I got this 2012 planner from Jollibee. Its free when you purchase a minimum order of php 150 and a peach mango pie. Its not thick but good enough to handle notes and plans.
It has conversion formulas, equivalent measures, birthstone list, year wedding anniversaries, dates of zodiac signs and 2012-2013 calendar.

This is a survival story of my friend Mary Ann Chiong. Who is living at Tibasak, Macasandig who is one of the most affected area in Cagayan de Oro City of typhoon Sendong (international name Washi) flash floods.

Thanks to our neighbor who shouted, "Pangmata mo! Taas na ang tubig!" at around twelve midnight. In less than 10 minutes after I rouse my sister and parents water started to get into our house from all directions. For the first time in my life I panicked. I had a very bad feeling it's not just an ordinary flood. I grabbed my wallet, my sister and our dog out of the house; I realized with horror that the knee-length water rose to almost my waistline in less than one minute; the current almost did me.

I was out of danger, for a while, when I noticed that my parents are still inside our house while water is engulfing it. I was screaming like mad at the thought that I could lost them at that moment. I felt so helpless, I know I would endanger my life if I will go back.
Thank God my father is a strong swimmer, it saved their lives.
We stayed at the UCCP church nearby. And I thought we are all safe; their are around fifty of us.
My heart was gripped with incoherent fear when I saw water, like a deja vu from our house earlier, coming from all over direction at the church. I saw my cousin grabbed his two sons to a nearby unfinished building, he is urging us to come with him. Without second thoughts we followed him.
I was carrying our dog while my mother holds my arm for support, the current was vicious. We thought the second story of the building would save us. It would. If it has stairs.
Neighbors, relatives and friends improvised, we piled up tables to reach the second floor. Everything would have been alright, but my mother was paralyzed with fear. She can't climb, she kept on telling us to save ourselves and leave her, I was aghast at the idea and pissed off at the same time. She should not think negatively. Everybody was on board except me, my mother and my father. The water continued to rise; the table will not hold much longer and the current is getting more vicious, carrying debris, cows, goats, dogs...people.
I saw my father being slowly engulfed by water, we would drown if we won't do anything; we can't get through the hole leading to the second floor, my mother was blocking it. In desperation I carried her and told her to step on my shoulders; uncles and cousins are ready for her. My father was the last person to board.
The water continued to rise. I almost wept in helplessness. In my mind, we will die that night. I stood there. Half-naked, shivering. It was the coldest night of my life as I watched in horror the rising water, I know it will engulf the second floor any minute.
My sister can't breath with panic, she's pregnant and she kept saying her stomach hurts. I hate to think of her miscarrying. She called me, I told her not to panic, this is not the time to panic. I was startled by what she told me. Please pray for the water to stop rising, God always hear your prayers. And there I was, in the middle of the rain, shivering, praying. And very thankful that God heard our prayers; when everything else fails we will have nothing but faith.

Salamat sa mga pag-ampo.

Found in Austin, Texas is a famous house of which 25K computerized LED lights synchronized to the music. This mega Christmas light display is a popular attraction during holiday season by Listen to our Lights.

Lets listen and watch as the lights dance to the beat...

Hallelujah Intro 2011



Kpop fanatics will surely be entertained of 2NE1's "I Am Best"



For Angry Bird addicts here is the Christmas lights pumping to the "Angry Bird" Theme song recording by Pomplamoose.


Lights dance on Taylor Swift’s “Last Christmas”

Over 400 Filipino families took part in the Yahoo! Purple Hunt Family Edition 3.0 Finale Event held recently at the SM Mall of Asia.

Fifty family teams who successfully finished and advanced from the preliminary five-week long online adventure competed against one another in a series of games during the finale event. There were five rounds of games, with each round trimming down the participants to a smaller group. Each eliminated team received corresponding prizes such as anti-virus software, phones, Tattoo MyFi broadband sticks from event co-presenter Globe Telecom, party and flight packages, and a condominium unit as grand prize for the last standing team.

In the end, it was the mother-daughter team of Carolyn and Catherine Beronilla who emerged as grand winner. They walked away with the coveted prize of a P2.2 million condominium unit from Camella Homes, as well as prizes from the program’s sponsors and supporters.

Mall-goers and walk-ins also enjoyed various stage games such as Yahoo! Bring Me, Multiple Choice Game, Y! Hunt, Draw Your Avatar and Longest Yodel, as well as on-ground booths such as Yahoo! Mail, Yahoo! Messenger, Yahoo! OMG, and Yahoo! Safely. Exciting activities such as ball swim and face painting sessions were also conducted for the kids.

“We are privileged to be a co-presenter of this online initiative. We feel strongly about advocating responsible use of internet, being a provider of broadband services like Tattoo,” Yoly Crisanto, Head of Globe Corporate Communications. “Through the program, Yahoo and Globe aim to educate parents and their children about the proper use of the World Wide Web in a fun and engaging way. We hope that the families who joined Purple Hunt would continue to spread the word about responsible internet use.”

The Yahoo! Purple Hunt 3.0 Family Edition aims to bring the whole family together to explore the Web, discover the various Yahoo! Properties, and spend quality time bonding. Families were given a set of assignments using different Yahoo! properties which promote safety on the internet for the family. Promoting its advocacy on responsible internet use, Globe is this year’s event co-presenter.

In photo during the awarding ceremonies at the SM Mall of Asia were (from left) the Beronilla mother-daughter tandem and Globe Head for External Affairs Charo Logarta-Lagamon.


Press release from Globe Telecom

I just tweeted 2 days ago, about Youtube' s confusing new look... I love this new look though, I just need to get to know it more...

Apparently, they also updated the channel design. Ive tried it to compare which one is good. And here's a picture of the channel design editor...



I picked the Blogger design which is a reverse chronological vlogroll of a featured playlist or your recent activity. I am actually having some trouble which one is preferable but right now my Youtube channel is using the new design . So I'll ask you guys which design do you think is nice and why?




Shoot your suggestions at the comment box below... Thanks In advance!

Biogesic brings John Lloyd Cruz in Cagayan de Oro to celebrate his 5 ingat years of success today. Luckily, I was one of the few bloggers who was invited to ask a few questions at the press conference at Marco Hotel, Cugman.
The question I've asked John Lloyd Cruz was... Who are the top 3 celebrities he wants to be his leading lady in a movie? At first he actually had difficulty answering it but after awhile he did mentioned Iza Calzado and Caridad Sanchez.

I'll be updating this post with more details on the event but right now I'm too excited to share a kilig video during the presscon... So without further ado here are the videos ...



 And so this was the highlight... :D


Special thank to Biogesic and ABS CBN MagTV Na Ato Ni!

Just recently, the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) released a Memorandum Circular 02-10-2011, lowering the highest interconnection cost for SMS between 2 different networks to P0.15 per text message out of the current P0.35 per text message. Due to this, each of our SMS standard costs is going to be 80 centavos from the existing P1 per text message or lowered by a minimum of 20 centavos per text message.
National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) said the new SMS interconnection rate complied which has a provision of Republic Act 7925, or the Public Telecommunications Policy Act of the Philippines, which seeks reasonable and sensible interconnection among public operators as well as other telecommunications services providers with fair as well as reasonable fee.
Connection charge is applicable to the fee paid by one carrier for each SMS that passes via the network of another carrier. Less connection charge implies a cheaper SMS fee, currently placed in an average of P1 per text message. The market price of SMS includes the price of the network distributing the short message, and also the price of the network accepting the text message as well as the price of the interconnection services.
In relate to this news, Globe's position on NTC's initiative to lower SMS Interconnection access rates is as follow.

Globe supports the NTC initiative to lower SMS interconnection access rates to 15 centavos and has fully complied with the NTC Memorandum.


The lowering of domestic access charges on sms will allow Globe to offer more aggressive and competitive sms based unli, bulk and all network promos.


Right now, our customers are enjoying an average rate of close to 10 centavos per sms because of the inter and all network bulk unli offers, as well as our postpaid and consumable plan offerings.


The lower sms access rates will help provide greater benefits to our customers especially those who are currently using our unli services.


Atty. Froilan Castelo
Head, Corporate and Legal Services Group
Globe Telecom.

I'ts now 5:31 in the morning and yes I haven't have any sleep yet. Will hit the sack after Justine will go to school and that's going to be 4 hours after from now.

So what am I busy with while waiting for the time?
Aside from blogging, I'm also writing contact details on the raffle tickets which I bought. This raffle ticket is for the Christmas fund raising for special kids. My aunt, who also has a special daughter, ask me to help sell this tickets a few weeks ago and with the help of my CDOblogger friends all tickets given to me is sold out. However, some was not able fill up the tickets with their details that is why I'm writing for them now. Well, I actually don't mind the important thing is that they bought the tickets. All in all there's 200 tickets I need to finish filling up because my aunt will be picking this tickets later.


In related to this charity topic this coming December 2, 2011 Friday, CDO Bloggers will be having an outreach program at Cadayunan Primary School in Besigan. Incase you want to take part of this good cause feel free to contact any CDObloggers or shoot me a comment below. :)

At the shopping mall in New Jersey a musical break out took place when a man express his desire to seat on Santa's lap through singing. Okay I admit, after watching the video I did ask myself would I dare to seat on Santa's lap at my age now. Hmmm... Well, yeah maybe if Santa would give me a present ofcourse. Lol Anyway, heres the video hope you'll enjoy it as much as I did.

This Mall Santa Musical is part of ImproveEverywhere.com spontaneous musicals that happens in public places. If you wan to watch more of this spontaneous musicals check it out here.

So are you old to seat on Santa's lap? Shoot your answer in my comment box below. :)

November 12, 2011. Christmas is in the air at SM Cagayan de Oro. They officially kick off the celebration with the Christmas Centerpiece Light Up Ceremony with bossa nova princess Sitti as the guest. The event started with a Christmas musical followed with a Christmas carol from the Lourdes College Choir and then a Christmas message from SM.

They have also officially introduce Maria Aragon, the international YouTube sensation, as the SM Supermalls Voice of SM Christmas.


The lightning ceremony was serenaded with ChriSMs Jingle sung by a choral group.


After the light up of the SM centerpiece bossa nova princess Sitti serenade everyone with her hit sigles from her album.


Special thanks to SM City CDO for inviting CDO Bloggers to witness this grand light up ceremony. And also for the delicious cocktails serve with us.

Christmas is coming soon as well as the new year. Month of December is really a month of merriment and thanksgiving. This is also the best time to give back from all the blessings you receive the whole year round.

In connection to this CDObloggers organization will be having a Christmas Outreach and Feeding Program at Cadayunan Primary School on December 2, 2011.


Its a new primary school in Sitio Mamboloso, Besigan.

Besigan is 52 kilometers away from the city proper and most of the people in the area are farmers with no regular transportation except dump trucks from the city government to help the people transport their farm products, the resolution cited. --cagayandeoro.gov.ph

CDObloggers objective is to donate books and other supplementary learning materilas and conduct a feeding activity to the school. The beneficiary is estimated 60 and more students. CDOBloggers members monetary contribution will be Php 300.00 which is P250 for books and other materials, Php 50 for the feeding activity.
If you want to be part of this charity event you can donate any amount. If you're away from Cagayan de Oro you can send donations through Paypal --francis.siason@gmail.com. Or you could also optionally donate in kind school materials like books, notebooks, writing and coloring materials, etc. As well as food and drinks for the feeding program. Deadline of contributions is on November 30, 2011.


Checkout CDObloggers blog on this event:

• Reaching Out – Cadayunan Primary School
• Outreach and Feeding Program at Cadayunan Primary School
• OutReach Program To Cadayunan Primary School
• Cadayunan Primary School Needs Help
• Please support our Outreach Program and Feeding Activity at Cadayunan Primary School!
• Building Bridges for Cadayunan Primary School
  
• An appeal to nurture their bright little minds

Meet the blogger me Emoteragoddess and the simply me Venussmileygal :D It's time that I should make use of both nick and separate 2 different sides of me.
Is it a goodbye for Venussmileygal? Nah she will still be here to stay and make you smile online!

Do drop by at my other blogs...
Emotera's Food Trip
Emotera Clicks

This is circulating online specifically in Facebook. Looking at the comparison table above it made wanna jump unto getting Inday's job. :D Added to fact that house help or Yaya jobs is the most in demand position nowadays even I myself is hiring for someone to help me look after my kiddo. Hiring "Inday's" position is getting harder each day because of so many reasons like; How much is the salary going to be? Is your house complete with appliance (which would make work easier)? Age of kids they would take care. And many other questions that would give Inday an idea what her  life would be working in your house. And if your not lucky some "Inday's" are pain in the neck specially the younger one's because they tend to have lots of issues; elope with boyfriend, poor hygiene, lazy that boss needs to follow every move/work and worst would be a thief. However, don't lose hope because there are still good people who serve their boss with tender-loving-care. This is one of the reasons Filipinos are in-demand domestic helpers in foreign countries. :)
On the other hand, I still prefer to have the job I have now. Working on something which you are passionate about is more fulfilling and fun. Though we cannot avoid struggles, stress and tough responsibilities, but this things makes life challenging and gives color to our life. It's all about passion and perseverance.

Last February 19, 2012 I along with fellow CDObloggers attended the  Culinary Institute in Cagayan de Oro Open House. This is actually my second time to visit CIC because I have also been invited to the All You Want Bars!  Pastry Workshop of Chef Hasset go.

This time around its another pastry workshop which is the favorite cakes cooking demo still with Chef Hasset Go. It started early in the morning and I was even late for the orientation. After that we were toured around there school rooms and facilities. In one of the rooms there was an on going class on international cuisine. Ahhh! I cant wait for April to come so I can start with my International Cuisine 5-Day Workshop. ;)

Finally, the workshop started. We were given the menu of each 4 cakes to be baked; Caramel Custard Cake, Concorde, Purple-Jackfruit Cake and Chocolate Truffle Cake. Since the baking is long we were able to witness the baking demo for Caramel Custard Cake and Chocolate Truffle Cake because the other half resume on the afternoon.

 



Its really fun and interesting learning on how to bake cakes. I myself would love to learn more of it because I want to bake and decorate it according to my taste. However, I opted for the international cuisine workshop this summer because I wanna learn cooking delicious cuisines from different parts of the world first.

That 2 workshops I have attended in CIC, hype up my interest and inspired me to really pursue cooking and baking class. Watching and listening to Chef Hasset Go made it more inspiring because he started young on the pastry industry which dubbed him the youngest pastry chef in the country.  Other than that, because of he knows how to cook different delicious food and he bakes pastries and sweets he found a career and eventually build his own business. And of course not to mention his good-looking features (you guys know what I mean. :D) which every girls weakness is already inspiring because you will be seeing Chef Hasset at CIC as one of the instructors.

I know I've been off the hook in this blog for a month already but anyhow ill post updates soon. For now I just want to invite all who are interested to learn about blogging, web marketing and working from home.
I will be one of the speakers of CDOBloggers 3rd Blogging Workshop. I will be sharing my knowledge on social media promotions. Unlike my previous talks this one I think is more on the serious business talk. I'll share a bit of an overview on my topic...

Social media has different web based technology tools which allow folks to connect quickly online to share reviews and information. Regardless what type of media you will be sharing online, with the click of a button you could already reach local or global audiences. As a matter of fact Youtube is the second largest search engine in the word and in the US, there are 149M active Facebook users, 70% log in once a day. So imagine the impact in using this on web marketing and promotion along with other popular and interactive social media platforms.

To know more on maximizing your social media promotion CDO Bloggers group will be having a 3rd Blogging Workshop on October 22 · 1:00PM - 5:00PM at Loreto's Grill and Restaurant.

Buy tickets now because seats will be limited. Ticket is inclusive with not only the web marketing tips but also with 1 snack and certificate.

And earlier today, I just received a packaged from Miss Aileen Apolo-De Jesus with Google freebies. This freebies will be swags at the workshop. You might be the next one wearing this hot items from Google so buy you're tickets now!


For more details visit: CDOBloggers 3rd Blogging Workshop

I just attended Cepalco's Solar Power Awareness last Saturday at the Dynasty Court Hotel. The aim of that meeting was to educate us on the current Mindanao capacity shortage problem, how to address the shortage problem and importance as well as benefits of solar energy in Mindanao.

Engineer Celio Sumaoy did pretty will in explaining to us the Solar Photovoltaic 101 without making us nosebleeding on the technical terms. We really did understand solar photovoltaic technology after.
So here is my summary on the conference.
Power demand in Mindanao is continuously increasing that even the power reserves can no longer sustain the demand. Thus when one of the National Power Corporation’s (NPC) stop functioning National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) will demand Cepalco for curtailment, meaning some customers will experience block outs anytime. And despite of the heavy rains nowadays, this demand is still in red alert and needs a complement. This is the main reason why Cepalco sort out to renewable energy technology to help address the demand. As of the moment there are renewable energy technologies already tested and utilized in every parts of the country as seen in the image below.
Hydro plants is currently the main source of power here in Mindanao. Iligan and Cagayan de Oro has the biggest plants so far. The biggest power load is in Davao and second is General Santos. Cagayan de Oro's load is actually half of Davao only.
Cepalco have already established a solar plant in Indahag, Cagayan de Oro in 2004 which was ranked 54 in the worlds most largest solar plant. (Personally, this knowledge was new to me.) A lot of students from all over the country has visited the solar plant already. And this Saturday bloggers will also have its 2nd tour there.
Why solar energy for Mindanao is important?

• Solar energy is the most simple technology on renewable energy since it only utilizes the sun to gain electricity. It can come from the suns heat or the suns light. Every 1 megawatt of solar energy can already provide power to 1.5 hectares land.
• It is abundant anywhere in the country.
• Compared to fossil fuels are finite and dwindling.
• Solar can supply the worlds total energy requirement for the next hundred of years.
• It is not a fancy technology.
  The accumulated installed capacity from year 2000 - 2010 is doubled every year, 2010 - 39.6 gigawatts.
• The installed cost is declining.
  However, we must not wait because there is no local supply for the materials and we need to impot. It is also good to start solar energy as early as now to cover financing and gain required experience to lower system cost.
• Consumers pay the Feed-in Tariff Allowance (FIT-All)
  The advantage of solar energy Mindanao is that the overall cost is divided throughout the overall Philippines electric consumers, meaning not only the Mindanaoan consumers will paid in the tarriff but also Visayas and Luzon. This is fair enough since I just learn that under the Renewable Energy Law. For more info read it here; Mindanao Solar Capacity Development.
• Feed-in Tariff Allowance (FIT-All) trend is going down over the years.
• Solar panels may last for more than 30 years.
• Solar energy technology is less maintenance and low operating cost.