrancia Ave.(054) 4784966 / 0918-3353279
Kate's Flower Shop P. Diaz St., San Francisco, Naga City (054) 8115748
Lito's Flower Shop Zone 3 Peñafrancia Ave. San Francisco, Naga City (054) 473-6864

Or you can visit the Feria Floral at the Plaza Rizal

Photo by: Ta Eddi Sumangid Alteza

Photo by: Ta Eddi Sumangid Alteza

Photo by: Ta Eddi Sumangid Alteza

Photo by: Ta Eddi Sumangid Alteza

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Run for A House

Run for A House

Four Pillars @ Ateneo de Naga University

February 20, 2014, 5:00 AM

Register at Ateneo College of Engineering Dean's Office form Mon-Saturday 

4th Floor Dolan Building, Ateneo de Naga Main Campus

Contact details: 

Landline: 472-2368 local 2541

E-mail aesc.infodesk@gmail.com 

Mobile: 0909-4785-624 or 0919-2898-352

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Feria Floral 2014

2nd year of Naga's flower fair at Plaza Rizal

CLICK HERE for a list of the Flower Shops in Naga City

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Starbucks 2014 Planner

I received a message yesterday (Feb. 11, 2014) from Starbucks that the planner was now available at the store. Fearing that it's a first come first serve basis, I immediately went to the store and claimed my planner. Delay of redemption was because of the overwhelming response from loyal customers. Since we had to wait for a while, Starbucks gave us as a complimentary drink of any size and any kind. Not bad I suppose, the scheme worked to pacify the waiting customers like me. True to their words, the planner came 6 days earlier than the announced day of delivery.  

I had to use my 2013 planner just to take note of my office transactions for the month of January and first week of February. The only advantage that we had is that all the colors of the planner were available, miniemaynimo!!! 

To compare the 2014 and last year's, the box and the planner itself is almost of the same texture and kind. I really love the smell of new books/planners.

The 2014's pages is lesser than that of last year. Notes portion were reduced to more than half from last year's, at the bottom of the page. The planner is line free so you can scribble all the way you want. But then again I won't complain much because it's still more spacious than the planner last 2012. 

Stickers were at a minimal last year and bountiful this time. These stickers will represent your coffee experience, on the side note the whole beans I guess? I'll figure it out anyway. I think last year was more of a reflective side of a person while this year is more of a coffee experience planner. haha

I only started collecting 2011 because Starbucks Naga was established 2010. Remember the 2012 planner with a lot of errors? Haha. On the last page of the planner is where you can input your brief profile and contact details. Also, links to social networks are in QR codes. 

The Evolution of Starbucks Planner 2011-2014

2012 Planner was obviously an "others" in the group

'Till next year!!

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Tado, A Modern Hero

Don't you think it's quite sad that when a person dies it is the only time when we really get to know the essence of that person's life? Perhaps it is how the cycle of life works especially for untimely deaths.

Image Source: Dakila Collective

Arvin Jimenez, "Tado" as we know him, was a comedian with a large framed eyeglasses and long hair. To be honest, that's all I have known about him not until 2012. Around July of that year, Dakila was promoting Active Vista Film Festival showcasing indie films and documentaries all about modern heroism and social transformation. Naga City as one of their destinations, Dakila invited us to be one of their local social media partners. Upon looking at the background of the organization, I instantly said yes to their proposal.

Since then, our partnership with Dakila was purely online and I never got the chance to meet any of their founders or even their staff to date. And for that I am truly grateful that they trust bloggers like Naga City Deck to be part of their endeavors. During the opening event in Manila, Ralph (NCD's graphic artist) was the one who represented Naga City Deck. Ralph was in the area and luckily he was free that time. These are moments that I miss whenever I get invites either because of my schedule or my location. But I'm so thankful that Ralph was able to represent NCD.

Here are some of the pictures from Ralph during the opening of the Active Vista Film Festival last July 2012.

Ralph in the middle :)

Here's a little bit of information about Tado sent from Dakila, where he is one of the co-founders together with Lourd de Veyra, Noel Cabangon, Buwi Meneses and Ronnie Lazaro.

Who is Tado? Source: Dakila Philippines

Tado as we now know him as one of the co-founders of Dakila is a testament that he was more than a comedian but a very sensible person with a big heart for art, environment, and the society. 

We may have not met Tado personally, but it is an honor to have been part of the events of Dakila. Our sincerest condolences to the bereaved family of Tado and the rest of Dakila - Philippine Collective for Modern Heroism.

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Valentine Promos in Naga 2014

On this page are Valentine Promos from different establishments in Naga City. More options for you and your date, your friends or family. If you have saved enough for this year's Valentines Day then this page can help you decide. Or, if you don't have enough budget, remember that we have the Happy Finds in Naga where you can surely enjoy the Nagueno way.

Fret not single people, these promos are not just for lovers, we are here to celebrate love!

Bookmark this page for regular updates!

CLICK HERE for Flower Shop directory
CLICK HERE for Feria Floral at Plaza Rizal

Eat, Laugh, Love - A Valentines Dinner Show at Avenue Plaza Hotel

http://www.nagacitydeck.com/2014/01/valentines-dinner-show.html

For those who would like to avoid the Valentines' Day rush, Avenue Plaza Hotel still have something else for you at #CafePlazuela available any time and any day this February!!! 

Try our #APHrodisiac Chef's Special Foie Gras (Goos Liver) limited menu or order your favorite #SteakinTheCity. 

For those who wants to have an afternoon date, they have 3 sets of #AfternoonTea for you to choose from. 

For inquiries and reservation, you may call Avenue Plaza Hotel  at 4739999. 

Image Source: https://www.facebook.com/starsNstripes.barNgrill

Source: Daddy's Grill Facebook

"Share a romantic dinner with your special someone at Daddy's Grill Seafood Dampa this Valentine's Day. Enjoy fresh catch seafood and have them cooked on your preference."

Experience a different kind of valentines day with the 4k Barrel at McDonald's

Source: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bora-Hut-food-TEMPLE/363540760416287

Red Hot Valentine at Villa Caceres

Source: https://www.facebook.com/VillaCaceresHotelNagaCity

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