Happiness comes in many forms: DBS Party 2015

If there is a single aspiration that everybody is searching for, that would be happiness. This aspiration however, is a generic idea that comes in many forms and it gets a little complicated as we grow older.

In my younger years, a simple treat from my parents or a reward or a yummy food would make me the happiest person in the world but now that my goals and my priorities have changed, the level of happiness I get from the usual things I reward myself has also changed. True to you, too, right?

HAPPINESS COMES FROM THE WORK YOU LOVE.

This year, I am proud to represent one of the city's most luxurious hotel and being part of the MarCom team. It is a very challenging job but it becomes very rewarding when you partner and work together with your friends.

Ria: First word, two syllables
Group: Computer Screen?
Ria: O-em-gee! Publish A Post!

Shoti: One word
Group: TUMBLR!
(So ninja-like, we cant even create a GIF!)

Momie Verns: Move over kids, English, Two Words

HAPPINESS COMES FROM A HEALTHY COMPETITION

This is probably a lesson I learned from my fellow DBS members--competition can be really fun! Its a very odd experience but losing and competing against the brightest most competitive team brings you out of your shell. Winning is, of course, a bonus and we had one big bonus this day--we won!

Way to go VP! Most Photographed!

HAPPINESS COMES FROM LEADING A GROUP

Just like any other volunteer work, the reward comes from leading a group is a type of happiness that is very meaningful. Kudos to you, our officers! Thanks for all your hardwork.

Awesome Officers, Gateway Bloggers, Food Bloggers, Lifestyle Bloggers, Fashion Bloggers, Parenting Bloggers, Travel Bloggers, Photobloggers, Group hugs!

HAPPINESS COMES FROM BEING PART OF THE COOLEST BLOGGING COMMUNITY

And coming together from different niches, different places and colorful personalities. The DBS is a community that allowed me not only to meet new people but also get new friends. After three years of blogging, my blog has not only turned to a means to express myself (another way to be happy) but also to fill a cup of sunshine in my life.

Hahaha, Dont worry Quima, we still love you no matter what! :D

HAPPINESS COMES FROM PARTNER COMPANIES WHO SUPPORT DBS-all the way!

Thank you and we look forward to another awesome year ahead. Special mention to our friends from Smart Communications! Davao Bloggers Society is officially powered by Smart and was announced during the party.

Smart Communications

MySkin Origins

Krispy Kreme

Lachis Sans Rival

The White House Fusion Cuisine and Wine Lounge

Sun Life Financial

Air Asia

Campaigns & Grey

TGIFridays

Bulgogi Brothers

Italiannis

Eden Nature Park and Resort

Crocodile Park

Maxima Aquafun
SM City Davao & SM Lanang Premier

NCCC

Martish Marketing

Glamourbox

Marco Polo Davao

Alor's A Home Kitchen

Waterfront Insular Hotel

Annipie
The Brewery
Fujifilm Philippines
Fujifilm Instax

The Davao Bloggers Acquaintance Party 2015 was held last May 16, 2015 at The White House Fusion Cuisine.

Photo credits to Alfredo Agreda. Thanks, Red!

People: Dining Staff at Vikings

Now that you have seen the food and probably hungry about what to cook just to temporarily take your mind off Vikings, I would like to share some of the dining experiences we had in Vikings. These are photos of the hard-working chefs and dining staff and also with Mr. Luel Magbanua, their Dining Manager, together with my fellow Davao Bloggers during our visit.

You will also see some photos that highlights the interior and details surrounding the buffet restaurant. Go ahead and enjoy!

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

Bulgogi Brothers Open in SM Lanang Premier

Here is a post for my adventurous-foodie-friends.

BULGOGI BROTHERS is finally open in SM Lanang Premier! To add in the line of fine dining and cuisine in Davao City is this modern Korean restaurant that will surely make you say 잘 먹었습니다 (jal meogeosseumnida).

It was such a pleasure to be invited together with my fellow Davao Bloggers together with some of our friends in the local media to the pre-opening event of Bulgogi Brothers. So go ahead and imagine yourself entering a resto greeted by happy smiles, in a place with interiors decorated with Korean paintings, soft inviting couches, and the smell of food that will surely pin you to your seat. You will also notice the dining table decorated with metal chopsticks and if you need more eating utensils, a side drawer in your table will open you to supplies of napkin, fork, spoons so no need to request for that.

The Korean home (with Ian Garcia in the right most part)

Cellar de Boca Opens in SM Lanang Premier

A Wine Kitchen.

Cellar de Boca is the best place to visit when you wish to experience a good array of top recipe (from appetizers to steaks) and an excellent choice of wines. Almost a month ago, the most hospitable and kind partners of Cellar de Boca, Vince, Tricie, Carlo and Bobby invited some of Davao Bloggers to take part in their opening celebration.

We were honored to taste some of the specialties of the kitchen and also of course, their Lagarde Wines from their bar.

Appetizers: Imbao (top left), Tuna Tartar (lower center) and Steak Empanada (upper right)

Shrimp and Chorizo Linguini

Spaghetti

Tuna Plantsa

Sun-made Steak Rice

Boca Angus Steak

Fried Paella Rice

Churos in Home-made Chocolate Dip

A brief background will enlighten you of the wonderful tradition that the Cellar de Boca is bringing. Do not confuse yourself if you find of a cozy place near Rizal Street called Cellar de Oboza because the same couple who are among the four partners, Vince and Tricie Arcenas owns and manages the Filipino-Spanish restaurant and brought some of their famous dishes for you to indulge in Cellar de Boca. On the other hand,  Bobby Tenchavez and Carlo Lorenzana (thus, the "Boca" in the brand name) are the exclusive wine importers of the Bodega Lagarde (Argentina) which is primarily the wine that you will enjoy in Cellar de Boca.

If you find yourself craving for the 'teaser' photos that I have posted here, go and reward your tummy and enjoy the excellent, excellent food and (do not forget) wine of Cellar de Boca that you will find in the second floor of SM Lanang Premier fronting the dancing fountain.

 

Davao Bloggers with Ms. Tricie and the Aidx Paredes :)
photo (c) Natalie Lim

Thank you and congratulations, Cellar de Boca!

SM Lanang Premier Dancing Water Fountain

The newest and the hippest destination in Metro Davao Did not only open their doors to new and A-list stores but also the gateway for family hangouts. SM Lanang Premier is not the best place to bring kids and even kids-at-heart where everybody can enjoy an alley of dining places and adore a beautiful show of dancing fountain.

The launching of the eye-catching fountain was coupled with a dance mob where spectators enjoyed the beat of Psy's Oppa Gangnam Style. dancers numbering to almost a hundred came out of every corner of the park and entertained (not to mention surprise) the audience (including me) while they synchronized to the splash of water in the fountain.

Well, enough stories for I believe that it is best to experience it yourself. Do not miss out on visiting SM Lanang this yuletide season with your family and get wow-ed by the colorful and magical dancing fountain (and maybe another dance mob!) which would show every hour (bet viewed during evenings). You can also enjoy the fountain while dining at the newly opened diners and resto fronting the park.

Need more to convince you? Here, take these! :)

The line of PSY soldiers dancing the Gangnam
photo (c) William Pedraza

(c) William Pedraza

(c) William Pedraza

(c) William Pedraza 

Hey, sexy ladies (and guys?)

Rainbow connection. Thepark colored by the beautiful dancing fountain
Photo (c) William Pedraza

Special thanks to Sir Biboy for half of the photos posted here, to the Davao Bloggers through Ms. Karla Singson and of course, the SM Lanang Premier administration for the warm welcome and for coming up with this wonderful launching.

Forever Young, Forever 21

And the door opened to a fresh scent of air in Davao City. 

A few months back, SM Lanang Premiere, the second SM Mall in Davao City was formally opened to the public with a boom--series of parties, inaugural mass, bloggers day-out, press conferences. For many youngsters like me, the Lanang Premiere is not only a new mall but it is also the newest fashion hub as Forever21 also opened its first Mindanao branch in the Philippines. 

Imagine the relief of not having to go to Manila or Cebu just to visit a branch to buy one blazer or jacket or that blouse you can't even find in bazaars. Forever21 is indeed forever being young. The line is filled with smart casual to casual attire that will suite any of your mood without looking old, grumpy to trying-too-hard. Its always fun and hip (even their formals section). And to be honest, my Forever21 apparels are my most used clothes not because I love to boast the brand, but its the most versatile set I have. I can mix and match it with my other clothes for any occasion.

During the inaugural day of the SM Lanang Premiere, I was lucky that my friend Chamee (thanks very much!) handed me her invite for the event (since her work wouldn't permit her to arrive on time). The event was graced with all the fashion-elites of Davao (most I don't see on ordinary occasions) and some even from Manila. Together with some of my acquaintances, we shutter-happy-ed our night away and enjoyed the fashion show and cocktail event. 

You don't have to worry about finding F21's location in Lanang Premier. Its the first store you will see in the facade of the mall. So, enough blah-blah and let me take you back to the wonderful evening of F21's opening.

Familiar faces: Ms. Cathy, Tash and Sir Neljone Astudillo 

Bloggers and fashionista's. Old and young.

And the magic starts in 5...4...3...2.. 

  

  

The entire collection is all that I expected-chic (even the kids!) and sassy. As for me, this is the outfit I wore during the party and running around SM Lanang that day *pats self at the back* (lol). See you shopping in F21 in SM Lanang!