Another Exciting Short Film Collaboration: #WeAreIntramuros

The more film festivals the better! And that was what just happened earlier today, August 30, 2018 at the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) when a media launch was held to ring out #WeAreIntramuros Short Film Festival.

#WeAreIntramuros, a 24-hour filmmaking challenge focusing cultural awareness on Filipino values and the very historic portions of the Walled City aka Intramuros.

Together with Intramuros Administrator Atty. Guiller Asido, Chairperson Liza Dino explained that this activity is in line with the aim to encourage more young filmmakers to explore their creativity and craft.

“This challenge will surely need our filmmakers to be on their toes and make use of every resource and minute that they have. We look forward to seeing the types of films that they will be coming up with,” she said.

The goal is also to make Intramuros as a viable location for FILM or A/V production. The historical backdrop and interesting venues within the perimeters of INTRAMUROS will hopefully be highlighted by the creativity of the young participants.

The film projects can be of any topic as long as it is promoting the outstanding values of the Filipino people like hospitality, valuing family, hard work, and resourcefulness. Through the Wall Production Fund, ten (10) chosen participants will get an allowance to produce three to five-minute films. The competition is open to all young aspiring filmmakers in High School and College around Manila.

Qualifications include the following:

1. Participants should be a Filipino citizen or a Philippine Passport holder
2. Applicant must be a student of an educational institution in the Metro Manila area.

The production crew TEAM (max of 4 members total) with the proponent will have to come from the same educational institution they’re connected with.

Mechanics for submission:

1. Completed PDF Document of the Entry Form: Synopsis, Treatment, Director’s Intention, and rough outline of the production budget, list of filmmaking tools they’ll be bringing during the 24-hour challenge.
2. Proponent’s Scanned copy of passport / any government-issued ID (1) and/or scanned copy of school ID
3. Proponent may submit a maximum of two (2) entries but only one (1) will be selected.
4. All submissions must be done online.
5. All entries must be original.
6. Preferences must be cited properly and with permission
7. Project must include Intramuros as a viable location.

Finalists can win the following awards:
1. Best Film Award with Php 20,000.00 cash prize, trophy & certificate
2. Jury’s Choice Award with Php 15,000.00 cash prize, trophy & certificate
3. People’s Choice Award with Php 10,000 cash prize, trophy & certificate (most viral video)
4. Consolation Prize of Php 5,000 for the eight (8) production teams with certificates
5. Special Award that the Jury might feel rewarding, Php 5,000 for one or two (1 or 2 ) production teams with certificates.

The partnership hopes to raise the values of national pride, encourage common good and foster cultural awareness and creativity.

Deadline of submission of entries is on September 20, 2018.

For more details, like and follow the FDCP social media accounts on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook page.

Coron Island and Apo Reef Onboard Discovery Palawan

I have always wanted to visit the islands of Palawan eversince my Mom and sister had a trip to Puerto Prinsesa many years ago. Thanks to an invite from one of our dear PR associate I was able to uncheck Coron in my travel bucketlist and I spent five days and four nights in paradise!

This sturdy boat, Discovery Palawan brought me to Apo Reef Island and Coron and Paradise Island, Palawan.

More of my stories and adventures here. Check back again real soon! 

 And yes! I was able to see a lovely “pawikan” in one of our snorkeling sessions in Apo Reef, Mindoro. Super cuteeeey!

When In Baguio, It’s Got to be Azalea Residences – Part 1

AZALEA HOTEL AND RESIDENCES
Baguio City
June 26-28

My travel experience and over the weekend stay in at this Holiday Haven coming up…

 

Discovery Group Goes All Out This August

It’s the long weekend this last few weeks of August and here’s how you and the family or friends  can maximize a great bonding time and experience world-class service.

Go ALL OUT at any of the Discovery Group properties!

Club Paradise and Discovery Shores Boracay

Book a stay,between August 21 to 26, 2014, and enjoy special rates at any of these two paradise destinations.  Club Paradise in Palawan offers Garden View or Hill Side Room for only P 7,000++ per night and Beach Front Cottage for only P 8,000++ per night.  Discovery Shores Boracay offers up to 20% discount on Best Available rates.

Booking period is from August 6 to14.Book online at www.discoveryhotels-resorts.com and key in the promo code “AOA” to avail of the special rate.

For more information, please call Discovery Shores Boracayat (632) 720-8888 or visit our website www.discoveryhotels-resorts.com

Discovery Suites

For those who want to spend a leisurely weekend in the city minus the usual hassles that come with an out-of-town trip, local residents can avail of the special Book and Save promo rates of Discovery Suites. An overnight stay in a Junior Serendipity suite with complimentary Wi-Fi internet connection is available for only P 5,000 nett. The room rate with breakfast buffet for 2 persons at Restaurant 5 is priced at P 5,500 nett.

Hotel guests have full access to the hotel swimming pool, jacuzzi, fitness club, the kiddie playroom and a restaurant outlets 22 Prime, Restaurant 5 and The Serendipity Lounge. Discovery Suites is also located beside some of the city’s major shopping malls like The Podium, Mega Mall, Robinson’s Galleria and Shangri-La Plaza,

For more information, please call Discovery Suitesat (632) 719-6931 to 32, 719-8888or visit our website www.discoveryhotels-resorts.com.

 

 

Happy #Zoocial Media Day!

Zoomanity Group, the leader in Theme Parks in the Philippines with CEO Robert Laurel Yupangco is celebrating & joining the whole world for the 3rd Annual Social Media Day with “Zoocial Media Day for Bloggers” event on June 28, 2014 and inviting Bloggers to visit Paradizoo Farm in Mendez, Cavite and Residence Inn, Tagaytay for free and with transport provided.

This is to give thanks for the support of the online influencers in making the different theme parks (Zoobic Safari in Zambales, Zoocobia in Clark, Pampanga,  Paradizoo in Mendez, Cavite, Residence Inn, Tagaytay, Zoocolate Thrills in Bohol & Z Planet inside Star City in Manila) under Zoomanity Group as the preferred destination of families, students and tourists for their relaxing time & when they just like to be in nature and to have an animal encounter.

For the Zoocial Media Day event for Bloggers, expect to be in nature and agricultural setting inside the 12 hectares farm facility of Paradizoo. Enjoy the vegetable picking, farm animals encounter like Ostriches,  Horses in different sizes, Pot belly pigs,  learn about the bees then try the Zing line ride afterwards.

Just recently, Zoomanity Group celebrated the year of the horse with the biggest horse parade in the Philippines and proudly showing off their different breed of horses from Stallion to miniature horses.

The other theme park to be visited on June 28, 2014 is Residence Inn at Tagaytay City. It’s a 2 hectares facility with an exclusive rooms since there are only 12 units overlooking the majestic Taal volcano of Batangas. At Residence Inn, you will find exotic animals from different colors of Burmese Python, Tigers, Crocodiles to the king of the jungle: the mighty lions.

According to Marketing & Branding Consultant Grace Bondad Nicolas, “The owner of this company Mr. Robert Yupangco believes about the power of Social Media thus supporting the awareness for Social Media Day. Zoomanity Group is inviting Bloggers to join in this annual event to have a Zoorific experience.”

I really love animals so much so seeing and being with them upclose. Being at Paradizoo in Mendez, Cavite for the first time was a lot of fun! The theme farm is sooo huge at 12 hectares with a lot of areas to explore! I was impressed that they also breed animals that’s why it’s ok to sell some to the public. The welcome drink of lemon grass “tanglad” juice was very refreshing and had just the right combo of lemon and honey for my tasting. Our assigned tour guide was Ms. Karen who accompanied our group and has a mastery of the entire place! 

All of their animals are simply adorable. Felt like a kid again taking pics of horses, cows, ostriches, rabbits and even pot belly pigs! And speaking of cows, they have a resident cow named Voltes V due to her 5th limb! Amaaazing! Me and fellow bloggers took lots of pictures!

We even learned how to milk a goat! Well at least a couple of us. It’s not easy milking them since you have to be extra careful not to hurt them in the process. One must also be hygienic at all times to ensure no untoward infection happens.

Aside from these exciting animals, Paradizoo also has a very lovely and colorful flower garden which can be the perfect wedding or anniversary venue. The different colored-butterflies endlessly flying over various flowers inside the Butterfly House is as fun as always. Very challenging to capture these winged wonders in action on cam. Paradizoo also breeds Bees and sell some pure honey produce. The caretaker shared with us there is bee season for harvesting honey and it is during the rainy season that’s most challenging for them to maintain the thousands of bees. 

There is also a Pet Cemetery inside the farm and a replica of a Noah’s Arc beside it. Remember in the Bible when Noah tried saving all the animals before the Great Flood? It’s the depiction on just how abundant the animals are at Paradizoo.

Some of my fellow bloggers bought lots of plants and vegetables at a good price. I had a fun time seeing all the popular plants and herbs i see in the Food Network channel. They have lots of basil. parsely, mint, lettuces, beans and I believe the entire veggie listing in the popular Bahay Kubo song!

Our fun did not end at Paradizoo for we were brought next to Casa Alegria for a hearty lunch with a perfect view of Taal Volcano overlooking Taal Lake! The road going down was very steep and challenging to our driver. Good job kuya! The moment we arrived, all of us headed up the rooftop for lots of photo ops with the cute volcano and out came the monopod selfies and groupies, haha! We were served crispy pata and a very yummy soup and tasty green mango ensalada! Healthy drink was courtesy of buco water direct from the husk! I felt we were dining by the beachside, haha!

Ms. Arlene who manages the place gave us a quick tour of the rooms all with a perfect view of Taal Volcano in all angles. They have Family Rooms and a Couple’s Room just right for honeymooners, celebrating their anniversaries or simply a relaxing romantic vacation. Very good referral to families or barkadas looking for affordable alternative hotels to stay in this side of Tagaytay.

Another great place to visit to in Tagaytay is Residence Inn. You thought it’s only for staying in but the place also has more animal attractions and a cool zipline overlooking the lake! Our group had one of the best hands on experience holding a live albino python named Alvin! It was my first time to actually hold a cold snake! Whoa their scales for me are ticklish! I have really brave fellow bloggers who even had solo pics with Alvin, like me! We also had a sit beside shot with a baby Bengal tiger who really loves to drink milk! Again, my first time to actually sit beside this wild but well-loved creature. Gooo USTe!

Was also fun having our pics taken with the resident cuckatoo, iguana and owl! I called it the Harry Potter owl haha!

I love ziplines! And I did not miss the chance to also try this one which looked like a very good try for beginners or who haven’t tried zipping before.

Metro Vigan Inn and Cafe Plus More!

Chronicles of a Recent Road Trip To Vigan, Ilocos Sur

☺ Watch out for my review here ☺

La La Laboracay 2014! Love It? Or Hate It?

Heard over at 24 Oras during an xtro spiel of news anchor Mike Enriquiez before a commercial gap is this year’s
jampacked #Laboracay2014 that with so much people there now, one can hardly
see or notice its famous white sand anymore!

Mom and Ilaughed so hard and having been to Boracay before, we can
certainly imagine what Mr. Enriquez was talking about. Despite the holiday
falling on a weekday, most of the peeps have declared themselves absent
from work or duty today. Lucky for those who filed vacation leaves.

According to the report delivered by Pia Guanio, more than 8,000 people were in the
island yesterday May 1 Labor Day holiday. Hu-woooow! One of the biggest gatherings to date!
It was partey-partey left and right in the island graced by of course very notable local celebrities and what-have-you’s.