A Weekend of First Experiences: Day 1

I just had a weekend full of first time experiences last May 29- 30, 2010. It was actually not just a series of first experiences but also a lot of travels, food trips and adventures. It was definitely a weekend I would never forget!

Day 1

Land Trip to Davao via Starrex. We left CDO at 4 AM and then stop at Jollibee, Malaybalay for breakfast. We also had an unexpected stop approaching Sea Gull Area because we had a flat tire. First ko sa Davao kaya excited ako sa trip!

Lunch at Ranchero’s Grill. When we arrived in Davao we headed directly to Ranchero’s Grill where Davao Bloggers waited for us. Busog na busog kami sa sarap ng food like kilawin, kinilaw, karagatan soup, seafood kare-kare, ranchero ribs, seafood platter, isda sa misu, pancit, vegetables seafood and fruit deserts.

Land Trip to Gensan via Bus. Magkakasama na ang CDO bloggers at Davao bloggers this time. The travel was fun since I get to see nice views. We passed so many Farmtowns... lols Travel to Gensan is another first for me!

Arrival in Gensan and Check-in at Ice Castle Experience. We were welcome by the owner Rey Billena. And nalaman namin na kaya pala Ice Castle Experience ang name ng hotel kasi 'it’s the hotel that ice cream built'. I like the design and decoration ng hotel simple and very comfy ang room gusto ko na nga matulog kaya lang the night is not over yet.

Aperitif drinks at Pacman’s Sports Bar. Kung avid fan ka ni Manny Pacquiao then you should not miss visiting this place in Gensan. Lahat ng memorabilia ni Pacman andito. Dito din namin luckily nakita si Pacman playing billiard later that night and that’s another first!

Sa Pacman's Sports Bar pa lang busog na kami sa drinks and food nila. Pero hindi pa doon natatapos ang kainan…

Welcome dinner at Le Jardin Arnevel's. We were welcome by Maam Nitz, the owner. It was an awesome dinner kasi ang sarap ng pagkain halos fave ko lahat. They served us with different kinds of food; Vegetables, Salad, Fish, Tahong, Crabs, Lechon. Ang ganda pa nang ambiance kasi dinner by the poolside gusto ko nga sana maligo pero too bad I didn’t bring any bathing suit. Ang maganda din sa place is affordable ang entrance at 20 Php makakaligo kana at you can bring your own food too. You just have to rent there cottages though, pero meron ding affordable na table and chair which is 50 Php lang ang rent. The place is also a good venue for special occasions and Maam Nitz caters food too.

Bloggers Grand Eyeball at Piyesta KTV and Resto Bar. Isa din eto sa hindi dapat pinalalampas na bisitahin sa Gensan. It was my first time to drink a Jell-O Syringe Shot, Gayuma drink and Rhum tea ang sarap talaga. Napansin ko din that they have spicy foods so kung mahilig ka sa ganitong pagkain then this place is for you!

Actually, nakakain ako nang ma-anghang na pagkain kaya na lagok ko ang isang basong Rhum Tea na akala ko Ice Tea! Lols…

The Bloggers grand eyeball that night was fun CDO, Davao, Gensan and Kidapawan Bloggers get to hangout and know each other. Ang nakakatawa that night was that ang reaction ng lahat pagsinabi na ang plurk nickname. Official tambayan ng bloggers na talaga ang Plurk. lols...

Big thanks to Davao bloggers, Soccsksargen bloggers, Avel and Orman Manansala for the warm welcome and for accommodating CDO bloggers and most specially to Mayor Jun Acharon for our vehicle and the Lechon he gave at Piyesta and to all the generous sponsors.

Hugs & Kisses Sterling Silver Necklace

I won the “Hugs and Kisses” Necklace from Alexa’s Angels contest of Icay last April 2, 2010. And just earlier this afternoon Tabby, Icay's husband delivered my prize here in my house. Special delivery in a red box; the Hugs & Kisses Sterling Silver Necklace. I was really nice. I love seeing it in my neck!

Thank you very much Icay! ;)

CDO - Davao - Socsargen Bloggers' Tour / Soccsksargen Summer Safari

I'm packing my things right now for a weekend adventure in Davao and General Santos tomorrow. Its going to be a 3 days vacation and food trip. This is going to be exciting since its going to be my first time in both places and I will get to hangout with fellow CDObloggers, Davao Bloggers and SoCCSKSarGen Bloggers at the same.

I cant wait for the trip after reading the fun activities that in store for us in Gensan at Ganda Ever So Much. Weeeeeee...

Yuuki’s TwinBlog Anniversary Contest

As I was visiting blogs today for drops on entrecards I discovered Yuuki’s TwinBlog Anniversary Contest. Its a double celebration of her two blogs; It’s Not Always About Me and Drama Queen who turns 1 this May 2010!

Congratulations and Happy Anniversary on your blog! ;)

Contest Mechanics:

A. Blog about the contest – 50 pts

B. Add the contest banner on your blog side bar – 50 pts

C. Write a blog review on It’s Not Always About Me – 100 pts

D. Write a blog review on Drama Queen – 100 points

E. Write a blog review on any of the Contest Sponsor’s blog – 100 points

F. Comment on any of my blog’s May post/ article – 10 points

G. Be the first to comment on any of the sponsor’s May post/ article– 10 points

H. Follow my blogs thru Google connect – 50 points

I. Subscribe to my blogs’ feeds – 100 points

J. Refer a friend on the contest – 50 points

Special Notes:

* For those with multiple blogs, you can do items A to D on all your blogs with full credits (but use one name/ email add)

* Contest Sponsors gets 100 points top-up

* To qualify for the Raffle Prize, you must have a minimum of 500 points (contestants can have more raffle tickets depending on her total points, e.g total points = 1100 is equivalent to 2 raffle tickets)

Cash Prizes

Major

• 1^st Prize – $100
• 2^nd Prize – $30
• 3^rd Prize – $20

Raffle

• $5 x 5nos

Special Awards:

FC (First Commenter) Blab Award

• 1 month Adgitize GC
• 1 info domain and 1-yr blog hosting (Pinay Mommy Online)

Best Blog Review Award

• 1 month Adgitize GC
• 1 info domain and 1-yr blog hosting (Pinay Mommy Online)

The One And Thirty Four Contest

Here's another contest from a fellow CDO Blogger!
Mommy Dharlz More Food Adventures blog is turning a year older and as a way of saying thank you she organized a contest on her blog. The contest is called "One and Thirty Four" because aside from her blog turning 1 year she to turn 34 this year.

After reading her blog post of the contest I immediately write this post to join the contest since the food prizes that Mommy Dharlz will be giving is my faves. And here's why...

• A Pint of Gelato from Missy Bon Bon would be a nice way to celebrate since it very yummy. I love Missy Bon Bon!
• Well, I have been a patronage of My Cake Store's mango float which is just accross Mbox Internet Cafe and Business Center where I use to hangout. So this My Cake Store GC would definitely great for grabs too.
• A Box of Pizza de Oro Pizza is yummy and I would love to try there pizza since I haven't tasted it yet.
  
• Mamsuy's Spanish Sardines... Ive been hearing so many friends telling how delightedly tasty it was but I was having second thoughts buying one since I don't eat spicy and mom doesn't eat much sardines because it'll upset her tummy. However if I win this its the chance I would taste it!

Contest will end on May 27, 2010. For more information please refer to the contest post.

Election 2010 Experience

I just finished casting my vote of the candidates that I want to lead and help our country. It was not easy since you need to wake up early so that you can get a priority number. Unlike before that you can vote anytime you want since 900 registered voters will vote to 4 polling centers. Now only one polling center is available per town. So here in Mahinog, Camiguin polling center is in San Roque Chapel only.

I was task to escort my lola for she could no longer vote for herself. When we arrived at 6:00 am there are lots of eager voters waiting outside the polling area and priority number already reach 600 plus. Good thing Senior Citizens is prioritized, so we just listed lola’s name and wait for her name to be called. The process was; every time they called for a voter with priority number they called one Senior Citizen listed. So olds really need to wait in the provided chair outside the polling center. My lola was 74th on the list so we had long hours of waiting before she was called. My hands are aching of fanning the olds (I call it “Serbisyo sa Katigulangan”) to give them air because it was hot. It was not easy seeing them sitting in the provided chair waiting for there turn to vote and there was even one old lady that we help because she almost fainted and her face is already white. After seeing such incident I let my lola stay at her sisters house which is just across the polling center so that she could just rest. It’s almost 1 o’clock in the afternoon when my lola was called to vote and since I’m already inside I cast my votes too. That does not end there since lola's ballot was rejected by the machine 4 times, I almost freak out because there are voters waiting for me to finished. Bad PCOS machine! hehehe Luckily mine feed immediately.

Since mom was still in the house a sister of my lola secured a priority number for my mom #358 wheeew… that far! But my uncle got her an earlier priority number which is #344… hehehe still far. Anyways, moms manage to finish her vote before the voting closed which is at 7 oclock.

I pity the olds but at the same time was happy and proud to know that even if they are old they never let there voices unheard. They still take part in helping the country choose the rightful leader whom they think would help us.

My Favorite Mango Float in Missy Bon Bon

I treat myself to Missy Bon Bon today since Ive been craving for there gelato few days back. It was full of customer when arrived and everyone is very busy picking up pastries and snacks that they want to eat. As for me I went directly to where the gelato was to choose for the flavor that I would like to taste when I saw a lady carrying my favorite mango float on her tray. I immediately went to were the cakes was displayed for I know the mango float is also displayed there, I was very happy at what I saw because they already have small layer size (worth Php 85). The first time I visit in Missy Bon Bon this is only served in big layers (worth Php 450). And so I grabbed one mango float for myself and matched it with fresh pineapple juice and strawberry gelato.