Pasasalamat sa mga Manghahabing Bayani

Pasasalamat sa mga Manghahabing Bayani and the Re-Launching of Mr. Kengkoy Backpacks 
Avenue Convention Center
January 5, 2012

Hello 2013! What a very nice way to start NCD's year by attending Mr. Kengkoy's Pasasalamat. There is nothing more inspiring than being around with people who are passionate in what they do.

The whole program was full of gratitude and love.

The Ateneo Dance Club

The Nanays (Nanay Rochelle and Nanay Lumen) and Tatay (Tatay Allan) 

with the Mr. Kengkoy Team (I hope I got the names right)

"Social entrepreneurship is social change" 

Mr. Carlo Buenaflor, General Manager of Bigg's Diner

on his Keynote Speech

Ms. Maj Villar

Awardees for ARTS and CULTURE

Kristian Cordero

David Guison

Noreen Bautista

Hearing a poet read his own poem is like no other. Bicol is really fortunate to have someone like KC and many other Bicolano poet and writers who uses our very own dialect. KC read one of his poems entitled "Pagturog" after receiving his award.

"Be local and vocal" straight to the point words from a very young fashion blogger David Guison. Bravo to you David, for challenging the youth in patronizing Pinoy brands with taste and style. 

Noreen Bautista has more or less the same humble beginnings like that of Mr. Kengkoy. Passion to help and fashion to share. The ladies' bag of Noreen are very elegant and made out of water hyacinth. 

Awardees for LEADERSHIP

Joseph Anthony Quesada

Primitivo E. Viray Jr. SJ.

Gregorio Ramon Tiongson

Awardess for YOUTH EMPOWERMENT

Anna Oposa

Japoy Lizardo

Sabrina Ongkiko

Wouldn't it be nice if Filipino athletes will be using sport apparels that are proudly made in the Philippines? Well Japoy Lizardo will be able to showcase a Pinoy brand particularly Mr. Kengkoy's backpack whenever he will be out of the country for his tournaments. 

"Lubos, ubos, buhos para sa mga estudyante" Sabrina Ongkiko chose to become a public school teacher. Her drive just comes from within to teach children with all her might and heart. 

Atty. Leni Robredo also gave her Solidarity Message. "Social entrepreneurship is the answer. The key is for private individuals to start to reach out first. Women from communities are waiting to be tapped. Tulungan natin sila to become independent, help them stand on their own rather than just give them things to be consumed for a few days."

Raffy Magno on his closing remarks.

"Nabuo ang Mr. Kengkoy dahil sa pagtataya sa mga pangarap ng mga Bicolano. Kaming mga kabataan ay moderno pero Pinoy parin sa isip at gawa. Patuloy sana kayong magtiwala sa mga kabataan"- Raffy Magno.

The brand ambassadors of Mr. Kengkoy

Mr. Kengkoy Team and volunteers

I'm glad to have met Raffy and Arnel personally after being Twitter friends for quite some time. Cheers!

Teacher Sabrina, trying out the kanaga.

More photos and what transpired during the thanksgiving at http://samahangwalangkatulad.blogspot.com/2013/01/pasasalamat-sa-mga-manghahabing-bayani.html

 INSPIRATION OVERLOAD

Mr. Kengkoy made a distinction in the youth of today. May they inspire more and more young professionals and students to venture into social entrepreneurship. 

Mr. Kengkoy backpacks  are not just bags, it is like what the Pinoy line says "dugo at pawis ang puhunan". Seeing the team passionate, the Nanays and Tatays given hope, just made the bag a whole lot different and substantial. 

Staying in Bicol to serve our fellow Bicolanos is a very noble decision for the Mr. Kengkoy Team. More power to you guys and thank you for the invitation! 'Til next time!

To know more about Mr. Kengkoy backpacks please visit http://www.mrkengkoy.ph/

Don't forget to like them on Facebook CLICK EHRE

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A Visit to Haciendas de Naga Adventure Park

Haciendas de Naga (HDN) used to be just a huge piece of land in the uptown area of Brgy. Carolina, for housing development. Today, Haciendas de Naga is not only a huge piece of land for housing, but a huge piece of adventure. One thing for sure is, I can't wait for the whole complex to be fully developed. Photos below were taken last December 29, 2012.

Like Haciendas de Naga on Facebook CLICK HERE

This tower is now becoming very iconic in Naga City. 

(Though I wish that there is real view deck of Naga). 

Go Zip Line, rappel  wall climb, go horseback riding, go free pili picking, firing and golf  are just few of the activities at HDN at the moment. 

Photos by Naga City Deck and akosijamir

This shot was taken around 4:30 pm, where the sun shines over the city proper. 

When you turn around against the sunset, you will see an obstacle relay being developed and fishing grounds on the other side of the tower. Plus, Mt. Isarog as the backdraft.

.

The Cool Waves Complex is located near the driving range and is set to open this March. Just in time for summer!

NEW

COOL WAVES Soft Opening

Image Source: http://www.facebook.com/haciendas.denaga.90

Image Source: http://www.facebook.com/haciendas.denaga.90

Wanna go for a night swim? Haciendas de Naga Wave Pool is now available for night swimming STARTING April 12, 2013

Day swimming (8am-5pm)

Night swimming (4pm-10pm)

Day and Night swimming (8am-10pm)

*fraction of a day, example you entered after lunch and will be staying til 8pm or onwards, you will be considered for Day and Night swimming

For inquiries and reservation, please call (054) 4783069 or send an email to adventure@haciendasdenaga.com

 

The driving range

What we did was a site visit. So it means if ever I go back to HDN, I will definitely try what they are offering especially the 500 meter zip line

Rates

. Source: Image Source: http://www.facebook.com/haciendas.denaga.90

Click on the photo to enlarge

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Daddy's Grill - Dinner Buffet

Location: Taal Avenue, In Front of Civic Center, Naga City

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/lcgrill

Starting this NOVEMBER 2014

Restaurant Information:
"For a full meal with the family or for a night out with friends, Daddy's Grill offers scrumptious foods fit for any occasion at a reasonable budget. Among our best sellers are Creamy spicy bagnet, Sisig bagnet, Boneless Crispy Pata, Barbique, Inihaw na manok, seafoods and a lot more. Daddy's Grill also accept bookings for reservation of parties, occasions and special events you wish to celebrate. Call us now to book your reservation at 4729090." - Source: Daddy's Grill FB Page

Budget: Good value for money. Drinks ranges from Php 18 to 40. Main dishes are very affordable and they also serve solo meals

Store Hours: 11:00 am to 12:00 midnight

The Place: Al fresco style, simple and quiet, a good place for you and your friends to catch up some stories.

I was with my high school batchmates last Dec. 29, 2012 and we decided to have a light dinner/snack since most of us already ate our dinner. Get togethers with high school batchmates has always been awesome because we only see each other during special holidays.

Since Dec. 29 was a Saturday, we knew that it will be hard to penetrate along the major night spots in Magsaysay. True enough, Magsaysay was jam packed and was even hard enough to park any vehicle. We decided to try something new and we heard about this new restaurant along Taal Avenue. The name of the place is Daddy's Grill and I heard that they offer Ilocano dishes that made me delighted since our family often travel to the north to visit our relatives.

According to the owners, they wanted the place to be known because of the food and not really a place for a drinking spree just like other establishments along Magsaysay and Penafrancia Avenue. Yes, they serve beer but not sold in buckets. There's a place for every thing perhaps.

Creamy Spicy Bagnet

Bagnet is called the Ilocano Chicharon which is a very well known dish in Vigan along with Okilas (Chicharon with Dinuguan) and the Vigan Longganisa. 

I must say that the creamy spicy bagnet has a touch of Bicol already since it has gata (coconut milk). It's not that spicy but it's crispy and sweet. Tasted good actually because of the fusion of the gata and the crispy pork. I believe this is their BEST SELLER. 

Garlic Mushroom

This isn't really a unique dish, but serves as an appetizer or may be pulutan to many. 

But hey, I love mushroom!

Inihaw na Liempo

Our order was a bit limited, so this means I have to go back and try the other dishes they have on the menu especially the unique ones. Seems like dads really want to prove they're good in the kitchen too and not only the moms. Congrats and more power to the owners for bringing another flavor in town! 

The next photos are grabbed from the Facebook page of Daddy's Grill. Don't forget to like them on FB!

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Eurotel Naga

Eurotel Naga (Former Aristocrat Hotel Bldg)
Near Naga City People's Mall
https://www.facebook.com/myeurotel

NOW OPEN!
Photo by Kim Bol Jon of SSC CamSur

Image Source: Naga Smiles to the World Facebook Page

As of October 18, 2013

Photo courtesy of SSC CamSur

As of October 6, 2013

As of June 11, 2013

Photo by bobbymay of SSC CamSur

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Dinamita at Rj Cole Restaurant

Ever tasted something chilly that explodes in your mouth like that of a dynamite? Well, there's a restaurant here in Naga that will take eating pepper the easier way. Although this is quite known to Filipinos, eating sili in Bicol is really part of our culture. While siling labuyo will take a lot of courage to eat, DINAMITA will be much much more tolerable than that. Many of you might not like 'sili' that much, but most Bicolanos do. Now what is a DINAMITA and why is called DINAMITA?

According to RJ Cole Restaurants video on youtube... "sasabog ka sa sarap". Watch the short video clilp.

Dinamita is like Lumpia, but the pepper makes it more aromatic. Other recipes you can find online make use of lumpia wrapper, but in RJ Cole Restaurant, they use a special coating that makes their dinamita easier to bite. A literal dynamite explodes at the end, the chilliness of DINAMITA explodes towards the end part. The first few bites is fun, but more fun in the end. As what I've said, the chilliness is tolerable, meaning it's still mild and will let you eat more.

At RJ Cole Restaurant, one serving costs Ph 99.00 with 10 dinamitas and a creamy sauce. It took a while when I ordered one serving, I just hope next time it would be faster though, but it's worth the wait.

RJCOLE RESTAURANT is located at Elias Angeles Street naga city beside Vildaz Tailoring, towards the end of Alinood Pawnshop to be specific.

Enjoy!!

So there, why not order a dinamita, you'll explode sa yummyness (Sabi ni aiza) hahaha

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Chicken Bacolod ALDP Branch

Chicken Bacolod ALDP Branch

2nd branch after Magsaysay Avenue Branch

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Starbucks 2013 Planner

Dec. 18, 2012, is the day that I finally got my planner. This is my third year of having myself pampered with one of my comfort foods/drinks...coffee.



I rarely use the planner to write down my future plans on the next days, weeks, or months to come. Most of the time it serves as my daily journal on what i have accomplished in a day, no matter how grand or simple they may be.

I still have my 2011 on my office table along with my 2012 book. I rarely write plans, I write about the present and these books/journals serves as my time travel portal to the past.

I always make sure I get to keep one planner for my self, both for work and blogging purposes. Last 2010 I was able to get two 2011s and gave the other one to my mom. Last year, I managed to get 3 2012s, so I gave the other two as gifts as well. For this year, well it took me quite some time to finish one card. So bahala na if I'll be able to get one more.



Comparing the three, the 2011 is still the biggest, making the 2012 the smallest among the three. The 2011 Velvet Planner was amongst my favorite, but I think the 2013 will surpass it. Content-wise the 2013 planner is a bit more personal and designed for the optimum social interaction with others up until the promo cards. This means that this will be more meaningful especially for my type of personality. Plus, the hard cover of the planner is re-usable. The 2012 planner earned a lot of criticisms. Even I had major setbacks about it which resulted to seldom usage of the planner. The only thing unique about it was the case or pouch.

Now sign like a boss! 

Now the pen is something different this year. The pen's regular price is P295, but you can get it for P195 upon claiming your planner. The pen is actually a very nice gift suggestion especially for working people. The box is inclusive of two refills, so the price is actually reasonable.

It's not really about the brand of the planner that matters but how you use it to write about what you did, what you are doing and what you want to do. Perhaps these will all help in making a better you along with a cup of coffee alone or with your family or friends. Cheers to 2012 and 2013!

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Advent and Christmas Masses 2012 in Naga City

Advent and Christmas 2012

Our Lady of Penafrancia Basilica Minore
9:00 pm Christmas Angel
10:00 pm Christmas Eve Mass

Below are the following schedule of masses, dates to remember and other Christmas related activities in the Parish of St. John the Evangelist.

Source: Naga Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint John the Evangelist, Pilgrim City of Naga


SCHEDULE OF SPECIAL MASSES

Dec. 15 2012 (Sat) – 7:30 pm – People’s Mall
9:00 pm – Naga Cathedral

Dec. 16 (Sun) – 4:00 am – Naga Cathedral
Presider: Abp. Roland J. Tria Tirona, OCD, DD, Archbishop of Caceres
4:30 am – UNC Chapel
(no 5am Mass in the Cathedral)
7:30 pm – People’s Mall
(no 8pm Mass in the Cathedral)
9:00 pm – Naga Cathedral

Dec. 17 (Mon) – 4:00 am – Naga Cathedral
4:30 am – UNC Chapel
7:30 pm – People’s Mall
9:00 pm – Naga Cathedral

Dec. 18 (Tue) – 4:00 am – Naga Cathedral
4:30 am – UNC Chapel
7:30 pm – People’s Mall
9:00 pm – Naga Cathedral

Dec. 19 (Wed) – 4:00 am – Naga Cathedral
4:30 am – UNC Chapel
7:30 pm – People’s Mall
9:00 pm – Naga Cathedral

Dec. 20 (Thu) – 4:00 am – Naga Cathedral
4:30 am – UNC Chapel
7:30 pm – People’s Mall
9:00 pm – Naga Cathedral

Dec. 21 (Fri) – 4:00 am – Naga Cathedral
Sta. Cruz Chapel
Bagumbayan Sur Chapel
Sitio Paraiso Chapel
4:30 am – UNC Chapel
7:30 am – People’s Mall
9:00 pm – Naga Cathedral

Dec. 22 (Sat) – 4:00 am – Naga Cathedral
4:30 am – UNC Chapel
7:30 pm – People’s Mall
9:00 pm – Naga Cathedral

Dec. 23 (Sun) – 4:00 am – Naga Cathedral
4:30 am – UNC Chapel
No 5am Mass in the Cathedral
7:30 pm – People’s Mall
No 8pm Mass in the Cathedral
9:00 pm – Naga Cathedral

Dec. 24 (Mon) – 4:00 am – Naga Cathedral
4:30 am – UNC Chapel
8:00 pm – UNC Chapel

Midnight Mass (Christmas Eve)
Dec. 24 (Mon) – 10:00 pm Naga Cathedral
(Presider: Abp. Roland J. Tria Tirona, OCD, DD, Archbishop of Caceres)

Christmas Day
Dec. 25 (Tue) (Sunday Mass Schedule will be followed;
7:00 am Mass Presider: Presider: Abp. Roland J. Tria Tirona, OCD, DD, Archbishop of Caceres)

Midnight Mass (New Year’s Eve)
Dec. 31 (Mon) 10:00 pm Naga Cathedral
(Presider: Abp. Roland J. Tria Tirona, OCD, DD, Archbishop of Caceres)

Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God
Jan. 01 (Tue) (Sunday Mass Schedule will be followed;
7:00 am Mass Presider: Abp. Roland J. Tria Tirona, OCD, DD, Archbishop of Caceres)

CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL OF MUSIC, SONGS & DANCES 2012
(every 7:00 pm, Naga Cathedral)

Dec. 15 (Sat) – Ateneo de Naga University
Dec. 16 (Sun) – Mariners Polytechnic Colleges Foundation
(7:45 pm, after the Mass)
Dec. 17 (Mon) – Camarines Sur National High School
Dec. 18 (Tue) – Carmines Sur Polytechnic Colleges
Dec. 19 (Wed) – Central Bicol State University of Agriculture
Dec. 20 (Thu) – Sir Jaymee String Ensemble & Caritas Chorale
Dec. 21 (Fri) – Universidad de Sta. Isabel
Dec. 22 (Sat) – University of Nueva Caceres
Dec. 23 (Sun) – Nabua National High School (7:45 pm after the Mass)
Dec. 24 (Mon) – Caceres Chorale

SCHEDULE OF BAPTISM
Dec. 25, 2012 and Jan 01, 2013 at NPS Covered Court

1st Batch: 9:00 am
2nd Batch: 10:00 am
3rd Batch: 11:00 am
Please bring a photocopy of your child’s Birth Certificate

DATES TO REMEMBER

Advent Season
Dec. 01  - 5:00 pm Anticipated Mass: Blessing of Advent Wreath
Dec. 02 – Ist Sunday of Advent
Dec. 08 – Immaculate Conception (Holy day of Obligation)
Dec. 09 – 2nd Sunday of Advent
8:00 am: First Day of the Our Lady of Guadalupe Triduum Mass
(Presider: Abp. Roland J. Tria Tirona, OCD, DD, Archbishop of Caceres at People’s Mall)
Dec. 12 – Fiesta: Our Lady of Guadalupe
11:00 am Baptism at People’s Mall
4:30 pm – Mass with Confirmation at People’s Mall
Dec. 15, 2:30 to 5:00 pm Parish Advent Recollection
6:00 pm: Celebration of Light and Blessing of Belen
Dec. 16 – 3rd Sunday of Advent
Start of Christmas Novena Masses
Dec. 18 – 26 every 6:15 am: Novena to St. John the Evangelist
Dec. 21 – NPS Christmas Party
Dec. 22 – Christmas Cheers for Children
Sponsor: Jollibee Foods
Dec. 23 – 4th Sunday of Advent

Christmas Season
Dec. 25 – Solemnity of the Nativity of our Lord
Dec. 25 – 31 – Octave of Christmas
Dec. 26 – Feast of St. Stephen, First Martyr
9:00 am – Pagkumpil
Dec. 27 – Feast of St. John the Evangelist, Patron of Naga Metropolitan Cathedral
8:30 am: Pontifical Mass (Presider:  Abp. Roland J. Tria Tirona, OCD, DD)
Clergy Assembly and Christmas Party
6:00 pm: Procession with the Patron Saint
Dec. 29 – Episcopal Ordination Anniversary of Abp. Roland J. Tria Tirona, OCD, DD, Archbishop of Caceres
Dec. 30 – Feast of the Holy Family
Jan. 01 – Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God
Jan. 06  - Solemnity of the Epiphany of our Lord
Jan. 13 – Baptism of the Lord

Ordinary Time 
Feb. 02 – Presentation of the Lord
5:00 pm: Eucharistic Celebration & Installation of Hermano & Hermana Mayores (Celebrant: Most Rev. Roland J. Tria Tirona, OCD, DD, Archbishop of Caceres)

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