Carte Blanche: Davao's Party of the Year

2014 is almost over but things are just getting better and better. On November 15, the Crocodile Park Concert Park is expecting to be shaken by 20,000 people-both young and old for this year's Carte Blanche.

Manic Nightnings Productions, the group who brought the party life back in Davao is preparing a carnival festival that will not only cater a "Rave Field" for dancing but also a "Carnival Field" with rides and booths for added attraction. The event will be bigger and more awesome than last year.

This year’s lineup of DJs are to watch for! The musical styles will be as varied as the carnival colors and will surely relieve your dreams of a wonderful festival of music.

Carte Blanche’s gates will open at 2PM. The music will also start at the same time.

Tickets are now available at the following locations: Nike Athletic Club branches (Abreeza Ayala Mall, GMall Davao and SM City Davao Annex) and Sneaker Club (Abreeza Ayala Mall). Regular Carte Blance tickets are priced at P2,000 (Full Madness), P800 (SVIP), P400 (VIP), P150 (GA). Sunset Carte Blanche tickets are priced at P500 (SVIP), P250 (VIP), P100 (GA).

For more information, you may visit the event page at: http://bit.ly/CarteBlanche2014 or follow Manic Nightnings Production at https://www.facebook.com/MANICNIGHTNINGSPRODS

Yin and Yang: Beauty Photography

Remember my Powder Ballet Photo Shoot December two years ago? I had mini-reunion with one of my models twelve months after the ballet session with her. I got the honor of shooting her and her cousin for a Beauty Photography Fun Shoot that was scheduled just in the spur of the moment.

Meet Celeste and Shannon.

Just two of the most feminine and sweetest subject for photography I have had. They are not professional models, FYI, but wold you believe? They are full-time students (and yes, Celeste even had her books with her during the shoot) but have been very easy to work with. They have a positive but very distinct energies from each other. It was a wonderful afternoon that stretched until evening so quickly.

Special credits to Darryl Lara for selflessly lending me his photography gears and to my favorite team:

Hair and Make Up: Karina Asetre

Production Assistant: Anna Domini

Production Assistant (and fan to the HMUA): Niel

Without further ado, the best photos of the day:

CELESTE

SHANNON

and more...

For a rare moment, I got to convince my team to pose for me as well!

Thanks to my beautiful ladies! <3

Tanduay First Five 2013 Concert Night in Davao City

So how was your weekend? 

While other people in the other cities are probably busy partying in clubs or in their own party places, the entire Davao City filled the Tionko Football Field (Agro Football Field) and sang with their favorite First Five Band for the Tanduay First Five 2013 Davao Leg.

The annual series of concert touring around the Philippines is being sponsored by the number one liquor brand in the Philippines, Tanduay, to bring the rock scenes to the major cities. This year's final leg was with Davao City--closing the year 2013 with pure hard rock music and smooth but strong drink that has truly became a household name to every Filipino.

Opening the night was no other than the voice of Yael Yuzon and the Sponge Cola. Of course, First Five night wouldn't be complete without the hard rock songs from Wolfgang, the hyper energy of Jay Contreras and Kamikaze (Tsinelas?!), Chito Miranda and Parokya ni Edgar and also Rico Blanco who was, like last year, in his symbolic attire. Gloc-9 also joined the First Five Bands in giving cheers to the Davao crowd who rocked the night. 

With no further ado, enjoy browsing through the images from the evening taken by no other than my friend, Elaine Magistrado (big thanks, Lai!).

  

Daghang Salamat Tanduay! Next year na pud?!

(Many thanks, Tanduay...Till next year?)

Tanduay First Five 2013 in Davao City

Are you ready for the biggest rock concert in the Philippines?  

If you want a sneak peek on last year's concert, you may check my blog post linked below

TANDUAY ROCKFEST 2012 DAVAO

Closing the Tanduay First Five will be the Davao leg this coming Saturday, December 7, 2013 at the Tionko Football Field (Agro Football Field) along the Quimpo Boulevard. The Five Bands playing this year will include Kamikazee, Wolfgang, Rico Blanco, Parokya ni Edgar and Sponge Cola with special participation of Gloc-9.

Tanduay, the Philippines’ leading producer of liquor , boasts its products for being a true Filipino pride--made by the Filipinos using only the best sugar canes from the Philippines. And what can be the best way to celebrate and enjoy your favorite Tanduay products than to listen and jam with the top rock bands in the Philippines.

So Davao, go and purchase your favorite Tanduay liquor. One 750ml Tanduay 5 years or 750ml Tanduay Light will give you one admission ticket in any participating outlet.

1. Davao Amigo Traders (Gov. Sales Street, Davao City near Sa’Less Diner)

Map Here: http://goo.gl/maps/YDQeH

2. WVP Lopson Inc. (F. Bangoy Street, Davao City near Homitori Dormitory)

Map Here: http://goo.gl/maps/WmhpE

3. Fortuna Supermarket (Marfori Street, Bankerohan, Davao City)

Don’t forget to visit and like Tanduay Rhum’s official Facebook account here and use the hashtag #T5Davao!

Tara, Rakrakan na!

Eat Like a Viking at SM Lanang Premiere

A new dining experience has opened its doors to Davao City’s premiere mall.

Boasting its wide variety of dishes and being the biggest buffet restaurant in the entire Philippines, Vikings’ opening was not only warmly anticipated but was enthusiastically welcomed by Davaoenos. The first branch of Vikings being opened outside Metro Manila catered to ten buffet stations highlighting your favorite cuisines and an array of desserts and antipasti of your choice. Name it and it’s probably there.

We were lucky that we were able to take a glimpse of the luxurious buffet and experience eating like a Viking together with my fellow bloggers. During our visit, I was also able to grab the chefs in some stations and ask few questions about their preparation and the process they go through to come up with meals that are being served in the buffet.

It may look simple and easy when you simply dine in the buffet but each station is equipped with live kitchens where food is prepared right in front of you. Stations like the grill, pasta and pizza, crepe and churrasco will allow you to create your own dishes that add to the Vikings experience. Hot right to your plate and fresh like morning dew, all food you can imagine to eat in a one place you can consider heaven.

Now let's start this gastronomic tour. First stop: ANTIPASTI

Lachis: Enjoy the Best Diner in Town

Here we are. The home of DFAT and the best Sansrival in town. Lachis is one of the places that anyone from Davao Bloggers may have not missed. We have been here for countless of times and the quality of the food will never disappoint your hungry tummy.

Lachis Sansrival Atbp started only with few tables and chairs in their humble location in Marfori Heights only specializing in mostly cakes and deserts. A couple of years after, they expanded but still, the area gets packed with guests dining in especially during lunch and dinner time. It is a one-stop shop for your favorite meals and desserts—from rice meals, laing, pasta to your all-time favourite cakes and even pastries. The best part is that not only Lachi’s gives you that homey dining experience, the prices are REALLY affordable.

I guess the word of mouth got into many people as Lachi’s weren't

as aggressive as many commercial establishments but they are very serious in serving tasty meals! Most of people I know who have been there were also informed by other friends to try their foods. This place is the best example of quality reigning supreme.

Want to be hungry?

 

Greenwich ULTIMATE Treat with DFAT 2013 and Davao Bloggers

The last stop of our Davao Food Appreciation Tour 2013 brought us to Greenwich Pizza—the very same bloggers event that introduced me to the Davao Bloggers.

Just like before, we were welcomed by the warm staff of Greenwich Ilustre. While our first event introduced us to their chicken and pizza selection, this time we were able to taste the meatier and the more saucy lasagna as well as their pizzas!

Going Japanese with Tsuru

Today I will be sharing to you our experience dining in one of the first Japanese restaurant in Davao City–Tsuru. We visited their branch located in Abreeza Mall for our second stop during the Davao Food Appreciation Tour 2013. We were instantly welcomed by the beautiful and cozy ambiance of the resto and the warm staff.

We were served with platters of maki’s and Japanese rolls where we were able to taste the new dishes that they are offering. We were also able to ask few questions from the store manager who was also very enthusiastic in giving information to us about Tsuru and the company’s experience in the past decade.

California Roll. Crab Overload.

Godzilla Roll. Ebi Tempura with lettuce topped with tuna, salmon, mango, avocado and topped with Tsuru's special sauce

Tsuru Roll. Salmon, kani, and cream cheese fried to a golden crisp then topped with tempura bits and teriyaki sauce

Volcano Roll. Salmon, spring onions, spicy oil and mayo fried to perfection with two types of sauces.

So the verdict?

Price. Affordable but not cheap. If you wanted to save and get the best deals, visit them during happy hours from 2-5pm (weekdays), 2-5pm and 9pm-12mn (weekends). All sushis and makis will be one a Buy 1, Take 1 sale while their sake jar will be offered at a 50% discount.

Place. I have been to two out of the three branch stores of Tsuru in Davao. The other branches may not look exactly alike (perhaps limit of space) but the feel is all the same. You can see decorations that adds to the aesthetic and a teppanyaki table can surely add to your Japanese cuisine experience when food will be cooked or grilled in your table!

Palate. Wow. My favorite among the new dishes we had would be the volcano roll. It is crunchy yet juicy in the inside where flavors explode to your mouth. If you check their menu, only Tsuru offers the complete dishes that you would want to see in other local Japanese restaurants.

More photos…

So? What do you think? If you wanted to know more, check their Facebook page here.

You can also drop by their branches located at J. Camus Street (main branch fronting People’s Park), Abreeza Mall and Damosa, Lanang. They operate from Monday to Sunday 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM (lunch)  and 5:30 PM to 11:00 PM (dinner). Give them a ring for reservations or query through (+6382) 221-0901.

Mam Bebs Bakeshop and Your Home Kitchen

When you grow older away from home, you would always find that place where you wanted to eat a food that reminds you of home. For me, I found this comfy place in the middle of the city.

Signature Dish! Make sure you try this Palabok on your visit
Photo credits to Mam Bebs Bakeshop

 We kicked off our DFAT 2013 adventure with a hearty lunch in Mam Bebs for a quick orientation and to finally meet our fellow DFAT-ers! We ordered our preferred lunch and desert and went crazy taking photos!

Mam Beb’s Bakeshop is a small bakeshop in Claveria Street, adjacent to Ateneo’s gate. At first glance, you would think that its merely a store with breads and pastries but their menu also offers various dishes and rice meals that are not only affordable but are delicious! My blogger friends would usually drool with the thought of Palabok being served while we can all be easily bribed with the best apple pie in town also from Mam Beb’s!

Go gaga and try everything. It’s really affordable so it wont be too much to spend

My current fave, the Fish Fillet–crunchy in the outside, creamy inside.
Also try their refreshing Iced Tea. Its no ordinary Iced Tea that you taste in all the fastfood!

 Want to know more about Mam Beb’s Bakeshop, you can click and check their Facebook page or check-in in their Foursquare page and perhaps leave some tips and photos of you and your friends having a good time!