2 Iloilo’s Head Turners

 

After my first day stay here in Iloilo and after a whole day tour in the city with some of my colleagues, I can’t get the cute, funny and interesting things I’ve observed in this city out of my mind. So before I sleep in the bosom of this City, I want to list Iloilo’s head turners. It’s my first time to visit this place and it’s easy for me to spot some elements that make Iloilo City unique from other Philippine cities.

If you will happen to visit this place in the future, notice these head turners and you will surely not forget this city.

1. The big welcome banner at the airport

When we landed in Iloilo, I didn’t feel like I was in other place until I saw this big signboard which says “Welcome to Iloilo”.  I saw how people went crazy posing in front of the signboard for photographs. 

2. The SM City Iloilo

True that SM City can be found anywhere in the Philippines especially key cities like Iloilo, but SM City Iloilo is a certified head turner because it looks like three times bigger than SM Davao or any other SM City building from different cities. I don’t know if it’s just me, but for me, SM City Iloilo is a giant.

3. The Ancient Buildings

If you are going to take a tour in the downtown area of Iloilo City, most of the buildings look ancient. This for me is an attention grabber. I can’t help but fix my eyes on these old buildings because I know that these buildings are silent witnesses of Iloilo’s history.

 

Some commercial establishments like this was  designed and intentionally patterned from ancient models to reenact the feel and the aura.

  

4. The Carabaos

Yes, carabaos in the city. One second you see tall buildings and cars and malls and what not, then next second you’ll see carabaos sun bathing in the middle of the city. A real head turner.

5. The modern buildings

But of course, Iloilo as one of the progressive cities also join the bandwagon of modern building designs and architecture. Aside from the ancient buildings, Iloilo has also modern buildings that can be leveled with other progressive countries.

 

          I also like Iloilo’s sophisticated building structure for their resto bars and beer houses.

       6. The Night lights

  

  Say what? Not Night life, but night lights.

 

Call it shallow source of happiness, but there is something special about Iloilo’s night light.

 

 

     

     7. The Ilonggos

The people of Iloilo is called Ilonggo. Their priceless smile is what makes them qualify as one of Iloilo’s head turners. Again, I declare I love ilonggos, not because I am an Ilonggo, but because they are so friendly, accomodating and kind. Talk to them and you will know what I mean.

 

Come and visit Iloilo and prepare for a never ending head turning moment.

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0 Top Indications that you are Celebrating Araw ng Davao

Today, Davao City commenced the 75th annual celebration of Araw ng Davao. This year’s theme is “Pag-higugma sa Nasud, Pag-amuma sa Siyudad”.

Let’s do Bisaya101 for the sake of those who can’t understand Bisaya.

Pag-Higugma means Love.
Nasud means country.
Pag-amuma means care or nurture.
Siyudad means city.

If we are going to translate it verbatimly, it means, “Love the Country, and Nurture the City”.

Amidst the scorching heat of the sun, people of Davao set aside businesses and work just to witness the 75th Araw ng Davao celebration. Davaoenos celebrate this event in a unique way. This is where you can see Davao’s unique culture and products. In line with the celebration of Araw ng Davao, here are my top 5 indications (as per observation is concerned) that you are actually celebrating Araw ng Davao.

1. Unique vehicles on parade 

This group of guys share the same interest with motorbikes with height as tall as their knees.

But the most adorable one is this motorbike with funny shape.

This one is the most annoying vehicle here in Davao. This is a tricycle with a very loud sound system installed.

And of course, the famous tricycle or we call it traysibot.

I was not able to spot the “padjak” and the electric vehicle. You can see all of these here in Davao.

2. Araw ng Davao is Banderitas Day 

I don’t know where this Banderitas concept originates. I think banderitas can add merriment to the festivity, so Davaoenos put this in every corner of Davao City.

You can see it here:

You can see it there:

And you can see it everywhere:

And notice that banderitas here in Davao have different shapes, sizes and colors…..and sponsored products.

3. All major roads closed 

If you are a commuter, you will really find it hard to take a jeepney for your route or even a taxi. Almost all major roads have barricades just to celebrate this event.

That is why this is also the best time of the year to walk around the city.

4. Business everywhere 

One good thing about Davaoenos is that, they are opportunists (in a good way of course). Instead of just being a bystander, they take this opportunity to earn money. That is why during Araw ng Davao, you will see Davaoenos selling almost everything in the street.

Ice cream: check

Secondhand Stuff toys: check

Pets: check

Fruits: check

Magic tricks: check

Pamaypay: check

And of course, Durian!!!

Araw ng Davao converts highways and parks into a marketplace.

5. The Davaoenos 

It’s the people of Davao who make this event a special and unique. This is their way of saying that they embrace Davao including the glitches.

And for all the Davaoenos out there, happy 75th Araw ng Davao.

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0 Golden Lessons Learned from Stanley Chi’s Suplado Tips

I was so overwhelmed when I received the Suplado Tips 2 book from Stanley Chi right in front of my doorstep. You know the feeling na parang pinadala ng langit? It’s not because I am in dire need to learn to become suplado or something, it’s because I think there is something I need to know about being suplado na pwede kong magamit para sa ikauunlad ng bayan at ng buhay. Sa title pa lang, I already laugh out loud, wala lang, catchy kasi at saka medyo intriguing.

I believe (naks, pang impromptu speech lang?) that everyone has an innate supladoticities and supladacities. Ok, those two words I just mentioned do not exist, so please excuse me for that. Sometimes, we need to bring out the best of our being suplado slash maldito or suplada slash maldita. Bakit? Because of the following things I’ve learned from this book:

1. Being Suplado or Suplada can save your life

Siguro kaya suplado or suplada ang mga Taekwondo players kasi they know that their martial art techniques alone could not save them from trouble. I mean it’s not enough to defend yourself. Kelangan may angas, kelangan may “whoaaaaa”(Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago, pahiram ng word..hehehe)..yong may pagka suplado or suplada ang dating para pag sumipa, WAGAS!!!!...And sometimes, being suplado or suplada alone is enough to save your life. Just take a look at the example on one of the stories featured in the book (If you want to know the story, oh eh di bumili ka ng sarili mong libro.. tseeee…. #SupladoMode). Hindi makaporma yong mga construction workers at mga tambay sa kanya because she’s suplada and this has helped her initiate the courage and the confident to walk alone. Isang suplada look lang sa mga bastos na tambay, ligtas na sya.

2. Kung Suplado or Suplada ka, ikaw ang BIDA

I used to hear my lola rambling about pinoy teleserye. She always prefers a teleserye with a bida na palaban. Yong tipong kapag inaapi, gumaganti. Not the Mara/Judy Ann Santos type na walang ibang alam kundi magpaapi kay Clara/Gladys Reyes type. Just take a look at one of the comic strips featured in the book. He used to be an underdog kasi wala lang. He doesn’t have the good look and the suplado appeal to get the girl he wants. Pero he learned to become a better a person with a suplado touch, and now he is the bida of the story.

3. You have a bright future if you are a suplado or suplada

Oo nga…believe me, oh well, that is at least based on Stanley Chi’s book ha. LOL…do that at your own risk..bahala ka. I just read one of his tips sa book. Sabi dun, kapag nakikipagtawaran yong potential employer mo sa sweldo mo, sagutin mo ng “If you can’t afford me, don’t hire me”. Oh di ba ang angas

Dati, negative yong dating sa akin ng Suplado or Suplada. Kasi di ba sa English “snob” ang ibig sabihin nun? But based on the stories and the fictional stories and the tips from the book, I think it’s not bad at all. Promise. Kaya kung ako ikaw, magpractice ka na maging suplado slash maldito or suplada slash maldia and let’s build a SUPLADO WORLD.

KThnxBye.

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3 Gaisano Mall of Davao Rooftop Promenade- A Practical Place to Hang Out

Practical means making the most out of something. This is the reason why most establishments nowadays are working on giving the maximum level of services to the clients. And not only that, even internet services and websites are joining the bandwagon of practical provider to make people happy and satisfied at the same time.

Take for example the rooftop promenade of Gaisano Mall of Davao. The best option to hang out is a place where you can do anything you want. At Gaisano Mall of Davao Rooftop Promenade, you can shop, you can dine, you can park your car, you can view the city on higher perspective and you can even wish in a wishing well.

I've visited the place last weekend together with friends. I think the place is perfect for almost anything. You can enjoy with your family on their mini park.

You can also invite your friends for a pizza treat.

Or you can bring your special someone for a dinner date.

Not to mention the view at night.

And the breathtaking view of the city at daytime.

Or just stay there to chill and breathe some fresh air:

This is a place where everybody could really enjoy. I reckon that all malls in the city should have a place like this, because after a stressful day shopping, you can relax and enjoy viewing the whole city. No wonder there are a lot of people visiting the place, even lovers.

Some areas are still actually under construction, but it looks promising. I'm so excited what this place could offer to their shoppers and even window shoppers.People love to visit an "All-in-one" place where they don't need to spend more money just to enjoy the moment.

The Gaisano Rooftop promenade is located at the 4th level of Gaisano Mall, Bajada, Davao City beside the food court.

And speaking of "All-In-One", there are also places in the internet where you can shop for almost anything you want. In an era where everything is almost digital, we are looking for a place in the internet where we can search and buy almost anything we want. Most often than not, catalog websites are the best option for this purpose, and I strongly suggest frugaldad.com. At Frugal Dad, you can find coupons that will give you discounts when you purchase items from third party suppliers.

If you are a practical internet surfer and you are looking for coupons and discounts online and the most practical deals for buying items from famous brands, visit websites like Frugal Dad. This is the best and the most practical website so far that can offer you promotional coupons.

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15 Scribbled Messages from Happy Morning Rushers

When was the last time you wrote a message to somebody using your own handwriting? With the advent of technology, parang halos lahat nagiging automated na. I remember when I was in grade school, I used to write letters to friends na nasa malayo. Since it’s a snail mail, usually, makakarating yong sulat 3 days after and you really have to visit the post office just to send or get your mails. SO if you want to greet a Happy Birthday to a friend na nasa ibang lugar, you need to send your letter 3 days before. Pero ngayon, you can send messages in an instant. May twitter, Facebook, Plurk, text and skype.

The reason why I am talking about this is because I realize wala pa rin makakatalo sa sulat kamay. I mean, you can really feel the message if it is scribbled by hands. Yong tipong kahit halos di mo na maintindihan pero feel na feel mo pa rin yong emotion. Example ko na lang yong The Morning Rush Book na pinadala ni @jrhyan, a fellow rusher from Manila. I’m excited to receive this not because of the book since I already bought a copy of this last year pa and even read it for the nth time ( if you want to know more about the book, check it here), I’m excited because Chico, Delle and Gino (the hosts of The Morning Rush radio show) and some of the rushers scribbled their message for me on some of the pages. My heartfelt gratitude goes out to @jrhyan for the effort and the rest of the Davaorushers @Rawrph and @xiongpagong for making this possible.

Actually, the people who scribbled messages on this book are my fellow rushers (Mga adik sa The Morning Rush radio show) and I am communicating with them on almost daily basis, so we can actually exchange messages like this through Twitter if we want. Pero iba kasi yong naka Scribbled, parang something special. I didn’t meet them yet in person because of the location, but we treat each other as brothers and sisters since we only have one goal and that is to laugh and create positive vibe every morning. Iba kasi yong umaga pa lang tumatawa ka na, and we all agreed on this aspect, that’s why I would like to call them HAPPY RUSHERS and I am proud I am one of them. I would like to share the positive vibe to all my readers by sharing my co-rushers scribbled messages for me.

And of course, I can’t finish this blog post without sharing the message from Chico, Delle and Gino.

I will forever be happy; therefore, I will forever be a rusher. Brotherhood and sisterhood could not only achieved by going through hazing. If you want to be a morning rusher, the only requirement is BE HAPPY and you’re in.

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